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Chapter Text

The moment he entered the main office of Devil May Cry, the pungent smell of alcohol assaulted his senses. Nero’s face scrunched up in disgust, and he glared at the older devil hunter. 

“Really, Dante? It’s not even noon.” Nero grumbled, and he spotted two bottles of whiskey at the desk. 

 The older hunter quickly sat up. His face lit up as he cried out. “Heeey! It’s my favorite nephew!” 

“You idiot, I’m your only nephew.” 

“That makes you my favorite nephew, then!” Dante reasoned with that big, stupid grin on his face. “What brings you here? Did I call you for a job?”

If he had, his Uncle probably forgot as he drowned himself in the foul drinks at his desk. Nero shook his head and then sat down on the couch. “No, you didn’t. I just wanted to come and see you and…Vergil.”

“Oh! A visit for the hell of it! That’s great!” Dante laughed and then hit his hand against the desk. “My sweet and adorable wanted to hang out with his favorite uncle!”

Nero rolled his eyes at his Uncle’s antics. Why did he have to be drunk right now? 

“...Guess that means Vergil’s out?” Nero asked. 

The question shut the red devil up quickly. Before Nero could even look up and react, the air grew heavy some demonic energy. Nero frowned and sat up, looking at his uncle. Beside one of the bottles of whiskey was a glass and he saw Uncle take another swig of alcohol. The joyful personality was gone.

“He’ll be back later when he cools down. That’s what I’m doing.”

“And your answer to cool down is to get drunk?” Nero scowled at him. He was met with silence as Dante took another drink. He sighed heavily. “What the hell did you two fight about?”

It couldn’t be so bad if Dante wasn’t impaled to the wall. Nero quickly scanned the floor of the shop, not finding a speck of blood. Then again, Vergil could have just impaled him to the wall outside before Dante came stumbling back inside to get drunk.

“I told you, nothing to worry about. Just a little spat between two old bastards.” Dante doubled down on his vague explanation. He finished his drink and went to pick up the half-empty bottle. 

“Don’t give me that bullshit, Dante! Just tell me!” Nero demanded, his stomach beginning to fill with dread. Was the argument about him?

Dante’s expression darkened as he started to glare at Nero. That look made the younger demon hunter flinch. The look was…cold. It was so much like Vergil. Nero let out a soft growl and then fell back against the couch. What the hell was going on? What was Dante hiding from him? This fight had to have been about him.

“Anyway,” The icy atmosphere thawed almost instantly. “Why don’t I order us some pizza, and maybe we can watch some TV?” 

Nero suppressed a growl. How could he become so calm so quickly? Dante’s expression was back to that cheery look that Nero first encountered. The demonic energy in the air calmed. Despite all that, Nero couldn’t help but feel on edge. Nero was just full of questions that were never going to be answered. When Vergil returned, he doubted he would get any answers either. What should he do? 

Fuck, he wished Kyrie was here. He could use her words of reassurance. Hell, he wished Nico were here too. 

Wishing was a waste of time, though. 

It was better to bottle up his frustration for now. Maybe when Dante wasn’t drunk and raw from the argument with his older twin, Dante would spill the beans. For now, Nero took a deep breath, pushing everything down. 

How long could he keep all of his anger down? His resentment? His desire for parental love?

“Fine.” Nero would drop it, for now.

A few hours later, the movie that Dante picked out had ended, and he had fallen asleep on the couch next to Nero. Nero hadn’t nodded off, but just stared at the screen even as the menu looped on the screen over and over again. What was the movie even about? Honestly, Nero couldn’t remember. His mind had gone somewhere else. He tapped his fingers against the arm of the couch and sighed.

Nero stood up and then headed over to the front door, opening it. The air outside wasn’t fresh, but it was still better than the scent of alcohol that hung in the air of the shop. He closed the door quietly, not wanting to disturb his sleeping uncle. Once closed, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and began to walk away from the shop. Would Dante care if he just left right now and headed back to Fortuna? Probably. The old man would probably call his cell phone later and ask where he was.

Above him, thunder began to rumble. Nero looked up and frowned. When did it get so cloudy and dark out? Then, he felt something wet hit his head, and Nero pulled his hood over his head. More raindrops hit his hood as he continued to walk until he spotted a park. 

Parks, a place that kids are always excited to go to, a place where children could run away and play to their heart’s content. Nero remembers Kyrie asking her parents to take her and Nero to the park. The place always brought a smile to her face, which made him smile. Kyrie was not the only child he would hear begging to go to the park with their parents. Other kids from their school would beg the moment they left school.

He had no particular attachment to parks.

I wish I had a Mom and Dad to take me to the park.

Nero frowned at that thought and shook his head as he looked at the park. Considering how late it was and the downpour, the park was likely empty. He entered and was quick to find an empty playground. Even the swings, probably his favorite playground toy as a child, were lonely, swinging with the slight breeze.

A smile broke out on his lips as he looked at the swings. When Credo came with them to the playground, he would push Nero on the swings. He remembered Credo’s smile and his laughter of joy as he swung as high as he could. There was a rush as he sat on his swing and flew higher and higher into the air. 

No nun was yelling at him to do his chores or scolding him for picking a fight with the other boys at the orphanage. There was no one else there to stare at him and mumble insults his way. On the swing, Nero could be just Nero, he could be a normal child. Nero smiled at the memory as he approached a swing and quickly wiped off the rainwater. 

Once he sat down, Nero pushed his legs forward and gave himself a good start as he swung up and back. It probably looked ridiculous for a twenty-something-year-old man to be on a swing, but he did not care. He took in the scent of rainwater, enjoying how clean it felt. It washed away the smell of alcohol from Dante’s shop. Nero closed his eyes and just breathed. 

He swung high in the air, and there, there was no Dante and Vergil. There was no one to communicate with. No one to brush him off. The problem was, the thoughts he wanted not to dwell on came along.

Why can’t Dante just talk to me?

I wish he wouldn’t push me away.

Why does Vergil have to be so cold? 

Would Vergil be this cold to me if he had raised me?

I wish Dad could have raised me. 

I wish they wouldn’t push me away.

“Nero? What are you doing out here?”

Vergil’s voice surprised him, and quickly, he put his legs down to stop the swing. Nero saw that Vergil was standing in front of him, and rocks went flying. He cringed, hoping that the rocks had not hit the blue devil in the face. Then again, he decided to stand in front of someone on a swing, so what did he expect? 

“Holy shit, Vergil. You scared me.” Nero frowned at him. 

“I should not be scaring you. Have your senses dulled since we last spoke?” The blue devil questioned, his face scrunched up. 

Nero huffed quietly and stayed sitting on the swing. “No, I wasn’t paying attention, that’s all.” 

Vergil’s eyebrow rose at that, and he frowned. “Nero, you should always be aware of your surroundings. Demons can appear at any time and take advantage of your inattentiveness.”

“Sorry.” He grumbled. Why was he apologizing? Nero can handle demons even if they catch him off guard. 

The older Sparda twin was staring down at him in silence now. Nero stared back at Vergil, trying to get a read on his emotions. It seemed like Vergil was…showing some concern for him. 

“You did not answer my first question.” His Father pointed out. 

“I wanted to take a walk. Dante drank a little too much whiskey.” Nero answered. It was Vergil’s fault that Dante was drinking. Whatever the fight was about, Nero was not going to get answers from his two family members. 

Vergil’s nose wrinkled at the answer, and he closed his eyes. It seemed that he and his father agreed with Dante’s decision to drink. Nero sighed heavily and then stood up from the swing. Guess he had to return to reality, didn’t he? Nero watched his father as he reached up to rub his forehead. Did he have a headache? 

Then Nero spotted someone approaching. He looked over and saw the person entering the park quietly. It was a man, and he sat down quietly on the nearest bench. There was nothing too remarkable about him. Nero noticed that he had brought a book and started to read. 

“What the hell did you guys even fight about? Dante kept his mouth shut after I asked, which is fucking weird of him. He glared at me.” The words spilled out before he could stop himself. Nero winced. Shit, where the hell did that come from?

“That’s none of your concern, Nero.” The answer was instant and short.

Nero’s eye twitched at the answer and snapped. “Why?! Why can’t I know what’s going on with the two of you?! Why can’t you two idiots be honest with me? He’s my uncle and you’re my…” 

Dad.

That word refused to leave his lips. Fuck, what the hell was wrong with him? Why couldn’t Nero just call him ‘father’ or ‘dad’? Vergil looked up at him and for a second there, Nero swore he saw his father’s facade crack before he composed himself. Nero scowled. There was a second of vulnerability in his father’s expression. Did Vergil want him to call him ‘father’ or ‘dad’? 

His eyes went back to the man on the bench. They probably shouldn’t have this conversation in such a public place. Yet, Nero did not want to return to Devil May Cry. The man didn’t notice them, it seems. There was a content smile on his face. He was reading his book without a care in the world. Nero did notice that the man had long black hair and seemed to where the robes of some religious person. Soon, pain began to bloom in his mind. Nero blinked several times and tried to shake off the pain. Where did this pain come from? 

Then the man lifted his head, and their eyes met. His eyes began to glow red, which gave Nero pause. Wait…were his eyes always red?

Nero stared into those eyes, and he started to move to grab his Red Queen. This man had to be a demon of some sort. Yet, when he tried to move his arm, it wouldn’t respond. All he could do was stare at the man on the bench. The man smirked at him. 

“Nero.”

The man suddenly changed into a woman, her hair was down to her waist. She was now smirking at him, and soon, she rose to her feet, book forgotten on the bench. 

“Nero. Come to me.”

“...ro…Nero!” Hands grabbed hold of his shoulders, and soon, he was shaken. 

The nestling’s eyes grew wide, and he snapped out of whatever hell came over him. Nero was panting and looking around wildly before he heard his father calling out his name again. His eyes finally met Vergil’s once more, and he saw that his father’s mask had crumbled slightly. 

“What…What were you looking at?” Vergil asked, confused. He looked over to where Nero had been looking. Nero followed his gaze and saw that the bench was empty.

What? Nero inhaled shakily and then looked around the park in confusion. What was going on? Where did that person go? 

“Someone…Someone was there…” Nero stated, now scanning the park for any signs of someone, anyone. “Where did…did they go?”

“Someone was there?” Vergil repeated, perplexed by his words. He narrowed his eyes and looked around as well. 

Vergil should have been able to sense that person, man or woman, who sat on the bench, right? Both of the twins had a better sense than he did. Nero nodded and then looked back at Vergil, quickly pulling away. “I’m…I’m not fucking crazy. They were there. They were reading a book.”

The Son of Sparda didn’t answer right away. He was still looking around, likely using his demon senses. Nero watched him with a frown and heard the woman’s voice once more.

“Nero. Come to me.”

Nero looked down at his shoulder and realized his father was touching him. Something inside of him warmed at the thought of his father concerned for him, trying to help him come back to his senses. 

“And yet…there is nothing here,” Vergil whispered, puzzled. He looked back at Nero and asked. “Nero, are you sleeping well? Perhaps you require rest.”

He let go of Nero, and the warmth vanished. Nero inhaled and exhaled sharply before he touched his head. Maybe that’s what it was. Maybe he needed some rest. 

"Nero...do not be frightened. Come to me."

“Yeah…you’re probably right.” Nero didn’t want to admit that Vergil was right. 

“Come. You will take Dante’s room. That fool can stay on the couch for the night.” Vergil grunted and then turned his back on Nero. He began to walk back to Devil May Cry, looking alert. 

Nero had no energy to argue with his father and followed after him. He rubbed his forehead, not realizing his eyes flashed red.

—

Nero wished he didn’t need to be here.

The damn headquarters of the now defunct Old of the Sword held nothing but horrible memories for the grandson of Sparda. No, he didn’t want to be anywhere near this place, no matter the circumstances. 

However…

Something brought him here today. 

“Nero.”

Nero glared at the pillars that towered over him as he walked by them. For just a moment, he swore that an Angelo would descend and attack him. The incident in Fortuna was over five years ago, but the Angelo only disappeared about two years ago. The demonic presence in Fortuna had slowly decreased over the years. However, that didn’t mean demons vanished from the mainland. That’s where his branch of Devil May Cry made a significant amount of its money, especially lately. 

Empusas and other demons were appearing more and more outside Redgrave City, but it wasn’t alarming. Nero and his family could handle it…his family.

Nero sighed at the thought of his family members. 

It was still difficult for Nero to wrap his head around the idea that Dante had been his uncle this whole time, but that Vergil was his father. Vergil, the man who roused the Temi-Ni-Gru and the Qliphoth tree in the middle of cities, was his birth father. 

They weren’t exactly what Nero had in mind when he thought about meeting his birth family, but then again, what family was perfect? His family wasn’t, considering his Uncle and Father wanted to kill each other not too long ago.

Back then, Trish thought he wanted to kill his father, too. No, he didn’t want to kill him, no, he was just frustrated and in shock. Nero vaguely recalled Lady’s words in the van after the revelation of his life. 

“It’s true. You’d never recover from that.”

Family was complicated. 

How did he feel about his uncle and father? 

Again, complicated, but a lot of his feelings were…frustration.

His last encounters with his father and uncle didn’t exactly help. Dante and Vergil hid their true feelings for reasons that Nero didn’t understand. 

“It is only natural to be frustrated, Nero.”

That voice had been bothering him for the last few days, ever since the park. When he woke up the next morning, Nero didn’t stick around. He took off without talking with either Son of Sparda. Of course, he regretted not eating anything before he left and sat on the ferry with his stomach growling. Kyrie’s cooking was heaven in comparison to leftover pizza, so he would wait until he got home. 

Over the next few days, Dante would not stop calling him. His voicemail was filled with messages of apologies and pleas to call him back. Even Vergil left a voicemail, telling him that today they would be coming to check on him. Perhaps Vergil was still concerned with what Nero saw in the park? Then again, Nero was getting concerned too. The voice didn’t want to shut up.

Yet, Nero had followed the voice to the old Order headquarters with very little complaint. 

“Why am I here? Why am I…even listening to you?”

“Now, now Nero…do not be like that. I have no reason to hurt you.” The voice assured him gently. The voice was almost…motherly. 

“Says the mysterious voice who has been haunting me for days and made me look insane to my d…Vergil. That and you’re leading me to a fucking hellhole.” Nero griped. Yet, it felt like he had no choice but to follow the voice. 

“Do not be afraid to call him your Father…unless you think otherwise? Though I cannot blame you, Nero, he did rip off your arm.” 

Instantly, Nero grabbed his arm. His chest constricted as he managed to shout. “Sh-Shut up!”

She’s right. He ripped my arm off for power, to defeat his little brother. 

Nero found himself at the place where he fought Credo, all those years ago. He looked around, as if expecting the woman from the bench to appear. She brought him here, didn’t she? Nero bit down on his lip and then looked down at his arm.

  “He abandoned you before you were born. Who knows what happened to your poor Mother? Was she a whore as everyone said? Or was she just a woman who died giving you life?”  

Nero had asked Vergil before, and the man dismissed him. The Son of Sparda claimed his memories of his mother were a blur and it did not matter. It was in the past. 

But it did matter!

He wanted his Mom!

“I know it hurt, Nero. Your father does not care to tell you anything. For that matter, neither does Dante. After all, he didn’t tell you that you were family.”

“...He…” Nero hung his head. Dante had admitted he knew in the heat of the moment in the Qlipoth. Why hadn’t Dante told him the truth five years ago? 

Nero clenched his teeth and looked away. Dante must have had his reasons, right? But then again…it all should have been obvious to Nero, too, right? Their resemblance was uncanny. Dante should have just been honest with him! Vergil should not be so dismissive of all of his questions! 

“They…They must have had their reasons.” Nero reasoned weakly. 

“Not good reasons, Nero. They are selfish, Nero. They do not realize how much you have wanted them in your life. After all, you saved their lives so they could stay in your life, right?”

“...I did…I didn’t want him to die. I didn’t want to lose them like I lost…Credo…and his parents.” Nero whispered. 

Did he save Vergil out of love? Or just because he did not want to experience more loss? Nero wasn’t certain. Unknown to him, his eyes turned crimson once more. 

“But the two of them…they haven’t tried to understand me… or my feelings .” He whispered, his crimson gaze settled on the ground. 

“Indeed, they have not understood you. They never will, Nero.” 

“No…I will make them understand. I will make them see me.” Nero smirked. 

Just then, he sniffed the air and smelled demons nearby. He narrowed his eyes and pulled Blue Rose out of its holster. A bolt of lightning heralded the arrival of a certain demon, and Nero began to shoot. A few shots landed before the demon teleported away with another bolt of lightning. Nero dashed after the demon before it responded with its dash. He saw it raise its claws, which Nero dodged by ducking his head, and then fired at its chest. 

The Blitz screamed out and slashed frantically at Nero, who cried out. The scratch mark and blood streaked his face as Nero triggered and grabbed at the Blitz by its head. The Blitz wiggled around in his grasp, trying to slash at him again. 

“Scum!” Nero sneered as he crushed its head with his bare devil hand. 

It exploded in his face and sent the young devil flying back. He grunted, and one of his wings grabbed hold of the cement while the other managed to cover his face. The explosion cleared, and Nero stood up, with a smirk on his face as he deactivated his trigger. 

“Well, well, that was nowhere near as thrilling as it should’ve been.” Nero huffed, his eyes still glowing red. 

“More will come and then…soon enough, the twin sons of Sparda will arrive.”    

Nero hummed and then holstered Blue Rose before stretching his arms out into the air. The white haired young man would finally get them to acknowledge him. But first, he did like the idea of getting a warm-up with some lesser demons. 

Then, he smelled other demons approaching and reached back for Red Queen. He started to rev up his blade as more demons began to descend upon him. 

“They’ll come…and then they’ll finally see me.”

Chapter Text

Something was wrong.

Vergil had never experienced this feeling before in all of his existence. It had started when he found Nero in the park, swinging on the playground. 

At the moment, Vergil wanted to scoff. To play like that was so childish. Nero was a grandchild of Sparda and should be more aware of his surroundings. That’s why he had scolded him after the swinging had stopped. How Nero could let his guard down, even just for a few moments, was beyond the Demon King. Seeing Nero like that…well, he looked human. He looked happy.

Humanity was only something he rediscovered with V. Fatherhood was something that he had found only recently, too.

Dante had given him plenty of advice in the Underworld; go easy on Nero, being one of them. Yet, those words were hollow when it came to the safety of his nestling and his new position in life. Still, though, Vergil knew Nero had a short fuse. He had seen the interactions between the boy and Dante as V, seen how much Nero had been desperate to get revenge on Urizen. Once he was Vergil again, he tried to shove whatever paternal feelings were surfacing.

“My son…means nothing to me!”

Even in the heat of battle, his twin knew that was a bold-faced lie the moment it passed from his lips.

Vergil held back against Nero in their battle, not wanting to bring him harm. Dante was the source of his ire, not Nero. Nero had…helped V.; he was selfless. It was his humanity that…helped to bring him back from the edge of death.      

So, Vergil was light on his scolding. He did not want Nero to hate him. 

As they spoke, though, Vergil noticed something was off. Nero had been talking, demanding his father be honest with him, before his words trailed off. Vergil had frowned as he noticed his nestling staring past him. This confused the Demon King as he could sense…no one nearby. The Dark Slayer turned in the direction that Nero was staring at and once again confirmed what he was sensing: that there was nothing there.

What exactly had caught his son’s attention? Vergil looked back at the nestling and noticed that his eyes had changed. Nero’s fingers were also twitching. They were glowing a blood red as Nero gawked at the bench area. With a frown, Vergil approached the bench and laid his hand on the wood. It was not even warm, drenched in rainwater as everything else around them was. He reached down and placed his hand on the Yamato’s grip as he purposefully flared his power. 

“Who is there? Show yourself.” Vergil called out. He would not make promises not to hurt this intruder who enchanted his nestling. 

“Yes…” Vergil shot up when he heard Nero’s voice. His voice was off, clearly hypnotized by something or someone. “Yes…Mistress…”

By now, his senses were going crazy. Nero was in danger. 

“Nero. Nero, do not listen to her.” Whoever this “her” was was a cause for concern. Vergil released his hold on the Yamato as he returned to his son. What could be the cause of this manipulation? Vergil ran through a list of powerful demons in his mind, and none of them had the power to hide their presence like this. 

No, this had to be something else entirely. 

His pleas went unanswered as Nero took a step forward. Where was he going? Vergil quickly went back to his son and placed his hands on his shoulders. The Dark Slayer held onto his nestling tightly to prevent him from leaving. 

“Nero. Nero! NERO!” The Demon King all but shouted at the younger devil. 

Apparently, and much to Vergil’s relief, that snapped Nero out of his trance. Sweat had started to roll down his son’s face as his eyes widened in terror that he had never seen on the nestling before. Emotions of relief and shock remained on Vergil’s face as he asked what Nero had been looking at. 

Someone…Someone was there…” Nero stated, his voice betrayed fear and a vulnerability that Vergil had not seen. His nestling was afraid . “Where did…did they go?”

“Someone was there?” Vergil repeated, equally perplexed as him. Once more, Vergil looked over at the bench. Still, no one had been sitting there. Soon, he felt Nero pull away as he exclaimed that someone had been sitting there and reading a book. Vergil did not let go of him, though, keeping his grip tightly on his son. 

Something was wrong, something was manipulating his son, but Vergil was at a loss for what that possibly could be. He would need to consult some texts. This had to be the work of a demon…right? It was just a matter of figuring out which one. For now, he would guide Nero back to the nest for safety. He released his hold on Nero…but everything inside of him told him not to. 

Vergil did not show affection. That was…too human. Yet, it was his demonic half that was demanding they keep the boy near. Vergil walked in front of Nero, but he could sense the nestling’s uneasiness as they returned home. 

Perhaps Vergil was looking too much into it. Perhaps Nero had not been sleeping much lately? Still, he made sure Nero was asleep up in Dante’s room while he went to consult the books in Dante’s meager library. Unfortunately, that library was where he fell asleep and woke up the following morning to find his son gone.

Despite a pounding headache, Dante had been looking for him and found that he had snuck out. He had already left a message on the boy’s phone by the time Vergil had come to him. Perhaps it had been nothing, the red eyes had been a trick of the light. And yet…Vergil continued to research.

A few days passed, and that feeling hit Vergil once more. He slammed his book shut and made a call to Nero. The phone rang and rang, which made his stomach clench. Nero was ignoring them. Vergil clenched his fist and then left a voicemail, something that he watched Dante do for the past couple of days, in the hopes Nero would listen. 

It took all of his restraint not to slam the phone down and destroy it. Vergil turned to his younger twin with a growl, who was sitting up attentively. 

“That’s like the eighth voicemail…something’s definitely up,” Dante said seriously as he leaned back and folded his arms. “And you sure you checked out all the books?”

“Yes, twice.” Vergil hissed in irritation. He glowered at his brother. “Nothing. These books tell me absolutely nothing.” 

His demonic energy had intensified, which likely drew the attention of any of the demons nearby. 

“Damn, a demon that can’t be easily detected by the Demon King himself and turns their victim’s eyes red. What use are you right now, Verge?” Dante asked, casually. A little too casually for Vergil. 

“This is serious, you fool!” Vergil growled, and a blue sword materialized. It went flying at Dante, who quickly intercepted it with his red one. 

“I know Verge,” Dante growled back and then leaned forward so he could stand up. “But pissy Vergil isn’t going to be too useful. I need hardass and level-headed Vergil.”

“My nestling is missing…and in danger.” Vergil snarled and then clenched and unclenched his fists. He then took a deep breath and calmed himself. It did not help that his senses were not calm either. “But…for once, you are right.”

Dante smirked at that, and Vergil quickly added. “That is the only time you will hear me say that.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know, don’t let it get to my head.” Dante quipped as he approached the wall that held the Devil Sword Dante. “Maybe we outta look at Fortuna’s library when we get there, about whatever the hell we’re facing. I bet you remember the way there by memory.”

Vergil snorted at his words, not denying the accusation. Dante picked up the sword. “We should check on Kyrie as well. I don’t think Nero could ignore her.” 

“Indeed.” The Dark Slayer agreed and drew the Yamato from her sheath. He could hear her cries of worry. Nero had been her master too, before Vergil got in the way. “We are taking the quick way.”

Dante was silent as he secured the Devil Sword to his back, and Vergil created a portal. They traveled through to Fortuna and found up on the street near Nero’s and Kyrie’s home. Vergil turned away and headed in the direction of the library while Dante went to Kyrie. 

The Fortuna library had changed since he snuck in decades ago. There were new books that stocked the shelves, and Vergil had little time to go through them. Every minute was precious time wasted. However, it did not matter. He had to find something, anything, that could help him understand what was going on. His senses were still bothering him as he read through the night. 

Vergil drifted off for a few hours as he sat down in front of a bookshelf and woke up to text messages from Dante. His twin spoke with Kyrie, who was just as concerned as they were, but she knew nothing other than Nero left in the morning and never returned. Dante had taken it upon himself to start researching the city and the nearby demon-infested forest. Dante had texted much, but Vergil knew he could not respond that quickly. 

Technology had progressed so much since he had last been in the human world that he could barely follow it. Dante and Mary, much to her irritation, had to teach him a lot when they returned from the Underworld.

He did his best to write that he was still in the library and had found nothing. After one more shelf, he would give up and join Dante in the forest. Maybe they could make better progress out there, just looking for Nero. Vergil approached the next shelf. It contained volumes on different mythologies of the world.

“Maybe it is not a demon…” Vergil mumbled to himself as he scanned the shelves. “Angels exist…but manipulation…not, this is something else entirely.” 

Vergil closed his eyes and racked his brain for answers. Not demons, not devils, not angels, but what? Gods? He opened his eyes then. That could be something. 

He found a book of different human mythologies and pulled it out to read. 

“Ahh, I see. Finding time to read books instead of searching for little ol’ me? That seems typical of you, Vergil.”

Vergil dropped the book and turned to find Nero, his nestling, leaning against the bookcase. Nero laughed as he observed his shocked father. 

“Now now,  didn’t you just lecture me the other day about not getting caught off guard?” Nero asked as he moved to stand in front of the same bookcase as his father. His eyes were glued to the shelves as Vergil stared at him. “Don’t tell me you don’t practice what you preach.”

The man narrowed his eyes. He had not sensed Nero at all. His nestling had been near him, in the same room, and Vergil had not picked up on his presence. Even as he spoke…Vergil felt nothing in the air, no demonic presence. What in the world was going on?

My precious nestling.

“Nero…” 

Was this his son or something pretending to be his son? 

Nero laughed, the laugh had a dark edge to it that…Vergil did not like. “In the flesh.”

