This should've been for Valentine's Day's, sigh...
Oh well, at least it's Vergil!
Written on AO3 with same title!
2018 update: I updated some of the details now that the last chapters I've long delayed are finally coming to fruition. I also plan on writing Dante's and Vergil's childhood and teenage years in this DMC AU. Thank you for all the faves! Please don't be shy in asking me or giving your critiques!
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Chapter 1: Love Blooms
The pink and red balloons, heart-shaped neon signs and other decor that invaded the town seemingly within twenty-four hours both amazes and peeves Vergil. It is just before dawn and he had finished decapitating the tenth Prowler he and his twin had been hunting for a few days now. The new creep of Prowlers—nearly invisible creatures that feed off the warmth of any settlement and use it as energy to incubate their spawn—had become greedy and had decided to march down their mountain hideaway to take what little heat there already is on a wintery February. And knowing there's a holiday in a coming week, he and Dante are going to have to pull an all-nighter for the next six nights.
Ah, Valentine's Day.
It will be coming in a week, and just like all holidays, it is just another day for him. Unfortunately, holidays seem to correlate with a spike in supernatural activity, almost all the time. Halloween is, surprisingly, not the highest with this statistic; at least in the areas Vergil's responsible in keeping an eye out. The only good thing that could come out of this occasion, besides the usual 'nightly cleanup routines' he and his twin generally do, is the fact that discounts and special item sales are stocked high and available, and Vergil mentally gives himself a note that he'll be procuring himself a fine vintage wine later…
Perhaps I'll buy myself a week's worth of alcohol and hide in my safe haunts, never mind the demonic activities. Dante seems too proud of doing those kinds of dirty work, anyway. He mused jokingly. He knows Dante may have found himself a date or two already, which means the office in Slum Avenue would be empty and Vergil can use some of the files for a fruitful research. Ah yes, his personal research, not to mention his university duties, peaceful pastimes and polite conversations with his favorite librarian…
Kathalina, the Ice Queen, The Oracle-Muse…
…the woman who, despite her quiet beauty, feels too conscientious of herself and her place in this world. Vergil shakes his head and wants nothing but to disprove such a delusion.
As the last Prowler's corpse deteriorates into ashes, Vergil strolls back to his penthouse. Everything seems to be quiet, until he sees a figure at the corner of his eye—
A young man with brunet hair—one of Vergil's students—appears to be sneaking out of his backyard's door. Not too far from where he is, just behind the wooden fence, a young woman waits. Jumping the barrier, the young man hurriedly goes to his lover's side and they embrace.
Secret, young love affairs. Vergil smirks. After his class, he will pull him aside for a talk about making sure he and his lover are doing it safely, or else Vergil will lose one of his most enthusiastic students. There are demons, there are evils, yes, but there are also mistakes that could be avoided. With that thought, Vergil leaves the two young lovers for now. Valentine's Day is coming, after all.
But as he gets ready for his morning shower, Vergil muses if he should approach Kathalina this afternoon. The poor woman is quite a nervous wreck whenever he's around, yet she continues her best to gain back her cool composure and assist him, no matter how trivial.
Yes, perhaps this afternoon...
There is an unmistakable aura of elegance in his step as he strolls inside the large doorway of the library's entrance and towards the desk. Vergil simply looks regal in his lightweight navy pea coat, his pale hair brushed back, but not quite immaculate as it probably did this morning; the winter wind had done its best to ruffle his locks, though it did nothing more than to frame his long, chiseled face beautifully. Kathalina represses a wistful sigh and does her best to do her work, which really is boring, no matter how much professionalism she musters.
With a book in one hand and his black briefcase on the other, she realizes that Vergil must be doing some personal research again. He has color-coordinated his briefcases according to what is necessary for the day, especially for his classes. Everything in Vergil's world, as Kathalina has observed, has to be organized. And for that trait alone, Kathalina finds herself restraining from obviously swooning.
He places the book gently on the surface of the desk, which is no small book. It does make her bewilder how Vergil is able to carry it nonchalantly all the way from university without feeling numb on his fingers. He greets her, his silky voice never ceases to grab at her heartstrings. "Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon." She mimics with a smile and goes on to attend to the returned book, doing her damnedest to look like she is into her job than on the beautiful being just two feet away from her, barred by her desk. "Returning this too soon?"
"It, unfortunately, doesn't have the information I need." He sounds disappointed. "I'll be looking into the Historic Archives further and the Theologies section as well. And I'll be at the usual booth."
