Death has Left the Building

  [Edited July 22, 2022]

Nico found Hazel in his dreams, though whether it was from a vision or a concussion-induced fever dream, he wasn't sure. She was walking through the beautiful forum with a drink in her hand and a dark purple shirt with familiar letters: SPQR. As she got closer, Nico could tell that she was wearing a cord around her neck with a little lead plate that read probatio. He was relieved to see that the Romans had kept their word. Hazel was safe for now.

Nico approached her, excited to finally talk to her again. Hazel grinned brightly as she saw him coming. She moved to meet her brother in front of a stone bench where they sat to talk. It surprised him to realize how happy he felt to see her. She had become so important to him in such a small amount of time and it surprised him. He was worried, too. He didn't want to get too attached too quickly. Part of him was convinced that she would eventually leave him too.

"Oh Nico, I'm so happy to see you! I wanted to thank you for bringing me here. I know you didn't have to." Her face was full of life and her smile made it all worth it. He may not have been able to save his biological sister, but he could save this one.

"Don't be silly, you're my sister! So, how is legion life treating you?" Nico pressed on, interested to hear about how the Romans did things. From what little he had seen of the Romans, they had been organized, strict, and militaristic-- nothing like the Greeks he was used to. He imagined that life with the Romans would be harder than with the Greeks, at least when it came to training. The retirement plan sounded nice, though.

Hazel took the bait and started telling him all about her new life. Nico relaxed on the bench as she told him everything that she had done and seen since she had gotten to camp. She talked about the cohorts, the initiation, the village, and even some of the other campers she had been introduced to. Nico hoped this meant that she would have the chance to start over here. She deserved to be someplace where she could be herself and start to heal from her past life.

The tone of the conversation shifted as Hazel brought up the cursed jewels that still followed her around. Nico had hoped that the protective barrier of the camp would slow the curse some, but he would have known better. There were few things powerful enough to defend against a curse. With the number of precious metals and gems in the camp, Hazel was attracting everything from denarii and weapons to diamonds and rubies. It wasn't exactly ideal in such a crowded place.

"I think Octavian suspects. What if someone finds one of the gems and takes it? I don't want anyone else to die because of me." Hazel seemed to age a hundred years in a matter of moments and the son of Hades rubbed her shoulders in an effort to comfort her. He wished that he had some idea of how to help her, though he was out of his depth. Magic had never been his strong suit.

"You'll have to be careful. I'll see if I can find anything that can help. In the meantime, have you ever tried controlling the metals yourself?" He asked, a theory forming in his head.

"Controlling it?" Her voice shook. All at once, the answer crashed down on him and he wanted to kick himself. Of course, she had tried controlling it. That was how she had died-- shredded by the gems that Gaea had so wanted for her son Alcyoneus.

" I mean. can you send it away the same way you can draw it to you?"

"I don't know but I can try." She replied with a frown. Nico nodded and asked her to keep him informed.

"Hey, Nico?" Hazel called as he was getting ready to leave, "Octavian can't reach the gods anymore for his predictions. Things are getting tense around camp. Do you have any idea what is going on?" Hazel asked hopefully. Nico froze. It wasn't like he could tell her the giants were rising. No one would believe her, first of all, and he didn't want to start a panic. Things would happen as the fates decreed them and bad things happened to people who messed with fate. Olympus closing was literally the worst thing that could possibly happen right now, in the demigod's time of need.

"No, but look, I'll come to you soon and we can test your abilities. I'll talk to Reyna and see what she can tell me about the gods, ok? I'll see you soon." Nico kissed her lightly on her forehead before forcing their dreams to separate. He sank into a space that was halfway between sleep and consciousness.

When he finally woke up, it was dark outside, and he was completely disoriented. What time was it? How long had he been asleep? Were people still awake downstairs? Nico looked at his clock but his brain couldn't compute what the time actually meant. He needed a few more minutes to let his brain wake up. As he got up and stretched it felt like he was moving through syrup and his eyelids were heavy.