“And how do I know that you are Nero?” Vergil questioned, his hand going to the Yamato. “I cannot sense you.”

Nero let out an exasperated gasp and touched his chest. “Really, Vergil, I’m shocked! You can’t tell that I’m your nestling?”

Then his face twisted up into a look of disgust. “Then again, we’ve only each other for what, six months? I suppose it’s not completely your fault that you can’t tell.

Vergil couldn’t help but flinch. Six months. Then the nestling hummed and then reached up to tap his chin thoughtfully. That gesture was so much unlike his son. A wide smirk crossed his face. “Oh, I know! I’ll tell you something that only I would know. After all, V and I got along really, really well. I fulfilled his last request and all.”  

His human half. The half of him had fought alongside Nero to stop his demon half. 

Nero then cleared his throat and turned to Vergil, whose eyes widened. The blue eyes of those of Sparda’s blood were gone and replaced with that familiar crimson.

“I curse my stars in bitter grief and woe, that made my love so high and me, so low...”

“Oh should she e’er prove false, his limbs I’d tear and throw all pity on the burning air. I’d curse bright fortune for my mixed lot, and then I’d die in peace and be forgot.” Vergil finished for his son. The words V spoke as he defeated Goliath. “But you could have read that from…”

“From your book. Yes, the one with the V on it. It’s back at home.” Nero interrupted him. Then he folded his arms over his chest. “That proof enough for you?” 

Vergil kept his hand on the Yamato. Her heard her cries of confusion as he stood, ready to fight if necessary. Even she wasn’t certain about this person in front of them. However…Nero had proven who he was. Slowly, Vergil straightened up, but he kept his gaze upon his son cautiously. 

“It is…” Vergil stated, but felt uneasy. “Nero, you worried your Uncle and I. You ignored our calls, and you left without saying a word.” 

“I worried both you and Dante, huh?” Nero raised an eyebrow at that. 

“After what happened in the park…Nero, your eyes. You said someone was there…”

“Ahh, right. Mistress. She was just trying to get my attention. She and I have been talking…well, in between me killing demons.” Nero chuckled and looked too smug for Vergil’s tastes. His face twisted into a sneer. “Mistress knows me pretty damn well…unlike you.”

Vergil flinched at his words. He had been trying to interact with his son. Vergil had lost so many years with him, and now…something was manipulating Nero. 

“Well, and more than Dante, too. She knows what it’s like not to have a mother and to have a deadbeat father.” Nero continued, his gaze briefly darting away. 

Then he took a step toward Vergil and stood face-to-face with him. His expression shifted to one of boredom as he met his father’s gaze. “Of course, this whole family of ours is full of deadbeat dads. Didn’t Sparda abandon you and dear Uncle Dante? Didn’t he abandon my grandmother? Leaving her to die?”

Vergil frowned and then tensed up at the mention of his father. Sparda had indeed abandoned them. For what reason, even he did not know. Nero snarled in disgust. “All the Order could ever say that Sparda was so damn great and that he’d protect us, shelter us from the storm and all that. What bullshit. He couldn’t even be bothered to protect his mate and nestlings.”

He shook his head. “You’d think, considering my white hair, I would have been treated better by those in Fortuna. They’re a bunch of hypocrites. No, I was the son of a whore and some foreigner.”

Vergil narrowed his eyes, and he let out a growl. No, that was simply not true. “She was not. She was…she was the best of them.” 

Nero burst out into laughter, hysterical laughter. It made Vergil tense up more, and his parental senses went wild. Nero did not act like this. “Oh? Now you remember her? Come now, dear Father. Do share more. When did you fucking remember? Right now? At this moment? How convenient. How do I know you aren’t lying just to soothe your ego?”

Vergil’s heart quickened and clenched. Nero had called him “father”. However, he did it in such a mocking tone. Vergil clutched his fist as rage burned in him, his demonic presence intensified. Nero merely smirked at the display of such rage. 

“What’s wrong, Father ? Cat got your tongue?” Nero mocked him once more and laughed hysterically. 

“My nestling would never speak to me in this manner.” Vergil declared with barely contained rage.

Nero sighed heavily and then looked at Vergil with a bored expression. “What? You don’t think I don’t think that? How could I not? It’s not like you know how to communicate properly. It’s easy to assume things when you know next to nothing.” 

Instead of flinching in fear, the nestling was not phased by his anger. Nero would normally respond with more anger, but right now, he was not acting himself. And yet…the words that Nero spoke still stung. Vergil looked down. It was true. Vergil did not communicate well with his son, nor with Dante either. Yet, Dante seemed to understand what was usually on his mind, but still. Nero should know what was on his mind and know about his mother. Nero should know that Vergil did truly care about him. 

“...You are right,” Vergil admitted quietly. He lifted his gaze to his son, whose expression had not changed. “I do not communicate with you the way I should, the way a father should. I do not deserve…to be called your father.”

 “Damn right.” Nero huffed as he pulled away from the eldest twin. He put up his hood and then stuffed his hands into his pockets. Vergil could see the red eyes still staring back at him as he inhaled and exhaled before responding. 

“But I am your father. There is nothing that either one of us can do to change that, Nero. I missed the majority of your life…because I went on a fruitless search for power. Instead, I should have been there for you and your mother.” Vergil spoke, his voice and demeanor softening. He slowly reached out his hand toward his son. “I'm sorry, Nero.”

Nero's expression became unreadable as his eyes lowered to Vergil's hand. The last time they had spoken, Vergil was able to break the trance and bring his son back through his touch and pleas. Maybe he could do it again. Vergil felt his devil half beginning to purr as he felt how close they were now. His demon half wanted its nesting back and kept him near. 

Suddenly, his hand was slapped away, and Vergil's eyes widened in shock. His devil half let out a confused growl as Nero drew Blue Rose. He pointed it at Vergil's face, and Vergil's normally cold heart clenched. In reality, the gun was no threat to him, but rather, it represented rejection. 

“Nero…” Vergil's voice cracked. V was shining through right now. 

“Don’t you fucking dare,” Nero growled coldly. His red eyes darkened as he narrowed his eyes upon his stunned father as he spat. “A devil like you doesn't deserve to be loved and protected.”

“I wanted to be protected and loved... But I was alone. My only choice was to survive.”

All of the air in his lungs fled. His face paled. Those words…were spoken in V’s most vulnerable state to someone he thought he could trust. Nero was trustworthy and showed his kindness to the human side of Vergil. But it was Vergil's greatest desire. The desire for power was a facade. All he wanted…was his family.

That horrible night, Eva had indeed searched for him. She died looking for him. She loved him. Despite all his sins, Dante loved him. If only Vergil had just listened to his brother when they were between the human and demon world…What a foolish hybrid he was. 

“Nero…you do not mean that,” Vergil whispered. His heart ached now. His devil side let out a cry and wished to take their nestling into their arms. “This is not you, Nero.”

“Pathetic scum.” Nero spat, and Vergil felt like he was staring right into a mirror. 

Vergil heard Blue Rose go off before he felt the pain hit him. His eyes widened as he was overcome with the smell of gunpowder. 

Vergil felt the world falling all around him as Nero seemed to shrink. Pain hit him then, making his head throb. His eyes went to his son, and for a moment, Vergil thought he saw tears rolling down his son's cheeks while he glared down at him. 

Tears. 

“Ne…Nero.” Vergil held his hand out once more. The bullet had already fallen out, and the wound healed instantly. 

BAM !

Another gunshot, and Vergil let out a cry of pain. His hand continued to reach out before the hooded young man turned, tears still rolling down his cheeks, and disappeared into a fog of red.

“Nero…come back…”

Chapter Text

Dante scratched his head as he entered the Mitis Forest. 

Dante had spent the better part of the day with Kyrie and the kids. Both he and Kyrie put on a brave face and reassured the three little ones that Nero would be home soon. They should let the adults worry about finding their foster father. 

Once the kids had run off to play, however, Kyrie revealed her worries to him. Yes, Nero had been strangely distant the last few days. There were moments he would be fine, and then other moments, he would be staring into the distance. Kyrie could tell he was worried about something, but Nero brushed her off, reassuring her he was fine.

This morning had been different. Kyrie woke up with the place beside her empty. She insisted that he must have left early that morning. To where, she did not know. 

“He…he sometimes trains in the forest,” Kyrie suggested. “There's plenty of demons there for him to fight and let loose without anyone getting hurt.”

After a night of sleep in the guest bedroom and story time for three kids who held up a book and gave him irresistible puppy dog eyes, Dante made his way to the forest. So now here he was; Nero's very own training ground. 

“What the hell is this?”  He recalled his words the first time he set foot in this forest. He had been surprised to find a forest after a very snowy area and castle. Then again, demon gates were very odd in general. 

It was also where he really started to tease his nephew. 

Had it really only been five and a half years since the day he stumbled into Nero's life? The memory of Nero slamming his feet into his face brought a smile to his face. Maybe in the moment it had hurt, but now? It brought him great amusement now. Did Nero smile when he thought back all those years ago? Then again, he knows it was a painful time too.

Credo had been an important person to Nero. They had a bond that Dante himself could understand, a bond that he had desperately missed.

Now, he did have that bond back while Nero didn’t. It wasn't a fair trade.

Dante felt his phone buzz in his pocket and fished it out. Vergil had responded to him, declaring that he would join him in the forest soon. He texted back an “okay” as he began his walk through the forest. 

The Legendary Devil hunter sniffed the air, hoping to pick up Nero's scent. The most he got were lesser demons just hunting for some unsuspecting prey. Well, he should take care of those so he could clear the air and keep Fortuna demon-free for a bit. 

“ What the hell did you two fight about?”

Nero probably thought Dante had been too drunk that night to remember their little spat, but he was wrong. The alcohol didn't hit him as hard these days, his tolerance had skyrocketed since awakening his Shin Devil Trigger. There really was no way for him to get as drunk as he once did. He's pretty certain that's the first time his nephew had seen him like that.

That's why I kept our distance all that time. I shouldn't have done that to him, but he didn't need to see the broken man underneath the cheery facade.

The glare was a mistake. A mistake he would rectify with an apology, and hopefully, a big hug. Nero would likely squirm at first and then accept. He really was his brother's son. 

The fight with Vergil was a mistake too. One that he and his brother forgot about the moment they realized their nestling was in danger. 

“You telling me you really wouldn't have abandoned Nero and his Mom if you knew about them? How do I know you wouldn't have still raised the tower for their sakes?!” Dante growled.

“I will admit the thought would have crossed my mind. Mundus was still alive then and Nero would be in danger.” Vergil admitted with a huff. “But I would have resisted.”

“Are you just saying that out of hindsight?” Dante demanded. His brother cringed and was quick to look away. 

Vergil was silent as he soon started to stars out the window. “...Maybe…wishful thinking. We were both arrogant…”

Out of the two twins, Vergil was practically bursting with pride of their demonic heritage. Dante slumped back in his seat and sighed. 

“You were the most arrogant out of the two of us.”

The argument had raged on who was worse back then before Vergil stormed off to who knows where. Looking back at it now, it was a stupid argument and Dante completely regretted it. Then he decided to drink, something he promised himself he would stop doing. 

Idiot. 

Soon enough, he approached a pack of lesser demons and drew his Devil Sword. They sensed him and turned in his direction. Dante smirked and taunted them. “Come on! Show me whatcha got!”

Maybe once these ones were dead, Dante could pick up on Nero's scent. This couldn't be that big of a forest…right?

Dante pulled out Ebony and Ivory and began to fire at them. The closest demon was sent flying up at the impact and Dante jumped to meet it. In a blink of an eye, he switched to the Devil Sword Dante and slashed at the demon until it dissolved into red orbs. 

“Not much of fighters are you? Come on! Come at me!” Dante taunted them, trying to make the fight more exciting. 

A gunshot rang out and hit one of the demons in the head. It was an instant kill and Dante frowned as the blood of that demon flew behind him. The remaining demons let out a noise of fear and took off running. The legendary devil hunter secured his sword on his back and another gunshot rang out. 

He dodged it and saw it overshot him by quite a bit. Another one of the demons fell. 

“Cutting it a little close there, aren't you kid?” Dante turned to find his wayward nephew in a tree. Blue Rose was still drawn and now appeared to be pointed at him. Dante laughed and then waved his hand around.

“This scene looks a little familiar, don't you think? We’re just missing that weird statue of your grandpa, your arm in a sling, and Rebellion.” Dante quipped as he looked at Nero.

Even from here, he could see how red his nephew’s eyes were. Dante sniffed the air, then, no scent. How did he not sense or even smell Nero’s arrival? Maybe he was getting too old.

“Aren't you a little too young to be reminiscing, Uncle?” Nero scoffed and let out a sniffle.

Ahh, he saw them now, the tear marks and the redness around his eyes. Dante frowned at that, and then his voice grew gentle. 

“Put the gun away, Nero. Let’s just talk for a bit.”

That seemed to work as he watched Nero lower his gun. Nero was staring down at him with…was that barely disguised disgust? Nero was looking like Vergil right now.

“Talk, huh? You looked pretty pumped up to fight just now.” Nero smirked down at him as he kept the gun facing the ground. “How about a spar? For old times' sake? Get the blood really pumping.”

“A spar, huh? Well, I admit, it has been a while since we crossed swords.” Dante was careful with his words and smirked back. 

“Perfect! Don't hold back, old man.” Nero suggested as he jumped down from the tree. Blue Rose remained in his hand.

“Hold back? Wouldn't dream of it.” Dante replied and then felt his phone buzz. “Swords and guns only. Oh, phones going off, hold on.”

Blue Rose was instantly pointed at him once more. Nero was glaring at him as he spoke. “Oh no, you don't need to answer that. It's just us right now, Dante.”

The red twin frowned at that. “Let me guess. You already talked with your Dad, and he's calling to tell me something you don't want me to hear.” 

“I wouldn't worry about Daddy dearest. It's not your concern. Those are the words you both love to say a lot.” Nero snarled, looking ready to shoot if necessary. Dante knows that the bullets won't kill him or Vergil, for that matter. 

Still, if he hurt Vergil…

“Nero, what did you do? Did you really shoot your Father?!” Dante demanded, his grip on the Devil Sword tightened. “We're trying to help you, kid!”

At this accusation, Dante noticed a slight flicker in his nephew's eyes. The real Nero was there.

“ I need the two to listen to me, be honest with me!” Nero snarled. The manipulation was not easy to break. “But the both of you are too wrapped up in your shit to do any of that!”

Dante gritted his teeth as Nero added. “You couldn't even bother to tell me that we're related!”

Then he lowered the gun again and burst out into laughter. His free hand touched his face. Nero was acting too unhinged right now. Was he even thinking clearly? 

“I guess that's partially my fault. I should have realized it sooner. After all, what other person in the world has white hair and blue eyes?” Nero laughed and began to run his fingers through his hair. He started to pace around. “You said to keep the Yamato in the family. Duh! That makes me family, right? Why didn't I see it before?”

Nero pauses in his pacing to glare at Dante intensely. “Instead, you made me feel like an idiot for not realizing it sooner!”

Dante cringed and then lowered his hand. He then started to approach Nero, but the younger demon hunter backed away. 

“No kid, that's my fault. I…I should have told you back then. I should have invited you over to the shop and sat you down over some pizza. You deserved to learn then and not…” Dante admitted. 

“After my father murdered an entire city for power?” Nero finished for him with a scoff. “No, you decided to go under the radar. Were you ever planning on telling me jackshit? Or was I supposed to be ignorant forever?”

“I…” Dante's heart clenched. Had he ever planned on telling Nero, truly? Or had the Qliphoth incident forced the truth out? Dante inhaled shakily. “It's not that simple, Nero.”

“Says the man who murdered my father.” Nero sneered at him, and that gave Dante pause. 

Dante frowned as anger began to burn inside of him. What excuses could he give? Vergil had died by his hands, he had put him out of his misery. Mundus was never going to let his brother go. That evil bastard would be the death of them all, even Nero. 

“Do you think I really wanted him dead, Nero?” 

The smell of fear suddenly intensified as he saw Nero tense up. Dante didn't realize how low his voice was until after he spoke. The Legendary Demon Hunter stalked toward the nestling, his demonic presence steadily growing. That was when Nero began to back up more. 

“Do you think I liked enjoyed watching my big brother slash my hand and fall into the Underworld? Do you really believe I wanted to lose my big brother, the only family I had left?” 

“I…”

Dante let out a growl and snapped. “I killed my brother, Nero. I killed him! And the worst part is, I didn't even realize it until I held his amulet. I had fought my brother the whole time on Mallet Island and thought he was just another one of Mundus's generals!”

Nero kept his gun pointed at Dante and his hand had started to shake. Was he finally getting somewhere? 

Dante let out a humorless laugh. “So yeah, after I killed my brother, I fell into the bottle. I needed anything, anything , to get through the day. It was drinking, day in and day out. If it wasn't drinking, it could have been anything else. Pizza boxes left all over and time passed me by. Next thing I know, the electricity and the waters off. I'm sitting in darkness and no one was there with me. I was alone.” 

“Then Morrison arrives with jobs. I take the ones that don't bore me. I needed the thrill. I needed anything to take the pain away, anything to make me forget the damn past for even a day.” Dante finally caught up to the younger devil and grabbed him by the collar. 

Nero yelped and Blue Rose went off in Dante's chest. Briefly, Dante shut his eyes as the pain shot through him and his hand holding up Nero started to shake. However, it did not last. The sound of a bullet hit the ground and the pain in his chest subsided. By now, Dante had opened his eyes again, but they had begun to glow with demonic power.

He narrowed his eyes and saw Nero staring back at him fearfully. Dante's free hand had shifted to his demonic one, blood red claws stretched out to touch Nero's face.

“Then I find a nestling when I go to Fortuna. A stubborn little nestling who acts like the older brother that I lost. This little nestling is a punk. He’s got big enough cojones to slam his feet into my face.” Dante's voice was calmer now. His inner devil cooed as Dante gently stroked Nero's cheek.

Said nestling's eyes were wide, and the fear in the air began to dissolve. Nero was tilting his head and leaning into the touch of the claw. There’s a chirp too, from a nestling who wants attention. Dante smiled as Nero closed his eyes and heard purring.

Demons lived in packs, they kept close to their families. Dante was only Nero’s uncle, but his instincts toward him were strong. Only Vergil’s was stronger. Protect the nestling, even if he were an adult by human standards.

“When I found you, Nero…I felt alive again. You're our one light in this world.”

“ Da n…te.” Nero's voice sounded normal again. 

“And I'm not gonna lose you again, kid.” Dante declared gently. He set the boy down and brushed his claw against his cheek. 

No, neither he nor Vergil would lose him. They had to protect Nero and any future descendants of his. 

Nero looked content now; his rage had all but vanished. Dante felt the vibration of his phone again. Vergil hated it when he didn't respond right away, but he knew the blue devil would make an exception in this case. Nero felt…well, like his old self again, purring away as Dante stroked his cheek. Maybe they could stay like this until Vergil gave up on the texts and traveled to the forest? Vergil would likely throw a fit, though, once he saw this and immediately take Nero from him.

When he pictured Vergil wrapping his arms around Nero and holding him close while glaring at him, Dante laughed internally. Before they left the shop, he could feel Vergil's paternal instincts becoming stronger.

Aside from that, Dante glanced away. He knows this person talking to Nero was invisible, but…they had not appeared. Nero chirped again and sighed softly. 

Maybe being near Nero kept whatever that invisible person was away from him? How long would this mysterious person stay away, though? 

“AAHH!”

Nero jerked away from his touch and grabbed at his head. He stumbled away from Dante, but the red twin immediately went to grab his arm. No, not now! “Nero, no! Fight whoever the hell this lady is! Don’t let her take over!”

“SHUT UP! MISTRESS TAKES CARE OF ME!” The nestling screamed out, his eyes opening and revealing red once more. “AMANOZAKO LISTENS TO ME!”

He stumbled back further from Dante and turned, taking off running. The red twin cried out to his nephew to stop before he too took off running after him.

Amanozako?

“Nero! She’s manipulating you! Don't listen to her! She’s turning you into something you're not!” 

“SHUT THE HELL UP!” Suddenly, a ghostly, blue, clawed hand sprang out and made contact with Dante's face. 

Dante let out a cry and instantly tasted blood. Ahh, the bitch slap. Why did it have to be that again? What the hell caused those spectral arms to be that strong?!

“Damnit! NERO!” Dante screamed before he was sent flying back in the direction he came from. No, he couldn't lose track of him!

His demonic half triggered, and he stopped himself mid-flight. With a loud growl, Dante surged forth once more, flying as quickly as possible to catch up with Nero. He was not going to let that slap stop him, no way in hell! Dante's heart was beating wildly in his chest as he spotted the blue spectral wings. 

Then the air around him thickened with more demonic energy, and Dante let out a soft growl. He sniffed the air. 

Ahead of him, he saw that Nero had triggered fully and was stopped. He was panting and staring straight at a fully triggered Vergil. Dante came to a stop right behind Nero, the two of them surrounding him.

The Yamato was sheathed and Dante could see his brother's breathing as he locked eyes with Nero. Vergil…was deathly calm. 

“Nero…” Vergil called out gently and extended his clawed hand. “Do not give in. We are both here now.”

“He’s right, kid. We’re gonna take you home.” Dante assured him just as gently. 

Nero let out a growl at them, his eyes shining red. The young devil looked wildly between the two devils, as if trying to figure out a way to escape. Dante then heard his brother growl, a gentle one. His demon half was reaching out. Vergil made clicking noises, reaching out to his nestling, as if to say that it was okay.

Nero seemed to pause then and stare at the larger demon with wide eyes. Had he felt the pull? Dante remembers when he felt the pull to Sparda, how their father growled and clicked his teeth. Both he and Vergil had been drawn to that. 

Then Nero chirped in reply, the chirps sounded confused, but also…curious. He took a few steps forward then, chirping. Dante felt himself smile in relief. Even in his human form, Dante knew Nero liked being near his father. The boy tried his best to reach out to Vergil, even if it wasn't always successful. His twin was a hard nut to crack. Now, he could see a smile on his brother's face as Nero approached.

I know you love your kid, Verge. You just suck at admitting it.

Then Dante saw a red mist begin to surround the nestling's feet. His eyes widened. What the hell was that? Then he saw Vergil tense up and growl, angrily. 

“Nero!”

Then the young demon hunter stopped. The pull had stopped and Nero smirked at them. He waved as he started to disappear into the mist. “Bye-bye.”

Dante was about to dive, but Vergil beat him to it. He was certain he'd never seen his brother so desperate as Vergil grabbed for Nero. Instead, Vergil slammed into the ground as Nero vanished. Vergil’s devil half disappeared and left behind a man that Dante could barely recognize. Vergil lifted his head up, rage contorting his features, but Dante swears he sees…sadness too.

The way Vergil's face looked…he looked like Nero right now when Nero's fuse blew. Dante approached his older brother as he raised his fist and then slammed it against the ground. Dante winced when he felt the ground shake, but he continued forward to his twin. He knelt down as Vergil struck the ground once more. His rage was barely restrained. Held on by a thread. 

Dante slowly placed his hand on his twin’s shoulder as Vergil pounded into the earth. No stopping him. Dante didn't want to stop him. He wanted to join him. 

“We'll get him back, Verge, we'll get him back.”

Chapter Text

If not for his demonic heritage, his knuckles would be bloody and broken. 

Dante does not try to stop him, as he destroys the earth where his son stands. His younger, usually more boisterous, knelt quietly next to him. No quips. No attempts to lighten the mood. No, his twin was silent as the grave. No demons would come to ambush them. Dante let him vent his rage. 

So much rage and grief.

The King of Hell wanted his nestling desperately. 

Once Nero returned to normal, Vergil would not let go of him. 

“A devil like you doesn't deserve to be loved and protected.”

V told him that in confidence. In desperation. V was so human. 

Vergil was human.

What creature had forced his son to say such vile words?! Or did Nero feel that way about him? No, that could not be. That was not Nero. His nestling was kind and caring. He had seen it firsthand when Nero interacted with Kyrie and their foster children. Vergil clenched his healed fist and slammed it into the earth once more.  

“Vergil,” Dante spoke up and touched his back again. “...He shot you, right? How many times?”

The blue twin's breathing was shaky as he glared at the ground. His fists were shaking as he reached up to touch his forehead. 

“Twice. In the head.” Vergil felt his whole body beginning to shake. 

“Fuck.” Dante whispered, and then he must have felt him shaking because Dante started to rub his back gently. Vergil shook as his brother comforted him. “I'm sorry, Verge.”

“He-He…” Vergil shook his head and then reached up to rub his face. The blue twin took several deep breaths before slowly sitting up. 

I can't think. 

I can't think.

I have to calm down.

“The books…we need to find out…we need to go back to the Fortuna library. There must be something that can help us get Nero back.” Vergil manages to speak. He felt…wrong. 

Dante nodded and then held his hand to his brother. But he paused, and Vergil watched his face scrunched up. 

“Wait. Nero said something earlier. Before we all met up.” Dante quickly grabbed his brother's hand and pulled him up to his feet.  

The blue twin blinked in surprise, his body still shaking. Getting shot was something that Dante had more experience with. Vergil held onto his brother and frowned.

“Amanozako. He called “her” Mistress Amanozako.” Dante revealed as he looked at his brother. “It doesn't sound familiar to me.”

Vergil frowned, and he furrowed his brow. “The name…it sounds Japanese.”

He let go of Dante and turned away to unsheath Yamato. “Good work, little brother. I think that will help us narrow our search down significantly.”

“You think Fortuna has a book on Japanese demons? You should have still sensed the demon before, though, right?” Dante asked as Vergil slashed through the air. His brother was still confused, which, for once, Vergil could not blame him for.

“Then perhaps it is not a demon. Perhaps it is something greater.”

Dante huffed and folded his arms as he followed Vergil through the portal. “Something greater? Well, can't be angels. They don't make people go berserk like that.”

Vergil shook his head. “No, not even angels. No, a deity.”

“...What? A God?” Vergil did not need to turn around to know his brother’s expression. The older twin scoffed quietly. “Do not be naive, Dante. It is not a completely ridiculous notion. Our own Father is thought to be a God.”

“Yeah, I know, we’re standing in a place that worships him,” Dante grumbled as they approached the bookshelf that Vergil had been in front of before. Vergil spotted the book he had dropped before and picked it up. “But, I guess that’s the only thing that makes sense anymore since we can’t sense this Amanozako lady.”

Vergil nodded in agreement and opened the book he had picked up. He started to scan the pages while Dante scanned the shelves before he asked. 

