Someone to Take Care of Me

III

Noe, as usual, fell asleep before Vanitas that night. Only this time, he woke up after just a few hours. He looked around to find Vanitas gone, and despite the initial panic, he calmed down quickly and headed for the one place he could usually find him when he wasn't in the room.

With a bit of struggle, he climbed up on top of the roof and found him lying down on the tiles. He was still in his sleeping clothes but had his jacket wrapped around himself. He looked like he was shivering, but he was smiling, staring at the stars.

He walked carefully to not startle him, 'Vanitas, are you alright?' He asked.

Vanitas hummed and looked over. He noted he wasn't smiling anymore when he saw Noe. But not the usual, 'Why are you up here? I'm trying to be alone' look, there was an emotion he'd never seen from Vanitas that he didn't even know how to name.

'Oh, hey Noe.' He replied, 'Yeah, I'm fine. I just like being under the stars.' He looked back up at them. He looked calm.

'Mind if I join you?'

'Sure.'

Noe smiled and laid down next to him. He didn't know what to talk about. How many stars there were? How pretty they were? How easy they were to see from the roof?

Maybe even just talking about the other residents of the hotel. Joke about how they must be getting sick of hearing footsteps on their roof. Or joke about inviting them to join.

But after a minute or two of silence, he realized Vanitas didn't want a conversation right now. That's why he comes up here alone.

'Do you want me to leave?' He asked.

Vanitas didn't answer for a while, 'No,' He sat up, 'You're fine. I don't mind.'

'You sure? I know this is like a safe space to you. I can leave if you want.'

'It's fine, really,' He smiled back at Noe, who was still lying down, 'I don't mind.' He said again.

Noe smiled back.

Eventually, Noe sat up too and pulled Vanitas closer to him. Vanitas sighed and relaxed, 'You're warm.' He commented.

'Thanks? I think?'

'It's a good thing.' He said. 'I'm cold.' Noe didn't know this, but Vanitas was freezing cold at all times. That's why he slept with an extra blanket and long sleeves clothing, why he always wore so many layers no matter what the temperature.

He didn't know that this was because of the Blue Moon's blood. That they had been a cursebearer, and since Vanitas received more of their blood because he kept volunteering in Mikhail's place, he inherented some of those symptoms, like the constant unbearable chill.

He didn't need to know any of that, though. It didn't matter why, as long as Vanitas was cold, Noe would be there to keep him warm. The two stayed close, Vanitas keeping his jaket around him. They stared at the stars and the moon for only God knows how long until Noe realized Vanitas' breathing had become a lot slower, calmer.

He finally paid him a glance and realized he'd fallen asleep. Noe took a moment to be surprised before shaking him awake so they could get back inside easier. Vanitas was awake, but his eyes were barely open. 'Come on, I don't wanna risk falling because I'm carrying you.'

Vanitas nodded, and the two stood up, Vanitas was trying to keep his eyes open and leaning against Noe. 'So warm...' He whispered.

The two made their way down back to their room.

And if anyone asked Vanitas in the morning, he'd just say Noe's bed was closer.