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Jeanne clung to Vanitas tightly as he collapsed on top of her. She was in a soft and warm bed with the person she loved.
She didn’t think it was possible to feel this good. She had Master Luca and lady Dominique and Chloè was alive and safe and now Vanitas and she had finally….
She hadn’t noticed when the first tear fell down her cheek, but when her body started shaking Vanitas drew back and started wiping the tears away with his thumbs. “ What’s wrong Jeanne? I didn’t hurt you did I?”
Jeanne shook her head and pulled him tight against her. “ No. I just… I never dreamed I could be this happy.”
The chevalier of house Oriflamme, protector of the most precious person in the world, friend to a kind hearted noble, little sister to the last D'APCHIER, lover to an overly complicated human. Her parents being alive is the only way Jeanne could imagine being any happier.
She didn't think she deserved all this, but it didn't mean she didn't want to have it. She decided not to think so much, grateful to be free of the onus her former title of Bourreau carried. The more she thought, the more negativity would come, she would choose just to enjoy the moment.
Several hours later Jeanne blinked herself awake, having fallen asleep during their embrace. Her cheek was no longer pressed into his warm skin, but onto one of her pillows. She was relived to still be able to smell his skin in the room, preventing her from panicking.
Jeanne sat up and covered herself with the blanket, watching the back of him closely as he sat on the edge of her bed. It took her a moment to realize he was watching the stars.
She had quietly rented a room in Hôtel Chouchou, a floor below the one Vanitas shared with Noé. She hadn’t planned to stay the night, or even to make love with Vanitas. Her singular goal had been to drink his blood, maybe share a meal together. And yet, like everything involving Vanitas, things had taken an unexpected turn.
Watching him, she tugged the blanket tighter, holding it up to her neck now. The blush started to creep onto her cheeks, the words being stuck in her throat for the longest time.
“I love you,” she whispered, barely loud enough to be heard.
He didn’t turn around, but his ears turning red signaled Vanitas had heard her. Smirking, Jeanne leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder. He didn’t need to say it, his actions told her everything.
**********
They had agreed to get lunch at a small café they'd passed months ago during their date, one of the only food places Jeanne hadn’t elected to visit to show mercy to his pocketbook, and passed the time in a comfortable silence.
Vanitas found himself admire her beauty, something he had always found himself doing when he was alone with the vampire. Her beauty always enthralled him, and he was inspecting her lovely face when Vanitas' ears pricked up from a yelp in the distance. A waiter suddenly walked past their table with a cut hand. Vanitas’ blood ran cold and he turned to Jeanne, prepared to stop her from trying to attack the man.
Acting on instinct, Vanitas elbowed a passing waiter, causing the drinks on his tray to land on Jeanne. Vanitas rushed to his lover and hoisted her up, one hand around her waist, the other over her mouth. “ Oh darling, your soaked!”
The waiter moved to get some napkins but Vanitas shook his head. “Don’t worry yourself sir!” putting his head to Jeanne ear, he spoke again loudly, “ We need to get you cleaned up.”
The waiter pointed to the back door. “ The lavatory’s that way sir. Really I am so-“
Vanitas nodded, pulling a shivering Jeanne along. “ Quite alright, thank you.” Vanitas rushed Jeanne to the bathroom and locked the door before he pried his hand off her mouth, his hand now covered with blood. Jeanne was breathing hard , her eyes crimson. Vanitas opened his collar and offered his neck to the woman.
He ran his fingers through her hair. “ I’ve got you mon lapin.” Jeanne sank her fangs into Vanitas neck, drinking greedily.
Her bloodlust was getting worse. At this rate he would have to risk the book or confront Ruthven about his suspicions, or…he would have no option but to shove one of his knives into her heart.
The thought made him shiver and he started running his hands through her hair again. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
A knock at the door jolted Vanitas from his thoughts. Vanitas cursed his stupidity; he’d let them be boxed in like rats. The smart thing would have been to rush to the nearest border, but he was letting his emotions direct him. So stupid!
Jeanne barely moved when he put his hand on her shoulder.
Another knock. “ Just a moment!”
Vanitas pulled gently at Jeanne’s hair, causing her crimson eyes to widen and she detached from his neck, breathing heavily. Red dripped from her lips and painted her eyes, not a state a vampire could be afforded away from Altus. Vanitas rubbed the blood from her lips with his thumb and-
“ Vanitas, it’s Roland!” The young man’s eyes widened and he looked at a dazed Jeanne.
She tilted her head. “ Who?”
Vanitas took a breath and rubbed a gloved hand over his face. Thankfully the one without blood on it. He didn’t have a choice, if Roland wasn’t there to help he had to hope that even in her state Jeanne could assist him in a fight.
“ A… friend.” The word tastes awful on his tongue and his heart hammered as he stood and moved to unlock the bathroom door.
Roland’s towering frame was on the other side, his face full of concern. “ We need to leave, dear Vanitas. Oliver is diverting the others but it won’t be long.”
