This is the final chapter. I prolly could have made it into to two if I really wanted to, but I didn't.
I want to dedicate this to everyone that reviewed and faved. You guys and gals make fanfic the awsomeness that it is.
Disclaimer: (sigh) whatever
Nero half heartedly opened his heavy eyelids. Half excepting to wake alone, half expecting last night to have been a dream, a figment of an overactive under loved imagination. He shifted slightly, a sweet searing pain filtered through his lower half, he hissed in discomfort that's is until he felt strong arms tighten themselves around his chest and waist. Nero smiled intertwining fingers with the elder, he felt the rough stubble from the others chin brush across his sensitive shoulder barely missing the slowly healing bite mark. He nestled farther into the warmth of the hard body surrounding him, arms tightened instinctively, possessively, protectively. Nero closed his eyes waiting for sleep to take him once again.
Dante woke a few hours later, the mid-morning sun braking through the dark curtains just enough to be annoying. Nero's smaller form nestled perfectly into his, white hair falling over his closed eyes and soft features just so. The elder gently swiped the soft strands from the smooth skin placing a tentive kiss on his forehead before pulling away from the youth and eased out of the bed careful not to wake his lover, pulling the comforter up over his shoulders. Dante grabbed a few articles of clothing before stepping out of the bedroom and into the bathroom only to nearly run over Lady in the hall,
"Damn it Dante!" She screeched before said hunter had a chance to clamp a hand over her big mouth,
"Shh, Kid's still sleeping, don't wake him up." Lady pulled away from him giving him a quick once over, raising an eyebrow and smirking, but turned away from him none the less. Dante didn't realize he was butt naked save for the clothing he held that just happened to cover his goods, he shrugged and slipped into the bathroom. If the women don't like him walking around his shop naked then they shouldn't spend the night. Dante slid open the glass door leading into the shower and adjusted the water before stepping under it. The hot spray surrounded him washing away any evidence of what transpired the night before. Not that Dante minded, the coconspirator of such transactions was no more than a few paces away still asleep in his bed and would no doubt be willing to play again.
Now clean and fully clothed, boots thumped down concrete stairs, eyes only scanning the room looking for his weapons and red trench, barely registering the blonde that sat behind his desk intently watching the scene before her. His coat lay across the couch, slipping his arms through, Ebony and Ivory found their proper spots, Rebellion close behind. Dante studied his wall of Devil Arms a moment before deciding on Beowulf and Lucifer, these should suffice for what he has in mind if not he'll just improvise-he's good at that. Lady stood in the doorway leading to the kitchen mug of steaming coffee between her hands, watching as well. Trish met her eyes, they shared a look. They knew what Dante was doing and they weren't even bothering to persuade him otherwise, not that they could. If anyone, Dante deserved love, the love of someone who could love him back, after all the hell he'd been through. The loss of his mother, father, and even his twin. He wouldn't loss Nero-to anyone. And he was willing to fight for him, if there was even the slightest bit of good left in this world Dante had found it, the single person that completed him and gave the slayer his heart.
Happy with his selection of weapons he figured it was time to take his leave. He stopped in front of the oak desk not facing the woman that sat behind it,
"Stay here till I get back, don't let anyone near the kid." He took the few steps separating himself from the front doors of the shop, hands posed to shove it open,
"Dante." The single word made him stop, turn around.
Three pairs of eyes meet the form on the balcony wrapped in the down comforter from the elders bed, slipping off one shoulder to reveal ivory skin marred with a bite mark bruise. Blushing slightly when he realized Dante wasn't the only one below, but he was the only one his eyes were on. The blanket shifted being pulled tighter,
"Where you going?"
Dante let a smile crack his lips, "Why kid, you gonna miss me while I'm away."
Nero crossed his arms beneath his covering, "Hell no, old man, I'm going with you!"
"Dressed like that? I don't know Kid, I might get distracted."
Nero blushed brighter feeling the ache in his lower regions having only subsided slightly, but he didn't break the stare. With the arsenal Dante packed and the conversation from the night before still fresh in the youths mind there was no doubt in Nero's mind where his lover was headed.
Trish appeared beside him moments later, startling the younger slightly,
"Well you can't exactly go anywhere dressed like that…these should fit you, Dante grew out of them some time ago but they're still in good shape." Trish handed him a pair of brown leather pants, "Anything else you'll have to steal from Dante, not that he'll mind."
Dante turned back to the door, waving a hand dismissively ready to walk out the door,
"Forget it Kid, you're not coming."
