An AU of maf because I'm thirsty as fuck

[comradeship]

[ Obito had meant it when he had told Noiz that he didn't believe in abandoning his friends. But for the kid's own good, he's avoided him for the most part over the course of the past week, hoping to divert the attention of the other version of himself so that he'd eventually lose interest. Not that he knew just how interested he was. After all, wasn't he just trying to find leverage to use against them all?

What his impression boils down to is that they're still the same person, with the same capabilities and powers. Sasuke made the point that the other one was stronger, motivated by a singular focus that he wouldn't have any chance to match.

If he were younger, he would have insisted that he was just as strong, but through his experiences, all those times he watched his comrades get killed before his very sight, he understands that it's better to be careful and calculated. He isn't naive anymore. A ninja can't rush headfirst into something with no knowledge of the other person. All he can be sure of is that he won't be caught off-guard, and he's going to take the appropriate measures to ensure everyone else around him is safe.

He hasn't abandoned Noiz. They don't know each other too well, but he has an obligation to protect him. He unwittingly dragged him into this mess just because he was an impulsive idiot who got too caught up in the heat of the moment. He's gotten to care about him, beyond that, so he won't let his past mistake lead to a situation where he could possibly get seriously hurt or traumatized.

He's perched outside the window of his apartment, just above the rusted awning hanging over the shopfront below. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened since he came to sit watch, so he stays to just listen to the muffled, shrill noise of a drill being used past the curtained glass of the window. It goes quiet for a while after, so maybe Noiz has turned in for the night. ]

Comments

[bunnyblock]

[He doesn't mind having to lock eyecontact with him. He does so, easily, and he doesn't bat much of an eye when the other explains himself. Or, what Noiz categorizes as Obito 'explaining' himself.]

I'm not a child.

I know you're dangerous. I knew that since the first time you used your strange ability on me.

[Going invisible, sucking Usagimodoki into his eye...]

You are an idiot.

But you're don't get to be the first person to actually make me feel something and then run away.

[comradeship]

I wasn't - [ A kneejerk reaction. But he knows what it looks like and what matters is how Noiz perceives what he's trying to do.

Noiz is so vulnerable. He fell for him so easily and it makes Obito feel even more guilty for potentially leading him to something horrible. ]

I meant it when I said I don't abandon my friends. I won't let them get hurt, either.

I know what I'm doing. [ He says more so to convince himself than Noiz. ] I want to talk to you about the sharingan.

[bunnyblock]

[And he really doesn't want to talk. At all. He's been lectured about staying away more than once himself, and as usual--his selfish and self-serving nature had only taken those lectures and gotten annoyed by them.

The hand still trapped in Obito's twists, like he's trying to get free, but it doesn't move much more after that.]

I've already heard it all. Don't you get it?

I don't care...

[comradeship]

Noiz. [ He's only going to hurt himself struggling so hard against his grip so Obito has no choice but to release him, opening the cage of his fingers to let him wrench himself free. He doesn't need to pin him down and make him listen to what he has to say. Noiz has gotten his point, and... any intimacy he wants to share will have to wait, if it happens at all. ]

I care. I care what happens to you. You have to understand what the sharingan is capable of. It's a weapon, not ... a play thing. [ Ugh. He inwardly cringes, having to admit that, knowing he's condemning his own actions. ]

I should have explained this to you before.

It's capable of doing horrible things; you know that, right? [ He's insinuated as such when telling him that he could spend years in a world he has cultivated. ]

[bunnyblock]

['Horrible things'. He can't help but to flash to images of that other Obito, the oddly calm options he was offering him, how he could do anything he wanted, whenever he wanted.

Of course he got it. It was a weapon, and not just a way for Noiz to feel normal, something to be attracted to, reach for as a solution. He knows that. It didn't make this any less frustrating, however.]

Obviously. Sasuke and Hiruma wouldn't have lost their heads trying to warn me if it was some sort of plaything.

I told you. I'm not an idiot. I know it's dangerous.

I know he's dangerous. And I know by that, you're dangerous, too.

[A pause, and his eyes flicker away, only to look back. That same intense look on his face as he stands there, all thorns and irritation.]

I wasn't asking you to use it on me, this time.

[comradeship]

[ There are often times when Noiz reminds of himself, how he used to be before he had to grow up and admit to his faults and flaws in order to better himself. It's frustrating, but it also makes him feel doubly responsible for him, like it's his role to be his teacher. He didn't grow up having parents, or a sensei who guided him. Everything about him is self-taught and he can't hold him completely accountable for being stupid.

But at least he isn't oblivious. He knows he's playing with fire.

Yet he's still trying to... er. Obito's face falls, expression shifting from serious to a more flustered, affected one. ]

That's besides the point! I mean, you made that pretty clear... [ CLEARING HIS THROAT AGAINST A CLOSED FIST. ] But you know if anything were to happen to you, I'd be responsible.

I'm ... I'll find a way to get rid of him. But until then, you should keep your distance from me. From Sasuke, too.

[bunnyblock]

[Far from oblivious, if he'd fallen into the other Obito's offers and something awful happened, it would have been his own fault. He knew that. If something bad happened to him in those murder games, whether or not it was Sasuke or Obito or hell--even Ozymandias, he was entirely aware that it was his own doing.

He's always played with fire. He's always played with fire, and he's always hoped to be burned. Just so he could say that he knew what it was like.]

And if I refuse? You're an idiot, but you're not stupid all the time.

