Summary: Vanitas and Noé take a surprisingly peaceful stroll through the park.

It was a Wednesday. Things like that had never mattered to Noé when he lived in the forest all alone save for the occasional visit from Teacher or Dominique but he found that being in the city meant that suddenly what day it was meant a great deal. He had learned this the hard way when he had suggested they walk around the park on a Saturday.

"Oh, Noé," Vanitas had sighed pityingly. "You can't do anything without crowds on a Saturday."

"Then what about Sunday?"

Vanitas had shaken his head.

"Monday?"

"Absolutely not."

"Then when?" Noé had huffed.

Vanitas considered it thoughtfully. "A Wednesday is probably safe."

"I really don't get you city folk," Noé had bemoaned.

But it was Wednesday at last and Noé was determined to make the most of it. Vanitas and he had been living together for a few months now and Noé wanted a proper look at France. He and Vanitas had been so caught up with unexpectedly dangerous balls and even more dangerous catacombs that Noé hadn't had any time to appreciate the little things.

It was with that conviction that Noé started the day. He sat up straight out of bed prepared to look for Vanitas but, as it turned out, he was already lounging in his own bed across the small room saving Noé the trouble. Noé smiled at that. Not too long ago Vanitas would never have allowed himself the luxury of a soft bed but for whatever reason he seemed to have changed his mind.

In Noé's estimation it made their living arrangement decidedly more comfortable. Noé had never enjoyed solitude. When Teacher had asked him to leave for Paris he had been all too eager. The forest held too many memories and he had already explored every nook and cranny.

"You know, it didn't bother me before but your things are taking over this room," Vanitas remarked suddenly. Noé blinked, suddenly self-conscious. How long had he been staring?

"You used to never use your bed so I might have gotten used to placing things there."

"Indeed? Such as this, perhaps?" Vanitas lazily held up a pair of gloves he'd removed from under his pillow.

"Oh, I'd wondered where those had gone!" Noé exclaimed. Vanitas tossed them over. Noé was about to thank him when he had a thought. "Wait, surely those were the ones I loaned you a few weeks ago?"

"And what about this?" Vanitas leaned over the edge of his bed and dragged a scarf from underneath it, completely ignoring the accusation. It was a large knitted scarf.

"I might have really misplaced that one," Noé said reluctantly.

Vanitas studied the scarf closely, moving a thumb over it gently.

"Do you think you'll be using it anytime soon?"

"Probably not. Domi gave me that mink scarf as a gift a few years back, so I usually pick that one. She says it goes well with my coat."

"I suppose I can't disagree with that," Vanitas said reluctantly, not quite tearing his eyes away from the scarf currently in his hands.

"Are you fond of that one? I don't mind you having it."

"In that case, I think I would. For when winter comes."

"Of course, Vanitas." Noé fidgeted slightly. "Was that it?" He remembered when Louis and Dominique had helped him clean his room as a child; it had been far more involved than this.

"For the most part. Why is there fur on my top cover?"

"Murr might have gotten used to having your bed as his own…."

"I knew it," Vanitas muttered. Murr let out a loud meow that could only be described as disgruntled from where he was curled in the chair by Noé's bed.

"He's staying here now though. And sometimes the desk."

"Delightful," Vanitas sighed. He then propped himself up on one arm.

"So, I believe I promised to take you around the park today, didn't I?"

"Yes!" Noé exclaimed. He'd become so distracted by the surprisingly easygoing conversation that he'd all but forgotten his primary goal for the day.

Vanitas chuckled. "You're taking such a different approach than—well, never mind that. I'll wait for you to get dressed and then we can head out."

Noé had a sneaking suspicion he knew who he'd nearly been compared to. As he got out of bed and went about his morning routine he wondered if he could ask about Jeanne. He still didn't fully understand what she and Vanitas shared. Vanitas claimed it was "love" but his description of it and his methods of pursuing it left Noé uncomfortable. He couldn't help but think if he loved someone he would go about it differently.

Noé was in the process of combing his hair when Vanitas leaned against the bathroom door frame. "Are you nearly finished?"

"Yes, just about." He did a few finishing touches, made sure he had Murr in tow, and then followed Vanitas out the door.

It was a cool spring day. Judging by the puddles and the gleaming cobblestone Noé felt it was safe to say it had been raining previously. It left the air with a brisk, clean atmosphere and the sun was shining giving everything a faint golden hue.

Noé closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Murr gave a little sniff of his own. Even though he was in the city this was one thing that remained the same as the country. The scents were a little different but there was a pureness to a proper spring day that was true everywhere.

When he opened his eyes he noticed Vanitas was studying him with a curious expression. Noé couldn't quite place what it was. It reminded him a little bit of when he'd told Vanitas he was staying with him not too long ago. It was a fragile smile paired with uncertain eyes. Not for the first time Noé wondered if Vanitas considered himself unworthy of anything joyous or good in this world.

Noé opened his mouth about to ask something—he wasn't yet sure what—but Vanitas distracted him by grasping his hand. They were both wearing gloves but it was an unusually friendly gesture coming from Vanitas.

"You always get distracted," Vanitas said by way of explanation. He avoided Noé's eyes. "This way you won't wander off."