"For your personal research?" She wasn't being nosy; she respects and upholds privacy, but the tone of her voice couldn't be brought back and, in her hindsight, she sounded too curious. Vergil even lifts an eyebrow and Kathalina sheepishly looks away. "No, I don't mean to be a busybody. I'm...able to determine some of the patron's work patterns. It does help me help them get what's needed." She sounded breathless and panicky, despite being poised. Under Vergil's careful gaze, she can see how much she's cracking. The lifted brow is still there, but Vergil nevertheless smiles at her. "I always knew you're very astute, Kat. Don't worry, I understand. I think I'm one of the library's most notable patrons, but this is one of the best haunts in town."
Kathalina has to repress that wistful sigh again after labeling the book's Return date and her signature in its log ticket attached inside the book. She then presents the log ticket to him for his signature. "Your compliments are always appreciated by the library, Mr. Sparda."
He pulls out his own fountain pen from his pea coat and signs his looping signature. "Well, it won't be quite the library it is without you, Ms. Lombardo." And he is literally telling a compliment of her skills; there is no romantic subtext to it. There shouldn't be...
She could tell, in the way he doesn't look up from how he's writing his elegant script of a signature.
"Thank you." Kathalina's tone was curt, as she receives the ticket and places it back into the book. With that, Vergil takes his leave; he does politely murmur a "goodbye" before taking his briefcase to his usual booth for his research. Kathalina's eyes linger on his form until he has gone to the corner end of the library, where the long staircase is, and she soon releases a breath.
Vergil is intelligent, kind...and simply unattainable. They're relationship is strictly an acquaintanceship. She could never dare herself to speak openly about her feelings, to test the waters, because being safe could save her from a disaster of having the only connection she has with him dissolve into nothingness.
Yes, it's an exaggeration, but—
Kathalina has always pictured Vergil to be partnered with someone who is just as sleek and wise, equally beautiful, not unlike the tall blonde friend she was introduced before, when their university was welcoming Vergil as a new addition to the lecturing staff; Vergil had brought with him his twin brother, Dante—identically handsome, but more rugged and suave, a contrast to Vergil's subtle and slicker appeal—and his twin's co-worker, the tall blonde woman…hmm, Trish, was it? Kathalina could only vividly remember the tall woman's beauty, and how, apparently, the blonde woman is in a relationship with another, not with either the twins. It was a mistake to assume that she was in a relationship with one of the men, but it did surprise Kathalina that neither Vergil nor Dante is partnered with such an illustrious beauty.
Nevertheless, despite Kathalina's musings of imagining matchmaking, she does end up imagining herself being the one for Vergil. It is only a fantasy, nothing more.
They had long been too professional and polite with one another and she hoped they would gradually transition to a warm friendship soon. She had yearnings of the two of them being able to talk more freely and openly, hanging out in his place or in her place without a care in the world, sharing each other's secrets and insecurities without judgment, just the assurance that they are honest and trust one another...
...and then they'll slowly lean their faces closer, finding each other so comfortable and lovely, murmuring sweet things about their attraction for one another, and laugh softly, until they can reach one another's lips to seal a kiss…
But she remains professionally, politely distant and Vergil remains oblivious, preoccupied and far into his research, his long, angular nose buried over books or pointing at computers, his eyes more focused on the texts he reads, than on daily trivial and misguided things; while she, on the other hand, daydreams of him and of her finally taking the leap, but of course, Kathalina finds it foolish of her.
How could she catch the attention of such a wonderful being?
According to friends and colleagues, he behaves similarly at the university and outside, all tempered with the same respectable manner, impersonal and polite. Anyone who knew him feels like an intellectual equal; anyone who didn't know him yet would feel in awe of his presence.
Eloquent, mysterious, intelligent…
And perhaps because of these traits, Kathalina throws all efforts to evoke a cool sophistication, acting in the best of her ability that she may be too cool to fall for all the insecurities and anxieties she has about herself (she has to give herself credit for being able to repress her swooning in front of Vergil); but at the same time knowing that her place is simply behind this desk, being a safe, reliable little librarian, complacent with the distance that she will never build a bridge over.
Kathalina sighs and continues with her activity. She scans the book Vergil has returned to her and soon places it on a trolley made for returned books, so they would be placed back to their shelves again. After that, she goes back to her evaluation of the recent online deliveries of new "Great Sciences and Their Research", and types away on her keyboard, its monotonous tap, tap, tap sound is among the noisiest sounds she'll hear, besides the minutest sound of a page turning, or the quiet footsteps of the multitude patrons and staff; her well-practiced advice for students to where they can find what for their work drawls across her lips; the industrial sounds of a mechanical ladder from a faraway section, a mop sliding across the floor, a staple wire, a pencil dropping, a mouse clicking on its pad...
