[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.]
[ 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.
[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?
[ 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... ]
[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.]
[ 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. ]
[It is not exactly hard to distract or please the vampire. He's rather easily distracted and cheered up. Which is really to everyone else's benefit when dealing with him and his occasional moods or habit of wandering off, that he could be easily reined in.
Which is rather for the best. As he confusedly thinks on what Vanitas had said, had done just before. He is still unsure on how he feels about the other. He knows they have gotten closer, that he knows a little more about the other and his past. He knows that he is protective of Vanitas, with how many times he had stood in front of the man to take a hit in his place. He cares about Vanitas. Was that love? He's not sure he has ever felt it. Besides feeling close to Domi. His Teacher. Louis.
Whether he even notices the longer wait, he doesn't comment, far too excited when Vanitas is finally done and presents the dessert to him. He lights up, clapping his hands together as he thanks Vanitas and quickly makes to try some. There's a hum of delight as he tastes it.]
[ Love sure is a mystery for the both of them, one that Vanitas has only started to look into (by force, he'd argue). Noé's voice rings in his ears a little louder than usual, but he waves his hand dismissively and goes to start cooking up...something. Whatever comes to mind. ]
Yes, Noé. Tarte tatin isn't dinner.
[ For him, anyway. He sounds like an exasperated school teacher when he speaks.
Some time passes, and eventually, he emerges with soup and seats himself. Vanitas will try to steal a glance at the plate Noé's tarte tatin was on, as if to see if it was finished... ]
...Was it good?
[ A strange question for him to ask, given that he's fed Noé this same dessert many times in the past. ]
[By the time the other returns with soup, the vampire is halfway through the dessert. He probably also has some on his face in the process of enjoying the treat.]
Mm! It's always good!
[It is his favourite. And each time, Vanitas has improved at making it as he gets more experience with the dessert. He glances at the other's soup, not that he didn't like soup, but he still prefers his treat. He did have a sweet tooth, after all. He's not sure if he should bring up Vanitas saying that to the woman. Probably, it was just to get her to leave him alone. It wouldn't necessarily come up again. Besides, he was distracted with the food.]
[ Food distractions are always good, and a small smile finds its way onto Vanitas' lips as he takes in Noé's enthusiasm. He quickly positions himself, though, so his elbow is propped up on the table and his chin is resting in his hand – a shoddy way at trying to obscure his expression. ]
Good. I put a lot of effort into making those, so you'd better like it.
[ His tone is grumpy as usual. His eyes flicker towards his soup, which he has yet to touch, so he'll get to eating.
After they're done, he'll walk over and wordlessly reach for Noé's plate; he'll wash the dishes and meet Noé upstairs. ... Or, well, that's the plan. ]
[He reassures the other, smiling and thanking Vanitas again when he's finished, and the other takes his plate. He doesn't mind if Vanitas wants to be the one to do the dishes. But he also feels bad about it when Vanitas has already done the cooking. He'd already made the tarte tatin. So he stands, swallowing his last mouthful and steps to follow.]
[ He glances over at Noé, who approaches just as he's about to turn on the faucet. Vanitas pauses for a moment before he sets the dishes in the sink – ]
Alright.
[ Go ahead, he says, with a small tilt of his head. He steps away and turns towards the doorway. ]
... I'll be upstairs.
[ ...as always. Probably on the rooftop, too. As always. He's particularly pouty, though, if Noé catches him after finishing the dishes. ]
[It doesn't take Noé long to wash the dishes. He doesn't mind helping out when Vanitas has been the one to make them the meals. He rolls up his sleeves while washing the plates and everything, drying the dishes, and putting them away before heading to follow Vanitas.
He checks the bedroom first and gives Murr a pet and some food, before he heads up to the roof, climbing out the window and poking his head out to check for Vanitas, wanting to check in and see if the other was alright.]
