Warning: post-DMC2 timeline, use of DMC4 novel's 'theory' of Nero's connection to Dante and Vergil, eventually DantexNero and maybe hints of VergilxNero (if you guys want to see it that way… but it was meant to be parental! I swear… I think…), father and son bonding, 'miscommunication' between uncle and nephew and probable OOC-ness.
Disclaimer: Once upon a time, there was once a girl who wished to have Devil May Cry. Unfortunately, she never got her wish.
Author's Notes (feel free not to read): Updates for all current stories (aka Family and Those Nights) will now be either Monday or Tuesday due to my new class schedule. –grins- In other news, my orders just arrived last Tuesday! –does a happy dance that looked like Joey's dance- Included in my orders are the two Devil May Cry novels and the two volumes of Devil May Cry 3 manga. I finished the first novel in one day, the second novel the following day and I suddenly had the urge to write a GilverxNero fanfic… But I can't think of any plot at all. –laughs- Anyway. Today's chapter has been inspired by… Gonzo studio… I guess…
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Family: Cues and Lines
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Three days have passed since the incident concerning the Alp demon and Dante was getting worried. Of course, the younger twin tried not to show it but Nero and Vergil could see the hints and Nero had tried to ask but the red-clad hunter simply shook his head and told him everything was fine.
The older son of Sparda did not bother asking because he had known that his brother would deny it anyway. He knew his brother well enough to know that he would not say what was bothering him and would most probably try to settle his problem alone sooner or later. Everyone who has Sparda's blood seemed keen of solving their problems alone. Even Vergil could see that his son was not an exception to the rule. The only thing Vergil could do was to wait for Dante to either settle it on his own or be unable to settle it on his own and then ask for help… or Vergil would have to help him without his consent.
Although Dante liked saying that Vergil was the type to not ask for help and try to solve everything by his own because he was a prideful bastard, Vergil could say the same for Dante… although he was sure that it wasn't pride that kept stopping his brother to ask for help. It was fear. Although Dante didn't want to admit it and he would rather appear like a cocky smartass, Vergil knew him well enough to be able to say that Dante may have a self-destructive savior-complex. If Vergil had fallen to the desire of power and might, Dante had fallen to the desire of saving lives.
Both of which were not good for them.
Vergil was tempted by greed and pride while Dante was haunted by fear… fear of losing those he cared about once more.
And Vergil knew that it would be useless for Dante to stop being afraid. The same way it was useless for him to stop wanting for power. These… emotions… have been engraved in them by the tragedy that had fallen before them on their eighth birthday. Maybe things would have been different had the demons not arrived. Maybe they wouldn't have been this distorted had their mother survived. Maybe their relationship had been more normal had they not been separated that fateful day.
But it was too late for such thoughts. It was pointless to think about what could have happened had things been different. All they could do was live in the present. And Vergil was contented with doing that.
That's why he does not think that Dante would change and, whatever was bothering his brother, he would find out sooner or later. Although he would rather let Nero keep pestering his brother about it as the young man does have the ability to get Dante talking sooner than usual. That's why he was letting Nero continue to ask about what was bothering Dante as he sat on the new couch, reading a book. They had managed to buy new sets of furniture for the entire first floor which included a new billiard table, where the other two occupants of Devil May Cry were currently having a friendly match of billiards while the youngest white haired man was pestering his opponent about his current condition. Dante simply smiled as he stared at the younger man leaning towards the billiard table. The younger man tried to aim his cue stick properly towards the cue ball as the older man said, "For the last time, kid, I'm fine."
"Yeah, right." Nero replied sarcastically as he hit the cue ball, leaning away from the table as the cue ball hit the solid yellow 1 ball, frowning as it stopped just an inch away from the pocket. There were some things Nero couldn't find the courage to ask, like what the twins were fighting about that led to their last fight, but Dante being worried was something Nero felt like he was compelled to ask. That's why he was not letting the issue go until he got an answer.
But the main question that was getting in his nerve was why he was so compelled to ask.
Dante grinned and commented as he walked towards where the cue ball had stopped, "The problem with you, kid, is that you don't know how much power to use when hitting the ball. Actually, it looks like you're afraid to hit the ball."
That was true. Nero had always felt he needed to not use too much power, afraid that he may send the cue ball flying to the wall or break the table. But he would not say that out loud so Nero simply frowned and retorted, "Maybe I just don't want to play this game. Ever thought of that, old man?"
Dante shrugged and aimed his cue stick towards the cue ball, looking at the purple striped 12 ball that was in front of him, just a few inches away from a pocket. With a grin, Dante hit the cue ball before replying, "Well, if you don't want to play, why play?"
Nero frowned as he saw the cue ball hit the purple striped 12 ball, making the striped ball fall in the pocket while the cue ball changed its direction, stopping by the center of the table. Dante walked towards the left side of the table. He stopped when he was looking straight at Nero who was on the right side of the table and aimed the cue stick towards the cue ball. With a smirk, he mused, "Maybe you're playing because I'm playing with you?"
Vergil narrowed his eyes and turned to look at the two. From where he was sitting, he could see the slight reddening of the younger man's cheeks as he stuttered, "W-Why would I play because of you?"
Dante grinned and looked at Nero as he replied, "Kid, I didn't say you were playing because of me. I said you were playing because I'm playing with you."
"How is that different?" Nero shouted and Vergil could see that the reddening on his son's cheeks was growing more noticeable.
