Chapter Text
It was supposed to be a normal, uneventful mission. Vergil was calm and collected as usual. He slashed through enemies effortlessly and moved with a blue light. Nero was following suit with his own hoard as he tried to hide his grin. Fighting together was a sort of bonding experience since neither demi-demon really knew how to talk about their emotions.
“Hey old man, there’s some funky demon tablet over here.” Nero said as he approached the strange object. As he reached out, a bright light radiated off the object.
“Nero!” Vergil exclaimed as he rushed towards his son. He pulled the young man back and shielded him with his own body.
It all happened so quickly. Nero hit the floor, holding onto his father’s arm, but when the light faded, he was only holding the blue overcoat. “Old man? Vergil?” On him was a heap of his father’s clothes and Nero wasn’t sure what to do. He started freaking out as he looked around for his father. “Vergil!” He called out again in hopes for some response.
A small head popped out of the mess of clothes. The boy had the notable white hair all the demi-demons shared along with piercing blue eyes. Those eyes narrowed at Nero before pulling away. The small boy flew backwards, grabbing Yamato. A shirt hung loosely on the small boy’s body dropping just above his knee. He frowned at Nero as his fingers trembled above Yamato’s hilt. The sword looked comically large in the small boy’s hand. “What do you want with me demon?”
“Oh shit.” Nero said as he processed what was happening.
[x]
“Devil May Cry. Dante speaking.” Dante answered as he kicked his feet up on the wooden desk. “Oh, Nero. How’s bonding with your old man? Did you clean out that weird professor’s lair or whatnot?”
Dante’s demeanor changed as he frowned and raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, he’s a kid? Hold up, I’m on my way.” He quickly hung up and headed to the location.
Dante didn’t know what to expect, but seeing Nero desperately try to wrangle a kid Vergil was not it. “You weren’t kidding when you said he was a kid. Wow! I haven’t seen him this tiny since we were kids! Hey, verge. It’s your brother Dante.” The old man smiled as he approached the seemingly feral child.
“Liar. Dante’s not an old geezer.” The young boy exclaimed as he quickly slashed at Dante, taking off a bit of his bangs.
Dante jumped back and inspected his hair. “I forgot how quick you were as a kid. Wait, did you call me a geezer? I’m not that old…” Dante hesitated and then sighed. “Yeah, well, maybe I am, but that’s still rude. I expected a younger me to say that, but not you. Come on Vergil. It’s me.”
Vergil snarled at the two white haired men. “Why should I believe you?” Vergil was ready to fight as his stance deepened.
Dante shook his head. “Always the stubborn one.” He revealed Rebellion and let some of his demon energy leak from his body. The show obviously had an effect on Vergil who stared at the older man with wide eyes. “You’ve been hit with some weird spell that made you…uh, how old are you?”
Vergil looked at Nero before locking eyes with Dante. “8.”
“Shit.” Dante said as he realized what that meant for their history.
“Mother says that’s a bad word.” Vergil said as his eyes studied Dante’s reaction.
Dante replied back without thinking. “Don’t be a snitch, Verge.” That response made Vergil’s body relax a bit. Dante shook his head as he looked at the young boy. “Do you believe me now?”
The boy shifted on his feet and then looked at Nero as his hands trembled slightly.
“Oh this guy. Long story short, but he’s family. Don’t you see the resemblance?” Dante said with a big smile as he pulled Nero close. “Hey kid, smile.” This prompted an obvious objection before a forced smile appeared on Nero’s face.
Vergil looked between the two and his jaw unclenched. Then he looked down at himself. “I need pants.” He said bluntly as he held Yamato at his side.
“Now that’s better. Let’s go find you some clothes.” Dante smiled as he moved forward. When Vergil didn’t show signs of resistance, Dante scooped the small boy into his arms. “Aw you’re so cute! I forgot how cute and tiny you were!”
