It started after Vanitas threw a wink at a random stranger and somehow got free pastries out of it. You rolled your eyes, but Noé looked genuinely puzzled.

Staying on his mind later on, the two of you are now in a library. Vanitas getting caught up in other business and tending to that instead. You and Noé having a conversation about it, striking a question from him.

“Does that… actually work?” he asked, glancing at you.

You joked that it was all about delivery—confidence, tone, a little charm. Noé frowned in thought, clearly taking it more seriously than you meant. Then, to your surprise, he turned fully toward you, straightened his posture, and said in the most earnest voice imaginable,

“You’re… breathtaking.”

It was stiff, awkward, and so... genuine. You forgot to laugh. He watched you closely, waiting for feedback like a student expecting a grade.

“Was that right?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.