unchainer | for @babeldom

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.

Oh? Um. I think this was it? Unless you can think of anything else Murr might need?

[He tries to focus on what the other says. Rather than that expression of his. His eyes. Reminding himself that this was just pretend. That Vanitas was just pretending to deal with that woman. He hadn't anticipated she would potentially follow them around like this. But at least Vanitas was keeping an eye out and had noticed. He shouldn't read into this. Overthink it. Complicate things. Vanitas had said not to. But he really isn't used to Vanitas seeming to let his guard down like this. But no, this is just a ploy, he reminds himself. ]

Not really.

[ The hand that reaches out to Noe's ends up hesitating, like he wants to reach out and hold it, and when he does, it's similar to how he held it the first time. Gentle, until it gets a little tighter. His heart is pounding so hard that he feels like he can hear it - and he's still holding it, even when the journalist is out of sight. Even when Noe's done paying for Murr's things. Vanitas, too, has to tell himself not to overcomplicate things and not think so much about how nice it feels to hold Noe's hand. ]

... Back to the hotel?

[For his part, he's too busy and distracted shopping to notice when she might have wandered off to something more important than her following and peering after them to see what they were up to. He's not really figuring out what might be that curious about the two of them. But he tries to focus on the shopping, paying for the food and toys, thanking the store's staff before turning to Vanitas. He doesn't question that Vanitas is still holding his hand when he's done, one hand in the other's and the other holding the bag of things for Murr.]

Ah, yeah. Sure. We can drop this off for Murr and check in with Dante?

Sounds good.

[ And that they do. They head back to the hotel, still hand-in-hand, but on the way there? They don't have time to drop off the goodies for Murr, because Dante calls to Vanitas from up above - "Quack!" - and Vanitas looks up. ]

Oh, there you are! I was wondering if you'd ever show up.

[ Except Dante doesn't say much. Instead, his eyes are wide, and very much fixated on how Vanitas is still holding Noé's hand. ]

"Waaaaait a minute. You're telling me that you two are-?!"

[ Ah. Aaaaaah.

He hadn't even realized- ugh. Vanitas drops his hand, noting the absence of warmth from Noé's hand. ] It's. It's not what you think!

That me and Vanitas are what...?

[The vampire is initially confused, wondering what Dante was talking about. He glances confusedly at Vanitas. Then the other pulls his hand back, and he clicks. Oh. Oh, they were still holding hands. Was that it? It wasn't like he hadn't walked around with Vanitas before. The other holding to him somehow or other to keep the vampire from wandering off. He doesn't really read into it. Especially when Vanitas was pretending. Reminding himself the other had said it didn't have to mean anything.]

[ There's a bit of spluttering on Vanitas' end, which makes Dante kinda just go "ooookay" at all of it, because really, Vanitas is only digging his own grave here. He is, however, pretty embarrassed.

Dante, though, provides the two of them information on a curse bearer who was last seen on the outskirts of town, preying on those entering and leaving Paris. Vanitas tries his best to digest all of this despite how distracted he is, but he offers his two cents as usual.

After Dante is done and goes off to scout for more information, Vanitas turns to Noé for a brief second. Then, he clears his throat. ]

Y-you caught that, right? Outskirts of Paris. We should prepare to investigate tonight.

Ah, y-yes! Outskirts. Tonight, okay. Did we need to go shopping again? Or do you already have what you need?

[He asks, checking in with Vanitas once Dante has gone, and the other clears his throat. Once he has a moment to click as to what had happened. What was discussed. He tries to pay attention more, though he wonders if they might go back out again or not. Or they could just try to relax for the rest of the day in preparation for the plans in the evening.]

I-I said needing toiletries earlier, but forget it. We can take care of that later.

[ So relaxing may, indeed, be a good idea. Vanitas takes in a deep breath - and tells himself to stop sputtering, you moron - but he looks at Noé with residual pink cheeks from earlier. ]

It'd be best to take it easy for the rest of the day so we can be ready to neutralize our threat tonight.

