Work Text:
Index finger stuck up
Thumb to the side and up
Thumb underneath index and middle finger
Thumb underneath index finger
All fingers resting on thumb
Dante slowly spelled out their name in ASL, holding out his notebook that had the alphabet drawn in it. If he had eyebrows, they would be furrowed in a slight frustration and concentration. ' At least I know how to spell my name out. ' Dante thought as he stared down at the notebook.
" What are you doing? " A voice startled Dante, making him sit up straight and cover their notebook as he looked to the source of the voice. It was Yi Sang, who looked curious. Dante stuttered, before looking down. " < I was learning sign language… > " Dante admitted.
He felt like they were put on the spot. Like he would be reprimanded for even thinking about it. If he was a dog, then their head would be low and his ears dripped. " Is it okay.. if I help? " Yi Sang hesitantly asked. Dante's head shot up again. "< You know sign language?! > " Dante said, shocked.
Yi Sang nodded and Dante felt joy. This would be a time to bond with the man. Dante excitedly patted the spot next to him. Maybe too excitedly, because it seemed to make Yi Sang slightly nervous. “ < Sorry- it’s a habit. > “ Dante said quickly, moving his hand away as they fumbled with the notebook.
The first sinner took a seat. “ It’s fine. I don’t mind. “ He simply said, and started to teach Dante the basics. How to do hello and goodbye, how to sign yes and no, all simple stuff. Gregor, who sat behind the two, took notice. “ Hey. What are you two up to? “ The man asked, moving forward to look over their seat.
Dante let out a surprised beep like an alarm clock as Yi Sang looked over. “ I’m teaching them sign language. “ He said, watching as Gregor raised an eyebrow. “ Is it okay if I join in? “ Gregor asked, looking sheepish. Yi Sang nodded, and three began to sign easy things.
Soon, the other sinners began to notice. “ What’s going on over here? “ Rodion asked, before joining in. “ Are you guys learning sign language? “ Sinclair questioned. “ Faust expected that this would come sooner or later. “ Faust remarked. Even Heathcliff and Meursault joined in. When Hong Lu joined, Dante noticed the small blush scattered on Yi Sang’s face, and how close the two were.
However, the grouping up would not go unnoticed. “ What is.. going on here. “ Vergilius’ raspy voice broke the groups talking into silence as everyone looked over at him. “ Ah! We are just learning sign language! Why? Got a problem with it? “ Rodion answered, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
It was Vergilius’ turn to raise an eyebrow. “ Sign language, huh? Is it because Dante can’t speak normally? “ He questioned, watching as Dante’s head nodded slowly. Vergilius let out a scoff, before sitting down in front of them, which surprised everyone. “ If you are learning a way of communication for me, I might as well join in. “
The group cheered, and Yi Sang led the way in learning, with Sinclair, Outis, and Ishmael jumping in to help. Before they all knew it, they were at their destination. “ Well.. looks like we’re here. We can continue this when we get what we need. “ Vergilius remarked, standing up. The sinners let out soft protests in having to cut the session short, but went on their merry way.
. . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆
Later on, the group had returned, securing the brough they were after. As soon as that was sorted out, they immediately went back to learning. Dante excused themself to the bathroom after a little bit, and left. Dante did his usual business in the bathroom, as one does, yet when he looked at himself in the mirror, he began to think.
‘ Why am I like this? ‘ Dante questioned himself, softly touching the clock that rested as their head. ‘ What happened to me that caused this? ‘ They could only stare at himself through the mirror, listening as his sinners laughed outside the door. ‘ I want my head back. I want my memories back. ‘ He hugged themselves softly, before being jumpscared by the things on his.. chest.
They had forgotten. He wasn’t even a cis male or whatever. Whatever frustrations they had just seeped out right then and there. Finally, when Dante was finally having a good time, his thoughts had to go rampant. If he could cry, they would be crying right now. However, a knock brought them back to reality.
