Chapter Text
It was over.. The nightmare had ended, Or at least that is how the situation would have been viewed by anyone else who had survived such an ordeal, But for Noe, The nightmare was just beginning. The death of Vanitas had brought with it a collision of feelings, a hurricane inside his mind, as he constantly battled with the survivor's guilt of being glad to be alive but also crushed that he had lost Vanitas in the process.
The only cushion being that Vanitas had asked for it. Had asked Noe to kill him, that if anyone were to do it, It would be Noe. And with the sake of the world resting on their shoulders, Noe was never given much of a choice in the matter. He could have not killed Vanitas in that moment, but someone else would have instead eventually, and in a less merciful way and it would of been the Louis situation all over again, And above all else, Noe would not allow that situation to repeat itself.
But now, Vanitas is dead. Killed by Noe, But not in the cruel and brutal way one would expect. But because Noe had not grabbed Vanitas’ hand when he fell. He hesitated- reached and then pulled back. Allowing Vanitas to fall to his death, and judging by the look Vanitas had given him in his last moments it had been the right decision. The raven haired human always swore that before he lost all sense of his humanity and turned into whatever the curse was forcing him to become he would rather die himself than live to become unrecognizable, and at this point- that is exactly what had happened. So Noe granted him his peace. He let him fall, Even if it meant Noe’s happiness fell with him.
The fight had taken place in the world between Atlas and Paris, The portal that connected the two together. He had feared they lost all of Vanitas, but just off to the side. He could see a familiar coat, could smell the unmistakable stench of blood, and he swore he would not dare look over there. Vanitas wasn’t moving. A heartbeat could not be heard. That is all Noe needed to know the truth.
Now he sat kneeling just outside the door that led to Atlus, eyes unblinking and wide, tears just silently falling in the silence after all the fighting. The silence after war was always the most deafening. Only when he heard a choked sob behind him, that turned into cries, a voice that he faintly recognized as Jeanne’s and the sound of someone retching and letting up whatever they had for lunch did he somewhat come to his senses, but only enough to look down to his slightly trembling hands.
Vanitas’ image was still clear in his mind in the moments before he died. He looked at peace- he looked pleased, and still so pained as though there was something else he wanted to say but chose not to. A mystery in life and in death it seemed, and then Noe caved. Hunching down and curling in on himself, his shoulders shook.
Dead.
Dead.
He was dead. There was no coming back from that.
It had been Vanitas’ wish but still he felt guilt. Still Noe mentally appologised.
Time and time again, For weeks on end.
They had been saved, everyone had. The curse bearers healed, Atlus still in one piece and still Noe- Noe could find no solace in it as he joined his friends in their cries.
Vanitas would be buried the following day. Not in a Graveyard, Vanitas hated the church, it would do no good to bury him there. But somewhere that they could still visit. Somewhere He would have been happy to be.
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It was 8 long months later. When he and Jeanne had met up for their now regular afternoon tea, The two more alike than they thought prior, More similar than they realized, After the death of Vanitas, the two found comfort in the others presence, another who had cared for Vanitas, both different and yet in the same way. They shared their grief and became fast friends. Dominique being another common interest they shared as she occasionally joined them for tea, But this day was unlike their usual tea’s, It had began the way they always did, At a small cafe in Paris, Noe with a slice of Tartin that now didn't taste half of good to him as the memory of Vanitas baking him one left a bittersweet taste with each bite, and Jeanne with one of those cute looking cakes she was almost too afraid to take a bite out of in fear of destroying its perfectly cute design., But as they sat, calmly swapping tales and updates, Noe talking about how he had began to write down everything that brought them to this point, As Vanitas, Chloe, and the others they had lost in the process of this fight did not deserve to be forgotten, And Jeanne talking about the new found freedom she found herself with now that Master Luka had been getting older.
“Have you seen the theatre is putting on a show in a few weeks? Following the tale of Dracula” Jeanne had mentioned, amusement glistening in her eyes before glancing down to the cake she had picked out. Finally realizing the best case scenario of cutting it without causing too much damage to the design.
