for @babeldom

[unchainer]

1, 2, 3

Comments

fake dating

[unchainer]

[ It's no secret that Vanitas is no good when it comes to matters of the heart.

He's an utter buffoon, and things like attachment and vulnerability get him to drop the arrogant act almost immediately. He's been caught tongue-tied more than once, at a loss of how to react to genuine kindness and recognition. These are things he's received from a small number of people lately. By now, these select few individuals are likely more than aware of how awful Vanitas is at honesty and transparency until he's backed into a corner and forced to reveal his feelings; he's unwilling to drop his walls, though, around complete strangers.

This extends to a particular mademoiselle who has been pursuing Vanitas for at least a week. Aggressively, asking for a chance, a date, anything for more than a second of his time. Some people are just so stubborn and don't know how to take no for an answer, though, which is why Noe can probably find Vanitas hurriedly storming back towards Hotel Chouchou with the young lady following behind him. ]

How many times do I need to tell you, I'm not interested! Leave me alone, will you?!

[babeldom]

[The vampire doesn't figure anything of it. Probably because it isn't him, and he merely perhaps found it vaguely amusing if anything, watching Vanitas squirm at the attention. It isn't like she is chasing after him, and even if she did, it would likely go over his head anyway. Given that the vampire was rather oblivious. Still rather sheltered despite his attempts to get out there and experience more, learn more about the world. He merely encounters them after finally figuring his way back (he....may have gotten distracted and lost while out on errands). He runs into them on his way back to the hotel. He is chuckling to himself as he hears Vanitas.]

Ah, everything okay...?

[unchainer]

Noé! So good to see you!

[ The unexplained, sudden change in demeanor may be a dead giveaway that Noé may be desperately needed here. It's also an act, to give the impression that Noé is a clearly wanted companion and she...isn't. Vanitas approaches him with a smile, but once he gets within earshot, his voice lowers and his expression changes. ]

Could you please explain to the young lady over there that she should, perhaps, get over her feelings and find someone else to ask on a date?

[ Harsh... ]

[babeldom]

It is?

[Yeah. The vampire knows Vanitas too well to immediately take that at face value and not figure something was up. And, yup, there it is. Of course, he wants Noé to deal with this woman. As if the vampire has any sort of experience with this stuff. If Domi were here, maybe he could ask her for advice, but. Well. It's just the two of them. And evidently, Vanitas is having no luck in persuading this woman to leave him be. He's quiet as he replies, purple eyes gazing between Vanitas and the woman that was following after him.]

Me? I -- what should I say?

[unchainer]

I don't know! Anything?! It's not like she's taking me seriously.

[ For a guy who laughed at Noé for not knowing what love is, he sure is relying on him for something involving matters of the heart. Vanitas is also not being particularly helpful here with his suggestions (or lack thereof, really) so...good luck, Noé......

The woman is beginning to peer around the corner, and she begins to approach with a wide smile on her face. Vanitas sees her at the corner of his eye and lets out a frightened little noise before promptly hiding behind Noé. ]

[babeldom]

But me.....?

[He sighs, his purple eyes shifting to focus on her when she approaches, feeling Vanitas shift behind him, and briefly raising an eyebrow at that. Still, he raises his hands and tries to think of what to say to her. As if he has any better idea or any more experience with this sort of thing. Being the most oblivious and sheltered vampire probably ever.]

Um, look, Madame, Monsouir Vanitas and I are heading back to our hotel room now, so you really should be getting back to your home. And I'm not sure he is interested in a relationship right now....?

[unchainer]

[ Yes, there we go! Good job, Noé – oh. Oh, no, that's...hm. The lady appears to be squinting at the vampire, looking at him with scrutiny like she can't entirely buy this excuse, even if it's true. Why she's so persistent, Vanitas has no idea, but she's opening her mouth and seems quite indignant. He's fully anticipating her to say something in protest.

And that's when he decides to act.

