[ Stiles does indeed continue to follow Itachi, offering a brief thanks to the student in response to the doors held ajar. Though his curiosity flares up as they enter the building, he resolutely keeps his gaze pinned to the Witch’s back. Judging from what he gleaned during the shared dream, Itachi is the slippery type who’ll take off the moment Stiles looks away. With that in mind, he rolls up his sleeves to expose the trichobothria to the open air; the sooner he adjusts to the minimal vibrations that Itachi creates, the better chance he’ll have at tracking him. ]
I’m just going to remind you that I’m friends with your brother. [ His sneakers plod along so loudly in comparison to Itachi’s own footsteps. ] Who, by the way, is like a cactus in terms of personality. Normally I’d say something like, “no offense.” But, honestly? Full offense.
[ Where is this going, Stiles? ]
My point is… Do you really think you can freeze me out that easily? You’re gonna learn real fast that I can talk enough for two people, buddy.
[You're a nightmare, Stiles Stilinski. The encroaching regret of ever accepting this meeting is imminent...
Itachi doesn't speak again until he's reached the section of the library which is his main destination, entitled Witches and Magic, shelves all lined in neat and tidy categorical order. When he does, his gaze drifts to Stiles like a man leveling a blade. Patently unimpressed.]
[ Dragging one aimless finger along the spines of tomes and books, Stiles considers the question while simultaneously perusing literature titles. Fish Dust & Guts in Tantric Magic. Uh, gross? He pulls that book out. Just for research. ]
You’re Sasuke’s brother. [ As if that should explain everything. ] He clearly loves you, [ a word he doesn’t throw around casually, despite the ease with which he uses it now, ] which means you’re important to me too. So, deal with it. What’re we looking for? Cwyld stuff?
[As if that should explain everything. The way it's said is simple, uncolored by the decades of complexity that haunt their fraught relationship. Itachi gives no outward reaction to those words. He clearly loves you. Of course, it's impossible to believe them—not strictly because they're delivered by a person unaware of the truth between himself and Sasuke, but instead a fact of his own knowledge. Whatever Sasuke feels for him isn't easily defined by that concept.
Whether Itachi is aware of it or not, he has already assumed what is on his younger brother's mind and in his heart. It's not like they're ever going to talk about it...]
You and I are strangers. You should have more caution toward me. [We got a badass over here.] But no, I was searching for information on the different classes of magic. Specifically more minor spellcraft across all disciplines. They utilize such spells in this library for text translation, which I believe would be a useful tool in the future.
[Put your sex book back, Stiles, where is your sense of shame. Meanwhile, Itachi follows the aisle further, eyes scanning the visible spines.]
Whatever your feelings toward Sasuke, it doesn't concern me. [What a LIAR.]
[ The recommendation is dismissed; Stiles doesn’t need anyone telling him to be cautious, especially not a man he’s already harboring a healthy amount of wariness toward. Whether or not he trusts Itachi is irrelevant – Sasuke does, which means Stiles plans to keep an eye on the older brother going forward. Being important doesn’t mean he likes Itachi. After all, Theo was important to Stiles too. So, with a bland look, he ignores the first half of Itachi’s response (including the purpose of their visit, because he couldn’t care less, honestly) and instead focuses on the last statement. ]
That’s too bad, [ he says mildly, tossing the book at Itachi, careless if the Witch bothers to catch it or not, ] because your feelings toward him definitely concern me. Sucks to be you, I guess.
[He does catch it, unfortunately... A quick hand snaps it out of the air. Even a lack of chakra can't minimize on a lifetime spent honing sensitive reflexes. Itachi lowers a dark look onto Stiles – tucks the book back into the shelf where it belongs – and moves on.]
Are you lingering here to speak about anything in particular?
[Or just to make him want to snap your neck. Answer wisely.]
[ Bastard. As soon as Itachi has moved on, Stiles is pulling the title out from the shelf once again. Just to be contrary. ]
Not really. [ The book is leafed through, with Stiles stopping immediately when he sees a very risqué image depicting the application of fish guts to a man’s genitals. ] Mostly trying to get a sense of who you are, what you’re like, maybe stalk you back to your place so I know where you live. Y’know, average “friend of your younger brother” things.
[Why do you inflict this fish gut imagery upon me.]
... I see.
[Naruto was never this annoying, although partly due to the fact Itachi had chakra at his disposal and could vanish on a whim. Time to take matters into his own hands. He circles the shelf, traveling down the next aisle without another word. Waiting Stiles out? Forming a plan of escape? Hmmm.]
[ Wow, there’s even a helpful diagram that demonstrates the correct way to smear fish guts on a penis. They’ve thought of everything! The book recommends using blobfish guts at room temperature, though a footnote mentions catfish innards will work almost as well. ]
How old are you?
