[He is. He's so human in how he thinks, in how he considers issues, in how he reacts to his own demon. It's honestly hard for Nox to even know what it was like in his past life, living as he did as Nero- but there's also a sense of understanding there, too. That despite all that, it was his human side that brought out his true power. It was his human side that knows love, and kindness, and what it means to have a heart. And it was his humanity that made him want to save his uncle and his father, regardless of what had happened in the past.
Nero is just really, really bad at following through when it comes to him using his own words as advice.
Nox is more than aware of this. He's been familiar with it and how much he couldn't believe, at first, how things had dragged out. Like he was watching things in slow motion and could only stare at it like a train crash happening before his eyes. The human part of him doesn't understand this, but maybe, just maybe...
Now, finally awoken and trusting of his demon, he'll get to learn what it's like to use violence as a language instead of words. (To have fun in clashing blades to the point where you hold nothing back, where you could clearly kill one another and yet you don't have a single care in the world, because everything that needs to be said is said in a fight. To bleed and batter and break and get back up and go right back at it because the thrill and the adrenaline and the need to talk through your sword is louder and more exciting than anything you've ever felt in your life.) Nox has never had the chance to truly experience this, not even with some of the unique people here. In many cases he still has to hold back, has to keep himself in check to enjoy the spar while still doing enough to be a challenge. Even with August, who can take what Nox gives, it's not the same; he doesn't have someone he can relate to and truly experience his demonic nature with.
Dante's reaction to Nox's embrace at first worries him, thinking he's overstepped and done something he really shouldn't have. That maybe his uncle isn't exactly like what he remembers, that somehow he'd gotten this entire thing wrong and he was about to find out why. But the instant Nox feels his uncle actually step into it, he knows everything's okay. The feelings he's lost in, the emotions he doesn't know how to describe– they're there, for sure, and they're going to be there for a while. But. Even those words, It's alright, Nero, help him in a way to settle his feet into a better idea of just how he's going to approach all of this. It has to be one step at a time, has to be slow and careful, but willing to step in and do what's right for himself and his family here.
Huh, funny. Mercedes and August had told him the same fucking thing a few days ago.
There's a sigh, and Nox seems to relax his hold, pulling back from the embrace entirely and casting his eyes elsewhere, looking away while he huffs out in embarrassment and partial annoyance.] Sorry. [Despite the surprising moment, this should look familiar to Dante. Namely, his nephew acting like a tsundere after doing something that doesn't quite fit his sassy jackassery.] Kinda just... it's a lot, right now. For all of us.
[Him, Dante, Vergil. Hell, a part of him wonders if he's gonna get any other family surprises anytime soon, or if he's just lucky because it's his birthday month.]
[ nero doesn't get far before the hand in his hair turns from soothing motions to an affectionate ruffle of hair, dante's face bright with one of those rare smiles that reaches up into his eyes. it's affectionate, relaxed, and almost open in the way he looks at nero despite his embarrassment, despite the way he turns from dante in an incredibly nero way. he has to wonder if something like this will happen to vergil, if the person he is will somehow merge with the person he was and that thought sits heavily in his chest. ]
Weren't you listening, kid? [ dante reaches up to ruffle his hair again, amusement all but shining in his eyes. ] It's fine. I know I have this big bad reputation to uphold ─ [ he really doesn't. ] ─ but I'm not against a hug every now and again. Didn't expect it from you though, it's a nice change.
[ fingers flex around the book, his gaze flicking down to it still in his hand, before holding it out for nero to take back. it's too early, he thinks, far too early at this point to be giving back something so... important. no, not just important, this book is a catalyst for more than just a few memories. even now dante can smell the faint traces of smoke trying to sneak through as the memory bubbles away in the back of his head. ]
Keep a hold on this for a while longer, yeah? Vergil is gonna want it back but... right now isn't going to be the best time.
