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Nero seems perfectly content to just follow along aimlessly wherever V goes. More of a walk than any kind of destination in mind. He has the distinct sense of deja-vu though, from the day he arrived in Folkmore and found himself wandering aimlessly after Vergil.
Vergil and V. It seems... rude somehow to conflate the two, but how can he not?
"You're looking a lot better. That's good," he remarks. "Though. Hard to look worse than you did last time I saw you, huh?"
Well, that's a hell of an icebreaker. But Nero's good at those.
"So is this... weird for you? With Vergil and all?"
Vergil and V. It seems... rude somehow to conflate the two, but how can he not?
"You're looking a lot better. That's good," he remarks. "Though. Hard to look worse than you did last time I saw you, huh?"
Well, that's a hell of an icebreaker. But Nero's good at those.
"So is this... weird for you? With Vergil and all?"
The compliment from Nero earns a quirk of the brow. V looks no better or worse than he did when he arrived, which is to say than he did the moment he came from. So he clearly got worse before he succeeded in his mission—not a surprise by any means, simply an unpleasant reality. With Nero (and presumably Dante, though to a lesser degree), it shifts from a matter of logic to lived truth. It makes him appreciate being here—alive and "well"—and simultaneously irritated with Thirteen given that must be the effect she's going for.
He's not irritated with Nero over it. The remark probably means little, other than something to say. Perhaps along a similar line of 'you have twice as many arms as last time I saw you.' V will pass on saying as much.
"It's... unexpected," V says, "I never considered the possibility of meeting Vergil. His existence would mean both I succeeded and I no longer existed. Yet he was one of the people I met my first day in this place."
So there was no time to consider the odds of Vergil coming to or being in Folkmore. All the other vast amounts of information flooded at him was enough. He should have thought that far in advance. Except, Vergil isn't a threat, nor his presence a risk to V's well being. Not on Vergil's account.
"We're managing."
He's not irritated with Nero over it. The remark probably means little, other than something to say. Perhaps along a similar line of 'you have twice as many arms as last time I saw you.' V will pass on saying as much.
"It's... unexpected," V says, "I never considered the possibility of meeting Vergil. His existence would mean both I succeeded and I no longer existed. Yet he was one of the people I met my first day in this place."
So there was no time to consider the odds of Vergil coming to or being in Folkmore. All the other vast amounts of information flooded at him was enough. He should have thought that far in advance. Except, Vergil isn't a threat, nor his presence a risk to V's well being. Not on Vergil's account.
"We're managing."
V's response catches him a little off guard, and he has to think about it for a moment. Is it possible, maybe, that V doesn't remember all of what happened? That seems like something the stupid fox would do.
"What's the last thing you remember?" he asks, going off the hunch. At least it should prevent him from saying anything else really stupid, or... dropping any truthbombs he doesn't mean to, come to think of it.
"Did Vergil catch you up on everything?"
"What's the last thing you remember?" he asks, going off the hunch. At least it should prevent him from saying anything else really stupid, or... dropping any truthbombs he doesn't mean to, come to think of it.
"Did Vergil catch you up on everything?"
Smart kid. V wonders how much of the time between what V remembers and what Nero remembers the boy will share. The question is likely to calibrate himself, but that information can get put to multiple uses. V doesn't expect to learn or know everything about the future, that infinity between him and Vergil that can only be hours. Yet some of it is surely relevant to know, of his interest and right. Vergil knows it all. Vergil remembers it all, but he said nothing of V's memories from that day.
"Vergil told me what he thought I needed to know," V answers that question first. "After I merged with Urizen, he and Dante left you to finish destroying the qliphoth roots in the demon realm."
That summarizes it really. A single sentence without notably more detail. His lips curl up. "I know that must leave a great deal out, even of what I cannot remember. I'd just caught Malphas's attention and thought it likely my mission would fail."
Someone saved him. It's the only explanation for how he'd make it farther. V considers Nero again. Process of elimination would suggest it was him. Dante forged ahead without waiting for them, and everyone else remained in the van. Yet it's too large a thing to assume based purely on that logic, when so much happened that chaotic day.
"Vergil told me what he thought I needed to know," V answers that question first. "After I merged with Urizen, he and Dante left you to finish destroying the qliphoth roots in the demon realm."
That summarizes it really. A single sentence without notably more detail. His lips curl up. "I know that must leave a great deal out, even of what I cannot remember. I'd just caught Malphas's attention and thought it likely my mission would fail."
