Obviously I am no longer on vacation... -cries- I miss you DevilBuddyN...err, DevilWriterN. :D

I have been trying to divide my time on writing a little bit of each story lately, and am even close to finishing the next chapter of BIO which I hope will be the next one I post. :) I need to try and get back into the groove of the stories that have been sitting, such as Dating for Dummies, Obsession and of course Stranger Than Fiction. We'll see how that goes.

This chapter, I think I was on something...lol Equal parts yaoi with equal parts humor. I'm so mean to Dante...lmao! Hope you enjoy. :)

Read, review, stone etc...

Homophobic No More

Chapter 8

He felt very comfortable, sleepy and tingly from head to toe. It was the feeling of waking up, knowing you had nowhere to go and could stay curled up under the covers as long as you wanted.

Nero opened a bleary eye and saw pure white sparkling in front of him, causing him to squint at how bright it was. It was then he remembered he'd been drinking the night before and with the memory came the ache in his head. He tried to open his eyes to see what exactly it was that was blinding him. As he moved away from the white he saw it was the morning sun spilling in from the window and covering Dante's hair in a halo of light. Dante had been lying beside him, nose to nose and Nero saw his devil hand was currently entwined with the elder's.

He remembered the night before and felt a swell of emotions at seeing his sleeping companion. He didn't want Dante to wake up just yet, because he looked so breathtakingly beautiful laying next to him that he wanted to engrain it in his memory. Slowly he pulled the covers off of him until the hunter lay nude in the full morning light.

Nero sat up slightly on his elbow to gaze at him from head to toe, letting his human hand reach out and touch the soft skin of his hips, over his backside, down the side of his thigh and then up to his abs. It was so strange that something so rough and strong could momentarily look so soft and smooth. Dante was glowing and let out a small breath as Nero pressed his palm to his chest, feeling the slow tones of his heart. He just couldn't stop touching him. His hand crept up to his lips, slightly pink having become chafed from their kisses only a few hours ago, to the soft yet mussed tresses of silken hair that lay over his left eye. He pushed it back from his face, feeling his hand tingling from the softness of it as he smoothed his fingers through.

Best of all he had survived his first time with Dante, which meant that soon Nero would know what it felt like to take this man before him. While it had hurt in the beginning, what had taken over once he eased into the gentle rocking motion of Dante had been indescribable and Nero felt warmth creep into his cheeks at the thought of sharing that experience with Dante sometime soon. Possibly now... He considered seducing Dante, but as he shifted his weight...

"Ow, ahhh." Nero groaned as not only his ass hurt, but the joints of his legs and lower back hurt too. He didn't rightly understand why he felt like this.

"You OK?" Dante suddenly whispered beside him in a sleepy voice.

"My legs hurt."

"Heh, sorry about that." He said stretching into his pillow.

"What the hell?" Nero growled as he sat up gingerly, feeling like he was suddenly older than Dante when his joints popped and groaned in protest.

"I think we got a little too enthusiastic." Dante replied sympathetically as he wrapped an arm around Nero's waist and dragged him to lie against him. He buried his face in the kid's hair and Nero protested when it began to tickle him there.

"So what now?" Nero asked when things went quiet again.

"You ask too many questions. Can't we just stay still a while?"

"I have to ask questions. You're the one with all the answers."

Nero turned in his arms with a sharp hiss.

"Damn, what did you do to me?"

Dante chuckled and brushed his lips against the kid's forehead.

"Nothing you didn't beg for at the time."

"Teh, as if... I was drunk." Nero said looking away from him with a blush.

"You sure like to use that excuse don't you?" Dante chuckled as he turned his face back towards him. "Really though. I didn't hurt you did I?"

Nero looked at him surprised at the gentle tone that came along with that question and it gave him butterflies in his stomach. He leaned forward and kissed Dante chastely before putting his arms around him to lay closer.

"You kidding? As soon as I'm healed over I'm thinking we go round two." He laughed against Dante's shoulder. He heard Dante laugh and felt his hands begin wandering over his naked shoulder, back, and behind. "What are you doing?"

"You got to look and feel me up. It's only fair."

