Violet Minuit (Vanitas x Noe)

Chapter 1

"Vanitas."

Vanitas stirred in his bed, grunting a bit and pulling the maroon comforter over his head.

"Vanitas, I know you're awake."

Noe moved from his position by the entrance of their hotel room to the side of Vanitas' bed.

"It's late. Go to bed yourself, like I was moments before you decided to waltz up in here and slam the door," Vanitas groaned, peeking from the covers to shoot Noe a glare in the dark.

Noe sighed. "Don't lie, I know you were awake. You're never asleep by midnight. And, I didn't slam the door." Murr purred in agreement, rubbing against Noe's leg.

"Well, maybe I needed some extra beauty sleep."

"If you cared about beauty, you wouldn't have those sunken bags under your eyes."

Vanitas was upright now. "My what?"

Noe chuckled. Vanitas was just too predictable sometimes, which is so contradictory to his often elusive demeanor. "Well, now that I've got your attention, we need to talk."

"What couldn't possibly wait until morning?"

Noe hesitated. If he was being completely honest, he hadn't planned this out too much. Moments before entering the hotel room (very quietly, he might add), his mind was racing with Vanitas' confession during his coffee chat with Roland that Noe overheard not too long ago.

Noe hadn't been able to shake a weird feeling brewing inside his chest since that day. He wanted to poke Vanitas' brain about his feelings towards Jeanne more, but just didn't know how (or frankly, why).

"U-um," Noe started. "Out with it," Vanitas hissed, clearly irritated.

Noe cleared his throat. "So, got another date with Jeanne planned soon?"

God, that was about the dumbest thing Noe could've possibly asked. Noe saw Vanitas agreed based on the outline of the crinkles forming between Vanitas' brow highlighted by the soft glow of a candle.

"Go to bed, Noe. I'm not speaking with you on that matter." Vanitas was too frustrated to question Noe's randomness.

"Okay, okay. Fine, I won't push it!" Noe threw his hands up, conceding faster than he probably ever has before.

Noe slouched into the bathroom to get ready for bed. Usually he was the first one in the room, knocked out hours before Vanitas even considered sleep. But tonight, he just couldn't shake that feeling.

Does Vanitas truly love her? Noe wondered. He was no one to judge, but from his perspective, their relationship was built off power and lust alone.

Noe shook his head as if to physically rid these thoughts from his mind. Why does he care so much? It's not his place to even question it.

Noe threw on the faucet and splashed his face with cold water. He stripped off his heavy coat and layers to hop into the shower and wash away the day's (and his mind's) grime.

Once he was out, he reached for his towel to tousle his hair a bit to get most of the moisture out. Then, he grabbed his-

Wait. He forgot to grab his pajamas.

Being home last clearly threw Noe's routine off.

He's asleep now, right? Noe thought.

Noe creaked open the door to the bathroom, poking his head out to glance at Vanitas.

The candle had been blown out. The only light in the room was coming in from the window, the midnight moon stretching over the floorboards.

Noe stayed still, allowing his eyes to adjust. From what he could tell, Vanitas was still facing the bathroom, but with his eyes peacefully closed shut.

Noe took a moment to admire this... wait no, observe. Yeah, observe this scene. He just wasn't used to seeing Vanitas in such a relaxed state.

Vanitas' covers gently rose and fell with his breaths, sealing the deal that the coast was clear.

With a white towel wrapped and tucked around his waist, Noe crept out of the bathroom to the dresser.

He tip toed, wincing at every creak in the floorboards as he shifted his weight.

After what felt like 10 years, Noe made it to the dresser. He exhaled the breath he had been holding for those 10 years.

Noe hesitated again. He didn't know why, but it suddenly felt like he was being watched.

He shot a quick glance back at Vanitas. Still sleeping.

Noe shook his head once more. What had gotten into him today? Everything felt.... A little off.

He quickly slid out of his towel and pulled on his pajamas. He walked back to the bathroom to hang up his towel before settling into his own bed.

As he drifted off into sleep, he couldn't help but notice Vanitas' description of Jeanne flit through his mind once more.