[closed] Knock Me Out & Watch Me Drown

[lotusmesenpai]

Who: Kanda & Itsuki | Kanda & Lavi
Where: Eulogy and Noah (their ship)
When: Week 2, Night of Day 2
Summary: Monks are useless so it's time to find alternative sleep methods.
Restrictions/Warnings: Cursing, because Kanda.

Comments

[nightchild]

[Itsuki's not privy to Kanda's thoughts, but even he can tell that the killjoy is thinking about something, which is intriguing if not a little unsettling. He meant what he said to the girl that Kanda was okay-ish, or at least low on the list of individuals tempted to put an end to Itsuki's side-business, but still. That didn't mean he'd forgotten the company Kanda worked for, or what a position of neutrality really meant in the end.]

[His eyebrows immediately rise at the question. It's apparently not business -- information-related, at least, and that question reminds Itsuki of their last meeting in Eulogy. He hadn't gotten the impression that Kanda had been actually interested.]

I get repeat customers yeah, but they're not addicts. [It's an answer Itsuki's confident in, even knowing that Norn's always been personally different for him.] But it's still a drug. If you're taking more than the recommended dose multiple times a day for months on end...

[He shrugs.] Which hasn't happened to anyone by the way. My current clientele can't afford it.

[literally. He digs his hands into his pockets, not so much smiling as looking interested.]

Alright. As much as I don't mind making small talk -- if you're here to bust me or something, could you make it quick? Otherwise, feel free to get to the point.

[lotusmesenpai]

[Kanda is not like Itsuki's current clientele - he and Lavi happen to be a damn good team, and they bank more than enough joy to maintain any bad habit they choose.

So for someone with the resources, there was a potential for danger in it. Maybe not as much as jakk or bliss, but--

And then Itsuki had to cut through his musings with straight talk. It's automatic, the way Kanda pushes off where he's leaning to lunge forward, his fist curling into the other man's shirt, twisting it in his grasp as his scowl slips back into place, fierce and unyielding.]

I'm not here to bust you, you fucking moron. And if I was, we wouldn't be talking.

[His lips twist, anger in every line of his body - and yet, it's not actually Itsuki he's angry with. He just... doesn't really know how to ask others for help.

Because that's what this is.

A last ditch effort to preserve his own dubious sanity, to give his mind and body the rest it so sorely needs.

But even he knows that you can't really ask for help and kick their ass at the same time, and so he takes a steadying breath, lets it out, and then meets the broker's eyes a bit more calmly.]

I'm here for myself, idiot. As a possible fucking client. But if that's a problem, I'll leave and this never fucking happened.

[nightchild]

[whyisthishappening.jpg. Itsuki's dragged forward, his normally indolent gaze snapping wide in momentary panic when Kanda hauls him in like a wet fish, and yes he's instinctively bracing himself for what he's SURE IS PAIN]

[but it's not pain, it's just Kanda looking this close to doling out pain and... huh. a client??? Itsuki has Doubts, but that's probably because he's about to get punched.]

Okay, okay -- alright!! [Itsuki lifts up a hand as if he's about to pat Kanda's angry fist, but then lowers it after actually thinking about it.] Point taken, it's not a problem! I was just curious, alright??

[lotusmesenpai]

[This is probably an unhealthy pattern between them - misunderstanding and threats spiced with the occasional flirtation on the other's half that also leads to threats or actual pain - but at this moment? Kanda doesn't care too much.

But he does let the other man go all the same.

And then he sighs and reaches a hand up, runs it absently through his bangs as he watches the broker, the scowl lessening to a mildly annoyed frown.]

...So?

[And then a blink. Maybe he should start reading Drug Dealers Digest or something, because the only way an operation like this would get a warrant set on them was if Itsuki had pissed off someone with the resources to shut the thing down.]

Wait - if you thought I was here to 'bust' you... just how big has this shit gotten?

[nightchild]

[Itsuki rubs out his wrinkled collar because he still cares about appearances despite looking shady and sketch 99% of the time, then he sighs]

Not as big as I'd like. [waving a hand] But it's a dangerous business. And there's always people looking to shut out competitors in this market.

[Drug Dealers Digest indeed. He stops waving, instead pointing towards the curtained room he had just left from earlier.]

But since you've helped clear all that up, I'll do you a favor and tell you what you want to know. 'Least I can do for a client.