Nero grabbed the pants from Trish dropping the comforter in the process, any other time he would have glowed bright red and ran the opposite direction but right now he didn't give two shits who saw what. He yanked on the pants while successful descending the stairs without tripping over himself or the leathers that were least six inches too long and reached Dante before he could open the door. Nero slid in front of him, blocking the door with his half naked self. Dante rose an eyebrow, the kid could still move pretty fast even after last night. He didn't move back but leaned closer to the youth pressing their foreheads together, inhaling a scent that is everything Nero, spicy, sweet with an undertone of musky Dante; he decided he liked the odor.
"Listen Nero,"
Nero shook his head, "No, you listen Dante, you can't stop me from going, you walk out this door either I leave beside you or I wait till you're gone and leave anyway, either way I'm going, I deserve this, they did this to me…" none of it had been louder than a whisper, Dante heard every word clear as a freaking' bell and he knew he was right. Dante intertwined his fingers with the lightly glowing claws and pressed his lips to each one in turn,
"I can't risk loosing you again Kid, ya mean too much to me."
Nero tilted his head to one side slightly regarding the other man,
"If this, what ever it is that we have here-this relationship, is supposed to work, then you can't leave me behind just because you think I might get hurt, Dante, please don't keep me at arms length when all I want is to be at your side."
Dante lifted his free hand to caress the youngers cheek, Nero nuzzled into the palm brushing a light kiss across the center, glancing up at Dante making his eyes incredibly big and cute even blinking a couple times for effect, his bottom lip protruding slightly in a pout and getting poutier by the second. Dante knew he'd regret it but nodded anyway,
"Fine Kid, go get dressed, I'll wait for ya."
Nero grinned knowing he won this round, slipped past the elder and up the stairs. Dante stood his ground for a moment before thumping his head a couple times against the paneled wall, mentally kicking himself for giving into Nero so easily, damn the puppy dog eyes (always get my way with the puppy dog eyes and a cute pout, no one can resist the power of the pout). Dante turned around meeting the disbelieving eyes of Trish along with the look that said 'you're such a pushover'. He shrugged, what else could he do? Nero DID deserve the chance to get back at the people who tortured him. And the elder would be there just in case anything unforeseen should happen.
It'd taken the young hunter all of five seconds to return fully dressed including a pair of black steel toed boots he'd found in the dark recesses of Dante's closet, a black thermal long sleeved shirt complimenting his slight build, showing the flex of every muscle as he moved. Thumbs poked through thumb holes near the cuffs. A sliver of pale skin disappearing as the shirt was pulled down as he descended the stairs. It was just unfair that that damn kid could look so sexy and appealing doing just about anything. Nero sauntered towards Dante, his weapons case laid out on the coffee table,
"I guess you'll be wanting these." Dante waved towards the unopened case, Nero grinned ear to ear seeing it. Bouncing over the couch next to Dante where he sat to wait on the boy. Nero sat on the very edge of the couch flicking open the locks, pushing the lid open to reveal his babies. Blue Rose waited in the holster and Red Queen was already assembled.
"What are we waiting for old man? Let's go."
The worst part of going to Fortuna is actually getting there, that took most of the morning. A single fill up and a couple of pee stops later and the two were aboard the ferry to the island city. They stood near the cold railing inhaling the ocean breeze, no one paid them to much attention,
"Hey Kid, do me a favor?"
"What?"
"Stay close to me at least until we get that bracelet off, okay?"
Nero nodded.
"And take these, there is nothing as satisfying as beating the crap out of somebody with your bare hands, these will give you a bit of edge considering your predicament." Dante held out Beowulf. Nero looked from the gantlets back to the elder. He had never used on of his devil arms before,
"Are you sure?" Dante nodded thrusting the weapon forward.
Nero took it and instead of it being absorbed in his devil arm they glowed brightly before reappearing around Nero's wrist and ankles. Dante sensed his disappointment that his arm didn't work like it was supposed to and slung an arm around his shoulders trying to comfort him. What he didn't realize is how lost the younger really felt loosing touch with his inner demon, he had wished so many times to have a normal existence but living with it and everything that came with having the power…Nero would give anything to feel it again.
He leaned into Dante as the ferry carried them across the inlet, sighing heavily.
After disembarking the only place to go is forward, a few civilians whispered as the white haired men passed, Dante paid no attention to the harsh whispers and glares. Nero on the other hand couldn't help but feeling a bit sick apparently rumors had been passed around after his sudden disappearance, there's no telling what the people were told.
