bless me.

" no—are you even listening to me? " his voice shifts a pitch, exasperated, but tony's question supports his growing suspicion. that there actually is something else out there, another thing to worry about, and it probably doesn't limp listlessly along the vacant hallways—or wear a trench coat.

which begs the question: what the hell has this guy fought? he looks about the same age as him, a year or two difference give or take. people their age have just started life; the way tony talks of fighting makes it sound an awful lot like he's been doing this for years, like some kind of seasoned veteran.

... demons, it turns out. tony's fought demons. right. of course. because that makes sense.

they would have preferred to do this alone: more than capable of the necessary bloodshed; like some beast bred solely for the purpose of war, conditioned to an existence they did not ask for. it hardly matters, now. their words have fallen on lazard's deaf ears, and as such — there is an arm slung freely over their shoulders, some semblance of kinship presumed on the other's part; and perhaps, in some macabre form or another, this isn't entirely false. ( that doesn't make the sensation of solid form and tangibility any less uncomfortable / does not make their move to shrug dante's hand away any less swift. )

either way. the details don't mean much anymore. not when dante's fingers are actively trailing his skin. he missed this. missed him. starts to lose himself with him — but the moment is short-lived when dante's hand suddenly retracts. a little too fast for his liking. instinct has his posture straighten. a cough. it's just a cough. has to remind himself it's fine. he'll be fine. he's still whole. still with him. " yeah. you are, " his palm settles on his back, stroking the skin there. " i'm right behind you. " not much of a joke anymore at the age they are now.

the thought leaves him as quick as it arrives because his lips are claimed. swiftly. deliberately. desperately. he returns it with equal fervor. as if he's been starved all this time, and only now is he finally being fed. hands lift, cradling dante's face. he pushes into him, just slightly. doesn't want to aggravate anything that hasn't yet healed for him. he only craves the closeness.

in  the  pits  ,  demons  demand  not  worship  in  their  abode  ,  they  craved  death  and  destruction.  they’d  partake  in  the  endless  torment  of  human  souls  ,  and  dante  and  vergil  no  different  than  any  other  poor  ,  unfortunate  soul  they  happened   upon.  there  were  no  altars  to  kneel  before  , yet  every  slaughtered  demon  felt  like  a  wicked  sacrament  offered  to  the  hungry  dark.  the  qliphoth  roots  ,  thankfully  ,   were  in  depths  none  so  deep.  but  the  years  there  still  felt  torturous.  when  the   portal  awakened  ,  calling  them  back  to  this  realm  …  —  —  —  a  weight  lifted  from  dante’s  shoulders  ,  one  that’d  been  weighing  him  down  for  years.

demons don't make promises.

we just closed the shop.

ok. i'll be right there.

i hate fish.

you bugs better run before i bite your heads off!

i'm ready.

you've done enough work.

i know how to help you now.

just shut up.

i can't live like this.

as soon as this war is over, i shall return.

wait a second, you're all gonna eat while i do all the work?

i'm fatter than ever, yet the wind blows right through me.

it's gorgeous!

i'll look forward to your return, big boy.

don't come in here.

i'm sick of being treated like some timid little old lady.

i feel terrible, like there's a weight on my chest.

you see? your moustache scares all the girls.

i brought you some warm milk. want a sip?

do you know how hard it is to do things when you're old?

i can't believe it's come to this.

i've never once been beautiful in my entire life!

tell me what's happening.

hey, i'm over here.

i was in big trouble back there.

i'd appreciate it if you didn't torment my friend.

are you hurt?

i actually like living here.

i've got a bad cold, i don't want you to catch it.

i'm sure you have some kind of spell on you.

i want to know what you want.

can you lead me to him?

i'm afraid you will have to leave now.

that is not what i meant when i asked for a place to stay.

now whatever you do, don't look down.

how did you get to be so kind?

i never should have let her in here.

all our fish were caught fresh this morning.

don't worry. he only preys on pretty girls.

i'm just setting things up so that all of you can live a comfortable life.

i see no point in living if i can't be beautiful.

you're so eloquent today.

be gentle with me, please.

that's so strange.

what possessed you to let them in the house?

if you'd like to do me one more favor...

thank goodness you're here!

you girls are so mean.

i have this weird feeling that you're going to leave.

you ok? i mean, you smell terrible.

don't hold it against them, they're actually not all that bad.

some big help you're gonna be.

you live around here?

don't worry, i can cook.

i can't stand how scared i am.

i searched everywhere for you!

oh, no, i'm not lost.

i just need a glass of water.

you promise to help me if i help you?

leave me alone.

no, he's fine. he's just throwing a tantrum.

you'll forgive me, won't you?

that's good to know.

i know where i am.

i can't remember the last time we had a real breakfast.

i am strictly forbidden to offer such assistance.

what time do you get off?

so, you are going away?

my own kind attacked me today.

he's acting like a big baby.

i can't do this.

we have to try something.

you should go home anyway and tell your king to stop this dumb war.

i can't do it by myself.

let's get a better look.

hey, don't worry. the ring that i gave you will guide you back home.

