Chapter Text
“You two got into another argument? Seriously? At your age?” Nero smirks from behind the lip of his whiskey bottle.
“Yeah, says the brat with no siblings.” Dante chides as he passes his nephew behind the couch. His right hand reaches out and ruffles Nero’s hair, purposely messing it.
Nero swats hard at him.
“Ow.”
“Think he’ll come back tonight?”
“Vergil? Who knows.” Dante rubs his arm, then feigns disinterest with a wave of his hand. He disappears down the hallway, enters his bedroom and closes the door. “Shit.” Muttered as his jacket’s tossed over a chair. Dante kicks off his boots, plops down onto his bed. Nero’s going out later tonight, meaning it’s one of the only nights during the week Dante can get away with sneaking over to Vergil’s room and...“Shit.” He’s already blown it.
“Real easy to laugh, Dante, when everything’s a joke.” Vergil’s last words to him about an hour ago. While his brother’s not the first person to ever accuse Dante of being overly comedic, at least Vergil knows why he does it. Same with Dante tolerating Vergil’s standoffish attitude- it’s a two-way street. Both twins have their issues, but tonight just…Dante doesn’t know why, but somehow, the comment felt like a low blow.
Lying there, Dante sighs tiredly, covering his eyes with a forearm. Just look at him. Skulking about in his bedroom room like a fucking teenager when given a year ago, he would’ve bolted out the door had he known his brother was so close by.
“Dante…more…” Whispers from their most recent session last week.
“Shit.” Dante slowly sits up again. Thinks for a moment before looking out his darkened window. At least things haven’t been too awful overall since Vergil’s return. Honestly, most of it has actually been pretty…
“Nh…Ah…Dante...” Vergil breathing up at him. Sighing. His pained expression. Those gorgeous ice blue eyes, begging him. Yeah. It’s been fuckin’ great actually, Dante thinks. Sex twice a week has paled in comparison to their drought of almost fifteen years. So what if they just had an argument? No reason he can’t go back and try again, right? Vergil’s probably still downtown somewhere. The guy likes the pier, so he might still be there if he hurries.
“Heading out again?” Nero hasn’t moved from his spot. The TV’s on in the background.
“Yeah. Word of advice?” Dante suggests on his way out the door. He’s putting on his coat as he says it.
“Huh?”
“Bathe before your date.”
_
Dante walks the down the pier that evening past dozens of couples, clusters of teenagers out for the weekend. It’s where the crowds are thinner further down that he knows he’ll find his brother. Vergil’s fond of the benches overlooking the sea.
“…” There. At the pier’s edge. Vergil’s long blue coat, high collar, hide most of his body. Only that patch of white hair’s visible, and something in the sight of it stirs Dante to walk faster. His boots thunk along the boards, and once he’s close enough…
“Hey.”
Vergil lifts his head only slightly in recognition. He doesn’t turn toward Dante, but at least it’s acknowledgement. “Back so soon?” Bone dry. There might as well be venom on his lips.
Dante doesn’t waste time though. He reaches the railing, claims a spot beside him, and stands there as close as he can get away with. “Yeah.”
Vergil squints at the water. Only a ‘yeah’? Something must be up, so Vergil glances over at him.
“Hi.” Suggestive. Warm. Dante’s eyes are all over him as Vergil’s narrow. “Hey, wait. Wait.” Dante leans to catch his brother’s attention. “So maybe…” he motions, unsure of where to start.
“…?” An irritated arch of Vergil’s brow. “What?”
“So maybe…look. Maybe I shouldn’t have joked around about what you asked me back there.”
“This some kind of scripted apology?” Somewhat enjoying this. “Or did you hit your head?” Despite Vergil’s words, however, Dante’s brother has loosened his stance. He’s turned to face him, with one arm leaning heavily against the railing.
Dante notices the opening. Seizing the invite, he scoots closer. “Maybe?” He lays it on thick.
“To which one? Apologizing to me, or not being in your right mind?”
“The first one. And maybe the second, too.”
“…” Vergil waits for more as Dante stares back, interested. Entirely interested until he realizes his oogling’s ruining the apology. He clears his throat. “Yeah. So,” recovering smoothly, “Haven’t eaten yet. Was wondering if you still wanted to grab dinner?”
Vergil shifts himself upright. His coat flaps softly in the evening breeze as he takes the first few steps back down the pier. He’s a short distance away when he says, “I pick the place.”