Nero hid his face in Dante's neck as the hunter pulled his own covers off and he felt cool air hit his skin, causing goose bumps to break out and expand when he felt Dante's warm hands on his body again.

"You're shaking kid, you cold?" Dante whispered in his ear, and Nero could hear the grin in it.

"Shut up," Nero replied with a slight shiver in his breathy tone. He kissed the side of the old man's neck, stretching his knee out to go between Dante's. Then he felt another twinge of pain and eased off a bit. His body was working against his need to be close to the hunter.

"C'mon kid. Better stop before I take you again."

"I like being close to you." Nero whispered in a shaky breath.

"Then let's take this out of the bedroom."

Dante pushed Nero back and sat up to move off the bed. He only eyed the hunter as he walked fully naked around to his side of the bed and soon Nero's sitting form was eye to eye with his...

"What exactly do you intend to do from that position?" Nero growled as he avoided looking at eye level.

Dante shook his head with a smirk and bent over to help Nero up. It hurt, but once he was standing it seemed to numb a bit as he fell into Dante.

"Can you walk?" Dante asked.

"You're not carrying me. I'll manage... Point me in the right direction."

"Bathroom."

Dante stayed close, allowing Nero to lean on him as they ambled towards the bathroom. The pain was going away the more he stretched his legs and soon he let go of Dante to walk the rest of the way by himself. The hunter then left him to go turn on the shower and stepped inside. He turned back to Nero and beckoned for him to join him. Nero only lifted a brow at him questioningly

"I'm taking responsibility. Get over here and let me make it up to you."

Dante put his hand out towards him and Nero hobbled over to join him in the shower.

"Damn, that's hot." Nero hissed as the water hit his back.

"Why thank you." Dante chuckled as he leaned over him to turn the hot water down a bit. "Better?"

Nero didn't answer, only turned from Dante to soak himself under the shower head. He smiled as he felt Dante behind him begin washing his back.

"Shouldn't this feel weird?" Nero asked wiping water from his eyes.

"Surprisingly it doesn't. You know Vergil and I had to take baths together as kids, so maybe the ease comes from those memories...." He said before adding. "With the noticeable exception."

"That's we're not blood related?" Nero chuckled.

"That I have never considered doing this to him." Dante answered as he put his arms around Nero to pull his back to his chest before one of his hands snaked itself southward in the front.

"Oh not fair..." Nero grumbled when Dante ran his pointer finger down his length. "I thought you were gonna take responsibility?"

"I am. I'm washing you aren't I?"

Dante's hand took hold and began to rub soap over him, causing Nero to lean against the tiled wall as he felt himself harden under Dante's soapy touch. He was strangely aware of the fact his backside was pressed into Dante as he leaned over Nero's back to keep a hand on him, and yet despite the obvious pressure growing against the back of his thigh Dante stayed clear of that area. Nero was grateful for the respite, as his body still ached from the night's passion.

It was then he remembered what he had said to the old man in the midst of his pleasurable delirium. He had told Dante that he loved him. He tried to push the memory from his mind, especially when the silence had grown so thick you could cut it with a knife. He knew it was too soon and yet in that moment he did love Dante and couldn't help but say it. He had loved him in secret for so long it just slipped out in the heat of the moment. He was so afraid of how Dante would respond he didn't give him the chance to, taking the initiative to distract Dante instead. Nero hoped Dante's feeling towards him were mutual, or at least if they weren't now they would be sometime soon. He wasn't kidding when he said Dante belonged to him exclusively...

Nero turned to stand with his back against the wall, pulling Dante into a close hug when the two shivered under the warm water as their wet bodies clung together. Nero shyly lifted his mouth to run over Dante's as the hot water forced both of their hair down onto their faces.

"Here I thought I could just be a good boy and bathe you, and yet again I come to find the urge to jump you much more tempting." Dante chuckled as he slicked the kid's hair back from his face. "Too bad your body needs a bit of rest. Then again we can always use the old stand by."

He took Nero's demonic hand and set it on his pectoral muscle before slowly leading it downward.

"I want to learn more about the benefits of having that demonic hand you've been keeping from me." He grinned as the rough hand moved down his abs and slid just below his naval...

BANG BANG BANG

"Dante? You in there?" Lady's voice suddenly called after she knocked.

