it was a crisp evening, the kind that made the city feel alive in a quiet, glowing way. streetlights shimmered on the wet pavement, their golden reflections mingling with the soft colors of passing signs and window displays. music drifted faintly from open doorways, and the air was cool against your skin, a gentle breeze tugging at your coat as you walked beside nero.

his hand was warm in yours, strong and steady, thumb brushing over your knuckles in a rhythm he probably wasn’t even aware of. the two of you strolled past late-night cafés and shuttered market stalls, moving without a destination—just letting the night take you. after the calm of dinner and the low hum of conversation, the silence between you now felt natural, like something settled and sure.

without a word, nero reached over to brush your hair from your face, fingers lingering just a second longer than necessary. his expression had softened in the light—less soldier, more boy—and even without looking at him, you could feel the way he watched you, the rare quiet in his eyes.

but while the night had wrapped around you like something private, you weren’t alone.

down a narrow alley, half-shrouded in shadow, dante leaned against a wall, grinning like he was watching a movie no one else had discovered. his coat shifted with every movement, but he made no effort to hide, the amusement in his eyes sharp and obvious.

“look at them. what a couple of lovebirds,” he whispered, clearly enjoying himself as he stared across the street.

vergil stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his posture rigid even in the dark. he didn’t look directly at the two of you, though the tilt of his head made it clear he was paying attention.

“we have nothing better to do. besides, you’re the one who dragged me here.”

dante shrugged. “i figured we could keep an eye on nero. can’t trust that kid to have a date without some supervision.”

vergil’s silence was telling, but he didn’t leave either.

you and nero wandered farther, slipping into a quieter part of the city. a park opened before you—tucked away behind an iron gate and rows of dimly lit hedges. strings of fairy lights hung overhead, swaying gently with the breeze, casting the whole place in a soft, dreamlike haze.

you sat beside him on a bench near a small fountain, the world narrowing to the hush of water and rustling trees. he rested his arm behind you, not touching but close. everything about him was at ease—until it wasn’t.

his whole body stiffened. you felt it before you saw the cause. nero turned, jaw clenched, expression already shifting as his eyes landed on the two figures standing just beyond the path—dante and vergil, no longer hiding, no longer even pretending to be discreet.

dante lifted a hand and waved with far too much enthusiasm. “hey, nero! how’s the date going?”

nero bolted upright, face flushed red-hot with frustration. his voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet like a blade.

“what the hell are you two doing here?!”

vergil didn’t move, didn’t even blink. “we’re just observing.”

the moment hung there, strange and awkward, full of tension and disbelief. you stayed still, caught somewhere between stunned silence and reluctant laughter, while nero looked like he was deciding whether to shout or storm off.

and somehow, it figured—because with dante and vergil, there was never really such a thing as just the two of you.