Two nights in a row. Consider this absolution for being away for so long! Not to mention I have a ton of scenes for this story written (including the end! lmao) over the last couple of weeks, so keeping up with updates isn't that hard. It all comes down to stringing them all together.
A few things. Firstly I'm introducing you to Narc is this chapter, so please give me your opinion on him. Amy was the only OC I've ever done so I'd like some feedback on him if possible.
Also, there is a "love scene" in this chapter, but it's so small you might miss it if you blink. What can I say other than I didn't feel right about going into detail for this one. Considering the characters, and the event that surrounds it I wanted something short and sweet, feeling anything more would be...wrong. lmao
R&R and enjoy!
Bleed It Out
Chapter 3
Lady wheeled around and ducked in time to miss getting impaled by the elongated arm of the demon she was facing. She swept her leg forward and knocked the thing off its feet only for it to capture its balance and growl at her angrily.
"Filthy creature," she hissed as she stepped back, barraging it with bullets left and right. It dodged them easily and made its way to her. She had made the mistake of misjudging her surroundings, and so it had her cornered. She backhanded it with her now empty gun and went to reach for a grenade. It grabbed a hold of her wrist and the two struggled for control over her limbs. The thing grinned evilly at her, giving off the smell of burnt flesh that almost suffocated her. She managed to take control of herself long enough to pull the pin and shove it into the things filthy face. Now all she needed was an opening as it fumbled to remove the device.
Instead she saw a figure fall in between them. The arms snatched her up as they were suddenly launched upwards. The creature screamed out as Lady flew out of reach and she covered her eyes as the thing exploded into tiny pieces. It took her a moment to settle and she was extremely annoyed. She narrowed her eyes and looked down to see a rough hand cupping her butt.
"NARC!" She yelled as she moved to strike him. Narc only laughed in that annoying way as he caught her hand in time.
"Now now Lady. I didn't come all the way up here just to fall. If you knocked me unconscious now then you'd be a pretty stain on the floor," he continued with a large smile as he looked down at her.
"Where have you been?! You left me alone with that creature!"
"Too much for you too handle then?" He crooned at her.
"No, I was hoping for the pleasure of killing you both together!" She snapped as she slapped his hand away from her backside. He moved it to her waist and at least it made it easier to think clearly.
"I could think of a hundred ways I'd like you to kill me, but somehow I never imagined a demon being involved. Perhaps some candle light, music, and something a little more frilly and revealing." He grinned as he dusted the collar of her shirt. She glared at him. "You're more of a pizza and six pack girl I see... Perhaps firelight and shrapnel rather than candlelight?"
"Answer my question Narc, where were you?" She repeated.
"I was here, fighting a demon on the catwalk. Yeah on the catwalk, yeah the catwalk. Yes I shake my little tush on the cat walk," he sang with a smile on his face. "Cause I'm too sexy for my..."
"Stop! My ears will bleed," she groaned as she slumped her head forward onto him. "I really hate you sometimes."
He leaned down to look at her and smiled that annoying smile. The one that seemed to make her feel... like everything was good in the world. God damnit.
Narc was... Well, that is he was... He was strange. He didn't brood, or ever have a negative thing to say. It was annoying. He was too young to understand how the world worked. He was in his early twenties, and she was ripe in her mid thirties. The whole situation with him was just... Ahhhh, annoying!
His features were so fine, complimented by his sleek black hair and pale gray eyes. Wolf's eyes. That was how she always thought of them. Hell she shouldn't have been thinking of them at ALL, but Narc had always told her he would happily take her and never let her go. His youth was intoxicating in how idealistic it was, and it touched a warm spot deep within her. He made her feel twenty again. She had never had a youth to speak of, and yet he managed to bring it out of her in the quietest of moments. Like now.
"Liar," he whispered to her with that smile. She looked up and glowered at him.
