( He looks up a little in shock, expression going vaguely panicked before it softens out helplessly. )

Hunter ... ( He shifts in his seat, hooking his foot around the leg so he can lean forward, press a gloved hand to the boy's arm. ) Hey, I get it. It's not fine, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It makes sense you're worried, I am too. But I think there's so many people here, so many who have come and gone, right? That if they were lying then there'd be some sign. And I know I can come across too - ( He shrugs, unable to convey the feeling. People think he trusts too much, ) But I think I'd feel it, if he were here. So I think we have to believe he's made it back home. That he's safe.

( Vash isn't sure his sanity would last if he let himself think otherwise.

So he squeezes Hunter's arm and then settles back with a sigh, gaze drifting. ) I miss him though. I really - it was so nice, getting to just be ourselves. I liked it.

( Just the two of them away from the shadow of the things they'd done, what they'd been forced into. )

I'll look into it. What really happens with LILITH. That will help, right?