Yeah. [ he responds quietly, his thoughts drifting. ] I think... I want to understand. Before T... Before, I thought- maybe we could understand each other.

[ his fingers dig into vash's shoulder, nails biting into the thick coat. ] I'm worried about him... He can't protect himself and- [ he vividly remembers the screen visuals, vash and tesla placed in the same folder, different from his own. the implications make him sick. ] I have to protect him. [ he almost continues, but the words lodge in his throat and instead he falls silent. white-knuckled grip unrelenting. the rising tide of dread threatens to drown him. ]

... I want to meet your friends first. [ he states quietly, almost muffled against vash's coat. maybe vash is right, maybe he isn't, but nai will trust him regardless. ]