Lullaby - Nero/Dante

Lullaby.
Set; Long after the Saviour incident..

Insomnia is a bitch, Nero thought as he dejectedly poured hot water into his mug, the scent of chocolate reaching his nose. It was nearly three o'clock in the morning, the darkness was not disappearing and the rain lashed against the windows. Nero sighed and placed the kettle back down, stirring the brown liquid in the mug Dante had bought him for Valentine's Day earlier that year, using his human hand. His Devil Bringer was resting on the edge of the counter, pulsing a soft blue light.

He couldn't sleep and he needed to sleep. His muscles were aching and his bones seemed to protest every time he moved. He'd had a tough day and he needed to rest but no, his mind wanted to keep him up. Nero removed the spoon from the mug and dropped it onto the counter, the small clatter unheard over the rain. He ignored the splatters of hot chocolate as he left the kitchen, switching the light off as he went, mug in his human hand. Sometimes, this thing has its uses, he thought to himself as he used his Devil Bringer to light the his way to the switch in the living room/office.

He flicked the switch up and the room was soon illuminated in a soft yellowish glow. Nero sank into the leather sofa, cradling his mug in both hands. To be honest, Nero didn't know what to do. Waking Dante up was not only impossible unless there was a severe disturbance, someone threw water over him or if Nero was sucking him off, but it was also very cruel. Especially since the elder had had a bad day, even worse than Nero's own.

Just thinking about Dante made Nero's heart flutter and his demon side purr softly. Nero gulped down his hot drink, not caring about the burning in his mouth and the throat; it'd be gone soon. He set his cup down on the table in front of him before burying his head in his hands, craving sleep so desperately. A sudden creaking on the stairs made Nero's shoulders tense slightly before he relaxed; the floors creaked all the time. Nothing to worry about. Then, a tentative, yet deep voice called out;

"Nero?"

Nero's head snapped up to see Dante leaning over the banister of the stairs. His pure white hair was mussed from sleep, his silvery-blue eyes tired and his lips parted. He was almost naked, save for the boxer briefs that clung snugly to his broad hips. "Nero?" Dante repeated, his voice becoming more cautious. Nero knew that Dante was only vulnerable like this when around Nero and Nero only or when he was concerned for his boyfriend's well-being.

"Yeah?" Nero called back, watching the elder jog down the last remaining steps. "Dante, go back to bed." Dante ignored his words and pulled the younger into a bone-crushing hug, practically picking him up from the sofa. The tips of Nero's toes were brushing the floorboards and he wound his arms around his lover's muscular frame, burying his face into his neck.

"I woke up and you weren't there," Dante whispered into Nero's hair, his breath blowing a few strands of it. "My devil side got worried and I came lookin' for ya." Nero tilted his head up and met the elder Devil hunter's eyes with own azure blue ones.

"Haha," Nero chuckled nervously, moving one of his hands from Dante's middle to run the fingers of his Devil Bringer through his hair awkwardly. "I kinda.. couldn't sleep. Sorry for worrying you, old man." Dante rolled his eyes at the nickname before scooping Nero up properly, bridal style.

"It's okay, kid. C'mon, I know somethin' that'll help you sleep." Not giving Nero a chance to reply, the older man was heading towards the stairs. Nero really wanted to punch him for making him be submissive but decided against it, especially since Dante was worried about him. He settled for using Devil Bringer to switch the light off. Darkness fell over them but his Devil Bringer was glowing bright blue, making a soft ringing sound.

"Bloody thing," Nero muttered under his breath, causing a breathy chuckle to erupt from Dante's mouth. Nero felt the vibrations from Dante's bare chest, his alabaster cheek pressed against the more tanned skin that belonged to his lover. Dante kicked open the bedroom door with his bare foot and Nero could see that Dante had switched the lamp on. The king size bed looked extremely inviting all of a sudden, the red silk sheets rumpled and tossed in every direction. Yep, Dante had obviously, sort of panicked.

As if sensing Nero's thought, his demon side chuckled and he heard Dante's own devil side growl at them, almost scolding them. Nero couldn't contain his grin and reached up, ruffling Dante's snow white hair with his human hand. Dante purred, trying to lean closer into Nero's hand but completely forgot he was walking towards the bed. His knees hit the end, knocking him off-guard and they collapsed onto the bed, Dante laying on top of Nero. Nero's cheeks automatically flushed dark red. "Bastard! Get off of me!" He couldn't hit the older Devil hunter as his hands were trapped beneath him. Dante chuckled lightly and pushed himself away.

"Sorry, kid." Dante grinned as Nero crawled up to the pillows and flopped down on his stomach. Gently, Dante laid down beside on his side, tucking the silk duvet around their bodies. The rain was still pattering against the windows relentlessly, although it had slowed to a heavy drizzle. Nero turned his head so he could look at Dante.

"How's this gonna help me sleep?" He asked, honestly curious. Dante just grinned and ran his fingers up and down Nero's spine, giving the younger goosebumps and a slight shiver. Dante opened his mouth and what came out, shocked Nero to his very core;

"Here in this world, I'm awaked with mistakes. But it's love that keeps fuelling me, fuelling me. Pretty little lady, with swollen eyes, would you show them to me? I know I'm not that perfect, but just stay a while. Baby, then will you see." Nero didn't recognise the song but Dante's voice was so soothing that his eyelids felt heavy and he struggled to keep them open. Dante, meanwhile, continued to sing. "Miles away, I can still feel you lay your head down on my embrace, my embrace. Far away. Pretty little lady, with swollen eyes, would you show them to me? I know I'm not that perfect, but just stay a while. Baby, then will you see. Don't give up, baby. I know that it's shaky, just let love consume us, 'sume us. Here in this world, I'm awaked with mistakes. But it's love that keeps fuelling me, fuelling me. Fuelling me to love you." Dante could see Nero's eyes slide shut, his breathing becoming very relaxed. He smirked triumphantly to himself yet carried on. "Miles away, I can still feel you lay your head down on my embrace, my embrace. Be not afraid to love me. Pretty little lady, with swollen eyes, would you show them to me? I know I'm not that perfect, but just stay a while. Baby, then you will see."

Dante was happy that his lover was now asleep so he reached over and snapped the lamp off, snuggling down next to his mate. Just as his own eyes slipped shut, a sleepy voice piped up. "Nice song, old man." Dante's eyes opened a little; it was Nero but his eyes were shut. "But I'm not a lady." Dante snickered softly and wound his arms around the lithe frame, pulling it against his muscular one.

"Night kid," He whispered into Nero's hair. Nero just let out a soft little snore which made Dante almost smile. Content and happy that his lover was back in bed beside him, Dante allowed his eyes to close as he was lulled to sleep by his lover's breathing.