So I’m participating in Hanami Week, which means one prompt a day for seven days. However! Instead of doing seven separate stories, I’m going to write seven drabbles/short scenes that all build off of the same story.
So! Here is part 1, and I hope you enjoy :)
Vergil had never been to a cherry blossom festival for a multitude of reasons. When he was younger, he wouldn’t be caught dead at such a place even if he had the time or ability to go. Then there were the ‘unspoken years’, a mutually agreed upon term in his family, followed by another few months fighting Dante in the underworld. And even after all of that, Vergil never expected to have a reason to go. But since his beloved had yet to miss one festival in her 30+ years of life which meant Vergil had to go. That, or she’d end up going with Dante. And even though they’d be with everyone else in his family, Vergil would have to stab him over it, and that wasn’t good for anyone involved.
And that’s how Vergil found himself stepping off the train with his brother and his son, annoyed that he’d had to go with them instead of her, as the women apparently had other plans. But Nero looked about as on edge as Vergil felt, so maybe it wasn’t as bad as he thought.
“So where to first, boys?” Dante said as he slapped both backs, nearly knocking all three of them right off the train. “Looks like we’ve got some time to ourselves.”
“Oh hell no,” Nero said. “I’m not getting caught dead here alone with you two.”
Dante clicked his tongue. “I think I should be offended.”
“Yep,” Dante said with a shrug. “Definitely offended. Lucky for you,” He snapped his fingers, pointed at Nero and winked. “I’m in a good mood.”
Vergil ignored the ensuing argument as he wandered to the edge of the platform. The train had stopped in the center of the town, overlooking miles of trees filled with cherry blossoms. Vergil hadn’t seen one before his beloved introduced them to him, but even he couldn’t deny the certain… appeal they had. However, it was the sheer multitude of people down below that made him uneasy. They had tried to go during the work day, but there had been too many demon sightings throughout the week. Now, Vergil was wishing he’d just brought her earlier in the week.
But then the family would have dragged him out anyway, so it probably didn’t matter.
He blinked and glanced behind him, only to see Nero staring down the platform, eyes wide. And when he followed his son’s gaze, he was certain his own eyes widened too. For at the end, pushing past all the crowds as if they owned the place, where all five of the women dressed in traditional yukatas. Even Nico, who Vergil had only seen ‘dress up’ (in a suit, of course) for Nero and Kyrie’s wedding, was wrapped up in one. But he didn’t care about the four leading the way. His eyes drifted to the woman who caught his eye, smiled, and stopped at the railing a short distance away. Of all the yukatas, hers was the most beautiful. It was the shade of a clear, blue sky. White and pink flowers made for a tasteful level of decoration, and the hot pink sash around her waist was adorned with the blue dragon charm he’d given her months ago. Her hair was tied in a bun to the side, and interwoven with faux cherry blossoms.
“Better go get her,” Dante said. “Before she changes her mind.”
After a simple greeting, in which everyone knew exactly where he was going, Vergil blinked passed them all and resisted the urge to wrap his arm around her. He’d never managed such a thing in public. Now, close to arguably the most people he had seen in years, he wasn’t about to start. Not because he didn’t want to… but…
“Hi Vergil,” She said as she held her hand out. He took it and, after a quick glance to confirm that his family was occupied, brought it to his lips. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, but her gaze never left his. Confidence; one of many things Vergil loved about her. “Sorry to drag you out here on such a busy day.” She glanced down at the crowd below them. Except this new spot was exactly in the middle of the pathway, and Vergil could finally see both the festival in the distance and the way numerous cherry blossom petals had fallen to the ground in a beautiful display. For a moment, Vergil could imagine them walking through it together as she kicked up the petals in the way she would inevitably do when she was excited. Maybe some would even fall into her hair…
“If we go now,” She said, gently breaking him from his thoughts. “We could spend most of the day away from your family. Though…” Her eyes drifted to the commotion behind them. Nico and Nero were already fighting, with Kyrie shaking her head and talking to Trish behind them. Dante and Lady were up in front, with Dante glancing at Vergil far too often to be a coincidence. “I doubt we’ll be able to avoid them the entire day.”
“Unlikely,” Vergil said but the idea didn’t bother him as much now as it did a few minutes ago. “Lead the way.”
She giggled. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you say that.”
Vergil scowled, but it was quickly replaced by shock when she kissed his cheek. “Come on, Mr. Grump,” She said, her smile never fading. “I think you’ll be able to enjoy yourself at least a little bit.”
“Indeed,” Vergil agreed, earning another laugh as he allowed her to drag him away.
Ko-fi -- Master List -- AO3