In a panic, Vanitas latches onto Noé's hand and holds it up so she can see it. He is doing his best to be convincing, to leave no room for doubt in what he's about to say next: ]

Yes, he's right! You see, this gentleman here – [ He gestures to Noé with his other hand. ] happens to be the lucky [ "lucky" ] recipient of all my affections! And we would greatly appreciate it if you could let us be. Together. None of this nonsense anymore, alright?

[ Ah...this poor lady now looks kind of heartbroken, but...mission...accomplished? At what cost, though? ]

[babeldom]

[He glances down when the other takes his hand, trying not to look too confused. He's not sure how successful that is. He tried, though, to talk to her. And what he said was not a lie. They were going up to their room at the hotel. He just hadn't considered the potential implication around that. Not until Vanitas makes it sound like.....well. That they were....dating? A couple? He's just kind of staring at the other as he sort of takes a moment to process it, as she looks upset and leaves. He starts back inside with Vanitas, ensuring they are out of sight and earshot of the woman before he seems to react.]

W-wait? Together? Us?

[Give him a moment. This is the most oblivious and sheltered idiot vampire, here. Who asked Vanitas of all people about love.]

[unchainer]

[ She leaves and he's convinced that she believes him. She will, hopefully, leave him alone from here on out. Vanitas lowers his hand – though he still, notably, is holding onto Noé's – and he answers the vampire's question with ease. ]

Haha! Quite convincing, wasn't I? [ He pauses, and only then does it dawn on him that they are, still, holding hands. There's a moment where it seems like he's going to keep holding it, and there is a notable moment of hesitation before he lets go. His tone turns gentle (but that is, surprisingly, not such a rarity around Noé these days). ] I just wanted her to get off of my back, Noé. Don't worry about it.

[ That same hand moves to pat Noé on the shoulder. It's a way to keep him grounded after that, because he feels a little unsettled and can't quite figure out why. Vanitas has never been great at deciding how he feels when it comes to matters of the heart, nor does he want to think about why those feelings happen, so the thought of actually dating Noé is quickly tucked away somewhere. Time to change the subject. ]

We should start considering dinner. It's gotten a little late.

[babeldom]

[For his part, Noé isn't sure what to make of it. Then again, it was hard to pin things down where Vanitas was concerned. Even after all this time traveling together and working together, he is still well aware that he knows so little about the other. The way Vanitas still has so many secrets. Let alone whatever was going on with his friend in regards to his feelings. Towards Noé or Jeanne. Or whether his supposed affections for Jeanne were also a ploy or something. Noé is still unsure of his own feelings for Vanitas. They were friends, working together. And he knows he is curious about the other. Is protective of Vanitas. But he's rather fumbling and inexperienced where anything more than friendship is concerned to tell how he really feels. So he's more confused than anything else at the other claiming they were together in such a sense. And how he feels about that. What to make of it.

Still, he nods even as he stares at the other confusedly, as Vanitas pats his shoulder.]

Ah, dinner. Right. Oh! Can I get tarte tatin for dessert? Please?

crawls back in!

[unchainer]

[ Vanitas holds his cards close to his chest in every aspect of his life, because to him, love and war would be the same, except love isn't a game he's willing to play. His affection for Jeanne is something he wishes he could shove down into the abyss, because the thought of it makes him feel so twisted and hideous.

(Why, then, was it so effortless to say that he and Noé were...?)

It's easy to latch onto Noé being a fool, though. That is something familiar, easier to navigate than anything involving feelings. Ugh. ]

That's the third night in a row you're asking me to make you tarte tatin. [ But Vanitas has obliged every time. ] Isn't there anything else you care about?

[ He lowers his hand from Noé's shoulder. ]

Whatever. You're lucky I have the time to make it now.

[ And he just starts walking to the kitchen without warning. Time for another night of baking... ]

It's okay rl happens.

[babeldom]

It's my favourite.