Monotonous, dull, humdrum…
Those three words seem to define her routine and herself. Oh well…
The hours tick by predictably and she manages to finish her main task before her break. Walking outside and going across the library to a nearby cafe, Kathalina buys herself the usual sandwich and drink, and sits on a booth outside the cafe. She finds it enjoyable to gaze at this town whenever a holiday is coming. Beautiful little La Piuma is always bursting with color and merriness, and it magnifies tenfold that it's hard not to feel elated, even though she has no Valentine to spend it with.
She sighs as two women share a chaste kiss as they lounge on one of the benches in the central plaza. One of the plaza custodians is giving away free heart-shaped balloons, and he hands two for the women on the plaza.
Kathalina keeps her gaze on the adorable, old custodian giving away free balloons on the plaza, smiling at this simple gesture. But her smile drops when the old custodian gives one free balloon to Vergil, who seems to have decided to take a break from his work. Vergil appears bewildered at first, but he soon gives the old man a small smile in return after being gifted a balloon. Vergil takes it and—is heading straight for this cafe!
Kathalina begins wrapping her sandwich inside its aluminum wrappings and rapidly gulps down her iced tea, as drinks are not allowed in her desk, for fear of spillages on the documents. Kathalina decides she'll finish her food after her work day is done, but she'd rather not be—she just can't be—next to or sharing the same public space with the man of her dreams. She'll never be able to focus on her food, or her work, or even at her favorite TV show when she goes back home, at all! It had happened already, just a few days after Vergil was introduced as a new teacher in the university; Kathalina was unable to recall the important dates and files she needed to copy and deliver to the guest lecturers at that event. It would've been a disaster, had it not been for Vergil himself who assisted her in saving the whole function from crashing down.
No, she can't afford being a fool again or almost lose her job!
"Kathalina!" The silken voice of her dreams sounds desperate. What the hell is he doing out here anyway? He rarely goes to the cafe she always frequents in and never at the same time. "Wait, please!"
Kathalina was eager to briskly get to the other side of the road to get to the library, but he had begged and...well, it would be rude not to at least hear him out. She didn't want to be unpleasant to him and risk becoming a sore memory to him. They aren't going to be together, anyway, so Kathalina might as well indulge this rare, casual conversation.
"Sorry, I'm in a hurry to get back to work, but there are minutes to spare." It's a lame excuse, as there is at least an hour before her break ends. To add further humiliation to that poor excuse, Vergil checks his watch and his brows furrow further. Kathalina flushes. Of course, he knows her breaks, even if they've never talked about how the librarians have a systematic way of covering each other's shifts. He is truly much more knowledgeable than what she already gives him credit for.
"I...I apologize for hindering your walk back to work, but I had to stop you." Vergil steps closer and Kathalina tips her left foot back slowly. "I had wanted to join you on your meal this afternoon. I was told by your replacement, Max, that the cafe is your usual spot."
Damn you, Max! Damn you! Of course, the poor, young and new librarian has no idea of Kathalina's lacking of a love life and is innocent of any crimes, so he shouldn't be cursed like this. Oh, how she wishes she could just shrink to the size of an ant and be stepped on the pavement.
"Are you truly going back to work now?" Not only does Vergil sound disheartened, Kathalina could see it in his blue eyes. "I promise I won't waste your time. I do wish to accompany you in your break. And perhaps get you into the details that I hope you can help me with later."
Kathalina couldn't stop flushing and her mind from short-circuiting. This just can't be! Is he asking her for a date—?
No! He's asking for a company, which of course is just a transition to usual business! It's nothing! "I guess I'm just too worried about Max, but I think he's going to do all right. Um, yes, sure. We can have a meal together."
Vergil's whole body relaxes and smiles tenderly. "Excellent! I'll buy you a dessert."
They walk back to the cafe, his hand placed gently on her upper back and the heart-shaped balloon's string is knotted on his briefcase handle. Kathalina's stomach is bursting with butterflies.
The meal goes on smoothly, with Vergil engaging more than the usual polite conversation and Kathalina is even laughing with him on some of the silly things he and his twin has done on some of their travels. Vergil also muses about how he wishes to do more for some of the students who are lagging behind. Suggesting that they can use the upstairs smaller lecture rooms for their remedials and to take note for future lecture talks, Kathalina hands him a draft of the tentative list of professors, writers, lifestyle advisers, experts, etc. that will be coming to the library's Discussion Hall this February and March.
"This is more than helpful," Vergil muses excitedly, his eyes wide and poring over the prestigious names on the list. "The students will be thrilled to listen to them. Thank you, Kat."