[ Noé is, at least, very diligent about making good on his commitments. Unfortunately (for Vanitas specifically) this also extends to checking in on the people he cares about, being observant about the fine little changes in their demeanors and behaviors. This is Vanitas' kryptonite, because Noé has come to read him so well that it's frightening.
And he's sure lost in thought when he hears Noé call for him from the window. He pauses, gives the vampire a sideways glance. Then, he sighs heavily.
There are a few things he's thinking about. He may as well get the big one out of the way, because that mademoiselle is still going to be around, just like Vanitas and Noé are. And they are often around each other. ]
[He smiles slightly as he spots Vanitas and climbs up to join the other. He's not sure what it is exactly, but the other does seem distracted. About what, he isn't necessarily sure. Maybe something had happened earlier while the other was out? Or it was something to do with that woman. But he just wants to help. Or just sit with the other if Vanitas needs. To listen or just be there next to him. The vampire sits down next to him, glancing out at the sky starting to darken.]
[ He says it a little hastily, but as Noé takes a seat next to him, he turns to look out at the city again. He raises a leg and props his elbow on it, and cups his chin in his hand. There's a pause before he speaks again. ]
...Listen. What I said earlier in front of that annoying pest...may have set us up for a bit of acting.
[ And for a guy who acts like he's always thinking two steps ahead, when it comes to things like this - dating, ick - he's never thinking ahead and always thinking in the moment. Getting Vanitas to realize he had feelings for Jeanne was like pulling teeth, and he'd been in denial for so long, even after his battle with Noé back then. Dealing with someone who actually wants him so desperately, on the other hand, is even more foreign and also fills him with disgust. It repulses him. He doesn't want love from someone who means nothing to him.
Needless to say, he hadn't planned on "dating" his partner-in-crime of all people, but it looks like it's something he's going to need to consider. ]
That woman is a traveling journalist. She finds what we're doing incredibly fascinating, and she's been tracking us for at least a little while by now. Somehow, she ended up wanting to pursue me just based on her shallow, superficial knowledge of me [ His face crinkles as he says this. Yuck. ] and all of that has been a problem for a few days.
That lie I told her is something that needs to be kept up, at least for the rest of the week until she goes off somewhere else.
[ And he does, at least, feel somewhat guilty for dragging Noé into all of this. He's saying this less as a demand, though, and more like a quiet plea for help. ]
Acting? A journalist? W-wait, if she's already been following us around, wouldn't she already know that you and I aren't....?
[Together? Why can he feel his cheeks and nose heat up at this? The vampire probably could just say this was Vanitas's doing, and his lie, so he had to deal with it. But at the same time, Vanitas was kind of his responsibility? Wasn't it? As his Master had asked him to keep an eye on the other and find out what he could about that book of his.
But he's also. Still unsure of how he feels about Vanitas. They were closer, even if they still had their disagreements at times. He cared about the other and trusted him. But was that love? The way he sees others together, sometimes out and about in public? The vampire tries not to think about that, but it's rather hard not to when Vanitas is saying....what, exactly? He looks to Vanitas, eyes wide and his expression something along the likes of exasperated confusion.]
So, what? You're saying we have to.....what, pretend we're together? Like...like dating, a couple?
You would think, but the look on her face was one of sheer disbelief! I was incredibly convincing, wasn't I?
[ He says this delightfully, and he is trying to maintain an expression - one of many - that he hopes will not give way to his inner thoughts. His smile is broad and it stays that way until Noé asks the million dollar question. ...like dating, a couple?
Ugh. Vanitas wishes he didn't have to hear that from Noé himself, because that does something to him and it gets him to clear his throat all of a sudden. He mellows out again and addresses the question more casually. ]
Correct. To her, we, as of today, are dating.
[ And those thoughts of his are suddenly a lot more jumbled than his words may suggest. He sounds so sure, like he knows this is going to work out and that it's supposed to be nothing, but for him, this is more complicated than that, even if he thinks it's relatively simple. Vanitas would not call this love, nothing even remotely close to it. If whatever he feels (felt?) for Jeanne is romantic love, then Noé doesn't make him feel the same way. This can't be love. You don't trust love like this, and it isn't supposed to make you feel this safe. ]
Just go along with it, alright? It'll be over in a week and done before you know it.
