23rd January 9:30pm

Vergil's curiosity got the best of him. While everyone was busy drinking, he'd be able to go off and do what he wanted without worrying about running into someone he knew. That cathedral Cyra went to had a demonic presence to it; some sort of magic was acting like a barrier. Vergil would have wondered what the barrier was for, but as he got closer, he started feeling weaker, confirming that the barrier was to keep demons away. A demon cast a spell to protect this place from other demons? Cyra's involvement with this was more mind boggling. Did she know about the demon spell? Was Vergil's first thought.

Vergil's hand clutched to his chest, feeling the early signs of the unbearable pain that was about to explode through his veins. He quickly took several steps backwards, trying to get out of range of whatever magic was draining him. He glared at the cathedral, cursing whatever demon was in there. Perhaps he'd actually have to ask Cyra. He knew he'd have to be coy about it, not wanting to ruin her trust by admitting he was following her.

Vergil thought he backed away enough to stop getting his power drained, but it wasn't enough. He coughed, unable to breath. This wasn't the parasite's doing. He still took out a vial and injected himself with blood, using it as a failsafe. He didn't like the idea of asking for help, but he needed to tell Dante about this cathedral, if he didn't already know.

23rd January 10:58pm

Meanwhile at Devil May Cry...

"These demons need putting down, but I swear the next time something massive tries to eat me, I'm quitting!" Dante complained, slouching back in his chair, nursing a beer in his lap.

"Whatever!" Lady scoffed, "You probably got chased by some dog and you're embarrassed."

"I'd say you gotta be there to believe it, but I wouldn't want you in that situation," Dante said.

"Let me guess, you escaped through the other end? Again?" Lady asked.

"Okay wasn't that big. I devil triggered out of there and it blew up. Had guts on me which then attracted rats… Oh god the rats," Dante was shuddering.

"The legendary devil hunter taken out by mere rats!" Cyra and Lady laughed, clinging their beer bottles together.

"I've been through Leviathan's intestines, through bloodstreams in the Qliphoth, and there's still something worse about being lost in a sewer with giant demon lizards and hungry rats," Dante said chugging the last of his beer and slammed it down on the table.

"Devil trigger the rats off!" Lady suggested.

"What, and attract more rats seeking revenge for their rat family?" Dante asked.

"So you tried that?" Cyra asked.

"Yeah…." Dante muttered defeatedly.

"He says all this now, but let him get eaten by Leviathan again and he'll change his tune," Trish mused.

"Gotta say… Leviathan? Not that bad. It was roomy," Dante said. Then he remembered the parasitic worm that tried to eat him, "Hmmm maybe not."

"I love your guys' stories, but shit like this is why I'm glad I'm not a devil hunter," Cyra said.

"Hey, I've never been inside anything's intestines!" Trish said and Lady agreed.

"Might just be a Dante exclusive experience," Cyra said.

"In that case, you're welcome for taking one for the team," Dante muttered. Vergil opened the front door and went directly to the bathroom, already ignoring everyone, "Hey Verge!" Dante called out, not able to halt his movements, "You ever been eaten by anything?"

"No," Vergil simply said as he slammed the door behind him.

Cyra was sad Vergil didn't seem to want to stick around, and the alcohol was making it hard to hide the disappointment on her face. Lady laughed, "Hah! Confiiiirmed. Dante just has the worst luck!"

"Hey, if I didn't get eaten, maybe you and I wouldn't have become such good friends! Oh man, I do have the worst luck," Dante said.

Lady displayed rage on her face as she shoved Dante, knocking him out of his chair, pushing Trish in the process, "Hey! Leave me out of this!" She said standing up and walking back a bit.

Cyra laughed. All these lovely memories and lovely friendships. She wondered if Vergil had anything like it. She glanced back at the closed door behind her, trying to will it open so that Vergil could come back out. Trish eyed her and smirked, waiting for Cyra to meet eye contact with her. When she did, Cyra blushed, "What!?" Trish just winked back and sipped her wine.

"Vergil, if you don't come out of the bathroom and drink with us, then by default, I win!" Dante shouted, half slurring. He didn't know what he was winning, as long as he won. Their competitive habits from their time in the underworld was hard to break.

