Chapter Text
You could hear a voice, or at least you thought you could. You tried to focus on it but everytime you did it seemed to grow fainter, farther away. Sometimes the voice changed, sometimes there was more than one but the outcome remained the same no matter how desperately you wished otherwise. Time felt strange. You thought you would spend forever in that pitch black void without a body or a voice and you processed that possibility with a sense of peace. The world had been saved, the ones you loved were safe; anything more than that would be icing on the cake and you could accept that gracefully.
There was a sensation of falling in reverse and you were suddenly acutely aware of your own heartbeat thudding away in steady, even thumps. Even with you eyes still shut, the glare of the overhead fluorescent lighting was unmistakable. The first sound to reach your ears was the rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor. The second was Nero's voice; speaking softly but still loud enough to hear, he was reading the contents of a Chinese take-out menu aloud.
"Chicken with teriyaki sauce: Had it, don't recommend it— too salty. Happy Family: not bad, not bad... but with any luck we'll have that when you wake up; all-you-can-eat but we'll never grow tired of it. Man, that was lame..."
"Did you already say what the House Special was?" Your dry, cracked voice surprised even yourself.
"____? Holy shit, are you actually awake?"
You opened your eyes slowly, eyelids as heavy as lead weights. The world was a confusing blend of color until your eyes settled down and focused on the devil hunter's face; always a welcome sight but especially after so much... nothingness.
"Somehow. How long has it been, dare I ask?"
"About two weeks and some change. I won't lie, things were lookin' pretty grim. The doc said to prepare for the worst, that since it had been a couple of weeks with no change you might never wake up. I thought dear ol' Dad over there was gonna punch his lights out," Nero jerked back a thumb, indicating the person asleep on the couch behind him.
It was Vergil all right; unlike you had ever seen him before. His normally tidy hair was an unkempt shag laying completely flat against his forehead. Days worth of stubble graced his face making him resemble Dante more than he had in ages. He wore an extremely wrinkled white t-shirt paired with some black sweats. In short, he looked like he really needed the rest he was currently getting.
"He's been here more or less the entire time and he's practically been your round the clock nurse. He's really only left to let other people come see you; they've only been letting visitors in two at a time. No clue where he's been goin' when he isn't here though," Nero gave a shrug, "probably to blow off some steam."
An invasion of butterflies filled your stomach and clamored wildly in your chest— a fact that was embarrassingly reflected on the heart monitor. Nero raised a brow and gave an amused half smile.
"Well," Nero began, giving his lap a firm pat as he stood, "I'm gonna go find the doctor. But I'll, uh, take my time."
"Nero, wait... don't wake him up, okay?" You managed to sit up, really hoping to drive home your plea.
"Didn't plan on it," is what he said but you knew him well enough to recognize the mischievous glint in his eyes. He took his leave of your room, shutting the door much harder than necessary. Vergil bolted upright, awakened by the sudden intrusive noise. That Nero...
For awhile the two of you just stared at one another, frozen like a movie set to pause. Finally, he stood and made his way over to you slowly and unblinkingly, his face awash in disbelief. He reached over with shaking hands and braced your face between them, long fingers lacing through your hair. His thumbs gently stroked the skin near the outer corners of your eyes, his own bearing into yours with such burning intsensity that you learned firsthand blue really did burn the hottest.
"You came back... In my heart, I never stopped believing or at least hoping that you would but... the mind casts doubts," a solitary tear formed and rolled down the side of his face, "I feel as though I now have the slightest inkling of what you experienced waiting for me time and time again. ____, I have been so wrong about so many things during my lifetime and it's taken me until now to appreciate just how foolish I was for relinquishing my memories. I might have saved Dante and myself a few years in doing so, but I risked losing my forever— because that is what you are to me."
You smiled through a sobbing laugh. When you got right down to it, loving Vergil had been one of the toughest things you'd ever been through. Falling in love with him only to lose him, nursing the feelings of disappointment when things didn't go as you had hoped, making peace with the changes he underwent and learning not only to accept them but embrace them. Then you thought maybe that was how love was for everybody— things were just a bit more literal than the norm between you two. You weren't about to use such heavy handed terms like 'fate' and 'destiny' but you did know no matter what form he took, your love for Vergil just felt right. The mental bond that you once shared may have been severed but the connection between you was irreversible.
