Nero and Kyrie have a daughter. Nero leaves when his daughter turns five and now his kid is having a kid. Aria refuses to tell her mom but maybe it'll be easier to confide in someone close enough to her but who really can't judge; like the dad that left.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the storyline and a few OCs.

Enjoy!

Aria

Chapter 12

I sat at the office with Dante and read. Well, I read. Dante sat and napped. Dad was out with Lady and Trish on a mission and the T.V. wasn't working, so Dante and I just hung out.

I was just getting to the best part of my book and Dante had gotten up to get a snack when someone came into the shop. Someone that after two weeks ago I'd hoped I'd never see again: Adrian.

I looked up from my book and froze.

He smiled genuinely but I didn't see it. I saw a seventeen year old boy who left me and the child he helped create. A teenager who had the audacity to show up to my job and attack and attempt to murder myself and my child. A man who I once trusted and loved. I almost couldn't move.

Then he started to walk toward me. "Oh, Aria, thank Sparda I /found/ you! I heard you left Fortuna! I was so wor -"

"Get back!" I just louder than whispered, my voice shaking as I found it along with my knife. I pointed Chrysanthemum at him; voice still trembling I threatened in the same soft tone, "I have a knife that I have no difficulty using."

His features betrayed true worry, concern, and shock. Anyone not hopped up on adrenaline and hormones could tell that concern was for me, for my health and wellbeing not his own, but all I saw was the smug grin and outstretched arms from the attack two weeks ago as he asked what was wrong and what happened. I started to crawl back on the couch as he came closer sitting down.

"What's wrong, Aria, seriously! What has gotten into you!" he asked gently confiscating Chrysanthemum and placing her back on the coffee table next to my book.

I started to cry and, louder this time but not by much, told him, "Stay back, I told you don't come near me!"

"Aria, you're scaring my," He told me in an even tone as he tried to grasp my shoulders and calm me down.

"I'm scaring you?!" I accused, much louder than before, "Dante!" I screeched. And said white haired demon hunter ran in from the kitchen.

"Who the Hell are you and what are you doing in my house?! And more importantly, what the fuck do you think you're doing touching my step daughter?!" he yelled after a moment's hesitation. At the time this was all very serious, but looking back on it now, the moment's hesitation was hilarious. He stood there, slice of pizza having fallen out of his gaping mouth as he tried to decipher the spectacle before him. It only took him about a half a second to pull himself together, but during those fifty centi-seconds the picture was to die for. However, after that picture his countenance became fiercely over protective as he stormed over to the couch to potentially rip Adrian off me. But Adrian sprang up before Dante had the pleasure.

"I-I'm sorry, sir. I meant no harm I swear!" He stood prim and proper, hands folded neatly behind his back, head facing the floor, silvery blond bangs hiding his apologetic face. I wondered briefly what in the world Dante could have said that caused this monster bent on finishing the job he started two weeks ago - though in the truth my instincts refused to let me see, he probably would've jumped to my defense and protection had Dante just scowled or even growled at him - to hop up and become this respectful young gentleman. Then the words Dante had uttered after his inquisition of Adrian's identity and presences in the building hit me like a ton of bricks: "And more importantly, what the fuck do you think you're doing touching my step daughter?!"

Step daughter

I got it that they weren't married, that they were probably friends with benefits at best, but the two questions began to form in the very back of my head: Did he really see me as a daughter? And did he really love my dad that much? But like I said those questions were forming in the very back of my head.

At that moment my first and only priority was Adrian.

"Name, before I come over there and skin your sorry ass!" Dante demanded violently. I knew I was being a hypocrite, for only seconds before I was ready to plunge a dagger through his chest, but the thought of anyone being skinned, even Adrian, sent a chill of fear down my back and a pang of grief to my heart.

I shrieked, "No!" effectively halting all conversation, if such one-sided anger could be called that, and drawing all attention to myself. Dante shot me a worried glance, but I ignored it, instead turning my attention to my ex.

"Adrian," I pleaded tearfully, "Why are you here?"

Suddenly, I noticed a feeling of aggression burning the shortly sedated atmosphere out of existence, and I realized that when I said Adrian's name Dante's anger found new fuel.

"You're the little twat that left her in the dust," he started dangerously softly, his inner demon echoing each word, "then tried to kill her and your own son!" His voice escalated with each word, accurately illustrating his rage.

"Dante stop!" I yelled at him whipping my head around to find his irises turning red, teeth and fists clenched in offensive rage. I jumped of the couch and made myself into an extra wall to separate them. I didn't necessarily feel any form of protectiveness against Adrian, but if Dante wanted to deal with him, I would have preferred him to be in a more stable state of mind.

That's when I heard Adrian whisper behind me in pure hurt and confusion.

"When did I try to kill you?"