The two jumped at the sudden noise coming from the locked door. Nero almost slipped before Dante caught him, causing him to grab hold of the shower curtain and rip the thing clean off the hooks. Nero used it to cover himself as if Lady could see them through the door.

"What the HELL do you want?" Dante asked annoyed at being interrupted.

"So you are home then. Good. Meet me downstairs." She ordered.

"Like hell--"

Two bullet holes shot through the door and Dante's protest died in his throat.

--

Dante left the bathroom first to go get dressed; allowing Nero to act as if he'd jumped in the shower after Dante had vacated it. He was ready to break the woman in halfat disturbing his... Nero expedition.

He found Lady using his desk to disassemble Kalina Anne and huffed when some sticky substance got all over one of his magazines.

"What?" He growled when she didn't turn to acknowledge him even after he stood behind her for a good two minutes.

"One sec."

He raised a brow at her before tapping his foot impatiently on the floor. She just continued to assemble the damnable weapon.

"I have things to do you know...," he growled when she continued to ignore him.

"From the looks of it you have been neglecting your porn magazines. You must be so very busy." Lady mused as she finally turned to acknowledge his existence.

"What do you want?"

"Can't a girl come and hang? Am I only good for money and missions?" Lady asked with a hint of danger in the last question. He noted her gun was not holstered.

"Sure. Though I doubt you're here for any three of those reasons." He replied blandly as he took a seat in his chair, mentally kicking her weapons off the desk for his feet. However he wasn't in the mood to get shot today.

"I came for the boy," she announced. Dante raised an eyebrow.

"What boy?"

"Nero. He's still here right?"

"You called me out of my shower... because you needed Nero?! Why not just ask for him yourself!" Dante snapped.

"I couldn't find him in his room."

Oh yeah... he was with me... in the shower. Well he couldn't tell her that, so he decided to just drop it.

"He got in the shower after I got out. If you'd just said you needed him I would've sent him down here instead of letting him bypass me."

"Oh... well then I'll just wait." She said as she moved to stand before his desk and went back to work on Kalina Anne.

"Can't you wait somewhere else? How about I have him meet you somewhere." Dante sighed very much annoyed at her lingering presence.

"Damn, what's up your ass?"

Dante almost choked as he swallowed part way through that little comment. It brought up thoughts not meant to be thought with Lady around. He hoped he wasn't red. Then he realized he was grumpy, and it was because Lady had interrupted him and Nero's... bonding time. Damn, he really was turning into a woman.

"Just tired is all," he replied calmly as he tried to hide the choke from moments before as a cough. She only looked at him doubtfully.

"Hey Lady."

The two looked up and there was Nero at the top of the steps, fresh from the shower and dressed. Today it was a blue tank that not only complimented his eyes, but clung so tightly the kid might as well have been a buff, shirtless smurf. Dante grinned up at him and Nero only glared. More than likely because he could see Dante's thoughts.

"Hey there Nero. We were just talking about you." Lady chimed.

Dante let out a loud bark of laughter he couldn't contain that made both of them turn to look at him alarmed. Considering the last thing Lady had said was asking what was up his ass... that was somehow talking about Nero?

"I think devil boy needs some rest. You up for coming out with me today?" Lady asked as she moved to stand at the bottom of the steps. "I want to see what else your devil hand can do... Dante! What the hell is so funny?!" Lady snapped when Dante again started sniggering, trying so hard to contain his laughter.

Nero's face went from red to bloodless as no doubt he knew what Dante found so amusing. Then his eyes glared daggers at Dante. He moved down the steps gingerly.

"You OK Nero?"

"Oh yeah, just got attacked by a demon last night," Nero said with a knowing smirk, side glancing at Dante when Lady wasn't paying attention.

"If he was too much for you kid, you should've never got him going in the first place." Dante mused smugly. Nero ignored him with an angry sniff.

"You shouldn't over exert yourself Nero. If you play too much it takes a toll. Finish it quickly. My motto is grab em by the balls and squeeze." Lady grinned proudly before Dante fell out of his chair with a loud thud and more boisterous laughter.

"Can I borrow your gun?" Nero asked Lady in a low tone.

