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I love and appreciate all the comments and reblogs they really motivate me!! Hope your reading experience is delightful!
โโโโ เญจเญง โโโโ
Not to rush or anything !! But I thought you said that a new Vergil x reader chapter was gonna come out during June ? I miss the fic so muchhh!!
hello!! hi so uh don't worry the last thing i'll do is abandon it but things are a bit hectic for me as of now, i did update on ao3 that the fic is on a TEMPORARY hiatus, here i stress on 'temporary' cause im still working on the fluff and all but at a snail's pace due to so much of my time being devoted to studying!
But no def gonna release it! I'm sorry really because as a avid fanfic reader myself I am well aware of how dissapointing waiting really gets
(been waiting on a fav fic of mine to update for almost 2 years now TnT so i def feel u).
Food for thought: the next chapters would be vergil's pov of the ordeal and then some fluff!!
I will try my level best to update next month for sure!!! Thank you so much for remembering and missing something i wrote. It really does motivate me to write now that I know theres someone out there who checked in for an update! Thank you for ur admiration!!!
โthat fandom is so annoyingโ i hate to break it to you but every fandom is annoying. all of them. if youโre in a fandom youโre annoying. iโm in several fandoms iโm extra annoying. everyone on this website is annoying.
SUMMARY: Reader makes Jason do a TikTok trend. Bat-siblings get to discover the big bad has a girlfriend he's totally whipped for.
PAIRING: Jason Todd x Fem! Reader
TAGS: I was talking about this trend, fluff, a little mature but mostly fine, fatson todd mention, bruce wayne flies to tokyo cause he can, jason loves her but dosen't wanna be teased about it (harms his street rep) , a little ooc? , a little beta read
๐ฆน Word Count: 1,718 ๐ฆน Ao3
"I can't believe you made me agree to this," Jason said, leaning back into the couch, making himself comfortable.ย
"As if you're not right where you wanna be," you shot back, straddling him as his hands naturally come to rest on your hips.ย
"I'm not complaining about-mmhm" he completely melts as soon as you shut him up with a kiss, your nails softly scraping the back of his neck the way he likes, making him groan into it. But you know Jason. Know exactly when he's about to turn an innocent little makeout shesh into toe-curling sex, so you were quick to pull away, determined not to get distracted. When you did pull away sucessfully, he looked at you as if you had offended him in 12 different ways.
"Oh don't make that face Jace. It's not even gonna take like 10 minutes to get done with the vid!" You said, applying lip gloss as his eyes settled on your lips.
"Hey, I'm all for giving up my body so you can do whatever you like with it. But leaving me high and dry for your private following of 50 is so mean," he said, hands disappearing under your top.
"You'll live." You smacked your lips, held his face in place and started peppering it with kisses. A wide smile found home on Jason's face, enjoying the attention. The concept of his face being ambushed like this was not foreign to him at all. Whenever you'd see him look at home and comfortable, you'd literally pounce on him.ย
When he's lying under the blankets in winter, his hoodie cocooning his face. Boom your on him.
He's cooking something, his brows furrowed in concentration. Boom your on him.
He could be doing the most mundane things, like watching a movie with you. BOOM your on him again. He never knows when it's coming, but he knows it's inevitable.
So it's safe to say he has taken a liking to being handled like this by you.ย Hell, he loves it even.
When you're done painting him red. You pull back to observe your masterpiece. "Hmm you look nice..Wanna see?" You say grabbing ur phone and snapping multiple pictures. Jason was smiling like an idiot, content to just be there.ย Just being yours like this.
You turned your phone to show him how he looked. "I personally think I should do this more often" you said proud of your craft.
โThat so?โ His brows lifted lazily, fingers tightening on your hips as he kissed you again.
Today was a good day.
"GUYS." Stephanie's voice cut through the coms, "Nobody leaves directly after patrol tonight. I have something to showย allย of you." Just by Steph's tone, everyone guessed this was going to be entertaining. A string of 'you got it', 'yep' and 'what for?' followed.
Cut to the infamous Batcave. All of them had busied themselves. Damian was polishing his katana, Tim was arranging case files, dick on the worn-out couch scrolling on his phone, Cassandra was in the training area and Jason leaned against one of the support beams, eating popcorn. The only person they were waiting on was Bruce. And all of them were getting impatient because Stephanie was too giddy and bouncy for their liking.
โCan you relax?โ Jason finally asked. โYouโre pacing like you planted explosives somewhere.โ to which Stephanie scoffed with a smirk "Oh! Talk all you want Todd...for now."
Before Jason could even ask what she meant by that, Dick suddenly groaned dramatically from across the cave. โWell, we waited for nothing. Bruce is flying to Tokyo.โ
Timโs head snapped up instantly. โWhy would he text you that and not me?โ Already offended, he pulled out his phone only for it to be snatched by Stephanie. "Not right now drake"
โEverybody. Huddle up. Now.โ She said a bounce in her step as she made her way to her phone.
"I'm about to show you. The cutest thing you've seen in a minute." She turned the phone around to show the video you had posted earlier that day.ย
Jason felt his ears get warm actively. The screen shook slightly as you tried to fix ur lipstick yourself only for Jasonโs hand to enter frame, big fingers tilting your chin up with absurd gentleness.Then came the worst part. Jasonโs face. Not the bruised-up, helmet-wearing crime lord terror one Gotham knew. No. This was domestic Jason. Soft Jason. The Jason who looked at you like youโd personally invented sunlight.
Covered in red.
God he looked so whipped.
Pin drop silence through the cave.
The first to react was Damian, springing off his seat to get a closer look "Is that Todd?!" and Stephanie nodded, squealing, "Aren't they so fucking cute!!" Before Damian could give his insight, Jason cut in, "What the fuck, Steph! How'd you even get the video??" Dick chimed in, "No better question. Since when do you have a girlfriend and why does it look like only I didn't know about her!" tim piped up "I didn't know either!" Damian nodded as well, "Why would you not tell us?"
"Just because! That's not the point right now. The point is that Steph is hacking into my girlfriend's account to get at me!" Jason said, standing up and taking the stage, "Wow, chill, I'm not hacking into anything,ย damn.ย Is it that hard to believe I'm mutuals with her?" Jason scoffed as if that had personally offended him, "no ur not." She just gave him a flat look. "...you are." He says, dropping back to his seat.
Dick asked the necessary question, "How do ya know her, Steph?" Stephanie shrugged casually "We've been volunteering for the same animal rights NGO for the past month and became friends. Then I seeย himย pick her up one day and well..." Jason ran a hand over his face.
"I think it's very sweet." Cassandra spoke up, "You both look good together." Considering Cassandra rarely ever spoke, the atmosphere had quieted down to listen to her properly "Thanks cass. You're sweet. Maybe teach that to these assholes." Jason replied bringing the tension back in."We haven't made fun of you even once. Why the fuck are we assholes?" Tim asked annoyed.
"Because you wereย thinkingย it,โ Jason shot back immediately, pointing accusingly at all of them like a man defending himself in court with nothing but wounded pride and vibes. "I can feel it in the air. Every single one of you is gearing up to make fun of me."
They exchanged looks.
โCan we replay the video?โย Dick asked hopefully, already halfway off the couch and reaching for Stephanieโs phone.
Jason looked horrified. โAbsolutely not.โ
Too late.
Stephanie had already restarted it.
Dick clutched his chest dramatically. โMy Littlewing grew up so fast.โ Jason groaned, โI hate all of you.โ
โYou look like youโre about to serenade her.โ Tim added.
โThey look married,โ Stephanie corrected. And god help him. Jason just hopes he was onlyย feeling warmย and not looking the part.
Damian, meanwhile, was staring at the phone with narrowed eyes like heโd just witnessed cryptid footage. โThat cannot be Todd.โ Jason scoffed.
Cassandra tilted her head slightly, watching the paused frame. โYou look calm.โ The words actually made Jason pause for half a second. Because that was the thing, wasnโt it? Heย wasย calm around you.
Then Dick ruined the moment instantly.
โWait, wait, pause when he's in frame!โ
โDONโT.โ
Dick gasped, โOh my God. Heโs got the eyes.โ Jason crossed his arms stubbornly. โYou guys are overreacting.โ
โAre notโ Damian said immediately.
