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Opinions about what to do next are divided. Vanitas, despite his dislike of having to give reports to Count Orlock, is all for doing it right now for some reason.
Noé doesn't see why. Nox and Manet have already taken ex-curse bearer for questioning. It's not like they have to give the report now-when all of them are tired and hungry.
Noé would much rather go to their hotel and eat something. Domi and Jeanne seem to agree with this sentiment. Vanitas is of course against it, and sometimes Noé thinks he does it purely to just disagree with said vampire. He has no idea why Dante and Johann side on this one with Vani. It's not like the two of them will even be there, in Count's office, giving the report. But apparently, that's how democracy works or so Vanitas said.
So it's three against three, with Riche being of two minds, and Noé's stomach rumbling in hunger. The idea of a good, warm meal, followed by dessert (and today will be tarte tatin!) is enough to make Noé think of using underhanded tacticts.
Both sides are trying to convince Riche to side with them, and the poor girl is looking lost between her friends asking to wait for meal a little longer, and her girl friends asking her to go eat with them now.
Noé's eyes stray to Vanitas who is, as always, in the middle of the chaos. One more person siding with his camp and the rest would be outvoted. He is certain he can make Vanitas change his mind even if the other is being weirdly stubborn about his priorites today. Trying to persuade Vani the nice way will take much longer and he lacks his usual patience to do that. So, he needs to use that.
Noé quickly makes a mental list of for and against making such bold move. Let's see:
Pros
- He will get tarte tatin faster this way
- He will get not just one dessert, but two
Cons
- He will use it in public and even though all of their friends know about his and Vani's relationship, beside some little gestures none of them acted over the top or as embarrassing as Noé is planning to act in next few minutes
- Vanitas will sulk later but then again, he will do that with wide blue eyes and an (adorable) little pout evident on his lips
The pros definitely outweigh cons, Noé decides easily. Taking a deep breath, he straightens up to his full height and relaxes. Then he takes a confident step forward, and another soon follows. He strides like this, feeling everyone's gaze at him.
"Mon chaton?" Domi questions, but he doesn't answer. He continues his walk, smiling pleasantly until he is barely a step away from the vampire doctor. Vanitas raises his eyes to meet Noé's. Seeing the vampire's look and expression, understanding passes through them.
There is a glint of surprise in his eyes, but it quickly melts into well known to Noé stubbornness.
His heart skips a beat, overcome with fondness for the boy in front of him. Vani will not give in easily, and that's okay because neither will Noé.
Vanitas straightens up too, but like this the height difference couldn't be more evident. Noé looks like he is towering over Vanitas. The other also knows it because he raises his chin and his brilliant blue eyes shine with a challenge.
Noé almost smirks and Vanitas notices, for a sound similar to slight hiss escapes him. Like this, he looks like a bristling kitten, ready to attack with his little claws.
As adorable and amusing as it is, this look won't do.
Noé raises his right hand and Vanitas's eyes wearily follow. There's one indigo stray strand hanging loosely away from Vani's ponytail. It gives Noé a good chance to act.
Pointedly slowly, with those beautiful blue eyes following his every move, Noé's right hand makes its way toward the stray strand. Noé makes it his mission to pick it up as slowly as possible. When his hand finally acquires the target, he moves it back, accidentally brushing Vanitas's cheek with the back of his hand.
Vanitas's breath hitches, but Noé is not done yet. He slowly places the strand behind the human's right ear, gently brushing the tip of said ear in the process.
Vani freezes and Noé can move onto phase two of his plan.
He lowers his upper body, enough for his head to reach the doctor's neck and chin. The smell as sweet as Vani's blood reaches his nose.
He takes a deep breath and lets it out, his hot breath tingling Vanitas's skin.
The boy flinches slightly, but before he can make any move Noé reaches his intended target. Vani's ear. Phase two completed.
Now, the last phase.
"Vani." He whispers in the tone, knowing fully well what it does to Vanitas. And sure enough, he can feel the vampire doctor shiver under the warm palm of Noé's hand.
"Everyone is hungry and we can give the report to Count Orlock later, right?" Vanitas doesn't answer, only swallows thickly. Noé continues in the same tone, his hot breath tickling Vani's ear. "So, how about we get back to hotel now, and eat something. That's okay with you, isn't that right Vani?"
It's not a question, it's a statement. One that if had came out from someone else's mouth, would have earned them a good punch in their face or cold bitter words of insults and truth no one wants to hear. But because it had came out from Noé's (Noé that Vanitas is dating, Noé that Vanitas is weak against and is opening up to him more and more as the time passes) mouth, it earns him expected results. The vampire doesn't need to raise his gaze to see Vani's face. He can feel warmth, associated with the lovely blush making its way onto his beloved's face. Can feel a weak nod his Vani gives.
Noé's smile turns triumphant. He would like to get his dessert now but he does owe something to his love after all that teasting.
He gives him a peck on the right ear and whispers:
"Good boy."
The high-pitched, short sound escapes Vani and Noé steps away to admire the result of his work.
Vanitas doesn't dare to meet his eyes, staring at the pavement as if that's the most interesting thing he has ever seen. His face is aflame and Noé could almost see the steam coming out from it.
Noé laughs slightly, and Vanitas raises gaze full of betrayal to send him a small glare.
"How lovely."
He adds and Vani promptly averts his gaze, a choked breath barely escaping him.
Noé will lay off of him for now, they can finish it later, behind closed doors of their shared hotel room.
When he turns, he pretends not to see everyone staring at them with their jaws dropped to the ground.
He feels embarrassed, of course, but most of all he feels strangely pleased. Noé hasn't really showed anyone how far in their relationship they had gotten. Plus, the fact he made Vani look like that in front of them, makes him pleased. They are lovers, after all. Vani is his and he is Vani's.
Beside, Noé likes the fact that he can make Vani this speechless, he doesn't mind showing it off a little.
"Alright! Vanitas agreed, we can go to the hotel now. Right, Vani?"
He turns to look at his love, who only nods mutely, entire face burning.
Really, the dessert is as sweet as Noé thought it would be.
Bonus:
Dante doesn't really know what to think when the big fellow strides to the Quack with a look that could only be described as confident and authoritative.
His mind goes blank, and his jaws drops when the fellow touches Vanitas's hair.
He is shocked speechless when Quack just lets him do it, despite previously adjusting his chin in that stubborn way of his.
He also doesn't say or move when the fellow crouches slightly and whispers something. He doesn't say anything when Noé looks like he is kissing Vanitas, nor does he say anything when Quack positively squeaks and turns bright red at whatever the fellow had just told him.
His jaw has been long down but then the fellow observes Vanitas as if he were the masterpiece, and with the smug aura states:
"How lovely."
(And to think Dante ever even thought that guy was innocent!)
To his mounting horror, and strangely enough amusement, Quack's gaze drops and a choked breath escapes him, and Dante is positive he can see the steam coming from vampire doctor's face.
(Oh, dear!)
And then the fellow acts like he doesn't see The Stares they are all sending the couple's way, and Noé has a gall to add: "Right Vani?" In a smuggest tone he has ever heard from this guy.
Quack only nods mutely, unable to even look at the guy, because of the embarrassment and Dante's eyes pop out of his head.
And when he thought he saw enough, and nothing will surprise him anymore, the guy said:
"Let's go then!" And as if nothing happened, took Quack's wrist, and the (still!) red-faced vampire doctor followed compliantly.
It took everyone good few minutes to finally wake up from their stupor, and to start gradually follow the two lovers.
Really, love makes you behave in the strangest ways. Dante decides, as he too follows the love-struck couple.