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Vergil could have handled it on his own. He didn’t need codling and he certainly didn’t need pity, especially not from his foolish brother. Something that meaningless shouldn’t have hurt him the way it did, not all over again.
Wasn’t he supposed to be free from those nightmares after the death of Vs Familiars? Why did they still haunt him? Why was he still drowning in these awful memories?
Vergil raked his nails down his forearm, the dull pain drawing his foggy mind closer to the surface for a moment. Dante was there? If he had said something, he hadn’t heard it. His ears were ringing to loud, invisible barbed wire vines curled around his whole body, draining him of power and ripping his tender flesh.
He couldn’t even open his eyes, surely, if he did, a twisted mockery would meet his eyes. It is another fake. He had sent so many disguised demons to torment him, to make a fool of him, to make him think he could ever be saved from his twisted domain.
“Vergil.” Something touched his arm, the one bleeding from his own hand. It was feather-light, but it made Vergil's skin crawl, and he jerked away. “Come on, Verge, look at me.” It urged, but Vergil couldn’t. He couldn’t bring himself to do it. He screwed his eyes shut even tighter, spots of color forming behind his eyelids.
A moment of silence, apart from Vergil's wheezing breaths, and he falsely hoped this tormentor had left him alone. When his hand turned to his upper arm to scratch a new set of lines into his healing skin, the hand from before stopped him. The pitiful sound pulled from Vergil's throat from the sudden contact was utterly shameful.
“Let me see your hand, ok? I promise I’ll be gentle.”
Not like he could fight back, his wrist limp in the things grip. His whole body was weak, unable to stop his pathetic trembling. Shameful, utterly, entirely, and completely shameful. His arm was pulled away from his chest, slowly, but panic still swelled inside his chest.
Despite his meek efforts, it didn’t release him even as Vergil tried to pull away. So powerless, he could feel the darkening thoughts consuming his mind, dragging him deeper into the shadows. He was ever strong enough. Never enough.
The hand on his own was rough, calloused, running its thumb over his knuckles. “Look, I’m here.” slowly, Vergil felt his palm being pressed against something warm. It took a long moment for his brain to finally understand what he was feeling.
Beneath his fingertips, he was met with a rhythmic, even pulse. It’s hand cupped the back of his own, pressing it into it’s chest. When it spoke, Vergil finally recognized the voice. “See? I'm really here. We’re safe.”
It’s heartbeat; so Strong and alive. So warm
Vergil let out a strained noise, almost a sob, and his burning eyes shot open. His fingers curled as if to grab the source, to hold it tight and never let go.
“Dante…!” he wheezed, and his brother's hand squeezed his tighter. Vergil lurched forward, chasing the steady rhythm of his brother's heart. Dante was here, he was alive. More relief than he had ever felt flooded his body at the realization.
He was real.
“I know, I know.” Dante shushed him, his arms wrapping around his older brother. “He's not here. Mundus is gone, he won’t ever reach us again.” Dante rested his chin on top of Vergil's head, letting this twin curl against his chest. “I’ve got you. I’m not letting you go again.”
With that, Vergil's crumbling shell shattered; silent tears flowed freely down his cheeks as he clung tightly to his brother. It felt so childish; stupidly pressing himself into his little brother for comfort. Sobbing over the monsters his mind housed, forgetting reality for the nightmares that resided in him. Stupid, stupid child.
“Enough of that.” Dante mumbled. When Vergil gave him a half-hearted sound in response, he continued. “You're thinking too hard. Just focus on else something for a minute, alright?”
“Like what?” His voice was shaken and raw, even so, Dante seemed pleased he spoke at all.
“What should we focus on?” He mused, running an hand down Vergil's back. “ My heart beat seemed to help; let’s focus on that for now, hm?”
Vergil paused, blinking though his watering eyes. He finally focused past the tears, staring at the spot on his brother’s chest, just in front of his heart. The oldest twin flattened his palm against his brother's chest again, leaning his body weight onto his brother.
“Ok…” Vergil breathed, feeling his own heart begin to align itself with the steady rhythm. Through the fog in his mind, he was suddenly aware of the warm blood dripping down his arm. The wounds had long since healed, leaving no mark at all, but the blood remained. A dark stain dripping onto the hard wooden floors and Dante’s pants.
“ Can you tell me what happened?” Dante murmured against his skull, easy and soft. “If not, it’s fine. But… if it’s something I can fix, I will.”
Something he could fix. Dante was fully prepared to upturn this whole building for him, wasn’t he? How could he ever be deserving of this level of kindness? How could his dear brother be so kind to him, after everything? After all of his faults and shortcomings.
A long stretch of silence passed, and Dante leaned back to get a better look at his brother. His eyes were all soft and kind. He was looking at him especially, and Vergils breath hitched in response. It was his turn to speak.
Struggling past the lump I’m his throat, he managed “the mirrors..”
“Mirrors?” Dante echoed, and Vergil felt him shift his weight again.
“My reflection…. It did not match.” Vergil spoke again, ducking his head further so Dante could only see his ruined hair. It was so childish, to be scared of his own reflection. Even if the face staring back at him never looked like his own, or the one he shared with his brother. Too many eyes or teeth, dark horns instead of silvery hair, a new curve in his nose and dark eyes, but never him.
“Oh,” his brother sighed, understanding effortlessly. “I get it. I’ll cover the rest up for now, then I’ll figure out what to do after that. Sound good bro?“
Vergil only nodded, his brow knitting itself together even tighter than before. He felt horribly guilty. He had no idea if Dante had brought those mirrors himself, and he was no fool on his brother's financial situation. He shouldn’t put his money to waste just because he couldn’t control himself.
“No.” Vergil breathed, his own heart still pounding in his ears. “It won’t be necessary..” however, his throat got tight again, the thought of leaving the mirrors open making his skin crawl. He pressed himself back against Dantes chest, finding his heart once again.
“Nah.” Dante replied, and Vergil could hear the grin on his face, the one that didn't meet his eyes. “It’ll be fine. I don’t care too much about those old things anyway.” He shrugged, gently slapping Vergil's shoulders. “Plus, last time Nero was here he mentioned Kyrie had been looking for one just like the one I got. Why not pop in and surprise them?”
At the mention of Nero, he heard Dantes voice shift, his smile finally reaching his eyes. Vergil couldn’t keep himself from smiling either.
“Yes,” Vergil confirmed, and he felt Dantes small chuckle reverberate in his chest. “That sounds… nice.”
Again, Dante patted his shoulder, prompting him to stand. “Go make your nerd tea and read your nerd books. I’ll get the gifts ready, then we can head down for Fortuna.”
Vergil followed Dante up, ignoring the slight shake in his knees, and, for his own shake, ignoring Dantes childish comments.
A gentle bump against his shoulder was all the thanks Dante received, but he noticed the shine in his twin's eyes as he grinned at him. His gratitude was quiet, but didn’t go unnoticed.
He trekked the kitchen slowly, but tea sounded good, especially to soothe his aching throat. He didn’t want to worry his son if he arrived with a broken voice.