โYou called me emotionally constipated three days ago!โย
โYou are. This is simply...unexpected character development.โ
Tim leaned back in his chair with a smirk. โHonestly, I thought your version of romance was just threatening people slightly softer.โ To which Tim received a 'what-the-fuck-dude' look
Jason groaned and leaned back against the beam again like a man moments away from faking his own death. Unfortunately for him, the hyenas smelled weakness. Tim held a hand out toward Stephanie.
โLemme see the account.โ
โNo,โ Jason warned immediately.
โToo late,โ Stephanie chirped, tossing Tim the phone.
Jason lunged. Cassandra smoothly stuck a foot out. Jason stumbled mid-step while Tim escaped with the phone like a victorious raccoon stealing bread. โTraitor. You're supposed to be on my team.โ Jason accused. Cass only blinked innocently.
Tim scrolled for exactly five seconds before letting out a low whistle. โDamn.โ Jason narrowed his eyes. โDrake.โ
โYouโre in every other postโ
โDrake.โ
โThereโs one where youโre asleep.โ
โTIMOTHY.โ
Dick perked up instantly. โTHERES A SLEEPING JASON TODD PHOTO?!โ Jason started moving again, but Damian intercepted him this time, grabbing the back of his jacket with deeply unnecessary force.
โYou will sit,โ Damian ordered.
โWhat are you, twelve or a Bond villain?โ
โYes.โ
Dick had now migrated from the couch and was fully invading Timโs personal space to look at the phone too. โOHHH this one!โ A photo from the funhouse where the mirror had made jason look stretched and small (honouring fatson todd here.) Stephanie grinned,ย โRead the caption.โ Tim chuckled, "He's 2 apples tall.โ Everyone broke out laughing.
ย
Jason looked like he was entering cardiac arrest.ย
Tim spoke up, "Dude, we have proof Jasonย isn'tย just a big tough GUY!"ย
Damian, however, was still staring at Jason. โYou let her post this?โ Jason frowned. โI'm no one to tell her what she can and can't post?โ
Another question โShe openly displays affection for you in front of strangers.โ Jason answered warily, "...yeah?โ
โAnd you permit this.โ
Jason blinked slowly. โDo you think sheโs my hostage? I love her. She's her own woman.โ
Damian nodded in deep thought.
Dick slung an arm around Jasonโs shoulders before he could escape again. โFace it, little wing. Youโre down catastrophically.โ Jason immediately tried shrugging him off. โGet off me.โ
โNope. Iโm embracing this growth.โ
โThis isnโt growth.โ
โYou smiled.โ
โI smile.โ
Dickโs expression softened instantly beneath all the teasing as he got off jason โYou really love her, huh?โ
The cave quieted again. No jokes this time. Jason looked away first. Which was answer enough already. But then he muttered, quieter this time:
โMore than anything.โ The words settled through the cave strangely gently.
Then naturally.
โAnyway whenโs the wedding?โ
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
a/n: First Jason fic! I hope this wasn't too stretched! Do you guys like it?
SUMMARY: Agent Kennedy is a smartass, so he reopens his stitches.
PAIRING: Leon S. Kennedy/ fem!Reader
TAGS: Reader is the doctor, Any era leon works, Fluff and a little crack if you squint, Hunnigan gave him the balls, we love lonely men, a little beta read.
๐ฆน Word Count: 2,009 ๐ฆน Ao3
"Agent Kennedy, you need to stop moving." Your voice cut through, quite displeased by his constant fidgeting. You had patched him up merely two days ago; he had seventeen stitches across his abdomen, fresh bandaging and a lecture he could probably recite word for word by now.
Avoid strain. No sudden movement. Rest for at least forty-eight hours.
Simple instructions.
Instructions Leon Kennedy had apparently treated as optional.
Leon was not foreign to the concept of stitches and so you were sure there would be no complications this time as well. Lo and behold, 'I was bored so I went to the camp' which led to your current predicament.ย
โSays the lady currently driving a needle through my skin,โ he muttered with a strained groan, finally leaning back against the operating chair.ย
"You were the one who denied local anaesthesia. If you want I could still-" You were cut off by him almost immediately. "I don't need local ana-thing for 5 stitches" He said as if you had offended him by even suggesting it.
Men.
"Then don't move again. I mean it." Sternly, this time.ย
"You got it doc."
Keeping his word, he stopped moving, the only sign that he was not under an anaesthetic being the faces he was making every time the needle went through. The stitching, being superficial, was done relatively fast. You moved away and discarded your gloves.ย
"I'm writing you up on a strict recovery leave for the next two weeks" , you said flatly as you reached for the clipboard resting on the counter nearby.
Leonโs head snapped up so fast you almost feared he had torn another stitch. "Oh, come on, doc, don't do this to me. Hell, I'm pretty sure you're not even allowed to do that."
โDoctorโs authority overrides field assignment if an operative is deemed medically unfit for active duty,โ you recited. โWould you like me to continue, or have you memorised this lecture too?โ
Leon stared at you for a long second before letting out a quiet sigh through his nose.
โThatโs low.โ
โWhatโs low is reopening your stitches because you got bored.โ Moving to your desk and sitting down, you picked up his file.
โIn my defence, it wasnโt entirely my fault.โ
You finally glanced at him, unimpressed. โYou voluntarily went to a training camp two days after abdominal sutures.โ
โThey needed me there!โ He replied quick on his feet.ย
"You told me you went because you were bored." Another flat look.
A beat of silence "Well, I was boredย andย they needed help with the rookies."
"Leon, we are not arguing about this. You need rest. As your doctor its my responsibility to make sure you stay in good healthย andย shape" You set the clipboard down on the desk with a sharp tap, turning back to face him.
He slumped back onto the operating chair with a groan. "Fine. You're the boss. I'll sit at home and do nothing. Rot basically. Cause that's what u want me to do. Rot."
"Leon."
"No no. Do as you please. Don't let my misery bother you."
"Agent Kennedy."
That finally got his attention.
Barely.
He dragged a hand down his face before peering at you through brown-blond strands falling over tired blue eyes. โYou know, people usually buy me dinner before threatening my entire lifestyle.โ
You crossed your arms. โPeople usually don't reopen stitches out of boredom.โย
A soft smile took home on his face all the while looking like he was seconds away from falling asleep. Cute.ย Adorable even. The small voice in your head even urged you to run ur fingers through his hair.ย How unprofessional, you scolded yourself mentally.ย ย
โYouโre exhausted,โ you said, gentler this time.
โIโm functioning.โ
โYou were limping when you came in.โ
โHey now you're just being dramatic.โย
How stubborn can someone possibly be, level Leon Scott Kennedy.ย You exhaled slowly through your nose, fighting the urge to smile. Fighting and losing, apparently, because his eyes narrowed the second he caught it.
โThere it is,โ he said quietly.
โWhat?โ
โThat thing.โ
You frowned. โVery descriptive.โ
โThe smile.โ He gestured vaguely toward your face. โYou try not to do it around me.โ
Your heartbeat performed an unhelpful little backflip.
โThat is objectively untrue.โ Quick to defend yourself and only receiving a "mmhmm" from his end.
"FYI, I'm very professional, I do not laugh and giggle with any of the government agents I'm assigned to. Ever." You said trying to gain some of the ground back for it to all be yeeted out the window when leon dramatically clutches his chest.
"Agents. There are multiple? You're telling me I'm not the only one?"ย
You roll your eyes and get up to wash the tools you used. Distracting. Or at least trying your best to distract yourself. That was until Leon spoke up again.
"I think you tolerate me quite professionally.โ His voice dipped lower, softer around the edges. โI think the smiling partโs separate.โ And thank god you were'nt facing him cause he would have totally caught onto how warm that sentence just made you.
"You're avoiding the real topic." You said trying to go back to medical leaves.
"You're deflecting." God did he ever stop, or was he on a mission to break his poor doctor's composure today?
Nope. Not today.
"You need sleep." You said placing the washed stuff back where it belongs
"Cruel" Came a quick reply
"And atย leastย two weeks off duty."
"Crueler."
With that, you turned back only to see him staring at the ceiling as if he had been sentenced to death. You cleared your throat and sat back down at your desk, flipping through his file in an attempt to regain some level of professionalism. โYour vitals are stable for now. But if those stitches reopen again, youโll need another full closure.โ
โSounds romantic.โ You chose to ignore that one.
