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Dante certainly didn't expect their first time with Vergilius to leave them so tired, especially even after resting but that might be because both of them slept on a couch. The most important thing was that they enjoyed it. They hummed as they sat in the bathtub in Vergilius' bathroom. They leaned their back against his chest.
<I really enjoyed it.>
A hum leaves Vergilius' mouth. “Really?” Dante nods. <Though next time should probably be without Roseate Desire.> They scratched the side of their clock sheepishly. They feel a kiss on the back of their neck. “Next time, huh?”
Dante sits up properly, turns a little and splashes water in Vergilius' face, their fire crackling louder. <Vergilius!>
The man chuckles, his hand covering his mouth. “I'm sorry you're too easy to tease.” Dante splashed water in his face again knowing he's not sorry. They turn back around and cross their arms. Vergilius leans against their back and wraps his arms around their torso.
<When I get my head back the first thing I want to do is kiss you.> Dante admitted as they moved their hand through the bathwater.
A hum leaves Vergilius' lips. “Really? Wouldn't you want to, I don't know, eat something when you do get it back?” A kiss is left on their neck, Dante squirms a little.
<You kiss me all the time. I feel like I'm missing out.> They sigh as Vergilius leaves yet another kiss.
“I can stop if you want.”
<No, I like when you kiss me. It's just I want to kiss you so badly but I can't.>
Vergilius hums. “I see. Well then, I look forward to it.” He says with a chuckle.
Dante stood in front of the gate. The doors wide and tall before them.
The gate opened and they reached out for a singular person. A familiar hand grabbed theirs and Dante pulled out.
Dante gripped their clock at the pain of the rewind, usually it wasn't so bad.
<Grh!> They fell to their knees, blood of the enemies already seeping into their pants.
They watched as Vergilius' body reassembled itself and the man sat up. As the pain subsided Dante sighed with relief.
This was the first time they had to rewind Vergilius. Dante supposed that bringing only him would result in that.
“Dante.” Vergilius got up and walked over to Dante. They shook their head as they attempted to get up. <I'm okay. Just didn't expect the pain.>
Vergilius sighed as he grabbed Dante by the arm and helped them up.
Dante feels Vergilius' gaze on them, specifically their right hand. They look up at him. <Hm? What is it?>
The man's gaze snaps to Dante and softens. “It's nothing.” Dante stares at him for a moment. <We can hold hands if you want.> They offer. Vergilius seems to think for a moment before walking around Dante. Now standing on their other side he grabs and holds their left hand gently.
Dante hums a melody. Their right leg is throbbing more than usual. This predicament of sorts is still somewhat recent. <Hm…> They lean a little against Vergilius.
It doesn't seem to be much of a problem for now at least, Dante still being able to run around and all. Though sometimes it is a problem but for now Dante supposes it's fine.
“Faust should be back soon. We can sit on a bench if you want.” Vergilius offers, noticing the lean.
<I'd rather sit on you.> Dante laughs and in that same moment Faust comes out of the shop with a cane in her hands.
Vergilius chokes on air, clearly not used to Dante's apparent shamelessness when they know they can limit who can understand them or when there is no one else who can understand them.
She stares at Dante before handing them the cane. “Faust feels like she missed something.”
Dante laughs as they stand straight and grab their cane by the handle, putting the other end of it on the ground.
“I think you should be glad you can't hear Dante for the time being.” Vergilius sighs deeply. He grimaces when Dante smacks him with their cane on his leg. Dante tilts their head. <Does it hurt?>
Vergilius hums. “A little.” Dante nods at his answer and they put their hand through the loop on the cane. <Now I won't lose it, right?>
Vergilius nods. “We should go back now.”
Dante looked at themselves in the mirror in their room. They grab the skirt and lift it up, revealing their legs. <Hm?> They tilted their head seeing Vergilius stare at them through the mirror. They turn around. <Vergilius?>
The man sighs and walks over to Dante, his hands on their waist as soon as he's close enough. “I think you should wear skirts more often.” He hides his face in their shoulder. “You look good.”
