[Part of Vergil wants to recoil from the hand at his shoulder just like before, but the jig is well and truly up, and he's simply too tired to put in the effort of establishing his own space from Nero again. That feeling persists perhaps especially because of Nero's gentle tone with him, but it's that same gentleness that leaves it impossible for Vergil to dismiss him again.]
[For all that he doesn't really know what to do with it, anyways.]
[Historically, if Vergil found himself injured beyond what his healing ability could more immediately handle, he was always left on his own to manage the situation. He had to get himself somewhere safe. He had to vaguely tend to his wounds with his limited knowledge and resources. He had to remain vigilant for signs of a follow-up attack and be prepared to defend himself. It was always down to Vergil whether he lived or died.]
[Oh, sure. When he was still a young child and adolescence had not changed the interpretation of his condition from helpless innocent to suspicious miscreant, he perhaps could have hidden himself with some well-meaning family of humans. But there was a difference between using them for warm meals and a roof over his head for a few nights, and relying upon them to care for him. Even soon after his mother's death, Vergil doesn't think he would have tolerated it well despite how much he secretly craved it.]
[So, it's foreign still to acknowledge that he physically is not perfectly fine, and stranger yet to accept anything remotely close to help. Asked for or otherwise. His time as V had not changed that, and neither had that night Nero stayed with Vergil after Vergil had a nightmare.]
[He feels a small relief that Nero does not make the suggestion of carrying him. At the very least, Nero appears to be granting Vergil his dignity and still allowing him to broadly handle this.]
I should still be able, [he says with a slight nod. If it were under his own demonic power, Vergil doesn't know that he would be able to do it if walking has wiped him out as much as it has. But the portals are under the power of Yamato, not his. And he should yet still possess the strength now to wield it for that purpose if he managed it while he was dying.]
[Vergil doesn't hop to opening a portal though, standing there a moment to let himself breathe and allow the coughing to fully settle first. With his free hand, Vergil reaches for Nero's shoulder and pulls himself back upright by it, allowing Nero to help as he wills. The world spins again, but he leans some of his weight onto his son to maintain his balance. Vergil gives it a moment to lessen before releasing Nero and reaching to draw Yamato.]
no subject
[For all that he doesn't really know what to do with it, anyways.]
[Historically, if Vergil found himself injured beyond what his healing ability could more immediately handle, he was always left on his own to manage the situation. He had to get himself somewhere safe. He had to vaguely tend to his wounds with his limited knowledge and resources. He had to remain vigilant for signs of a follow-up attack and be prepared to defend himself. It was always down to Vergil whether he lived or died.]
[Oh, sure. When he was still a young child and adolescence had not changed the interpretation of his condition from helpless innocent to suspicious miscreant, he perhaps could have hidden himself with some well-meaning family of humans. But there was a difference between using them for warm meals and a roof over his head for a few nights, and relying upon them to care for him. Even soon after his mother's death, Vergil doesn't think he would have tolerated it well despite how much he secretly craved it.]
[So, it's foreign still to acknowledge that he physically is not perfectly fine, and stranger yet to accept anything remotely close to help. Asked for or otherwise. His time as V had not changed that, and neither had that night Nero stayed with Vergil after Vergil had a nightmare.]
[He feels a small relief that Nero does not make the suggestion of carrying him. At the very least, Nero appears to be granting Vergil his dignity and still allowing him to broadly handle this.]
I should still be able, [he says with a slight nod. If it were under his own demonic power, Vergil doesn't know that he would be able to do it if walking has wiped him out as much as it has. But the portals are under the power of Yamato, not his. And he should yet still possess the strength now to wield it for that purpose if he managed it while he was dying.]
[Vergil doesn't hop to opening a portal though, standing there a moment to let himself breathe and allow the coughing to fully settle first. With his free hand, Vergil reaches for Nero's shoulder and pulls himself back upright by it, allowing Nero to help as he wills. The world spins again, but he leans some of his weight onto his son to maintain his balance. Vergil gives it a moment to lessen before releasing Nero and reaching to draw Yamato.]