Here we go, update! I should have uploaded this two days ago, but when I came round to it, I was just too tired and the days have been filled up with, mostly, more sleep! Thanks for those who continue to review/favourite

Blood of Dusk: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you've been enjoying it so far and it's always good to hear positive comments on my writing style too, so thank you! I've read you're Dante/Nero fics too and, though I often forget to review for ages, I enjoy your work and your descriptions were always good, I'd never say over the top at all. And protective Devil Hunters are my favourite! ^^

BattleGoddess126: Thanks for reviewing! Yup, my favourite day of the year to watch gay porn; I was saving a movie I pre-ordered called Role/Play (not a porno though, it's a 15), but I doubt I'll be able to save it...! Yeah, I like to ship Dante and Vergil, that is probably even more canon than Dante and Nero! I had to add the crush on Credo bit for the aww factor, because kid Nero (well, more of a kid Nero) is adorable :)

SirenaLoreley: Thank you for reviewing! I spend a lot of time thinking of all the men Dante actually loved in his life, because behind the badass exterior, he'd be a fantastic lover to them. That and it adds to Vince's jealousy in this, so it all comes together nicely (or not so nicely...)

honeyberries: Thanks for the review! A good snuggle is great to write, especially with angsty stuff going on! I do like Dante and Vergil as a pair, so I was glad to mention that here... and I also love portraying Trish as being motherly to Dante, she literally looks the part lol

Semjaza: Thanks for reviewing! I picture Trish like a double edged sword; sweet and kind when you're good, a real hot head if you're bad! Yeah, I would love to write a one shot hookup between Dante and Modeus, I always thought something was going on with them when watching the anime, the looks they were giving each other were too obvious! Especially the mutual love of strawberry sundaes :) - if I ever get round to it, I'll make sure to credit you for the suggestion.

silent33: Thank you for the review! Yeah, Trish was harsh, I love writing her with a bitch streak. Somehow it makes her feel more like a mother! I just wish I could draw, because I'd love to draw a 10 year old Nero looking adoringly at Credo!

Flowing Tears: Thanks for reviewing! Yeah the showdown will be interesting, it'll certainly test me as I've never written something like what I'm planning... no spoilers honest...! t does suck that hormones can make you feel like that, I'm hoping to be on testosterone at some point in the future, so I wonder what that'll do to me (aside from making me more of a perv than I already am, god help us lol). Though the way you phrased Dante being bitchy in your comment really made me imagine him pregnant...! XD

LavanderGirl: Thanks for the review, glad you enjoyed the last chapter! Dante needs some love form Nero right now... and your comment made me wish even more than Capcom ended DMC4 with the two walking off together in fluffy love! :3

Warnings for this chapter... well, as Dante's high, so you know what's coming! Enjoy!

Chapter 8 – Poor Decisions

As soon as Trish had left the office, Nero gave a short sigh and ruffled the hair on the back of his head in frustration. Now he felt bad for yelling back at her, but she still had no right to talk to Dante like she had done, even though she was technically correct in what she was saying. The older devil hunter was being a bit of an idiot, lusting after Nero to the point where he wanted nothing else and was almost willing to forget about the mission. Sighing, the younger male listened intently to any sounds originating from upstairs, but there was nothing. No one walking about and no one in the shower. Guess the old man finished up. On that note, Nero heard his devil side begin to purr lowly in the back of his head, his nose catching the same sweet scent Dante had begun to emanate on the drive home. It must have been the pheromones that Trish had mentioned, especially seeing as they had an incredibly arousing effect on him. He moaned softy as his inner demon purred louder, desperate to comfort his mate during this tough time.

Before he knew what he was doing, Nero found his feet carrying him up the slightly creaky stairs and right up to the door of the bedroom he and Dante shared. He forcedly swallowed the lump in his throat that formed as his lover's sweet fragrance thickened, his hand quivering as he reached for the handle. He entered the room quietly in case the older male was hiding somewhere waiting to pounce, but he saw the broad shape of him lying on the king sized bed. His hair was still damp from the shower, but the rest of his skin had dried nicely. Nero's eyes trailed along his muscular shoulder blades, scanning lower to his back and to where the towel hid most of his firm buttocks from view. He licked his lips however when he noticed that the top of his cheeks were visible, his fingers almost itching to slide between them.

