It was all over. Their enemies had been defeated, and Fortuna, once a city in all its glory laid in wrecks. But after all they had still succeeded. "I guess I should thank you." Nero said, as he walked towards Dante, who was standing there, his arms crossed over his chest. "But that'd be out of character," he stated, a light smile on his face, "Maybe you should just throw an insult my way instead." Nero grinned slightly, Yamato leaned against his shoulder in a casual way. "Yeah, that sounds better." He paused, then finally stopped when he reached the elder. "But still, I owe you..."
Dante shook his head. "Don't sweat it, I had my reasons for helping." With that words he turned around, willing to leave, and only turned around another time when he heard Nero's voice again. "Wait! You forgot this!" The boy held Yamato in his hand, offering it for him to grab. "Keep it." Dante said without hesitating. Nero gave him a strange look, almost stunned. "What? I thought this meant a lot to you?" He asked, slowly raising an eyebrow. "That's the only kind of gift worth giving." The elder replied simply. "I want to entrust it to you, and so I am. What you do from here is your call..." Again he turned around, wanting to make his way out of the the broken place that once had been a beautiful town.
Nero looked at the katana in his hand, still not believing that Dante gave it to him in the end. "Hey Dante!" He called, gazing at the other's back. "Will we meet again?" The elder didn't even look back. He just lifted one hand to wave, before he finally left.
Months had passed since that day, and with every more day that followed the urge to see that red coated man again grew bigger and bigger. Nero ha tried his best to forget about all that, but even when the city was build up again he couldn't. He knew that he would never see him again. He had known it since the very moment in which Dante left. But he had to see him again. They were alike each other in a strange way, not even for their appearance. Dante wasn't only human, as well as himself. They both carried demon blood, and who if not Dante should understand him in that point? Sure, he had his friends at that place he called his home, but that wasn't the same. They would never understand him the way Dante could. And then, there was nothing left for him to do anymore. Fortunately the order was annihilated, and no demon ever showed up again. It would be a little too much to say that he was bored, but it was some kind of tedium really.
The boy had heard these rumors recently, featuring a red coated demon hunter with snow-white hair. It could only have been Dante, Nero thought, and finally he got a clue where to start looking for him. He'd been so very excited when those words came to his ear, and he didn't take the time to make up his mind. He just got a few things packed, and then left, telling his friends that he might be away for a while. And right now he stood in one of the cable cars that went around here in masses. He had asked quite a few people, and most of them just gave him a strange smile, telling him to look for a shop called 'Devil May Cry'. A quite eccentric name, he thought, before he started to look around. It had been harder than he expected, so he finally decided to use one of the trams.
He was exhausted from his journey, and longed for nothing more than a warm bed, but before that he just had to meet up with Dante, otherwise he wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. The weather was really bad compared to his own mood. Rain drummed onto the windows of the tram, making it hard to recognize anything outside, and it was damn cold too. Nero could almost sleep while standing, but then he suddenly jerked. He caught a glimpse of a red neon sign above a door of an quite old looking building. If the rain didn't deceive him, he would bet that it was the one he was looking for. Right at the next request stop the boy jumped out of the vehicle, not caring for the rain that hit his face. He ran a hand through his silvery hair, stroking it back as it became all wet within a few seconds. As fast as he could manage he ran back the way to what he thought would be Dante's shop. Even if he would try to go slow, he'd never be able too, as his excitement took over his mind.
'What a day...' Dante thought when he closed the door to his shop behind him. He was covered in blood, as usual, but more than that, his clothes were all wet. He'd make Lady pay for that for sure! The hunter grumbled when he got rid of his coat, throwing it over the backrest of his chair. "Trish?!" he called, but got no answer. Fine, so she was out, at least something to be happy about. He really needed some time on his own now. Not that this woman lived with him, but she was always around as far as he could tell. Dante made his way to the back of his shop, entering the rooms that belonged to his flat. He climbed up the stairs to his bathroom to have a long and hot shower in order to wash away the sticky demon-blood he was covered with.
