Nico woke with a start, noticing that the shadows around him were longer and more absolute than they were when he and Bruce were talking. Oh gods, did we fall asleep? Nico sat up immediately, well aware how vulnerable he was sleeping like that, but calmed down when he saw Bruce asleep next to him. Nico got a lump in his throat, thinking about how much he trusted the older man, even though he only met him yesterday.
That makes it a whole day since I shadow traveled here, Nico thought, I should go back, Minos is gonna give me an earful for not coming back immediately. And there's no way I'm telling him about Bruce; I can't betray him like that. Knowing Minos, he'd probably figure out a way to send the military here just so that I can't talk to Bruce anymore. And…I really enjoyed talking to him yesterday. Nico took an awkward pause, remembering that he didn't even tell Bruce the whole story. I mean, maybe we didn't talk about the fact that I might be the child of the prophecy and that's why Zeus tried to kill me, or that I tried to kill Percy not even two months ago, but I'm just not ready to admit that yet... I don't want him to think that I'm a monster.
Bruce woke with a start, bringing Nico out of his thoughts. They looked at each other, wondering what the other was thinking. Neither wanted to have to leave the only person who truly understood what the other was going through. Nico really didn't want to leave Bruce who, in the space of a few hours, had become the father figure Nico had always wanted. Percy was supposed to be that for me. He was supposed to take care of Bianca and me, and he failed. Nico fumed silently. He let her die, and he let me leave, and he…he…I HATE him! Nico looked up startling himself with the sudden, silent outburst of emotion and caught Bruce's look of concern.
"What's wrong Nico? You look so angry." Bruce asked gently, having figured out yesterday how broken Nico was under the armor he presented to the world.
Nico looked away, he couldn't talk about that and he didn't want Bruce's pity, even if Bruce was a friend. Not yet, maybe not ever. He knew what he was feeling was wrong, and he didn't want to bring up one of his major flaws in front of a man he so desperately wanted to impress. Nico pushed the matter aside, "It's nothing. Just…something that happened a few months ago that I…I can't talk about yet."
Bruce gently turned his face back around so they were eye to eye again. "I get it. There's things that I've done that I don't want you to know about yet either, so don't worry about it. But when you're ready to talk about it, or if it just gets to be too much, I'm here to listen."
Looking at Bruce's concerned face, Nico tried not to give into his feelings and hug Bruce. After all, Nico thought awkwardly, he barely knew him! But, Nico added to himself, they shared a connection last night, and understood each other. Bruce must secretly be psychic, because the older man pulled Nico into his arms and held him close. Now all Nico could think of was not crying on Bruce, but that quickly went out the window when Bruce started speaking quietly into his ear, telling him that he was going to be okay, that he is here for him, and that no matter what anyone else says, he is a good person. Soon, Nico gave in, figuring that he wouldn't have much time left to spend in India with Bruce anyway.
Nico guesses that he cried into Bruce's comforting chest for close to half an hour, based on how light it was getting. All the anger he had been feeling towards Percy, and even towards Bianca, in that moment it all seemed to flow right out with his tears. He knew it wouldn't last, and that as soon as he went back to Minos, he would get angry again. But for now, he took advantage of having an adult really care about him, and care about what he was feeling. Usually, adults just assumed they knew what he was thinking and never thought to ask him. Even Minos did it and though it sometimes made him upset, sometimes it was nice not to have to make those decisions.
Bruce eventually gently pulled the boy off of him and looked up at the sky. "It looks like the sun's coming up. And, whether or not we want it to, life has gone on without us. I probably have patients waiting for me back in the village and I'm sure someone is waiting for you to get back."
Just then, Nico's stomach rumbled loudly, causing both males to laugh. "Although, I'm sure we have enough time for a quick breakfast," Bruce told the young boy, realizing he must not have eaten since the night before, when he first showed up in Bruce's apartment.
Nico nodded his head, looking forward to a meal. Besides, it meant he'd have more time to spend with Bruce! He ignores the little voice in the back of his head, reminding him about furious Minos waiting his return. They walked slowly back to Bruce's apartment, taking in the beautiful sunrise. When they made it back there were more than a dozen people lined up in front of Bruce's door, and Nico instinctively shrank back from them, not comfortable with large groups of strangers.
Bruce looked back at him, and seemed to understand. "Let me go tell them that I'll be able to see patients in an hour or so, and you can hang back until they leave. That sound all right?"
Nico nodded, and said softly, "Thank you. I really appreciate it."
Bruce smiled at him, and walked over to the people in waiting for him. Nico could not hear what was said, but a couple of the women and a man began to get really agitated, waving their arms about and shouting at Bruce, but the older man seemed to quickly calm them down and sent them on their way, probably promising to be at their homes after he finished his breakfast. They dispersed slowly, appearing to grumble but still respecting Bruce's privacy and his right to eat in peace.
When they were all gone, Nico walked up to Bruce's door, and, finding it open, walked up the stairs to the room he only vaguely remembered from the night he shadow traveled here. Bruce was already pouring some cereal into a couple of bowls. He finished quickly, apologized for not having any milk to pour into the cereal, and they both sat down at the rickety table near one of the walls. Neither spoke much while they ate, maybe trying to prolong the meal, maybe just trying to enjoy each other's company while it lasted.
The simple meal was over too quickly in Nico's opinion and the dishes cleaned all too soon. Nico looked up at Bruce, the skinny man who seemed larger than any other person he had ever met. Bruce was already more of a father to him than Hades ever was.
"I don't want to leave," Nico said quietly. He couldn't even lift up his head to meet Bruce's eyes, which he knew would only hold condemnation at his weakness. But Bruce gently lifted the boy's face up to meet the his own eyes. Nico saw the same sadness reflected back at him, much to his surprise. Bruce once again pulled him into a comforting hug, but allowed this one to last for only a few moments.
"I know Nico. I've never felt that anyone could understand what my life has been like, and I never wanted anyone to. But I'm glad I met you. Life…it felt simpler last night. Just knowing that you get it. I hope that we see each other again." Bruce said, with the grief he was feeling evident on his face.
Nico nodded, unable to speak. He attempted to pour all the emotions he was feeling into the strained smile he gave Bruce: sadness, anger at having to leave, empathy for the older man and a promise. A promise that he would come back. Stepping outside, he looked around the apartment building, and found a corner still shrouded in shadow. He stepped into it, and gave Bruce one last look of gratitude. Silently, in his head Nico brushed against a forbidden thought- that he wouldn't make it through the coming war and that he, like his sister, would die soon. His real fear now was not returning to Bruce. After all, it was a demigod's destiny to die young. "I'll be back. If you're gone, then I'll find you. Stay safe, Bruce. Please." Nico said, the last word spoken softly, as if he was afraid of jinxing his wish by saying it too loud.
Bruce waved goodbye, unaware of Nico's fear for the moment. "You too, kid. You too." Bruce gave him one last, warm smile and waved him goodbye. Nico closed his eyes, and dissolved into shadow, leaving behind the first person since his sister that he knew truly loved him.