“Master Luka was interested in going, He finds amusement in horrible depictions of vampires it seems”
She then proceeded to take a bite, eyes lighting up in brief joy at the new found flavor, always so expressive, the Pink-ette was quick to slice some of her cake and offer it to Noe, who in turned felt compelled to slice some of his Tartin and pass it off to her in polite exchange, which just led to a constant back and forth and swapping pieces of their dishes practically butchering them for the sake of politeness.
“It’s still fascinating though isn't it? To see how humans portray us, They seem to be leaning more towards the romanticism of vampires in recent years however which is flattering” Noe hummed taking a bite of his food in thought, “..Speaking of, Domi said something quite strange the other day” the vampires brows furrowing “I was wondering if you noticed how strange shes been acting too? He muttered.
The mention of Dominique quickly gained Jeannes attention as she practically lit up, leaning a bit closer over the table, a show of her listening.
“Lady Dominique probably just has a lot on her mind, She is still being pulled left and right to discuss what happened 8 months ago… But I cant say she has been acting particularly different, I find myself in her company more often these days-” The ladies cheeks began to pinken, “N-Not that I would complain of course! Lady Dominique is quite wonderful to be around! So wonderful that I wonder If-!”
Jeanne’s words suddenly halted. Noe waited for her to continue, but when not a word wassail, he looked up in worry, had something gotten stuck in Jeannes throat? He looked up to see her in still shock, her laughter cut short, as her wide eyes, unblinking stared right behind Noe, her back straight and lip trembling, face as white as a ghost- as the small dessert fork slipped from her hand and hit her plate with a clatter.
“Jeanne? Jeanne? Are you alright-”
Noe’s words were halted as a familiar voice spoke behind him, sending a sharp jolt through his entire being, A voice that at first he believed to be another one of his hallusionions, but judging from how Jeanne sat frozen in her chair it was clear that was not the case-
“Oi- Vampire Bastard- I wake up covered in soil- and here you are enjoying some tea” a cough followed and Noe’s head quickly snapped around towards the source, and there- in the near distance making his way over on weak legs was-
“Vanitas-” slipped from Noe’s lips, a name he hadn’t dared in utter in the past 8 months, that still felt comfortable on his tongue even after months of never being spoken.
The doctor stood there, eyes still as sharp and as blue as they had been months ago, his clothes he had been buried in. Now torn and covered in soil as though Vanitas had to fight his way out of the ground, which surely would of been the case had he actually woken up- but that could not be possible- Vanitas was dead! They had all seen it! He was dead! Gone! Killed by Noe’s own hand! He had watched the light leave vanitas’ eyes! Witnessed the breath leaving his body! But then here he was-
Standing before them. Swaying. But alive. “What are staring a-” A sharp cough interrupted him, Soil sputtering out from his lips, and his hand getting covered in-..Blood. He stumbled, eyes fluttered closed as his legs gave out from under him, his body falling unconscious but before it could hit the ground, Noe and Jeanne had both bolted from their seats at vampiric speed,
uncaring if anyone around them had seen, their chairs tipping over as they both caught Vanitas before he hit the ground.
Noes hands on his forearms and Jeannes around his middle- He was real. He was solid- He was…breathing- Vanitas slumped forward, head dropping and Jeanne and Noe just sat still on the ground looking over Vanitas head to one another, Both wide eyed and confused. Frozen in disbelief.
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They had barged into the De Sade home without so much as a warning, Noe carrying Vanitas in his arms, a still breathing Vanitas that was sweating quite a bit, almost hot to the touch, still unconscious. They had made quite the scene upon appearing, That Dominique was quickly informed by a servant that Young Sir.Archiviste and Lady Jeanne had suddenly arrived, They had just made it to the main hall when Dominique appeared on the top of the stairs, Absolutely bewildered having not been told of anything that was occurring only that the two seemed to be in quite the distressed state. She had heard their panic before she had seen it, and quickly making her way down the stairs, she hurried,
“Jeanne- Noe, Dears what on ear-” and then she halted, eyes falling on Vanitas, and she froze.
