Can we talk about the fact the fact that the "one thing [Dennis] wanted more than anything else in the entire world" was not, in fact, the RPG. He doesn't care that there's no ammunition for it, or that he can't actually use it as-is, because what he really wanted was for someone to think of him on Valentines day. That was why he put the anthrax in the box. to stop the others from excluding him. Because even if they were being horrible to each other, he still wanted in on it.
For Dennis, the fact that he wasn't given gifts by the rest of the gang indicated that they didn't love him, and Mac giving him that RPG proved him wrong. He of course would never say it out loud, and still clearly works to suppress the full extent of his emotions even when he's just had an emotional outburst and is on the verge of tears, but Dennis craves this symbolic reassurance. Even as he actively pushes people away, shuts them out, pretends he's emotionless. He's upset that the others actually believe this mask of his, take it at face value and can't see past his lies. He wants to be seen and understood and he wants to be loved by his friends.
it is so sickening to think about mac's desperation to be loved and how the neediness that radiates from him is ultimately what inhibits him from forming healthy relationships.. the gang is so tired of him constantly questioning his self-worth ("you guys like me, right?") that they've given up on giving him any attention whatsoever ("it's really a cry for [...] attention, [...] ignore those" / "treat it like a baby / "we don't like you either way"). he needs validation but seeks it in a manner that is so off-putting that nobody wants him around. he writers letters to chase utley. he visits his mom and dad, even though they never want to see him. he threatens suicide as a cry for help and is encouraged to follow through. self-worth is in the body, so why doesn't anyone care that he's been working out? he smothers his dog with affection but can't even get it to stay.
girl mac contribution
not to make anyone sad, but this is mac right before coming out
and this is him right after
gif credit: @mac-mcdonald
which means that the first thing mac does after accepting he is gay is to take off his cross necklace
i love lesbian fujoshis dude. i don’t care about men at all UNLESS☝️ they’re getting freakyyy
As filmed by yours truly and @macdenlover (x)
dennis when he thinks charlie slept with dee vs when he thinks mac slept with dee