“ Uh, Manager Bud? You alright in there? We’re getting a little worried. “ Gregor’s voice seeped through. Dante was silent, before softly ticking out something. “< … Go away.. You don’t need to see me like this.. >” Gregor didn’t respond right away. “ Understood, Manager Bud. “ Dante heard his footsteps go faint as everyone began to hush murmurs.
The murmurs drove Dante crazy. Combine it with his sudden mental decline and their ticking, he broke. “< GOD. FUCKING. DAMMIT. >” He angrily ticked loudly and slammed their fist with every angry word he said. As soon as they were about to slam his head against the counter, the door opened violently with Vergilius standing there.
Dante felt pathetic right now. It didn’t help that all 12 sinners were looking at him in worry and concern. Dante shook, before exploding with emotions. His flame got more violent as well as their ticking. “< GET OUT. GET OUT. LEAVE ME ALONE. I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE. >” He gripped onto the counter as he curled in on himself. The soft tickings coming from them could count as tears as it just kept. on. ticking.
The door shut and Dante felt arms holding them. They didn’t even check who was holding him, as they knew it was Vergilius. He broke down in his arms and sobbed as best as a clock could. They held onto him as tight as he could as his knees buckled. Vergilius made no attempt to talk, which was fine for Dante. He wouldn’t even be able to pay attention anyways.
As the tickings slowed down, Dante calmed down. It was just him being held up by Vergilius, which would be absolutely fine, had it not been for Dante’s secret crush on the red eyed man. Dante slowly looked up at the man holding him, who had been staring at him the entire time.
“ Are you okay now, Dante? “ He finally spoke. Dante slowly nodded, before unlatching one of his hands. He shakingly made the I sign, followed by the L, and ending with the Y sign. It took Vergilius a moment to understand, but when he did, he let a faint smile appear on his face. “ It’s hard.. to resist falling in love.. with you, Dante.. “ Vergilius softly spoke as he planted a soft kiss on the outer rim of Dante’s clock, making his fire go insane.
Dante relished in the moment for as long as he could. If he could, he would kiss Vergilius back, but alas. The best he could do was lightly smack his clock against Vergilius’ face, which would receive a soft yet fond chuckle from him. “ Let’s go see the sinners now.. “ He pulled away from Dante, who became nervous.
Vergilius could sense Dante’s worry. “ It’s okay, Dante. They’ll understand. “ He reassured Dante, who could only nod. As the door opened, every sinner’s head snapped to where the two were standing. Dante was immediately struck with anxiety. “< H-Hey guys.. >” He nervously said, raising their hand and waving.
He didn’t even get a chance to step out of the bathroom before Sinclair rushed over and gave them a tight hug, nearly knocking Dante off his feet. “< B-Be careful! >” Dante scolded, but Sinclair only held them tighter. As he was watching Sinclair, a hand on his shoulder made him look up.
It was Yi Sang, whose eyes were filled with worry even though they seemed so dead. Then Gregor put an arm around Dante. Hong Lu, Rodion, and Don hugged him with Sinclair. Then the rest of the sinners joined in. Before Dante knew it, every sinner was by their side, either hugging him or having some sort of physical touch with him.
Dante didn’t know how to react, before they started to cry again. His ticking was sporadic and their shoulders shook. “< Thank you… Thank you.. >” He sobbed. No one made any noise, and was silent as Dante cried. For once in his lifetime, he didn’t have to be alone anymore.
. . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆
That night, when everyone was sleeping, Dante was still awake. He couldn’t sleep, as much as he wanted to. They slowly looked over at Vergil, who simply sat, staring ahead like Dante had been doing. Dante looked over to see the sleeping sinners, noting that Yi Sang and Hong Lu were sleeping together. If they had the confidence.. then..
Dante slowly got up, making his way over to Vergilius. The red eyed man snapped out of whatever trance he once had been in, and looked at the clockman. He watched as Dante sat down and rested their head on Vergil’s shoulder, taking in one of his hands and holding it. Dante used their other hand to put it against their face, before moving it out flattened, signing ‘ Thank you. ‘
Vergil smiled. A soft smile, and rested his head on Dante’s clock. “ No problem. “ He replied, closing his eyes as the two fell asleep holding each other’s hands.