He closes his eyes and sighs at Shikamaru's touch, listening to what he had to say. At the end he opened his eyes, but turned them towards the floor. He didn't want it to end right here. He didn't want it to stop. This was something he was doing because it felt good to him. He was doing something for himself for once. He chose his words carefully, quietly.

"I'm okay with no promises." You're used to no promises, you mean an ugly voice in the back of his head retorted bitterly

"But..." He hesitates, and the next words that come out of his mouth make his stomach clench uncomfortably, painfully.

"Whatever you want, then. I'll back off if you really want me to. "