i've never seen the ocean before! it's beautiful!

it's not funny.

go away! quit following me!

i've had enough of this place!

you've been sighing all day.

here. want some more?

strapping, young men are so difficult to deal with.

you get back here right now!

sometimes he likes to go away for days on end.

i love you. you have to stay.

do i look ok?

need anything else?

i can be of help to you.

you're gonna have a very hard time getting rid of that one.

someone's got a fire going.

i feel so at home.

you are so lucky.

are you in pain?

you were alone?

i was so thrilled to have finally found someone talented enough to replace me.

i have to rest a bit.

are we going for a stroll?

i did what i was told.

i'm not trying to outwit you.

don't you love early morning markets?

i'll stand guard out front.

wait, you can't come up here!

too bad i'm not younger, or i'd lend you a hand.

we can do this, just act natural.

have you ever been in love before?

do you have a kettle?

only idiots believe what they read in the paper.

i've never seen it so close!

it's time to put an end to this idiotic war.

just go inside, go to bed.

he doesn't need your help.

i barely recognize the place.

now i'm too scared to go out!

gross. i feel sick.

didn't i teach you better?

you really want it that badly?

i'm too old to be treated like this!

i don't care if you're a monster.

you must be tired.

hey. looks like a little mouse lost its way.

what a handsome man.

i kind of missed you guys.

it's your life, do something for yourself for once, will you?

do you really want to spend the rest of your life in that hat shop?

what? i can't fly,

thought i'd drop by rather than sit through a dull war meeting.

you're beautiful!

now i'm repulsive.

i could have sworn i locked that door.

what a tacky shop.

i'm afraid the king would find him completely useless.

you are a natural.

i hate potatoes.

i love it when you talk like that.

there's no need to thank me, you don't owe me a thing.

curses are tough.

are you crazy? i can't move

you're killing yourself.

i told you it would collapse.

what a dump.

it looks like your true love is in love with someone else.

how would you like a bucket of cold water in your face?

what do you think?

maybe there's a cabin nearby.

don't look at me.

what if i dump a bucket of water on you?

who are your guests?

let's go, girls.

i think you and i need to have a nice, long, heart-to-heart chat.

you're by far the tackiest thing here.

quit bothering me, i've got a job to do.

i didn't mean to make you wait this long.

it wasn't a dream.

come on in, it's time to eat!

look what you've done to my hair!

you've got quite a nasty spell on you too.

he's gone.

pay up.

there you are, sweetheart. sorry i'm late.

i don't know what's gonna happen, but i'm sure it won't be good.

i'm not taking any orders from you.

i'm gonna take good care of you.

i'd never seen such a gifted student.

are you listening?

i'm tired. make some hot water for my bath.

i am very sorry to hear that.

this charm will guarantee your safe return.

he's such a lazy son,

i'm sick of being stuck out here

it always looks like that.

don't you want to have some bacon and eggs?

what's going on?

what on earth were you up to?

all right. i better get going then.

are you kidding?

it seems everyone in this family's got problems.

how old are you, anyway?

i specifically ordered you not to get carried away!

i've always hated turnips, ever since i was little.

nobody wants to go to war.

she's even cuter when she's scared.

i need some breakfast.

why don't you just give up?

i spent a lot of time here by myself when i was young.

when i think castle, this is not what i picture.

of course he did. he was trying to steal your heart!

i bet he's some kind of demon.

it looks like it's gonna rain.

do you have to keep smoking that?

so. we've got a lot of work to do.

you'd be good at it.

wait for me!

i was looking everywhere for you.

that's my girl.

you need to be more careful.

why did you make me come here if you were coming yourself?

why don't you come out with us this time?

that boy is extremely dangerous.

don't get alarmed, but i'm being followed.

give him a piece of your mind.

i would never work for that witch!

i'm just going to the bakery.

i hope you and your new husband will be very happy.

you look so much older.

if you're a demon, how do i know i can trust you?

i just wanted to make sure that you were doing ok.

that was the most fun i've had in ages.

i got you some new clothes too, but you can open them later.

i missed you.

where are you going?

it's a trap.

if i ever get my hands on that witch, i'm going to wring her fat neck!

where to? i'll be your escort this evening.

i'll just stay in bed all day, so you go on.

you're gonna be fine.

we've got a good lead now.

what did you do?

do you really think i'd let a witch in here?

it's a present for you.

you're being so obedient.

i'm so sorry, but that would be confidential information.

well, the nice thing about being old is you've got nothing much to lose.

what will happen to you?

i better finish this, you go and have fun.

just keep following that light and you should be there before dark.

you're scaring me.

you're in love.

that was really kind.

i had him escort you here.

come on! you should feel sorry for me!

he was so kind to me.

told you we should've stayed put.

i better be going.

he must have been a wizard then.

looks like we have yet another addition to the family.

he's my errand dog.

she keeps staring at me, it's freaking me out.

don't give me that.

it's dangerous out there.

that is one bad curse.

did you hear what happened to that girl?

you obviously don't know what these people are like.

i'm getting angry.

what on earth happened to you?

so then, how are you feeling?

i should really get back to work.