“Is that-”
Noe looked helplessly at Dominique and he gave a quick nod, Jeanne freeting between looking between Vanitas and Jeanne, but in the face of panic, Jeanne always stood strong and was calm enough to explain to Dominique what was happening.
“Miss Dominique- It’s Vanitas, He suddenly appeared as Noe and I were having lunch- He- He is still breathing, We don’t know how- But please- you were the first person we could think to go to- please, Could you call a doctor of some sort- we couldn't bring him to a human doctor- not like this-” The pinket pleaded, though the pleading wasn't needed as Domi had nodded and was fast to usher them up the stairs and towards one of the guest wings,of the mansions, she had many questions- too many- but it would do no good to ask them all now and risk Vanitas’ well being.
So for now she was all action, swinging open the door, she called to a near by maid to call the family doctor and tell him to hurry, Noe was hesitant to put him down in fear that putting him down would be enough for Vanitas to disappear, but he still did so. Placing him down on the sheets, The unconscious Vanitas eyes shutting even tighter as he seemed to curl up in discomfort and groaned, Jeannereached over to brush his bangs from his face, only to pull her hand back quickly “He’s burning up!-” she panicked.
Dominique watched this mess unfold, in a mix of her own emotions and confusion, the Lady of the house of De Sade would not allow this situation to overwhelm her however, and with a deep breath she took control.
“Noe- Take off his jacket- Jeanne get his shoes, I’ll grab a cloth and cold water till the doctor arrives- we MUST keep him cool for now-”
Noe could barely hear her, his eyes completely focused on Vanitas as in his panic all he could wonder was, How- HOW WAS THIS POSSIBLE? This shouldn't be possible- it couldn't be- It-
Noes collar was grabbed, and he was tugged the world spinning a bit before his eyes fell on a familiar pair of gold, “Domi-”
“Did you hear me? I said take his jacket off!-” she interrupted. “This is no time to be distracted, Noe. I know this is hard for you to digest- it is for all of us- But please, Question it later and help now! We must keep him cool!”
Still stuck in a half frozen state, Noe gave a slow nod and then a more serious one, She was right- she was right! He could wonder later he had to focus on what was in front of him now! So he quickly turned and focused on stripping vanitas of his coat, throwing it to the side and unbuttoning a few shirt buttons as Jeanne worked on pulling the boots off, Domi returned with a bowl of water and all three began to lightly dab the cool water around the humans heated skin. The cool water seemed to be at least having some effect as the tightness in his brow loosened and his blurry hazy eyes half opened, as Vanitas attempted to say something, Only to be stopped by Jeanne pressing a finger to his lips.
“Save you strength- keep resting” she insisted, and without much struggle Vanitas eyes closed again.
Blood was rushing in Noe’s ears as he realized the heart beat he was hearing was not his own- but vanitas’ ..it was racing! Far more than a human's heart should!
“His heart- it’s- it’s moving too fast!- what does that mean!? It can't be good- Domi what do we do!?” his voice full of panic.
A knock then came to the door, and as it opened a small maid appeared with a quick bow, “The doctor your ladyship” she stepped to the side just in time for an older gentleman, clearly a vampire judging by the unusual color of his eyes, stepped in, calm as a doctor could be in an emergency as his eyes scanned the area, taking strides over, he gave Dominique a nod of acknowledgement,
“I assume this young man is the patient? I must ask everyone to clear the space, Please explain to me your ladyship what has happened”
Dominique stepped out of the way, pulling Noe with her, as it was clear Noe had little to no intention of moving from Vanitas' side unless forced.
Jeanne hurried around the other side of the bed to be beside Dominique and Noe.
With the new found space the doctor took a step closer and kneeled down beside the bed, “It seems like a regular flu your ladyship i see no cause for concern-”
“That man was dead till this morning. “
That caught the doctors attention as he froze and looked back at Dominique with a surprised expression. “Dead? But he seems like a perfectly healthy vampire to my eyes-”
“He isn't a vampire” Noe was quick to interrupt. “He-” he hesitated. “He is human, or was- he-” memories of Vanitas’ death flashed in his mind. “He fell- from a high height. He has been-” he hesitated. “Gone. For 8 months- Doctor please, What is happening, The dead can't come back, can they”
“No, They most certainly can not, But human? This boy couldn't possible be- “
“BUT HE IS!” Noe snapped, agitation now replacing his panic, they were wasting time on this, time that should be used to be helping Vanitas, “He has to be!-” he had to be because if he wasn't- if he wasn't and Vanitas awoke in a world that he didn’t want as someone else, That would mean Noe failed to give Vanitas what he wanted, and he felt he didn’t have it in him to actually kill him this time around.
