[ he stays perfectly still as sasuke bridges the distance, almost coming close enough to touch but stopping just shy of it. this is both disappointing and endlessly relieving. ]

My terms. It's irritating how I always seem to get my way, isn't it? [ to pretend to be above every situation comes second nature to him, but he finds himself struggling with it now, wondering if he's doing a convincing enough job. he's never had such a thought before. ] And why do you want to try so badly? So that you can use this information for your gain? Thank you, but I'd rather not do this with you.

[ he means to say more, but stops, caught off guard by the question. he can't remember the last time anyone sincerely asked that — the last time anyone cared that they'd hurt him. tightness wells in his throat, and he's suddenly too aware of their closeness once more. he raises his eyes defiantly, water dripping from the point of his chin. ]

What does it matter? [ he extends an arm, drifting through the water before his hand rises in front of sasuke. ] My wrist is healed. Your friend Sakura did that for me even though I called her a whore. Feel free to break it again if that angers you. That's all she healed. The rest will take time.