The son of Hades didn't want to bother anyone if they were asleep so he decided to just stay in his room. Sitting still didn't suit him, so he started pursuing something to do. He looked through the books on his bookshelf, though he wasn't really looking to get anything as involved as a book. Then he considered going down to the cave to practice, but he doubted that Bruce would approve right after he came home injured. He didn't have the focus for his homework, either. The only other thing he could think to do was draw.

Nico settled down into the chair at his desk and pulled out his sketchbook. He wasn't sure what he wanted to draw, but he figured if he just started a picture, something would come to him. With that in mind, he brought his pencil to the page and started sketching. Nico drew a picture of the entire bat family perched on the roof of the court building. It was his favorite picture he'd ever drawn.

He got so caught up in what he was doing that he didn't realize that someone had come into his room. Nico kept sketching until they loudly cleared their throat. The demigod startled badly, breaking his pencil lead. He cursed slightly as he saw the dark line that ruined the gradient of his shading.

He was about to give the intruder a piece of his mind, but when he swiveled to face them, he was greeted by none other than Damian Wayne standing in the doorway. The difference between the assassin trained by the League of Shadows and the boy that stood before him now was striking. He didn't have his usual confidence. His shoulders were scrunched, he was slouching, and he wasn't glaring at him. For a moment, all Nico could do was watch him.

"Hey." He said at last, though even this was unlike the Damian he was used to.

"Hey." Nico said, finally realizing that he was being rude, "come on in." The son of Hades gestured to his room. Damian stepped inside and closed the door gently behind him. He seemed to have something important on his mind. Nico set aside his pencils and shut his sketchbook to give the younger boy his full attention.

"I wanted to talk to you about... you know... dying." He settled down onto the couch and Nico sat in the armchair close to him. The older boy watched Damian carefully, curious as to what he wanted to say. Nico couldn't say that he was surprised that the boy wanted to talk. After all, it isn't every day a mortal visits the underworld and comes back to life again. It made sense that he would have questions. The demigod motioned for him to continue, the least he could do is give him some answers.

"So, what happened? How did I die?" He asked. Nico told him everything that happened from his death to when Bruce found the demigod in the bathroom the second time. Was a good listener and didn't speak until the end. Whether that was from disgust, apprehension, or shame, Nico couldn't tell.

"What would have happened if you fell into the pit?" Damian asked at last. Nico was caught off guard. He had expected him to ask questions about death itself, not about the mission to the Underworld.

Nico hesitated, trying to think of an answer to his question. "No one knows for sure. I would have been sucked into Tartarus. I would either have been killed by the fall or by the monsters within. Not even the gods dare go near the pit." He replied at last.

"You risked your life to save mine," Damian said as a statement, but it was clearly meant as a question.

"Of course. I was the reason you were in that position in the first place. I had to fix it." The older boy assured him. Damian pursed his lips.

"Thank you. I guess I'm indebted to you now." Damian sighed. He seemed utterly defeated.

"Oh really? Well, if you continue to help me with my homework, I'll call us even. After all, I couldn't let my brother go down without a fight," He reasoned. There was no way that Nico wanted anyone to be in debt to him. Well, maybe Thalia. Her annoyance alone would be enough.

Damian gave me a small, grateful smile, "I can do that."

"How long was I out anyway?" Nico asked stretching.

"A few hours. The others are watching horror movies downstairs. I know they don't scare you, but..." Damian trailed off, his offer caught in his throat.

"Yeah, let's go join them," Nico said, standing up. Damian gave him a small smile and the pair headed downstairs to join the others.

None of them slept that night.

The next morning the boys all ate breakfast together before heading down to the gym. The ambrosia and nectar had done the trick and he was feeling up to training. He couldn't afford to be falling behind the others right now, not with the new threat that was on the horizon. Besides, training would help distract him from the fact that he had another lecture to look forward to. He wasn't naive enough to think that he had heard the last about the Deathstroke incident.

As the other boys started warming up, Bruce pulled Nico aside to talk. He had been hoping that he would wait until after they had finished training before saying anything, He wouldn't feel like being around people after this and it would make the whole day less enjoyable. Couldn't he have just waited?

"Look Nico, you had all of us really worried," Bruce started softly. "First you disappear off all sensors in the house. We thought that maybe you had gone to camp or something."