“Okay, so our nestling is being…mind controlled by some God, but to what end? What’s her endgame? Did Father piss her off at some point? Spurned lover? Cause I know I never pissed off anybody by that name.” Dante tossed around guesses. It sounded like his brother was talking more to himself than to Vergil. Vergil sighed softly, wanting to scold his brother for interrupting his reading.

Then again, though he wouldn’t admit it out loud, Vergil was wondering the same things. There was still so much information about their Father that was lost to time. After all, two thousand years was a long time, and legends could change just by a single person’s word to another and another. Fortuna was an example of this, as they claimed that Sparda ruled over them before disappearing, but how true that was was uncertain. 

Dante looked at him then. “Did Nero drop any hints with you about this God?”

Vergil froze. 

“A devil like you doesn't deserve to be loved and protected.”

The blue twin quickly looked away, his hand gripping the book tightly. “Nero claimed his Mistress knew what it meant to…have no mother and to have a…deadbeat father.” 

Dante winced at that and then scratched his scruffy white hair before sighing. “Sorry, Vergil.”

Vergil quickly diverted his gaze and stared down at the book. He didn’t want to talk about it. At least not yet. There was a strange ache forming in his body, or specifically, in his chest. It had started with…those words from Nero. It felt as if he had been stabbed and had the blade twisted several times over. It was a feeling he had not felt since…he was a child, but this was worse. 

Was this how Mother felt when she could not find him? This sadness. Pain.

Nero’s burning hatred had harmed him more than he wanted to admit. 

Except, did that hatred burn as brightly as it had appeared? 

The tears on Nero’s face were the twisting of the knife in his chest, and it proved that Nero was not doing this of his own free will. 

Vergil hoped so. For the love of his own Father, he hoped so.

Nero, you are the best of us. 

You deserve better than I.

Nero, I…

“Shit, Vergil? You there? Please tell me that crazy God lady isn’t talking to you now, too, and you’re just spacing out on your own volition.” Dante’s voice pulled Vergil out of his thoughts. 

He frowned at his brother. “I am well. I was just…wrapped up in my thoughts.”

Dante was looking at him with concern, and he suddenly pointed at him. “Wrapped up in your head, huh? Something’s bothering you, Verge. You’ve been holding your chest for the past five minutes.”

Vergil looked down and saw that his hand had indeed moved to hold his chest. Then again, the pain there had become rather intense. Dante frowned and then sighed heavily. “The kid did a number on you, too, huh?”

The blue twin frowned at that. “He…said some displeasing things to you as well?”

“Yeah, he did, but don’t change the subject.” Dante scowled at him and sighed heavily. He plopped down on the ground. “He shot you and said you were a deadbeat Dad. Don’t think I didn’t catch you hesitating to say those words. Anything else that I’m missing?”

Vergil huffed quietly. He would rather consume demon flesh before talking about this, but…he knows Dante would never drop the conversation. If he didn’t answer now, the irritating red devil would hang it over his head until they talked about it. Typical Dante.

“...Before he and Urizen reunited, my human half conveyed some…private thoughts of ours to Nero. My human half…V wanted him to know about us. I don’t know why. Perhaps he could tell that Nero was our son and wanted a deathbed confession.” Vergil, still holding the book, slid down to the ground next to Dante. He closed his eyes. “Nero…recalled what V said and…threw it back in my face.”

There was no immediate response. Vergil sighed shakily and kept his eyes closed. Right now, he did not want to see Dante’s expression. 

“He…He had his gun on me. There was so much…rage and disgust. He…” Vergil paused and took another deep breath before speaking. His chest was hurting more now. “He loathed me, Dante. Loathed. He shot me. In the head, twice, but…”

Vergil dropped the book and then buried his face into his hands. The pain was stronger in his chest and made him tremble. “Nero cried, Dante. He was crying. He didn’t want to hurt me. That Goddess made him shoot me. The tears, the look in his eyes…”

Wetness started to roll down his cheeks, and then leaned back against the bookshelf. His eyes had opened, and his hands fell to his side. Vergil stared at the white wall in front of him as he whispered to his little brother. “...Nero regretted it, but she wouldn’t let him stop. He is running around with that regret seared into his heart.”

Dante did not say anything. He was staring at the wall, too. Then Vergil felt an arm reach out, and he was gently pulled down to rest his head on Dante's shoulder. Vergil didn't want to protest and just leaned into his younger brother's shoulder. The blue twin closed his eyes, and his inner demon purred.

They were fellow nestlings once upon a time. 

“I have a problem with alcohol, Verge,” Dante confessed, and Vergil looked at him. He was already aware that Dante drank. He had thought that it was just for casual reasons and to look more like an idiot. “Verge…after Mallet Island…I think a part of me stayed there with you.”

That was understandable, Vergil wanted to reply, but he said nothing. He just listened.

“I fell apart. Nero brought all that back up again.” Dante soon chuckled, but it sounded hollow, though. “The kid didn’t know that, not really. Probably knew as much as you did. I fell apart after Mallet Island. I had nothing to live for…not until…”

“Nero,” Vergil whispered. 

Vergil could feel his brother nod. “Yep, the kid hit me right in the face with his feet. That was one of the signs I knew he was yours. I was overjoyed. I had found family.” 

Dante fell silent and closed his eyes. Then, after a few minutes, he began again. “I didn’t really tell him we were family. I admit, I was stupid. I told him we needed to keep Yamato in the family, but left it at that. I should have just sat him down and talked to him. I think…that’s what he wants.”

“As in…not lie to him?” Vergil asked quietly. 

“Probably. Then again, that Goddess has him so fucked up right now that he's not thinking straight.” Dante concluded with a sigh. “Now it's just a matter of figuring out how to break her influence over him.”

Vergil hummed and then looked back at the book. His eyes, still red, scanned the pages to search for some answers. He frowned when he spotted the name. “I found it…”

“You did?!” Dante looked down at the book. There it was.

“Amanozako, the Goddess of Rebellion and disobedience. She is a known trickster who enjoys manipulating humans, distorting their emotions and personalities. She was born from the vomit of the Storm God Susano'o's ball of ill-feeling.” Vergil read aloud. 

Dante snorted and started to run his fingers through his hair. He mumbled. “Guess that's what Nero meant by that, she had a deadbeat dad.”

Vergil huffed softly as Dante spoke up louder this time. “Okay, does she have any weaknesses we can exploit? Does it talk about how we can free Nero from her grasp?”

The blue twin was silent as he read on. Vergil then clenched his teeth and shut the book. They had a problem.

“Nothing. That's all the book says.” Vergil growled. All that searching for practically nothing. Was there really nothing else about this deity?

Dante’s body began to tremble, and Vergil felt the rage coming off his brother. The blue twin let out a shaky sigh and rested against his younger brother. All of this was frustrating, so frustrating. He heard Dante cuss under his breath before his twin began with suggestions.

“Maybe we…we need some runes. Maybe we could try to catch him in a circle of runes, and one of us holds him there? Or maybe we should try purifying him with some holy water?” 

Vergil looked thoughtful then. Purification. Runes. Those two things would be the best solutions for them. Perhaps they could try both? Vergil was desperate to try anything at this point. He growled inside his mind, his demonic side was getting restless. Where was his nestling now? Was the Goddess hurting him? Vergil felt the wetness welling up in his eyes again and he sighed shakily, reaching up to wipe the tears away. 

“Maybe bathe him in holy water? In human form, of course. Thankfully, his demonic arm isn’t a problem anymore.” Dante suggested, paused when he heard his big brother sniffling. “Verge…we’ll get him back.”

“You better be right, little brother.”

—

The tears had been a fluke. Yet, they had not stopped flowing since he left his sire and uncle. What the fuck was wrong with him?! Vergil deserved to be shot. He should have shot Dante too, but…holy shit. The red twin had scared the shit out of him. He thought that the red twin was actually going to harm him. 

The demonic claw grazed his cheek. It wasn’t filled with anger, though. 

Tenderness. Uncle was tender with me. He loves me. I know he does. What the hell is wrong with me?

Vergil. He shot Vergil. Twice. In the head.

That’s when the tears started. 

I shot him. I ShOt my DaD. V’s wOrDS. I hurt him more than with the bullets. I’m a terrible son. What’s wrong with me?! Why won’t this anger go away?!

Undeserving of love. Go back to the orphanage.

Dad, I’m so sorry. Please, don’t hATe ME. 

“SHUT UP!” Nero snarled at himself as the tears started up again. Fuck, he wanted to forget about that right now. He needed to think clearly. Mistress could appear at any moment now. Nero should not be crying over his enemies. 

Idiot, that’s what makes me human. 

I'm so worthless.

The quarter demon growled at that inner voice in his head. He wiped the tears that rolled down his cheeks and sighed sadly. He needed to look more presentable for Amanozako. Nero shook his head and then stood up straight. Nero had seen her briefly in the park, but for the most part, he heard her speak in his mind. Her soft voice sang a song that he enjoyed hearing. It was almost…motherly. 

I have never had a mother. How would I know what’s motherly and what’s not? 

What happened to Mom? Why wasn’t she there for me? Vergil must know. VeRGiL MuST KnOW!

No one loves me.

So many questions and all he wanted was the damn answers. He supposed Dante gave him answers. 

Dante had not realized that his brother was enclosed in armor. As a result, he descended into a hell of booze and filth. 

“When I found you, Nero…I felt alive again. You're our one light in this world.”

Their one light in the world. His heart fluttered, and he touched his chest. Unknown to Nero, his eyes flickered between red and blue as he held his chest. He was Dante…and Vergil's light. 

He recalls Dante's scaled hand against his cheek. Vergil reached for him, too. Nero smelled his desperation. 

I want my Dad.

“Nero, dear.”

He turned around and saw Amanozako approaching. Though he swore she showed her face before, this time she wore a deep red, grotesque mask. The face on the mask looked inhuman, but who was he to judge? He had a quarter of demon blood. She wore a beautiful dark pink kimono with a gold bell clasped to it. The pants were red. Her outfit looked like it came from a different culture. 

The sandals she wore made her look taller. Thanks to them, she was almost as tall as he, and her sandals made a strange CLACK, CLACK, CLACK noise. In her hand, she held a spear. 

Nero was quick to drop down to his knees and bow his head. His eyes flashed red as he greeted her. “Mistress. It is wonderful to finally meet you in person.”

The Goddess giggled as she moved her hand to cover her mouth. She reached down and patted his head gently. “Now, Nero, there is no need for that. You are like a son to me.”

A son? His heart fluttered as he tilted his head up to look at her. She reached down to take his hand and helped him back up. Amanozako then reached to touch his cheek, and Nero leaned in. 

Her touch is not as warm as Dante’s. Yet, there was something about her touch that brought a smile to his face. 

“Mom…”  Nero whispered, and he inhaled sharply. His heart began to ache, and he closed his eyes tightly. “I don't know what happened to her…my birth mom. I don’t know her name. Vergil didn't tell me.”

“Oh my dear…perhaps you need to be a little more forceful with him when you next meet,” Amanozako advised him gently and started to stroke his face. 

He opened his eyes and looked down at her desperately. Nero began to plead with her. “Please, Mistress. I need to know about my Mom. I want to know why. Why did she…”

“Abandon you?” Amanozako finished for him, and he nodded eagerly. She remained silent for a few moments when he saw her tilt her head to the side.  The deity kept her hand on his cheek, stroking it gently. 

Soon, Nero smelled the sadness radiating off of her. 

“Ahh, my sweet boy. I am sorry. Your mother left you at the orphanage as she was dying. A grave wound from a demon. She thought you were safe there among the humans.” The deity confessed to him and then cupped his cheek. 

Nero was trembling now as he lowered his head. His emotions were heightened by her influence, and the young man began to sob. She was killed by a demon, one that was likely after him. The Demon hunter clenched his fists. She did what she did to protect him.

Along with sadness, rage began to build up in his form. Vergil should have been there! Nero sobbed as the deity pulled him into her arms and she gently cooed to him. 

“My sweet boy, there, there. It's going to be alright now. I shall take care of you from now on. You have my blessing.” Nero sniffled and relaxed against her as she started to rub his back. 

Her blessing? What did that mean? Nero looked at her and saw that she was holding a mask similar to the one on her face. He stared at it with wide eyes and reached out to touch it. 

Then the mask shrank, becoming the size of a charm. The mask glowed red, and a silver chain appeared to change it into a necklace. Amanozako reached up, and Nero bowed his head so she could place it over his head. 

Nero reached down to touch the charm and heard a little bell. So, it had a small bell attached to the mask. He smiled at the necklace and bowed his head. 

“It's beautiful, Mistress. Thank you so much. I will treasure it so much.” He thanked her. He wished he could hug her. 

“Of course, dear. Whenever you need, this will aid you. It will enhance your demonic blood. You may not have enough of Sparda's blood as your Uncle and Father do, but my blessing will help you.” Amanozako told him and then continued to stroke his cheek. 

Nero smiled and fiddled with the charm as it faintly glowed red. 

Then he felt Amanozako stop stroking his cheek, and he frowned. She was silent and seemed to look past him. Was…something wrong?

“Mistress?”

She looked up at him then. “Hmm, how interesting. It appears that your Uncle has left Fortuna. Your Father has stayed.” 

Vergil stayed? Nero frowned and then asked about his whereabouts. Amanozako hummed softly and then took his hand. “Do you wish to pursue your Uncle or your Father, Nero?”

Nero closed his eyes then.

I can't see my dad yet. I hurt him so badly. 

Not deserving of love.

I thought he would hate me. Dad reached for me. He looked so heartbroken when I shot him.

Dante…Dante called me deadweight. Dante lied to me. 

Deadweight.

No, he told me things. He was honest. Uncle Dante let me keep Yamato. I wish I could hear Yamato sing in my head again. Dad ripped off my arm. The pain was unimaginable. Blinding. There was so much blood. All I heard were my screams and his breathing. 

Dad didn't care.

 He didn't know. 

Everything went black. 

I will never be that weak again.

Nero opened his eyes and smirked. “Let's go visit Daddy dearest again.”

Chapter Text

Dante hugged him, a big one, before he departed. Vergil did lean into the hug, listening to Dante's heartbeat. As much as he did not want to separate from his twin right now, his emotions were still a mess. Vergil knew that one of them had to find a sacred pool. Of course, his inner demon was demanding that soon, too soon for reality. Dante leaving would probably get their nestling's attention.

His brother wondered if Nero would end up following him back to the mainland, but Vergil had a feeling he wouldn't. No, if there was ever a target for Nero's rage, it was him. Vergil was the perfect bait.

Now the blue twin had to keep his attention for a while. 

Dante broke the hug and smiled weakly. “Be careful, Vergil. Call me and I'll be here as quickly as possible.”

“Normally, I do not require luck…but in this case, I will make an exception,” Vergil responded, feeling exhausted. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. He just wanted his nestling.

The younger twin's smile grew brighter as he suggested. “Maybe hang out with Kyrie for a bit? She's gotta have more info on Nero when he was a kid. Who knows? Maybe pictures too.”

Vergil looked thoughtful at that suggestion. Kyrie was a human whom he did not mind being around. Then again, Vergil cannot help but be happy that Nero had found a mate who was so accepting of his heritage. There was…so much love between them. 

The memories of love between his parents were few and far between right now. Vergil's childhood memories had become hazy since he reformed, and Dante seemed to remember better than he. Another memory loss of his bothered him more. 

“I will go and see her…But I need to find out Nero's mother's fate. My memories…I need to remember.” For Nero's sake. If what would break the influence was honesty, Vergil was willing to try.

Dante nodded and patted his shoulder. “Good luck then. Let me know if you find out anything, you know I'm curious too.”

Vergil huffed quietly. “You are too curious for your own good, little brother.”

The red twin laughed. “Hey, nothing wrong with wanting to know another side to my twin brother.”

Vergil hummed in response and watched as his brother took on his full demonic form and flew away. How long would it take for Nero to realize his uncle was gone? With divine aid, not that long. The blue twin turned and looked back at the library.

He knows he met her here, and some memories have already stirred. She had lived nearby. After spending his days researching his father, Vergil had come home with her many times. 

Vergil closed his eyes and tried to picture her face. Green eyes that were always the first thing on his mind. Eva's eyes were green. Vaguely, he remembers looking in a mirror as V and noticing his mother's eyes staring back at him. Then he recalls dark brown hair and a nose that looked like Nero's. 

“Vergil, don't be stupid. Come to bed. You look like you can barely stay on your feet.” Her voice rang through his head, and he opened his eyes.  

Nero’s personality was similar to hers.

I'm remembering more now. Good. 

Nero, come to me.

Vergil crossed his arms. Now, he needed a name. 

Part of him prayed that she was still alive and hoped that maybe she could reach Nero. But another part of him knew that she could indeed draw their son’s ire. She had left him at an orphanage with no explanation. Yet, he is certain she is gone. Despite not remembering everything, Vergil knows she would never willingly abandon their child. She was too caring.

Vergil inhaled and exhaled before digging into the memories. Her smile was radiant. Her temper was short, like Nero's. Once, she made him a homemade chocolate cake. It tasted almost like his Mother's cake. 

Cristina.

Vergil opened his eyes, and he felt a warmth grow in his chest. Yes. Cristina. Cristina Barones. He was calm now as he walked down the street. There were plenty of locals strolling down the road as well, some looking in his direction. 

His ears picked up on some conversations.

“White hair…Savior, is he…?”

“No, too young. I bet he's one of the sons.”

“He looks like that boy, Nero. Same scowl. Wonder if he has the same attitude?”

That got his attention, and he stopped, taking a moment to sit down on a nearby bench. Nero would not likely make himself known with so many people around, so Vergil believes he should be safe. Right now, he wanted to hear what these people were talking about. Vergil leaned back against the bench and closed his eyes, eavesdropping.

“I went to school with Nero. He had been easy prey for the bullies. Everyone thought his mother was some prostitute.”

Vergil did his best to mask his rage at this person’s words. Cristina was no such thing. She loved her books and being snarky. Much like their son. 

“I heard he beat some of the kids bloody for all of that name-calling. Is that true? I suppose he has matured over the years.”

“I’m pretty sure Kyrie Elesion tamed him. How she could fall for such a violent boy is beyond me.” 

Beat kids bloody? Vergil felt his inner devil hum with pride, and he tapped his fingers against his legs. Their son had defended his mother’s honor. The foolish children should know better than to challenge a child of Sparda’s bloodline. Vergil briefly smirked before a pensive look crossed his face. Nero had been bullied as a child. 

Is that why you are angry with me, Nero? Why do you, deep down, resent me so? It’s true, I should have been there to defend you.

Vergil breathed through his nose and then tried to smell the air for his son’s scent. The problem was, he was certain now that Amanozako hid his scent so the boy could take him or Dante by surprise. The blue twin clenched his fists as he recalled the tears on his nestling’s face. 

Nero…you’re in there somewhere, I know it.

The eldest Son of Sparda stayed in that spot for some time. He ended up watching and listening to the people of Fortuna who passed by him. Yes, the majority of them were quick to notice him, but they did not attempt to engage him. Of course, that was for the best, as Vergil would not interact with them unless he needed to. His eyes wandered the rooftops around him before he spotted a familiar blue jacket. Vergil’s stomach clenched when he saw Nero, hooded with red eyes shining from the darkness of the hood. Vergil is certain that Nero's watching his every move right now. 

He could not help but look back up at the younger demon hunter with a frown. Vergil felt exhausted, though. No, emotionally drained was the better phrase here. Vergil could not remember the last time he bared his emotions to anyone, but he had bared them to his younger twin and a certain extent, his son. Nero had to have seen how desperate he looked, right? 

Nero was staring down at him, his eyes narrowed upon him. Disgust. Hatred. Confusion.  

Vergil's inner devil let out a soft growl when it felt its nestling nearby. Nero's demeanor shifts, and Vergil swears he hears a response. Vergil resists the urge to trigger, to let his inner devil loose and potentially cause chaos. Nero's confusion was now more noticeable as he touched his chest, over his heart. The blue twin needed to get up there. 

“...Still, Eleison's took the boy in. What a kind couple they were. Credo was a smart and well-polished young man. It's a tragedy what happened to him.” Credo? He recognized the last name. Kyrie had the same last name. 

“I don't know how someone so serious as Credo could stand to have that rebel Nero as a brother. Perhaps he was a saint like Kyrie.”

Credo. Brother. Vergil swore Nero could hear the conversations because he senses his nestling's rage bristle. This Credo was important to his nestling. Vergil wondered if Nero would tell him more about Credo. 

Vergil mumbled out loud. “You have kept things from me as well, my little nesting. It is not only Dante and I who have built walls around their hearts.”

Red eyes grew wide then. Ahh, then he could hear him even from so far away. 

My nestling is strong. He demands transparency, but he also keeps things under wraps. 

Vergil promptly stood up and began to walk the streets once more. He does not need to push Nero too much to follow after him. His inner devil growled softly, making noises to call out to its child. And Nero answered the call, following after him from the rooftops. Vergil followed a path that he was slowly remembering, careful to stay in the crowd.

Am I truly ready for another confrontation? 

The pain in my chest has not disappeared. My devil wants nothing more than to hold its nestling safe in its arms. 

Vergil ignored more stares as he found himself at a familiar building. There were some changes, though; a doormat, the lights that adorned the sides of the door had changed, and the…smell was different. He knows there are technically two homes inside, one at the top and one at the bottom.

He looked at the downstairs apartment door. There was a doormat with a yellow bird on it that said “welcome”. Vergil narrowed his eyes and concentrated. It did look familiar. 

He went down to the door, his devil alerting him that Nero remained behind him. He could hear the boy breathing and hear his heartbeat. Vergil knocked on the door and waited patiently when he heard someone moving around inside. 

“I'm coming!” An older woman's voice called out. Soon, the door opened slightly. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“Forgive my intrusion, but I was looking for the previous occupant of the apartment above you. Her name was Cristina.” Vergil asked, polite. 

“Oh my goodness! I have not heard someone say her name in so long!” The woman opened the door further, revealing an elderly woman. She stepped out, and he felt himself being examined. 

She blinked and gasped. “Oh my! You look like the young man she brought home. You know, you were her only visitor.”

Those words calmed his emotions a little. She never brought anyone else home? So, there was never anyone else besides him. The devil in him growled in approval, and Vergil suppressed a smirk. Cristina was probably too fierce for anyone other than him.

“Poor girl. I remember the day she brought home the baby. She let me hold him, but she looked so sad.” The woman recalled sadly, then paused before speaking. “Oh dear, you probably didn't know.”

Vergil stiffened. This was someone who had held Nero as a baby. Vergil sighed softly, knowing his son was listening in. The blue twin shook his head in response.

“No, not for a long time, but…I did find him. Nero is his name.” 

“Yes! He was such a cute baby, he has your eyes and hair, you know, but I remember Cristina’s nose on him.” The old woman gushed before a look of recognition passed over her face. “Oh! I have photos of them, I had been saving them for you.”

Vergil blinked in surprise, and the pain in his chest seemed to lessen. It grew warmer, and his heart fluttered. A picture of Cristina would help with his memories and…

“Why did you save them? It was possible that I would never return.” Vergil asked in earnest.

The woman chuckled. “I knew that, but I also knew Nero might learn about his mother and come sniffing around, too.” 

She paused and then smiled fondly. “Then again, another part of me hoped the two of you would come to visit together.”

Visit together. Vergil glanced in the direction of his hidden son. He wanted to tell her that that was happening…to a certain extent. The blue twin inhaled and exhaled softly before nodding. 

“But…do you know what happened to her?”

“Ahh…” Her expression became flooded with grief. “I was on the mainland when it happened, but when I came home, the door was busted down, and the Order told me that they found her body on the other side of town. I begged to know where Nero went, but they said he had been dropped off at the orphanage and that he was under the best care.”

Vergil’s heart seized at that, and his devil threatened to consume his body. Dead. He had expected that it was a possibility, but to hear it was something else entirely. Cristina, the mother of his nestling, the woman who took him in, the woman he felt love for, was gone. 

Love. 

That explained so much. It was not some, Dante called it, a one-night stand. He clenched his fist as it started to tremble. 

“I see…thank you. I…did not know.” He struggled to speak as rage and grief gripped him.

The old woman smiled weakly at him. “Let me get you the photos…and I'll write down where she’s buried. She would love such a handsome visitor again.”

Vergil nodded silently as the woman retreated inside. He looked down at the ground, trying to sort out his feelings right now. Nero is behind him, though. 

“I'm sorry, Nero…” He whispered.

“As you should be, you bastard.”  Vergil picked up on his harsh whisper. The devil winced. “They were trying to get to me, and you made it easy for them to kill her.”

Then he heard Nero scoff, and he could imagine the young man folding his arms over his chest. “Also, you should be groveling to Mom, not me. She probably has the heart to forgive you.”

Nero was not going to forgive him. Vergil felt that ache resurface in his chest, and he clenched his teeth. Upon hearing footsteps, he quickly schooled his emotions the best he could. 

My grief is visible. That's why she shows me pity.

The older woman returned holding a bag and handed it to him. “I wrote it down, and I put some cleaning supplies in there too. I'm getting old, and I have not been able to visit her in some time. Will you be a dear and clean her gravestone for me, please?”

Vergil peeked into the bag, noticing said supplies, but also a small photo album. His heart fluttered. He could see Cristina again, even if it was through photographs. Nero could see her. 

He nodded. “It is the least I could do for her…”

“Perfect! She also loved peonies.” The woman suggested with a bright smile. She reached out, unafraid of him, and patted his arm. “Good luck, young man. Bring Nero next time, I would love to tell him stories about his mother.”

Vergil bowed his head. “We will discuss that. I'm certain he is eager to know more about her.”

He departed with the bag in hand, a purpose in his step, all the while, his son stalked him. Vergil quickly composed himself, suppressing his human emotions from prying eyes. He needed to find a flower shop.

“So quick to turn off your emotions. Why? Afraid everyone will see the weak man you are?” Nero's mocking voice reached his ears. Vergil scowled at that. 

“These humans do not need to see what I feel. What I feel right now is between myself and…well, you.” Vergil mumbled back as he searched for a flower shop. 

“Oh? And me too? How nice.” Nero sneered as Vergil found a flower shop.

He kept quiet as he bought a large bouquet of peonies, Nero never straying far. Vergil glanced his way, wondering if his son would buy some flowers too. They were both off to see his mother’s grave. Vergil would clean it up first before setting the flowers down. He’s certain that Nero would not want to harm him there. He pulled the note out with the information, including directions to the graveyard. 