"I love you," tears of your own spilled down your cheeks as you placed your hands atop Vergil's, "there is a million other flowery thoughts racing through my head right now but it all boils down to just that: I love you."
"Oh, is that all?" he gave a gently teasing smile, "sometimes less is more."
He kissed you then, short and sweet and when he pulled away he rested his forehead against yours.
"I love you too."
A knock on the door preceded the doctor's entrance into the room. The clean cut man gave Vergil a weary look.
"I'll see you soon," your lover said with a peck to your forehead.
"See you..." you beamed at him.
Vergil smirked at the doctor as he passed him into the hall, a haughty sneer that seemed to gloat, "I told you so." With Vergil out of the room the doctor finally addressed you.
"_____! I'm Doctor Vincent— I'm pleased to see you make such a turnaround! Tell me, how are you feeling?"
"Starving!"
Damn if it wasn't the truth.
*********
You ended up spending only one more week in the hospital. It was a week that thankfully flew right by due in part to your onslaught of visitors; the most surprising of which happened to be Jeffrey. Your jaw had nearly hit the floor when the bespectacled blond poked his head through your door.
"Jeffery!" you had cried, "But you're supposed to be on the other side of the country!"
"And a fond hello to you too!" He teased.
The two of you talked at length about all that had transpired with The Sons, the portal— everything. Jeffrey laid a paper dated from the week you had defeated Thiriel in front of you to read. The papers were declaring the portal to be nothing more than a rare magnetic storm.
"I tried writing a piece that shed a bit of light on the truth but... my news firm wouldn't publish it," the blond smiled completely without humor, "guess if there isn't a giant bloodthirsty tree killing people left and right, people would rather pretend that this sort of thing doesn't go on... I'm back at square one."
"I'm so sorry, Jeff. What do you plan on doing?"
"I'm moving back here— got my old job back at the Occult Times."
You frowned; after all of his success this was such a leap back.
"Are you sure that's what you want?"
"It is. It's not glamorous work but, this is were my passion lies," his dark eyes lit up as he spoke, and you knew he meant every word, "There's a whole other world out there that most people don't know about and I intend to inform any one who's willing to listen. I had my day in the sun and besides; this way I'll be able to help you and the others out way more easily."
You just smiled at the reporter; if he was happy, what did the rest really matter? Besides, you weren't about to complain about your friend suddenly becoming much more accessible.
********
One of your final moments at the hospital would be one that would stick with you for a while. It was the last day you would have to spend as an inpatient and as such you were ready to tackle a giant hurdle in your recovery: taking a shower by yourself. Your nurse would be only a string pull away and the ever diligent Vergil promised to stand right outside your door; you felt confident things would work out just fine. Your legs only felt the slightest bit wobbly and you were feeling pretty good. You leaned over and turned on the shower... and that was when you got your first real glimpse of yourself in the mirror— specifically your scars. You had seen the depressed marks on your arms and such, it wasn't as if you were unaware of their presence, but this was your first time really seeing them and seeing the reality of how your body looked now. You traced a finger along a whorled groove on your chest... and that's when you broke down. Not only did you find yourself repulsive but it was a stark reminder that Phantom as you knew and loved him was gone; that for the first time in two years you were alone inside your mind and body.
Upon hearing your distressed cries, Vergil entered the bathroom, his face lined with concern.
"_____? What's the matter? Are you in pain?"
"Phantom's gone. He's really, really gone."
Vergil held you close and stroked your hair, letting you cry on his shoulder.
"I won't tell you not to miss him; I know the Devil Arm isn't the same but... just think of how miraculous of a feat that was in of itself," he rested his chin atop your head, the movement of his jaw against your scalp oddly soothing as he spoke, "I've given it a lot of thought and I think being inside of you changed him, changed the very nature of what he was. Through you, a nightmare was able to become a dream and in the end that dream became a reality— at least that's what I think."
