Bruce gave a cry in his sleep. He tossed in the bed and flipped onto his stomach. "Nnnn..." Bruce said, trying to form the word "no". He turned back onto his back. His hands were shaking. "No." He whispered the word this time. His voice was filled with grief.
Dick's mouth pressed together in a tight line. He grabbed onto Bruce's hands. "It's ok, Bruce." He said softly. He shifted his weight nervously on the bed.
Bruce's hands were still shaking. Sweat was forming on his brow. His body began to jerk. "No! Don't hurt him!" Bruce cried out.
Dick bit his hand hard. Bruce had told him not to wake him, but Dick wanted to. Bruce always woke him when he had a nightmare. But Bruce had told him specifically not to wake him when he had a nightmare. Last time he had Bruce had still thought he was dreaming and had accidentally hit Dick.
"Please, don't hurt him." Bruce begged in his sleep. Tears, actual tears, made their way down his face. "Dick..."
"It's ok, Daddy. It's ok." Dick said softly. He squeezed Bruce's hands. "Wake up Daddy."
"Dick!" His father cried.
"Daddy! Daddy, I'm ok!"
"No!" Bruce roared. "Dick!" He sprang up in bed. He looked around, terrified. His body was trembling and his hands clenched into fists. "Dick..." He whispered. His voice was soft and desperate.
"Daddy. It's ok. I'm here." Dick whispered. He looked at his father hopefully.
Blue eyes met his and the older man shuddered. "Dickey?" He whispered hopefully. His hand traced Dick's face and slowly the worry melted.
"I'm ok, Daddy." Dick said. He climbed into his father's arms, hugging him tightly.
Bruce held the boy close, rocking him back and forth. "I thought...." Bruce trailed off. He didn't like having Dick see him so weak. But his dream had seemed so real. He'd sworn that Joker had killed his little bird.
Dick smiled up at him. "I have nightmares too."
He gave a soft hum of agreement. Bruce stroked his hair. His little bird was safe. He was here with him now. It was ok.
"You always tell me that the nightmares aren't real though." Dick continued. "So there isn't any reason to be scared, Daddy."
Bruce couldn't believe how happy the simple word daddy made him. "That's right, Dick." Bruce agreed softly. "They aren't real."
"No. They're just bad dreams." Dick was quiet for a moment then. "Alfred was telling me ways to make a bad dream better." He pulled out of Bruce's arms. "Stay there! I'll be right back."
Bruce wanted to grab him back and make sure he was alright, but instead he let his son run off. A few minutes later, Dick was back. He had a bag slung over his shoulder and a tray in his hands.
"What's this?" Bruce asked.
"They make nightmares better." Dick said happily. He placed a tray in front of Bruce. "See? Cookies and milk. That's what you get me when I'm really scared."
Bruce felt himself smile. He took a small bite of the cookie. Dick joined him, taking another.
"And I brought a book because they help me sleep." Dick pulled out The Little Red Caboose. "I know you usually read big books, but this always makes me happy."
Bruce was smiling for real now. By the time Dick had finished reading the story they had also finished the cookies and milk. "Thank you, Dick." He said softly. His son smiled brightly back at him.
"I brought one more thing." Dick said, going back to his bag. "It always helps nightmares stay away." His hands grabbed something soft and he handed it over to Bruce.
It was a Robin Bear, just like Dick's Batbear. The brown bear had on a black mask which was sewn crookedly over the bear's eyes. There was a tiny yellow utility belt at its waist. It had a cape on. And on its chest was the Robin symbol.
"Alfred helped me make it." Dick said. He pulled his own Batbear out. "They match."
Bruce stared at the bear, slowly tracing the "R" on its chest.
"Batbear helps keep my nightmares away." Dick was saying. "So maybe Robin Bear will help keep yours away too." There was another moment of silence. Dick bit his lip nervously. Why hadn't Bruce said anything? "Do... do you like him?"
"I love him." Bruce whispered. A smile spread across his face and he kissed Dick's head. "Thank you Dick."
Dick beamed.
"You're good at this." Bruce said softly. "I don't think I'm going to have anymore nightmares."
"I'm just doing what you do to help me." Dick said.
Bruce smoothed the boy's hair. "I think it's time for us to go to sleep now though."
Dick nodded. "Ok. Goodnight, Daddy." He hugged Bruce tightly. "Happy dreams!"
"Happy dreams to you too."
Dick climbed off the bed, grabbed Batbear and headed for the door. He paused in the door frame though. "Daddy?" He whispered. "I love you."
"I love you too." Bruce whispered back.
Dick was positively glowing now. He grinned widely and hurried back to his own room to cuddle up with Batbear.
Bruce watched his son's retreating form, a small smile on his face. Then his eyes went to the bear in his hands. Slowly he ran his hands over the fur. He meant to set it aside. Somehow though, he ended up curling up with the bear in his arms.
The next morning, and for many mornings later, Alfred would find his charges sleeping peacefully in their beds with their bears. The nightmare stopping bear duo had done their jobs yet again.
