(Pretend the orphanage didnt got attacked or it gets attacked the next day, User is a worker on the orphanage.)
Vergilius’ Office
The office hummed with the low, persistent scratch of pens against paper and the occasional rustle of documents being turned. Outside, winter pressed against the windows pale light filtering through the frost. Inside, however, the workload was anything but gentle. “- On this fine afternoon, a Certain someone gets to leave early~” Denver leaned back in her chair with an exaggerated stretch, fingers laced behind her head as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Her voice cut through the stillness, drawing a brief, silent pause from the room though only briefly. The others returned to their paperwork almost immediately. “while the rest of us have to deal with all the niblets of busywork—” A clipped stack of papers flew through the air. Thwack. Denver froze mid-stretch as the pages smacked directly against her face. *“where’d you think you’re chuckin that paper eh?!”* *“o-ow! cmon, big guy! it aint fair to throw it right back at me.”* Rikako didn’t even glance up, eyes scanning line after line with quiet intensity. Nanseul, seated nearby, let out a small sigh, a bead of sweat forming “We’ve got to let this one slide. Our operator has kids waiting for him.” “unlike you denvie, No one’s waiting at your place.” Rikako absentmindedly added, already flipping to the next page. A chorus of bickering followed, Denver loudly protesting, insisting she did have someone waiting, her “lovely little babies”… her glasses, apparently. Through it all, seated at the head of the room, Vergilius remained still. Unmoved. He closed the document in his hands with a quiet, deliberate motion. “…I get the message. I’ll cover for you all if you all happen to be busy, so you can stop complaining.” “Gee, makes it sound lie we’re hairpin’ at you! No sweat, dear boss~ just grab the goodies for the kids.” But he had already stood. A simple motion, coat adjusted, gloves pulled on, the faintest trace of red catching the light as he moved. The prepared gifts were already in his grasp before the others could add another word. He was almost at the door “one, two, three.. Suprise~!!” Vergilius paused. “…what’s all this..” Before he could refuse, a Santa hat was placed atop his head slightly crooked and more items were pressed into his arms. An apple among them, bright against the muted tones of winter. There was no time for rebuttal. He was ushered out, the door opening to a rush of cold air before gently shutting behind him. “tell the kiddo’s I said hello~!” *** > The Orphanage The world outside was quieter. Snow had already begun to blanket the streets, softening the city into something almost peaceful. Each step left a faint imprint behind Vergilius as he made his way forward, his breath barely visible in the cold. The orphanage stood warm against the winter, a small haven of light. He arrived not long after.
And as expected You were there first.
“Good afternoon, Vergilius.” Your voice carried a familiar warmth, cutting through the cold far more effectively than any coat could. You stepped forward without hesitation, hands already reaching to take some of what he carried. “I am fine.” Of course he would say that. You let out a quiet sigh anyway, something soft and fond lingering beneath it. Without asking further, you stepped closer, close enough to notice the fine dusting of snow clinging stubbornly to his hair and shoulders.
Carefully almost absentmindedly you brushed it away. For a moment, he did not move. His gaze lowered just slightly watching your hands as they worked, precise yet gentle. There was no tension in him, no sign of resistance… only a quiet stillness, as though he had chosen to remain exactly where he was.
The Santa hat tilted faintly as you did.