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"Dante, no!"
Too late. Alcohol douses the surly patron. Dante's glass drips empty of the last few drops.
"Hah, take that!! Victory is mine! Is that seriously the best y-"
You barely manage to pull him away before the patron's swinging fist could connect with his skull. You make a mad dash for the tavern door, dragging the tipsy pirate behind you. Glass flies past and smashes against a wall in the midst of uproar as it narrowly misses its target. You swear under your breath.
"GET THEM!"
Crisp autumn air relieves your flushed skin, a welcome sensation that you have no time to relish in. Escaping the wrath of angry drunk patrons, preferably unscathed, is the only thing on your mind right now, and it's all because of a man you met only three hours ago who seemed to be the embodiment of chaos itself.
Vesuvia melts into a blur with every twist and turn, your lungs burning like the stars above you. It takes a few seconds for you to register Dante's hand gripping your own.
"We really riled him up, didn't we?"
"I believe that was the very thing I told you not to do."
He only laughs high and unrestrained, and his roguish grin makes way for the moonlight to shine on his teeth. "Did you really think I'd listen?"
There's a mischievous glint in his eye and for a moment you can only stare incredulously at him... but at the same time, something about him makes you feel safe. Like he can be trusted, even with all his reckless antics.
What, exactly, had you gotten yourself into this time?
"They won't catch us, darling, don't worry."
"Oh, really? And how do you know that?"
"Experience." He flashes you a wink.
"...How many times have you fled scenes of drunk tavern fights exactly?" You're breathless, and more than a little fascinated. More than you'd like to admit. "Scenes that you caused?"
"Well... you lose count after a few dozen."
You raise your eyes to the heavens, not even bothering to muster surprise at this point - and then you're abruptly pulled into a dark side alley. A yelp would have betrayed you if it wasn't for Dante's hand over your mouth.
An agonizing minute passes until he drops his hand and leans it against the wall behind you, allowing you to catch your breath. He's careful to speak low and hushed. "Ahead of us, in the direction we were headed, that was, uh... that was one of his cronies."
"So much for not getting caught-"
"Hey now, we're still free!" He raises his hands in defense, and while you feign exasperation, the overruling part of you still thinks he means what he said before. His gaze lingers on the streets. "Maybe we should keep running though, we can only hide here for so long..."
"Mmm, good to see you still have some sense in you."
"Be quiet, darling."
"Make me."
The bold words leave your mouth before your head registers them. Something in those sunset eyes smoulders as they snap back to your own, and your breath catches in your throat. A slow, teasing grin overcomes his handsome face. He leans in, his warm breath fanning your face. "Oh, I can do that..."
Crimson dusts your cheeks and for a moment you're taken aback. You quirk an eyebrow at him, though not before letting a small smirk of your own grace your features. "Focus, Dante."
As if on cue, a thunderous voice shrieks, "DON'T LET THEM GET AWAY!"
Dante sighs, tearing his gaze away from your lips. "Right, yeah, I guess we need to be responsible for now..." He hums. "You know this city better than I do. Any ideas for temporary refuge?"
"Uh, well... I suppose we could... see where the streets... take us?" That self-assured, attractive, insufferable grin returns. He knows neither of you had any particular idea where to run to. Not that you would ever admit it.
"It's an adventure, then."
And with that, Dante's fingers lace with yours as he breaks into a run, leading you out the other end of the alley.
Well, your instincts have yet to fail you.
It's quieter here on the side that you emerge on, though the air is still vibrant with energy. You couldn't let your guard down, not now, but... was Vesuvia always this stunning at night? Maybe it was the adrenaline coursing through your veins, maybe it was Dante, but you feel more... alive tonight. More than you have in a long time.
Delight dances in the pirate's eyes. "What's on your pretty little mind?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing... nothing..."
"Mmm... You don't fool me, sweetheart."
You exhale in resignation, and the two of you slow your pace just a little, like the way you speak your next words. "I probably shouldn't add fuel to the blazing fire that is your ego, but... I'm... kind of having fun with this."
"Oh?" He raises his eyebrows, pleased. "I shouldn't be surprised, you're with me after all."
"And I suppose you harness trouble everywhere you go?"
"Darling, I am trouble." A quiet laugh leaves you at the playful tone of his voice. You certainly couldn't argue with that. You also couldn't deny that, maybe, you liked that about him. And, maybe, you were drawn to him. Maybe.
The distant sound of waves lapping against the shore draws your attention away, and when you turn the next corner...
"This is... We're at the Docks."
The two of you slow to a walk and regain your breath. You take in your surroundings. Quiet, calm, and solitary. The crescent moon, the stars, high in the velvet night sky, illuminating everything around you in silvery light. What used to be the Lazaret across the waves is now a memorial ground by order of Countess Nadia -- a much less ominous sight. It's... refreshing, being here. Dante's hand glides out of yours as he saunters to the shore, almost as if in a trance. There's a nostalgic shimmer in his eyes, his face a canvas of affection.
"I think... I think we've lost those guys. And..." Dante looks out at the tides, seafoam lapping at the toes of his shoes. "This doesn't seem so bad to have stumbled upon, either..." He meets your eyes over his shoulder, teasing. "I knew I could trust you."
You laugh and shake your head. "Next time, let's not place bets we can't win, okay?"
"Oh, I can't promise that..." He saunters back towards you, his voice slipping into a husky tone, giving you a look that has you ready to melt then and there-- "...Didn't you like it? The thrill of the chase..." His fingers brush down your jaw to hold your chin in place. "You enjoyed that, didn't you?"
"Hmm?" Very deliberately, your hands slide up his jacket to grip the lapels as you pull him closer to you. Coherent thought fails you, but your wit doesn't. "Strange, I don't remember that... you'll have to remind me..."
Time slows to a crawl as his eyes light up with renewed fire, a confident quirk of his lips to match. Steady arms wrap around your waist, pressing you flush against him. He definitely felt your heart skip a beat. In such close proximity, your noses brush and you can feel his breath tickling your neck.
"Be quiet, darling...~"
Your heartbeat thrums in your ears, your voice little more than a whisper.
"Make me~"