[ And Vanilla listens. Holds the man and lets him unburden his heart, his ears twisted towards him, his hands working still to softly pet. Coaxing him to get it all out, until he finally all but wails like that.

Gently he presses a hand into the back of Vash's head, holds him down into his shoulder. Works his fingers against the soft fuzz there, rubbing gently in comfort. ]

I do. Of course I do. My letter didn't lie, my dear. I love you [ And he says it so easily ] and am here for you. However you may need me.

[ He'll fall silent as he holds Vash, letting the other man breathe for a moment as he processes everything Vash told him. ]

I understand you both. Wolfwood's attempts to keep such pain from you was from love. When you love someone so much, when they're the parts of your heart you always felt missing, you desire nothing but to keep the ugly truth from them. Because you can't see them pained, can't bare to have them burdened by it as you are.

[ And he understands because he's been there, the tone of his voice says. He's been Wolfwood, holding the truth away so as to not drag his loved one's down. He sighs softly. ]

Those of us who love like that forget that it's not solely our decision to make. And of course your trust is injured, but I do not think it is broken. Tempers are high and pain is deep. You have a right to be angry [ Dark Cacao and Hollyberry, livid and rightfully calling him out ], and both of you are hurting the other because you hurt. The bond between you is not broken, and can be repaired. Also-

[ He pulls back to move his hands to Vash's face, cup his cheeks to stroke against them gently. ]

- you are not a monster. You will never be a monster, for your form does not make you a monster. It is what lays at your heart that makes you who you are. If you were a monster, my love, you would not be in this much pain.