"Bruce--" Nico started, but the man in question held up a finger to stop him. Apparently, he wasn't done.

"Then we find out that you were really running around Gotham by yourself in uniform. How do we find out? You get captured by Slade Wilson and he threatens to out your eye." The older man continued, "You could have died and there wouldn't have been a damn thing any of us could do." He lectured.

"I-" Nico started but trailed off when he saw Bruce open his mouth to speak. It would just be better to let the man get it all out.

"You need to understand that you're not infallible." Nico pursed his lips, no longer interested in defending himself. He assumed that infallible meant something along the lines of invincible. He didn't know what to say because he was filled with shame and rage.

"Believe me, I know. I know I don't measure up to you or your proteges, but I'm not entirely incapable. I know I'm not infallible, thank you." The son of Hades turned to walk back over to his brothers, planning on warming up and getting this over with. He was right, he didn't want to be there anymore. He could have just left and cooled off in his room, but he knew that wouldn't be the mature thing to do. He needed this training, whether he felt up to it or not.

"Nico, that's not what I meant." Nico ignored the head of the household and started stretching. Bruce sighed and gave the teenager a pained look. Nico pretended not to notice and looked away. He didn't know what hurt more, the suggestion that he had disappointed the vigilante or the fact that he might deserve it.

After they had all warmed up, they stepped up to the wrestling mats. Bruce took Richard on first and neither was holding back. Even though he needed to focus on their moves, Nico was too upset to really pay attention. His mind kept drifting back to what Bruce had said and he would get angry again. He tried to shove it down, he couldn't afford to be emotional right now. When it came to be his turn, he was paired with Jason. The pair stepped up to the mats and faced off. When Bruce blew the whistle Jason lunged. Nico dodged to one side on instinct alone. Jason pivoted to face the younger boy again.

As if he wasn't distracted enough, Hades had apparently heard of his recent escapade in the Underworld and decided that then was a good time to chat.

Did you bring another soul back from the dead? Even after I warned you not to?

Now's not a good time. Nico thought back as he deflected a few rapid punches that otherwise would have connected with his face. After Nico had confessed what had really been going on with him to the antihero, Jason had started going harder on him.

You disobeyed me. You went behind my back to bring back a soul because you knew I wouldn't approve. Nico felt his stomach drop as he realized his father wasn't calm, as his voice would have suggested. He was livid. Boiling with rage. Nico could feel his own body temperature starting to rise in response to the god's rage.

It was my fault. And Thanatos said that it wasn't his time. The fates hadn't cut his string. It was no different than doing CPR. The demigod shot back, knowing full well that the resurrection of magically claimed souls was nowhere near the same thing. He could almost hear Hades scoffing.

This conversation is far from over. And you're losing, by the way.

"Shut up." The demigod muttered under his breath. Jason lunged again and caught Nico around the waist while he was distracted. Nico grabbed a fistful of his brother's shirt and drove his knee repeatedly into the older boy's stomach until his grip weakened and Nico shoved him away. Jason was not easy to shove. Nico brought his hands up the way that Bruce had shown him and took up his fighting stance.

You are letting your emotions cloud your judgment. His father commented unhelpfully. Nico gritted his teeth. He guessed the rest of the gods and his brothers should all just join in so he could complete the whole set.

This time, Nico didn't wait for Jason to strike first, he threw himself at the older boy with all of his pent-up rage and shame giving him strength. Nico tried to punch him in the face but Jason caught his fist. He was expecting that, though, and he aimed a knee at his ribcage. Jason let go of the smaller boy in surprise and he backed away a few steps to regroup. Once he had, Jason tried to roundhouse kick the demigod, but he ducked in time. As Jason was turning to face him, Nico punched him in the jaw and brought a knee up to his chest when he stumbled. Bruce had told him to use his bony knees and elbows whenever he could because he wasn't exceptionally strong yet. He certainly wasn't strong enough to match up with any of them.

Jason blocked it and shoved the smaller boy away. Nico was a lot easier to shove. This didn't win the demigod any advantages, but he could see that Jason was warier of him now. Anger boiled up inside him again, how was it that he could take on these huge monsters but not someone who is normal-sized and powerless?