"Vergil... that was beautiful." Unlike me, you thought.
"Is something else bothering you?" Looking at your reflection, Vergil's keen eye hadn't missed the shadow that crossed your face at your dark thought. You drew in a shuddering breath, a bit afraid to voice your insecurities outloud.
"These scars are so... ugly. I don't even know how you can be attracted to me."
The dark slayer held you tighter.
"Erase such worries from your mind. I could never find your scars ugly... and trust me when I say there are a few other things that... occupy my attention. I won't even notice them when..."
He cleared his throat then made a concentrated effort not to gawk at your assets. What a gentlemen. You glanced up at him, eyes still wet with tears.
"Say, Vergil... you could use a shower too, couldn't you?"
"I definitely could use a shave but I showered this mor...ning," his blue eyes widened in realization and he gaped at you, looking positively scandalized.
"Oh, that's too bad," you pouted coquettishly, "but you know... I think I may be dirty enough for the two of us..."
His clothes were off at warp speed, all pretense of decorum swirling down the drain.
Your legs were considerably more wobbly when you finally left the bathroom.
************
Not long after your discharge from the hospital, Vergil made good on his promise to Nero. The gravestone was small but elegant; carved out of polished red granite. Upon its installation, Julia was given a small memorial service led by Kyrie. Fuzon's surrender had given way to a revival of sorts of The Order of the Sword. The movement was spearheaded by the redhead herself, leaving her in the perfect position to be its new leader— and who better? Not only was her brother, Credo, once a prominent member of The Order, but Kyrie knew firsthand that Sparda and his kin were not some sort of gods or deities; she would be able to keep The Order grounded. Honestly, it was the role she was born for.
At the completion of Julia's memorial, not a dry eye was in sight, moved by Kyrie's beautiful and uplifting words. As your small crowd of friends dispersed, Vergil and Nero remained together in front of Julia's headstone. You stood apart from the men, Dante at your side, wanting to give the father and son their privacy. Although you couldn't make out their words, their body language was relaxed, familiar even, and you could see that they were both smiling.
"You know, I think those two are gonna be fine," the smile as Dante spoke was a soft and genuine one that touched his eyes. It shocked you that so much pride and love could radiate from such a small action.
You gave the half-devil's hand a friendly squeeze, your own heart full of love for all three of the Sparda men.
"I couldn't agree more."
*********
Eventually it was time to pay the piper— or in your case pay the pissed off demon huntresses. Even with the three of you pooling your money together, it was still a rather sad amount. As you first entered Devil May Cry, the three of you paused, wondering if you had entered the wrong building by mistake. Hundreds of flowers pervaded the office, taking up the majority of any free space the room provided; one could be forgiven for mistaking the place for a florist's boutique.
"Love what you've done with the place ladies, though it's not really my style," Dante plucked a rose from one of the dozens of vases and sniffed it— you could have sworn you saw him stash it in his jacket afterwards.
"Not really ours either— you have Fuzon to thank for this. He's absolutely gaga over Trish," Lady explained. She sat on the edge of Dante's desk, her face screwed into a look of disgust.
"It really is quite annoying..." Sitting at the desk, Trish toyed with a geranium as she spoke, the small smile parting her lips painting a different story.
"Well, I think it's ever so romantic!" Patty's voice was dreamy from her spot on the couch where she was chaining daisies.
"You date him then," Lady muttered. Patty shot the older woman a disgruntled look.
"No way!"
"Getting back on track, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Trish arched one of her fine brows, red polished nails drumming atop a short stack of papers.
Almost timidly, Vergil stepped forward and offered the blonde an envelope the three of you complied your money into. Trish took it with a look of mild bemusement.
"It isn't the entire amount and for that I shoulder the majority of the blame. I have had certain... personal... expenses."
You saw a certain softness in the normally no-nonsense blonde's eyes that you have never witnessed before.
"I know."
"Honestly, I wasn't actually expecting anything at all," Lady smiled a bit sheepishly, "I mean, this is Dante we're talking about."