An informal address. Vergil's rare and intimate use of a colleague's nickname usually means that a really good thing has happened, which is more usual with his students who seek his help. Somehow, Kathalina feels that there's something more that's going on…
His eyes flit from the paper to her, to gaze deeply at her and give her his most tender smile. Kathalina flushes. "For the students. I've seen them spend more time in the library than ever before. I'm really glad they're encouraged."
Vergil hums, not taking his eyes off her. She, on the other hand, glances away and sips on the straw for her iced tea, only to find that it's been finished of its contents minutes ago. She flushes further and, glancing at Vergil, sees his smile widen more, showing his teeth.
This just can't be. It has to be a prank.
Kathalina checks her watch and Vergil does the same. "I believe that Max's next task is coming." She eagerly takes the attention of a wait staff and asks to have the dessert for a take-away. "Thank you for the dessert, Vergil. I'm glad I was a good company."
"Likewise." Vergil nods along with his answer, his smile dropping to its usual polite level. "Shall we walk back together, perhaps, Kathalina?"
Formal address. "Yes, of course, Mr. Sparda."
Kathalina thanks the wait staff for the take-away dessert and strolls out of the cafe, all the while thinking about how much she hated herself from transitioning from a really good, friendly conversation to an abrupt, cold and professional demeanor. She was leading the walk towards the door, when she feels him brush past her and opens the door for her. She suddenly feels like she could taste strawberries in her mouth, instead of the bland iced tea she just had.
"You didn't have to." Yet Kathalina walks through the doorway as Vergil holds the door open for her. "But thanks!"
"You're welcome." And his tender smile returns.
There is definitely something here…
Vergil suddenly appears to be leading the walk, until he stops and forms his left arm into a hook. "Come."
Kathalina is definitely being pranked. A few seconds actually pass as Kathalina registers what is happening in front of her. She even looks around the environment to catch a familiar face—a long-time best friend who is pranking her (although that would be impossible, as her best friend hasn't heard of Kathalina's new dream boat, nor of anything lately), a colleague who's daring Vergil to do this on the hapless librarian, or even Vergil's twin brother hiding comically behind a thin, sapling tree on the plaza, playing matchmaker on his brother—but sees none of them at all!
"Ms. Lombardo, I assure you," says Vergil, quite impatient and amused at the same time. "This is not a Valentine's joke and I would never do such a thing on April First. I simply want to treat a colleague, as she has always done commendable work."
And from that last sentence alone, Kathalina didn't know if she should sigh in relief or fall back into the cold reality that Vergil is simply being a good friend, and they are nothing more.
It seems to be the latter, but she pretends to sigh with relief. She does her best to smile sincerely. "Oh, Vergil, I'm sorry. I thought your brother may have put you up to this."
She expects him to scoff and roll his eyes at the mention of his twin. Instead, he surprises her by smirking. He really does look so beautiful. "I'm afraid that the other way around happens more frequently, Kat."
Quiet, she slowly hooks her right arm to his, still reeling from this reality, this reality that there is nothing romantic about them at all. But she should be relieved, right? Kathalina settles into her usual complacent ideology and strolls back to the library, arm in arm with Vergil.
"Oh, and Kat?"
"Yes, Mr. Sparda?"
He immediately doesn't answer. It's only when they were near the steps to the library did he continue what he wanted to say. "After you sign in to your shift, will it be too much to ask you for further assistance?"
Kathalina represses the butterflies in her stomach. After all, he had asked her this question on past occasions, when he needs intimate details about certain documents he needs for his personal research. "I pray it isn't illegal."
"Now when have I ever? No, I assure you." He gazes at her and gives her his tender, rather amused smile. "I do not want your career in danger or to drag you to something that could be too personal. I simply need more of you and the Historic Archives' expertise."
Kathalina looks up to Vergil with confidence. If there is at least one thing that she can impress this wonderful being, it's her cataloging skills, sharp memory and knowledge of the past. "We'll see to it together, then."
As they reached the doorway of the library, Kathalina unlatches her arm from him and turns to him with a confident grin. "We'll see in your usual booth, Mr. Sparda."
And the look he gives her is subtle, but she can see how a sly look is written on his handsome face.
Kathalina couldn't help but sway in her walk back to her desk.
As it turns out, the assistance that Mr. Sparda requires of her was a piece of cake...that is, a piece of cake that, if Vergil is willing to wait, will arrive to him in a week. The paleographical and folklorist team from the main city of Fortuna have been contacted by the Historic Archives team to come over and help them in extracting and interpreting the information he needs from a very ancient and feeble artifact, preserved in the pristine and clinically-sterile Artifacts section.
