[ Oh, Noé really means it, doesn't he? Of course he does, he's the kind of person who likes to make sure people are taken care of. Vanitas isn't too surprised, but he really, truly doesn't need anything. Noé's company is and has been more than enough to make him feel happier these days. He keeps that to himself, though, and instead chooses to shake his head with a light chuckle. ]
I don't? But...I feel like I should. If you're going to make me food. I want to do something for you, too.
[Since that will take time, and money. Getting the ingredients, making whatever dessert Vanitas was doing for him. He just figures that this seems fair if he does something in return. Even if he might not necessarily be sure what. Yet, anyway. The doctor didn't have such an immediately obvious preference where food was concerned, beyond not liking sweets as much as he did. But maybe something else? Buying him something useful? Or going somewhere? An experience?]
[ His instinct is to tell Noé enough, but his newfound feelings as well as the newness of their relationship has him feeling a little more upbeat than usual. ]
Fine, since you're so insistent about this.
[ He really doesn't need much. He doesn't expect people to do things for him because they feel like it, it's usually at some kind of price. Noé is different, though. He treats Vanitas with kindness because he feels like it, and that, to Vanitas, is enough.
But he'll entertain Noé, regardless. ]
Take me to your favorite place, and we can have dinner there tonight. It doesn't need to be a restaurant.
[He's relieved to be able to do something. He would just have to think, to check on options. The places he had been to that he had enjoyed. Ones that were not bakeries that would likely be closed by the evening hours of dinner. He seems a little surprised, even amid his happiness at the idea.
He isn't necessarily reading into it. That the suggestion of dinner could be taken as a date, given that they were tentatively exploring taking things further in their relationship.]
[ The noise he makes is a bit non-commital, but he means it all the same. He curls into Noé a little more and looks away, trying to say something but finding the words getting caught in his throat nevertheless. It makes him happy that Noé's looking forward to it, but Vanitas doesn't express it in the same way, even if he is, too. The one overcomplicating things here is him. It's always been him. ]
I don't care where it is. [ ... ] As long as you like it, I'll be okay with it.
[He smiles, not seeming to mind when Vanitas curls closer. He's turning over some ideas. Places he remembered enjoying. He would have to call one of them and see if they could hold a table for them tonight. There's no immediate rush, though. He doesn't mind lying here with Vanitas for a bit. If the other wasn't quite ready yet to get up. If the doctor was still a little tired or something.]
A few hours, so you'd better start thinking quickly.
[ He's teasing, of course, but it wouldn't be Vanitas and Noe without some of that. Vanitas is pretty comfortable, and his hand is still holding Noe's with their fingers intertwined, but he won't object (too much) if Noe needs to get out of bed and do something. ]
You can get out of bed if you have to - I'll allow it.
There was that Italian place? They did some really good pasta! And the desserts were amazing.
[As if that alone might hopefully be enough that the other might remember the restaurant the vampire is thinking of. It will definitely be up to Vanitas to lead the way because otherwise he will be led in the opposite direction of the city with this one's abysmal navigational skills. Still, he doesn't seem to be in a particular rush yet to get up. Not quite yet, at least. He seems content enough for now as his thumb brushes against Vanitas's palm, arm around his waist.]
[ He's still being snarky, still teasing and mocking but there is some sort of affection in his voice. It's just his way and how he talks to Noé, even if it may sound condescending to others. Vanitas is always prepared for leading Noé around, so that's not much of an issue for him, nor is the fact that they're still in bed. The gentle brushes on his palm get his heart to flutter a little, something Noé might be able to feel. ]
Well, this is what I asked for... It wouldn't feel like you if it didn't involve sweets, after all.
I like dessert. Just because you don't have such a sweet tooth.
[Still, he knows the other is just teasing. So he doesn't seem to mind. Seeming more amused than anything else as the other pokes fun at him. They'd always been that way, but it's moved more from genuine frustration most of the time to just teasing banter over time as they got to know each other better. As they came to be more familiar with each other and their faults. Enough that at least some of those have become more endearing than annoying.
