Vanitas x Female! Reader ☆ Pure Shores ☆

11. A Shot Across The Bows

"Alright. We have around 3 hours to find something suitable for tonight."
(Y/N) flicked through the bundle of money quickly, pushing away the guilty pangs that struck her like a whip as she did so.
Neatly splitting the stack, she held one half out to Vanitas.
"Dress pants, a nice waistcoat and a neckerchief."
Vanitas groaned. "Can't I just wear this?"
(Y/N) gave him a withering look. "You're telling me that you'd go to an important Leviathai event without your Akavair?"
"Thats different."
"Its literally the same thing."
"Wrong. Akavair has deep-"
"Oh my god!- I know. But so does the Eve-Lily dance." She pushed the money at him once more for emphasis. "You're my date so do as I say."
Vanitas sighed theatrically, eyeing her frostily, before snatching the small wad of money.
"Fine. We don't have to co-ordinate like some sad life-mate pairing, do we?"
(Y/N) managed a soft grin. "No, but that's surprisingly thoughtful of you."
Vanitas blushed indignantly. "Excuse you, but I can be thoughtful."
(Y/N) gave a soft snort. "I believe you, really." She immediately regretted it, taken aback by the hurt and indignation that flashed briefly across Vanitas's face.
She struggled uncomfortably,  quickly stepping away from him.
"Alright, you remember what to get?" She asked, awkwardly.
Vanitas scoffed. "Manarrii, yes!"
"Okay okay. Meet back here in 3 hours? Good luck!"
(Y/N) made to walk away, but stopped, turning back to look at Vanitas. He stood there, glancing around the bustling market helplessly, his eyes narrowed to slits of concentration, the money crumpled in his fist. She reached out a hand and began to call out to him, but stopped.
'He'll get irritated if I try to help him. I'm sure he'll be okay....'
(Y/N) gave him once last glance, before heading out toward the dress maker stalls.
It was heaving with people, others who had only a shred of time to ensure they had everything they needed.
She squeezed past a cluster of excited girls, hoping to look at least 15. (Y/N) shook her head in disbelief at their high heels and tight bodices. If you scrubbed their faces, they might've been 12, or younger.
She walked towards racks of dresses, tracing a hand over the soft, beautiful fabric.
Shining satins, sumptuous velvets and delicate silks all draped before her, in an array of midnight blues, pale pinks and electric reds.
(Y/N) gently pushed apart the racks, pulling out skirts and holding them against her self. She swayed dreamily, feeling suddenly giddy with excitement, despite all the pain and hurt from earlier.
Her tears had dried, and with that, she'd pushed Vanitas's words away, burying them under layers and layers of denial for the time being.
For now, all she needed to focus on was finding a gown, and making sure she didn't make a fool of herself during the group dance.
She trailed her fingers down the fine beading of a peacock green dress, a soft smile growing on her face. She turned to ask the vendor how much, but came face to face with shining golden eyes.
She shrieked in surprise, earning giggles from the group of girls and a look of reproach from a pair of elderly ladies in huge hats.
"Vanitas! What the hell are you doing here?" (Y/N) hissed, placing a hand over her pounding heart.
Vanitas shrugged, looking nonchalant. 
"Seeing what you were doing."
(Y/N) pulled her pocket watch out from the folds of her skirt, glancing down at the face.
"Its been 10 minutes."
Vanitas looked away, scuffing the cobbles with the heel of his shoe.
"Yeah, so?" He sniffed childishly.
"So.....have you found anything yet?" (Y/N) pressed, looking him over as if he could be hiding multiple boxes on his person.
"Not yet...I have plenty of time."
(Y/N) sighed heavily. "No, you don't." She folded her arms. "Look, do you need help?"
Vanitas bristled. "Ludicrous."
She gave him a gentle shove. "Then get looking!"
Vanitas stumbled, scowling at her darkly. "Okay, jeez. I'm going...."
He headed out of the small stall, but stopped short of the precipice. He stood, glancing up and down the crowded streets, hands on his hips.
He turned around, heading back to (Y/N)'s side.
"Nope, it's no good."
(Y/N) stared at him in disbelief. 
"What isn't??"
Vanitas rubbed his nose. "Its too crowded. I'll have to wait here with you."
(Y/N) looked down at her feet in exasperation, hands on her hips.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Only the hubbub of the market filled the air between them.
"Ya know..." (Y/N) began. Vanitas looked across at her hopefully.
"If you need my help, you can just ask."
Vanitas mouth became a thin line, his body stiffened.
(Y/N) reached out a hand, placing it on his delicately pointed elbow. She leaned in close, looking up into his eyes.
"Vanitas, there's no shame in needing my help. You wouldn't expect me to know what to wear for a Leviathai ceremony, right? You'd have to help me."
An ebony eyebrow ticked upwards and Vanitas opened his mouth to speak.
"I'm gonna give you the opportunity to rethink that smart-ass comment." She muttered quickly.
Vanitas shut his mouth, unable to hide a dirty grin.
"So, I'm gonna ask once more. Do you need my help, Van?"
He struggled, his nose wrinkling and his feet shuffling, before finally, a tiny nod.
(Y/N) stepped back triumphantly. "Alright, let me look at some more of these dresses, and we can get cracking!"
Vanitas rolled his eyes, prodding at a rack as he quickly feigned disinterest to hide his embarrassment.
(Y/N) sent him a warm smile.
"I'm proud of you."
Vanitas pulled a face. "Why? I didn't do anything."
(Y/N) shook her head. "Not true. We both faced something big today. I know how hard that was for you."
Vanitas rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well...Ventus. I know hard that must've been for you, too."
They avoided each others gaze, looking everywhere but at each other for a few moments, until (Y/N) took a deep breath.
"Well, we better get moving, we don't have much time!"