Not only that, he and the team of experts that will be coming over are going to pore over Vergil's research to come up with the best interpretation of the ancient text. Vergil had also re-requested to have the book he had returned this early afternoon be borrowed, as it was a mistake to disregard it too early in his investigation.
"Archaic Fortuna: The Stories and Its Historical Significance." Kathalina murmurs the title, as if this was the first time she has seen it, yet, on the contrary, she has logged out, signed, recorded it on the database and had assisted in copying pages of it multiple times already in over the two years she had been librarian of La Piuma. This book is basically a collection of Fortuna's old tales and given expert interpretations by linguists, folklorists, historians, etc., to make sense of all its fantastical stories.
"I particularly like the Legend of the Savior." Vergil adds in a nostalgic tone. He is clearing up his desk of all his belongings, carefully putting each pristine paper in the briefcase compartment. The red, heart-shaped balloon is still tied on the handle of its briefcase. Kathalina thought it was adorable and confident of him to keep that balloon. She remembered how some of his students were giggling and whispering if he has a Valentine.
But the team will be coming at exactly this Valentine's Day.
Business, as usual, for Vergil.
"About the mysterious demi-god being that supposedly saved the ancient civilization here, in Fortuna, and was hailed to be their king for a while, and then disappeared?" Kathalina recognizes the tale, as there are numerous statues of the Savior in the main city of Fortuna. Although still contested if it did occur or not, the Savior was considered a mythical hero, even here in La Piuma.
"Yes." The nostalgia doesn't disappear from his voice. "Our mother used to tell us his tales a lot while we were growing up."
Kathalina swallows. She also knows what had happened to their mother. Apparently, their mother lived in Angelavale, another town and the oldest in Fortuna, and had moved to another city to get married and have her children. Unfortunately, there was an epidemic in a nearby area they had lived in. Their father had died first, while their mother managed to whisk herself and her boys back to Angelavale, although she would succumb to her sickness in two months. The boys were taken in by their mother's friend and had lived in Angelavale, until the boys reached eighteen and had gone to different colleges. Dante stayed much closer to their mother's old town and still lives like the most nonchalant devil in Enamel City. Vergil, on the other hand, had been country-hopping, finishing his degrees and doctorates and what-not.
"Are you contesting against the Savior's existence or proving it?" It almost feels like intruding his privacy when she asked the question, yet she couldn't think of any other reason why he's doing his personal research.
Vergil furrows his brows and deeply thinks over her question. He has crossed one arm across his chest and propped the other to bring his hand to his lips to ponder.
If ancient philosophers were this damn beautiful, perhaps she would've perfected her history and philosophy subjects much better back in high school. Oh, Vergil's students are so lucky…
"I do want to discover more, but not because I believe he had existed, but nor do I doubt that such an event has likely occurred." A sparkle seems to appear in Vergil's blue eyes as he speaks with reverence at the topic, but with such tenderness that Kathalina couldn't believe he is expressing it right in front of her. "I am only seeking a truth that could cement and further respect Fortuna's illustrious history. Discovering the stories and its many truths are the things I root for."
Kathalina flushes. "Oh…"
Vergil's sparkling blue eyes ignites further when his smile widens, showing his teeth. "I hope that satisfies you."
When will he stop? "It's your answer and I respect it. I was just, um, curious."
Vergil hums and keeps his gaze onto her for a little longer, before returning to secure his belongings.
It's February and winter is still strong here in Fortuna, with snow being fickle as to whether or not to sprinkle itself lightly on the city, or to drown it in white; yet Kathalina is suffocating from the heat of her own body.
Then Vergil sniffs, as if he smelled something, then pulls a handkerchief from his pea coat, coughing and sniffling to it. Kathalina was, at first, suddenly conscious if she had emitted an unsavory scent or perhaps someone was having a foul-smelling snack, which is strictly forbidden. But she's relieved when she realizes that Vergil may be having a cold. Who wouldn't in this cold, windy season? She suddenly remembers her healthy garlic soup recipe and wonders if she has any ingredients back home…
Vergil clasps his briefcase shut and…doesn't bring it to his hand. Thinking he may have forgotten something, Kathalina searches in her memories if he had forgotten a photocopy page of the team's response, or if he had lost his fountain pen on the Historic Archives…
"Kat?"
Kathalina is brought back from her self mind-probing and is forced to look at the beautiful man in front of her. "Uh, yes?" He must've lost a button from his pea coat, even though all the buttons are intact.
And he swallows nervously—nervously?
He takes a deep breath and goes to his briefcase once again, untying the heart-shaped balloon from its handle. He approaches her, his steps careful, as if he might scare away a doe in the forest, and in Kathalina's head, that analogy isn't too far away.