They all heard the shower turn on in response. He certainly did take a lot of showers, Cyra realized, "Is he a germaphobe?"

Dante shrugged, "I think he's just restless since he can't fight," Then he started to laugh, "It's actually pretty funny. There's three lovely women in this room and he'd rather lock himself up in a bathroom!"

"I think that says more about your brother than us," Trish glared.

"You know…" Dante began, "I've never seen my brother drunk. Obvious reasons, but isn't that something brothers should see?" He asked.

Cyra laughed, "That's pretty sad. If anyone can make him drink with us, it's probably you."

What they didn't know was that Vergil didn't take a shower this time. He sat on the edge of the bathtub, hand still on the knob after turning the shower on. He needed some sort of white noise to calm him down, which is something he's resorted to doing a lot lately. The blood vial didn't do anything to calm his breathing problem. It was something new. What did that magic barrier do to him?

When he left the bathroom, he walked immediately to the kitchen to grab some water. He felt weak and was shaking, but tried to keep his composure. The jukebox was playing music quietly. Most of the time, he'd complain about the noise, but that time he wished it'd be louder. Vergil went directly to the sink to fill up a cup of water chugging it. His palms rested on both sides of the sink as he leaned forward, head hanging low. He sensed someone's presence, making him turn his head to see Cyra walk in, "You okay?" She asked softly.

Curse her concern, "Yes," He let out in a breathy tone, still feeling shaky and dehydrated. Without a second to waste, he headed to walk passed Cyra to leave the kitchen again.

"You don't have to leave every time I walk into a room, you know…" Cyra said as her liquid courage took over and she jumped to stand in his way, halting his advance. He tried to keep his composure together, but his face just came across as angry, "I just want to say sorry about the other day..." She said quickly.

Vergil raised an eyebrow, "Why are you apologizing?" He asked.

Cyra was a little surprised at his response, "I should be the one helping you, and I instigated you and made you feel that pain again…" She started to notice Vergil's irregular breathing even over the music in the other room, "Are you okay?"

Vergil coughed, "I'm fine," He said through his ragged breathing, and moved to go around Cyra.

"No you're not," Cyra said as she grabbed his sleeve and once again trying to stand in his way.

Vergil don't know what came over him, but he forcefully pushed his hand to the wall, stopping Cyra from moving again. He turned his body so that he was facing her, and she pushed herself back against the wall, uncomfortable with how close he was to her. Vergil leaned in, head lowering a bit closer to hers, "Stay away from me," he drawled out slowly with force, "I don't want to hurt you."

Cyra tried to protest, "You won't hurt me and I can't just-"

"Cyra!" Vergil interrupted, his tone commanding with a hint of desperation, but perhaps that was just because he was having trouble breathing. Cyra blushed lightly hearing her name come from his mouth again, in such a breathy tone. He's in pain and you're swooning over his voice, she scolded herself. She stared into his eyes. Vergil was going to say something else, but instead he glanced down to her lips that so desperately looked like they needed to be kissed. He immediately pushed himself off the wall and walked back to the main room, uncomfortable at his previous thought. Cyra stared ahead for several moments, unable to move. Was he going to…? Cyra cut off her own thought.

Crya turned to follow him, face still slightly flushed, "You need to take a dose."

"I already took one," Vergil breathed out as he walked up the stairs, using the rail to help him up.

Cyra's eyes furrowed into a worry. Why was he so stubborn? Dante watched Vergil walk up the stairs, "What's going on?" He asked as Vergil's door slammed shut.

"H-he was having trouble breathing... and he's not letting me help him!" Cyra said frustrated.

"Is it the parasite doing that?" Dante asked.

"I don't know…" Cyra muttered. What was she doing? This man needed her help and she went against her word and started drinking alcohol to forget about her problems for a day. How selfish! She thought, "I gotta go," She announced and walked out, ridiculously hoping she'd sober up on the way to her home.

"Wha, it's still early!" Lady called before the door closed.

24th January 1:23am

Cyra was at her workstation, writing things in her notepad after checking her microscope. Was the parasite constricting his lungs? The only conclusion she came up with is that she needed stronger demon blood. It didn't even occur to her that lesser demons would have weaker blood, therefore giving Vergil less of a relief over time. It looked like a slow process at first, but the parasite has already gotten stronger. This wasn't going to work over time. Eventually, they'll run out of stronger blood and it'll take over Vergil. Time was going to run out.

