[ he drinks slowly, unusually relaxed despite the way he uses the drink to hide the majority of his mouth. he hadn't been expecting this to be dropped directly in his lap, so he is a little off-kilter, though not enough to ruin his mood or make him clamber up. besides zulius is a friend and he has a feeling the prodding isn't coming from a place of malice. ]

You're practically a bloodhound for this kind of thing, Zules. [ it's clearly with some affection he says that. ] Yup, that's definitely Vash. You fluster him once and he'll flail about like a fish outta water.

[ even that is said with the utmost affection he can possibly manage. ]

Am I happy? [ that... that gives dante pause, he blinks, lowering his glass until and cocks his head to the side. the answer feels like it should be obvious like he shouldn't have to even answer, but it sits thickly in the back of his throat threatening to choke. it's almost terrifying to speak it, to birth it out into the aether like this, but: ] Yeah, I am. Those idiots... They're as important to me as Vergil is, and Vergil is pretty damn important.