His thoughts were interrupted when Vanitas body gave a harsh spasm, arms being thrown, as a pained yell came from his throat, the doctor rushing to his side to try and check him, but his thrashing made it impossible, “Hold him down!-” the doctor yelled, “Hold him down now!” he hissed forcing Noe and Dominique to react as they rushed forward holding his down, Vanitas fighting against their hold even in his unconscious state, chest heaving, and yelling in agony as he arched off the bed like a man possessed.
Jeanne stumbled back, hands pressed against her mouth to muffle the sounds she made, unable to listen to the others pain but unable to look away, The hell fire witch felt herself tremble in a way she only ever did when Luka was in pain. And unable to anything but to watch. The Doctor pulled a syringe from his bag and after a bit of a struggle managed to inject it into Vanitas, pushing the purple liquid inside into his veins, and as the liquid was drained, Vanitas yells slowly subsided, his thrashing slowlystopped and his breathing evened out. Leaving all in the room still and watching on his fear of Vanitas’ next movements.
When none came, Dominique and Noe slowly let go, Noes hand lingering near Vanitas limp hand.
“What did you give him!?” The Archiviste demanded.
“A Propranol, It should slow his heart rate just enough for the time being, You say this man is human?” He insisted once again.
“Yes!-” Now it was Jeanne's turn to interrupt. “But more than that we saw him die before our eyes! So how is he! Here!?”
“I- don’t know” The doctor hesitantly admitted and leaned back with a sigh pinching the bridge of his nose as he thought. Sucking in a breath he peered back at the now calm Vanitas, “I will have
to conduct a physical exam, He showing No outward signs of any major problem, bar from a fever. . . A fever, Body spasms.. Did he- say anything before he passed out?”
“Only giving out that he was buried, He coughed up some soil and blood before we dragged him here”
The doctor gave a thoughtful hum and moved with a stethoscope to check the others heart rate, taking his time, before pulling out a small touch and pulling up one of vanitas eyelids to check the iris.
“Blue” he muttered, “has he always had such blue eyes they are almost white-”
“He has a darker shade of blue- “
“Paling of the eye color then. Still sensitive to light.. He went on to check behind his ears, “No red marks-” and then glancing down to the open collar his brows furrowed. “This boy- the mark of the blue moon?”
Dominique nodded “Yes- the human who took the place of the vampire of the blue moon”
“AH yes i remember hearing something about that a year or so back” the doctor muttered not all that bothered, “However it is strange.. The mark seems to be moving- … I need to look more, I must ask everyone to leave the room, for the privacy of the patient.”
Noe jolted at that “NO-”
“Noe-” Dominique tried.
“No.” he stated again, fist clenched and trembling. “I- I cant leave him with a stranger- We can’t- what if something happens to him again?” he insisted
The doctor continued his brief examination, but paused upon finding the red rose marked on Vanitas neck, “He is marked?” the doctor asked, “If you insist on being a nuisance to my work, The I suppose the one marked to him may stay present”
Noe felt a sharp pain in his chest, Right- Jeannes mark.
“I- ..I don't mind if Noe wishes to stay instead-” Jeanne insisted, seeing the still panic on the others face.
However despite her kindness the doctor was not budging,
“You may not mind. But the patient might, I cannot go off the word of others that he would not.” The doctor then looked to Noe, But he must of seen something on the young lads face that made his stern expression soften just a bit.
“I only ask this of you, So your friend can get back to his prime health.. If you wish to help you could try and find any prior case of humans contracting the vampiric congestion, I cannot state with confidence why your friend has come back to life. But what I can do now, Is try and help him. So either, this young lady friend stays and you go. Or you all leave”
The room was still, Noe looked to Vanitas, and took a good long look at his face, twisted in some sort of pain, Noe felt the knife in his chest twist.
