What's up with Danny? Evan laughed a short, sad laugh. "He's... not adjusting well. He makes your brother seem like he is adjusting well... no offense intended. I don't think he likes it here. Or likes me leading things... I'm not sure what it is, but he definitely doesn't like something..." he shrugged. "It's like with you. The most I can do is just..." another shrug, "let him be and come through on his own."
Though it was difficult, Evan fought with the urge to roll his eyes at the refusal to talk to his girlfriend about his insecurities and doubts. Shrugging instead, he allowed Elliot his stubbornness, didn't fault him for it because he had times when he was like that, too. He dealt with his own problems, his own way, and forget anyone who tried to tell him otherwise. Still, that didn't stop him from quickly saying, “I think she'd be more bothered if you didn't tell her than finding out. Being the leader of a family doesn't mean undertaking all the world's problems on your own. That's something I'm trying to learn myself, too,” before turning and taking his seat again.
Arching an eyebrow when Elliot scoffed, Evan turned his head to look at his friend. “Have I offended you somehow?” he asked genuinely. “There were a lot of them, definitely. But I had some help.” Why was this suddenly turning into a fight? Had Evan really overstepped that much?
“I'll stop asking you about your problems, if that's what you'd prefer.” Spoken like he meant it, when they both knew that it was more or less impossible. Evan would ask, because that was who Evan was. “I'm just a concerned friend, trying to look out for the best friend he's had in ages.” Lighten the moment. Or... at least try to. Remind him that I'm on his side...
“If there's anything else I can do to help, just let me know,” he said, completely contradicting his prior mention of an effort not to ask about any problems.