Someone saved him. It's the only explanation for how he'd make it farther. V considers Nero again. Process of elimination would suggest it was him. Dante forged ahead without waiting for them, and everyone else remained in the van. Yet it's too large a thing to assume based purely on that logic, when so much happened that chaotic day.
Damn straight.
[Delivered confidently. Though if Kyrie praises Nero even slightly he will immediately crumble to pieces. If it's religiously, he will literally keel over and die.
Nero settles her out with her head on the pillows, kneeling over her. His bared chest is pretty much how she remembers it, the wounds from the Qliphoth incident long since healed. All his latest injuries came at Vergil's doing, while they were sparring... but thankfully, Nero's freshly healed from those, too. Thanks, Devil Trigger!
The one big difference, of course, is his right arm. Looking freakishly normal and ordinary, human skin, a hand just like the other. This will be the first time she's gotten a real decent look at his arm sans clothing, and sans the more familiar glowing mark of his demon arm.
He perches over her, taking a moment to admire her in that hoodie.]
You look so hot in my hoodie. [Put a little engine grease on there and he might actually start sweating.] I almost hate to take you out of it...
[Delivered confidently. Though if Kyrie praises Nero even slightly he will immediately crumble to pieces. If it's religiously, he will literally keel over and die.
Nero settles her out with her head on the pillows, kneeling over her. His bared chest is pretty much how she remembers it, the wounds from the Qliphoth incident long since healed. All his latest injuries came at Vergil's doing, while they were sparring... but thankfully, Nero's freshly healed from those, too. Thanks, Devil Trigger!
The one big difference, of course, is his right arm. Looking freakishly normal and ordinary, human skin, a hand just like the other. This will be the first time she's gotten a real decent look at his arm sans clothing, and sans the more familiar glowing mark of his demon arm.
He perches over her, taking a moment to admire her in that hoodie.]
You look so hot in my hoodie. [Put a little engine grease on there and he might actually start sweating.] I almost hate to take you out of it...
Vergil told him what he thought he needed to know... well, that narrows it the fuck down. So anything between "everything in excruciating detail" and "absolutely nothing."
V is then at least good enough to be more specific. So he was told about the twins fucking off and leaving Nero behind. Doesn't really clarify some of the more important bits...
"Malphas..." Nero murmurs. "That ugly bird freak? With the chicks on the back?" He remembers, of course. Just didn't catch her... its... their name? "I strung her up like a rotisserie and stuck a fork in her."
His tone gets a little more solemn. "Then you were... dying. Crumbling to bits. You asked me to take you to Urizen, so I did. Then the whole... pillar of light and Vergil bit, yeah."
V is then at least good enough to be more specific. So he was told about the twins fucking off and leaving Nero behind. Doesn't really clarify some of the more important bits...
"Malphas..." Nero murmurs. "That ugly bird freak? With the chicks on the back?" He remembers, of course. Just didn't catch her... its... their name? "I strung her up like a rotisserie and stuck a fork in her."
His tone gets a little more solemn. "Then you were... dying. Crumbling to bits. You asked me to take you to Urizen, so I did. Then the whole... pillar of light and Vergil bit, yeah."
His heart flops over in his chest, rather like a dying chicken, when Nero confirms that he killed Malphas, that he saved V. The one means the other given the situation he came from. He feels like a small child of eight again surrounded by demons and desperate, not for power, but to be saved. For someone to step in and stop the demons from killing him. Only the yamato answered his call, and with it, his power. He had to save himself, no matter how much it hurt. His chest aches with longing, that strange dissonance between knowing he'll be saved and not yet having been saved. Could the fox not have come for him moments later?
No, it seems. As difficult a time as V has now, dying and crumbling to bits is not a sustainable state to be in. Despite the burn in his chest, he inclines his head in recognition of what Nero says. Words take longer.
His legs carry him down the river of emotion that threatens to sweep him away. Nero was the key. Even if Dante was strong enough to defeat Urizen that day without Nero's help, V wouldn't have succeeded without Nero. Vergil wouldn't exist without him. They both owe him their lives. He had no idea how right that feeling was to go to Fortuna that night Dante lost to Urizen.
"Thank you," V says seriously. "You did more than I ever hoped."
No, it seems. As difficult a time as V has now, dying and crumbling to bits is not a sustainable state to be in. Despite the burn in his chest, he inclines his head in recognition of what Nero says. Words take longer.
His legs carry him down the river of emotion that threatens to sweep him away. Nero was the key. Even if Dante was strong enough to defeat Urizen that day without Nero's help, V wouldn't have succeeded without Nero. Vergil wouldn't exist without him. They both owe him their lives. He had no idea how right that feeling was to go to Fortuna that night Dante lost to Urizen.