He truly felt reborn, when he came out again, a towel loosely wrapped around his hips. He didn't expect another customer for today anyway. And he didn't care for Trish or Lady as well. They would both be clever enough not to show up after sending him to SUCH a mission. Dante wondered what they REALLY planned for him, as the last few hour's had really been a waste of time. Sighing deeply he sank down on his couch, his feet resting on the rear armrest. He crossed his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling with a yawn. He didn't even feel the urge to dress or something. A little nap would just do fine.
Nero sneaked around the corner, finally standing in front of the 'Devil May Cry', totally soaked and shivering of cold. He had been right indeed, that was the place he was looking for. The boy hesitated, then reaching out a hand for the door. Should he really go in? He hadn't even prepared. What the hell should he say anyway? Before he could end his thinking, he noticed that he already opened the door, and now had no other choice but to step inside. Slowly, he looked around. Not only the name was eccentric, the whole interior and furnishing was too. Then he noticed Dante on the couch, who jerked slightly. "What the hell?!" both of them cried at at the same time, then Nero couldn't help it but to chuckle, blushing slightly. He HAD expected to see Dante again, but never with a towel as his only dressing. Quickly he turned his head, when he noticed that he was staring at the other male in a way he wouldn't like either.
"Nero...?" Dante shook his head. "What are you doing here, kid?" Yawning again, he jumped off the couch to grab his still wet coat and put it on. "I..." the boy started, then blushed even more. That was the exact point, WHAT was he doing here? He didn't even know it himself. "I had to see you again..." the words just slipped out of his mouth, without giving him a chance to stop them. Nero pressed a hand over his mouth, turning away. Fuck, that didn't explain anything! Dante smirked. "So you had to see me again, huh? Well you did, so you could as well leave again if that was all you wished for." Nero sighed, chewing his lower lip. "Off course that... isn't all..."
"So?" Dante made a few steps towards the boy, then reached out for his shoulder to face him again. "What is it you came that long way for, then?" He demanded to know, making the boy even more nervous. "Hell I don't know!" Nero blurted out, staring onto the floor in front of him. "Maybe I'm just bored and longed for some fun again!" He didn't dare to look up, but he could hear Dante laugh. "Fun? You could have shown up earlier kid, you could as well have done my job today as it really sucked." Nero clenched his fists. That wasn't funny! He really should have made up his mind before just leaving everything behind only to meet up with that guy again. "Never mind, I'm just a little surprised to see you here. Where did you leave your girl anyway?" Dante mumbled, leaving the shop again to head to the kitchen. "My girl?" Nero called, stopping when he reached the doorway. "Kyrie was her name, no?" The elder prepared some coffee, not caring about Nero staring at his back. Fortunately he couldn't see the boy's face in that moment. Kyrie... "She's not my girl..." he hissed after a while, returning to the shop again.
"Whatever." Dante mumbled when he followed, placing two cups on the table before he sat down on the couch again. "So anything happened since I left?" He asked, gazing at Nero who was standing in front of one of the windows. "Nothing at all..." he replied, before he took a seat next to the elder. "You're really bored, eh?" Dante grinned, sipping on his coffee. "Yeah, maybe..." the boy confirmed, cupping his own mug with both hands. It was still damn cold, and his wet clothes didn't make it better. "Well..." Dante blinked a few times, looking straight at the younger afterwards. "If you're here for longer you might help me a bit, how does that sound to you?" He offered with a wide smile. "You'd let me come with you on your missions?" Nero stared at the other male in pure astonishment. "At least I wouldn't be as bored as today. The ladies tend to let me alone if they feel it could be a waste of time."