Even amid his amused smile, he can sense the way Vanitas responds to the brush of his thumb against his palm. He swallows then, feeling his cheeks warm. Just because they were....tentatively exploring this, it didn't mean it was now okay for him to even ask Vanitas permission to feed from him. Not that it stops him being so aware of the other.]
I don't, but here I am, making them for you anyway.
[ He says that with a roll of his eyes, even though his heart's beating faster and his cheeks are redder. His hand squeezes Noé's and he's pretty content to just relax. Then he hears that swallow, and he glances up at the vampire. ]
[Just because he, as a vampire, is so conscious of the other's heartbeat, doesn't mean he has to say it. Or do anything whatsoever about it. He doesn't have to put that on Vanitas. That's not fair. So he leaves it, trying to brush it off even as he senses the other's heart racing faster. Trying instead to focus on the other squeezing his hand. He doesn't want to say anything. To worry or scare Vanitas. Not when they were barely starting to tentatively figure this out together.]
[ Just throwing that out there. He gives Noé a look like he knows he's hiding something, but instead of pushing him to talk about it, Vanitas just lets out a grumpy sigh instead. ]
Whatever, I won't pry. [ And he means that, even if he would like to know what's going on. ] As long as I didn't do something wrong.
[Well. Okay, he can't. Really deny that. Because the other can tell that something is up. But that still doesn't make him much more inclined to spit it out. This was just part of what he might have to deal with. Being a vampire and having to get used to Vanitas being so close is all. It doesn't have to mean he acts on that urge to sink his fangs into the other.
But it doesn't stop him from getting redder and instinctively attempting to raise his hand at Vanitas's waist to his face. As if that could hide it.]
N-no. It wasn't anything you did. It's.. I'm just still...adjusting to you being this close, is all.
[ He shouldn't be taking this the wrong way, but he does. He frowns and averts his gaze because there's a part of him that's worried that Noé will leave, and the closer they get in their relationship, the more Noé would find him disgusting. For as much as he trusts the vampire – and he trusts him more than anyone else – Vanitas still has his fears and insecurities. ]
...If it's that uncomfortable, you can go back to your bed.
[ Falling back into old habits here by pushing Noé away over such a little misunderstanding. ]
Wh -- no. It's not.....mm. I don't want to upset you? It's not like that, though. It's just that I can tell when your heart is racing.
[He's not sure if he should say more. If even that much might be enough for Vanitas to pick up on what he is trying to say. This is just part of being a vampire, something that he is still adjusting to with regards to having a human lying right there with him. So close. It's not that he is disgusted or uncomfortable. More that he is just rather aware of the other's heartbeat. The way that signals how fast the blood rushes through the other. But he would never act on that. At least, not without Vanitas's permission first.]
[ When his...ah. Of course Noé can tell. They're so close, and Noé is a Vampire. It's natural that he can hear this, because he's so attuned to Vanitas' scent – and that's how he starts putting two or two together. I don't want to upset you.
He remembers that night when Noé wanted to drink Vanitas' blood so badly. Maybe, in this way, Mikhail did them a favor, because the idea is still scary but not quite as repulsive as it once was. Many of the things Vanitas had tried to hide from Noé were brought to light. He's not sure if he's willing right this second, but his response is far less hostile than it was that night: ]
It's my blood, isn't it? [ A beat, then he looks away. ] ... You're worried about how I'll react. Is that it?
[He should have guessed that Vanitas would figure it out. Of course he did. He's not sure what he should say. What he should do. He can feel the heat of his face even as he just nods in answer to the other's questions. But, of course, he wouldn't do anything like that unless Vanitas had given his permission. He'd never force it on anyone. Because he knows, especially with his particular lineage's ability to see memories in the process of feeding, that it is all the more....intimate? Invasive? Something like that.]
But I wouldn't....not without you saying it's okay.
[ His response is immediate, because he means it. He knows that Noé is kind and considerate, everything that Vanitas doesn't deserve. ]
I'm not upset. And it...isn't as if you don't know a bulk of what I was trying to keep from you, anyway.
