#id rambled a bunch in the tags of the og post but i deleted it bc tumblr kept breaking the formatting and i dont wanna type it again.

[pascal-oswell]

fighting for my life to post this on tumblr apparently. anyway dante and faust go shopping

There was no real reason for Dante to invite Faust to come with him. He's always done the grocery shopping by himself. It can be a lot to carry at times, but he's always managed- and anyway, he wouldn't want to trouble any of his sinners with something so trivial. (Rather, he wouldn't want them to think he can't even do this much on his own.)

Despite that, Dante saw Faust just sitting there on his way out, not visibly busy, and the invitation spilt out of his non-existent mouth before he could stop it. She looked up at him then, staring silently. She was no doubt as conscious as him that he'd never asked anyone to come with him before, and that he did not even provide an explanation as to why he was inviting Faust now, too embarrassed of having done so in the first place.

And yet Faust only shrugged and stood up.

"I suppose me coming with you would make the process a lot more efficient." And with that she walked past him, "Let's go," and out of the bus.

Dante is thankful she didn't ask him for an explanation. If she had, he's not sure sure he could have come up with anything but the truth, 'I wanted to spend time with you'. But perhaps she already knew that.

---

"Dante."

He freezes as Faust walks over to him.

"Don't."

"But-"

"There's no need for such expensive meat."

"I know, but..." He looks down. "I thought Rodion would enjoy it. She doesn't really like the usual meals..."

Faust sighs. "That woman just loves to complain. The meals provide sufficient nutrients already." She shakes her head. "Besides, if you indulge her once, she won't stop asking for more."

"I understand, but..."

"Also, we can't afford it with the allotted money."

Dante's silent for a minute. Then he suddenly perks up, taking out his wallet to check its content.

"Well, that's fine. I'll pay for it with my own paycheck."

"... You really shouldn't."

"It's alright! It'll be just this once. Just a little treat for her!"

Her manager is too kind for his own good, Faust thinks.

---

"Oh, they sell that tea here..." Dante splutters upon checking the price. "... Of course Hong Lu would have such expensive tastes..."

"... Dante..."

Dante places the box of tea in his bag. Faust knows he is not getting paid enough for this.

---

"Faust, do you know anything about fishing?"

"Of course I- Dante." She gives him a blank look. "Ishmael does not need new fishing equipment."

"But-"

Dante can only weakly protest as Faust drags him away from the shop before he can squander whatever's left of his paycheck. He won't have anything left for himself if she doesn't stop him.

---

"Let's see, that... should be everything."

"Indeed. Shall we head back?"

"Yes, just... actually, hang on a second." Dante stares at the shop opposite of the one they just exited. "Do you like chocolate, by any chance, Faust?" He knows she likes sweets.

"Mh?" Faust turns to him. "I do, but why-" He begins to walk away and she realizes too late he's heading towards a chocolatier. Her eyes widen. "Dante!" But he's already inside. She chases after him.

Running in, she finds Dante already holding a box of fancy looking chocolates. "Dante, I don't need anything," she quickly breathes out.

Dante looks down, gloved thumbs rubbing against the box. "I'm sure you don't, this is just... I merely wanted to thank you for accompanying me today."

Faust furrows her brows.

"You don't need to buy me chocolates for that. A 'thank you' would be more than enough."

"Perhaps, but..." he trails off, unsure how to word this. It's just that, surely chocolates would make her even happier, wouldn't they? She always looked just a little bit brighter whenever he brought her pastries. She even smiled, sometimes, when it was just the two of them.

Dante merely wants to see her like that again, but he would never say so out loud. At his silence, Faust sighs.

"I appreciate the sentiment, Dante, but I've already watched you spend far too much of your money on others today. Save whatever you have left for yourself." She tilts her head. "Isn't there anything you'd like to buy?"

"Well, right now, I'd like to buy you this box of chocolates."

"... You know that is not what I meant."

"What's the difference, though? It'd make me happy, if you got to enjoy these sweets." He straightens up, looking at her. "Isn't that good enough?" He sounds more confident.

"... I suppose."

"Then I'll be buying these."

Faust silently watches as Dante walks up to the cashier to pay for the chocolates. She could argue further, and could certainly list a number of things that'd be more beneficial for him to spend his money on. But she won't. She understands it wouldn't be the same, not to him.

It's just like him, really, to believe making her happy just for a bit is so worth it. Her manager is nice like that. Caring. That'll probably get him hurt, one day. It's not a good quality to have in his position. Or ever, if you ask her. ... She would not trade him for anyone else, however.

He hands her the box and they leave the store. Faust looks up at the sky, feeling strangely relaxed all of the sudden.

"So, Dante. How much do you have left now?"

"Um..." He checks. Faust hears a loud ticking noise. "I'd... rather not say."

She huffs, amused. "I see." She already has a rough idea, knowing how much he earns and how much he spent today.

Dante just stands there for a bit, feeling sheepish.

"... Shall we-"

"Dante." Her gaze is still fixed on the blue expanse above.

"Yes?"

"Are you familiar with this town?"

He pauses. "I mean... I remember Vergilius' debrief, of course. But I'd never been here before, if that's what you're asking. Why?"

"Further down this road, there's a large park, the pride of this town. Most would say it is beautiful."

"That seems nice."

Faust finally looks at him once more. "Would you care to accompany me there, before we head back?"

"Oh! Of course!" Dante sounds surprised. But happy. The idea sounds lovely. "I didn't take you for a nature enjoyer, though, I must admit."

"I'm not." She can appreciate it just fine, of course, but she does not actively care for it. "But I believe you'll like the place."

"Huh?"

He stills, processing her words. His fire burns a bit brighter.

"Faust, you... I don't need-"

"Are you truly going to argue with me after today?" She raises an eyebrow. "Or do you doubt me, perhaps?"

"O-Of course not!"

"Then, surely there's no issue?"

"There... there isn't, but-"

"Then let us go." She turns, waiting for him to follow. She looks at him over her shoulder. "You'll enjoy it, I promise." There isn't a trace of doubt in her voice.

"I... Thank you, Faust."

"Thank me when we actually get there." Still she smirks, the corner of her eyes crinkling in amusement. There's an unmistakable hint of fondness there that makes something in Dante's chest flutter.

For someone so happy to care for others, he isn't so used to others caring for him. Faust kind of wants to help him with that.

#limbus company #my writing #id rambled a bunch in the tags of the og post but i deleted it bc tumblr kept breaking the formatting and i dont wanna type it again. #blame them.