Alright. Then let's get these things upstairs. We can play with Murr and relax for a bit, then.

[The vampire tries to take it in stride, shifting to open the door and let Vanitas inside so they could head upstairs to their rooms. He follows along after, letting Vanitas unlock the door, and he sets the bags on the table, telling Murr to hop down before he puts the food in the kitchen area and brings out the toy. He's quite happy to let Vanitas settle in to relax, while he removes his coat and lies on the floor playing with Murr. Who may or may not be trying to scratch at the vampire's cheek along with the ball of yarn.]

[ Vanitas doesn't play with Murr much, and he's sort of trying to mind his own business when they're back in the room. He's getting his weapons and tools in order, but he keeps stealing glances at Noé on the floor. When Murr starts scratching at Noé's cheek, Vanitas pauses and puts away a knife he'd been polishing.

Then, he does something he hasn't really done before.

He sits on the floor near Noé and grabs one of Murr's other toys, waves it around a little. ]

Hey. Over here.

[He's too distracted with Murr and trying to avoid getting scratched himself to notice how Vanitas keeps staring and watching him. Thus, Noé blinks in surprise, but merely smiles as he shifts to rest his chin in his palm as Murr's attention turns to the other joining in to play. Murr bats at the toy when Vanitas waves it around, gnawing on it and clawing at it to keep hold of it. Noé watches, amused and pleasantly surprised, when Vanitas joins in. Not that he ignores Murr, but Vanitas hadn't played like this with him before. It's kind of endearing to watch. Noé's expression is fond, as he watches Vanitas play with Murr.]

Aw, look at him. He really likes playing with you, Vanitas!

[ Oh, the cat seems to be entertained? Vanitas continues to move it around since Murr seems to be engaged. He swooshes it back and forth, and as long as Murr continues to chase it, he'll keep doing it.

Noé's voice grabs his attention, and his eyes flicker upwards, towards the vampire. That fond expression is... ]

W-well, it's not difficult. He's easily entertained.

[ Swoosh, swoosh. To him, it's simple enough. If Noé's impressed, though, he supposes he'll have to keep it up. (...What?) ]

Still. I don't think you've played with him before. I guess it's nice for him to have someone else.

[Really, it's just nice. Seeing them together. Noé can't help smiling at the sight, as he watches and Murr leaps after the toy, claws out as he tries to catch it again. He might bat it into Vanitas's face in the process, making Noé chuckle a little as he kicks his feet behind him to get more comfortable. It's the little moments like this that tend to stand out more, at least in terms of the better memories Noé has. Simple, pleasant moments of quiet enjoyment and amusement.]

Hmm, I suppose so. Maybe it's because he gets just as fussy with you as I do.

[ Vanitas says that with a tinge of annoyance, but that is noncommittal, because they both know that Vanitas does, indeed, care about Noé by now. Despite how the vampire can drive him up the wall, the doctor isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Not after everything.

Luna once told him and Mikhail to pick something to keep with them that would bring them comfort. When he remembered that for the first time recently, Vanitas' immediate thought was to go to Noé while he was asleep. Vanitas will never admit it, but he, too, is learning to appreciate the simpler pleasures between the two of them. The dramatics are hard to forget, but it's the quieter moments that remind him of why he's decided to stick with Noé after all this time.

Comfort is what gets his expression to even out into something very serene. Relaxed. He's actually smiling when he looks at Murr, too, and even gives him some gentle pets across his body. Only Noé will get to see glimpses of this - of a man who is truly at ease - because only Noé has gotten him to feel safe. ]

Fussy?

[He raises an eyebrow, but really, his expression doesn't really change. He still watches fondly, amused as Vanitas smiles and pets Murr. This was nice. Nobody was in immediate danger. They were just spending time together with Murr. He's not necessarily reading anything more into it than Vanitas was probably bored and decided to join in and play. He doesn't consider in the moment how rare this is. To see Vanitas so unguarded. How the other always seems to be so careful, so cautious, and manipulative to most everyone else. Because of how he had helped Vanitas feel comfortable enough to drop those walls. That he himself had anything to do with it.]