Nero swallowed, emptying his cup all at once just to get rid of the thoughts that slipped into his mind. "Ladies...?" he asked, biting his lip right away. What the hell was wrong with him now? He could feel a slight jealousy building up, but that was impossible. He really needed a few hours of sleep, he was getting all mad. "Trish and Lady. You'll get to know them soon enough if you decide to stay." The mere thought of Nero's face, if he'd find out who Trish was made the elder chuckle.
"What's so funny about that?" Nero demanded to know, glancing at Dante pouting. "You'll learn early enough." Dante mumbled, poking him gently when he noticed his pouting. "Now, feel free to take a shower, you're soaked and you look tired. If you don't have a hotel you could as well stay here, i don't care, but be aware that you'll hardly get a minute on your own." He added with a sigh, just shrugging at the boy's questioning look. "Only keep in mind that I warned you."
Nero sighed inwardly. That sounded encouraging. He wasn't sure if he wanted to wait until his questions came to an answer on their own, but otherwise he was far too tired to go and look for a hotel. And in the end he was happy to be with Dante again. He even offered him to help for a while. It couldn't have gone better, no? "What's up? You look brooding kid." Dante's word kicked him back into reality. "What...?" he asked blinking. Did he just say something? "What's it that keeps your mind busy?" The elder wanted to know, but only got Nero's blushing as a reply. "Never mind..." Dante stood up again, taking both their cups. "I'll get us something for dinner, you go and have a shower. If you become ill you won't be of any use to me." He grinned, making his way into the kitchen again. "Charming like always and ever!" Nero snorted as he followed him, looking out for the bathroom. The elder only laughed again. "It's upstairs, first door to the left." He mentioned as if he knew. "Thanks..." The boy climbed up the stairs, truly glad to escape the situation for a moment. Hell, he felt so damn strange!
With the hot water pouring over his body he relaxed again slowly. What was wrong with him anyway? He should be happy to be here, nothing more. But still, there was something going on that he couldn't understand. Nero shook his head. To hell with that. Maybe he just needed something to do at all. It had been some time since he last fought a demon. He was thrilled to feel that incredible power rushing through his veins again. It was almost like some kind of addiction he forgot about for too long. Plus, he had Dante with him this time. A soft smile spread on his lips as he turned off the water to grab another towel, drying himself. His clothes were still wet, so he had to dress up like Dante did before, although it was embarrassing somehow. The towel wrapped around his hips he left the bathroom again, stopping right in front of the kitchen door. The elder turned around when he heard the boy's steps, scanning his body with a sly grin. "You really need some work kid, you're still way too thin." He teased, going on with the food afterwards.
Nero blushed again, wishing for nothing more than to kill that guy! "Yeah yeah..." he growled, sitting down at the table. "I mean it!" Dante murmured with a grin, before he placed a plate in front of him. "At least I didn't look as if I didn't know how to shave properly when we met last time..." the boy scowled, glancing at the plate before him. Pasta, and it didn't look bad though. "That was weak, kid." The elder sat down as well, is lips still curled in an annoying smile. "I don't care..." Nero hissed as he began eating. "Pouting?" Dante's ice blue eyes were settled upon the boy, who only wished to disappear right in place.
They hadn't finished their meal yet, when they heard the door to the Devil May Cry opening again. Only seconds later a woman showed up in the doorway, dark hair falling upon her shoulders, her eyes in two different colors and dressed up in tight with clothes. Nero looked up, then back to Dante who grinned. "Lady..." he said plainly, without even making an attempt to stand up. "I didn't know that you have a visitor. I may come back later if..." the woman started, but the elder didn't let her complete her sentence. "No need to. Would you just give me my payment before I remember how much your stupid job sucked?" Lady giggled. "That was just what you owed me. And Trish said that you deserved it!" She stated, handing over a bunch of dollar notes. "That's all?" Dante sighed desperately as he snatched the money out of her hand. "Trish got the other half." Lady gave him a wide grin, chuckling as she noticed the hunter's red face. "But who's your visitor anyway?" She wanted to know, glaring at Nero as if she could read it from his face. "His visitor's name is Nero, and he's able to speak for himself." The boy growled, his blue eyes narrowing a bit.
