As usual, that thoughtfulness brings him pause, uncertain how to respond. Perhaps it's effortless on Stiles' part. But more importantly than his tendency to ruminate over other people's actions and intentions:]
Not sure if I have a FAVE. I miss pizza more than I thought I would, honestly. Onion rings too. Even the shitty ones from Sonic.
(Pizza is flat, rounded dough baked with toppings of tomato sauce and cheese. You can add other toppings like meats or veggies or even pineapples. Onion rings are the exactly what they sound like, but dipped in batter and bread crumbs and deep fried. You’d probably hate them. And Sonic is a fast-food restaurant chain across the United States where I’m from.)
Thank you for the explanation. I would recommend sharing this pizza with Sasuke — it may be more to his taste, if his preferences haven’t changed. He enjoys tomatoes.
Pineapple seems like an unusual [disgusting] choice. And you’re correct. I don’t understand the desire to do that to onions.
[Like somebody’s committed a horrible crime.]
Stiles, it isn’t my intention to interrupt your line of questioning, but I was reminded recently: have you been able to obtain ‘Adderall’ here?
[ Well, that explains the bowl of tomatoes casually sitting in Sasuke’s kitchen.
The comment about his Adderall gives him pause. To anyone else, it might seem like Itachi is making a snide comment about Stiles’ current line of questioning and behavior – but he knows the other man lacks the context about his ADHD and medication. ]
I managed to get it back in Hell. In exchange for a favor, one of the demons enchanted it so it’ll never run out. Probably the best trade I’ve ever made. Anyway, the Adderall came with me to Noctium, so we’re good.
I wouldn't blame you if it was. But that is a convenient and useful enchantment.
Nothing specific. [Time to be evasive as fuck, the Uchiha way. Fortunately this is common enough behavior that he doubts it will raise any flags with Stiles.] On the subject of decaffeinated tea, I thought you avoided coffee due to your disorder. Were you drinking it a few weeks ago?
[He had forgotten to ask, on that occasion, considering Stiles' hands around his throat were a worthy distraction.]
[ Oblivious as to the real reason Itachi was reminded of his medication, Stiles happily accepts the excuse without suspicion. ]
Yep. It intensifies my medication. I was trying to reverse engineer the network devices and needed the extra boost to my focus. But that combo tends to have unpleasant side effects, like making me really jittery and nervous, so I try to avoid it.
[Of course, he's not oblivious to what a date is, however out of touch he may be with normal society. More than once he'd been teased in relation to any time spent one-on-one with Izumi, back during bleak childhood. Yet the comparison of memory stands so pale against this offer.]
Why surprised? I was serious about what I wanted when I asked you to commit to a relationship with me. I want to take you out, do something fun, just spend time together.
We could see a movie and get dinner. Or go shopping. Oooooor check out what kind of activities they have in the city. You can watch me embarrass myself ice skating. If you’d rather do something lowkey, we could grab a pack of playing cards and spend the night in. I’ve been learning how to cook better, so I can always make dinner.
[ He’s nervous, Stiles realizes. He wants so desperately for this to go well, for Itachi to enjoy the experience. ]
[For as long as it lasts, Itachi is not certain he'll ever fully grasp what Stiles sees in him enough to warrant the desire for a relationship. But it's clear now the consideration he's put into this request.]
I know. I admit that I have little experience with what is involved in such a commitment.
[Except for the sex, which may as well have been his gateway drug.]
I'm amenable to whatever you would most like to do, but spending the night in is... somewhat appealing. To start, perhaps. I could help you cook.
[Wait until you see him puking. Also, Stiles, have you not noticed he's been permanently unemployed? Though in fairness, jobs weren't expected in Hell.]
The stipend is generated strictly based on our Manna output, which we have little control over physiologically. As far as I understand I would not be capable of refusing the currents even if I did not want them. I currently have a surplus for my needs; there's no reason to pursue other work.
Additionally, my skills lie outside this world's employment standards, and I have little interest adapting to yet another environment.
Edited (too many same words) 2021-03-25 23:38 (UTC)
This is what I’ve been working on with the network devices – creating a modified version of the phone so that the government can’t track our Manna generation. And you can definitely opt out of the stipend if you want to. I asked at the Embassy. But it’s convenient, so I get not wanting to.
Maybe I’ll hire you as a bouncer. I’m thinking of buying a business license instead of working for some putz.
It does. Just the general area, though. It's not super accurate.
A bouncer is someone who works security at a business and deals with troublemakers, either by preventing them from entering the business or removing them from the premises. They're common at clubs.
no subject
[Wow, don't diss it until you try it.