"Aw, man. How do I explain that? Well… Vergil!" Dante looked back towards Vergil and asked, "Care to explain to the kid the difference between the two?"
Vergil frowned and replied, "Why must I participate in your childish banter, brother?"
Dante rolled his eyes and replied, "A simple 'no' would have been fine, bro."
The colder son of Sparda placed the book on the coffee table and retorted, "I did not say I will not explain it, brother. I am simply asking why I must answer it."
"Because you're the geek here." Dante replied with a grin as he turned his body so he would be facing Vergil.
The blue-clad half-devil glared at his brother as he hissed, "Dante… I believe you meant to say 'scholar' but I assume your limited vocabulary has impaired your capabilities to communicate."
Dante's grin turned more mischievous as he countered playfully, "Sorry, bro, but your words are too big for me to understand. Did you just say that you're a geek?"
Vergil stood and crossed his arms as he hissed, "Must you act so childish, brother?"
Dante shrugged and replied with a smirk, "Well, that depends. Are you getting annoyed?"
Vergil rolled his eyes and walked towards them as he replied, "Quite frankly, I am."
Nero gulped as Vergil walked passed Dante and towards him, stopping just behind Nero. If they were planning to fight again, Nero knew he wouldn't get away unscathed at his current location and he was wondering and panicking why the blue-clad twin had decided to stop behind him. Nero tensed as he felt Vergil's hand on his shoulder and he paled when Vergil whispered to his ear, "Tell him to stop acting childish."
Nero's eyes widened and he turned to face Vergil, whispering in a panicked tone, "What? You think I can stop him?"
"There is something I would like to test." Vergil gave a small mysterious smile and Nero suddenly had the urge to obey the older man's command.
Nero frowned and turned his attention back towards the younger son of Sparda. He blinked as he noticed the slight frown on the older man's face. A bit confused at what could make Dante frown right now, Nero said, "Hey, old man. Stop acting like a brat."
Dante rolled his eyes and retorted, "Not really convincing when you say it, kid."
Nero frowned and turned his head to look at Vergil and hissed, "See? Told you it wouldn't work…"
"But since I'm getting bored anyway, I'll stop." Dante said with a shrug.
Nero's eyes widened and he looked at Dante, seeing the older man aiming his cue stick once more. Most probably he was planning on pocketing the striped green 14 ball. Nero heard Vergil hum slightly as he said, "As Trish said…"
"What? What did Trish say?" Nero whispered to Vergil as he continued to stare at Dante. As Dante's cue stick hit the cue ball, the main door opened which caused Dante's concentration to falter. The cue ball hit the striped green 14 ball but the striped ball did not fall into the pocket but slightly bumped the solid yellow 1 ball. That slight bump was enough for the solid colored ball to fall into the pocket which made Dante frown.
With an annoyed tone, Dante turned towards the person who had opened the door and said, "Damn it, Lady. You have the worst luck!"
Lady raised an eyebrow and retorted as she placed her hands on her waist, "Oh, I'm sure you're the one who has worse luck between the two of us."
Dante groaned and walked away from the billiard table, walking towards the kitchen, as he said, "I'm going to get a beer."
Nero frowned and reminded him, "It's ten in the morning, old man. You shouldn't be drinking!"
From the kitchen, they could hear Dante shout back, "Fine! Then I'll get a tomato juice!"
Vergil nodded and placed his hand on his chin as he mumbled, "Impressive. So what Trish said is true."
"What did Trish say?" Nero asked as he turned around to look at Vergil with a frown.
Vergil shook his head slightly and patted Nero's shoulder, "It is nothing you should worry about, Nero. And…"
Vergil leaned forward and whispered by the younger man's ear, "'Playing with you' means that you are playing because you enjoy playing that specific activity with that person while 'playing because of you' means you are playing because of that person and one may even conclude that the activity does not matter at all as long as that person is there."
Nero's eyes widened and his cheeks reddened like the red tomato sauce of Dante's pizza. Vergil patted Nero's shoulder once before he walked towards the black haired woman by the front door who was staring at them with her arms crossed, "Good morning. If you are here to collect your debt, I had made it clear that I would transfer the amount we have agreed upon in your account next Monday."
"You are so stingy, you know that?" Lady rolled her eyes and said, "Ever since you got here, I can't get free transportation and clothes."
Vergil crossed his arms and frowned, "My brother may be an idiot when it comes to money-"
"Love you too, bro!" Dante shouted from the kitchen but neither Lady nor Vergil paid any attention to him.
"-but now that I am taking care of all the finances of this place, I will not let you take all our money by using his debt as an excuse." Vergil narrowed his eyes and continued, "Now, state your business here."
"Before we continue our conversation, because I have a feeling I would be trying to shot you soon, I just have to give Nero something." Lady took out a small package from her bag and threw it towards Nero. Nero caught it with his left hand and looked at Lady warily. Lady rolled her eyes and said, "Don't worry. It's not a bomb or anything."
Nero looked at the package in his hand and opened it slowly. Nero blinked as he recognized what was inside the package. He took the item inside with his right hand, taking great care not to squeeze it hard, as he looked at Lady, "Is this a phone?"
"Yeah." Lady nodded and turned to look at Vergil with a glare, "I heard from Trish that you haven't gotten Nero a mobile phone so I took it upon myself to buy him one…"
Lady narrowed her eyes as she added, "Like how I did for both you and Dante."