Dante smiles to himself. Score. “No problem. Spot’s up to you.”
_
The restaurant Vergil chooses isn’t overly fancy. American food. Burgers, pizza. Things he knows Dante will actually eat versus pick at.
“Gotta hand it to ya, Verg. This place is excellent.” Dante smiles, burger in hand.
“Figured it’s simple enough.” Vergil watches him, somewhat bored. He’d much preferred their privacy earlier before this idiot had ruined the mood. Vergil’s eyes trace over Dante’s collar, though, briefly. The undone buttons there…
“Hm.” Dante knows he’s being admired. “So. About what you were asking earlier. About what happened between me and Tr-”
“Let’s just leave it.”
“But you asked. And instead of telling you, I joked around and avoided the question.”
“You answered it enough,” Vergil replies. A basket of fish sticks sit in front of him. “Clearly, she didn’t have the patience for you, either.”
Dante shrugs, taking another bite. He chews, waiting until he can speak again. His mouth’s partially full when he continues. “Trish used to say the same thing. Not everything’s a joke, Dante.” He swallows, casually wiping his mouth with a hand.
“Napkin?” Vergil offers.
Dante takes it, wipes the side of his mouth again. “She understood me well enough, but I dunno. When everything's a joke, I guess chicks don’t really like it.”
“I’ve got some news for you, Dante.” Absolute daggers from Vergil. “Nobody likes it. Doesn’t matter if I know why you’re evasive.”
“Heh. So, I’ve heard.” Then he adds on, even more casually, “Sorry.”
Vergil’s eyes widen. The restaurant’s busy, so surely he’s misheard. Did his little brother just sincerely apologize?
Dante smiles, takes another bite.
“For a moment, I swore I heard something,” Vergil almost smirks. “What did you just say?”
“I said sorry,” Dante repeats to his burger, looks up at Vergil and bites into it again.
Vergil stares. Sits back. “Huh.”
“What?” Dante chews. “Aren’t you tired of acting like kids? I’d rather be with you right now than arguing.”
“Mm. It’s just…unusual,” Vergil searches for the right words, “hearing you talk like this.”
“Not gonna eat your fish sticks?”
“…I need a minute.”
“Maybe that’s part of the problem.”
“Hm?” Eyes narrowing. “The fish sticks?”
“No, communication. We both suck at it.” Dante suppresses a belch.
“Clearly.”
“I mean, if I’m being honest, these past few months you’ve been back have been really…”
“…” Vergil waits.
“Intense. Nice.” Their eyes meet. “Makes me kinda wanna…do better. Take it seriously.”
“Wait, wait.” Now Vergil’s no less than suspicious. “Hold on. Dante, are you actually attempting to have an intelligent conversation?”
“Just had to throw the “intelligent” in there, didn’t you?” But Dante’s smiling. And it’s twin-speak to let Vergil know that yes, he is serious.
“What do you mean by ‘doing better’?” Vergil’s eyes fall briefly to his brother’s chest. Back up again.
“You know. Giving it more of a shot. Or at least asking you to give me one.”
A shot? “Like a…?” Vergil starts, swallowing as his blood runs cold.
“Yeah,” Dante’s stare has intensified. “Like a thing.” He winks.
Vergil’s cheeks go hot. “So, you want to…”
“Yeah. I want to.” Softer.
“So the next time I ask you something serious?” Vergil blushes.
“I’ll tell you. If I do a shit job, remind me. It’s the same thing with you though. You gotta try too.”
“Me? Since when did I have anything to do with this?”
“You’re exactly the same, Vergil. It’s just in reverse.”
“Hm.” Vergil closes his eyes, sips his water. “I think I know what you’re getting at, but there is a difference.”
“Really? So when I ask you what you want in bed, do you tell me?”
Vergil nearly spits out his drink.
“See?” The younger twin grins. “You lock up like a safe.”
“Dante,” Vergil hisses quietly.
Dante laughs a little, puts up his hands. “Ok, alright. I’m heading toward the doghouse again, aren’t I?”
“You are. Fast.”
“But it’s a valid point, Verg.” Dante continues. “How am I supposed to, you know, if you won’t tell me what you like?”
“...We’re twins.” Almost threatening.
“No kidding.” Dante continues with his fries. “But aside from a sibling's clairvoyance, that’s all the help I get?”
“Dante. We’re in a restaurant.”
“So?” Dante nods toward the noise surrounding them. Honestly, he’s right. The place is overly crowded, and nobody seems to really care.