These boys are smarter than monsters. Go for the knees. Father suggested. Nico glared, hoping he could sense it. Jason was used to fighting up close and personal. If Nico tried that, he would lose.

The pair circled each other, looking for the opportunity to strike. Soon Jason lunged at him again and grabbed the younger by the shoulders. Nico grabbed him by the wrists and tried to pry his arms off but they wouldn't budge. The son of Hades growled in anger and frustration, why was this so hard? It took Nico a moment to realize that Jason wasn't fighting anymore. He was simply holding him in place. Then Nico started to realize that he was talking to him as the rush of blood in his ears quieted.

"Nico! Nico calm down! You're making the shadows go insane!" The demigod stopped struggling and stared at him in confusion.

"What?"

"Look behind you!" Damian called. Nico turned and found that one corner of the gym was completely filled with shadows. He tried to banish them but nothing happened. The shadows weren't coming from him.

"That isn't me," he said, stepping away from Jason. Seconds later, Thanatos stepped out of the shadows, fully cloaked in his robes to hide his face. He beckoned to him with his hand. Nico hopped down off the mat and trotted over to him. Nico figured that if he was bothering him in the land of the living, it was serious. At the moment, it didn't even occur to him that this would frighten the others. To Nico, death was a friend but the others still saw him as something to be feared.

"Nico! What are you doing?" Bruce hissed. All at once, the anger welled up inside him again. He turned around to make a retort but stopped when he saw the petrified faces of the bat family. The anger diminished as he realized what they were thinking. They thought death had come for one of us-- which wasn't an unreasonable assumption. It wasn't exactly uncommon for Death to ask for his help with collecting escaped souls. Nico blended in better than Thanatos did these days so it was often just easier to send a demigod. The fear that Thanatos was here for one of them was a rational one. Jason and Damian were deathly pale, both sure that their times were up.

"I'm talking with death..." he motioned for the cloaked figure. The others simply stared at him, dumbstruck. Only he knew for certain that death was not here to collect their souls. Death wouldn't come here just to do that. He'd call him to the Underworld or have Hades tell him through his thoughts.

"I say," came a familiar voice, "Master Nico, if you wish to invite guests, please give Master Wayne prior notice."

"Sorry Alfred," Nico replied with a small smile, "I didn't expect company." He turned and approached Thanatos who laid his hand on the demigod's shoulder. From where he stood Nico could tell that unease swept through the others. They probably thought that Thanatos was here for his soul, as if Hades would ever allow that to happen.

Thanatos leaned down close to his ear and spoke softly, "Nico, I have been captured by the enemy. Soon, there will be none of my energy left to collect the lost souls. Death itself will weaken."

"What do you need me to do? Where can I find you?"

"Dear boy, there is nothing you can do. I believe this is a task for someone else. I sense that you will be needed elsewhere very soon." Thanatos murmured cryptically before stepping back into the shadows and dissolving. Nico frowned and stepped away from the corner, which was no longer cloaked in shadows.

"Nico, what the hell was that all about?" Bruce had come up beside him, a dagger clutched tightly in his hand. Nico gritted his teeth, children of Hades were notorious for holding grudges, after all. As he took in the situation a bit more and his anger diminished and was replaced with disbelief. Had Bruce planned on attacking Thanatos with a dagger? The son of Hades frowned, staring at the dagger. He decided not to question it and answered his question instead.

"My stepmother wants to see me," he lied. It wasn't like he could tell them that people were going to stop dying and cause mass panic, now could he? That would be irresponsible.

"Stepmother?" Bruce frowned, looking uncomfortable at the implications.

Nico sighed, "Persephone?"

"She sent the grim reaper just to tell you she wants an audience?" Bruce asked, sounding suspicious.

"No, she sent Thanatos," He said sarcastically. He turned around and stalked back to the mat.

"What did she want from you?" Bruce pressed.

"She probably wanted me to talk to Ivy about poisonous plants. She is decorating the fields of punishment, after all." He spun a plausible story as he went. He used facts to make it easier to remember. The Stolls did wonders in teaching him how to create a convincing lie.

