"Hey, Dickie, RU up?"
First time Dick received this message, it was 2 AM and he´s just doze off. He blinked at his phone sleepily, then sighed and typed: "Sure. ´s up, Jaybird?"
Next five minutes he watched the phone´s display, as it showed "typing" and inactivity in irregular intervals.
"Just would like to talk," Jason typed finally.
"You OK?" Dick replied, bit worried. He hoped Jason didn´t get hurt or in some kind of trouble. His vigilante ways were, let´s say, shady.
"…"
"Physically, yes," came short reply after a while.
"?"
"Forget it..." and Jason remained inactive for a few minutes again.
"Hey, Little Wing, I´m always here to talk," Dick gave up and texted, he couldn´t help himself not to worry about his still a bit estranged little brother.
After another few minutes of Jason´s silence message pinged.
"Had a nightmare. Sorry to bother U."
"Wanna come over and talk?"
"No, that´s OK. Thanks."
"You know it´s all right by me? You can stop by anytime."
"Yeah, yeah, thanks mom," and Jason became inactive again.
Dick smiled as he slowly fell asleep.
In the upcoming week Jason remained radio silence. He had been seen patrolling in Gotham – Dick knew this from Tim – but otherwise made no contact with the family.
Then one night Dick´s phone pinged again.
"Hey Dickie, RU up?"
"Hey, Jay, how you´re doing?"
"Just peachy, Big D."
Dick smiled, giving Jason some space. If he wants to talk, he will be there for him.
"Joker escaped Arkham again tonight."
"Crap! Should I come over to Gotham and help?" (and why didn´t Bruce tell me, for crying out loud?!)
"Nah, guess Bats have it covered. Just wanted you to know."
"And you´re OK?"
"What do you think, Dickface?" Dick could hear the sarcasm dripping of his message.
"Umm, nightmares again?" he typed finally, after thinking it through for some time.
"Same old, same old..." came the answer.
Soon it became sort of routine. Joker or Harley – or both of them – got loose, Jason got nightmares, texted Dick. Dick offered Jason to come over anytime, Jason declined more or less politely (depending how bad the nightmares were, apparently). They chatted for some time about random things, then again no contact for days.
Dick occasionally asked Bruce about Jason, asking him to keep an eye on him. After a while he started to make subtle hints about their late-night conversations, but in the end they agreed it´s best not to push Jason too much.
That night Dick overheard the news. Joker was out of Arkham again. Dick called Bruce and offered him Nightwing´s help, but since both Robin and Red Robin were in town and Batgirl and Black Bat were currently staying in the Manor, his assistance was not necessary. No news about Red Hood though, Dick only hoped he wasn´t on some lonely crusade for vengeance.
The patrol was quiet for Nightwing, so he decided to wrap it up early. He made sure his cellphone is charged and within his reach before he went to bed. He was sure he will get text message sometime during the night. But although he intended to stay up, he fell asleep as soon as he laid hs head on the pillow.
And then a knock came on the window and a familiar voice whispered:
"Hey, Dickie, are you up?"
Big thanks for all the likes and reviews for "Fears of the Demon". And especially thanks to Culinary-alchemist, who got me this idea/prompt and I just had to write it down immediately :) Hope you liked it.