[He was just present enough to give a small smile at the way Vash scolded him, so worried, so kind and concerned. For a moment in his fatigue, the joy of being able to be the subject of that care after so many, many years was overwhelming, reminded him how much he'd missed actually speaking with him, instead of at him.
But he needed rest, and he knew Vash needed to focus on taking care of her. Still...if things didn't end the way Vash wanted them to...he listened to him speak of Knives, of being able to ask him for help, and tried to file it away in his memory for later questioning, because wasn't that an important piece of information that he needed to discuss with him. But then he turned back to him, whispered again.]
Will be with Rem. I'll be fine.
[And then, louder, so that the small form clinging to Vash could hear, his voice as soft and reassuring as he could be.]
Tessla, Vash will do his best for you, but...if you find yourself in a big, dark place, don't be afraid, alright? Look for the bright light and go to it. It's safe there. That's the place I told you about. I'm supposed to take your brother there when it's his turn. Nobody can hurt you there. Just go to the light, and Vash will come find me, so I can take him to find you again, ok?
[Even if it was decades from now. He hoped Vash understood the unspoken instructions, left unsaid so they wouldn't confuse or frighten her and waste his own energy; if she dies, come back to Rem's. Once he was rested, the first thing he would do would be to check on them, and if she had passed, he would have Vash lead him back out here, so he could make sure she wasn't lost. Even if it meant heading into the light himself.
He turned, reaching out to let his hand touch, for just a brief moment, against Vash's shoulder. It hurt, a lot, and he sucked in a false breath at the pain. But he hoped it was enough for Vash to be able to feel him there, to be as much of a physical comfort as he could give, before he pulled away again, shaking the sharp vibrating sensation in his extremities, and began making his way slowly back to Rem's little settlement.]
no subject
But he needed rest, and he knew Vash needed to focus on taking care of her. Still...if things didn't end the way Vash wanted them to...he listened to him speak of Knives, of being able to ask him for help, and tried to file it away in his memory for later questioning, because wasn't that an important piece of information that he needed to discuss with him. But then he turned back to him, whispered again.]
Will be with Rem. I'll be fine.
[And then, louder, so that the small form clinging to Vash could hear, his voice as soft and reassuring as he could be.]
Tessla, Vash will do his best for you, but...if you find yourself in a big, dark place, don't be afraid, alright? Look for the bright light and go to it. It's safe there. That's the place I told you about. I'm supposed to take your brother there when it's his turn. Nobody can hurt you there. Just go to the light, and Vash will come find me, so I can take him to find you again, ok?
[Even if it was decades from now. He hoped Vash understood the unspoken instructions, left unsaid so they wouldn't confuse or frighten her and waste his own energy; if she dies, come back to Rem's. Once he was rested, the first thing he would do would be to check on them, and if she had passed, he would have Vash lead him back out here, so he could make sure she wasn't lost. Even if it meant heading into the light himself.
He turned, reaching out to let his hand touch, for just a brief moment, against Vash's shoulder. It hurt, a lot, and he sucked in a false breath at the pain. But he hoped it was enough for Vash to be able to feel him there, to be as much of a physical comfort as he could give, before he pulled away again, shaking the sharp vibrating sensation in his extremities, and began making his way slowly back to Rem's little settlement.]