"Thank you," V says seriously. "You did more than I ever hoped."
Nero blinks. Turns slightly pink. Clearly has no idea what to do with the sudden and sincere expression of gratitude. Not that V had never expressed gratitude to him before, but it was more in the way of "I owe you one" or other cryptic, distant statements. It's a bit startling to hear this from... not from Vergil, but from someone with enough of Vergil in him to make Nero realize how bizarre open gratitude is.
"Um... sure. You're welcome." He reaches up to itch his nose, a nervous tic. "It wasn't a big deal. We were all on the same team."
He... thinks so, anyway.
"Um... sure. You're welcome." He reaches up to itch his nose, a nervous tic. "It wasn't a big deal. We were all on the same team."
He... thinks so, anyway.
V watches the way ahead of them to give Nero and himself some privacy from that bare emotion. He needed more time before he spoke, perhaps a matter of hours. No matter that he has those hours now, it always feels like he doesn't, like whatever he's doing may well be his last. Instead of dying of shame, he has to live with it. It sounds like it was too much.
It was a big deal, but V isn't going to reinforce that. It's no larger or smaller for shying away from it in conversation. Nor does he feel any less... everything about it. It matters to him.
"We were," V confirms. Save the world. Fix his mistake. Whichever lens best suited the person in question, the outcome was the same. Whatever else he did, whatever lies he told, V was always honest that he wanted to stop Urizen's reckless pursuit of power and that he needed help to do so.
It was a big deal, but V isn't going to reinforce that. It's no larger or smaller for shying away from it in conversation. Nor does he feel any less... everything about it. It matters to him.
"We were," V confirms. Save the world. Fix his mistake. Whichever lens best suited the person in question, the outcome was the same. Whatever else he did, whatever lies he told, V was always honest that he wanted to stop Urizen's reckless pursuit of power and that he needed help to do so.
"Right. So that's all that matters, in the end."
Nero never pictured himself as manipulated or tricked during the Red Grave incident. He didn't need any convincing or prodding for a shot at avenging himself on Urizen-- even if the decision to abscond from his hospital room put him in the doghouse with Kyrie for the next month. He was, of course, absolutely in the dark when it came to the true meaning of events and the true nature of the enemy they faced. But that was as much Dante's doing as it was V's. He even sort of understands why Dante lied by omission, at this point.
It's less clear to him why V kept things so close to the chest, apart from the sheer unbelievable audacity of his story. Would Nero or Dante have even believed him if he did tell the truth? It probably wouldn't have changed any of Nero's actions or choices. And now, he certainly can't deny that, short of the entire mess being prevented from the beginning, things ended about as well as they could have under the circumstances. They all lived. Vergil lived. And V... Well. He's alive now, anyway.
"What else did Vergil tell you?" he asks, nearing what he thinks might be the real crux of the matter. "About me?"
Nero never pictured himself as manipulated or tricked during the Red Grave incident. He didn't need any convincing or prodding for a shot at avenging himself on Urizen-- even if the decision to abscond from his hospital room put him in the doghouse with Kyrie for the next month. He was, of course, absolutely in the dark when it came to the true meaning of events and the true nature of the enemy they faced. But that was as much Dante's doing as it was V's. He even sort of understands why Dante lied by omission, at this point.
It's less clear to him why V kept things so close to the chest, apart from the sheer unbelievable audacity of his story. Would Nero or Dante have even believed him if he did tell the truth? It probably wouldn't have changed any of Nero's actions or choices. And now, he certainly can't deny that, short of the entire mess being prevented from the beginning, things ended about as well as they could have under the circumstances. They all lived. Vergil lived. And V... Well. He's alive now, anyway.
"What else did Vergil tell you?" he asks, nearing what he thinks might be the real crux of the matter. "About me?"
[Oddly enough, although she's used to seeing Nero in a state of considerable undress, this is only the second time she's seen him topless with a human arm. The first time was a long time ago but it was certainly memorable; she could probably pinpoint it to the point that she first started to see Nero as more than her dearest friend and the little boy she'd grown up with. It's not an unattractive sight in the slightest, but she's never found Nero's arm in its demonic state to be unattractive either. Strange, but beautiful in its own way.
Kyrie's hands travel deftly across the planes of his stomach, up to his chest and over his shoulders, touching as much as she can as if trying to memorise every inch of him. At the compliment about her in his hoodie, she smiles up at him with a slightly wicked gleam in her eye that very rarely emerges, and only ever in private moments like this. She bucks up to kiss him, a stolen peck of a kiss.]
