Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Six months. Six months since Vergil and Dante had returned from Hell, six months of trying to find balance in a world that no longer felt like their own. But the real, and most recent, hell had manifested in the form of a woman with red hair and vibrant eyes.

Evangeline needed a job, it didn't matter if it was part-time or full-time, just something quick to pay her debts and apartment expenses. One day, walking through the streets of Redgrave, doing some necessary shopping for her survival, she saw that pizza shop and, next to it, a sign that wasn't very flashy but piqued her curiosity.

'Assistant needed, no prior experience necessary. If interested, call the number +39 075 284 6391 and ask for Dante.'

If the sign was still up, it meant that no one had filled the position or that they hadn't found a good candidate yet. Evangeline had never worked as an assistant, but the sign said no prior experience was necessary. Maybe this was a good opportunity to get a quick job. She just hoped they wouldn't take too long to call her back if she passed the interview.

Evangeline called three days later, hoping everything would go well. Her wallet was running low on funds, and if she didn't solve the problem of her apartment payment in the next few days, she would be in serious trouble. She heard the sound of the call waiting, Evangeline a little nervous that they wouldn't take her call, until she heard a 'Devil May Cry.' She sighed with relief. The voice on the other end was that of a man, giving the impression that he was already over 30, and a hint of annoyance could be heard in his voice.

'Hello, I'm calling about the assistant job. I saw your ad near the pizzeria, and I'm really interested in the position.'

'Oh, you're calling at a good time. I've been waiting for someone to be interested, but we hadn't had any luck. Tell me, are you available this afternoon for an interview at the shop?'

'Yes, I can go. I just need you to give me the address of the shop since I didn't see one on the ad.'

'Actually, it's a block down from the pizzeria you saw, then you turn right. You'll see an antique clock repair shop on the corner and you continue until you reach the end of the street. You'll see a neon sign that says 'Devil May Cry.'

'I know where that is. How about I get there at 4?'

'Yeah, I'll schedule your arrival so I don't get tied up with any jobs.'

'Okay, I'll see you at 4, by the way... I assume you're Dante?'

'Yes, that's me. I'll see you in a few hours.'

With that, Dante hung up the call. He didn't even give Evangeline a chance to say her name. She supposed the man had things to do, which explained the hint of annoyance in his voice. Evangeline made sure to get ready with plenty of time. She didn't want to be late, although... she didn't know what to wear. She wasn't sure if a very formal outfit was required. She had never heard of the place, but judging by the name, she didn't know if it was some kind of strict company or a business that just needed someone to answer calls and handle paperwork.

Evangeline decided to wear jeans with nude-colored sneakers and a white, Victorian-style long-sleeved shirt. It wasn't formal, but it wasn't too casual either. She put her hair in a half-ponytail with her bangs swept forward and applied natural makeup—just a little mascara and her typical red lipstick. She didn't add any flashy jewelry and even took out her ear piercings. Until she knew more about the job, she wouldn't wear more than was necessary.

Evangeline grabbed a purse where she carried her house keys, her wallet, a lipstick, and tissues for any emergency. It didn't take her more than 15 minutes to walk there. Just as Dante had said, she saw the clock shop and walked until she reached the place. The sign with a bright pink neon caught her eye because of its size, not to mention the two large oak doors. Faint rock music could be heard in the background. Evangeline knocked on the door, and a very tall man with slicked-back white hair and light blue eyes greeted her. She had never seen such seriousness on a face. His features were very sharp, and even if he didn't try, this man would make anyone feel small (his height was enough already).

'Hello, I assume you must be Dante. You spoke with me a few hours ago about the job.'

'...the idiot is sitting further inside.'

Evangeline was surprised by the man's height, not to mention that she had never seen such a striking beauty. She even wondered if this man was some kind of albino model. He possessed a unnatural beauty, and Evangeline swore she had never seen such a color of eyes. They seemed like the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. But she also didn't let go of the fact that he had looked at her with disdain when she mentioned Dante's name, and what was that "idiot" comment about? Evangeline assumed there was a lot of trust between the two men for him to call Dante that way.

Vergil went back inside and let Evangeline pass, closing the door carefully. Her surprise was even greater. Indeed, there was a man reclined in the front desk chair, with a magazine covering his face and his feet crossed on top of the desk. The place, besides, was a complete mess. Pizza boxes on the floor, some papers scattered, several beer bottles, and posters of scantily clad women stuck to the wall. Evangeline didn't know what to think. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to come, but the need for money was greater.

Evangeline stood a little uncomfortably in front of Dante's desk. She wasn't sure if he was actually asleep and she didn't want to disturb his peace. Vergil, being the great observer that he was, knew the girl was there either for the job or for a request to get rid of some annoying demon. Redgrave had become a strategic point for demons, and with that, the demon-hunting work had become more demanding. Vergil approached his brother and hit him on the head with the same magazine that was covering his face.

'You have a client waiting, you idiot. How careless...'

Dante rubbed his eyes without much delicacy and saw the girl in front of his desk, waiting to talk to him.

'I'm sorry, beautiful. I wasn't expecting anyone right now. Tell me, do you need something?'

'I'm the woman you spoke with on the phone this morning about the assistant job.' Evangeline grabbed her left elbow uncomfortably. Would this guy really be her boss? He hadn't even taken his feet off the desk. 'I assume you're Dante?'

'That's me, beautiful. I didn't get your name. I guess such a pretty face must have a pretty name to match.'

'You hung up the call too fast. We didn't even get to properly introduce ourselves. My name is Evangeline.'

'Well, Evangeline, to make a long story short, we're a company dedicated to the extermination of demons. I assume you saw the events from six months ago, and those things aren't here to make friends, precisely.'

'Wait, does being an assistant involve fighting those beasts...? I'm not the most qualified person for that kind of job...'

'Don't worry, you won't get involved with that. I really asked for an assistant because sometimes I'm not here for hours or days, depending on the job, and this place is left alone. So I need someone to take care of it, answer calls, organize paperwork, even do some cleaning, but that would be extra pay.'

This place was truly screaming for a cleaning, and with great urgency. Evangeline could perfectly understand that Dante might not be very attentive to the place, but picking up the pizza boxes and beer bottles wouldn't take him more than a few minutes. Evangeline gave the place a more detailed inspection. To the left of Dante's desk, there was a double couch, which was occupied by a very serious Vergil who was focused on his reading. She even noticed that there was what appeared to be a sword? If they really were dedicated to demon hunting, she would have to get used to seeing weapons everywhere. In fact, on one of the walls, several weapons were hanging.

'So... do you like the job? Your hours start at 9 a.m., but I can't give you a specific quitting time. You can even use one of the rooms upstairs. You can use it whenever you want, but consider it an alternative for when I can't get back early, so you don't have to leave in the middle of the night.'

'I guess you have a point. It's not that Redgrave is dangerous at night, but you never know when one of those things... might appear out of nowhere.'

'Can I take that as a yes? And don't worry about the pay; you'll get your part on the 16th of every month.'

