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The snowflakes rattle on the television in between two channels, never quite finding the width to connect either of them. From the open window, in pools the sickly light of the street lamps, and Dante can hear the distant chatter of those who drunkenly walk by. It's about that hour. He isn't exactly sober, either, drifting between sleep and some hazy version of his awareness. Just like the TV. Snow just keeps falling behind his eyes.
The window slams shut, and Dante jumps in his bed, finger already on the trigger. His room's pitch-black as if a heavy veil has fallen above. The digital clock on the dresser shows 03:16.
Vergil stands in front of the window, exactly as Dante remembers him, with the same mask of frigid serenity. He places his hands behind his back, eyeing the filthy glass that makes the window. Doesn't look at Dante. He isn't worth looking at.
"You're here", Dante says through his sore throat. "Again"
"You must want me here, brother-dear. I would not come of my own volition", Vergil speaks lazily, each word ash in his mouth.
Dante holds his head. Feels heavy in the front, but too light in the back where the liquor-blur has settled. He hopes that if he holds his eyes shut long enough, the apparition will go away.
"I know. You'd never", Dante mumbles.
"And yet you make me. Must I also serve as the means to ease your solitude?" Vergil has every reason to be angry, but he doesn't sound like it.
"Am sorry." Dante sniffles and raises his eyes again. He knows he shouldn't. It only makes him real, feeding Dante's want to make him stay. Dante would take the torment just because it's Vergil delivering it.
Vergil runs his fingers along the windowsill, then examines the dust he's collected on his gloves. He strides slowly towards Dante's bed and stops a few inches away. Close enough to reach. Close enough to touch.
"You wanted nothing to do with me then. All those years ago", Vergil reminds cruelly. "What changed?"
Dante swallows. He should have fought harder, should have never let Vergil go— "That's not true. I wanted you to stay with me, Vergil"
"You chose humans over me. Your affection for them was greater than anything you ever felt for me"
"That's bullshit—"
Vergil cuts him off. "You left me to fight alone when I most needed you by my side"
"No, no, no—" Dante shoots up from where he sits and cups Vergil's face. He digs his fingers into Vergil's cheeks, left bony by his years of starvation. "Don't you fucking say that!"
Vergil's eyes burn a vicious, cold fire. "You never even looked for me. You left me to be tortured and broken"
"Stop it!" Dante starts shaking him. "Stop it, Vergil!"
"I screamed for you to come and save me while you were here in the warmth of your home, drowning in your bottles and corrupting my only child. He was mine to educate, but that was denied from me, all thanks to your indolence"
Dante's grip yields and his knees buckle. He falls at Vergil's feet, face twisted in the agony that folds the rest of him in two. With what strength he has left, Dante clutches Vergil's leg and looks up at him.
"Don't go again, please don't go—" It's like yelling into a deep well. "Don't you fucking dare leave me again, Vergil!"
"I don't want to stay." The corners of Vergil's mouth turn into a callous smile. "I would rather suffer another decade in Hell than a single day under your roof"
Dante chokes. "Vergil, please—"
Vergil rids himself of Dante with a lazy shove of his leg. "You repulse me"
The bundle in Dante's throat tightens. He feels Vergil's warmth flee his grasp, and just like that, he's gone again. Dante's alone on the floor of his room, guts turning with such a sudden sickness that he fears he'll puke.
He startles awake, retching.
The phone rings, and Dante nearly falls off his chair. He's dozed off again sometime before noon. The lobby spins in his eyes before he manages to grasp the desk and brace himself.
He answers. "Devil May Cry." Comes out with a tired rasp.
"Where the actual fuck are you?" Nero's either shoved the phone in his mouth or Dante's impressively hungover, because he thinks the whole building shakes from how loud Nero's yelling.
Dante pulls the phone further from his ear. "Fuck me"
"What'd you say?"
"Nothing, just— waking up, is all"
"It's twelve-thirty, you disgrace. You were supposed to meet me at eleven at the warehouse, and I've been waiting here, standing in the rain like a bitch who just got stood up but doesn't have the braincells for it to click yet. I swear to God, I saw a cluster of mushrooms sprout out the ground around me, that's how long I've been standing here!"
Dante snorts. Nero really does sound more like his old man every day.
"On my way", Dante promises and hangs up before Nero serves him with another antic.
Though the sway of his steps might not convince anyone that he's actually one of the strongest demons on earth, Dante makes it to the kitchenette and pours himself a drink. There's a solid rule to hangovers: how one gets them is also how one makes them leave.
Dante grabs a homemade ice pack from the freezer and holds it to his face. Soothes some of the irritation around his eyes. He breaks a piece and chews on the ice cube. Hits like a glass of water.
Once he feels able enough to fake the most important functions, Dante throws on his jacket, grabs his motorcycle keys, and heads out.
"About fucking time!" Nero spreads his hands around. Sometimes Dante understands why Vergil ripped one of them off. The kid's annoying. "I hope you're happy I have some sense of honor and not try to steal this gig from you"
"D'you know, sometimes I wish you'd also have the sense to shut up", Dante grumbles.
"And take your bullshit with a blank face. I think not"
Dante ruffles Nero's hair, wiping the irritated look right off his face and letting the fury of a thousand suns take over. A hothead, that one, just like the rest of their family. Nero swats his hand away with a scoff.
"Let's get to business", Dante decides.
"This way." Nero rolls his eyes and beckons with his hand.
Nero has already cleared the rubble from blocking the door of the warehouse. A nest, they said, with weird-looking creatures crawling out. People use the word demonic for everything these days, but something about the smell gets Dante thinking they may actually be right on this.
"Something odd happened yesterday…", Nero trails, a sense of caution in his voice as he fits through the gap in the door.
"And what's that?" Dante asks. He didn't realize he accidentally put up an ad for free therapy. The torn metal bar that's been used to block the door scrapes his jacket. Dante holds it out of the way.
"Father came to see me"
The bar slips off Dante's grip and drops to the floor, clattering with an echo that could wake the dead. Nero looks at him, wide-eyed. Before he gets to spout out another scolding, Dante cuts him off.
"Vergil?" he can barely get the name out.
"That's what I said"
Shit, they're close now— Vergil wasn't father in Nero's vocabulary before. For months, he was deadbeat, fuckface, and a sperm donor. Things have changed for Nero, but for Dante, all remains the same. Ten, twenty years ago, today, he could live three separate days, and Vergil would be equally alien.
Nero keeps walking into the warehouse, and Dante has to wipe the horror off his face. Bites his teeth and plays it cool.
"Sooo", he trails playfully, "what did papa want from little-Nero?"
"Said he just wanted to see me", Nero shrugs.
"Did he say where he'd been?"
"Somewhere across the pond, touring some libraries or whatever. I was so angry I didn't really listen at first"
Libraries. Vergil ditched him because he wanted to see libraries. Checks out.
Nero keeps going, "He got this whole speech prepared for me. About not having been there for me. He said he couldn't have— he told me why, how he was trapped in some mind-breaking wheel of torture for a decade and another trying to get out of Hell. Didn't give me the details, but I don't think I would've stomached to hear, anyway"
Dante stops, but Nero doesn't. His feet feel too stiff to move. Nero doesn't even notice; he's too trapped in his head, showing Red Queen to the random vines that grow out of the ceiling.
"I don't know how he survived it, to be honest", Nero ends through his teeth. "I would've rolled over after a week of that shit"
It finally happened. Vergil opened up to somebody, and it wasn't Dante. Even with five thousand miles between them, Vergil can still punch Dante in the gut just fine.
"He's got grit", Dante manages to say.
"Guess so." Nero clears his throat. "Anyway, he was there maybe half an hour. We had tea. He was… I don't know how to put it"
Dante waits, slowly following on Nero's heels. He's glad the kid's not looking at him— might see something far more confusing than Vergil's visit. Might see it anyway if Dante doesn't pull himself together right the fuck now.
"Nice? He was nice to me, Dante"
"Yeah, he can be." Dante knows, but hardly remembers. Vergil could be nice when he wanted to: he'd let Dante sleep next to him when they were kids, would let Dante have a piece of his dessert because Dante ate everything so much faster and would longingly stare at Vergil's portion, he'd grab Dante's hand whenever they were out and about so he wouldn't get lost. But it's been years. That's when they were just kids and the world was still whole. Vergil was still whole.
"Never knew he cared enough about me", Nero says bitterly.
"I think you're pretty important to him, actually"
Vergil cares about Nero, that's pretty obvious if he took the time out of his busy library-touring schedule to portal to Nero's place and have tea with him. Tea, of all things. Vergil could be dehydrated and still water the plants rather than accept a glass of water from Dante.
It stings so badly in Dante's chest that he has to run a hand over it.
"Did he say if he was gonna be back?" Dante can't help himself.
"No, and I didn't ask", Nero answers. "Kinda wish now that I had. I'd like him here, with us"
"That's not what Vergil wants"
It's only a half-lie. While no doubt Vergil wants to be with Nero, that's his baby boy, he wants nothing to do with Dante, that's the brother who failed him and left him to die.