When he's at least three feet in distance from her does Vergil stop. He twiddles with the string before continuing to speak. "We will be busy in February 14. I suggested a different schedule, but it appears the team is adamant that the date is set, as they have other things to do." He swallows again and lowers his gaze, shyly looking away for a moment, and then holding his gaze again to look at her. "Perhaps before the fourteenth, on February 12...if you would like…"
Wait, wait, wait…
"On Sunday?!" Kathalina couldn't control her voice for sounding frantic. "Are you asking me out to—to have a—wait…"
The butterflies have become overpopulated in her stomach and she feels as if they have gone to her head, making her faint.
"Kat!" He sounded alarmed, but he had every reason to be, as Kathalina can only see the whole room starting to spin around her, with Vergil being the only one that stayed still. She feels his arms embracing her, cupping her back to support her and to prevent her from falling.
She's dazed and her sight becomes a bit blurry. She can only feel her body following his as Vergil settles her on one of the chairs of the booth. But he doesn't let go and she feels that he could be right for fearing that she might pass out, and accidentally fall off the chair.
"Oh, Vergil…" Kathalina wants to apologize for reacting so strongly at this. But she can only muster what she could hope is a very apologetic face, with a dash of begging the angels to take her away from her own misery.
"It's alright Kathalina, I'm here." He murmurs to her. He sounds so close to her right ear. Perhaps he is. "Do you want me to call a doctor? Do you feel anything else?"
"I'm...I'm so sorry." Kathalina means it. Kathalina also means that Vergil will be the death of her, but that would be exaggerating things and would likely make him keep his distance much more effective from now on, so she keeps that. "I can't...I mean…"
"It's all right." He murmurs in his silky voice, a small, tender smile on his lips...or perhaps what her blurry sight perceives is a smile. "Should I get a doctor?"
"No. I'll be fine." Kathalina's strength comes back and she closes her eyes to try to re-focus her sight. When she opens them slowly, she finds herself gazing at a very concerned Vergil, his blue eyes intense and sparkling for her.
Oh, the angels have granted her something else…
"Maybe I can accompany you home, instead?" He sounds firm with this suggestion, despite the question. "And you shouldn't apologize. I—well, perhaps I shouldn't have asked—"
"Yes!" She didn't know where that outburst came from, but it came out of her mouth so wrong.
Vergil blinks a few times, perplexed, but he softens immediately. "Alright, I'm glad you would let me accompany you home."
"No, no! I mean…" Kathalina feels like she should know how to punch herself. "Thank you! Thank you for wanting to accompany a wreck like me, and I'm glad, too, because I would be fainting at the middle of the street, with just the idea of dating you! Because dating you would be heaven! So yes!" Oh, God, I'm breaking...
And something just as inconceivable happens right in front of her. Vergil bursts into laughter. Into laughter!
His laughter is rich, with his whole chest heaving at every sound. It's contagious and Kathalina finds herself laughing as well, but the flush of embarrassment creeps in and she feels hot tears prick at the corner of her eyes. So she stops, while Vergil lets his laughter take control of his body.
"Oh, oh no, I'm sorry!" Vergil heaves in a broken tone, as he doubles over to stop himself. "Oh, Kat...Kathalina." He was immediately tender again as he sees her tears. "No, don't cry. I'm sorry. I thought you...No, no…"
The tears flow, even though there isn't even any reason to. But her embarrassment wins and Kathalina finds herself nuzzled in the crook of his neck. He procures a tissue from one of his coat pockets and hands it to her. "I apologize, Kathalina. I wasn't laughing at you."
Kathalina knew that, but she didn't trust her voice yet. She let the silence help her sink in what she had just done and how she could even end up being this so damn close to this beautiful man.
He hardly notices it now, and she hadn't when she almost fainted, but Kathalina has finally found where the heart-shaped balloon is. It floats contentedly in the middle of the booth, brushing its top against the ceiling.
Mustering a shaky breath, she finds her voice again. "I was...I was just so humiliated at myself. I yelled at you."
"I thought you were excited!" He sounded so confounded, but it returns to his normal, polite tone. "Oh, Kat. I...I should've anticipated this."
It was Kathalina's turn to become confounded. Truly, truly confounded. "Anticipated?"
Vergil twiddles with his hands, yet a behavior she has only seen now. Is Vergil breaking, too? Right in front of her? Her, of all people?
"I had been thinking of how to approach you the question, for a long while." His gaze is on the floor, nervously touching his own fingers, as he spills his heartfelt honesty. "But it feels like...you do not want to. You are not interested, at all."
