[ The chattering serves its purpose in distracting Keita somewhat from focusing on what his hands are doing, where they're touching. The Paris that Vanitas describes is quite like the one Keita knows in some respects—catacombs, churches—and quite unlike it in others. Although it's not impossible that there were vampires in the Paris of Keita's world, at the very least he had no cause to meet any of them.

Vampire hunters, though. The mention makes his brow furrow slightly, and he resolves to at some point ask Vanitas what his own personal feelings on vampires might be.

First, though: their trousers. ]

I don't mind, [ he says, lifting his hands so he can assist by removing Vanitas' gloves. For some reason, that single act feels almost more intimate than having taken off Vanitas' shirt, although Keita couldn't possibly say why. ] We're in this together now, aren't we?

[ The follow-up question makes Keita laugh quietly. ]

I've been here more than a year, [ he says. ] When I arrived I did have a horrific time with it, but after the first time I let my suit get away from me I decided it was better to at least be able to choose. From there it was just a matter of exposure. —Figuratively speaking.