"Sounds like you were at one hell of a party."

Nero grumbled under his breath, scowling at the white-haired man lounging on his couch. Nero leaned against the wall. "That's all you can say?" He wasn't quite sure what possessed him to come to his uncle's office to try 'talking.' It felt like he had talked enough; to the police, to the doctor, his therapist, and all other kinds of people about what happened.

"What else were you expecting? Go talk to your shrink if you want real help." Dante replied.

Nero frowned, turning his head so the man couldn't see the uncertainty on his face. Maybe what got him to come here was that Dante was the only one he could tell the truth too. "It's not about that. When...when it was the demons, it was easier." he stopped, but Dante said nothing, was going to make him say it. Bastard. "It was easier watching a demon die, than seeing those people being killed."

"Of course it is." Nero looked over at Dante sharply, but the man paid him no heed as he continued, "See, all most demons want to do is kill, so you can't really feel bad over defending yourself. Exceptions and all that, but it's true. People are more complicated, can do good or bad, but you'd still feel like crap if they die.

"I ain't saying you should weep over them, they made their choice to try and kill you and your mom, but you shouldn't feel bad about surviving because of it."

Nero scrutinized him. "I don't get you sometimes, Dad-nte. One minute you're immature, and the next you actually have good advice."

"I have my moments." Dante shrugged, before sitting up. He gave no indication he heard Nero's slip-up. "Though onto the important part - this Doppelganger, how hot was she?"

Nero's skin flushed red to his ears as he scowled at him. "Gross. She looks like my mom!"

"So a lot, huh?" Nero's scowl deepened and Dante had the gall to look offended. "What? I can't say your mom's a beautiful woman?"

"No, you can't because she's my mom."

"Well she's not mine."

"You talk like that with Trish around?" Nero snapped, but Dante only waved to the ceiling lazily.

"Eh, she doesn't care. Probably up there probably listening in."

Nero was getting annoyed, and it drove away all his doubts to focus his growing fury at this man. "I swear, say one more thing about my mom and I'll stab you with your own sword, old man."

Dante tilted his head, a smirk on his lips. "You wouldn't be the first." he ran a hand through his hair, flicking it back. "Think I'd have a chance if I asked her out looking like this?"

"That's it!"