โYouโll need to come back in a week so I can remove the stitches.โ
โA whole week without seeing me?โ he mused. โHow tragic.โ
โYou say that like you donโt appear here every three business days.โ
โThatโs unfair.โ To which I replied, "hardly," before standing up and making my way to his other reports to add them into the file as well.
Another silence settled between you.ย
Too quiet.
The kind of quiet that made you aware of stupid things.
Like the fact Leonโs voice always sounded rougher when he was tired.
Or how he watched you when he thought you werenโt looking.
Or how unfairly good-looking someone had no business being while half-drugged on painkillers. You could feel his gaze lingering again. It made concentrating nearly impossible.
โWhy do you do that?โ he asked suddenly.
You looked up. โDo what?โ
โAct like you donโt like me.โ
You nearly dropped the clipboard.
โI never said I didnโt like you.โ
โYou donโt have to.โ His smile turned faintly crooked. โYou get all professional whenever things stop being about medical stuff.โ
โThat is generally how being a doctor works.โ
โMm. See? There it is again.โ
You set the clipboard down with perhaps slightly more force than necessary. โYou are reading too much into things.โ
โOccupational hazard.โ
Before you could respond, Leon shifted forward in the chair with a quiet grunt. Immediately, your expression sharpened. โWhat did I just say about moving?โ
โI dropped my phone!โ
You are quick to pick it up and hand it to him. And as if on cue, it rang loudly in his hand.
Leon glanced at the screen and groaned dramatically. โGreat. Hunnigan.โ
โAnswer it.โ
โSheโs gonna yell at me.โ
โYou deserve it.โ
He narrowed his eyes at you before answering anyway. โHey.โ
You busied yourself backl with his file while he spoke.
Or rather, while he got scolded.
โYes, Iโm at medical.โ
Pause.
โNo, Iโm fine.โ
Longer pause.
โI said Iโm fine.โ
You heard a faint muffled voice and had to fight down a smile.
Leon pointed accusingly toward you while talking into the phone. โSee? This is workplace bullying. You and her. You both are teaming up against me.โ
You snorted quietly.
Apparently, that was audible enough because Hunniganโs voice sharpened through the receiver.
Leon sighed heavily. โOkay, okay. Yes maโam.โ
Another pause.
Then his expression shifted slightly.
Subtler.
Softer.
His eyes flicked toward you briefly before he looked away again.
โ...No,โ he said after a moment. โNot yet.โ
Your brows furrowed slightly.
Not yet?
Hunnigan must have said something else because Leon suddenly rubbed his face with his free hand.
โYou are literally making this worse.โ
Now you were curious.
Very curious.
A beat later, he hung up and tossed the phone onto his lap.
You crossed your arms. โProblems?โ
"Aren't there always?...You know what I've realised, doc?" I looked at him, confused, "What have you realised?"
โI like being here.โ
You blinked. โIn medical?โ
โIn your office.โ
Your heart stumbled traitorously. Was he smooth-talking right now?
โThat might genuinely be the saddest thing youโve ever said.โ
โIโm serious.โ
You looked at him carefully.
He looked exhausted still. Pale under the fluorescent lights. Hair falling into tired eyes. Stubbornness practically radiated off him in waves.
But underneath all of that was something else.
Ease. Like this was one of the few places where he could unclench for a minute.
For a second, neither of you spoke.
The rain outside had softened into a steady rhythm against the windows. Somewhere farther down the hall, footsteps passed and faded again.ย
Leon Kennedy looked unfairly pretty while exhausted.
"So...I've got a question for you", Leon spoke up, breaking the quiet. "Sure. What is it?" You noticed the slight shift in posture. The hesitation. The way his gaze flicked away for half a second before returning to yours.
โI was wondering...โ He cleared his throat lightly. โIf maybe youโd want to get dinner sometime.โ
Your brain stopped functioning.
Completely.
You stared at him.
Leon immediately grimaced. โWow. That bad, huh?โ
โWhat?โ
โThe silence. Usually not a great sign.โ
โNo, I justโฆโ You blinked rapidly. โYouโre asking me out?โ
"Well, I was trying to.โ A faint flush touched the tips of his ears. โKinda crashing and burning now.โ
โYouโre serious?โ you said.
You folded your arms again mostly to hide the fact your hands suddenly had nowhere sensible to go. โAgent Kennedy, are you aware that there are probably regulations about this?โ
โProbably.โ
โAnd you didnโt even hesitate?โ
โI hesitated for like six months.โ
Your eyes widened slightly. โSix months!?โ
โListen,โ he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, โIโm not exactly great at this anymore.โ
The honesty in that statement hit unexpectedly hard.
Not self-pitying.
Just truthful.
Careful.
Like someone testing whether the ground beneath them would hold.
โYou couldโve asked someone else,โ you pointed out softly.
He looked at you for a long moment.
Then, quieter than before, โDidnโt want someone else.โ
The room went still. Outside, thunder rolled somewhere far in the distance.
Leon leaned back again, clearly deciding heโd already embarrassed himself enough for one evening. โAnyway. You can say no. I figured Iโd ask before you banished me to house arrest.โ
"Wh-I...well..uhh." Words and thoughts had completely escaped you because this was genuinely the last thing you thought would happen.
"Hey its ok, you know? It's fine. I'm a big boy, I can take rejections."
You shook your head, trying desperately to ignore the stupid fluttering in your chest. โLeon.โ
His expression softened slightly at the sound of his name.
โIโm seriousโ he said quietly.
"Well...You are going to recover first." And upon hearing that, he visibly perked up. As if you had just given a golden retriever its favourite treat. And god did the sudden, wide-eyed hopefulness look adorable on him.
"...and after?" He asked carefully
You tried to maintain professionalism.
You truly did. But the small smile found your face anyways. "After...maybe dinner."
Leon stared for exactly one second before visibly relaxing with a smile as he looked at you.
โThere it is again,โ he said softly.
You frowned slightly. โWhat?โ
โThat smile.โ
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A/n: First leon fic!! Not sure how I feel about it tho. Did you guys like it?
โฅ๐จ๐ฟ ๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐พ๐ฝ ๐๐ ๐๐พ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐ฝ ๐ผ๐๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐พ ๐บ๐๐๐๐พ๐ผ๐๐บ๐๐พ๐ฝ. ๐ณ๐๐พ๐ ๐๐พ๐บ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐พ๐พ๐ ๐๐พ ๐๐๐๐๐๐บ๐๐พ๐ฝ!!
every day it just concerns me how little compassion people have. no compassion for those living in the global south. no compassion for immigrants. no compassion for disabled ppl. no compassion for addicts. no compassion for prisoners. no compassion for children. like holy shit ...
i made a separate post about this but actually there are plenty of people cough white people who care about animals more than they ever do human people . not what i'm talking about make your own post
It took Vergil time, but he finally admitted it. And that admission weighed heavily in his heart.
He liked her.
Enough to enjoy her presence, which was rare, considering how deeply he despised company. He flipped absently through Blakeโs poems, eyes skimming lines he already knew by heart, words dissolving into static He was in deep thought. Why. How. When. He had felt his resolve weaken the moment he had apologised to her.Yet he trusted his discipline, trusted that he would never let a spark grow into flame. He had kept his distance. Almost.
She had been the persistent one.
Why him?
Him with all his scars.
Him with his sins.
Why?ย
The questions throbbed into a headache. Suspicion carved loopholes into every memory, every gesture. It was exhausting. He exhaled and went downstairs.
She was asleep, leaning over the hard desk, as if comfort had been an afterthought. He stopped beside her, studying the faint crease between her brows. A nightmare, perhaps.
He didnโt like that idea. Not at all.
There might be something haunting her dreams, something he could not cut down, could not confront himself. His hand moved before reason caught it, brushing softly along her cheek. The gentleness startled him. He drew back his hand as if burned, staring at his palm as if it had betrayed him. She stirred. He retreated to the kitchen, suddenly thirsty for anything that might quiet his thoughts.
It didnโt help.
How had he let this happen? When had he lowered his guard? Everything he had ever cared for had been destroyed before his eyes. He knew better than to reach for warmth.
When he returned, she was sitting up, dazed, blinking at the room like a traveller unsure of her destination.
โYouโre awake.โ Her cheeks flushed. Her eyes darted like startled birds. It was distracting. Endearing, whispered a reckless voice he tried very hard not to hear. It wasnโt the first time heโd thought about it. He mentally reprimanded himself. She responded with a casualness that was forced, but he didn't mind. She was clearly shaken by her dream, if anything.
