For Want of a Beer

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: As always, I don't own Devil May Cry, Dante, or Lady They belong to Capcom. And sadly I don't own any good, cold beer now, either, so I can feel Dante's pain.


--


''What the hell happened to you?!'' Lady exclaimed as a rather messy, half cross, half amused looking Dante walked in, flinging his coat onto his desk. He was fully cross until he saw her in her miniskirt, outstretched on the couch, cleaning one of her guns.

''Don't ask, babe.''

''You look like hell. Moreso than usual.'' She smirked a bit.

''I just wanted a beer. That's all. Those...arrg!'' He snorted and sat on the couch next to her after moving her legs a bit.

''Hey! I sleep here! You're...a mess! And you just trailed blood through the place again!''

''So? Mop it up. Sleep in my bed tonight.'' He half-smirked. He could never stay seriously upset with Lady in the room. Especially when she was wearing her white, very low-buttoned shirt with her short skirt; which just happened to be her favorite outfit. She looked delicious, as always. He peeked up her skirt.

''Gah!!! Go get a shower. You stink of demon blood, anyhow. As usual.'' She smacked his hand away.

''Well, gee, pardon me for having to save the poor bartender from a fate worse than death. I was just doin' my job, babe.'' He stood up, walking purposefully closer to her for a moment, sticking his tongue out as she squirmed a bit and wrinkled her nose, swatting him some more. He smirked at her before he went to the shower.

Lady looked around the place, at the blood tracked in, and sighed. How I put up with him, I'll never figure out, she thought to herself with wry amusement. This one time she decided to do Dante a favor and mop up. She remembered a couple of times where they both came in from a job, very tired, and her falling asleep before she could clean her guns; she had awakened to find them bright as new again. So he wasn't so bad. Perhaps a favor wouldn't hurt.

The poor guy only wanted his beer, after all.


--


Lady was just finishing up when she heard him come out of the bathroom behind her. She turned around, only to see him-with the towel slung over his shoulders-completely naked. She palmed her forehead in her hand.

''Can't you just, I don't know, pretend to be modest once and awhile?'' she asked, shoving the mop in the bucket.

''Pft. It's my damn place. Besides, I see you smiling,'' he smirked and walked over to her. She was, indeed smiling a bit. He slipped a hand over her shoulder and looked down at her. Dante was a tall man, and Lady rather slight, she was athletic, but slender and agile while Dante was muscular, but still sleek and fast. He pulled her against him. He smelled rather pleasant for once, having just washed. He ran his tongue over his lips, teasing her, while looking at her with laughing blue eyes.

''Urgh...'' she started, trying to shove him away. He held her tight with a gentle strength; gentle in that he didn't hurt her at all, but she couldn't break his grasp if she tried. He leaned over and planted his lips right onto hers; sliding his tongue into her mouth in a deep, rather passionate kiss. He felt the day begin to slip off of him.

Lady fell into his kiss; this happened now and again and truth be told, she didn't mind it. Most of the time. She might have the first couple of times he tried, but as she got to know the big lummox, she became a bit attached to him, in a few ways. Sometimes she wasn't in the mood for his antics, but she didn't mind it now. He had a bad day and by the feel of it he just wanted a bit of fun. However, she suddenly pulled away when she felt something...twitch against her midsection.

''Dante!''

''What, babe, you expect me to be cold while you're next to me?'' He brushed his hand over her rear, under the skirt.

''I thought you wanted a beer!'' she said, making a face, trying to look serious and failing a bit.

''Well, I do, but I can think of something else I wouldn't mind hav...'' He was cut off as she smacked his chest with the mop handle. ''Whoa, frisky today!'' He stepped back.

''Go...put some clothes on. That...your...is obscene. What is it, a divining rod?''

''Hey, it found something it likes.'' He then smiled and wagged his tongue at her, bringing his fingers up to his mouth. She couldn't decide which was more obscene-the fact he had a very visible erection or the fact he was making rather dirty gestures to her at the moment. Or perhaps both things together.

''Auuugh! Just go get dressed, you freak! I'm going to need some beer after this!'' She picked up the bucket and went to go dump the water outside.

''Whatever you say, babe. You're welcome to come with me, you know that.''

