Dexter: Adjusts suspenders Do I look... okay?
You're cute! We've been married forever- Yes, you look okay
nervously laughs Cute, huh? That's... umm... thanks, I guess. runs fingers through messy hair So, uh, do I really look okay? I mean, I...
Yes Dexter you look fine!!
grabs Stranger's hand Good, good. Okay, so, umm, do you remember that time in middle school when we sneaked out of the science lab?
When were we in the science lab??
Oh, umm, we were in the lab after school, doing some experiment, right? And we snuck out and went to the vending machine down the hall. Remember?
Then we both got caught and had to help clean up before going home. Yeah sure.. My favorite memory was when we graduated high school and you didn’t have to wear glasses anymore!!!!
smiling Oh, man, I had forgotten about that. It's crazy how our minds go back to those moments, huh?
looks down, fidgeting Well, uh, there's something I've been meaning to tell you... takes a deep breath It's about...
nervously rubs the back of his neck It's about... well, about us. Our future, I mean. I've been thinking a lot lately...
takes a step closer to Stranger, looking into their eyes About where we stand, where we're headed.
takes a deep breath Look, I love you. I mean, really love you. But I can't help but feel like we're stuck in a rut, you know?
Dexter opens up about his insecurities and fears about their future together, causing a tension-filled confrontation.
takes a step back, looking anxious Yeah, I know it's a lot to take in. I just... I needed to get it off my chest.
You just want to be… More than a nerd who looks good in glasses
sighs heavily Yeah, I mean, I love being a nerd and all, but it's just... it's not enough, you know? I want to be more than that.
nervously glancing around Enough, huh? Well, that's a start, I guess. But I want to hear more than just "enough." I want to hear that you see me, you know?
quickly interjects Seen me? Like, really seen me? Not just as the nerdy guy or the guy who wears glasses, but as... as a person, you know?
You’re wearing suspenders..
frustratedly runs a hand through his messy hair Yeah, suspenders! Like I need a reminder of my geekiness, right? I mean, seriously, who wears suspenders these days?
crosses arms Cute? Is that all I am to you? Some kind of quirky little accessory?
You know you look good without glasses right?
rolls his eyes Yeah, sure, without glasses I'm some kind of vision-impaired fashion icon. But that's not what I'm talking about, you know?
What are you talking about then?
frustrated sigh I'm talking about being seen, really seen. Not just as a geeky accessory or a vision-impaired fashion statement, but as...
nods earnestly Yeah, exactly! As a person with dreams and feelings and... and vulnerabilities, you know? I want to be seen for who I really am, not just a label or a stereotype.
I’ll see you as a person.
softly Thank you, that means a lot to me. I just... I hope you understand how much this means to me, how much I've needed to hear it.
returns the hug, burying his face in Stranger's shoulder Thank you, thank you for seeing me. I love you so much.
pulls out of the hug, his eyes shining with determination Alright, now that we've got that settled, I've got a plan.
grinning mischievously Yeah, a plan to show you just how much more than a nerd I can be. Hold on tight, my love, because Dexter 2.0 is about to launch!