Whether or not you keep seeing me or leave me behind, that guy will see me as a target.
All this 'keeping your distance' and 'being responsible' for that shit is just you trying to protect your own sense of guilt if he ever does try anything.

Hah, what will it be... [He moves back, bringing the screen of his coil up and tapping in something into it, his motions quick, fluid. From the desk, a shrill voice yells. Usagimodoki's mechanical voice speaking out instead of Noiz.]

'I kept my distance to protect him! I did! I did all I could to make sure nothing happened and it happened anyway!'

[A small scoff.]

Something like that, hoh?

[comradeship]

[ Obito's eye widens a fraction at the sudden, pseudo-outburst. He stays quiet for the duration of it, listening attentively and letting his expression soften. As much as it can, with the harsh scarring framing his features.

If it'd been Noiz' intention to hit him where it hurts, he succeeded. It almost makes him feel sick, especially because the squeaked out words of his allmate are similar to what has gone through his mind before. It dredges up the worst memories and feelings in him.

He bows his head, obscuring the way his eye snaps open in muted disbelief. ]

[bunnyblock]

[He had been trying to drive home a point. He had been trying to throw the others' concern in his face more than just a little--because he didn't think for a second that it made any difference. It was just frustrating and obscuring and therefore, he didn't want anything to do with it.

So maybe using his AllMate to speak words that Obito could say in a given situation was harsh--perhaps even cruel. But he'd thought of it all, already. The darker form of the man standing in front of him had already tried to fuck with him.

What was keeping him from trying again? Certainly not Obito distancing himself from the hacker.]

Either I hit too close to home, or you really didn't think of that yourself.

[comradeship]

[ He can't even tell him which one it is. They're both true in a way, since he'd been so focused on protecting everyone that he didn't consider... that it'd be all in vain. That he's truly helpless despite it all.

Just as he had been when Rin died.

It's overwhelming. He's been trying to push back those thoughts, the memories, on top of the news Sasuke had recently given him.

He's crumbling, bit by bit. His mouth tightens into a thin line as he tries to turn away from Noiz, agitated. ]

Shut up. You don't - you don't know what you're talking about. [ Whether he means by his guess or his previous argument. ]

I wouldn't let that happen. If something ever happened, I'd protect you.

[bunnyblock]

Obviously I do. If it made you make a face like that.

[He's definitely frowning, more than a little--shooting the other another one of those blank, but almost intensely irritated expressions. Wondering if he's going to leave again, or...]

Protect me. By watching me from outside my window.

That's what you want, then?

[comradeship]

[ Ugh, caught. He just turns his head, the side where his face is obscured by fabric, sheepish. ]

No, dammit. I wasn't planning on avoiding you forever! Just... until I figured out something.

[bunnyblock]

[A low sigh escapes him, looking away. His hands shifting to settle in his own pockets. 'Just until I figured out something.']

Right.

Haa... you're such an annoying guy.

So, are you going to disappear again, now?

[comradeship]

[ He pauses, like he's considering. ]

That guy... Did he look exactly like me?

[bunnyblock]

[He takes a step forward, fingers moving to grip the edge of Obito's vest. His expression hard to read.]

Maa, who knows.

[comradeship]

[ It may be hard to read, but his vague answer is actually telling enough on its own.

He doesn't move to stop him from gripping his vest. He's lingering purposefully. ]

Was it weird for you? [ They're completely different, he imagines... A version of himself motivated by hate would have to be. And that guy offered to put Noiz under an illusion of all things.

What would it be. He's been racking his head over it over the duration of the week. ]

[bunnyblock]

In a way.

[While he spoke very little--sometimes there was enough inflection in his sentences to give a much larger story than blabbering would get across. The way his eyes dart to to Obito's mouth, then back to his eye, a frown moving across his face.]

I could tell it wasn't you. Right away.

[comradeship]

Could you? [ His voice is soft and his smile is sympathetic. But then. ]

But what if... he tried to pose as me. [ His eye comically widens like he just realized this. He slaps both of his hands against his cheeks in pseudo-horror. ]

1/2

[bunnyblock]

....


[He reaches a hand up to Obito's face...]

2/2

[bunnyblock]

[And pinches part of his unscarred face, as hard as he can.]

You're an idiot.

Have a little more faith in me than that.

[comradeship]

Oww! [ ITTAI! He quickly tries to bat his hand away after it starts hurting too much, rubbing at the reddening part of his face afterwards. ]

Seriously! I could be him! And you just let me in like that, kissing me...

And grabbing my dick! [ He glares at him accusingly. ]

[bunnyblock]

No. I don't think so.

Because if he were here...

You'd be here, fighting with him already.

[comradeship]

[ Obito is just... worried, okay? He might be overestimating other Obito's investment in this. ]

... Aah, you're so ... [ He can't think of a word to accurately describe him. Or how he feels. He just turns a little red. ]

[bunnyblock]

[His head tilts up, fingers grabbing the bottom of Obito's chin again--near where he'd pinched him previously.

His lips brushing against the scar on his bottom lip.]

So?

[comradeship]

[ He doesn't give him an answer. Just reciprocates the gesture by catching his lips in a more sure, firm kiss.

His lips are soft, full. The rough texture of the scarring on his lip drags against Noiz' skin as he presses closer and rolls their mouths against one another in a fluid, practiced motion. He tries to break the kiss off into a series of smaller, chaste smooches, eliciting soft a soft smack every time their lips part. ]