"I don't wander off," Noé frowned. Vanitas's scent was stronger when he was this close but thankfully it wasn't setting off any of the ravenous sensations he'd been inflicted with that one night. Even so, it was a smidgen distracting.

"You absolutely do," Vanitas said irritably. "But at any rate, surely this is better than a collar."

"Domi can be a little eccentric sometimes," Noé admitted easily.

Vanitas let out a huff of amusement. "I really don't understand vampiric friendships. But regardless, I was thinking we could go to Parc des Buttes Chaumont. I think you'll enjoy the Temple de la Sibylle."

"That sounds wonderful," Noé agreed. He'd never heard of the place but that's why he was doing this: to get to know Paris better.

They walked together, hand in hand, and Noé was forced to admit that if Vanitas hadn't taken the precaution he may have been a tad … distracted by some of the sights. As it was, Vanitas still had to drag him away from several shops, a street performer, and an outdoor musical performance.

"My, but you give me a lot of exercise," Vanitas said, squeezing his hand indignantly. "At this rate we're never going to get there!"

Noé hung his head sheepishly. Murr glared at Vanitas from where he was perched on Noé's shoulder. It was hard to tell if it was a meaningful glare or simply his regular glare.

"Well, somehow we managed to keep your adventures going in the right direction at least. We're nearly there."

Excitement filled Noé's heart once more at the prospect and they continued their journey at a brisk pace.

Noé's eyes got bigger and bigger as the park approached. Vanitas stifled a laugh at the expression.

"We're here," he said. "Welcome to Parc des Buttes Chaumont."

Noé gaped helplessly. It was a stunning sight. The ground sloped gently and paths winded throughout. There was a large pond where an outcropping of stone reached for the heavens. There were several trees and flowerbeds. Despite Vanitas saying Wednesday was good for crowds Noé found himself thinking the park was still extremely crowded. He didn't mind but he had to admit it was a little overwhelming.

Seeming to sense his uncertainty Vanitas drew closer to him and wound their arms tighter together.

"Let's take a look at some of the flower gardens," he said lightly. "Then we can make our way up." They walked around and slowly Noé grew more comfortable. The scent of roses and daffodils filled the air intermixed with the subtle scent of Vanitas's blood. It was a strangely soothing combination.

When Noé tugged at his arm to go investigate the pond Vanitas merely obliged silently. Noé crouched to get a better look at the ducks. This proved to be a poor decision as Murr leapt off his shoulder and proceeded to hiss at all of them. Noé hastily picked him back up and went in the opposite direction while Vanitas let out a burst of laughter. All in all, they spent the better part of an hour exploring everything the park had to offer.

"All right, now let's take a look at the Temple de la Sibylle," Vanitas said with only a touch of exasperation.

"The gazebo up there?" Noé asked.

"Yes. I think after that we'll head back to Hotel Chouchou."

The path up to the structure was steep and Noé idly thought it would be faster if he carried them to the top but he found he had no desire to speed up their visit.

Noé valiantly resisted the urge to stop them every couple seconds to investigate other paths. He could tell by the way Vanitas held his hand in an iron grip that he'd had more than enough side trips.

"And here we are."

Noé rushed to look over the edge and this time Vanitas let him go to investigate to his heart's content. It was a rather small gazebo—Noé wondered if that was why he'd suddenly been given free reign—just large enough to hold about two to four people. The details were incredible but the truly magnificent sight was Paris stretched out before them.

Murr leapt off his shoulder to traverse the edge and Vanitas strolled over to stand at his side.

"It's amazing," Noé breathed.

Vanitas didn't say anything but he could tell Vanitas was content in the relaxed way he stood.

A burst of wind carried pollen, petals, and leaves through the air. Murr let out a sneeze and Noé gave him a sympathetic pat. Vanitas brushed at his own hair irritably.

"You missed some," Noé said, indicating the left side of his bangs. Vanitas batted at it once more.

"No, you still haven't gotten it…" Noé carefully pulled the small petals free, brushing the side of Vanitas's face in the process. Noé paused. Vanitas was giving him a strange look again and Noé wasn't sure what it meant this time. They stayed that way for a little while, Noé twisting at Vanitas's bangs uncomfortably and Vanitas giving nothing away whatsoever. Murr was a silent companion, judging them both meticulously.

"We'd best be getting back now," Vanitas finally said.

"I suppose you're right." Noé drew away. He could hear footsteps beginning to encroach on their space. Whoever it was was still far away and he doubted Vanitas could hear it.

"Paris really is amazing," Noé sighed. "Who would have known it would have something like this amidst all these buildings?"

Vanitas chuckled softly. "You only say that because you've been a country bumpkin all this time."

"I have not!"

"Come on, take my hand. I'm not losing you after we went to all this trouble."

"I probably won't get distracted if we take the same route."

"This is Paris, Noé," Vanitas said in exasperation. "There's always going to be something you want to look at."

They left just as a group of people finally made it to the top. Noé was pleased to hear them exclaim in wonder much as he had. Perhaps country folk and city folk weren't always that different.

Author's Notes: So this is a real park in Paris. I've never been there, so I hope you can forgive any small inaccuracies. Also, we're now pretty much ahead of where the chapters are at present as far as what's being referenced, so their interactions from here onward will be speculation on how things might turn out. Also, there wasn't any proper "face holding" like the prompt said but we came close! I hope you all enjoyed.