You could always let me keep it on, but then you'd never get to see what's underneath.
Kyrie's hands travel deftly across the planes of his stomach, up to his chest and over his shoulders, touching as much as she can as if trying to memorise every inch of him. At the compliment about her in his hoodie, she smiles up at him with a slightly wicked gleam in her eye that very rarely emerges, and only ever in private moments like this. She bucks up to kiss him, a stolen peck of a kiss.]
You could always let me keep it on, but then you'd never get to see what's underneath.
[Teeeempting. She's really so sexy, swimming in his clothes the way she is. But he's not about to make that exchange when it's been months since the last time he even saw her, much less got to touch her.]
Another time, maybe. [He returns a grin, though nowhere near as wicked as hers.] You're like a present for me to unwrap.
[(Please rest assured that was as painful to write as it was to read.)
Sliding a hand behind her, he guides her to sit up and tugs at the sleeves of the hoodie to pull it up over her head.]
Ohoho. Stole my shirt too, did you? [She's even hotter in one of his big T shirts. He cannot resist kissing her, which does hamper his attempts to take that off her, too. As does his insistence on mumbling against her lips.] God, you're so cute...
Another time, maybe. [He returns a grin, though nowhere near as wicked as hers.] You're like a present for me to unwrap.
[(Please rest assured that was as painful to write as it was to read.)
Sliding a hand behind her, he guides her to sit up and tugs at the sleeves of the hoodie to pull it up over her head.]
Ohoho. Stole my shirt too, did you? [She's even hotter in one of his big T shirts. He cannot resist kissing her, which does hamper his attempts to take that off her, too. As does his insistence on mumbling against her lips.] God, you're so cute...
[Lines like that really shouldn't make her laugh so much but she can't help it when he calls her a present.]
You are just the silliest-
[She's cut off with Nero pulling the hoodie up over her head; it's big enough that it doesn't even catch on her ears. The shirt is vast on her, the collar is so large that it's slipping off over her shoulder. She has no complaints about the kiss and mumbles against his lips:]
I'm just borrowing it, but if you want me to give it back...
[Oops there goes his shirt over her head, oh my. Completely bare except for her panties, she holds the t-shirt out to him with a smile with a pink flush spreading over her cheeks.]
You are just the silliest-
[She's cut off with Nero pulling the hoodie up over her head; it's big enough that it doesn't even catch on her ears. The shirt is vast on her, the collar is so large that it's slipping off over her shoulder. She has no complaints about the kiss and mumbles against his lips:]
I'm just borrowing it, but if you want me to give it back...
[Oops there goes his shirt over her head, oh my. Completely bare except for her panties, she holds the t-shirt out to him with a smile with a pink flush spreading over her cheeks.]
Edited 2025-06-01 21:01 (UTC)
Nero gives a practical answer, and whatever complicated feelings lie behind it, V can only take him at his word. It's disrespectful to do otherwise. He will not assume where that leaves them. Being on the same side is the bare minimum for remaining civil with each other. It says nothing to what their relationship might be here where there is not a common enemy that urgently must be fought. Whatever Thirteen is, even should V be able to defeat her, that might only spell his death and the end of Vergil's life with Nero.
It's not time yet for V to ask questions. He offered to answer questions for Nero, and the next question is entirely reasonable. If V hadn't spoken with Vergil yet or if Vergil said nothing of the matter, Nero would be in the position to reveal the truth to V—the alternative being to wait for Thirteen to do so. It's too shocking a revelation to be left alone.
"When we first met, I knew you had to be a Sparda," V says. "I assumed at the time you were Dante's. After speaking with Vergil, I know I was wrong."
He words it carefully, neither claiming nor rejecting Nero as his. He's had days—days!—to think about it, and it still confounds him. Oh, not how it happened. He understands when that happened, but what it means for him and Nero? It elevates the uncertainty between them to a whole new level.
V looks over at Nero. "Foolish though it may be, it was more confounding to learn than anything about this place."
It's not time yet for V to ask questions. He offered to answer questions for Nero, and the next question is entirely reasonable. If V hadn't spoken with Vergil yet or if Vergil said nothing of the matter, Nero would be in the position to reveal the truth to V—the alternative being to wait for Thirteen to do so. It's too shocking a revelation to be left alone.
"When we first met, I knew you had to be a Sparda," V says. "I assumed at the time you were Dante's. After speaking with Vergil, I know I was wrong."
He words it carefully, neither claiming nor rejecting Nero as his. He's had days—days!—to think about it, and it still confounds him. Oh, not how it happened. He understands when that happened, but what it means for him and Nero? It elevates the uncertainty between them to a whole new level.