"Topping won't work this time, babe," Dante purred deeply from the bed.

The older male shifted onto his side, the white towel sliding over his thighs as he turned to look at his younger lover. Nero's cheeks tinted with a faint blush as his eyes watched the cotton fabric flop softly onto the bed, exposing the man's thick erection. Warm tingles shot along his spine, causing him to shiver and Dante's smirk to broaden.

"Come here," he drawled seductively, patting the space on the bed beside him.

"Promise me old man," Nero told him as he shrugged his denim coat off, the cool air tickling the skin under his netted vest. "As soon as we've attended to your immediate... problem," he nodded at Dante's cock while his fingers unclasped the belt at his waist to slide off the chaps. "We have to get back on the mission, right?"

"Yes, I promise! Now lose the shirt and come here!"

Snickering at the husky demand, Nero pulled the netted vest off over his head and tossed it to the floor somewhere in the pile of Dante's clothes. He kicked off his boots and sauntered over to the bed, unconsciously swaying his hips a little while keeping his gaze firmly locked on his mate's. With a predatory growl, Dante lunged forwards and wrapped his arms about Nero's waist, pulling him against him and rolling back onto the bed. The teen gave a small yelp in surprise as he was captured, but it quickly became a moan as the elder gave each cheek of his buttocks a strong, tight squeeze. Dante smirked and rested his head against the pillows, his hands lazily moving up to massage Nero's slender hips. Their lips quickly met in a searing kiss, Nero noticing that his own flesh was beginning to emit a similar sweet odour as it heated up to his partner's touch. Both men purred audibly as their tongues danced together between their lips, rough hands caressing as much skin as they could reach. Damn, maybe pheromones really aren't that bad...

A deep growl rumbled in the elder's throat at he picked up on his mate's own scent, his cock becoming harder if possible. He let his hands wander down past Nero's navel to the popper on his leather shorts, fingers expertly unfastening it with ease. He heard the teen's breathing pick up noticeably as he dragged the zipper down, making sure to rub over the head of his arousal while doing so. The instant he pulled the hard flesh out of its confines, Nero broke their wet lip lock to moan loudly into the gradually heating air. Dante slowly bucked his hips upwards as he stroked Nero roughly, his erection rubbing against the soft leather of the kid's groin.

"Fuck you're almost as horny as me," he growled, leaning up to nip at Nero's neck.

"Just hurry it up old man," Nero replied breathily. "You might not last long."

"Oh, I could keep going all day, babe."

The hand not gripping Nero's shaft grasped the waistband of his leather hot pants and pulled them down over his thighs. Assisting his mate, the younger male kicked them off before being rolled onto his back and pressed firmly between the satin sheets and his partner's well toned body. Dante captured his lips in another demanding kiss, one hand rummaging blindly in the bedside table's drawer for a tube of lube. Once he found one, he immediately cracked the cap open and squeezed a generous amount on Nero's tight opening and his swollen manhood. Nero cried out loudly in surprise as he felt Dante's long length slowly penetrate him, his mind expecting a few fingers first.

"Hmm," Dante purred as he licked along the teen's neck to his ear. "Surprise you?"

"Just a... little-ah..." Nero murmured, grateful that the elder stilled for a moment to wait for him to adjust to the instant intrusion.

"I'll go slowly."

The younger nodded, but was unable to prevent the small gasp of pain escaping his lips as his lover began to move again. He moved his hips up a little to get more comfortable, his strong legs wrapping about Dante's waist as he continued with his slow, yet powerful rhythm. He encircled his neck in his arms, the claws of his Devil Bringer dragging light cuts into his shoulder blades along the way. Dante swiftly lifted up his head to claim Nero's lips in another kiss, his tongue instantly granted access into the moist cavern that lay beyond. They moaned lowly, Nero appreciating the roaming of Dante's large hands across his toned flesh and the loving manner in which he was approaching their intimacy. Usually both men liked it rough under normal circumstances, so it was only natural for Nero to expect it to be more aggressive than normal. For instance, when they had sex before leaving the hotel to return to Devil May Cry, he had to limp to the car afterwards. But this time, Dante was being gentle and careful with his lovemaking, the passion almost too emotional for a man high on hormones.

