[ He wants to offer assurances, promises. Of course Knives can go home! Of course Vash will be fine until then! But nothing is certain, is it? If it really was his gate malfunctioning that brought Knives here, then maybe -- maybe -- he can return the same way, but Vash doesn't have the first clue how to go about something like that. And if Vash isn't the reason Knives is here, if he was brought into this future by some other method, then... then he might be trapped here. He might never be able to return.

Vash lays a hand over Knives', at his shoulder. ]

Rem will take care of him, until we can find a way to send you back. And I've got you.

[ At least, until the fighting starts again. What will happen to Knives here, if Vash falls fighting his older self? Where can he go, who will look after him?

But soon as the question occurs to him, he knows the answer. ]

Did I ever tell you about my friend Luida?