You're a lot to wrangle sometimes, so yes. Fussy.

[ He continues to entertain Murr, but as time passes, Vanitas starts looking more thoughtful. He seems to be considering something. His mouth opens slightly, like he wants to say something but nothing comes out. There's a little grunt of frustration that follows. When he tries again, though, that's when he's able to speak: ]

Noé. I'm...sorry I dragged you into this mess. [ An apology?? It'd be the second genuine one he's ever given to Noé, or given out period. ] I'm giving it some thought; we don't need to keep up the farce. I didn't thoroughly consider every angle that I could have taken on my own.

[ He pauses. ]

...It's not so bad on my end, though. [ He says as his cheeks start turning pink again. Ooh, he regrets saying anything now- ] I don't. Mind it.

I'm not that bad?

[Sure. He might get distracted and lost occasionally (....a lot), but still. That protest and instinctive pout fade as the other apologizes. The vampire frowns in confusion, listening as the other says they don't have to keep pretending to be together. He shifts, sitting up slightly more, focusing on Vanitas rather than Murr, who continues to bat at the toys.]

Oh? But what about the journalist? I thought you were trying to avoid her interest?

[That had been the whole reason for this. Right? So, how else would Vanitas handle it? Tell her the truth? He probably could have done that to start with, but maybe she hadn't really been listening?

Still. Vanitas says that he doesn't mind it. Being together? He's not sure what to make of that. Vanitas had been okay with it? Liked it? They had just been pretending. Vanitas had told him not to overthink it. And yet....he sort of has to consider it more seriously now. Doesn't he?]

You don't mind?

Of course I'm trying to avoid her. She's an annoying pest, and I'd much rather have her be somewhere far, far away.

[ But she keeps watching. She keeps observing them, and knowing that Noé is now even more a subject of interest to her is what makes him feel uneasy about it all. The false relationship is one thing, but he wouldn't be willing to keep it up if it was unbearable; knowing that Noé is now further into the spotlight, however, is something he won't stand for, especially if something were to happen to him.

Vanitas knows it'd be his fault. Maybe that's why it feels so awful.

He grunts at all of Noé's questions, though. How does he answer any of this? ]

All I'm saying is if you're already sick of it, I'll find some other way to get her off of my tail. I'd rather not see her bother you anymore than she already has. [ ... ] Otherwise, I said I don't mind, didn't I? [ Hmph. Grumpy as ever. ] It's- it's bearable. You're - the most tolerable candidate for the job, after all.

[ Which is Vanitas' way of saying he trusts Noé and would not have asked anyone else to do this for him. Not even Jeanne.

But he's said too much. ]

Ugh, whatever. It's your call. I don't care either way.

[ He does. He so does. ]

[Unfortunately for Vanitas, the vampire knows him too well at this point. To be able to tell when the other is trying to brush something off. Make it seem like it isn't a big deal. That he doesn't actually care as much. And yet. His actions did say otherwise, sometimes. So, the vampire can read him better. At least, better than he could when they first met.

He considers for a moment, his gaze shifting from Murr playing to the other.]

I'm not. I mean. If I were sick of you, I'd have left by now. I said you're stuck with me, didn't I? I didn't....I didn't hate it, either. I just wasn't sure...I mean. You said it was pretending, not to overthink it. I haven't really done any of this before, but...if it's you, I don't mind.

[Vanitas is well aware of how new to any relationship the vampire would be. It would be a case of him learning as he went. But really, in some ways, they wouldn't really need to change much, if anything, about how they would interact together.]

...

[ Ah, he gets what Noé's putting down. Vanitas stares at him for a long while, fight or flight instincts kicking in, because the thought of a relationship is scary enough. Somehow, Noé being in the equation makes it that much more frightening.