[ Hot on Itachi’s heels, Stiles follows him like a baby duckling its mother. ]
You’ve got one of those weird faces. [ lmao get fucked ] Like, I can’t tell if you’re twenty or thirty.
[I'm going to drop this thread if I have to keep reading about fish guts and dicks.
Itachi's shoulders draw a little tighter as he's followed with such close persistence, though he understands it was a hopeless effort. He hasn't yet been able to shake Stiles. There's a calculated part of this, that Stiles knows what he is doing and intends not to leave until he's satisfied his own bottomless curiosity. It is, perhaps, one of the first times in years Itachi has felt so cornered. His every move watched, his attention hounded... Even to a degree far less harmful than his childhood, it's dredging up an unwanted sensation of distress. The discomfort threatens to reach a point of crisis.
He turns another corner, keeping his pace even and calm so as not to clue Stiles into the state of his mind.]
Twenty-one. [This is short, clipped. Undoubtedly annoyed now.]
[ Somehow, it’s even younger than he expected – which isn’t because Stiles actually thinks Itachi looks older, but because of the practiced air of cool confidence and enigmatic intelligence that he exudes. Twenty-one is barely any older than he is. It’s younger than Derek. ]
Is there a shinobi drinking age? [ he asks next, still following around the next corner, utterly oblivious to his eminent fate; the public venue has given him an illusion of safety. ] Where I’m from, you can’t drink alcohol until you’re twenty-one.
[ Can’t believe you’re about to ruin this man’s whole career because you can’t handle 21 Questions, Itachi. ]
Yes. [Tragically, he doesn't tell Stiles what that is (it's twenty).] I'm old enough to drink.
[A breadcrumb, a little give, fully intending to use this as a manipulative tactic so Stiles will continue to stick close to him in conversation. By now he's woven their path around the bookshelves toward the back corner of this section, where an alcove connects to a dark annex. It must be a location accessed mainly by employees; at the moment, there is no one around. His ranging up-down path through the aisles gave him enough time to scope the area and determine how close the nearest pair of eyes lurked. Armed with this knowledge, knowing he'll need to take this opportunity while the window waits open, Itachi stops walking.]
Stiles.
[Keeping his voice low and calm, he turns, stepping forward into the younger man's space. It is willingly and uncharacteristically invasive for someone who covets physical separation and distance. Their gazes level, he inclines his head.]
I gave you a chance to walk away from this. [As soon as these ominous words are said, he moves with lightning speed, yanking Stiles forward with a hand on the front of his shirt—pulling him close, so that his opposite hand has the momentum and room to come down hard on the back of Stiles' neck. It's a clean and efficient strike. One he's delivered enough times to know its effect: short-lasting unconsciousness and a lingering headache but no other damage. When Stiles drops, Itachi is there to brace his weight in his arms, then begin hauling him into the attached passage.] You should have listened.
[A suitable, empty storage closet is found to set Stiles down and lean him up against the wall. Then he closes the door. And begins to walk very, very far away.]
text; the fact that i used "eminent" instead of "imminent" is going to haunt me until the day i die
[Itachi glances at this message when it comes, then slides his watch back into his pocket without even a pause and continues on with his blessedly quieter day. Good luck ever getting him to respond to you again, Stiles.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ Stiles does indeed continue to follow Itachi, offering a brief thanks to the student in response to the doors held ajar. Though his curiosity flares up as they enter the building, he resolutely keeps his gaze pinned to the Witch’s back. Judging from what he gleaned during the shared dream, Itachi is the slippery type who’ll take off the moment Stiles looks away. With that in mind, he rolls up his sleeves to expose the trichobothria to the open air; the sooner he adjusts to the minimal vibrations that Itachi creates, the better chance he’ll have at tracking him. ]
I’m just going to remind you that I’m friends with your brother. [ His sneakers plod along so loudly in comparison to Itachi’s own footsteps. ] Who, by the way, is like a cactus in terms of personality. Normally I’d say something like, “no offense.” But, honestly? Full offense.
[ Where is this going, Stiles? ]
My point is… Do you really think you can freeze me out that easily? You’re gonna learn real fast that I can talk enough for two people, buddy.
no subject
Itachi doesn't speak again until he's reached the section of the library which is his main destination, entitled Witches and Magic, shelves all lined in neat and tidy categorical order. When he does, his gaze drifts to Stiles like a man leveling a blade. Patently unimpressed.]
Why?