The silence stretched 2 seconds too long as he remembered the reason he came down. Dante. Time off. Something Vergil wasn't so keen on. Having her out of his parameter. His sight. But still decided to get past it because she did work hard around the place. A time off would be quite deserved. Nevermind the fact he debated this topic with Dante for quite some time. With not much enthusiasm he laid the news "Hmm..Dante said he wants to be a 'good employer' so you are free to take some time to yourself if you please."ย
"Time to myself? You mean like a vacation?" she asked as if it shocked her that Dante would do something like that.ย
"Well..um..? I'll thank him, I guess but I don't think I'll be taking a vacation." Vergil had to physically restrain himself from perking up, if he had a tail, it would be wagging. For Sparada's sakeย what was wrong with him?ย He mentally scolded himself yet again.
"Why not?" he asked. A little puzzled over why she would refuse paid time off.
"Well, I don't have much to do besides the shop and college and it's not like I'm mentally drained or exhausted or anything its been fairly nice. Especially since I've been stuck with online classes for quite some time, considering the whole..demon ordeal," she explained, "but I would take him up on the offer some other time. Maybe more so when I actually need a vacation." He nodded to her words. Quite satisfied with the fact that she wasn't leavingย himย them anytime soon.
He felt lighter. The worry of her wandering out alone leaving his mind, putting him at ease. And then his hell spawn of a brother walked in shouting about some demon hunter party.Now see, there were reasons Dante still annoyed him andย thisย was one of those. Vergil refused to reduce himself to such...standards. No. He didn't need to go to a party and walk amongst dimwitted morons with high ego and sharp pride. He truly believed demon hunters were amongst the dumbest of the human bunch. Holding their heads high just because they could rival demons. Huh. As if.
'Buisness purposes'ย he said,ย 'for trading arms,' he said while Vergil knew this was all untrue, she lay down the actual obvious reason. "Are you just going there to get laid?"ย the pause and offended scoff that followed almost made vergil break into a small chuckle.ย He was so off his rocker.ย He would mentally scold himself again but he had given up at this point. And then Dante talked on and on and on Vergil stopped listening almost as soon as he started defending himself. He was quick to announce he was not going.ย
Now see. Vergil knew Dante was one hell of an asshole. Dante knew how to play Vergil. Vergil knew Dante had brought up that spuh whatever his name was to provoke him into going. Vergil knows damn well. Vergil knew. However, his affection for her seemed to win.
When they arrived, Vergil immediately understood two things.
First, the establishment was atrocious.
Second, he was going to spend the entire evening resisting the urge to cut the building in half.
The club pulsed with low amber lighting and streaks of neon. Shadows crowded every corner, constantly shifting with the movement of bodies and smoke. Music thundering overhead with enough force to irritate his senses, the bass vibrating through the soles of his boots in dull repetitive waves. Humans packed the place shoulder to shoulder, laughing too loudly, speaking too closely, touching each other far too casually.
Vergil stepped inside behind her, posture rigid beneath his dark coat, his gaze already moving with calculated precision across the room.
Old habits did not disappear simply because one walked into a nightclub instead of a battlefield.
Especially not for him.
The scent alone was offensive.
Alcohol.
Perfume.
Smoke.
Cheap cologne.
Sweat.
An unbearable mixture clinging to the air thick enough to taste.
He could already feel a headache forming.
His gaze swept over the crowd once more, sharper this time, lingering long enough to notice what others likely thought subtle.
People were staring.
Of course they were.
A few men near the bar openly paused mid-conversation the moment they entered. A man leaned toward his friend and muttered something Vergil could not hear over the music, though the grin accompanying it was enough to make his hand twitch faintly toward Yamato.
Pathetic creatures.
Humans had a remarkable tendency to behave like starving animals.
One man in particular caught his attention.
Across the room.
Dark shirt.
Half-drunk already.
Eyes fixed on her with irritating confidence.
Vergil felt annoyance tighten coldly beneath his ribs.
Without conscious thought, he stepped closer and placed a hand against the small of her back.
The contact was firm.
Possessive.
A warning. Not for her. Never for her. For everyone else. The effect of which was immediate.The manโs eyes lifted from her to him. Recognition flashed across the strangerโs face almost instantly.
The white hair.
The coat.
The sword.
The man looked away so quickly it bordered on panic.
Good. Let them understand, she was not something to ogle at from across a room like some spectacle. Dim-witted fucks.
He was quick to notice Lady and Trish walking towards them. Dante gave him a nod as he went his own way.ย
Vergil didn't like this. Not one bit. This was not his idea of fun at all. He had barely stepped in and this was already unbearable. The music, the hollering and shouting. Lady had already engaed into some conversation with (name) something about some investment guy. Thats when his eyes met Trish's. And her resemblace to his mother did not help the case at all. Is it alright for an almost demon king to feel like a 15 year old caught talking to the girl he likes? No. However he still immediately removed his hand cause he knew Trish and he knew in that moment he had layed something vulnerable on the table and she had seen it.
Sparda help him.
He found himself sitting next to her and listening to whatever the girls were talking about. Well, half listening. His attention was mainly focused on the monstrosity of a menu they presented them withย 'gorilla fries', 'extra long weiner *wink wink*'ย what type of establishmnet uses such crude ways to address food?
A few hours later into the night the two demon huntresses wanted him to play waiter. No. Vergil Sparda did not fetch drinks like some obedient errand boy. No. Absolutely not. He refuses to play waiter. But then they usedย herย to get to him.
Liking her had made him a weak man hadn't it. Wasn't this exactly what he had feared?
Well, on the first request he refused immediately. Flatly. Firmly. But then she started batting her eyelashes at him in that overly dramatic way of hers, and to his immense irritation, it almost pulled a smile from him. Almost. He rose from his seat before he could reconsider, muttering something half-hearted about her being pathetic as he clung desperately to the last fragments of his pride, then made his way toward the bar.
He repeated the order trish had given to him to the guy behind the counter and returned his gaze back to the table at the corner. She looked pretty today as well.ย Pretty is an insulting small word. Beautiful. Breathtaking. Just something about the way she spoke, made him wanna keep listening. His thoughts were abruptly cut off when someone touched his arm. He immediately turned to face them hand already at yamato's hilt.ย
"Woah calm down handsome. Just checking if you actually were the infamous sparda" she said, leaning on the bar right next to him. He didn't bother with a reply instead chose to simply turn his attention back to the table.
"So...not the talking kind? You really are nothing like Dante huh?" she went on.ย Sparda help him. He does not want to indulge in some foolish conversation. "I see your weapon of choice is a sword or katana or whatevr that is." Now that remark? It did bother Vergil.ย
"Do you have nothing better to do?" He finally spoke up making her raise her eyebrow with a smirk playing on her face, "so he speaks! And here I thought I had to pay for your words." She said slightly adjusting his coat, the action was quick to annoy him, he swatted her hand away. "Don't." A warning. She pulled back and spoke up again after a few seconds of sweet silence.
"Yamato is that right? You know you should try other weapons. Better ones. A sword only helps so much. Must get boring." She said and that hit a nerve "Do not insult my blade." His gaze sharpened instantly. Cold. Precise. The kind of look that made lesser men rethink entire life choices. โThe day you understand Yamato,โ Vergil said quietly, โis the day you stop calling itย justย a sword.โ
She let out a small laugh, leaning further against the counter like sheโd stumbled onto entertainment for the evening. โRight. Because itโs magical and legendary and whispers poetry to you at night?โ
โIt cuts through space itself.โ
The amusement on her face faltered for half a second.
Vergil stepped closer, one gloved hand resting against Yamatoโs sheath. Not possessive. Reverent. Like touching the hilt grounded something ancient inside him.
โOther weapons rely on brute force. Noise. Excess.โ His eyes narrowed slightly. โYamato requires precision. Discipline. Control.โ He tilted his head faintly. โThings I imagine you are unfamiliar with.โ
โCute,โ she shot back. โStill sounds limiting. Guns have range. Bigger blades hit harder. Thereโs always something better. Hell I've used something better for sure.โ
โBetter?โ A humorless scoff escaped him. Rare as snowfall in hell. โYou think strength is measured by size alone?โ
โWell, thatโs usually how weapons work.โ
โNo.โ His voice lowered into something dangerously calm. โWeak men compensate with larger weapons because they lack the skill to make a single strike matter.โ
That one landed. Her smirk twitched before it broke into a laugh "Getting worked up are we?" she said feeling his bicep. The motion made Vergil narrow his eyes as he pull away enough to make her let go.