She had known Dante much longer than Narc did, but somehow had never heard about him until after Trish's arrival when Dante wanted to take time off to help her adjust. Lady figured he would find someone to partner with her, but she had never imagined much would come in the way of partnership. Narc had asked her out that very night as soon as they were out of earshot of the others. She had been speechless, having never been asked on a proper date. She had declined him though after the initial shock wore off and he had only laughed.
Rain check then?
How many rain checks had she given to him since? She didn't date as a rule of her job, especially little punks with no self control. What they had instead was conversation which she found he did pretty well when his mind was focused on normal things. So she distracted him with talk. Despite this she knew nothing of who he was before Dante, or how exactly Dante had "saved his life."
I owe him my life, and I will do anything to repay him.
He wouldn't tell her no matter how much she'd asked. It had only proved to her he was not serious in his attempts to win her over. Who even considered dating a person who kept so many secrets?
"Don't you call me a liar. Put me down Narc."
"As you wish," he said and dropped her. She let out a yelp as the hold was gone from him and she was falling. At the last possible moment she felt him take her arm and pull her up. He had always been too strong for his own good and she flew upwards easily. When she came face to face with him she felt him take her waist again.
"I'm going to kill you!" She snapped as she hit him hard on the chest. He winced but chuckled.
"You've said that already. Maybe one of these days you'll mean it," he said as he leaned forward to kiss her. She pulled back pushing on his chest. He always stole kisses from her when she was too flustered to retaliate, but her adrenaline had kicked in.
"Don't you dare... Narcissus!" She said with an evil grin forming. He stopped dead, his eyes flying open and suddenly he was glaring at her.
"Dante...," he growled from deep within him. "I'm gonna..."
"Kill him?" Lady asked teasingly. She would have to thank Dante later for this new ammunition. She'd just call him by his real name whenever he pissed her off or tried to kiss her. Life was good again.
"Don't call me that!" He said warningly.
"Can I call you Narcy?" She asked innocently.
"Shut up!" His softness was quickly turning to immature frustration and Lady delighted in it.
"Not so cocky now, are you Narcy?"
"If you won't shut it, I'll shut it for you." He said forcefully, cold mercury lit in his gray eyes.
"If you drop me again I'll..."
What she would do never gave birth from her lips, because he did as he'd threatened. His lips covered hers, blocking any passage of words. Only a low moan of pleasure or frustration left her as he kissed her deeper, his arms tightening at her waist so they melded together in mid air. The rope holding him swayed them back and forth as Lady tried with little effort to break the kiss. Arrogant bastard...
Why couldn't she resist him when he did this... Lady wound her arms around his neck and pressed into his warm kiss, running her fingers through the softness of his hair and wondering if she'd ever be able to escape the way he made her feel.
The two hung together intertwined. A dark mass against the windows that had already shown the last of daylight. In the end she knew she'd pull from him, slug him, and tell him never to try that again. All the while knowing very well she was a liar as he had said. She would tell him he was too young for her, or one of many other excuses she could think of.
The only thing that was holding her back was herself.
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Vergil woke with a start, his eyes barely being able to focus. Harsh lamplight met them and he felt like he hadn't opened them in years. Where am I? The room didn't look familiar. This was not the last place he remembered being. His vision was blurred as he heard the smallest in take of breath. He blinked a few times and made out a figure in the corner.
"Who's there?!" He hissed. He found his limbs were heavy and hard to move. The figure rose slowly and he could just make out the long blonde hair. He narrowed his eyes to see better.
"Vergil?" The voice asked timidly. "How do you feel?"
"Who are you?" He demanded again. He could barely lift his hands to his eyes but when he managed it he rubbed harshly to clear his vision. For a split second he thought his mind was playing tricks on him. She looks like... He must've still been dreaming.
"I'm Trish," she replied.
"Liar!" He growled trying to sit up. His body wasn't working though, and it was pissing him off.
"What have you done to me?"
"Nothing!" The woman said defensively.
