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Dante has been acting strangely. That is all that Vergil can surmise from his current state of affairs. He moves about the kitchen with clean and efficient steps as he goes about preparing his morning tea. The routine one he has since perfected after several months of living in the human world with his brother.
Nothing was remiss in their sexual lives, that much was made clear last night. And yet, there was still something off that he just could not put his finger on. If only Vergil's idiotic brother would just say what was wrong, then Vergil would be able to address it. But no, Dante danced around the issue like a professional tapdancer.
All week he had been asking Vergil ridiculous questions. First was about a flea market, as if Vergil would ever set foot in a place that sold insects. Then it was about attending some class to have someone teach them to make candles. Candles! As if Vergil did not already know how to make the perfect summoning candle, how insulting of his brother to even imply such a thing.
Vergil huffed at just the memory as he reached into the cabinet for his brown sugar. His tea leaves had been steeped to perfection and would just need a little finishing touch. However, the cupboard was empty.
Unacceptable!
Vergil growled as he rummaged about. He knew there was still some left, he wouldn't have allowed the supply to run empty so the only reason would be that someone moved it. Was it Lady? Vergil bet it was Lady. Of course she would try to get back at him when he had cut off a small chunk of her hair on their latest job. It wasn't even on purpose!
He moved through the other cabinets in his search, not really knowing what was in them as his one designated tea cupboard was the only one that he frequented. Frustrated beyond belief at his perfect routine being disrupted and finding out just how much junk Dante was keeping hidden away in the kitchen. How could he leave one of his magazines hidden behind a sack of flour?
Grabbing it, Vergil was just about to throw it in the trash when he noticed the cover. Or rather what was missing on the cover. No guns or scantily dressed female was adorning the page. Instead a fully dressed woman with the bold title of “COSMOPOLITAN” was presented along the top. More curious was the sheer amount of sticky notes that were jutting out of the pages.
Intrigued, Vergil took a sip from his cooling tea, grimacing from its lack of brown sugar. Vergil opened up the magazine. There with notes in his brother's looping script was an article. “10 Best First Dates That Don't Involve Drinks or Dinner.”
Vergil froze as his eyes darted across the page. “Hiking and picnicking" has several notes next to it regarding mountain names that Vergil was vaguely aware of with a red sticky note placed over top with a big X. Verge hates eating outdoors.
His breath hitched as he remembered a conversation they had last week that ended in Vergil explaining how much he detested meals in the woods as they reminded him of when he had been on the run.
Glancing over he saw more sections crossed out “Craft! Pottery, candlemaking and so much more.” “Flea markets galore!” A sinking feeling started in the pit of his stomach as he read through each of the notes written by Dante. Pros and cons thoughtfully written down for what Vergil might or might not like, research done into the local places that they could visit, prices, times. All of which were covered in red notes of rejections that Vergil thoughtlessly gave.
But, why?
Why was Dante researching this? Did they not-
Their lives over the past several months flashed before his eyes. Acclimating Vergil to the human world, getting him legal papers, ordering take out to eat at home as Vergil saw no point in going to restaurants, going on missions, visiting Nero, nights spent at home tangled together.
But nothing like this. Nothing romantic that didn't involve sex. As a son of Sparda, Vergil was deeply ashamed.
“Hey Verge, you eat breakfast yet?” Dante yawned as he walked into the kitchen, voice trailing off as he found Vergil wide eyed and clutching the magazine in his hands. A bright flush covered Dante's face as he immediately trickster dashed out of the kitchen with Vergil teleporting after him.
Vergil chased after Dante through the entire house until he finally caught him, pinning Dante to the ground. But not before Dante managed to bring the collar of his coat over his head, curling into a ball underneath the cage of Vergil's arms.
Vergil caught his breath as he wrapped his arms around his rolled up brother. “My apologies, brother-mine. It seems I have been negligent as your lover.” He pressed a kiss through the coat against Dante's forehead. Trying to coax him out of his hiding.
Dante's face was beautifully flushed when he finally emerged. He looked sheepish and Vergil hates how hesitant Dante is towards him. Afraid of rejection. “It's fine, Verge. It's not like we need to do any of those things.” Dante tried to hide behind his bangs, but Vergil brushed them aside.
“Nonsense, Dante. This is something that you would like us to do together and I am sorry that we have not done so sooner. There is no way that I could deny this of you, not when you have put so much effort into thinking of my needs.” Vergil earnestly looked down at Dante, conveying to him his determination.
