Hello dear, this is my first to ever send an ask of a prompt(?)/fic request. May i request a reaction of Nero & Vergil receiving gifts ( gifts that can be used for everyday work, like knitted scarf for winter ) and love letters from a secret admirer? and one day they catch this person who runs away from them, because they reason " im content with just admiring you from afar ". also personality of the fem reader is the polite yet very shy type. (( am i doing this request thing correctly? ))
You’re totally doing this correctly, don’t worry!! And it was a hella cute prompt, so thank you so much for sending this in to me!! That being said though, I’m so damn sorry this took so long for me to get to, Crezz, and thank you so much for being patient with me! 😭😭 I ended up taking a few liberties with Vergil, just because I didn’t want to have a scene that was too similar, but I hope you like it, Crezz!!
Thank you again for taking an interest in my writing! ❤️✨
He doesn’t think too much of the gifts at first, because they start off very small and inconsequential. Things that aren’t really enough for him to think too deeply about; a plate of cookies (they were really good); a small bundle of cloth in the same material and colour as his coat (he’s been needing to patch up that hole too); even a vial of Holy Water (hey, they’re good for crowd control!!).
It isn’t uncommon for the residents of Fortuna to leave small trinkets at the orphanage for him, as a way of thanks for everything he continues to do for their city. He keeps telling everybody it isn’t necessary, but they keep leaving him things anyway. What can he do?
But the gifts keep coming. Each one a little more thoughtful than the last, and nobody seems to be taking responsibility for them? How mysterious!!!!
Like how the winter months are coming, and he so happens to find a knitted scarf of navy and a dark maroon folded neatly by the entrance one day. There’s a square of paper folded on top of it, with a neatly written message inside: It’s getting colder now, please take care of yourself, Nero.
A few days later, he finds a tin of lemongrass and ginger tea. Is it homemade? He thinks it might be. And there’s another message taped to the top of it: I’m sorry if you don’t like ginger, but it can help keep you warm. ❤️
Nico keeps nudging him square in the ribs about it. “Looks like my lil’ bro’s got a secret admirer~~”
Nero just tells her to shut up.
…but it does make him feel kinda fuzzy inside…
One day though, he finally manages to catch you.
He’s just coming back from a patrol, and you’ve only just finished placing today’s gift - a simple pouch filled with herbs to grant protection - on the porch.
You must be really absorbed in what you’re doing because it’s like you don’t hear him coming up behind you.
It’s only when you turn to leave do you realise he’s there, nearly colliding right into his chest.
“Oh hey, so all of that’s from you?” Nero peers over you at the bundle on the front step, recognising the little paper with what he assumes contains yet another heartwarming message adorning the top. He recognises your face too - you often come by the orphanage with your father to help drop off supplies.
You can’t bring yourself to answer though, and your face immediately flushes at his recognition.
With a timid squeak, you bounce backwards half a step and bow low at the waist, stammering a brief “t-thank you for everything!” before you squeeze past him and run away.
But also kind of really cute?!
Nero snatches up the gift you’ve left for him today, vaguely eyeing the protective charm before he goes for your note. Oh, it seems to be an actual letter today?
It reads: I’m sorry if all these gifts have been a little off putting, but I hope that they’ve been helpful to you in some small way. Please remember to let the tea steep for at least three minutes! You’ll get more flavour out of the leaves and it will last longer. You do so much for all of us, but please take care of yourself too, Nero. You’re so important, and so special to all of us. And to me. …maybe especially to me. It’s a bit silly, isn’t it? We don’t really talk all that much, but I feel so strongly about you… you’re so strong, and so gentle, and even if it’s just through meaningless little exchanges like this, I’m happy as long as you are. I’m happy with just being able to provide you support like this, and I hope it provides you with as much warmth as you do for me. Thank you, Nero.
For whatever reason, Nero’s heart is hammering wildly in his chest. Thankfully, Nico isn’t around to prod at him for suddenly being all bashful, so Nero carefully folds up your letter and tucks it into his coat.
