unchainer | for @babeldom

No? Ah. But at least maybe one museum and a bakery for lunch? We can go and check with the doctor first. Then we can head out after that?

[He figures that should be alright. That should work. He finishes his drink and waits for Vanitas to finish in the kitchen before he washes his cup, giving the other time to get dressed at least, before he goes to get ready and change after making sure that Murr has some water while they were out.]

That's fine. Doctor's office first, then the art museum.

[ Vanitas gets into his usual attire, and once Noé is also properly dressed, he'll start heading out. Normally, Vanitas goes ahead of Noé and expects him to tag along behind him, which has often times resulted in the other wandering off and getting lost...and Vanitas needing to backtrack to find him. This time, however, he'll wait for Noé and walk alongside him. ]

Since we aren't in as much of a hurry this time, I wouldn't be opposed to getting there by foot. Saves us the trouble of paying for transportation.

Okay. Sure!

[He agrees, smiling as he emerges dressed in one of his outfits that Domi had probably helped pick out for him before he left home. His shirt might be a little rumpled, but at least his nose isn't looking too bad after last night. He grins as he follows Vanitas, not seeming to mind that they might walk instead of figuring a ride this time. It isn't like they are in a major rush.]

I don't mind walking.

[ His shirt is a bit rumpled, so Vanitas leans in to straighten Noé's collar a little before they start venturing further out into the city. A walk to the clinic will take a bit, but there's no need for urgency, so he's fine to take his time.

He's not always incredibly chatty, and often times, these walks can be quiet. Today, though, Vanitas speaks first. ]

I've noticed that your cat's gotten far more affectionate. Is it because I've started playing with him?

[He blinks, not having noticed or necessarily cared if his clothing wasn't perfect, but he does thank Vanitas for helping. He follows easily enough alongside the other, walking among the crowds heading to work or appointments or the like.]

Murr? Ah, maybe? You don't mind, do you? I think he liked you playing with him yesterday. Usually, it's just me or Domi.

[Well, more often. Lately, sometimes Murr is left in the care of others and gets spoiled by their friends.]

[ Did he mind? No, not at all. It was some kind of relief that he could play with Murr for a bit (almost like playing with animals is relaxing or something...) and he is embarrassed to admit it. He ends up putting his arms up and his hands behind his head. ]

Maybe you're just not playing with him enough.

[ It can't be because Murr liked playing with him, obviously!! ]

I play with him most evenings. [He points out. At least, when Murr is awake, if the vampire has time amid heading out for work with Vanitas. But he won't say no if Vanitas wants to join in and play with Murr, too, now. It isn't like the vampire means to get distracted. To not check on Murr, to not give him enough attention.

He follows, focusing on staying close, so that he keeps Vanitas in sight amid the crowds. Not wanting to get separated. He remembers the general direction of where they went last night, but not necessarily so much the details. Still, it's enough that he has some vague idea, if something were to happen and they were to get separated.]

Yeah, well... [ ...Okay, Noé has a point. He goes a little red in the face and clears his throat. ] Okay, fine. If he likes it that much, I have no choice but to engage.

[ More playtime with Murr is something he'll quietly look forward to. Almost as much as he looks forward to the next thing on his mind, which is brought on by noticing how close Noé is. It's getting more crowded, and naturally, he should keep the vampire next to him. Right? Right.

Shyly, he reaches for Noé's hand. ]

I think he'd like that.

[He says, a faint chuckle and smile at his lips. He is still getting used to the other holding his hand, but he doesn't pull away when he feels Vanitas's hand reaching for his. The vampire's hand holds gently to not tug at Vanitas, but firm enough not to easily be separated as he entwines their fingers, letting Vanitas take the lead as usual. He smiles at that, his thumb brushing against Vanitas's palm as they walk together, as his pace quickens slightly.]

[ It's times like these that make him wish he weren't wearing his gloves. He'd like to feel Noé's hand in his, even if their hands are likely calloused and rough from everything they've been doing lately. They both know why he wears them, though, and it's not something he's willing to compromise in public. Maybe he'll try it when they're home tonight.

Vanitas continues to guide Noé to the clinic, heart racing ever so slightly in his chest. He subconsciously squeezes Noé's hand every now and then, and when they finally make it there, Vanitas keeps their hands joined, even as he goes to the front desk.

He states their business, and the nurse at the front lets them know that the journalist is, essentially, in stable condition. He feels relief at that, even if he doesn't verbalize it. ]

Thank you. That's all we wanted to know.

She's okay? She'll be alright. Oh, good.

[He doesn't even notice or seem to care if he does, if others might stare at Vanitas holding his hand. It's just something he was more used to in the other, taking it to keep an eye on him. Not just.....because he wanted to. But he is relieved to hear that the journalist was alright, given what had happened last night.]

Did you want to see her while we're here?

No.

[ Plain and simple. Admittedly, it's partly because he doesn't particularly care for her, but the other part of it is because he feels somewhat responsible for it because she's been following him around. That lead her to getting injured, and while that was entirely her choice, he doesn't like the reminder that someone got hurt because of him. ]

She'll be alright. We can check back in a day or two.

[ He's ready to leave, honestly. ]

No? Um, okay. At least we know she's alright. Did we want to head to the museum then?

[He doesn't necessarily read into it that her being attacked might be because she was following after them. Or if it was just a coincidence that she happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Still, he tries to reassure Vanitas, to help distract him, his hand squeezing lightly as the other seems ready to head off again, thanking the staff.]

Alright.