The door was heard opening, followed by a shuffle. Cyra peaked around and saw that it was Vergil. She got out of her seat and ran up to him, who was in noticeable discomfort. He was grabbing his chest, but not only because of the pain, but because of the irregular breathing, "Vergil!" She tried reaching for him to help him stay up, but he wouldn't let her.

"You're still awake," He let out breathlessly.

"Yeah, in case some rude half demon needed to come by," Cyra said.

"Rude? Expecting Dante?" Vergil couldn't help but ask before a sharp pain hit his chest, causing him to wince.

"Please, sit down," Cyra said and guided him to a cushioned chair, one that is very typical for a bookstore. Vergil used the wall to help him move to the chair and sat down, underestimating how terribly soft the chair was. He hated it.

Cyra came back with supplies Vergil didn't even realize she went to get, "You're in pain and you can't breathe?" She wanted to confirm. She tried her best to ask yes or no questions so he wouldn't have to speak. Vergil nodded. Cyra proceeded to try to make him inhale and exhale, as she pressed a stethoscope on his back and chest, everything being shaky for him.

There was something worse hurting him and she just wanted to rid him of this pain. She brought out a mini flashlight and cupped his face so she could hold his face better to check out his eyes. Vergil didn't know why he felt more nervous than she did that moment. Usually any contact made her nervous, yet here he was, being the one with the metaphorical butterflies in his stomach. Or maybe that was just the parasite eating him from the inside, he couldn't tell. She pulled back to check the other eye. Vergil didn't even realize she was sitting at the end of his chair, her knee slightly resting over his leg. Cyra pulled back and stood up, walking back to her station. No nerves now? What a peculiar woman, he thought.

Cyra came back and sat on the arm of the chair, holding him a glass of water, "What is that?" Vergil asked.

"It's just water. You need to stay hydrated," Cyra lied. She put in a sedative to help him relax.

Vergil grabbed the glass of water and chugged it. Cyra took the glass and put it back down on the floor next to them, but remained seated on the arm of the chair to further help him calm down, "I need you to lean forward," Cyra said gently and he did what he was told, "I need you to try to hold your breath if you can, and slowly let it out," She said. Vergil couldn't even inhale enough air to hold for more than a second. Cyra noticed and she caressed his back to try to soothe him. He clenched his fist getting frustrated, which Cyra noticed, so she put her hand on it, "You're making it worse. Just calm down…" She said and soon felt his fist unclench.

But Vergil couldn't relax. He was angry. Angry at the parasite; angry at whatever demonic presence did this to him… but he tried his hardest to focus on Cyra's voice. Vergil couldn't even remember making the decision to go to her - just that he suddenly found himself stumbling to her door.

Some time flew by and Cyra peaked over to Vergil on the chair. He's been silent for a while, "Are you still sleeping?" She asked quietly not to wake him.

"I was," He said adjusting his head, massaging his stiff neck.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You were just so quiet and still, I wasn't sure," Cyra said, feeling bad that she may have woke him.

"That is what sleeping looks like," Vergil said monotonously.

That's also what being dead looks like, she thought, "Are you always this sarcastic?" Cyra bit back, not receiving a response. She smirked, feeling like she won the battle. After a while, it soon became too quiet, "Are you feeling better?"

"Well, I can breathe again," Vergil said, "Did you give me something?"

"A sedative. Sorry for lying," Cyra said. When Vergil didn't respond to her confession, she continued, "Have you ever struggled with anxiety?"

What a loaded question, he thought. He wanted to say yes; that his whole life, even as a child, he struggled with some sort of anxiety. His humanity was his anxiety. Demons didn't have to worry about anxiety. He remembered his feelings as "Urizen." No anxiety, just anger and pure determination to achieve power. Regardless, this new breathing problem was not due to anxiety. Whatever was in that cathedral was the source, but he couldn't bring that up yet, "You should really lock your door," He answered after a bit, changing the subject. Cyra mistakenly took that as a yes and felt a pang in her heart at that.

"It's broken," She said dismissively, still thinking about her previous question.

