( There’s definitely a lot the kid doesn’t know about the history between the twins and definitely not anything he’s looking to indulge him in either. Whether or not Vergil wants to, that’s up to him. But with going down that particular memory lane, there’s more heartache and guilt there for him to have to tango with than the more lighthearted feelings that often come when thinking about the good times of them as kids. Despite the things Vergil has done, he’s trying to do better now and Dante sees and appreciates that and, as he’d told Nero earlier, he doesn’t want others to look or think of his brother badly. They argue, they fight, they even try to kill each other sometimes, but Vergil is his other half, and he loves him despite how annoying he can be at times.

Twisting some to lean there on his shoulder, he crosses those arms in front his bare chest and smiles faintly to the kid. Vergil should be proud of his kid. Even if Vergil didn't raise him and he’d only unknowingly had his uncle there around him the past five years, he turned out pretty good, he’d seen it the end of that first time they’d met. When he left the Yamato in the hands of his nephew. Heh. One day he’s gonna properly inherit that thing. Which leaves him to wonder what to do about all his own devil arms and the shop when he finally kicks the bucket. Nero just inheriting so much from his old man and uncle. It’s exactly why he’d done his best to keep him in the dark long as he had. Not all of it is a bunch of cool weapons. )

He’s doing better. I know. Trust me. ( They’re brothers after all. ) He’s “the older one” ( to which he actually uses air quotes, yes. ) but I guess I always feel the need to keep an eye on him.

( Somebody’s gotta keep an eye on your old man. )

I’ve lost him three times in my life. All of which I felt were my fault. I don’t wanna say or do anything to lose him again. I can’t. Only so much heartache this old heart can take at my age.

( So he just keeps it to himself. Heh. )