"I think I was maybe… too hard on him first", Nero mutters. That makes two of them. "I got a feeling after he left that he might not be coming back"
Dante has not been able to shake off that very same feeling for months now. Free to do as he likes, having lost two decades of his life to Hell, Vergil won't be settling anywhere any time soon, and definitely not in the same place where Dante resides. Vergil will be drifting as he did in his youth, filling his head with occult books and purple poetry, getting into trouble just to spice things up. No, he won't be coming home. Wherever that is for him.
They arrive at the demonic nest on the lower levels of the warehouse.
"Come on, deadweight, let's deal with some overgrown rodents", Dante exclaims and slaps Nero in the back.
It takes his mind off Vergil. If just for five minutes.
"What's this?"
Dante examines the small bag of luggage lying on the table. His chest starts to tighten; he's barely able to raise his head to face his brother. "What do you think you're doing, Vergil?"
"You've caught me on the way out", Vergil drawls and collects his things.
"Out? Out where?"
"I haven't quite decided yet"
It's still vague. Too vague. As if they're both avoiding the bleak truth. Dante needs to brace on the doorframe.
"You're… leaving?" Dante can't seem to cough up the words.
"Yes", Vergil says with little enthusiasm to explain himself. "I have decided I shouldn't impose on you any longer. We returned weeks ago. I must be on my way"
A stroke of relief washes over Dante. He crosses his arms and huffs. Vergil's just feeling coy, nothing else. Needs a little convincing and a little loving. He'll stay— why the fuck wouldn't he? They're together finally, after years of separation, a conjoined soul. Vergil wouldn't tear them apart again, he wouldn't do that to Dante.
"You're not imposing. Stay as long as you like. You know I don't mind, and the kid likes having you around, too, even if he doesn't always sound like it"
But for some reason, some fucked up reason, Vergil eyes him with a subtle, almost sad smile.
"I have decided", Vergil repeats. "I'm leaving"
"Why?" Dante asks thinly, clutching the doorframe tighter.
"You have settled here, little brother, although I do wonder how that came to be…" Vergil takes a step away from him, hands brought behind his back. "Nevertheless, I have no purpose here. It's not as if you shall need my help in your business endeavors. Nero tells me he handles most of the intellectual lifting"
Dante's ears are deaf to Vergil's half-assed excuse. "So this is your revenge?"
"My revenge?" Vergil repeats, frowning.
"For whatever you think I did to offend you. You're back in my life, and you wanna leave as soon as everything's looking nice. We've been us again, and you wanna set that on fire like it doesn't mean shit to you. Why else would you do it if not just to get back at me?"
Vergil scoffs contemptuously. "Us? There hasn't been us since we were eight years old. You've lived your life in blissful ignorance, little minding me. I won't live in your shadow, serving as your continuation. I have made my oaths to a different life"
He's slipping away—
"That's not what I'm asking." Dante rushes him and takes Vergil's hands, squeezing them tight in his own grasp. "We'll figure it out together. Find you something to do—"
"Find me something to do?" For just a moment of grace, Vergil lets himself be held before he shoves Dante's hands aside. "I won't be a subordinate ever again, Dante, not even to you. I shall come and go as I please, and you will have no say in it"
Dante feels his options flee between his fingers when Vergil turns his head away. Heart pounding like a drum, Dante grabs Vergil by the face and brings their lips together. Crashes into his brother with no mercy or warning. He kisses Vergil in a fiery rush, like the world will end any minute— because it will for Dante as soon as Vergil decides to pull away from him and walk out the door. This is his only chance, his last opportunity to show the dark, mangled thing he's been hiding since they were both adult enough to understand lust. Can't take its weight any longer.
Though likely without intention, Vergil gasps, and Dante swallows it right up, hand locked behind Vergil's neck to hold him ensnared on his mouth as long as he can. Pain crawls on Dante's scalp when Vergil yanks him off by pulling on his hair. Still, lets Dante stay close enough to feel Vergil's agitated breath and almost taste the sweetness of his lips. They look soft and swollen from the abuse Dante just delivered.
"Do you think this prospect of affection will sway me?" Vergil hisses.
"No", Dante huffs. "Just wanted you to know"
"Of your desire for me?"
"Yeah"
"You've not been subtle about it. Day and night, I feel you gawk at me like an easy piece of meat"
"You're not easy, Vergil, the opposite—"
"As soon as you visit one of your public living rooms and catch yourself a darling for the night, you'll forget all about me"
Dante gives a firm shake of his head. Drops his hands boldly on Vergil's hips and draws circles with his thumbs.
"Just want you", Dante corrects. Wants to beg Vergil to let him have him.
"There's little to want. I'm not… quite a whole person yet"
"Doesn't matter shit to me. Just don't go, Verg—"
Can't quite finish what he wants to say before Vergil kisses him in return. Tastes like heaven on Dante's tongue, and once his eyes fall shut, all his senses are dancing. He answers, in less of a hurry now, letting Vergil set the pace that mimics tender smoldering rather than a forest fire. Of course— Vergil's hand rises to Dante's throat, so he can't rush him. Vergil's sensual about it, a real sweetheart even as Dante's brain starts getting low on oxygen from how hard Vergil strangles him.
Then, Vergil stops and shatters Dante with a mere whisper, "Farewell, little brother."
As soon as Dante gets home, he grabs himself a cold beer, opens it on the corner of the table, and slumps down on the couch. Kicks up his feet and takes a long gulp.
He plays the conversation he had with Nero in his head like a well-loved record, over and over again, until it distorts and he starts to remember things differently. In no time, he's sure Vergil won't ever step foot in the shop again. Not after how Dante molested him the last time. Lord knows what made Dante grab Vergil in the first place and kiss him by force.
With closed eyes, Dante can remember the exact face Vergil made at him after the kiss— repulsed and ashamed that he had a brother so deviated. Should never have touched him, should never have let him see this fucked up side of him. Dante holds his hand to his face, almost too paralyzed to take another gulp.
It's not even properly evening yet. There's light out, Dante knows, though not much of it passes through the thick blinds. Just two misshapen beams that hit the floor.
He likes thinking of the nicer things about Vergil; how they'd argue over the pointless stuff like where to get takeout or who should do the dishes, and all of a sudden, Dante remembers the time he saw Vergil in the shower. He's gotta be tempting fate by now, knowing just how good that memory can get, fully aware that he's going to feel like shit right after.
Dante places the bottle on the table and reaches to unbuckle his belt. He shoves his fingers under the waistband and yanks his leather pants mid-thigh. Brings out his cock and starts stroking himself.
Was right after they'd returned from Hell. Dante doesn't know why he went and looked (bullshit, he did it because he's twisted), but through the foggy glass in the shower, he saw Vergil wash all the grime and gore off himself, running his soapy hands all over his narrow waist and pretty, lean legs.
Even now, Dante can hear the water hitting the tiles as he rubs a thumb over the cockhead, smearing around the sticky precome.
Fuck, for someone so bony, Vergil's got a nice, round ass. He's pale as a cadaver, has probably never seen the sun— but that's Dante's fault, for ditching him in Hell— and he's got strange grey patches where the skin is thinnest. Veins blue and purple show through.
Dante looked way too long, then, and Vergil noticed. He threw the soap at Dante and called him at least ten different words for a vermin.
But it didn't change anything, because Dante still wants nothing more than to grab Vergil by the hips and pull him onto his dick. Make him whine like a slut and have him trash around like a tiny animal, all tooth and nail as if he doesn't want it. Probably doesn't. Vergil doesn't want him— Dante would take him anyway.
Dante blows his load all over himself. He doesn't even try to milk himself dry, but his balls tighten, and cum keeps spurting out of his cock a good long while after his orgasm is gone.
The afterglow wanes faster than Dante's prepared, and next thing he knows, he wants to rip himself apart.
It's the end of a hot summer day, the kind of humid sweltering that drains any will to move. An owl hoots in the night. Dante lies in bed, asleep, or so he thinks he was a moment ago. His eyes focus on the figure standing in the doorway. Would recognize the shape of his brother's shoulders anywhere, but there's something coy and unusual in the manner Vergil leans into the doorframe. It's enough evidence for Dante to realize he's not awake.
So he fucks around.
"Come to bed, Vergil", he says boldly and extends his hand.
Vergil stares at him for a time before he finally moves, striding across the messy room to the bed. He grabs the end of the sheet where it's rolled off the mattress and tucks it back in place. Then, he sits down, back towards Dante as if avoiding the need to show his face.
Dante doesn't care about that. He rises to sit and wraps his arms around Vergil's chest from behind.
"I'm sorry, Vergil", he whispers. "Please, come lie down with me"
Though Vergil turns his head enough to glimpse at Dante over his shoulder, his lips stay a firm line, and the rime in his eyes is enough to remind Dante why he should never dare to touch Vergil like this. Sends his heart pounding.
"Take your coat off. How're you not melting?" Dante insists and peels the damn thing off Vergil's shoulders.
In the dim light, Dante notices odd lines on Vergil's arms. They're dark against the pale skin, more purple than blue. He chases the clasps of Vergil's vest and yanks down the zipper, missing it twice because his hand won't stop shaking.
Long, red gashes split Vergil's back from his shoulders all the way down his waist, some crisscrossing the backbone in memory of what must have been a flogging so cruel that Dante's stomach turns around. Dante tries touching one, just with the back of his finger, but can't seem to make contact.