[He just raises an eyebrow at the other incredulously. He's kind of the worst liar. So he is not so sure that he would be the best choice for something like this. But, well. It had already started, evidently. Even if the vampire had no clue what he was getting himself into. That Vanitas was desperate enough and seemed comfortable enough, trusted him enough, to rope him into something like this.
He swallows, trying to ignore the heat he feels on his face. The way his heart seems to hammer faster in his chest. There's nothing he has to compare this to. He just knows that whatever it is about Vanitas, it's different from how he feels about Domi. Probably, he should feel angrier about this? Not that he isn't, but he's more irritated that this was sprung on him.]
A week? This seems more like your problem. But now you've gotten me roped along with you.
[He sighs, running a hand through his mop of hair as he shifts to get more comfortable.] I don't know how convincing I would be at lying.
[ Noé is truly so valid...but Vanitas has always roped the poor vampire into his problems. This, to him, should be so much easier than all of the purifications have been, but somehow the thought of having to hold Noé's hand, lean on him, trust him like this - it's overwhelming.
...Don't they do stuff like that already, though? Hm. He supposes the main difference here is the context, which is currently driving them both up the wall, but they're committed to the lie. It is what it is. ]
You're already extremely red. That'll be more than good enough when the time comes.
[ Yes, he's noticed that Noé's blushing. Yes, he's trying to draw attention away from his own face, which is also some shade of pink and red right now. ]
[He has no idea what to make of this. He doesn't necessarily clue into that they would likely already make a convincing couple without even trying, given the way they bicker sometimes. Those fond, exasperated glances of Vanitas' when the vampire says or does something. The way the other sometimes holds his hand to stop him from wandering off. It could already appear to be something there. Without them even trying or realizing. Or at least, neither of them admits their feelings. Not that he has realized how he feels yet exactly.]
[ Don't mind him, now it's his turn to get flustered. Vanitas is making a very conscious effort to block out any ideas of being in a real, actual relationship with Noé from his mind, but naturally, he's thinking about it, and he really doesn't want to. Again, he doesn't love Noé Archiviste. Roland and Olivier said it themselves when Vanitas talked about Jeanne. Love makes him feel ill and Noé just
doesn't.
(But that's because Noé is someone he's starting to trust implicitly; Noé, who knows his past and accepts him despite how hard Vanitas has tried to hide it, who's gone along with all of Vanitas' antics but has also gone out of his way to understand him. And for Vanitas, someone who prefers to be distant and distrusting, none of this has gone unnoticed.
It means something.) ]
D-don't act so weird about it! It's just for one! Single! Week!!
[ Says the guy who's arguably doing worse than the vampire is.... ]
Even if just for a week. It's still kind of weird? I mean. I thought you liked Jeanne? But you will pretend to like....me...?
[He swallows. Aware that this would be a ruse. To keep this lady from pestering and pursuing Vanitas. At the same time, he's still not sure what this means exactly. In terms of what to really expect. It isn't like he doesn't like Vanitas. It's just not like he anticipated something like this? And what does this even mean? What should he do to help? What did one even do when in love? Dates? He has seen others out and about on dates, eating together, and being sort of physically affectionate. He gets the idea in theory. But that it might apply to him? That's what he is having a harder time processing. ]
[ Noé sure is asking all of the hard-hitting questions, isn't he? Questions that Vanitas absolutely should have considered; questions he really isn't prepared to answer, and he really has no one to blame but himself. He starts running his hands through his hair and groans out of sheer frustration. ]
However I feel about Jeanne isn't important!
[ And he is not prepared to think about that right now!!! ]
Yes, Noé, I am pretending to like you. So don't- don't be a moron who overcomplicates things. Okay?