Vergil frowned and asked, "I am assuming you have placed all the charges for Nero's phone on the same account then?"
"Of course." Lady rolled her eyes and asked, "So? Can I ask what happened to the phones I gave both you and Dante? You didn't destroy it, did you?"
"They still exist. We just don't have a reason to use them." Vergil replied, glaring at Lady. If he remembered it correctly, the phone in question was somewhere in his room, probably already getting dust.
"Um… So…" Nero looked at Vergil and asked meekly, "Can I use this?"
Lady chuckled and mocked Vergil, "What do you say, daddy? Can Nero use the phone?"
Vergil glared at Lady and hissed, "Do not call me by that, woman."
Lady rolled her eyes and turned towards Nero as she said, "Use it, Nero. I added Trish's and my numbers in it already. Of course, I added Dante's and Vergil's numbers although-"
Lady turned to face Vergil and said sarcastically, "I have a feeling you won't be able to get in touch of them even if you wanted to."
"I keep my phone in my jacket!" Dante shouted from the kitchen.
Vergil rolled his eyes and mumbled, "I am surprised that thing is still alive then."
Lady smiled and commented, "Considering Dante's track record for getting his things destroyed, me too."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, you two!"
Vergil sighed and looked back at Nero. Seeing the young man staring at him expectedly, Vergil nodded and said, "You can keep it, Nero, and you can use it to contact us when the need arises."
Nero smiled and nodded, looking at his new phone. Nero began checking his new phone, trying to navigate through the different menus being presented on the screen. Vergil sighed as he made a mental note to find his own phone later and Lady grinned as she teased, "Oh? Does that mean you'll finally be using your phone, Vergil? Well now. Guess even the evilest ice-berg still have a soft spot, huh?"
Vergil glared at Lady and Nero could feel Vergil's devil-side slowly growing more murderous. If there was one thing Vergil hated, it was to be mocked by humans. Nero immediately placed his new phone in the side pocket of his pants, ready to leave if Vergil and Lady started to fight. It wouldn't be the first time Lady and Vergil were to fight inside Devil May Cry. As much as Nero hated running away, he didn't want to be caught in the middle of either Lady's bullets or Vergil's small demonic blue swords. Vergil crossed his arms and hissed, "If you are simply here to annoy me then leave."
"I'm here to give Dante the mission I was supposed to give him three days ago when you three stooges were having a battle royale." Lady replied sarcastically.
Dante walked back to the main room with a soda can on one hand and a can of tomato juice on the other hand, not even bothered by the growing murderous intent of his brother. Dante threw the soda can towards Nero who caught it with his left human hand. Dante sipped his tomato juice before reminding Lady, "You were part of that battle royale, Lady."
"Whatever." Lady waved Dante's reminder dismissingly as she handed a folder towards Vergil, "Here, 'boss'. Check for yourself if you think your 'employee' can handle this job."
The cold son of Sparda glared at Lady for a moment before he flipped the folder open. Inside were copies of police reports and some clippings from newspapers as Dante and Nero silently watched the two, drinking their respective beverages. Slightly forgetting about his desire to rip the woman in front of him apart, Vergil scanned the contents for a moment before he turned his attention back towards Lady and asked, "You want Dante to investigate the mysterious attacks in theatres?"
"They're not just 'mysterious attacks'. There have never been any survivors. They all disappear without a trace. The police tried to make it ambiguous in their reports to the media so that the masses won't panic but there's a pattern." Lady tapped one clipping which showed a shot of the ruined theatre as she explained, "It's not just targeting theatres randomly. Whatever this son of a bitch is, it's targeting the theatres that either plays or rehearse a specific play."
"And that play would be?" Nero asked, interested at Lady's explanation. It sounded more like a mystery than just plain demon hunting and, as much as Nero enjoyed stupid demons that were more than willing to walk right into their death, it sounded like a fun mission. At least… it sounded more interesting than the usual 'find the demon hideout then beat the crap out of every demon inside' missions they usually receive from callers.
Lady smirked as she replied, "Romeo and Juliet."
"Wait… As in…" Dante cleared his throat before he went down on one knee and he stared at Nero as he dramatically said, "I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and I'll be new baptiz'd; Henceforth I never will be Romeo."
Nero narrowed his eyes and hissed, "Why are you looking at me, old man?"
Dante stood and grinned as he teased the younger man, "Ohhh. Are you blushing, kid?"
Nero showed him his middle finger and Dante laughed. The younger son of Sparda noticed that the other two people in the room were looking at him and asked, "What?"
"Nothing." Lady shook her head and said, "I was just surprised you can recite that line."
"What possessed you to do such a thing, Dante?" Vergil asked, unable to keep the surprise in his voice.
"Ah, I dated this girl once who was into Shakespearean plays. She had me memorize the entire balcony scene." Dante replied with a shrug and grinned when he saw Vergil's frown, "What? You didn't think I would just memorize something like that for the heck of it, did you?"
"Was it some freaky role play?" Lady asked with disgust. Dante simply winked at Lady's question and she rolled her eyes and turned to face Vergil, "Well? Can Dante do this job or not?"
Dante rolled his eyes and commented, "Come on, Lady. You make it sound like Vergil's my dad or something."
Vergil sighed and glared at Lady as he asked, deliberately not paying any attention to Dante, "And the amount for this job?"