[The hair ruffle is probably the one thing that settles him, in all this, loathe as a part of him is to admit it. It's normal, an interaction he had countless times with Dante as Nero, and he's sure he'll still have here as Nox. His uncle's words do cause him to at least look back at him to see that amusement, and the words just make him roll his eyes and playfully punch Dante in the arm.]
Yeah, "big bad reputation" my ass. You're full of shit, old man.
[He doesn't wanna talk about it, okay, i-it's not like he LIKES you or anything, b-baka!! Nox crosses his arms at that, exhaling even as Dante looks at the book again, then hands it back.]
Yeah, I... it was a lot, for me, at first. Memories, then suddenly being part-demon, getting a massive temper out of nowhere, then actually wanting to get violent– I get it. I wasn't planning on handing it back right now, he's got you to deal with and that's already a handful. [He loves you, Dante, really.] But. Figured I should show you it along with something else I've got.
[He holds the book in his hands, thumb running down the spine again as he thinks something over first.]
Okay but, question. What the fuck do we tell Vergil if he asks if we know each other?
[Vergil isn't stupid, he can put two and two together. Nox just wants to make sure they don't trip over each other if it happens.]
[ dante makes a face, quick enough to be missed, clutching at spot nero punches as though it truly, deeply, hurt. it lasts only a moment before he is laughing and shaking his head, fingers massaging the spot slightly. it hurt only for a moment, a reminder of how very human he is currently. ]
I know how it feels. [ he crosses his arms across his chest, gaze growing distant. ] But I don't know, it seems like he is taking it pretty well. He asked me to stay, guess he figured it would be easier to have me close at hand to answer questions than not.
[ that is the question, isn't it? why do they tell him? they could lie but how long will they be able to keep that up? besides once vergil remembers he could get pissed that they stuffed him around. ]
The truth. [ now, it's a radical idea, he knows. ] No point lying about it when he'll eventually remember.
[And that split second doesn't go unnoticed, a brow raising before he realizes oh, fuck, right- he doesn't have all his shit yet. He'll have to be careful for the time being. It's odd to be in the opposite position, he always remembers Dante being stronger than him, not the other way around. Until they all were an even match, at least.
There's a bit of hesitance at this, listening to his uncle. What he says makes sense, but it doesn't make it any easier for Nox to really swallow. For him, it's mostly having to deal with the fact that anything he says or does might trigger Vergil's memory of him and who he actually is. And who he is in relation to Vergil.]
He's basically gonna get to see Red Queen up close in his shop within the next week or so. Said he has an interest in how she has a combustible engine, so I'll be bringing her. [A beat.] I'm pretty much expecting him to remember something when he sees her, I just don't know what.
But, yeah. [Nox blows air out of his teeth, fingers digging into his arms.] Gonna be honest, that conversation is gonna be awkward as hell. One minute you're just a regular guy, and then surprise, someone tells you that you're their parent in your past life. That sure doesn't complicate things at all.
[He lets out an aggravated sigh, but concedes anyway.] I won't keep the truth from him, trust me. I'm just not expecting a great reaction and the last thing I wanna do is aggravate him more when he's already dealing with shit.
[Oh, which reminds him, shit– Nox raises a finger to indicate he'll be back in a second, taking Vergil's book with him, only to come back a minute later.]
So, remember I said I had one more thing to show you? [It's easy to see even before he fully raises his hands- he's holding a katana that is achingly familiar to both of them. Yamato.] She showed up in my condo a few months ago, definitely not as strong as I remember her, but it's her for sure.
It's not going to be any more awkward than a guy showing up with your face and finding out he's your twin brother in a past life.
[ he chooses not to mention the fact the first thing he had done was walk up and hug vergil, that seeing his brother after everything was almost too much to take. that the realization that vergil, his vergil, had somehow died and was reborn here made dante's stomach churn with an anger he can't quite shake, even now. it is still something he refuses to think on longer than he has to, else the demon in his blood howl in barely contained fury. ]
Kid, it's Vergil. Something, somehow, is going to aggravate him no matter what happens. He's a big boy, he can handle it. Trust me.
