When Worlds Collide

51) If You're Reading This, You Have Daddy Issues

A/N: another short chapter that I originally intended to make longer, but then I got busy so I didn't. Sorry dudes 

"So, did you all discuss everything you needed to yesterday?" Bruce asked as he sat down on one of the couches in the living room, across from Nico.

The girls had left earlier that morning after breakfast and Nico had been in the room ever since.

Nico nodded. "We decided to choose seven people from each camp for the first round. They'll move in sometime during August since the apartments should be done by then."

Bruce smiled lightly and nodded. "How are you gonna choose?"

"People will write an application and then we'll go over them as a group." Nico closed his book and glanced at his father. "Will might apply."

Bruce looked a little surprised. "Really? I thought he was head medic."

"He is," Nico said quietly, spinning his ring on his finger. "But Kayla is ready to take over if he wants her to run the infirmary. He'd still keep his position, but he wants to go to med school and become a surgeon— it's a lot easier to do when you actually have high school transcripts."

Bruce smiled. "You know, my dad was a Surgeon."

Nico looked at him in surprise. Bruce never really talked about his parents, so he knew almost nothing about them. "Really?"

Bruce nodded with a fond smile. "Yep, a pretty talented one too— cardiovascular. He ran Wayne Enterprises after his father died, but he loved being a doctor more, so he did both. I bet I still have some of his old journals and books from when he was in his residency and fellowship. I could find them so Will could look at them, if he wants."

Nico smiled. "I think he would love that."

Bruce stared at him for a long moment. "When do you think he'll stop by?"

Nico stilled slightly. "I called him yesterday— Jason made me— but I don't know. I don't... I don't want him to see me like this."

"You're almost completely healed," Bruce said, moving to sit on the couch next to him, but allowing Nico space in case he didn't want Bruce too close to him. "Another day or two with ambrosia and you won't even have to wear any more bandages."

Nico nodded, staring at his hands. "Yeah, but ambrosia doesn't fix everything. Plus, I was scarred before, but now... I have more scarred skin than normal skin."

Bruce's eyes bored into the side of his head with a sad look. He didn't say anything for a long while, but when he did, his voice was quiet. There was a sadness to it that Nico rarely heard.

"I know. I wish I could tell you that there was some solution or fix, but there really isn't one," he said, looked away from Nico and looking at his hands that rested on his knees. "Chances are that you'll have those scars for the rest of your life. People will see them and they might treat you differently... but Will won't. I know I don't know him well, but he's a good kid. He loves you and some scars aren't going to stop that."

Nico looked at him, his voice shaky as he spoke. "But what if it does?"

Bruce looked at him with a sad smile. "It won't, and even if it did— that would mean he isn't who you thought he was, so it wouldn't matter."

Nico nodded lightly before leaning into Bruce's side, the man wrapping an arm around him tightly. "I'll text him later and invite him over next week," Nico muttered.

Bruce squeezed his shoulder. "That sounds like a good plan. And if you get overwhelmed when he comes, just let me know. We're all willing to do whatever we can to help."

Nico nodded. "Can I..." his voice trailed off before Bruce nudged him lightly and the demigod took a deep breath. "Can I go to the mountain? Dick gave them my number and they haven't stopped texting me."

Bruce made a sound of quiet surprise. "Of course you can, but are you sure you're ready for that?"

Nico was quiet for a second. "Not really... but I want to try."

"Okay," Bruce said quietly. "But can I make a request?"

Nico nodded.

"Can you bring a demigod with you? I know Dick and Tim will be there, but I want someone else there in case of a monster attack. Your brothers are skilled fighters, but they can't sense them coming the same way you guys can."

Nico hesitatingly nodded. "I can do that."

"Thank you," Bruce said with a smile.

"Of course, dad," 

A/N: ooooo who do you think he'll bring?!?!?!?!? 

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