(ENG) The Case Study of Vanijeanne

5. To Feel Your Hands Upon My Face (Part 3 of 7)

You've Gotten Into My Bloodstream

A voice greeted her as soon as the bathroom door swung open.

"Oh, what a coincidence! Great minds really do think alike, don't they?"

She was baffled when she saw Vanitas also wearing a robe and sitting up in bed comfortably, savoring a glass of wine.

Vanitas continued, "though I kept my gloves and undergarments on, or I'd feel a little too exposed." he laughed out loud without a care in the world.

For someone who was terrified of the hot tub not long ago, he adapted to the lifestyle horribly fast. Jeanne thought.

"I beg your pardon mon lapin, but I had no clothes for the occasion, so I put this on instead. You kinda caught me in the middle of something..." Vanitas said, winking at her like she knew exactly what he meant.

"Come here. I poured a glass for you too. I hope you like Merlot."

The mixture of alcohol with Vanitas' blood was giving off an inebriating aroma, and any shorter distance would be totally overkill. She was left at a loss for words, not willing to get too close to him in so little clothing because of his intentions and because of hers as well.

"Nah, I think I'm good here." she replied, uncertain about what kind of dirty game he was up to.

"You are?" he rejoindered, as if she'd spoken in ciphers. For a moment, he wondered what could be causing that response from Jeanne. She still needed his blood, right? This could only be her trying to spice things up.

"Oh! I see..." Vanitas chuckled, carefully placing his wineglass on top of the nightstand. "That's what you're doing, chouchou. Where are my manners..."

Jeanne raised an eyebrow as he got up, wordlessly and graciously walking towards her with a teasing smile. With little time to react, she only drew a couple steps back before he swooped her up and carried her in his arms.

"Now, now, Jeanne. Let's get you to bed."

"Vanitas —!" she exclaimed, feeling too helpless for her own sake.

"You do this to me all the time, so what's the matter? Today is a special day." He gently grinned back at her.

Oh, no. My body is getting hot again.

"Please, put me down!" Her brain was stuck in overdrive until they were already halfway across the room. She would never win against his charms if he unleashed them at full strength like this.

"Hey, we're here already. No need to struggle." Vanitas carefully laid her on the bed and then attempted to give her a glass of wine.

"No... I don't want to drink right now, but thanks." Getting drunk on this occasion was a terrible idea. One that would definitely shatter her resolve.

He turned to face her with inquisitive eyes and she simply nodded back. "You sure, eh?" Shrugging it off to lay down on his back by her side, shaking legs hanging off the bed as if his engines were working around-the-clock.

"So... aren't you gonna do it?"

"H-huh??"

What does he mean by "do it?" Jeanne was taken aback by his sudden change of topic and almost jumped off the mattress.

"You know... here." he pointed at his neck, a shred of malice surprisingly absent from his face.

"Ah... y-yes. I will."

"Huh?!!! What did you think it was?" he asked with honest curiosity.

"N-nothing!" The pitch of her voice came louder than usual. Unfortunately, she had now given him all the clues he needed to tease her endlessly.