''Yeah, yeah,'' she sighed, hiding her smile. God damn you, Dante. Just...god damn you. He could a big, perverted, smartassed lunk, but honestly, there was no one she could think of at the moment that was alive that she adored more. Well, in a way. Every time she tried to think of a reason to get angry at him, she would remember his sensitive side, the side that would hold her, and try nothing dirty toward her. The side that would gently run his fingers through her hair while she slept on his chest, his arm around her, holding her protectively. The side to him that she saw when he had gently brushed away her tears with a rough finger when she had cried after the horrible incidents that happened a few months before, when she was at her most sensitive.

Come to think of it, she didn't know why she teased him so much. He could, indeed, possibly make the ideal partner for her, in every way, despite the fact he was half a demon. Good at heart despite enjoying fighting more than anyone has a right to, good looking as all hell, inhumanly powerful in which to protect her, himself, and the very human race with. We've already kissed several times. It's not like we're strangers to each other. She turned to watch him walk to his room.

He turned back toward her. ''And sweetheart, don't try to hide the fact you're turned on, too. I can smell things humans can't, you know.''

He ducked to avoid the bucket that flew at his head, laughing as he ran to his room.


**********
Dante and Lady had finally reached the bar; it was more of a one-level nightclub, and a bit nicer quality than Dante's usual places-though it was still pretty low-key. It had alot more people, as well; heavy metal-techno music blared out as they paid their way in. They waited for a bit at the bar, finally getting their drinks; Dante didn't budge as he drank off a pint without even putting it down; he ordered another. Dante's alcohol tolerance was not of this world; the man could drink a lot before it affected him. He took his time with the second one as they found a spot to stand in the corner, near the bar so he could get a refill.

''Wow, this is what I needed. Two fights today, alcohol now, and a rather hot little Lady standing in front of me.'' He ran a free hand down Lady's side and around to her rear as she stepped back.

''Behave yourself! We're in public, for hell's sake!''

''Bah, no one here's paying attention, sweetheart.'' That was only half true; several drunken men were checking Lady out, their eyes wandering to places they shouldn't. Lady glared at them. Most looked away, while a few other braver, or drunker, ones kept staring...some even going as far as to make some rude gestures. Dante gave them one of his...scarier looks while nonchalantly digging his fingers into some of the brick of the wall.

The men stopped staring after that.

Dante wasn't jealous; if Lady wanted to be with someone else-he could accept that. He'd miss her like all living hell-but he'd accept it. But damned if he was going to let people like this be rude. Dante's rudeness and perversion at least had an underlying playful quality; he would never do anything she didn't want him to, and he could never even think of hurting her. Not that Dante wasn't getting attention, either; women were naturally attracted to the man; he would occasionally make some gestures back, but honestly, had little interest in those girls these days. If this had been six months before, before Lady entered his life, he would have had them pinned against the wall in one of the toilets, driving himself up inside of them. The others could sometimes be nice to look at, but not as nice as Lady, to him. She was so much prettier; with her dark, soft hair she kept simple, minimal to no makeup, dual-colored eyes, fair skin and agile body. She had a few small scars on her that she sometimes seemed conscious about, but to him, they added to her beauty, knowing she got them from bravely facing the demons which could kill her if she wasn't careful. Lady had about two hundred times the personality, as well. Smart, witty, resourceful, sharp-tongued and extremely willful-willful enough to give him a run for his money-and he felt much more at home talking to her. She had her sensitive side as well; the side that while she would never admit it, she appreciated the protection he enjoyed giving her, the sensitive side which had let her wrap her arms around his neck if old memories came back to him, giving him comfort, because she wanted to see him with his more ornery smile again.

Not to mention chicks who used guns were hot.

The two had found a seat after Dante grabbed a few more drinks to take to the table so they could stay sitting; the table was in a corner, next to them were a couple of half-passed out people.

''Finally, I think this night is going right,'' Dante said, kicking a chair out so he could put his boots up on it. He drank off another large swallow of beer and slid his hand down Lady's leg. She twitched-but for once, didn't try to shove him away. Either she enjoyed it, or she finally just gave up the fact he was going to be...well, Dante tonight. She even smiled a bit.

''You know, I think that one guy pissed himself when he saw what you did to the wall,'' she chuckled.

