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“You’re beautiful, Noé.”
“…Huh?”
Sapphire meets violet.
“I don’t think you know that.”
Noé raises his eyebrows, clearly taken aback by the suddenness of Vanitas’ statement. One second, he’s gazing at the skyline of Paris, and the next, Vanitas is telling him that he’s beautiful.
Little does he know that Vanitas has been studying him. Eyeing his silhouette against the starlight silver of the moon, taking in the snow white of hair that falls over light violet eyes, and thinking about how much he’s going to miss it when he’s eventually gone.
Vanitas has found himself in this position more than he wishes. A position where he debates his own relationships and mortality along with everything that he will eventually leave behind.
Including Noé.
Vanitas knew from the start that this wouldn’t be permanent, but he also hadn’t been this close to Noé at the time.
Whatever. It’s still impossible.
“ I… I don’t tend to think of my appearance that often, Vanitas -”
“I know. It’s a shame that you don’t know, but I suppose that only makes you all the prettier.” Vanitas tilts his head and looks at Noé, his earring tipping along with him. “Though, it isn’t just your looks.”
Vanitas watches with slight amusement as Noé flustered and tries to figure out the reason behind Vanitas’ words. He’s aware of Noé’s distrust in his words, that he always suspects that Vanitas has some underlying motivation lacing them.
There’s no sarcasm in his tone, though. Vanitas just thinks Noé should know before he’s gone.
“Your soul is beautiful. It’s rare to find a person on this earth that is as good as you. I used to believe that people like you don’t exist, but you’ve proven me wrong yet again.” When Vanitas was locked up and praying to a god that he’s sure doesn’t exist to keep him and his brother safe, he wouldn’t dare possibly think that there was someone out there whose heart would hurt if they were to think about those circumstances.
But Noé loves to prove him wrong time and time again.
“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, Noé. Don’t let anybody ruin you. It would be a loss on the earth’s part.”
It’s true. Noé is a new perspective in Vanitas’ life. Vanitas may not be fond of many people, and of course there’s nobody that exists that could possibly be as wonderful as Noé, but at least now he knows that there is some hope left to humanity. Or, vampires, at least.
Noé is truly the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen; a young man filled with hope and new life and promise.
A promise that Vanitas can’t keep because he doesn’t make promises.
Noé still looks a little confused, but he still thanks Vanitas for the compliment anyway because of course he does. Vanitas thinks dryly to himself that if Noé had the knowledge of what he was in for, he’d be protesting instead of thanking Vanitas.
Yet, that’s why Vanitas doesn’t tell Noé. That’s why he doesn’t say goodbye because he knows that Noé will protest and that’s the worst part of all.
When Noé wakes up the next morning, Vanitas’ belongings are gone and the window is shut. Vanitas has left Paris and is far away from the sight so that he doesn’t have to witness another ruined miracle.