"W-wait... s-s-orry..." Dante breathed as he put both hands above his head, leaning against the desk as he tried to control his laughter. "The kid can't come out today Lady. He's still gotta help me with the store front." He continued as he wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.

"I can always do that later." Nero said evilly. "I think I want to go out with Lady today."

"Eh?" Dante questioned as his smile faded. Well damn it all to hell... "You promised to help me out."

"I seem to recall offering to help when time allowed. Right now I want to spend some time with Lady." Nero said coolly. "Besides, you're having such a good time by yourself, wouldn't want to ruin your fun."

Dante seemed to lose his cockiness as he contemplated an afternoon alone when all he wanted to do was tie the kid to his bed and not let him leave it for the next three days. Odd, but he felt like a hormonal teenager with a never ending thirst for the object of his desire. Even now he was vaguely aware that just looking at Nero messing with him was giving him lustful thoughts on how to punish the boy. Damn, I am an old pervert.

"Well then, if you want to head out..."

"I do." Nero interrupted as he turned and smiled at Lady who Dante noticed was eyeing them both nervously. He recalled that she was a yaoi fan girl and knew they'd have to watch it or else she might begin to pick up on what was going on between them.

"Cool then. Lady, could you go wait outside, I just need to have a word with Nero before he heads out." Dante said in an even, almost bored tone to mask his intentions.

"Meet you outside Nero?" She asked nervously almost looking as if she thought the two might begin a fist fight.

"Sure. I'll be fine." Nero replied with a grin and a wink. She looked back and eyed Dante nervously as she grabbed Kalina Anne off his desk.

"Remember Nero. Grab, twist, and pull..." She said putting a free finger to her nose, eyeing Dante and nodding at him before leaving out the front door slowly.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Nero asked cockily as he crossed his arms. Dante leaned back in his chair finally able to put his feet on his desk with his hands behind his head. He observed Nero under his wet hair and smiled.

"Have fun today." He said simply as he grabbed one of the cleaner looking mags to lie over his face and closed his eyes to take a nap.

"Teh, whatever." Nero growled, obviously hoping for some kind of objection on Dante's part but Dante was giving none. So Nero walked for the door and grasped the handle.

"Oh, and kid?"

In a flash Dante was up and Nero turned around in time to find himself suddenly pinned to the door.

"Dant...mmm" He snapped as a hand came over his mouth.

"You are so cute when you're flustered." Dante chuckled. Nero tried to beat him away with his fists, trying to connect one to his head. "Now this won't do. All I want is a kiss..."

Dante leaned in close to him, both of them breathing slightly heavy for two separate reasons. He let his hand fall from Nero's mouth and the boy gasped for breath as he tried to push the elder away.

"Who are you fighting? Don't you want me to kiss you?" He purred against Nero's mouth, but Nero snapped his teeth at Dante who backed off a bit. "Don't tell me I have to get you drunk just to get a little bit of affection?"

Nero opened his mouth to give some smart ass reply that was quickly contained as Dante pressed a kiss to his lips causing Nero to groan in frustration. Especially when Dante slowed it to the devastatingly good kiss that had caused Nero to crumble the night before. He softly caressed the boys tongue with his own as he pulled their two bodies together so close their Adam's apples fought for dominance. Then Dante lifted the kid's legs to wrap around his waist.

"Dante!" Nero hissed. "Lady is right outside!"

"Hmmm, you beginning to understand now?" Dante asked with a knowing grin. "You dug yourself a hole." He leaned forward and sucked gently on Nero's bottom lip before staring at him. "I'll be here, all alone, touching myself and calling your name. And you Nero..." He ran a hand up under his shirt to touch his bare skin, causing Nero to bare his teeth as he tossed his head back. "You will be with Lady, hard as a rock and thinking about me touching myself and calling your name with nothing to do."

"I can control it." Nero hissed as he felt Dante's obvious need pressing to his own.

"Is that so?"

With that Dante set his legs down, leaving him to stand hot breathed against the door.

"You two have fun now."

"Y-you ass!" Nero growled angry at the fact Dante had pulled that stunt on purpose.

"When are you going to learn Nero that playing these little games with me will take you nowhere you want to be." Dante mused as he sat up on his desk, leaned back on his arms with his legs dangling slightly spread over the side. An open invitation should Nero want more. "So... will you stay, or will you go?"