Vergil went outside, noticing his son pass him by, still hooded and his hands in his pockets. His devil made cooing noises when its nestling passed by, even if the response was mostly growls. The blue twin would wait, standing near the entrance, and close his eyes, deep in his thoughts. Soon, the door to the store opened, and Vergil opened his eyes as well. Nero refused to look his way, but he did speak.

“You waited for me. Why?” 

The blue twin briefly glanced away before speaking. “I have a feeling that your mother would prefer that we first meet together the first time.”

I want to spend time with you. I will save you. 

Before this point, Vergil would have thought those thoughts as traitorous, but he knows better now. Still, he refused to voice those thoughts to anyone. He turned toward the graveyard. He knows he’s caught Nero off guard, and the blue twin steals a glance at his nestling. In his arms were two bouquets, one of peonies like his own and another of roses. Vergil raised an eyebrow at the second bouquet. 

“Credo was a smart and well-polished young man. It's a tragedy what happened to him.”

A tragedy. This Credo was dead.

Vergil said nothing more as he took off to find the graveyard. Nero kept his distance behind him, holding his bouquets. The half-devil could feel his son's eyes burning into his back as they walked in silence. How would Amanozako feel about the boy stalking him, knowing that he could touch his son's arm and break the influence? She did not seem concerned as she was not taking Nero away.

The two of them drew some attention as Vergil heard more mumbling. He notices they are quick to stop and hears a soft growl behind him. Nero silenced them. The people of Fortuna were likely not used to seeing his eyes a different color. 

They arrived in the local graveyard and met with silence. Vergil couldn’t hear a bird chirping or a mouse squeak. He does hear Nero’s heartbeat, though. It is calm as he glances back at the boy and sees him looking in the opposite direction that Vergil was venturing. 

“I will be here for a while,” Vergil announced. After all, he had a grave to clean. 

Nero turned and then scowled at him. He hissed. “Whatever.”

Vergil watched as his son stalked off in another direction, but Vergil didn’t move just yet. He saw his nestling approaching an area with three gravestones. The blue twin saw his son’s expression shift from a scowl to one of genuine sadness. The pain in Vergil’s chest grew as he saw his son kneel down in front of a particular grave. 

The half-devil couldn’t help but start to eavesdrop on his son as he addressed the grave. “Credo…sorry I haven’t been by recently. I’ve been busy. I see Kyrie has kept your stone pretty clean.”

Vergil quickly turned away and headed to Cristina’s grave. He shouldn’t spy on his son; that would make the fragile bond between them crack even more. Not to mention…he did not want to watch his son point his gun at him again. Her grave was in the fourth row, and indeed, there was a small build-up of dirt that covered up the words on it. Vergil sat down in the front of the grave and set the flowers down beside him before pulling out the cleaning supplies. 

“I am sorry that I have kept you waiting for so long, Cristina. It was not my intention to be gone longer than a year…” Vergil apologized to her as he began to clean the gravestone. He did glance over at Nero briefly before continuing to talk. “I have Nero here…but I wish this could be a proper reunion.” 

He looked back at the stone as he washed off the dirt. Her name was becoming visible now, and Vergil couldn’t help but wonder if the old woman had paid for the stone. Or had someone else paid for it? He never knew her family, and he could not recall a time when she even talked about them, so he assumed they were not in contact. 

“Nero is not himself right now, my dear. Normally, he is a kind young man who loves his family, even if his temper is short.” Vergil then snorted quietly. “He got that from you and the excessive cussing, too. Our son is a perfect mix of you and me.”

He finished cleaning the grave and put the supplies away. The half-devil picked up the flowers and laid them down in front of the grave.

“Your old neighbor reminded me that these were your favorite. I’m sorry I couldn’t remember this myself.” Vergil apologized. “In the years I was gone…I had to force myself to forget my life so Mundus couldn’t use it against me.”

His eyes traveled to Nero once more, and he sighed softly. Vergil clenched his fists and then closed his eyes. “If I knew about our son…I fear Mundus would have gone after him.” 

“Still…” Vergil opened his eyes and reached over to stroke her engraved name. “I abandoned you both…I left you both to the wolves. You…passed, and Nero grew up without us. He…resents me for it, Cristina, but who can blame him?”

Then he narrowed his eyes and pressed his hand against her name. His blue eyes were glowing. “A Goddess has him in her clutches…But I will save him. I promise you that I will.”

There was a snort behind him. “Don’t go making promises to the dead when you can’t go through with it.”

Vergil did not have to turn to know that his nestling was behind him. He stayed on the ground as Nero approached and sat down mere feet from him. “Besides, what makes you think she has manipulated me? Amanozako has been nothing but kind to me.”

“Yes, I know. You have told me and your Uncle.” Vergil gritted his teeth and closed his eyes once more. He inhaled and exhaled slowly. “But shooting me when we are not engaged in a fight is not something you would ever do, Nero.”

Nero scoffed quietly, and he’s certain the boy rolled his eyes. “ You’re fine, Father. If I could, I’d…” 

Vergil opened his eyes and looked at his son. Nero had frozen and was avoiding his gaze, staring down at his hands. Vergil noted a slight tremble in the boy’s hands before Nero set the second bouquet next to Vergil’s. He is glad that his nestling didn’t finish that sentence and seemed to have grown quiet. 

Without thinking, Vergil began to reach out to take Nero’s trembling hand. Nero growled and smacked his hand away. He glared daggers at his father. “Do. Not. Touch. Me.”

Vergil winced when his son lashed out and soon realized that he went for Nero’s right hand. The hand that he had ripped off not too long ago. Damnit all! No, he needed to go about this differently. Nero will reject his touch. Instead, Vergil took a different tactic. Closing his eyes once more, his demonic half began to call out to its nestling with chirps and soft growls. At first, there was no response. Nero was still near him as Vergil could hear his heart…and heard it start to race.  

His demonic half let out a coo then, and Vergil feels his body overwhelmed with demonic energy, his form increasing in size. Vergil opened his eyes and let out a soft growl at his nestling, who was now looking at the older half-devil with wide eyes. 

“Nero. My nestling.” Vergil’s demonic voice was distorted, but he made it softer. “Mine.”

Nero’s heart did continue to race in his chest, and his red eyes flickered to blue, his normal eye color. Nero began to let out soft chirps, a noise that caught him off guard as Vergil watched him shift around uncomfortably. Yet, he chirped again and let out a soft growl. Vergil began to purr, and his tail moved to wrap around Nero’s waist, pulling the nestling close to him. Nero transformed, too, and let Vergil pull him into his arms. Something around Nero’s neck caught Vergil’s eye, something that didn’t disappear when Nero triggered. 

A red charm hung from a black chain, and he swore he heard the sound of a bell as Nero moved into his arms. His tail set Nero into his arms, and Vergil wrapped his arms around his nestling, where Nero could hear his sire purring. Vergil’s four wings extended out, wide and glowing bright blue, before they swaddled his nestling protectively. Nero chirped happily and then nuzzled Vergil’s chest. 

“You are safe here, my nestling,” Vergil told him. No foul deity would steal what was his . 

Dante tried to take things that were mine. Now this deity tries to steal my nestling? No, this will not do. 

“Sire…” Nero squeaked against him. Vergil let out a low hum that made his chest vibrate, and his claws reached up to touch the nestling’s long white hair. How strange. Neither he nor Dante ever had hair in their devil forms. What is his human blood? 

“I will protect you, Nero.” Vergil trilled, wishing he could take Nero to the nest. Right now, his scaled arms and wings would do. Then, he heard a pleased chirp, feeling the younger devil finally relax around him, then a yawn.

The yawn was so cute, such a sweet nestling he had. 

Dante will never hear me say or think that. I would rather die than let him know any of this..

  “Rest, my nestling…” The blue devil cooed at him. Had Nero been sleeping at all? Vergil could feel that Nero was tired. His clawed hands began to stroke Nero’s long hair, trying to aid him in falling asleep. He listened to Nero’s breathing and chirps, letting the nestling slip into sleep. 

No nightmares. Please do not give him nightmares. 

Soon, his heart slowed to a certain degree, and Nero’s breathing became soft and steady. His hands were on Vergil’s scaly, warm chest as he drifted off to sleep against his father. Vergil’s free clawed hand went to touch the red charm and growled, sensing the magic of the deity that was manipulating Nero. 

He wrapped his hand around the charm to crush it. 

“Destroying a blessing made in earnest? Now, Vergil Spardason, you should know better.” Vergil turned and growled at the masked woman who stood before him. If he could tug Nero any closer to his chest, he would. 

He allowed his trigger to fade, and he sent a deadly glare at the masked woman. Even in his human form, Vergil could defend himself. Nero let out a whine in his sleep, shifting around in his arms. Vergil had tensed up when Amanozako approached them, and he relaxed, letting out a soft growl. The purring returned to calm his sleeping nestling, which calmed Nero, and Vergil pressed his face against Nero’s horns. 

“Mine,” Vergil mumbled against his son and then felt Nero’s human form return. Thankfully, Nero did not wake up. He then glared at Amanozako, who had remained silent, just staring at the father-son pair.

The blue twin hissed at her. “Leave. I will not fight you near my Cristina’s grave.” 

The deity shook her head as she approached him. Still, she did not make a move to attack him. No, she stood over them. “You may be the King of Hell, Vergil Spardason, but you cannot defeat me. But, I will not attack you, especially while you hold my blessed child.”

Vergil growled at that. Nero was his child, his and Cristina’s. 

“You will not take him from me. Nero is not yours. End this manipulation. Now .” Vergil demanded in a low voice. Nero whined, and he was quick to press his face to Nero’s cheek. “Shh…calm now, my nestling. I will not let her take you away again.”

Nero whined again before he started to sob, and Vergil felt his coat becoming wet. Then he felt the tears on his face, and Vergil cooed gently before glaring at the deity once more. He needed answers. “What do you want with him?! Is this some sort of revenge? I have never met you before.”

Amanozako shook her head and hummed softly. “ Did you do something to me? Oh, no. Not you, but the Legendary Dark Knight himself. Before your father defected to the human world, he struck down my son.”

Vergil’s eyes widened then. So, revenge it was. To quote his son, fuck . 

The deity then looked up at the sky. “They were at war…someone was bound to die. I was surprised that this strange demon lord had managed to kill my son, my Amanosaku. He was a strong boy, he once tormented millions of deities. Sparda was something else entirely.” 

She then chuckled and looked back at the father-son pair. “When you were younger, I did think about drawing you into my clutches. I lost my son to Sparda. Why not take one of his? He was gone anyway. You were so arrogant, so angry. You would have been a perfectly blessed child for me, but I missed my chance.” 

The deity shrugged her shoulders before kneeling before them. Vergil inhaled sharply, his hold on Nero tightened. She would not get her hands on his nestling. 

“Then I found Nero, such a sweet boy you have. A boy who wanted nothing more than to know who his parents were, he wanted his Father to protect him from those who bullied him. Nero desired to be protected, to be understood. He got his wish, but not in the way he ever expected. It cost him an arm.” Vergil winced at her words, but kept up his glower. Amanozako chuckled softly at Vergil’s wince. “You made a terrible first impression, Spardason. ” 

“I don’t deny that I did that. It was a terrible mistake.” The blue devil growled at her and then nuzzled the tear-stained cheeks of his son. “I lost sight of my goal, lost sight of the reason I wanted power in the first place, but now…”

“Da-Dad…Dad, so-sorry.” Nero sobbed quietly in his chest. Vergil crooned to his distressed nestling and whispered. “I will free you of her, Nero. Do not cry anymore.”

Vergil then looked back at Amanozako with a frown.“Now, I have someone I need to protect.”

“I’m afraid you will not be able to rid him of me. I gave him my blessing. ” Amanozako responded and laughed. “Nero is bound to me, for now and forever.” 

Then, the charm he saw earlier began to glow, and the eldest Son of Sparda grabbed at the necklace. He tried to yank it off, but it refused to rip apart. Vergil heard the bell and growled. 

“No! Damn it all.” Vergil snarled, baring his sharp canines, and then turned toward the deity. He narrowed his eyes and declared. “I will free him from you.”

“I wish you luck in trying, Spardason.” The deity told him before she disappeared into red mist. 

Vergil inhaled shakily, rage and…helplessness clutched at his chest. Helplessness was the last thing he ever wanted to feel again. Yet, he felt it again and again and again. This time, it was over his son. 

This is the one I need to protect . 

He clenched his fist, the one holding the damned charm and let out a growl. Still, he lost control of his emotions. He triggered again and let out a roar. There had to be a way! He - and Dante - would find a way! Vergil felt Nero stirring and heard him whimper. The charm on the necklace continued to glow, and Vergil immediately began to feel regret for letting his emotions run wild. 

Such human emotions. Such weakness. When did I sink so low?

Vergril shook his head of those thoughts, and his devil form faded away once more. Exhaustion hit the father, and he released his hold on the charm. Lashing out like this was meaningless. Dante was right; he needed to calm down, especially when he was certain that he had frightened his sleeping nestling. 

Nero was trembling and crying quietly in his arms. It was the most vulnerable he had ever seen the young man before. Nero needed his father. Nero wanted to be protected like he was. Vergil laughed softly and then pressed his face to Nero’s head. 

“V was right to tell you our deepest desire. You want the same thing as I do, don’t you, little nestling?” Vergil whispered to his sleeping son. Nero sniffled in his sleep as Vergil just held him. The blue twin sighed softly and purred as he held his son. “You will be protected, Nero.”

And loved. You will be protected and loved.

Vergil began to sing softly.“Sweet dreams form a shade, o'er my lovely infants head. Sweet dreams of pleasant streams, by happy, silent, moony beams.” 

Nero sniffled once more as Vergil sang, and his trembling began to cease. Vergil glanced at Cristina’s grave once more as he sang, wondering if she could hear them. Soon, he started to rock the young demon hunter in his arms as he sang, which calmed the young demon hunter. 

“...Sweet sleep with soft down. Weave thy brows an infant crown. Sweet sleep, Angel mild, hover o'er my happy child…” 

Chapter Text

Despite being several hundred miles away from his twin, Dante could feel Vergil’s distress. Something was happening, but he was too far away to reach him quickly. Dante had spent the better part of the afternoon traveling back to the mainland and wondering if Nero would follow him.  By the time he reached solid ground, it was clear who the kid had gone after.

Dante cursed under his breath. Was the mind-controlled Nero tormenting his older twin as he stood there? Was this plan going to work? Whoever Nero followed had to be the one to catch him. 

The problem was, he was certain Nero didn't want to be near Vergil; hell, he shot him before! At least when Dante talked to the kid, who accepted his touch. Dante pulled out his cell phone and started to call Vergil. The wait for Vergil to answer was agonizing as Dante’s heart raced with worry. 

Shit. He should go back. What if Nero did something more to his father that he would later regret? Dante gulped when the phone went to voicemail after the fourth ring. 

“Fuck.” 

Right about now, he wished that whole twin telepathy that humans loved talking about was a real thing. 

“Dante, if Nero comes after me…you need to find a sacred pool of water. Once you find it, I will bring him there.”

“And if he follows me, I'll take him straight to the pool. Got it, Verge.”

“Fuck.” Dante cursed under his breath again and mumbled. “Kid, please don't shoot him again, I think you'll break him.”

Vergil had cried as he told him what happened. Cried. The last time he saw his big brother cry was when they were kids. The specific event of him crying was long gone from his mind, but he's certain he was the cause of it. Dante ran his fingers through his hair with a heavy sigh.

“Okay…gotta find a sacred pool,” Dante mumbled to himself. But where was the closest one? Where would he go about learning where there was one?

The Legendary Devil hunter crossed his arms as he stared at the street in front of him. Maybe the internet, after all, seems to know a lot now. 

Then another thought hit Dante. If they purified Nero in one of those sacred pools, what was stopping Amanozako from taking control of his mind again? Dante tapped his foot and then smiled. There had to be some sort of amulet or ring to keep someone from being mind-controlled! There were all sorts of magical rings out there, but you just had to know where to look for them. Dante smiled, knowing a guy. There was a client who was a collector of rare jewels, who owed him a favor. 

Dante dialed the number and got an answer within a ring. “Hey, Jackson! It’s Dante, remember me? Killed the demons who were trying to enter your shop to steal that giant gem.”

“Ah! Dante! Yes, I remember you. Since you called, I was wondering if you could…”

Damnit, he was supposed to be cashing in his favor. Dante rolled his eyes with a sigh. The life of a demon hunter wasn’t exactly boring and never done. “Lemme guess, you got another gem that’s drawn some demons to you?”

“Not quite! They’re in the store…But I locked them in the basement. I tossed it down the stairs, and they ignored me to chase after it.” Jackson was laughing nervously. Dante shook his head. 

“Alright, alright. I got it, but my payment’s gonna be different this time. I need a ring.”

That got his attention real quick. He even sounded excited now. “Oh? I didn’t realize you were in the market for magical items, Dante. Was there anything specifically you were looking for? I can check my inventory.” 

“It’s not really for me, it's for my nephew. We’re having a bit of trouble with mind control. You got anything to keep someone from being mind controlled?”

“Nephew?! I didn’t know you had any family. Congratulations! Actually, yeah, I do have a ring to prevent mind control. Want it in purple or green?” 

Dante raised an eyebrow at that. “You…have it in different colors?”

“Hey! It helps with business. Considering your color scheme, I’d recommend your nephew get the purple. ” Jackson encouraged him. Dante rolled his eyes and sighed. 

“Well, I think Nero would go for purple over green. Fine. Purple it is. I’ll be there momentarily, so make sure it's ready once I finish up in the basement.”

“You’re a lifesaver, Dante!” The line went dead, and Dante sighed heavily. 

Well, he'd better get going because he’s not sure how long his brother will be able to deal with Nero. Hopefully, once Vergil got hold of Nero, Amanozako wouldn’t try to take Nero away. 

The problem was, he still needed a sacred pool to purify Nero. Maybe he should call Morrison and ask him to get hold of his various contacts? No, that might take too long. Dante put his phone away and shifted into his devil trigger, taking flight. He needed to hurry. 

—

Thanks to his strength, Vergil was able to carry Nero and the bag from the elderly neighbor to the home that he shared with Kyrie. Part of Vergil knew he was not going to willingly let his nestling out of his arms until he had been purified. That same part was terrified that the moment he let go of Nero, Amanozako would take control of his mind again. No, Vergil must not let him go. Nero continued to sleep against his father’s chest.

But, Vergil also knows that he requires sleep. He has not slept well in the last few days because he spent most of his waking moments fussing over his son or talking to his twin. However, Vergil knows that he can make it to Nero’s home without too many issues.

What a mother hen I have become.

Nero’s home is the only place on this damn island that Vergil would consider safe. He is certain Nero would never harm his mate. 

Please, do not prove me wrong here, Father.

Night had finally descended upon Fortuna as he walked through the streets. No one was around to approach him and question what he was doing with Nero. Still, Vergil scanned the streets for any signs of demons, his hackles were up. 

But then the air thickened with demonic power. Vergil frowned, and he growled as he noticed that dark red ooze began to spread across the concrete in front of him. This was not the best time right now. Vergil hissed as a pair of Hell Caina emerged from the pool of ooze, their scythes ready as they stumbled out and let out groans. Then he felt another presence behind him, and he heard the bellow of a Hell Antenora. Vergil jumped up in the air to dodge the demon as it came dashing toward him. 

He landed back on the ground and glared at the tortured demon as it collided with one of the Hell Caina, its cleaver sending one of them flying. The other Hell Caina let out a growl and raised its scythe to slash the Antenora, starting to fight the other demon. 

“Blast it…I do not have time for this.” Vergil hissed as he held Nero close. He could not fight like this, nor could he put Nero down. He gritted his teeth even as the Hell Caina teamed up against the Hell Antenora, but he knew they’d turn on him soon enough. 

Vergil needed to dispatch these demons before he moved on, or else a stray human could be attacked. He inhaled and exhaled sharply before summoning his Doppelganger beside him. 

“Destroy this scum.” Vergil ordered the Doppleganger. Of course, he would assist his Doppelganger as much as he possibly could. Vergil began to fire his summoned sword projectiles. 

“Die!” The blue twin growled at the demons, who all turned toward him. The Hell Antenora took off running toward him, cleavers raised. The Doppleganger intercepted the demon and knocked it down with a body slam. 

The Hell Caina turned their attention toward him and Nero then. They began to stomp toward them and raise their blades. Vergil shifted Nero to be held in his nondominant arm, and he summoned Mirage Edge. Normally, he wielded both Mirage Edge and the Yamato, but he did not have enough hands. He jumped back and set the bag down next to a pole so the items inside were safe, especially the pictures of Cristina and Nero. 

Vergil whispered to his nestling, who shivered in his arms. Nero’s fingers clutched his shirt as his father spoke to him. “Do not worry, Nero. We will be rid of these fools soon, and we shall be safe.”

Nero’s grip relaxed against him, and Vergil hummed, feeling pleased with that answer. He then glared at the Hell Caina, raising Mirage Edge to block their scythes. Vergil took a page out of his brother’s book and sent demonic energy into his feet, building up his speed. He then lunged and stabbed at the closest Hell Caina in the chest, which sent the demon flying and crying out in pain. Vergil moved to kick the other demon again, knocking it to the ground. If he had Beowulf, the demon would have sustained more damage. He shouldn’t have forgotten the Devil Arm back at the shop. Still, Yamato and Mirage Edge should be enough. 

The one he hit with Stinger lunged at him again, slashing at Vergil. The blue devil growled and narrowly dodged the blade, before he sent demonic energy into his hand and hurled Mirage Edge at the Hell Caina. The whirlwind of Round Trip began, which would distract the two demons, and he went to check on his doppleganger. 

It was beginning to fade away, and he saw that the Hell Antenora was on its knees. It appeared to be on its last legs, panting and bleeding from its various body parts. All the doppleganger had to do was finish it off now. It drew a spectral manifestation of Yamato, and the doppleganger stood there before quickly slashing through the air. Vergil smirked as the slashes destroyed the demon and watched it burst into red orbs. 

“Go to hell.” Vergil spat at the fallen creature and reabsorbed the doppleganger back into his body. He inhaled and exhaled, taking the power back into his body, and his eyes glowed blue. That felt much better. 

The blue devil looked over when he heard the cry from one Hell Caina as it fell to the ground. It appeared the other one had expired. 

Vergil smirked and then spoke to Nero. “Two fools gone and one more left, my nestling.”   

Nero stirred a little, and Vergil felt his son nuzzle his chest. Vergil purred in response, and then Mirage Edge appeared back in his free hand. Suddenly, he heard a loud cry, and Vergil turned to see that a new foe had arrived. He tried to move as fast as he could, but he didn’t make it. Vergil hissed in pain as the blade of a Fury impaled his arm. 

The blue devil growled and then stabbed at its arm with his spectral blade. He launched his summoned swords directly into its face, grunting as blood splashed onto him and Nero. Vergil kicked at the creature again, crying out as the blade slashed through more of his arm. Blood began to spill from his arm, which he knew could cause more problems. 

“Damnit…!” Vergil snarled. He did not need to attract more demons right now. The oldest Son of Sparda looked over at the remaining Hell Caina, who was limping over to him. 

Great, a demon that moved slowly and one that teleported. Vergil looked between the two demons, holding Mirage Edge and bleeding. He felt the heat increase around his wound, and he winced as he felt the stab wound being stitched back together. 

The Fury teleported away and the blue devil growled, closing his eyes to sense for the damned demon. He breathed slowly before sensing it appearing on his other side. The side where Nero was resting. The Fury appeared and aimed to slash Nero’s face, and Vergil growled in rage and swiftly blocked the attack. 

The blade was inches away from Nero’s face. Vergil snarled and glowered at the Fury. “Do not try that again.” 

Concentrating his demonic power in the middle of his body, a ring of swords appeared and began to stab at the Fury. It cried out in pain and was knocked back. Vergil continued to move calmly toward the demon, making sure it was hit multiple times. Behind him, he sensed the Hell Caina coming upon him. He was about to turn when he sensed movement on his chest and saw a spectral blue wing appear. 

Vergil smirked when he saw the claws on the wing snatch the Hell Caina and slam it to the ground. Wait, wings. He looked down to see Nero awake and panting. His eyes were not burning red, but Sparda blue. There were beads of sweat on his forehead, and Vergil could feel his heartbeat starting to race. Nero managed a smile through his exhaustion.

“Dad…you need to watch your back.” Nero scolded him quietly. 

“Indeed,” Vergil responded back and then saw the claws grab the demon again, but instead of slamming it to the ground, it sent the demon flying into a pole. “You should be asleep, Nero.”

The quarter demon laughed quietly. “The demons are fucking loud…and I smelled your blood.”

“Forgive me, some of it might have ended up on you.” Vergil glared at the Fury as it collapsed to the ground. “This scum stabbed me in the arm.” 

Nero hissed quietly and then looked at the demon his wings were dealing with. The Hell Caina crumbled into red orbs, which the two blue devils absorbed. The younger demon hunter looked down at himself and sighed heavily. “Not like I haven’t been stabbed before either.”

Then Vergil sensed another demon appear, and he saw another Fury appear behind him. He feels Nero shift in his arms and freezes when he sees Blue Rose in his hands. His son points it at the Fury who stabbed him. Vergil’s heart started to race in…fear. Fear gripped his chest, and he quickly shifted his gaze completely to the Fury behind him. They were surrounded. Then, he felt Nero pat his chest. 

“Any chance you’ll put me down?” Nero asked as he glared at the Fury now staring at him. 

 “No,” Vergil answered a little too quickly. 

Nero sighed heavily and shook his head, but Vergil could hear a smile in his voice. “You’re acting like a mother hen.”

“You are my nestling, and I refuse to let that deity get her claws into you again.” 

He felt Nero pause before he laughed quietly. “Alright…just don’t get used to holding me like this. I’m not six, Dad.”

Vergil hummed in response and then used his abilities to rain summoned swords on the newest Fury while he heard the gunshots fired by his son. Thankfully, none were aimed at him, but at the original Fury. His wings grabbed hold of the Fury to prevent it from teleporting away while Vergil felt his son pour his demonic energy into the gun, and Nero unleashed another barrage of bullets while shouting. “Down you go!”

The Fury let out a cry and disintegrated into the orbs. Nero smirked. “One down, one more to go. Need help, Dad?”

“Normally, I would say no, but in this case, I want to get you somewhere safe for the night.” Vergil considered as he turned around so Nero could point Blue Rose at the last enemy. “Let’s end this.”

“So-Sounds good to me.” Nero grinned as Vergil readied more summoned swords. He felt his son channel more demonic energy into his gun.

The blue devil soon grinned as well. They both enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. Even when they weren’t on good terms, the hunt was something they could do together. Sometimes, silence was better for father and son. It was one of the few ways that they could bond. 