Vergil blushes, considering the question.
Dante smiles softly. “If you don’t wanna tell me what you like, it’s fine. But...I honestly want to do better for you.”
“It’s not that,” Vergil instantly makes clear. His tone’s serious. “Definitely not that, Dante. You usually just,” the older twin manages, “somehow manage to…get it right.”
“Hm. I’ve been guessing a lot though, since I’m rusty. I’d like to re-learn some things, if I can?”
Vergil’s embarrassment only deepens.
“Not tryin’ to pressure you, Verg. I’m serious.”
“It’s quite obvious that you’re serious.” Frowning. “Why you're saying this in public, though, I’m not sure.”
“I dunno. Easier with all the noise?”
“Heh.” Vergil can’t help but be amused. He shakes his head.
“But back to the point. I’ll practice not being so…what’s the right word? Help me out here?”
“Dismissive. Lackadaisical. Clueless.”
“Yeah. Those.”
Vergil sighs. “You’re hopeless, you know that?”
“Yeah. But willing to work on it.”
“Hm.” Then, Vergil smiles. Actually, sincerely smiles. And within that moment he knows he’s been bested. Match point to Dante.
_
Later that night, the brothers stroll together through the city. They’ve stopped at another bar, Vergil influencing Dante to try red wine to soften the mood. Now they’re walking again, half sobered up and discussing battle tactics.
“Hit 'em just right, and it’s more of a golf swing,” Dante demonstrates the motion as if holding his sword.
“Heh, foolish. It’s ten times more work dragging your opponent into the air with you,” Vergil claims. “Whoever taught you that style's an idiot.”
Dante just laughs, leans against his brother.
“You made it up yourself, didn’t you?”
“Yep.” Dante leans even closer. His eyes slide down toward Vergil’s lips.
Vergil notices, suddenly stops walking, brushes Dante off. “Look. I’m going to say something, Dante. And you’re not allowed to speak. Got it?”
Dante doesn’t answer. He slows down. Listens with a few steps of space between them.
“What you did tonight, coming back. It wasn’t…”
Dante sets his hands to his hips, pleased. He waits.
“It wasn’t terrible. I didn’t…hate…” Vergil chooses his words. “….it.”
“Well, that’s good. Glad I came back too.” Confident. “See? Progress already.”
“I said you weren’t allowed to speak.” Glaring at him.
“Oh. I thought you were finished?”
“No. I’m not.”
“Oh. Alright, go ahead, then.” Dante takes a few steps closer.
“You asked earlier about…” Vergil slows as Dante comes up to him.
“About?” Dante tries to help.
“…Hh.” Frustrated. Vergil clearly wants to be direct. “Communication.” Sex. Vergil clearly wants to talk about sex with him.
“What about it?” Closing the very last of their space. Listening.
“Why don’t you ever…?” Vergil grumbles, irritated with himself.
“What? Give you more space? Come by more often?”
“…” Vergil closes his eyes. “The second one.”
Oh. Oh. “Well, Vergil, it’s usually only whenever Nero’s gone. But also, you used to try and sever my limbs whenever I’d initiate-”
“I’m serious, Dante.” Softer.
“I know.” Gentle between them. “Look, I don’t really know how much you want it. Have I been leaving you hangin'?”
Vergil’s eyes are desperately trying to speak. The answer’s obvious, but Dante waits for him. “Mn.” Barely a sound.
“Ok." In confidence between them. "Believe me, I definitely want more too.”
Eyes up at him.
“I do.” Softly. “I’ll come by more often.”
“…Dante.” Vergil’s studying the collar of his brother’s coat now. Then up to his lips, momentarily.
“Wanna go home?”
But Vergil doesn’t answer. His eyes are lidded, and he’s slowly leaning in, lips parted. The Sparda twins have only ever had one rule in that department. No audiences, and never in public.
“Hey. Vergil?” Dante whispers, attempting to break the spell. He’s unwilling to fend his brother off completely though. If Vergil wants to kiss him that much, the rule can go fuck itself.
“…”
“…”
“Hahaha!” As sudden shouts of laughter from across the plaza spoil the moment. No one’s noticed them, but Vergil’s snapped out of it. He abruptly pulls back, moves past Dante and hurries away.
“Hey. Where are you going?” Dante exhales. He’s been left high and dry.
“Home,” Vergil reassures. His breathing’s heavy. “Now.”