It was a rather dark and stormy summer's evening when he showed up, or rather when he was found. His entire appearance and demeanor were polar opposites of what they had been the last time Dante saw him. However he could hardly call that empty, mindless shell he had defeated his brother.

Vergil was severely wounded, paler (if that was even possible), and was nude. At first Dante couldn't believe his eyes. He had thought his twin brother to be dead a long time ago. His first reaction was to pull out his dual pistols. He was on high alert before he smelled the blood and then saw it. He stared at the bare and bloodied body before him for about an entire minute before he decided to move in. Dante kneeled down, put his guns away, and gave him a once over.

The good thing was that he was breathing, which meant his heart was bearing. The bad thing was that he had several wounds that weren't healing. Dante carefully rolled Vergil over and looked at his face. Besides the hollow cheeks, his face seemed fine. Speaking of hollow cheeks, his entire body was very thin. Dante sat there with slightly widened eyes as he took in his broken brother's appearance. He didn't know how to feel at that moment. His power-hungry twin brother was alive and needed a lot of medical attention. He felt happy, sad, angry, and scared, at the same time. Suddenly the sound of a sharp in take of breath and hacking coughs came over the sound of the pouring rain.

Dante was up in a flash with both Ebony and Ivory drawn. Lighting flashed in the distance as Vergil's eyes slowly opened. Vergil looked around in the darkness for less than a second before his back arched away from the cold, wet pavement, and he screamed. It was the most terrible sound Dante had the displeasure of hearing, so shrill and desperate. Tears forced their way out of Vergil's eyes as his back arched higher, and his breaths became short, raged gasps. His eyes squeezed shut as another piercing scream left his split, pale lips.

After what seemed like minutes, his weak body finally fell back down and was met by two strong arms. He was pulled close before being cradled like child. He whimpered hopelessly as his entire frame shook and trembled. Though the intense pain had died down, Vergil knew better than to celebrate just yet. Suddenly, warm droplets cascaded onto his pale, wet face, contrasting with the cool rain. The grip on his body tightened before he heard a sound break over the rain.

"...Vergil?"

His body tightened, already recognizing that voice. No matter how much he wanted to open his eyes, Vergil couldn't help but be skeptical. After all, he had been trickled multiple times into thinking he had found his way back to the human world and back to his brother. He didn't want it to be a trick this time. He desperately needed this to be real, for he needed a break from all the pain, a preeminent one. Vergil remained silent except for the whimpering and kept his eyes closed.

"Brother... I... I've missed you..." A warm, wet cheek nuzzled against his cold, wet one, followed by a few sniffs.

There was an awkward siface, for a while before another word was said. "...Brother... Is that really you?" Vergil finally rasped out painfully.

Dante squeezed Vergil tighter, drawing out a low moan of pain. He loosened his grip and stood up as another flash of lightening cracked through the sky. He apologized before slipping off his red leather coat. At this point Vergil decided to take the gamble and opened his once piercing icy blue eyes. The sight that greeted him brought about a long range of emotions: joy, disbelief, fear, relief, and especially regret. He simply stared up into Dante's handsome face as Dante wrapped his coast around him. When their eyes finally met, overwhelming emotion took Vergil over, and he threw his arms around his brother's neck and sobbed into his muscular shoulder.

Aside from a slight gasp, Dante said nothing and began his short journey home. His battered brother had gotten very close to the Devil May Cry, just a few short blocks away. Before they reached their destination however, the intense pain had returned, and Vergil's death grip around Dante's neck was slightly choking him and making him feel somewhat dizzy.

"We're almost there Verge. Hang on." Dante whispered into his brother's ear.

Vergil didn't hear him though. His mind was clouded by agony. His body arched against his brother's strong chest as he squirmed. He bit his lip until it bled as to not scream in his brother's ear, but that did nothing. Before a scream ripped free from his throat, he bit down into Dante's shoulder hard, muffling the scream. Dante gasped loudly in surprise.

"Ngh...Verge... We're almost there..."

Dante turned a corner and after a few swift strides he reached his place of residence. He pushed his doors open, went inside, turned on the lights, and locked the doors behind them. Vergil's teeth were still embedded in his shoulder when he sat him upon the red leather couch, and his arms were still tightly wrapped around his neck. He lightly tapped Vergil's cheek but didn't get a response. He tapped his cheek again and then began to pull his face away from his shoulder.

"We're home bro", Dante said successfully pulling Vergil away, and meeting his crazed expression. He placed a gloved hand on his flushed face, noticing a sudden rise of Vergil's body temperature. Vergil blinked a few times before pulling his thin arms off of his brother's shoulders. His expression was now more of disbelief than anything. This was really happening. He escaped hell and found his brother, the only remaining family member he had. What now? He hadn't thought this far ahead. He was pulled into a tight embrace before he having a chance to think of something to say. " Welcome back."

Vergil sat still, shocked at the whole situation. This was all real. He was at his brother's home, on his couch, in his arms. He took in a shaky breath as fresh tears welled up in his eyes.He hung his head in shame and guilt. "I can't believe you still consider me your brother...after all I've done to you." He whispered. Dante pulled away and looked at his brother's puffy, red face. With a few fingers, he tilted Vergil's head up to meet his lifeless gaze.

"Of course I do", he smiled lightly, " You still consider me your brother, don't you?" He got a nod as his answer. "No matter what you do, I'll... I'll always love you, Verge." Vergil just stared at his brother with wide eyes and lips that were slightly ajar. Dante stood up and headed to the stairs. "We can save the chit chat for later. We gotta get your wounds cleaned up, and I got something that can help you heal, alright?" Vergil nodded again. Soon Dante reached the top of the steps and disappeared from sight.

Author's Note

So what do you guys think so far? This is my second stab at this franchise, but this is the first story I'm posting. I haven't really decided exactly how I want their relationship to be like yet. I am so tempted to make this a yaoi, but I honestly think there are enough of those stories on here. Oh yeah Nero's gonna join in next time. I won't make any promises because classes start soon, but I will update! If you spot any grammar or spelling mistakes, feel free to point them out.