#to keep

I can finally answer this, now that I don't feel terrible about him anymore BKDBSKD

Not guarded in the traditional way, such as limiting his personal displays of affection - never that - or refusing to love you wholeheartedly - not that he ever could - but in that the concept of losing you would be such an immense personal failure that he can’t bring himself to convey his worries out loud. 

Which is why when Vergil receives a call in the middle of the night, not a text or a voice note, he’s genuinely surprised.

“Were you not going to pick up?”

Dante’s voice is more impatient than Vergil expects, and the latter glances at the alarm clock beside him. 1:01 am. 

“Is something wrong with you, brother?”

That too sounds less harsh than it’s intended to be. Dante sighs into the phone, and Vergil’s eyes stay closed as he adjusts in his bed, pressing a palm to his forehead. He should hang up, but he knows that whatever it is it’s grave and may be worth forgoing a few minutes of sleep.

“It’s…”

Dante pause, and Vergil also huffs through his nose. Only one person gets him like this.

“It’s that woman again.”

“Don’t call her that.”

A pause settles between them again, then Dante starts again.

“I just feel sometimes that I’m not up to par, you know?”

“Perhaps you aren’t.”

Another pause settles between them. Vergil actually stifles a chuckle to himself at how genuinely dumbfounded Dante sounds, but soon Dante appears to give in too quickly, and he actually agrees in a defeated tone.

“Maybe that’s really it.”

Vergil frowns on his end of the receiver.

“You’ll really accept that?”

Dante shrugs.

“I mean you only said what I was thinking.”

Vergil actually finds himself annoyed at this. While Dante’s argument is not an entirely unreasonable one, he finds it awfully selfish. Regardless of what Dante may think about deserving or not reserving love, the fact still remains is that the woman of which he speaks loves him in a way that appears almost blinding in its clarity.

“Fight, Dante.”

“Uh… what?”

“Don’t spinelessly call me at 1 am wallowing over affections you have already won. Become worthy of them.”

Dante’s blink is practically audible.

“Is this your idea of a pep talk?”

“What part of me appears suitable to provide pep?”

With that, Dante actually laughs.

“You’re right.”

“Of course I am. All I’m saying is get off the phone and figure out whatever you’re lacking and provide it to her immediately. I doubt it’s very much that warrants this lamenting in my ears.”

“Sheesh, can you impart a little kindness? Or a little patience?”

“That’s abundant between the two of you. I have no such obligation.”

A few beats pass.

“You know. This was surprisingly helpful.”

“Good.”

The click of the phone call ending has the abrupt effect of a slammed door, but has as much kindness as his normally surly brother could muster on a whim. Dante mulls over the interaction for a moment longer, still swiveling slightly in his office chair, one foot rested on the worn wood of his desk.

He’s a bit pathetic, isn’t he? All he has to do is measure up for the love that he wants, for a woman who is terribly worthy.

That’s all it takes, and he is a giving person and he would give anything for your smile.

you make me so mad 😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒 (lovingly adoringly endlessly)

no bc the way I heard Vergil’s voice reading this fjfnfxmndkdcmmscmxkskmcdlsmcndkdmd I have no such obligation. meanwhile he’s sitting on the side of your bed trying to keep quiet so he doesn’t wake you up bc of dante whose ass he’s gonna beat next time he sees him if you do wake up….

oh my gosh ahhhhhhh A SECOND DELIVERY!!!! it’s the best mail day ever <3 oh you, you are so sweet for dropping off extras just for me 🥺 I really love you 🫂💞💗 one thing Hongjoong can do is wear a big fluffy hat and do it well at that!!! okay cutie 🥰💗 ahhh seonghwa rawr hand that’s so adorable <3 also the expression lolol AHHHH yunho cheekies 🥺💗 he’s the cutest and oh my god halazia yunho hair 🥰💗😍😍😍😍😍 ear cuff also. I’m chill! AH SAN!! the dimple :( he’s so stinking cute here! YAY MINGI’S HERE and it’s halazia mingi too, everybody wins 🥰💗😍😍😍😍 capping off the treasure chest unveil with red wooyoung!!! I can’t lose here 🥰 this expression he’s making is adorable :( i’ll keep all y’all in my pocket 💗🥰 steph thank you so much for filling my life with love always 💗💞 I have cutie tax in return