Vergil stares at him, again, not sad, not defeated, but jaded. So is his voice, as if he speaks from the bottom of a pit. "Do you see now? What you let him do to me?"
Dante starts shaking his head— not because he's delusional enough to deny it, but because he can't offer Vergil any other reaction when his throat feels so tight he might get out a hiss and nothing more.
"You wish to leave a mark of your own, no doubt", Vergil considers. "You'd like to ruin me in ways I haven't yet endured, so perhaps you might consider your intrusion on me… unprecedented"
"I don't wanna hurt you", Dante gets out a whisper. He wraps his hands behind Vergil's neck and brings him closer, pressing his lips to the side of Vergil's head. "Come lie down, Vergil. You're safe with me. I'll protect you. Nobody's gonna hurt you again. Not Mundus, not anyone"
"What need could I have of you?" Vergil asks.
"Nothing. Just offering—"
"Yes, nothing. Do you think it's fair that I should be brutalized by you so soon after my rebirth? When I'm untouched again?"
"No, it's not fair." Not fair that Vergil got a brother like Dante, who abandoned him and slaughtered him. Who now hungers for him like a beast.
Vergil doesn't move, so Dante drags him. He pulls Vergil down to the bed and clutches him tightly. Any other time, Dante would throw cartwheels on the yard when Vergil sinks against him, hiding his face into Dante's chest, but now all Dante feels is dread.
Isn't he just killing Vergil all over again?
"What a fucking mess, Dante. Father really did all the homemaking around here." Dante wakes up to Nero shuffling across the room, dodging all the things scattered across the floorboards. "Dante, get up!"
Nero yanks the blanket off him, and suddenly a ray of sunlight hits the bed. Dante fumbles for a pillow to cover his face instead.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? I called you five times today. Thought you'd finally thrown your back out or something"
What the hell Nero's doing in here, Dante can't say. He figures this isn't just another humiliation ritual invented by his mind and forces himself to sit up.
"How'd you get in?" he asks.
"The door like a normal person. Not like you've got a new lock on it", Nero snaps, standing in front of the bed, arms crossed. "Were you out late last night?"
"Yeah." Dante will take that lie. "Thought there might be a body in here with me, but doesn't look like it"
Nero snorts. "Like you've ever rizzed something other than your hand"
"Wait until you hit puberty, kid"
Dante climbs out of bed and pulls on a fresh shirt. Nero lightly kicks a box of music equipment on the floor.
"If you ever get a chick in here, they're gonna run when they see this mess", Nero points out.
"Hey, I've seen your garage. You're one to talk"
"Yeah, but I don't sleep in there"
Dante spots a half-empty beer bottle on his bedside table and downs it. Nero cringes at him.
"Did you want something, kid?"
"I think I should come back another time", Nero sounds less snide all of a sudden.
"Don't be like that." Dante approaches him and ruffles his hair. Chuckles out of sheer muscle memory. "Whatcha need, kid?"
"For you to stop doing that", Nero grunts and rakes his hair back with his fingers. Looks an awful lot like Vergil.
"No can do. Anything else?"
"Well…" Nero starts looking at his shoes; the very worn pair that looks military-issued and might serve to be tossed (yesterday). "It's about father"
Dante keeps his smirk from turning upside down. "Yeah? Daddy issues?"
"I've had some time to think, and since you know him a bit better than I do, I could use your perspective"
"Fire away." Dante can't exactly say he can't bear even a word about Vergil.
"He sent me an email", Nero reveals.
Maybe he's still dreaming after all, because why is Vergil sending Nero emails, paying him visits to proclaim how much he gives a fuck, but still not straining himself to even consider Dante in the middle of it all?
"Wow, your old man finally learned how a computer works. I'd be impressed", Dante answers.
"I thought it was a scam at first"
"What did he want?"
"He left me a number to call, in case of an emergency." Vergil got a phone number. Shit. "I wasn't gonna call at first but… like I said, I've been thinking and maybe I should"
It's an invitation for Nero, a door with a low threshold. Vergil has never been an approachable person; he likes making people jump through hoops before he deems them worthy of interaction. Dante didn't pass the test. Nero somehow did.
Nero stares at Dante, brows ceiling-high. "Well?"
"Hm?" If a question hangs in the air, Dante hasn't heard it.
"What do you think it means?"
Dante clears his throat. Lies through his teeth like a bitter cunt. "He's literal. If he says to call on emergencies, you shouldn't overthink it"
It's Vergil's own fault for fishing with a bait instead of being upfront about wanting a connection with Nero. Dante's done trying to be the family counselor when Vergil continues to pretend he doesn't even exist.
When next they share a gig, Dante pickpockets Nero's phone. He opens contacts, scrolls down to search for Vergil, but soon realizes to flick back up where a contact reads Father.
There's no call log. No text messages. Dante copies the number for himself and returns the phone to Nero's pocket.
Dante sits in the dark kitchenette, staring at the lit screen of his phone. He's made a new contact, Vergil, and it's been haunting his thoughts the entire day. Now, everything's quiet, just him and a scotch on the rocks he drinks for courage before tapping the call.
The line rings a good while. Dante hears the mad pounding in his chest over the steady sound of beeping. Then, the line clicks and the screen starts counting seconds. Dante's heart jumps up his throat. He brings the phone to his ear right on time to hear the familiar drawl of Vergil's voice going, "Hello?"
Dante can't get a word out at first. He's flooded with relief of knowing Vergil is alright— he sounds good, as cold and wicked as always, but he's good. Sometimes Dante forgets his brother is really out there, living his life on a whim, doing as he pleases. It makes Dante so damn happy he wants to split in the middle, and still at the same time, he resents in all shades of red fury that Vergil isn't with him right now.
"It's me", Dante manages to croak. There's silence. "Could we—"
The line clicks again. Dante sits still for a moment, the phone still pressed to his ear, some brain-damaged part of him hoping that the line was just breaking up and Vergil would call him back. He drops the phone after a moment and buries his face in his hands.
He sobs when no one is there to hear.
Things will change today. Dante crawls out of bed around noon and starts tidying his room. No wonder Nero was throwing a fit about it last time he visited because it's painfully obvious Dante would rather hold a gun than the vacuum.
He gets through it with music blasting in the background. Sways his hips like he's at the club, though sober as the day he was born.
It's about time Dante sorts through the laundry, the blacks and the reds, until he finds something that doesn't belong. A royal blue shirt, so soft it has to be silk or some other fancy material. He remembers the day Vergil manifested it. They returned from Hell, covered in blood and grime, attached by the hip because neither of them could quite stand from the exhaustion.
Dante remembers holding Vergil by the waist, while Vergil clasped to his shoulder. The closest they've ever been.
They later passed out in the same bed, damn near cuddling. Dante stared at Vergil's face while he slept, thanking pretty much every deity he could name that Vergil was safe and with him again. But no God can tame the sea and the winds.
Dante raises the garment to his face and breathes in the scent, distinctly his brother's. When he closes his eyes, he happily mistakes it for Vergil's presence, rubbing himself into the fabric.
The illusion fades when the washer beeps. Dante stares at his hands, and no matter how hard he clutches Vergil's shirt, he can't keep himself from crumbling. He slams his fist into the machine, denting the surface. The power shuts off with another crackled beep.
"Here, let me get those for you", Dante offers and reaches for the buckles of Vergil's muddied boots.
"I don't need your coddling", Vergil grimaces, resting himself against the doorframe of the lobby.
"Not coddling, just serving Your Highness"
Vergil chuckles dryly. "Because that must be more to my liking, then." Regardless of his approval, Dante removes Vergil's boots and lets him discard his bloodied coat on the floor.
"You lured me in here with the promise of a shower", Vergil states, eyeing the lobby suspiciously.
"Yeah, up the stairs on your right"
Dante kicks off his own boots, equally as filthy as Vergil's, and sheds his coat that's no longer so red from all the grime. He watches as Vergil rises the stairs, hand on the railing for support. Even when seriously injured and tired, Vergil still moves himself like a cat, all lithe and uppity, knowing he's untouchable— a calamity on this earth waiting to happen. Got a killer ass, too. Dante has to give his head a good rattle from left to right to stop staring after Vergil has already disappeared. Why he's even thinking about his brother's ass, he can't say— fuck it, Vergil wouldn't wear pants that tight unless he wanted to show himself off.
Still heady from the draining adrenaline, Dante follows Vergil upstairs and stops at the bathroom door. It's left open just a crack. Water hits the tiles, and the old pipes clatter.
Dante peeks in. Just a quick little look, he promises himself. Nothing creepy.
Fog collects on the shower glass, and steam rises towards the ceiling. Vergil stands in the shower with his back towards the door, bent over, rinsing his legs with soap.
Though he's lost probably gallons of blood, he's exhausted, and his wounds are still healing, Dante gets an erection that rivals diamonds. His face falls down when Vergil suddenly turns around and glares murder at him.
Vergil opens the shower door and throws the soap at Dante.
"Get out, you slob!" Vergil hisses at him.
Dante pulls away before Vergil can see the very obvious tenting in the front of his pants. It almost feels wrong that Dante has viewed Vergil completely naked in the shower, down to his flaccid cock and the curve of his ass, and Vergil hasn't seen anything of him.
