Don't Fear the Reaper

53) Nico is a Good Person, but a Terrible Liar

A/N: imma be real with you... this one was long and I was about to start editing it, and then I got sleepy so... let's just pretend there are no mistakes ahahahhahaha

Nico sat in the back of the limo, hands gripping his knees as he stared in front of him. His mind was both buzzing nonstop with anxiety, and completely silent. He knew Bruce was watching him subtly, trying to gauge how he was feeling, but Nico had a world class poker face and an inability to express his feelings.

"If this is too much-"

"I'm fine," Nico said way too quickly. He clenched his jaw for a moment before forcing himself to look at the man. "It's fine, I'll be okay. I have done far more risky things than leaving your house."

Bruce didn't seem convinced, but he apparently decided to yield to Nico in that moment. They had been making conscious effort to give the demigod as many chances to control his own life as they could, and it was only when he became a danger to himself or others that they would deny his decisions.

"Okay, but if you need to leave or just want to go back, please tell me," the man said, his eyes holding a genuine look that Nico didn't understand.

They were here because Bruce needed to get work done, but Nico was preventing him from doing it. Why would he want Nico to force him to fail to accomplish what he needed to get done? Nico's comfort, weighed against the duties he had to his employees, should have meant something to him.

Nico just nodded, knowing that he would not.

Bruce seemed to be able to tell he was lying, but he still let the topic go for the moment as he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out 2 objects.

"I know that you do not want the people from your world to find out where you are, and even though none of you seem to keep up with current events, I thought it could be best to offer you some privacy from any media leaks." The man head out a cloth mask and a simple silver chain necklace. "The necklace was enchanted by Zatana. It should make it so no one can see your scars while you wear it and that people won't be able to recognize you. You can choose to wear one and not the other, or neither, but I thought that you might like the security of having something."

Nico stared at the two options for a long moment before hesitantly grabbing both of them. He put on the mask first, the familiar article of clothing bringing him more comfort than he expected, before clasping the necklace around his neck, pulling his hair free from underneath it as he tucked it into the sweatshirt. He waited to feel some sort of change, but there was nothing. He pulled up his sleeve slightly to look at the back of his hand that had a large burn scar on it, but it looked the exact same as before.

"The effect doesn't work on you or any of us," Bruce explained, probably understanding his confusion. "Glamour charms are easy for a sorceress like Zatana, but making one powerful enough to mask reality from the wearer or those who know about the charm is time consuming. However, if you would prefer one in the future that would mask them for you-"

"It's fine," Nico said, pulling his sleeve back down and going back to absently stare at the interior of the car. "I am very aware of the scars I have and no amount of magical charms could make me forget."

"I know, but if it would make you more comfortable to not be able to see them, I am sure Zatana wouldn't mind."

"Comfort leads to catastrophe," was Nico's totally unconcerning response. "Plus, scars exist for a reason. They are proof of survival—a mark to show strength and resilience in the face of death."

Bruce opened his mouth to respond when the car slowed to a halt, Alfred calling that they were there. The man let the topic drop as he motioned for Nico to follow him before opening the door and getting out.