This gave Evangeline a sense of relief. It was only the 20th, so the payment would come at a good time and she could pay her apartment rent. She finally saw a way out of her problems.

The days passed normally. Some calls came in, jobs to hunt demons, searches for abandoned objects in places that seemed very scary, and even some trafficking of demonic objects. Evangeline didn't even know if that was legal; she decided not to delve into that topic.

In those days, Evangeline discovered that this place wasn't just home to Dante and Vergil (she recently found out they were twins). She also met Nero, who was Vergil's son, Trish (a demon created in the image of the twins' deceased mother), Lady, and Nico. They were like a family, just a bit dysfunctional, but in their chaos, they seemed to connect very well—at least most of them. Vergil was the most distant of all.

Evangeline discovered that Nero and Vergil's relationship was complicated. Vergil hadn't known of his existence until six months ago. This man was... complicated, to put it mildly. It didn't take long for Evangeline and Nero to get along very well. Despite acting somewhat aggressive and sarcastic, he wasn't a bad guy. Evangeline's gentle heart didn't judge anyone. By connecting so well with Nero, he started to share some information about his past, his childhood with his adoptive family, and how he met Dante. Nero had even confessed that he thought Dante might be his real father since they shared some similarities (besides the looks and the fact that he was his father's identical twin).

And her relationship with Dante had been quite easygoing. He was a man you could easily connect with. He didn't take anything too seriously or personally. With his confident and carefree attitude, Evangeline felt she could trust him like a best friend or older brother, ignoring his blatant attempts at flirting with her. Although that had been more a game for Dante than a serious attempt at flirting, Evangeline attributed it to his personality and that she wasn't the only one he complimented.

With whom there did seem to be some tension was Vergil. It was impossible to know what he was thinking. His cold and stoic gaze, his limited vocabulary, and a biting tongue when he disliked something—Evangeline never knew if Vergil genuinely liked her, even just a little. She even made a comment to Dante, to which he replied,

'Vergil has always been like that since we were kids. Even I don't know what he might be thinking or what else he does when he's not here, but I assure you that in some way, he must like you. If he didn't, he would have already insulted you in a pretty poetic way that would probably hurt deep down. Vergil doesn't really know how human social relationships work; that's all.'

At first, Evangeline hadn't fully understood Dante when he told her about "not understanding how human relationships worked," until Nero revealed their true identity: sons of a powerful demon who betrayed his kind to protect humans, and some time later he met a human (the woman in the portrait Dante had on his desk) and fell in love with her. As a result of their love, the twin hybrids were born, half-demons, half-humans. Nero also explained that Dante embraced his human side better and Vergil his demonic side, but after certain events (the Qliphoth tree), Dante and Vergil spent six months mending Vergil's mistake and that, somehow, he was trying to fix his awkward relationship with Nero and reconcile with his human half. Nero said Vergil was trying, although there wasn't much progress.

Evangeline didn't tend to judge, and from some conversations with Nero and Dante, Vergil had suffered a lot (Dante had too, but he chose to face his pain differently, understanding that power wouldn't reverse the events of his trauma, that it was best to accept the painful fate and move on, and never forget everything his mother had instilled in him, like love and patience). Knowing this, Evangeline tried to better sympathize with Vergil and, somehow, get to know him, although... her attempts were very decent, given that Vergil didn't usually talk to others unless they spoke to him first and he hated when someone interrupted his reading. Sometimes she tried to find the right moment when he seemed to be taking a break and she would ask about his reading. The difficult part was that damn limited vocabulary; those answers of 'yes, no, I see, I understand, it's a poetry book' didn't really help to advance a decent conversation.

Another person would have easily given up on Vergil. Evangeline, however... understood that his process was complicated, and that if he ever decided to open up to her, Evangeline would gladly welcome him.

At least, about 5 months have passed since Evangeline arrived at the Devil May Cry office. Without meaning to, she had become very close to the others. Dante appreciated her a lot and secretly was thankful that she was so kind to Vergil. Dante thought that maybe she would be a great help for Vergil to better understand his human side; that patience and warmth aren't something everyone has. She was always very open to their unusual nature; instead of being scared, it sparked many questions and curiosity in her. Evangeline had even asked to see his true demon form. Dante wasn't a big fan of using this form, but seeing her as excited as a child for candy, he couldn't refuse.

Besides Evangeline's nature, she had started to worry about the nutrition in this office.

'Dante... you can't just eat junk food. Your demonic half might help you burn everything you consume, but your human side is clearly screaming for help. You can't just give it these huge amounts of calories; you need to eat healthier, protein to regenerate your muscles, and vegetables and fruit. You'll feel better and less anxious.'

Evangeline had asked Dante for an extra budget, saying she would now be in charge of the food, making a quick trip to the nearest convenience store, looking for fresh produce, vegetables, and meats, and for a healthier dessert, yogurt and fruit.

While the others were on missions, she was alone most of the time, but it wasn't uncomfortable for her. The office had become like a second home, and she really loved the noise of the others, although this time, Vergil had stayed at the office. He simply told Dante he didn't feel like going, and that was the end of the discussion.

It was 11 a.m., and Evangeline was already cooking. It smelled really good. Vergil came down the stairs, and his nostrils appreciated that it smelled different. Aside from the smell of disinfectant on the floor and in the kitchen, the aroma of what she was preparing was a delight, and it wasn't even a complicated dish: white rice, some marinated barbecue steak strips from the oven, and a green salad with colored bell peppers, lettuce, and apple to add something sweet that combined very well. Vergil sat at the counter near the kitchen, attentively watching Evangeline's movements, which were agile and quick, always keeping an eye on everything so nothing would burn and cleaning to keep the mess to a minimum.

In some way, Vergil had started to feel an interest in this woman. He understood that many humans could be evil by nature, always desiring or coveting more than they could carry, doing things to get something in return, but she... she was different. She possessed an innate goodness. Her heart always seemed to have room for everyone. Her silence was a way of showing support if there was no good answer to give comfort. Vergil didn't know if she was too naive for this world full of chaos, but... without realizing it, she had awakened in him a need to protect her. Vergil even felt peace and tranquility by her side. As it wasn't in Vergil's nature to show much emotion on topics he even enjoyed, deep down, he was thankful that she was interested in the things he read, or asked about his rigorous training, or the feeling of facing the demons that plagued the city and how he didn't feel any fear. In short, she was intrigued by his strength.

Vergil, being so absorbed in his thoughts, hadn't realized that a plate of hot food was in front of him. Evangeline spoke to him, but he never responded, so she left the plate of food and returned to Dante's desk, where the phone was ringing. It was a call from Nero, saying they would be back soon, to which she told him that lunch was hot and ready.

Vergil didn't understand why she was so attentive to him, worrying about him if he ever got hurt in battle, or the simplest thing, if he had already eaten. These small acts of service, without him realizing it, were enough to make Vergil feel loved and protected, which was what he had always longed for since he was a child and lost his mother. Evangeline possessed the same warm smile and concern as Eva.

