[How can he argue this point? Denying that he has some innate magnetism to power would be a lie... but to measure his attraction to Stiles feels even less feasible. It isn’t so simple.]
Stiles, becoming a compatible opponent to me is not possible.
[A little blunt, but he’s trying to determine if this is humor he’s not getting or if Stiles is serious.]
You already know that. I can train you in basic maneuvers if you’re willing, but to fight you seriously, I would be more likely to hurt you. And I don’t wish to do that.
Edited (sprays typos with typo-be-gone) 2021-04-03 04:13 (UTC)
[ Okay, fair. Not even thirty years of a continuous training montage could lend him the skill he would need to become a compatible opponent for Itachi. Stiles understands this. And yet…how can he not strive toward this goal, knowing that it interests the other man? ]
What if I want to be hurt?
[ It’s not simply a hypothetical. ]
The other kind of hurt. What I did to you.
[ Seems like he should understand if there's a distinction or not. ]
[The suggestion spurs a dark tug of interest, banked by legitimate concern. It isn’t as though it’s the first they’ve technically done something of that nature; Stiles had allowed Tsukuyomi, after all. And just like back then, he’s possessed with want for it. The trust ridden in the request.
But it would be real—not an illusion. And he knows Stiles better than he did in the past.]
Are you certain? It isn’t like what you did to me. You would not be able to stop me.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Stiles, becoming a compatible opponent to me is not possible.
[A little blunt, but he’s trying to determine if this is humor he’s not getting or if Stiles is serious.]
You already know that. I can train you in basic maneuvers if you’re willing, but to fight you seriously, I would be more likely to hurt you. And I don’t wish to do that.
no subject
What if I want to be hurt?
[ It’s not simply a hypothetical. ]
The other kind of hurt. What I did to you.
[ Seems like he should understand if there's a distinction or not. ]
no subject
But it would be real—not an illusion. And he knows Stiles better than he did in the past.]
Are you certain? It isn’t like what you did to me. You would not be able to stop me.
no subject
I’m counting on that.
[ Though he doesn’t repeat the words, they’re there: I trust you. ]
I’ll keep saying it until you don’t question it. I can take whatever you want to dish out. Don’t hold back on me.
no subject
Very well. Then I would warn you to remain aware of your surroundings when you’re out in the city for the foreseeable future. I won’t show mercy.
[A vague, ominous statement.]
no subject
I'll hold you to that. Don't disappoint me.