[ He looks a little awkward and he's giving Noé that little pout he wears when he's figuring out how to say something. He's gotten so bad with words around the Vampire because his feelings have gotten so deep, and every ounce of honesty that escapes him leaves him feeling vulnerable and flustered after the fact. It's why it's hard for him to really convey what he wants to say and look Noé in the eye.
So Vantias decides to continue looking away, instead. ]
Not right now, but... I... [ A beat. ] I don't hate the idea of it so much anymore.
[ Subconsciously, Vanitas squeezes Noé's hand, fingers still laced together and all. ]
[Really? Oh. Because of what had happened with his brother, Mikhail? He guesses. He still feels bad about that. Even if it was done by force, with Domi being threatened and all. Still, he supposes that it is true. If he knows at least most of what Vanitas had been trying to hide from him now, there isn't as much point in trying to avoid it.
He can sense that Vanitas is still a little...awkward. So he squeezes the other's hand in return, a little.]
O-okay. It doesn't have to be now.
[There was no rush. Whenever Vanitas was willing. At least, having been bitten by Jeanne, he would probably have something of an idea of what it was like. It's definitely progress, after he had so vehemently been against the idea before.]
[ He's not prepared for anything to happen right now, but something about getting that out of the way helps him feel better about the ordeal, at least. It's also another way he can take care of Noé, so that in itself is enough for him to be more agreeable.
He lets his forehead lean against Noé's shoulder. ]
Thank you, Noé. I'm...sorry it took me so long to get there.
Haa? You don't need to apologize. I didn't expect that would change at all. So, it's okay. I don't mind waiting.
[That he might get to eventually is more than he expected. He can wait. Whenever Vanitas is comfortable with it. It's not something he would force. Or just expect to be able to do whenever he might want. Not without checking first. Just because Vanitas might be fine with the idea doesn't mean he couldn't change his mind. Or have some sort of rules around things. He just relaxes, letting the other lean against him.]
[ He doesn't respond, but he's still content to lay next to Noé, notably more relaxed than usual. He's happy that Noé is okay with waiting, even if he doesn't think he deserves it. In any case, as time passes, Vanitas eventually realizes that it is getting closer to dinner. He wonders if Noé was able to give any thought to their dinner location tonight. ]
Are you hungry yet? We do have dinner plans tonight...
Ah, yes! I want to see if there's a table at that Italian place!
[He isn't necessarily leaping to thinking of it as a date. They have to eat, and it isn't like they haven't done so together many times before. It's just still kind of new to think of things like that. It would take time for him to adjust. And really, he's excited about the food. Even if he is a vampire, that hasn't stopped him from indulging and enjoying food anyway. He does seem rather energetic and enthusiastic, as he checks if it is alright to move, to call the restaurant, and see if they have a space.]
[ He'll let Noé go and just roll over onto his back with an arm behind his head. He'd usually be outside on the rooftop by now, but he's choosing to stay inside. It's cold, and he prefers the company he has in the room with him right now, so check away, Noé. He'll be here. ]
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I'm joking. You don't need to do anything.
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[Since that will take time, and money. Getting the ingredients, making whatever dessert Vanitas was doing for him. He just figures that this seems fair if he does something in return. Even if he might not necessarily be sure what. Yet, anyway. The doctor didn't have such an immediately obvious preference where food was concerned, beyond not liking sweets as much as he did. But maybe something else? Buying him something useful? Or going somewhere? An experience?]
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Fine, since you're so insistent about this.
[ He really doesn't need much. He doesn't expect people to do things for him because they feel like it, it's usually at some kind of price. Noé is different, though. He treats Vanitas with kindness because he feels like it, and that, to Vanitas, is enough.
But he'll entertain Noé, regardless. ]
Take me to your favorite place, and we can have dinner there tonight. It doesn't need to be a restaurant.
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[He's relieved to be able to do something. He would just have to think, to check on options. The places he had been to that he had enjoyed. Ones that were not bakeries that would likely be closed by the evening hours of dinner. He seems a little surprised, even amid his happiness at the idea.