"Ouch! Maybe I won't be giving you this afterall..." Dante reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled out a paper. Carefully he unfolded and placed it on the desk in front of Trish, revealing a very official looking legal document notarized with a red, wax seal. Lady's mouth fell silently ajar and Trish all but leapt to her feet, her heavy wooden chair scraping loudly as she stood. She placed both hands on the desk, bracing herself, as she looked up at the red coated half devil in total disbelief.
"Dante, what's the meaning of this? This is—"
"— The deed to the office? Yeah, I know. Listen, I don't need to tell you how many times you ladies have bailed me out, helped keep this place afloat," a rueful smile tugged at Dante's lips as walked about, considering the space of the office, "Really, this place has been the two of yours since practically the beginning— I'm just making it official. I'm signing her over to both of you, something I shoulda done a long time ago."
Dante's words left you feeling stunned; you had no idea he had planned on doing such a thing. Judging by Vergil's equally shocked expression you figured he had no idea either.
"Are you really sure about this, Dante?" Trish questioned.
"Yeah," Lady chimed in, her dark brows knitted in worry, "what are you going to do after this? Where will you go?"
Dante chuckled.
"I'm as sure as I've ever been about anything. And relax! I'm not dying or retiring or anything like that. As for where I'll go... dunno; it'll come to me."
Trish heaved a sigh.
"As cavalier as ever I see. Then stay here until you figure out what you're going to do."
Patty hopped up from her seat on the couch with her completed flower crown in hand.
"Yeah! Besides, you said you wouldn't be a stranger! Time to pay up, mister!"
The young blonde placed the crown atop Dante's head, the white daisies nearly lost amongst the snow of his hair. Dante looked blankly ahead with a dull expression as though he regretted every decision leading up to this point in his life. He sighed.
"Fine."
***********
Later on, you and Vergil took your leave. It felt strange to be leaving without Dante.
"We're going to ask him to stay with us, right?" You felt your cheeks warm at your own words. You had only recently concretely settled that you would continue living with Vergil; the fact that the two of you were making decisions as an 'us' made you feel rather giddy.
"I don't intend to," Vergil's response was stiff and taciturn, "I couldn't care less about where he chooses to go."
He was a bad liar.
"You don't mean that,"you cooed.
"I do," he scoffed rather unconvincingly, "besides, even if we did ask he'd never agree— you know how he is."
He had a point. Dante was extremely emotionally guarded and would likely deny your offer even if he secretly did wish to stay. Those Sparda twins were certainly alike in more ways than just the superficial. Then a brilliant idea struck you.
"Then we'll make him an offer he can't refuse."
*******
"All right, so what is it you wanna show me?"
You, Vergil and Dante were just arriving back at Vergil's home in Aporia. About a week had passed since you last saw the red coated hunter but you were finally ready to spring your plan into action.
"You'll see when we get inside!" You smiled at the man, hoping he couldn't tell how nervous you felt. You hoped you understood Dante as well as you thought you did— for Vergil's sake.
"Ah, I see you did a little bit of redecorating!"
Vergil's old desk now took residence within the parlor and panelling the walls were the bookshelves that had once been a staple of Vergil's study. Sitting on the desk was a rotary phone— archaic? Sure, but Vergil was an old soul. Upon taking in all of this Dante quirked a brow.
"So, what's in the study?"
You cracked a grin.
"See for yourself!"
He did just that, you and Vergil trailing behind to gauge his reaction.
You and Vergil had made over the study into a bedroom. There wasn't much to it— just a full sized bed, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers— but the furnishings had been tastefully chosen by Vergil from various secondhand shops. Dante was quiet for a moment, introspective. Finally he crossed his arms over his chest and smiled.
"Gotta say, I was half expecting this to be a nursery."
"Well, clearly it's not." Color bloomed on Vergil's cheeks and you were certain a blush shaded your face as well.
"I see that. So, what am I looking at?"
"A room, Dante... for you; to make use of whenever and however you want."
"You will always have a place with us and we hope you'll choose to stay here," you added a bit shyly.