''Ah, I hope so. Some people just don't know how to behave around a lady.''

She nearly coughed beer out of her nose. ''And you're the king of etiquette, yourself. Sure.''

''Like I'm ever mean to you.'' He grinned; his blue eyes were sparkling.

''Well...urgh...gah!!!'' She drank. No, he never was mean to her, indeed.

''Thought so.''

''That depends on what you think is mean.'' She decided to play his game, a bit. She could if she wanted to; he was so damned easy to tease.

Dante blinked. ''When was I mean to you?''

''The way you...'' A couple of quickly drunk pints had loosened up her words just enough. She didn't drink to excess; she knew just when to stop, when she got a happy buzz going; just lightly tipsy. Not enough to really have a hangover the next day. But, well...a few drinks can loosen up one's tongue fairly efficiently. ''The way you tease me, and then leave me there!''

''I...You...'' Dante blinked-but was laughing. ''Woman, you're the one who drives me nuts! How many times do you walk out naked after a shower with me sitting right there?And how many times were we startin' to get into...something before you pull away, that...little grin on your face, and leave me to having to put up with a five-finger discount?''

It was Lady's turn to blink. It took her a couple of seconds to realize what he meant. ''Five-finger...dear god, Dante, you really don't have a shred of modesty about you! Ever hear of too much information?'' She was trying to hold back laughter, however. He's unbelievable. That line was...more Dante than I could think. Damn him. Every time he's more...himself, I just...fall even more for him. She caught herself looking at him again; he had his red jacket on, sans a shirt, as usual. The man did not like to wear shirts. She had no problem with this. His feet crossed up on a chair, the beer in his hand, his other hand on her leg. His silvery-white hair was just touching between his shoulders; and she knew how silky it felt. With his hand running up and down her leg, she honestly felt herself getting a bit...No, don't. He'll make a comment.

As if on cue, he turned toward her. ''You can't hide it from me, babe. Remember?''

Curse the man and his goddamn heightened demonic senses. Curse him back to whatever hell he came from. She sipped at her drink and began to think about the old saying 'Heaven doesn't want me, and Hell's afraid I'll take over', and wondered if that was why he was stuck on Earth, if not simply to drive her insane as punishment for something she did in a past life.

He finished off his beer at a swallow and sipped another he had at the table. He then span around on his chair, facing her, and pushing himself next to her. He turned her to face him. His left hand stayed sliding up and down her leg; she shivered, despite herself.

''You like it. Don't deny it,'' he said, in a low voice. He tilted up her head-gently-and kissed her again. She kissed him back, after a short moment's attempt at resisting him-she did like it, after all. She didn't know how far she wanted to go with him-but for now, she could enjoy this. She didn't bother hiding it. She let her hand fall on his chest; tracing it down. His other hand held her back, and after what seemed like an eternity, it broke.

''You...behave yourself,'' she breathed out, a bit shakily.

''Babe, you're so frustrated right now, your damned frustration is frustrated. I can take care of that, you know.'' He grinned somewhat evilly at her and ran his hand all the way up her skirt. She smacked it away.

''Not...in...the...bar!'' Each word was punctuated by a smack. Only halfheartedly, though. Honestly, if I was as much of a perverted lunk-head as he was, I'd consider having a bit of fun here. But I at least have a little class, and you know, decency and modesty, words that seem a bit too large and confusing for him to wrap his pretty little head around.

It wasn't just tonight, though-she had found that the two of them had, indeed, gotten a little bit closer by the day. He was braver; he would do things one day that he didn't try the week before, and so on. For some reason, she was resisting him-and she didn't know why. She honestly, really, didn't know why. He's everything someone could want. He's everything I could want. She had thought it was because he was half-demon; but his human side was too great for that. The only thing that showed of his demon side was his superhuman strength, endurance, and fighting skills. Ok, and his seemingly insatiable sex drive. Well, sure, he could really snap out if he had to-violently-but he used it to send other demons back to the hells that they came from. They did it together. God knows he'd saved her life a few times; she could be sometimes a bit too brash; forgetting that she indeed was a human. He had taken hits meant for her several times; and was none worse for the wear-hits that would have maimed, if not killed her. He never patronized her, however; he respected her great skill with firearms; and never talked down to her or made her feel like less a woman, or less a person. He was protective-but not in a way of babying her. He knew she could take care of herself, but he also knew that he was damned near immortal and that he could do things that she couldn't. It took her a bit, but she came to appreciate it; and the two of them together were unholy terrors when it came to the demon world indeed. Between her cunning mind, firearms skill and resourcefulness, and his otherworldly physical and fighting abilities, they were essentially the perfect team.

