Hidden Love (DMC 5 Nero x OC) [completed]

2.

Shortly after Dante disappears in the prologue:

After the Qliphoth has been safely exited by the rest of the crew consisting of Nero, Nico and Rose, they return to the garage to prepare for a fight the city won't ever forget.

As Nico is preparing food inside the dorm Nero takes a closer look at his robot arm. It has been feeling weird ever since he got out of the devil tree. Almost desperate for her attention he walks over to Rose who is lying under the van to fix a few things. "Hey, Rose."

Suddenly a loud thump is heard from under the van. "Ah, you scared me there Nero", Rose says as she comes from under the van rubbing her head. "Sorry. Did you bump your head?"
"Yeah. It's not that bad, I just thought you were with Nico." She smiles and stands up to bring a few screwdrivers inside the van.

"Hey, I was wondering if you could..." Nero's voice fails.
A feeling of embarrassment and regret builds up in him as he sees Rose trying to do everything for the crew.
When she heard Dante was gone she was devastated. This is the chance to cheer her up.

"I was thinking you could maybe take a look at my arm", Nero asks. "Isn't Nico in charge for that", Rose counters while whipping dirt off her pale face. "Nico is busy with her supplies so I didn't want to bother her with this minor thing."
Rose nods. "Okay then. Sit down, I'll handle it." Nero sits down on a chair and waits for the blonde girl who is gathering all the materials she needs for his arm.

After a few seconds she sits down next to him and takes a look at the mechanic construction which replaces Nero's stolen arm. "Hm, looks like a wire got loose. You'll be fixed in no time", Rose says with a smile and starts to fix the arm.

Nero's heart in pounding fast.
She hasn't been this close to him ever since he rejected her. "How's Kyrie?", She suddenly asks. "You two still together?" The sadness in her voice is as clear as ice. "We actually... went different ways."
"Really? How come?" Nero shakes his head. "Well, I've realized something for myself and she found someone new", He explains.

A sudden sting hits his arm and he pulls away from Rose's grasp. "What the hell was that?"
"Hey, calm down. If you want your arm to work the wires have to be connected and since you use electricity for that it stung a little", Rose explains herself and continues to work on the wires and the connection.

"So you've realized something for yourself? Interesting way to put it." Nero tries to loosen the mood by chuckling. "Yeah, it's a little weird."
After a few more minutes and a tense mood Rose finishes repairing Nero's arm. "Here you go. As good as new." Nero takes a close look at the construction he doesn't really understand.
"Thanks, Rose." She nods.
"What have you been up to in all those years", Nero asks while following the blonde girls movements. "Oh well. Nothing special. I was here and there. Met a few people, you know, the usual."

Met a few people?, Nero thinks to himself.
Did Rose find someone new who deserves her love and affection?

"Some friends stay and some go but I'm lucky to have you guys. That's what I've realized during the time I was traveling."
A light pink color shows up on Nero's cheeks but at the same time his spirit sinks.
Rose seems to see him as a friend rather than a love interest like in the past.

"Why did you cut your hair though", She suddenly laughs. "Ugh, people kept thinking I was Dante so I cut it off." Rose laughs even louder. "Seriously? That's probably the best reason I've ever heard someone use to cut their hair."

Seeing her laugh like this hurts. I wish I could have treasured that laugh enough back then.
I'm so full of regrets and anger.
I'll try to make you mine even if it means to die for you.