Don't Fear the Reaper

94) Feeling All the Things

Nico had been with the Waynes 6 months when they began letting him go on patrols with them. It was... unique.

He definitely enjoyed the opportunities to get out and actually do things, but the patrols were never without complication. Nico apparently had a tendency to 'take it too far' and 'hospitalize people', and while he tried to rein it in, it was honestly pretty hard. He had to remain with at least 2 bats at all times, which meant that they had to change their entire patrol schedule when he came alone since—other than Batman and Robin—the others were usually patrolling on their own.

Nico tried to apologize and going on less patrols so they didn't have to change their routines for him, but the others wouldn't hear it. They told him that they truly didn't mind, even going so far as telling him that they kinda preferred working in groups because it made it more fun, but Nico—as always—didn't really believe them.

"You're getting a lot better," Dick said as he walked with Nico into the cave after patrol.

Tim nodded in agreement. "You took down a bunch of crooks and only one of them was hospitalized, so that's definitely an improvement."

Bruce, who had remained in the cave while the others went out because Alfred put him on medical rest, turned in his chair with a light smile as he took in the trio. "Good job, all of you. Jason is staying the night in one of his safe houses to stake out the Iceberg Lounge and Damian, Cass, Duke, and Steph are already upstairs. I believe Alfred is about to pull out a batch of cookies, so Dick and Tim, why don't you head up there and get some?"

The two boys shared looks of worry, but they still nodded and waved goodbye to Nico before heading towards the exit.

"Did I do something wrong?" Nico asked, immediately assuming the worst.

"No, nothing like that," Bruce said quickly, moving to sit at a small table that Nico was stood beside, gesturing for the teen to sit down as well. "I just wanted to give you some privacy while we talked. I can see how well you're doing on patrols and with training, but I wanted to give you space to talk about anything that you might want to change or if you have anything you'd like to do differently—just anything on your mind."

"Oh," Nico said quietly, his anxiety over the one on one still not really fading, but he sat in the chair so he was facing Bruce anyways. "I am fine with how things are."

Bruce looked at him, his eyes still kind but they had that analytical look to them as he took Nico in. "Alright, well, what about your suit? It's just a simple kevlar material with some more basic armor details, but is there anything you'd want to change on it—be it stylistic or functionality."

"I mean, I'm not exactly used to wearing something like this," Nico said, choosing his words carefully so he didn't offend Bruce. "It's an adjustment to fight in something that is a bit more restrictive than what I am used to, but it's fine."

"What are you used to?" Bruce asked, really seeming to try his best to make this a conversation and not the interrogation Nico was treating it as. "I saw your old suit, but I'll admit that I didn't really pay attention to any specifications it had. Can you show it to me?"

"No, I uh-" Nico didn't know why he felt so on edge. They'd always been very purposeful about showing him that their interactions with him weren't a trap, but it felt like they were. "I put my suits in the shadows, so I can't access them."

Bruce hummed in thought and Nico assumed that would be the end of it, but then the man said something that made him freeze. "If you feel comfortable with it, I could temporarily take off one of the ringlets and I believe that some of your powers will return."