Vergil spent a few weeks meditating in his room about what he really felt for Evangeline, concluding that he had fallen in love with her. He was in a phase of fascination with her. Vergil didn't look superficially; her physical appearance wasn't important. What he saw was what she held in her heart, her sincerity, and while she didn't possess a power for battle, she possessed an extraordinary power to make others feel good with a charisma and charm without being overly sweet. That power to sneak into others' hearts and provide relief was more dangerous than any enemy he had ever faced. Vergil knew he wouldn't find a person like that twice. Not even with Nero's mother had he felt a connection as deep as with Evangeline, and yet Evangeline seemed to read and understand him better than anyone else without the need for many words. Not even Dante had that ability.

Vergil was in his usual spot in the office, standing with his back against the wall, observing Evangeline. His gaze, as sharp as his katana, now softened every time he saw her. She moved with a subtlety that contrasted with the usual chaos of the place. She organized Dante's papers that looked like they had been chewed on, cleaned the dust that had accumulated from lack of care, and answered the phone with a patience that Vergil didn't understand.

Somehow, Dante always seemed to mess up all the perfect order that Evangeline tried to maintain, but that hadn't been enough for her to get seriously upset; she told herself, 'it's part of the job.'

From then on, Vergil devised his plan. It was simple: get her attention. But Vergil didn't know how to do it. Humans were so complicated. Demons were simpler: you killed them or they killed you. There was no such thing as courtship. The relationship with Nero's mother didn't count because it had only been a situation of a few nights while he had visited Fortuna; it was just sex, a physical connection, not an emotional one like with Evangeline.

His first attempt was a complete disaster. Evangeline was looking for a pen to write a message—she had to thank Dante for his habit of moving things around—and Vergil, intending to help, threw a pen with such precision for it to get there faster. He intended for the pen to land on the desk, not to be a projectile aimed at her. Evangeline had to dodge to avoid being hit. Evangeline looked at him, confused and scared.

'Vergil? What was that for!?' she asked in fear. Vergil didn't know what to say in response; he just shrugged and walked away. He didn't mean for it to be like that.

His second attempt was no better. He wanted to ask her out for a meal or on a date, as he had heard Dante say before, but the idea of a conversation terrified him. So, instead, he left a bowl of chopped fruit on her desk. Evangeline found it and thought Dante had been considerate enough to leave her some food.

'How considerate of you, Dante, thank you!' Evangeline smiled, unaware that, from the stairs, Vergil heard her and felt a pang in his chest, or rather, jealousy.

The last attempt was the most pathetic. Evangeline was on a call; there was a client who called frequently, and somehow, the client had grown fond of her (Evangeline didn't even know this). She was laughing at something the person on the other end of the phone was telling her. Vergil, with the intention of getting her attention, activated his summoned sword. The sharp sound of metal resonated in the air, and Evangeline, who was so concentrated, was startled.

'Vergil! You scared me!' she said, holding her hand to her chest.

He cleared his throat. This situation was really getting on his nerves. Why the hell was it so difficult to court a human who literally overflowed with love everywhere?

'I'm sorry,' Vergil said in a deeper voice than usual.

'Are you okay? You seem... a little strange lately,' Evangeline was a very good observer, but Vergil's behavior had surprised and worried her at the same time.

Vergil was speechless. He wanted to tell her that he was in love with her, that he watched her from a distance every day, that he couldn't stop thinking about her smile, about how her laugh lit up the room. He wanted to tell her that the pens, the fruit, and the summoned swords were the desperate attempts of a man who didn't know how to express his feelings.

But all that came out of his mouth was, 'Yes. I'm fine... See you later.'

Vergil went back upstairs, truly frustrated, his heart pounding. He watched Evangeline return to her work, oblivious to the emotional storm she had unleashed in him.

And the real question here was: How could such a powerful demon be so weak in the face of a simple smile?

The plan with the pen, the fruit, and the summoned sword had been a failure. Vergil realized that his methods were too direct for someone as subtle as Evangeline (in short, Vergil had no idea how to actually court a woman; his mind wasn't working in the best way). Gentle, patient, and with the ability to make even the most bitter person smile, she deserved more than the clumsy hints of a demon fresh out of hell.

Chapter Text

After several days of observing Evangeline, Vergil noticed the change in his plans. He watched as Evangeline placed a small flower in an empty vase on Dante's desk and in some random spots around the office—this would give the place a livelier, less gloomy feel. He noticed how she cared for her plants and how she wrote everything down in a notebook. She appreciated beauty in the simplest things.

Vergil decided to change his strategy, one that he was sure would work. If he couldn't use his words to her face, he would use someone else's. Or, rather, his own, without her knowing they came from him.

One night, while Evangeline was gone, Vergil went downstairs. The place, for once, wasn't a mess; she always left it impeccable. He sat in Dante's chair, pulled a pen from his pocket, and a piece of parchment paper he had saved from one of his power quests in the past.

The first letter was difficult. His fingers, which were accustomed to wielding Yamato, felt clumsy for a moment. If Vergil was honest, it had been a long time since he had written anything, even though it was one of his secondary hobbies. His mind, accustomed to combat strategy, couldn't find the right words. He spent what seemed like hours, when in reality only a few minutes had passed, thinking about what to write, an elegant way, but without being too direct, that would also get to the point and describe his feelings for her.

Finally, after struggling so much with his mind, the words flowed. They weren't those of a lover, not yet. They were observations, small details that only he noticed.

"To the young woman whose eyes shine like moonlight, and whose laughter dispels the darkness of this place.

I noticed that today the flower on your desk looked a little sad. I hope tomorrow the sun greets it and makes it smile, just as you make the people around you smile.

Your admirer"

Vergil left the letter, neatly folded, on Dante's desk, but signed with Evangeline's name, so Dante wouldn't have any confusion if he found the letter first. He left it right next to the empty coffee cup she usually used. Vergil left, going up the stairs to the office roof, to clear his mind and observe the little he could see of the city.

The next morning, Evangeline arrived a little early. Dante had given her a set of keys, so she wouldn't have to wait for someone to be at the door. She left her purse next to the phone, and when she grabbed her cup to drink some coffee, she saw the letter and her face lit up with curiosity. The letter had a vintage style, not to mention the beautiful calligraphy, a cursive but very legible handwriting, not the typical meaningless scribbles. The person who wrote it must have had a discipline for reading and writing. Her eyes quickly moved over the words. A genuine smile formed on her lips.

"What's that, Evangeline? Do you have a secret admirer?" asked Dante, who had come down the stairs when he heard the door open and gave her one of his typical mocking smiles.

"It seems so, but... when did this appear here?" she replied, her voice filled with joy. Evangeline had only had one suitor who later became her boyfriend; however, that relationship didn't last too long. Evangeline was someone who believed almost blindly in love and hoped that one day, a sincere and loyal love would come into her life. Maybe the time had come.

