hushabye

DANTE

The commotion at the front of the temple was enough to catch even Dante's attention, stopping him from drifting off beside Evie. There was shouting and... He thought he heard Clem's name somewhere in the mix. Loosening Evie's grasp on his hand, he presses a kiss to her knuckles before quietly leaving, shutting the door behind him.

It's not a long hallway to the front doors of the temple.

He wished it was longer.

Deimos, the bear of a man, stood in front of the doors with Clem's body. It was charred, burned to near unrecognizable conditions. Maybe it was because they'd known each other for so long. Maybe it was something else. Regardless, Dante recognized the body of his best friend.

"Clem...?" His voice is quiet as his feet bring him ever closer to the remains despite wanting to run the other way. There was no way... He hadn't even seen him yet and now... Now he wouldn't get to ever again. He feels his eyes burn as tears well up before he's even reached Deimos, hands balled into fists and shaking as he finally stands before Deimos, looking from Clem to the man before him.

"Put him down—" Dante's voice breaks as his eyes squeeze shut. He can't bear to turn his head away from Clem's body but the sight is too much. "Put Clemente down!" He needs to hold him, even if his body was to never feel his touch again from the day they first set in Caido, he couldn't bear to let go.

& the moon is the only light we'll see
no, i won't be afraid