[ He's quiet as they walk out, but after a few minutes of fresh air, he seems relaxed again. Vanitas takes the lead. The museum is a shorter walk, and since it's getting a little chilly outside again, Vanitas keeps close to Noé. ]

You're lucky you don't get cold. I should have worn my scarf...

Want my coat?

[It isn't raining. So the vampire doesn't mind. It bothers him less than it does Vanitas, feeling the chill. So he offers, especially since he isn't as sure about how far they might be from the museum where they could get inside and warm up a bit. He notes how the other tends to keep closer when it is cold as a tell. He's not so sure on how warm he might be, given he's a vampire, but evidently it is enough that it seems to help at least a little.]

[ Noé offered his coat before and it was, in fact, very warm. Vanitas really liked it, but that was also just offered to him. He didn't ask for it. Now that Noé is giving him the choice, he's a little flustered again, as is par for the course for him. He's so calm when his feelings are unrequited, but when they are, he's so easy to embarrass.

He looks away and his free hand goes into his pocket. ]

Well, if you're offering...

I am.

[He doesn't want Vanitas to get cold. So he shifts slightly to remove his coat and place it on Vanitas's shoulders. It might be slightly bigger on Vanitas, but that was probably for the better in keeping him warmer. Noé doesn't mind, since he still has his shirt and waistcoat on underneath. It just might make him stand out a little more that he is not wearing more layers like most everyone else.]

[ Vanitas allows the coat to settle on his shoulders, and he's much warmer, now. He holds it close to make sure it doesn't fall off as they keep walking, and he glances up at Noé for a moment. ]

Thanks.

[ If Noé sticks out because of his lack of layers, Vanitas sticks out for having quite a few of them, so it evens out. He doesn't really care outside of his own embarrassment, though, because he's stood out for far worse things.

He returns the coat when they get to the museum, which is considerably warmer than the outside weather. ]

Well, we're here... What would you like to look at first?

[He pulls on the coat when Vanitas gives it back once they are inside, glancing around. Noting the way the coat sort of had the scent of both of them, from Vanitas also wearing it for a bit. It isn't like he had the chance to do this sort of thing before. Sheltered as he was until he had left to find the book, found Vanitas. So he can't help being excited. He all but gets that giddy expression before he pauses.]

.....I'm not sure. Where should we start? I've never done this before. I just heard museums were important.

Oh, right. This is your first time.

[ He should've guessed by how giddy Noé was when they walked in. Vanitas has been here a handful of times, so he knows at least the general layout. ]

We can start with the fashion exhibit over here...

[ He gestures to his left with his head, taking in Noé's continued excitement. He sighs quietly to himself and takes the other's hand again, this time without asking. He'll even go as far as to lace their fingers together again, but he's not taking the lead this time. ]

Go ahead, I'll follow you. You're the one who has yet to see anything.

Fashion?

[Maybe Domi might like this? He's not sure if she had been before. But he knows that seems to be more her thing than his. Given that she had made sure that he had appropriate clothes before he left home. He supposes it couldn't hurt to see. He could always see the other exhibits, and something else might interest him further. For now, he seems excited enough, as he glances to the left and starts to head over in that direction, joining the crowd heading inside further. At least the vampire is tall enough that he still stands out well enough, even if Vanitas weren't holding his hand, letting him pull the doctor along as he explores.]

[ He's content to let Noé lead, and whatever doesn't interest him, Vanitas is okay with passing on. He's more interested in making sure the vampire doesn't get lost, and no matter where Noé wanders off to, Vanitas will follow.

There's a small, content smile on his face that appears when Noé seems particularly excited about something. It's one he'll keep to himself if he can, but if the vampire sees Vanitas with it, Vanitas will try to hide it. There's no concealing how relaxed he is, though, and Noé can read him so well by now to know that the doctor is actually glad to be here. He'll even go out of his way to provide some context on some of the pieces he might know a thing or two about.

After some exploring, they pass by a courtyard area. ]

We've been walking around for a while. Could we rest for a few minutes?

[He's too distracted by everything to note the way Vanitas stares at him, that small smile the other has when he watches the vampire be so excited. As if he were a little kid discovering this for the first time. The look Vanitas gives him and the way they hold hands might have others giving them a look, but the vampire seems oblivious as he explores and admires everything.

His cheeks are a little pinker from his excitement and enthusiasm as they pass near the courtyard, and he nods at the suggestion to rest.]

Sure.

Thank you. You've been so excited that it's starting to wear me out.

[ He says as he moves to sit down on a nearby bench. He's really not that worn out, but of course he's going to take a jab at Noé's (very endearing) excitement. He doesn't let go, either, and hasn't really paid much mind to any looks they might be getting.

It says a lot that Vanitas has tuned out others as much as he has today, how any stares or comments other people might be making about them hardly matter and are falling on deaf ears. He hasn't noticed most of it, anyway, because he's so honed in on Noé and this little 'date' they're having. There's always going to be a part of him that's alert, simply due to his past and how he's lived most of his life up until now, but he's only selectively paying attention to the people around him. ]

Was there anything particularly interesting that you've seen so far?

[ ...Asking for future reference. ]

Eh? You're tired because I'm excited?

[Mr oblivious over here. Still, he doesn't seem all that annoyed or upset, even if he might glance at the doctor for a moment as they sit down. He considers the question for a moment, trying to decide. He isn't necessarily reading into the question beyond Vanitas merely being curious. Making conversation. He sits next to Vanitas, his legs swinging idly as he leans back and watches people pass by, enjoying the museum.]

Um, I did hear that Paris was famous for the clothes. I never really thought about fashion much before. But learning about the history is interesting.

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