Chapter 3: Taking Care

Nero hated thinking about it, but he really did feel warm inside. Dante had just picked him up and is already being way too kind for his own good.

'I've been a dick towards him 90% of the time, and he still treats me like I never jump-kicked his face. Or impaled him with his own damn sword. Or beat his face into oblivion.' He smiled.

He got into the back of the car and proceeded to get changed into a set of dry clothes from his travel bag. He had to change all of his clothes, as he was completely soaked through. He covered himself with his still wet coat and quickly changed his boxers, making sure nobody was in sight. He took out a black T-shirt, socks, a pair of jeans and put on a dry red hoodie, locked up and headed inside.

Dante was waiting for him inside. He was sitting at a table, talking to the waitress. As he saw Nero walk through the door and look inside to spot Dante, he raised a hand to signal to him where he was.
Nero spotted him, walked over and sat down next to him.

"What do you wanna drink?" Dante asked, opening up the menu and glancing at it.

The waitress stood next to Dante, smiling at Nero softly, waiting for him to order.

Nero looked up at her.
"Uh, a cup of coffee would be nice," he said, also taking a menu and looking at it himself.

Dante looked up at him, and then at the waitress.
"Get him a beer as well."

Nero looked up from the menu.
"That's fine, you don't have to, the coffee will do."

Dante threw a look at the waitress."Two beers and a coffee it is."

"Sure thing!" The waitress nodded and made her way to the bar.

Nero had an unsure look on his face.

"Hey. You doing alright?" Dante asked, seeing as Nero was a bit off.

"Yeah, I'm good, I just haven't eaten much and probably shouldn't have a beer on an empty stomach." Nero scratched the back of his head, he was a bit embarrassed to admit he hadn't eaten in a day.

Dante smiled. "Don' worry, we didn't come here to drink. This place has the best pizza around."

The waitress brought them the drinks.
"Thanks," Dante said and Nero nodded her way with a smile.
As she set down the drinks, she asked:
"Have you already decided what you want to eat?"

Dante closed the menu and put it back where he got it.
"A pepperoni pizza, extra cheese, no olives." He looked over at Nero, who was still looking at the menu.
"You can take whatever you want. It's on me."

Nero shook his head. "Nah, that's fine. I've got cash." He put down the menu and turned to the waitress. "Make that two."

She nodded and left.

Dante crossed his arms.
"So." His eyes met Nero's. "Time for some questions. What brings you here?"

Nero looked away in embarrassment, locking eyes with Dante made him feel weird inside. Not a bad type of weird, but still, weird. But then again, maybe he felt weird because he was asked what he's doing there.
"…Well, I got kicked out of Fortuna for being a monster, a threat to the people, destroying the city's cultural artefacts and some other bullshit along those lines." He said in a mocking tone, rolling his eyes. "Nothing unexpected." He took a sip of his coffee while Dante raised an eyebrow.

"A monster, huh?" He exhaled and took a gulp of beer. "That place does sound like they would exile their only decent devil slayer."

Nero smirked at that.
"Yeah, well. I've been planning on leaving that place for a while now. Glad I'm outta there."

"Good," Dante said with a genuine smile.

The waitress interrupted their little chat by placing a pizza down on the table in front of each of them. "Here you go, boys. Enjoy!"

They attacked their pizzas and talked for quite a while. They genuinely enjoyed each other's company. They could talk about a lot of things with each other. Hell, Nero couldn't talk with Kyrie about demons, weapons, killing, hordes or fighting techniques; that's why it felt really good, having someone who understood him and Dante felt exactly the same. All Trish and Lady did all day was plot about stealing his cash for the thousandth time.

While they were enjoying themselves, the sky has cleared up and it was already late afternoon.

"Hey, I said I could pay for myself…" Nero said as Dante paid the whole bill.

"I know." Dante said. "And I said I was paying first, so…" He said, leaving the diner. Nero followed shortly after.

They got back to the car and Dante sat in. Nero stood outside.

"Hey, thanks for this." He scratched his nose as he often does when he's shy. "I'm glad I bumped into you. But I don't know where I'm going yet, so-"

He was cut off by Dante opening the passenger seat door open again.
"-Just get in. You and I both know you don't have anywhere else to go but my place, sooo… Get in before I drag you in myself."

Nero's eyes were wide open at that. He blinked a few times but sat in nonetheless.
"I didn't say that," Nero said.

"Well, kid? Do you?" Dante said, looking at him with eyebrows raised. "…Have anywhere else to go?"

Nero sighed and crossed his arms.
"…Just drive, old man". Dante laughed and gave him a light punch to the shoulder.

"Told ya."