V looks over at Nero. "Foolish though it may be, it was more confounding to learn than anything about this place."
Man... was it really that obvious to everyone else?
Like, okay. Nero had also known, in some respect, that he was probably related to the Sparda line. White hair? Superpowers? It's not like there are all that many other demon hybrids running around. But he supposed it never occurred to him how very few there were.
For a long time he, too, wondered if Dante might be his father. He was old enough, and they looked similarly, and had so much in common... but Nero also assumed that Dante would have told him so, were that the case. (In hindsight he wonders why he assumed that, given Dante acts like being straightforward with Nero will actually kill him more often than not. Not unjustifiably, Nero suspects, but still...) But it still surprises him to hear that V-- a shade of his own father-- assumed that as well.
(This whole V business is fucking weird, make no mistake, but it does provide some deeper insight into Vergil... a fact Nero suspects Vergil probably hates.)
V's words leave him a little caught off guard. He frowns, raising an eyebrow. "Confounding how? What do you mean?"
Like, okay. Nero had also known, in some respect, that he was probably related to the Sparda line. White hair? Superpowers? It's not like there are all that many other demon hybrids running around. But he supposed it never occurred to him how very few there were.
For a long time he, too, wondered if Dante might be his father. He was old enough, and they looked similarly, and had so much in common... but Nero also assumed that Dante would have told him so, were that the case. (In hindsight he wonders why he assumed that, given Dante acts like being straightforward with Nero will actually kill him more often than not. Not unjustifiably, Nero suspects, but still...) But it still surprises him to hear that V-- a shade of his own father-- assumed that as well.
(This whole V business is fucking weird, make no mistake, but it does provide some deeper insight into Vergil... a fact Nero suspects Vergil probably hates.)
V's words leave him a little caught off guard. He frowns, raising an eyebrow. "Confounding how? What do you mean?"
What people may glean about Vergil from their interactions with V is Vergil's problem, something the man no doubt realized as soon as he lay eyes on V. V will do, did, whatever his duty by Vergil. He is the reason Vergil exists. It's difficult enough without trying to cover Vergil's ass. Nor would it likely work. He's not one to take up a lost cause.
He is not sure how much thought Nero has given him or more accurately them, their relationship. If the boy has a clear idea of what he wants or does not, it would be simpler no matter what that answer is. V could set aside any thoughts of his own as to what it could be and accept what it is. Until then, the ground is unsteady at best and threatens to crumble.
"Oh, I know whence you come," V says, "I did not have all my memories when we first met, but they've stitched themselves together with time. It simply complicates what we might mean to each other—
"A question I don't expect an answer to today or by any certain date. You have more than enough on your hands right now."
He motions behind them toward the house and its patients they left behind. It's an issue Vergil is no help on. Vergil made clear he's Nero's father, and V is glad for him, for them both. In the long run, when they leave this place, it is no issue, but for as much of a life as V has, it's an answer he'll have to find. He doesn't even know what it would be, should Nero leave it entirely in his hands.
He is not sure how much thought Nero has given him or more accurately them, their relationship. If the boy has a clear idea of what he wants or does not, it would be simpler no matter what that answer is. V could set aside any thoughts of his own as to what it could be and accept what it is. Until then, the ground is unsteady at best and threatens to crumble.
"Oh, I know whence you come," V says, "I did not have all my memories when we first met, but they've stitched themselves together with time. It simply complicates what we might mean to each other—
"A question I don't expect an answer to today or by any certain date. You have more than enough on your hands right now."
He motions behind them toward the house and its patients they left behind. It's an issue Vergil is no help on. Vergil made clear he's Nero's father, and V is glad for him, for them both. In the long run, when they leave this place, it is no issue, but for as much of a life as V has, it's an answer he'll have to find. He doesn't even know what it would be, should Nero leave it entirely in his hands.
Nero opens his mouth to retort, but finds he doesn't know what to say. Obviously the situation with Vergil and V is quite unique. He's uncertain what the both of them actually think or feel about any of this or what they may have spoken of when they met up. He's also not sure what he would even begin to call V if pressed for a label now. A friend? An ally? A family member? But what family member, then? A brother? Maybe even a... stepfather?
He feels a sudden pang at that thought. Pictures Vergil's face crumbling to hear it spoken aloud. Is it possible to cheat on your dad with a weird supernatural remnant of himself?