Dante blinked before a smile lit up his face, eyes curving in happiness up at Vergil. “Really? You'll go on a date with me?”
Love warmed Vergil's chest at the joy in his brother's face. He leaned down to press a soft kiss to Dante's forehead before peppering kissing across his face until their lips slotted together. Pulling back Vergil looked at Dante's blushing face. “Yes, let's go out, Dante. It will be the first of many.”
–
They went through the list over breakfast, finally settling on an Aquarium date. Although it would have other humans, since it was during a school day, there shouldn't be many people about. And Dante had even gone out of his way to acquire glasses spelled with a glamour that made humans see them as ordinary people. So that they could go about their date in peace without people questioning them.
Vergil waited at the fountain outside of the aquarium. To get a bit more in the spirit of things, they decided to meetup at the venue instead of leaving together. Vergil had dressed in a soft knitted blue turtleneck with grey slacks and a long black coat. He had gotten there exactly 10 minutes before they were scheduled to meet and Vergil could not help but marvel at the power of the glasses. Normally he would have had to glare down a gaggle of humans who sought his attention and yet not one person glanced his way twice.
He was still appreciating its effects when he noticed Dante across the street. Vergil's breath caught in his throat as he watched the sun shining like a halo through Dante's silvery lockes. Dante had changed into a fitted black top with dark jeans that stretched tight over his muscular thighs. A short red motorcycle jacket that came down just above his waist pulled the outfit together.
Vergil's face softened into a smile as Dante finally joined him. He slid his arms around Dante's waist as Dante brought his arms over his shoulders. Their lips met in a quick kiss, “You look good in those glasses. Did you wait long?”
Vergil rested his forehead against Dante's, their glasses clicking lightly together. “Not for long and you look divine as well.” They chuckled a bit at the cliche lines, but honestly? It felt good just to be able to say them.
With a final kiss, they separated and Vergil offered his left hand to Dante. Interlacing their hands together, they made their way into the building. Buying tickets went smoothly as the place seemed to mostly be occupied with stay at home parents wheeling their toddlers around in carts.
The saleswoman smiled politely at them, “Would you like to join in on our scavenger hunt? Shelly the Sea Shell has hidden in 10 parts of the aquarium.” She slid over a sheet of paper on a clipboard. Little pictures of a cartoon sea shell filled the page. “Just write down which exhibit you find her at, bring the paper back to the desk and you get a small prize.”
Dante lit up a bit, “Oh? This should be interesting. I can do this while you read all the little info sheets.” Grabbing the board and pencil with his free hand, Dante bumped his shoulder with Vergil's.
And the two of them started their leisurely stroll through all of the exhibits. Truthfully, other than the fish he had caught in streams and lakes for sustenance, Vergil had never really paid any attention to fish and was mostly learning of these species for the first time.
His eyes sparkled as he read through all of the placards of the many varying and colorful aquatic creatures that were kept. Vergil would scan through the information and point out the facts that Dante would laugh at. Dante kept pace with him the whole time while also having fun pointing out all the little antics that the fish did, hiding in caves and camouflaging, and playing his scavenger hunt. Vergil occasionally holding the clipboard for Dante to write on as they never let go of each other's hand.
They touched the stingrays’ back, poked at the starfish. Gazed in wonder at the glass tunnel, water and fish on all sides swimming past them. Vergil was amazed at the ingenuity of the humans to create such a magnificent attraction. They got to feel like they were truly a part of the ocean.
The jellyfish room was truly magical and they sat in the dark room admiring the floating creatures for a long time. Sides pressed together and heads tilted against one another. Both enraptured by the colors and the movements. They stayed there until around closing time, enjoying the mood and calming actions while chatting with each other about anything and everything. Vergil felt at peace.
On the way out, Vergil noticed some of the signs. “Live animal show? It looks like there are more things to see here Dante.”
Dante turned away from the little sea shell he received as a prize from the scavenger hunt and popped his head over his shoulder to read. “Looks like they have some seals they've trained. We'll have to see them when we visit again, Verge.”
“Yes,” Vergil smiled as he kissed Dante's temple. “We'll have another date to look forward to.”
“For now, let's get some dinner. I'm starving, what d’you wanna eat?”
Vergil and Dante smiled as they said together.
“Seafood.”