She laughed under her breath. โYou could at least pretend to enjoy the attention.โ
โI do not require it.โ
โNot even a little?โ
โNo.โ
Her grin sharpened. โThat sounded rehearsed.โ
Vergil finally looked at her again, visibly unimpressed. โAnd this conversation sounds exhausting.โ
โOuch.โ She placed a hand dramatically over her chest. โYou wound me.โย
From the corner of his eye, he saw (name) walking away and was quick to get ready to follow but then he noticed she was headed to the washroom. His posture straightened, disliking the thought of not having an eye on her especially in a place like this. An escape from the migrane inducing conversation came when the bartender placed his ordered drinks in front of him and Vergil was quick to dismiss the woman who was still saying something to him. He walked over and placed the three glasses down only to recieve somewhat of a glare from trish. Now what was that for?
Vergil couln't get himself to sit knowing she wasn't back from the washroom yet so instead he chose to linger near the door. (His version of linger being standing in one stiff posture a few steps away from the women's bathroom which looks comical but its vergil so we can let it pass) A minute or two later he saw her walking out and reached out to stop her.
ย "What were you thinking wandering off in a place like this all on your own?" he said, more stern than he intended.ย
He had expected words from her. Maybe some remark about how he needs to back off. Rightfully so. However this dismissal? The knit in the eyebrows and pulling back as if he was unwelcome? That. He did not expect. At all. Maybe its the alcohol. Maybe something happened in the washroom. Maybe he took too long to get the drinks so she's upset? He mulled over the reasons for such a reaction as he followed after her to their seat.
When they sat down he thought she would reach out for her drink but when she didn't after sometime he verbally pointed it out to which she gave a mere nod. Something was wrong. Had to be. The sudden disintrest? The sudden mood change? Out of concern.ย Him and concern?ย ย "Is something the matter?" and in response she shoves her phone onto the table with quite some force. This behaviour from her was new. Uncharted. He'd never seen her behave like this. She started speaking up well almost shouting but lady was quick to cut her off.
Vergil had never been outright rude to Lady. A bit offensive on occassions but never too much. In that moment. He had so many choice words to say. Cause he really needed to know what was even going on in her head. Why was she so upset? But he held back. They're going to the same place anyways. He'll ask when they get back. Vergil knew one thing forr sure. He dosen't like feeling like this.
Vergil had endured demonic sieges with steadier nerves than this.
The silence. Not the peaceful kind she occasionally carried after exhausting herself with endless chatter, but something colder. Sharper. A silence with teeth. She walked past him without a word, boots striking against the wooden floor with clipped precision, headed directly for the stairs.
Leaving.
Avoiding him.
Vergil frowned.
Before he consciously decided to move, his hand had already wrapped around her wrist.
โSpeak to me.โ
She stopped, shoulders tense beneath his grip.
โEver considered I donโt wanna?โ
The bitterness in her voice struck harder than expected. She yanked her hand back. Vergil let her go for exactly one second before taking it again, firmer this time.
โBeing immature about whatever is bothering you is not going to help your case.โ
He tugged her slightly closer, enough to force her attention onto him.
A mistake.
Because now he could see her expression properly.
Upset.
Not merely irritated. Hurt.
And somehow that was infinitely worse.
โNo, because thatโs what I am, right?โ she snapped. โAn immature kid. And you clearly need someone all mature and sexy and smoldering, donโt you?โ
Vergil blinked slowly.
What?
For a rare moment, his thoughts genuinely failed him.
โYou know what!โ she continued when he said nothing.
โNo,โ Vergil replied flatly. โI do not. But Iโm certain you can put it into words.โ
Her mouth opened.
Closed.
โItโsโฆ itโsโฆโ
She looked away.
Vergilโs grip loosened slightly. Something inside his chest tightened instead.
โItโs?โ he prompted.
โIโฆ nothing.โ
She tried to pull away again.
He didnโt let her.
โNo. Not with that expression.โ His voice lowered instinctively. โDid someone say something? Did something happen when you wentโโ
โYou, Vergil! Itโs you! Iโm like this because of you!โ
Silence crashed between them.
Vergil released her immediately.
Not from anger.
From shock.
He straightened unconsciously, posture sharpening into something battle-ready. An old instinct. One forged from years of conflict where confusion often came moments before violence.
โExplain.โ
She groaned dramatically, dragging a hand down her face.
โDo you ever NOT command people?โ
โWhen they speak without needing to be forced to.โ
The glare she shot him could probably melt concrete.
โFine. You want the truth?โ she snapped. โYou let that woman flirt with you!โ
"...Flirt?โ
โYes, flirt! Hit on you, drool over you, whatever word you want! And you just stood there! All stoic and cool and ccting like you didnโt mind.โโ
Vergil stared at her, genuinely bewildered.
โI minded very much.โThat woman had been irritating from the first sentence onward.
โCouldโve fooled me.โ
His jaw tightened.
โShe spoke ignorantly about swords,โ he muttered. โClaimed to have handled greater weapons than Yamato.โ The offense still sat bitterly in his mouth.
โThey are not merely swords,โ he said sharply before he could stop himself. โThey are legacy. Discipline. Proof I carved my path alone through strength.โ
โAnd do you get me?โ she fired back, stepping closer now. โBecause while you were lecturing her about swords, I was standing there feeling like an idiot for even thinking I mattered!โ
โYou do matter.โ
The words escaped instantly.
Too quickly.
Too honestly.
Vergil froze.
Damn it.
He immediately adjusted his coat as though the movement could somehow hide what he had revealed.
It did not.
She stared at him.
Wide-eyed.
โOh please,โ she scoffed after recovering. โIf I mattered, you wouldnโt act like none of this affects you.โ
Because acting untouched is safer, he thought bitterly. Safer than exposing every vulnerable fracture beneath the surface.
โBecause acting untouched,โ he said carefully through clenched teeth, โis easier thanโโ
โThan what?โ
His restraint snapped.
โThan showing you that you affect me more than you should!โ
The confession thundered through the room.
Even Vergil seemed startled by the force of it.
โThat woman meant nothing,โ he continued, frustration sharpening every syllable. โShe irritated me. She insulted my blade. She wasted my time.โ
โAnd yet you stayed.โ
โI stayed because I take pride in my blade. Not to entertain her fantasies. I only cut it short because I saw you fleeing.โ
He stepped closer.
โI wasnโt fleeing.โ
Vergil raised an eyebrow.
"...Fine,โ she muttered. โI fled.But only because watching her drool over you made me feel stupid.โ
โWhy?โ he was quick to ask.
โBecause it felt like she belonged there and I didnโt!โ
That finally confused him completely.
Vergil stared at her as though sheโd announced the sky was green.
โAnd what,โ he asked slowly, โmakes you believe she belongs anywhere near me?โ
โI donโt know! Maybe because sheโs your type!โ
โMy...type?โ The very idea felt absurd.
โCertainly not.โ
โOh? Then what IS your type?โ
She stepped directly into his space now, close enough for him to feel the heat radiating off her.
"Women who can quote blade manuals? Whisper about steel edges? Polish Yamato whileโ"
โNo.โ
The word cracked through the room instantly.
She blinked.
โThen what?โ
She shoved against his chest. "Someone who worships you? Someone quiet? Someoneโโ
Another mistake.
Because Vergilโs self-control was already hanging by threads.
โYou,โ he barked.
Everything stopped. Even the air felt still.
โWhat?โ
โYou,โ he repeated, louder this time. โYou are.โ
There.
Irrevocably spoken.
Vergil watched realization spread across her face while his own pulse hammered with unfamiliar violence beneath his ribs.
โYou infuriate me,โ he admitted. โYou question me, provoke me,ย refuse to bow or flatter โ and I cannot decide whether I wish to throttle you orโโ
Every word only made the truth more impossible to deny.
He stopped.
Because there it was again.
That feeling.
Not battle.
Not power.
Something far worse. Something capable of undoing him entirely.
โOr what?โ she whispered.
Vergil Sparda had faced monsters without hesitation.
Yet this?
This terrified him.
