Author's Note: Short/fluffy update before I leave for a vacation. I won't be able to post until I get back, but I will be editing some good ones, so see ya then!

Just a Moment

In which Ashira catches Vergil attempting to bake.

At first, Ashira thought she might have been crazy after finding Vergil in such a state. That did not, however, make the scene any less amusing.

"What did you do?"

At first, Vergil said nothing. At least, not out loud, so his silence was more out of stubbornness than actual hesitation. And considering how ridiculous he looked at that particular moment, Ashira didn't blame him. "I do not look ridiculous," he huffed.

Ashira snorted. "You need a bigger apron."

"... this was all that was available."

"I see," Ashira said with a gentle shake of her head as she adjusted her glasses and finally took the time to assess the room. Even in his comically disheveled, green apron (that Ashira was certain had sunflowers sewn in under all that mess), Vergil looked immaculate compared to the rest of the kitchen. Every surface was covered in a mixture of baking tools, wet rags, trays filled with batter, and other trays filled with… failed attempts at baking said batter. The small table was packed to the brim, with some bowls stacked within each other. The sheer amount of deserts crowded into one space would have been impressive, had they not been either burnt beyond recognition or under-baked by about a decade. "Your brother is going to have a field day with this one," She said as she leaned against the doorway.

Vergil scowled at her. "He won't know it happened." His eyes narrowed. "Are we clear?"

That time, she laughed. "Crystal, your highness."

Vergil's silent annoyance persisted for about thirty seconds before he broke her gaze. "I don't understand it," he muttered, caught somewhere between defeat and not wanting to accept it. "I followed each recipe down to the letter."

"Clearly not."

"Though it's clear that Dante needs a new oven, as it hasn't maintained any consistent heat since I started. "

Ashira rubbed at her temples. "Remind me not to go on any more book binges when we're out of the Underworld."

"I did try to warm a few up with your flames, of course."

"You did what now?"

Vergil blinked, perplexed. "The oven wasn't working, so I attempted to heat a few batches up with your fire instead." He spoke as if it were the most obvious conclusion in the world.

"It was working fine yesterday," She said. "You know… when I made dinner."

That time, he directed his glare at the offending appliance. "Convenient."

"Are you sure you turned it on?"

"Of course I did."

"Well, you didn't do much cooking when we lived in this world, so…"

"I know how an oven works, Shira."

She threw her hands up in surrender. "I'm just trying to help." She shifted in front of him, nudging him away from the counters. Eventually, he looked at her instead of continuing to stare at his failures. "What's this for anyway?" She said as she pushed the batter to the side and hopped up on the countertop to face him. Vergil's gaze turned wary. Patient, Ashira took one of his fists and worked through his clenched fingers until she could rest his palm against her leg. "No parties coming up that I'm aware of… or birthdays… or anniversaries…" she started working on his second hand, but Vergil was more stubborn with that one, stopping short of pulling it away.

"The orphanage is having a bake sale," Vergil said as he stood a little straighter. "Kyrie and the other volunteers are working on the larger bakes, and I figured I could…" He trailed off, his confidence wavering for the first time since Ashira found him. But, as Vergil usually did, he recovered before he started speaking again. "Cupcakes, muffins, and cookies are simple."

Ashira's eyes flickered to the pans behind him. "Looks like it."

She expected him to glare at her. Instead, he sighed, finally releasing the tension in his muscles. Ashira intertwined her fingers with his, and couldn't hide her smile when he did the same. "It's alright," She said as she brushed away the batter on his cheeks. "We can't all be good at everything."

Vergil snorted. "I have plenty of time and many more ingredients."

"And my help," She said with a wink.

When his eyes met hers again, Ashira's heart fluttered. Vergil's head tilted just slightly. "Are you…"

His voice trailed off when she traced the bone of his cheek. "Have I ever told you how much I love your eyes?"

There was a brief moment of silence, followed by a smirk. "Once or twice."

"Good," She said. "Because they're one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, and I would happily stare at them for an eternity if the rest of the world would run itself."

She heard his heart skip a beat. "One of?"

Ashira would have rolled her eyes, but she didn't want to look away. "The most beautiful."

Vergil hummed in thought. "That's debatable."

"How so?"

He answered with a kiss; gentle, sincere, and enough to make Ashira's head spin. His lips were always so impossibly smooth and inviting. All she could do was tilt her head and eagerly give his tongue access at the slightest touch. Vergil moved slow, as if savoring the very taste of her. And Ashira didn't rush him, content to rest her arm on his shoulder. His own drifted from her hips to her waist and back, matched with the passion between them. When he pulled her closer, his fingers tightened on hers.

It was too easy to let herself go in such a display of passion. Vergil wasn't particularly shy about his feelings. At least, not when they were alone. But the moments he did show his affection were usually well telegraphed. Ashira was the spontaneous one of the two, always searching for an opportunity. She cherished moments like this, committing each one to memory as a small reminder of why she loved him.

After a small, blissful eternity, Vergil pulled away and pressed their foreheads together. "You are much higher on that list of yours, my beloved."

Before she had a chance to answer, an entire bowl of cake batter dropped on their heads.

Silence fell between them, though shock radiated through the tether. Ashira pulled back, eyes wide. Brown batter dripped from Vergil's hair, dragging his perfectly slicked back locks down in random directions. His eyes narrowed as he glanced behind him. A cackle echoed through Devil May Cry as Griffon found a perch on the ceiling fan; just out of Vergil's reach. "That's what you get, love birds!" He said. "Maybe you should pay more attention!"

Vergil twitched, but Shadow's growl stopped the inevitable summoned sword. The panther rose from the ground at his feet, eyes blazing a furious red. Her muscles tensed, clearly ready to pounce. "Wait!" Griffon squawked as he flapped his wings in a panic. The fan moved, knocking him onto the table. Shadow roared before she leaped at the bird, knocking the table over. Vergil's wings wrapped around Ashira before she had a chance to move. Pans clattered to the ground. Glass bowls shattered. Inedible sweets bounced in all directions. She heard the thump of a few hitting his back, but he didn't flinch. Only his scowl deepened, but he didn't bother moving as Shadow chased Griffon out of the room. A crash followed - Dante needed a new desk anyway - followed by the door slamming against the wall. Griffon's voice echoed back for a few moments, but Ashira didn't bother listening.

Vergil sighed as his wings retreated. "At least she is protective of you," he said as he tugged on his sleeves. Crumbs of all kinds scattered around him, and Ashira burst into laughter. A prickle of irritation echoed between them, but she couldn't stop. By the time she grabbed her stomach, certain that tears were soon to follow, she heard another sigh as his hands fell back to her hips.

When she finally caught her breath, Ashira returned a lazy grin. "She's not the only one it seems."

Her smile only widened when he finally gave her a small chuckle. "Lucky for you, I suppose."

She gave him a gentle kiss. "Very."