Dante chuckles. <Okay.> After a moment they add. <Thank you.> They pat Vergilius' head.
Dante stands near Mephistopheles and sighs. At least the rain stopped. They lifted the skirt and started wringing the water out of it.
“Hey Dante!” Rodion's hands were on their shoulders. “Let's go shopping tomorrow, kay?”
Dante tilted their head, continuing wringing their skirt. <Why?>
Rodion hummed cheerily. “You need some cute clothes of course!”
Vergilius looks at the, honestly ridiculous, amount of clothes Dante has brought back. He would've joined if not for the fact that he neglected to hang out with Charon and she for lack of a better word was sulking around.
So Vergilius stayed on the bus and did various activities with her. Charon of course got candy too, as a form of compensation which seemed to lessen her sulking.
He turns to Dante who stands in front of a mirror, trying on a few of the pieces. “How did you get all of it here?”
Dante turns their head to Vergilius. <Hong Lu was with us.>
Vergilius pinches the bridge of his nose as he sighs deeply. “Please don't take any Sinner that doesn't have their contact back again, Dante. Please.”
Dante themself sighs then they nod. <Okay.>
Vergilius can tell Dante is uneasy about something but they're a bit relaxed after today it seems.
Vergilius spends the rest of the day watching Dante try on clothes, asking for his opinions from time to time.
This was supposed to be easy, right? At least Gregor and Rodion are back from the dead, Dante having rewinded them.
Vergilius stares at Dante as they grip their cane, they're saying something but it comes out as ticks and tocks. He looks at Gregor and Rodion. “Do you hear what Dante is saying?”
Both Sinners shake their heads, Rodion gripping her axe tighter. Gregor grits his teeth, a cigarette long forgotten and snuffed out on the ground. Vergilius in turn grips his gladius tighter and keeps his eyes on Dante.
For all he knows they could Distort.
Listening to Dante's incoherent ticking fills Vergilius with unease, it pools in his gut. He sees Dante grip their clock with their free hand, the fire on their head flowing more than usual.
Just as Vergilius was about to call out to Dante they yell something, which comes out as a loud ring. In that same moment their uniform slowly disappears and is replaced by a red flowing robe with gold star accents at the ends of the robe. There's a part of the robe that burns with a fire that looks just like the one on Dante's head.
Vergilius can't make out all the details from where he's standing but there seem to be some gold accessories. Even their cane becomes more intricate and decorative.
They shake their head for a moment.
“Dante…”
<Ah… Did I worry you guys?> Dante asks as they step to Vergilius, Gregor and Rodion. There's brief relief in hearing Dante again.
There's a strange ethereality to them now, as if they were to up and disappear. The uneasiness doesn't leave Vergilius, not for a moment.
Rodion laughs. “Worry us? No, of course not. You know we were fighting like usual and suddenly none of us can hear what you're saying.” She says, sarcastically.
Dante tilts their head a little as Rodion's shoulders shake. She grips her axe. Then she throws it to the ground, the blade sticking into it. Her shoulders shake more. She might be suppressing crying.
“Of course we were worried, Manager Bud. After Heathcliff Distorted we had to fight him. Who knows if you didn't manage… this…” Gregor motions with his hand at Dante's new attire and takes a moment to think. “Who knows if we would have to fight you or not…”
Vergilius sighs as Dante scratches the side of their clock sheepishly. “I see even you can surprise me. Gaining an E.G.O is no easy feat. Denying her words…” He shakes his head. “We should go back.” He reaches towards Dante with his free hand. Dante steps towards Vergilius, takes his hand for a moment then brushes his hair away from his face. He sighs briefly.
They look to Gregor and Rodion. <None of you need rewinding?> Both Sinners shake their heads.
Rodion sighs as she walks over to Dante and knocks on their clockhead. “I think we deserve some drinks, hm?” She tilts her head with a bit of an uneasy smile.
<I guess so.> Dante chuckles, their E.G.O disappearing.