They really are back. Dante leans to the wall, taking easy breaths, trying his best to calm the fuck down. It doesn't help that he's used to jerking off whenever he gets hard. Does it almost every night when he's home. It's been a while now, having been away for so long, and he can feel his cock leaking in his boxers. Would probably cum like a fountain after a few pumps.
Vergil barges out of the bathroom, fully dressed in a fresh blue shirt and his hair combed back, still slightly damp.
"You may go now", he says with iron.
"About-fucking-time", Dante mutters as he slips into the bathroom.
"Dante?"
"Yeah?"
Vergil lingers in the doorway, eyeing Dante with about the warmth of a glacier. "You were looking at me"
"Self-centered, much?" Dante snaps. Grabs the towel off the rack to discreetly hold it over his groin.
"May I ask why?"
"You were taking so long, I was worried you had fainted. You know, the blood loss and all"
"How considerate of you"
Vergil doesn't seem to completely buy it, but it's enough to make him leave and close the door behind him.
Dante yanks his pants down and steps into the shower, turning the water to hot and the pressure on high. He grits his teeth together in case the sound of the rushing water isn't enough to drown out him furiously jerking himself off.
That alarm clock isn't his. Dante stares at the old thing ticking away across from where he lies. It's not his room, either, he's pretty sure. The sheets smell like chemicals, and the window is on the complete opposite side of the room. The bedside table is riddled with empty bottles and pills— those could very well be his.
Dante's head starts to pound when he rises to sit. He hears a sleepy huff next to him and finds a man he doesn't remember or recognize. He's naked. Dante is, too. Almost. His pants are bundled around his knees, and the condom is still loosely seated on his soft dick.
He whispers to himself an earnest what the fuck before yanking the rubber off. It's still slimy. Dante hops out of bed and pulls his pants back up.
Thankfully, his keys are still in the pocket of his jacket. Though the pain in his head would rather he fold down to the floor, Dante makes it out of the apartment and practically flies down the stairs out into the street.
It's about to be morning; the early light has painted the horizon in gold. Probably the weekend since the street is empty. Dante finds his motorcycle parked in the back of the building and has to consult the GPS to find where the fuck he is.
As he's about to arrive home, Dante spots Nero outside the office, leaning into the door. If they agreed on a job this early, Dante can't for the life of him remember.
"This kid", he curses to himself before parking and dismounting his bike.
"Long night?" Nero beams.
"You have no idea", Dante sighs.
"Got coffee." Nero hands him a takeaway cup. It's always ulterior motives with this one.
"Thanks"
Dante can't afford to mind. The coffee washes down the awful taste in his mouth.
"There's something I wanted to ask you—"
Dante looks up at the sky, hoping something would fall and crush him.
"Is it about Vergil?"
"Well, yeah—"
"Not right now." Dante opens the door and steps over the threshold.
"Excuse me?"
"I really don't wanna talk about Vergil right now"
Nero frowns. Whenever he's upset, he drawls just like Vergil does. "Okay…"
Dante slams the door shut and leans against it. Lets himself collapse on the doormat.
The moon looms full, somehow looking bigger than usual, too. The street lights don't work in this part of town near the abandoned factory.
Dante eyes irritably as Nero hops down the hill, sword on his shoulder, not a care in the world. He should be happy Nero's finally got everything he's ever wanted, the world's finally smiling down at him and grimacing at Dante.
That's how it's always been; Dante tries to keep his resentment from spiraling.
"What has he done?" Trish asks beside him, nodding in Nero's direction.
Dante wipes the look off his face. "Nothing." The answer doesn't satisfy Trish much; she tilts her head and her brow rises in question. "He's been talking to Vergil"
"That explains"
"He's constantly distracted, nearly got his head cleaved clean off the other day, talks about Vergil non-stop—"
"You're jealous." Trish seems to find it amusing.
"I'm not— about what? Vergil being human for once and checking in on his baby boy? I'm not! Why would I be jealous?"
Trish delivers her theory with ease that almost makes Dante snap. "He's not checking in on you, is he?"
"I'm a grown man. Don't need a big bro babysitting me"
"Something happened between the two of you when you returned"
"Alright, detective, read me my rights first"
Trish doesn't push it. She knows better. It's a touchy topic, though Dante's not happy to admit it, and there's not much to be gained from poking at the beehive when it's already buzzing.
Nero— he's not as witty. "What happened where?" he's suddenly right next to Dante, thirsty for gossip like a demon is for blood.
Dante chuckles. "Look who's suddenly awake." Trish hums knowingly.
"Wait, what— what's happened?" Nero keeps going. "Something happened between who?"
"Nothing, Nero, get your head in the game"
"You're not talking about father, are you?"
"No, not everything is about Vergil"
That has to be the worst lie Dante has ever told.
Everything is about Vergil these days.
Dante stands in the tiny guest room where Vergil slept during his stay. The bed's still exactly as he left it, and a stack of books sits on the bedside table. Poetry, war history, philosophy— there's nothing Vergil won't read as long as there's a grim message in the story. Vergil never much cared for fantasies. Always a realist.
Maybe some time ago Dante used to be a realist, too, but every night he finds himself as pathetic a dreamer as any. Days blend, his nights without the outlines they should have.
Dante places his drink on the bedside table and lies down. He squeezes the pillow to his chest and chases the darker shapes in the wooden ceiling above. They get blurry the longer he looks.
The phone rings downstairs, rattling so loud across the walls and the piping that Dante's head starts to ache. He doesn't hurry to answer. Doesn't think he'd make it down the stairs, anyway, from how heavy his head feels.
He turns on the bed and drifts to the place that reminds sleep but doesn't bring him any rest.
Rain pours down heavily, a few nights since their return from Hell. A puddle forms in front of the balcony Dante has forgotten open. The street lamps offer enough light to show a shadow on the wall, and Dante knows to approach the figure clothed in a long raincoat.
Dante pulls the soaked hood down, revealing Vergil's face underneath. His lip is red and split, his brow bruised and sallow. The weary blue eyes lower to the floorboards.
"Are you cold?" Dante asks, so stupidly that he wants to kick himself right after.
"Quite", Vergil answers, in a little more than a whisper.
"Let me take this." Dante removes the raincoat from Vergil's shoulders and leaves it to dry on the old heater.
Vergil pushes the balcony door shut, the sound of rain just a faint echo now.
"C'mere, I'll get you warm", Dante promises and lets his hand hover on the small of Vergil's back, guiding him closer to the heater. "Sit down." Vergil follows sluggishly, letting Dante guide him down to the floor.
Vergil rests his head against the wall, his boots almost touching the heater. Dante fetches a blanket from his bed and throws it over Vergil's lap.
"Here", he mutters and straightens the blanket so it covers Vergil's legs, too.
For a moment, Vergil holds his eyes shut, his breaths sharp and labored. His hand wanders down to his side, pulling the blanket up only slightly. Not discreet enough.
"Somebody's been reckless", Dante states the obvious and kneels beside Vergil, palming exactly where Vergil tried to cover himself. A gash lies across Vergil's lower ribs. As Vergil hisses, the wound spits out blood on Dante's fingers.
"It's healing", Vergil says bitterly.
"You've bled a lot"
"This is nothing"
"You need more human blood"
"I shall be fine"
"Have mine"
Vergil finally turns to Dante, a faint but amused look on his face. "You would have me feed from you, akin to a lesser demon?"
"You know how, don't you?"
"I have never stooped so low"
"I'm offering"
Vergil hesitates, frowning. Dante tips his head back, bearing his neck for his brother. He hooks his fingers in Vergil's hair, pulling him closer.
"C'mon, baby, let me make you feel strong again", Dante persuades him.
Maybe that's finally what convinces Vergil, because he soon nuzzles Dante's neck, taking in his scent as if he needs to tempt the blood lust in him. Like the smell of a good meal luring diners to the table.
Vergil brings out his teeth, sharp as honed steel, and snaps into Dante's throat with the swiftness of a snake. Dante yelps, fisting Vergil's hair, holding him tightly.
Blood drips abundantly down Dante's neck, but each streak gets caught by Vergil's tongue before it can fall to waste. Vergil takes control of the blood flow, slotting his mouth over the wound and sucking so earnestly that his whole body shudders against Dante.
Dante smooths up and down Vergil's back as he feeds on him, Vergil's devil purring, and Dante's chirping happily in answer. No greater purpose on earth, he thinks, than cradling Vergil as his throat works in hunger to swallow Dante's blood.
Both of Vergil's hands lock behind Dante's neck, and ever so slightly, Vergil rocks against him, his warm tongue lapping the wound as it knits itself shut. Dante hates that it does— wishes Vergil would use his teeth to keep it open and sate himself properly. Wants to pass out with his brother latched onto his throat without any intention of letting go.
"Want more?" Dante husks.
Vergil shakes his head, his nose still pressed under Dante's jaw.
"You didn't spill, did you?"
"It's not in my nature to make a mess", Vergil warns him and slowly pulls away.
"Feel better?"
Vergil wipes his mouth delicately on the back of his hand. "Much"
"Were you bored or something? Looking for a fight like that?"
"I would rather perish than idle another day in this dwelling"
Blood loss always makes Dante bolder than he should be.
"Could offer you some entertainment if we take this to bed?" he offers.