"Decorating the fields of punishment?" Bruce muttered under his breath. Nico stepped back up onto the mat and looked around at everyone else, who were in varying stages of disbelief. Jason and Damian looked like the cat that ate the canary. Nico couldn't tell if Tim was spacing out or staring into his soul, and Dick was watching Bruce for the proper reaction. Clearly, no one knew what to think about this. Even Alfred had disappeared during the excitement.

"Are we going to finish this or not?" Nico asked gesturing at Jason. They all composed themselves and Jason and Nico faced off again. Bruce blew the whistle and the fight began again.

You know that this fight won't prove anything to Bruce or to yourself like you're hoping it will.

I don't know what you're talking about. I know this match won't change anything. The son of Hades wasn't sure what his father was trying to get at. He knew that this fight was unrelated to his other problems. It didn't change the fact that he'd screwed up by leaving the manor and getting himself captured or that he'd disobeyed his father a second time, opening himself up to repercussions. He knew that whether or not he beat Jason, he wasn't at the same level as the other boys and probably never would be. 

Is that why you're taking it personally?  Nico growled to himself mid-punch. It wasn't the fight he was taking personally. It was the fact that he'd messed up and knew it that was putting him in such a bad mood. His own carelessness could have gotten him killed or forced Nightwing into a meeting with his abuser. Just because he had managed to get himself out of it without exposing his powers, doesn't mean that all is forgiven. He knew that what he had done was irresponsible and reckless. He really hadn't come all that far from the boy he was when he was 10.

Maybe I'm taking this conversation personally. Nico shot back, but his words lacked any power. From that point, it wasn't too difficult for Jason to win. Nico headed upstairs and took a quick shower. After that, he went back to his room and lay on the couch.

Are you ready to talk about what's going to happen now that you've broken the laws of nature twice?

" I had to bring him back. It was my fault that he was dead." Nico insisted weakly. He believed in what he'd done, and he'd have made the same choice over again if he had to, but he also knew that Hades wouldn't care.

So grieve like anyone who isn't the son of the god of the Underworld. If the other gods knew what you have done... Hades' voice held the promise of retribution. It hadn't occurred to Nico what the other Olympians would think or that he might face the wrath of Olympus for his actions.

"I thought Olympus had shut down?"

That's not the point. I would be well within my rights to take your soul as forfeit for the two you released.

"Then do it, already!" Nico shot back, tired of the conversation. He knew what he'd done and he'd accepted the consequences before he'd even gone to Thanatos. He didn't need the lecture.  A piercing pain shot through his skull and he knew his father was angry. Nico hissed and clutched his head in pain.

Do not speak to me in that way. I am being beyond patient with you. 

"Thanks for reminding me that I am a disappointment." Nico huffed with half-hearted sarcasm. he was not eager to feel like his brain was being split in two again.

Get up. His father growled.

"And do what?" The demigod frowned, but he sat up in his seat nonetheless. Hades wasn't typically prone to anger, but apparently, he'd managed to cross the line. 

I am done listening to you wallow in self-pity. Tell Bruce you are headed to the Underworld. Then go to Hazel. She will need your help to control her powers. You're her sponsor, act like it.

"Is everything ok?"

Other than the fact that I have to figure out how to fix this mess you made? No, your sister is fine.

"I'm sorry. I know you're angry and I know I messed up. I just... I had to save Damian. I couldn't just leave him there. I know I broke the rules, but I don't regret saving my brother." The son of HAdes wouldn't apologize for something he wasn't sorry for, he couldn't. 

Your loyalty is admirable, at least. Now, go to Hazel, we'll figure out what to do about Damian later.

"You're not going to take him back, are you?"

That would be up to Thanatos, wouldn't it? And I think he's already made it clear where he stands. The demigod couldn't help but smile at that Hades wasn't going to reclaim Damian. Whatever was to come, Damian was safe. He felt his father's presence leave him, a feeling he didn't think he'd ever get used to. It was like a hot breeze passed over him and left him chilled once it was gone.

