[ he moves back because he doesn't want to crowd vergil's space, he moves back because he can still feel the blade in his ribs, because he isn't sure what to do with the enormity of what sits in his chest. he moves back and regrets doing so almost immediately, the place vergil's hand had rested almost burning from the contact. ]

I know. [ there is nothing to stop it, any of it, and that is what worries him. ]

It's not that I don't want you to remember, [ it would help if he did, if dante didn't have to dance around subjects he isn't sure vergil is ready for yet. it would help if they could proper talk without having to be careful what he says. ] There's just... some things I don't know if you're ready for yet. Not sure you'll ever be ready for them.

[ his gaze turns to the discarded shirt just for something else to look at, collecting it off the floor. ]

We've been through a lot, you and I, and none of it is pretty. If you start at the end I'll have to walk you through the whole thing.