I knew my actions would catch up with me, and now here I am reaping the bitter fruit of what I have sown. I went against my better judgment, albeit just for a moment, but a moment was all it took. Well, that and a certain annoying presence...
~o~o~o~(A few hours earlier)~o~o~o~
The doors to the Devil May Cry flew open as Dante haphazardly kicked through the entrance. A few wood shards flew across the room from the impact, but miraculously the door itself remained hinged.
"Woo! That's what i'm talking about, what a job!" Dante sauntered through the door, disarming himself and shedding his trench coat.
Dante and Vergil had taken a job to clean out a nest that had popped up across town, of which, whose monsters had been wreaking havoc on the nearby inhabitants. It was actually a bigger job than either of them anticipated but they didn't complain, especially since the payout was impressively generous.
Dante was feeling especially giddy at the fact that not only did he get to slaughter baddies and get paid to cover food and whatever else for a couple of months, but he also got to do so with Vergil, which was something he didn't do very often; A kind of brotherly bonding outside of their occasional battles. Today was a good day.
Vergil walked in soon after, very much looking forward settling down for the remainder of the evening. It was almost nightfall and all he had on his mind after showering was a hot cup of tea, and a good book...Well maybe even a bit of a rendezvous with his woman. Speaking of which...
Vergil closed the doors and stopped, gazing around and listening. There seemed to be no sign of her anywhere. Hm...
"Hey babes, we're home!" Dante sat in his chair and kicked his feet up. When he got no response, he cocked an eyebrow.
"They're not here." Vergil answered his question before he could voice it.
Crossing Dante's puzzled gaze, Vergil began to head upstairs.
"Where'd they go?" Dante asked rhetorically.
Furrowing his brows, he fumbled to get his phone from his pocket. Looking at his screen, he saw that Trish had left him a text message a couple of hours earlier.
:Going to the flea market with Ari, be back soon. -xoxo-
"They went to the flea market Verge, must still be there!" Dante was relieved, but slightly disappointed. He was looking forward to spending some time with his babe when he got home because he hadn't seen her all day. Now he had to wait a little longer...
So now what? He was sure that now that they were back home, Vergil would go back to his usual activities of reading and doing whatever Vergil does...which usually excluded him. It was just plain boring when it was only Vergil and him at the shop. How could he pass the time? Grabbing a magazine from his desk, he opened it in hopes of actually enjoying its contents but quickly found that he just couldn't.
"Last week's issue..." Dante mumbled, displeasure marring his features as he tossed the thing back to his desktop.
Dante groaned. Surely there had to be something to do around here to pass the time. He looked around and eyed his drum set across the room. He hadn't played it in a month or so, so maybe it would be good to get a little playtime in. Then again, he really didn't feel like playing it with no audience to enjoy the show. Lame.
His eyes slowly drifted over to his pool table. Hm. He could play a couple rounds of pool. The only problem is, he needed someone to play with. His eyes drifted to the top of the stairs. Maybe he could convince Vergil to play him. Who knows, since they spent time together today, he may be in an agreeable mood, enough so that he would agree to play a round or two. It was worth a shot.
...
Vergil left his room feeling thoroughly refreshed. Running a hand through his hair, he felt a light mist of water fly from his damp silvery tresses. Taking a deep breath, he briefly closed his eyes, as if letting the remaining effects of the day's events exit his being, leaving nothing but relaxation to take over. He descended the stairs, seeking to get that hot cup of tea before settling into a book.
It was much more lively downstairs since before he went to take his shower, but interestingly enough he still didn't sense his wife. He glanced at that old rundown jukebox in the corner as it played a harsh, but familiar tune. His head bobbed slightly with the beat as he made his way to the kitchen.
"Yo Verge..."
Vergil lifted a brow, directing his attention at Dante who was twirling a billiard stick in his hand. He watched him aim at a ball on the table, hitting and knocking a few in, before letting out a deep breath. He had a feeling he knew what his twin was about to say.
"Play me a round?" Dante smirked.
"I'm not interested Dante." Vergil continued to the kitchen.
Dante followed suit, having visibly deflated at being rejected. He watched as Vergil filled the silver teapot with water and set it on the stove top, turning it on.
"Aw c'mon Verge, you never want to hang with me! Just one game? That's all."
"You and I both know that's not possible with you."
Dante's jaw dropped in feigned shock, "What? Me? I don't know what you're talking about."
Vergil's bored gaze rested on his twin. He had made up in his mind that Dante had no idea what the number one was. It didn't matter what Dante dealt with, it seemed he could never have just one. Ever. Regardless, Vergil knew better than to believe his brother's speels about only one of anything.
