Demigod in Gotham

24) Slay Inclusivity

"Sorry you had to cancel."

Dick set a hand on Nico's notebook, not wanting to actually touch him without his permission, but still wanting his full attention. "We didn't have to cancel. We wanted to because you are part of this family and we chose to prioritize your wellbeing over a dinner. The others totally understood when we said that something came up. There is no reason to apologize." After seeing Nico nod, Dick removed his hand to allow the boy to continue his work. "That being said, today is Monday. We told them that this week was canceled as well, but if you decide that you want to meet them, we can ask them to come. It also doesn't have to be all, if you want to meet them slowly, we can make it happen. There's no pressure, I just want you to have the option."

Nico stayed silent for a while, his eyes remained focused on what he was doing. For a second, Dick was afraid he pushed too far, but then he heard him say, "you can invite them. I don't know if I'll stay for the whole meal or be up to talking much, but I would like to meet them."

"You sure? They can be a lot to be around at times."

Nico shrugged a little bit. "When I wasn't on my own, I stayed at Camp so I am used to being around noisy people."

"Camp?"

Nico paused his drawing and flipped to a page that had a bunch of strange looking cabins, a strawberry field, and what looked to be an arena. "It's where the descendants' kids go. There are two, one in New York and the other in California. My sister lives at the one in California."

"It looks beautiful. You'll have to take us to visit one day."

"Maybe someday, that is, if you manage to figure out the secret."

Dick laughed at his comment. "Just another reason to solve it. Bruce and Tim think they're close so it might be sooner than you think."

"I hope so."

~~~~~~~~~~~

-Bruce POV-

Bruce had never been this nervous for a dinner in his life. Charity events, Galas, Business dinners, they didn't cause him much stress. Maybe it was the fact that he had grown used to them or just their general monotony, but those events were a cake walk. All you had to do was smile, not cause a scene, and you were good. But this, he was not ready for.

Bruce loved all of his kids, honorary or otherwise, but they were a lot. They were loud and chaotic and often very touchy. Bruce usually loved that, but not that day. He was so nervous that it was going to scare Nico away or that something would happen that would undo all the progress he'd made in the last week and a half.

He had talked to all of them, with permission from Nico, about the boy's situation. He'd warned them that he had a rough couple of weeks and that he might leave early or not talk. He'd also very clearly said to avoid physical contact unless they'd asked permission and not to hound him with questions if he felt like talking.

He knew he could count on Cass and Barbra to get along well with Nico, but he was worried about Stephanie and Duke. Stephanie was hyper and chatty, kind of the opposite of Nico. Duke was still newer to the family and it was easy to tell that he wasn't confident in his place with them. He didn't know how the two would interact with Nico, especially since he was usually closed off with most people.

Before Bruce could even attempt to mentally prepare, it was 3pm and Barbra was there. He had welcomed her in, unsurprised that she was early, and told her that everyone was in the drawing room. He followed her in and sat in one of the chairs in the room. He watched as she positioned herself next to the couch that Dick and Tim were at and began chatting with them. Nico sat in the window seat, a few feet to the girl's left, and was working on one of his drawings. Dick had explained to them the different reasons he drew and Bruce wondered which he was drawing then.