[ he can understand the kid's concern and in truth, it is almost... sweet that he is so worried about his father like this, but they are delt with worse. vergil has delt with worse. he has faith in his twin that he'll pull through.
whatever else he was going to say is silenced by the finger, an eyebrow raising in question as he watches the kid disappear further into the condo only to back a minute later. dante doesn't need to see it to guess what it is, to know what it is. yamato, different from the last he saw it in his brother's hands, but still very much the same. ]
Yeah, there is something off. [ part of him wants to reach for the sword, feels his blood sing in a way only rebellion and yamato have ever done. he doesn't, however, fingers tightening around his upper arms instead. ] But that is the Yamato alright.
[That, though? That makes Nox actually try and fail to hold back a laugh at Dante's who insistence on Vergil dealing with finding out he has a twin.]
Yeah, okay. Fair.
[Just because someone can handle it doesn't mean they should, he wants to say- but both Dante and Vergil got the worst end of that tale, right? Nero was the one to set them back on track after so much had happened and so many things had torn them both to pieces. So he keeps his mouth shut and just nods. Vergil is going to learn in one way or another, but softening the blow instead of just slamming it down on his head like a hammer can make all the difference, in Nox's mind.
Still, even with Yamato between them now, Nox doesn't even hesitate to offer her to Dante to inspect himself. He knows the importance of her to both the twins, so it's a no-brainer that he hands her over.]
I haven't really done much with her because... [He hesitates here.] Well, yeah. She's Vergil's. [But she was also Nero's too, he's well aware.] Felt like if I was gonna use her, I should use her properly, you know? Didn't exactly learn much in that aspect back then. [Yamato didn't seem to mind, but Nox wants to give her the respect she deserves, and he doesn't know if he can give her that right now.]
[ nero offers it and dante uncrosses his arms, unable to stop himself from reaching out and taking hold of the blade. the weight is familiar, the feel of the sheath against his fingers, dante isn't able to stop the soft exhale that leaves his lips as one hand travels up the sheath to take hold of the grip tightly. with a click the blade is pulled from the sheath just enough for the metal to glint in the light, there is something definitely different about the blade, perhaps made weaker due to whatever bullshit messed with their powers. ]
[It's his father's sword for sure, though Nox still feels incredibly attached to it.]
That's the million dollar question. Honestly... I kinda wanna play it by ear? [Nox shrugs at that, unsure what else to do at this point.] I think he wouldn't take it well with having you and suddenly a sword to add to all the shit he's learning. She's his, obviously, and I won't keep her from him, but-
[He doesn't want to overwhelm Vergil, he doesn't even know he has a son yet. Better to take these things one at a time.]
[ dante slides the blade back into its sheath as nero talks, gaze moving up to catch the kid's. it really is the million dollar question, isn't it? as much as it is vergil's sword there he knows nero is just as attached to it. maybe it's because of a ll he went through with it, or because dante had entrusted it to him, or something else that has yet to enter dante's mind. ]
Yeah, yeah. I get it. [ he turns the sword around, holding it out for nero to take back. ] Maybe when the time comes you can be the one to give it back to him, along with the book.
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Nero is just really, really bad at following through when it comes to him using his own words as advice.
Nox is more than aware of this. He's been familiar with it and how much he couldn't believe, at first, how things had dragged out. Like he was watching things in slow motion and could only stare at it like a train crash happening before his eyes. The human part of him doesn't understand this, but maybe, just maybe...
