Work Text:
Dick sat up with a gasp, choking on his breath as he did so. The vividness of Joker blaming Dick for everything gone wrong was fresh in his mind. Nausea washed over him as heat prickled all up his body as a form of panic.
He glanced over at his boyfriend, snoring contently with one arm wrapped loosely around the acrobat's heaving torso. To get off the bed he needed to get past him, since the wall was the only thing on his right. He oh-so-gently moved Wally's arm and climbed over him to get off the bed. Behind him, Wally grumbled and rolled over, facing Dick as he shakily made way to the bathroom in his room. Good thing his boyfriend was still asleep.
Flicking on the light, Dick took a shaky breath and leaned over the sink. He quietly ran some water to splash on his face. Feeling himself wake a little as the cool water touched his face, Dick looked up at his reflection. Utter horror filled his body upon being met with the Joker's face.
"They died because of you!" His awful laugh filled Dick's mind as he lifted a trembling hand and instinctively punched the mirror as a form of fight-or-flight. Against a reflection.
The glass cracked upon impact (but didn't shatter,) and in a panic Dick squeezed his eyes shut, covering his ears with his hands as he did so. His back hit the wall behind him and he let out a whimper, sliding down the wall to the floor.
There were distant footsteps- panicked- and a muffled voice nearby. Tears pricked at Dick's eyes and he pressed his palms firmer against his ears.
His hand ached, he was tried, everything was too loud, and oh god, he was slipping.
The rush of water was stopped as the faucet was shut off. There was some murmuring and then a warm pair of arms slipped under Dickie's armpits.
He gave a panicked sob and attempted to push away. The arms quickly retracted.
"Okay, okay. I won't touch you, Dickie. I'm right here. Daddy's here. Can you focus on Daddy?" Familiar. Safe.
Dickie hesitantly opened his eyes and lifted his head. It was his Daddy! With a loud wail, he launched himself towards his caregiver who was crouched on the floor. He instantly pulled Dickie close, with a protective hand behind the little's head as he cried onto his shoulder.
"Shh.. shh... it's okay, baby. Daddy's here. You're safe. Daddy's got you." Soft, gentle murmuring.
Dickie felt a hand rub his back as his tears were reduced to sniffles.
"Can I clean your face, little bird?"
Dickie gave a slight nod. Wally reached over to grab a towel as he pulled Dickie away from his body. He then gently scrubbed at the child's face. Dickie remained quiet throughout it all.
"Do you have an owie? I need to see your owie, please."
Wally gently lifted Dickie's injured hand, but the little immediately pulled away with a cry.
"I know... I know it hurts baby.. but I will kiss your owie all better! How does that sound?"
Dickie slowly offered his hand back to his Daddy. He trusted him.
Wally gently cleaned the wound, but not without some waterworks. After he had finished, he reached into the first aid box that was conveniently in the cabinet and gently wrapped the boy's hand up. Wally gave a small sigh.
"Did you have a bad dream, buddy?"
Again, Dickie gave a soft nod, choking back a sob.
"Poor Dickie.." Wally coaxed, lifting them both off the ground.
"Do you want to stay awake with Daddy, or do you want to try to sleep again?"
Dickie shoved his fingers in his mouth. Thinking was hard, and his Daddy was talking a lot.
For a moment, Wally stared at him with a raised eyebrow. He gingerly trailed out of the bathroom and to Dickie's bed, where he was dropped off. His Daddy instantly wrapped him up in his safe blanket, shoving Zitka into his arms.
Oh, how he missed his friend! Dickie gave Zitka a hug, happily babbling. Suddenly, a paci was coaxed into his mouth and he felt his eyes droop.
Wally slipped into the bed, next to him. He gently ran his fingers through the little's hair, who fruitlessly fought sleep.
"You're just a little boy, aren't you? My baby bird right now. Too little to communicate, hmm?" He planted a kiss on Dickie's forehead, causing the little to curl up next to him.
Daddy was there for him. He would protect him from big scary dreams.
With that thought in mind, Dickie happily slipped back into sleep, slowly suckling on his paci.