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Dickie shakily knocked on Jay's door. The boy had awoken from a nightmare, little and alone since Wally was still gone visiting his family. Dickie had his blanket, Zitka, and a paci. He clutched Zitka closer, quietly begging Jay to open the door.
After a moment, there came a grumbled response: "Go away Bruce..."
Dickie bit down on his finger, nervous. It sounded like Jay just woke up, but it wasn't too late into the night, and Bruce was gone on patrol. He tried knocking again, since his voice failed him.
There came grumbling from the other side, then stomping, and finally the door swung open with an angry brother on the other side.
"What!?" He barked out.
Dickie stumbled back, falling. He stared up at Jay, who's features quickly softened. Instantly, fear made itself known the the little as he sat in a newly made, warm puddle. Tears made way to his eyes and he let out a frightened sob.
Jay dropped to his knees.
"Shit, puppy. I'm so sorry. Hey- Hey, come on, pup. Bubba is sorry. It's just me. You're safe. Hush.." Jay continued shushing Dickie in attempts to console him.
It took a minute or two for Dickie to be reduced to sniffles. He avoided eye contact, embarrassed and still afraid.
"Come on, puppy. I'm not mad. I'm sorry for scaring you. Why don't we clean this accident up, hm?"
And so with guidance from his brother, the two made way back to Dickie's room, got the little changed, and then made way back to Jay's room. The poor boy was low in spirits, ashamed, no doubt, and Jason felt so, so guilty.
Dickie sat on his older brother's bed, next to him. His bubba rubbed his back comfortingly.
"Did you have a nightmare, puppy?"
Dickie's choked sob was enough of a response. Jay pulled him closer.
"I wan' Daddy..."
"I'm sorry, baby. He'll be back soon, I promise. I'm here for you. Would you want to sleep here? With me?"
Dickie gave a small nod, and the two adjusted themselves accordingly. Dickie was between the wall and Jason, for safety. Jason wrapped his arms around the boy, rubbing his back as the said little buried his face in his Bubba's shoulder.
Jason's shoulder gradually grew wet with tears, and a few tears slipped from his own eyes. He wished he could stop Dickie's hurting. The poor boy dealt with too much.
Not long after closing his eyes, Dickie's breathing came out evenly, deep in sleep. Jason gripped the boy and sobbed into his hair, for some reason afraid to lose him.
When Dickie woke up, he was alarmed by Jay thrashing. He immediately shook his bubba, hoping to wake him from his nightmare.
"Bubba!!" Dickie cried.
Jason quickly bolted up, gasping, and the little sat back, quietly watching. Jay looked over to make eye contact, his breathing erratic.
"Dickie.." his voice broke.
The little was immediately pulled into a tight hug, and Dickie rubbed Jay's back, unsure of what was happening.
"Bubba otay?" Dickie mumbled around his paci.
"Yeah.." A sniffle. "Yeah, Bubba's okay, puppy."
They sat back, and Jay wiped his tears away. He gave a small laugh.
"See? I have nightmares too, puppy. I understand needing somebody. I will be that somebody for you if you want me to, pup. I'll be here."
Dickie paused, and then handed Zitka over to Jay.
"She helps me when.. when 'm scared."
Jay stared at the stuffed elephant for a moment, before holding her close.
"You're too pure for this world, Dickie." He whispered.
The boy fruitlessly fought back a yawn. Jay, who noted the yawn, settled back down under the covers.
"Here, we'll put her between us, and she'll keep the bad dreams away for both of us."
Dickie reluctantly obliged, curling up to his brother. Jason waited until his little brother was fast asleep before falling asleep himself.
In the morning, Bruce was alarmed to find Dick gone from his room, but relieved to find him in Jason's. The two brothers were a tangle of limbs, fast asleep. Bruce left them in peace, but not after taking a photo to commemorate the moment.