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[bleude]

ACTION ✗ TEXT ✗ VIDEO ✗ AUDIO

@

LUNATICMOON

✖

CHARACTER NAME

Vanitas

AGE

18

HOMETOWN

Unknown

HOUSING

Water's Edge

❤

Comments

[ofmisfortune]

[ Brows pressing upward, he grins. ]

Every attempt to reach out, hm… Let me remind you that this is the first time we’ve spoken since well before I died, and I sought you out. You mentioned an apology, which I never quite received, and immediately lost steam after a taste of honesty. Told me you just threw me away because you could. Ah, and then, you asked me to put forth the effort to begin rekindling what we had.

[ A slow blink. ]

So, tell me, where was the effort? This only shows me how little I mean to you.

[bleude]

[Brutal honesty, yet nothing Vincent says is technically wrong; that's what stings most, apart from the fact that Vanitas is trying, despite how it may seem. Poorly, perhaps, but in his own way he's making the effort. It's clearly just not enough.

Sagging in place, he sighs, his rage draining from him.]

Every attempt today, anyways. And I'm sorry. For treating you and our relationship like it meant little to me. Because that's not the case. I truly do - did - value it. And you. I didn't realize I was asking so much of you in my attempt to make things better.

[Laughing quietly, he shakes his head.]

I won't try to convince you. The fact that I'm so terrible at this is just proof that you can do better. You deserve better. Someone who will treat you with more understanding than I can.

[ofmisfortune]

[ Receiving an actual apology, and some earnest words, dos make Vincent’s features soften.

Until Vanitas ruins it immediately. Eyes sharpening, his lips barely part in a quiet, almost unnoticeable scoff. ]

You won’t even try, mm? Shame. I suppose that’s it, then.

[ Finally, the blond offers his hand. ]

You can either get up, I can carry you, or we stay here until you can manage one of the aforementioned options.

[bleude]

[Self-sabotage, it's what he's best at. Even without realizing it, it seems to be about the only thing he truly excels at anymore. It's like he's deliberately trying to push others away.

Whether he hears that scoff is up for debate, but he does smile wryly, eyes still fixed downward.]

You're just going to turn me down, aren't you? What then is the point? Wouldn't it be better to save both ourselves the trouble?

[At first it looks like he's going to reach for Vincent's hand. ...only instead he swats it away.]

I'll take the fourth option: remaining right here on my own until I feel so inclined as to return to the city. Having a spectral soul means an inevitable death, yes? I may as well wait it out here. Perhaps this ache will go away with my demise.

[ofmisfortune]

Again. You prove how little you consider me—

[ Just like that, his hand is smacked away. Vincent’s wings jolt, hand slowly curling.

With a long sigh, he shifts to walk away… just a few paces, so he can turn and sit in front of the other man. Settling his wrists atop his knees, he does not look happy about this option. ]

[bleude]

That's what I'm best at, isn't it?

[Yeah, this time he knows he's being selfish. But he's feeling pitiable.

However he's not expecting Vincent to be so damned stubborn as to park it across from him. That gets him frowning, though the reason why becomes apparent in short order.]

Don't be daft-- you've already died, haven't you? There's no reason for you to sit out here and be miserable just because I decided to.

[ofmisfortune]

Indeed, it is. [ Mismatched eyes fixed on Vanitas’ gaze, he idly rubs his fingertips. It’s clear that his temper has flared under the circumstances, despite how languid his demeanor otherwise is. ] There is reason, and that would be your selfishness. I’ve already told you, I will not leave you to die alone.

[bleude]

Tch... [And honestly that puts Vanitas on edge. He's seen what Vincent can be like when truly angry; he'd like to not be on the receiving end of his scissors again.

Grasping his pants again, he growls under his breath, eyeing the other man.] Now who's being selfish?

[With teeth grit, he huffs irritably.] Maybe I'm doing this for your sake, hmm? Clearly being enamored with me isn't making you happy, so why not take the opportunity to be rid of me?

[ofmisfortune]

[ Being called selfish for not leaving the other man to die in the woods… Closing his eyes, Vincent’s shoulders fall with a silent sigh, lips tightening in a smirk. Utterly preposterous. ]

That’s an answer I’ve already given, so you tell me.

[bleude]

[It's a good kind of selfish, though. The kind the Vanitas wishes he could embody. The kind he knows he doesn't deserve, hence his ire. It's frustrating, to be up against something he's trying and failing to be. Like looking at a work of art and struggling to reproduce it himself.]

Because you love me? [It's said softly as he gazes across at Vincent, hands clutched tight in the fabric of his pants.]

[ofmisfortune]

[ That is simply a line of thought which Vincent wouldn’t be able to follow. It seems to him that his partner isn’t trying at all, nor does he actually wish to die out here in the first place. Everything just points back to the man wanting to have the answers (which he doesn’t want to hear) handed to him without effort.

Thankfully, he manages to have listened to at least one thing he’s been told.

Easing just slightly, he nods. ]

That’s right. Have I ever been unclear about that, even now? [ Raising a finger in pause, he’ll continue. ] With that in mind, why don’t we start from the beginning, mm?

[bleude]

[Vincent isn't entirely wrong in that regard; Vanitas likes being the one who has the answers, who manipulates them and information to get what he wants out of people. Being denied this here in a new world, facing off against someone just as stubborn and possibly cleverer than he is... it's frustrating.

There's only one truth he can rely on when it comes to Vincent, it seems: that he cares deeply for him. Now if only he could do the same...]

