[ a small sound that the half-devil's ears still catch despite how muffled it is against him, a sound that feels like a rock thrown against the glass that is his heart and shattering it into pieces. things have been rough before, they've been dire, and he's seen dante through a few rough patches. but he has never, not once, ever heard such a sound come from vash.

it hurts. it hurts and dante wants to make sure he never has cause to make it ever again. ]

Was gonna do it even if you didn't give me permission.

[ the quips don't land like they normally do, not with the way things are right now. not with the way vash apologizes and tells him that he missed him. how long has it been? how long was he gone from them?

'Course. [ he shifts slightly, leaning back to try and get a look at vash's face properly. ] Whatever you need Vash, you know I'll help you with anything.