"You had better hope I don't retain use of my body," he said darkly as he glared daggers at her. That face was mocking him, especially because he had been dreaming all about it. That woman who he once called mother. "Get out!" He yelled as he couldn't stand to look at her another moment. His throat felt dry and made his scream sound pitiful. He cursed.
The figure stood her ground for a moment before disappearing out of the room. Vergil lay back and stared up at the ceiling trying to retrace his steps. What was the last thing I remember? He searched his mind for clarity, but it felt crowded and messy. Everything was blurring together, and thought made his head ache the harder he pushed. He looked up and suddenly he remembered something.
Dante, standing at the edge of hell trying to reach out for him. The blood as he had sliced Dante's hand away, because he had finally made it to the end of his path started all those years ago. Dante though would not fade from his mind, and somehow he looked older than when he last saw him. The lights of the gateway began to fade and yet Dante remained. He blinked his eyes to force the vision away, but it lingered and spoke.
"How are you feeling?" Dante asked. Vergil started at the sound of the voice and recoiled as he came to sit by him on the bed.
"What is this?!" He asked as he tried to move further from the vision. "What's going on?"
"It's all right Vergil, you're safe." Dante said as he reached a hand out to calm him. Vergil knocked it away with a flinch. He couldn't tell the difference between reality and his nightmares anymore. Was this a trick? He tried to crawl off the bed only to be caught by Dante at the last minute so he didn't fal off. "Calm down!"
Vergil was stock still as the vision held him from behind. Is he hugging me? He turned to look at the vision and felt the warmth of him. It wasn't a vision, because such things didn't feel like anything at all. He was momentarily caught up in the relief of being free. When he turned Dante pulled him into a full hug and Vergil was too traumatized to pull away.
"You're safe now." Dante whispered as he felt relief sink through himself. Perhaps everything would be fine. Vergil was here, and he wasn't trying to pull away. That wasn't true though.
"Let me go!" Vergil said quietly. He suddenly felt Vergil's weak attempts to remove himself from Dante. He was weak and it was painful to feel just how much. Dante finally pulled away and looked at his older brother.
"Who is she Dante?" Vergil asked as the vision of his mother reappeared near the door.
"Trish. Don't you remember her?"
"Trish? But she looks like...," he got out before Dante nodded at him.
"Her name is Trish and there is no relation there. You two have met before haven't you?" He turned to look at Trish who nodded. Both had been working for Mundus, so surely Vergil would've met her. Her nod confirmed as much.
"I have never seen this woman before in my life," Vergil growled as he glared at her.
"But, what about Mundus?"
"MUNDUS?! What about him?" Vergil suddenly asked in a desperate tone. Dante stared at his twin wide eyed.
"You and she use to work with Mundus, don't you remember?"
"Use to...?" Vergil's eyes suddenly darkened.
"I took care of him Vergil. He will never be able to hurt our family again."
He said it with a smile, and Vergil wanted to rip that smile from his face. HE had killed Mundus?! This was wrong, so very, very wrong. He sneered at Dante and exploded in a fit of rage.
"YOU DID WHAT?! YOU IDIOT!"
Vergil found the adrenaline to lift up a cup by his desk and threw it across the room, nearly missing Trish. Dante stood and tried to control his brother's flailing temper.
"What have you DONE Dante?! You FOOL! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Vergil yelled as he used every ounce of strength he had to punch his brother square in the jaw. Dante fell onto the floor bewildered.
What the hell is going on?! This was not supposed to be Vergil's reaction to this news. Could it be that Vergil actually... cared that Mundus was dead?! It couldn't be! He had killed their mother and separated the two from one another. HE was to blame for every hardship they had suffered, and yet Vergil looked as if he was in mourning for something, or someone.
"Stop it Vergil!" Dante yelled as he got up and tried to hold his brother down on the bed. He wanted an explanation. How could Vergil have ever been loyal to Mundus?! Vergil only thrashed like a wild animal in his attempts to escape his brother.
"GET OUT!" He screamed in misery. "GO AWAY!"
