[ They were both trained from a young age to be hard on themselves and that self-flagellation was only further mandated by their guilty consciences. At least it's something they can uniquely understand in one another.
And in its own way, Itachi's response overwhelms him to the point where he needs that simple masochistic comfort. The simultaneous mixture of pressure and relief he feels is enormous, feeling suddenly like he's standing before a door he's never had a chance to open.
Somehow, one question stands apart from the others first. ]
（ 'in what respect?' is considered as a response. set aside. it would only be deliberately obtuse, would goad sasuke to revealing more of himself out of that old instinct to press on fracture points until bruises blossom beneath his hands.
he exhales.
then: ）
Adequate, for the time being.
What of yourself? I have asked much of you, not only lately.
[ "Adequate" serves as exactly that. An "adequate" answer. From Itachi it speaks volumes, of course, less because of the quality of what he has to say and more in the fact that he's willing to give him anything at all. The discomfort inherent in providing anything subjective has him nigh immediately vollying the spotlight back onto Sasuke but he allows it.
There's still that part of him, paranoid and many-times-bitten, that believes applying too much pressure will convince Itachi to recede. ]
Physically, my body's performance and my adjustment to my arm has been sufficient. [ The pain associated with his ocular doujutsu's interference with the implant still crops up here and there, but it's negligible. Hardly worth discussing, now. ]
Mentally it's a more complicated adjustment. What I was experiencing before coming here... it was also important. The interruption is difficult. As is seeing you.
[ Is there a benefit to being anything less than honest? ]
You will need to learn one-handed signs. I am willing to teach you.
（ all that time he never spent. would sasuke have gotten stronger sooner, if he'd only taken the time? more fool him — perhaps he might have spared himself the long, protracted life that ended only at twenty-one.
yet that is a dark thought, biting into a new foundation. his eyes close, briefly, and then: ）
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
the rest he takes in, and finally — ）
You've grown more than I expected.
I will tell you what you wish to know. You need only ask.
no subject
[ They were both trained from a young age to be hard on themselves and that self-flagellation was only further mandated by their guilty consciences. At least it's something they can uniquely understand in one another.
And in its own way, Itachi's response overwhelms him to the point where he needs that simple masochistic comfort. The simultaneous mixture of pressure and relief he feels is enormous, feeling suddenly like he's standing before a door he's never had a chance to open.
Somehow, one question stands apart from the others first. ]
How do you feel?
1/2
no subject
he exhales.
then: ）
Adequate, for the time being.
What of yourself? I have asked much of you, not only lately.
（ bitch u thought. ）
no subject
There's still that part of him, paranoid and many-times-bitten, that believes applying too much pressure will convince Itachi to recede. ]
Physically, my body's performance and my adjustment to my arm has been sufficient. [ The pain associated with his ocular doujutsu's interference with the implant still crops up here and there, but it's negligible. Hardly worth discussing, now. ]
Mentally it's a more complicated adjustment. What I was experiencing before coming here... it was also important. The interruption is difficult. As is seeing you.
[ Is there a benefit to being anything less than honest? ]
no subject
（ all that time he never spent. would sasuke have gotten stronger sooner, if he'd only taken the time? more fool him — perhaps he might have spared himself the long, protracted life that ended only at twenty-one.
yet that is a dark thought, biting into a new foundation. his eyes close, briefly, and then: ）
Will you tell me that experience if I ask?