 Nico left for Bruce's office, hoping that he could convince the older man to let him so soon after the last disaster. Though the last thing Nico wanted to do was to talk to Bruce, he marched down the hall and knocked on the door. He heard a faint 'enter' so he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

"Nico, what do you need?" Bruce asked, setting his pencil down.

"I'm headed to California now. I'll be gone for a few days, I suspect," Nico told him. He phrased it like a statement, hoping that Bruce would get the sense that he was needed there and that this wasn't just his idea.

"No, you're not going anywhere. All these secretive trips have to stop." Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose, probably out of frustration. He looked extra tired today and Nico hated to think that he was somehow the source. 

" You asked me to tell you when and where I was going so I did. I wouldn't consider this secretive," Nico pointed out.

"That's a fair point," Bruce sighed, "but you still haven't told me the why. What are you doing on these little trips you make? What exactly is there for you in California? Don't say the entrance to the Underworld because I know for a fact that you don't use those." There was a long pause while Nico tried to think of something to say. He didn't want to expose the Romans and the fact that there was likely a war on the horizon.

He'd told Jason because he'd known the other boy would understand his position. He'd understand the need for secrecy and help him become a more efficient killer, without moral judgement. Telling Bruce hadn't been an option.

"I don't want to lie to you," Nico said at last.

"But you don't want to tell me the truth," Nico shifted his feet uncomfortably.

"If you can't tell me what you're doing, then you're not going. There have been so many times that you have come back injured and the last self-appointed mission you went on almost got you killed. It would be irresponsible of me to let you keep leaving like this. Do you understand?" Nico pursed his lips and turned to leave. He didn't know how he was going to explain this to Hades.

Father, Bruce isn't going to let me leave. 

Since when do you need permission? Your sister needs your help to understand and control her powers. You need to be there. Hades insisted. Nico paused, trying to figure out what the right answer was. He didn't want to disobey Bruce or Hades, but those were his options. IT certainly didn't help that they were both upset with him for different and entirely understandable reasons. There really wasn't a right answer here.

"Please, Bruce. I really need to go to California." Nico didn't elaborate. 

"What did I just say? No." Bruce seemed to be getting angry and Nico wanted nothing more than to turn around and back out of the office right then and there. He didn't know how normal families worked, but he assumed that this would be considered arguing, which he knew you weren't supposed to do with your parents or guardians. It was a sign of disrespect, which was not what he was going for.

He's not going to give in. He's Batman. Nico thought tiredly.

Then you will go without his knowledge. He's only a mortal. He doesn't understand the severity of the situation. In light of another prophecy, you need to be mobile more than ever. You are the only link between the two camps. You could potentially negotiate their first meeting and prevent needless bloodshed. 

You think the camps will meet?

If Hera has her way, their introduction is inevitable.

What is that supposed to mean?  Nico frowned.

That's not for you to worry about. Now are you leaving or not?

He said no, Nico protested in his mind, I thought you were telling me I need to be more responsible.

Obeying your father and helping your siblings is responsible.

"Nico? Was there something else?" Bruce asked from behind his desk. the demigod had been loitering a little too long.

Technically he's my father too. Legally speaking. 

I'm your biological father. And the god of the Underworld.

You don't have DNA, Nico pointed out. It didn't change Hades' point, but Nico fale the need to remind him.

That is besides the point. Decide where you stand. Are you going to listen to me, or this mortal? 

"Stop doing this to me!" Nico groaned out loud and pressed his palms to his temples. He turned back toward the desk, but it wasn't a conscious decision. 

"Doing what?" Bruce sounded annoyed.

You must either convince Bruce to let you go, leave Hazel to figure her powers out on her own, or you must disobey him. Your choice. Hades would not relent.

"Why can't she figure it out? She's smart and strong." He reasoned. A stab of pain raced through his skull. Nico hissed and clutched the bridge of his nose. He really wished his father wasn't able to transmit his displeasure through the link. He didn't think the god knew he could and it gave the demigod one hell of a headache.

She is, but even you could not figure out your powers on your own. You had help. Does she not deserve the same courtesy?  The god of the dead returned.