But it's not because Vanitas doesn't trust Noé. It's not because he wants to reject him on the basis that he doesn't and could never have feelings for the vampire. It's because he knows that his comrade could do so much better than him, which is exactly what he said when he realized he had feelings for Jeanne. How could someone like him have any sort of interest in Vanitas?

And yet, his heart is starting to race in his chest. He hadn't considered... ]

I. I did say that, yes. [ And look at how that turned out, eh? ] I mean- I... The idea that you wouldn't mind...is something I can't wrap my head around.

[ Forgive him, he's a bit of a mess, but his tone isn't angry or upset. Just very, very surprised and very, very red in the face. ]

Edited 2025-06-18 04:56 (UTC)

Is it that surprising? I've stuck with you so far.

[Sure. The vampire may be rather sheltered. Rather dense and oblivious at times. He may still be figuring out what love is in a romantic sense. But all the same. That doesn't change that he clearly cares about Vanitas. That he has gotten more comfortable around the other. He knows the other cares about him. Given that he allowed the vampire to continue staying with him. That he did things like making tarte tatin. That he afforded some small moments where he was less on guard around him.

The idea of something more than friendship, partnership, as they worked together. That might take time to adjust to in some ways. But he figures they could both support and learn together, from each other. At the least, he does not assume this to mean that Vanitas would approve of helping him feed. But really, he hadn't really met all that many people, given his more sheltered upbringing, to have met anyone prior to Vanitas that he felt such a way for. He doesn't consider that there might be other options. Which is not to say he didn't adore Dominique, but that was more akin to friendship, a sibling sort of affection and protectiveness for each other. He's not necessarily sure what might exactly interest Vanitas about him, but if it were mutual, they could figure it out together.]

You're amazing, Vanitas.

[ Noé once again manages to stun Vanitas into silence. Amazing? Him? The guy who held Noé at knifepoint and tried to kill him? There's a reason why Vanitas protects his memories other than it being Luna's request. He can't let people see who he is. He refuses, he would never - except Noé has an idea of it, doesn't he? He's seen many glimpses of the real Vanitas; this moment right now is one of them, actually.

Vanitas pushes himself onto his feet, but only so he can walk over to Noé. He gets seated again, right next to him, and for a moment it seems like he's going to lean his back against the vampire's with how he's angled. Instead, Vanitas angles himself so he's facing Noé, but he looks away, like he's unsure of exactly what he wants to do, here. ]

I'm amazing...? ... Don't be silly, Noé.

[ Vanitas leans forward, and his head carefully, tentatively gets placed on Noé's shoulder.

Quietly: ]

That's you.

Huh? Me?

[He can't help but blink at that, taken aback. He's just some sheltered, bumbling country bumpkin. He has no idea about relationships. And he is well aware that he has some issues relating to his past, about what had happened to Louis. But, he supposes, everyone had some pain, some issues and insecurities, some regrets. He's not any different in that regard. But he also likely had never really considered himself as having much, if any, potential in regards to a relationship.

Vanitas, though? He was amazing. He was so strong to have come through all he had endured. Sure, the vampire had seen something of a darker side in him, but it wasn't like he was much different. He could become angry and defensive at times. But he also showed such kindness and thoughtfulness. Making Noé his favourite dessert. Making sure that Noé didn't wander off too far when he would get distracted and excited about something or other. He helped so many vampires with his abilities, with his book. No matter what the risk was to himself.]

Yes, you.

[ He grumbles it as his head rests on Noé's shoulder. His arms fold over his chest. He may not look enthusiastic about this, but Noé knows him well enough. This is a sign of comfort, and if the vampire had told him any of that, of his true thoughts on Vanitas, he'd likely try to brush them off. The fact that anyone could think so highly of him despite everything is unfathomable, after all.

He doesn't say anything else, though. He'll just continue to lean on Noé - though when Murr comes up to him demanding more playtime, he'll grab onto the toy and start waving it around again. ]

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