Vergil, from the stairs, felt an unknown emotion. It had shaken the rhythm of his heart, and seeing Evangeline's expression of happiness... It was satisfaction, and he liked it.

Vergil's plan became a ritual. Every two days, he would leave a new letter on Dante's desk, always addressed and signed for her. Dante was courteous enough not to open them, so as not to invade Evangeline's privacy. The letters became more personal, more poetic. They didn't speak of love, but they spoke of her:

"I noticed the melody you whistle when you think no one is listening. It's beautiful, a little sad, but with hope."

"Your hands, although small, bring order to a chaos that seems infinite. It's a talent not everyone possesses."

"I admire your strength. Not the strength of swords or magic, but the strength of your heart to be kind in a world that often isn't."

Evangeline collected the letters, reading them over and over again. She wondered who her admirer could be. She was growing fond of an admirer who had no face or name to identify him.

"Dante, have you seen anyone around here at night?" Evangeline asked once. The letters appeared when she wasn't present; maybe Dante would know something, but he just shrugged.

"I'm here from the morning and leave in the afternoon/evening. I know some clients come to drop things off for you, but never letters, at least as far as I know. Do you think it's one of the clients?"

Vergil was sitting in a armchair he had non-verbally claimed as his own. Hearing her, he felt a pang of jealousy. What if she was interested in one of the humans who visited the place? The idea bothered him.

One night, as he was writing the next letter, his thoughts became more audacious. More and more feelings were being revealed, like those of a lover.

"Today's moon looks so lonely, but it shines with a beauty that can only be admired. It reminds me of you. Alone, but shining with a unique light that illuminates the darkness.

I wonder... will I someday be the light that illuminates your path?"

And with those last words, Vergil realized that his heart was as exposed on that paper as if he had torn it from his chest.

Vergil's plan to be a secret admirer was working wonderfully. Evangeline smiled every time she found one of his letters, and he loved that feeling of warmth in his chest. However, in his attempt to be more subtle and poetic, Vergil became overconfident.

That night, as he was writing a new letter, the pen moved across the paper almost by inertia, as if it had become something normal. His words flowed freely; he was really too comfortable with it. He talked about how the aroma of the coffee she prepared was his favorite scent and how the shine in her eyes was stronger than any flame. He finished the letter with a final line and, without thinking, signed it with his initials, V.S., for "Vergil Sparda." He was so immersed in his own imagination that he didn't realize the mistake he had made.

The next morning, Evangeline arrived, hoping to find more letters from her secret admirer. She saw the letter in the same place as always and read it. Her eyes widened, and a wide smile appeared on her face. Dante had become a great confidant these days, and she would let him know about any recent developments. Apparently, the dilemma was solved.

"Dante!" she exclaimed. "I think I've figured out who my secret admirer is."

Vergil, from the kitchen while looking for some water, felt a pang of nervousness. Had she discovered the truth? How had she found out?

"Who is it?" Dante asked. The topic of love or romantic relationships wasn't something that mattered much to Dante, since he wasn't very good at them, but if this situation made Evangeline happy, he would be happy for her and would listen to her even if her chatter was infinite.

Evangeline held up the letter and pointed to the signature. "Look, it has the same initials as V.S.," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "It's one of your clients, the one who always asks you to find lost things in the cemetery. I think it's him, Vincent Smith."

Vergil froze. V.S.? Vincent Smith? That insignificant human who asked Dante to find some lost amulets and to solve the matter of his dead cat? Humiliation flooded him. Not only had she not recognized his gestures, but now she was attributing them to a nobody.

He retreated to his corner, filled with frustration and despair. The rage, which before had manifested as a destructive fury, was now a sense of powerlessness that consumed him. He wanted to scream, he wanted to break something, he wanted...

He wanted Evangeline to know the truth.

Vergil stopped with the letters for a while. His progress had worked, but the results were not as expected. He even almost took it for granted that Evangeline misunderstood everything and because of his mistake, she might go with someone else. Vergil always tried to solve his problems on his own. His mind was a prodigious gift, solving puzzles that were beyond the capacity of an ordinary human, a quick reaction in combat and his ability to solve dilemmas in a limited time, was something to admire, but on the subject of love and courtship... for the first time, he found himself trapped and needed help from someone else.

Vergil knew he would probably regret this, but he had no other options. Vergil approached Dante and Nero (who was visiting). It was clear that the two of them noticed this unusual behavior in Vergil, which was saying a lot, since this man was unfazed by anything. This was his human side asking for help.

"What's wrong, Vergil?" Dante asked, with a mocking tone. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Vergil cleared his throat, fighting against his pride. "I need... I need your help."

Dante and Nero looked at each other, completely surprised. Vergil asking for help was as strange as the sun rising at night.

"With what?" Nero asked, also surprised, hoping it wasn't a similar event from 8 months ago. "Don't tell me the world is about to end again or that you planted another stupid tree."

"No," Vergil replied, thinking very carefully about how to say the next words. "It's... Evangeline. She... she thinks I'm a human, a certain Vincent Smith. She has confused me. My letters..."

Dante let out a loud laugh. "So it was you! I had my suspicions when I saw the initials, but this is... Oh, brother! Who would have thought, in love with a human."

"The letters don't matter now," Vergil said, ignoring Dante's words. "She... I... I need her to know that I was the one who wrote them. But I don't know how to tell her. I don't know how to... how to court her."

Silence took over the room. Dante and Nero looked at him, not with mockery, but with a mixture of surprise and concern. The great Vergil, the man who had challenged demons, was left speechless before a simple mortal.

The silence in the office grew thicker. Dante and Nero watched Vergil, who, for the first time in their lives, seemed helpless. His upright posture had relaxed and his eyes, which normally shone with a cold intensity, now held an expression of pure frustration. He had faced demons of the highest level, he had cut through the fabric of reality, but the simple art of human courtship had left him completely perplexed.

Dante was the first to break the silence, with a soft, understanding laugh. "Well, brother, I see that my 'expert advice' on matters of the heart is more necessary than I thought. Come, sit down."

Dante stood up and went to the office's improvised kitchen, where he had a coffee maker. He served Vergil a cup, who took it with a look of bewilderment.

"First tip: don't give a woman a pen as if it were a weapon. The fruit is fine, but... what I still can't wrap my head around is what the hell you thought you were going to achieve with your luminous swords. Women appreciate delicacy, not chaos."

Vergil nodded, his face a mask of seriousness. "So, how do you do it?"

Dante smiled, leaning on the table with his arms crossed. "Look, Vergil. It's not about grand gestures or impressing her with your power. It's about small things that show you see her. That you listen to her. That you care for her. You embrace the demonic side of things, but this... this is a matter of the human side. It's a more subtle game. Physical contact is key. A hug, a touch, a simple brush, is important to her, but for now, just observe. Don't do it yet, as physical contact is the last step."