Lady placed a folded piece of paper on top of the folder Vergil was holding. The blue-clad son of Sparda opened the piece of paper and read the amount written inside. Vergil turned his eyes towards Lady and said coldly, "If we get ninety percent, Dante will do this ridiculous mission."
Lady glared at Vergil and hissed, "Ninety percent? Don't mess with me, Vergil. You know the usual is sixty percent, you asshole."
Vergil closed the folder and threw it towards Lady, "We're quite low on funds at the moment because we had to replace all the things we lost four days ago-"
"Because of your fucking family problems!" Lady retorted as she caught the folder.
"Ninety percent." Vergil stared at Lady with unwavering eyes, "As Dante would have said it: 'take it or leave it'."
Both Dante and Nero remained to keep quiet as both of them didn't want to get between the two. When it comes down to it, Vergil may be the best person to push Lady's buttons to the limit. Of course…
"You're a bastard." Lady threw the folder on Vergil's face. Vergil caught it an inch away from his face and Lady shouted, "Fine! But don't expect to get any help from me!"
"Lady!" Dante called out but Lady had already slammed the door shut. Yup, only Vergil can make Lady dance in the palm of his hands without even trying. Dante frowned and turned towards Vergil. With a frown, he pointed his tomato juice towards Vergil's direction and said, "You should really stop antagonizing Lady."
Vergil rolled his eyes and glared at Dante, "That woman knows that she does not stand a chance over this matter. It is only natural that I make sure we can get as much as we can. Had it been up to you, she would have simply given you around forty percent."
"And that's why she still thinks you're an evil bastard." Dante retorted and glared at his brother.
"Let her think what she wants. I am not going to let a human take advantage over us." Vergil hissed back as he glared at his brother. Before Dante could reply, Vergil sighed and opened the folder once more as he said calmly, "I will make all the necessary preparations. Maybe we can be in an old theatre and rehearse that balcony scene."
"Um…" Nero cautiously looked at Vergil, unsure if he should speak.
Vergil turned towards him and Nero sighed in relief as the older twin didn't give him a harsh look, "What is it, Nero?"
"Well…" Nero rubbed the back of his neck as he asked, "Who's going to play Juliet? I mean… Lady said she wouldn't help us-"
Vergil scoffed and retorted, "That woman would be a displeasing Juliet."
"So… who's going to play Juliet?" Nero asked once more.
Vergil and Dante stared at him. Nero gulped and involuntarily took a step back as he saw the twins' reaction. Vergil had this look in his face that seemed to say something along the lines of 'it's obvious, I can't believe you didn't notice it' while Dante had this mischievous smile on his lips. Before Nero could ask once more, Vergil replied calmly, "Nero… You will be our Juliet."
"WHAT?" Nero shouted, staring at both of them with wide surprised eyes. He looked at Dante then at Vergil then back at Dante. Nero couldn't even stop the stuttering in his voice as he asked, "W-W-Why the hell should I be Juliet?"
Before Vergil could reply, Dante had grinned and said, "Kid, we can't get a normal girl in this mess and I'm already playing Romeo. Now, think about this…"
Dante walked towards Nero and placed his arm over the younger hunter's shoulder, "Look at Vergil. I mean… really, really stare at his cold almost as handsome as mine face…"
Vergil frowned and crossed his arms but did not say anything as Dante continue, "Now, imagine Vergil as Juliet."
Nero paled at the thought and he shivered, shaking his head furiously. Dante grinned and patted Nero's shoulder, "See? Between the two of you, kid, you are the best bet."
"But I-I-" Nero turned to face Dante and said, "I don't know anything about Romeo and Juliet!"
"Oh, if you want I can tutor-"
"No." Vergil cut Dante off and glared at his brother, "I will take care of Nero, brother. You just make sure that you remember your lines."
Before the two can even speak, Vergil had already begun walking upstairs, "Nero. Come to my room later in the afternoon. I will help you with becoming Juliet."
The two white haired men can only stare as Vergil went to the second floor. When they heard a door close, Nero turned towards Dante and said, "Hey, Dante."
"Yeah?" Dante turned his head to face Nero, slightly leaning closer to the younger man's face.
"Why do you act childish around Vergil? I mean…" Nero slapped Dante's arm away from his shoulder and said seriously, "You don't act like that towards any of us but when it comes to Vergil, you act like… I don't know… Like a brat."
Dante laughed and walked away from Nero. He sat on the couch and replied with a grin, "Don't really know why. Maybe I just feel like it?"
Nero frowned and walked towards the couch as he retorted, "That's not really an answer, old man."
Dante shrugged and sipped his tomato juice before replying, "Maybe… I'm trying to continue how we were when we had been eight."
"Huh?" Nero blinked at Dante's reply and tilted his head slightly as he asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Dante chuckled softly and shook his head, "It's nothing, kid. Don't worry about it."
"Stop saying that!" Dante was surprised at Nero's shout. Nero was glaring at him and his left hand was slightly trembling as he continued to hold the soda. Nero looked away and whispered, "Stop saying I shouldn't worry about you."
"Nero…"
"You're always like that. No matter how many times I try to worry about you, you always act like a total ass." Nero complained as he continued to look away from Dante.
Dante chuckled and replied, "Don't say that, kid. There's nothing to worry abou-"
Nero couldn't contain his anger and he glared at Dante. Once more, the older hunter was trying to keep Nero from understanding what was wrong. Nero threw the soda can towards Dante as he shouted, "You're an idiot!"
