bleude | Open Prompt Post & Closed Starters

I don't care for hypotheticals. [ He pulls back so he can look at Vanitas head-on. A hand comes up to gently cup the doctor's cheek. ] It wouldn't change the fact that meeting you has made my life so much better.

[ He squeezes Vanitas' hand, trying to help the other relax and soothe some of his pain. ]

So...please believe me when I say I don't blame you for anything. It was my foolishness that got me into this mess, not yours.

No, I suppose not. They do no good, anyway. [He lets out an unsteady breath at the contact, leaning into it for warmth and comfort.] And you mine. Even if I seem ungrateful most of the time.

[Because he knows how he comes off usually. Cold and condescending. Feeling Noé trying to reassure him, he shakes his head.]

Why are you comforting me? You're the one who went through hell. How selfish of me. If anything, I should be reassuring you...

Just because I went through hell doesn't mean I can't worry about you, too.

[ He brushes his thumb over Vanitas' cheek repeatedly, hoping to help him relax a little more. He's not a fan of the self-deprecating spirals that Vanitas gets into, but that makes him all the more motivated to want to help his lover through them. ]

And like I've said...I'd like for us to face this together. That includes being here for you when you need it, too.

...that is true. I won't try to deny you that.

[It's such a simple gesture yet one that does indeed help calm him, leaving him breathing somewhat more steadily as he nestles up again Noé. Now if only he could stop hating himself for a while...]

...very well. I, too, wish for us to work together to overcome it. But I'm fine, honestly. It's you I'm worried about... What he did to you... I know it's painful. That it's frightening.

Thank you.

[ Said with sincerity, because he'd rather not get into that argument with Vanitas right now. They can worry about each other, and he'll call it even there. ]

...And it is. I thought I was going to lose my arm again, to put it bluntly. [ And more. Probably more. But Moreau wouldn't have killed him because of all of the potential for more research that Noé could have provided him. ] I'll spare you the details if you wish...but if you want to hear them, I can tell you.

[For his part, he holds Noé tighter, expressing his agreement that way. This is no time for petty bickering or arguments between them.]

That would not have surprised me. He can find uses for all manner of body parts. Frankly it's a wonder he only took skin and blood samples from me. [Although it clearly enrages him despite Vanitas' calm voice. It's a little too even, too calculated to be normal.] ...tell me. So that might know best how to pay him back.

Right, well...

[ Ah, geez. Where does he even begin. ]

He meant it when he said he was going to take samples. He burned parts of my skin...and cut some parts, too, that regenerated quickly due to a tube he had in my arm that accelerated regeneration. Many of these bruises were from his subordinates trying to subdue me. There were a lot of shocks involved...and cutting me in various places for blood samples.

[ It's a lot. It's a lot to do to someone in one day. Moreau...got pretty excited. ]

Yes... That sounds like him. He likes to get all the data he can first before beginning. Hair, blood, saliva, skin, the works. That he has some way of accelerating your healing though... That must be new. Though it seems like I'll have to find a source of electricity for when we decide to visit him again.

[He breathes out heavily through his nose, hand shaking with rage.]

Don't worry, Noé. Whatever he visited upon you, I'll deliver back to him tenfold. That's my promise to you.

[ He takes that hand that's shaking and holds it in his own. This time it's not to calm Vanitas, but to say one thing and drive his point home: ]

Let me get a hit in, too.

[ Yep. They're going to kill Moreau together. ]

[On instinct, he clutches at Noé hard, blue eyes meeting his violet ones. Though his smile may be even, there's fire in his expression.]

Of course, ma moitié. I'll let you get the first blow in, then you can hold him while I deliver my justice.

[Honestly, by the time they get done with the man, he'll be wishing he died in the original attack on his lab.]

[ He doesn't like the idea of killing someone, but Moreau needs to be stopped. The man has no remorse, no sense of empathy for anyone, and the more he's allowed to continue this the worse things will get. So he doesn't bother trying to stop this. If anything, he kind of supports it...

But he leans in to kiss Vanitas. It's a little abrupt, but he pulls away and touches their foreheads together. ]

I'm glad we're both alive...and thank you for comforting me as I slept.

