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‟Dante, this is important,” Mommy said, and Dante perked up, letting his sword sink, ‟promise me you’ll always look after your brother, okay? Protect him.”
Dante blinked. ‟Yeah of course. Promise.” he added easily, though he was confused. Of course he would always protect Vergil; it was Vergil-
‟But you didn’t, did you?”
Vergil’s voice echoed through the cracking of walls collapsing and fire surging, trapping Dante in the closet where Mommy had hid him and told him to stay, and he couldn’t get out now and-
‟You left me.” Vergil’s face changed, searing away and then sharpening, eyes narrowing until his brother’s adult face stared at him, the burns slowly healing. ‟You forgot about me.”
‟No!” Dante shouted, banging his fists on the wood; the doors should have broken, they shouldn’t have been able to hold him, but he couldn’t- ‟No! No, I was scared and I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Vergil, no, I shouldn’t have left you, I love you, I can’t-”
‟Dante!”
‟-lost you I never forgot, Vergil no! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
‟Dante!” Vergil snapped, and Dante gasped sharply as stabbing pains flared in his shoulder and he realised his brother’s face was whole and maybe kind of exasperated and leaning over him. Oh. Vergil was holding his shoulder, shaking him.
Dante jolted up, gasping for breath. Vergil squeezed harder; it was his nails - claws? - digging into Dante’s shoulder, a sharp pain he couldn’t slip away from.
It was something of a relief. Dante rubbed his face, swallowing a whine as Vergil withdrew his hand. He looked up and met his brother’s eyes, sharp as ever, but. . .
‟Vergil?” Dante ventured, reaching out, then hesitating.
Vergil arched a brow, but took half a step closer, letting his sword fall to rest across Dante’s bed, watching him.
Dante took his approach as permission; it probably wasn’t, but if being hugged offended Vergil so much, well, Dante could take it if his brother stabbed him again, and right now it would be worth it just to feel-
Dante’s throat was tight as he pressed closer, feeling Vergil’s heart beating like an echo of his own.
He closed his eyes.
‟What is wrong with you.” Vergil said, and it was very much not a question so Dante didn’t feel bad for not answering it. Vergil wasn’t shoving him off, either, which was a big surprise but a good one. Instead, Vergil only. . .
Dante’s breath hitched as Vergil’s fingers slid up his back and tangled in his hair, knuckles resting at his nape. He pressed his face into the crook of Vergil’s neck, and felt him scoff. But he also felt Vergil’s arm tightening around him, and smiled slightly, hugging his brother harder.
‟’m sorry.” Dante said, catching in his throat.
‟Shut up.” Vergil said, flat.
Dante’s fingers curled into the back of Vergil’s coat. ‟Love you.” he said, which came a little easier, and Vergil didn’t react.
Except his heartbeat picking up, just as Dante’s did. Echoing his brother’s.