Dante stood his ground, looking at Vergil perplexed. What had Mundus done to him? Vergil had always been a bit on the evil side, but actually siding with the thing that their father had tried so hard to contain? Didn't he understand that it was over? That he was free of whatever binds had always held him back?
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Dante asked aghast. "What new game is this?"
"Get away from me." Vergil's tone took on a sharpness, like the hiss of a snake about to strike. He reached a hand out to grab hold of Dante, but found that he could barely do much. He felt so weak, as if his body wasn't even his anymore. Dante was quick in comparison to him now. He let out a cry of frustration at his lack of ability. "Just go away." He said in a tone that sounded like anguish, turning away from Dante.
Dante just stood back from the bed and looked at him in disbelief. He wanted to hit him, knock some real sense into his obviously messed up head.
"Traitor." Dante breathed through clenched teeth. Trish came to his side and pulled Dante away. She pulled him from the room just as something shattered against the door as they closed it behind them. They could both hear Vergil's agonized cries coming from the room.
Dante swore to himself, lashing out and embedding his fist into the wall across from him. The pain was minimal in comparison to the storm of emotions broiling just under the surface. This wasn't normal, these feelings he was having. It was unknown territory, because he could always come away from a fight with Vergil with a sense of anticipation for the next. This however, this was different. The bastard had gone beyond the pale with this newest revelation.
He's not my brother, I don't know who that guy is.
Perhaps the time for hoping Vergil would ever recover were long gone. There would be no more exhilarating fights of pride and ego, no more well versed banter to at least show him that they were connected. The ties had somehow been severed without warning, and suddenly Dante felt very hollow.
Dante slumped against the wall, his breath coming quick. Trish held onto his mid section, listening to the heave and fall of his chest.
"I don't understand," he said breathily. "W-was Mundus ever kind to you Trish?"
"Never," she said in a bitter tone as she looked up at him. "Oh Dante..."
She had looked up and noticed the tears trickling from his eyes very slowly. He didn't make a sound as they fell. He turned his face away from her as she lifted a hand to his cheek.
"I'm fine," he responded. He leaned his head against the wall and still she saw the wet lines fall down the side of his neck. She had never seen him cry before, but she wanted to do anything to make him stop.
Dante's mind was reeling. He hadn't cried since he was a boy, and it was frustrating him to begin now. This turned out worse than he could've ever imagined. How could Vergil have ever gone to Mundus? How could he give a DAMN about the thing who had destroyed their entire life?! It didn't make ANY sense!
There could be no going back for them. It horrified him to think that Vergil was truly gone from all of them. The long hours of wishing his brother would wake a changed man were dashed in a split second and Dante felt his insides twist. He wished Mundus alive again so he could beat him to a bloody mass for corrupting his brother. His only blood left. Dante beat his head backwards against the wall as a wave of grief stole him.
"Dante!" Trish gasped as she tried to stop him. She pulled him forward to lean on her and he buried his face in her shoulder as he let go of the floodgates. Slowly his weight pushed her down until they were sitting on the floor. She wrapped her arms about him. "Don't believe it Dante, not for one second."
"He's gone Trish," he said weakly.
"I won't have you believe that yet. Mundus was NOT kind, and whatever this is... well, it has to be a misunderstanding," she cupped his face in both of her hands and forced him to look at her. His red, tear stained face made her ache for him. "We will get through this Dante. If you can pull me back from the edge of hell, then you can do anything. Don't give up hope."
She wanted to protect his hopes for as long as he'd let her. His laughter, warmth, and ability to smile in the face of disaster were what she loved about him. She would protect them at all costs no matter the price. He sniffed slightly as his lowered eyes examined her face miserably.
"Stand up Dante," she said softly as she helped him rise from the floor. She would be his strength for once. "Rest, and look at the situation with morning light." She let him lean against her as she walked slowly towards their room.
"I'm sorry you had to see that." Dante said quietly as they reached the door. Trish stopped, turning herself towards him. "Imagine that, I have a weakness other than pizza." He said quietly, giving her a forced laugh to mask his tremulous voice. "I'm so tired of caring."
