A/N: A fic exchange prompt challenge! Here is my gift to Sonderlativ.
Prompt: Devil May Cry (Anything Vergil-centric, really. Could be him being goofy with his brother, him failing at being a responsible dad or triple bonus points if it's anything for Lady/Vergil because they are my OTP)
~oOo~
Dante slipped through the summer forest on booted feet, relying heavily on the crashing of the nearby river to cover his trajectory. Even with being shirtless beneath his crimson-leather jacket, the coat had proven to be a poor choice for the balmy and oppressive weather; sweat trickled down his neck and into his eyes – he resisted the urge to wipe it away. Lady, who followed behind, seemed better suited for the humidity with her white blouse and short plaid skirt; she moved, grim faced, as they navigated through the trees.
The chittering of cicadas grated their nerves as they crept. A stag foraged not far from their position; its crown of antlers lorded over its bent head. Dante, distracted by the magnificent beast, landed on a dry branch that snapped on impact. The sound caused the deer to glance up in panic, then it sprang itself in the opposite direction. The resulting escape caused a flock of nesting birds to launch into the air with a shriek of displeasure.
Dante ducked his head, with a guilty grin, at Lady's obvious annoyance. She rolled her eyes and lifted her chin to indicate he continue – and carefully. The half-demon gave a half-shrug and slunk on.
The creature they were hunting lay up ahead, sprawled on the bank of the frothing river.
Dante pressed his back to a looming oak immediately within the tree line; the broad trunk shielded his body from view. He gestured for Lady to do the same and she crouched beside him. Her mismatched gaze flicked between the creature and Dante – she tightened her hold on her treasure.
"Looks like he's asleep," whispered Dante, peering around the tree. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be. Are you sure this is a good idea?"
He smirked and raised a haughty brow. "Of course this a good idea – I came up with it, didn't I?"
Lady grimaced. His self-assuredness didn't bode well with her. She tucked a lock of raven hair behind her ear. "Okay, so what's the plan?"
"What plan?"
She took a calming breath, topaz eye twitching. "What do you mean 'what plan?' We can't just go out there without some type of strategy."
"I mean, you know the objective. Just do that! I don't know what else you want from me."
"You're going to get us killed."
"You worry too much." He tried to come across as reassuring, but it just sounded like an excuse for his idiocy and blatant lack of foresight.
Lady huffed a sigh. "Alright. Fine. Let's just do this. But try being a bit quieter this time! Those birds could have given us away."
"Yeah yeah, I know."
Lady threw a final, pointed glare, and they shifted from behind the tree in near unison. As they sidled up to their target, the creature gave a snort – before settling itself back into fitful slumber. The huntress moved effortlessly along the bank. Silent as a shadow, she neared the creature's side and crouched. Dante mirrored her actions until they flanked the snoring beast.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Lady guided her treasure onto the crest of its head, releasing the band with skilled fingers. She sat on her heels to observe her handiwork. Dante blew out his cheeks in an effort to hold it together – it was futile. With an unrepressed smile that cracked his face in two, Dante pulled out his camera from his coat pocket and took a picture.
Then another.
And another.
Before finally bursting out into a hearty guffaw that had him toppling backward into the loamy ground. Lady, unable to resist, joined him in his laughter – until the two of them were practically rolling with their utter delight.
The creature sat up and coolly regarded the pair with arctic, sapphire eyes. "Must the two of you annoy me at every turn?" Vergil asked flatly. "Have I not earned myself a moment's peace?"
The two, who had gone statuesque under his heavy gaze, thawed and hooted with laughter.
"And what, pray tell, could be so humorous that the two of you have seemingly lost your minds?"
"You – you –" Dante held up a shaking finger, before wiping his eyes where his mirth overspilled. He tossed Lady the camera who caught it deftly and showed the image to a frowning Vergil.
On the screen, was a photo of himself, resting peacefully on the riverbank – capped with sparkling pink rabbit ears that shimmered radiantly beneath the summer sun.
Vergil reached up and snatched the ears off his head with a glare, before chucking the offending headwear into the river.
"Hey! Those were mine!" cried Dante.
"Then you best hurry after them, little brother." With a mighty kick, Vergil sent his twin sailing into the river; a geyser erupted upon impact. Dante spluttered helplessly as the current carried him downstream. In the distance, Dante's hand shot up triumphantly with pink ears in tow.
Vergil pulled a still beaming Lady in close by the waist. Callused hand spanned her exposed mid-section. "Darling, must you always follow that idiot into trouble?"
"When that trouble involves you – always." She grinned at the camera screen. "And, I gotta admit – you look mighty adorable!"
"Yes well, adorable isn't really my thing."
She hummed. "And what is your thing?"
His face neared, stoic façade slipping into one of hungry desire. "You," he purred.
Vergil brought his lips down to meet hers, and Lady couldn't help but meet him halfway. Their kiss was heated to the point of burning – it rivaled the afternoon sun in its intensity. Fingers laced into silver hair and teeth grazed pliant lips. She tilted her head to give him better access and he skillfully acquiesced. A needy sound escaped her and Vergil growled in response, hiking her up to wrap her legs around his waist.
"Why don't the two of you cool down!" came a voice, barreling from the forest.
Dante – crowned with his soaked rabbit ears – crashed into the two of them, causing all three to tumble recklessly into the churning waters. They surfaced with a splutter and glared at their laughing companion.
"And you said I never have a plan!"
They dunked him beneath the surface.