She stood inches away waiting for an answer, and for once in his life, words felt utterly insufficient.
So he chose action instead.
One hand slid against her jaw. The other settled at her waist before he could reconsider.
And then Vergil kissed her.
Not graceful.
Not careful.
Years of restraint fractured at once beneath that single moment.
Silence swallowed the shop whole. Even the world itself seemed to pause, as though stunned the son of Sparda had finally surrendered to something far more dangerous than any demon.
Vergil Sparda just might be in...right.
Vergil kissed her carefully at first.
That alone should have warned him he was already losing control.
Careful was not how he fought. Not how he survived. Precision, yes. Restraint, certainly. But careful implied hesitation, and hesitation had nearly gotten him killed more times than he cared to count. Yet the moment his hands settled against her face, that was exactly what overcame him.
Hesitation.
Not because he did not want this. Because he wanted it too much.
Her skin was warm beneath his palms. Fragile in a way that made something ancient and protective stir unpleasantly beneath his ribs. He hated how instinctive it felt. Hated the immediate awareness flooding him. Her breath catching. Her fingers twitching slightly against his coat.
And worst of all, he hated how naturally his body responded to hers, as though some buried part of him had been waiting for this moment long before his mind allowed it.
So he pulled away first.
Of course he did.
Retreat was familiar. Retreat was safe. Only this time she did not allow it. The second he leaned back, she followed him.
Not timidly.
Not uncertainly.
She kissed him again before distance could settle between them, before he could rebuild the walls already cracking under pressure.
The effect was catastrophic.
Something inside Vergil snapped loose with terrifying speed.
Restraint fractured like brittle ice beneath heavy footsteps.
His hand moved from her face to her waist instinctively, pulling her closer before he consciously decided to. The other tilted her jaw upward with unmistakable intent as the kiss deepened, losing all the cautious distance heโd tried maintaining moments earlier.
And she welcomed him.
No fear.
No hesitation.
Just warmth and stubborn certainty wrapped around him like flame finding oxygen. Her hands clenched into his coat tightly enough to wrinkle the fabric. As if she feared he might vanish. The truth nearly made his chest ache.
Because she was correct.
A part of him was already preparing to disappear.
That was what Vergil did best. Withdraw. Sever. Abandon emotion before it rooted deeply enough to become dangerous.
But then she made that tiny pleased sound against his mouth, soft and breathless, and a low noise escaped him before he could suppress it.
The realization horrified him instantly.
He pulled back just enough to look at her.
A mistake.
Because now he could see her properly. Close enough to count every flicker of emotion crossing her face. Shock. Affection. Hope.
Hope was the worst one.
Hope implied trust.
And trust implied the terrifying possibility that she believed he could handle something this fragile without destroying it.
Vergil swallowed slowly, forcing his breathing steady.
โThis...โ he started.
The word died immediately.
Ridiculous.
He had stood before kings of the underworld with greater composure than this.
โIโm not good at this,โ he admitted finally. โNever have been. Donโt think I ever will be.โ
Every sentence felt dragged out of him with visible effort. Vulnerability sat unnaturally in his mouth. Heavy and rusted.
Yet she did not flinch. โThereโs no harm in trying.โ
The simplicity of it unsettled him.
Trying.
Such a human concept.
Fight. Survive. Win. Those things he understood.
But trying implied uncertainty. It meant risking failure for something that could not be conquered through force. And she looked at him like he was worth the risk anyway.
Vergil went quiet because he genuinely did not know what to do with that. Instinct screamed at him to retreat now while he still could. Before attachment settled any deeper beneath his skin. Before she became important enough to truly hurt him.
Or worse.
Important enough for him to hurt her.
Then her hands rose to his jaw.
Gentle.
Trusting.
โStop denying yourself what you want." The words struck harder than expected. Because the problem was not that Vergil did not know what he wanted.
The problem was that he did.
Her.
The realization had become impossible to ignore now.
โBecause if thereโs one thing Iโm sure of,โ she whispered, โitโs that I want you. All of you. Even the parts you think are too rusted. Too sharp.โ
Vergil stared at her silently.
She had no idea what she was asking for.
Or perhaps she did. That possibility frightened him even more. His entire life had been built around the belief that emotion weakened people. That attachment invited suffering.ย
Yet standing here now, with her looking at him like he was something worth keeping instead of survivingโฆ
He found himself wavering.
The silence stretched between them.
She looked nervous now. Vulnerable in a way that twisted something painfully inside his chest.
And Vergil realized with sudden sharp clarity that if he walked away again, he would regret it.
Truly regret it.
So instead, he kissed her.
Softer this time.
Not hunger. Not desperation.
Something quieter.
Tentative.
The closest thing to a promise he knew how to give. Her body relaxed immediately against him, and the trust in that single motion nearly undid him completely.
Dangerous.
Hell this was dangerous. Because he could already feel himself wanting more.
More kisses.
More honesty.
More moments standing too close beneath dim lights while she looked at him like he was not irreparably broken.
And that path led somewhere terrifyingly unfamiliar. So he stopped, before he lost the ability to.
โGo take some rest,โ he said quietly.
The hurt that flashed across her face was immediate.
Vergil felt it like a blade between the ribs.
Not this. Not again.
The thought practically radiated from her expression.
Damn it.
โThis is new for me,โ he said before she could misunderstand. โI do not allow myself such emotions.โ
Weakness. Fragility. Ruin.
The words came automatically, old doctrines burned into him over years of loneliness and obsession.
Yet even as he spoke them, they sounded less convincing than before.
โThis is a conversation that deserves time,โ he continued carefully. โAnd clarity.โ
Then after a pause, quieter:
โThis time, I chose to listen.โ
Her expression shifted slightly at that.
Relief.
Warmth.
Something unbearably tender.
Vergil could not endure another second of looking at it.
So instead he pressed a brief kiss against her cheek, controlled enough to keep himself composed, intimate enough to say everything he still struggled to voice aloud.
โI mean it,โ he murmured. โGo rest.โ
Then he stepped away.
Measured. Controlled. Precise.
Rebuilding composure piece by piece with every step toward the staircase.
But the moment his hand tightened around Yamatoโs sheath, he realized the truth with cold certainty.
The blade was grounding him now.
Cause she had broken down all the walls he ever took pride in having.
I will be honest. Subpar. I mean could have done better. Yes. But if anything I passed so thats all well and done. The next one's on 21st June. Working on chapter 39 which will be out before 1st june matter of fact, if I'm done with it maybe like 26th may. Chapter 40 then I will keep in the latter part of june again. Will try to keep regular bi-weekly updates July onwards!!
Thank you for all the love and support!!
I had to admit, him actually taking the initiative and asking me out, even if it was just for a walk in the park, was...surprising. Not in a bad way. Just in that quiet, almost disbelieving way.
When heโd said he would try, I hadnโt really thought heโd follow through. Not this soon. Not this directly. And now that he had, God, I was nervous and excited and anxious and sixteen all at the same time. It felt like my chest couldnโt decide whether to implode or float away.
It took me an unreasonable amount of time to decide what to wear. Vergil had said weโd leave by ten. The clock read 9:15.
An almost squeal left me. Fucking Finally.
I did my makeup in the way men confidently label โnatural,โ which is hilarious considering the layers involved. Concealer. Mascara. A little blush. Effortless, apparently. I looped my scarf loosely around my neck and stepped out.
He was already on the couch.
Of course he was.
Iโd expected his usual coat, the one that carried weight and history and sharp edges. Instead, he wore a navy long cashmere coat. Clean lines. No designs. No symbolism. Just fabric and colour. A very human choice.ย
He looked good regardless. He always did.
โYouโre ready?โ he asked, closing the book in his hands and setting it aside as he stood.
I nodded.
He approached, adjusting Yamato at his waist with practised ease. Then his attention shifted to me. To my scarf.
Without warning, he took the loose fabric and began tucking it properly around my neck, drawing it up and over slightly, wrapping it closer.ย
He was so close.
I should be used to it. The proximity. The quiet intensity.
But this felt different. New.
I looked up at him, trying to hold back a smile and failing miserably. His eyes met mine.
โWhat?โ he asked evenly. โThe air outside is still quite cold. Not covering yourself properly is inviting a fever.โ
He said it as if it were a matter-of-fact. Completely serious.
And yet I didnโt miss the faintest upward quirk of his lips before he turned away.