She reached out and cupped his cheek with a pained expression on her face.
"Don't give up." Trish said, not knowing what else to say at the moment. She was praying for the strength to know what to do. She had never lost anyone, never had to comfort anyone before. This was a part of their relationship that had never needed to be breached before. Despite this she allowed him these frail moments. She urged him towards the door. Once inside she went to help him into bed, but he didn't let go of her and pulled her down with him.
"Dante?" She asked uneasily. This was hardly the time for this, and yet as she caught the pained look in his eyes...
The truth was he was feeling hollow, unloved, and unwanted. It was something he hadn't felt in so long, and he wanted to erase it all from his memory. He wanted to feel connected to someone and he could feel that in Trish. He ran his thumb along her lips with a sigh as another tear fell.
"Stay with me tonight," he begged. "Let me lose myself." Dante leaned up and gave her a chaste kiss as his tears drenched her soft features. Trish gave in, not knowing any other way to bring him back from the darkness Vergil had driven him to.
Intertwined in the darkness Dante drowned himself within the arch of her body, and the promise of comfort and love. She gave to him and he took greedily of every inch to black out his own fears that he was, in fact, alone.
"I love you," she whispered as a gasp left her beautiful lips. He wasn't so numb yet as to not feel the proper affect of those words. He closed his eyes and buried his face against her neck. He could forget everything for the time being and revel in her warmth. She made it so easy.
She shuddered beneath him as he called out to the dark room, his own body riddled with sweat and swaying with the tremor that coursed from him to her. He lay on her, completely exhausted and fulfilled.
"Dante," she whispered into his hair. "Don't give up."
He closed his eyes and thought of her words. Vergil was a stubborn asshole, but then again so was he. He didn't care what had happened to Vergil, but he knew he had to at least try to fix this. They weren't kids anymore, and as long as there was hope in its smallest measurement, he would take it.
He rolled over, pulling Trish with him to lay across his chest. Her breathing was heavy, and her weight comforted him. She breathed gently against his skin and he couldn't help but laugh. She was asleep. He hoped he wasn't too rough with her, considering where his mind had been. If he had been she gave no indication. He wrapped her protectively in his arms and whispered an apology into her hair. She only continued to breathe deeply as she nuzzled further into his embrace.
He could do this. He would pull Vergil back from the edge like he hadn't been able to all those years ago. He had to at least try. He wasn't the quitting type. He would've gladly welcomed Vergil back if he had woken with kind words despite everything between him. He was determined now.
He closed his eyes and decided he would begin by putting his plan in place and seeing where it would take him. He had nothing left to lose.
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All was quiet on the home front when morning hit. Everyone was sleeping soundly in their beds without much care. Lady smiled vaguely in her dreams, most likely remembering the look on Narc's face when he couldn't pummel Dante after they'd arrived back. Or maybe it was a recollection of the suspended kiss he had given her.
Vergil was exhausted with a scowl very much apparent on his face. He was dreaming again of his mother, and of Dante. Somehow piano music always found a way to steal into his dreams.
Trish lay on her stomach as Dante sat on the side of the bed watching her. Her long golden hair spread about her as if to glorify her in the morning sun spilling through the windows.
Dante was fully dressed. He leaned down and kissed her softly before standing and heading downstairs with purpose.
He cranked up the volume on the old jukebox when he reached it, pressed a button at random, and watched as it began shuffling through the discs. "Give Daddy something good" He cooed to the juke, closing his eyes and listening closely for the opening of the song. "Bleed it Out" by Linkin Park began blaring from it. Dante tapped his foot along. "You know me so well." He said with a contented sigh, running his hand lovingly over the glass.
He turned in a choreographed motion and walked towards the steps in time with the music. Lady poked her head out of her bedroom as he reached the top of the steps. Her hair was messy and her eyes had an angry red color mixed with obvious lack of sleep.
