#// also Livio he genuinely is a lucky bastard he's got too many people that care for him to pull this shit

[thehumcntyphccn]

" I can't say I'm that surprised. I tend to attract the worst, huh? "

Vash muses it to himself as his eyes have long since fallen to the ground, simply parroting off of the thoughts of the other. Truly he couldn't imagine - the types of troubles the ex-assassin alone found himself in by keeping anyone sniffing out Wolfwood and his own scent from following close behind. It was surely a hefty chore; one that Vash admired and was more than thankful for.. Yet, couldn't help but feel every inch of clenched guilt tear at him at just the thought.

" Thank you. Again. "

Yet. When was it never like this?

His seafoaming eyes drag against the floor as if afraid to meet Livio's, especially at the blatantly-true revelation of how disastrous of a trio they surely would be. They would be worse than a gang of bounty hunters - somehow even worse than they already were, traveling as just a duo. If it was the three of them, their entire companionship would feel as if the world itself was out to get their hides; not one person would dare to accept help from three grim reapers.

And it truly never would matter what any of them wanted. Yet.

" I.. I can't lie to him, Livio. I'm sorry. "

He can't even reach for the rosary as it is offered, his hues climbing finally to the other male as the sweetness of a thriving rose is replaced with the heartbreak of a wilting one. Vash hangs his gaze on the crucifix necklace before his brows scrunch and a sadness paints the blue in his eyes.

" He deserves a peace of mind. More than anything. But I can't let him believe you are dead, and I can't lie to him. I've seen how he cares about you, and it would devastate him if he believed you were completely gone. He probably would see right through me, even if I did lie. I can't hurt him like that. He's been hurt enough by me, and by what has happened to you. But. I can give it to him. I can do that. "

There is a pause, a long breath before he more gently speaks from the near-bite his tone had become. There was just hurt in his eyes, a genuine pain seeing two brothers be torn apart again in such an agonistic way. It felt familiar - but in the wrong way. A way he himself never once was able to experience.

" I don't mean to disrespect you. Or what you want. But I can't lie to him any more, Livio. I know you understand that. "

"You're lucky i'm good at my job." Livio snorted ever so slightly as he fixed his blazer jacket neatly over his chest. ''It's been a pain to keep them off your scent. You have a knack at attracting some of the worst men this side of the planet." The young agent shook his head. It wasn't just his brother this kid kept on their toes.

And of course he'd disagree. He wasn't even shocked. ''You know him well I see...he must really like you. That or you already know the depths of his heart. Not many men can say that." The assassin crossed his arms.

"Still it's not about what we want. Him or I...its about the safety of you and yours and those simply in your vicinity. Be it if you like it or not, trouble follows you...and now me. If I so happen to be convince by my brother to join your merry crew, we three will surely be an omen to any poor town we wonder in. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. As much as I love my brother and wish too see him again I can't afford to put more people in danger."

"I'm content watching you all from the shadows where I can atleast cause little to no harm. But...if you must ease his mind....here." After a long moment of debate, Livio tugged on his zipper turtle neck, pulling it down just enough to show off his neck and pale collar bone. Barley visible was a black and silver beaded chain with a lone metallic silver cross that hung on the loop. It was a simple rosary. After a moment he took it off an held it out for Vash, offering it out as tribute.

"We members of the Eye all have one. Consider them like a soldier does their dog tags. Each one is different to it's holder. This one is mine, he'll know it well. Simply tell him you found it in the desert and that he should hold onto it as a keepsake. Normally when we pass these go to the next of kin anyways. I pray it will bring him peace. And though I cannot be there for him physically. So long as he has this we will never be apart again."