And Kathalina feels like lightning had struck her. It's been a year now and ever since she laid eyes on him, she had played coolly in front of him so as to keep herself poised and…safe from falling into her own insecurities, and end up behaving like the hopeless, foolish romantic she really is. She didn't want to look like a fool, but she already was whenever she acted so annoyingly professional.
She just wants to bury herself alive for committing such an atrocious act!
"I'm sorry, Vergil." Kathalina sits straight and looks at him sternly. She's ready to let go, let go of him if it's necessary, so that this barrier of assumptions are whittled and gone, and they can become true friends…
Friends…
"I had always thought you look wonderful with someone as equally beautiful as you!" Kathalina feels her heart aching, but Vergil deserves to know. But his eyes widen at the words she had spilt, but she presses on. "And that's not me! I had always thought it's not me! And from this day forward, it will never be me! And that's why I played it cool. I could never compete or attract you, Vergil! You're perfect!"
Vergil laughs hoarsely, shaking his head, disbelieving the words she had said. But they were true! "It's true!"
"Kathalina…"
"And if you want to take back your ideas about dating me, it's fine. I want to be clear now! I'm sorry I wasn't. I didn't know you liked me—"
And she stops.
Vergil slowly gazes at her wide eyes, realizing why. "I'm sorry, too, Kathalina. I'm so, so sorry…" And he moves closer to her, much, much closer than they already are. Kathalina swallows, but her throat is much drier and she can't do anything about it.
His face is tender, his gaze so sweet and Kathalina could only guess that she's losing herself in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Kathalina." His silky voice seems to become warm liquid dripping on her skin. "I was too cautious. I thought you wouldn't be interested."
"I thought you wouldn't be interested with someone like me, at all." Kathalina interjected, although her voice is as loud as a squeaking mouse in a corner.
He smirks, but he shakes his head. "Perhaps, this Sunday, we can try again to get to know one another."
And she feels her boldness on the tips of her fingers. She slithers her hand on his chest, feeling the smooth fabric of his shirtdress underneath the open pea coat. His breath hitches at contact and he moves his face closer to hers. She doesn't move away this time. She keeps her gaze upon his pale, beautiful face and eyes, enjoying the body heat he is emitting. Strangely, his nostrils flare and he takes a whiff of the space between them, as if her scent is merely the floating particles of a perfume. Kathalina's breath hitches as well when he continues to sniff her scent, but this time closing the gap between them; his nose tip gently touches the skin of her neck and she squirms.
"Yes…" Her voice sounded foreign to her, but she knew it was hers.
"Hmm?" He hums absentmindedly, still smelling her skin and her hair.
"This Sunday. Can it be a pasta date?"
And she can feel Vergil's lips widen into a smile. "Yes. Anything else you want, my dear?"
Oh, what else? What else? Oh, just listening to him is enough, but that would be too odd of a request at this early phase. Perhaps that would be a request for another time. Perhaps he can audition to be a narrator for an audiobook. He could pass it easily and she would be listening to it until she breaks the file.
"Um, you can pick the wine."
Kathalina smiles when she feels the vibration of his small laughter. "Yes, of course."
And with that, Vergil stands up from the chair and offers her his hand. With a bit more confidence and mirth bubbling inside her, Kathalina takes his hand.
Finally taking the briefcase, Vergil doesn't forget the balloon. He takes the string in his long fingers and ties it around her wrist. Kathalina flushes at the gesture, but feels the heat of the sun on her skin when Vergil takes the same hand to his and entwines his fingers through hers.
Kathalina thanks the angels for giving her the strength not to faint.
When they exited the library, night time had blanketed the whole town and the Valentine's Day decor comes alive once more. The reds, pinks and whites of the incoming holiday warm the still grayish-white season of February. Kathalina's shift had ended an hour ago, but the library will remain open until late at ten in the evening, with a different librarian and with different patrons. Students are still prowling around the plaza, but more so in the market districts, where the discounts, specialties and holiday items are up for grabs.
Vergil asks her if she wants to buy something from the markets, but she assures him that home is her best destination, so Vergil agrees. He accompanies her to the parking lot, two blocks away from the library and sees his beautiful, vintage car. Getting inside, the car purrs like a well-fed tiger and drives like a dream. And from the passenger's window, Kathalina looks at their town in a new perspective, here inside Vergil's car, smoothly cruising through familiar streets to get her home.
When they arrive, Kathalina has to stop herself from swooning as Vergil walks her up the few steps up to the boarding house's door. Procuring her keys, Vergil remains vigilant at their surroundings.
"It's a quiet neighborhood." Kathalina assures him, but Vergil remains watchful. "I know there had been night attacks recently. The news is saying a batch of young Prowlers is coming into Fortuna, but some say this is just a cash grab for the demon hunters that had been itching to kill again."
