Complicated homecoming...

[superstylishsquid]

It had been years since Alastor had last seen this town, bustling with humans and reeking of demons. It was almost comforting...if not for the fact that he knew his master was here. The master he'd abandoned without a word, who would be fully justified in striking him down for his insubordination. But it wasn't in Alastor's nature to run. He'd had his taste of freedom, now it was time to face the consequences. If he was lucky, maybe he could come out on top this time and be truly free.

But that would be once he entered Devil May Cry, something he would wait until daytime for. He didn't want to catch his master just returning from a demon hunt and ready to shoot anything that had fangs and claws. So in the darkness of the desert night, he stood atop a building across from the Devil Hunter's shop. His senses were attuned for any hint of magic approaching him, but he might not register an ordinary human right away.

Comments

[superstylishsquid]

"Don't worry, I'm used to watching my back. I'll be fine."

He heads for the door with a wave, but instead of opening it, walks through a ripple in the air and disappears.

[patricided]

She rolls her eyes. "Better be." It comes out as a mutter as he's walking away. Watching him go.

She doesn't turn around until she's sure she's gotten the worst of the blush under control.

"You alright with letting him take the job?"

[hellspawnedhero]

"Yeah. He wants to play delicate for the construction equipment, I'm not gonna complain about not getting hounded to pay damages."

He gives her an unusually thoughtful look as he scoops a slice of pizza out of the box.

"Ain't that interesting, though."

[patricided]

She shrugs and raises an eyebrow at him.

"What was?"

Don't you date say what she thinks you're going to say, Dante.

[hellspawnedhero]

"Don't think I've ever seen you blush like that before. Is there...actually something between the two of you?"

[patricided]

"I wasn't blushing." Not that lying will change anything. She holds her other arm and chews her lips thinking.

"I dunno. We haven't really discussed it in depth. Does it matter if it is or not?"

[hellspawnedhero]

"Not sure..."

He shifts slightly, visibly uncomfortable.

"Kinda makes me wonder when you changed your mind, though."

[patricided]

"Huh? I...why?"

[hellspawnedhero]

"Well, he's a demon, ain't he? Thought you said you'd have to be desperate."

[patricided]

"Do I look desperate to you?"

Now you're just annoying her.

"Why's it matter to you anyway? Not like you're particularly invested in my love life."

[hellspawnedhero]

He winces at that and plops down into his chair with a sigh.

"Didn't figure it was any of my business. Guess it's still not, but hey. At least now I know it's not 'cause I ain't human."

[patricided]

"It wasn't." It could have been though, if he'd been persistent.

"You're human where it counts."

[hellspawnedhero]

"That's something..."

He shakes his head, then puts on a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"Well, long as you're happy with each other, I can't object."

[patricided]

"You don't look too happy that you can't."

[hellspawnedhero]

"Not my business. Might be an ass, but I'm not gonna let a bit of disappointment make me butt in on someone else's personal life."

[patricided]

"Uh-huh. I've known for my entire adult life at this point. That isn't going to fly."

[hellspawnedhero]

He shrugs, hands out to the side.

"No point in arguing it, is there?"

[patricided]

"I don't know. Is it important to you?"

[hellspawnedhero]

"Would it change anything if it was?"

[patricided]

"If it is that generally means it's worth fighting for. Or are we going to rehash the entire platform our friendship is built on?"

[hellspawnedhero]

He's visibly surprised at her description of their relationship, but looks away as he bites his lip.

"What matters is that you're happy. I'm not gonna interfere just 'cause it's not the way I wanted it."

[patricided]

They are friends. You don't just keep going back to someone and stick with them for 15 years because you hate them. And money can only buy so much patience. Seems like Alastor was right and she should have told him that a lot sooner.

"You're an idiot."

[hellspawnedhero]

He shrugs again with a noise of frustration.

"What'm I gonna do? Call Alastor up and tell 'im we're interested in the same girl? Knowing that guy, he'd back off just 'cause he's that determined to show me he's loyal."

[patricided]

She pinches the bridge of her nose even as her stomach does a weird little flip.

"Have you even bothered to ask him why he does that?"

[hellspawnedhero]

"I dunno. To make up for running off, I guess? He thought I was gonna take it personally or something."