Vanitas x Female! Reader ☆ Pure Shores ☆

12. Tell It To The Marines

With a hand over her mouth, (Y/N) sat looking at Vanitas for a long time.
He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, not even able to keep up his egotistical pretense.
He was in for a baptism of fire- and he knew it.
Finally, the hand slipped down (Y/N)'s chin, landing heavily in her lap before she got to her feet.
She padded back and forth around the room barefoot, the fine silk of her dress swishing behind her.
"So, all this time...You didn't seem to think that mentioning you were a Prince was, ya know, just a tiny bit important?"
Vanitas scratched his cheek, giving a long, heavy sigh.
"I didn't think it mattered."
(Y/N) stopped, her expression blank as she searched his face.
"How in the hell...is this not important?!" She exploded, fists clenched as she stormed up to him.
Vanitas was bristling with his own anger.
"What? Like you didn't think it was important to tell me about the Viix?"
(Y/N) stared up at him wide-eyed.
"No, no. Don't you dare, I am not doing this with you, Vanitas!" She shouted, pointing at him accusingly.
Vanitas pushed her hand away.
"Well maybe I want to! I don't see what the big deal is anyway, it doesn't change anything" He snapped, following her around the room with his poisonous gaze.
"Are you insane?" (Y/N) laughed, with disbelief.
"This changes everything! Did we both not hear the same letter or something?" She snatched it from the counter top, waving it in his direction.
"Maybe your people have another meaning for 'you will be eliminated'. If you do I'd love to hear it, because from what I'm hearing, I'm gonna be dead soon." She slammed the paper back down onto the counter, effectively punctuating her frustration.
Vanitas folded his arms. "You'll be fine, I'm here aren't I? Stop being so dramatic."
"Dramatic? Not only did I commit the greatest offence to your kind, but I did it to the Prince, who they think I then kidnapped?? Silly me, I must be overreacting!"
Vanitas sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with both hands.
"I'll explain it was a misunderstanding. As stupid as it was, you thought you were saving my life. It'll count for something."
(Y/N) paused, her expression black. "I don't believe this. I thought I was saving your life, infact I succeeded, buddy! If it wasn't for me, their precious Prince would be rotting in that cove!"
Vanitas leant against a nearby bookshelf, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"You don't understand. That's just the way my people think."
(Y/N) snorted. "What? Death before dishonour?"
Vanitas nodded, looking away.
A frosty silence hung in the room, the ticking clock reverberating in its wake.
(Y/N) picked up the note again, studying it wordlessly before turning back to him, eyes burning.
"Did you know this was going to happen?"
Vanitas sighed like it was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard.
"Did you know?!"
"Of course not!"
"Really? Because when you took the arrow from the door, you wanted into the house pretty damn quickly."
Vanitas remained expressionless.
(Y/N) wondered idly if this was the Leviathai equivalent of a poker face.
The thought would have made her laugh if she wasn't seething with rage.
(Y/N) waited for his response, but after a few more minutes of his belligerent stare, she continued.
"You knew that if your people discovered where you were, my life would be in danger- and still you didn't think to tell me?"
"What do you want me to say, (Y/N)?" Vanitas said, his face twisted with anger. "It was my best bet for getting out of here!" He looked away, clearly struggling with how to explain. "I knew that they'd be searching high and low. Once they found me, I wouldn't have to wait till this spell wore off, our Potion-Masters would work something out, and I'd be home free, then I could look for Sora properly."
(Y/N) turned away, leaning against the counter with both hands. Her throat was burning, and her whole body shook with the force of her thundering heart.
She swallowed, clearing the lump as best she could before turning back to him.
"And me? A small price to pay for getting home? Never mind that I saved your life- regardless of whether you think I should have. Never mind that I've given you shelter for the past week or so?"
Vanitas stepped forward, hands up in contrition.
"No, that's not it! Yeah, I thought that was the best shot I had, but that was before-"
(Y/N) cut him off. "Save it. Gods, it's so much more than that!"
Vanitas frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I was helping you look for Sora-"
"And getting fucking nowhere!" He spat back.
(Y/N) laughed again, throwing her hands into the air.
"Oh my god. You know what? It's amazing that I never saw this coming, considering how you act!"
Vanitas crossed his arms testily. "What's that supposed to mean?"
(Y/N) stopped in front of him, meeting his eyes, chin up.
"You act like a spoilt, pompous, rude, unappreciative child. I've endured your foul moods and your tantrums, and do I ever get any thanks? And now this-" (Y/N) stomped over to the counter and clawed the note from the surface, screwing it up before throwing it at Vanitas.
He didn't flinch as it bounced off his chest, only waited for her to continue.
"-this happens, and you don't even care, don't even feel a shred of remorse or worry. As long as you get home, nothing else matters! Well...I'm sick of it!"
(Y/N) stood breathing heavily, a vein throbbing in her neck, sweaty strands of hair falling about her face.
Vanitas rubbed his arm, before sitting at the nearby table, his books still stacked atop it.
He leant forward, arms on his knees, head bent downwards.
He looked up at her, a disingenuous smile on his face.
"Rzoaiie."
"No."
Vanitas blinked at the blunt reply, surprised by her razor tone.
"Not this time Vanitas. I don't want your Leviathai non-apology." (Y/N) looked away quickly, brushing the errant tear from her cheek. She sniffed, clearing her throat and squaring her shoulders.
"I'm going upstairs to change. Please leave me alone." She turned, making for the back door, her fingers grazing the handle.
"(Y/N) please, I-"
She ignored Vanitas, clattering through the door and slamming it firmly behind her.
She rushed up the stairs, tripping over her skirts as she raced towards the study.
Inside, she shut the door behind her and leant against it, kneading her forehead.
She'd been so stupid, so childish to think that he...
Then, a loud clattering sound caught her attention. Halting her self chiding for a moment and racing to the window, (Y/N) looked out to see Vanitas locking the shop door behind him, before sloping off into the darkness, hands in his pockets as he headed towards the beach.
She tugged the curtains closed, before reaching behind herself, grabbing angrily at the dress strings. She paused, catching a glimpse of her Grandmothers portrait on the desk.
"Don't you give me that look, Grandma."

