[That silence lingers long, too long, and he knows he's right. It doesn't make him happy, though. He could never be happy to have these suspicions confirmed.
He also doesn't flinch or back down when Wolfwood steps closer, even with the rage emanating off of him in waves. This feels...familiar. Painfully familiar. But he understands Wolfwood more now, a bit, than he did then. Or...well, he would, if this was his Wolfwood.
But he still won't back down, different man or not.
The words he finally gave when he was able to speak again make another of those awkward, uncomfortable smiles cross his face, the ones that happened when he wasn't sure how else to react, and he nodded. Maybe he was right. Maybe the Vash he knew hadn't wanted to die. That still didn't mean that Wolfwood was to blame.
When he turned and began walking again, he hung back for a few moments, biting the inside of his lip. Someone else might have let it go, maybe. Especially if they knew how strong Nicholas was and how volatile his temper could be when he was hurting. Unfortunately, he'd never been very smart when it came to doing stupid things, especially when he thought they might help.]
He didn't want to die, but you didn't want to kill him. You're not the one to blame, if they forced you to do something you didn't want to do. It's not your fault, Wolfwood. They hurt you, just like they hurt everyone else. They just made it worse for you because they made you hurt others. Stop blaming yourself.
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He also doesn't flinch or back down when Wolfwood steps closer, even with the rage emanating off of him in waves. This feels...familiar. Painfully familiar. But he understands Wolfwood more now, a bit, than he did then. Or...well, he would, if this was his Wolfwood.
But he still won't back down, different man or not.
The words he finally gave when he was able to speak again make another of those awkward, uncomfortable smiles cross his face, the ones that happened when he wasn't sure how else to react, and he nodded. Maybe he was right. Maybe the Vash he knew hadn't wanted to die. That still didn't mean that Wolfwood was to blame.
When he turned and began walking again, he hung back for a few moments, biting the inside of his lip. Someone else might have let it go, maybe. Especially if they knew how strong Nicholas was and how volatile his temper could be when he was hurting. Unfortunately, he'd never been very smart when it came to doing stupid things, especially when he thought they might help.]
He didn't want to die, but you didn't want to kill him. You're not the one to blame, if they forced you to do something you didn't want to do. It's not your fault, Wolfwood. They hurt you, just like they hurt everyone else. They just made it worse for you because they made you hurt others. Stop blaming yourself.