"Damn it Dante! It's not even 8 in the morning!" She growled hopelessly. Dante only mouthed along with the song, doing a little dance in place. Lady glared at him before rolling her eyes and closing her door with a slam. Dante turned on the spot and headed for Vergil's room.
"Good morning sunshine!" Dante said brightly. He allowed the door to slam loudly into the wall before taking his first steps into the dim room. Vergil's glaring face could be seen briefly before he put his pillow over it, in what Dante thought was a weak attempt to suffocate himself. Dante grabbed hold of the blanket that was partially tucked under his brother, and tugged hard. Vergil tumbled out of them to the floor with a dull thud. He turned, his eyes flaring as he looked up at Dante.
"What is this?" He yelled. Dante came to crouch down by Vergil.
"This, my brother, is the first day of the rest of your life." Dante answered, his smile widening.
"What the hell are you talking about?" He snapped, trying to gather the strength to punch Dante to no avail.
"There will be no more brooding the hours away in this room. Today you begin to put your life back on course." Dante stood and pulled back the curtains, allowing bright sunlight to repaint the walls. He heaved his chest outward as he took in a deep breath. Vergil only grumbled something under his breath. "Check the attitude too while you're at it, it's killing my morning buzz."
"Get out." Vergil said, trying to maneuver his way back to the bed. Dante moved to sit on it, blocking Vergil from getting up off the floor. He swung a fist, even knowing it would do no good. Dante caught it and held it firm.
"Listen good Vergil… You have two options and I really don't care which you choose. One…," He said, putting a finger up. "I kick your ass out onto the streets to fend for yourself. Don't think I won't do it either, I've gone this long thinking you'd never darken my doorstep again." The look on his face had lost its chipper flare. Vergil eyed him, most likely aware of what being kicked out would mean for him at this stage in his recovery.
"And the other?" He asked, trying to keep his temper down.
"You come downstairs with me now and we work on getting you well again. Don't care how long it takes, or what you decide to do after. You can leave if that's what you feel like doing when it's said and done."
Vergil continued to stare at him, taking into consideration both offers. His pride would've loved to have walked out by now, but unfortunately his legs didn't remember that he was in charge. The idea of being some immobile thing on the side of the road didn't seem very appealing either. How long would he have to put up with Dante though until he was well enough to go, and could he do it?
"Just like that? You'll let me stay here with you?" He asked.
"There are some conditions of course, seeing as you've tried to kill me several times over the years," he replied thoughtfully, a small smirk playing in his eyes.
"There's always a catch. What are these conditions?"
"I don't want anything except for you to be civil. No trying to kill me, or any of my roommates. You don't have to like the situation, but you're under my roof now and I don't want months of listening to you bitch. I get enough of that from Lady…"
"Poor baby." Vergil said in a mock tone.
"See there? That's exactly what I'm talking about. Consider me the older brother from now on, and I will put the smack down on you if you don't keep in line."
"Fine, just turn down that God awful music. I already have a headache." Vergil growled, trying to push Dante away so he could climb back onto the mattress.
"Condition 2…" Dante began, pushing Vergil to sit back down on the floor. "Vergil has no control over Dante's music."
Vergil glared up at him. His anger had somewhat faded since the night before, but he didn't know yet whether or not this was a good idea. Dante put a hand out to help him from the floor and all he could do is stare at it.
"C'mon Vergil, what have you got to lose?" Dante asked offering it closer to him. He looked from his brother to the hand, and then back again. Eventually with a groan he allowed Dante to help him up.
"Don't misunderstand this Dante," he said pointedly. "This doesn't mean that when I'm all better I won't kill you." His eyes narrowed as Dante laughed at him. "What's so funny?"
"You'll kill me in time, but not now," he replied with a cocky grin. Vergil stared at him. Where had he heard that before? He suddenly hear a woman's voice in his head.
You'll kill me in time. But not now.
"Amy..." The name escaped his lips before he could take it back.