[It's a long moment before Sasuke works out the connection between his own words and the apology -- he's become so accustomed to it, guarding against nearness and touch, a certain awareness of the threat inherent in closeness that borders on paranoia. He's lived alone and wanted by his own choice for long enough that the memory of being held has long faded out of clarity.
He wouldn't relive it for most. But this is his brother, and Itachi is apologizing for it, which makes these past weeks and the various faces of Itachi that he's seen, his own world to this one, the most he's ever heard I'm sorry from his brother.
He lets go of Itachi's hands and reaches out, gingerly pulling him closer. In its own weird way it helps that he's taller, here; it's somehow easier to be aware that this is physically, viscerally different from the reality he knows.]
No, you're right. It's impractical not to use a solution when there is one.
[action]
He wouldn't relive it for most. But this is his brother, and Itachi is apologizing for it, which makes these past weeks and the various faces of Itachi that he's seen, his own world to this one, the most he's ever heard I'm sorry from his brother.
He lets go of Itachi's hands and reaches out, gingerly pulling him closer. In its own weird way it helps that he's taller, here; it's somehow easier to be aware that this is physically, viscerally different from the reality he knows.]
No, you're right. It's impractical not to use a solution when there is one.