Chapter Text
Noé
Noé’s wounds had long since healed, unlike Vanitas’s injuries, which still served as a reminder of their fight.
Two weeks had passed since the incident, and by now, they had managed to forget about it, or at least pretend they had. But sometimes, Noé couldn’t hide the pain in his eyes when he stared too long at his friend’s bandages.
Days passed shamefully, as if nothing had happened, and a new case appeared on the horizon.
“Paris is being attacked at night by two female vampires.” Dante announced. “From the descriptions of the victims, it's clear that they are carriers of a curse.”
“From the descriptions of the victims?” Vanitas interrupted. “Are they alive?”
“Yes, that’s what I was about to mention. The strange part of this case is that no one has died.” said the redhead, clearly pleased with himself when he saw the surprise on the listeners' faces.
“According to the interrogations I conducted, all the cases are the same. Two identical demons appear, or at least that’s what they called them, but of course, they are vampires driven mad by the curse. They attack people and knock them unconscious. The attacked person wakes up with bite marks on their neck, but other than that, they are unharmed.”
“That’s indeed an interesting situation. I’ve never heard of a curse bearer who leaves someone alive?” the owner of the magical book mused, combing his hair with his fingers.
“Well, except for Chloé and Jean-Jacques they wanted that, but I doubt that’s the case here. Are you sure these vampires are cursed?”
“Definitely, they showed all the symptoms of the curse, and even their appearance resembles that of animals.” Dante confirmed.
“Do we have any leads?” Noé asked for the first time during the conversation. “Any distinguishing features? Where are they attacking?”
The informant pulled out a notebook from his bag and flipped through a few pages, stopping halfway through the scrawled notes.
“Here it is! So, I have the dates of these attacks written down. They usually happen once a week during various elaborate parties, and the victims are usually guests, though it’s possible the culprits are also at the event.” He flipped to the next page.
“In two days, it will be exactly a week since the last incident, and it just so happens that there’s a party at the Hôtel de la Marine, and I’m sure they’ll strike there again,” he concluded, slamming the notebook shut.
“Are we going to the ball?” Archiviste glanced at his roommate with an eager expression, barely able to hide his excitement at the upcoming action.
Anything that could distract him from his constant sense of guilt over that past confrontation would be a salvation. He craved nothing more than to throw himself into the whirlwind of a new operation.
He wanted to fight with Vanitas for life again. He wanted Vanitas to trust him again, but did he ever trust him?
Blue eyes turned toward him and sparkled.
“Do we have another choice?” The corners of Vanitas’s lips curled up mischievously. Only then did Noé realize he was smiling too.
***
“This was a terrible idea.” Vanitas groaned as Noé tightened the laces of his corset. “We’re not going anywhere! I can’t do this!”
“Sorry, Vanitas, but we won’t get in otherwise. This party is for couples only.” Noé sighed.
Though he understood why his partner didn’t like dressing up as a woman... he couldn’t help but feel a certain satisfaction. He stood behind him, expertly tying the strings as his friend arched his back, pressing his hands against the wall. He tried not to let his thoughts wander, but Vanitas wasn’t making it easy for him. He couldn’t remember the last time they were so close. He smelled like books, tea, leather, and blood that was probably even sweeter in taste than in scent...
“Noé?” Vanitas stammered nervously. “I think you’re done now?”
It was then that Noé realized he had already finished, still holding onto the corset while leaning closer to him, taking another deep breath. He quickly pulled away.
“Sorry, you had something on your neck…” He looked away.
“It’s fine, thanks for the help. I’ll manage from here.” Vanitas said, now no longer embarrassed.
Noé envied how easily he could hide his emotions. At the same time, it piqued his curiosity about his roommate even more. He wanted to know everything about him, explore the darkest corners of his mind. He felt a very selfish curiosity about his friend.
“That damn bald guy deliberately hid the fact that the ball is for couples” Vanitas paced the room, irritated.
“I think he only found out at the last minute.” Archeviste tried to defend Dante. “Let me leave you here, I’m going for a quick walk.”
“Just don’t get lost!” Vanitas called after him as Noé shut the door behind him.
He walked quickly down the corridor toward the exit, desperate to be outside. He ran his hand over his face. He could still smell that sweet fragrance. He feared that he wanted more than just his blood. He preferred not to admit it to himself. Even the thought of seeing him in full female attire no longer seemed exciting, but rather terrifying. He could bet he would look better than most of the girls he had seen.
Sometimes Noé wondered if he wasn’t a girl. His facial features were too beautiful for a boy. His height spoke for itself. In fact, it would have been a relief to know that his friend was of the opposite sex.
It would explain his feelings.
Unfortunately, he knew that wasn’t the case, because he had seen him without a shirt. For example, when he had to help him tend to the wounds on his back, which he himself had inflicted. Once again, he was struck by a sense of guilt and the all too familiar sweet scent...
He immediately turned around, and someone who kept tripping over his own dress was approaching him.
He had seen that white-and-blue dress earlier, made mostly of ruffles. But now, as it was worn by his friend, he noticed its true beauty.
His hands, clad in long, white silk gloves, lifted the fabric to avoid tripping, as he walked briskly. His hair was loose on the right side, and earrings shimmered in his ears. Pale neck was adorned with pearls. As he got closer, Noé noticed his eyes outlined in black and slightly rosy, glossy lips.
Vanitas was right, this ball was a terrible idea. His costume was eerily convincing, and Archiviste was utterly enchanted.
“Stop staring and say something.” The stunning creature demanded.
Noé couldn’t comply with her request because his breath, along with his speech, had been stolen. He stared, dumbfounded, forgetting that he wasn’t just an observer and that people could see his face too.
Suddenly, Vanitas makeup was enhanced with rosy cheeks. He walked off with determination, bypassing his still-shocked roommate, who soon followed.
“You look gorgeous.” Noé said, happily regaining his voice.
“You stood there for a while, I thought Dominique would not let me go,” Vanitas ignored the compliment. “When she finally came to help me, she suddenly loved to dressing me up like a Christmas tree. Jeanne was the first victim, and now she got me. I’m afraid you might be next.”
“It’s too late. When we were kids, she wanted to play princesses.”
“Well, I’m sure you were a charming princess.” Vanitas mumbled.
In fact, Noé was wearing a costume from Domi. He had on a black suit with golden embellishments, and his hair was slicked back on one side. He must have looked like a fitting companion for his partner.
Or at least he hoped he looked like a couple with Vanitas.