Vergil looked away, thinking about physical contact. Evangeline was an expert at it, always giving hugs. Vergil remembered an occasion where Evangeline sat on the double sofa he usually used and, out of tiredness, she unintentionally rested her head on Vergil's shoulder. He tensed at that moment, not knowing how to react, but seeing that his reading was not affected, he let it go. But now, the idea of a hug from her made him desire it with all his being.

Dante continued: "Give her something out of the blue. A wild flower you see on the way. A chocolate you bought at a store. Things that show you thought of her at any random moment of your day."

While Dante was talking, Nero joined the conversation. Their relationship was still somewhat complicated, but this time his old man needed help with something quite wholesome, so he contributed from his little knowledge.

"Hey, Vergil. I'm not an expert at this. I'm not like him; I'm not a flirt. For me, with Kyrie, it was different. It was more natural, more... organic. I had known her my whole life. There was no moment of 'I won her over.' I just, one day, realized I couldn't live without her. Over time, my love grew, as did my concern, my protection, and my support. I didn't court her with words. I did it with actions. That's why, Vergil, my advice is: be yourself, but the best version of yourself. She already knows you. She knows you're a man of few words, but if you show her you care in a way that only you can, she'll notice."

Vergil assimilated the words. He was so accustomed to force, to conquest, that the idea of a soft and genuine connection was alien to him. In the following days, Vergil put his new plan into action, a series of clumsy but genuine attempts at courtship.

The Five Failed Attempts at Courtship.

First Attempt: The Coffee.

Vergil noticed that Evangeline would fall asleep at her desk (it was more her thing than Dante's), exhausted from her work and not having had her daily dose of caffeine. Vergil, remembering Dante's advice to "give her something out of the blue," went to the kitchen, prepared a cup of coffee, added sugar, and left it on her desk. Evangeline, upon waking, noticed that there was a steaming cup in front of her. She took a sip and smiled.

"Ah, the best coffee in the world!" she exclaimed. "Thanks, Dante, for leaving this for me. I needed it." Dante just winked at her and let out a mocking laugh, but Vergil, seeing him, felt a pang of jealousy.

Second Attempt: The Flowers.

Nero had told him that the best way to show love was with actions. So Vergil, upon returning from a search in a nearby forest, picked a blue rose, a rare but beautiful color. When he arrived at the office, he left it on Evangeline's desk, in the vase right next to the phone. She saw it and smiled.

"How beautiful! Thanks, Dante. I love these surprises," she exclaimed, and Vergil was paralyzed for a second, going up the stairs, frustrated, feeling his pride hurt.

Third Attempt: The Book.

Evangeline was reading a book, a love story, that Vergil had noticed in her hands. The next day, he went to the city library, a place he rarely visited, and looked for a book of the same genre. He found one, a classic of romantic poetry, and left it on her desk, open to a page with a poem about unrequited love. Evangeline, upon seeing it, smiled.

"Oh, a new book! Thanks, Dante. I'll read it tonight," she said, without noticing the hint.

Vergil could feel a vein throbbing in his right temple. This whole thing was driving him crazy, and his progress seemed to be getting further and further away, leading her in a direction it shouldn't.

Fourth Attempt: The Food.

Dante said that food was the surest way to a woman's heart. Vergil, in a moment of desperation, went to a restaurant, bought Evangeline's favorite dessert: a slice of chocoflan and left it on her desk. She saw it and took a bite.

"Mmm, how delicious! Thanks, Dante! You've outdone yourself with this gift," she said, and Vergil, almost by instinct, was about to unsheathe Yamato. If he heard Evangeline thank Dante again, Vergil would make sure to stab Yamato into his chest while he was sleeping or off guard.

Fifth Attempt: The Emotional Support.

One night, Evangeline was working late. She was tired, and Vergil saw her rub her eyes. In an attempt to be like Nero, to show his support in a more subtle way, Vergil sat on the sofa, closed his eyes, and just stayed there, keeping her company. Evangeline got up, saw Vergil on the sofa, and smiled at him.

"You must be tired too, Vergil. You look exhausted. It's time to go to bed."

And Vergil went up the stairs, defeated, knowing that his plan hadn't worked. He sat in his chair, frustrated, his heart pounding hard. He had tried, he had tried to follow the advice of his brother and his son, but it had all been in vain. Evangeline still didn't see his attempts, his infatuation.

Vergil felt frustration burning inside him like a cold fire, clenching his fists. His pride had been hurt, but what was really consuming him was fear. The fear that his failed attempts would lead Evangeline into his brother's arms.

Evangeline had already gone home, so Vergil went back down to the office to look for Dante and talk to him. Dante and Nero (who was visiting again) watched him, noticing the rare vulnerability on his face.

"Hey, Vergil. What's wrong? I already told you not to despair. Conquest is a subtle art."

Vergil looked up, his blue eyes burning with worry, sighing deeply.

"Dante, she... she thinks all those things are from you. Every coffee, every flower, every book... And if it continues like this, she'll end up falling in love with you, not me."

Dante was surprised by his brother's honesty. He had heard the fear in his voice, even if it was very subtle.

"Vergil, that's not going to happen. She's not going to fall in love with me. I'm just... Dante. I'm her boss. I'm fond of her, but not in that way. It's as if she were the younger sister we never had, but you do love her. And maybe deep down, she knows it. She knows you're a good man, a gentleman, perhaps."

Nero, who had been listening in silence, joined the conversation. "Hey, old man, she already knows you're a good guy. You just have to find a way to let her know. And if you show her you care in the right way, she'll notice."

Vergil's face softened. "But... how?"

Dante smiled. "Don't worry. We'll handle it."

The Plan of Dante and Nero: The "Gentleman" Operation.

In the following days, Dante and Nero put their plan into action. They wouldn't try to make Vergil approach Evangeline, but rather they would make her see him with different eyes.

The First Attempt: The Truth Behind the Kindness.

Evangeline was working at her desk when Dante approached.

"The coffee is great, thanks, Dante. You know, without this, I can't function for the rest of the day."

"You know, regarding the coffee you've been drinking in the mornings these days, it's from Vergil. He prepares it and leaves it on your desk. He's always here, waiting for you to arrive to make sure you have coffee."

Evangeline blushed. "No, Dante. That's ridiculous. You're the one who gives me coffee."

"No, really," Dante insisted. "He always stays here, waiting for you to arrive so you can work peacefully."

Evangeline was speechless.

The Second Attempt: The Book and the Poetry.

A few days later, Evangeline was reading the book Vergil had left her when Nero approached her.

"The calligraphy in this book is impressive. It looks a lot like the old man. I could swear it's a copy of the one in his diaries."

Evangeline looked up from the book. "Really? It's so delicate and perfect. I didn't think Vergil would have such beautiful handwriting. In fact, Vergil is a strong and very... masculine guy. I don't think he reads poetry, does he?"