With smiles on their faces, father and son shouted in unison as they unleashed their projectile weapons upon the final Fury. “DIE, SCUM!”

The combination of the two weapons destroyed the Fury with one hit. Vergil and Nero were panting quietly as the Fury dissolved into orbs. Even though his blood was spilled, no other demons appeared to attack them. Nero hoistered his gun and pressed his face back against Vergil’s chest before he burst into laughter. The blue devil started to laugh as he made his sword disappear. He walked over to the bag that he had left by the pole and picked it up before Nero spoke up.

“You know, I never realized…we both say the word scum a lot.” 

Vergil raised an eyebrow and then nodded as he placed the bag in Nero’s lap. “We do. I do not know where you even picked up that word.”

He felt Nero shrug his shoulders and kept his face against his father. “The Order hunted down demons and we were told to fear them. I guess it just made sense to look down on them. The only demon they liked was grandpa.”

“Yes, this island’s worship of your grandfather is peculiar. When I first visited, I felt they were…misguided.” Vergil admitted. 

Nero laughed again. “Right? Who makes a cult around a demon and thinks they're a God? Doesn't make grandpa seem relatable.”

Vergil hummed and started purring once again as he carried Nero home. Nero was silent for a bit, listening to the purring coming from his father. He then looked up at him curiously. “Is the purring thing…normal with demons?”

“Yes. Much like humans, we feel protective over our young, and when our young are in distress, purring soothes them. I suppose it also means we are content.” Vergil explained quietly as he pressed his face into Nero's hair. 

“I'm not that young anymore, Dad,” Nero whined. Vergil felt his heart flutter when Nero addressed him like that. 

“This is true…I missed out on that.” Vergil sighed heavily. “I will only be able to see you that young in pictures.”

He felt Nero look down, presumably at the bag. “Right…the old lady had baby pictures of me. Me with…Mom.”

“That is what she said. I…wanted to look at the pictures with you.” 

Nero nodded against him. His voice is quiet when he responds. “I…I want to look at them with you, too.”

Vergil smiled against his son's head, and his inner demon cooed. Soon, they approached the door to Nero's home, where Vergil knocked. He heard the sudden rush of footsteps, and the door flew open.

Kyrie was in her nightgown when she opened the door, and her eyes seemed to brighten. She cried out. “Nero! Vergil! You're both here!”

Nero smiled apologetically down at her. He reached out and took her hand. “We are. I'm sorry for running off like that. We’ve had a few hard days.”

She smiled back and then squeezed his hand. “I'm just glad to see you home safe. After Vergil and Dante came through, I knew they'd bring you home.”

Admittedly, Vergil wanted to take Nero back to Devil May Cry for a week or two. He wanted his nestling to be somewhere safe. However, Dante advised him against it. Nero would miss Kyrie too much, and vice versa. 

“Speaking of…” Kyrie peeked behind them and frowned. Dante was not with them. “Is he alright? Oh, Nero, I hope you didn't stab him again…”

He shook his head, and Vergil took the time to speak up. “Dante and I realized that Nero was being mind-controlled by a deity. It seems that when he is in contact with either of us, he returns to normal. Right now, Dante is looking for sacred water to purify Nero of the influence of the deity.”

Kyrie nodded slowly. It was a lot to take in. A determined expression crossed her face. “Then I’m counting on you two to purify him. Don’t fail me, Vergil.” 

“Trust me, it shall be done.” 

Kyrie nodded and then guided them inside. She took them over to the couch and told her future father-in-law. “I have a guest room ready for you, Vergil. I thought I might be having you and Dante here, but…”

Nero’s face went pink, and he scratched his head as he interrupted Kyrie. “Umm…Kyrie. I uh…might be staying with Dad tonight.”

She blinked in surprise and looked between the two of them. Nero continued. “Dad’s feeling a bit…protective right now.”

Vergil hummed in approval. “I can keep the deity from taking his mind.”

“Oh!” Kyrie understood quickly and then giggled. “I understand. It's a demon thing, isn't it?”

Nero swiftly avoided her gaze. “That's the jist of it.” Then he leaned forward and whispered to her. “Dad's been purring…purring!”

Vergil couldn’t help but overhear them. He hummed in amusement. Kyrie was all smiles and whispered back to him. “Maybe this is a sign. You two can talk things through.”

“Yeah…we do have a lot of things to talk about…” He looked down and sighed before whispering. “I said some things I feel horrible for saying.”

Kyrie leaned in and kissed his cheek. “You two have plenty of time. Talk to your Dad. You two are more alike than you think.”

“I'll make sure of it…hopefully, I'll be back to my old self by tomorrow night.” Nero chuckled weakly. He then started to play with the charm, and Kyrie noticed. The demon hunter sighed softly. “I can't get rid of this, though…I guess Amanozako will be in our lives forever.”

Vergil perked up. He had heard that conversation then? The blue devil sighed softly and pressed his face against Nero's head. Kyrie smiled when she saw that and sighed. “I wish I had our camera.”

Nero huffed and then scowled, his face turning red. “Ky-Kyrie…!”

“What? It's adorable! I promise I won't show it to Nico.” Vergil knows Nicoletta would never stop teasing Nero and himself if she saw how affectionate he was toward his nestling. 

“Sure…” Nero didn’t believe her, and that made Kyrie giggle. She then guided them upstairs to the guest bedroom. Vergil had raised his head as he followed her up the stairs and continued to purr.

She opened the door for Vergil. “Just tell me when you're leaving in the morning. I'll make you both some breakfast. Pancakes sound good?”

“Yes, please.” Nero grinned, though Vergil could feel his exhaustion. There was still sweat on his forehead. Vergil set the bag down beside the nightstand, taking a moment to fish out the photo album. 

“If it's possible, could you make some for my brother as well? He and I have both been…neglecting food lately.” Vergil requested.

“You don't even need to ask. I'll make some extra and even throw in some bacon.” Kyrie promised him as she headed for the door. “Good night, you two.”

“Night, Kyrie,” Nero responded, waving to her. Vergil felt a twinge of sadness from his nestling and nuzzled his head. Nero looked back at him. “Will I at least be able to come home tomorrow?”

That gave Vergil pause, and he felt…some embarrassment. He glanced away, and Nero let out a heavy sigh. “You are a mother hen right now…”

“Demons are…protective of their young.”

Nero responded with a deadpan look. “Dad, I'm twenty-three, almost twenty-four.”

“And yet, you will always be my nestling. You shall understand when your nestlings are born.” Nero's face turned red, and he was quick to look away. 

“Kyrie an-and I are not ready for th-that yet!” Nero stuttered, embarrassed. Vergil snorted in amusement as he sat down on the bed. He had not been ready to be a father either…at over forty. 

“You are more prepared than I.” Vergil sighed softly and then lay down on the bed. He kept an arm around Nero and started to stroke his hair. “If I had known about you…I do not know how I would have reacted.”

Nero shifted around to lie down on his right side, his head remained on his chest. Did Nero enjoy listening to his purring? Or his heartbeat? Or both? Vergil reached down with his free hand and started to stroke his hair. Dante had said Nero had longer hair at one point. What compelled him to cut it off? He felt Nero relax against his touch and swore he heard a chirp.

“I hope to stop you from going down the power rabbit hole.” Nero finally responded. 

Vergil hummed. “Your mother would have probably demanded I stop. She'd likely have held you up and demanded I hold you for a while. Speaking of which…”

He stopped stroking his son's hair and smiled in amusement when Nero let out a whine. His son desired his attention and affection, especially the demonic half. Vergil responded with a soft growl and then picked up the photo album. Vergil shifted so his head rested against the headboard, so that both of them could see the pictures. Nero huffed, unhappy with this movement, and then looked at the book as well. 

Vergil opened the first page, and his heart stopped. A sonogram. He sighed shakily at that and then turned the page and saw…wait. 

“Dad…that's you.” Nero pointed out quickly. Vergil nodded. 

In the photo, his eyes were closed, and he was smiling as he held Cristina. Brown hair, a bright smile. They appeared to be sitting on a blanket with a picnic basket at the bottom of the frame. Vergil frowned and concentrated on the photo.

“...She said it was a nice day. Not a single cloud in the sky. She made us…sandwiches and lemonade.” Vergil slowly recalled. “She brought a camera. Yes, we took a few photos together.” 

“She looks so happy.” Nero mused aloud and reached out to touch Cristina's face. He then chuckled softly. “You look happy, too.”

Vergil nodded in agreement. “I think those three months…were the happiest ones of my life.” 

Nero looked up at him, startled by his words. Vergil chuckled softly. “Although holding you has made me happy, too.”

His adult son was blushing and buried his head against the older devil's chest. Vergil chuckled once more and patted his head. It was easy to embarrass his son. Vergil turned the page to see Nero's first baby picture with Cristina holding him. She was smiling, but he could see how tired she was, too. Nero shifted once more and was soon looking at the photo.

He looked at the photos quietly, looking at himself and then his mother. Vergil watches his expression, seeing the sadness on his face as Nero looks at the photos. The father of the pair passed the book to his son and let him look through the book himself, but Vergil just watched him and his reactions. Nero looked over the pictures, usually stopping to stare at his mother while Vergil stroked his hair. His son’s hair was soft, like his own.

“Dad, I’m sorry for what I said and did before.” Nero’s quiet voice caught Vergil’s attention. The younger demon hunter sighed shakily and then gulped. Vergil’s inner demon let out a soft growl, growing worriedly. Nero shook in his arms. “V…no, you told me why you needed power. Dad, I-I-I didn’t want to say that…I-I want you to-to be protected and loved.”

Vergil could see that there were tears in his eyes, and he felt his heart aching once more. His demon half crooned and began to panic. Vergil felt that panic and bit down on his lower lip before he let out a shaky sigh. The blue devil pressed his face against Nero’s head as he sobbed quietly. His nestling was crying, and it left him uncertain of what to do. 

Comfort. Comfort. Comfort the nestling.

“It is alright, my little nestling,” Vergil whispered and then reached over to touch his nestling’s face. He cooed gently while Nero sobbed. Would Cristina be able to bring him more comfort?  

“But it isn’t! I-I hurt you! I h-hurt Dante too! I’m s-such a fucking idiot…” Nero hiccuped and balled up his fists against his father’s chest.  “I thought th-th-that she was trying to help me. And now I’m stuck as her “blessed child” forever! I don’t even know what she’ll want me to do! Fuck!” 

He growled. Vergil listened to him rant and just held his son. How can he comfort his son? What could he say? He was struggling with words and instead, continued to stroke his hair. Nero sobbed quietly against him while Vergil held him, trying to think of what to say. 

“It…It did hurt.” Vergil admitted quietly. Nero shifted in his arms when he heard that, and he knew that his son was looking at him. The blue devil sighed quietly, and he soon moved his fingers to wipe tears from Nero’s cheek. “I did feel pain from the bullets…but the only thing I could think of was your pain and how you felt. I thought of the tears in your eyes and the look in your eyes, too. I know you did not want to hurt me.”

“Da-Dad…” Nero whispered and then looked down sadly. He then leaned into Vergil’s touch as Vergil started to stroke his cheek. 

“I am not upset with you…so please, Nero, do not be upset with yourself. I guarantee that your Uncle is not upset with you. We are more worried about you.” Vergil then chuckled softly. “Your Uncle is convinced I will take you to the shop, and I will keep you in a nest for a week.”

“...Are you?”

The blue devil paused and then glanced away briefly. “The thought did occur to me, and I am still debating it.”

Nero snorted at that and shook his head, mumbling about him being a mother hen again. The nestling then pressed his face against Vergil’s chest. Then Nero mumbled. “...Do you hate me, Dad?”

Vergil tensed up when he heard that, and he was quick to shake his head. He then tapped his head. “No, do not be ridiculous. How can I hate my nestling?”

Especially when said nestling was finally safe in his arms. A nestling that his love gave life to. 

Then he closed his eyes. “...You resent me to a certain extent. Do not deny it, Nero. The deity played on that. She knows that I abandoned you, that I chose power over coming to get you and your mother all those years ago.”

Nero is silent for a while, and he holds onto Vergil tightly. The young demon hunter sniffled and responded quietly.  “...I don’t resent you as much as I did before. I did resent you when I stopped your fight…But I wanted to know you. I wanted my family.” 

Family. Vergil closed his eyes. Family. Love. Protection. A smile crossed his face, and he leaned down to press a soft kiss to his son’s forehead. Nero blinked in surprise, and his demonic half chirped happily. Nero then relaxed against him and closed his eyes. Vergil’s inner demon purred as he held Nero close, and the nestling closed his eyes. 

“You and I are the same in that way, little nestling,” Vergil whispered as he continued to stroke his cheek. He started to speak again. “ Sweet smiles in the night, hover over my delight. Sweet smiles, Mothers' smiles, all the livelong night beguiles…”

Nero sniffled and perked up at that. He frowned and then began to look thoughtful before he spoke, uncertain. “Sweet moans, dovelike sighs, chase not slumber from thy eyes…?”

Vergil smiled in approval, and his heart fluttered in his chest. “You read it…”

“Only a few…Blake is kind of difficult to understand, but I like that one…it’s been helpful to put the kids to bed.” Nero spoke and scratched his head awkwardly. “That and 'The Blossom,' but now I know where V got Urizen’s name from.”

Then Nero added with an eye roll. “‘Times on times he divided, & measur'd, space by space in his ninefold darkness.’ Real subtle there, V.” 

Vergil snorted and then kissed his head once more. “Don’t criticize him too much…now, it is time for you to sleep, young one.”

“Almost twenty-four.” Nero reminded him and soon yawned. Vergil rolled his eyes and flicked his head, which earned him a huff from Nero, before he too settled down on the guest bed. 

“Sleep, my little nestling,” Vergil commanded him calmly, his voice the most serene he’d ever felt. 

Nero yawned again and then snuggled against him. Vergil’s eyes were heavy with sleep, and he followed Nero into sleep. 

Chapter Text

Nero’s body is freezing when he awakens the next morning. He shouldn’t be feeling this cold, after all, he’s a quarter demon and being held by his Dad. Vergil was just as warm as Dante was, but right now, Nero is cold. He’s shivering when he wakes up, but he also knows that he’s been sweating since last night. Nero tried to curl up into a ball on top of his father, trying to take in his warmth. The demon hunter gasped as he felt his father trigger underneath him and then felt his wings wrap around him. 

He opened his eyes and panted quietly, holding onto Vergil. He heard his Dad purring gently and making soft, concerned noises when Nero looked up at his demonic face. Nero whispered. “Dad…don’t feel well…”

Then his hand touched the charm around his neck, and it felt warm. Vergil growled softly. 

“She is making you unwell…” He growled and then looked at his phone. Dad must have set it down last night, waiting for Dante to call. “Where the hell is he?!”

Nero was just as eager to rid himself of the corruption in his body, but he wasn't surprised that his uncle hadn't called yet. Where did you start looking for a sacred pool, and even checking if it is one? Nero didn’t want to deal with false hopes right now. He wanted to return to his old life. 

“Dad…calm down. He just started searching last night, right? Give him time.” Nero advised him, and Vergil paused. His Dad was impatient right now, so much of a mother hen.

The young demon hunter groaned as he felt his head starting to pound. Nero reached up to touch his forehead. Why was Amanozako causing him so much pain right now? She was upset with him, likely wanting to pry into his mind again. Nero sighed shakily and held onto the charm. He pleaded with her in his mind.

Please stop. Damnit, please stop.

Damnit, please stop this!

Then she appeared before him, sitting down on the bed in front of them. Nero froze, and his eyes grew wide in shock. Could she appear anywhere at any time? Dad must have noticed her too because Vergil growled, Yamato appearing in his hands, and his grip on Nero tightened. Nero cringed, but he knew that his father was trying to keep him from falling into Amanozako’s hands once more. 

“Nero, dear. You know what you must do. Embrace me completely once more.” Amanozako cooed to him, raising her hand to reach out to him. Nero inhaled sharply and part of him…wanted to let her touch him. His charm was glowing, and he started to lean in. “I do not want to see you harmed, my sweet boy.” 

Nero bit down on his lower lip and then stared at Amanozako. Her…touch had been kind. She had never mistreated him, right? Unknown to him, his eyes were turning crimson again. The familiar hum of her power began to flood his mind once more. He closed his eyes, and he brushed his fingers against the charm. Nero heard the bell and he mumbled, in a trance. “Mo…Mo the r…” 

He knows Amanozako wants him to be happy. She wants to make sure that he’s safe. Sometimes, his father and uncle aren’t safe to be around. Nero wanted to be safe. Amanozako was…like a mother to him. And why not? He still didn’t know much about his birth mother. He was not replacing his birth mother. He desired attention from both of his parents. Nero started to reach out to meet her hand. 

“MINE!” Vergil roared and then slashed at the deity. Nero gasped, the trance breaking, his dad bringing him back to his senses. He growled to himself in frustration. What the hell was wrong with him?! Why did he fall for her scheme so easily? Why was he like this?

I’m so weak. I shouldn’t embrace someone who made me hurt my actual family. 

I don’t deserve my Dad and Uncle. I’m a terrible son and nephew. 

No, I want my family. No, I don’t deserve them.

I’m nothing. 

Yet, he could feel how angry his father was toward the deity. Dad was holding him close, the hand not holding the Yamato touching his cheek. Tears burned his eyes as his negative thoughts began to consume him. Amanozako was hissing at Vergil, which made Nero whimper. Quickly, the demon hunter hid his face against his sire, clutching onto his scales. Dad’s scent was familiar and comforting. 

Dad was protective and possessive. Nero recalls Vergil glaring and growling at Dante when the red devil was affectionate with him. 

His Dad warned his brother that Nero was his . 

Amanozako snarled as she jumped away from the sword. Vergil went for another slash, causing the deity to back away more. She blocked one of his attacks before she moved to float above them. Vergil growled at the deity, and then his devil form dissipated. Nero sighed shakily and then started to cough. He held onto Vergil, who growled softly and nuzzled his hair once more, before glaring at the deity once more. The possessiveness and protectiveness should be concerning, but…Nero didn’t feel concerned. 

Nero was shivering still, and he moved his hand to reach Yamato’s blade. In his head, he heard her begin to sing, and she began to glow blue. Nero closed his eyes and listened to the blade’s song in his mind. She had been with him for five years; he had healed her, but she had also been stolen from him by his father. Dad had tensed up around him, as if realizing what was happening now. 

“Dad…I think you scared her off now.” Nero whispered to Vergil, sighing shakily. He glanced at the deity who hovered above them. “I’m me again.” 

Amanozako sighed softly. “Sweet Nero, you will always have a place beside me. You don’t have to worry about whether or not you are deserving of love.” 

Nero’s eyes widened in shock. How did she know? Had…had she heard that thought in his mind? How did she know so much about him? Nero was shaking in his father’s arms, fear squeezing his heart. Not only that…but she said that in front of Vergil. Nero tried to hold in the tears that had already started to roll down his cheeks. Fuck, fuck, he was just so damn weak!

“Silence, witch!” Vergil snarled at her and held Nero to his chest. Nero glanced up and saw his eyes glowing blue. Dad’s voice was cold and deadly, demonic presence in the room grew. “You will leave us, now . Or, I will make certain that you are reunited with your son, slowly . I will carve your body to pieces and leave it for my demonic minions to devour. “

Did that mean Dad would force demons to serve him? Nero shivered at that, thankful this speech was not directed at him. Vergil must have sensed his fear because the King of Hell started to stroke his white hair, giving him some comfort.

“I will not rest until you are nothing but a footnote.” Vergil finished and then looked down at Nero. He kissed his nestling’s head, which made Nero chirp. 

The chirping was so strange, but his inner demon…demanded the attention. Nero inhaled softly, closing his eyes once more. 

This is the attention I’ve always wanted. All I wanted was lov e.

The deity scoffed at his words. “We shall see, Vergil Spardason.”

Nero felt his charm grow cool, and the haze still lurking in his mind disappeared. Nero let out another sob and then buried his face into his hands. “Shit! Shit! Sh-She almost…fuck!”

Soon, he started to cough in his hands, and he felt Vergil’s coldness fade into panic. Vergil moved his head to press against the side of Nero’s face. 

Vergil’s voice whispered in his ear. “Cry, my nestling. Let it out.”

“No-No…I-I can’t…” Nero whimpered back. He didn’t want to cry in front of his Dad right now. 

He already did last night. Nero doesn’t want to be seen as weak anymore. He’s not a fucking kid! Not that kid who waits in the orphanage, waiting for someone to adopt him or waiting for his parents to return. He’s not deadweight ! 

I want my family! 

Nero let out some deep breaths as he clutched onto his Dad’s chest. Calm. He needed to calm the hell down.  Dad’s other hand was now rubbing his back, and Nero heard the purring again. The demon hunter whimpered against him and jumped when he heard the cell phone beginning to vibrate. Vergil feels eerily calm as Nero feels him shift to grab the phone. 

“Dante, you better have some news, or I will impale you with both Yamato and the Devil Sword.” Vergil threatened his younger twin with a barely restrained rage. 

“Vergil, relax.” Nero could hear how tired his Uncle was, but also how serious. There was no goofiness anywhere in his tone. “I found a sacred pool. That and something else that I think will help us. Come back to the shop and I’ll take us there.”

Nero hears his father let out a shaky sigh, relaxing. He listened to his father’s heartbeat as it went from panic to calm. Vergil reached over to feel his forehead and then let out a coo before speaking to Dante. 

“Good. Nero has a fever. I think her corruption is attacking his body in retaliation.” Vergil told his brother. 

“So, the kid went after you. I was getting worried. How come you didn't text me, Verge?” Dante asked, sounding offended. 

Even if his twin wasn’t here, Vergil still looked embarrassed, and he glanced away. Nero sighed shakily and then spoke up. “Dad hasn’t…let me go since we went to the graveyard.”

Dante didn’t respond at first, likely surprised that he had spoken. Nero imagined that the red devil was smiling, and he heard him chuckle. “Nero, my big brother, is going to be keeping you with us for a while. I doubt he’ll even let me hold you for more than a minute.”

Was it good that he was going to be held hostage by his parent? Nero didn’t know. 

“I hope you’ll at least let me take a shower.” Nero looked up at his father. Vergil huffed quietly, mumbling that he would. Dante laughed over the phone, and Nero managed a smile. 

“Verge, get the two of you over here.” Vergil looked back at the phone while he played with his hair. “I’m not sure how long it’ll take to purify Nero, but the thing I got to keep the mind control away will only help if the effects are gone.” 

“You found something to help?” Nero repeated.

“Of course, kiddo. I figured, yeah, we take away her influence, but what’s stopping her from doing it again? The only catch…hope you like the color purple.” That alone made Nero raise an eyebrow as he looked at his father, who hummed in response.

“We shall be there immediately,” Vergil responded and then hung up the call. He pocketed the phone and looked at Nero. “Do not let go of me, Nero.”

Was he serious right now? At those words, the young demon hunter gave him a deadpan look. Vergil stared back at him when Nero didn’t respond before his father closed his eyes and sighed heavily. “I understand.”

Vergil then looked at Yamato and seemed to stare at the blade in silence. Nero raised an eyebrow at that. What was he thinking about right now? The Yamato was still singing happily in his mind and he was certain Vergil could hear her too. They were closely connected to the blade. The blue devil let out a breath from his nose before looking at Nero, shifting to hold the katana to him. Nero’s heart fluttered when his father held the blade out to him. 

“It will be easy for you to open the portal as I am holding onto you.” Vergil’s explanation was simple. He glanced away briefly. “Plus…she admitted to me that she misses you.”

That made him happy to hear. Nero did miss Yamato, too. They were companions for almost half a decade. How could he not get attached to the blade? Nero took Yamato and felt a rush of her power coursing through his body. He shivered, and he felt his demon half hum in approval. Back then, he had helped to awaken his power, and the haze he had felt around his demonic half had lifted. 

Except my demonic half didn’t fully awaken until I resolved to keep my father and uncle from killing each other. 

Yamato made a happy noise in his mind, and her singing grew louder. Nero smiled at the katana and whispered. “Missed you, too, Yamato. Don’t worry, I’ll give you back to Dad soon.”

He could feel her approval, and he drew the katana. Nero smiled as he stared at his former companion for a brief moment. 

I wish you could stay with me again. I have missed you, Yamato. We make a good team.  

Vergil stole you from me without warning. Dante trusted me with you. 

I failed you, Dante. I’m sorry. I’m not worthy of Yamato.

Nero inhaled sharply at that thought, but he quickly shoved it into the back of his mind. No, not now. Amanozako already peeked into his mind and revealed some of his deepest, darkest thoughts, which he spilled to his Uncle and Dad. But he knows…that those weren’t his darkest thoughts. 

Worthless. Not deserving. Short-tempered. Violent. 

Motherless. Fatherless. 

BlOoD of SpARdA! 

Nero shook his head, and he recalled his father’s moves to create a portal. By now, he had seen his father create over a dozen portals, and it was his preferred mode of transportation. Taking a couple of deep breaths, Nero then began to slash through the air, thinking of the main branch of Devil May Cry. Memories of Dante sitting behind his desk with alcohol on his breath struck him. The last time he was there, his Uncle was drunk, but he’s certain his Uncle won’t be in the same boat. Uncle Dante was more worried about him now.

He inhaled sharply and then started to slash through the air to create the portal. Her power flowed into him as the portal appeared before them. Nero smiled when he made the portal. This was the first time he had made a portal! Nero sheathed the katana and looked at Vergil, who was smiling in return. 

Vergil stood up, making sure that he kept his grip on Nero. Nero held onto his father and Yamato as they stepped through the portal. 

Dante was waiting on the other side, and he turned to greet his brother and nephew. Before Nero could even say anything, Dante embraced the father-son pair. His Uncle reached over and ruffled his hair. “There’s my favorite nephew! Glad to see you’re acting like yourself again.”

Nero heard his father growl. Dante didn’t even wince, but he probably expected that reaction. The younger demon hunter smiled softly. “Hey Dante, yeah, just…feeling a little sick.”

He frowned softly before sharing a glance with Vergil. Then Nero felt his Uncle’s hand on his forehead, and he heard a growl. “Is this Amanozako causing this? Don’t worry, kid. You, me, and your old man are heading to the sacred pool now.” 

“Sounds good…” Nero nodded and then looked down at Yamato. He shivered against his father and hugged the blade close. Yamato cooed in his mind. Vergil took this moment to speak up, demanding answers. “Dante, where is this pool? Did you make sure it was an actual sacred pool?” 

Dante touched Vergil’s shoulder and reassured him. “Relax, old man. I double checked and we have a real pool and hell, even a waterfall! Only problem is…the water is cold.”

