𝚊𝚎𝚏𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚘𝚖, 𝚒𝚗-𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚗𝚋𝚘𝚡.

[coherer]

sadwhore04:

if a demon possessed me i'd just b like ok take it from here good luck man

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[anbu]

You're avoiding me.

[coherer]

(when did his breathing get so uneven? when was the last time he had to make this many executive decisions about his interactions with other people?)

Why would you think that??

[anbu]

You said you were studying in class, but you've continued to respond to my messages without significant delay, so either you're distracted or you're putting effort in now to disengage and avoid confrontation. I understand you're not feeling well. However, that in combination with the explanation that you have exams every day... you eliminate every option as soon as I make a suggestion. It's obvious.

If you don't want to speak to me due to what you witnessed in the mirrors, or another reason, then say that. I don't care if your replies are delayed. You shouldn't rush yourself.

[coherer]

(jesus christ. jonas can accept that he's a bad liar and always has been, but itachi's explanation strikes a chord. a very intimidated one, wondering whether he should ignore it or admit to the fault. if he did, would he have to give the reason why? shouldn't he, even if he wasn't expected to?)

It's bc of everything. I don't want to see you right now. Okay?

ik the reason why you guys took me from Sasuke's memory and I'm grateful you did, but it's really too much for me. I won't tell anyone, I promise. I just need to think.

[anbu]

[That explains it. 'It's because of everything', descriptive enough Jonas need not say anything more, although the following words give a clearer idea. 'I won't tell anyone', as if Itachi would take extreme measures to prevent that... but Jonas doesn't know him. It's a reasonable concern.

While he hasn't actively hidden these events, neither has he told anyone, feeling no desire to open such a personal vein into the past. Foolish, perhaps, based on this reaction. He'd accepted a long time ago it would define him for the rest of the life, and that doesn't change in a separate world.]

I see. So you know. [Had Sasuke told him?]

That's fine. We don't need to speak again, Sasuke will be able to teach you effectively in my place. Goodbye.

[Who says goodbye on a text like they're hanging out IRL... an old man, apparently.]

[coherer]

(the message is sad enough that jonas stops to wonder how lonely these brothers are, then has to push his fingers into a messy mop of brown hair to prevent himself from empathizing any further. no, no, no, even if he was forced it's no excuse. it's no excuse.)

We'll have to speak again. That's the whole problem.

(yeah, your goodbye means nothing unless it's in a glitter text gif.)

[anbu]

[Weird... why isn't the conversation ending. He said goodbye.]

Why would we need to speak again?

[coherer]

bc we'll both be around Sasuke. And I care about the things he cares about.

[anbu]

We don't need to be around him at the same time.

[He excels at Avoidance. Like avoiding the second half of that text.]

[coherer]

No, we don't need to be, but don't you think combined support from his brother and friends would make him

oh idk.....

happier than he is now?? Or at the very least relieved?

[anbu]

I don't understand what you're asking. 'Combined support'?

[coherer]

It's exactly how it sounds.

Family supports family, friends support friends. Through good shit, bad shit, with whatever they need whenever they need it. And right now he needs consistency and presence. Especially yours, even if I don't understand it and probably never will.

So we're gonna tolerate each other eventually, you and me. bc ik that'd make things easier on him.

[anbu]

[While it isn't the first time the comparison has come into his head, it's the first time it feels very strong, and he wonders what it is that draws people like Jonas and Naruto to his brother. Whatever the reason, it's an influence that should be maintained and nurtured. He recognizes that.]

So you believe tolerating my presence will benefit Sasuke. Tolerating what I have done, and the pain it has caused him.

Can you?

[coherer]

I can't even believe I'm talking to you right now, but Geardagas is the last stop for me and it's forcing me to do things I never would've done back home. It's like I'm in juvie all over again, just instead of thieves, junkies, and kids in for assault with a deadly weapon, I'm swapping cigarettes with a bunch of assassins.

So yeah. Maybe I can handle it, maybe I can't. Guess we'll see.

All this is no less fucked and it won't ever be right.

[anbu]

[There's a lot to unpack here. He reads the message a few times through, trying to decide where to latch his attention first.]

You've died, in your world?

[coherer]

(well, denial's never really gotten him anywhere. how else could he interpret it?)

Yeah, I think so.

[anbu]

... You don't know?

[coherer]

It's complicated. I feel like I did, it was painful and I saw what happened to my friends.

I don't want this to be what you take away from this string of texts.

[anbu]

I died as well. Sasuke killed me, because I wanted him to. [That simple statement doesn't do justice to years of manipulation and lies, but it's still true.] Perhaps he's also told you that.

What do you want me to take away, then? It doesn't sound as if you're ready to discuss a compromise. For the time being, I'd recommend avoiding one another in person. I would respect that distance.

[coherer]

You what??????? why would you do that?????? what the fuck

[anbu]

[So that's a... no...]

It's complicated.

[coherer]

(he feels like he's going to throw up, jaw aching, shoving himself up out of bed and away from the space he's learned this news in.)

You need serious help, and I'm not it.

Stop texting me.

[anbu]

[He can't blame Jonas for this reaction, even if it is... disappointing, and the meaning behind 'get help' is lost on someone whose world has no therapists.

Itachi doesn't really need that context. The final line is clear and to the point. In lieu of a reply, he goes to process why he feels disappointed at all. TBC.]