Vanitas eyes widened. That man who’d cut his hand on a glass…. This was an ambush.
Roland entered and nodded his head to Jeanne, who was covering her eyes in a weak attempt at hiding her nature. “ Mademoiselle, I apologize for the rude introduction but time is of the essence.”
Jeanne barely had time to get out a confused, “ What?”, before Roland took her in his arms bridle style and moved to the door. Both Jeanne and Vanitas took a moment to stare at the man in amazement before blushing.
“ Roland!” Vanitas called out, his face flushed with indignation and jealousy.
The blonde in question was out the door and moving towards the exit as Vanitas glared daggers at the churchmen, enraged at the audacity of the man to so casually be manhandling his-his- Vanitas caught a glimpse of Jeanne’s face
And noted her breathing had normalized, though she was looking at Roland with wide eyes, blush dusting her cheeks. Wait-why the hell wasn’t she upset?!
“ That’s it!” Vanitas rushed in front of Roland. “ We should be far enough away, non?!” Roland smiled and gently sat Jeanne back on her unsteady feet. “ Feeling better Mademoiselle ?”
Jeanne nodded, clearly embarrassed. “ Oui. Thank you…”.
The man made a slight bow. “ Roland Fortis, at your service!”
Jeanne nodded and did an awkward curtsy. “ Jeanne.”
Vanitas thought he was going to be sick. “ Where to now, Roland?”
Taking the lead again, Roland motioned down an opposite alleyway. “ This way. Olivier should be diverting them two blocks away but let’s not waste time.”
Vanitas turned to Jeanne and was pleased that she seemed back in control of herself now. She caught his eyes and she motioned with her head to Roland.
‘ Right, she doesn’t know him.’
Clicking his tongue, Vanitas sighed and waved a hand at the blonde. “ Roland is the paladin of Jasper.” Jeanne’s eyes widened and her eyes flashed red, a clear sign she recognized his reputation.
Vanitas scoffed. Where was this apprehension when she was being carried in the man’s arms? “ He’s one of the more tolerant of the chasseurs. “
Jeanne tilted her head and her eyes were wide. Shaking his head Vanitas turned from her. “ He became QUITE enamored with Noe. Is convinced the three of us are the best of friends.” Vanitas looked at the paladin in question and scoffed.
Roland’s held tilted slightly to Vanitas though he did not turn. “ Luckily I was out shopping when I saw you, dear boy.”
Jeanne’s expression hardened. “ Yes… lucky.”
Vanitas took her hand in his and smiled ruefully. “ Trust me darling, he’s not the type. Noe and the man are disturbingly similar.”
Jeanne looked down at their locked hands and smiled shyly.
The trio finally made it to a respectable distance near the Galerie Valentine. Vanitas smiled despite himself at Roland’s plan.
The church stays away from count Parks Orlok’s base of operations on principle.
Turning to the couple, Roland smiled upon seeing them holding hands. “ I believe this is were we must part ways.” Dipping his head at Jeanne, the paladin bows slightly. “ The circumstances aside, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Jeanne.”
Jeanne smiled warmly. “ Thank you Roland. Your help is greatly appreciated.”
Roland laughed. “ Yes, I’m sure the hellfire witch would have been helpless.”
Vanitas groaned. “ Your aid is appreciated Roland.”
Taking Jeanne’s hand, Vanitas lead them out of the alley. As he passed by Roland, the paladin whispered in the boys ear. “ Her smile does truly shine dear boy.”
Vanitas ears burned and he walked even faster, tugging a grinning Jeanne down the street.
Roland waved goodbye, then turned to find Olivier lightning a cigarette down the alley. Rolling his eye, Olivier walked to greet his friend. “ So that’s the woman he was so enamored with?”
Roland nodded, smiling brightly. “ Yes, she is quite pleasant. “
Olivier took a drag of his cigarette and exhaled a gust of smoke. Smirking, he turned to Roland. “ Lucky boy. The woman’s beauty is worthy of a sonnet.”
Roland turned to Olivier, elbowing his friend good naturedly in the ribs. “ Oh? I thought you’d be put off by her being a vampire.”
“ Not as much as I’d like it too.”
**********
The waiter from the restaurant sighed, removing the blonde wig from his head, his other hand smoothing through his natural hair. “ Nothing?”
Turning around, a sharp featured man with curly black hair sneered at the taller man. “ No. I don’t know how we missed Ruthven’s little pet.”
“ Gano, he’s going to be pissed. Why did you do this?”
Shaking his head, the Paladin of Bloodstone spit on the sidewalk. “ Ogier, that thing is a means to an end. We are less than two weeks away from the Exposition and the plan going off. I’m letting him know that we won’t let him wriggle out of it.”
“ You’re risking an awful lot on your pride.”
“ Shut up.” Gano turned around and bid his more pliable friend, snapping his fingers. “ Let’s go find the others, we won’t get her tonight.”