[To Vergil's credit, he tolerates the silence better than he might have months ago. Not to say that Vergil doesn't find it unnerving still, but he is at least able to exert enough patience that even as the seconds feel like they are stretching far too long, he does not begin to spiral into imagining the worst outcomes. Difficult as it is to soothe himself entirely, Vergil is able to at least bear in mind that expressing what he feels is not a bad thing. And if Nero does not yet feel the same, that's more than understandable. Vergil has been plain about his instantaneous devotion to Nero the moment he learned the truth, but Nero has also been clear about his own needs for a few things before he could sort through what he felt about Vergil and their relationship. Thus, even with things going well as they have been (and that's largely the reason why Vergil can soothe himself at all in Nero's prolonged silence), there are no guarantees.]
[Besides, Vergil didn't say it for his own benefit. And he certainly didn't say it because he expects to hear it back. It's an important thing for Vergil to remind himself of that as Nero stares blankly as he processes. He said it because he felt it was important for Nero to hear it. Regardless of the outcome.]
[...Oh, but how pleased and warm does Vergil feel to hear Nero say it back.]
[Vergil is so good, so well-trained in tamping down on his reactions. He taught himself how to cut them off at the pass, push them all so far away until it nearly felt like the emotions were happening to someone else. He isn't nearly so aggressive with them these days, but he still maintains a tight control over his emotions. He cannot now, however. He tries, of course. It feels immediately foolish to try, of course, as the attempt is futile in the end, but instincts and habits die especially hard when they were what keep one going for as long as they have for Vergil.]
[He turns his blurry gaze away from Nero, but despite his best efforts, his smile is not lessened in any capacity. Vergil is privately grateful his bedroom is at least dark enough that it would be difficult for Nero to tell how much his face is flushing over how difficult it is not to smile. It is absurd how much he's smiling. Utterly ridiculous. But he cannot help himself. Not when he knows it's something he's earned, something Nero came to feel with enough time and work between them. Vergil has probably never been prouder of himself, certainly not as a father. He definitely hasn't been as grateful to Nero. Not as himself, in any case. He takes a breath before he speaks again.]
Come, [he says pushing down the other side of the blankets for Nero to get settled.] You should get some sleep.
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[Besides, Vergil didn't say it for his own benefit. And he certainly didn't say it because he expects to hear it back. It's an important thing for Vergil to remind himself of that as Nero stares blankly as he processes. He said it because he felt it was important for Nero to hear it. Regardless of the outcome.]
[...Oh, but how pleased and warm does Vergil feel to hear Nero say it back.]
[Vergil is so good, so well-trained in tamping down on his reactions. He taught himself how to cut them off at the pass, push them all so far away until it nearly felt like the emotions were happening to someone else. He isn't nearly so aggressive with them these days, but he still maintains a tight control over his emotions. He cannot now, however. He tries, of course. It feels immediately foolish to try, of course, as the attempt is futile in the end, but instincts and habits die especially hard when they were what keep one going for as long as they have for Vergil.]
[He turns his blurry gaze away from Nero, but despite his best efforts, his smile is not lessened in any capacity. Vergil is privately grateful his bedroom is at least dark enough that it would be difficult for Nero to tell how much his face is flushing over how difficult it is not to smile. It is absurd how much he's smiling. Utterly ridiculous. But he cannot help himself. Not when he knows it's something he's earned, something Nero came to feel with enough time and work between them. Vergil has probably never been prouder of himself, certainly not as a father. He definitely hasn't been as grateful to Nero. Not as himself, in any case. He takes a breath before he speaks again.]
Come, [he says pushing down the other side of the blankets for Nero to get settled.] You should get some sleep.