[ Maybe Knives hadn't meant it the way Vash takes it (or maybe he did.) But Vash softens a little, his expression shifting to something far less desperate and angry. It's something worried in a different way, something gentle and quick to rebut. But there's something else too, like an old wound has had its scab scratched off and reopened. He's quick to look away, his hands settling on his brother's shoulders as he fixes his gaze somewhere else while he makes a grand effort to hide the turmoil in his chest. ]

I guess I wouldn't know what it's like to be perfect. [ It's basically muttered under his breath, aimed away from Knives as he sets his shoulders stubbornly. When he looks back, he's managed to shove the hurt he's caused himself back into the deepest reaches of his mind. Instead, he leans down towards his brother, his hands lifting to settle at either side of his head, fingers curling over his ears as he presses his forehead to Knives' own, like he's done so many times with the tanks their sisters are in. ]

You're still you, Nai. You're still my brother. You're still...

[ Perfect. ]