Nero sniffled and ran onto Lincoln Avenue, wanting to be far away from his father. Nero backed up against a tree and slid down into a sitting position. For a moment, Nero thought Vergil would be worried, but then he thought he doesn't care about him and doesn't care that he is gone. Nero started to cry, he wants to go home but he is so sure his dad doesn't love him or care about him. He looked up at the night sky and shivered, it was so cold outside. He wished he thought to take his coat with him.

A lady walking by looked over and saw Nero, such a young boy sitting alone on the streets. She felt bad and walked over, kneeling down and saying "Why are you out here all alone?" Nero put on a fake smile and said "I'm just enjoying the night. I live down the street." The lady smiled lightly and said "Okay, sweetie. As long as you are okay." She stood up and walked off. As soon as the lady's back was turned, his smile faded. He tucked his knees to his chest and put his head down.

Nero whimpered when his stomach growled, he had left before dinner. His thoughts were taken away from his hunger as the wind blew icy cold. He shivered and rubbed his arms, trying to warm up. The poor boy was only wearing a t-shirt and shorts, he wasn't even wearing shoes, he left in such a hurry. Nero put his head back down, trying to see if he could sleep through the cold night. His head shot up as soon as he felt a soft, cold, feathery touch on his arms. He looked up and saw it was snowing.

Nero couldn't take it anymore, he wants to go home. He put his head in his hands and started to cry and shake from the cold. He stood up, needing to find someplace to go. He walked down the street, looking around for a place to take shelter from the cold and snow. As he turned a corner, someone snatched him up, he let out a cry as the person ran away with him. He screamed and struggled, and without warning, the man fell and Nero fell too. He was picked up again except instead of being held roughly and restrained, he was in gentle and loving arms, a familiar embrace.

Nero looked up and saw his uncle Dante, so glad to see him. He buried his face in his neck and kept crying, he was still scared from thinking of what the man would have done to him. Dante rubbed his back and said "Shh, it's okay. Let's get you home, your daddy is worried sick." Nero didn't say anything, he just kept his face hidden and cried silently. He felt better though, hearing his dad is worried sick about him.

Dante walked through the door to his brother's house, Vergil immediately running over. He took Nero from Dante and held him close, cradling him in his arms and saying "I was so worried, I'm so glad you are okay." Vergil kissed his son's forehead and continued to hold him. Dante smiled at the warm sight, he said goodbye and quickly left, knowing Nero would be in trouble later. Vergil just now noticed Nero was shaking, he looked down at him and realized his skin was light blue. He immediately rushed him to the bathroom.

He quickly drew a hot bath and undressed Nero, setting him in the bath. Nero relaxed and stopped shaking, the hot water soothing him instantly. Nero put his head down, now feeling guilty for running away. He also felt stupid for thinking Vergil didn't care about him. Vergil cupped his hand and got some of the hot water in them, he poured the hot water over Nero's hair and the little kid smiled. Vergil pulled the plug and let the water drain, quickly pulling Nero out of the tub and wrapping him in a soft towel.

Vergil took Nero to his room and got him dressed into soft blue fleece pajamas, and Nero yawned, feeling tired.
"Don't fall asleep yet," Vergil said and bounced his son gently to wake him up. He carried him downstairs and set him in a seat at the table, quickly going into the kitchen. He came back with two bowls of beef stew, giving one to his son. Nero smiled and ate, happy he isn't still on the street. The two ate their dinner and Vergil took care of the dishes. Now it was bed time.

Vergil carried Nero upstairs, the little kid clinging to him. He looked down and said, "I'm sorry for running away." Vergil rubbed his son's back and said: "It's okay, But you have to be punished." Nero whimpered lightly, not wanting to be punished. Vergil sat on Nero's bed and settled the kid in his lap. He looked down at his son and said: "You know that what you did was wrong, right?" Nero nodded, having this sad look on his face, hoping to get out of his punishment.
"Good. You're getting 5 swats." Vergil and rubbed his son's back a bit before starting the punishment.

After the punishment was over, Vergil held his son in his arms and rocked him gently till he fell asleep. He was about to tuck him into bed but remembered how scared he was when he ran away so he decided to take Nero to his room with him. He got in bed and pulled Nero close, covering them with the blanket. Nero immediately snuggled against his father and slept peacefully. The young father sighed lightly and closed his eyes. He was so scared, he knew some creep could just snatch him up and take him to some place awful and do bad things to him. He really needed to thank Dante for saving his son before something happened to him.