Dante grabbed the can but the remaining carbonated liquid fell on Dante's lap. Dante frowned and was about to speak but he saw Nero walking upstairs, "Nero!"
Nero didn't reply to him and Dante heard a door slam shut. Dante groaned and placed his hand on his face as he sighed, "It's not like that…"
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"No. No." Vergil shook his head and Nero could hear the hint of exasperation in the older man's voice. Vergil placed his hand over his forehead as he said, "You are doing it wrong, Nero."
"What the hell am I doing wrong?" Nero asked with annoyance lacing his words. This had been the second day Vergil was tutoring him on how to play the part of Juliet and Nero was getting annoyed. He had managed to memorize all of Juliet's lines in the balcony scene yesterday which was a feat for him. Nero had never bothered to memorize the prayers and songs they had to sing during the church gatherings in Fortuna but Vergil had been a stern teacher. And he also used underhanded tactics to make Nero memorize the entire scene.
Who in their right mind would use food as a weapon?
But Vergil had been scary when he had threatened that he was going to make Dante cook if Nero couldn't memorize all of Juliet's lines before dinner. Nero remembered the last time Dante had cooked. To be fair, Nero had also been there but the destruction of the kitchen and the attempt of burning the house down had been mainly Dante's doing.
Nero didn't want to see a devil arm being used to kill fire again.
That's why he had done his best to memorize all of Juliet's lines. Most of the lines, he didn't even understand but, as long as Nero could pronounce it properly, he didn't really care.
Now, today, Vergil was 'tutoring' Nero on how to act his lines as Juliet. Nero couldn't really understand why Vergil was so serious about the entire thing. They were just using this play to get the proprietor so that they can kill it, right?
But since Vergil was serious about this, Nero had to be serious about it… otherwise… He didn't really want to think about what Vergil was planning to do if Nero continued to 'displease' him.
Nero continued to stare at the older white haired man as he said, "Give me something, Vergil. An order, an explanation or even just a freaking hint! I don't understand what the hell I'm doing wrong!"
Vergil frowned and placed his hand on his lips, looking at Nero intently. Nero crossed his arms and waited for the cold son of Sparda to speak. After a few minutes of silence with Nero tapping the floor with his left foot out of boredom being the only sound they could hear, Vergil sighed and said, "There's no… emotion behind it."
"Of course there isn't!" Nero shouted, frowning at Vergil. He was being forced to play the part of a girl! The only emotion he could muster for this thing would most probably anger or frustration.
Not to mention he was still annoyed at Dante for yesterday's conversation…
Vergil narrowed his eyes and hissed, "Do not shout at me, Nero."
Nero gulped and took a step back. He looked at the floor and mumbled, "Sorry. I didn't mean to shout."
Vergil stared at Nero for a moment before sighing. He patted Nero's shoulder and said softly, "It's alright. I know you are as frustrated as me at the moment."
Nero slowly turned to look at Vergil and the older man sighed as he shook his head, "We only have today to make you a believable Juliet…"
"I don't understand why you're so serious about this, Vergil…" Nero said as he placed his hands behind his back. Vergil turned towards him and looked at him with a questioning gaze. Nero shrugged and commented, "I mean… we're just doing this because we want to get the demon doing all those attacks, right? There's no need to work hard for it. As long as we say our lines-"
"It's not that simple, Nero." Vergil shook his head and looked at Nero seriously as he explained, "Whatever this is, it's attacking specific plays but there is no evidence that it would attack our play if we are doing a half-ass job with the play."
Well… Vergil did have a point-
Wait…
Nero's eyes widened and he asked, "Did you… Did you just say 'half-ass'?"
Vergil groaned and placed his hand over his face as he mumbled, "I must have been spending too much time with the two of you. Your colorful vocabulary is rubbing off on me."
Nero laughed and patted Vergil's shoulder briefly, "Aw. Come on, Vergil. It isn't that bad."
Vergil sighed and dropped his hand. He looked at Nero seriously and said, "We cannot mess this up, Nero. Just reserving that old theatre had been expensive enough… so, Nero… I will be counting on you."
"Got it; I'll do my best." Nero said, grinning at Vergil. He didn't really understand it well enough but Nero had always wanted Vergil to praise him. At first, he had always assumed it was because simply because of his devil side that was keen on having Vergil's approval but, before long, Nero couldn't deny that he wanted the older twin to praise him.
Maybe it had something to do with the fact that the cold son of Sparda was his father?
"Very well… Let us start from the beginning." Vergil opened the book he was holding and recited Romeo's line. Nero could only stare at Vergil as he began the first 25 lines of Romeo. Unlike Dante who seemed to be the more dramatic type, Vergil recited Romeo's lines with elegance.
It wasn't as if he was just a noble. Vergil appeared like a prince.
No… maybe it was more accurate to say Vergil appeared like a king.
"O that I were a glove upon that hand…" Vergil stared at Nero with intense eyes as he offered his hand towards the younger man, "That I might touch that cheek!"
Knowing it was his line, Nero said as he mimicked Vergil's elegance, "Ay me!"
"No. No." Vergil shook his head once more and frowned at Nero, "Your words lack the emotion Juliet should be portraying in this scene, Nero."
Nero frowned as well and he crossed his arms once more, "Well… I don't understand Juliet's emotions at all."
"Have you not read Romeo and Juliet, Nero?" Vergil asked and Nero shook his head.
