Another Universe 2023 Version

10.

The two days passed in a blink of an eye.

While Y/n worries about the Devil May Cry crew F/n curls her h/c hair. "You are going to look so gorgeous, Y/n." Y/n smiles at F/n's compliment.

Unfortunately she can't be completely happy about it. She almost forgot about what happened between Nero and her as she was sucked into the portal. The confession of their love for each other. It doesn't matter if it was reality or only a dream, it felt real. The feelings and emotions she felt in that moment were real and they still are.

"Y/n?"
"Huh?"
"What do you think?" Y/n looks into the mirror at her finishes hair. "It looks great, F/n, thank you."

F/n smiles proudly. "I know! Come on! Put on the dress. Nate could be there any second."

Right, Nate. The unwanted date that she now has to endure. What joy.

Right as F/n helps Y/n with zipping up her dress they hear a knock at the door. "Who is it", Y/n yells. "It's Nate."
"Shit", Y/n mumbles. "Okay! Big date! You're ready and you look gorgeous!"
Y/n raises an eyebrow. "What about your date?"
"Oh, he's about to come as well. Now go on."

Without another word Y/n is shoved out of the door and into Nate's arms. "Oh, hey", He says with a smile. "Not so fast. You okay?"
"Yeah." Y/n fixes her posture and her dress.
"Wow, you look incredible. I've never seen you like this."
Y/n is surprised to find admiration in his eyes and words. She very rarely got this feeling from other people. Nero and F/n are the exceptions.

"Shall we", He asks while holding out his arm for Y/n to link into. "We shall."

Together they walk to the hall the dance is being held at.
The decor is mostly baby blue and white. It looks more like a gender reveal party than a snow dance but the few plastic snowflakes hanging from the ceiling change that. "Want to dance?"

Nate holds out his hand for Y/n and she takes it not wanting to ruin the night for Nate.

She may not like him but she doesn't want him to sad about a night like this.

"So, I barely see you around campus. Any reason?"
"Lectures bore me. I'm faster studying on my own." Nate hums.
"I get it. The lectures are a torture but my dad would stop supporting me if I skipped."
"You can't skip if you don't necessarily have to be there." Nate's lips curl into a smile.

"You're right." Nate and Y/n swing to the slow rhythm of the music while is hand rests on her waist. In the dancing crowd Y/n sees F/n who only gives her a thumbs up.

"You know, Y/n", Nate starts catching Y/n's attention again. "You are a very beautiful girl."

Y/n stays quite not knowing what to answer.
"And I know we don't really know each other but I'd love to go out with you." Y/n raises an eyebrow at his statement.

"Going out with me is torture, believe me." Nate tilts his head in confusion. "I highly doubt that."
"I've never been on a date before. I don't even know what one does." Nate chuckles at Y/n's cluelessness. "There are many things you can do. Go out to eat, to the movies-"
"What's the point of a date if you go to watch a movie?"

He chuckles again. "You're right. Dates are confusing but would you be up for a confusing date?"
"I barely know you."
"That's what dates are for. To get to know each other."

Y/n's eyes wander around the room trying to look for an excuse to escape this situation. She didn't to ruin his night but he's making it impossible to do so.
"I'll think about it. Excuse me."

She frees herself out of his grip and goes looking for the toilets. As she finally reaches the lady's room she goes inside basically hiding from Nate. The stress that is slowly building up again is not helping with her state of mind. "Y/n, you in here?" It's F/n.
"I'm here."
Y/n opens her stall and lets F/n in. "What's wrong?"
"He asked me out."
"Nate asked you out?" While a grin appears on F/n's all Y/n can do is frown in frustration. "That's great!"
"No, it's not." F/n's grin disappears. "Why?"
"I don't even know the guy and I don't like him."
"That's what dates are for."
"I don't want to go out with him, F/n." F/n takes a deep breath trying to calm herself.

"Alright, no date, got it." Without hesitation F/n pulls Y/n into a tight hug.
"I didn't want to pressure you", F/n says.
"You didn't pressure me into anything, F/n."

They break the hug. "All you can do his reject him."
"What if he doesn't like it?"
"Then he'll have a problem with me." Y/n smiles at the girl in front of her. "How did I ever end up with a friend like you?"
"Destiny I guess."

Hand in hand they leave the bathroom. "You go tell Nate. If you need help just come looking for me."
"Got it."

As soon as F/n leaves Nate appears out of nowhere. "Hey, I've been looking for you everywhere."
"Oh, sorry. Lady business", Y/n says acting innocent. "Ah. So about that date..."
"I'm sorry, Nate, but I don't like you that way." His eyes widen. "We could get to know each other better."
"Nate, no. I don't want to go out with you."
"Why not."
His voice grows louder with every word.
"Why don't you want to go out with me?"
"I don't like you like that-„
"Why not?!"

Now practically yelling he has Y/n cornered.
"Why won't you go out with me? I'm a nice guy, Y/n." His presence towers over Y/n menacingly. It almost reminds her of Urizen but this anger is different. "Nate-"
"I am the nice guy here, Y/n. I'm the perfect catch."
"I have a boyfriend", Y/n says in a panic. If her „no" is not enough maybe the presence of another man in her life will frighten him.
"Oh, really? And where is he?!"

"Right here."

Nate turns around at the voice and his confident stance suddenly turns defensive.
"You're her boyfriend", He suddenly stutters. Covered by Nate's body Y/n can't make out the person interrupting them but that voice is too familiar.
"Back off", He growls at Nate. "Of course! Sorry! It won't happen again!"
"Piss off before I punch you."
"Right!"

Nate runs off finally revealing the person Y/n has wished to see all this time. "Nero."

Without another word she jumps into his arms. He gladly takes her in. "Thank god you're alright", He says, his words muffled by Y/n's hair.
"I thought I lost you."

They break the hug. "How is this even possible?"
"Nico finished her research." A bright smile spreads onto Y/n's lips. "Thank god she did."

They hug each other again not wanting to let go of each other ever again.

Finally they found each other again even though it took dimensional travel to do so.

"I'm never letting you go again", Nero says referring to Y/n's request of letting her go back then.
"Please don't." They both chuckle.

"Y/n?!"

Nero and Y/n break the hug and turn to a shocked F/n. "I saw Nate run off. Who the hell is he?!"

Now finally caught Y/n raises her voice.
"Remember when I told you about being sucked into my favorite game?"
F/n remembers but didn't want to believe it.

All these pictures and clips that Y/n showed her of Nero and now he's standing right in front of her.
"It's all real, F/n."
"It can't be. This has to be a joke."
"This is not a joke, who even is this", Nero interferes. "This is my best friend."
"The best friend you've been telling me about?"

Y/n nods. "Oh. Hi, I'm Nero and I really like Y/n so I came to save her."
"Save her from what", F/n yells in total confusion and anger. "What the hell is going on here!"

Nero turns to Y/n. "Y/n, we don't have much time. Dante is back and-"
"Urizen fled to the core of the Qliphoth?"
"Exactly. We have to go now. You are the only one he actually talks to."
"That's the only reason you came here", Y/n asks teasingly. "Of course not. Remember what I said?"

Y/n remembers Nero's confession clearly.

"I meant every word and I still do. I love you, Y/n, and I want you to stay with me."
Y/n's eyes widen. "Nero, I don't know if I can."
"I've made up my mind, Y/n. You're the love of my life and I'm not letting you leave again."
"But what about the time?"
"That's the thing. Yamato's portals mess with times from other dimensions. Nico's don't so we have to hurry."

Y/n's eyes widen. "They time is going by normally?!"

"Yes, we don't have much time. We have to go now."