"Dante..." he moaned softly.

The elder raised his head to observe his mate, their eyes locking to the other's in an instant. Nero gasped as he was given a particularly hard thrust, his shaky breath escaping him, but Dante still maintained the gentle pace. Smiling, the teen ran the fingers of his human hand through his lover's white locks, the purring of their devil sides increasing in volume as they were drawn deeper into each other. Some part of Nero should have thought it faintly unnerving that Dante was staring at him this way during sex, but the rest of him was warmed by it and wanted it to happen like this more often. His human side. While his devil side liked it passionate and rough, his human side preferred things more intimate and emotional. Just like this. He could practically feel Dante's love through the gaze they shared. It was then that Nero realised the subtle differences between having sex and making love. Of course, the passion was always the same but this time, the pleasure registered on more of an emotional level. Such an exchange made him appreciate just how much Dante cared for him, not just as a devil for his mate but as a whole, human love as well. Perhaps this was a true indication that Dante had allowed his human side to fall in love again, not just the demon.

"Fuck," the elder hunter growled, his pace picking up slightly. "You're so damn gorgeous."

Nero managed half a laugh through his panting. "Not bad... ah... yourself..."

He half expected to be kissed again and have his breath sucked away, but instead he could only wail loudly in ecstasy as Dante sunk his demonic fangs into his neck. The devil had once again taken control, the slow rhythm being replaced by the savage passion they were used to. Closing his eyes tightly as he was washed away in a sea of pleasure, Nero clawed desperately at his lover's broad shoulders as he was pounded into. Feeling the lust burning inside, he craned his neck to the side so he could bite into Dante's, the metallic taste flooding him with a sudden shock of power. Both men fought the urge to Trigger as their lovemaking turned violent, their senses blinded by the heady aroma of blood and pheromones combined with the desperation to claim the other. Dante growled possessively as both arms grew red hide, fingers turning into claws that raked deep into Nero's skin and drew more blood. Nero moaned his mate's name huskily as he approached his climax, his hands slipping on Dante's muscular torso from a mixture of blood and sweat.

"Close," he whispered. "Dante... I'm-ah close."

Dante licked away the blood on the pale column of flesh he'd claimed. "Go ahead."

"Dante... Dan-te..."

Nero felt every muscle in his body tense as his orgasm hit him harder than anything he had experienced before. He howled at the top of his voice, slicking his body even further as he came hard between them. Dante buried his face into his neck as he came seconds later, his own muscles as tense as Nero's. The younger male panted air back into his lungs, feeling relieved when the sweet scent of Dante's pheromones gradually dissipated. Perhaps we can try and focus on the mission again, he thought as he felt the other man's arms return to normal. He flopped his head back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling as he tried to fight off sleep. He had promised Trish he'd scout for signs of the Incubus after all.

"I love you Nero," he heard Dante's muffled voice against his shoulder.

He breathed a contented sigh. "I'll never get tired of hearing you say that," he smiled broadly. "Love you too."

He brought the elder's head up to his to kiss him softly on the lips, the air instantly feeling cooler as their bodies separated. Feeling more exhausted than after fighting any demon, Dante rolled onto the bed and immediately drifted off into a deep, restful sleep. Nero had to chuckle at the sight of his lover, past out on the red satin sheets with his hair mussed from sex and his body drenched in sweat and cum. On the other hand, it was nothing short of sexy. Sighing deeply, he decided it was pointless going to patrol the area now when he could barely keep his eyes open. It was best to be alert on the job. He cuddled up close to Dante, his smile becoming softer as he heard the man purring lowly in his sleep, probably utterly content. Who'd have thought someone like me would have fallen in love with a pervert like Dante? The best feeling in the world wasn't just how happy he was to be loved by him, but that he'd really broken the shackles that bound him to Fortuna. Meeting Dante had, beyond all shadow of a doubt, saved his life.

