[It is not a good sign that Vash starts to laugh. Even he knows it, judging by the way he immediately claps his free hand over his mouth. There's a sharp wince as the pain lances through his poor teeth (it was, unfortunately for both of them, the metal hand). The added benefit is the fact that a few of those pent up tears wind up streaking down his cheeks.]

Sorry, sorry. [His words are still muffled through his metal fingers. He pulls them away and draws in a breath.] I - got all worked up. Thought this was gonna be hard to answer. I'm sorry.

[He knows this is hard for Wolfwood. And he isn't trying to laugh at that struggle. But for someone who experiences love so easily and so vividly, this question isn't much of a question at all.]

I've wanted to kiss you since I met you, Nick. Since you first gave that kid a lollipop, said it was okay to eat, and then smiled that cocky grin. It's just gotten worse from there. [There's another laugh, but this one is far softer. It's fond and amused, suffused with all the warmth of a man who's had it bad for months.]

I like you, Nick. Even if it scares me. Even if - [His face falls.] Even if I feel like a person like me doesn't deserve someone as good as you. I like you. And I wanted to be with you.

I still do.