As usual, that thoughtfulness brings him pause, uncertain how to respond. Perhaps it's effortless on Stiles' part. But more importantly than his tendency to ruminate over other people's actions and intentions:]
Tell me yours.
no subject
Not sure if I have a FAVE. I miss pizza more than I thought I would, honestly. Onion rings too. Even the shitty ones from Sonic.
(Pizza is flat, rounded dough baked with toppings of tomato sauce and cheese. You can add other toppings like meats or veggies or even pineapples. Onion rings are the exactly what they sound like, but dipped in batter and bread crumbs and deep fried. You’d probably hate them. And Sonic is a fast-food restaurant chain across the United States where I’m from.)
no subject
Pineapple seems like an unusual [disgusting] choice. And you’re correct. I don’t understand the desire to do that to onions.
[Like somebody’s committed a horrible crime.]
Stiles, it isn’t my intention to interrupt your line of questioning, but I was reminded recently: have you been able to obtain ‘Adderall’ here?
no subject
The comment about his Adderall gives him pause. To anyone else, it might seem like Itachi is making a snide comment about Stiles’ current line of questioning and behavior – but he knows the other man lacks the context about his ADHD and medication. ]
I managed to get it back in Hell. In exchange for a favor, one of the demons enchanted it so it’ll never run out. Probably the best trade I’ve ever made. Anyway, the Adderall came with me to Noctium, so we’re good.
And before you ask, it wasn’t a sexual favor.
What reminded you about it?
no subject
Nothing specific. [Time to be evasive as fuck, the Uchiha way. Fortunately this is common enough behavior that he doubts it will raise any flags with Stiles.] On the subject of decaffeinated tea, I thought you avoided coffee due to your disorder. Were you drinking it a few weeks ago?
[He had forgotten to ask, on that occasion, considering Stiles' hands around his throat were a worthy distraction.]
no subject
Yep. It intensifies my medication. I was trying to reverse engineer the network devices and needed the extra boost to my focus. But that combo tends to have unpleasant side effects, like making me really jittery and nervous, so I try to avoid it.
Hey, wanna go on a date?
[ Point blank, no build up. ]
no subject
A date.
no subject
[ Helpful. ]
With me.
no subject
Yes, I assumed. I'm just surprised.
What did you have in mind?
no subject
We could see a movie and get dinner. Or go shopping. Oooooor check out what kind of activities they have in the city. You can watch me embarrass myself ice skating. If you’d rather do something lowkey, we could grab a pack of playing cards and spend the night in. I’ve been learning how to cook better, so I can always make dinner.
[ He’s nervous, Stiles realizes. He wants so desperately for this to go well, for Itachi to enjoy the experience. ]
no subject
I know. I admit that I have little experience with what is involved in such a commitment.
[Except for the sex, which may as well have been his gateway drug.]
I'm amenable to whatever you would most like to do, but spending the night in is... somewhat appealing. To start, perhaps. I could help you cook.
no subject
[ The idea of Itachi helping him cook is...appealing. Stiles is determined to see it through. ]
A night in it is then. Wanna try to make onigiri?
no subject
You may wish to bring additional food, as onigiri isn’t usually considered a full meal.
[Plenty enough for his own bird-picky appetite, but he doubts the same is true for a healthy teenager.]
no subject
What, so you told me your favorite meal is a SNACK?
We can go grocery shopping beforehand and pick out what we need. When do you want to do this?
no subject
I don't have a preference. I assume you are trying to find employment, so likely your schedule is more constrained than my own. You can choose.
no subject
Alright, I'll get back to you on that then. But are you saying you're not looking for a job too?
no subject
[Wait until you see him puking. Also, Stiles, have you not noticed he's been permanently unemployed? Though in fairness, jobs weren't expected in Hell.]
It isn't a priority for me at the moment, no.
no subject
no subject
Additionally, my skills lie outside this world's employment standards, and I have little interest adapting to yet another environment.
no subject
Maybe I’ll hire you as a bouncer. I’m thinking of buying a business license instead of working for some putz.
no subject
I also assume the network device is how you were able to find my apartment. [Caught, bitch.] It tracks physical location as well, doesn’t it?
What is a ‘bouncer’?
no subject
It does. Just the general area, though. It's not super accurate.
A bouncer is someone who works security at a business and deals with troublemakers, either by preventing them from entering the business or removing them from the premises. They're common at clubs.
no subject
no subject
[ This is where he should volunteer more information.
He doesn't. ]
no subject
Stiles. What, then?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
NSFW
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
fin