darkinferno | [ic inbox]

[She knows, and probably has since the beginning, even in the back of her mind. Victoria is gone, and no amount of searching is going to bring her back. Even if they did find her, she'd probably have no idea who they are. It's hard to say which would be worse.]

It's... okay, Dante. [She takes a deep breath, rubbing her eyes. Don't break down. Not in public. At least stay strong until no one else can see.]

Thank you for helping, at least.

[It's not the most natural gesture that he's ever made, but it is sincere, the way he reaches out to wrap his arm around her shoulders and tug her to him, if she'll let him. His expression dares anybody around them to say or even think a word, no matter that people aren't even really paying attention to them.

He might not be good at relationships, but he can at least be a rock in a storm. That much, he's capable of.]

It's all right. If I could've done more, I would've.

Do you want to come back to my place for a little while instead of...?

[He doesn't finish the phrase: "instead of going back home alone." From when his grandmother passed away, he's sure it's already lurking there in her mind.]

[The little tug is all Vera needs to bury herself in Dante's chest, arms wrapping tight around him. Being alone is the absolute last thing she wants to do right now, not in the apartment she used to share, filled with Victoria's things and all the memories they've made together in those short few months.

Nodding into his chest, air catches in her lungs, and though she wants to reply, all that comes out is a simpering whine.]

[He's not expecting the little whine--nor is he expecting the way it makes his heart twist, an almost painful sympathy he isn't expecting filling him. Would he be like this if Ari were the one to disappear? He doesn't want to think about it; he's certain he'd break.]

Come on, I'll drive.

[His voice is quieter as he gives her a tight squeeze. They'll get back to his place and then the two of them can block out the rest of the world until it starts to get a little bit easier for Vera. But until then, he's going to stay with her.]

[Vera is silent the whole ride home, stuck in her head, lost in all the little things she knows she'll never see again. The rest of the world is barely noticed as she sits wringing her hands in her lap. Why did this have to happen? Why couldn't she at least have known? Maybe she could have prepared herself better for this.

When they arrive at Dante's, the heiress settles herself politely on the couch, eyes cast towards the floor.]

Thank you, Dante...

[There's despondency in every line of her body, but especially in the way she seats herself. She's regressing back to the behavior that's been trained into her, back into how she'd act if she were at a stranger's place, or if he were the sort of rich kid that was going to use her feelings against her. Dante watches her for just a moment, a small frown on his face, and then he's headed into the kitchen to rustle around for a couple minutes.

He comes back with two glasses, each holding a giant chunk of ice and a not-insignificant pour of bourbon. (Yeah, technically bourbon's supposed to be drank neat, but Vera's not exactly a seasoned drinker yet, so...) Holding one out in offering, he drops to the couch beside her.]

Here. It'll help.

[Look nobody ever said he handles his emotions well.]

[It's all she has. The heiress has never been good at expressing her emotions, unable to process this spiral of depression, frustration, and helplessness, that she has little recourse other than to shut down. The teachings of her father well up inside her, even if she isn't totally aware of it.

Speak only when spoken to. Keep your head down. Smile, or you're going to upset your guests.

Her lips curl upward in the most unsure of ways as she takes the glass from her friend. She swirls it, shakily, mostly because that's what she's seen people do in the movies, before taking a sip. The liquor burns, and she has to recoil slightly to clear her throat. Still, her tiny painted smile never falters.]

...Thank you.

[He watches her drink, but Dante shakes his head, turning to lean back against the back of the couch. He doesn't look at her directly, but he will give her a glance out of the corner of his eye.]

You know, you don't have to pretend it's all right.

If you want to sit here nice and pretty and pretend you're some porcelain doll with no feelings, I won't stop you. But...

[A shrug.]

You're safe here.

I...

[She grips her glass, looking down at it.]

Do I... really look like that?

A little bit.

It might not be what you're going for, but... [He gestures her way.] Back ramrod straight, feet together, hands in your lap, that whole smile-while-the-world-is-coming-down-around-you thing...

[He's guilty of it too, though he tends more toward sullenness and sarcasm no matter what's going on around him.]

I know people like us aren't supposed to have emotions, but that's a choice you get to make for yourself.

God, I'm such a fucking robot...

[She takes another drink, handling this one a bit better.]

This is what happens when I let myself get close to someone...

It's not your fault, Vera. Our parents... that's what they're looking for, robots. If you're not a robot, you get sent away.

[There's nothing he can say to that second part, though. After all, it's the same for him. He expects that Ari's going to leave him at some point too--he's almost certain of it. And yet...]

It's hard to resist when they're right there, perfect.

[It's quiet, and he's not looking at Vera when he says it. But how could either of them have resisted?]

It just... felt so good to be loved. I didn't want to think about anything else.

[It was foolish to think it would last forever, but she had hoped it would be longer than it was. To be wrapped up in the arms of your beloved, only to have them gone when you open your eyes, it totally crushed the tiny bit of spirit she was just starting to get back.]

I know. You go so long thinking that you'll never find it, so you have to grab hold of it while you've got the chance.

[A long drink of bourbon.]

You think there'll ever be a day when we don't wind up alone in the end?

I don't think I can answer that question right now.

[But she will squirm up against Dante's side, resting her head on his shoulder.]

Yeah. Me either.

[He'll wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

Just hang out here, Vera. They'll get drunk together and while it won't help... it might numb the pain for a bit.]

[And close she'll move, until her whole body is nestled up against him. As upset as she is right now, she can't help but feel a bit better with him beside her.]

At least I have you...

Yeah, you do.

[Beat.]

Even up to giving you an heir, if that's what you need.

Yeah, I can always rely on...

[Wait. She grips his shoulder, looking up at him.]

What was that?

[He's trying not to let his expression crack.]

You said you might need me to, right? Give you an heir someday.

When on Earth would I ever say that?

[She sits up a bit, moving her head off his shoulder to look him in the eye.]

[Oh, all right, fine. He'll take pity on her. Finally Dante lets the smile cross his face, nudging her with his shoulder.]

It was the morning after the party, you've probably forgotten. You were pretty hung over.

You were worried about how your father would react to his daughter liking women and decided you'd need to have an heir somehow...

That... sounds like something I would worry about.

[She squirms a little, suddenly uncomfortable that she would voice that concern out loud, and actually ask a question like that.]

Next time I'm drinking, just gag me, okay?

A couple problems there.

[Dante transfers his glass to the hand that's around Vera's shoulders so that he can tick them off on his fingers.]

One, if someone gagged you, you wouldn't be able to drink any more.

Two, that's pretty kinky. I don't think that sort of thing is acceptable in polite company, even if you were into guys.

[Did you really expect him not to take the opportunity to make the joke, did you]

God, you are just the worst.

[And she'll give him a jab to the ribs for his trouble. Not enough to hurt him, of course, but enough that she hopes he'll think about what a lame joke that was. Still, it doesn't keep the smile from creeping up her face.]

But... I guess that would be one way to make sure we'd never be alone.

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