"Don't really like the whole star-crossed lover thing." Nero shrugged as he explained, "I might have read a few lines because of Kyrie but that's all."
"So you do not know the whole story?" Vergil asked as he stared at Nero. Nero shook his head and Vergil sighed, "Very well. We do not have enough time for me to try and explain the entire plot to you. You do understand that Romeo and Juliet are from opposing families and their love is doomed from the beginning?"
"Yeah, supposedly…" Nero tried to remember how Kyrie had explained to him the plot when they had been young, "… their families are at war or something with each other?"
"Close enough." Vergil replied, not bothering to correct the younger man. Vergil placed his hand on Nero's shoulder and led him towards the couch. Nero sat on the couch and Vergil became silent, trying to find the correct approach. He looked at the younger white haired man, wondering if the approach he thought of would be appropriate at all. Not finding a different approach that had a higher chance of succeeding, Vergil started, "Fortuna is a very strict city, is it not?"
"Pretty much." Nero nodded, a bit confused to why Vergil was asking about Fortuna all of a sudden.
It was now or never. He had seen the signs but this conversation would finally nail it… or… at least, he would be able to get a clearer picture of both sides.
"And how… does Fortuna think about…" Vergil closed his eyes as he continued, "A person from Fortuna becoming… intimately acquainted with someone outside the city?"
"You mean like they're a couple?" Nero asked for confirmation. Vergil opened his eyes and nodded. The younger man thought about it for a while, wondering if he had ever heard of an instance such as that. Fortuna had always been isolated from the outside world. Sure, there were cases where in people entered the city but it was very seldom since the Order were very strict about what kind of people can enter the city. Nero shrugged and replied, "It's probably frown upon. I think there was a case where a girl fell in love with a traveler and she left with him. I'm not sure if it was voluntary or she was forced to leave though."
Vergil nodded at Nero's explanation and said, "Now, let's say… hypothetically… you fell in love with someone from outside the city."
Nero frowned at Vergil's words but remained silent, nodding to confirm that he heard Vergil. Vergil sat on the couch next to Nero and continued, "This… person… is someone that Fortuna would not like. This person is someone that the city would most probably try to either expel from the city or kill."
"Okay…" Nero replied as he nodded, a bit confused why Vergil seemed keen on using the word 'this person'.
"And you, Nero, cannot go against Fortuna." Seeing Nero about to speak, Vergil reminded the younger man, "Remember, Nero. This is all hypothetical."
"Okay…" Nero narrowed his eyes and said, "So, hypothetically… why can't I just tell everyone to mind their own business?"
Vergil frowned and tried to think of a reason. The blue-clad half-devil sighed and replied, "Because… hypothetically… you aren't sure if you're willing to risk everything you have now for… this person."
"Why not? I mean…" Nero rested his hand on the arm rest of the couch as he continued, "Hypothetically… I am in love with… this person, right?"
"Yes." Vergil sighed once more, wondering if Nero was trying to get Vergil to lose his composure on purpose. Knowing the younger man, it was most probably not the case. But… can he push it?
Nero seemed to want to push the issue.
Vergil stared at Nero seriously as he said, "Very well then. Nero, hypothetically… what if you were in love with this person who does not care about the rules, who is unable to show love unless it was through teasing and bantering, who is stronger than you, who fears nothing even if it means danger and who would rather solve problems alone than asking for help?"
Nero blinked as he tried to understand what Vergil had just said.
Wait…
Did Vergil just…?
But that can't be…
The only person who fitted Vergil's description was…
"Vergil…" Nero narrowed his eyes as he asked, "Are you telling me that I'm in love in Dante?"
Vergil cringed slightly at Nero's words and he replied, "Hypothetically…"
"WHY?" Nero shouted as he stood. Nero began to pace the room as he ranted, "T-That's impossible! No! That's not- I mean-"
It would certainly answer the question why he was so inclined to ask what was wrong with Dante.
Or why he was angry at the older man for waving his worry dismissingly yesterday.
Or even why he had been so worried when he had heard the older man's devil side whining during the incident with the Alp demon.
Actually… that would even answer why Nero's mind would always conjure the red-clad hunter's face time to time when he had been back in Fortuna.
That would also answer why he would dream about Dante and-
"No!" Nero shouted as he shook his head furiously.
Vergil continued to look at his son pacing the room as he continued to shout the words 'no', 'shut up' and 'you're kidding', all of which doesn't seem to be directed towards him.
Vergil saw two outcomes of this conversation. One was that Nero would simply say no with a look of surprise and ask where and how Vergil got the idea from. The other one was that Nero would turn into a stuttering idiot with a bright red face.
Vergil could see that he was not accurate in thinking of the outcomes but this reaction was in the accepted range of error. Vergil sighed and said calmly, "Nero, calm down."
"How the hell can I calm down?" Nero shouted in a higher pitch than usual as he stared at Vergil. Well, at least he had stopped pacing the room.
Vergil placed his hand on the arm rest and said calmly, "It's nothing to be panicking about."
