Another goddamn fic set after chapter 51. Apparently I just can't help myself. The new Gangan Joker cover is making me feel things so I've got to write something. Vani and Noé look so happy together on that cover it's sending me feral especially considering current events. This is kind of a what if scenario post the current goings on in which I'm far more generous to Vani than he deserves.

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"You were planning to save her from the very beginning?" Noé blinked at Vanitas who was supporting a barely-conscious Dominique he had just healed using the Book.

"Of course I was! Why do you think I didn't use the Book on you, dimwit!?"

"But you shot me! And stabbed me!"

Vanitas shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, well, I couldn't have Mikhail catching on to my plans so I had to incapacitate you. Although I pulled the trigger on instinct... I didn't mean to shoot you."

"Don't think that's an excuse," Dominique interjected. "I should kill you for putting Noé in danger like that."

"You're not in a position to be making threats," Vanitas sneered. "I, your doctor, recommend getting some rest and you should listen to my advice."

"Shut up. I don't need your help any more."

"Very well," Vanitas replied, releasing his support from her and forcing Noé to rush forward to stop her falling onto the ground.

"Vanitas!" He yelled.

"She asked for it," Vanitas said flippantly. "Now, we really ought to get patched up, and yes, I suppose that includes the Lady Dominique de Sade as well. You gave me some real bad injuries Noé! I feel like I'm on the brink of collapse!"

"I actually did collapse. After you tried to disembowel me."

"Don't be so dramatic. You're a vampire so obviously you were going to be fine."

"My favourite coat is ruined."

"I'm sure Amelia will patch it up."

"Is that really all you two are concerned about?" Dominique huffed. "What about your little brother, Vanitas?"

Vanitas frowned, "I'm sure we'll meet again. For now we aren't in any position to pursue him and that's fine. Knowing him, he'll sulk for a while because his plans failed. He's still a little kid after all."

"He's dangerous! He's doing exactly what everyone expects from the Kin of the Blue Moon. Even if you're different that child is going to hurt people."

"And why should that be my responsibility?" Vanitas snapped. "I didn't give him that power, it's not my fault he's misusing it. What good will blaming me do, really? Let's just head back to the hotel, okay? I think we could all use a break."

Dominique begrudgingly acquiesced and the three of them stumbled their way back to Vanitas and Noé's hotel. Along the way they came across the dhampirs and Amelia; Amelia and Dante choosing to tag along with them. Dante was incessant in his pestering for information but no one even considered opening up to him so all his questions were left unanswered.

When they arrived they all gathered in the hotel's sitting room, Dominique and Noé sitting beside each other on the couch while Dante claimed the piano bench and Vanitas and Amelia remained standing.

"Noé's injuries come first," Vanitas declared. "Take you shirt and coat off so I can see the damage. Amelia, can you mend his things?"

"Of course," she said, bustling forward to take Noé's clothes as he removed them. "I'll mend them so well you won't even be able to tell they got ripped and bloody."

"I can just buy him new clothes..." Dominique said, pointedly not looking at Noé's bare chest. "There's no need to trouble yourself, Mademoiselle Amelia."

"It's quite alright. I've done this sort of thing for Monsieur Noé and Monsieur Vanitas before. They really are always getting into trouble, aren't they?" Amelia smiled fondly.

"I wish they wouldn't," Dominique muttered.

Vanitas crouched in front of Noé to get a look at the wound on his stomach and let out a low whistle. "I got you good, eh?"

"That's not something to be proud of," Noé bluntly replied.

"Yeah, yeah. You're probably too tired for your advanced healing to fix it completely so would you mind me giving you stitches? It might be fine without it but best be safe."

Noé squirmed a bit. "I really didn't enjoy my arm being sewn back on last time."

"I'll be quick. Hold Dominique's hand or something if you're nervous."

Noé did immediately grab onto Dominique and Vanitas set to work. He cleaned the wound and stitched it all while arguing with Noé, who could not for the life of him sit still. He could deal with massive life-threatening injuries just fine but a needle in his skin was apparently too much. When he was done Vanitas took a cursory look over Noé's other wounds, before pausing as he leaned in close to look at Noé's eye.

"You missed so it's fine," Noé said as Vanitas grabbed his face with one hand to hold him still.

"I'll decide if it's fine," Vanitas asserted, pressing his thumb into the skin just under Noé's eye and watching him flinch. After another few moments that seemed to stretch forever Vanitas retreated. "You're fine. No major damage."

Then Vanitas moved on to Dominique, who had much fewer injuries and was really just exhausted. He finished with her quickly, advising rest as the best medication for her. Noé offered her his bed and though she blushed and stammered her way through it, Dominique accepted and the two headed up to Vanitas and Noé's room. Leaving Vanitas, Dante and Amelia alone together.

"What was that about, Quack?" Dante asked as soon as they were gone.

"What?"

"That thing you did with that guy. You just stared into his eyes for like a minute."

"Vampire eyes are important," Vanitas rolled his eyes. "I shot him and needed to make sure he was okay."

"He said you missed."

"Noé's an idiot. He could have been mistaken."

"Whatever you say. Hey, you going to patch me up too? You gave me a pretty good punch just to steal my gun you bastard."

"That was rather uncalled for Monsieur Vanitas. I was shocked to see you assault Monsieur Dante," Amelia added.

Vanitas clicked his tongue. "I wasn't in my right mind. Here's your gun Baldy." Vanitas tossed the gun to Dante and it hit him in the chest.

"You shouldn't throw these things around! That's dangerous!" Dante growled.

"It's empty. Moron. I'm going to check on Dominique and Noé, I'll see you later Dante. And Amelia, feel free to drop Noé's clothes by any time."

Vanitas trudged up the stairs and to their bedroom. He found Dominique sleeping soundly in Noé's bed, curled tight in a ball. The window was open and Vanitas clambered out to find Noé sitting on the roof. He'd pulled one of his spare shirts on before heading up evidently.

"Hello Noé," Vanitas greeted, climbing over to where he was sitting. "Dominique is well I take it."

"I want to say yes but I don't think that would be honest. We saved her from Mikhail but... well, there's a lot more than that going on with Domi. I didn't realise it before."

"If you've realised something, that's good. Use that to make your decisions moving forward."

"I will. And Vanitas, I've thought about something else but it may seem a little unfair. I'm going to tell you, okay?"

"Yes, I suppose?"

Noé's fist connected with Vanitas's face and after the initial shock wore off Vanitas turned his head back towards Noé in open-mouthed shock. "OW!?"

"You handled things badly back there. I don't care if everything worked out in the end and Domi's safe, you did too many cruel and unnecessary things. The things you said about Dominique were awful. Never say anything like that again, understand?"

"Okay, fine! You could have told me that without punching me."

Noé shrugged. "I wanted to punch you. I didn't think I'd properly get my message across otherwise."

"You're the worst," Vanitas said, slapping Noé lightly on the shoulder. "Can't you express any of your opinions without physically assaulting me?"

Noé laughed, "I only hit you when you need it. And, I understand maybe you aren't ready for this yet, I want you to be more honest with me moving forward. Let me in on your plans and all the relevant information or this partnership won't work."

Vanitas made a face, "I'll consider it."