Tinder!

[temperedinpride]

!!

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[auguryofinnocence]

...That is already sweet and generous, you'll have to forgive me if I cling too hard.

[temperedinpride]

Sweet I will grant, but generous? I am being entirely greedy.

[auguryofinnocence]

When I've known little more than contempt otherwise? It is to me. That is what makes it so difficult to comprehend.

[temperedinpride]

Cling as hard as you wish then. Do not think I will reject you now.

[auguryofinnocence]

[One of his hands moves into Lahabrea's hair, not remotely trying to hide the demand and possessiveness of it.]

You could try, but I couldn't let you. I might have cared not to appear too obsessive or dependent, at one point. But not now.

[temperedinpride]

[He just smiled at that, cupping his hand over Vergil's.]

I would not have you hide anything from me. I want all of you, Vergil. Every part of you. You are mine, heart and soul. You will let me accept every piece of you.

[auguryofinnocence]

[He laughs a little, letting his head drop a bit to press against Lahabrea's cheek instead.]

Even the part that becomes too excited and nearly tries to kill you?

[temperedinpride]

Are you still concerned about that?

Yes, even that part. Especially since I invited it.

[auguryofinnocence]

Mm, just checking.

[He sits back, but not out of Lahabrea's lap. He's content to remain there.]

...I...have a small predicament. Or two.

[temperedinpride]

What is it?

[auguryofinnocence]

[Okay but how does he say it...]

Raven told me he loves me? I don't...know what to do.

[temperedinpride]

[Somehow doesn't look surprised? ]

Oh? Are you required to do anything? How do you feel about it?

[auguryofinnocence]

[At least act like you didn't know???]

I...don't know. I have mostly been in shock, frankly. But yes, I do have to do something even if that is acting as if it never happened.

[temperedinpride]

[Nah. Besides he won't lie to Vergil like that.]

Is it so shocking?

Though I suppose yes, that is one thing you can do about it, if you do not wish things to change.

[auguryofinnocence]

How is it not shocking? Maybe to someone like you, who must be used to hearing such things.

[temperedinpride]

What part of me is used to being confessed to?

[He waves a hand to dismiss that though.]

We are talking about you. What do you want, Vergil? How do you feel about him? Honestly, sincerely.

[auguryofinnocence]

I am never quite sure how I feel about him, I could hate and love him in equal parts. I don't know if I am offended or flattered.

[temperedinpride]

Why is that? All of it.

[auguryofinnocence]

Because he is "me" enough that I can't stand seeing myself in him. Or he will use "I know how you think" to push me or try to demand something he isn't entitled to. And if he isn't being entitled then it's self-depreciating and assuming I am full of contempt for him.

But even if I did despise him so much, I couldn't help wanting to protect him or having some sympathy for other things we share. Even some of those things that can make me hate him enough to want to kill him. When we are getting along, there's hardly anything I would like to do better. ...And I can't forget he tried to help me when I first arrived.

[temperedinpride]

You are inextricably linked to him, as complex as that is.

[He runs his fingers through Vergil's hair.]

How did it feel when he told you?

[auguryofinnocence]

As I said, shocked. Trying to make sense of it and not act on some cruel impulse.

[temperedinpride]

Hm, did you want to hurt him for loving you?

[auguryofinnocence]

...Something like that. I do not always have a charitable view of others' vulnerability, disgust at best, the desire to harm them at worst. Not nearly so consistent or extreme as I may have been once, but it is there. He tends to bring it out more than usual.

[temperedinpride]

Perhaps a bit of self-punishment with that sadism? For him of all people to dare see you and think softly of you, how could you not recoil? Wouldn't that mean part of you might forgive yourself? When even you don't feel as if you could, here he is loving you.

Something like that?

[auguryofinnocence]

...I suppose that might be part of it.