"You just said that I was in love with Dante!" Nero shouted and Vergil sighed once more. Before Vergil could say anything, Nero had began to rant, "Why would I fall in love with a man like him? He's lazy and cocky! If we didn't force him, he'll keep eating the same thing over and over again which are pizza and strawberry sundaes! He doesn't even clean the house! Sure! He cleans the house when you order him to but otherwise he just laze around the whole day as long as we don't get a mission! He sucks at gambling and is in debt with a lot of people. Hell! From what I could understand by your conversation with Lady, he'll probably still be getting into deeper debts because he doesn't know how to prioritize his money! He acts all disinterested and shit but he's really a big softy inside and those women used it to their advantage! Sure, he's strong and good looking and, yeah, I am attracted to hi-"
Vergil crossed his legs and waited patiently as Nero's eyes widened and his mouth slacked. Nero placed his hand over his opened mouth and mumbled, "Oh shit."
Vergil leaned on the arm rest and continued to keep quiet as Nero began pacing the room once more, mumbling the same words over and over again, "Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit."
Vergil continued to remain silent as he counted how many times Nero said the same profanity. Once he reached twenty, Vergil said calmly, "So you are attracted to him."
Nero stopped pacing the room and he looked at Vergil, his entire face as red as a tomato. Now, that was the reaction Vergil had predicted. Nero opened his lips but no sound left his open mouth. He continued to open and close his mouth like a fish on land. Vergil stared at Nero as he said, "It's really not surprising, Nero."
"What?" Nero's question came as a squeak and Vergil shrugged, looking disinterested when in reality he was actually wondering why he was doing this.
"Quite frankly, I had seen you glance at Dante with…" Vergil looked away as he continued, "… interested eyes."
Nero paled at Vergil's words and Vergil continued, "Not to mention that you do tend to be more… vocal with Dante… especially during sparring and any time the two of you are fighting one another, whether it is through sword fighting or some other activities. It's almost as if…"
Vergil turned to look at Nero once more and said, "The two of you are flirting with one another. At least, Dante sounds like he's-"
Nero rushed towards Vergil and kneeled in front of him. Vergil was mildly surprised when Nero grabbed his hands. Nero placed his forehead on Vergil's hands and begged, "Please, oh please, Vergil! Don't tell anyone!"
"About your attraction to Dante?" Vergil asked and Nero nodded furiously. The older twin frowned and said, "I do not understand, Nero. Dante will most certainly-"
"Dante will freak out!" Nero shouted and Vergil noticed the younger hunter's shoulders were trembling slightly. Even the hands that were around his hands were trembling slightly. Vergil heard Nero add, "I don't want anything to change! I mean…"
"Okay… Maybe I am attracted to him but love?" Nero gripped Vergil's hands tighter as he whispered, "I don't know if this is love."
"Nero…" Vergil whispered his name and he moved his hands so that his right hand was holding both of Nero's hands while his left hand went towards Nero's hair. He began to caress Nero's locks and whispered, "You're afraid, aren't you?"
Nero nodded silently as he gripped Vergil's right hand. Vergil sighed but remained silent. He couldn't believe it. Both of Nero and Dante were afraid to act on their feelings.
Sure… they didn't say it outright but Vergil knew them well enough to see between their words.
Dante was afraid of losing someone once more… like their mother and Vergil himself on four separate accounts…
Nero, on the other hand, was afraid of messing things up… like with that red haired woman Dante had told Vergil about whose name the cold son of Sparda cannot remember.
Vergil frowned. This situation sounded so much like the soap operas Patty would watch in the living room whenever she would visit. Now that Vergil thought about it, Nero also watched those shows whenever Patty would. Of course, the youngest descendant of Sparda would whine and complain but, once the show begins, he would just be as engrossed to the drama and mediocre acting as Patty was.
But that wasn't the problem at the moment.
Vergil sighed once more, slightly wondering why he was sighing a lot today, and continued to caress Nero's locks as he whispered, "Very well, Nero. Your secret is safe with me."
"Promise?" Nero asked, looking at Vergil with hope-filled eyes.
"Yes. I promise." Vergil replied softly as he caressed Nero's cheek briefly.
Nero chuckled and shook his head as he got up, grinning sheepishly as he rubbed the side of his nose, "Man. That sounded so childish. Sorry…"
Vergil chuckled as well and replied, "That is quite alright, Nero."
"But, come on, you should be a bit surprised or something, Vergil." Nero stared at Vergil shyly as he said, "I mean… I just said I might be in love with your brother…"
Nero frowned as he added, "… who happens to be my uncle…"
Vergil frowned as well and he asked, "In love? I thought you said you were attracted to Dante?"
"Huh?" Nero blinked and his cheeks reddened as he stuttered, "I-I mean- Well- I think-"
"Maybe… This feeling is more than a simple physical attraction or something?" Nero covered his face with his right demonic hand and groaned as he said, "I don't know. I seriously don't know."
"That is quite alright, Nero." Vergil softly grabbed Nero's right wrist and forced the younger man to look at him as he said, "It's alright for you to be confused about all of this, Nero. You grew up in a very strict environment. I'm quite sure you grew up hearing about how it is a sin to fall in love with someone of the same gender or with a relative."
"Pretty much..." Nero replied with a sheepish smile. Vergil pulled him towards the couch and Nero sat next to Vergil once more.
"We're not like them, Nero." Vergil said seriously, staring at Nero intensely as he continued, "No one can understand us more than the three of us. And…"
Remembering Dante's reaction when Vergil had explained about the demon practices, Vergil understood that Nero would have a similar, if not much more panicked, reaction.
Well…
Vergil remembered one of the scenes in the soap opera Patty watched. Maybe… that would work better?