"My teacher turned me over to the enemy," Nico mumbled. More pain coursed through his brain and Nico got a nosebleed and Bruce stood up behind his desk, where he had apparently been watching the one-sided conversation. The oldest Wayne handed him a box of tissues. Nico took it and held one up to staunch the bleeding.

"Nico? What is going on? Who are you talking to?" Bruce's voice cut in again.

"Look Bruce, I have to go. If you don't allow me, I will have to go anyway. Please don't make me disobey you." The son of Hades sighed as the pain went away. He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes to try and get some relief from the headache. He lowered himself into one of the chairs.

"Why is it so important that you get to the California?" Bruce questions. He now realized that Bruce is kneeling in front of him, looking up into his face. He was examining the younger boy for injuries, no doubt.

"I don't know. My father is insisting that I be there." Nico rubbed his forehead and wiped away the tears that had pooled in his eyes and the blood that dripped from his nose.

"You are in contact with him now?" Bruce sounded unhappy with that news.

"In my head." the demigod managed.

"Can he hear everything you say?" Bruce frowned. Nico shrugged and shook his head-- he really had no clue.

"Is he hurting you?" Bruce asks evenly.

"It hurts when he is angry," He admitted, "I don't think he means to hurt me." Bruce gritted his teeth.

"Why is he angry?"

"I didn't want to be irresponsible again." At the moment, that seemed like a perfectly good response, but it probably didn't make sense to anyone else.

"What does he want you to do that's irresponsible?"

"He wants me to go against your decision. I don't want to be in more trouble. Stop making me choose." Nico said to no one in particular. Bruce pursed his lips and a less intense wave of pain formed in his skull. He hissed and massaged his temples.

"You are stuck," Bruce observed, "you can't please either one of us without displeasing the other." Nico nodded in agreement. Bruce sat back on the floor, probably dirtying his suit.

"Alright, I won't make you choose today. You can go. Hades, if you can hear me, I need to be able to reserve the right to let him wander. The last time he almost died. I can't help him If I don't know where he is."

Almost what? Hades asked in surprise. Nico felt him combing through his recent memories. Then an almost unbearable stab of pain pierced through his skull and Nico cried out in pain. He would have collapsed to the floor if it hadn't been for Bruce. The man caught him and sat him back up. It felt like his brain was being sawed into little pieces from the inside. Another wave of blood gushed from his nose.

What in Tartarus were you thinking?

"I'm sorry." Nico managed. He was scarcely sure he had said it out loud. Hades didn't seem to realize his pain, or he would have tried to reign in his temper. Nico guessed that answered the question of whether or not his father could see him.

"He didn't know, did he?" Bruce deducted. Nico shook his head and Bruce winced.

Very well, tell him that I will let you know if it is an emergency or not. Then his father's presence vanished from his skull and Nico sighed in relief.

"He said he will tell me when it is an emergency." Nico relayed his message. Bruce nodded, satisfied.

"Is he still here?" Bruce asked. Nico shook his head.

"Master Bruce? Is everything alright?" Alfred appeared in the doorway.

"I think so. Could you get Nico some painkillers please, Alfred?" Alfred nodded and was off.

"When will you be heading to California?" Bruce inquired.

"Tonight, probably. He won't be too happy if I delay my trip." Bruce nodded and set himself down in the other armchair. A short while later, Alfred came in with some pills and a glass of water. Nico downed the pills and sat back in the chair.

"Does he speak to you often?" Bruce asked, sitting on the edge of his desk.

"No. Just when he needs something or he is mad at me."

"Needs something?" Bruce asked. Nico shrugged, though he knew what he wanted to know.

"So he never sends Thanatos to come get you?" Bruce questioned.

"No, that's Persephone's thing. That and turning me into houseplants." Bruce laughed like he was joking.

"Wait, no kidding? She turns you into houseplants?" He nodded.

"That's why Ivy likes me." Bruce laughed at that. The son of Hades chuckled as well, knowing how ridiculous it sounded.

"God, your life is so messed up." He chuckled because there wasn't much else to do. Nico nodded in agreement.

"You don't even know the half of it."

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