No, you haven't. [He follows that finger with curiosity, brows raising at the offer.] ...very well. If you're willing to.

[ofmisfortune]

[ While Vincent wouldn’t consider himself more clever, perhaps calculating would be the word. More experience might have something to do with it, as well… What he does know is that, for all the madness Vanitas puts him through, the love he holds for the younger man seemingly can’t be swayed. Perhaps he’ll never see it reciprocated, but it won’t be for a lack of devotion on his part.

When the other finally relents, Vincent nods, gesturing to his partner to offer him the opportunity. ]

I am. Now, do you wish to have this conversation here, or on the way home?

[bleude]

[That much Vanitas will concede. He's devious, yes, but not overly calculating, it's true. Which is why it's frustrating that he can't seem to convince Vincent that his straying was the foolish whim of one unused to being bound to anyone. Maybe they're never see eye-to-eye, but it won't be for a lack of trying, he knows that much.

Heaving an amused sigh, he moves to stand and offer a hand to the other man.]

Might as well move while I'm feeling amiable. At least then you won't have so far to go should you decide to drag me back.

[Teasing. He's teasing.]

[ofmisfortune]

[ While the teasing is clear, the sentiment behind it will earn something of a squint from Vincent, otherwise not commenting!

Even so, he’ll accept the offer, careful to rise onto his feet, so he doesn’t topple the weakened man in all his efforts— and partway, he’ll pull Vanitas in to throw him off balance, scooping the younger man into his arms before he can have any protest. ]

There. A bit easier than dragging, I’d say.

[ Complain all he wants, Vincent is going to start carrying him home. ]

[bleude]

[Hey, he's moving, so that's something, right? Points where he earns them!

He appreciates the care taken, since it's true he's not the most stable on his feet right now. Although being yanked in and sent careening forward earns a surprised noise followed by an indignant yelp as he's hefted off his feet with nary a word in edgewise.]

Wha-- Vince! What're you doing?!

[He may just be blushing slightly, or maybe it's the sunset coloring his face.]

[ofmisfortune]

[ A vaguely amused sniff, as he nonchalantly proceeds down the path. ]

After all that, I don’t expect you to make it home on your own feet. Unless… [ A glance. ] You weren’t just exaggerating for my attention, were you?

[bleude]

[After the surprise wears off, he finds himself gradually settling into those arms as exhaustion seems to hit him like a wave.]

I wasn't exaggerating, no. I may as well had said I'd been there all week, in that case. [Tucking his head against Vincent's chest, he lets his eyes droop a bit. Maybe it's tiredness playing a part, but...] ...thanks.

[ofmisfortune]

[ There we are. Really, Vincent didn’t think he was exaggerating at all, but even in his bad mood, he can’t help but tease - and also conveniently deflect that stubborn streak by allowing Vanitas an opportunity to reject something closer to his pride. With just how tired he is, however, that may not have been necessary at all.

To be thanked comes as a surprise, anyway. Glancing down at the man in his arms, his smile pulls just a touch softer. ]

Mm. Always.

[bleude]

[Gradually his pride is falling by the wayside in favor of simply admitting the truth of matters. Now if only he could keep his foot out of his mouth for long enough to make some actual progress in repairing their relationship...

One clawed hand comes up to latch onto Vincent's jacket, not hard enough to mess it up, but enough to help him subtly rub his cheek against the other man.]

...I've missed this. But more than that, I've missed you.

[ofmisfortune]

[ A simple nuzzle aids in draining the remaining tension from Vincent’s shoulders. It’s a wonder that he had managed to look past his temper, he’d thought, but it’s steadily becoming clear that this man is his soft spot, no matter the conditions.

Following a steadying sigh, the blond hesitates to answer. It should be obvious that he missed his partner dreadfully, but accessing that ache to speak on it… that’s not something he’s sure that he’s willing to do just yet. Not if all he can expect to hear is that Vanitas will do as he pleases. ]

… Have you?

[bleude]

[For better or worse, they're stuck with one another for the foreseeable future until they reach the city, and Vanitas hopes they can use that time to reach some kind of understanding. Give him a chance to prove he is truly sorry.

Not that he blames Vincent for hesitating on reciprocating the sentiment; he's been hurt, after all. Wounds take time to heal, and sometimes one finds they're not willing to open their heart to more aches. So he simply nods, humming softly.]

I have. I missed the contact between us, the way you'd scold me for being foolish, the care you'd show...

[ofmisfortune]

[ At the very least, Vincent is open to the opportunity. Hesitant to trust that it will end well, yes, but there’s some hope in him that it does.

This time, he does hum in some faint agreement. ]

Even the scolding, hm?

[bleude]

Even that.

[The response is immediate and firm. Nobody enjoys being told they're in the wrong, but if he's going to, he'd rather it come from Vincent than anybody else. At least Vanitas knows he understands, being so similar to himself. Coming from anyone else it would just be condescending.]

I know you only say it like it is, even if those things aren't something I wish to see or hear.

[ofmisfortune]

[ A thoughtful sound, as the blond’s brows tick upward. It’s quite true, most don’t enjoy hearing that they’re wrong, and find it unnerving to have their flaws perceived so aptly. Too many find him unnerving for that very reason… but, perhaps, that speaks to some level of bond that they’d established, or even their suitability for one another. ]

I’m glad you see it that way, surprised as I am. [ Not only due to the former. It’s something that he often did because it made others dislike him, so why does it please him that Vanitas could appreciate it? ]