But at the same time, is that fair to V? He'd described him to Kyrie as "everything good in Vergil." It feels quite cruel to deny that, to deny the sprouting feelings and realizations that would, theoretically, blossom into the way Vergil feels about Nero now. And even without any fucky-wucky time bullshit factored in, it feels wrong to treat V as a castoff, as a lesser person. Even if he literally is.
God. He went from having zero parents to having a father and a half and not knowing how the fuck to handle that. Ain't that just the way?
After a moment of silence, awkward fretting, glancing at V here and again, he finally lets out a quiet sigh.
"Well. Okay. What might I mean to you, then?" He folds his arms, looking a little self-conscious. "I'm not... sure how we should deal with this."
He feels a sudden pang at that thought. Pictures Vergil's face crumbling to hear it spoken aloud. Is it possible to cheat on your dad with a weird supernatural remnant of himself?
But at the same time, is that fair to V? He'd described him to Kyrie as "everything good in Vergil." It feels quite cruel to deny that, to deny the sprouting feelings and realizations that would, theoretically, blossom into the way Vergil feels about Nero now. And even without any fucky-wucky time bullshit factored in, it feels wrong to treat V as a castoff, as a lesser person. Even if he literally is.
God. He went from having zero parents to having a father and a half and not knowing how the fuck to handle that. Ain't that just the way?
After a moment of silence, awkward fretting, glancing at V here and again, he finally lets out a quiet sigh.
"Well. Okay. What might I mean to you, then?" He folds his arms, looking a little self-conscious. "I'm not... sure how we should deal with this."
A clear no, Nero has not thought about it. That's fine. It's hardly a situation most people ever find themselves in, and as Folkmore has made abundantly clear, there is no shortage of issues on which to spend his time. It's one reason V's hesitated to call on the house and to speak with Nero or Dante. Whatever they thought of him before, they must think something differently of him now. An issue that seemed the past, only a part of Vergil's story, until the day V arrived. So they've had no more time to ponder it than him.
The question gets turned back on V, both eminently reasonable and imminently uncomfortable. Entirely unavoidable as well. It's only natural that Nero's opinion of what he wants would be influenced by what V wants. The question that stares him down in the mirror (when other people are not busy appearing in said mirror) in many iterations: what does he want? what does it mean?
"I must first preface that whatever relationship we might develop does nothing to undermine, demean, or lessen your relationship with Vergil in any regard," V says, "He is your father, and I am given to understand he has worked hard to make amends, gain your trust, and take on that mantle."
No one has implied V would do so, but his presence alone impacts their lives. The ties between him and Vergil cannot be cut, only acknowledged.
"Handling Urizen, I lacked the time to consider what you or Dante might mean to me. You would mean nothing if I failed, and it all seemed like it could wait until then—despite the fact that means until the point I no longer existed as myself," V says. It's so hard to speak of the matter itself, but he cannot speak around it entirely. "Even should you ever decide I mean nothing more than a stranger to you, you will always mean something to me. Something more than the means to stop Urizen and correct my mistake."
The word hangs in his mind.
"Family, I expect. The shape that might take remains more nebulous. Father, uncle, brother, they rise and fall as questions. As something we might be. The only clear thing about it is that whatever we are will take time and effort." His heart races, as though he's running and fighting with all his might. It's only one foot in front of the other, and that feels challenging at the moment. V leans on his cane at the immensity of what he's said.
"A title without what comes behind it is meaningless."
The question gets turned back on V, both eminently reasonable and imminently uncomfortable. Entirely unavoidable as well. It's only natural that Nero's opinion of what he wants would be influenced by what V wants. The question that stares him down in the mirror (when other people are not busy appearing in said mirror) in many iterations: what does he want? what does it mean?
"I must first preface that whatever relationship we might develop does nothing to undermine, demean, or lessen your relationship with Vergil in any regard," V says, "He is your father, and I am given to understand he has worked hard to make amends, gain your trust, and take on that mantle."
No one has implied V would do so, but his presence alone impacts their lives. The ties between him and Vergil cannot be cut, only acknowledged.
"Handling Urizen, I lacked the time to consider what you or Dante might mean to me. You would mean nothing if I failed, and it all seemed like it could wait until then—despite the fact that means until the point I no longer existed as myself," V says. It's so hard to speak of the matter itself, but he cannot speak around it entirely. "Even should you ever decide I mean nothing more than a stranger to you, you will always mean something to me. Something more than the means to stop Urizen and correct my mistake."
The word hangs in his mind.
"Family, I expect. The shape that might take remains more nebulous. Father, uncle, brother, they rise and fall as questions. As something we might be. The only clear thing about it is that whatever we are will take time and effort." His heart races, as though he's running and fighting with all his might. It's only one foot in front of the other, and that feels challenging at the moment. V leans on his cane at the immensity of what he's said.