โMmhm, yes...โ was all I managed as I followed him outside.
He waited at the gate until I caught up.
We started walking.
โI apologise if I was too forward last night,โ he said after a few steps.
โNo, itโsโฆ itโs fine, really,โ I replied quickly. โIโm just happy weโre actually communicating like adults this time.โ
โI would not say I cannot communicate,โ he said calmly. โMy previous indecisiveness was due to denial. Regarding how I feel. Now that I am certain, you have my word. I will not make you doubt anything again.โ
That was possibly the longest uninterrupted sentence I had ever heard him say.
โI would hope so,โ I said softly.
A few steps later, his hand slipped from his coat pocket and intertwined with mine.
God.
My heart actually skipped.
โThis way,โ he said, gently guiding me down a different street.
โI thought we were going to the park?โ I asked, confused. The park was in the opposite direction.
โYes,โ he replied. โBut that wasโฆ insensitive of me. I mentioned it in haste. We are going to a bird sanctuary instead.โ
He pulled me slightly closer by our joined hands.
โInsensitive?...Oh.โ
I remembered. The last time weโd been near the park. The conversation about my family. He remembered too. His fingers tightened slightly around mine.
โI apologizeโโ he began. I squeezed his hand before he could finish. โItโs okay.โ A small smile found its way onto my face.
โSoโฆ bird sanctuary? Any particular reason?โ I asked.
โIt is quiet there. I go occasionally.โ
โTo brood?โ I teased
โTo think.โhe replied in the same tone.
This. This I liked. The ease of conversation. The flow of words. This was nice.
The sanctuary gates came into view, modest and framed by tall trees. It sat just beyond the edge of the cityโs hum, tucked behind a line of trees that shielded it from traffic noise. The air shifted as we entered. Quieter. Softer. As though the world had lowered its voice out of respect.
A wooden archway marked the entrance. Beyond it, winding gravel paths curved between wetlands and tall grass. The sky reflected in shallow ponds like polished glass.
The first thing I noticed was the sound.
Birdsong layered over birdsong. Chirps. Trills. The flutter of wings. The distant call of something unseen.
Vergil slowed slightly, as though adjusting himself to the atmosphere.
Sunlight filtered through branches in fractured gold. Gravel crunched beneath our boots. Somewhere in the distance, wings beat the air. It was as if this wasn't a part of Redgrave at all. Or almost as if this was a part redgrave protected. No sign of rot or decay. No usual rust or dust, which was almost a staple environment of redgrave. Truly a sanctuary.
He guided me with his hand on the small of my back. I missed the warmth of his fingers in mine already.
The first enclosure held white egrets standing like porcelain statues in shallow water.
โThey look delicate,โ I murmured.
โThey are not,โ Vergil replied. โSurvival requires precision.โ
I glanced at him. โYou relate to birds now?โ
โI relate to efficiency.โ
Such a Vergil Sparda thing to say. A small laugh escaped me as a small smile made home on his face. He looked at peace like this. Smiling.ย
We continued along the path.
Peacocks wandered freely further in, their iridescent feathers catching stray light like spilt gemstones. A child nearby gasped as one fanned its tail in silent extravagance.
I watched the display, smiling.
โBeautiful,โ I muttered fondly.
His eyes flickered towards me, "quite a sight," he said, looking into my eyes as if he was saying the words to me. And I would be lying if I said my heart didn't skip a beat or two.
I found myself smiling almost too much, turning away, "The peacocks are quite a sight for sure." I said, looking at the one fanning its feathers. Vergil stepped closer "Sure. But I wasn't talking about them. You are quite a sight when you are enamoured by things you like."ย
Kill me now. Shoot me dead or blow out my brains with a sniper rifle. Oh my god.
"Since when did you become...all this?" I asked, not bothering to cover the smile and blush spreading across my face now, "I simply spoke my mind." He replied with a smaller, more content smile on his face.
We reached a pond ringed with low stone edging. Ducks drifted lazily across the surface, untroubled by anything beyond their immediate circle of water. He guided me to a bench nearby.
"This is where I usually sit." He said, sitting next to me.ย
โThis seems very personal to you. Is it ok? That Iโm here. With you.โ
He considered that.
โI asked you,โ he said simply.
โThat doesnโt mean youโre not internally panicking.โ
โI am not.โ
A pause.
"...I am unfamiliar with this.โ
That was closer.
โWith dating?โ
โWithโฆ choosing to remain,โ he clarified.
The words settled between us like something fragile.
โI am accustomed to solitude,โ he continued. โIt is efficient. Predictable.โ
And lonely?โ
He did not answer immediately.
โYes,โ he said at last.
The wind carried the scent of water and damp earth. Somewhere nearby, a flock lifted into the air, wings beating in synchronised motion.
โI have lived much of my life believing attachment to be a liability,โ he said. โIt creates vulnerability. It divides focus.โ
I waited.
โBut,โ he went on, gaze fixed ahead, โdenying its existence does not eliminate it.โ
"There are moments,โ he said quietly, โwhen you are near me and I find myself...unguarded.โ
That word sounded foreign in his mouth.
โI do not dislike it.โ
My breath caught.
โI dislike that I am inexperienced in it,โ he corrected.
โThatโs allowed,โ I murmured.
His eyes shifted to mine.
โI am not a simple man,โ he said. โI am not easily warm. I will not always respond as you expect. But I...โ His jaw tightened, just slightly. โI care for you in a way that is no longer ignorable.โ
โYou donโt have to be perfect at this,โ I whispered. โYou just have to try.โ
โI am trying,โ he said. โI will continue to.โ
He reached up, brushing a strand of hair from my face with a gentleness that contradicted every blade he carried.
โI am willing,โ he added, more firmly. โTo remain. To learn. To build something that does not collapse under scrutiny.โ
A small, breathless laugh escaped me. โYou make it sound like a construction project.โ
โAll enduring structures require a foundation.โ
"When I realised what I felt,โ he went on, โmy first instinct was to retreat. To sever it.โ
My stomach dropped. โSever?โ
โYes. Distance is simpler. But then...there you were, unwavering. Persistent. And it didn't matter how much I lectured myself anymore. I needed you around. That mere thought scared me. Scares me.โ He looked deeply conflicted, in deep thought. Here he was baring everything open to me. For me.ย
โI care for you,โ he said.
My breath stalled.
โCare?โ I repeated.
His jaw flexed, as though the next words required physical effort.
โI love you.โ
There it was.
Not dramatic. Not theatrical. Just deliberate and unwavering.
The world did not explode. No orchestra swelled. The ducks continued their lazy drift. A bird called from somewhere unseen.
But inside my chest, something luminous unfurled.
Youโฆ love me?โ I echoed, needing to hear it again.
โYes.โ
The word was steady.
โI am not skilled in softness,โ he said. โNor am I...expressive. But I am certain.โ
He lifted our joined hands slightly, as though presenting proof.
โI am willing to try. For you.โ
My eyes stung unexpectedly.
โYou donโt have to become someone else,โ I whispered.
โI do not intend to,โ he replied. โBut I will not allow my guarded nature to become an excuse.โ
I laughed softly through the tears threatening to betray me. โYouโre really doing this.โ
โI do not promise ease,โ he said. โBut I promise effort.โ
โI love you too,โ I said.
The words felt like stepping off a ledge and discovering there was ground all along.
Something shifted in his posture. Not relaxed, exactly. But less braced.
He lifted his free hand and brushed his thumb lightly against my cheek, wiping away the tear I hadnโt realised had escaped.
โEmotional,โ he observed quietly.
โShut up.โ
A faint, rare smile. But was it even rare if I had seen it so many times today? For me.
We sat like that for a while longer, hands intertwined, watching birds that did not know or care about the gravity of human confessions. A content smile on vergil'd face that did not leave. It had made home. My cheek resting on his shoulder. The sun was taking its peak, sunlight turning warmer, assuming it was noon already.ย
Eventually, we rose and continued along the winding paths.
At one point, a small whitish finch landed boldly on the railing beside us, head tilted inquisitively.
โIt is assessing you,โ I said.
โIt is assessing risk.โ
"Maybe it mistakes your hair as family," I said, a poor attempt at a joke, mind too giddy to think of one that actually made sense.
He glanced at me sidelong. โYou are insufferable.โ
โAnd you love me.โ I said cheekily.ย
โI do.โ
The simplicity of it made my heart feel impossibly full. I smiled up at him. A softer smile as the gravity of this entire moment dawned on me.