"And the desk out there?"
"Consider the parlor your new office," Vergil answered.
"Hmm..." Dante placed his hand on his chin, as though deep in thought, "you two did go through so much trouble, it'd be a waste not to stay; I have only one problem."
Vergil blinked owlishly.
"Oh? And what would that be?"
Dante slung an arm around both you and Vergil as he grinned.
"I think you meant our office."
*********
About a week had passed but you still couldn't say the office was open for business. You had only just gotten the landline actually installed and networking was a huge part of the job. For that you enlisted the help of Jeffrey who was more than happy to be your group's go-between— it went hand in hand with his other work afterall. In addition, Morrison didn't live so far away that he couldn't continue to bring jobs that Trish and Lady wouldn't be able to take— although he promised he would take an extra 2% cut for his traveling costs. Dante had called him a "greedy bastard" without a hint of distain; you could tell he was happy to be able to continue working with his long-term colleague and— dare you say?— friend.
Things had been great. It was such a relief to be able to spend time with Vergil without some demonic threat looming over your heads. You were happy, but you couldn't help but notice that as the days went by Vergil seemed increasingly agitated, distracted. When you asked him if he was okay he insisted that he was better than ever although his words did little to assuage your doubts. Afterall, you knew the half-devil inside and out.
You woke up one early morning when you reached out an arm to meet nothing but empty space. You sat up, eyes still bleary with sleep as you rubbed them. You looked over to the door that led to the back porch. The velvet drapery was still drawn over it but that didn't mean Vergil wasn't out there— he could have opted to go out the front door.
You got out of bed and bundled up; winter was in full force right now, the ground outside covered in a blanket of snow. After lacing up your boots you slid the curtain aside, already seeing your beau through the glass of the door. He stood on the porch with his back towards you, not even shooting you a cursory glance when you opened the door and stepped out. The air was cold, but not bitterly so. For this you were thankful; unable to find your gloves you restorted instead to shoving them deep inside your coat pockets. Vergil himself wore nothing but his usual attire; he had said once he ran hot but you figured it was more that extreme temperatures in general didn't faze him, recalling how all three Sparda men wore heavy jackets even at the peak of summer. You could see tracks in the snow that carved out a short back and forth pathway; telltale signs that the austere man had been pacing.
"All right, Vergil. What's going on? You're so... restless."
He faced you then with a serene countenance, the blue of his eyes popping against the backdrop of white. It was hardly the expression you were expecting to see, so pure in its openness that you felt your heart quicking in both shock and adoration.
"I'm... an impatient man," he started, voice cashmere soft, "it's one of my many faults. I've been waiting for the perfect time, the perfect place because I feel that is nothing less than you deserve. I realize this is neither so... I hope you can forgive the impatient man kneeling before you."
He dropped to one knee and bestowed to you a ring; a slender band set with a dainty pearl, the epitome of elegance.
"'To see a world in a grain of sand. And a heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand. And eternity in an hour.' _____, will you marry me?"
You didn't even need to think.
"Yes!"
He smiled then, a grin so wide the corners of his eyes crinkled. You offered your hand, the cold all but forgotten, and he slipped the piece onto your finger. He stood up and the two of you kissed in between bouts of happy laughter.
*******
When you returned to the house, Vergil announced he was going to make a celebratory breakfast. The two of you emerged from the room arm in arm, jubilant and unwilling to part from one another just yet. You paused in front of the picture of you and V still hanging on the wall.
"Strange as it is, that's our first picture together," Vergil mused.
"The first of many I hope."
"Hmmm... I don't see why it shouldn't be," he kissed your forehead and the then you leaned happily against him.
"So I take it congratulations are in order?"
You whirled around to see Dante sitting on the couch, flipping through a magazine. You were certain he hadn't been there a moment ago... He stood and approached you, holding his magazine rolled up in his hand.
"It's about time, Verge!" Dante tapped the top of his twin's head with the magazine before looking at you, "this guy's been carrying that ring around since you were still in the hospital!"
You smiled up at your now fiancé, not sure if your heart could get anymore full from the love you felt for him.
