Dick Grayson one shots

Heartbeat

I've been working on a long one that I might put up when I finish it... but for now here's another talon one :)

Dick looked down at himself.

Blood glistened on the knife he held tightly in his small hand, flecks of the stuff staining his uniform.

It wasn't an unfamiliar sight, but there was something different this time...

This time the person he'd killed was someone he knew.

Bruce...

The man's mangled corpse lay on the ground in front of him, his crimson blood seeping out to stain the ground below him.

Dick dropped the knife like it was on fire, kneeling at the side of the man who'd taken him in.

He shook Bruce's shoulder, pleading for him to be alive... for him to open his eyes.

There was no response.

—

Dick shot up in his bed, a cold sweat clinging to his skin.

Panicked tears began to pool in his eyes, the remnants of his dream torturing his mind.

He climbed out of his bed on shaking legs, making his way to his bedroom door and pulling it open.

Bruce's room was right across the hall. All he had to do was check... see if Bruce was still in there. If he was alive.

Dick shifted uneasily, his mind still confusing his dream with reality.

He crept across the hall, silently opening Bruce's bedroom door and slipping inside. He climbed onto the man's bed, relieved to see him sleeping soundly.

Dick contemplated returning to his own room. He shouldn't be in here bothering Bruce after all...

The anxiety the thought of leaving brought confused the ex talon. Surely Bruce didn't need an eight-year-old to protect him, especially if that eight-year-old couldn't even trust himself not to hurt someone.

Dick sniffled, emotions he didn't recognize welling up in his chest.

He scooted closer to Bruce, laying his head on the man's chest.

Bruce startled, flinching violently and sitting up in bed.

Dick scrambled away, falling off the edge of the bed and slamming into the ground.

Bruce rubbed some of the sleep out of his eyes. He sat up, peering over the edge.

Dick's lower lip trembled, his big golden eyes filled with tears.

Bruce slid off the bed, pulling the younger into his arms.

Dick sniffled, starting to cry.

"What's wrong bud?" Bruce mumbled, lifting Dick into his arms.

Dick buried his face in Bruce's shoulder. "H-h-hurt you," he sobbed.

"You didn't hurt me Dickie," Bruce reassured, rubbing circles on the little talon's back.

"H-hurt you," Dick insisted.

Bruce loosened his hold on the ex talon, using a finger to tip his head back. "I'm here. You didn't hurt me," he repeated.

Dick calmed slightly, resting his head on Bruce's chest.

"Why don't you stay here with me tonight," Bruce said, waiting for Dick's nod before climbing back into bed.

Dick listened to the beating of Bruce's heart, his enhanced hearing picking up the steady thumping noise.

He allowed his eyes to close, his breaths becoming deep and even as he was lulled to sleep with the assurance that Bruce was safe.