[Honestly, even if he never did, it would be completely justified... He's got a risque streak that would likely embarrass poor Noé to hell and back.
The more his cheek stretches, the more maniacal his laugh gets, until he's got an unhinged grin on his face despite the tugging. Though it reverts to something more innocent upon being released.]
No? I thought that was a bonus of being lovers.
[Not that he ever wants to overstep Noé's boundaries. He's just being a little shit.]
[ Noé gives him an annoyed look again and moves so he's pulling both of Vanitas' cheeks. He narrows his eyes halfheartedly, knowing that Vanitas now understands Noé's boundaries and that he's proooobably just being a menace. Still, someone's gotta keep this little shit in line. ]
[OOF there he goes again, though this time his eyes start to water a little bit, making him look rather pathetic. Without really trying to remove Noé's hands, he places his own over them, letting his partner feel his ring. A kind of silent communication conveying his understanding of the other.]
Ah. Well... We'll see~ Maybe I'll make an exhibitionist out of you yet!
[ Noé feels that little touch and he understands what Vanitas is trying to convey. This is just their regularly scheduled banter, after all. Even so, Noé pulls at his cheeks even harder before releasing them, and then he rolls over on his side...so his back is facing Vanitas. ]
[Ironically, it's the sight of Noé's back that hits harder than any physical chiding or punishment. Realizing he's probably gone a bit too far once again, he lays down behind his partner so he can slip his arms around his middle, hugging him tight as he presses his cheek again Noé's back. Basically being a tiny spoon as he tries to tangle their legs together.]
As long as I can have you for myself, then that's all that matters.
[Although they're still feeling each other's limits out, Vanitas has a feeling he's trodden on Noé's once again with his teasing. That's why it's important for them to discuss this.]
Good...
[Resting a hand upon Noé's heart, Vanitas gazes at him, trying to read his expression.]
Alright. It'd be okay if you were, you know. [It would be deserved.] Disappointing me...? I don't think you'll ever do that. If there's things you don't wish to do, then we simply won't do them. I don't expect you to follow my every whim. That's ridiculous.
Mm, I know...but... I want to return the effort that you're giving me.
[ With affection. With saying "I love you". It's hard for Vanitas to do these things; they don't come naturally. Noé isn't worried about Vanitas taking advantage of him, at least. There's a lot of trust between them and that's something Noé can believe in. ]
So...maybe one day...I'll feel like trying it.
[ He's not quite understanding that he shouldn't feel bad about this in particular. ]
By giving in to my ridiculous whims? Don't be absurd. I'd be having you do the stupidest crap.
[He knows that his desires are controversial and questionable, doing brazen things like riling Noé up or teasing him to the point of coming in public. Part of him thinks he's relying on Noé's forceful attitude to curb his impulses. To keep him from misbehaving.]
Don't force yourself for my sake. All I want is for you to be comfortable and happy.
[Just to try hammering home the point, he pats both of Noé's cheeks gently before leaning in to give him a chaste kiss.]
[ Vanitas' words, however blunt, are comforting. He smiles and leans into Vanitas' touch as well as the kiss, and he gathers his lover in his arms again once they've pulled away. There's a soft smile on his face, one that shows some level of understanding. He likes hearing that Vanitas just wants him to be happy, because he returns the sentiment. ]
Thank you. I think I needed to hear that.
[ Noé will likely indulge him in the future, but for now, he will continue to curb his troublemaker's impulses. ]
And for what it's worth, I know you were joking. Don't worry about that part. I don't think we'd be us if we didn't argue sometimes.
[The tension that had been building in his shoulders starts to drain away upon seeing Noé smile, and he returns it with one of his own, pleased to share in nestling together once more rather than having their backs to each other. So long as they're on the same page, all will be well.]
I'll remind you as often as I need to. Do what you have to in order to be comfortable, Noé. If it means hurting my feelings, then so be it.
[Because the last thing he wants is to make his partner feel awful about himself.]
I'm glad... Maybe it's foolish and childish, but I enjoy our banter. It's part of what drew me to you.
You know that I'd rather not hurt your feelings, though...right?
[ But that is inevitable. Still, Noé is idealistic and would rather protect Vanitas' feelings if he can. He is learning that conflict is not always a bad thing – just like this – but the realization has yet to fully settle in. ]
I enjoy it, too. It'd feel strange if we didn't bicker sometimes...even if you can be annoying. [ :D ] I wouldn't have it any other way.
Of course. But if it's between my feelings and your comfort, my feelings will recover easier than if you let me force you into a situation you don't want to be in.
[Not to say that Noé's more delicate or anything, but... he knows what it's like to have been in a position where you want to escape from and can't. And he never wants that for Noé.]