Nero felt his father move and look down at him. The young demon hunter feels his father’s fingers brush against his cheek, and Nero closes his eyes. He would listen to the two older demon hunters as they spoke. 

Should I be relying on them so much? I should be able to save myself. They’re doing so much for me. 

Is this what it's like to have someone love you unconditionally?

Part of him feels too tired to argue with himself. He hears his Dad speak again. “Then the two of us will have to keep him warm until the corruption is gone.” 

Then he feels Vergil kiss his head once more, and that makes Nero smile. His heart was light, and he felt happy. Dad was showing him affection. Nero shivered and curled up more against Vergil, listening to Yamato sing in his head. 

“Right…I just hope that we don’t get attacked.” Dante sighed heavily and then grew quiet. Nero opened one eye and saw that his uncle was smiling at his father. He patted his brother’s arm. “Glad to see you two getting along, Verge. Never seen you so affectionate with anyone.” 

“I…” Vergil’s voice seemed to trail off. He did look down at Nero, who looked away shyly. Dante chuckled softly as Vergil went back to stroking Nero’s hair. “Nero is the one thing I want to protect.”

Nero let out a chirp as he shivered against his father. He mumbled. “Dad…”

“Rest, my sweet nestling.” Vergil cooed gently, which made Nero relax. “Your fool Uncle and I shall keep you warm.”

“Go-Good…I hate cold showers.” Nero joked quietly and then sighed heavily. “How long do we have to be in the water for?”

Dante scratched his head at the question. “Best I can tell, thirty minutes, but I think it depends on how deep the corruption goes. Any clue, kiddo?”

“Nero~.” 

The demon hunter gulped when he heard her speak in his mind, and he went to touch the charm around his neck. How could he measure that? Nero shrugged his shoulders. “Ho-How the hell should I know? I’m not even sure ho-how we’d be able to tell.”

Vergil put his hand over Nero’s with a frown. Nero feels the charm begin to warm again as Vergil answers. “She gave him a blessing…I would assume that the corruption goes deep by now.” 

Then his father asked him. “Nero, what did she say the blessing would do for you?”

“...Whenever you need, this will aid you. It will enhance your demonic blood. You may not have enough of Sparda's blood as your Uncle and Father do, but my blessing will help you.”

I have her blessing. I can be stronger.

I will never be weak again.

Dad and Uncle will acknowledge me. I won’t be deadweight. 

I hAvE the BloOD of SpARdA and AmAnOZaKO’s blESSinG!

“I can’t remember…” Nero responded after a moment. 

He lied. Why did he lie? What was wrong with him? His father was finally reaching out to him and showing…affection to him. Dante had admitted why he acted the way he did in the past. They both had reached out to him. It was clear that they cared deeply about him. Nero held onto Yamato and the charm, but also didn’t shrink away from his Dad’s touch. 

Vergil and Dante went quiet, and he looked up at them in surprise. They both seemed to be staring at each other. Were they…communicating through some weird twin telepathy? Nero sighed softly and then drew Yamato again. 

Dante perked up and then spoke. “Let me take that kid. I can make the portal and take us there.”

Nero narrowed his eyes upon his uncle and hissed. Yamato was his …and his father’s. The look does give his uncle pause, who then raises an eyebrow at Vergil. His father was frowning, and Nero saw a hint of concern on his face. Nero frowned too and then shook his head. What the hell was that about? 

“Sorry…not sure what came over me.” The young demon hunter apologized. 

His uncle’s confusion subsides, and he puts on a smile. The red devil reached out and patted his head. “It’s alright, kid. I should have known better. You and your old man are protective of Yamato.” 

Protective. Is that what this feeling was? 

“Nero, my dear…don’t feel terrible. Yamato was yours at one point.” 

Nero’s eyes widened again, and he bit down on his lower lip. He tugged on the charm as he looked away from his Uncle’s gaze. Yamato was indeed his. 

And dad’s.

His and his dad’s sword.

MiNE!

Nero quickly shoved Yamato into his Uncle’s arms. Would that silence the voices for a while? He hoped so, but deep down, he knew it wouldn’t silence his patron deity. 

“Just get us there, Dante.” Nero insisted, wanting to rid himself of these damned voices in his head. He needed to get back to Kyrie. 

Dante was staring at him for a while before looking at Vergil. The twins were silently communicating again, but Nero just ignored it. He was done with this whole mind control bullshit. 

The red twin nodded and drew Yamato. “Well, alright then. Let’s go.”

The father-son pair remained silent as Dante created a portal to this sacred pool and waterfall. Dante gestured for them to walk through first, which Vergil followed. Dad was indeed silent and felt…distant now. Nero closed his eyes once more against his father and tested the waters with a chirp. Vergil tensed up, and then the distance closed once more as the blue devil pressed his face against his hair. 

Vergil whispered. “You’ll be well again soon, my nestling.” 

“Thank you, Dad.”

Will you continue to be this affectionate with me? Or will you refuse my calls for years like Dante did?

As they left the portal, Nero felt the rush of cold, wet air hit him. He started to shiver again, and he clung to his father. Vergil inhaled sharply and looked around as they stood over the edge of a pool of water. Dante soon followed, sheathing Yamato and handing it back to Nero. It seems he was in charge of the katana now. 

Nero opened his eyes and looked at the water that was falling from the top of a cliff. He looked down to see the black jagged rocks, forever covered in moisture. Beside them, there was a green brush that hung over the water, and Nero felt a brush of wind against his body.  Nero then looked back at the waterfall before asking. 

“Do I have to be in that cold ass water for a half hour?” 

Dante chuckled weakly and then patted his head. “Yep. C’mon, let’s take a dip.”

The red devil was the first to wade into the water, heading toward the waterfall. Vergil looked down at him. “We will not let you go, Nero. I promise you that.”

Nero nodded as Vergil began to wade into the water. Soon, the water touches Nero’s pant leg, and he lets out a cry. Fuck, it was cold! His charm was growing warm against his chest again, and Nero swore the water started to glow blue. He feels his father begin to panic at his cry, but his uncle calls out.

“It’s okay, Verge! That means the water is working its magic!” Dante called out near the waterfall. He was already chest deep in the water. 

“I hope so.” Vergil hissed in response as he continued to wade through the water. Nero hissed as well and then grumbled. His charm was glowing brighter now, and Nero started to shiver more. 

Dad made his way over to Dante, where Uncle wrapped his arms around him and Dad. Nero shivered and leaned against his family. Dante, holding him did started to warm his body up. However, it's Vergil that he keeps his head on. Nero was starting to pant, and he felt his head growing light. 

“No! Nero, do not allow them to do this. You know that this isn’t right.” Amanozako pleaded with him. The silver-haired young man shook his head.

“No…just leave me alone. They’re trying to protect me from you.” Nero thought back to her. He continued to hold the charm and brushed his finger against the bell on the other side of it. “I want my life back.”

“Nero, you are my blessed child. You and I will always be connected. If we cannot talk, how will I be able to communicate with you?” 

“Guess you gotta learn to use a phone.” Nero joked, and then he felt his head starting to hurt once more. 

Then he felt the presence of demons nearby, and Nero growled. Oh fuck, not now. This was not the time!

“I know you cannot let go of me completely, my sweet boy. You are already curious about your charm.” Nero froze when he heard that.

The charm…it felt wonderful to touch. This marked him as her blessed child. Nero gulped and then looked down at it. 

Amanozako continued. “You can become stronger now, my sweet boy. You do not need to rely on anyone else.”

Nero shook his head and then moved to plug his ears. He hears his Dad and Uncle call out his name. They must have sensed his distress. Nero opened his eyes and saw…wait. Did they not smell the demons approaching? Nero sniffed the air, swearing he smelled…someone. A familiar scent. 

No. His heart fluttered as he looked at the shore with wide eyes. 

He floated there, a demon with one wing and carrying an angelic blade and one shield. The blade was golden with purple scales on it. There was a golden halo over his head, and his eyes were bright red. The figure was familiar. Nero gulped. How was this possible? There was no way. He was buried years ago. Nero had just visited his grave. 

“It can’t be…Credo…” Nero spoke with wide eyes. This had to be fake. He let out a growl. “Amanozako! Stop it!”

This had to be her, right?

Then, the demonic-looking angel froze, and a sword impaled through his chest. Nero inhaled sharply, realizing it was Yamato. No, it couldn’t be. He was holding Yamato! He looked down, seeing the blade in his arms, sensing her power. She was glowing brightly. Nero looked back at Angelo Credo, seeing its form dissipating, revealing Credo slumped over. Nero gritted his teeth and then clutched Yamato tightly. 

I couldn’t protect you, Credo. I’m a failure. 

Then Credo seemed to vanish, which made Nero’s heart clench. He started to look around once more, panicked. Where had the illusion gone this time? Why couldn’t Amanozako leave him alone?! As he looked back to where the illusion was, a cloaked man was right in his face. Nero gasped, and he jumped back, not realizing he had made contact with Vergil’s chin. 

No, he did not realize his father and Uncle were trying to pull him out of these strange hallucinations. 

The cloaked figure was too close to him, and his heart began to race in panic. His right arm began to shake as he listened to the cloaked figure panting and groaning. No, this was…no, no. No, he didn’t want to remember! Why was this here?! Nero was filled with terror. He didn’t want to be near this person.

But I am. He is holding me. He loves me. He ripped off my arm. All he wants is power .

His right arm was now burning with pain. Nero cried out. Yamato’s song was muted in his mind as he tried to get away.  

NO! NOT AGAIN! NOT MY ARM! PLEASE!

“GET AWAY FROM ME!” Nero screamed, trying to shove the figure away as he bolted away from him. 

He felt something trying to keep him down, close to the cloaked figure. He screamed and thrashed around, trying to get away, but he knew it was futile. Nero then felt the tug on his right arm, and pain shot through his entire arm. The scent of blood hits his nose. Blood. So much blood. The ground is cold. 

Come back. Come back! Don’t go!  

The ground is so cold. The smell of gasoline and blood hits his nose. He swears he hears someone calling out to him. They don’t sound like Kyrie and Nico. This smells like the garage, though. Nero screamed, trying to reach out for his arm again, and his inner demon let out a roar. 

No no no no no no NO NO! 

WHy?! WhY dAD?! 

Pain. SO MuCH PaIN!

IT HurTS So MuCH! WhY?! 

WHY?! WhY IS mY ARm goNE?!  

WEaKLiNG! 

I’lL KiLL YOu!

—--

The moment that Nero covered his ears and then uttered the name Credo, Dante knew something was wrong. He remembered the cries of his nephew when the young General was stabbed and fell. It had been clear that Nero cared deeply about Credo. Of course, that was before Dante had realized that Credo was Kyrie’s older brother. That news had been like receiving a bucket full of cold water over the head. Dante had been too casual during the siege of Fortuna, something he regretted. 

Dante quickly tightened his grip on his nephew when he realized that Nero was beginning to lose it. He looked at his big brother in panic and was met with a similar panic. Vergil was both confused and filled with anxiety as he tried to keep hold of his nestling as well. 

“NERO!” Vergil raised his voice and went to grab his son’s right arm as he started to thrash around. But then, Nero let out the worst scream that Dante had ever heard come from the younger demon hunter. 

“GET AWAY FROM ME!” 

Vergil visibly recoiled, and his eyes grew wide with horror. Dante gritted his teeth as he felt his older brother growing more anxious. What the hell was going on?! What was that bitch showing Nero?! Vergil was quick to release Nero’s arm, but Nero continued to scream. Vergil was shellshocked, so the younger twin knew he had to save his nephew.  Dante cried out as he held onto Nero’s other side. 

Was Nero…remembering that day in the garage?! Dante inhaled sharply and knew that he needed to get Nero out of this hallucination. 

The red twin started to shake his shoulders. Nero was looking right in his eyes, but he was looking right past him. Nero was too deep into this hallucination. Dante has never seen his nephew this terrified before. 

He shouted at him. “Nero! Wake up! Whatever you’re seeing, it’s not real! 

His brother is trembling, his hands pulled away from his son. Vergil was not used to such violent rejection from his son. Dante then looked at him with a growl. They didn’t have time for this. “Damnit, Vergil! Help me get through to him!”

Vergil’s head snapped to look at him, and this is the first time he’s seen his brother look so…lost and frightened. Vergil then nodded slowly, and his arms went to wrap around Nero once more. Nero stiffened under his touch. Dante hears his brother speaking under his breath, something from William Blake, no doubt. Dante wondered if Vergil had been able to calm the boy before with the poetry of a long-dead man. Vergil had started to rock his nestling, but Nero screamed again, and the demonic presence around them intensified greatly. 

This…it felt like Nero, but not. His demonic powers had grown stronger. In the corner of his eye, he sees that the Yamato has begun to glow blood red. Dante’s eyes widened in shock, and before he could react, a blood-red spectral wing burst out of Nero’s back. The wing slammed right into his chest. Dante cried out as he was sent flying back. 

“NERO?!” Vergil cried out, whom Dante could see was still holding tight onto his son. However, the other wing slams right into Vergil, too. Nero falls completely into the water. 

Dante let out a cry as his head collided with the rocks behind the waterfall. He swears he sees Vergil flying at the rock wall of the waterfall, too. Dante gasped in pain as he tried to stay conscious. Nero needed them. Something had gone wrong.

“Verge…Nero…Damnit…” 

There’s blood rolling down the back of his head as he falls into the water. Dante gasped out in pain, and his vision was starting to fade. No, he needed to stay awake. Nero needed them. He grunted, but his vision was going. The last thing he saw was a demonic Nero emerge from the water and let out a roar as a half mask appeared over his mouth.

Chapter Text

He cannot lose consciousness at the moment. The blue devil could feel his head cracking as he collided with the rocks behind the waterfall. Dante had passed out, his body floating in the water beside him. Vergil could see his world going black, and he could hear his heartbeat in his mind as he felt himself sliding down the wall of rocks. There’s blood in the air, blood rolling down the back of his head. Vergil gritted his teeth, trying to stay awake.

His face hit the cold water, and he let out a cry. Dante had not landed face first in the water like he did. Vergil gasped as he felt water enter his lungs from his nose and mouth, but it kept him from passing out. Vergil clenched his fists as he pushed his head from the water. Rage twisted his face, rage at this deity who caused this. She was never going to willingly let Nero go. He coughed up both water and blood as he rose from the water. 

Vision was fuzzy as he opened his eyes, and his head ached. Vergil was soon shaking from the cold water that soaked him to the bone. His hair had fallen in his face. He reached up to grab his head, and he tried to move, only to stagger. Then, there was a burning sensation on the back of his head, and the head wound was healing itself. 

Nero…where is Nero?

Vergil feels as though he’s going to throw up the contents of his stomach, but he knows there’s not much in his stomach right now. He looked over at the red blur that was his twin brother, and he staggered over to him. That’s when he spots the blood around his brother’s head as his head remains above water. Vergil gasps for air as he approaches his unconscious brother and then scoops him up. 

Dante…no, Dante!

He could hear his heartbeat, which drew out a sigh of relief. Vergil needed to get his brother to land quickly. Suddenly, his demonic senses flared, and he saw a spectral red dagger flying through the waterfall right at him. Vergil’s eyes widened, and he deflected it with his blue blade. 

He turned toward the source and saw a figure radiating demonic energy standing about a hundred feet away. Vergil saw the figure with an aura of red and looked in his direction. His heart began to beat at a hundred miles a minute as he turned, Dante in tow, and pushed through the waterfall. The water splashed down onto his back, which made him hiss from how cold it was. 

Vergil’s mind began to race. Nero, his nestling. Where was Nero?! His demonic half cried out in his mind and let out a roar, demanding to see its nestling. Nero had hit them with his wings; he was out of control. He was hurt. He was trying to get away from him . 

How did everything go wrong, so fast?

His nestling's screams remained in his mind as he finally set his eyes on a demon, except it was not any ordinary demon. Unfeeling red eyes stared back at him, with long black hair began to fly around as a gust of wind passed by them. The hair was no longer straight, looking as though it hadn’t been brushed in a long time. There were blue lines underneath those unfeeling eyes. From his nose to his chin was a black mask with golden teeth and a pair of tusks on its upper jaw. The wings on his back were a deep blood red and looked familiar. Vergil’s heart almost stopped then, but something else caught his attention. In the demon’s hand was Yamato, burning red. 

His demonic body had become encased with white robes, but Vergil could see the veins underneath glowing the same red as Yamato and as the wings. 

“Nero…” Vergil whispered in horror. 

The figure made no response to him. The figure was like something out of those ghost stories that Sparda used to tell the twins. 

Vergil glanced down at Dante, who let out a soft groan in his sleep. Vergil looked back up to see that Nero was now five feet from him. His heart nearly jumped from his chest as he came face-to-face with his possessed son. Still, Nero made no move to draw Yamato from her sheath. Vergil tried to reach out to his blade, but her response was panicked and muted. He could make out the blade crying out for Nero over and over again. Vergil’s heart was racing, and he let out a shaky breath as he locked eyes with his nestling. 

Nero merely stared back, as if waiting for him to make the first move. Those red eyes, they were so empty. Nero’s eyes were always so full of life. He was the light of their lives. 

Vergil frowned and quickly shifted over to the shore to set Dante down. Would Nero follow him? Try to strike him while his back was turned? Vergil looked down at his younger twin, watching briefly as his brother’s chest rose and fell. Dante should have woken up by now, but it seems that hit had gotten him. Vergil cursed in his mind. His brother was in no shape to fight right now. 

The blue devil turned to look at his nestling, who was now at a distance, but still staring at him through now narrowed eyes. 

“Nero…! Wake up!” Vergil cried out. Then he felt the pain in the back of his head again, and he reached back to touch it.

The wound was nearly done stitching itself back together, but his skull was still aching. Truthfully, he was not in the greatest shape either. Vergil shook his head at the pain as he stood straight. Yamato was beyond his reach right now. All he had left now was his Devil Trigger and the Mirage Edge. He had no other options. His injury would likely be a hindrance as well. 

Nero still made no response. 

Then Vergil spotted her behind him, and he felt rage start to build in his chest. She held her staff, and as she walked toward the transformed Nero, he could hear the sound of a bell. Amanozako seemed unaffected by Nero’s transformation. It was then that Vergil saw red. 

Mirage Edge was in his hand, and he zoomed past Nero, aiming for the deity. “YOU WITCH!” 

Amanozako did not attempt to stop or defend herself as Vergil went to use the stinger on her, aiming for her chest. She had stolen and had completely taken over his son’s mind and body! He would make her pay for this! The moment he found a working Hellgate, she would meet her end. However, his blade never made contact. Nero had reappeared in front of him and deflected the attack with a drawn Yamato. 

Before Vergil could properly react, the blood red wing slammed into his stomach. Vergil gasped as he was sent flying back, landing in the water once more. Blood poured out of his mouth, and he swore he heard a bone crack in his body. Vergil quickly surfaced, drenched once more, and his hair was in his face. His blue eyes blazed bright with demonic power as he glared at the deity he pushing his hair back over his head to his usual style. 

When did Nero become so fast? Vergil barely had any time to react to his son’s attack. 

Nero kept to her side, now glaring at his father and sheathed Yamato once more. Amanozako cooed and then reached up to touch Nero’s face. “Hello Nero, what a beautiful form you have achieved. Thank you for blocking that attack.”

Nero remained silent, but he did close his eyes and leaned into her touch. Vergil’s heart froze at the sight. His demon roared in anger, demanding that they tear this deity to pieces, which Vergil couldn’t help but agree with. He glowered at the deity while holding his stomach, his wounds healing and the bones resetting themselves. 

“You…are…welcome…mother.” Vergil’s heart started to ache when he heard that, and he growled at the deity. 

“That is my son, witch! He has a mother!” Vergil snarled before he could stop himself. Nero had a mother, a mother who gave her life to protect him from a horde of demons. There was no way in hell that he was going to let some manipulative deity let Cristina’s sacrifice be in vain! 

“Had, Spardason. I can be his mother now, and what a good son he is, protecting me from a foul King of the Underworld.” 

Vergil is breathing heavily now. His rage is almost unstoppable right now. I need a hardass and level-headed Vergil. Dante’s words flood into his mind then. The blue twin looks back at his brother, still passed out on the shore. Level-headed Vergil. That’s what he needed to be right now. Vergil closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This witch was just provoking him, trying to bait him into a fight with Nero. No, he did not want to fight Nero, not like this anyway. Vergil took another deep breath, calming his heart and his mind. By now, his wounds had fully healed, and he stood up straight as he stood on top of the water. 

“I'll drink of the clear stream, and hear the linnet's song; and there I'll lie and dream the day along: And when night comes, I'll go to places fit for woe, walking along the darken'd valley with silent Melancholy,” Vergil whispered to himself as he took another deep breath. 

The blue devil opened his eyes as he made Mirage Edge reappear in his hand, and he shifted into a defensive position. As much as he wants to lash out at Amanozako, Vergil knows it's pointless.  Whether or not he decides to attack her, Amanozako will make his son attack him anyway. As much as he didn’t want this to happen, Vergil knows she will pit Nero against him. Nero sees this, and he touches the handle of the blade once more, shifting into a fighting position. It is almost exactly how he fights with Yamato. 

Vergil inhaled and exhaled from his nose as he locked eyes with his nestling. His demonic side called out to Nero, trying to get his attention and bring him to his senses. Nero doesn’t even wince. It was like his demon side could not hear his sire. Had Amanozako blocked his mind from the influence of the demonic instincts? The demon inside of him let out a growl, and Vergil breathed through his nose again. Was there any way for him to reach Nero?

“Nero…I need you to know something. I need you to know that I…” Vergil felt the words leave him. 

Why was it so hard for him to tell his son that he loved him? Vergil closed his eyes and felt his heart fluttering in his chest as he breathed in and out once more. Mundus had taken so much from his: his mother, his soul, his memories, and his body. Cristina had shown him love in just three months, and he hoped they could be reunited after he defeated the Demon King. Nero was born from that love. Mundus took that love and all the memories associated with it. 

V and his experiences were what helped him start to reconnect to the humanity that he had spent the majority of his life burying. 

“I love you, my nestling.” Vergil declared to him. 

For a brief moment, there was a twitch in Nero’s arm. Vergil blinked in surprise. Had he imagined that? Vergil inhaled sharply and then calmed his heart. He would save Nero. He needed to exhaust himself and bring out his human side again.

The wind started to blow again, his son’s now unkempt black hair was flowing once more. Nero stayed still and stared at Vergil. Was he waiting for him to strike first? Vergil frowned and kept his gaze on his son, not moving either. Vergil would not be the first one to strike. 

Amanozako let out a quiet huff and then brushed her hand against Nero’s arm. “Deal with him, my son, in whatever way you wish.” 

“Yes…mother.” 

Indeed, it was Nero who made the first move, as he sent his newly red summoned swords flying into the air. Vergil frowned and used his own to intercept the swords in defense, making the different swords disappear. Nero then zoomed across the water to cross blades with him, Yamato clanging against the Mirage Edge. Vergil pushed back against his corrupted blade and sent Nero back a bit. Vergil then approached and pushed demonic energy into his blade to send Nero flying into the air, before he followed him into the air. Nero growled softly and blocked a few of his attacks. 

Nero’s foot kicked his father back, and his wings allowed him to start flying above the water while Vergil landed back on the water. The blue devil was thankful that he didn’t land in the water again. He looked up at Nero, who floated back down to the water. Then, Nero’s wings reached out to grab him. Vergil jumped back and teleported to the other side of the pool to avoid being grabbed by the wings. 

He then tossed his spectral weapon at his son, and the blade split into miniature blades to create a whirlwind around his wings. Vergil cringed when he heard a growl and several grunts of pain, but one of the wings shot out of the whirlwind toward him. The blue devil rolled out of the way and slashed at the wing. Nero let out a cry of pain that made Vergil flinch. Then Nero slashed through the whirlwind and zoomed down to attack him head-on.

Vergil let out a cry as Nero slashed at his chest, blood spilling into the water. Vergil glanced at the water and watched it glow blue. Their blood was not affecting its purity. That gave him some relief. The blue devil dodged another slash, grabbing at his blade. Yamato’s voice cried out in his mind then, loud and clear. 

“NERO! NO!”

Even Yamato did not want Nero to hurt him. Vergil closed his hand around the blade, only to feel it pierce his skin. Vergil grunted in pain and was face-to-face with Nero. Nero looked back at him with that empty gaze. 

“Sweet babe…in thy…face, holy image…I can trace.” Vergil recited as he stared at his son. He reached up to touch his face, whose eyes grew wide. “Sweet babe… once like thee.”

Nero’s face twisted up, and he snarled. “Enough!”

One of the wings, now fully healed, smacked him away. Vergil let out a cry as his hand slid across Yamato, slicing away at his skin and leaving a trail of blood on the blade. Vergil growled as he sank into the water once more. He looked at his hand as it started to heal before he looked up at his son on the surface. Vergil thought trying to exhaust his son until he returned to his human form would work, but Nero seemed to refuse to change back to a human. 

Was he stuck as a demon? Had Amanozako triggered his devil form permanently? Vergil bit down on his lip as his son waited for him to surface. Then it dawned on Vergil, Nero had not pulled out Blue Rose. He narrowed his eyes and searched his son’s form, but there was no sign of the firearm. Did Nero lose it when he transformed? Or was he holding back? Vergil looked down at the bottom of the pool and searched until he spotted something shining. 

Vergil quickly dove down further and snatched up the gun. The very gun that shot him. He felt his hands starting to shake as he recalled Nero shooting him in the head. The memory of the bullets entering his skull made his head ache. Still, there was no time to dwell on that. Nero was his main priority.

It had been a long time since he wielded a firearm. He supposed the last time was when he and Dante defeated Arkham. The blue devil might despise firearms, but he still knew how to use them. Vergil also knew that his son had modified this gun himself and that it was a precious part of his arsenal. 

He swam back up to the surface, pointing the gun, hesitating. He does not want to shoot Nero. Vergil turns his head to look at Amanozako, who was staring down at him from the surface. The urge to shoot at her was great. That thought made the shaking of his hands stop. Would the deity even feel the pain? No, but he wanted her to feel something for stealing his son from him, for taking over his mind.  Letting his emotions overtake him, Vergil surfaced and then fired at the Goddess. 

However, the bullets never reached the Goddess as Yamato appeared to stop the bullets. Vergil hissed as he found his son stopping to defend his mistress. Nero let out a roar, sending a warning not to attack her. Vergil let out a growl in response, not one of hostility. A growl of, “I do not want to fight you”. 