"You and I both know, that you would not be satisfied with only one round of that game you seem to never tire of. Especially if you lose. I am not interested brother."
"What was that? Are you saying that i'd lose to you Vergil?" Dante cocked his head to the side and crossed his arms.
Vergil redirected his attention to the boiling water, "I am saying I do not wish to play your game Dante. Leave me."
Dante glared at Vergil for a moment before a grin slid onto his handsome face, "Oh. Okay, just making sure. Because i'm undefeated, and there's no way you would beat me."
Dante turned on his heels and began to head back into the office. But before he could leave, Vergil spoke again.
"That isn't going to work on me Dante. And for the record, you would certainly not defeat me. Billiards requires very little skill, it's not an exceptional feat to be good at it." Vergil took the whistling teapot from the stove and turned it off.
"Yeah right. It's also easy to talk trash when you aren't showing anything for it. Why don't you put up or shut up? Since it's so easy..." Dante had a smug expression on his face.
"What part of, i'm not interested don't you understand?" Vergil's tone was flat as he poured water into his cup and tossed in a teabag.
"The not part." Dante grinned as he turned to face Vergil again.
"You're annoying."
"And you're boring. So what?"
Vergil began to leave the kitchen, thoroughly aggravated by his brother's tactics. Surely if Dante had put this much energy into something worthy, it would be quite fruitful.
"What if we made it interesting? Y'know, make some bets or something?"
Dante was getting desperate. He knew that if he let Vergil disappear he'd be all alone with his friend boredom. He needed something to catch his attention and although he knew it was a risky thing to offer any kind of betting opportunities to Vergil, it was all he could come up with. He was out of options and he hoped he wouldn't regret this decision.
Vergil had stopped in his tracks and was quiet for what seemed like an eternity, but at least it seemed like he was considering it. Dante was hopeful.
"If you lose, you must wear a chastity device for a week." He would make him rue the day he couldn't just leave well enough alone.
Dante almost passed out on the spot. He did his best to not let on though...
"What? Are you...?"
"You said you are undefeated, correct?"
"Yeah, but..."
"So then this one game should be an effortless win for you." Vergil sipped his tea and Dante was silently horrified.
Great. He just had to open the betting door and now it was coming back to bite him in the worst place possible. Fan-freaking-tastic. Vergil took the phrase 'evil sibling' to a whole new level. This kind of inhumane treatment was in a league of its own. There was no way. This was just too extreme.
"Yeah but, Trish wouldn't be happy about me gambling something like that." Dante stuck his chin out.
Vergil scoffed and sat down at the small dining table, leaning back and crossing his legs at the ankles as he took another sip of his tea.
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind at all if you're as good as you say you are. Well, what is your answer?"
"Actually, she still would mind. It's the principle of the thing, y'know."
"Sure."
"Well what about you tough guy? You realize you got some risk in this too, don't you? And the level of severity must be equal on both sides." Dante's grin widened.
"Right. Yet you've been babbling about nothing and still haven't stated your terms." Vergil's tone didn't reveal any sense of concern, his level of arrogance irked Dante to no end.
"So you really want to go there?" Dante secretly hoped Vergil would reconsider and offer a different condition. Preferably one that didn't have anything to do with his nightly playtime. Just the thought of a thing that locked up his "junior" gave him the shakes.
Vergil was silent as he stared in anticipation.
"Alright then." Dante began to pace and he rubbed at his stubble absent-mindedly.
He had to think of something that would get Vergil concerned and wipe that smug look off of his face. But what could he use as leverage? There weren't many things that would get Vergil to visibly stir, but he had to think of something. Hmm. Maybe...
Dante walked over to the cupboard and rummaged through it before reaching all the way to the back, pulling out a large bottle of Vodka. He slammed the poison onto the table and crossed his arms.
"If you lose, which you will, you have to be a mini me for a week." Dante stated, quite proud of himself.
"Pardon?" Vergil narrowed his eyes.
Gotcha.
"You have to be a mini me for a week," Dante repeated, "That means you have to act like me, look like me, including what you wear, and you have to answer to Dante jr."
Dante was inwardly laughing like a maniac when he saw Vergil's eye twitch slightly. Just the idea of Vergil being him for a week was pure gold and it made him more than determined to win. He would have to get it on tape too. Where did he put that camcorder...?
"You have lost your microscopic mind." Vergil growled, the look in his eyes was cold and threatening.
Dante grinned as he leaned down onto the table across from his mirror image, taking in the scowl that was being offered to him with the utmost joy. This was actually going to be fun.