"Actually, the day I found out he was my father, he left me a book of poetry. I guess it was his way of giving me a gift, or a way to connect with him," Nero said with a smile. "According to Dante, their mother, Eva, raised both of them to be well-spoken and to behave like gentlemen. She taught them to read poetry, but Dante wasn't really interested. Eva even taught Vergil to play the violin, in short, to be a gentleman to a lady in the old-fashioned way. And I'm sure she would be proud that he gave you this book."

Evangeline blushed and looked down, realizing how much she still had to get to know Vergil better. Evangeline began to feel more intrigued by Vergil after learning this information.

The Third Attempt: The Food and the Attention.

Dante approached Evangeline while she was eating the cake Vergil had bought for her (again). It was chilled and perfect, neither too sweet nor too simple.

At this point, Evangeline was no longer so sure that the things she found on her desk were a courtesy from Dante, and he was about to confirm it himself.

"He bought it and left it on the desk, waiting for you to eat it."

Evangeline was surprised. "Really? But... why didn't he tell me?"

"Because he's Vergil, Evangeline," Dante said. "He's a man of few words. But when he loves, he does it with his heart. And he cares that you eat and take care of yourself."

Evangeline looked at the cake, and a smile appeared on her lips.

Dante and Nero's plan was working. Evangeline, for the first time, was seeing Vergil with different eyes. He was no longer the mysterious and solitary man who sat on his armchair, but a man who cared for her, observed her, and loved her, even if they were simple details.

Vergil, from the kitchen, had heard everything. He just acted uninterested, but for the first time, he felt relieved. It was a way to show what he felt for her, but... he still hadn't spoken to her directly to confirm his true feelings, and not knowing what could happen kept him tense. What could happen next?

It was 4 pm, and light filtered through the window. Vergil looked at the desk, where Evangeline was laughing with Dante. She looked so radiant, her red hair shining brightly. Evangeline and that smile... could melt anyone's heart, and that included his. A warmth took over his chest. It was a feeling he hadn't felt since the loss of his mother. Vergil remembered seeing his mother smile the same way with his father, Sparda (a demon so powerful, he had fallen at the feet of a simple human), and as a result, the twins were born.

Chapter Text

Vergil had never stopped to think about why Sparda had stayed with a human until... Vergil finally understood. He never thought he would find such happiness in a being that was fragile and a small spark, a small instant in time. Vergil would live longer than Evangeline, and before that became a depressing thought, he told himself that he would take advantage of all the time he could at her side, whether as her partner or just as a friend. Vergil also contemplated the idea that she would only accept his kindness but wouldn't see beyond a possible love, only as a friend.

He decided that he could no longer depend on others for his happiness. He had fought against demons, gods, and even his own brother, but now, the greatest challenge was that of his own heart. That night, Vergil sat at his desk, with a pen in his hand and a piece of paper. He wasn't going to write another letter. He was going to write the final letter.

To the woman of my heart:

Night has fallen over the city, and silence has invaded me. As the moon shines in the sky, I wonder if you, like me, feel the loneliness that invades me. I have fallen in love with you, a love that grows in my heart, but a love that, perhaps, is not reciprocated.

I have tried to get closer to you, but I have run into my own limitations. The fear of losing you has invaded me, the fear that you will not see me with the same eyes.

I have made mistakes and of great magnitude, but you seem to forgive each of them, as if your heart were made of a kind material, one that is capable of understanding and giving comfort without needing to mention a word.

There is so much in this world that I want to travel with you, if possible, to discover what has already been discovered, since with you every step or moment feels like a new daily sensation.

You have given me a comfort that I was not willing to accept, but in some way, you managed to seep into the deepest part of my being, an internal struggle whether to accept or believe that I deserve to live happiness like an ordinary man. It would cost me too much to have to say goodbye if I ever stopped seeing you, because at this point, I cannot conceive of the idea of you not being around me.

That is why I am writing this letter to you, so that you know that my feelings are sincere, that my heart belongs to you. I know I am not a man of words, but my soul has called to you. I would try to give you the whole world if you asked me to.

My soul cries out for you and I don't know how to describe these feelings. But, for the first time, I feel a warmth, one that I had not felt again since I lost my mother.

That is why I ask you to see me with different eyes, to give me an opportunity to show you that I am a man who can love you, care for you, and protect you. That I can give you what you deserve.

Sincerely,

V.S.

Vergil thought very carefully about the content of the letter. To be honest for the first time, presenting himself as he was, there were many things that Evangeline didn't know about him, all his pain, his trauma that tormented him to this day and didn't let him sleep in peace, fearing that those painful memories would return to his mind while he tried to rest. Vergil didn't even remember when was the last time he truly slept and didn't dream of anything that could hurt him. He carefully folded the letter, placed it in an envelope, and left it on Evangeline's desk. She would see it in the morning.

The next morning, Dante and Nero secretly put their plan into action, encouraging Vergil to declare himself. If something went wrong, they would be there to comfort him, but the expected outcome was that Evangeline would say yes. For the first time, Dante was cleaning his office, to save Evangeline work, so that the place would look presentable and smell pleasant (it had taken Evangeline at least a week to keep this place impeccable and get rid of the smell of pizza from the environment, now she tried to remind her boss that if he was going to buy takeout, to keep the mess to a minimum, that the extra pay was not enough). Nero also collaborated while Vergil tried to look as presentable as possible, not a single hair out of place and wearing a soft cologne, a recommendation from Nero.

'Women like those subtle details, and perfumes earn points. I'll recommend a soft but striking one. I'm sure Evangeline will like it, and if she gets close to you, let her be.'

Evangeline had arrived at the office. Today of all days, she had decided to get her hair touched up, making her ends wavy, blush on her cheeks, mascara, and a red lipstick, but this was a softer shade, as if she wanted to give the effect of natural red lips. Vergil knew it was time to go down thanks to his super-developed hearing.

While a conversation was going on downstairs between the three of them, Vergil was nervous, his neck and the palms of his hands were sweating. He still didn't know if she had already read his letter and what she thought about it. When Evangeline heard the steps coming down the stairs, she exchanged glances with Vergil, for what seemed like an eternity, but in reality, it was only a few minutes. At this moment, Dante and Nero decided it was a good idea to leave and give the couple some space so they could talk.

'Well, the two of us have something to take care of. Evangeline, you're in charge while we're away and be nice to Vergil, will you?'

Evangeline was confused by Dante's words. Before she could open her mouth to ask what he meant, the two of them had already disappeared through the door. She sighed in defeat and turned to look at the documents on the desk. Now a light brown envelope had appeared, tied with a red satin ribbon. The knot was very pretty, elegant, and the ends matched.

Vergil stayed near the desk, to see her reaction firsthand, something he hadn't done before. Evangeline saw that the envelope had no sender, just her name. She assumed it was from her 'admirer' (Evangeline still didn't know that the letters came from Vergil).

The paper was the same as the previous letters, and that impeccable handwriting, it was like in her love books. For a moment, she felt like she was living a love story like in her books. For the first time, she felt like a protagonist, a shame there was no face to identify her admirer. Evangeline stood still when she began to read the letter carefully. The words on the paper sounded so familiar to her. The letter no longer came from a client, but from someone she lived with daily.

