unchainer | for @babeldom

[ It really is tiring being dragged around everywhere, though "dragged" isn't entirely accurate, either, because the only problem he really has with it is how hard it is to keep up with Noé. He seems pretty beat by the end of their little museum excursion, though, and when they're getting ready to leave, he looks like a husk.

...Well, not really. It's just how he feels. ]

You're...sure...you still want to go grab desserts?

[ Give him a moment, he'll live. ]

Dessert! Can we, Vanitas? Can I get tarte tatin?

[Not that he is necessarily aware, but he’s definitely pulling the most adorable pleading and excited look at the doctor. Whether Vanitas is up for it or wants to go and nap for a bit might be another story, though. Depending on how easily he might cave to the vampire.]

[ Oh, here we go... ]

Fine. Make it quick, though. I'm taking a nap after this.

[ Yep. He caved. And this won't be the only time, either. ]

Yay! Tarte tatin!

[As far as he was concerned this is basically the best day ever. Exploring and getting his favourite food. He beams, excited to head to one of the bakeries. He doesn’t mind if it’s a quick stop so long as he gets his beloved dessert. A nap once they get back to the hotel sounds great too.]

[ And the beloved dessert he will get; Vanitas pays for it, gets nothing for himself. It arrives on a dainty little plate, and he guides Noé to the seating area. Vanitas sits across of him and slides over the plate of tarte tatin. ]

There.

[ He props up an elbow on the table and leans on it. He'll exercise patience for once so Noé can eat. ]

[Just. This delighted face. He thanks Vanitas again as the doctor hands him the plate with his beloved dessert. To his credit, he isn't just wolfing it down, but he isn't taking too long in savoring it, not this time, knowing that Vanitas is tired and wants to go and nap afterwards. He smiles, a happy hum of delight escaping as he eats.]

Thank you, Vanitas!

[ When he said Noé was cute, he apparently meant it, because there's a warm feeling that surges in his chest as he watches the vampire eat. It's such a familiar sight, and it's one that always, without fail, brings Vanitas comfort. ]

Just make sure you eat it all.

[ Then it'll be worth his money. Not that he needs to worry about there being any leftovers, though. ]

I will! It's really good!

[As if there was ever any doubt. If he didn't finish his beloved dessert, surely that would be because something was wrong. If he were sick or something. But that isn't the case now. He happily eats it, not seeming to question that Vanitas didn't get something to eat. Maybe the other just wasn't hungry right now. It isn't like either of them keeps to a strict routine or schedule much, given the nature of Vanitas's work. He tries to be quick without really rushing his treat, oblivious to Vanitas thinking how endearing he was to be so happy with the dessert.]

[ Vanitas doesn't remember feeling so warm whenever he saw Noé smile. Maybe that little one day stint of pretending to date did something to him - helped him see his best and only friend in a light he hadn't considered before. A part of him really wishes that he could make Noé this happy, which is a thought he hasn't had up until now.

It's why, once Noé's finished, Vanitas' expression is gentle. When they're ready to leave, he's quick to take the other's hand again. He's never going to be as sweet as tarte tatin, but he shows his affection in other ways, like making sure Noé doesn't get lost. Worrying about him when they get separated. Telling him about the world. And now, holding hands. ]

...Ready to go home?

Mm. Right. I'm ready.

[He nods, smiling as he finishes and thanks Vanitas and the staff again. He reaches out when Vanitas takes his hand, ready to head back to the hotel. He doesn't really think to read into the way the other might stare or think that Vanitas might be....jealous of how happy he is whenever he gets to have his tarte tatin. He just figures the other wants to get back to rest. So he is quick to take Vanitas's lead and head back towards the hotel together.]

[ When they're back in the hotel, Vanitas is quick to remove his coat and hang it up. He wastes no time after that in plopping himself down onto his bed face down, before he turns onto his side and pulls the covers over him. He's having trouble keeping his eyes open, but before he drifts off to sleep, he looks at Noé. ]

Mm...we can go to the second bakery after I wake up.

[He removes his coat, hanging it up as he kicks off his shoes. He gives Murr a pet before following Vanitas. The other must really have been tired. Now that they were home, he also got hit with how exhausted he felt from the busy morning of bounding around exploring the museum. So he shifts to pull the blankets on the other bed, yawning and attempting to shoo Murr from the bed when the cat instinctively moves there.]

Mkay. Sure.

[ The nap is pretty fruitful for the first few minutes. He falls asleep quickly and seems to be weathering the cold weather a little more since it's still daytime. His sleep is uninterrupted, up until a certain furry friend plants himself right next to Vanitas' face. He stirs awake after struggling to catch some air, and he's bleary as he sees what's currently cutting off some of his airflow. ]

...Murr...

