[Sasuke doesn't care about appearances. For a ninja, the way he dressed and the way he looked was never a part of his repertoire aside from having the telling signs Uchiha eyes.

But even so, it feels like the words are being pulled from his own throat. He was exceptional, but he wasn't a prodigy like his brother. If he didn't put in effort, he couldn't keep up. If he couldn't keep up, he wouldn't be worthy of being a ninja, he wouldn't have been able to get his revenge, he wouldn't be able to fix Konoha. No one is there to catch him...

But there is someone. There always has been. Two someones, but especially one stubborn someone.

His mouth opens as Senri retreats, and his hands habitually slide into the pockets of the jacket almost like he's worn it forever. He's quiet for a long time while Senri looks at the accessories.]

I'll catch you. [His voice is soft, but his face is as intensely focused as usual. He knows this changes nothing about Senri back home, but... if he can show Senri here the things he's today years old realizing Naruto has shown him all along...] I don't want you dragging me down by holding onto my ankles like a scaredy-cat. So.

I'll catch you.