[It surprises him, even though it shouldn't. They've danced around this for some time -- and he expected that to continue indefinitely. Resisting, avoiding, until eventually the Twelve forced them to collide again under specific circumstances. It seemed like, out of everyone he'd met so far, Ino is the hardest to escape.]
Is that what you want?
[His voice is at a lower tone than usual. He's asking because he remembers her reaction to the first time. And even if they're each others last choice, there's still a decision here. Itachi understands the consequences.]
[ She swears he's the only one here who makes her doubt herself so easily, even for just a second. Is he really someone she wants to get involved with, even if it's the most elegant way to fix a problem they both share? But what's the point of trying to stay away, when Zodion seems intent on throwing them together for every curse anyway?
Oddly enough, it's the fact that he's even asking if she's sure that sways her a little, in both ways. She'd fallen for this once, this sympathetic act, but the romantic in her appreciates it for what it is.
In the end, though, she's already made her decision. ]
Shouldn't I be asking you that? [ They're in this together, after all. As crazy as that sounds. ]
[It isn't sympathy, so much as the logical, rational side of him being sure to assess her direction and her strength of mind. To assess how much she truly wants to take this route. There's no commitment here -- Itachi himself is incapable of that, and his connections with other people are like gossamer threads threatened by storms on a daily basis. This is to solve a mutual problem, to take the reins of this curse without letting it override their freedom of choice.
This is control, if he agrees.]
Perhaps. [Ino was his first encounter in Zodion. She is a well-known enemy, one he understands better how to handle than others in this place.] You understand this does not change anything.
[Between us. He's crushing that before it blossoms into something he's even less equipped to deal with.]
[ The corners of her lips turn down, just a little, though he can't see it; she's more annoyed with herself, though, that she'd become the type of person that would make him say such a thing. Her track record with him doesn't really inspire confidence.
But this is exactly why she'd chosen him; he, of everyone she knew in Zodion, is the last person to let this become more than what it is. And she thinks she's learned her lesson enough to not be fooled twice, shame on her. ]
Yeah, that's kind of the point.
[ Her tone is slightly clipped, which she immediately regrets. It's probably not the best idea to be hostile right now. ]
Look, Itachi— [ She sighs; there are chases to cut to. ] It's just a one time thing. Maybe—for now. But it's easier this way, right?
[Hostility, he can handle. He expects it in most situations, and to find something else in its absence usually disorientates Itachi.
But her proposition is one he can understand, at its core. In a logical sense, this would erase one large problem -- and potentially raise a new one, but the cost is worth the end result, isn't it?
As long as she's aware. What happened before won't happen again.]
Yes, it is. [There's a slight exhalation on his end of the call.] Fine.
[ Well, she's not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Not that she thinks Itachi would do anything in relation to her that he didn't want to do, but it's probably better for her peace of mind if she doesn't dig too deep.
She got what she wanted. That's enough for now. ]
Alright. Then I'll see you tonight.
[ Tonight. Somehow, making an assignation like this doesn't sit right with her; it's too businesslike, too formal for something as intimate as sex. She tries to tell herself it's like making a date, except they're going to skip straight to the end.
Or something like that.
That's probably why she adds quietly: ] Bye.
[ She waits a couple seconds, not really expecting a reply, then hangs up. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
( call )
Is that what you want?
[His voice is at a lower tone than usual. He's asking because he remembers her reaction to the first time. And even if they're each others last choice, there's still a decision here. Itachi understands the consequences.]
( call )
Oddly enough, it's the fact that he's even asking if she's sure that sways her a little, in both ways. She'd fallen for this once, this sympathetic act, but the romantic in her appreciates it for what it is.
In the end, though, she's already made her decision. ]
Shouldn't I be asking you that? [ They're in this together, after all. As crazy as that sounds. ]
( call )
This is control, if he agrees.]
Perhaps. [Ino was his first encounter in Zodion. She is a well-known enemy, one he understands better how to handle than others in this place.] You understand this does not change anything.
[Between us. He's crushing that before it blossoms into something he's even less equipped to deal with.]
( call )
But this is exactly why she'd chosen him; he, of everyone she knew in Zodion, is the last person to let this become more than what it is. And she thinks she's learned her lesson enough to not be fooled twice, shame on her. ]
Yeah, that's kind of the point.
[ Her tone is slightly clipped, which she immediately regrets. It's probably not the best idea to be hostile right now. ]
Look, Itachi— [ She sighs; there are chases to cut to. ] It's just a one time thing. Maybe—for now. But it's easier this way, right?
( call )
But her proposition is one he can understand, at its core. In a logical sense, this would erase one large problem -- and potentially raise a new one, but the cost is worth the end result, isn't it?
As long as she's aware. What happened before won't happen again.]
Yes, it is. [There's a slight exhalation on his end of the call.] Fine.
( call )
She got what she wanted. That's enough for now. ]
Alright. Then I'll see you tonight.
[ Tonight. Somehow, making an assignation like this doesn't sit right with her; it's too businesslike, too formal for something as intimate as sex. She tries to tell herself it's like making a date, except they're going to skip straight to the end.
Or something like that.
That's probably why she adds quietly: ] Bye.
[ She waits a couple seconds, not really expecting a reply, then hangs up. ]