Vash hadn't meant it as a chiding, more as a response to what Wolfwood had said, but at the same time. He swallows, pushing away the white noise again because that voice sounding so small was not and never would be right.

He stopped, turning to stand in front of Wolfwood. He couldn't properly smile, not yet, but he was trying, and his eyes, though a little bloodshot, were soft and kind as always.

"I know. I am sorry - but at this point you are hurting yourself, and it - we may have to deal with more than enough of that in the days to come. Save your strength?" And mine, he did not add, because that was selfish, but a part of him knew to be true. Wolfwood hurting himself was hurting Vash, too, it ever would be the case, and... there was already so much pain.

Deep breath. "I am sorry I am taking that away from you right now. It's easier to be focusing on one thing, even if it hurts with every time your thoughts circle through it. But... we have too much work to do."

He really was sorry, too. He wasn't sure he could bare this better than the self-blaming. The silent tears, or the pain in Wolfwood's voice, the attempt to explain and apologize.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. The words come to him unbidden, and that almost wrings the wryest smile out of his lips.

"We will do what we can. Idealist or realist, that's all we have."