In all actuality it didn't take long for the red assassin and young hunter to find their first targets, a group of about twenty well armed Order members being lead by none other than Captain Erik Lahore. Nero instantly recognized the man as the one who'd beat him mercilessly when he was bound in the dungeon. He reached for the hilt of Red Queen as the Oder drew their swords in unison, Dante smirked pulling Rebellion from his back. He'd let the Kid have his fun and stay on stand-by until he was needed. From his right he heard the engine of Red Queen rev and could just imagine the fire coasting down it's accelerant covered blade. The clashing of steel on steel pulled his attention back to the situation at hand and looked up just in time to witness Nero swinging Red Queen in a high arch above his head taking out three of the knights in one swoop before doing a back bend missing a blade by mere inches. The soft flesh of his stomach exposed from the extreme angle, Dante could feel his breath catch at the sight. Nero righted himself swinging his empty fist, the glowing gauntlet bashing in the side of another's head, his foot connecting with a round house kick as he spun around rapidly (1). Dante couldn't help but think how much the younger resembled his twin with that move. The guard flew back taking two down when he landed. Nero used the back of a downed knight as a spring board spinning in mid-air before landing in front of a small group fist striking the ground enough to crack the tarmac a small super nova shot forth destroying all in it's path.(2)
"ALRIGHT, THAT IS ENOUGH!"
Nero looked up sweat pouring off his brow, the Captain stood a few paces away, blood dripping down the side of his head and left arm cradled close to his body, most of the others lay dead or wounded. At this point Nero didn't really care the damaged he caused,
"Where is she Erik?!" Nero stood, flipping his hair out of his face.
"Do you think I would just hand her over to the likes of you?!" He nearly screamed, face turning red with anger.
Nero closed the distance between them grabbing hold of the captain by the front of his uniform,
"Nero, release the Captain." Shocked, Nero glanced over his captives shoulder and there she stood and she was smiling, a sweet smile, the smile Nero used to love to see on her now it just made him sick. Instead of doing what she asked he moved his demon hand higher grasping his neck. With the combined strength of his devil bringer and the power of Beowulf the captains' neck snapped like a twig. Nero released him then, the limb body fell to the ground with a sickening thud. Kyrie stared on eyes wide with fright. He stepped over the downed knight stalking towards the girl he had risked everything for ignoring the call from Dante.
Dante watched the scene unfold before him in slight disbelief. He never though Nero was capable of such reckless abandon. Sure he indulged every once in a while, just letting his emotions and demon side take over, the damage that could be done with such actions. He could just imagine the look in the kids eyes when he snapped the others neck, he almost couldn't believe it himself. And now that Kyrie bitch shows up, Dante wouldn't mind killing her himself. Before he knew Nero was walking towards her and farther away from him and his semi safe zone,
"Nero…NERO!!!" The kid ignored him completely. From Dante's position he couldn't see the exchange between the two, and they were speaking so low his demonic hearing could barely pick it up.
Dante saw the blur of white one second too late, it slammed into Nero with such force it knocked the two off their feet. Dante rushed forward, but Nero seemed to be in complete control of the situation.
Nero stood toe to toe with Kyrie, he no longer recognized the young woman that stood before him. He removed Blue Rose from his side and pressed the barrel under her chin,
"I just want to know one thing Kyrie, why, why did you do all this? What changed?"
She smiled grasping the barrel of the pistol, "Nero, I did love you, I would have given you everything, but then you meet him and he changed everything…you sinned Nero and you had to be punished."
Out of the corner of his eye, Nero caught sight of a flash of white before another body slammed into him knocking them both to the ground, Blue Rose flew out of his hand. At first Nero thought it was Dante and was about to call out the old man but the brown hair snagged his attention first,
"VICTOR!" He managed out.
The other seemed dazed for a moment, an odd glow in his eyes, Nero recognized it immediately as the same glow his blood emitted, the bastard had taken his blood, for some reason this infuriated Nero, launching his anger to a new level. He began landing punches, faster and faster. Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard Kyrie scream at him to stop, he continued punching until he heard the hammer of his own gun being cocked back. Nero stopped then, Kyrie stood beside him gun pointed at his head, both of her small hands wrapped around the grip shaking violently. He was straddling Victor whose face was a bloody mess emitting a weird gurgling sound. The regenerative properties of the demon blood in the crazy doctors system did wonders for his wounds, nearly healed as Nero stared at Kyrie.
Victor head butted Nero knocking him off the top of him. He climbed back to his feet after another moment Nero in close pursuit. The two staring each other down, both mortal enough to be fatal wounded by a gun shot. Nero's eye caught something shiny hanging around Victor's neck. Victor followed his gaze and held up the blood covered pendent, it shone brightly in the sunlight, Nero could make out the design of a key, the doctor smiled slipping it inside his shirt. Nero's eyes narrowed menacingly.