He isn't necessarily reading into it. That the suggestion of dinner could be taken as a date, given that they were tentatively exploring taking things further in their relationship.]
Alright!
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[ The noise he makes is a bit non-commital, but he means it all the same. He curls into Noé a little more and looks away, trying to say something but finding the words getting caught in his throat nevertheless. It makes him happy that Noé's looking forward to it, but Vanitas doesn't express it in the same way, even if he is, too. The one overcomplicating things here is him. It's always been him. ]
I don't care where it is. [ ... ] As long as you like it, I'll be okay with it.
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[He smiles, not seeming to mind when Vanitas curls closer. He's turning over some ideas. Places he remembered enjoying. He would have to call one of them and see if they could hold a table for them tonight. There's no immediate rush, though. He doesn't mind lying here with Vanitas for a bit. If the other wasn't quite ready yet to get up. If the doctor was still a little tired or something.]
We have time. I think.
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[ He's teasing, of course, but it wouldn't be Vanitas and Noe without some of that. Vanitas is pretty comfortable, and his hand is still holding Noe's with their fingers intertwined, but he won't object (too much) if Noe needs to get out of bed and do something. ]
You can get out of bed if you have to - I'll allow it.
[ As if Noe needed permission... ]
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[As if that alone might hopefully be enough that the other might remember the restaurant the vampire is thinking of. It will definitely be up to Vanitas to lead the way because otherwise he will be led in the opposite direction of the city with this one's abysmal navigational skills. Still, he doesn't seem to be in a particular rush yet to get up. Not quite yet, at least. He seems content enough for now as his thumb brushes against Vanitas's palm, arm around his waist.]
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[ He's still being snarky, still teasing and mocking but there is some sort of affection in his voice. It's just his way and how he talks to Noé, even if it may sound condescending to others. Vanitas is always prepared for leading Noé around, so that's not much of an issue for him, nor is the fact that they're still in bed. The gentle brushes on his palm get his heart to flutter a little, something Noé might be able to feel. ]
Well, this is what I asked for... It wouldn't feel like you if it didn't involve sweets, after all.
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[Still, he knows the other is just teasing. So he doesn't seem to mind. Seeming more amused than anything else as the other pokes fun at him. They'd always been that way, but it's moved more from genuine frustration most of the time to just teasing banter over time as they got to know each other better. As they came to be more familiar with each other and their faults. Enough that at least some of those have become more endearing than annoying.
Even amid his amused smile, he can sense the way Vanitas responds to the brush of his thumb against his palm. He swallows then, feeling his cheeks warm. Just because they were....tentatively exploring this, it didn't mean it was now okay for him to even ask Vanitas permission to feed from him. Not that it stops him being so aware of the other.]
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[ He says that with a roll of his eyes, even though his heart's beating faster and his cheeks are redder. His hand squeezes Noé's and he's pretty content to just relax. Then he hears that swallow, and he glances up at the vampire. ]
...Is everything okay?
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[Just because he, as a vampire, is so conscious of the other's heartbeat, doesn't mean he has to say it. Or do anything whatsoever about it. He doesn't have to put that on Vanitas. That's not fair. So he leaves it, trying to brush it off even as he senses the other's heart racing faster. Trying instead to focus on the other squeezing his hand. He doesn't want to say anything. To worry or scare Vanitas. Not when they were barely starting to tentatively figure this out together.]
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[ Just throwing that out there. He gives Noé a look like he knows he's hiding something, but instead of pushing him to talk about it, Vanitas just lets out a grumpy sigh instead. ]
Whatever, I won't pry. [ And he means that, even if he would like to know what's going on. ] As long as I didn't do something wrong.
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[Well. Okay, he can't. Really deny that. Because the other can tell that something is up. But that still doesn't make him much more inclined to spit it out. This was just part of what he might have to deal with. Being a vampire and having to get used to Vanitas being so close is all. It doesn't have to mean he acts on that urge to sink his fangs into the other.
