Dick was tossing and turning in his sleep, sweating and groaning from terrors created inside his young mind. He shot up like a piston and stared into the night. Now sitting, Dick looked around and breathed heavily. To the nine year old, every dark corner, every fleeting shadow, was reminiscent of his dreams. Dick closed his eyes and nestled back beneath his bed sheets, but still could not calm himself.
Finally, he decided he would go to Bruce. Bruce would make everything better. Dick got up and wound a blanket around his little shoulders. He started at every creek and groan the house made as he walked down the ancient hallways. Finally, he made it to Bruce's room.
It was large a beautiful room and Bruce's bed was enormous. Bruce himself lay practically hanging off the side of the bed; bare chest with blankets not even covering his shoulders. Dick walked cautiously to the bed and poked his slumbering mentor.
"Bruce", he said softly. Bruce gave an annoyed little groan and moved. "Bruce", Dick said again.
Bruce opened one eye and asked, "What", though softly and not unkindly.
"I had a bad dream." Bruce heaved a huge sigh and sat up.
"You had a bad dream", he said gently, "I'm sorry, come here." Dick padded towards him and snuggled into his arms.
"Can I sleep with you?" he asked softly, "Please."
"All right", said Bruce. He picked Dick up and out him next to him on the bed. Then, he lay back down and rolled over on his side so that he was facing the trembling child. Dick snuggled in close to him, pushing his head up on his shoulder and was soothed by Bruce's soft breathing.
He put his head on his bare chest so that he could hear his steady heartbeat. Bruce put his arms around him and they both slept