Dante snuck up behind the girl while she was distracted and spun her around, the action caused her to pull the trigger, the round nicked Dante's neck. He snatched the firearm away and tucked it in the back of his pants, the gun shot took the others attentions as well, Dante winked at Nero.
"Why don't we let the boys play."
Kyrie sneered and landed a knee to Dante's groin, his grip loosened enough for her to slip out of and she ran. Dante doubled over. Nero took the opportunity to land another punch to Victor and the two went at it again, the blood also giving the doctor speed and strength and could pretty much match Nero blow for blow. Dante regained his composure,
"You got this covered Kid?"
"Sure old man."
Dante went off in the direction Kyrie had run.
Nero refocused on Victor,
Gimme the key and I'll kill you quick."
"He wont save you again boy, you will be mine!"
"Fat chance, I will enjoy killing you!" Nero rushed him knocking him into the air with a beast uppercut followed closely by a swift kick sending him plummeting back to earth (3). Victor landed with a thud, breath knocked from his body, he may have demonic blood coursing through his veins but he had no clue how to control or call on the strength there in. He slowly got to his feet only to be knocked off of them when Nero attacked him with a barrage of blinding punches(4). Nero stood over the fallen doctor breathing hard, chest rising and falling rapidly trying to gather adequate air. Victor couldn't regenerate fast enough and slowly bleed to death. Nero reached down grabbing the silver chain, snapping it from around his neck. The key spun this way and that as he held it in front of him, smiling.
Dante had finally caught up to the fleeing young woman, in the courtyard of the cathedral no less, 'how appropriate' he silently mused, Rebellion balanced across one shoulder while Lucifer sat eager on the other. He'll end this where it all began a year ago, the first time he laid eyes on the young man that so resembled himself, the first time he ever felt that spark, and the first time she took all that away. Kyrie circled the fountain trying to distance herself from the assassin. He grinned sadistically following as she ran up the marble steps and slipped inside the cherry wood doors. They splintered open as Dante's boot made contact, he scanned the darkened room,
"Come out, come out, where ever you are…"
He sing-songed swinging Rebellion back and forth like a giant pendulum. He walked around the empty room, pews sat here and there, the heels of his boots echoing as he made his rounds. Spotting the flip of a brown ponytail he stopped a Cheshire grin plastered across his face. He leapt slamming his sword down with such force that the wooden pew hiding the girl broke in half, the blade coming within a few centimeters of slicing off her pert little nose. She screamed, scrambling away, Dante left his sword behind stalking his prey, the wings of Lucifer flexed behind him as Dante drew on the demonic power within, its steel eyes glowing red. In a flash Dante held two glowing red sword like projectiles in either hand, countless others behind him waiting for his command. A single red rose appeared between his lips, with a flick of his wrist the projectiles whizzed past his shoulders and surrounded Kyrie in a loose sphere like shape and stopped. Dante grinned around the stem of the rose. The girl didn't dare move from her position in the canter of the church, the glowing shards settling unnervingly around her. She clutched her hands together as if in prayer and as if a gift from the gods the doors squeaked open from behind. Dante turned his head enough to see the flash of white hair.
"Kyrie?" His voice sounded uncertain.
Her face brightened considerably, "NERO!"
Nero stepped beside Dante, said hunter glanced down at the younger and winked. Nero reached up removing the red rose and inhaled the lovely scent. Dante snaked an arm around his slim waist yanking him close and pressed his lips to Nero's in a heated passionate kiss, Nero's bringer around his neck keeping him close even as their lips ceased to meet. Kyrie watched from behind a veil of tear filled eyes,
"We should have killed you when we had the chance!" She chocked out.
Nero let his eyes fall to her then back to the rose in his hand,
"I should have known you'd be like the rest…Good-bye Kyrie."
She deftly caught the single blood colored rose, which also sealed her fate, on cue the endless supply of projectiles shot forward piercing their target leaving nothing but a bloody pulp(5). Dante pulled Nero close, his back to the grizzly scene and a heated kiss consumed the two. Nero pulled away after a moment,
"Hey Dante?"
He grunted an acknowledgment, eyes focusing solely on Nero, a smear of blood graced his porcelain skin. Dante wiped it away with the pad of his thumb,
"Let's go home Dante."
1. Lunar Phase- a move Vergil uses with Beowulf
2. Volcano
3. Killer Bee
4. Hyper Fist
5. Bondage
Hope you enjoyed reading Before The Damned, I'm sure I'll be writing again soon, so if after all of this I still have a few fans, see you soon.
*hugs and kisses* and plate of random cookies!