"A title without what comes behind it is meaningless."
[No matter how many times they do this, Nero always turns brilliantly pink whenever he sees Kyrie's body. This time is no exception. Though it is heartening that he can at least continue through his bashfulness now, not missing a beat as he takes the shirt from her and smirks.]
You can borrow it whenever you like.
[He leans down, kissing her boldly, one hand trailing fingers down her collarbone, down her chest, then cupping her breast. A deeply satisfied sigh escapes his throat, and he pulls away just enough to speak.]
Oh, baby, I missed these, too... [He's grinning when he kisses her again, letting both hands make themselves at home touching her breasts, her waist, her hips, and tracing a little trail around her navel. But now he's more pink than ever, and physically warm to the touch. Some things never change.]
You can borrow it whenever you like.
[He leans down, kissing her boldly, one hand trailing fingers down her collarbone, down her chest, then cupping her breast. A deeply satisfied sigh escapes his throat, and he pulls away just enough to speak.]
Oh, baby, I missed these, too... [He's grinning when he kisses her again, letting both hands make themselves at home touching her breasts, her waist, her hips, and tracing a little trail around her navel. But now he's more pink than ever, and physically warm to the touch. Some things never change.]
[She smiles warmly, still blushing as she takes in the way he smiles at her and responds to her body.]
I'd return the favour but I don't think my clothes will fit you.
[Each time he goes to kiss her, Kyrie finds herself drawn to him like a magnet as she leans in and reciprocates. The contact is almost electric. She shivers delightedly as he touches her and arches in closer, as though she's attention starved and needy.
Even after all these years, she still yearns for his touch.
She murmurs softly at the back of her throat as he explores her body, refamiliarizing himself with her curves. She leans into him, her body feeling warm and flushed from the proximity of him and her growing excitement, and brushes her lips over his jaw up to his ear and giggles a little as he pronounces his appreciation for her breasts.]
I hope you're going to take care of them for me.
[She places her hand on his thigh and rubs along the rigid muscle, creeping higher. She whispers questioningly, promisingly into his ear:]
And let me take care of you?
I'd return the favour but I don't think my clothes will fit you.
[Each time he goes to kiss her, Kyrie finds herself drawn to him like a magnet as she leans in and reciprocates. The contact is almost electric. She shivers delightedly as he touches her and arches in closer, as though she's attention starved and needy.
Even after all these years, she still yearns for his touch.
She murmurs softly at the back of her throat as he explores her body, refamiliarizing himself with her curves. She leans into him, her body feeling warm and flushed from the proximity of him and her growing excitement, and brushes her lips over his jaw up to his ear and giggles a little as he pronounces his appreciation for her breasts.]
I hope you're going to take care of them for me.
[She places her hand on his thigh and rubs along the rigid muscle, creeping higher. She whispers questioningly, promisingly into his ear:]
And let me take care of you?
[Vergil heaves a sigh once Nero is gone, allowing himself to slump a little more where he sits on the couch. He remains convinced that this is Thirteen's doing, which means it's not likely something he can just wait out like one would a normal illness of this magnitude. There has to be something that needs to be done before his symptoms will truly abate. But what is he meant to do like this? If he can barely walk without feeling the world sway beneath his feet, there's not much hope for being able to really engage with others as so often tends to be the solution.]
[It's only a few minutes ultimately that he spends pondering this condition in Nero's absence. With little ability to investigate himself right now, he sets it aside to read instead. By the time Nero returns, Vergil is more or less exactly where Nero left him. He occupies the same corner of the couch, but has left a leg extended on the couch itself. At some point, he poured himself a second cup of tea, but it's since been forgotten and left to go cold while the glass of water Nero brought him remains untouched. It's not some form of childish protest, however, that he's neglecting any further liquid intake. He's nearly a hundred pages deep already into his novel, and it's likely clear from how he does not look up from the book in his hands or say anything by way of greeting that he is merely engrossed rather than being particularly stubborn.]
[At the very least, no aerobics happened and he stayed put.]
[Once Nero is a couple steps into the house, he finally speaks albeit somewhat absentmindedly.]
Did you manage alright without the truck?
[He finishes the page before finally looking over to Nero.]
