Once the leftovers are tucked away in the fridge, Vergil sets to cleaning the dishes. There isn't much already in the sink still in need of washing given that Vergil cleaned as he cooked. He's more or less ready for her dishes once she finishes and brings them over. Vergil doesn't mind that Mizu makes no offer to at least clean her own dishes because even over a year later, it still feels a bit odd to be doing things like dishes and laundry and preparing meals. They're domestic things that haven't been featured all that often in his life. But he would be lying if he said he didn't derive a little pleasure in doing them here in Folkmore, especially when they are things he can do for the ones he loves.
"Pizza grease and motor oil? You should have said something sooner," he says dryly enough that to anyone else's ear, it would probably sound like he was taking the opportunity to insult his brother and son or otherwise be dismissive of what she said. But Mizu knows the importance of Vergil's family to him and she's learned the subtle tells by his tone to know it's not a genuine refutation.
Vergil knows that he's changed since Dante and Nero arrived. He's still quiet and reserved, preferring the company of his books to others. He also has not abandoned his pride or skill as a warrior, nor has his temper dissipated. But there's also something...a little softer within him these days, and Vergil finds himself being braver in ways that he never could be when he was younger. Frankly... Well, there's really no other way of putting it than he's more human than he's been in a very long time. It's terrifying at times, and he does not always handle it with the greatest amount of grace or the least amount of doubt and insecurity, but it's sincere and just because it's difficult doesn't mean he's any less dedicated to it.
But he also knows it's not just because of his kin alone that these changes have come about. They are a large, primary factor, but that does not make Mizu's contributions any less important. She knows of his mistakes and the blood and consequences that came because of his decisions. Mizu does not and cannot offer absolution for his wrongdoings, but neither does she hold them against him. Whatever she may think of the uglier, more broken parts of him, she accepts them. Oftentimes, she accepts them better than he does even as Vergil's found ways to make peace with parts of his past. So, it's not a case of one or the other. Mizu and his family both make him better. Or, at the very least, they both push him to strive for better.
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"Pizza grease and motor oil? You should have said something sooner," he says dryly enough that to anyone else's ear, it would probably sound like he was taking the opportunity to insult his brother and son or otherwise be dismissive of what she said. But Mizu knows the importance of Vergil's family to him and she's learned the subtle tells by his tone to know it's not a genuine refutation.
Vergil knows that he's changed since Dante and Nero arrived. He's still quiet and reserved, preferring the company of his books to others. He also has not abandoned his pride or skill as a warrior, nor has his temper dissipated. But there's also something...a little softer within him these days, and Vergil finds himself being braver in ways that he never could be when he was younger. Frankly... Well, there's really no other way of putting it than he's more human than he's been in a very long time. It's terrifying at times, and he does not always handle it with the greatest amount of grace or the least amount of doubt and insecurity, but it's sincere and just because it's difficult doesn't mean he's any less dedicated to it.
But he also knows it's not just because of his kin alone that these changes have come about. They are a large, primary factor, but that does not make Mizu's contributions any less important. She knows of his mistakes and the blood and consequences that came because of his decisions. Mizu does not and cannot offer absolution for his wrongdoings, but neither does she hold them against him. Whatever she may think of the uglier, more broken parts of him, she accepts them. Oftentimes, she accepts them better than he does even as Vergil's found ways to make peace with parts of his past. So, it's not a case of one or the other. Mizu and his family both make him better. Or, at the very least, they both push him to strive for better.