☆

(Y/N) pulled the final pin from her hair, sighing with relief as she massaged her aching scalp. She flopped into the chair, tucking her feet underneath herself.
She shifted in the looser, more comfortable day dress she wore. The pounding of her head subsided, as she felt herself unwind, shrugging off the stresses of what had been an excruciatingly long day.
She longed to sleep, but knew that she wouldn't be able to without knowing Vanitas was back and that he was okay- despite how angry she still was.
(Y/N) was considering throwing on some boots and heading down to the beach, just as she heard the front door creak open, then slam shut.
She sighed, sagging with relief and feeling stupid for having worried.
And yet...
'What if it's not Vanitas?'
She froze, listening to the approaching footsteps for a moment before springing up from her seat.
She yanked open a drawer, scrabbling around inside until she found a letter opener, before pressing herself against the far wall.
Her breaths came out heavy and uneven, and her heart thumped with fear, adrenaline shaking her limbs.
Finally, the door creaked open, revealing a tall silhouette, golden eyes gleaming in the lamplight.
"Jeez Vanitas!" (Y/N) sighed, dropping the letter opener with a clatter.
"You frightened the hell out me! Where have you been?"
Vanitas pushed the door closed behind him, before stuffing both hands into his pockets.
"I went to the beach for a walk, I needed to think."
(Y/N) nodded, waiting for him to continue, brows furrowed.
"Even though I couldn't commune directly, I found my answers."
(Y/N) groaned before waving a hand dismissively and heading to the desk, shuffling papers with a pinched expression.
"Well, that's great but...now that you're back I'd really like you to go away-"
"You were right." Vanitas cut her off abruptly.
(Y/N) paused in surprise, before scoffing. "Obviously. I always am."
Vanitas shook his head. "I'm being serious. It wasn't enough for me to tell you I messed up, I had to show you."
He looked away uncomfortably, but gestured at the study chair.
"Will you please sit?"
"Vanitas, can't this wait?"
He reached for her arm, gently guiding her to the chair.
"No, it can't."
(Y/N) gave an exasperated sigh, looking on with raised eyebrows as he knelt before her.
Vanitas reached into his pocket, producing a long twist of twine, and on the end hung a tiny vial, containing a few drops of seawater.
"You took one of my vials? Unbelievable-"
Vanitas growled. "Can you pipe down? This is kind of important."
(Y/N) sat back, her expression flat.
Carefully, Vanitas slipped the twine over (Y/N)'s head, until it hung under the hollow of her throat.
"There's a belief in Leviathai culture that any part of the sea the light of the Lunarrii touches will guide you to peace." Vanitas tapped the vial. "As long as you wear this, the light of the Lunarrii will lead me to you. I won't let anyone hurt you, (Y/N). I promise."
(Y/N) gently held the small vial with two fingers, watching how the water caught the lamplight, flashing and glimmering- just like moonlight. She glanced up at Vanitas, seeing his earnest and bashful expression.
"Thank you, Vanitas." She eventually choked out. "I'm still kinda mad, but, I forgive you- ish."
Vanitas rolled his eyes, but gave her a roguish grin. "I'll take that.
(Y/N) gave him a playful smile of her own.
"So...does this mean I have to call you 'your Highness' from now on?"
Vanitas narrowed his eyes. "Only if you feel a burning need to."
(Y/N) laughed. "I'm pretty sure I-"
She stopped, the smile vanishing from her face as she stood abruptly and raised a hand to Vanitas.
He too held stock still, keenly listening for any noises.
Again, a clattering could be heard downstairs.
Vanitas turned to (Y/N).
"Stay here. I'll check it out."
"What? No way! I'm coming with you." She whispered back furtively. 
Vanitas blew air from his nose, staring at her hard.
"Fine. But stay close to me and do as I say." He said reluctantly.
Together, they crept onto the landing.
Vanitas held up a palm, and leant tentatively over the banister. He leant back, shaking his head briefly, before making another step forward.
Little by little, the pair crept down the stairs, ears pricked for the slightest of sounds.
The muscles in Vanitas's arms twitched with adrenaline as they inched closer to the door to the shop front.
Turning, Vanitas made a shoo-ing gesture with his hand.
(Y/N) nodded, taking two smooth steps backwards.
Vanitas held a hand up again where  (Y/N) could see, holding up 3 fingers.
Then 2.
Then 1.
With lightening speed, Vanitas threw open the door and darted inside, only to be violently knocked sideways.
"Vanitas!" (Y/N) cried, rushing to his aid thoughtlessly.
"Run, (Y/N)!"
The door behind her slammed shut.
She stared aghast as Vanitas grappled with the mystery assailant, as a rough hand gripped her wrist.
Another intruder.
"Vanitas!"
Abruptly, the tussle stopped, and a mystery voice spoke.
"Vanitas? Brenarra Vanitas?"
The stranger swiftly pulled back a black hood, and sea blue eyes met shining golden ones.
"Sora?!"

☆

A/N: Its ya boy Sora making his appearance!