Nero sliced through the last Empusa, drawing the blade out with a deliberate flick, before spinning on his heels back to the van. Nico was finishing her cigarette and starting the engine up once more.

'And with that: home time! I miss Kyrie's cooking.' breathed Nero slouching into the passenger seat. The Gunsmith released the break and got them out onto the broken, Qliphoth-remnant covered road.

It was a little bit difficult imagining what life was going to look like from now on. With Dante and Vergil gone Nero still had questions and a longing. He had never had blood relatives before, and now both were gone again in an instant. The Devil Hunter pondered what Vergil said upon leaving.

'Vergil said he'd come back for the book. Think we'll be seeing them soon?'

'I don't see why not,' Nico began. 'Those two seem to have their way o' gettin' around. You'll see 'em again.' Pleased with the response, both sat back in their seats for the long drive home. The road was busted to literal hell and back, and the occasional demon kept extending the trip out indefinitely.

Night had returned once again, and the unlikely friends had still not seen the glow of Fortuna. A low growl from Nero's stomach elicited a laugh from the driver. 'Yeah, I miss 'er cookin' too. Tell your stomach to cut it out.'

'I'm so tired and hungry. I can't help it.' He shifted in his seat for the umpteenth time trying to get comfortable. 'I can't wait to sleep in a real bed.'

'What, and miss sleepin' in the van?' They shared an incredulous look before Nico burst into laughter. Nero smirked and tried to turn over again. They both knew this trip had gone on long enough. Plus, they might get along now, but Nero didn't particularly wish to be in such small confines with Nico much longer. Her smoking was bad enough, but her constant sarcasm and teasing left him weary. How on earth did they manage this past month.

Failing to stifle a yawn, the brunette decided to pull over. 'I am not goin' any further tonight. Can't keep my eyes open.'

'But,' Nero jolted up. 'We have to get home tonight. We can't stop now.'

'Stop whining like a bitch 'bout it. Do you want t' die a fiery death, 'cause that'll happen if I keep driving.'

'Don't call me a bitch! I'll drive. Move.' His snippy tone not getting past Nico, she ruffled his hair. After pushing past one another, making faces along the way, they finally settled into their seats for the last leg of the trip. Nico waved a lazy "goodnight" and Nero began to start the van. Looking over at her snoring figure he contemplated their relationship up until now. This is just what it was like to have family, wasn't it?

The sun shone over Nico's face, and she squinted in disgust. 'We're almost there.' A weary Nero announced. The inventor wrinkled her nose and adjusted her glasses on her face.

'You're in a good mood. Ready t' hold Kyrie tight? I want t' remind you that you have kids in th' house, got it?' Her snickering spoiled his excitement.

'Give it a rest, would you? You know that Kyrie and I sleep separately. Can't promise I won't hug her though, so get your whining out now.'

'Yeah, yeah. You two really do need t' "get a room" though. How long 've ya been dating? Seven years? You raise kids together, share income, cook and clean for one another. Yet, you can't get in 'er pants. Sounds like you're whipped if you ask me.' The rattled driver swerved the van after nearly veering off course.

'Call it what you like, but it's not being "whipped". I just give her space.'

'Space, huh? Sounds like y' might have a few grievances t' air out. You want t' sleep with her an' she won't come t' the party. Am I right?' His frustration was clear as the morning sun at this point. He wanted to retort but couldn't bring himself to disagree.

'D' you really want to talk about my love life? I thought this stuff made you gag?'

'Bein' sappy makes me gag. Getting' you riled up makes me happy. I'm certainly not gettin' any hot ass right now. Too busy building my next masterpiece. So, takin' it out on you makes me feel better.'

'Well, I have nothing for you.'

'Seriously? No wonder y' kill demons with serious efficiency. You're working through all that sexual tension. Makes sense now.'

'It does not!'

'Does too.' This, like all other arguments, would be another losing battle. The Devil Hunter threw his hand up in defeat.

'Fine, sexual tension or not: not a word to Kyrie.' The inventor nodded and closed her eyes, a large grin on her face from winning the argument.

'We're finally here,' Nero exhaled. 'Home sweet home.' Nico hopped out of the van and pulled the garage door up to let Nero drive in. The place was still cluttered with all their tools, and the faint staining of blood on the concrete where he was found passed out a few months ago. Nero never guessed he'd be wanting the perpetrator to come back and have a chat someday. Pushing the joining door open he immediately heard the footsteps of the kids and their laughter. They were up and giving Kyrie the run around. The kitchen was bright and filled with the smell of delicious food. And there she was. Kneeling on the floor helping Carlo with his shirt buttons.