After what could have only been an hour or two at most, Nero gradually roused himself from his post sex nap. Yawning and stretching leisurely, he sat up cautiously but there was very little discomfort down below. He should have been used to Dante's stamina by now. Glancing over to his left, he saw that the elder hunter was still fast asleep and looked like he had no intention on waking up until at least mid afternoon. He was sprawled out comfortably, taking up all of his side of the bed and snoring audibly. Even whilst looking so incredibly inelegant with one of his legs sticking out of the covers, he still managed to give off that air of sexiness he always had. Nero swallowed his arousal as it threatened to return, his azure orbs fixed on the trail of white hair poking over the edge of the sheets which just about concealed his modesty. What man could want anything other than this? No wonder he found it so easy to get any guy to go to bed with him.

Chuckling under his breath even though there was no chance of him accidentally waking his lover, Nero stepped out of bed and crossed the room to the wardrobe. He blushed lightly as he stepped on the leather shorts he'd borrowed from Dante for their visit to Gilgamesh, knowing that if they went again, he'd probably end up in those. Shaking off the sudden image of Dante in hot pants that crept into his mind, Nero pulled on a pair of clean boxers before changing into his usual hunting gear. They'd need to do laundry soon as he only had one pair of moderately clean jeans left. No matter how dirty they were, he refused to wear some of the older male's clothes for missions, though he doubted he would feel the same way. As he wandered downstairs, he muffled his laughter with his devil hand as he pictured Dante wearing only leather shorts with his red coat, charging down a pair of demons with Rebellion. It was exactly like the video games he enjoyed playing, except the character wearing little clothing was usually a woman. Gender equality, he thought as he went into the kitchen to grab a swig of surprisingly fresh milk from the fridge. He practically spat it out as he suddenly imagined Dante wearing Trish's usual getup, though he'd undoubtedly look drop dead gorgeous in a corset.

As if that was an omen, he heard the double doors to the office open in the other room and the hushed sound of two women talking. Putting the milk back in the fridge and picking the last banana out of the cupboard, Nero left the kitchen to greet them. He looked worried as he pealed the fruit, glancing between the two women who were armed quite heavily. Did they know something he didn't?

"Don't look so nervous Nero," Lady chuckled. "We had some business to take care of that was near here, so we decided to drop in and see how you're handling the Incubus job. Or, in Dante's case, not."

"Did you take care of things?" asked Trish, glancing at her lover as she hid a snigger.

"Yeah, yeah!" Nero grumbled. "He's sleeping."

Lady whistled. "You must be good if you can knock him out!"

Nero blushed furiously. "I think it was just the pheromones."

"Well that's a relief, at least now he's come down from his high he'll be ready to pay attention!" Trish shook her head, but there was no trace of disapproval in her voice this time. "Though this place stinks to high heaven."

"Hmm?" Lady sniffed the air. "Smells the same to me. Beer and pizza."

"You're so lucky to be human sometimes. At least when you stayed here all you had to do was put up with listening to Dante and his boyfriends at night. I had to deal with the whole works; there's little worse than the smell of horny male demons!"

"Spoken by a true lesbian, as Dante would say."

Nero scratched the back of his neck awkwardly as Lady leaned in to kiss Trish lightly on the lips as if he was no longer in the room. He had absolutely nothing against their relationship at all; if he did he deserved to be hung, drawn and quartered as a hypocrite. It was partially down to not being used to seeing public displays of affection as it was never seen in Fortuna. The rest of it however was more likely due to his devil side disliking another couple showing affection in his mating grounds. Devil May Cry did belong to Dante after all and, the longer he lived here, the more he noticed how much it smelt like him. As the elder's mate, Nero also felt like he wanted to mark this place as his territory.

He cleared his throat. "Actually its good you showed up," he remarked. "I was just going out to scout out for the Incubus. Now that you're here, you can guard the place while I'm gone and make sure no one tries to attack Dante in his sleep. Nothing's gonna wake him up anytime soon."

"I thought as much," Trish replied with a smile. "We'll take care of things."

"Thanks."

Nero finished eating the banana and tossed the empty skin into a metal bin that stood by the kitchen door. Stretching again just to make sure he was completely alert, he checked Blue Rose was holstered to his thigh before strapping Red Queen to his back and heading out of the doors. Once outside, he raised his human hand to his face to try and block out the low winter sun that glared into his eyes. The thin dusting of snow was still there, almost as if it were waiting for the rest of it to pour down from the skies at some point. Nero smiled as he took his first steps into the street, the white crystals crunching beneath his heavy brown boots. He enjoyed hunting at this time of year even though he usually got into a bit of trouble when facing ice demons. Snow was still a novelty for him and he knew Dante loved seeing the huge grin plastered on his face when he saw it.