He studied me as though committing the moment to memory.
Then, with a subtle hesitance that would be invisible to anyone who did not know him, he leaned down and pressed his forehead briefly to mine. And his lips made a soft, quick contact with mine.
Not possessive. Not urgent.
Just present.
The sanctuary around us hummed quietly with life.
And for the first time, loving him did not feel like standing at the edge of something sharp.
It felt like standing in a clearing, sunlight filtering gently through the trees, knowing that even a guarded heart can choose to open.
And that sometimes, the most powerful thing a man can do is try.ย
His forehead still rested against mine, another small kiss to my lips as he pulled back.
Then he straightened, composure slipping back into place piece by careful piece.
โYou are flushed,โ he observed.
โYou just confessed your love to me in a bird sanctuary,โ I replied. โGive me a minute.โ
A faint, almost private smile. โVery well.โ
We made our way back to the shop with the kind of silence that wasnโt empty. It feltโฆ settled. Like something had locked into place inside both of us.
The door to the shop creaked when Vergil pushed it open.
The familiar scent of old wood, metal, and something faintly citrusy hit me immediately.
It felt...oddly domestic walking in like this. Side by side.
He let go of my hand only to remove his coat, hanging it neatly by the door. I watched him move around the space. He belonged there. Even if he would never say it out loud. He took my sscarf and coat from me and hung them next to his.
"You seem contemplative,โ he noted without looking at me.
โIโm just thinking.โ
โThat is rarely a simple activity for you.โ
โIโm thinking,โ I corrected, ignoring that, โthat this feels normal.โ
He paused slightly at that.
โNormal is subjective.โ
โYou know what I mean.โ
Before he could respond, Dante came down the stairs loudly.
โWell, well, well. If it isnโt the ice prince andโโ
Dante stopped mid-sentence.
His eyes moved from me.
To Vergil.
To our proximity.
To the faint softness that had not yet fully left Vergilโs expression.
Silence.
A rare, sacred silence.
Then Dante blinked.
โHold on,โ he said slowly. โWhy does he look...?โ
Dante narrowed his eyes slightly.
โWhatโd I miss?โ
โNothing,โ Vergil replied smoothly.
โUh-huh.โ
Dante tossed his coat onto a chair and headed for the fridge. โYou two went somewhere?โ
โYes,โ I said casually, walking past and flipping through an old ledger book on the desk. Just for the sake of busying myself. Yes, Vergil and I had kind of...started dating. I still did not know if Vergil was comfortable announcing that to everyone just yet.
โWhere?โ
โA walk.โ
Dante popped open a soda. โA walk,โ he repeated slowly.
Vergil exhaled, already tired. โWe went out.โ
Danteโs eyebrows shot up. โOut? As in outside? In daylight?โ
โYes, Dante. The sun did not incinerate me.โ
โAnd?โ Dante pressed, leaning against the counter with exaggerated interest. โHow was the thrilling expedition? Did you critique some guy for poor posture?โย
โIt was a bird sanctuary,โ I offered.
Dante stared at me.
Then at Vergil.
Then back at me.
โSo whatโs with the vibe?โ Dante continued
"What vibe?โ I asked too quickly.
Dante squinted at me. โThat one.โ
I turned away under the pretence of organizing paperwork.
โThere is no โvibe,โโ Vergil said evenly.
Dante shrugged. โIf you say so.โ
He wandered towards the kitchen, humming to himself.
I exhaled.
โLeave it to Dante to be persistent,โ I muttered.
โYou panic too easily,โ Vergil replied.
โI do not.โ
โYou are currently reorganising invoices from three years ago.โ
I froze mid-paper shuffle. โI like order.โ
โYou like distraction.โ
Before I could retort, he stepped closer.
Not enough to alarm anyone casually glancing our way. Just enough that I felt the warmth of him behind me.
โWhat are you doing?โ I whispered.
โObserving.โ
His hand slid to the desk beside mine, fingers brushing lightly against my knuckles.
Electric.
I swallowed. โVergil.โ
โYes?โ
โDante is here.โ
โI am aware. You however. You say it as if you're a secret to hide." His fingers traced lazily over the back of my hand before slipping lower, resting briefly at my waist as though testing the reality of it.
My brain short-circuited.
"Well, I assumed you wouldnt wan-"
"Assumed wrong. I'd be a lesser man if I didn't flaunt the fact that you love me.
โYouโre being bold,โ I murmured.
โYou are reacting.โ
โBecause you are touching me.โ
โI am aware. I always wished to.โ
The absolute composure in his voice made it worse.
I tried to look busy, stacking papers that did not need stacking.ย
"You shouldn't lead a lady-"
Footsteps.
I jumped back so fast as if someone was walking in on me naked. Talk about an overreaction. Vergil stepped back the hand on my waist dropping, but his hand on the table, leaning against it remained.
Dante walked in, wiping his hands on a rag.
He looked at me.
Then at Vergil.
Then at Vergil's hand that was partially trapping me against the desk.
โWhat?โ I asked, far too brightly.
Dante tilted his head. โWhatโs up? Youโre standing weird.โ
โWe are standing,โ Vergil corrected.
โYeah, but weirdly.โ
Vergil grunted pushing himself off and folding his arms across his chest.
โOh my god,โ Dante breathed, dragging a hand down his face. โNo way. NOOO WAYY!โ He shouted, almost too joyfully, "You admitted you love her, didn't you??! Vergil you slick bastard?!!" Dante said his tone so elevated you would think he achieved something huge.
Vergil did not flinch.
โYes. I did.โ
The word landed with the weight of a cathedral bell.
Dante blinked again.
โYou justโ you just admit that. To me. To her. No dramatic monologue? No brooding? No cryptic poetry?โ
โI do not require theatrics to state facts.โ
Dante looked at me like I had just announced Iโd domesticated a hurricane.
โYouโre alive,โ he said. โSo thatโs good.โ
โI plan to remain that way,โ I replied.
Vergil stepped slightly closer to me, subtle but intentional.
Dante noticed.
His grin shifted. Less teasing. More... curious.
โSo,โ Dante said, folding his arms, โdoes this mean I have to deal withโฆ feelings in my workplace now?โ
โYou already do,โ I shot back. โYou just pretend you donโt.โ
He looked at me offended. And then he looked at Vergil again. And me again. God, he needs to stop doing that.ย
โHuh,โ he muttered. โDidnโt think Iโd see the day.โ
โYour observational skills have always been lacking,โ Vergil replied.
โI meant I didn't think I'd see you ever be in love this openly. I had called out the fact that you love herย longย back.โ
โSo whatโs the plan now? You two gonna sit around and stare intensely at each other while discussing poetic metaphors?โ
โWe might,โ I said.
Vergil glanced down at me. โHelps strengthen critical thinking.โ
Dante gagged dramatically. โI canโt believe this is happening.โ
But he was smiling.
And not the sarcastic kind.
The air in the shop felt different.
Less sharp. Less charged with unspoken tension.
Dante looked between us again.
Then he started laughing.
Not cruelly. Just genuinely stunned.
โI leave you alone for one morning.โ
โYou are being dramatic,โ Vergil said.
โAm I? Because last week you two were one argument away from duelling in the street.โ
โThat was a misunderstanding.โ
Dante pointed at him. โYouโre soft.โ
โFor her.โ
Dante looked at me and clutched his chest. โUnbelievable.โ
Vergil exhaled slowly, clearly reconsidering every decision that led to this moment.
Dante shook his head, grinning. โWell. Guess I gotta get used to this.โ
He grabbed another soda from the fridge.
โJust keep it PG during work hours,โ he added casually.
I hid my face in my hands. Vergil let out a small scoff.
Dante stared at us for another second.
Then he smirked.
โAlright,โ he said. โIce prince finally thawed. Good for you.โ
Vergil didnโt respond.
But his eyes met mine, and then he leaned down next to my ear, "You are my only exception."
ษดแดxแด แดสแดแดแดแดส- 39. Vergil
แดสแดแด ษชแดแด๊ฑ แดสแดแดแดแดส- 37.Reader
๊ฑแดแดแดแดสส
a/n: Next update in May!! There's gonna be Vergil's pov of this entire ordeal, and then I have a few more chapters all fluff/smut/day in life.
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