[ For all that Knives acts like a serious old man sometimes, he really is still just a child, and the weight of his soft cheek against Vash's hand is a painful reminder of that fact. His brother is his responsibility, Vash knows -- no matter what his age. It's a lifetime obligation. ]

I promise, brother. I won't leave you.

[ If there's a fight, he will absolutely drop Knives on the sidelines, but that's hardly the same thing. No, they're stuck together, at least on Vash's side. The more Knives learns about the future as his older self's role in it, the more likely it is that he'll leave, but Vash never will. Never. ]

After this is over, I want to take you to meet Luida anyway, and the rest of the folks from the ship! They've got access to the old libraries and databases. If anyone can figure out a way to get you back, it'll be them.