And we could be so much more. I know it. As soon as I figure out why I keep trying to put this off.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Dante positioning himself over her lap, on the chair. He held himself up with his legs, so he didn't hurt her, but both of his arms were wrapped around her neck, and his face was buried in her hair, breathing her in.

''Dante! What...?'' She tried to push him away...but it was a weak attempt.

''Shh.'' He leaned down and kissed her again. He tilted up her head; his eyes had a mischievous sparkle. ''Let me show you a few things, little Lady.'' He leaned in and flicked his tongue over her ear and her neck. Her breathing got heavier.

''Dante...we're in...the bar...damnit!'' She felt her walls being cracked. When she felt him nibble down the line of her jaw to her mouth, she decided to grab hold of some reins, herself. She wasn't going to let him have all the satisfaction, here. She slid her hand down his stomach to his belt-and then lower, grabbing him between the legs, right through his pants. He was already aroused, she mused to herself-and then felt satisfied as he shuddered. He looked at her.

''Playing a tease again?'' He grinned. ''This is a battle you don't want to get into.''

''What makes you think that?'' She felt herself getting bolder. She tightened her grip-but not enough to hurt. Just enough to drive him nuts. No one at the bar paid any mind; her chair had been pushed against the wall, and he was straddling her; all they could see was his red longcoat if anyone either bothered to look. It's still obscene, what we're doing right now. But...there is something...sort of arousing about this.

He leaned closer to her, pressing his forehead to hers. He flicked his tongue out of his mouth, quickly, darting it over hers. He whispered to her, ''Because I can smell how hot you are right now, Lady. I can have you yelling my name before you can even blink.'' His eyes narrowed, his grin spread, and he pressed his lips to hers again; sliding his long tongue right into her mouth. He shivered against her touch again, she had let go of his pants for the moment, slid a hand under his coat and ran her nails down his back.

''How do you know you won't be yelling mine?'' She grinned back at him. If this is the game he wants to play, then maybe I'll play, after all. She had to start being honest with herself; she wanted Dante. Much to her chagrin, whenever he teased her, she found herself thinking what it would be like to be completely naked next to him. She knew how he could kiss; it made her shaky about every time. She wondered about a lot of other things. She always ended up pushing it out of her head, for reasons she still didn't know.

''You might be able to get me to moan a bit there, Lady.'' He kissed her again, deeply. ''But before this night is up, you won't be able to walk.''

She snorted. ''What if I say no?'' She sat back, with a bit of a satisfied look on her face. Dante sat back, his hands on her shoulders. He ran a rough finger down her cheek.

''Then you know I'm ok with that.'' He smiled, and started to get off of her. She grabbed his waist and pulled him back down.

''Don't you move yet,'' she whispered and nipped at his ear.

He chuckled softly. ''This is what I'm talking about.'' He ran his hands down her back and held her tightly to him; holding her almost protectively for a moment, before sliding his hands off. His took her chin in his thumb and forefinger and tilted up her head. ''If you feel like you don't want to go too far, just say something, Lady. I can take care of myself if I have to.''

He can be a gentleman, even when he's horny, if he really, really wants to be. ''I will.'' She slid a hand down the waistband of his trousers; but not down all the way. He exhaled heavily and slid his own hand around to her breast, tracing a finger around it for a minute.

''Do you want to go at it here in the corner?'' He grinned, almost like a schoolboy on his last day of school.

''N..No! I'm not that blasted...w...whatever you are!'' She scowled at him, not unkindly.

''Back to the place, then?'' He gulped down his pint in about three seconds and grinned again.

Now or never, Lady. And you can always ask him to stop. ''Yes.'' But I might just have something in store for you, oh yes.

He stood up off of her, brushing his hand up under her skirt again as he stood her up. She quickly finished her own drink and slammed down the bottle. He licked his lips. They left the bar rather quickly.