Now, finally awoken and trusting of his demon, he'll get to learn what it's like to use violence as a language instead of words. (To have fun in clashing blades to the point where you hold nothing back, where you could clearly kill one another and yet you don't have a single care in the world, because everything that needs to be said is said in a fight. To bleed and batter and break and get back up and go right back at it because the thrill and the adrenaline and the need to talk through your sword is louder and more exciting than anything you've ever felt in your life.) Nox has never had the chance to truly experience this, not even with some of the unique people here. In many cases he still has to hold back, has to keep himself in check to enjoy the spar while still doing enough to be a challenge. Even with August, who can take what Nox gives, it's not the same; he doesn't have someone he can relate to and truly experience his demonic nature with.
Dante's reaction to Nox's embrace at first worries him, thinking he's overstepped and done something he really shouldn't have. That maybe his uncle isn't exactly like what he remembers, that somehow he'd gotten this entire thing wrong and he was about to find out why. But the instant Nox feels his uncle actually step into it, he knows everything's okay. The feelings he's lost in, the emotions he doesn't know how to describe– they're there, for sure, and they're going to be there for a while. But. Even those words, It's alright, Nero, help him in a way to settle his feet into a better idea of just how he's going to approach all of this. It has to be one step at a time, has to be slow and careful, but willing to step in and do what's right for himself and his family here.
Huh, funny. Mercedes and August had told him the same fucking thing a few days ago.
There's a sigh, and Nox seems to relax his hold, pulling back from the embrace entirely and casting his eyes elsewhere, looking away while he huffs out in embarrassment and partial annoyance.] Sorry. [Despite the surprising moment, this should look familiar to Dante. Namely, his nephew acting like a tsundere after doing something that doesn't quite fit his sassy jackassery.] Kinda just... it's a lot, right now. For all of us.
[Him, Dante, Vergil. Hell, a part of him wonders if he's gonna get any other family surprises anytime soon, or if he's just lucky because it's his birthday month.]
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Weren't you listening, kid? [ dante reaches up to ruffle his hair again, amusement all but shining in his eyes. ] It's fine. I know I have this big bad reputation to uphold ─ [ he really doesn't. ] ─ but I'm not against a hug every now and again. Didn't expect it from you though, it's a nice change.
[ fingers flex around the book, his gaze flicking down to it still in his hand, before holding it out for nero to take back. it's too early, he thinks, far too early at this point to be giving back something so... important. no, not just important, this book is a catalyst for more than just a few memories. even now dante can smell the faint traces of smoke trying to sneak through as the memory bubbles away in the back of his head. ]
Keep a hold on this for a while longer, yeah? Vergil is gonna want it back but... right now isn't going to be the best time.
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Yeah, "big bad reputation" my ass. You're full of shit, old man.
[
He doesn't wanna talk about it, okay, i-it's not like he LIKES you or anything, b-baka!!Nox crosses his arms at that, exhaling even as Dante looks at the book again, then hands it back.]Yeah, I... it was a lot, for me, at first. Memories, then suddenly being part-demon, getting a massive temper out of nowhere, then actually wanting to get violent– I get it. I wasn't planning on handing it back right now, he's got you to deal with and that's already a handful. [He loves you, Dante, really.] But. Figured I should show you it along with something else I've got.
[He holds the book in his hands, thumb running down the spine again as he thinks something over first.]
Okay but, question. What the fuck do we tell Vergil if he asks if we know each other?
[Vergil isn't stupid, he can put two and two together. Nox just wants to make sure they don't trip over each other if it happens.]
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I know how it feels. [ he crosses his arms across his chest, gaze growing distant. ] But I don't know, it seems like he is taking it pretty well. He asked me to stay, guess he figured it would be easier to have me close at hand to answer questions than not.
[ that is the question, isn't it? why do they tell him? they could lie but how long will they be able to keep that up? besides once vergil remembers he could get pissed that they stuffed him around. ]
The truth. [ now, it's a radical idea, he knows. ] No point lying about it when he'll eventually remember.
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There's a bit of hesitance at this, listening to his uncle. What he says makes sense, but it doesn't make it any easier for Nox to really swallow. For him, it's mostly having to deal with the fact that anything he says or does might trigger Vergil's memory of him and who he actually is. And who he is in relation to Vergil.]