[Just tell him why he has to suffer like this.]
no subject
You’re Sasuke’s brother. [ As if that should explain everything. ] He clearly loves you, [ a word he doesn’t throw around casually, despite the ease with which he uses it now, ] which means you’re important to me too. So, deal with it. What’re we looking for? Cwyld stuff?
no subject
Whether Itachi is aware of it or not, he has already assumed what is on his younger brother's mind and in his heart. It's not like they're ever going to talk about it...]
You and I are strangers. You should have more caution toward me. [We got a badass over here.] But no, I was searching for information on the different classes of magic. Specifically more minor spellcraft across all disciplines. They utilize such spells in this library for text translation, which I believe would be a useful tool in the future.
[Put your sex book back, Stiles, where is your sense of shame. Meanwhile, Itachi follows the aisle further, eyes scanning the visible spines.]
Whatever your feelings toward Sasuke, it doesn't concern me. [What a LIAR.]
no subject
That’s too bad, [ he says mildly, tossing the book at Itachi, careless if the Witch bothers to catch it or not, ] because your feelings toward him definitely concern me. Sucks to be you, I guess.
no subject
Are you lingering here to speak about anything in particular?
[Or just to make him want to snap your neck. Answer wisely.]
no subject
Not really. [ The book is leafed through, with Stiles stopping immediately when he sees a very risqué image depicting the application of fish guts to a man’s genitals. ] Mostly trying to get a sense of who you are, what you’re like, maybe stalk you back to your place so I know where you live. Y’know, average “friend of your younger brother” things.
[ At least he’s being honest?? ]
no subject
... I see.
[Naruto was never this annoying, although partly due to the fact Itachi had chakra at his disposal and could vanish on a whim. Time to take matters into his own hands. He circles the shelf, traveling down the next aisle without another word. Waiting Stiles out? Forming a plan of escape? Hmmm.]
no subject
How old are you?
[ Hot on Itachi’s heels, Stiles follows him like a baby duckling its mother. ]
You’ve got one of those weird faces. [ lmao get fucked ] Like, I can’t tell if you’re twenty or thirty.
no subject
Itachi's shoulders draw a little tighter as he's followed with such close persistence, though he understands it was a hopeless effort. He hasn't yet been able to shake Stiles. There's a calculated part of this, that Stiles knows what he is doing and intends not to leave until he's satisfied his own bottomless curiosity. It is, perhaps, one of the first times in years Itachi has felt so cornered. His every move watched, his attention hounded... Even to a degree far less harmful than his childhood, it's dredging up an unwanted sensation of distress. The discomfort threatens to reach a point of crisis.
He turns another corner, keeping his pace even and calm so as not to clue Stiles into the state of his mind.]
Twenty-one. [This is short, clipped. Undoubtedly annoyed now.]
chuckles, im in danger
Huh.
[ Somehow, it’s even younger than he expected – which isn’t because Stiles actually thinks Itachi looks older, but because of the practiced air of cool confidence and enigmatic intelligence that he exudes. Twenty-one is barely any older than he is. It’s younger than Derek. ]
Is there a shinobi drinking age? [ he asks next, still following around the next corner, utterly oblivious to his eminent fate; the public venue has given him an illusion of safety. ] Where I’m from, you can’t drink alcohol until you’re twenty-one.
[ Can’t believe you’re about to ruin this man’s whole career because you can’t handle 21 Questions, Itachi. ]
:}
[A breadcrumb, a little give, fully intending to use this as a manipulative tactic so Stiles will continue to stick close to him in conversation. By now he's woven their path around the bookshelves toward the back corner of this section, where an alcove connects to a dark annex. It must be a location accessed mainly by employees; at the moment, there is no one around. His ranging up-down path through the aisles gave him enough time to scope the area and determine how close the nearest pair of eyes lurked. Armed with this knowledge, knowing he'll need to take this opportunity while the window waits open, Itachi stops walking.]
Stiles.
[Keeping his voice low and calm, he turns, stepping forward into the younger man's space. It is willingly and uncharacteristically invasive for someone who covets physical separation and distance. Their gazes level, he inclines his head.]
I gave you a chance to walk away from this. [As soon as these ominous words are said, he moves with lightning speed, yanking Stiles forward with a hand on the front of his shirt—pulling him close, so that his opposite hand has the momentum and room to come down hard on the back of Stiles' neck. It's a clean and efficient strike. One he's delivered enough times to know its effect: short-lasting unconsciousness and a lingering headache but no other damage. When Stiles drops, Itachi is there to brace his weight in his arms, then begin hauling him into the attached passage.] You should have listened.
[A suitable, empty storage closet is found to set Stiles down and lean him up against the wall. Then he closes the door. And begins to walk very, very far away.]
text; the fact that i used "eminent" instead of "imminent" is going to haunt me until the day i die
Bitch.
[ Well, at least it's not a garbage dumpster this time. ]
i didn't even notice, but now i do