Use the convention that positive vortex strength is counterclockwise and complex velocity is . A complex potential of a two-dimensional potential flow for the superposed uniform flow and two point vortices is
Local choices of logarithm branch change no velocity. Differentiation gives
For nonzero vortex strength and , its two zeros are
The number under the square root is nonzero, so these are distinct stagnation points, neither at a vortex.
A free point vortex moves with the velocity induced by the other vortex and the background, omitting its own singular field. At either vortex, the other induces vertical velocity , while the background contributes . Their velocities are therefore equal. Their separation stays , making this induced velocity constant for all time. Both travel along parallel straight lines with

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