[As if that clearly explains his delight over this particular dessert. As long as there is the chance he could have some, or Vanitas would make him some, he would always at least ask. And he lights up every single time in his excitement and joy. It isn't exactly hard to cheer him up or distract him, as the case may be.]

You do? Yes! Thank you, Vanitas!

[Vanitas is The Best. Making him his beloved tarte tatin. The vampire hovers in his excitement, following and offering to help if he can. Though he expects Vanitas would probably banish him from the kitchen.]

[unchainer]

[ Noé is incredibly easy to please, much to Vanitas' benefit and chagrin – and, indeed, Vanitas banishes him from the kitchen about a quarter of the way in. There's only so much he can take of Noé being like an excited puppy while he's trying to concentrate, and given what just happened, he'd rather not be too distracted.

...But he is, anyway, as he mulls over the idea of ever loving Noé. The time it takes him to finish the tarte tatin is a little longer than usual because of this.

Vanitas brings it out, looking a little less grouchy than usual as he slides it over towards Noé. ]

Here, eat it. I'm going to go and make actual dinner.

[ With that, he's back to the kitchen!! ... And is, notably, not making eye contact with the vampire. ]

fake dating part 2!

[unchainer]

[ The next day is relatively quiet, all things considered. Noé and Vanitas are going about their usual routine, searching for curse bearers for Vanitas to perform his work on, but Dante has yet to return with any leads. Therefore, he's decided that they get to take it easy until then, and taking it easy leads them to a cafe near Hotel Chouchou.

It was just supposed to be a late breakfast over tea, nothing special or out of the ordinary - until it wasn't.

A certain someone, trying to act casual, passes by them outside but Vanitas can feel her eyes on them. He tenses up instinctually, but watches her up until she approaches. And as she begins to walk up to them, Vanitas does what he knows best.

He reaches for Noé's hand from under the table. It isn't as if he hasn't grabbed Noé's hand before but it was never for something like this. He can't ignore how warm it is, especially with the way his fingers curl around the other man's palm as the woman gets closer. It is a gesture to stay true to what he lied about the other night, a way of asking Noé to trust him and follow his lead as he said. It's also, surprisingly, keeping Vanitas grounded.

The journalist is cordial, to say the least, and just wants to say good morning to them both, even if she is visibly not quite as enthusiastic as she wasa before. The entire time, though, assuming Noé stays put? Vanitas is squeezing Noé's hand - and he doesn't even realize it. ]

[babeldom]

[Of course, the vampire would never be upset about taking a break. Having a quieter morning. He happily heads with Vanitas to get something to eat, probably something sweeter than he should have for breakfast on his end, but still.

He pauses with whatever he had been saying when he notices the other tensing, about to ask what was wrong. But he's quick to glance in following Vanitas's gaze and spot her approaching. Noé greets her with a good morning, staying still and allowing Vanitas to hold his hand. Reminding himself that it was part of the ruse. It's a rarer occasion that he isn't currently wearing his gloves, so Vanitas is holding to his bare hand. He just tries to go with whatever Vanitas says. Letting him take the lead.]

[unchainer]

[ Vanitas is, as always, wearing his gloves. Even so, he can feel how warm Noé's hand is and it's almost - almost - enough to distract him while he's talking to the journalist. Thankfully, the conversation is short, but he's going to be careful and keep his hand in Noé's.

Vanitas uses his free hand to sip his tea, but once she's out of earshot: ]

Easy, right?

[babeldom]

[Noé does his best to play along, mostly keeping quiet and letting Vanitas talk to her. Not that the conversation lasts for long. He just hopes that this isn't going to be something they have to deal with for a while, depending on how long she stays. He doesn't want to pretend. Doesn't want to cause trouble for Vanitas. Still, he allows the other to hold his hand for as long as Vanitas seems to feel that it is necessary. Using his free hand to have another mouthful of his breakfast, just giving Vanitas a look after being sure that she was not glancing over at them.]

