[ This is... oddly enough much easier to deal with for Jake than the earlier reactions he was getting. For most people the move away from calm, seemingly rational responses would actually be a bad thing. When it came to Dirk though, the fact that he is starting to break down might not be. It means (at least Jake hopes it means) that he'll be able to get through to him now. At the very least it's become apparently obvious to both of them how affected by this Dirk really is.

With how tense Dirk is right now Jake is sure invading his personal space is going to get him a fist in the face, but he does it anyways. One hand is placed firmly on Dirk's shoulder. The other rests on his upper arm on the opposite side. ]

Maybe I can't, but if I leave now then I'll lose you forever.

[ He's trying so hard to make eye contact now, eyes flickering back and forth across the surface of Dirk's sunglasses. This would be so much easier if those damned things weren't in the way, but he's not about to risk having his fingers broken in an attempt to take them off. ]

It probably makes me a selfish prick all things considered! But I don't want to let you go.