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Vanitas's words were akin to honey dripping off of a cactus. Sweet at first, but as you delve deeper, they begin to sting. Only a fool wouldn't let go of such a nuisance. However, Noé was a known fool. When Emma was outed as a curse-bearer, he had foolishly tried to help her escape, resulting in Louis' death. He was a fool when he grabbed onto a falling Vanitas upon their first meeting. And, he was a fool when he agreed to join Vanitas on his adventure.
However, Vanitas was a fool if he thought throwing a little attitude Noé's way would make him give up on his mission. Noé was nothing if not a faithful person.
Standing side by side, Noé and Vanitas experienced the world. Noé got to see the book in action more times than he could count. Watching it restore true names never failed to mesmerize the young vampire. The way in which the blue light hit Vanitas's face made a strange feeling swell in Noé's stomach. He looked intangible, like a god among men. Something he could never hope to touch, no matter how hard he wanted to. And, he did want to; he wanted to more than anything else.
Every cell in Noé's body wanted to hold Vanitas's body against his. It was selfish, and Noé would never admit it. After their fight about his blood, it became clear to Noé where he stood with Vanitas, and he never wanted to break that bond. He admired from afar, watching as Vanitas got closer to Jeanne. It was painful to see them together, but the look on Vanitas's face that day in the field of flowers told Noé exactly what it was he had to do. Seeing Vanitas happy was the only thing he should strive for in their relationship.
He tried his best; he really did. He looked away from Vanitas's little rendezvous with Jeanne. He even gave Vanitas advice to the best of his abilities. Even so, a couple of nights after the reappearance of his teacher, and Misha's disappearance, he found himself giving in.
When Vanitas had come to him in the middle of the night, he had fully intended to turn the other away. Instead, he found himself hovering over the other, sucking at the sweet juice, from the fruit he thought was forbidden. How was he to say no when the other had lowered his collar, allowing him a full view of the mark left by another. He had asked him so sweetly if he wanted to see his memories.
It had taken Noé all of 5 seconds to make sure Vanitas was being serious before he was on the other, like a rabid animal.
He bit the other directly on the preexisting mark flourishing on his neck. He relished in the gasp let out by the other. Noé's claws tore at the hotel comforter under him, trying to gain some semblance of control over his body.
Memories flooded Noé's mind. He tried his best to close his eyes. Although this was the reason Vanitas came to him, it felt far too invasive.
He saw very little, but the things he heard, he feared he'd never be able to forget. The sounds of machines beeping, and children crying flooded all of his senses. A voice rose above them all; a voice shrill with pain and anger. It swore vengeance on the bringers of pain and anybody associated. The words rang so deeply familiar, Noé had to open his eyes, if only for a second. In front of him sat a much younger Vanitas, pinned to what looked like an electric chair. His face was twisted in agony; he seemed to be staring directly at Noé. Looking at pure hatred staring back at him made Noé freeze. He knew he was looking through him, at another person in the room, but the cold gaze made it impossible for him to look away. How dare they do something so cruel to such a young child.
A flip switched behind Noé, and blue electricity ran through the metal machine. A bright light blinded Noé, the image of Vanitas being tortured, burned into his retinas. Noé closed his eyes once more; he'd seen more than enough.
The screams of a young Vanitas were washed out by a familiar voice cutting into the memory. Vanitas was notorious for his ability to bring Noé back to himself, it seemed.
When Noé opened his eyes once more, he was met with Vanitas looking directly back up at him. Noé felt a saline tear fall from his eye, and land on Vanitas's cheek. The other made no move to wipe it off; he just continued to look at Noé, his eyes half-lidded.
"You know," Noé's voice was hoarse, "Your eyes are a lot bluer now."
He felt Vanitas's chest rise and fall, letting out a small laugh.
Noé's body felt heavy; all he wanted was to hold Vanitas close to him. Even if just for a second, he wanted to hold the other without worrying.
He slowly lowered himself onto the other's chest, burying his face in his neck. He just wanted to lay with him until the end of time, to be fossilized together. He wanted him forever.
"Vanitas," Noé's voice was soft, muffled by the other's skin.
"What is it, Noé?" Vanitas's voice was softer than Noé had ever heard it.
"You'll stay by my side forever, right?" had Noé been in the right mindset, he'd have never asked for such a thing. But here, in the stale hotel air, he felt the words fall from his lips with no resistance.
There was a small pause that lingered in the air before Noé felt two arms wrap around his back. Their first hug in a long time.
"Yes, I'll be here until the end" Vanitas rubbed his hands down Noé's back, placing his chin on top of his head.
They stayed like that the entire night.
It wasn't until the end of their journey did Noé find out just how foolish he'd been.
The signs were always there; everyone else saw them, so why not him?
Vanitas was being corrupted. To fulfill his mission, he'd need to erase the existence of Vanitas completely. Noé didn't realize that meant himself too. It was only when the blue light started to attack the user back, did he notice. And, by then it was too late. Vanitas was begging him, down on his knees, trusty knife in hand. He was begging Noé to kill him. To be the one to finally erase the vampire of the blue moon, and save all of vampire kind.
Noé really was a fool, first, Louis, now Vanitas. He took the knife from Vanitas and got down to his level. As the book began to take Vanitas, to destroy who he once was. He was becoming a monster right in front of Noé's eyes. His voice crying out in agony brought back memories of that lab, the machines, and the screaming.
Tears fell from Vanitas's eyes, his newly grown claws gripping the front of Noé's vest. He was the epitome of desperation. Noé had to do what he couldn't all those years ago.
Leaning forward, Noé's soft lips met Vanitas's cold ones. Vanitas's hands found their way up to Noé's face, cupping his cheeks. He kissed him like he would a lover. A person he'd get to spend his entire life with. Oh, how cruel fate can be.
Lifting the knife behind Vanitas, Noé drove it through his heart. Quick and painless. The nails on his face dug in for a second, before falling to his sides. Noé didn't let Vanitas fall, holding his body close to him, sobbing into that trademark black coat.
When Noé finally released Vanitas from his grip, he looked him in the eyes once more. They were so pale now, just as they had been.
Vanitas always said what he meant, even if it hurt, but he'd pour sugar over his words and hope nobody noticed. He would have liked to stay by Noé's side forever, but he knew it wasn't possible.