"Well since you say I certainly won't beat you it should be an 'easy win' for you, right?" Dante was absolutely enjoying this. "Now since I am a reasonable man, i'll lay this out there too...If you wanna reconsider your terms, then i'll reconsider mine. So what'll it be big shot?"
"Surely that's your goal in this now. If you're that afraid of losing brother, then you should just admit it." A smirk tugged at Vergil's lips as Dante glared at him.
"Ha! Is that what you're thinking? Get real." Dante snorted, "I know i'll win, but you seem a bit worried yourself there pal, so i'm giving you a chance to make this easier on yourself."
Vergil snorted, "Well get your eyes checked, because you're seeing things." he finished his cup and set it on the table, "I won't reconsider."
Their narrowed eyes locked as they silently challenged each other. The bets had been laid out on the table, and now it was time to seal the deal or back out. Admitting defeat was neither of their style, so the decision was obvious.
Dante swallowed hard as he silently walked to the cupboard and grabbed two shot glasses, bringing them to the table and filling them. He picked up one of the glasses and held it in front of Vergil who glared at it before glancing back up at him. Vergil picked up the other glass from the table and clinked it against Dante's before they both downed the contents. A silent deal seal. Game on.
~o~o~o~
Why did I allow the clown to entice me to engage in such behavior? Perhaps it was my own pride. Or maybe I was feeling slightly burned out from the day's events and decided a bit of unwinding would do some good. Or maybe I was pitying his sad state of feeling "neglected". Nevertheless, due to my engagement with his antics I am now, as they say, in the doghouse. Though I reluctantly admit, it was entertaining...
She looks so beautiful...even when she's angry with me. I don't like to see her upset, but at this moment I feel silence is best, so there is nothing I can do. I don't want to aggravate things further, i'll just wait until she speaks. It's inevitable, she hasn't said much of anything since returning and assisting me in getting to our bedroom to lie down, so i'm sure we will end up discussing this in the near future...She's been sitting and dabbling in her sketchbook for the passed thirty minutes, I wonder what she's drawing...
"Vergil."
It seems the near future was nearer than I thought.
"Yes darling?" those pouty little lips of hers look ridiculously kissable right now...
"Don't 'yes darling' me, what were you two thinking?"
"I suppose we weren't."
It was true. That was the only explanation I could come up with. A moment of thoughtlessness. What else would explain my drinking to the point of disjointed babbling and laughing at things that aren't amusing? Not to mention the reckless destruction we left in our wake. At least there won't be any more mention of playing pool any time soon since the table is in pieces now... I'll assume that to be the bright side to this situation.
"I won't argue with you there. But you realize you and Dante are cleaning up that mess right? Trish and I are not doing it."
Ugh...the light. I wish she would turn that light off. It's starting to aggravate my eyes, surely a side effect of the exceptional amount of alcohol i've had tonight...
"Understood."
"Good. But i'm still mad at you...why are you looking at me like that?"
I suppose from her perspective I have been staring quite a bit since she sat way over there in that...that...what is it again? This is infuriating...That chair across the room. Yes, that's it. But if only you knew how lovely you are my distant little dove...
"Because you're quite beautiful."
"That's not going to work Vergil."
My head is starting to throb. I wish she would just stop talking and come lie down with me. Of course it would be unwise to say that out loud right now, i'm sure... She's looking at me with those eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"You won't smooth talk your way out of this one."
"A smooth touch perhaps?"
Where did that come from? Damnable alcohol... I shouldn't have said that. Who am I, my brother? Never. But I do admit, even I experience fleeting moments of perversion when in her presence. The thoughts that prance through my mind when I lay eyes on her...some fantasy, some from memory...No wait, don't leave...
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to sleep in the guest room tonight while you sleep this off. That way, you can reflect with no distractions."
No.
"...So this is my punishment?"
"Yep. Sorry love. When you are hungover tomorrow and take a look at the office downstairs, then you'll understand clearly."
The hangover. I am definitely not looking forward to that. Perhaps I can sleep the entire day away and avoid it. However, I doubt she will allow me to do such in peace since there is a mess I must clean. This is all Dante's fault...Not to mention...What was the outcome of our game? ...Wait. I remember.
"And there is no chance you will reconsider?"
"Nope."
Damn.
This is cruel, and I'm sure I look somewhat pathetic at the moment. I absolutely abhor the way this night unfolded now. How could I have been so careless? Now I must sleep alone, something I haven't done in about a year. Regardless, Dante will surely pay for this.
"I love you. Goodnight Vergil."
"...I love you too...goodnight...A goodnight kiss before you leave perhaps?"
Judging by the fact that she just left the room...I'll take that as a no.