""I'm impressed... all me Lady." The woman said, crossing her arms. "So you finally found the right company, no?" Her eyes settled upon Dante again, who took a deep breath in order to calm down again. "As you can see... He's at least less annoying than you two ladies..." the hunter replied, leaning back in his chair. "Thank you, compliments are always appreciated." Lady mumbled ironically, "Anyway... I might have something more lucrative for you within the next days." She added with a wink.
"Forget it!" Dante jumped off his chair. "Ask Trish, I'm NOT going to clean up YOUR mess again!" Lady pretended to sulk. "But the one who asked me offered to pay 5000 Dollar per hour!" Dante's eyes widened, and before he could even think of saying something Nero grinned. "Well do it."
"What?!" the woman scanned the boy with her unequal eyes. "That's nothing a kid should care about!" Nero jumped to his feet, staring at her. "You won't go on calling me a kid too!" He complained, but calmed down again as he felt Dante placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay Lady. That's the boy I told you about. He's truly talented." He said, leaving Nero with a weird expression on his face. Since when would the elder admit something like that? Especially towards a third person? "Anyway... I'll be back with more info once I get to know more about it..." the woman sighed. "I don't care HOW you do it, as long as you WILL do it..." With that, she turned around, leaving the males alone again. "Nice girl..." Nero snorted, leaning against the counter. "Isn't she?" Dante chuckled. "She gives me the creeps sometimes too, I told you, you were warned."
"Yeah thanks..." The boy rolled his eyes. "If Trish is just as lovely as she was then I just can't wait to get to know her." The elder looked at Nero, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Not used to dominant women, are you?" He teased, grabbing a bottle of tomato juice out of the fridge. "Very funny..." Nero crossed his arms in front of his chest again. "Oh come on, if I remember that girl that was hanging around with you all the time... She didn't really suit you at all." Dante sat down on the table, almost emptying the bottle all at once. Nero gave a desperate sigh. "I told you that Kyrie is NOT my girl!" It was really annoying. If he had to stand Dante picking on him all the time he would surely prefer a hotel for the nights. "Then why are you sulking like hell then?" The elder smirked. "Dante, stop that now, please!" Nero left the kitchen, returning to the reception, trembling slightly as he noticed how cold it was in the huge room.
Dante followed minutes later, throwing something at him. Nero caught it, recognizing some clothes. "Yours are wet, no?" The elder said simply, sitting down beyond his desk, his feet on top of it as usual. The boy blushed, nodding as he turned around to dress. Dante didn't even look at him, he stared at the ceiling again, wondering if Trish might return today or not. It would suit her if she didn't. Nero glared at the clothes when he was dressed. A pair of black jeans and a blood-red shirt. He was pretty sure that his face had the same color by now. "Looks nice." Dante murmured, when he turned his face towards the boy. "Stop teasing already!" Nero closed his eyes. He was too tired to fight now. "I mean it..." Dante smiled, this time without the slight mockery he used to show towards the boy. "Whatever..." Nero sank down onto the couch, yawning deeply. Dante looked at him and shrugged before he left again, only to come back with a blanket and a pillow a few minutes later. "Make yourself at home, kid." He said, tossing both at him. "Thanks." The younger was even too exhausted to complain about that rude behavior. He placed the pillow under his head, pulling the sheets over his body, until only a tuft of white hair could be seen.
The elder smiled, when he left the boy alone. "Good night, kid." He said, quietly closing the door behind him. Nero hadn't changed much, and so did he, at least he thought so. He'd never show it, but he was glad that they met again. After all it had been a great adventure back then, and if they could only claim a bit of it back, it would be really exciting. Not to mention that he preferred the boy to company him compared to Trish or Lady. He liked the girls, no question, but they both tended to suck sometimes.