[ It is hard, though not on the same level as it would be for Nero. V was Vergil's shadow after all, and emotions were never his strongest asset, especially the more human ones. Grief was often dealt with through rage or secluding himself in his books away from the rest of the world. They were not meant for sharing it as so easily as Nero could.

But touch seems to work with soothing Nero, at least not making that temper explode. V kept his hand resting on Nero's arm, rubbing the tense muscle very much like he was petting a cat. He was trying in his own way. ]

We all have our moments of stupidity, though some of us loathe to admit it. [ He knows, a small curl to his lips answering the slight quip. ]

It's not how he would ever accept defeating Dante, and we both know it. In all honesty... it wouldn't have been the deciding factor in Vergil losing his focus.

[ Dante as himself? Acceptable. Something pretending to be Dante? Annoying and stupid. Something stripping Dante of his will and leaving behind little more than a killing shell? Unacceptable and far to close to the nightmare that held Vergil - them - under Mundus' grip. ]

You're his son. He may not know how to speak with you yet, but he would never let harm come to you as long as he has breath left, now that he is in his right mind.