Mm. [Unsure of how exactly to answer, his chin lifts, and his eye skips from Nico's face up to the sky. He doesn't look quite so far as the sun either. The color was restored, and it's a little too bright.

It doesn't seem as if Sasuke is searching for an excuse to be dishonest. The look on his face says he knows exactly what to say, what answer to give, that he could give so many a thousand times over.

But does he want to admit it, even to someone like Nico?

The boy's face receives his gaze again when he finally looks back.] Yes. [Is the simple, truthful answer. He thinks Nico is smart enough to have known he would be lying if he said anything else.

Only real soulmates, whether friends or lovers, talk garbage about each other with such soft fondness.] It was harder when I was younger. There was a team of us--three. Me, him, and my wife.

But... [The dark cast slips back to his face. He probably wouldn't tell just anyone so casually... but he thinks Nico understands. He's almost certain Nico understands.] There was something I had to do, above all else. I would stop at nothing until I finished it. They got in my way, I thought. Held me back. So I left, and I hurt them when I could to keep them away.

Every time we were apart, it was hard.