Vergil placed his hand on Nero's cheek and whispered softly, "It doesn't matter who it is, Nero. If you truly love that person then that's all that matters."
Nero looked at Vergil for a moment before he burst out laughing. Vergil sighed and a small smile appeared on his face as he asked, "That was ridiculous, wasn't it?"
Nero nodded and commented as he continued to laugh, "Yeah. It sounded like something out of a very cliché drama. But…"
Nero smiled at Vergil gratefully as he said, "It helped. Thanks, Vergil."
"There is something I would like you to do, Nero." Vergil said seriously, staring at the younger man's ice colored eyes.
"Anything." Nero replied immediately. It was almost frightening how easily Nero would comply with the wishes of the older son of Sparda. But, even if it sounds as if he was naïve, Nero truly believed that Vergil will not ask for something that would put his life or Dante's life in danger.
Well… maybe it might put Dante's life in danger because that was how twisted the twin sons of Sparda's relationship was but not Nero's. It always felt as if he would be safe.
"I want you to take that confusion and that fear you feel for Dante and act upon it as Juliet." Vergil ordered.
Nero blinked, unsure what Vergil meant, and he asked, "Um… Sorry, Vergil… but what do you mean by that?"
"Juliet has fallen in love with Romeo, knowing that he is an enemy of her family." Vergil continued to look at Nero seriously as he continued, "In this scene, she is suppose to feel confusion and despair until Romeo appears and tells her that he was willing to do such things for her because he was in love with her."
"Okay…" Nero nodded but was still unsure what it had to do with his current situation.
"Imagine this, Nero. Right now, you are confused and in despair as you think what you are feeling or assume you are feeling is an emotion that shouldn't be felt." Vergil explained patiently, "That confusion and despair can only be cured by the confession of the one you love… in this case-"
"Don't say it!" Nero immediately covered his ears as his cheeks reddened. Vergil was about to speak once more but Nero cut him off, "I'll do my best, Vergil, but… please…"
Nero's hands dropped to his lap as he whispered, "Please don't say it."
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Author's End Rants: Actually… The stage part was suppose to be part of this but I saw that I was reaching 10000+ words so I decided to cut it into two parts. Oh, by the way… anyone else wants to see some father and son action? –grins- Please wait for the next chapter.
Note: The four separate accounts where Dante lost Vergil are the following: when they were eight, when Dante fought with Vergil when Vergil was using the name Gilver (it's in the 1st novel and was ret-conned because of Devil May Cry 3 but I'm adding it because I have fallen in love with Gilver –grins-), the Temen-Ni-Gru incident and when Dante defeated Vergil/Nelo Angelo in Mallet Island.
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Replies to Review Corner:
SirenaLoreley: -laughs- I always thought of Vergil as the type to not care about how embarrassed people were as long as he gets what he wants. (in other words: a selfish self-centered bastard -grins-) And I can totally imagine Dante waltzing away from Vergil's summoned swords while Vergil keep summoning more to try and hurt his brother. Don't worry. I'm not yet losing interest. -grins- It just happens that I get lazy when it's a tri-break. (our breaks only last for one week, not counting Christmas break and Summer time)
xXChantoXx: I love Eyeshine too -grins- and Nero's 'rawr~' would definitely be cute. Patty... dressing Nero up? -thinks about it- That would be so... cute... and very dangerous. I have a feeling Nero would kill Dante if he ever sees Nero dressed up and a ribbon on his hair. -laughs- And overly protective father Vergil for the win! -cheers-
ToonyTwilight: Oh. I love that episode of Supernatural (then again, I do love Supernatural in general) -grins-. Unfortunately, I do not know where to find a adult-size teddy bear. I have seen someone cosplay Pedobear and that person had been adult-sized -laughs-. Yes! Overprotective Vergil for the win! -cheers- And innocent tsundere Nero does not understand the danger of his moe-ness. -grins-
sadistic-neko: Seriously? -laughs- My room isn't filled with stuffed animals but my bed is littered with stuffed animals although they are of the 'nonviolent' category... with the exception of my Ryuuk plushie, my Renji plushie, my Tsuna plushie and my hedgehog stuffed toy. -grins-
Hey Its Melmel: The teddy bear idea had been in my head ever since I watched the video 'The Teddy Bear that Eats You' -grins- but thank you for thinking I have a nice plot going on. (I do try to make it really subtle). I'm really happy my stories make your cookies taste better -smiles happily-... and triggered!Dante? -covers nosebleed- I hope you are not eating strawberry flavored cookies (although I doubt there's something like that... is there?) And yes, Nero would be so adorable you just want to glomp him till he turns purple (or hit us -grins-). -laughs- I see. Very well. Then I shall continue to place teasers after each chapter for Family. -grins-
starfire200: A father/son action? Well... since you ask for it -grins- please wait for the next chapter. I will try to see if I can make it possible.
L. K. Heinrich: Yes, the teddy bear would be so perfect for Nero. I have a feeling Nero looked at it in the eye and just got mesmerized by how it seemed so similar to him. -grins- And, of course, Dante and Vergil cannot hurt Nero. He's too important for both of them... and two different ways. -laughs-
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Preview to Next Chapter (Dante being dramatic, Vergil having to act as the backstage guy and Nero being… well… un-Juliet-like):
"He jests at scars that never left a wound." Dante shouted as he pointed at Vergil. Vergil frowned but Dante simply smirked and shook his head. He walked slightly to the right side as he said dramatically, "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?"