[It's only a few minutes ultimately that he spends pondering this condition in Nero's absence. With little ability to investigate himself right now, he sets it aside to read instead. By the time Nero returns, Vergil is more or less exactly where Nero left him. He occupies the same corner of the couch, but has left a leg extended on the couch itself. At some point, he poured himself a second cup of tea, but it's since been forgotten and left to go cold while the glass of water Nero brought him remains untouched. It's not some form of childish protest, however, that he's neglecting any further liquid intake. He's nearly a hundred pages deep already into his novel, and it's likely clear from how he does not look up from the book in his hands or say anything by way of greeting that he is merely engrossed rather than being particularly stubborn.]
[At the very least, no aerobics happened and he stayed put.]
[Once Nero is a couple steps into the house, he finally speaks albeit somewhat absentmindedly.]
Did you manage alright without the truck?
[He finishes the page before finally looking over to Nero.]
Yeah, only mildly threw my back out, once or twice...
[Nero is carrying fewer books than he left with, by a good margin. But he's not empty-handed as expected. He walks up to the couch and sets a book bag with expertly-stacked titles alongside it.]
Whole bunch of your holds were ready, so I checked them out for you. This oughta last you... [He pretends to be doing math in his head.] Three days?
[Nero is carrying fewer books than he left with, by a good margin. But he's not empty-handed as expected. He walks up to the couch and sets a book bag with expertly-stacked titles alongside it.]
Whole bunch of your holds were ready, so I checked them out for you. This oughta last you... [He pretends to be doing math in his head.] Three days?
[The surprise Vergil experiences at seeing Nero not return empty-handed doesn't exactly cross Vergil's face sans the way he shyly averts his gaze briefly while Nero sets the books down. The pleasantness of the surprise is a little more evident though with Vergil's slight smile.]
I'll try to stretch it out to four, and give your back more time to recover. [Vergil shifts and moves on the couch to provide Nero with room to sit, tucking his knees close so he can rest his current book against them with a single hand. He's tempted to say that Nero didn't have to do that, but it's a foolish thing to point out something so obvious. Nero didn't have to go to the library in the first place, never mind picking up some of Vergil's holds. He did it anyway. Because that's the sort of person that he is.] Thank you, Nero.
I'll try to stretch it out to four, and give your back more time to recover. [Vergil shifts and moves on the couch to provide Nero with room to sit, tucking his knees close so he can rest his current book against them with a single hand. He's tempted to say that Nero didn't have to do that, but it's a foolish thing to point out something so obvious. Nero didn't have to go to the library in the first place, never mind picking up some of Vergil's holds. He did it anyway. Because that's the sort of person that he is.] Thank you, Nero.
Sure. Anytime. [Nero's practically beaming at the thanks, and even moreso at the smile. Honestly, his motives were to encourage Vergil to actually get some rest while he's sick. Best way to do that? Positive reinforcement via his favorite hobby and books that he wanted to read anyway.
That smile, though. Man, it's worth all the headaches and hoops sometimes just to see his dad smile at him like that.
It's a moment before Nero actually sits. He goes to the kitchen first to get a glass of water for himself. Makes a detour to kick off his shoes. Then he circles back around the couch with one more book in hand-- the one Vergil mentioned that he might like, which he checked out himself this time.
He flops on the couch next to Vergil and makes himself comfortable, showing every intention of settling in to read.]
Still dizzy? Are you feeling any better?
That smile, though. Man, it's worth all the headaches and hoops sometimes just to see his dad smile at him like that.
It's a moment before Nero actually sits. He goes to the kitchen first to get a glass of water for himself. Makes a detour to kick off his shoes. Then he circles back around the couch with one more book in hand-- the one Vergil mentioned that he might like, which he checked out himself this time.
He flops on the couch next to Vergil and makes himself comfortable, showing every intention of settling in to read.]
Still dizzy? Are you feeling any better?
I'll try sometime. If it's clothes you don't like so much...
[Cracking stupid jokes as he plays with her breasts, and draws a trail down her throat and collarbone with his lips. The little needy movements she makes, the gasps and the quiet sighs, every single one of them reminds him of how much he's missed her. How did he ever survive this long without her?
He gives an enthusiastic "mmhmm" when she asks if he'll take care of her. And as for the reverse prospect... that's definitely a shiver that goes down his spine when she whispers in his ear.]
Yes, please... anything you want.
[Cracking stupid jokes as he plays with her breasts, and draws a trail down her throat and collarbone with his lips. The little needy movements she makes, the gasps and the quiet sighs, every single one of them reminds him of how much he's missed her. How did he ever survive this long without her?
He gives an enthusiastic "mmhmm" when she asks if he'll take care of her. And as for the reverse prospect... that's definitely a shiver that goes down his spine when she whispers in his ear.]
Yes, please... anything you want.
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