Yes. Vanitas wouldn't want to see him if he awoke anyway, Jeanne would be the best candidate for it, After all they were- …well Noe wasn't sure on what they had been, only that it had been some sort of romantic inclination between the two… and riddled with guilt, Noe doubted Vanitas would want to see the face of his parcial to blame, Murderer, but still! Noe always was stubborn so stubbornly refused to leave, something about his expression must of told Domi also that there was no point in trying to force him. So she simply looked to the family doctor with pleading eyes, and he let out a bothered sigh.
“Alright, fine. You may stay but I insist on you facing the wall for the patient's privacy.”
Noe listened immediately. Comedically facing the wall with such a look of determination you would of thought him to be a soldier.
He could hear the shuffling of the doctor, as he moved around, the rustling of sheets as he moved around Vanitas checking different things, and after 30 minutes of so they were allowed to turn back around again.
When Noe turned he was met with a doctor who looked stumped, sitting by the bed with a look of frustration and confusion,
“Your ladyship, if I may speak with you… in private?” he asked to Domi, who in turn was quick to agree, gesturing for them to talk outside, before she left she gave Noes hand a gently but encouraging squeeze and offered him a soft smile that managed to relax him just a little bit.
The two stepped out. Leaving Noe and Jeanne alone with Vanitas in the silent room.
Jeanne sat on one side of the bed pulling over a chair from near the window, as Noe took the seat the doctor had been sitting in, the two sat in silence, before looking to one another.
Neither knowing what to say as Jeanne finally broke the silence with a shaky breath.
“He’s alive” she uttered in disbelief.
Noe swallowed “He is-” his eyes stung.
Jeannes breath was shaky again as he held one of vanitas’ hands and hunched over, her shoulders shaking as it was clear she was trying to fight back tears.
“He’ll be okay- he has to be this time- if he’s not I’ll kill him-”
Noe couldn't help the sound of wet laughter that slipped from him “That makes no sense at all-” he sniffed, itching to take Vanitas’ other hand but feeling like it wasn't his place… for now. He was content with just watching. But soon his brows furrowed, “But how- …did this happen?”
“I- don't know.. A…A issue with the formula…maybe? Is it possible to rewrite the formula to bring back the dead?” she asked.
Noes brows furrowed at that deep in thought, his months of writing led him to reading many books, to researching many topics but he had never heard of such a thing- “No-...No It has to be something else…maybe-” Noes eyes lit up “Miss Jeanne! Do you suppose you could ask Master Luka if we may borrow the royal archives?” he asked, “There may be something there!”
Jeanne lit up at that, “I could certainly ask, with such a serious situation after all” she squeezed vanitas hand, just as Dominique returned, no doctor in sight….
She looked frazzled… frustrated and just confused.
“Domi…the doctor- where did he go?” Noe asked, slowly rising from his seat.
Dominique closed her eyes and took a breath before stepping closer to the bed vanitas was in,
“He left.. He explained what he knows to me, This situation is beyond him.. He intends to do some more research and get back to us, but for the time being he is under the impression that this is nothing more than just a cold.. He wants us to keep an eye on vanitas and contact him if it worsens.. For now he told us to expect more spasm attacks like earlier and so left these” she placed a pill bottle on the bedside table. “1 pill every time he has another one of those attacks, but if its more than 3 in a week. We contact him again” she hissed out “This is ridiculous!” she finally snapped, “So we just sit here and hope it all is alright!? He is a mere human! One that until recently was!-” he stopped seeing Jeanne and Noes expressions at the reminder. And forced herself to calm again. “Im- Im sorry Mon cherie… “ she thought for a moment and then turned sharp on her heel and marched towards the door.
“M-Miss Dominique!? Where are you going!?” Jeanne called out.
“Dear Vanitas had quite the acquaintance I remember! Those Information brokers may have something for us, So im going to do what the house of De Sade does best. Im spending money and I better get my moneys worth of information.”