[unchainer]

[ If anything, Vanitas is the one causing trouble for Noé, and he knows it. That glance, though, is what gets him to finally release his hold on Noé's hand. He sighs and brings both of his hands up to take a bite out of his food. He's not particularly hungry, though. ]

Oh, don't look at me like that. Seriously, it wasn't that bad.

[ All he did was hold Noé's hand!! ]

[babeldom]

[He supposes he is kind of used to Vanitas holding his hand. Or jacket or some such, at the least, when leading him around and making sure the vampire doesn't wander off and get too distracted. But this? This was different. It isn't that he so much minds that. Vanitas's touch wasn't rough or anything like that. It's more that he blames Vanitas for getting them into this ridiculous situation in the first place.

He can't really keep up that look for too long, anyway. That and he has the food to distract him. So his expression softens easily enough in a moment as he eats.]

Mm. I know. It isn't like you haven't held my hand before. But that's.....this is different.

[unchainer]

[ And Vanitas is absolutely the one responsible for this, just like he has been for so many of the misadventures he's dragged the vampire into since the time their partnership started. He looks away, down at his food, but when he dares to look up again, he notices Noé's expression changes.

This is different. A part of Vanitas hoped that it wouldn't be, but perhaps he is the fool for believing Noé would see it that way, too. ]

Didn't I tell you not to overcomplicate things? [ In the past, he would've said this with more bite, but that's not present here. He's just...talking, slightly miffed but not scolding the other all the same. ] It doesn't have to - [ ... ] it shouldn't mean anything.

[babeldom]

Overcomplicate things? Ah, right. I know.

[Maybe it was just him. He's far more dense about this sort of thing. Love. Relationships. All he knows is what he sees others doing when out and about together. Couples, with their gifts, picnics, and that sort of thing. He just knows how he feels about Vanitas is....different. To how he feels about Domi or anyone else? But he has nothing to compare it to, to know if that is love. Let alone that it wasn't likely he had any chance of really knowing how Vanitas feels about him.

It shouldn't mean anything. Right. It was nothing, really. Just holding hands for a moment. That's all. Vanitas is just doing this to avoid dealing with her. Just using him as a cover.]

[unchainer]

[ Vanitas pauses, considers this for a moment. He wasn't expecting Noé to agree with him on this, and something about that makes him feel...strange. Like he was hoping for something else. He couldn't say what it was, though. Maybe he's the one overcomplicating everything, in the end.

... ]

Noé. [ His tone is soft again. ] When you said it felt different...what did you mean by that?

[babeldom]

Hm? I just meant that it wasn't, you know. Usually, if you're holding my hand, you're making sure I don't wander off or something.

[Not. Just holding it like that. He's not even sure if she had been able to see their hands under the table. Maybe. Vanitas probably assumed she would, or might notice, to have reached for him. To make it look authentic, that they were together. He's not sure how to explain it. He takes another mouthful of his meal and sips his drink, trying to ignore the slight heat he can feel on his cheeks and nose.]

[unchainer]

...Right.

[ A fair response. He relaxes, somewhat. Why the handholding was under the table instead of over it is anyone's guess, but Vanitas also moves to eat more of his breakfast. If he looks hungry, then he can use that as an excuse for not saying much - but he, too, is starting to turn a little pink. ]

Anyway - I'll be upfront and say that I don't have many plans for the rest of the day. Until Dante returns, I suppose we'll just have to find other ways to use our time.

[babeldom]

Hm? Oh. Well, I'm sure we can figure something out to keep ourselves occupied while we wait. Once we finish eating.

[He doesn't notice that the other is a little red too, distracted as he is with his food and drink. Finishing that so they could move on. He considers for a moment on ideas to fill time, as he munches and finishes sipping his drink of hot chocolate that was probably far too sweet for Vanitas's tastes.]

Did we need anything from the shops?