(So, this is like an AU within an AU, so here's kinda the setup: nobody died, but things still happened in Yamatai with Lara, though since here her parents are alive, it was more just regular old bad luck stranding her and the Endurance on the island. And on the other hand, because Sparda and Eva are still alive, they find out about Temen-ni-gru before Vergil can get it started.
So, Lara, still getting over Yamatai, and Vergil, still grouchy after his quest for power is derailed, have a one night stand and an incredibly awkward morning. Point is, once Nero happens, Vergil finds out and tries to do the 'honorable thing' but Lara isn't having any of that. Instead (and much arguing that got both sets of parents involved) they settle on raising Nero together, until he's at least 18 (or leaves the house) before they go their separate ways.)
Nero: Age 3
The nightlight going dead was what woke Nero up. His eyes opened, frantically searching for the outlet. He tried flipping the switch, but the light didn't come back on. A whimper rose in the back of his throat, ducking his head as the rain pounded against the window outside. His room was too big, too scary, and he was sure there were monsters in the closet. The nightlight was his only protection when Mommy wasn't home. She was somewhere digging up stuff in the desert. At least that's what Auntie Sam told him.
Nero bit his thumb, glancing between the door and his closet. It was either stay here with the monsters or run to the Scary One. Lightning crashed outside, and Nero yelped, tumbling off his bed. The Scary One it was. He toddled along the floor, one hand on the wall for support. The kitchen and dining room were dark, not even the glowing numbers on the stove or microwave were on.
Once the destination was in sight, Nero spun the door handle, trying to open it before it gave way with a creak. Nero froze, before peeking inside. It was a room as big as Mommy's with a window at the end of it, a closet, and the Scary One a lump on the bed.
Gulping, Nero walked up to the bed, and he tugged on the blanket covering the figure. There was shifting, but nothing else. Nero tugged more, and he froze again as the figure rolled over, blue eyes staring into his own.
"What do you want?" he never seemed to raise his voice, or ever changed it - which was what made him so scary.
Nero stalled like a deer in the headlights. "M-monsters in closet. Gonna get me." he whimpered.
Those eyes regarded him for a long moment, before they closed again. "If that were true, I would have gotten them first." he replied. "Go back to sleep."
"Don't wanna. Nothing on. Light don' work." Nero said stubbornly. "Check closet?"
The eyes opened again, but only half-way. "Why would I? There's nothing in your closet except clothes. The power is just out, it'll be back on in the morning." The eyes narrowed further. "Now let me sleep."
The Scary One looked at him like that only before he sent Nero to his room when he got in trouble. Nero didn't want to go back to his room though, but he couldn't stay here. "Okay." he murmured.
Nero crept back out of the room, eyes wide as he stared around at the still dark, large area. There was no wall separating the dining room from the kitchen or living area. Only the bathroom, bedroom and laundry had their own rooms. Nero squinted through the darkness, peering at the device on the counter. He'd talked with Mommy on it earlier.
His eyes brightened, an idea forming in his head. He could call Mommy back, and she'd make everything better. Nero made his way to the counter, but scowled when he saw he couldn't reach. Even raising his arm, it wasn't enough. Glancing to the side, Nero noticed the long, thin cord going from the outlet to the holder the phone was in.
By that logic, tugging on the cord would get the phone closer, and let him call Mommy. Beaming, Nero grabbed the cord and tugged. The phone holder crashed to the floor with a thwak, the actual phone skittering under the table. A teetering glint of glass from the fruitbowl on the counter drew his attention - it toppled onto its side and the contents spilled out.
Nero screamed and ducked. A whoosh pulled him off the floor and into something sturdy. His heart raced, peering out between his fingers as apples and oranges rolled on the floor. Nero furrowed his brow at how high he was, before it sank in that he was being held up. Cautiously, he glanced up, and paled.
The Scary One's eyes were wide, face about ready to crack from the scowl curling up on the side of his mouth. "What were you thinking?" he demanded, voice still dead even.
It made Nero curl into himself, as far from him as he could get. "Want Mommy. She'll protect me." he whimpered.
A strange expression Nero had never seen before crossed the Scary One's face. The scowl fell, a frown replacing it. The brows were pulled tight together, but there was no anger there. It was...odd. Even odder was his voice, low as he said, "And you think I wouldn't? I'm your father."
Nero stared at him in confusion. He'd only ever heard the Scary One call the white-haired grandpa that. Uncle Dante called him 'dad.' "Is that...your name?" Nero asked, still scared and confused. Had he been calling him something wrong all this time? Mommy only ever called him 'you.'
The Scary One's brows shot up, his grip tightening. "No, it's not my name. It's -" he stopped, and let out a sigh. "Stay here." he said, and set Nero on the table.
Nero pulled his legs to his chest, watching the Scary One cleaning up all the fallen fruit, and picking up the phone. "Are you going to give me to the monsters?" he ventured to ask.
The Scary One paused in checking the phone cord. Without looking at Nero, he said, "Never."
Nero wasn't convinced though. "Why not?"
"Because you're my son." The Scary One said simply.
Nero frowned. "You're mean and scary. I don't like you." he replied bluntly. The Scary One looked at him sharply, and Nero cowered, fearing he'd crossed a line.
But what was on that face wasn't anger. It was another expression Nero had never seen. "You...why? I'm here with you every day. I can't say the same for your mother."
"Mommy loves me though. She tells me every time I talk to her." Nero answered.
The anger Nero was expecting began creeping into the Scary One's features, though he glared at the screen door. "I see. Well, I don't exactly see the point in coddling you. It's her choice though to ease her guilt by overcompensating." He let out a huff, and folded his arms over his chest.
Nero really didn't understand what he was saying, and he started to get tired again. "Can I stay with Uncle Dante? He lets me eat piz-za, and stay up late."
"That's because Dante's immature. He can barely take care of himself, let alone a child." The Scary One said, holding the bridge of his nose.
Nero was silent a moment. "Auntie Sam then?" he shrank back when he was glared at. "You don't like me either. You'll let the monsters get me."
The Scary One broke his glare, turning his gaze to the side. "That...will never happen."
Nero stiffened as he was picked up. He eyed his bedroom as they passed it, but blinked in surprise when they came back into the Scary One's room. "Huh?" he mumbled.
The Scary One set him on the pillow, and pulled the cover up to his chin. Nero's brows knitted, confusion not letting up. The Scary One jerked his chin up, eyes narrowed. "Go to sleep, no monsters will be getting you tonight."
Hesitantly, Nero shut his eyes. This...was what he wanted, kinda. He'd wanted the Scary One to check for monsters, and so he should be safe in here, right? Before he could think further on it, Nero fell asleep.
When he awoke, he blinked sleepily. Sunlight shined in the room, and he squinted against the light. His ear was pressed to something, rising and falling to a light breathing. Nero blinked, eyes wide.
During the night, the Scary One must have fallen asleep. He was lying awkwardly on the pillow, shoulder pressed into the mattress while his head rested over Nero's, his other arm holding him to his chest. Was this in case the monster's got by him? So he could stop Nero from being taken? Nero furrowed his brow, leaning back to peer at the Scary One's face. It was slack, mouth parted as he exhaled, hair messed up, the sunlight illuminating his features. He looked relaxed.
Nero tilted his head, staring at him for a long moment. Finally, he nodded, and leaned back in to bury his face into the man's chest. The arm held him tighter, secure. Nero supposed that the man wasn't so scary then.