But it doesn't stop him from getting redder and instinctively attempting to raise his hand at Vanitas's waist to his face. As if that could hide it.]
N-no. It wasn't anything you did. It's.. I'm just still...adjusting to you being this close, is all.
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...If it's that uncomfortable, you can go back to your bed.
[ Falling back into old habits here by pushing Noé away over such a little misunderstanding. ]
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[He's not sure if he should say more. If even that much might be enough for Vanitas to pick up on what he is trying to say. This is just part of being a vampire, something that he is still adjusting to with regards to having a human lying right there with him. So close. It's not that he is disgusted or uncomfortable. More that he is just rather aware of the other's heartbeat. The way that signals how fast the blood rushes through the other. But he would never act on that. At least, not without Vanitas's permission first.]
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He remembers that night when Noé wanted to drink Vanitas' blood so badly. Maybe, in this way, Mikhail did them a favor, because the idea is still scary but not quite as repulsive as it once was. Many of the things Vanitas had tried to hide from Noé were brought to light. He's not sure if he's willing right this second, but his response is far less hostile than it was that night: ]
It's my blood, isn't it? [ A beat, then he looks away. ] ... You're worried about how I'll react. Is that it?
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But I wouldn't....not without you saying it's okay.
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[ His response is immediate, because he means it. He knows that Noé is kind and considerate, everything that Vanitas doesn't deserve. ]
I'm not upset. And it...isn't as if you don't know a bulk of what I was trying to keep from you, anyway.
[ He looks a little awkward and he's giving Noé that little pout he wears when he's figuring out how to say something. He's gotten so bad with words around the Vampire because his feelings have gotten so deep, and every ounce of honesty that escapes him leaves him feeling vulnerable and flustered after the fact. It's why it's hard for him to really convey what he wants to say and look Noé in the eye.
So Vantias decides to continue looking away, instead. ]
Not right now, but... I... [ A beat. ] I don't hate the idea of it so much anymore.
[ Subconsciously, Vanitas squeezes Noé's hand, fingers still laced together and all. ]
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[Really? Oh. Because of what had happened with his brother, Mikhail? He guesses. He still feels bad about that. Even if it was done by force, with Domi being threatened and all. Still, he supposes that it is true. If he knows at least most of what Vanitas had been trying to hide from him now, there isn't as much point in trying to avoid it.
He can sense that Vanitas is still a little...awkward. So he squeezes the other's hand in return, a little.]
O-okay. It doesn't have to be now.
[There was no rush. Whenever Vanitas was willing. At least, having been bitten by Jeanne, he would probably have something of an idea of what it was like. It's definitely progress, after he had so vehemently been against the idea before.]
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[ He's not prepared for anything to happen right now, but something about getting that out of the way helps him feel better about the ordeal, at least. It's also another way he can take care of Noé, so that in itself is enough for him to be more agreeable.
He lets his forehead lean against Noé's shoulder. ]
Thank you, Noé. I'm...sorry it took me so long to get there.
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[That he might get to eventually is more than he expected. He can wait. Whenever Vanitas is comfortable with it. It's not something he would force. Or just expect to be able to do whenever he might want. Not without checking first. Just because Vanitas might be fine with the idea doesn't mean he couldn't change his mind. Or have some sort of rules around things. He just relaxes, letting the other lean against him.]
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Are you hungry yet? We do have dinner plans tonight...
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[He isn't necessarily leaping to thinking of it as a date. They have to eat, and it isn't like they haven't done so together many times before. It's just still kind of new to think of things like that. It would take time for him to adjust. And really, he's excited about the food. Even if he is a vampire, that hasn't stopped him from indulging and enjoying food anyway. He does seem rather energetic and enthusiastic, as he checks if it is alright to move, to call the restaurant, and see if they have a space.]
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[ He'll let Noé go and just roll over onto his back with an arm behind his head. He'd usually be outside on the rooftop by now, but he's choosing to stay inside. It's cold, and he prefers the company he has in the room with him right now, so check away, Noé. He'll be here. ]
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