[ Says the moron overcomplicating things......but the confused look on Noé's face makes Vanitas feel compelled to continue: ]
Just follow my lead on this. If anyone knows more about courtship between the two of us, it has to be me.
[ Vanitas thinks it's set in stone, at least. He's never been in a relationship, but given his...everything with Jeanne, he considers himself to be far more experienced than Noé, who asked him what love was. Given how he reacted when he realized he had feelings for Jeanne, though? This might be up for debate. ]
I would think Jeanne is pretty important. Shouldn't she be aware of this?
[So she understands the situation? Was she aware of this other woman journalist? He has no clue. But he's also aware that he doesn't like the jealous feeling he feels when he thinks of her. That she gets to feed from Vanitas. He tries to ignore that, and he doubts that this ruse would change, that Vanitas wouldn't be keen on letting him feed from him. He blinks, swallowing and nodding at the other. Just let the other take the lead. He could do that. That sounds simple enough. He just has to play along, right?]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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.]
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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.
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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!
(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.
[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.]
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...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. ]
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Which is rather for the best. As he confusedly thinks on what Vanitas had said, had done just before. He is still unsure on how he feels about the other. He knows they have gotten closer, that he knows a little more about the other and his past. He knows that he is protective of Vanitas, with how many times he had stood in front of the man to take a hit in his place. He cares about Vanitas. Was that love? He's not sure he has ever felt it. Besides feeling close to Domi. His Teacher. Louis.
Whether he even notices the longer wait, he doesn't comment, far too excited when Vanitas is finally done and presents the dessert to him. He lights up, clapping his hands together as he thanks Vanitas and quickly makes to try some. There's a hum of delight as he tastes it.]
Dinner?
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Yes, Noé. Tarte tatin isn't dinner.
[ For him, anyway. He sounds like an exasperated school teacher when he speaks.
Some time passes, and eventually, he emerges with soup and seats himself. Vanitas will try to steal a glance at the plate Noé's tarte tatin was on, as if to see if it was finished... ]
...Was it good?
[ A strange question for him to ask, given that he's fed Noé this same dessert many times in the past. ]
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Mm! It's always good!
[It is his favourite. And each time, Vanitas has improved at making it as he gets more experience with the dessert. He glances at the other's soup, not that he didn't like soup, but he still prefers his treat. He did have a sweet tooth, after all. He's not sure if he should bring up Vanitas saying that to the woman. Probably, it was just to get her to leave him alone. It wouldn't necessarily come up again. Besides, he was distracted with the food.]
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Good. I put a lot of effort into making those, so you'd better like it.
[ His tone is grumpy as usual. His eyes flicker towards his soup, which he has yet to touch, so he'll get to eating.
After they're done, he'll walk over and wordlessly reach for Noé's plate; he'll wash the dishes and meet Noé upstairs. ... Or, well, that's the plan. ]
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[He reassures the other, smiling and thanking Vanitas again when he's finished, and the other takes his plate. He doesn't mind if Vanitas wants to be the one to do the dishes. But he also feels bad about it when Vanitas has already done the cooking. He'd already made the tarte tatin. So he stands, swallowing his last mouthful and steps to follow.]
Ah, you made the meal. So. I can do the dishes?
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Alright.
[ Go ahead, he says, with a small tilt of his head. He steps away and turns towards the doorway. ]
... I'll be upstairs.
[ ...as always. Probably on the rooftop, too. As always. He's particularly pouty, though, if Noé catches him after finishing the dishes. ]
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[It doesn't take Noé long to wash the dishes. He doesn't mind helping out when Vanitas has been the one to make them the meals. He rolls up his sleeves while washing the plates and everything, drying the dishes, and putting them away before heading to follow Vanitas.
He checks the bedroom first and gives Murr a pet and some food, before he heads up to the roof, climbing out the window and poking his head out to check for Vanitas, wanting to check in and see if the other was alright.]
Vanitas?