"Anyways, congratulations!" The brothers shared a warm embrace. Dante then turned his attentions towards you. He mussed the hair on top of your head, a quiet gesture and yet so caring.
"Welcome to the family, Sis."
You practically tackled him over with a hug.
**********
The first person you decided to tell about your recent engagement was Nero. It was the natural choice; he was Vergil's son of course, your best friend and mentor, and after keeping him the dark about Dante and Vergil's return it seemed fitting that he be the first outside your household to learn of this most recent development. You ventured alone to break the news, wanting to approach Nero as just a friend one last time. Vergil was understanding and, secretly you thought, a little relieved. You knew he was worried about his son's potential reaction. You had your own private worries as well. Nero had always been incredibly supportive of your relationship but marriage was a different story. You didn't want the him to feel hurt or left behind or uncomfortable in any way; Nero had become your family first afterall.
When you had invited the young demon hunter out for lunch, he had happily obliged. Apparently, Kyrie had been extremely busy with The Order and Nico had been holing herself up for weeks on end designing a new Devil Breaker to be made from Thiriel's sword— the woman was a perfectionist through and through. She truly was a deadly artisan and the human world's very own Machiavelli.
"Any idea what she's making?" You asked after taking a sip of water.
"Notta clue," he said through a bite of his sandwich, "from what I could see, kinda looked like a chainsaw though."
Mauling down demons with a chainsaw? Classic. After another sip of water you finally felt ready to broach the subject you came to discuss.
"So, Nero... I have some news."
"All right, I'm all ears."
"Vergil and I... that is to say your father and I... well, we're getting married."
He beamed, the smile on his face bright enough to light a dark room.
"That's great! Congratulations! I mean it, I'm happy for you!"
"Really?"
"Of course, 'really', you doofus!" He rolled his eyes and took a drink of his juice, his expression softening a bit, "besides, if you guys ever decide to become parents it'd be kinda nice to have a little brother or sister."
His earnestness was so sweet it rendered him almost childlike. You couldn't help laughing.
"Tell you what, if that ever happens, just promise me you won't try to kill each other."
"Deal."
***********
After telling Nero, you were sure to tell your other friends and let's just say never had you heard the word 'congratulations' so much as you did that day. Later on in the week, Vergil had his own outing with Nero and when he returned he looked so happy it could have melted your heart.
"Safe to say you had a good time?"
"Exceptionally so. Look at this," he reached into his pocket and pulled out an all too familiar pocket watch.
"Holy crap! But wait... you guys didn't beat up the pawn shop owner or anything did you?"
Vergil gave you a stony look and you chuckled, getting a kick out of teasing your fiancé.
"No," he continued, "but apparently Nero had heard about the watch from Dante and so he decided to pay the shop a visit. He did a few errands for the owner in exchange for the watch. He said to consider it an early wedding present."
You raised your brows, impressed. You knew the watch must have been attached to a hefty price tag so there must have been quite a bit of effort behind whatever errands the young hunter had performed.
"I'm happy for you, he must have worked hard to get that back."
"That was precisely my thought," Vergil gave a small smile, the faintest hint of pride glimmering behind his eyes.
"My ears are burning— somebody say my name earlier?" Dante emerged from hall, toweling his hair from his recent shower.
"As if you don't already know, eavesdropper." Vergil shot him a cool glance as he stowed away his watch.
"Vergil! I'm hurt at such a completely and utterly true accusation!" He lazily flopped on the couch, stretching his arms behind his head.
Any further banter was put to a temporary halt by the phone ringing. Your first call.
"Hey, Vergil! Get that would ya? I just got comfortable." The veteran hunter slouched back in his seat as if to drive the point home.
Vergil scoffed but made no argument. As he made his way over to the phone you felt a stirring in your chest. Every trial and tribulation you had faced thus far culminated to this auspicious moment; it truly felt like the first day of the rest of your life. Vergil's hand lingered over the phone with just the slightest bit of hesitation before bringing the receiver to his ear and delivering the words he thought he'd never say:
"Devil May Cry."