'Look who's back!' Nico yelled into the house. Kyrie swung around immediately and smiled her biggest smile. Patting Carlo's shirt to remove any wrinkles, she stood and guided him and herself over to see her love. Meeting her eyes for the first time in a month sent a heat through his whole body. She was so beautiful, and right here. Finally. Nero lifted both of his hands and cupped her face, gently rubbing her cheek with his right thumb. The singer jumped a little in surprise.

'Your hand is back! It's real. How?' She excitedly pulled the hand from her face and examined it. Turning it over again and again to check that it was real.

'It is a long and crazy story. I can tell you the details, but we'll need to get comfy for it.'

'I can take th' kids out t' school so you can both get real comfy.'

'Nico, we discussed this.' The two stared each other down and spoke exclusively with their scowls. Nico backed down showing her palms and backing out the door with the kids in tow. The loud chatter disappeared slowly through the closed door and Nero was left with Kyrie in the kitchen. Her hands were tightly wound around his waist, head laying on his chest. He placed his left hand, out of habit, on her head to gently brush through her red locks. The air was still, and the smell of breakfast might have enticed him if it wasn't for the way Kyrie held him.

'I missed you. Did you miss me too?' A cheeky grin spit across her face.

'Of course!' She pulled away from him momentarily to take in his appearance. Bruised, cuts left uncleaned, dried blood all over him. She couldn't leave him like this.

'You need to go and take a shower to wash off all the blood. Give me your clothes so I can wash them, and when you are done, come down so I can patch you up and sterilize your wounds.' She placed her hands on her hips and waited for a response. Nero smirked and pulled off his jacket, handing the tattered garment to the patient woman. He started pulling his shirt up over his head until Kyrie blushed a deep red and protested. 'Not here! Just leave them outside the bathroom door.'

'But, you've seen me shirtless before.'

'I know, but I was self-conscious then too.'

'Self-conscious? About what?' Kyrie squirmed a little under his questioning gaze. This was not a conversation either of them thought they would be having.

'I get... Excited. Seeing your skin makes me feel hot and bothered. It's not wrong, but it is a little embarrassing. You can keep your cool around me, and I feel like I lose myself a little.' She proceeded to bury her face in the dirty jacket. A little squeak escaped when she felt his breath on her hair as he laughed.

'I don't keep my cool. Anything but.' He placed his forehead on hers, leaning into her ever so gently. 'I just don't say anything. I don't wanna scare you.' They stood perfectly still. Breathing slow and steady, holding each other for comfort. Kyrie began tracing circles in Nero's right palm.

'Why don't you go take that shower. Then you can tell me about your trip. I'll even put out a plate of pancakes. Sound good?'

'Yeah. I'll be quick, okay?' They shared a quick kiss before parting. Kyrie made her way to the laundry while Nero climbed the stairs to the bathroom.

Behind the closed door, Nero could hear his heart beating out of his chest. They had been back for no more than 20 minutes, and he was already melting into a puddle under his girlfriend's gaze. Gosh it was hot in here. He proceeded to pull his shirt over his head and place it into a heap on the floor. His necklace swung freely around his neck as he bent over to unlace his shoes. Pulling off each black boot was a relief, giving himself a moment to wiggle his toes before pulling off the socks too. The cool tiling felt amazing on the padding. After unzipping the pants and pulling them off, he proceeded to open the door just a crack and push his dirty clothes out into the hall. From there he turned the shower on full and left it cold. His body finally allowed the ache to set in, along with his racing thoughts of Kyrie. He needed to calm down and give her time.

The water poured over his face and down the length of his arms, trickling into every crevasse and cooling him completely. Spiralling down the drain was a mixture of water, dirt and blood. Once it began to clear, Nero added soap and scrubbed his silver fauxhawk completely clean. Running a hand over his chin caused him to consider shaving off the stubble and reached for a razor. He could hear Kyrie stumbling around outside the door as he prepped his skin. He thought about how cute she was when she pottered around the house. Always busy, always looking for something to do. She just couldn't sit still. He was so glad to be in her presence again.

Kyrie gathered all the clothes and placed them on her arm. It was so good to have him home. It had been a lonely month with him gone, but the kids kept her busy. The water was running loudly, and she could hear an exhale of pure joy. It made her chuckle and stumble slightly into the wall. The house felt complete again, and her giddy smile couldn't be shaken.

The torn arm of the jacket was able to be hemmed, but the material would have to stay short. And the knit of his jumper was completely torn. The only thing that held up well were the pants. Kyrie mused over where she would start, but decided it was a job for another day.

The pancakes were a little more pressing. She mixed the batter to incorporate the settled mixture once more and began to fry up the first of many pancakes. She heard the shower shut off and a glass door close, so it wouldn't be long until Nero came down to eat. The singer got to work and prepped the food as quickly as possible. She wouldn't make him wait.