Vergil looks at him with a raised brow. "You must think yourself entitled to me now that you have offered me something a lesser demon couldn't"
"No, I'm just teasing you—"
"If I wanted to put myself through the misery of being bedded by the likes of you, I would've simply asked"
"Verge"
Vergil stares at him, the cold fire in his eyes blazing again. He still hates Dante— will never forgive him, will never want him.
Dante couldn't save him. Let him fall, let him suffer for decades a life of agony and solitude. Nothing will change that. Nothing will fix all that's shattered between them.
Dante isn't sure what time it is. The curtains in Vergil's room block the window entirely, letting no light in. Dante reaches for the drink he left on the bedside table, fumbling in the dark. His fingers hit the glass, but never quite grasp it, knocking it over and spilling the liquor all over Vergil's books.
"Fuck", Dante curses and slumps back down.
Best he stays in bed.
The ground shakes. Dante jumps awake, lifting his head off his desk.
Nero's standing in front of him, waving his hands around like he's trying to fly. With his face so twisted in anger, it's a wonder he doesn't exhaust fumes out of his ears and do exactly that. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"Why are you yelling?" Dante manages and leans back in his chair.
"Because you haven't answered the phone in three days. I told you I wanted to spend some time off with Kyrie, but I couldn't, because you can't hold down the fort!"
"Oh, that"
"Are you drunk?"
Dante throws his hands in the air. "Sober"
"You're unbelievable. Get your shit together!" Nero slams a stack of research papers on the desk before turning on his heels and
walking out.
The front door slams shut behind him.
From the floor of the kitchenette, Dante can't see much. He rests his head on the cabinet behind him, eyes barely open. Could fall asleep right there, and it might still be one of the more dignified places he's slept in over the years.
He hears the front door open and close, and how the faintest steps approach from the lobby.
"What's it say on the door?" Dante grumbles. "Closed!"
"Your lack of hospitality shocks me, little brother"
That voice cuts him in place. Dante assumes he must have fallen asleep again, suffocating in one of his miserable dreams, but the bottle he recently corked open sits on the floor next to him, and the weight in his head doesn't seem to shift. He cranks himself up and looks over the counter.
Vergil stands in the doorway, arms crossed, Yamato strapped to his back. His head tilts curiously.
"Is my visit poorly timed?" Vergil asks. Only he could sound condescending while keeping up the polite facade.
Dante feels faintly. Has to clutch the counter.
"A little", he croaks before nausea twists his insides. He sinks back under the counter and yanks open the garbage right on time before throwing up.
"You're ill", Vergil states. Doesn't have a clue how badly.
"No shit"
A glass of water appears right under Dante's nose. "Drink"
Dante takes the glass and obeys, washing the rancid taste from his mouth. He's not brave enough to stop drooping his head over the garbage, though.
"What brings you here?" Dante strings together thickly. "Forget something?"
"Nero advised me to visit", Vergil answers.
Of all the people Nero could've gossiped to, he chose Vergil. Dante chuckles— it's really the only thing he can do. Vergil came back to check on him just because sweet boy Nero asked him to. Not because he worries, not because he cares.
And now Vergil gets to see this. Dante almost pukes again from the sheer repulsion in himself.
"I'll walk you to bed", Vergil decides, and before Dante has any chance to protest, Vergil brings Dante's arm over his shoulders and lifts him effortlessly to his feet.
"Don't gotta", Dante mumbles.
He's walked up the steps and brought to his bedroom. He expects Vergil to toss him on the bed, glad to be rid of him, but Vergil lays him down with mercy Dante hasn't earned.
"Sleep it off", Vergil urges him. "We will discuss once you feel well again"
Before Vergil withdraws, Dante clasps his wrist. "Don't go"
"It wasn't implied that I would, Dante"
"Promise me? Promise me you'll be here when I wake up?" He's always gone before the sunrise.
Vergil gives him a firm nod. "I promise"
Vergil doesn't lie. His words weigh a ton, and he always sees them through. It's something Dante never knew to appreciate before.
A still faint light of the morning sun pours in from the open blinds. Dante rises to his elbows and looks around the room that's been tidied in his sleep. He remembers then how Vergil came to see him, kinder than Dante's conscience ever lets him paint, and the realization is enough to get Dante on the move.
Rubbing the exhaustion from his eyes, Dante climbs out of bed and heads into the hallway. He hears the clattering of dishes coming from the kitchenette. The smell of coffee hits Dante in the nose when he steps down the staircase.
He peeks into the kitchenette and finds Vergil standing over the stove. Something stirs in the pan in front of him. The counters shine, and all the open shelves have been arranged.
"Vergil?" Dante tries not to sound dumbfounded.
"Morning", Vergil says lazily. "Do be seated." He beckons at the counter.
"What are you doing?"
Vergil looks at him above his shoulder, a brow raised in contempt. "Do you have trouble with your eyes?"
If only he knew all the weird shit Dante's been seeing lately. Dante sits down at the counter and lets Vergil serve him with a plate. An omelette is laid out perfectly in the middle, filled nicely and thick. A fork and knife sit next to it.
"You can cook?" Dante frowns.
"I have taken lessons", Vergil says with pride.
A cup of coffee slides right next to the plate. No milk, no sugar. Just like Dante likes it.
"I think I'm still drunk", Dante mutters to himself as he uses the side of the fork to dig in.
"And it looks like you could use a lesson on how to use the cutlery", Vergil snides.
Dante tosses the fork aside and instead grabs the omelette in his hands like it's a burrito and bites into it. Vergil's eyes narrow in disgust. Worth the mess, though the omelette holds its shape remarkably well. Doesn't really matter; it's delicious as hell. Vergil throws a napkin at him.
"I have seen lesser demons conduct themselves better at the table", Vergil says.
Dante ignores him, wiping his hands into the napkin. "It was pretty good"
"Would you like another?"
"If it's no trouble." Gives him a chance to drink his coffee.
Vergil returns to the gas stove and begins preparing another portion.
"Did you run out of libraries to tour across the pond?" Dante asks.
"I didn't take Nero for a gossip", Vergil answers.
"He was just chatting. Think he was worried about you"
"Nero worries a lot about the business of others. Often unnecessarily." Vergil turns to look at Dante briefly. "But sometimes with reason"
"What are you trying to say?"
"You have lost your dignity in my absence"
Dante isn't so sure he ever had it. Makes him snort. "Right, I was devastated by my big bro moving out"
Vergil carries the omelette on top of the spatula with ease and drops it on Dante's plate, right in the middle.
"Did I not find you here yesterday, scrambling on this very floor, intoxicated and retching into a trashcan?"
"And you think that has something to do with you?"
"I think certain events produce particular vices"
Dante hates that he's starving but doesn't want to accept the meal anymore. He shoves the plate away. "Fuck off, Vergil. You don't get to just come back and start lecturing me how to live my life. You wanted no part in it, remember?"
"Yes, the glamor of your life must really tempt me", Vergil says mockingly. "You accept whatever jobs Nero won't bore himself with, you habit this filthy dwelling, which I'm surprised hasn't been torn down by vermin yet, and you end up in the beds of strangers—"
Dante slams his hand on the counter and swipes at the dishes in front of him. They shatter against the floorboards.
"You have no say, Vergil!" Dante snarls. "You left me, you wanted nothing to do with me. You don't get to judge me for how I choose to live"
Vergil glares at him. "You were wretched yesterday." His voice is cold and contemptuous. "You begged me to stay with you, you made me swear, and I promised"
"Wasn't gonna hold you to that"
"I suppose not, but my word isn't fickle. I will leave now if you prefer." The pan previously in Vergil's hand clatters violently into the sink.
Dante hates that he has to say it. Burns behind his eyes. Vergil is already at the doorway when Dante finally gets it out.
"Don't"
He gets up and follows Vergil, the familiar sense of despair in his chest. Maybe all Vergil wants is to yank him around and torment him, Dante no longer cares.
"Don't go", Dante repeats. "I know you hate it here, I know this place's a mess right now, but—"
"Before we delve into any of that, I believe you would like to shower", Vergil cuts him off. "You're not gentle on the senses"
Dante chuckles. "Yeah, right. Suppose you're not gonna come keep me company in there?"
Dante must be seeing things, because the corners of Vergil's mouth lift.
"Another time", he says.
Another time. A lump tightens in Dante's throat. "Right, yeah, give me a minute." He rushes up the stairs before his face turns red.
Under the hot water, Dante thinks. He rests his hand on the cold tiles, trying to reason with his embarrassment. When he hoped that Vergil would one day come back, he didn't exactly plan for it to happen like this. Would've preferred some dignity.
Dante dries off and pulls on a fresh set of clothes. Going down the steps dreads him more than it should. Vergil wouldn't just return to check on him— not like him at all. Something else is going on, and Dante doesn't particularly want to find out what.
Much to Dante's horror, Vergil has collected the broken dishes from the kitchen floor. Vergil sits at the counter, drinking his tea as if he has done nothing.
"What'd you do that for?" Dante asks and points at where the shards used to be.
"I don't know about you, but I don't much enjoy stepping on porcelain", Vergil drawls.
"But it was my fault"
"Yes, things often are"
"I don't need your help cleaning"
"It seems that you do"
"Did Nero tell you that?"
