unchainer | for @babeldom

[ 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. ]

[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.]

[ 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?

[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.]

[ 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!! ]

[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.

[ 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.

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.]

[ 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?

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.]

...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.

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?

Well, it wouldn't hurt to restock on toiletries. We'll need to buy more food, too.

[ He, too, is almost done with his food, even if he hasn't really eaten much. ]

That will wait until the end of the day, though - until then, you're free to grab anything you want. [ ... ] Just don't get lost again, will you?

You always say don't get lost again....

[...Because. It's him. Of course, he probably will. Vanitas has come to accept this and has learned there are valid reasons why Domi has the leash for him to keep the vampire from wandering off. Still, that doesn't stop him from pouting at the other, adding that. He never intentionally wanders off. It's just that he is easily excited and distracted.]

Of course I do. I wouldn't have to if you stopped wandering off on your own.

[ He can't help it. He leans forward and ruffles Noé's hair lightly, and the look in his eyes is rather fond. He draws his hand back and flags over one of the waitstaff to take care of their dishes and pay for their meals.

Then, he stands up. ]

If you need anything from the shops, we can go there first.

There's just so much to see and do here in Paris...!

[He tries to explain, closing one eye as Vanitas messes with his hair. He's gradually gotten more used to physical contact from the other, though it's taken time on Vanitas's end. He instinctively raises a hand to his hair in some clumsy attempt to check it and make sure it isn't too messy, though it's harder to tell without having a mirror. Regardless, he isn't too worried about his appearance, quickly making to stand and follow when Vanitas does.]

Ah, right. Okay.

That doesn't mean you have to wander off without me...

[ Huff, huff. Vanitas goes towards the door and once they're outside, he'll look up at Noé. It's a cool day today, but the sun is out. All things considered, the weather could be much, much worse. ]

Well? Would you like to go anywhere in particular?

I don't mean to.

[He says softly, still pouting a little, but he follows along as usual. He pulls his coat tighter around himself when he feels the chill, considering the question for a moment. Trying to think of anything that they might need. That he had wanted or been meaning to get.]

Oh! Cat food! And maybe a new toy for Murr?

Alright.

[ Vanitas doesn't have many complaints. Murr is fine and something he's grown accustomed to having around the place. (And seeing Murr sock Noé in the face from time to time is quite amusing, to say the least. Heh.)

Off to the nearest pet store they go. ]

You sure like to pamper that cat with toys, don't you? Didn't we just get one for him not too long ago?

But what if he gets lonely when I'm out with you all day? At least this way, he has toys to play with.

[The vampire likes taking care of the cat. Even if Murr has moments when he gets rather upset with Noé sometimes. He still does his best. It was nice to have someone to care for. He goes with Vanitas to the store and looks around at the food and toys to find something to pick out for Murr, at least easily finding his usual food that he preferred. The toy was trickier. He might be too distracted to notice out the window who might be coming or going past.]

[ Vanitas follows, not really participating in the Murr supply hunt here but quietly observing all the same. At first, he's just looking at the different toys, remembering what he's seen the cat play with before. Then, his eyes move to Noé's expression, which is quite a sight to behold. The vampire seems so...happy. He always is when it comes to Murr, but this feels different. It feels like he's looking at Noé in a different way now; something in Vanitas' chest feels lighter. He's at ease, and his expression seems more serene than usual.

He, too, is distracted. So much so that he doesn't notice that a certain someone passes by through the window.

While Noé is deciding on something for Murr, Vanitas recalls seeing something that the cat liked tossing around. He reaches for a ball of yarn before tapping the vampire on the shoulder. ]

Hey, Noé. Didn't he like something like this before?

[Noé is oblivious that the other is staring at him as he looks over the toys, trying to decide which Murr might enjoy. He doesn't notice the way Vanitas's expression softens. There's so much movement out at the window that he doesn't realize that anyone in particular might be passing and watching them together. He turns when Vanitas taps him on the shoulder, smiling and nodding in agreement.

Oh! Yes! He does have something similar. I'm sure he'll like that one too! Shall we get that and the food? We can take it back to the hotel for Murr, and then see if Dante has heard anything?

Why not? Seems as good of a plan as any.

[ He hands Noé the toy, and follows him around to get the food and whatever else he happens to pick up. Maybe Dante will be ready by the time they're done here. Who knows.

Vanitas feels like someone is watching, though. What would otherwise be a peaceful day has been effectively ruined by this journalist already, so before Noé's hands get too full, Vanitas doesn't reach for his hand. Rather, he wraps his arm around Noé's, links their arms. ]

Don't mind me, now.

[He smiles, happy to have found something for Murr, with the toy and treat. He supposes just one might do? He considers the other as he follows him around, checking the store for anything else he might want or need for his pet.

He blinks, glancing at the other when Vanitas reaches for his arm like that. Initially, he's a little confused, but then it clicks that the woman journalist must be around somewhere. Must be watching them. He hadn't realized, hadn't noticed, being so distracted with the shopping.]

Hm? Oh. She's here?

She's-

[ At the corner of his eye, he sees a familiar flash of blonde hair - yep. That's her. He turns towards Noe with a smile on his lips but his eyes are dark. ]

It appears so.

[ And he keeps that smile on his face, but his eyes suddenly morph into something unnaturally relaxed. That is, until his free hand gently brushes against Noe's. Then his expression turns into something a little warmer, and that warmth appears to be...genuine? Still, he'd like to leave as soon as possible, so... ]

Is there anything else you need? I can find it for you.

fake dating part 2!

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