The fragment of the letter, 'It would cost me too much to have to say goodbye if I ever stopped seeing you, because at this point, I cannot conceive of the idea of you not being around me,' made Evangeline's heart race. Evangeline knew of only one man who could dedicate such words, risky in battle, but fearful of confessing.

'Vergil... did you... did you write this?'

Vergil and Evangeline were left alone. Silence took over the office, only broken by the sound of her heart, which was beating fast. Vergil could hear her accelerated heart, her nervousness, without knowing it was a shared feeling.

'Vergil... is what the letter says true? Do you really feel this way about me?' Evangeline asked, with a mixture of nervousness and curiosity.

Vergil swallowed, searching for the words. 'Yes. I have been watching you. Since I first saw you, you have intrigued me. Your laugh, the way you talk, your kindness. I don't know how to describe these feelings to you... they are real. They are... strong.'

Evangeline blushed, and a smile appeared on her lips, but at the same time, she swallowed, as if she was afraid of being wrong. When it had been so 'easy' to talk to him before, now it was hard for her to keep his gaze with hers.

'Vergil... I don't know what to say. I... I thought one of the clients was my admirer, I even came to think that Dante might feel something more than appreciation. That he had been watching me.'

Vergil nodded. 'I know. And being the most sincere I have ever been, I'm afraid you will reject me. I'm afraid... that you will disappear if this situation becomes uncomfortable, for whatever reason.'

Evangeline gathered her courage and approached him, taking his hands. 'Vergil... this is something new for me. I really didn't think you would harbor such feelings for me. I understand that your character is reserved and you don't usually talk more than necessary, but... I think I like it. I know I confused many things this month, partly it's your fault for not being more direct.'

Vergil just sighed. She was right, but how to do it well if he had never been in a similar position before? He never expected her to affect him too much, to the point of getting to his bones.

'I'm not going to leave your life, and to be honest, I've been intrigued by you. Since I first saw you at that door, there was something about you that I couldn't stop looking at, and for some time I've felt that warmth you talk about. It's something comforting, as if I were at home. And that's why... I want you to show me your true self, that you are the man you say you are. The man who will love me, who will care for me, and who will protect me.'

Vergil nodded. 'I promise not to break my word. When I set my mind to something, I try to fulfill it no matter the cost. I feel like my human side is screaming inside, hungry for those feelings, for protection and to feel loved, what I lost since I was a child... I'm not going to pressure you for an answer. I want you to let me know when you're ready. You, better than anyone, know that I'm somewhat reluctant to physical contact, but when you put your head on my shoulder or hold my arms for a few seconds, I feel comfortable, as if I need more of that.'

Evangeline shortened the distance between them, and Vergil hugged her tightly. He felt unable to let her go. Without words, they said everything to each other. And in that hug, the two of them knew that this was the beginning of a new story.

Vergil's confession had left Evangeline with a whirlwind of emotions. Her mind, once as organized as her desk, was now a chaos of unanswered questions. The letters, the coffee, the flowers... everything made sense now. The gestures she had attributed to Dante were, in fact, the clumsy and sweet expression of a man who was falling in love. And that man was Vergil.

At least three weeks had passed since the confession. Vergil didn't say much, the usual, but small gestures like her coffee or gentle caresses on her head made her more nervous than she would have liked to admit. Evangeline, who had always felt comfortable in her own body, now felt clumsy. Every time Vergil approached, her hands would sweat, her heart would race, and her mouth would go dry.

Dante's Advice and Eva's Story.

Evangeline couldn't concentrate much on her work. Luckily, there wasn't much to focus on, however, she needed advice. Even though both feelings were reciprocated, Evangeline didn't know when to take the step. She needed to talk to someone. Someone who understood her. And that someone was Dante.

Dante had bought pizza and offered some to Evangeline, so he told her to sit together on Vergil's armchair and talk for a while. He knew she wasn't focused; it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but she wasn't acting as she usually did.

'Evangeline, what's wrong? You don't seem like yourself. If I'm not mistaken... Is it about Vergil?'

Evangeline nodded, and suddenly, tears rolled down her cheeks. 'Dante... I don't know what to do. I don't know how to act. We talked about this, but... sometimes I feel like we are so different. I don't know if this can work.'

Dante smiled and gave her a hug. 'Evangeline. Vergil isn't as different as you think. He is a man. A man who feels, who suffers, who loves. And he loves you. He loves you for your kindness, for your smile, for your soul. And if you're not ready to give him a chance, don't. But don't deny yourself the opportunity to get to know the best version of my brother.'

Dante led her to the desk and showed her a photograph. It was an old, worn photo of a woman with blonde hair, a gentle smile, and eyes that shone with warmth. It was Eva.

'She was my mother, Eva. I know you've seen this image several times, and she was like you. She had that same warmth, that same kindness. She was the only person in the world who could make Vergil smile. She loved him with all her heart and he loved her. Mother taught him to be a gentleman or to try to be one, and she always wanted to teach us to love in the right way. Despite what happened, I'm sure she would have always wanted the best for us and surely she would have adored you. And Vergil, despite what you believe, has potential. A gentleman who is so clumsy with his feelings that he is afraid to show them to you. But if you give him a chance, I assure you that he will be the best version of himself for you.'

Evangeline was moved. Eva's story gave her a different perspective of Vergil. He was no longer a powerful and cold demon, but a man who had lost his mother and who had suffered in his life. A man who now had a heart for her.

Evangeline was grateful that Dante was always there for her. When he put his mind to it, he was the best at giving advice, but... there was also another aspect that Evangeline hadn't considered. Evangeline was an adult, something she shared with Nero, it was the age, and that put her between a rock and a hard place. She loved Nero very much, but she didn't know what Nero thought about this relationship and that she would be dating none other than his father. Evangeline knew that sooner or later, the conversation would have to arise.

Nero was staying in Redgrave at Dante's request, so around 5 pm, Evangeline went to talk to Nero. She found him in his room, cleaning his sword after the mission he had had with Dante. Evangeline knocked on the door and a low 'come in' was heard.

'Nero... can I talk to you for a moment?' Evangeline asked, with a low voice.

Nero nodded and she sat on the corner of the bed. 'Sure, Evangeline. What's wrong?'

Evangeline told him everything, her nervousness, her fear, her clumsiness. She told him her concern about the great age difference.

'Nero... you are Vergil's son. How do you feel about this? If I decide to give Vergil a chance, would you feel comfortable?'

Nero laughed and patted her on the shoulder. 'Evangeline. My father is an idiot. An idiot who abandoned me, who made me suffer. But he is my father after all, and my relationship with him is... complicated, but we have made progress, even if it's just a little. I wouldn't say he's my favorite person, but I have some appreciation for him. I guess it's weird since you could be my sister, but I guess age between demons works differently than for humans. And... if he loves you, and you love him, nothing else matters to me. The only thing that matters to me is that you are both happy.'

