I don't have to be. [ done. he casts a sour look in sasuke's direction, already half turned away as if sasuke isn't worth his attention now that they're alone. the gauzy cut of his tunic is distracting, and the gold is gaudy against his skin, the opposite of pleasing, which is the intended result. ] Have we stopped too early? I don't mind hitting you again. I owe you from before.

[ the question goes ignored, as have so many involving his uncle. sasuke is owed precisely nothing from him except an answer to the violence he faced in the snow (which laurent has so kindly refrained from returning), and he will soon enough see the dynamics at play. ]

I don't want anything from you. [ laurent walks away, out of reach, and sits on the bed, leaning back on his hands as his eyes flutter closed, stretching his neck in a slow circle. ] If you want to die in vain, go ahead. Do you think I haven't noticed that you're weak now? I don't think I'm even attracted to you anymore.

[ he turns his head, a little gold spill of hair tumbling down one shoulder. ] Go on, try to break free. I think I'd like to see you choke on that collar. It might get me in an amorous mood. Show me the real you, the one you showed me before when you broke my bones and tried to kill me.