Setting out into the crisp winter's day, Nero had to shiver as he felt a blast of icy wind ruffle the tails of his coat. Though snow was top on his list of beautiful things, he still wasn't used to the temperature difference of sub-tropical Fortuna and his new home. He'd get used to it one day, even though he always caved in at the office and stayed snuggled against Dante's warmth until they had to get moving for a job. How he wished he could be there now, buried under the covers and curled into the perfect body of his mate; instead he was out alone and hunting a demon who was making a habit of being elusive. But at least he knew what he looked like. He curled the claws of his Bringer into a fist as Vince's face swam into his mind's eye. No matter how attractive the guy was, he'd enjoy beating the hell out of him. His devil growled within, filled with hatred at how anyone would dare try to take his mate from him. Nero glanced down at his demonic arm, unclenching his fist when he saw it flickering wildly in anticipation of fighting the Incubus. Calm down Nero, we need to get to him before he gets Dante, so you can't lose your head.

His feet took him on a long walk around the shady city that somehow managed to look fairly reputable now the place was covered in a thin blanket of snow. Though nothing could quite change the stench of sleaze that hung around Love Planet, a place Nero knew he would hate no matter how long he lived here. He stared at the locked door of the strip club, glancing up at the sign which was presently devoid of its usual pink glow. He took a moment to breathe in the air surrounding the place, picking up on a brief tang of the enthralling spicy aroma he was tracking. It was faint but definitely there, although it suggested Vince hadn't been here for a day or two. Nero's gut clenched unpleasantly, hoping that he really wasn't going so far as to track down Dante's remaining lover. He scratched the back of his neck and carried on walking, his feet crunching deftly in the snow as he picked up another scent. This one had a strong hint of blood to it, but the base of the aroma smelt like hot ginger tea with a drop of lemon.

"You should be careful," a sultry voice cut through the air. "Anger doesn't suit you."

Nero spun round and pulled Blue Rose out of its holster, pointing it directly at the one who had spoken. The demon was tall and built slightly similar to himself, but with short blond streaked hair and golden eyes. The devil hunter wondered how the man wasn't freezing as he simply stood there in jeans, a thin black shirt and a short leather biker jacket.

"Anger smells quite attractive on some," the demon continued. "But not on you, babe."

"You're the guy who killed that young escort," Nero growled.

"Quite right," his lips curled into a smirk. "In this very alleyway, actually. He tasted like spearmint, yet his soul had the lovely scent of a bonfire. It stayed soaked into my skin for a very long time. Virgin men are the best, after all."

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't shoot you?"

Akira shrugged. "If you wish."

Before Nero knew what was going on, the blond Incubus was standing at his side with one arm gradually slipping about his waist. His breath hitched as he nuzzled the bruise on his neck made by Dante, wanting to fight back as it was caressed with a slick tongue, but he couldn't move his body. The strong odour of ginger was now almost overpowering and he could feel his body turn numb with the exception of his groin. He groaned lowly as the tongue licked up to his jaw line, his cock almost at half mast in his jeans.

"S-Stop..." Nero tried. "I-I'll kick your... f-fucking ass..."

"No you can't," Akira purred. "You can't even move. All I need to do now is strip you of your weapons and clothes, push you against a wall and fuck you until I drain out every bit of living essence you have in your body. You'd like that too, wouldn't you?"

"Stuff it... damn b-bastard..."

Chuckling, the Incubus backed off, leaving Nero to sink to his knees on the cold street.

"See," he noted. "You're not strong enough to shoot me."

The teen looked up to glare at him. "Are you after Dante?"

"Me? No, I have no interest in your mate. I'm after Vince."

Nero quirked an eyebrow as he shakily got to his feet.

"I believe you've met," Akira continued.

"Yeah we've met. Seems like I'm not the only one after him."

