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"Alright, thank you," Vergil said before removing the phone from his ear, replacing it back down in the receiver after. “Dante?"
"Yo!" Dante seemed rather cheerful as he poked his head from the kitchen, more than likely occupying his stomach.
"Come with me to pick up Nero from daycare," Vergil threw his coat on and grabbed his brother's car keys off his desk.
"What? No way! Not my kid, not my problem!" Dante shrugged.
Vergil sighed, his aged face sinking lower than usual, "Why can't you just cooperate?" the older twin groaned, running a stiff hand through his silver hair.
"You should know by now trying to get me to do something your way is a waste of both our time."
"Whatever you’re eating I know isn’t going to fill you up, so how about lunch? What about two pizzas? You’re not very difficult to win over, trust me…I know."
Dante exhaled, instantly giving in, his twin knowing his weakness, "Why can't you go by yourself?"
"Long drive," Vergil shrugged. He really didn't have a reason for wanting his brother to tag along except that it was indeed going to be the longest 8 minutes of his life, someone wasn't exactly patient.
"You know how I like my pie, man. It better be right or I’m out—” Dante smacked his hands together, sliding one off the other in a rapid glide, “—gone with the wind while you be a good dad and pick your little spawn up.”
“Just get in the car!” Vergil’s teeth were practically nubs from him gritting them so much.
*****
As promised, Vergil granted his younger brother two supreme style pizzas, not an olive in sight.
"At some point you’re going to have to grow up and try a variety of foods." Vergil’s eyes tumbled as he shut the engine off once arrived to his destination.
"Says the one who was terrified to drive up the street to pick his son up." Dante scoffed and bit into a slice of olive-less pizza, purring as his empty tummy got filled with more than just a dry pop-tart.
"Just save us some." Vergil exited the car and made his way over to where the head teacher lady stood outside releasing all the kids to their parents.
"Oh! You must be Vergil!" A young lady, short with long brown hair full of sheen in slacks and a blouse greeted the man.
"Yes, here to pick up Nero."
"Ah yes! Little Nero! He's such an angel and he's always so talkative!"
Vergil gave her a small smile and nodded.
"Oh! which reminds me, it's important for me to stay connected to all the parents—both preferably if the child has them and I was wondering when was I going to get the chance to meet your lovely partner? Little Nero talks about you two all the time! And I know it can be a challenge raising a child together in such a judgmental world we live in."
Vergil observed at the lady a bit confused, "Excuse me?"
Ms. West cleared her throat and clarified what she meant, "I mean! I'm not one to judge. I think it's great that two people can get together and raise a child, even if it's not a mommy and a daddy. As long as the child is taken care of and happy then that's all that matters!"
Vergil gave her another jumbled expression, "Um, are you sure Nero said this?"
Ms. West nodded and crossed her arms over her chest with a big smile, "Nero says his two dads take him for walks all the time! Which is great considering we're studying nature at the moment."
And then it all dawned on him, "Two da-" Vergil sighed, shaking his head as his gaze casted over his over his shoulder to the car at his twin, who just so happen to be reclining against the hood with a smirk, pizza dangling between his teeth.
Dante's hair got pushed back at some point and if it weren't for the stubble on his face distinguishing him between his twin, then they surely would look identical.
He wore a full grin on his face as he waved.
Ms. West glanced between the two and just laughed, "Oh! I see why he said two dads! You have a twin! Little guy must have been confused."
Vergil shook his head, "You have to excuse him; his brain didn't fully develop, and he thinks it's funny to trick my son."
"Aw come on! You're just upset because she was under the impression, I was nailing you." Dante teased, slinging his arm over his brother's shoulder.
"Why did I bring you, God I knew better." Vergil crossed his arms over his chest, "No, he's not my partner but he is Nero's uncle."
"Allow me to introduce myself, name's Dante and while I don't have any kids of my own, what do you say me and you run off and go make some?" Dante winked at her before taking her hand in his.
"I should have put you in the trunk instead." Vergil groaned and shook his head, "Disregard him, he has no home training."
Dante just laughed and messed his twin’s hair up.
Ms. West blushed and shook his hand, "I'm go..nna go get N…Nero..." she stammered as she walked off nearly stumbling.
*****
Harmless bickering back and forward went on a while before the twins were soon greeted with the little pitter patter of boots on the gravel and tiny arms being wrapped around each of their legs.
"Daddies!" Nero looked up at the two men, his little sparkling blue eyes reflecting in the sunlight.
"No, Nero. I'm daddy, he's uncle." Vergil picked his son up and fluffed his hair.
Nero looked between the two confused, "Daddy?" he questioned, reaching out to touch his pa’s bare face.
"No, he's uncle and I'm daddy." Dante took his nephew from his twin and tickled his tummy.
"Daddy!!" Nero squealed and threw his arms around Dante's neck.
"NO!" Vergil groaned, his head shaking in disapproval.
The cute little teacher just sat watching, giggles rumbling from her chest.
"I'm daddy, he's uncle."
Nero blinked and looked at Dante then at Vergil, "But I have two daddies..."
Dante huddled over in a fit of laughter at his brother's expressions and something told him if they weren't at a daycare with hundreds of children and parents; swords would have been drawn.
"No, Nero. He's your uncle; Uncle Dante."
"Uncle Dante?" Nero clarified.
"Yes, Uncle Dante," Vergil confirmed.
"Nuh-uh! Uncle Dante has long hair!" Nero crossed his arms over his little chest and shook his head.
Vergil screeched, slapping his face with his palm.
*****
For the next 30 minutes on the car ride home, Vergil spent the time trying to teach his son the difference between him and his twin. "He's not very bright, but daddy is. He's also powerless, daddy's not."
"You couldn't find power if struck you in the ass." Dante scoffed.
"I’ll have you know I've exceeded limits way beyond your short imagination."
"You've taken one too many stabs to the chest, brother." Dante laughed and made his way inside once they were home.
Once inside the boys were greeted by you, a friend of the twins. Nero ran to you, hugging your legs as he reached for you to pick him up.
"Nero!" You smiled as you hugged him back, "Verge, I dunno why you just won't let me watch him." you stated as you made your way to the kitchen.
"That's a lot of responsibility on top of ones you already have, you do enough for us as is." Vergil pulled his coat from his shoulders and hung it on the rack, “Besides, this gets him prepared to be around others and expand his knowledge.”
"I know! But you boys are like family, so I don't mind." You smiled.
"*Name*, can I have a popsicle!?" Nero asked, playing with the necklace you wore.
"Only if it's okay with your daddy."
Nero nodded before hopping down from you, going to where the twins were. He stood there for a second looking between the two, trying his best to remember the lessons he'd just learned about identifying which twin was which.
"Hey, *Name*, watch this." Dante grinned and ran his fingers through his hair, the tresses floating back from his face.
Having thought he figured it out, Nero made his way to Vergil but stopped. Since his hair was now back again and not down like it usually was; Nero instantly became unsure if his uncle Dante was his father or not.
So, he went straight to him, “Daddy can I have a popsicle!?"
Immediately you burst into a fit of giggles as Vergil groaned and quickly snatched his son from his twin.
"Works every time." Dante laughed.