He’s pretty familiar with your father, and he knows where your store is… maybe it’s about time he pays an actual visit.
When the first gift showed up on their doorstep, there was actually a fair bit of arguing over who it was supposed to be for.
“Who the hell would gift you something, ya grump, it’s obviously for me!!” Dante argues. “I don’t see your name on it.”
At which point Vergil gestures to his name, written in neat cursive, on the letter that’s stuck to the package.
Dante just mutters “smart ass…” under his breath
At first, Vergil likes the gifts simply because it means he gets to laud it over his brother, relishing in every annoyed grunt and roll of Dante’s eyes whenever Vergil finds another package for him out on the front stoop of Devil May Cry.
But over time, he starts to enjoy the gifts for what they are.
Whoever’s leaving these gifts clearly knows him well enough to know what he would like, and he’s hard pressed to say that he dislikes even one.
Like that simple blank journal for him to idly sketch (he’s not that good yet), that fresh new business ledger, or that chic little glass mug with the tea infuser.
Eventually, it actually starts to bother him - who on earth is leaving him these gifts? And why won’t they show themselves?
He starts paying attention to what days they’re left behind, and around what time, to try to ascertain a pattern, so maybe he can catch you one day.
But you, clever you… ever shy, but also ever aware of his curious personality, are always one step ahead of him.
You cover all your tracks; you make sure you alter the time of day you drop by; sometimes you don’t show up for weeks; sometimes you simply send him thoughtful little letters by mail instead.
Vergil would rather die than admit he likes those the most.
He likes all your gifts of course, but there’s just something about a handwritten letter that just feels so personal?
And that’s to say nothing of the flattery you bestow upon him in them.
So what’s a guy to do? He starts writing you back.
You never leave a return address on the physical mail you send him, of course. That would be too easy, and he knows you’re not that foolish.
So he leaves an envelope out on the front stoop for you, for the next time you drop by the store.
The first letter you get from him is very simple: Who are you?
Your reply was equally concise: Your secret admirer.
From there, the exchange continues, and though he never learns who you really are, he does learn more about you in general.
Like how you’re a friend of a friend (who shall remain nameless).
And that you drop by (Vergil assumes their part of town when you say this) every now and then on business.
And that he’s met you before.
That one has him reeling a little as he finely combs through his memory, trying to piece the puzzle together.
He never manages to figure it out.
Eventually, he straight up asks if you will meet him.
And though it’s disheartening, you tell him that you’re content with things as they are. You understand he’s busy. You understand his line of work. You understand he lives a dangerous life. You’ll love him from afar with as much fervour as you would in person.
But Vergil isn’t content with that.
It’s pure chance that he spots a shadow underneath the front doors one early morning. It isn’t Dante - he’s still passed out in bed. And there’s no post on Sundays. And Morrison won’t be available until next week. Which means…
He pulls the door open just in time to see you about to place another package on the front step.
And you both freeze on the spot.
Vergil isn’t really sure why he’s so surprised. Maybe because he’s finally caught you?
But probably because good lord you’re kind of really adorable.
You on the other hand are slowly turning beet red. And the colour is deepening with every second that you both stand there, gazes locked.
You eventually drop the package and take an inadvertent step backwards… which has you nearly tumbling down the stairs, but you manage to catch yourself before you do.
If anything, it just makes you fluster even more, your hands rising to cover your mouth.
Vergil’s saying something to you, you’re sure of it, but you can’t hear him over the rush of your pulse in your ears.
And your own stuttered, high-pitched words: “V-Vergil! Good morning! I… ah… thisisforyouthankyouI'msorryhaveagoodday!!”
Then you bow. And run for your life.
Vergil is left standing in the doorway watching as you shrink into the distance.
He’s actually kind of stunned?!
But now that he’s seen you, he’s definitely seen you before - you’re a friend of Lady’s. One of her contacts within Red Grave.
And now that he can put a name to your face, the rest is easy.
romaincrisis