So would I-- Oi. [ B| ] Don't think you're completely innocent, either. [Prods. His. Chest!]
[ In that case, well, Vanitas is right. He'll have to suck it up if that's the case. It can't be helped, but Noé would still much rather see Vanitas happy in general. ]
Me? What did I do? [ Said slightly incredulously as he pokes Vanitas' chest right back... ] I'm not the one going around and laughing at people.
Right... [ He frowns a little, just thinking about it. ] And if we made it through that, I think we can make it through anything.
[ That was rock bottom for them both, and also a wake-up call for how much they need one another. Noé is happy to hold Vanitas like this, though, and he tilts his head to rest his cheek on top of Vanitas' head. ]
I...saw, by the way...some of the scars that I left on you from that night. I really hope that I can replace so many of the traumatic memories you've had with something warmer. And thank you for trusting me to see those, too.
Quite so. I have faith that we can weather anything after that.
[Things could have hardly been worse for them, honestly. Yet it lead them to realize just how much they meant to each other, or at least how much Noé means to him. Though he goes a bit stiff upon hearing the rest of what else his partner has to say, fingers clutching at his front.]
...it's fine. Those are markings that at least have vaguely pleasant associations now. [Because they make him think of Noé, and those memories are always good. Better than all his other scars.] ...you're welcome. And-- thank you, too.... for wanting to do that for me.
[ The words get caught in his throat, not because he's afraid of saying them, but because he's overwhelmed once again by how much he feels for his partner. The flurry of emotions he's experienced are unparalleled, and he wants to be able to get all of them across in one go. ]
...I'm really glad that you've gotten this far, Vanitas. And I'm really grateful that you chose me.
[Withdrawing so he can look upon Noé's face, he slowly leans in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, one hand coming up to brush through the vampire's hair. He knows he saddled Noé with the burden of his memories, to say nothing of the pain he caused him by trying to push him away that day in the park.]
I've only managed it because you've been by my side. And I would chose you over and over again. Every time. Because... I love you. All of you.
[ He accepts the kiss easily and holds Vanitas tightly, and after they pull away, he searches for the hand wearing their ring and takes it. He intertwines their fingers in a quiet display of devotion – a silent promise to never leave. ]
I feel the same way...and I love you, too. All of you.
[ Now he's getting emotional and teary-eyed again. That Vanitas can say it more easily now and with less hesitation...he can tell. And that means so much to him. ]
I only wish I had the words to express how much I do.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Noé pulls at his cheek a little more before releasing him, and he simply sighs before he goes back to holding him. ]
You don't get to do whatever you want just because we're dating, you know...
no subject
The more his cheek stretches, the more maniacal his laugh gets, until he's got an unhinged grin on his face despite the tugging. Though it reverts to something more innocent upon being released.]
No? I thought that was a bonus of being lovers.
[Not that he ever wants to overstep Noé's boundaries. He's just being a little shit.]
no subject
No.
no subject
[OOF there he goes again, though this time his eyes start to water a little bit, making him look rather pathetic. Without really trying to remove Noé's hands, he places his own over them, letting his partner feel his ring. A kind of silent communication conveying his understanding of the other.]
Ah. Well... We'll see~ Maybe I'll make an exhibitionist out of you yet!
[HE'S KIDDING DON'T YANK HIS CHEEKS--]
no subject
Nope. Not anytime soon.
no subject
As long as I can have you for myself, then that's all that matters.
no subject
You can. Always.
[ He turns around to face his partner before tangling their legs again. ]
I'm not upset, I'm sorry. I was mostly joking. [ Mostly. ] I guess the other part was...I'm afraid of disappointing you. Or being too slow to adapt.
no subject
Good...
[Resting a hand upon Noé's heart, Vanitas gazes at him, trying to read his expression.]
Alright. It'd be okay if you were, you know. [It would be deserved.] Disappointing me...? I don't think you'll ever do that. If there's things you don't wish to do, then we simply won't do them. I don't expect you to follow my every whim. That's ridiculous.
no subject
[ With affection. With saying "I love you". It's hard for Vanitas to do these things; they don't come naturally. Noé isn't worried about Vanitas taking advantage of him, at least. There's a lot of trust between them and that's something Noé can believe in. ]
So...maybe one day...I'll feel like trying it.
[ He's not quite understanding that he shouldn't feel bad about this in particular. ]
no subject
[He knows that his desires are controversial and questionable, doing brazen things like riling Noé up or teasing him to the point of coming in public. Part of him thinks he's relying on Noé's forceful attitude to curb his impulses. To keep him from misbehaving.]