Vergil leans back and crosses his legs, lazily turning the teacup on the counter.
"Nero chats", he quips. "It seems he tells me your regards and mine to you"
Of course, Nero would gossip like an old lady about stuff he knows nothing about.
"Well, you'll be disappointed to know Nero's not exactly updated on everything", Dante huffs.
"So far, he seems to be right about your reckless drinking habits and the state of this dwelling"
"I wouldn't call it reckless. I plan ahead"
"He also tells me you have become light-footed with your… lovers"
Dante crosses his arms. "Jealous?"
Vergil hums with disdain. "Not in the slightest"
"So you've come to witness your baby brother's path to sin?"
"Not quite. It's not for me to say how you live your life, as you ceaselessly remind me." Vergil seems to consider. "I only wished to visit you. It's been some time"
Vergil is just visiting. Came to see how Dante has been. Wanted to see him. Has he missed Dante, as Dante has missed him?
"Yeah, guess so", Dante admits and lowers his eyes to the floorboards. Sometimes just looking at Vergil makes him so damn sentimental he needs to stop himself from bawling like a toddler.
"Tea?" Vergil offers and raises the kettle.
"Sure." It's going to be nasty.
Dante sits opposite Vergil and takes the cup he's offered. The tea is black and smells like currants. Has a bitter taste to it.
"So…", Dante trails. "What's going on with you? Other than libraries and cooking lessons?"
Vergil smiles, oddly enough. He's pretty fucking eerie when he smiles. Looks more like a devil, then. Dante loves that.
"Traveling", Vergil simply says.
"Yeah? That's it?"
"An idea will come to me, and I will do as I please with it"
Vergil was kept from earth for twenty years, it's no wonder the concept of spontaneity excites him so much. The more Dante considers it, the more he begins to see it's done Vergil good to have gone wherever he pleases and act on his whims. It seems to have made him… different.
"You missed out on a lot", Dante dares say.
"Indeed", Vergil admits.
"And Nero?"
"Nero has let me make amends"
"I heard. He's a good kid. Got empathy"
"It's strange. He didn't get it from me"
Dante chuckles. "No debate there"
Vergil looks at his cup as if he means to avoid Dante's eyes. It's unlike him. He's never hesitant about staring into one's soul.
"Are you staying at Nero's?" Dante asks.
"No", Vergil answers. "I think his girl isn't very fond of me"
"Why would that be? You're a real dream father-in-law"
"I was wondering if you could host me for a couple of nights"
"Until you get another whim?"
"Yes"
Dante grins for a fleeting moment until it dawns on him that it just means Vergil won't linger with him indefinitely. He'll collect his things again one day and be on his way. Without goodbyes, without explanation.
"Unless you're expecting company, then I won't impose", Vergil corrects.
"No, nothing like that. You're always welcome, Vergil"
"Thank you, little brother"
"You can stay in your— the guest room again"
Vergil rises, presumably to examine the room. Dante tries to take another sip of his tea, but the longer the drink has been sitting, the worse it tastes.
It's been less than 12 hours, and Dante suspects he hasn't been so lucid in months. When he wakes up from his nap, he knows it's not some booze-addled dream his messed brain has conjured from its darkest corners. The only thing that makes him suspicious is the fact that a glass of water sits waiting on the dresser next to his bed. Definitely wasn't there before.
"You're sitting up, how good of you", echoes Vergil's voice from the doorway. He walks in with a towel and a razor in his hands. Comes dangerously close to the bed.
"What are you doing?" Dante asks and shuffles further.
"Tidying that." Vergil points an insulting finger at Dante's face.
"Hold on now—"
Dante's too in shock to resist when Vergil plants himself astride on Dante's lap and starts smearing shaving cream all over Dante's chin and cheeks. It has a medicinal scent to it. He knows better than to squirm when Vergil holds the razor threateningly.
"Puff up your cheeks", Vergil demands.
"Do what now?" Dante blinks.
"For a smoother cut. Do it"
"I'm not gonna—"
"Or the next shave you get will be from Yamato"
Dante puffs up his cheeks like a pufferfish and lets the very pleased-looking Vergil press the razor against his skin. It does sound to cut very smoothly, he will admit. Vergil shaves him down with focused devotion, as he does with everything in life. He's quick, too, needing half the time Dante takes, and the result is far from sloppy.
"Thanks", Dante says while feeling his face once Vergil's wiped down the excess shaving cream with the warm, damp towel. "That's actually nice"
"You suspected otherwise?" Vergil raises a brow.
"I suspected this was a front for cutting my throat"
"Not an unreasonable concern"
Dante tries running his hand over Vergil's knee. He wants to do a backflip in joy when Vergil doesn't immediately shove him off.
"I take it you're feeling better?" Vergil asks. The angels must start singing in heaven, because lo-and-behold, Vergil lays his hand over Dante's.
"Yeah, much", Dante answers, staring at how their fingers start slotting together.
"I will be in the lounge." Vergil separates and rises to his feet. He walks out of the room, closing the door behind him.
It's not lost on Dante that it's an invitation.
Dante has a million things he wants to say to Vergil, and none of them are flattering. They don't talk, not about stuff like this. Never have.
So, when Dante joins Vergil in the lounge, he stands awkwardly in the doorway until Vergil lowers his book enough to glance at him.
"Something the matter?" Vergil asks.
"No", Dante answers.
Nothing is the matter. Things are starting to finally feel good again. Dante sits on the couch next to Vergil and stares hopelessly as Vergil keeps reading his book.
"Put that down a minute, would ya?"
Vergil does and turns his body towards Dante.
"I know you're not gonna stay", Dante trails.
"Must stasis be absolute for you?"
"I just wanna know what the plan is"
"The plan?"
"I think I deserve to know what's next for you"
"Why?" Vergil's eyes narrow.
"Because you—" Dante needs to catch his breath before he says what he dreads to admit. "Everything went to shit when you left. I thought you'd stay with me. I built this whole fantasy life in my head about the two of us, and none of it became real. I know that's on me but…"
"What did you dream for us?"
"That we'd, somehow, get together." It feels good to say. Still sounds as right saying it out loud as it always did in Dante's head. "I thought sometimes that maybe you wanted it, too"
Vergil looks past him, eyes full of rime. "I'm afraid I'm not quite enough to fulfill your dream." It's a mere whisper.
Dante shuffles closer, bringing his hands on Vergil's shoulders and gently thumbing the sides of his throat. All the world stills when Vergil leans forward and lets their foreheads rest together.
"You're enough for me, just the way you are. Please, stay", Dante asks.
"In some ways, little brother, I always will", Vergil sighs. "I'm with you, even if my presence may not linger exactly as you'd like. You need to accept it"
Dante doesn't know what it means. Doesn't care. All he wants is to feel Vergil and draw him closer, to show him how good they could be together.
"I don't want to keep mourning you", he almost chokes on it.
"Then you shouldn't. I know the toll solitude takes, this plague you carry. I don't wish it on you"
"I killed you. Hurt you. I deserve it"
Vergil places two fingers over Dante's lips to keep him from arguing. "I always wanted to meet my end in battle. To be released by your hand did not sadden me. That life… I needed it undone"
Dante believes it. Not because he should, but he wants to. He takes Vergil's hand and presses kisses on the fingertips that held him silent. Vergil eyes down at him with mischief. Slowly, in warning, Vergil pulls his hand away and swings himself astride on Dante's lap, braced on his shoulders. The light is behind him, the common callousness of his face gone.
"You look incredible", Dante murmurs as he lays his hands appreciatively over Vergil's hips.
"My appearance pleases you?" Vergil asks.
"Yeah, makes my dick hard just looking at you"
"How you lavish me"
It earns a chuckle from them both. Dante hesitates, just the healthy amount, before he brings his hand behind Vergil's neck and guides him into a kiss. He takes his time tempting Vergil, lingering a moment before pulling away, and the world fades while he relishes the abundant samples of Vergil's soft lips.
Vergil takes his time answering him, head coyly tilted. Whenever they part, Dante notices Vergil looking down at his mouth, in want for more. Dante kisses him again and again, with more fire each time, until he's not letting Vergil part even for a gasp, forcing a whimper out of his mouth.
A warmth gathers low in Dante's belly. Vergil's fingernails drag down his back, and he keeps grinding himself against Dante's groin. That bit of friction leaves Dante rock-hard in his pants. Dante teases his tongue in Vergil's mouth, and Vergil allows him in a tender greeting.
When Vergil's hand yanks suggestively on the collar of Dante's shirt, Dante lowers his head and lets the clothing be pulled off him. Vergil throws it across the room, and they join each other in another wet kiss.
"Baby", Dante murmurs, a string of spit caught between their lips. He kisses it away. "Hope you're not just teasing me"
Vergil smirks against Dante's lips. He doesn't answer, but he pulls his hands away and begins undoing the buttons of his coat. Not teasing, definitely not just that. This is it, Dante realizes.
"Let me help—" Dante wants to, but Vergil shoves his hand away. "Alright, a striptease, you should've just said so"
"You are hopeless", Vergil deems as he peels off his garments and more of his alabaster skin starts to show.