Nero made some odd hand gesture as if to say something, faltered, tried again, faltered before finding something to say.

"Oh yeah?" He said in an unconvincing tone at losing his train of thought as Dante reached over his shoulder and pulled is shirt off with one hand. Nero's eyes narrowed before he turned and grabbed his jacket. He opened the front door, and slammed it shut behind him.

Dante sighed as he lay back on his desk. He really did like messing with the kid, but wished Nero could see through to the fact Dante wanted him to himself today. He wasn't good at saying as much though and Nero seemed to oddly take offense to Dante's forward way of making him stay.

"Oh well. Guess it's just you and me old buddy," he said mournfully as he flexed his right hand.

--

Nero thought that Lady wanted to take him on a mission, but oddly enough she wanted someone to go with her as she ran some errands, before stopping off to grab some ice cream on the way home. Nero had a bit of a sweet tooth, so he didn't mind, but he couldn't keep his mind off of what he'd left back at the shop.

Of course Dante said those things knowing Nero wouldn't get the images out of his head. He was still a teen until he turned 20, and prone to an overactive imagination as well as a rabid sex drive. It was only made worse by the fact he'd had his first real sexual experience the night before and there is no coming back once you've had a taste of it. He craved the old man now, there was no doubt.

Lady spoke, and he barely heard a word as he tried so hard to keep naughty things out of his head. So intense was the process he thought comically that he'd probably burst a blood vessel in his eye. The only saving grace was the more he walked with Lady the less he noticed pain in his legs and backside. A few hours and he was good as new again, although he didn't know what that meant in terms of seeing Dante. It made him anxious to see him again.

"Hey Nero, wait." Lady said as she stopped him before he walked back into Devil May Cry.

"Yeah?"

"Is everything OK? You were quiet the whole time and the atmosphere between you and Dante this morning was palpable." She inquired curiously.

Nero stiffened. Did she somehow sense the sexual tension between the two? Did she know? Oh shit.

"It's cool if you don't want to talk about it, just I hope you aren't fighting. You two are such good friends I'd hate for something small to cause a rift between you," she continued as she set a hand on his shoulder. Friends... Heh, yeah. Nero wanted to pass out as his heart rate slowed.

"Naw. He's just pissed about the shop and me not having it done yet. We talked when you were waiting outside and we're gonna finish it up tomorrow." He lied expertly.

"I'm glad." She beamed at him before turning towards the door. Nero let out a sigh of relief behind her back.

The two walked inside to find Dante lying asleep on the couch, with a ton of tissues lying scattered on the floor around it. Nero's eyes widened at the number of tissues. How many times did the old man...? He just thanked god Dante's pants weren't open.

"Dante, you seriously need to stop throwing your snot rags around. I could get sick!" Lady yelled so innocently it made Nero chuckle. Dante sat bolt upright and began picking up the evidence, obviously not expecting them to come home before his nap was over. Nero shrugged off his jacket with a grin before kneeling down and helping him clean up.

"You dirty old man," he whispered with a chuckle.

"Your dirty old man. Never forget it." Dante replied under his breath as he reached out to grab the same tissue Nero was aiming for. Instead he brushed his fingers over his demonic hand and whispered. "I missed you."

Nero looked up surprised to find Dante blushing slightly before he stood to discard all he'd picked up. Nero remained down still reaching his hand out as he stared at Dante as he said something that only he found amusing to Lady.

I kinda... missed you too. He said internally, feeling something warm within.

"So boys, what do you say to a good old game of cards?"

Nero stood to discard what he'd picked up and nodded.

Dante shrugged, obviously not caring what they were doing so long as Lady didn't wear out her stay too much longer.

He had never found cards so boring in his life. Oh sure, Nero and Lady were enjoying it all right, but Dante just couldn't stop looking between the clock and Nero. He had lost a ton of money to Lady because he just didn't care about winning or losing. He would claim his own reward after Lady left.

Nero sat directly across from him at the square card table, and would equally stare him down with a smile as if he too had the same thoughts. It was driving Dante crazy every time he stared into those eyes and saw his own thoughts mirrored there.