[ Buddy, he likes you well enough, but now is not the time. Sleepily, he murmurs: ]

Noé...come get your cat...

Murr....

[He pouts, shifting to reach to pick Murr up. Of course, he receives a scratch on his hand for daring to try to move him. Not that it stops him from forcing the cat off the bed onto his own on the floor. Or at the least let him sleep on the vampire's bed rather than bothering Vanitas. He doesn't want to disturb Vanitas's nap.]

Sorry, Vanitas.

It's fine.

[ He's sleepy but he witnesses that hand scratch. What a feisty creature. Strange that he decided to loaf in front of his face, though, and not Noé's today. ]

...Is he becoming that fond of me?

Looks like it. You don't mind?

[The vampire asks even as he shifts to the sink to rinse off his hand, to treat the scratch before he heads back to bed. Murr at least remains on Noé's bed for now, once he settles and is comfortable after the initial protest of being moved. Still, Noé does seem happy, amused about Murr getting on more with Vanitas. Even if he winces at cleaning his scratch before covering it. Hopefully, that would be enough. He's too tired to do more than that, as he makes his way back to his bed. Only....of course, Murr was curled up right in the middle of it.]

[ What does he say here... ]

...It's fine, I guess.

[ There, that'll do. He doesn't really comment more on it because gosh, he's not going that soft, okay. But he's barely awake when Noé returns and sees that Murr is snoozing right in the middle of the bed. Hm.

He debates for a second, and then he ends up scooting further towards the wall on his bed. ]

If you. Need a place to rest.

[The vampire pouts at Murr, before turning when Vanitas speaks, offering for him to join. It makes him smile, thanking Vanitas as he curls up next to the other, ensuring that he brings the blanket over them both. The beds are not the biggest, with both of them, more accurately, with him, but he doesn't seem to mind too much. He tries to make sure that Vanitas still has some space as best he can, even if he is against the wall.]

Thank you~!

[ He doesn't say anything when Noé joins him, instead opting to pull the blanket up a little further as he locks eyes with the vampire. This is the third time they've gotten so close, so he takes a moment to consider this, then: ]

...You can do this anytime. I don't - mind. Sharing a bed.

Ah? O-okay. I don't mind either. If you're cold.

[An invitation if Vanitas wanted to share his bed. It isn't like they hadn't done so before. He doesn't mind. Taking things slowly. This was fine. Holding hands. Napping together. He is just letting the other take the lead. So he knows what is okay. He knows this is new. Still, perhaps feels a little tentative. He doesn't want to push or force anything.]

It doesn't just have to be when I'm cold...

[ He murmurs it into Noé's chest, still embarrassed, still flustered but wanting him to know all the same. ]

...Unless you don't like it. If you don't, then you should probably just. Go back to your bed.

Why would I do this if I didn't like it? This is fine.

[At least. To him. If Vanitas was having second thoughts, that was okay, too. But he was also the one to invite Noé in this instance. So he's just figuring to be sure if it was okay. What the boundaries might be. What they might be comfortable with or not. He glances back at his bed before turning back around.]

Pretty sure Murr's claimed it. But...thank you.

Alright.

[ He curls into Noé a little more before he lifts an arm and drapes it over the other man. Vanitas tugs him closer before he shuts his eyes, wanting to feel closer, not just for Noé's warmth but for his company. His presence calms him and sets a good precedence to take a nice, comfortable nap.

Wordlessly, he drifts off again. ]

[Noé allows the other to pull him closer. Shifting as he gets comfortable, legs entwining with Vanitas' and wrapping one arm around the other's waist. It doesn't take long before he falls asleep. Lulled by the warmth of Vanitas and the steady, even sounds of his breathing, once the other dozes off. As he sleeps, he shifts, ending up face to face with Vanitas, all but kissing him. At least, Murr stays put on the other bed, letting them rest.]

[ Vanitas, likewise, is content to sleep soundly. He's been sleeping well lately, ever since sharing beds with Noé - a testament to how calm the other makes him feel. He latches onto the vampire in his sleep, almost like some part of him is afraid that Noé won't be there when he wakes up.

Sure enough, though, they're both still next to each other when he inevitably starts to open his eyes again...and he's welcomed with the sight of Noé's face right next to his. They're inches away and it would be so, so easy to steal a kiss right now, but that doesn't feel right. The urge to kiss Noé, period, however, starts to nag at Vanitas; as a result, he simply just leans forward to bump his forehead against Noé's instead. Now they're even closer. Welp.

He shuts his eyes and his cheeks turn a deep shade of red. ]

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