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And he's sure lost in thought when he hears Noé call for him from the window. He pauses, gives the vampire a sideways glance. Then, he sighs heavily.
There are a few things he's thinking about. He may as well get the big one out of the way, because that mademoiselle is still going to be around, just like Vanitas and Noé are. And they are often around each other. ]
... Come up, Noé.
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[He smiles slightly as he spots Vanitas and climbs up to join the other. He's not sure what it is exactly, but the other does seem distracted. About what, he isn't necessarily sure. Maybe something had happened earlier while the other was out? Or it was something to do with that woman. But he just wants to help. Or just sit with the other if Vanitas needs. To listen or just be there next to him. The vampire sits down next to him, glancing out at the sky starting to darken.]
Everything okay?
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[ He says it a little hastily, but as Noé takes a seat next to him, he turns to look out at the city again. He raises a leg and props his elbow on it, and cups his chin in his hand. There's a pause before he speaks again. ]
...Listen. What I said earlier in front of that annoying pest...may have set us up for a bit of acting.
[ And for a guy who acts like he's always thinking two steps ahead, when it comes to things like this - dating, ick - he's never thinking ahead and always thinking in the moment. Getting Vanitas to realize he had feelings for Jeanne was like pulling teeth, and he'd been in denial for so long, even after his battle with Noé back then. Dealing with someone who actually wants him so desperately, on the other hand, is even more foreign and also fills him with disgust. It repulses him. He doesn't want love from someone who means nothing to him.
Needless to say, he hadn't planned on "dating" his partner-in-crime of all people, but it looks like it's something he's going to need to consider. ]
That woman is a traveling journalist. She finds what we're doing incredibly fascinating, and she's been tracking us for at least a little while by now. Somehow, she ended up wanting to pursue me just based on her shallow, superficial knowledge of me [ His face crinkles as he says this. Yuck. ] and all of that has been a problem for a few days.
That lie I told her is something that needs to be kept up, at least for the rest of the week until she goes off somewhere else.
[ And he does, at least, feel somewhat guilty for dragging Noé into all of this. He's saying this less as a demand, though, and more like a quiet plea for help. ]
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[Together? Why can he feel his cheeks and nose heat up at this? The vampire probably could just say this was Vanitas's doing, and his lie, so he had to deal with it. But at the same time, Vanitas was kind of his responsibility? Wasn't it? As his Master had asked him to keep an eye on the other and find out what he could about that book of his.
But he's also. Still unsure of how he feels about Vanitas. They were closer, even if they still had their disagreements at times. He cared about the other and trusted him. But was that love? The way he sees others together, sometimes out and about in public? The vampire tries not to think about that, but it's rather hard not to when Vanitas is saying....what, exactly? He looks to Vanitas, eyes wide and his expression something along the likes of exasperated confusion.]
So, what? You're saying we have to.....what, pretend we're together? Like...like dating, a couple?
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[ He says this delightfully, and he is trying to maintain an expression - one of many - that he hopes will not give way to his inner thoughts. His smile is broad and it stays that way until Noé asks the million dollar question. ...like dating, a couple?
Ugh. Vanitas wishes he didn't have to hear that from Noé himself, because that does something to him and it gets him to clear his throat all of a sudden. He mellows out again and addresses the question more casually. ]
Correct. To her, we, as of today, are dating.
[ And those thoughts of his are suddenly a lot more jumbled than his words may suggest. He sounds so sure, like he knows this is going to work out and that it's supposed to be nothing, but for him, this is more complicated than that, even if he thinks it's relatively simple. Vanitas would not call this love, nothing even remotely close to it. If whatever he feels (felt?) for Jeanne is romantic love, then Noé doesn't make him feel the same way. This can't be love. You don't trust love like this, and it isn't supposed to make you feel this safe. ]
Just go along with it, alright? It'll be over in a week and done before you know it.
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He swallows, trying to ignore the heat he feels on his face. The way his heart seems to hammer faster in his chest. There's nothing he has to compare this to. He just knows that whatever it is about Vanitas, it's different from how he feels about Domi. Probably, he should feel angrier about this? Not that he isn't, but he's more irritated that this was sprung on him.]
