And then DMC3 happened and Vergil showed up for real and everything just solidified and implanted itself in our mind. And all VerDan shippers to come, we'd imagine. This whole series is, was, and always has been, above all else, about the relationship between Dante and Vergil and how that shapes the events around them. To the point it's so hard to not see the blatant cesty vibes regardless of if you like the ship or not.

Even though we're now a full-grown adult we still think about them from time to time. Like that cool friend who's aged well and will open the door for you and say "Hey! How are you doing? It's good to see you again!" and let you crash on their couch until you need to head out again. Dante and Vergil were one of our first ships and to this day we love them and just wish they could finally be happy together. Sure, there will always be bickering and teasing on both sides, but that's how you know the love is real. When you can make fun of someone and they know you're not serious. And Dante and Vergil will never truly be serious about any "hate" they feel. Even at their most upset with each other they will never, ever want to stay apart.

Granted, Dante isn't any better because he hides a lot of his true feelings behind his snark and jokes, but we'd argue that that's due to him having trauma and abandonment issues. The man's also lost a lot, including the chance to grow up with his brother, whom he very VERY clearly has intense feelings towards/for. Like how in DMC3 Dante complains about the so-called "party" being bad because of no snacks or women, but when Vergil responds (in a way that is VERY "sarcastic and bitter exes"-coded btw) Dante scoffs and is all "how about a kiss from you brother?" And sure, he then goes,"or better yet, how about a kiss from THIS?" wrt his gun, but Dante is also both bad at communicating and upset at his brother for a multitude of reasons. By the end of the game they even end up working together. At least for a time.

Those two CLEARLY have no idea what is going on in each others' heads, and it shows every time they actively talk to one another. And OH, do they talk when they're around each other. They don't Communicate- in order to do so, and effectively, they'd have to actually engage in conversation that was both open and honest. Neither of which either Dante or Vergil are good at.

But when they talk.

There's this obvious unresolved tension in so many ways. From the aforementioned convo in DMC3 being a psychologist's wet dream to the fact Dante chased his brother into Hell at the end of DMC5 those two just CANNOT seem to leave each other alone even if they also can't just pull back long enough to be open and Honest about their feelings.