Don't force yourself for my sake. All I want is for you to be comfortable and happy.
[Just to try hammering home the point, he pats both of Noé's cheeks gently before leaning in to give him a chaste kiss.]
no subject
Thank you. I think I needed to hear that.
[ Noé will likely indulge him in the future, but for now, he will continue to curb his troublemaker's impulses. ]
And for what it's worth, I know you were joking. Don't worry about that part. I don't think we'd be us if we didn't argue sometimes.
no subject
I'll remind you as often as I need to. Do what you have to in order to be comfortable, Noé. If it means hurting my feelings, then so be it.
[Because the last thing he wants is to make his partner feel awful about himself.]
I'm glad... Maybe it's foolish and childish, but I enjoy our banter. It's part of what drew me to you.
no subject
[ But that is inevitable. Still, Noé is idealistic and would rather protect Vanitas' feelings if he can. He is learning that conflict is not always a bad thing – just like this – but the realization has yet to fully settle in. ]
I enjoy it, too. It'd feel strange if we didn't bicker sometimes...even if you can be annoying. [ :D ] I wouldn't have it any other way.
no subject
[Not to say that Noé's more delicate or anything, but... he knows what it's like to have been in a position where you want to escape from and can't. And he never wants that for Noé.]
So would I-- Oi. [ B| ] Don't think you're completely innocent, either. [Prods. His. Chest!]
no subject
[ In that case, well, Vanitas is right. He'll have to suck it up if that's the case. It can't be helped, but Noé would still much rather see Vanitas happy in general. ]
Me? What did I do? [ Said slightly incredulously as he pokes Vanitas' chest right back... ] I'm not the one going around and laughing at people.
no subject
[Despite their side conversation of bickering, he switches to gently cradling Noé's cheek, thumb brushing over his skin.]
Tch... Alright, fair. [Now he's pouting though...] You're just argumentative. [AS IF HE ISN'T?!]
no subject
[ He smiles warmly and leans into Vanitas' touch. It's so gentle and soft, so unlike his persona, and it makes Noé feel so warm. ]
I'm only argumentative because you are, too.
[ Said with zero bite, though, though he will lightly poke Vanitas' forehead and lean in to gently kiss the tip of his nose. ]
no subject
[A bit drastic perhaps, but he wants to be perfectly clear that Noé is his number one priority, despite how pushy he can be.]
Guess that means we're both at fault, then.
[Not that he seems broken up about it. If anything, he welcomes the gestures of affection, even if it's with a blush.]
no subject
[ Looks at all the times Noé's thrown Vanitas across the room. ]
It seems like we are. We can share the blame?
[ And he says that with a smile. It's something he'll gladly take responsibility for. ]
no subject
[Meaning that he can handle being grabbed or smacked if it keeps him in line.]
Sounds good, heh. I like it better than just one of us being in the wrong.
[Half crawling onto Noé, he nudges his head up beneath the other's chin, much like a cat might.]
no subject
[ That was rock bottom for them both, and also a wake-up call for how much they need one another. Noé is happy to hold Vanitas like this, though, and he tilts his head to rest his cheek on top of Vanitas' head. ]
I...saw, by the way...some of the scars that I left on you from that night. I really hope that I can replace so many of the traumatic memories you've had with something warmer. And thank you for trusting me to see those, too.
no subject
[Things could have hardly been worse for them, honestly. Yet it lead them to realize just how much they meant to each other, or at least how much Noé means to him. Though he goes a bit stiff upon hearing the rest of what else his partner has to say, fingers clutching at his front.]
...it's fine. Those are markings that at least have vaguely pleasant associations now. [Because they make him think of Noé, and those memories are always good. Better than all his other scars.] ...you're welcome. And-- thank you, too.... for wanting to do that for me.
no subject
[ The words get caught in his throat, not because he's afraid of saying them, but because he's overwhelmed once again by how much he feels for his partner. The flurry of emotions he's experienced are unparalleled, and he wants to be able to get all of them across in one go. ]
...I'm really glad that you've gotten this far, Vanitas. And I'm really grateful that you chose me.
no subject
[Withdrawing so he can look upon Noé's face, he slowly leans in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, one hand coming up to brush through the vampire's hair. He knows he saddled Noé with the burden of his memories, to say nothing of the pain he caused him by trying to push him away that day in the park.]
I've only managed it because you've been by my side. And I would chose you over and over again. Every time. Because... I love you. All of you.
no subject
I feel the same way...and I love you, too. All of you.
[ Now he's getting emotional and teary-eyed again. That Vanitas can say it more easily now and with less hesitation...he can tell. And that means so much to him. ]
I only wish I had the words to express how much I do.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)