When Worlds Collide

49) They Like to Gab

A/N: tis short

Nico sat in the corner of his bed while Reyna and Annabeth talked. He was listening, but he was only really needed in the conversation to give more information when they were unsure.

"So the apartments that we finished already can fit 15 half-bloods, but I'm not sure if we should move them in all at once or in stages," Annabeth said as she took notes on her laptop.

Reyna nodded. "It could be suspicious if they all moved in at once. We don't want to draw attention."

"No one will look at them twice if they do," Nico said as he kept his eyes trained on his hands. "Gothamites don't really pay attention to others in that way."

Annabeth didn't look convinced. "Everything I read says that the people of Gotham are hyper vigilant people, pron not to trust new people."

The son of Hades shrugged. "Yeah, but they don't really care about others in that way. They are vigilant because of the high crime rate and the constant threat of violence that comes with living here. Sure, they don't trust new people, but they aren't a super tight knit community to begin with. If you were moving in 100 new people all at once, then they would probably notice, but even then it's a maybe. Moving them in can be as fast as you want. No one will notice."

Reyna nodded slowly, eyes calculating. "Well, in that case, then perhaps it would be best to move them in at once. They will be able to start their lives at the same time instead of at skewed timelines."

Annabeth nodded. "Agreed. Now, we need to talk about what ages we should accept. In our world, we don't really base people's abilities off of their age, but it still could cause trouble if we have a bunch of 14 year olds in the place."

"Rachel said she talked to Bruce about adding some students to the Wayne Scholarship Program at Gotham Academy, but having them live alone might cause some problems with the school," Reyna said as she scribbled onto the notebook on her lap.

Nicole shrugged again. "Bruce can handle the school. After 'skirt-gate,' they are even more terrified of him than before."

Annabeth smiled. "I am still so proud of you for that."

Reyna nodded. "Me too. You made us proud that day."

The son of Hades blushed, but was thankfully saved from having to answer as a knock came from the door.

"Come in," Annabeth said, before realizing it wasn't her room and looking to Nico in slight panic. The teen just shrugged, not really caring.

Bruce cracked open the door, sticking his head in and looking to his son for confirmation that it was okay. Nico nodded and the man stepped fully in.

"Alfred took the day off for some personal reasons, so I was wondering you all would like to eat for lunch?" Bruce asked.

Nico raised an eyebrow. "You're cooking?"

Bruce chuckled lightly. "No, I am still banned from the kitchen."

Reyna raised an eyebrow. "How did you get banned from your own kitchen?"

Nico spoke up before Bruce could. "He microwaved a can of soup and it exploded, causing a small fire which then turned into a big fire."

Bruce shook his head and smiled fondly at his son. "Dick told you?"

"Alfred," Nico said with a small laugh.

Bruce smiled at the sound, having missed the sound in the past couple of weeks. "We're most likely ordering in for Lunch and Dinner today. None of us are any good at cooking."

"Nico is an amazing cook," Reyna said with a smile. "He has made a few meals for myself and some other demigods at my house and all of them have been superb."

Nico blushed as Annabeth nodded. "It's true. You would never expect it, but he's got a talent," she said.

Bruce smiled. "I would love to try it for myself one day."

Nico glanced away from the others as he muttered, "I could cook today, if you would like."

Bruce's eyes widened in surprise before a broad smile took over his features. "I think we would all love that. If you can make a list of ingredients you'll need, I can run to the store. We can order in for lunch, and you can make dinner, if that's okay."

Nico gave a small nod. "I can have the list to you in an hour?"

"Sounds perfect. What would you like for lunch?"

The two girls shrugged, stating that they didn't care. Nico smiled lightly before saying, "a happy meal."

Reyna groaned while Annabeth cackled.

Bruce seemed confused but still gave a smile. "Alright, and you two?"

The two girls shared a look before Annabeth looked back to the man. "Make it 3 happy meals."

Bruce nodded. "Alrighty then, I'll go get those. Text me the groceries you need, or anything you might want."

Nico gave a nod and smiled lightly.

Bruce said his goodbyes before leaving.

"He's a good man," Reyna said after a moment. "I have only met him twice, but I can tell he is very genuine."

Annabeth nodded. "I like him too. He meets you where you're at. He doesn't try to push you or assume anything."

"Yeah, my dad is pretty great," Nico said with a shy smile. "I put him through a lot and he never holds it against me."

"I can't really speak from any personal experience, but I think that's what fathers are supposed to do," Reyna said with a smile. "I am glad you ended up with a good family. You deserve it."

"Thank you," Nico muttered. "I'm glad I found them."

"When I first found out you were living with mortals, I was terrified for you. Most of us have had our own bad experiences with them and I didn't want you to have to deal with that, but the Waynes... they get  you," Annabeth stated thoughtfully. "Maybe it's the vigilante thing, or maybe it's just them as people, but they have never seemed to judge you."

Nico shrugged. "Bruce had his moments after the whole Slade thing, but they don't judge others based on their pasts. They're all way to fucked up to be able to do that without being hypocrites."

The girls laughed before they returned to their previous conversation about the Demigod Complex in Gotham.

Nico mostly listened, chiming in every once in a while to give his opinion or explain how the Wayne Scholarship Program worked, but he enjoyed just being there. He liked listening to them talk, allowing their voices to be the only things that mattered. It drowned out everything else. 

A/N: by the time you guys are reading this, I will have met my nephew!!!!! I am so excited!!!

Vote. Comment. Tell me if you own a trampoline (I do not, and I will be jealous of anyone who says they do).