Then he got an idea...

Dante leaned back, pretending to stretch. As he did he knocked Nero's boot with his own as Lady counted the cards out to them. Nero's eyes found his and he secretly smirked. So Dante moved further, letting the tip of his boot caress the hard outer shell of Nero's, who blushed. It only made him feel bolder.

He pulled his foot back and leaned his elbows on the table as the next hand was ready to go. He pretended to be involved in the game as his foot again reached out and tapped Nero's boot. Dante looked up to see Nero still blushing and quickly looked back at his cards. He wondered how far he could get his leg, and what areas he could secretly touch under the cover of the table.

He slipped out of his one boot discretely and found rough leather boots. He ran his toes up the long leg, reaching until he realized something. As he reached forward it wasn't going up someone's leg, but under it... strange...

BANG

"AHHH!!!" Dante screamed as he felt the bullet tear through his foot.

"That's what you get for playing footsie with me pervert." Lady growled not even looking up from her cards fanned out in one hand, with the other obviously under the table holding her gun.

"Gaaahhh," he groaned as he bit his knuckle from the pain of it. Nero stared wide eyed at him either about to cringe or laugh. Apparently the latter as he let out a surprised laugh when his gaze turned to stare at Lady.

"Squeeze and pull baby," she remarked coolly as she lifted the gun from beneath the table and blew on the barrel.

"NOT funny!" Dante growled. The pain was subsiding as he heard the bullet remove itself from his skin, tapping on the floor when it fell. "You are such a bitch."

"Perv." Lady said tartly.

Dante was just about fed up. Not only was he hormonally charged with no worthwhile release, but now he'd been shot in the flipping foot! Somehow he preferred head shots. A lot less painful since he was unconscious while he healed. He twisted his foot this way and that to make sure the splintered bone had reset before slipping back into his boot. Nero's laughing calmed and he gave Dante an apologetic look that also reasoned... It was kind of funny though.

"I'm getting thirsty." Dante growled. "You two want anything?" He asked as he eyed Nero pointedly.

"I'm good." Lady replied.

"I could use a drink, but I dunno what I want." Nero replied playing along.

"Why don't you come with me then and have a look in my fridge. I'm sure I've got something to your liking." Dante said with a serious face that didn't match his playful stare. He was gonna get payment for Nero laughing at him.

"Beer?" Nero teased.

Dante didn't answer, only stood and headed for the kitchen door.

"You really shouldn't be drinking, you're underage." Lady pointed out as she began shuffling the deck.

"I'm only kidding. He wouldn't give it to me anyway." Nero said as he stood to follow after Dante. "Be right back."

He followed close behind Dante, not trying to walk too fast or slow as to make it seem obvious that he wanted to push the old man inside. Sure enough as soon as the door clicked shut behind them he found himself pressed against the countertop, lips rough against his. They hadn't even bothered to turn the light on as they groped for one another in the dark.

Nero wasn't going to be the submissive one now, instead turning to press Dante against the counter. He heard Dante give a growl of disapproval, especially when he lifted his legs and set him on the counter top. Nero bent over and as he pushed Dante's shirt up dropped his mouth down to kiss the exposed flesh of his chest.

Dante had to admit the he liked the aggressive side of Nero, although it made him slightly tense at being dominated. He remembered that he had promised to let the kid top him the night before. Therefore Nero being in control suddenly made him nervous, something he hadn't felt in a long time...

Nero pushed Dante to lean back as he palmed his groin through his pants, grabbing Dante's hand to press against his own with a hot breath as their lips met again. The night's passion proving fruitless as they craved each other as if nothing had occurred at all. Nero's lips moved to his ears, breathing heavily against his earlobe and sending chills down Dante's spine.

"Did you really miss me?" He asked through a breathless pant.

"Mmmhmmm."

"Show me," he whispered as he kissed the shell of his ear. "How did you touch yourself when you thought of me calling your name? Dante..." Nero moaned for effect as his breath quivered.

Dante swallowed hard as his eyes practically rolled back in his head at that request. When had he corrupted the sweet, innocent kid?

The elder's hand lifted to unbutton the kid's jeans, his hands trembling as Nero continued to rub him through his own. He wanted to touch Nero, make him do and say all the things Dante had imagined as he touched himself prior to their return.