He's basically gonna get to see Red Queen up close in his shop within the next week or so. Said he has an interest in how she has a combustible engine, so I'll be bringing her. [A beat.] I'm pretty much expecting him to remember something when he sees her, I just don't know what.
But, yeah. [Nox blows air out of his teeth, fingers digging into his arms.] Gonna be honest, that conversation is gonna be awkward as hell. One minute you're just a regular guy, and then surprise, someone tells you that you're their parent in your past life. That sure doesn't complicate things at all.
[He lets out an aggravated sigh, but concedes anyway.] I won't keep the truth from him, trust me. I'm just not expecting a great reaction and the last thing I wanna do is aggravate him more when he's already dealing with shit.
[Oh, which reminds him, shit– Nox raises a finger to indicate he'll be back in a second, taking Vergil's book with him, only to come back a minute later.]
So, remember I said I had one more thing to show you? [It's easy to see even before he fully raises his hands- he's holding a katana that is achingly familiar to both of them. Yamato.] She showed up in my condo a few months ago, definitely not as strong as I remember her, but it's her for sure.
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[ he chooses not to mention the fact the first thing he had done was walk up and hug vergil, that seeing his brother after everything was almost too much to take. that the realization that vergil, his vergil, had somehow died and was reborn here made dante's stomach churn with an anger he can't quite shake, even now. it is still something he refuses to think on longer than he has to, else the demon in his blood howl in barely contained fury. ]
Kid, it's Vergil. Something, somehow, is going to aggravate him no matter what happens. He's a big boy, he can handle it. Trust me.
[ he can understand the kid's concern and in truth, it is almost... sweet that he is so worried about his father like this, but they are delt with worse. vergil has delt with worse. he has faith in his twin that he'll pull through.
whatever else he was going to say is silenced by the finger, an eyebrow raising in question as he watches the kid disappear further into the condo only to back a minute later. dante doesn't need to see it to guess what it is, to know what it is. yamato, different from the last he saw it in his brother's hands, but still very much the same. ]
Yeah, there is something off. [ part of him wants to reach for the sword, feels his blood sing in a way only rebellion and yamato have ever done. he doesn't, however, fingers tightening around his upper arms instead. ] But that is the Yamato alright.
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Yeah, okay. Fair.
[Just because someone can handle it doesn't mean they should, he wants to say- but both Dante and Vergil got the worst end of that tale, right? Nero was the one to set them back on track after so much had happened and so many things had torn them both to pieces. So he keeps his mouth shut and just nods. Vergil is going to learn in one way or another, but softening the blow instead of just slamming it down on his head like a hammer can make all the difference, in Nox's mind.
Still, even with Yamato between them now, Nox doesn't even hesitate to offer her to Dante to inspect himself. He knows the importance of her to both the twins, so it's a no-brainer that he hands her over.]
I haven't really done much with her because... [He hesitates here.] Well, yeah. She's Vergil's. [But she was also Nero's too, he's well aware.] Felt like if I was gonna use her, I should use her properly, you know? Didn't exactly learn much in that aspect back then. [Yamato didn't seem to mind, but Nox wants to give her the respect she deserves, and he doesn't know if he can give her that right now.]
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So, what do you want to do with her?
[ that's the question, isn't it? ]
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That's the million dollar question. Honestly... I kinda wanna play it by ear? [Nox shrugs at that, unsure what else to do at this point.] I think he wouldn't take it well with having you and suddenly a sword to add to all the shit he's learning. She's his, obviously, and I won't keep her from him, but-
[He doesn't want to overwhelm Vergil, he doesn't even know he has a son yet. Better to take these things one at a time.]
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Yeah, yeah. I get it. [ he turns the sword around, holding it out for nero to take back. ] Maybe when the time comes you can be the one to give it back to him, along with the book.