A week? This seems more like your problem. But now you've gotten me roped along with you.
[He sighs, running a hand through his mop of hair as he shifts to get more comfortable.] I don't know how convincing I would be at lying.
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...Don't they do stuff like that already, though? Hm. He supposes the main difference here is the context, which is currently driving them both up the wall, but they're committed to the lie. It is what it is. ]
You're already extremely red. That'll be more than good enough when the time comes.
[ Yes, he's noticed that Noé's blushing. Yes, he's trying to draw attention away from his own face, which is also some shade of pink and red right now. ]
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[He has no idea what to make of this. He doesn't necessarily clue into that they would likely already make a convincing couple without even trying, given the way they bicker sometimes. Those fond, exasperated glances of Vanitas' when the vampire says or does something. The way the other sometimes holds his hand to stop him from wandering off. It could already appear to be something there. Without them even trying or realizing. Or at least, neither of them admits their feelings. Not that he has realized how he feels yet exactly.]
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[ Don't mind him, now it's his turn to get flustered. Vanitas is making a very conscious effort to block out any ideas of being in a real, actual relationship with Noé from his mind, but naturally, he's thinking about it, and he really doesn't want to. Again, he doesn't love Noé Archiviste. Roland and Olivier said it themselves when Vanitas talked about Jeanne. Love makes him feel ill and Noé just
doesn't.
(But that's because Noé is someone he's starting to trust implicitly; Noé, who knows his past and accepts him despite how hard Vanitas has tried to hide it, who's gone along with all of Vanitas' antics but has also gone out of his way to understand him. And for Vanitas, someone who prefers to be distant and distrusting, none of this has gone unnoticed.
It means something.) ]
D-don't act so weird about it! It's just for one! Single! Week!!
[ Says the guy who's arguably doing worse than the vampire is.... ]
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[He swallows. Aware that this would be a ruse. To keep this lady from pestering and pursuing Vanitas. At the same time, he's still not sure what this means exactly. In terms of what to really expect. It isn't like he doesn't like Vanitas. It's just not like he anticipated something like this? And what does this even mean? What should he do to help? What did one even do when in love? Dates? He has seen others out and about on dates, eating together, and being sort of physically affectionate. He gets the idea in theory. But that it might apply to him? That's what he is having a harder time processing. ]
i am loving this thread so much!!
However I feel about Jeanne isn't important!
[ And he is not prepared to think about that right now!!! ]
Yes, Noé, I am pretending to like you. So don't- don't be a moron who overcomplicates things. Okay?
[ Says the moron overcomplicating things......but the confused look on Noé's face makes Vanitas feel compelled to continue: ]
Just follow my lead on this. If anyone knows more about courtship between the two of us, it has to be me.
[ Vanitas thinks it's set in stone, at least. He's never been in a relationship, but given his...everything with Jeanne, he considers himself to be far more experienced than Noé, who asked him what love was. Given how he reacted when he realized he had feelings for Jeanne, though? This might be up for debate. ]
These two are the most hopeless.
[So she understands the situation? Was she aware of this other woman journalist? He has no clue. But he's also aware that he doesn't like the jealous feeling he feels when he thinks of her. That she gets to feed from Vanitas. He tries to ignore that, and he doubts that this ruse would change, that Vanitas wouldn't be keen on letting him feed from him. He blinks, swallowing and nodding at the other. Just let the other take the lead. He could do that. That sounds simple enough. He just has to play along, right?]
Follow your lead? Ah, okay. Alright.
absolute messes. shakes them
the most hopeless dorks. both of them.
SO clueless when it comes to dating
Noé like can you eat it??? dating?????
and yet that's why vanitas likes him so much u_u
He tries. He's also just the most easily distracted and the most oblivious.
indeed! meanwhile vanitas is monsieur overthinker :'D
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