When Worlds Collide

68) I'M BAAAAAAACK

A/N: lol sorry for disappearing, I have been traveling non stop for the last 2 days and just never had wifi so I couldn't upload lol

Nico stepped out of the shadows and was immediately met with claps on the back and people ruffling his hair. A year ago, this would have sent him into a raging panic attack, but now he just chuckled and swatted them away.

"None of that till I get rid of this infernal semi-toga thing," He said as he finally dropped his right arm and let the cloth fall to the floor.

Piper scoffed and picked it up, helping him remove the pins from the back of his costume that secured the end of the cloth to him. "Don't ruin it. You never know when you need to be Prince Demosthenes again," she said, using a bad posh accent as she said the name.

Nico rolled his eyes, "Oh please, your the one that came up with the name. Plus, I never stated rank."

Will slung an arm around his shoulder, pulling him to the couch. "Yeah, for all they know, he could just be the Earl of Shadows," he said, using the same terrible accent.

"Or the Count of Darkness."

"Viscount of the Shade."

"Duke of the Dark."

"I hate you all," he muttered.

Jason (the one who loves Jane Austin) leaned on the back of the couch he was on and ruffled his hair. "You love us, Urchin."

Jason (the one who was dyslexic and probably had never read Jane Austin) snorted. "Urchin?"

Nico chuckled lightly. "Jason and I were both adopted after being found on the street, so Jason calls me Urchin."

Jason (the urchin) nodded. "I call it the street urchin special," He said as Nico and him high-fived without looking. "It's what all the cool kids do."

Dick gasped, putting a hand to his chest in faux pain.  "Excuse me, but I think being adopted after your parents are murdered is just as valid."

Jason seemed to weigh the idea in his head for a moment before sighing. "Fine, that one is also cool, I guess. Though, doxing your way into the family is the lamest."

Tim scoffed. "I didn't dox my way into the family."

Nico shrugged. "You kinda did."

Tim gasped. "Traitor."

Damian rolled his eyes. "Tt- this is pointless. I am the only blood son so-"

Nico pushed him off the couch, earring high fives from the other brothers.

Percy laughed. "I know it's been a year, but it's still crazy to see you with your family."

Jason (the non-urchin) nodded. "Like you have a full on family... that isn't just us."

Nico smiled. "I still think it's crazy and I live with them. Granted I lived 14 years with basically no parents or immediate family that I can remember. I mean, I've had Hazel for a few years now, but there wasn't much before that"

Wally looked at Nico in confusion. "What about your birth family?"

Nico stiffened slightly and could tell his brothers and the other demigods were about to change the subject for him, but he shook his head, telling them it was fine. "I have basically really bad amnesia. I don't remember much from before I was 10. My Momma died when I was nine after we moved to the US, and my sister died shortly after where my memories begin. My father is a whole different story, but I basically don't remember what it was like to have a 'normal' family."

Dick cracked a smile. "Still don't think you do. I highly doubt a family that dresses up and fights crime counts as normal."

Nico shrugged. "I'm apparently a prince of a sovereign nation now, so I don't think a normal family would have cut it."

Bruce appeared in the doorway, clearing his throat slightly. "Nico, can I talk to you for a second?"

Nico stood up from his seat, both Bart and Leo 'Oooooooo'ing as is he was in trouble, before stepping into the hallway.

Bruce, scarily enough, looked nervous as he motioned for the person behind him to step forward.

A woman with short black hair stepped forward to stand beside Bruce.

The man opened his mouth to speak, but Nico spoke first as he offered a hand to the woman.

"You must be Bruce's girlfriend, Selina Kyle. We briefly met at my welcome gala."

The woman looked surprised for a moment before smiling and shaking his hand. "Yes, I am. It's good to see you again. Bruce cannot stop talking about you."

Bruce looked stuck silent by the revelation that Nico already knew.

"I would ask what he's been saying, but I think I can guess. There has definitely been a lot to say about me in the past few weeks," he said with a shrug.

"I've been keeping current on everything about you on the news, both as Ghost King and Nico. I've been a fan since 'skirt-gate'."

Nico snorted. "I can't say I'm surprised. Skirt-Gate was one of my finer moments."

Bruce finally shook himself from his shock. "How long have you known?"

Selina chuckled and set a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "I'll let you two talk. Nico, I hope we can talk more later," she said with a smile before re-entering the room.

Nico shrugged at his dad. "I knew for sure about a month ago, though I suspected it for a while. Honestly, back at the welcome gala, I thought you two were already together and just weren't telling me based off the way you were staring."

Bruce shook his head with a small laugh. "You could have told me sooner. I have been stressing about you finding out for weeks."

"What's the fun in that?" Nico said with a laugh before sending a nervous glance at Bruce. "Why didn't you want me to know before now?"

Bruce let out a breath, seemingly trying to figure out what to say. "We got together right before you were taken by— well, you know. I just, I didn't know how you would react and didn't want to risk-"

"I don't care if you're dating," Nico said, cutting Bruce off. "I appreciate that you wanted to be cautious and not accidentally cause a spiral or something, but I really don't care who you go out with. If the person was an asshole, then I'd probably care, but Selina is great."

Bruce smiled softly. "I think so too. And I promise that me dating someone doesn't change-"

"I know," Nico said with a smile. "I know you'll always been there when I need you."

"I'm glad."

"I'm not calling her mom though," Nico said with a smirk, causing Bruce to choke on air.

The man began trying to explain that he never wanted Nico to think he was trying to replace his mom, but cut himself off when he saw Nico laughing.

"You're just pulling my chain, aren't you?"

Nico smirked. "Yep."

Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose before just gesturing towards the door. "Let's just go back in there. We're having a group dinner and it should be ready soon."

Nico laughed at Bruce's expression before entering the room, going to sit by Selina and Clark. Will shot him a questioning look, but Nico just mouthed that he'd explain later.

As everyone talked, Nico couldn't help but take in the view. It was everyone. Every part of his world, slowly morphing together, and it was good. It was really good.

A/N: I LIVE!!!! I appreciate all of your messages checking in on me, but I have just not had wifi and not enough cell service to upload. I should be good now, though I am still traveling.

Vote. Comment. tell me how your last two days were (I have been in a car/RV for a total of 32 hours in the last 2 days).