For a moment, leaned back on the couch with Vergil on his lap, Dante expects to see scars on Vergil's body, but none come to show, much to his relief. Vergil is perfect, kept away from the sun, narrow and toned. Dante drops his hand to palm his aching cock through his pants. Needs to get inside his brother.
Vergil stretches out his leg and rests it on the back of the couch. Dante needs to draw a sharp breath.
"You may take off my boots", Vergil allows.
"Showing yourself off, huh?" Dante clears his throat. Already thinking of all the bizarre positions he's going to bend Vergil into.
"Today, Dante"
"Yes, Your Highness"
Dante does as he's told and slides the boot off Vergil's leg. Drops it gently off the couch and presses a kiss on the bridge of Vergil's foot. Like the tease that he is, Vergil pulls it away and offers the second one. Dante repeats the process.
"You've got the prettiest legs", Dante mutters. Has to consider whether he's still completely sober for how thick his voice gets.
"Don't drool", Vergil teases him.
"Can I take off your pants too?"
"No"
"Please?"
"Get on your knees and beg"
Dante doesn't need to be told twice. He slides off the couch onto the floor and sits on his knees. Feels like the right place to ask what he's always wanted to.
"Please, Vergil? May I please take off your pants?" he tries to keep his composure when his head starts feeling heavy.
"Hm, why should I let you do that? So you may inflict your depravity on me?" Vergil's voice gets sharp, made to cut pride.
Dante places a kiss on Vergil's knee, little minding that he's just tasting the leathery fabric. He runs his hands up and down Vergil's thighs, admiring the shape and muscle.
"Wanna be good to you, baby. Wanna make you feel so good"
"Yours first." Vergil presses his foot between Dante's legs, right where his erection tents the pants.
Dante grunts between his teeth. "Yeah, of course." He unbuckles his belt and slides his pants off, never leaving the floor. Won't disrespect Vergil's wishes.
It's a mess in there. The inside of Dante's pants is wet and sticky, and once he finally gets to pull his cock free, a thick rope of precum dangles off the head.
"Show it to me", Vergil insists, having shuffled slightly closer on the couch.
Dante strokes up and down the root. Has to bite his teeth so he doesn't groan from the pleasure of his own hand. It's not every day he gets to show Vergil what he's packing. Dante withdraws his hand and lets his cock twitch.
"Like it?" he asks and looks eagerly up at Vergil. "Big enough for you, baby?"
Fuck— Vergil's chewing his lower lip.
"Yes", Vergil sighs. "I will let you serve as my lover tonight"
Dante fears the pressure in his balls might pop just from hearing that. He grins stupidly.
"Please?" he remembers what's important. "Can I please see you now?"
"Very well"
Vergil doesn't just give permission. He unzips himself and turns around on the couch, offering Dante a prime view of his ass while he lowers his pants.
"Fuck." Dante thinks he might faint. He shuffles closer, and his cockhead bobs pleasantly against the couch. Frictions like electricity right through him. "You've got the hottest ass ever, Vergil"
It's one thing to dream it, another to dig in, but that's exactly what Dante does, grabbing Vergil by the hips and bringing him closer.
"Dante—!"
"Can I eat you out, baby? Pretty please? Gonna make you feel so good"
"Fine." Vergil brings his thighs a bit wider apart.
"Fine as hell, you've got that right"
Dante sinks his fingers into the meat and spreads Vergil's buttocks. He licks his tongue hungrily over the hole, winding his jaw lax so he can easily slobber like a dog. It's lucky Vergil shaved his face earlier, can give a really smooth ride.
"Mmh— fuck", Dante husks, his breath so warm that the hole in front of him twitches. "Get me a serving of this every time you come around." He goes right back to lapping while rutting his hips mindlessly against the couch. Tries fitting his tongue past the rim.
"Dante—" If Vergil means to warn him, he's not very convincing when his voice quivers and he's grasping the back of the couch. Arches his back, too, pushing his hips out; really offering himself on a platter for Dante to enjoy.
"Yeah?"
"Should…" Vergil can't seem to pull himself together.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Dante's slurping on his own spit at that point. "Want me to fuck you?"
"Not here. Bed"
"Right away"
Dante collects Vergil onto his arms and carries him off. Vergil's face is flushed deliciously, and his eyes are practically glowing. The prettiest thing Dante has ever seen.
He lays Vergil gently onto the bed.
"Give me a sec. Gotta find the lube", Dante says and opens the drawer on the bedside table.
Vergil raises on his elbows to peek inside as Dante digs up the bottle of lubricant.
"You must wear one of those, too", Vergil decides and nods his head at the drawer.
Dante lowers his eyes to the condoms lying on the bottom.
"You're kidding. There's no way", he answers.
"Then we cannot couple"
"Wh— why?" There can't be a rubber between them. This isn't a one-night stand. This is Vergil; there won't be anyone else after him.
"I don't want to catch any human disease your previous lovers may have carried", Vergil delivers coldly.
"Didn't you just let me eat your ass? I don't have anything. Pinky promise"
"How are you so sure?"
"Because I always wear one." He does. Somehow, even while drunk out of his mind, it's like a condom always manifests so Dante won't even by accident enjoy himself too much.
Vergil hums in consideration.
Dante negotiates, "You don't want anything like that between us, right? I don't have to cum inside you, either. I can pull out if you're not into the mess and all that."
There's a condemning silence until Vergil's lips finally part. "I don't mind the mess"
Dante grins from ear to ear. "Yeah? You're down to let me cream pie you?"
Vergil looks him in the eye, shamelessly. "Yes"
"Then you'd better spread your legs for me"
Dante thinks he's got everything under control. The coil in his belly is feeling looser now (though his dick is still leaking all over the place like a faulty faucet), and he's got a very willing Vergil in his bed purring like a cat.
That's until Vergil actually does as he's told. Vergil turns around on the bed, spreading his legs and raising his hips. Dante doesn't think the condom would be such a bad idea then— might keep him from nutting too soon.
"Would you like to have me from behind?" Vergil asks softly, all bite gone, and Dante's near passing out again.
"Yeah", Dante manages to rasp. "Yeah, would like that a lot." He settles behind Vergil and pops the lube open.
"Be mindful"
"Always am"
Vergil scoffs. "If you tear me apart, I'll do the same to your face"
Some things never change. Dante probes Vergil's rim with lubed fingers, watching enchanted how the tight muscle yields under his touch and the digit vanishes down to the knuckle. Vergil snarls a warning when Dante tries to fit in another.
"You're tensing up, sweetheart", Dante says and pats Vergil's hip with his other hand. "Relax for me, gonna feel much better"
"Beg your pardon. I'm not well-versed in the art of fornication"
That's hard to believe from how easily Vergil bends over and spreads his legs wide open. How he's been riling Dante up as if he hasn't a clue what it does to a man.
"No? You haven't been a cock-tease to any demons your liking along the way?" Dante keeps Vergil open on two of his fingers. Feels like silk, inside.
"It was never my intention"
"That answers that." Dante chuckles to himself. "Always knew you were a slut"
"Don't be a fool. I never let them bed me", Vergil hisses.
"I'm that special to you?" Dante pulls his fingers out and watches how the wet hole starts to close. "You've not let anyone else have this?" He sloppily pours some more lube over the cleft and pushes it inside with his fingers.
Vergil arches his back, offering himself onto Dante's fingers, damn-near rolling his hips from the look of it.
"I had to kill one of my admirers—" Vergil's story gets cut off by a deep moan. Found the prostate. "He tried claiming what was meant only for you"
Dante swallows through his raw throat. "For me?"
"Go on", Vergil urges. His shoulders lower onto the mattress. "I'm ready for you, brother-dear"
Dante doesn't need to be told twice. He lathers lube all over his cock and presses inside Vergil in one long, sluggish lift of his hips. Vergil cries out; he bundles the sheets in his fist, voice cracking, toes curling, but the glide's smooth, doesn't friction. He's perfectly open for Dante, so slack that Dante has to grab Vergil's hips to keep him from folding onto the mattress.
"Baby", Dante husks, "that feels amazing." Needs to inhale, pleasure licking him like fire.
"Don't stall", Vergil warns him. "Make love to me"
Dante obeys and snaps his hips again. He begins slowly, letting Vergil adjust around him. Not that Vergil seems to need it. His body ragdolls along Dante's hips, his head dropped onto the bed, eyes turned from ice to glass. Looks divine, like he's already been sent to heaven just from having Dante inside of him.
"Not stalling", Dante promises.
It dawns on him then that Vergil has waited for this just as long as he has. For someone so uptight and proud, it's a miracle Vergil ever let this happen; bent over, getting fucked from behind, turned into a whimpering mess from being stretched wide by Dante's thick cock.
Dante presumes a fine pace that leaves Vergil moaning underneath him.
"That feel good for you, too, sweetheart? You like taking my dick like this?" Dante asks what he already knows the answers to; he just happens to enjoy how Vergil claws at the mattress and scrambles for composure. Vergil would never let him have the final word.
"You're being cruel", Vergil claims through his teeth.
"Aww, that's everything I'm not. Want me to stop? If you don't like it, I should stop—" Dante begins slowly pulling away (not that he could from how tight Vergil grips around his cock).
"No, don't you dare!"
Dante slams back inside. "Is that your way of saying you love my dick in your ass?"
