[ Not long after receiving his free network phone from the retailer, Stiles makes his first text – to Itachi, naturally. ]
Hey. How's it going?
[ Small talk may not be Itachi's forte, but Stiles genuinely wants to know. For now, he puts aside his doubts and fears concerning their as-of-yet unnamed relationship. There're way more important matters to discuss, like Sasuke. ]
[It’s the first message he’s received, Stiles’ contact name alongside the only other one inputed into his device: fuckoff. His own name is displayed in the default “Uchiha, Itachi” because he hasn’t bothered to change it.]
Acclimating.
[Short and sweet and absolutely unhelpful in taking a temperature on the state of things between them, the Uchiha way.]
[ he mulls over this for quite some time, because despite what he said he finds himself at a loss to how to interact with Itachi. some part of him is perhaps convinced his brother wants nothing to do with him, and another still can't believe he can find Itachi on the network at all. eventually, he falls back on the tried and true method: ]
[Despite the lack of surprise in seeing his brother's message — he knew one would come, eventually — he still experiences a flutter of anticipation seeing it. They seem incapable of discussing topics that are not either information-related or deeply, personally challenging. Conversation with Sasuke is such dangerous terrain.]
I have. How do you find the accommodations? Is it similar to Sansvoir?
[ Malachite has awakened from their dream and Sumarlok is slowly returning to normal. All should be well – except Stiles can’t rest with this vicious, ugly guilt pressing on his chest, suffocating him slowly. After what happened with Guanshan, he needs to talk with Itachi. ]
I’m coming over.
[ He doesn’t ask where Itachi lives; the GPS option on the phone has helped him pinpoint the location that the shinobi must be staying at, based on data of where Itachi’s signal idles the most at night. ]
[Not entirely unexpected a message given the events of the past few days, but still he stares at it, intuiting some urgency - wondering if that is only his own mind caught in the web of what has happened between himself and Sasuke.
How did Stiles find the location of his apartment? And how does he know Itachi is currently there? Paranoid questions he'll have to save.]
All right. 17.
[A unit on the highest floor of the building, Stiles will discover, tucked into one corner with close roof access. The building itself is unremarkable, almost interchangeable with the design of Stiles' own.]
[ Alex had been pondering how to ask this for some time, not sure if she was in any position to do so. But it had been eating at the back of her mind for some time, and the long train ride to Primavera left with her with not much else to think on or do. ]
Hello Itachi, can I ask you something about our training? It doesn’t have to be right away, when you’re free or something.
[ So she says, as her foot taps impatiently against the train’s floor, staring at the screen as if it would make him answer faster. ]
[ a picture comes through first— on top of having too much time on his hands, eren 1) doesn't know how to cook and 2) wants to cook more as an official malewife. the problem today! is what he's tried to make on his own. what it's supposed to be is a sad sight, and it's not pancakes. ]
Good morning, Itachi-san. I've moved to a different residence. It looks a lot like the houses in rural areas in our home dimension. I've included a "pin" with its location; please tell me if it doesn't work.
[ Thankfully, it does work. The area is about as quiet and removed as it's possible to get while still remaining within the Sumar Province. ]
I've also secured a plot of land in a nearby forest. The area isn't large, but it's isolated, and it should be ideal for training.
[ On June 9th, Itachi will find a polished box made of dark red wood sitting near his kitchen area. A folded note is tucked beneath one corner. On the front of the note is a name: "Uchiha Itachi" written with familiar penmanship, bold but precise. Within, the note reads, "Please open as soon as possible." There is no signature.
The reason for the request becomes apparent upon opening the lid. The box contains the closest approximation of dango that Kisame has been able to find; it's still fresh and must have been placed in the box immediately before delivery. Alongside it is a collection of tea from shops scattered across Sumarlok and Primavera, each one neatly labeled. Beneath the tea lies several kunai forged from metals native to Noctium; these, too, are neatly labeled.
At the very bottom is another note. It reads simply, "Happy birthday, Itachi-san." ]
[He finds the box shortly after its delivery, clued in by Russell's insistent shrieking as she swoops over to investigate, and after he's able to wave her off, Itachi takes care in opening it. Even suspecting the culprit, he is not prepared for what lies inside—gifts deliberately chosen to his tastes, bright dango next to fragrant tea leaves and gleaming kunai. The sender is soon confirmed by that note.
Careful, deft fingertips lift it out, studying the neat and familiar handwriting. It causes him to realize how strange it is to be passing this date without the other man physically here, at his side. But perhaps that is what makes it easier for them to give these gifts to one another. Out of sight, better ignorant to the telling vulnerability inherent in them.