'Sometimes I wonder... what was the relationship between your mother and Vergil like?' Evangeline asked.

Nero gave a bitter laugh, but since he had confidence in Evangeline, he had no problem being honest. 'I don't really know what their love story was like, if there was one. I never met both of them. Maybe I was just the product of one night, or maybe Vergil loved her in some way, and he left before he knew she was pregnant. Love doesn't have to be perfect, but it does have to be real. And if my father's love is real, and I know it is, then the age difference doesn't matter, nor the past. Only the present matters.'

Evangeline nodded, feeling relieved. She had the blessing of Dante and Nero. And with that, she felt that she could give Vergil a chance.

'So, what are you going to do?' Nero asked.

Evangeline smiled. 'I feel more relieved knowing that you are okay with this relationship. There are still things to think about, but I think in the end I'll give him a chance.'

'If he ever acts like an idiot, don't hesitate to tell me. He knows I can kick his ass.'

Several days had passed since the talk with Nero. The atmosphere in the office had changed. There were no longer mysterious letters or anonymous gifts, just a soft and nervous tension between Vergil and Evangeline. She, following the advice of Dante and Nero, had decided to take a step forward, but her nerves betrayed her every time they were alone.

That afternoon, the office was unusually quiet. Dante and Nero had gone on a job, and only Vergil and Evangeline were present. Vergil was sitting in his corner, seemingly engrossed in a book. Evangeline, at her desk, pretended to be busy with some documents, when she was really trying to see Vergil with her peripheral vision, checking if he was looking at her.

Vergil looked up from the book and noticed her nervousness. To ease the atmosphere, and with a gesture that showed the new confidence he had gained, he got up from his chair and approached her.

'Could... could you listen to me for a moment?' Vergil asked.

Evangeline nodded, her voice stuck in her throat.

Vergil sat on the edge of her desk, with the book open in his hands. 'My mother used to read to me when I was a child, and many of those books were poetry. She taught me to see the beauty in words. There's a poem in this book that... that reminds me of you.'

Evangeline blushed. 'I'll gladly listen, but... I'm not very good at poetry. Sometimes I don't understand what they mean.'

Vergil smiled, a small, soft smile that Evangeline had never seen. "Don't worry. I'll explain it to you."

He began to read, his deep and resonant voice filling the silence.

In the silence of my soul, a secret dwelled, a truth that time had chained. I watched you from afar, in your light I was lost, while my voice was silent, and my courage fled.

Each of your laughs, an echo within me, each gesture, a dart of sweet pain. I built walls, for fear of falling, fearing that my love would not blossom.

The words slept, and my heart beat, an incessant drum in the night and day. A thousand times I dreamed of taking your hand, and fear dragged me to a distant port.

But one day the strength of your gaze, awakened in my chest an unusual thirst. Cowardice turned to dust, doubt was broken, and the river of my soul, finally overflowed.

With a trembling voice, I spoke to you of my feelings, of this stored love, without being able to flee. I told you of the silence, of the cruel wait, of how my world revolved around your skin.

And then your smile, calmed my storm, when with your gaze, you reciprocated me. In your eyes I saw the echo of my own truth, the mirror of a love, with equal intensity.

My soul in an instant, felt light, the weight of the years, turned to air. And in this new dawn, happiness blossomed, the heart that loved in secret, was finally freed.

Now my chest overflows, with an unmatched light, the joy of your love, my port, my sea. Because fear became history, the wait an end, and this shared love, is now my truth.

Evangeline listened with attention, her heart beating fast. She noticed the intensity of his voice and the depth of Vergil's gaze.

'I know that maybe the poem isn't so clear, my love, but I want you to understand what each verse means.'

When I say that 'in the silence of my soul, a secret dwelled,' I'm referring to all this time that I felt things for you and didn't dare to tell you. Those feelings were my secret. I lived with them, but I didn't dare to let them out. 'I built walls' out of fear that you wouldn't love me, that you would leave my side if you knew what I felt. The fear of losing you made me hide what was really happening in my heart.

'The incessant drum' I mention is the beating of my heart. Every time I saw you, I felt it would pop out of my chest. That feeling was always with me, at all times.

There was a day when I couldn't take it anymore. Seeing you, I realized that continuing to be silent was torture. It was at that moment that the fear of not telling you surpassed the fear of being rejected. That's why I say that 'the river of my soul, finally overflowed.' I gathered my courage and confessed everything I felt.

When you reciprocated, I felt an immense relief. The weight I had carried for so long disappeared. That's why I say that 'the weight of the years, turned to air.' That love that I had kept, suddenly became free, shared with you.

Now, every day is a joy. The waiting is over, and fear no longer exists. The poem is my way of telling you that you are the port I always wanted to reach. You are the calm I needed and the most beautiful truth that has happened to me.'

Evangeline listened to him with a mixture of tenderness and admiration. If Vergil spoke to her in that tone daily, she would never let him shut up. She had never imagined that Vergil could feel so much. Her heart melted as she listened to his words.

Vergil finished the poem and closed the book. The atmosphere was charged with emotion. Evangeline, not knowing what to say, just looked at him, her eyes filled with tears.

Vergil, with a gesture full of audacity and confidence, extended his hand, delicately pushed a lock of hair from Evangeline's face and placed it behind her ear. With his fingers still on her cheek, he stroked it gently, and their eyes met. Vergil leaned in and tenderly kissed her lips, a delicate, soft, and warm touch.

The gesture was so sweet, so unexpected, that Evangeline felt her heart jump out of her chest. Vergil withdrew, and with a smile, he said: 'I want you to know that I am here for you. Always.'

Evangeline still hadn't gotten over that moment, where he had kissed her. For some time, she had noticed Vergil's lips; they were very pretty, full, and had a pronounced cupid's bow. When she knew she had a feeling for him, she wondered what those lips would feel like caressing hers.

Evangeline grabbed Vergil's forearm, not wanting to let him go. She gathered her courage and kissed him. What happened before wasn't enough. The kiss wasn't rushed. She tried to give him an exploratory kiss, a combination of mint and cherry. Suddenly, Vergil's lips were her favorite thing, so soft, and his lower lip was larger than his upper one. She would gladly kiss these lips without fail from now on. Evangeline could only think:

'To whoever hears me, let me live this experience daily. I ask that nothing can separate me from him...'

As they separated from the kiss, Vergil held her tight against his chest (obviating the height difference as it was quite noticeable, Evangeline was only 1.54 cm and Vergil 1.96 cm; she reached almost to his chest). Although Evangeline had not given a clear verbal answer, the kiss was more than enough to tell him yes. There was a long way to go in this relationship, many things to confess and heal. Vergil knew that she would always be there to listen to him and comfort him. Without realizing it, she had been doing it for some time. He would make sure to show her that even the coldest and most calculating demon could be the gentlest creature with the person who had invaded his heart.

'Your arms are my safe place, where nothing and no one can hurt me.'