"A sufficient lover shouldn't have to ask", Vergil hisses.
Dante wraps his arm around Vergil's chest and pulls him up to his knees, still steadily pounding into him from behind. Gets to nuzzle Vergil's cheek and whisper filth in his ear he knows is going to drive Vergil crazy.
"You're right. I know you love this. Who would've thought you make such a good fuck, Vergil?" Dante gives Vergil's hip a firm squeeze. "Bet you've been wanting this all this time. Is that why you're always a brat with me? Just wanted my dick so bad, hm?"
Maybe Vergil actually tries to counter, but another thrust breaks his voice into a helpless whimper.
"There, baby? That's where it feels good?" Dante murmurs.
"Yes—" Vergil sounds like he's about to cry. "Right there"
"Think I might make you cum if I keep this up?" Dante grabs Vergil by the jaw and forces him to look him in the eye— and fuck, is he a sight.
All the rime's gone. Baby blue as the open sky. Vergil bats his pale lashes, the voice in his throat small and high-pitched.
"Yes", Vergil gasps. "I'm close." His mouth stays open, and his eyes flip into his skull.
Dante lowers his hand and makes a fist around Vergil's cock. It's pretty and slender, just like the rest of him. Dante strokes down the shaft, matching his hand with the pace of his hips, and in no time, Vergil's whole body shudders in his arms.
"Cum for me, baby. It's okay, gonna take care of you, wanna make you feel so good", Dante shushes Vergil in his ear.
"Dante"
That's the best thing Vergil could moan when he goes taut, and his cock starts leaking out a steady stream of cum. Dante strokes him faster through his orgasm, draining Vergil dry as his muscles spasm.
Though Vergil's thighs are still shaking, Dante fucks him through his afterglow, slamming inside of him with less mercy now. Vergil claws at him, sobbing in overstimulation, enough to draw blood from Dante's hips and arms, but he refuses to relent. Not when he chases his own climax so near, just a few thrusts away.
Dante finishes inside Vergil, the coil in his belly finally yanked loose, the unbearable pressure in his balls finally releasing. Shoots straight from the soul, it feels like, when he pumps his load in his brother's ass.
"You're so perfect for me, Vergil", Dante sighs, his eyes blackened. He stills his hips, gasping for breath, his heart beating like a drum.
Vergil drops his head back on Dante's shoulder, exhausted. They're glued together with sweat, both trying to gather themselves. Dante moves, intent on pulling out, but Vergil's irritated hiss makes him stop in his tracks.
"Shush, it's okay…" Dante presses a kiss on Vergil's cheek and runs his hand carefully down Vergil's side. "Relax, baby, you're holding my dick hostage"
"My apologies", Vergil husks.
Dante lets Vergil do most of the work by pulling away. Cum drips out of Vergil, in such a generous amount that Dante is impressed himself. Vergil collapses onto the bed and snarls at his sore body.
"Let me get some paper towels", Dante offers.
"No", Vergil snaps and clutches Dante's hand before he has the chance to get off the bed. "You're going nowhere. You shall stay here and take accountability for what's your doing"
Dante grins wide. "Yeah? How am I gonna do that?" He lies down next to Vergil.
"Hold me"
"Yes, Your Highness"
Dante wraps his arms around Vergil and brings his head to his chest. Vergil sinks down against him without resistance, and they proceed to lie in bed together, entangled and hand in hand.
"Did you really kill a demon because they got frisky with you?" Dante asks.
"Yes", Vergil answers, eyes closed.
"When was this?"
"Some weeks ago"
"Where?"
"In Hell"
Dante's brows furrow. "You've been back there?"
"I have." Vergil doesn't seem to approach the topic with the same sense that Dante does. Like having small talk about the weather.
"Why?" Dante loosens his grip to look at Vergil's serene face. "Didn't you spend a decade trying to get out? Now you're trying to get back in?"
"I have unfinished business"
"What you have is a death wish. Don't go down there alone, Vergil"
Vergil opens his eyes just to glare. "You have no say in what I do, Dante. I came to see you out of concern for your welfare, but make no mistake, this kindness is no invitation for you to be nosy"
"Your kindness, right", Dante mocks. "I'm so lucky to have someone like you giving a shit about me"
"I gave you what you claim to have yearned for, and this is the language you will use of me?" Vergil yanks himself free of Dante's grasp.
"Yeah, thanks for the pity-fuck, Vergil, real heartfelt of you"
Vergil gives him a look of contempt that's enough to make Dante regret what he's let out of his mouth. Before he can salvage it, Vergil rises from the bed, his warmth fleeting. Dante hurries after him, grabbing his arm.
"Gonna run from me again?" Dante spits, no doubt just eager to make it worse. "Is that the only thing you can come up with to hurt me? It's getting old"
Vergil squirms. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, little brother, but my choices no longer revolve around you"
"You wanna go back so bad, huh? You'd rather be in Hell than with me, isn't that what you told me—"
"I never said such a thing"
"But it's true!"
"Stop placing words in my mouth. I have no qualms about you"
"Then what? What is all this?"
"I can't—" Vergil stops as if he realizes something. He finally yanks his arm free, and Dante lets him.
"Talk to me, Vergil. Help me understand", Dante asks. Can't find the words that would persuade Vergil. "You have a life here that's been waiting for you. What about Nero? Have you told him?"
Vergil pulls further away, his face blank. Distant again, so near in form, but too far for Dante to reach.
"I shall fetch my clothes", Vergil decides and walks out.
"Fuck", Dante curses and buries his face in his hands.
A smarter man would realize his defeat and stop pursuing what's not meant for him to have. Dante is too stubborn. He bothers
enough to pull on a pair of pants before hounding Vergil to the lounge.
Vergil sits on the couch, dressing himself. Dante walks behind him and wraps his arms around Vergil's shoulders.
"This doesn't make you feel anything?" Dante whispers weakly.
"I feel everything", Vergil answers. "I feel things I never learned how to feel. It overflows my cup"
"You're saying it's too much?"
"Yes." Vergil turns to look at Dante, a sadness in his eyes Dante hasn't seen before. It must be just a reflection of him. "Too much, for now"
Dante nods. He has to. Can't force a life on Vergil he doesn't want.
"When are you going?" Dante thinks himself so brave for getting the words out through his tightened chest and lumped throat.
Starts to hurt somewhere deep in his core, where it always hurts when Vergil is around.
"In the morning", Vergil answers.
Dante lowers his head, so Vergil can't see what it does to him. "Okay"
"I'll come back", Vergil's voice tempers. "I always do, don't I?"
"That you do"
"I need a favor from you"
Dante clears his throat, mustering his courage. He raises his head again and holds Vergil a bit tighter.
"Anything you need", he agrees.
"Don't fall into peril for my sake." Vergil takes Dante's hand and slots their fingers together. "I don't blame you for anything, little brother. I chose my path, and I leave regret to lesser minds"
It should serve as a balm, but all it does is make Dante crumble. Vergil is good at that, even when he means to be kind, even when he means to release Dante from his misery.
Vergil leans closer, head tilted, and should Dante claim to have seen this much lenience in Vergil's eyes, no one would believe him.
"Leave tormenting you to your betters", Vergil murmurs and presses a kiss on Dante's cheek.
Dante manages to chuckle. "Yeah, should learn to do that"
As if nothing of significance has happened, Vergil turns away and continues buttoning his shirt. Dante quickly wipes away at his damp eyes and climbs onto the couch next to Vergil. Lays a hand on his thigh and gives it a light squeeze.
"Gonna miss me?" he asks, only half-seriously.
Vergil hums in consideration. "Let me think… I will finally be able to concentrate without your constant babbling, without you putting your hands on me every chance you get and slobbering all over me like a dog"
"Oh, you've got the hots for me"
"You baffle me"
"C'mere, baby." Dante wraps his hands around Vergil's waist and pulls him onto his lap. Vergil doesn't resist but drops his head willingly on Dante's shoulder.
They stay like that for a time.
"And you didn't think to call me?" Nero slams his fist onto the table so hard that everything on it jumps.
Dante little minds. He's comfortably leaning back in his chair, hands resting behind his head.
"Didn't come to mind. He was here for just a couple days", he explains.
"A couple days? You had ample time!"
Matter of fact, Dante didn't. He wasn't about to waste a single minute he got to spend in bed with Vergil.
"Don't be upset. Next time we'll call"
"That's not why I'm upset." Nero sounds about ready to go off on a tantrum. "We could've talked to him together, made him stay!"
Dante lets his chair drop back in place. "Got any bright ideas how we're gonna do that? It's Vergil— this is how he's always been, how it's always gonna be with him. He's not gonna change"
It's about as pointless as trying to put a leash on an animal once it's already roaming wild. Would be plain cruel at that point.
"You didn't even try", Nero says bitterly.
Dante sighs so solemnly that his shoulders fall. "Kid, I've been trying for forty years"
Nero's disappointed, Dante gets that— both of them are, they got every reason to be. Dante would trade anything to make Vergil stay, but some spirits are so incandescent they'll just tear through all confinement. Vergil's had his fill of restraints.
Dante doesn't scold Nero about his temper when he gets up and storms off. Nero hasn't seen what Dante has seen.
Doesn't yet know that Vergil always comes back to Dante in the end.