[Each time the notification flashes across the screen, further highlighting Stiles’ impatience, a bit of his own resilience whittles down. Is the avoidance necessary? No, not strictly, but it is easy. Does he want to have this conversation? Absolutely not.
Will it happen eventually? Knowing Stiles…
The final text has Itachi gripping the device, knuckles white as he replies with prompt timing.]
[Moving past how strange it still feels to be trusted...]
That would be illogical. It was clear the spirit wished to be close to another living person, and it made this known to you. There would be no reason to continue to lie about its true nature once you knew what it was and what it wanted.
Also, it struggled to behave like me. If you’re still unsure, then you may test my attitude now.
[ AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH does he have to say it, guess he has to say it. ]
You know. For how my body reacted.
[ Kill him. ]
You don't have to say anything!! I know you'll probably be like "Beep boop beep it's human nature to react to outside stimulus beep boop" or something like that. I just needed to apologize anyway. So, I'm sorry. That must have been uncomfortable.
[Not for the first time, he is glad for the decision to have this conversation through more impersonal means. It's also familiar - every engagement he had with Sephiroth always came to the same point. A written message, an apology.]
It did not bother me. The spirit's possession was more unsettling.
[Two specific points come to mind: the first, that confession of violence against the hunter-nin in relationship to Sasuke, something he has never voiced aloud; and the second, perhaps even more damning, that he had enjoyed what took place. Both truths, both reasons for his avoidance, if at separate ends of the spectrum in subject matter.
Stiles might have to wait several minutes before the realization that another message won't be coming. He just stares at the screen, in some dark alcove of the library.
[ Stiles Stilinski is not an unintelligent person. He can put two and two together, usually. But he isn't being obtuse on purpose when he fails to see where Itachi is leading him. The entire experience with the spirit had been so bizarre from start to finish; he can't pinpoint what Itachi is referencing. The drowning torture, maybe? It makes him uneasy, is something that he wants to question Itachi about further, but he's not entirely sure that's what's being discussed now.
When it becomes clear Itachi won't be messaging him again without prompting, Stiles does so. ]
You have to be more specific.
[ Then: ]
Itachi, whatever it is, aren't we passed the point of judgement? I Bonded with you after you told me what you did.
Yes. I don't understand that. Jonas was different, when he knew.
[Truthfully, the other boy had far less context to go on beyond the act itself, and he also witnessed the massacre with his own eyes. Still. The effect of that ensuing rejection had weighed on Itachi heavier than even he realized.]
Why? Is it because of Sasuke? He's not here, so there's no need for you to continue to tolerate what I've done and what I'm capable of doing out of obligation to my brother. If it's the Bond… there may be ways to sever it here.
Unless you’re bringing up your initial ultimatum, don’t ever talk about severing the Bond with me again.
[ His hands shake, typing that. When he sends the message, it’s with a quiet desperation he can’t quite master. ]
You’re not getting out of talking about why you were avoiding me, but I’ll bite.
You might want to sit down for this revelation, but Jonas reacted differently because me and him are different people. Shocking, I know.
Until Jonas got trapped on Edwards Island, he was a normal guy living a normal life. The worlds you and I come from are totally incomprehensible to him on first blush. I’ve spent time with murderers and killers before. He hasn’t. And let’s not talk about Sasuke like his record was squeaky clean, either.
What you did was so messed up. You don’t need me to tell you that. It’s obvious to me that you live with the weight of what you did every day. That doesn’t make it okay, but I’m okay with you because of what that means. You made an impossible choice. I understand that now.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text; un: "Stiles" 1/?
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Hey, are you sure you're okay? I'm kinda worried, dude.
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final
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Will it happen eventually? Knowing Stiles…
The final text has Itachi gripping the device, knuckles white as he replies with prompt timing.]
You'll injure yourself.
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Can we PLEASE talk?
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We can talk like this.
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[He is also attempting to set some failsafe against another possession, but he doesn't share this.]
Do you trust me?
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[ Now it's HIS turn to ugh. ]
You know I do.
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That would be illogical. It was clear the spirit wished to be close to another living person, and it made this known to you. There would be no reason to continue to lie about its true nature once you knew what it was and what it wanted.
Also, it struggled to behave like me. If you’re still unsure, then you may test my attitude now.
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No more putting off this conversation.
[ Deep breath. ]
I'm sorry I made a deal like that without your consent.
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I only regret that it required you to act against your will.
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[ For some of us, at least. ]
I need to apologize for that other thing though. Sorry.
[ Please don't make him clarify. ]
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[It's fine, let him do the tactless work.]
You were just obeying the parameters of its deal.
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[ AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH does he have to say it, guess he has to say it. ]
You know. For how my body reacted.
[ Kill him. ]
You don't have to say anything!! I know you'll probably be like "Beep boop beep it's human nature to react to outside stimulus beep boop" or something like that. I just needed to apologize anyway. So, I'm sorry. That must have been uncomfortable.
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[Not for the first time, he is glad for the decision to have this conversation through more impersonal means. It's also familiar - every engagement he had with Sephiroth always came to the same point. A written message, an apology.]
It did not bother me. The spirit's possession was more unsettling.
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Have you been affected?
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Nope. Not this time.
By the way, Itachi... If you were already fine with everything I tried to apologize for, why were you avoiding me in the first place?
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Stiles. What it said to you...
[Two specific points come to mind: the first, that confession of violence against the hunter-nin in relationship to Sasuke, something he has never voiced aloud; and the second, perhaps even more damning, that he had enjoyed what took place. Both truths, both reasons for his avoidance, if at separate ends of the spectrum in subject matter.
Stiles might have to wait several minutes before the realization that another message won't be coming. He just stares at the screen, in some dark alcove of the library.
Being a person is hard.]
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When it becomes clear Itachi won't be messaging him again without prompting, Stiles does so. ]
You have to be more specific.
[ Then: ]
Itachi, whatever it is, aren't we passed the point of judgement? I Bonded with you after you told me what you did.
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[Truthfully, the other boy had far less context to go on beyond the act itself, and he also witnessed the massacre with his own eyes. Still. The effect of that ensuing rejection had weighed on Itachi heavier than even he realized.]
Why? Is it because of Sasuke? He's not here, so there's no need for you to continue to tolerate what I've done and what I'm capable of doing out of obligation to my brother. If it's the Bond… there may be ways to sever it here.
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[ His hands shake, typing that. When he sends the message, it’s with a quiet desperation he can’t quite master. ]
You’re not getting out of talking about why you were avoiding me, but I’ll bite.
You might want to sit down for this revelation, but Jonas reacted differently because me and him are different people. Shocking, I know.
Until Jonas got trapped on Edwards Island, he was a normal guy living a normal life. The worlds you and I come from are totally incomprehensible to him on first blush. I’ve spent time with murderers and killers before. He hasn’t. And let’s not talk about Sasuke like his record was squeaky clean, either.
What you did was so messed up. You don’t need me to tell you that. It’s obvious to me that you live with the weight of what you did every day. That doesn’t make it okay, but I’m okay with you because of what that means. You made an impossible choice. I understand that now.
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