Vergil pushed at Dante’s face and groaned. “Your face is scratchy! Stop.” When Dante stopped Vergil pouted a bit as he rested his head on Dante’s shoulder.
Nero hesitated as he watched the two. “I can bring some clothes over. We have extra from the kids.” There was a vaguely hidden fascination with what was transpiring with the other two.
“Nah, it’s fine Nero. Besides Vergil is particular about clothes and fabrics.” Dante explained as he started to list off Vergil’s requirements. “Not scratchy. Not too loose or too tight. Solid color or basic patterns. Blue is his favorite color.”
“Shut up.” Vergil said as his small hands covered Dante’s mouth. “You make me sound ridiculous.” The young boy was turning red from embarrassment.
Nero had to pause as he watched his father react so earnestly. It was surprising to see such a human reaction. Then he thought about the requirements. He knew his father was always the picky, strait-laced, clean cut type, but never imagined it started so young. “Okay. Do you want me to come with you?” Nero checked his watch. “I can tell Kyrie that I’ll be a little late tonight.”
“It’s fine Nero. I can take care of dearest brother.” Dante smiled wide and bounced Vergil slightly to which Vergil squirmed slightly.
“Stop treating me like a child. I’m the older twin.” Vergil insisted as he pushed at Dante again.
Dante squeezed Vergil and held him tightly. “Don’t be like that Verge. I love you! I’d never do anything to upset you.” The teasing nature of his response prompted a sigh from Nero.
“I’m not leaving my old ma—, Vergil to your chaos. I’m tagging along for now.” He quickly stepped away to tell Kyrie that something came up and he had to help his father and uncle with something.
Vergil looked at Dante. “I’m glad someone has a braincell. It’s obvious that you’re still as irresponsible as ever.” Then he grew quiet and inspected Dante’s face. “Is this what we look like now?” He asked as he gently touched Dante’s cheeks and then traced along the bones. There was an intimacy about the interaction that made Dante’s expression soften.
“Just me. You’re as youthful as ever.” Dante joked as he pressed his forehead gently against Vergil’s.
Nero pretended not to notice the two since he felt it wasn’t his place. He waited a bit before announcing his brief freedom from familial responsibilities.
[x]
Nero went to the store with Dante and Vergil. They quickly found Vergil a few sets of clothes. It was a bit troublesome since Vergil kept vetoing different options that the two would suggest. With the boy now dressed, the trio headed back to DMC.
“I can take him to my house. He can stay with us for now. We have the extra room in the back.” Nero offered as he looked at Vergil sitting quietly off to the side reading.
Dante shook his head. “Nah. It’s fine. Maybe we’ll come over for dinner, but vergil’s been through a lot today. He’ll probably feel more comfortable here with just me. We kept to ourselves a lot as kids. Vergil even more so than me. It’ll be fine. I’ll call you tomorrow with an update.”
Nero was hesitant to leave Vergil and Dante, but he couldn’t abandon his responsibilities at home. “Okay. Call me tomorrow. If anything happens, let me know. I’ll come over immediately.” With that Nero took his leave.
Dante relaxed once Nero was gone. He looked at Vergil and sighed. This was a lot for him as well. Despite his brave face, Dante was overwhelmed with everything that happened.
“You don’t have to keep that fake smile on brother. You’re obviously overwhelmed.” Vergil said without lifting his eyes from the book of poetry.
The response was something Vergil would say even as an adult. It made Dante relax immediately. “I never could hide anything from you brother. So, are you hungry? I can order something. The pizza place down the street is very good.”
Vergil flipped a page. “Pizza? Mommy says we should be eating a balanced meal: vegetables, protein.”
“Okay, then you can get vegetables on your pizza. Besides, cheese is protein.” Dante retorted with a smile as he plopped down beside Vergil. He pulled out the menu and started to read off the options.
Vergil gently leaned against Dante. “Mushrooms and peppers.” He said softly. The page turned again as he continued to read beside Dante.