[That Noé is so opposed to taking lives yet is willing to forego that in order to stop Moreau is a sign of just how bad the man is. When not even his kind and softhearted partner sees hope for someone, that just goes to show what a reprehensible individual they are.

The kiss takes Vanitas by surprise, but he accepts it gladly, and pets Noé's hair as their foreheads touch.]

You're welcome. I am, too. It means we get to be here, together.

[ Noé leans into Vanitas' touch easily. He presses his lips to his partner's one more time, moving in more slowly this time to give Vanitas a bit of a heads up. When he kisses his partner, he softly cradles his face in his hands. ]

Together... I'm starting to really like that word.

[This time he doesn't startle, instead welcoming the gesture with half-closed eyes as he regards Noé with love in his expression. Being held like that, so tenderly and with care, makes him sigh softly, contentment washing over him. Even now, he's feeling a slight warmth that radiates from his core, filling him with a sense of peace.]

As am I. It's... nice, to not always be alone, I'm finding.

[Frightening, yes, but very nice indeed.]

You'll never be alone again, Vanitas. I promise you that.

[ He really likes that expression on his partner's face. It's so peaceful, content, and it makes Noé's heart flutter a little in his chest. Ah, he's so glad he can make Vanitas feel so content. ]

I'm never setting you free, remember? And I'm sticking to that.

...for once, I think I may enjoy that.

[Forcing his way against Noé, he cuddles up to his front, trying to be mindful of his injuries while being close all the while. A bit like an affectionate cat demanding attention.]

I remember. I remember I hated you for cursing me with that. Now it feels like a blessing...

[ Noé is quick to pull him close, and he gently strokes Vanitas' back in soothing motions. ]

Hated me? [ Ah. ] I'm glad you see it differently now. I never want you to be alone again.

[ And he won't have to be, as long as Noé's here. ]

[That elicits a pleased sigh from him as he settles against Noé, head coming to rest against his shoulder.]

For being unable to kill you. For worming your way into my heart. [Trying to clarify, he continues.] It's a frightening thing, to open one's heart after it's been broken, you know...

[Because that was the real crux of the matter.]

Ah...right. I can imagine.

[ Noé isn't the sort to close himself off after tragedy strikes, but he knows full well that Vanitas is. He puts a hand over Vanitas' head and pets it lightly, signifying to the doctor that he understands and doesn't hold it against him. ]

Do you feel any differently about opening up to me, now?

Indeed. I hated it with a passion, and in turn I hated you. Or I thought I did.

[The petting makes him blink, surprised, before he smirks a little and settles in to enjoy the affection. He truly is grateful for Noé's patience and kindness.]

I do. I think... I'm alright with it now. Or am gradually getting there.

I'm happy that your feelings changed, then. Obviously.

[ He'd be awfully sad if he and Vanitas went back to hating one another!! He's a lot more content with their current relationship and wouldn't trade it for the world. ]

Good. I'm always here for you. [ But he understands, now, that this will take time. ] And I'll make good on my word to not leave you behind anymore, too.

As am I. I... don't enjoy being so filled with anger. I much prefer this peacefulness, now that I have it.

[It's so much less tiring, less stressful. It's... freeing, really. Enough so that he takes Noé's hand, holding it lightly in his own.]

For that, I'm grateful. [For Noé's companionship and compassion.] Please don't... I would hate to lose you....

I won't. You won't lose me, and I don't want to lose you, either.

[ He brushes his thumb over Vanitas' knuckles, and spends an extra moment touching Vanitas' ring. It's a reminder to keep his word, to always have Vanitas next to him when it comes to matters like this. ]

I like how things are between us, too. I feel safe with you...and I'm so glad I get to see so many sides of you now, mon amour.

Now that I've found you, someone who cares... I don't think I could stand it.

[Not after losing Luna and Mikhail. His family. He can't afford to lose his lover, too. Suddenly, he leans in, determined to kiss Noé softly.]

It's my pleasure to finally show more of myself to you, ma moitié. You deserve that and so much more. More than I'll ever be able to give you.

No...you've already given me more than enough.

[ He kisses Vanitas again, a little less soft this time, trying to drive his point home. ]

I'll never be able to express how grateful I am for it. Truly. [ One more kiss, then: ] I love you.

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