Nero responded with laughter, his red eyes wide with hysteria. “Coward! Fight me!”

Vergil inhaled sharply. Coward. No one would ever accuse him of being that. Vergil was not a coward, though. He just did not want to fight his son, at least, not this way. He pointed Blue Rose at the Goddess once more, his hand shaking. Nero shifted his position, ready to block more bullets. The blue devil felt his airways close briefly as he looked toward his son. 

He did not want to do this, but…he must. 

Vergil turned the gun, his hand shaking, and pointed it at Nero. His son did not appear bothered as he laughed again. Madness, utter madness. Vergil took a deep breath and tried his best to calm his shaking, to recenter himself.  His heart was beating wildly in his mind as he focused on his breathing. The half-devil was pointing it at the boy’s chest, and Nero came at him then. 

With a deep breath, he shifted his target and fired at one of the wings. The bullet hit its mark, and Nero let out a scream of pain, which sounded muffled to Vergil. The blue devil climbed out of the water and sent demonic energy back into his feet so he could stand on water once more. Vergil gasped for air as he stood up and kept the gun pointed at his corrupted son. 

Nero crashed onto the pool’s surface, thrashing around in pain. He was surprised that the gun would affect the wings so much. The blue devil looked down at the gun and then sighed shakily before approaching the fallen quarter demon.  

Vergil whispered. “Forgive me, Nero. They are beautiful wings, and they shall heal.” 

The quarter demon let out a howl and locked eyes with him; those red eyes burned with hatred. 

“I know…you have never seen me wield a gun. Your gun was well made.” Vergil responded as he regained his breath. Swimming was not exactly his best skill. The other wing shot out to attack him. Vergil teleported out of the way, and his demonic side let out another roar. 

Nero growled in return and then managed to stand up. The bullet holes in his wings began to fill in, healing as Vergil suspected they would. Vergil grunted and then saw Nero reach for Yamato. Nero pushed the blade up and in a blink of an eye, he started to slash in the air. Ahh, judgment cut. Vergil teleported out of the way as Nero unleashed the attack. 

“You have been observing me during our spars, my nestling. You nearly have my technique mastered.” Vergil spoke with pride and then charged up Nero’s gun with his demonic energy. His heart racing once more and he took another deep breath. 

He fired off four shots, Nero drawing Yamato to slice the bullets in half, and stepped out of the way. Nero started to look exhausted, his limbs slowing down as he lowered Yamato. Vergil bit down on his lower lip, knowing Nero couldn’t keep his trigger going for too long. 

Yet, he did not return to his human form.

Vergil turned to look at Amanozako as he growled. “He cannot keep this form much longer…release your hold on him, now!”

She merely stood there and didn’t reply. Was she…going to let Nero exhaust himself to death? No, if she considered him her blessed child, she wouldn’t attempt to kill him. Deities liked to hold onto their favorites for as long as possible. However, he did see her raise her spear and then slam it down on the ground. Vergil frowned and turned to see Nero almost upon him, Yamato drawn and two feet from his chest. 

No time to react. His eyes widened as eyes filled with hatred pierced him, along with Yamato. Vergil gasped, feeling the blade slice through his chest. The same area where he had stabbed to separate himself. Vergil tried to take a breath, but found it difficult to. It was then that he saw a flicker in Nero’s scorching red eyes. Surprise. Vergil gasped and moved to pull Nero into an embrace. 

“N-Nero…it's alright…” Vergil managed to speak and then rested his head on his. His demonic half…was silent. How odd. 

In his arms, he felt Nero beginning to shake, and as Vergil felt a strange sensation run through his body. His eyes grew wide, and Nero suddenly pulled the blade from his body. Vergil was shoved back, and he felt…lighter. Lighter? What feeling was this? 

Then it felt as if his demonic energy was zapped out of him. Vergil reached out to Nero, only to hit the water with a gasp. Demonic energy…gone? Vergil then moved his hand so he could take a look at it. Yes, he still held Blue Rose, but…there were tattoos on his arms. In his other hand, a silver cane. His eyes grew wide. 

He was V once more.

Chapter Text

When he first laid eyes on the boy, he thought the boy was Dante's. How could he not make that assumption? The boy was loud, his taunts, from what V had observed, emulated Dante's, and he had a love for humanity.  The sheer audacity of the boy and how he demanded to continue fighting after Dante's declaration for the boy to go. Nero was stubborn. Stubbornness was a Sparda trait through and through.

Yes, Nero had the eyes and hair color associated with their bloodline, but he must have been Dante's. Dante loved humans, so he must have found a mate, and she bore this boy. Yes, the boy had the Yamato, but Dante likely entrusted it to him. The boy needed to defend himself. 

V observed the boy on the battlefield as he raised his strange motorcycle blades, now blazing with flames, and slammed them down on a demon, over and over again. That felt so much like Dante. The fact that the boy had a revolver also pointed V in the direction of his conclusion. Yet…V could not help but be drawn to the boy. There was something about him that V liked.

Nero had also helped him on multiple occasions, without complaint. If anything, he reacted with concern more than anything. It made V…happy to know that someone wishes to help him. Nero guided him on the last steps to Urizen, and V finally confessed Vergil's motivations. To be loved and protected. Not knowing that was what the boy also craved.

It never occurred once to the human half of Vergil Sparda that this boy could be his until it was too late. V and Urizen had been absorbed already, recreating the blue half-devil. In the heat of their duel, Dante yelled that the boy was his. Vergil, ever the one with the least amount of emotional comprehension, said it did not matter.

V heard this and scoffed. How the hell did it not matter? Nero was theirs. Vergil and Nero fought. V noticed Vergil had…softened to a degree. The man did not necessarily wish to fight the boy, commanding him to stand down. That Sparda stubbornness reared its ugly head, and V did get a laugh or two out of their son as he proceeded to beat down his newly discovered father. 

V enjoyed every moment, no matter how awkward it was, with Nero. True, the boy could not see or hear him, but he wanted to spend time with him. Then Amanozako arrived, and V became as perturbed as Vergil was. V wanted to hold the boy as much as Vergil did. 

Nero shot Vergil, and V felt his and Vergil's hearts crumble to pieces. That vile woman made their son hurt them. Vergil surrendered to his demonic instincts and human emotions, stopping the brainwashing. V was proud. V wished to hold their son too. 

Nero looked so peaceful when he slept. His chirping was adorable. They had a wonderful nestling. 

A nestling they would save.

Getting stabbed with Yamato…had transformed him into V. From underwater, V clenched his fist and looked back up at his child. Nero was staring down at him in shock, clearly surprised that V had returned. V gasped for air. There was no time to waste. Even in this form, he wouldn’t be able to fight as well. Did he even have any of his familiars? He closed his eyes and concentrated before he heard the roars of Shadow, Nightmares rumbling, and Griffon.

“WHAT THE HELL?!” 

V called out to Griffon then, who manifested in the water. The bird let out a muffled squawk and then grabbed the Son of Sparda’s arm. V cringed when the claws dug into his arm, but he allowed the bird to drag his weak form back to the surface. 

Once they broke the surface, Griffon pulled V away from Nero quickly before he started to complain. “Holy shit V! Yer crazy kid brought us back with one little stab to the chest, can ya believe it?!”

The familiar set him down on the shore next to Dante. V was panting heavily as he leaned against his cane, holding onto Blue Rose and the crane for dear life. He was drenched, his signature black clothes sticking to his frail body. He was staring at Nero, who stared back with those red eyes. The boy looked as shocked as he was that he was back.

“It is a surprise.” V agreed, looking down at his tattooed arm once more while Griffon landed on Dante’s chest. “I did not think I could ever return to this form.”

How was this possible? He looked around, not sensing Urizen anywhere. So, he and his family were the only ones who had come from the stabbing. Honestly, that was a relief. He did not know how his demonic half would handle this situation. At least he was of sound mind. Urizen would likely make the situation much worse. V inhaled shakily. 

Then he shot a glare at the demonic bird. “And if you will, refrain from calling my nestling crazy.”

Griffon huffed and then started to peck at Dante’s chest. V was surprised his brother was up yet. Had he not heard any of the fighting? Had he been injured that badly? He turned to look at the deity and his son. Nero still had his eyes on him, and he looked…confused. It was truly unexpected for both of them. The dreaded deity, meanwhile, was tilting her head, curious. She stepped forward and gently touched Nero’s arm. He did not flinch, but merely continued to look at him.

“My son, it seems you have revived your father’s human form. How interesting.”

“...V…” 

V's heart fluttered, and his expression softened. 

“Kid seems to recognize you at least. He’s not even bothering to attack. Maybe he has sympathy for ya after everything we went through together.” Griffon pointed out as he flew and flopped down on V’s shoulder. V nodded and then sighed shakily. How long would that last? 

“As much as I would like to agree with that statement, I doubt that deity will allow that to last.” V voiced his thoughts out loud. 

Amanozako chuckled softly, as if she heard him. V gritted his teeth in annoyance. She was mocking him. “You have become human, Spardason. I did not realize that it would be that easy to weaken you.”

“Do not underestimate me, witch,” V responded, keeping his temper in check. 

“V… I made V return.” Nero continued to stare at him. His next words surprised the human side of Vergil. “ I curse my stars in bitter grief and woe, that made my love so high and me so low."

V smiled gently, his heart fluttered then. “You remember me, little one.”

Nero frowned at him and then tilted his head to the side. Amanozako hummed and then spoke to his son. “You may remember him, dear one, but he will try to take you from me as well.”

V’s expression hardened at the Goddess, and Nero’s expression shifted. He still looked puzzled, then curious, and then frowning once again. Nero looked so conflicted right now, and V inhaled sharply. Amanozako was pulling him in one direction, and V pulled him in another. V wished he could silence this witch right now. Soon, his son was glaring in his direction, giving in to the words that Amanozako spoke to him. This was not good.

He knelt and touched Dante’s shoulder, shaking it. “Brother, it is time to wake up. Now. ” 

In this state, he was completely at Nero’s mercy. He could hear Shadow roar against his skin and Nightmare buzzing around in his mind. True, he could defend himself against lesser demons like Nidhogg or the Nobodies with the help of his familiars, but Nero…that was a different story. Nero was a quarter demon, but he also received a blessing from a Goddess. His power had grown immensely. Vergil had struggled against him, but V? He knows that he would fail. V gritted his teeth as he shot a glare at the deity. 

Oh, how he wished to shout at the Goddess and threaten her as his full self had, but his threats would be empty. V could never achieve the power his complete self had. So, since he was stuck in his human form, there was only one person who could help right now. 

“Dante!” V growled and whacked his chest with his cane. The red devil’s eyes opened, and he froze the instant he saw him. 

Dante bolted up and looked around for something, or rather, someone . It took a moment before who he looked for clicked in his mind, and V shook his head. 

“Do not despair, brother, only I came out. I do not sense Urizen anywhere.” 

Dante let out a loud sigh of relief. “Good, he is the last person I want to deal with right now. The kid is our priority.”

Then he paused and looked at V, incredulous, then he spotted Nero on the water. His eyes widened in shock as it dawned on the red devil what had happened, and then he looked at V again. “Holy shit.”

“Yes, it seems the Yamato has given my human heart a chance to walk the earth again,” V said as he stood up. Nero was still looking at him. “And it has put our fight on pause.”

“Wait, how long was I out for?! Nero's demon form shouldn't still be active! He's going to hurt himself.” Dante hissed as he stood beside his twin's human half. 

“My thoughts exactly, but I believe the…deity is forcing him to stay in that form,” V growled, the last bit of his sentence. “Harming my nestling like this…even in this state, I wish to strangle her.”

“You and me both, old man,” Dante mumbled as he watched his nephew staring at them. He drew the Devil Sword and asked. “Think he'll attack me now, or is he wanting more one-on-one time with you?”

“Ya probably should take over the fight, Dante. Even with Nightmare, our boy V will be child’s play!” Griffon exclaimed. Dante turned to look at the bird and reached up to pat its head. Griffon let out a sound at the insult. 

“You’re probably right, chickadee, but that’s still his kid, and I think my big brother made him a promise.” Dante declared, and V looked surprised. How did he know about that? 

V then nodded and stepped forward. He pushed his minuscule amount of demonic energy into his feet as he stepped out onto the water. Griffon remained perched on his shoulder. Dante followed after and then looked thoughtful. He then looked at V with a smirk. “Think I got a chance against her?”

The dark-haired man gave him a deadpan look. Damn, even if he didn’t look like Vergil right now, it was easy to tell that he was Nero's father. “A deity, remember? Just focus on defending yourself and me, and do not get stabbed by my sword.”

The moment they had stepped onto the water, V noticed how tense his son was, but also…there was sweat on his brow. It looked like he was struggling as he started to move, his foot slow to respond to his brain. Yet, V could not underestimate him. Nero needed to return to his human form soon. He knew he was fretting over his nestling, a feeling that with Vergil, was restrained. Of course, for the last day or so, that restraint had crumbled. It physically hurt Vergil to see his nestling used in such a way. For V, though, it was heartbreaking. 

V kept his eyes on his son as he wielded the red glowing Yamato. Dante was watching him too, not moving. He stepped forward first. 

Nero's wing shot out toward him, only for Griffon to fly out and send an electric bolt at the wing. The familiar cried out as Nero cringed. “Comin’ at ya, kid!”

“Do not harm him recklessly,” V warned the familiar. Griffon laughed in his head in return. 

“It's so cute to see ya so fatherly, V.” V scowled at the bird as the other wing shot out. Dante blocked it by grabbing onto it. 

“Hey, careful there, kid! Your Dad's a little fragile right now, you know that!” Dante exclaimed, only to be pulled away and slammed down onto the water. V winced when he saw blood. Nero's wings were powerful. 

He heard Dante mumble about that hurting and V saw the wing go for him again. Griffon saw this and his claw grabbed V’s hand, flying him out of its range. Griffon set him down on the water.

“Damn, the kid's gunning for ya V, ya must have really pissed him off.” Griffon huffed as V stood back up. 

“I shot at his wings several times. I am not too surprised.” V huffed quietly and looked down at the firearm. Something inside of him told him that it was more than that. Nero's violent reaction.

“GET AWAY FROM ME!”  

That was aimed at him, after Vergil had grabbed his right hand. V let out a shaky breath before he checked on the firearm. There weren't many bullets left. Suddenly, Dante jumped in front of him, sword drawn. V heard Nero growling as he clashed swords with his uncle. 

“Kid! Forget the old man, I'm willing to fight like the good old times.” Dante taunted him, trying to draw his attention to him. 

“Arm…stolen...hurt…blood…” V's stomach dropped then. “...don't love…Me.”

V's chest seized then. Did Nero think V or Vergil didn't love him? His lower lip trembled as he stared at Dante's back. The red devil had tensed up before he shoved Nero back. Then Dante summoned his red swords and fired them off at Nero. Nero jumped back, blocking them with his own. The boy was panting, and the red around his body was beginning to flicker, causing him to fall to his knees. 

Nero began to howl in pain, which made V freeze. V didn't even realize he was running until I heard splashing. Griffon cried out. “V?! WHAT ARE YA DOING?!”

Dante’s voice followed, and V heard him beginning to run. “VERGE! STAY AWAY! HE COULD BE FAKING IT!”

There was always a possibility that Nero was faking, but in his heart, he knew better. The howling tugged at his human heart and his remaining demonic instincts. His child was in pain and needed him. V was starting to pant as he ran, feeling his weakened state catching up with him. Then, she appeared in front of him. 

Amanozako raised her spear, ready to strike him. No, nothing was going to stop him from getting to Nero. V held out his hand, and Shadow emerged from the tattoos on his body. Shadow let out a roar as her body slammed into the deity.

“Pierce ‘em through!” V commanded the large cat. Shadow used her hedgehog move. 

V swore he heard the deity hiss as she was impaled with spikes, but he did not waste time savoring it. No, right now, he needed to get to Nero. Nero was now clutching his chest and struggling to get to his feet. He was slowing down even more. However, V remembered how human he was when he stumbled over his foot. V let out a cry as he fell forward, face hitting the water. He gasped and pulled his face out of the water. His face and his black hair were wet now, but he knew he was a few feet away from Nero.

Nero was now looking at him in surprise. He continued to glow red, and he stared at the young man before him, but he roared in pain. His wings started to thrash around. V grunted and started to try to stand up, but then a shot of pain ran through his body. He feels something rolling down from his nose, and he tastes blood in his mouth, blood. The wings flew at him, and he quickly rolled out of the way.

“Damnit…” V cursed under his breath as he tried to pull himself up again. His body refused to respond at first, still aching with pain. Still, he met Nero’s eyes. Nero was frightened, in pain, so much pain. The dark-haired man was panting quietly before he managed to start speaking. “Sleep…sleep…happy child…”

Nero froze as he heard V. The human half of Vergil saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes. V coughed and then finally managed to push himself up. Nero was staring at him and breathing heavily. V inhaled sharply and then started to scoot across the water. His body was aching from the fall, but he knew his nestling needed him. Suddenly, a flash of red appeared and collided with V’s body. He cried out in pain as he was sent flying back, landing in the water once more. He inhaled both blood and water. The human Son of Sparda gritted his teeth, his body aching more. Nero lashed out at him again. 

No, he would not allow this to happen once more. Surfacing and ignoring the pain in his body, V pulled himself out of the water. Not bothering to stand up this time, he crawled over to Nero. V reached up to wipe the blood from his face as he moved along the water.  

 “...all…creation slept…and smil'd .” V started to sing the poem by Blake. He knows Vergil had spoken the lines to Nero the night before. He should recognize them. “Sleep sleep…happy sleep while o'er thee…thy mother…weep.”

“...D…Da…d,” Nero called out to him. V smiled softly when he heard that. The wings that had hit him were now on the boy’s shoulders, but he still wondered if they were a threat. 

“Sweet babe in thy face, holy image I can trace…” V responded as he reached out for his son.  His hand brushed the unruly black hair away and met warm scales as V sat down in front of his son. He smiled at his son as he sang quietly. “Sweet babe, once like thee. Thy maker lay and wept for me…” 

Red eyes fluttered, and soon, Nero leaned into his touch. The sound of purring made the human half relax. Despite not having access to his demonic heritage, V could still reach out to the demonic half of his son. Still, he felt relief. V inhaled shakily in relief and then slowly wrapped his arm around the quarter demon, pulling his son right into his arms. Sensing no resistance, V pulled Nero’s head to his chest. Let him feel his heartbeat, let him know that V was here and did indeed love him. 

Vergil had spoken the words, but V would show his fatherly love. 

“NO!” V heard the deity cry out. He looked back to see that Shadow was close to a stalemate. V inhaled sharply and then called the jaguar back to him. 

“Wept for me for thee for all, when he was an infant small.” V continued to sing, lulling his beloved son into a state of tranquility. He moved to start stroking the unkempt black hair, and he felt Nero pressing his face into his chest. Nero chirped at him, which made V smile. 

“There, there, my little one. I shall keep you safe.”

The dark-haired man saw that Yamato was sitting beside them. V let out a shaky sigh and then pushed it aside with his cane. Even after merging with Urizen and separating once more, V is certain he could not handle his sword right now. The red glow around the blade began to subside and turn blue. Did that mean…?

V looked down at his nestling and saw his hair returning to snow white. 

Behind him, he heard Dante growl, and he turned to see Amanozako clashing blades with him. Dante was triggered and pushed back against the spear. He turned to look at V, where they locked eyes. Dante then made a ring appear out of nowhere and cried out. 

“Verge! Get him back in the water and hold onto this until he’s purified!” 

The ring’s purple gem glowed in the early morning light. Before he could properly respond, Dante chucked it at him. V frowned, but found he could not move to grab it. Nero was in his arms! Still, he tried to reach out for it, but then saw blue wings swoop down to grab it. The ring shimmered in Griffon’s claw. V sighed in relief. 

“I got it, V! Get yer nestling into the water!”

“Right.” V released his demonic energy and then sank into the water, Nero in tow. Father and son hissed as they hit the water. He remembers, as Vergil, that the water was cold. Nero hates cold water. Then again, he did not enjoy it right now. Still, V refused to let go. The water was soon glowing blue once more.

V felt and heard his teeth chatter. His arms were shaking. There was still pain in his body from the wings, wings that were now their natural blue. Still, V kept his fingers running through the long white hair. “It’s alright now, Nero. You will be back to your old self before you know it.”

Almost as if on cue, Nero’s human form took over, and he heard a soft whimper. V relaxed now as he held onto his son.

“Co-Co-Co-Cold, Dad.” Nero chattered as he clung to V. Nero's arms were wrapped around him, staying in the water. 

“I-I-I know, dear one. Bu-But it is a sacrifice we-we must make.” V responded quietly. He ran his fingers along his son’s scalp. He continued to sing softly. “Smiles on thee on me on all, who became an infant small, infant smiles are his own smiles, heaven & earth to peace beguiles.”

Nero inhaled softly when V continued to sing and clung tightly to him. Nero mumbled against him.“I like it…when you recite the poems…it’s soothing.” 

V chuckled softly, and then Griffon hovered down to them. He handed the ring over and then perched on the dark-haired Sparda’s shoulder. “Shakespeare here does have a soothing voice in this form, kid. Ya gonna do poetry readings next, V?”

“Hmm, that will depend on Vergil.” V hummed and then laid his head on Nero’s.  “It seems you have found a way to unleash my human half, sweet little nestling.” 

Though it was not exactly the way he would have liked to learn about this. Nero nodded, seemingly happy to be held like this. V smiled and then thought about Nero’s reactions before he transformed. 

“Nero…Vergil and I have failed you to a certain degree. We have not talked about that day.” Nero seemed to freeze against him. “We have not apologized either. We are sorry… I wish I knew how to make it up to you.”

“I…I don’t know either.” Nero admitted quietly. He let out soft breaths against his father, but did not push him away. The boy is silent for a while before he speaks up again. “...When I realized it was you that took my arm…it hurt. You came to me and I would’ve helped you.”

He paused before letting out a soft laugh. “I was serious about Kyrie’s cooking, you know? Though you know that by now.”

V smiled weakly. “She is an amazing cook. We were fools not to join you for dinner that night.” 

Then he sighed softly. “Then again, I feel as though we are the biggest fools of all for rejecting you, though.  My whole self and Dante are right, you are the light of our lives, the best of us.”

He’s certain his son is blushing right now as he feels him burying his face into his chest. Nero’s voice was soft as he asked. “Did…I heard…Dad, you said you love me.”

“You are making sure that you heard that right?” V asked. 

“C’mon, kid! Why would Vergil lie to ya? Sure, Vergil’s not exactly the most communicative person in the world, but you’re his kid. Through this whole thing, his mind hardly strayed from you, his little nestling!” Griffon squawked. V shook his head while Nero tilted his head up to look up at his father’s human half.. 

“That sums up what I was going to say.” V huffed and then pressed a kiss to the top of Nero’s head. “Yes, you heard right. We do love you, Nero.”

Nero tensed up for but a moment before he relaxed against him. Could he not believe that he was loved by his father? That he could be loved by his family? Much like Vergil in the previous day, V pressed his face against his head. 

“Sweet dreams form a shade, o'er my lovely infant's head. Sweet dreams of pleasant streams,

by happy, silent, moony beams.” V sang softly to his nestling. He was pleased when he felt Nero relax in his arms. Knowing that his child loved hearing the poetry of his favorite poet made him - and Vergil - ecstatic. 

“...You…You and Vergil really like that one.” Nero whispered against him.

V smiled happily. “It is called, “A Cradle Song”. If I had had the chance to raise you, this would be the song that I would have sung you to sleep with.” 

Nero let out a little “oh”. Then V heard Dante laughing and turned his head to see Dante standing over the deity. She was still holding her spear, but she was down on her knees. Nero did peek out as well, but V kept him close still. 

“Look, lady, you wanted to separate us, right? But guess what? You only brought my brother and nephew even closer together.” Dante taunted her, which caused V to sigh. 

Amanozako did look up at him then and laughed quietly. “ But you forget…no matter how much you purify Nero, he is still bound to me. My blessing will be with him forever.”

Dante huffed softly before he started to shake his finger. “True enough, neither Vergil nor I can fix that. But no more mind control for you.” 

The water’s glow soon ceased. This was it! V quickly took hold of Nero’s hand and placed the purple jeweled ring onto his finger. Nero gasped softly as magic washed over him, something that V himself could feel as well. Amanozako sensed the magic and then stood up. 

“It appears I have been thwarted…However…” She then turned to look at the father-son pair. V felt her looking at Nero. Nero froze against him. “The powers I gave you, Nero, are at your disposal. Use them whenever you like.” 

Then they would never truly be rid of her, but Nero was freed from her mind control. V let out a shaky sigh and then glowered at the deity with intense hatred. “Begone.”

Amanozako laughed then. “Oh dear, Vergil. I wish I had taken you under my wing all those years ago. You would have made a wonderful son to me as well.”

With that, the red mist appeared, and she walked backwards into it. V felt Nero release a breath that he had been holding in for a while. Soon, a strange sensation entered his chest. V grunted and then reached up to touch his chest. Griffon let out a squawk and then declared to Nero. “I think that’s it for us, kiddo. Daddy dearest is returning.”

Nero blinked in surprise and then looked at the human half of his father, reaching out to take his hand. V looked at him and saw Nero smiling. Nero looked…tired, his eyes heavy, threatening to close at any moment. He was likely still running on fumes.“I know…it’s okay. You and he are both my Dad. You’re just one part of him, and you’ll always be here.”

V nodded and then leaned over to kiss his forehead. He smiled tiredly. “You are right, Nero. We love you, no matter which part of us is out.” 

Dante walked over and knelt by the father-son pair. He was smiling like hell as the Devil Sword was on his back once more. “It was good to see you, V. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you two.”

V hummed softly and chuckled. “Ahh, we both look tired, do we? Yes…make sure to use Yamato to take us all back to Kyrie.”

The youngest Sparda descendant froze and then looked at the sky. He looked a little more awake, but V knew better. “Shit! Kyrie’s probably already done making breakfast!  

“I bet she’ll keep a plate warmed up for the two of you.” Dante picked up the katana and smiled at the blade. Then, Yamato began to hum in his head and glowed blue, pleased with the situation. V heard Dante mumble to her. “I know, sweetie. I’m pretty happy to have our little family together again.”

V felt a sensation in his body, and he closed his eyes. His three familiars let out sounds as he too started to transform. Nero felt the person grow warm and shine bright as Vergil returned to his natural form. Vergil opened his eyes and then let out a soft breath before looking down at his son, then brother. 