With a private smile, he sets the note aside and reaches for one skewer of dango. They won’t stay fresh forever, after all. And it is his birthday.
In mirror of a few months ago, he sends a message of his own back:]
[It doesn’t surprise him that Stiles remembers his birthday. More than that, though…]
When I told you this date, I hadn’t thought we would be together to see it.
But no. Nothing that you wouldn’t dismiss as actual “plans.” [Cleaning, staring at the wall, reading, some sort of exercise...] Are you going to propose something?
[ At a certain point, Kisame comes to recognize what has been staring him in the face. His partner's conspicuous absence is not because Itachi is busy after his trip to Filia; it is because Itachi is avoiding him. Unaware of any unexpected departures or returns, Kisame can imagine only one reason for such avoidance. And that reason is very, very irritating.
It isn't as though Kisame has any idea how to navigate the new territory between them. But avoiding it entirely? Pretending that their last sparring match ended as all others had before…? His pride stings, which serves as a welcome distraction from anything else he may feel about being so thoroughly ghosted.
Of course, stony silence from Itachi isn't enough to deter Kisame. If it were, their partnership wouldn't have survived the first hour. He finds an excuse to stop by Itachi's neighborhood, then uses Samehada's superior chakra-sensing ability to pinpoint his partner's precise location — or so he hopes. Then, as a courtesy: ]
I found something that may interest you, Itachi-san. Do you have a moment?
[ It is only a courtesy. Kisame is standing outside. If push comes to shove, he'll let himself in. ]
[From within the shadowed depths of his apartment, nothing has changed much in the time since Stiles left it. Little out of place, little moved, as bare in personal decoration as it was when he first came to this dimension—so few signs someone lives here at all. Lights remain off, curtains drawn against the hot summer daylight threatening to spill in.
He's in the living room when the text arrives, lying across the couch, dark eyes on the ceiling. He stares at it for a moment with a squinting, uncertain expression. His gaze slants toward the door, then the window. That immense chakra would be difficult to miss even if he didn't know it so well, although he can't determine its exact location.
Can he justify being cruel to Kisame in the same way he was cruel to Stiles and Sasuke? How quickly could he leave the apartment, and would his partner pursue him?]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text; network name: "Stiles"; perma-private
Hey. How's it going?
[ Small talk may not be Itachi's forte, but Stiles genuinely wants to know. For now, he puts aside his doubts and fears concerning their as-of-yet unnamed relationship. There're way more important matters to discuss, like Sasuke. ]
no subject
Acclimating.
[Short and sweet and absolutely unhelpful in taking a temperature on the state of things between them, the Uchiha way.]
Sasuke’s here.
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text; un: uchiha.sasuke
I've taken advantage of the government housing.
Have you done the same?
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I have. How do you find the accommodations? Is it similar to Sansvoir?
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text; network name: "Stiles"; perma-private; Feb 26th
I’m coming over.
[ He doesn’t ask where Itachi lives; the GPS option on the phone has helped him pinpoint the location that the shinobi must be staying at, based on data of where Itachi’s signal idles the most at night. ]
What’s your apartment number?
no subject
How did Stiles find the location of his apartment? And how does he know Itachi is currently there? Paranoid questions he'll have to save.]
All right. 17.
[A unit on the highest floor of the building, Stiles will discover, tucked into one corner with close roof access. The building itself is unremarkable, almost interchangeable with the design of Stiles' own.]
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text; network name: "Stiles"; perma-private
[ Out of the blue, no "hello, how are you" or any other kind of nicety. ]
no subject
I don't have one.
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text; network name: "Stiles"; perma-private
My plan is foolproof.
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Do you think that because you are not a compatible opponent for me in battle I am disinterested in you?
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text; un: uchiha.sasuke
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What is it, Sasuke?
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text — un: fuckyou
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Enough. Why are you asking?
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text | un:a.hw // sometime in april (part 4)
[ To say the fucking least. ]
Thought I'd check up on you and see how you're doing.
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“A.HW”...]
Who is this? Are you certain you’ve contacted the correct individual?
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text; network name: "Stiles"; perma-private; backdated to immediately post-Rag'nbogi
Have you been hit with any of the festival powders?
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Yes. The blue, yellow, red, and purple powders respectively. I assume you were as well.
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Text; Train to Primavera
Hello Itachi, can I ask you something about our training? It doesn’t have to be right away, when you’re free or something.
[ So she says, as her foot taps impatiently against the train’s floor, staring at the screen as if it would make him answer faster. ]
no subject
I am free now. What is it, Alex?
