:headdesk: This has really not been my week. Sorry! I'll go include the original css as well as my fiddled one. I just posted this question and went back to trying different things because I didn't think anyone will add a reply any time soon.

I've seen it styled and know it can be done, but couldn't think of a way to do it myself. I'll be back soon.

(While you're offline, I will try to see what happens if span.de is floated and whether that would have any influence on the problem.)

You are a genius! Floating the element fixed the issue. :) Now it's just a matter of aligning the reply elements.