He lifted his hand and looked down to see that he had indeed returned. He was V again. To his relief, Urizen seemed to have been undisturbed by the transformation. Dante was right, dealing with his demonic half would have made this whole situation even more complicated. Vergil breathed a sigh of relief and then looked down at his nestling, who was now resting against him. A soft smile crossed his face and held Nero close.

“Welcome back…Dad.” Nero mumbled, and the exhaustion was finally hitting his son. Yet, Vergil could hear the smile in his voice. “...Love you, Dad.”

The blue devil’s eyes widened in shock, and he was quick to look at his younger twin. Dante must have heard their nestling and grinned brightly. He patted his brother’s shoulder, looking joyful for them. The red devil then stood up and drew Yamato from her sheath, before concentrating on creating a portal to Fortuna. Vergil turned his attention back to Nero and laid his face against Nero’s head, listening to his human heart beating in his chest. It was soon steady, and Vergil could sense his nestling drifting off to sleep. 

“I love you, too, my son.”

—

Dante was happy not to have to drag both his brother and nephew through the portal into Nero’s home. Despite being soaking wet and tired, Vergil had enough energy to pick up Nero and carry him through the portal. Kyrie was there to meet them, shocked and worried over the three demon hunters. She had helped the twins out of their wet coats, promising to hang them up to dry outside. She insisted that Vergil, who put up no fight, lie down with Nero on his chest. Kyrie got the coat off of her lover, and she went to get some warm blankets. However, Vergil didn’t last much longer. 

The blue twin drifted off to sleep, seemingly comfortable and at peace with Nero safe in his arms. Dante smiled, making sure to close the portal and set Yamato against the couch. As he did this, he heard Vergil purring in his sleep, and Nero let out a chirp. He patted the kid’s head as Kyrie returned with the blankets. She paused and smiled fondly at the scene. 

“They look so much alike,” Kyrie whispered as she placed the blankets around the pair. 

“That they do.” Dante agreed as he sat down on the ground. He leaned against the couch with a relaxed sigh. “Nero should be good. That Goddess can’t influence him anymore.”

Kyrie nodded, but he did notice her looking down at Nero. She reached down and touched the charm around his neck. It was glowing faintly, and she chewed on her lower lip. 

“But she’ll still be in our lives.”

Dante let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “Yep. Not much we can do about that…sorry, Kyrie.”

She smiled gently and let go of the charm. “Gods, demons, and humans…I don’t think it was possible to ever be rid of them. After all, my in-laws are half-demons.” 

“True enough.” Dante laughed and then folded his arms over his chest. “Nero said something about breakfast?”

“You three are lucky that I waited. I was thinking of starting the pancakes soon. Lucky for you, I had to go get chocolate chips from the store.” Kyrie giggled. “Nero loves chocolate chip pancakes.”

“That’s perfect, Vergil loves those too. He will probably stab me for telling you that later.” Dante smiled and then looked over at the sleeping father-son pair. 

Nero shifted around on his father’s chest but seemed to settle down when Vergil let out a soft growl. Dante let out a quiet laugh before shaking his head. 

He’d let them sleep for a while. They all had earned a good rest. 

Chapter Text

In another universe…

His time spent researching and raising the Temen-Ni-Gru had not been a total waste of time. Yes, it had driven an even deeper wedge between himself and his younger twin, both literally and metaphorically, but it was not for naught. As he fell into hell, his Father's place of birth and where he achieved many things over two thousand years ago, he was positioning himself to fight Mundus. Even without his father's power, he felt he could still succeed. 

However, he did not predict he would lose. Now, he was on his knees, wounds slowly healing and being looked down upon by those eerie red eyes. Vergil tried to stand up, but could not find the strength. He would not bow! He gritted his teeth as he forced himself to his feet and glared at those red eyes. 

“You shall become mine, pathetic half-breed. You will live, and your only purpose will be to serve me.” The demon lord declared, his voice booming.

Vergil chuckled darkly. “Never.”

Then, in the darkness in front of him, he sees the faint outline of a hand. A large hand. Vergil braces himself to dodge the attack when suddenly, he hears the sound of a bell. He sees the hand freeze, followed by a roar. 

“It cannot be! A deity! ” The demon king roared, and Vergil turned around to spot a lone woman.

Vergil could tell that it was a woman based on smell as she walked on the water. She wore a deep red, grotesque mask, like one from a play. The face on the mask looked inhuman, with a twisted expression. She wore a beautiful, dark pink kimono with a gold bell clasp. The pants were red, and she carried a polearm, a naginata, if he recalled. Yamato's appearance and this naginata came from the same culture. She was walking toward him.

“Vergil Sparda…then I'm not too late.” And she knew his name. Then again, Mundus declared she was a deity, but of what? 

Vergil was quick to point the Yamato at her. “Who are you? What do you want? I am busy.”

“Hmm, did you enjoy losing?” The deity hummed, and he winced at that. Did she know he was in a losing battle? “My name is Amanozako, Goddess of rebellion and disobedience, and I have come for you.”

A Goddess of rebellion and disobedience? Vergil frowned. It sounded like she was someone who would likely favor Dante over him. And yet…she appeared before him. She approached him and stood right in front of him. He wished he could see her face to get a better read on her. 

“Your wife and child are in danger.” Her voice is low, and her words carry much weight. 

Wife and child are in danger. His eyes grew wide. Had she said…child? Cristina had given birth? He had left her back in Fortuna…and pregnant? Vergil inhaled sharply in surprise. His heart fluttered, and he touched his chest. There was a child out there that was his, and he was here, in hell. He supposed that in killing Mundus, he would be keeping his child safe. And yet…his eyes fell to the ground. What the hell was he doing here?

Vergil let out a soft growl as his gaze went to the three-eyed devil behind us.“From him.” 

She nodded and then looked over at the devil behind them. Amanozako did brush past the blue half-devil and looked up at its eyes. “Mundus, Prince of Darkness, son of Giesmus. It has been a long time since we last met, and oh, have you fallen.”

The avatar of the Prince of Darkness roared. “It has been over a millennium! What brings you here, you vile deity?! Come to steal my future knight?!”

“You are unworthy of this child.” The Goddess responded calmly. “He will never grow under you. You would destroy his potential. No, instead, I shall make sure he is treasured, and you cannot stop me. You are nothing but a speck.”

Mundus roared again, and she held up her hand. The bell on her kimono then rang, and in the blink of an eye, the avatar was gone. Vergil inhaled sharply as she turned to look back at him, and despite not seeing her face, he could tell that she was smiling at him. 

“Come, dear Vergil. Let us reunite you with your wife and child, my blessed child.” 

—

With a snap of her fingers, the Goddess took both of them out of hell. It was amazing how easy it was for her to get them out of there. Of course, he would take over from there as he drew Yamato and concentrated his devil energy into it so he could slice open a portal. The portal would take them to Fortuna. He wondered if the Goddess needed to follow him when she could just as easily snap her fingers. Perhaps she was curious about his devil arm? Vergil regarded her quietly, questioning her motives. 

She had called him her blessed child and said that she would “treasure” his potential. That Mundus would destroy his potential. Of course, he had no doubts that the prince of darkness would destroy him, in both mind and body. It was his way of serving vengeance against his father. 

Not only that, she had told him that Cristina had been pregnant and had given birth to a child. A child. A nestling, his demonic hand supplied in his mind. He had a nestling. That was something that he never expected to happen. He and Cristina had spent many nights together, but to create a child…it was unexpected. 

He breathed through his nose as he thought of his nestling. Was it a boy or a girl? A daughter of Sparda would certainly break the cycle. Vergil stared at the portal. They were in danger. His child and his beloved Cristina. Were demons after them? Demons that Mundus had sent?! 

The half-devil bared his teeth and growled. Mundus wished to harm his child . 

“Where did you banish Mundus to?” He asked as he stared at the portal. 

“To the furthest part of Hell, he won’t be a bother for quite some time,” Amanozako answered with a hum. “You, your wife, your child, and your twin brother will be safe for the time being. His minions cannot get orders for him…other than the ones that were already given.” 

Vergil cursed inside his mind, and he sniffed the air. Was Cristina at home? Was she out with their child? Was she under attack? The half-devil looked around and then heard the sound of demons. A pack of them. He growled as he heard a feminine screech. A screech that sounded familiar and made his heart begin to race. Cristina. She was in danger. He let out a roar, and he slipped into his devil trigger, moving quickly to her side. 

By the time he arrives, the smell of her blood wafts around in the air, which makes his rage grow. How dare these infernal things touch his wife?! She had one hand on her side, which was turning redder with every second, and in the other hand, her family sword. He had taught her a few moves before he left, but he never imagined that she would have to use the moves. Her hand was shaking as she slashed at an approaching demon. 

“Get back you scum! I-I know how to use this thing!” She cried out. Panic laced her voice, and he could see her eyes were wide with fear. 

Suddenly, another demon sprang forward to attack her, and Vergil was quick to intercept. He roared and stood over his beloved protectively as he stopped the attack with his bare lizard-like hand. Below him, he heard his beloved gasp in shock.

“MINE!” Vergil roared and then summoned Yamato, making work of these damned creatures. None of these demons would harm his wife again! None of them would go after his nestling! Speaking of…he looked down at Cristina and let out a soft growl. She was not holding their nestling. Where was their nestling?!

Cristina cringed and then looked him in the eye. She was not afraid of him; she never was. Instead, she dropped her sword to reach up and touch his cheek. “My…My Vergil. You came back.”

Vergil growled softly and leaned into her touch. “I did…I am here to save you and our nestling.” 

Her eyes widened in shock. He knows that she was wondering how he knew about their nestling, but the demon's growls caught his attention once more. Vergil snarled and turned to look at them before he warped over, slashing the demons to pieces. Cristina was not going to die today. No, he was going to make sure she lived a long life, and they would raise their son together. Nothing would keep them apart ever again. 

Vergil made short work of these demons, the last of Mundus’s minions. The demon prince would not bother them for a while, but Vergil would make sure that he was ready to defeat him next time. Their nestling would forever be in danger if Mundus continued to exist. He triggered as he waited for their bodies to fade. Vergil growled and watched as their bodies dissolved into the red orbs, which he took in. However, he did not have time to savor the victory as he still smelled her blood. 

He returned to Cristina’s side, slowly picking her up and pulling her into his arms. She let out a soft sigh and rested her head against his chest. The smell of her blood worried him, and he cupped her cheek with one hand. 

“I should have come sooner. I’m such a fool.” Vergil whispered as he held her close. There was so much blood. 

She smiled at him, but the smile was weak. Cristina leaned into his touch. “You are a fool, but a fool that I love. I’m so happy that you came back.” 

He nodded and kissed her cheek. He stood up, careful to shift her around so he could hold her like the beautiful bride that she was. “I am getting you to the human hospital. You will not die, my love.”

Cristina sighed shakily and held her wound; her hands were shaking. He inhaled sharply as she spoke. “Sn-Snowy, I’m not sure…not sure if I’ll make it there.” 

“Don’t say that.” He hissed and then pressed his face to her cheek. His body began to shake. “No. Those humans in the hospital will save you. They will stitch you up, and you will heal. I will retrieve our nestling, and we will stay by your side.”

“How…How did you…?” She asked and then started to cough up blood. Vergil snarled and started to move quickly. 

Before he could get any further, Amanozako appeared before them. Vergil halted quickly, and he glared at the Goddess who stood in their way. What was she doing?! Why was she getting in his way?! Cristina needed the hospital!

“Out of my way!” He almost roared, his demonic presence growing in rage. His body and eyes began to glow blue. “I will not lose my wife!”

“Vergil…” Cristina mumbled his name. She was not afraid of his demonic half. She had embraced him fully.

“If you do not listen to me, then she will. Cristina is correct; she will not make it there. She knows her body well and she knows how much blood has been lost.” Amanozako spoke firmly. She did not flinch at the appearance of his demonic power. The Goddess remained eerily calm. 

Vergil’s eyes widened in horror, and the dread that had been building up in his stomach finally sank into it. His body was shaking as he dropped to his knees. No, no, no! He just returned! His foolishness had kept him away for too damn long. His goal to defeat Mundus was meaningless without her. There was almost no point in living without his beloved. Cristina was the one human that he cared about the most. Her breathing was becoming heavy, and Vergil pressed his face to her cheek. 

His face was growing wet as he held her and started to rock Cristina. She shushed him gently and started to stroke his cheek. “Vergil…it’s okay. You have to be strong, strong for our Nero.”

Nero. He let out a sob and held onto her tightly. Then the Goddess was kneeling next to him, and the hybrid turned to look at her. The Goddess reached out and brushed away some of the tears. 

“It doesn’t have to be the end, dear Vergil. No, I can help you both so you can be with Nero.” 

Vergil froze at that and then looked down at Cristina, who was looking at the Goddess in surprise. What did that mean? Vergil continued to rock Cristina and then sniffled. There was no way that this was a gift, a miracle. He has been certain that the Goddess Amanozako had a purpose for coming into Hell, saving him, and then banishing Mundus. The purpose was to get him. It must be. The half-devil inhaled sharply and then kissed Cristina’s cheek before looking at the Goddess with a tear-stained face. 

“I’ll do anything for my Cristina. Whatever the price.” 

He could tell that the Goddess was smiling from underneath the mask. The Goddess reached out her hand and started to heal Cristina’s wound. The woman gasped softly as her wound began to glow, and Vergil could feel the magic drift over them. Vergil cooed as Cristina cringed in pain and then started to stroke her hair. The color was starting to return to her face, and his unshed grief hit him as he started to sob. He had managed to save someone in his life, even if it came at a price. 

Cristina was sobbing quietly too and kissed his cheek. She must have understood what he had done for her. 

“I’ll do-do anything for you. Anything.” Vergil whispered to her, and she kissed his other cheek. 

“I-I know, Vergil. I know.” She whispered back, stroking his face. “Ne-Nero. You-you need to see Nero. Oh, Vergil, h-he looks just like you. Yo-You need to see him before…”

He needed to see his son before this Goddess presumably took him away? Was this the last time he would ever see his wife? Would he only get to see his son once in his life? His heart was fluttering, and his inner devil roared, desiring to hold their nestling. Nero. Nero was a perfect name for a child of his. An Emperor, a leader. Yes, Emperor Nero was not seen in the best of light, but Vergil also knew it was a strong name. 

Amanozako let out a soft smile, and she reached out to brush tears from Cristina’s cheek. “Fret not, my dear daughter. I will not take him away. No, I was not lying when I told you that you will still have Vergil and Nero.” 

Cristina expelled a breath and then looked at Vergil in shock, who was equally shocked. He stared at the Goddess. “The price…what is it?” 

“The price is simple. As I told Mundus, you hold so much potential, and he would have quashed it. No, I want you to flourish, Vergil Sparda, and you will.” Amanozako lifted her mask slightly, and Vergil saw the woman underneath smiling. “From this day forward, you are my blessed child.” 

“Blessed…child,” Vergil mumbled. Amanozako nodded and placed her mask back over her face. In her hand, a charm appeared. It was like the mask she wore, but smaller, and when she moved her hand toward him, he heard the sound of the bell. 

“This is my blessing. You will represent me in the human realm and work in my name. This will amplify your power and you will become much stronger than you already now.” Amanozako explained. “I will give you targets to eliminate. One of them will be the Prince of Hell himself, when he returns.” 

She wished for Mundus to die, too. Vergil let out a deep breath as he looked at the charm before looking at the Goddess for an explanation. 

“We have much in common, Son of Sparda. Thousands of years ago, Mundus slew my son. My son is gone, and your mother was slaughtered by Mundus as well. That is why you have always sought power.  With my blessing, you will be able to end him.” The Goddess explained, her voice wavering between grief and determination. 

He nodded slowly and reached for the charm. “Then no more families will be in danger.” 

“Indeed. Your wife, son, and brother will be safe from Mundus.”

Vergil picked up the charm, accepting it. He tried to put it on with one hand, and Cristina sighed softly at his attempt. She reached out to help him put the charm on, putting it around his neck. He smiled at her, thankful for her. The charm began to glow, and Vergil felt a wave of magic rush through his body. He had a feeling it was magic-based. Cristina must have felt him tense up, and she started to stroke his hair. 

She did look at the Goddess and then gathered the courage to ask. Vergil hears the concern in her voice. “Do…Do you know if Nero is safe? Did the family I left him with find him? Please tell them they did.”

The Goddess touched Cristina’s hand gently. “Do not worry, dear Cristina. Nero is safe, but upset. The Eleison family is trying to help him fall asleep, but he misses you so much.”

Her eyes widened, and she tried to stand up, only to fall back. Vergil quickly made sure his grip on her was tight so she didn’t get hurt. He stood up, holding her close. His head was starting to ache a bit, but he knew he needed to get his wife to their son. “We must…We must get to Nero.” 

Amanozako nodded and then pointed her polearm at Cristina’s torn and bloody clothing. “I agree, but we do something about yours and your beloved’s clothes. We do not want to scare the Eleison family and Nero.” 

“She has a point…I don’t know them well, but Vergil…the husband is the Supreme General.” Cristina told him, touching his chest. “If we came to the house covered in blood…we might cause more problems.” 

He hummed, looking down at their clothing. It would look bad if they came to the door like this. Normally, Vergil would not care about the opinions of humans, but in this case, he did mind. This family was important, one of the most important families in this area. This family had their son. He nodded in agreement. 

“Alright, but we need to hurry.” Vergil was feeling anxious. He had a son. A son who looked like him. Did that mean the boy had his white hair and blue eyes? Or did he resemble his facial features? It was too early to know his son’s personality. Vergil was both anxious and curious about his nestling.

Cristina chuckled softly and then poked his chest. “I know that look. You’re curious about our little Prince. That means you’re excited.” 

He huffed as his face began to heat up. He did not deny it. Amanozako laughed at that and tapped her polearm against Cristina’s leg and then Vergil’s arm. Suddenly, Cristina’s dress was repaired and cleaned, but he did notice that there was a new necklace around her neck. She picked it up and saw that the charm resembled Vergil’s devil side. She smiled and brushed her fingers against the charm. Vergil looked down and saw that his clothes were clean too, but his coat was a different color. It was a dark navy blue, and he hummed in approval. 

“It looks just like you, Snowy.” Cristina giggled when she showed him the charm and then smiled at Amanozako. “Thank you so much.” 

“Of course. Now, off you go. Little Nero needs his parents.” Amanozako stood up. “Do not worry, I will be around.” 

She disappeared in a flash of red light. Vergil was quick to take off running with his wife in his arms. Cristina wrapped her arms around his neck as she held on. She knew her husband was truly excited as he practically warped through the streets. He listened to her when she pointed out the Eleison house, and Vergil was quick to sniff the air. Yes. There. The scent was faint, but he could smell his son. He felt his heart quicken in his chest, and he cringed when his devil half roared victoriously. 

Nestling. Nestling. Nestling. Nero.

“Your other half is talking to you again,” Cristina spoke up with a smile. He blinked in surprise as she reached up to poke his nose. “I think he’s as excited as you are.” 

“Hmm…perhaps more. Demon and devil biology is different from humans…and we devils are drawn to our nestlings. We have a strong need to protect them.” He explained as he approached the front door. 

“Ah, I don’t know. It sounds like the maternal and paternal instincts we humans have.” She smirked at him and kissed him on the lips. “Well, maybe not the tugging at the soul that you’ve told me about before.”

“Hmm, I am curious about the human maternal instincts. Do you think you’d be able to move a bus if Nero were trapped in one?” Vergil asked curiously. 

She shrugged her shoulders. “Well, that’s if the adrenaline kicks in, but you know damn well I won’t need adrenaline to protect our little Prince…wait, did you leave my sword back there?” 

He froze, and he sighed softly. He did forget her family heirloom. “...I promise I will retrieve it later…or ask our new patron Goddess to grab it.” 

“You better, Snowy.” Vergil huffed at the nickname, and she snickered. “Nothing has changed. You still look so cute when flustered.” 

He huffed again and let out a soft growl before he pressed multiple kisses to her face to quiet her down. If he was cute when he was flustered, then his wife was the most beautiful woman on the planet when she blushed. She squealed in his arms and then giggled before playfully smacking his arm. He smirked down at her before turning back to the door. Even from out there, he could hear the conversations between a man and a woman inside. But also…the sound of crying. The crying of a fussy baby. Vergil tensed up, and he heard his demonic half growl softly, making almost a cooing noise.

Vergil closed his eyes and listened to the sounds his son was making. His son was in there and in distress. Nero missed his mother…and him. Quickly, the half-devil started to knock, but he had to restrain himself from knocking down the door. He was tense as he heard the crying coming closer. His heart started to beat loudly in his head. Cristina cooed and then started to stroke his chest, trying to soothe him. 

“Who is up at this hour?” A man’s voice hit Vergil’s ears. His voice sounded strict.

“Oh, do you think it could be his parents?! Maybe they changed their minds and have come for him?” A woman answered back. She sounded hopeful. “He’s so cute, but poor thing, he’s so upset.” 

Cute. His son was cute . 

The door opened, and their son’s crying hit him in full force. His devil half let out another roar, but one of pride. The tug at his soul was trying to pull him into the house. It took everything inside of Vergil not to speed into the house, snatch up their son, and then make their way home. Cristina patted his chest again, and it snapped Vergil out of his trance. She knew best right now. The Son of Sparda needed to be human right now. He needed to be the Son of Eva. He needed to act civilized. 

The man who answered the door was a little shorter than him and had auburn hair. His eyes were hazel and sharp as he gazed upon them. Vergil could not help but answer his sharpness with his own. However, the man’s gaze did soften. 

“Good evening. Is there something that I can help you both with?” The supposed Supreme General greeted them, his tone was polite. 

Cristina spoke for both of them. “We’re sorry for interrupting your night, Supreme General Eleison, but…we came back for our son.” 

The man froze and then looked over the couple. Vergil remained silent, confident his wife could interact with the couple of this home without him…undermining the conversation. Yet, if Nero had his hair, the man could not deny the resemblance. 

“You see, I left Nero with you because I was trying to find my husband. He has been gone for some time, and I received word that he was back. I…” Cristina hesitated and then sighed shakily. “I worried that he wouldn’t be happy if I showed up with our son, so I left him with you temporarily. I’m so sorry for inconveniencing you and your wife!”

The Supreme General looked from Cristina to him and narrowed his eyes. Ah, he did not like the fact that Vergil had abandoned his wife. “I see…if you are here, then…you have returned to take up your fatherly duties.”

“Yes. I have. When she told me…” Vergil paused, and he felt his usual facade crumble. “I knew I needed to be with them.” 

Then he heard their son cry again, and he became visibly upset. He needed to hold his son. Comfort him. Cristina cooed gently when she saw his expression. She had her hand over the glowing charm, likely trying to hide it from view. The General might take too much interest in it. 

“I see…that is good to hear.” General Eleison seemed to relax then and smiled gently. “I can see that you want to meet him. Come inside, both of you.” 

He nodded, and Vergil felt the tug pull at him once more as he entered the house. He bites down hard on his lip to suppress the growl building up in his throat. Cristina cooed when she heard their son crying, and a woman with brown hair stepped into view. In her hands was a black blanket, holding their son. Nero. Upon seeing both of them, her face lit up.

“Oh my Savior! You must be them! Come inside!” She exclaimed excitedly. Mrs. Eleison gestured for them to follow her while bouncing the crying infant in her arms. Vergil couldn’t help but admire her determination to soothe his nestling, even if he refused to be. 

Vergil entered the house proper, and he heard a creak from above him. He looked up and saw a boy in pajamas, likely the Eleisons’ child, peering down at them curiously. If Vergil had to guess, he was at least six or seven. Vergil met the gaze of the boy briefly, and the boy held his gaze with hesitation. The half-devil couldn’t help but hum in amusement. How interesting. 

“That must be their eldest, Credo. They have another child, but she’s one. She’s probably been asleep for a while.” Cristina whispered to him. She had spotted the boy too and smiled politely up at him. 

“I see…that’s why you left him here. They have experience with children.” Vergil whispered back before he saw the boy walking down the stairs. The boy had the same stern look on his face as his father. 

“Indeed. Maybe they can be Nero’s playmates?” Cristina suggested with a hopeful look on her face. She started to bat her eyelashes at her husband. Vergil snorted in amusement and then kissed her cheek.

“The family appears to be decent. They have been taking care of our nestling for us.” Vergil gave in quickly. “I suppose that might be up to Nero, though.” 

She nodded as they walked into the family room. Mrs. Eleison was sitting down on the couch and was talking to Nero. “There, there, little one. I think you’ll be very happy soon. There are two people here for you.” 

Vergil heard his son sniffle and let out another wail. His heart clenched, but Cristina kept her composure as Vergil set her down next to Mrs. Eleison. The matriarch of this house cooed to Nero and then gently passed Nero right to Cristina. Almost instantly, as if Nero knew who she was automatically, the nestling calmed down. 

“There you are, my little Prince! Have you been a good boy? Momma is back, and I have a surprise for you.” Cristina cooed to her son and pressed kisses to his face. 

Glancing over, Vergil saw General Eleison standing in the doorway with his son standing beside him. Credo was watching Nero, who was now making happy noises. Had Nero kept the boy up? Vergil wished to apologize for his son’s crying, but the new father felt himself once again drawn to the babe. He sat down on the other side of Cristina, and he looked down at his son. 

Vergil’s heart stopped when blue eyes met his own. His inner devil growled, and soon, the noises it made devolved into cooing and clicking noises. For a moment there, he could only hear his breathing as he stared down at his son in amazement. Nero was so small. The little boy gazed back up at him, and for a brief moment, he swore those blue eyes flickered to gold. Vergil smiled down at him, and he reached out with his hand. 

“Look, Nero, this is your Papa. He’s been so excited to meet you.” Cristina told her son as she kissed his forehead. Nero giggled and then reached out to meet Vergil’s hand. 

The half-devil inhaled sharply and almost pulled away. No. No, he wouldn’t. Vergil curled his fingers up into a fist, except one. Nero was so small that he was certain the infant would only be able to hold one finger for now. 

“Hello, Nero. It is wonderful to meet you.” Vergil greeted the baby gently. Then Nero’s little hands wrapped around his finger, and suddenly, he felt the boy almost violently pull the finger closer to him. 

Vergil nearly jumped at that, and then he laughed. Well, it looks like his son was already fairly strong. Cristina smiled knowingly. “A strong grip?”

“Yes…he is perfect, my love.” 

Cristina smirked and then kissed Vergil’s cheek, then Nero’s. “Oh, I know he is.  He is our little prince after all, and we’re going to give him the best life that we can.”

Vergil nodded in agreement and leaned in to kiss Nero’s forehead. For a brief moment, his eyes turned crimson. “Yes, yes, we will.”