[ It's Nai's stunned silence that gives Vash enough pause to realize how long it's truly been since he said those words out loud. He didn't think he had to, even after all this time. That he loves Nai is as obvious to him as it is that Nai can't return the feeling. He understands that Nai doesn't love him. He doesn't know how. Vash is the one who should know better than to press the situation.

Nai loves... his own perfect idea of what he wants from Vash, but maybe Vash is guilty of something like that too -- maybe he loves the idea of Nai being able to change, or Nai being willing to try.

Maybe Wolfwood is right, and all he does is hurt people with false hope and promises he can only deliver too late. ]

I panicked. [ He says, breaking eye contact first. ] You'll heal, and when you do -- stay away from him. Please. No revenge or retaliation or anything. Leave him alone.

[ He can practically see Nai gearing up for the accusation, and Vash doesn't let him for once. He pushes to his feet. ] This isn't about humans and Plants -- this is about us. You're my brother, and he's my friend. I don't want either of you to die, and if you insist on finishing this -- I hope you're both willing to go through me to do it.