Cyra heard Dante's side: Evil twin brother who killed people in a pursuit of power. Hearing Vergil's side would probably be heartbreaking, but she needed to hear it. Eventually… whenever he was willing. She remembered that she still was owed a story as her reward for landing a punch on him. Perhaps it wasn't the best time. Or was it..? Cyra stood up and went over to sit on the edge of the windowsill that was across from Vergil. He looked up at her, waiting for her to say what's on her mind.

"Dante told me that when you were children, he got in trouble a lot for getting dirty while playing and having to take a million baths. One time when he got dirty, he was so scared of getting yelled at again, that you volunteered to take the blame. You pretended to be Dante, but your mother figured it out," Cyra said.

Vergil looked at her with a straight face hearing the retelling, before a grin broke through his feature. The grin turned into a smile and he let out a laugh. Cyra's heart fluttered at his laugh. It was a genuine smile and a genuine laugh and she loved how this brief joy looked on him, even if it was strange. Oh Lord, she just wanted to see him like this all the time, "That's what he told you?" He was surprised, "He made me out to be the nice brother? No, that moron pushed me in dirt and bullied me to take the blame with him. Our mother couldn't get mad at Dante if she didn't know which one of us was him."

Cyra covered her mouth and laughed, "Don't tell me that worked!"

"Of course not. She saw right through us," Vergil said.

"Your poor mother having to deal with the both of you," Cyra said.

"Every time we got in trouble, it was because of him. You can quote me on that," Vergil said.

"You're the older brother! You're telling me you never bullied Dante?" Cyra asked with a sly smile.

Vergil let out a chuckle, "The deal was that you win one story."

"Fiiiine," Cyra sighed, "So why do you think Dante changed the story?"

"I think he hit his head one too many times and his memory got scrambled. That or he didn't want to admit what a horrible bully he was," Vergil smirked.

"Maybe he really did just remember it that way. He went back and forth a lot when he talked about you. Evil thing this, underworld that, but he still spoke very fondly of you," Cyra said. Vergil looked like he started to get uncomfortable, "I'm sorry, I turned the mood a bit sour."

"It's just… complicated, but I'm glad I was able to correct that story," Vergil said. The last seven months in the Qliphoth with Dante only restored their bond as brothers. He knew what Dante thought of him. He was only uncomfortable because she reminded him of all the past mistakes he made due to being blinded by power. It wasn't a sudden revelation, though, his V persona helped. Knowing Dante still loved him unconditionally was something he'd never be able to get used to.

Cyra smiled at him and lingered for a bit before she felt guilty, "I just realized..." She started to feel nervous, "I know so much about you - well, things about you. I don't really know you you... Um… I guess I just feel guilty that I know so much without your permission?" Cyra ranted. Vergil didn't respond, "I'm sorry, I'm not sure why I brought this up. Please, rest." She said and pushed herself off the window sill and went back to her work station. Stupid, stupid, she scolded herself as she sat down in her chair. Every time a nice moment between them happens, she has to go and ruin it.

Vergil smiled briefly, glad she couldn't see his face. He wanted to suggest that in order to make it fair, she'd have to share something about herself, but it reminded him of how their 'bet' originated in the first place, "If I ever attack you again, you need to run and stay away from me," Vergil said out of the blue.

Cyra wasn't expecting to hear his voice so it startled her, "I was fine after the first time. I think I could handle it again," She attempted to joke, trying to lighten the mood.

"I could have killed you. Why are you still insisting that I don't scare you?" Vergil asked trying not to be angry. What was wrong with her?

Cyra could hear the anger creeping up, wanting to tread this conversation lightly. For as many times as he brought it up, did he want her to be scared of him? She'd humor him, "Maybe for a little. Seeing an angry demon in front of me isn't exactly relaxing, but I know it wasn't you. It was the parasite. You said you didn't want to hurt me, and I don't think you will."

It wasn't him? Was that her logic when it came to Urizen? That certainly explains a lot. Vergil was a bit annoyed at that and wanted to set her straight, "I devil triggered on purpose," He admitted, "I was aware of attacking you, but I couldn't control it. I hoped that going into my demon form would knock me back to my senses, and it did. It was just luck and I can't count on that working next time."

