Chapter 4: Home is where the heart is

The drive was pretty quiet. Dante put on some music and Nero didn't seem to mind at all. He leaned on the window and eventually fell asleep. The safe feeling, the classic rock, the smell of leather, the warmth of the car, Dante's presence… it made him feel safe and relaxed. And much more than that, it made him feel good about himself. He was happy. Pretty damn happy.

Dante let him be, knowing he's been through a lot with next to no sleep. He decided to take the longer route home, glancing over at Nero every chance he had, making sure he was sleeping soundly.

Dante felt a special kind of way that evening. The whole drive he kept thinking about that day.

'What are the damn odds of me bumping into him. HIM of all people. This has got to be a dream,' Dante thought, a smile glued to his face. He felt like that hole in his life was pushed to the very back of his mind. Just for a moment.

Dante pulled up at the back of the office, parking his car. He turned the engine and lights off. He sat there for a bit, observing, not wanting to wake up the sleeping Nero next to him.

"Nero," he said, waiting. "Hey, Nero, we're here." He put a hand on Nero's shoulder.

Upon feeling it, Nero slowly awoke.
"Shit, how long was I out?" Half asleep, he rubbed his eyes and started looking around.

"'Couple hours." Dante smiled softly.
"Come on, let's get you inside, you can get some proper sleep for a change." Dante got out of the car and waited for Nero, who followed shortly after, grabbing his belongings from the back seat.

"Where are we? What city is this?" Nero walked over to Dante who took Nero's bag and sword case from him.

"Capulet. Shithole, but the rent's cheap, so. Gotta make do."

"You don't have to, Dante…" Nero felt shy about Dante's chivalrous move. Dante gave him an I know look and walked over to the front door. Nero was in awe, looking up at the bright flashing neon pink sign above the door.

"Devil May Cry. I've heard a lot about it. I had no idea this was you."

Dante laughed. "No kidding?" He proceeded to unlock the double door.

"After you," he gestured towards the younger.

Nero entered and was hit with surprise. He walked through the office slowly, examining it in all its glory.

'A high ceiling? Trophies? Weapons? Guitars? A damn bar?' He was genuinely amazed.

"Dante, this place is-"
"A shithole?"
Dante interrupted him, feeling bad he didn't clean the place up before he left.

Nero shot him a look of confusion. "What? No. It's amazing. This is exactly what I imagined it would look like."

Dante's face lit up "It is? You imagined what it would look like?" He grinned at Nero in a teasing manner.

Nero looked away and blushed a deep red.
"Shut up."

Dante laughed. "I'm glad you like it. I figured you'd hate this joint. It's an old mess."

Nero walked over to the guitar set under the stairs.
"It's exactly what a hunter's place would look like. A mess; with trophies and weapons. I didn't know you played," he said, pointing at Dante's set.

Dante walked over. "We don't know much about each other, do we?" he paused, "I used to play."

Nero nodded, "I guess we don't."

Dante pats him on the back, "We've got plenty of time for that. How about we call it a day and get some sleep?".

Nero paused a bit and nodded.
"Just for the night, though. I'll be out of your way by tomorrow."

Dante's face got a bit more serious as he looked at Nero.
"Out of my way."

Nero looked away, "I'll find a hotel, or a hostel, don't worry about it."

Dante crossed his arms, "What makes you think you're in my way?"

Nero scratched his neck. "You've helped me enough as it is, Dante… I can't keep asking you for favours."

Dante raised an eyebrow, "You didn't. I offered."

Nero wasn't sure what to say.

"Now, I don't have a spare bed so you can either take the couch or, if you're brave enough, share the bed upstairs with me." Dante grinned as he looked Nero in the eye.

Nero rolled his eyes, looked away as a blush appeared on his face, smiling.
"Keep dreaming, asshole."

'I will,' Dante thought to himself.

They walked upstairs and grabbed a blanket and a pillow for Nero then headed back down.
"Alright, I'll be upstairs if you need me. The bathroom's in the back, make yourself at home. I'll see you in the morning."

Nero nodded and looked at the floor, still feeling invasive by being there.
"Thanks. For everything."

Dante put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad you're here. Good night, kid," he said and walked upstairs.

"Good night…" Nero smiled. He showered, went straight to the couch and fell asleep right away.