Work Text:
Vergilius observed Dante carefully. Even if they were on a night watch they were completely consumed by work on their PDA.
He stepped closer, watching the flame on their head burn idly, listening to their idle ticking and tocking. When Dante spoke the sounds sounded like speech, like a foreign language. Of course Vergilius understood their speech, what kind of Guide would he be if he didn't?
Now their sounds sounded like a regular clock.
Vergilius stood behind Dante, peering over their shoulder as they typed.
Today Vergilius bought snacks for the Sinners. I can't eat so I wish he'd praise me.
It seemed it was one of those notes Dante sometimes does or maybe those are more personal.
Outis praises my work as a Manager but I'm not sure how much of it is genuine. Throughout the night we didn't even have time to catch a break. The Heishou’s Mao branch almost killing me, Ricardo finding us and surviving against the Sweepers all in one night, I'm surprised I survived all that without getting decapitated.
Vergilius watched Dante's shoulders rise and fall accompanied by a sound, a quiet little whistle that was their sigh.
“I see you're getting distracted on a night watch Dante.” He spoke looking at their clockhead.
<V-Vergilius!?> Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Dante hurriedly turning the screen off. Their flame rose for a moment before going back to it's usual low height. Their hand was over their heart. <I'll get a heart attack someday.> They chucked, the sound like wind chimes.
Vergilius narrowed his eyes. He raised his hand and patted Dante's head, the flames warm and harmless. “You're doing a good job Dante.”
Dante tilted their head at him, confused. Vergilius smirked lightly. “Surely you're not thinking you're undeserving of praise?”
Dante turned their head to their PDA. Their fire crackling low and slow.
Vergilius sighed. They wished to be praised and yet…
Vergilius rested his hand on Dante's shoulder and lightly squeezed it. Knowing he caught their attention he turned his head to the window and spoke. “The Sinners should be lucky to have such a nice and kind Manager.” He waited a moment. “And a cute one too.” He let his personal feelings slip in a whisper.
<Huh..?>
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
“Don't get distracted Dante.” He squeezed their shoulder one more time then raised his hand and turned to leave.
<Vergilius.>
He turned around and Dante's fire crackled a little louder and higher, their idle ticking just a bit faster.
<Can you understand me?>
Vergilius smirked lightly. “Are you saying some nonsense again, Dante?” He watched them for a moment longer. “Goodnight.”
As he walked away he heard Dante's ticking.
<I think I like you.>
Vergilius stopped in the corridor as the door behind him closed. He knew that already.