He willingly caused himself pain to stop himself from attacking her? Cyra felt stupid and didn't know what to say, "Oh...I'm sorry…"

"Stop apologizing and give me your word that you'll stay away if it happens again," Vergil said.

Cyra nodded lightly, but realized he wasn't facing her, "Okay," She said softly. Is that why he was avoiding me? If he was worried of it happening again, then would he continue to avoid her?

Vergil knew not to kid himself. He knew that Cyra wouldn't be able to back away from trying to help him, "I mean it. Promise me," Promises felt strange. There wasn't much holding people to keep their word other than honor, but what human actually cared about honor?

"Fine, I… promise," Cyra said. She just hoped that the day when she was going to break it wouldn't come anytime soon. She got up with another glass of water and walked over in front of him, "As long as you promise me that we can talk through this stuff instead of having you avoid me."

"I can agree to that," Vergil said.

Cyra smiled and handed him a glass of water, "Here," she said earning a skeptical look from Vergil, "It's actually just water this time. I promise," She ended playfully with a smile. Vergil grinned and took the glass. Cyra smiled at him and appreciated how peaceful he looked as opposed to when he came in. She was glad that she was the one to help him, feeling some sort of pride from it. All she wanted to do was rid him of all his pain and make him smile. She blushed at the thought and tore her eyes away, going back to her workstation. Vergil again noticed her nerves kicking in, letting out a chuckle too quiet for her to hear. As much as he appreciated her comfort around him, watching her get nervous was always going to be fun.

The time showed 4am. Sleep was beckoning for her, but she developed a second wind. Vergil's condition was only going to get worse and she was tired of stalling with ideas of stronger demon blood. A real solution was needed. She needed Lady Amelia.

At some point, Vergil stood up to grab a book to silently read. Shortly after, he fell asleep again, either the sedative was still in his system, or he was just that tired. The open book was in his lap, and his head was slightly bent to the side, almost resting on his shoulder. Cyra went upstairs quietly to grab a spare blanket from her closet. When she got back to Vergil, she gently took the book from his grasp, leaving a bookmark inside so he could resume his reading later and laid the blanket on him. Her eyes lingered on his sleeping face for a while longer, noticing some strands of hair were threatening to fall over. The urge to run her hands through his hair to push it back came over her, but not only would that wake him; it'd be extremely awkward. Before she could come up with more ridiculous urges, she went back to her station and continued her work.

However, Vergil was a light sleeper. He kept his eyes closed during the ordeal out of curiosity, but he was awake when she grabbed his book from his grasp, and laid the blanket on him. He let a small smile grace his face after she left.

When he split from his humanity, he thought he lost it all. The manifestation of his humanity was more in touch than he ever thought he could be. When it combined back with his demon form, Vergil remembered and felt it all. The admissions of his loneliness and shame for sacrificing everything was prominent in Vergil's mind. He remembered telling Nero his desires for affection. I just wanted to be protected and loved. The confession was resonating in his head. Nero… He wasn't ready to confront him again, especially not in his weakened state.

Cyra displayed such gentle kindness with him. Kindness that he didn't deserve. At first, Vergil guessed the only reason was because he was Dante's brother and she had to. There was no way she'd help the man known as Urizen. After knowing the woman for a week and a half, he could assess that it didn't matter why she was helping him, but that she was determined to do so. She knew about his history - mistakes and all, yet she didn't run away. Even then, she wanted to know more. More about HIM, he realized. He wanted to know her, too, even though it felt odd to admit. If she wasn't actually afraid of him, then this was someone Vergil could feel comfortable with.

Perhaps reaching for affection from a human wasn't smart. It was selfish. Afterall, he would just disappear after he's healed. It was dangerous to be near her in case he lost control again, but he didn't know how to compromise with his feelings. He didn't care. He wanted to be around her even if it just meant protecting her from random strangers that dare to harm her. Vergil understood more than ever why Dante would appreciate human company, even if his choice of company mostly annoyed him. Lady was a hothead, and Trish was far too vampish. Cyra had neither quality. She was smart and kind, two things that Vergil probably needed more than anything else.

Vergil didn't understand where all these thoughts came from. He knew he was getting ahead of himself. Perhaps he was indeed getting too attached to the first woman to show him such affection in a long time. Was this just him feeling desperate?