[his expression turns gradually hopeful at Dave's words. Being the pessimist that he was, he hadn't been expecting to hear that...he'd been expecting to hear it was pointless to try to work through things. But with the scant experience he had in this department, he was ready to believe Dave despite the unexpectedness of what he said]

Really? Then I guess as long as both sides are willing to compromise a little, things can work...no way are we gonna give up easily.

....um, theoretically.

[pff, at this point he's fooling himself. Dave has probably picked up on the fact that he's in a relationship by now]