1/2
2/2
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un: ERENJAEGER
I DONT KNOW WHAT I DID WRONG
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What is that? Bread?
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text; un: "Stiles"; perma-private
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I don't understand. Do you want me to go to this location?
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text; un: samehada | dated before his pollen-encounter with sasuke (':
[ Thankfully, it does work. The area is about as quiet and removed as it's possible to get while still remaining within the Sumar Province. ]
I've also secured a plot of land in a nearby forest. The area isn't large, but it's isolated, and it should be ideal for training.
for the best.....
It does work. You have put a lot of thought into this.
[Like Stiles, he wonders if this means Kisame sees some permanency to Sumarlok.
In a surprisingly cheeky reply, though his partner will surely sense the flatness of his tone over text:]
That area would be ideal for training. Were you hoping to challenge me to a spar?
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un: commander.spock
[ You have not been an easy man to find, but guess what. ]
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Can I help you?
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delivery
The reason for the request becomes apparent upon opening the lid. The box contains the closest approximation of dango that Kisame has been able to find; it's still fresh and must have been placed in the box immediately before delivery. Alongside it is a collection of tea from shops scattered across Sumarlok and Primavera, each one neatly labeled. Beneath the tea lies several kunai forged from metals native to Noctium; these, too, are neatly labeled.
At the very bottom is another note. It reads simply, "Happy birthday, Itachi-san." ]
no subject
Careful, deft fingertips lift it out, studying the neat and familiar handwriting. It causes him to realize how strange it is to be passing this date without the other man physically here, at his side. But perhaps that is what makes it easier for them to give these gifts to one another. Out of sight, better ignorant to the telling vulnerability inherent in them.
With a private smile, he sets the note aside and reaches for one skewer of dango. They won’t stay fresh forever, after all. And it is his birthday.
In mirror of a few months ago, he sends a message of his own back:]
I appreciate it, Kisame.
text; un: "Stiles"
Happy 23rd, Itachi. Got any plans tonight?
no subject
When I told you this date, I hadn’t thought we would be together to see it.
But no. Nothing that you wouldn’t dismiss as actual “plans.” [Cleaning, staring at the wall, reading, some sort of exercise...] Are you going to propose something?
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text — un: fuckoff
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text; un: uchiha.sasuke
no subject
Stiles is gone.
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text; un: samehada
It isn't as though Kisame has any idea how to navigate the new territory between them. But avoiding it entirely? Pretending that their last sparring match ended as all others had before…? His pride stings, which serves as a welcome distraction from anything else he may feel about being so thoroughly ghosted.
Of course, stony silence from Itachi isn't enough to deter Kisame. If it were, their partnership wouldn't have survived the first hour. He finds an excuse to stop by Itachi's neighborhood, then uses Samehada's superior chakra-sensing ability to pinpoint his partner's precise location — or so he hopes. Then, as a courtesy: ]
I found something that may interest you, Itachi-san. Do you have a moment?
[ It is only a courtesy. Kisame is standing outside. If push comes to shove, he'll let himself in. ]
no subject
He's in the living room when the text arrives, lying across the couch, dark eyes on the ceiling. He stares at it for a moment with a squinting, uncertain expression. His gaze slants toward the door, then the window. That immense chakra would be difficult to miss even if he didn't know it so well, although he can't determine its exact location.
Can he justify being cruel to Kisame in the same way he was cruel to Stiles and Sasuke? How quickly could he leave the apartment, and would his partner pursue him?]
I'm busy. What is it?
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ᴛᴇxᴛ | ᴜɴ: 𝚜𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜𝚜𝚜
I've come to collect.
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You never stated a deadline. Can it wait?
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text — un: fuckyou (approx 7/15)
[ it never is. ]
no subject
In any case, a response takes nearly an hour to come.]
Why are you telling me this?
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text — un: fuckyou
[ a very bossy early evening text. ]
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Is there anything you'd like to discuss?
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text; un: "Stiles"; 09/21
So... I've been up all night, thinking about shinobi abilities. [ In light of recent discoveries. ] Shadow Clones are a common ability, right?
Okay, how many shinobi do you think have hooked up with their Shadow Clones??? Just wondering.
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"Just wondering."
That seems somewhat self-involved. Would you enjoy being with a copy of yourself that is not, in reality, a person?
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text; un: swordsss (misfire, eyy)
Guess it's nostalgic but ...
Well, I'll still go with you if you want to get some
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quick, evasion]
Why is it nostalgic?
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