"But for different reasons entirely. In case you're wondering, my name is Akira. I used to be the head of an order of Incubi best known for its love for human men. My order disbanded long ago when most of its members lost the need to hunt. I'm not sure if Dante explained this to you, but when an Incubus takes a mate, he doesn't need to feed off others anymore. We replenish each other and exist as a pair until we die or are killed."

"So all your minions paired off, huh?"

"That's right. It's often said that homosexual Incubi feel a stronger urge to mate."

"Great, so why not tell your buddy Vince to get a man and stop killing Dante's ex lovers?"

"Because it's Dante that Vince wants, surely you can see that?"

"Why, because they used to sleep together?"

"Precisely."

Nero narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying that Vince's mating instinct has targeted Dante?"

Akira smiled and leaned back against the wall of the alley. "Vince had been infatuated with the Son of Sparda ever since they met at Love Planet. Though at that point, he'd lost his demonic power so he would never have known what he really was. Unfortunately for you, your mate has been under his spell ever since without even knowing. Sure, Vince was practically human, but seduction skills are enough until his real power returns. Dante would never have suspected that his former sex friend was a demon."

"That's why he wouldn't believe me... Vince must have done something to him when we talked to him in Love Planet!"

"With a guy like Vince, it doesn't even take a touch."

"Then you're working with him, aren't you?" Nero returned the aim of his prized revolver at Akira. "You killed that escort to lure Dante to Vince!"

"Oh I assure you Nero, we're not partners in crime."

"Then why?"

Akira shrugged. "I was hungry, believe it or not. I just so happened to be craving new blood and this beautiful young man strayed right into my path. I was hunting just like any other Incubus. In fact, Vince only had his demonic power returned to him that night."

Nero relaxed his hold on Blue Rose. "Why are you telling me this? Have you been looking for me to have this conversation?"

"Correct."

"Why?"

"Because it satisfies both our needs. You don't want to see Dante hurt, I don't want to see Vince hurt. There's no point in me standing around and watching this happen because, believe me, it will. He's more powerful than you and your female compatriots. He will hunt down Dante, succeed and then you will be killed."

The teen swallowed nervously. "I figured as much."

"Then, pretty thing, you need my help."

"Call me that again and..."

The Incubus chuckled. "Futile and you know it."

"Fine!" he exclaimed. "I need your help! Now tell me where he is."

"Oh it's not that simple; you see, if I did that, I'd have no assurance that you wouldn't try to kill Vince. If that happened, you'd be his third kill and then Dante would be his unwilling mate for a painfully long time. I for one, do not wish for that to happen."

Nero stared into the hawk-like gold eyes of the demon, hating that he was being put into a situation where he had to cooperate with him. He didn't want to work with the demon. Regardless to what he said, he couldn't trust him. But this time, Dante's life was at stake and surely it didn't matter who he worked with so long as his lover was safe. If he lost the elder hunter to anyone, there would be nothing left for him. A mate was a mate for life. As well as the likelihood of it being a trap, it was also possible Akira wanted to keep Vince from harm because he had feelings for him. They were part of the same order after all; demons always looked out for their own. In fact, it may even be more than that. Definitely more than that, his inner demon whispered confidently.

"Vince must mean something to you, right?" he asked eventually as he holstered Blue Rose.

"You have no idea," Akira replied. "But that isn't important."

"So, I want to save my mate, you want to save your prospective mate. What's the deal?"

"I imagine the first part has already taken place."

"What do you mean?"

"You left the females standing guard over Dante, right?"

"Yeah..." Nero's eyes widened, remembering what he had said about even Trish being no match for Vince. "Shit! He's vulnerable now... fuck!"

"Correct your poor decision Nero," Akira told him. "Then it's my call."

Without bothering to question him any further, Nero took off along the street back in the direction he came from. Now was not the time to wonder if the Incubus was being truthful or not; if there was a chance Vince had taken the opportunity to take Dante while he was gone, he needed to track him as quickly as possible. It didn't matter if it was just a ruse to chase him into a corner and the older male was still at home asleep, the possibility was enough to drop his defences. He'd be nothing without Dante. Nothing.

Ominous Cliffhanger...? The next few chapters will be interesting for me to write, so I hope they turn out well. And hopefully I'll get the V-Day special done in time! 0_0