Dante's hand reached within as Nero let out a breathy growl against his mouth before kissing him deeply.

"Hey, what's taking you..." Lady's voice cut off as she walked into the pitch black room. "Guys?"

Dante hopped off the counter painfully as Nero tried to locate the fridge. When Lady found the light switch Dante was sitting at the kitchen table with his legs crossed and Nero was standing in the middle of the room still groping for the fridge that was... behind him.

"What are you two doing?"

"Looking for drinks." Nero replied.

"In... the dark?"

"That would explain why it took us so long to find them." Dante said as if it was so obvious. "Duh..."

"Oh look! Here they are..." Nero chimed as he clutched the fridge door and pulled it open. "Water Dante?"

"No, no. I'm uh, actually quite tired. Think I'm gonna hit the hay early." Dante said, but did not stand.

"Awww, really? It's only 8." Lady griped.

"Long day, worked a ton before you two came back," he added as he faked a yawn.

"Fine... Think I could crash on the couch tonight?" She asked.

"Sure sure, you know where the extra blankets are. Oh look! Newspaper." Dante said as he snagged it off the table and held it in front of him when he stood. "Think I'll read this before I go to bed. Night guys."

With that Dante exited the room hurriedly, holding the newspaper by his crotch as to not give away what exactly the two were up to. That left Nero, who's large demon hand could hide anything when conveniently placed.

"Huh... Wonder what's up with him. Well, at least you'll play cards with me rig... oh." Lady suddenly smirked with a slight flush in her cheeks.

"W-what?"

"Airing it out?" she asked with a glance downward.

Nero looked down and obviously Dante had gotten further than he thought, because even with his hand covering his crotch the metal teeth of his zipper managed to catch the light just enough to draw her attention to the fact it was open. He quickly zipped it up and rubbed his nose nervously.

--

Lady made him play three more hands, and when he said made her he meant he felt obligated to because she caught him with his zipper down. What he really wanted to do was get up into the safety of his room and wait for Dante. He would come to Nero tonight... wouldn't he? Yet the more time ticked away the more unsure he became.

What if he rubbed one off and just fell asleep? Nero glowered at his cards. Then he would just have to remind him that trying to sleep when Nero wanted attention wasn't something he handled well. In fact, he was healed over now so it meant he could take Dante whenever the two got down to it, which could still be yet tonight.

He'd gotten a small taste of it, and surprisingly Dante had seemed to be enjoying the attention he was trying to lavish on him in the kitchen. Oh how Nero wanted to spoil the old man.

"You dazing out on me Nero?"

His vision returned to see Lady's hand waving before his eyes, he startled back to reality and flinched from her hand's close proximity.

"No, I'm cool." Nero said with a nervous laugh. Then again he could use this to his advantage... "I'm actually pretty tired myself. I think I'm gonna hit the sack." He continued as he stretched for show.

"Yeah, I guess I should head off too. Got something going on early tomorrow here in town, which is why I wanted to crash." Lady said as she too stretched. She dropped the cards and stared down at them. "We'll pick this up in the morning... G'night."

"Night." Nero said softly, although he could've kissed her for letting him go. He took the steps slowly to not seem too eager, went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face before walking back past Dante's room. He looked over the banister to see Lady nowhere in the main area, so Nero lightly let his demonic claws scrape against the hunter's door as he passed. He hoped Dante was still awake and would get the invitation.

He went to his room and he waited. His ears pricked up to hear Lady moving about downstairs doing who knows what. When things became quiet again Nero felt his blood begin to race, thumping in his ears as he continued to listen for the sound of movement on the second floor. Then he heard it. Movement.

He heard the clunk of boots coming nearer and his breathing became heavy with anticipation. This was it. He was going to lose his virginity to Dante. His face suddenly felt warm at this thought. What if he was no good? What if he did something so obviously wrong that Dante laughed at him, or rejected him? Ahhh, don't think of that now!

A light knock came to his door and his heart stopped beating for a second. His chest squeezed as he stopped breathing. Somehow he found the will to stand, to reach a trembling hand out. He swallowed hard as he turned the knob and flung the door open...