The sudden venom in his voice is bone-chilling, however. "Whichever is true, I'm also concerned about the recent abnormal snowing lately. They've been acting up since before New Year's Eve…"
The chills his voice induced didn't fade away even after she opens the door. The light inside is warm and the voices of tenants a welcoming feeling, yet the sentence that Vergil had claimed is scaring her. She couldn't help it. "Wha...what do you mean?"
"Hm? Oh, uh...it's nothing." He doesn't sound reassuring, but his tender expression is lulling her into a false sense of security she couldn't help but fall into.
"Be safe on your way home, Vergil." She said it. There. Because she does care. She's tired of how Ms. Lombardo's cool and professional voice is, anyway.
Vergil's smile is soft and loving. "Thank you. I can't wait this Sunday."
"Yeah." She can't help her gushing. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye." And with that, Kathalina closes the door and giggles. She stands against the door for a few seconds, then rushes to the nearest window to see him. She watches as he gets inside the car and starts its engine. He even looks back to the boarding house and sees her; he smiles and waves goodbye, and she waves back, as he drives away.
"Well, he was certainly a looker." One of the tenants, a young boy of nine, points out. He is smiling at Kathalina and appears to have seen them come in.
"Josh, where's your mom?" Kathalina rubs the boy's long, curly hair, to which he giggles and tries to swat away her hand.
"Are you guys gonna have a date on Sunday?" the boy teases.
"Josh," Kathalina's tone is mockingly reprimanding. "You go to your mom, now."
Without any more playful teasing, Josh scrambles back up the stairs to go back to his apartment home, giggling all the way.
Going back to her apartment home on the third floor, Kathalina decides to first crash into her bed to writhe on its mattress, giggling and celebrating at the sudden turn of her luck!
As she gushes and bounces around her bed, the heart-shaped balloon floats contentedly in her room.
Vergil's smile is still serenely plastered in his content face. He is driving back to the night markets to buy the vintage wines La Piuma has promised they would be stocking in selected sellers and stores. Usually, Vergil is pragmatic and would only be lucky to find at least one bottle left of that particular wine. Tonight, however, having conversed so intimately with Kathalina has him feeling that he could get lucky. Luckier, when he plays his cards right this Sunday. And with his multitude of winning streaks in poker (he's recently stopped playing against Dante, because he can never play it seriously enough to want to win), it's good to say that he and Kat will win the jackpot.
The smile is still there even as he picks up his phone, looking into the ID and realizing it's his brother, and presses the answer button. Because, God, her smile, her voice, her scent! Every time she gushes and feels elated, her pheromones just wrap itself around Vergil…
He truly cannot wait this Sunday. But he must, and he will, since he and Kathalina are practically fated together…
"Date night?! On Sunday?!" Dante's voice, identical to his in so many ways, yet a million miles more annoying than it could possibly be, sounds giddy through the other line.
And how did he know?
"How did you know?" Vergil's voice is low and venomous.
There was a tsk, tsk sound from his brother's lips and Vergil swears he is going to run his sword through his brother's gut. "Vergil, Vergil, Vergil. The Prowlers you killed last night, well, not all of them converged on your area. It seems they let you took the bait. Looks like they're following you."
"How are you sure?" There's panic in his voice. Kathalina—
"I've decided to check on Morrison last night. It looks like they're going to hit La Piuma harder. And they want you out of the game. What they didn't know was that you got a more devilishly handsome twin here in Enamel City, and thought to take me out, too. Seriously, don't they know I have standards before going out?"
Vergil wanted to scream, but that would be counter-productive. He swerves the car and turns to another corner, where the road will take him to a freeway. He needs to see his brother now. If he had taken this information in Enamel City, then the group that wants him dead could be converging there.
But there's a hole in this logic. La Piuma would become a hotbed of activity if he's gone.
He stops the car abruptly. He really wants to scream.
"Vergil!" His brother's urgent voice—rarely used—wakes him back to reality. "Look, Trish can be there to assist you! And besides, it'll be sad to know my brother's only date becomes a disaster!"
"Thanks for your concern." He retorts dryly. But an idea is already forming in his head. "Dante...tell Trish that she doesn't have to come over. I have a plan."
I still really feel that I didn't write Vergil right, as a romantic protagonist character. I apologize if he's so...out of character. It's hard to get him just right since the prequel game from the Classic was the only game he was fleshed out. Never mind the manga! I don't think they did a good job with that!
Well, if there is anything that needs to be fixed, I'll write him differently in a different story than this. I admit, this is my gushiest, flowery Vergil that I've imagined him to be.