One of the last calm evenings

Kat carefully poured the Wiccan mixture into a bottle after preparing it. Tomorrow she would be looking for the brother of the leader of "The Order", so the Molotov cocktail would come in handy. The Leader… The Leader had lost his mask of icy calm lately, some super complicated plan was building in his mind, and she - his right hand - went into the kitchen and started to make his favorite tea. Fighting back a sad sigh, Kat grabbed a mug of tea and a can of energy drink and made her way to Vergil's office, freezing in front of the door a short time later. She asked loudly, "Vergil, may I come in?" "Yes, of course, Kat," he replied. Kat pushed the door open with her shoulder and stepped inside. She glanced at Vergil, who was lost in his work. He always read with enthusiasm. It seemed that only in battle and behind books did his mask of icy calm crack, revealing a rather impatient nature. Now he seemed tired. Deep shadows lingered under his eyes, rare wrinkles became more pronounced. His face was pale, and he blinked so slowly that for a moment she feared for the leader. "Do you want tea?" asked Kat quietly, frozen beside his desk with a cup of tea in one hand and a can of drink in the other. Tactfully, she didn't let on that she was worried that he was just working himself to the point of exhaustion. Lifting his head, the Nephilim looked up at her with his piercing gray-blue eyes, gave her a hesitant smile, and spoke in a low, slow voice, "Thank you, Kat. Put it on the table." Kat carefully placed the cup on the table. Putting his book aside, Vergil rubbed his eyes irritably and rose from his chair, taking the mug. He put his other arm around her shoulders in a friendly hug and led her to the old sofa. Chuckling, Kat didn't sit next to him, but nestled on the floor with her knees curled up against her chest. She twitched the lid of the can and muttered "I'm sorry" at the loud hiss, took a sip and grimaced. Vergil, taking a sip of tea, asked with an ironic smile, "Are you aware that this is making you an addict?" "That's such a problem," Kat stretched with rare aggression in her voice, lifting her head and looking at him with a squint. "Okay, let's just do some counting. I'm still having nightmares about it. I work under the direction of a major terrorist. He is a Nephilim. I smoke and do not intend to stop. I have a lot of encounters with demons, even though I'm a human being, and there's not much I can do about it. Then there is the tragedy of mediums, the voices in my head. I guess you're right - energy drinks are my main trouble, Vergil!" and as she saluted the can in his direction, Kat took another sip. "Nightmares? Still?" There was displeasure in Vergil's voice. He set the mug down on the side table and buried his fingers in Kat's short hair. "Yes. I don't sleep well, I need energy sources." Kat put her head under her caressing fingers and sighed. "What are we going to do next, Leader?" "Kat, let's not talk business. You'd better rest. We all need to rest and recover." Covering her eyes with a smile, Kat leaned back and sighed as she listened to his warm voice. Silence and tranquility began to wrap around her like a caring blanket. Kat closed her eyes, savoring the moment. She was glad that they had been able to find each other in this dangerous world. The leader saved her from some horrors, pushed her toward others, and it was then that this generally uncharacteristic fascination with his nature was born. Although… That feeling had no chance. He was leading resistance. A Nephilim who wanted to find his brother and deal with Mundus. She was his right hand and a good medium. She was entrusted with the most important things. That was it. Nothing more. Is it sad? A little. "Kat, don't sleep," Vergil whispered with a smile. He leaned over and looked at her worriedly. "I don't sleep. I'm just thinking with closed eyes," Kat replied. "Quite late. I think I'll turn in." "Please stay with me a little longer," he pleaded softly and said, barely audible, closing his eyes, "I'm so tired, Kat. This was something new. Kat's eyes were wide with surprise, and he must have seen the girl's astonishment at his request. "Okay, okay, I'll stay," she whispered, lowering her eyes. "But… Why?" Vergil looked at Kat. His eyes were filled with doubting. He was well aware that he had not yet been able to give her even the minimum she needed. To him, Kat had been a miracle. A miracle this world just didn't deserve. Kat would suffer the same fate as his mother, Eva, if Mundus found out about their relationship. Vergil simply could not afford to risk her safety. "I can't give you the security and stability you require," he said. He squeezed her warm hands into his. Vergil found himself smiling in response to her sad smile. "Vergil, I don't remember being safe and stable at all. Don't say anything. I understand," she said, surprisingly calm. "But we have tonight," Vergil said with a smile, and got up from the couch to hold Kat in his arms. He buried himself in her hair and sighed. It'll be all right, it'll all change someday… "Tonight is going to be over soon," Kat looked into his eyes. That gaze… Vergil had a fondness for Kat's eyes. Her greenish eyes sparkled with the desire to simply survive, even though she had experienced so much in her short life. She threw herself into her job. She worked hard, learned ancient languages and invented new ways to interact with her gift. He pulled her behind him onto the couch and continued to hold her in his arms. Kat wrapped her arms around him as well. He could hear the beating of her heart more often than he was accustomed to. "Please forgive me" Vergil whispered, gently rubbing his lips against her forehead. He was sorry that he had erased her memory of their one kiss, that he had dragged her into this war with Mundus and the hopes he had for her that she had fulfilled every time. Kat nodded, as if she understood the hidden meaning of what he said. "Good night, Vergil," she sighed, pressed her lips to his cheek for a moment, and then quickly twisted out of his arms to stand up, "Tomorrow I'll bring your brother." Vergil nodded, and with an already cold calm in his voice, bade her, "If you have any more nightmares, tell me immediately, Kat. Sleep well." Vergil's gaze was on her as she walked out of the office. When the door closed behind Kat, he ran his hands through his hair and exhaled. He rose from the couch and went to the window to look out over the poisoned city. He was sure that Mundus would not stop until he had achieved his goal, until he had wiped out the descendants of Sparda. But Vergil was prepared to fight to the end. Nephilim's eyes closed, his mind's focus on the task at hand. He had to find a way to stop Mundus and protect his loved ones. It will be hard, but he was up to it. He opened his eyes and smiled eerily. He was strengthened and wise enough to face Mundus. When he's done with the Demon King, it's safe to date Kat. His little girl deserved to rest and live normal.