I know I should be working on the sequel to "The Servant" but I keep getting inspiration for Dane-verse stories. This happens about a month or two after "Arriving Home" and is just a fluffy scene with the family. I have some other ideas for Dane-verse stuff, so expect some more of that. We could all use some fluff right now anyway. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I feel like a horrible person saying I own a child, and yet Dane is the only thing from this I own. And the plot, I suppose.

Nightmares III

Nikola and Helen were lying curled up together in their bed. Nikola was leaning against the headboard, a book in his hand as he read silently. Helen was sleeping with her back pressed against him, and he stroked her hair idly with his free hand. Dane was sleeping down the hall, his room being between theirs and Henry's. Suddenly, Nikola heard their four-year-old son crying, and glanced at the clock. At one in the morning, these tears could only mean the boy had had another nightmare. Next to him, Helen opened her eyes and pushed herself into a sitting position. The door opened slightly, and they could just make out Dane peering around the door cautiously.

"What is it, son?" Nikola questioned while Helen still struggled to wake up.

"I had a bad dream," Dane admitted, his big eyes still full of tears.

"Come here," Helen instructed, patting the bed next to her. Dane walked over and climbed up, moving to sit in between his parents.

"What did you dream about?" inquired Nikola, wrapping an arm around the boy. Dane turned grey eyes towards his father.

"It was when you were gone. And…and when Mommy found you, you didn't love me anymore," he explained, tears beginning to fall again. Nikola frowned as he lifted Dane up into his lap, cupping the boy's face and using his thumbs to wipe away the tears.

"Hey, moj mali genije, I will always love you," he assured his son, holding his gaze.

"But Tata, what if…what if you forget me?" the four-year-old asked, eyes still full of worry. Nikola took Dane's small hand in his own.

"Even if I forget. Because love is in here" – Nikola held the child's hand to his chest, allowing Dane to feel Nikola's heartbeat – "And memory is here." Nikola leaned forward and kissed Dane's forehead, and the boy giggled. "So even if my head forgets you, my heart will always remember you." Nikola pulled Dane closer, so his head was leaning against his father's chest. Helen, who had been sitting on her side of the bed watching the exchange with a smile, moved forward, kissing Dane's head gently. Dane turned to face his mother.

"Will you always love me, Mommy?" he asked, causing Helen to smile.

"Of course I will, Dane," she promised, wrapping an arm around his back.

"Would you like to stay with us tonight?" inquired Nikola gently. Dane looked from his mother to his father with wide, grey eyes.

"Yeah!" he finally replied, nodding excitedly. Nikola and Helen moved so they were lying under the covers, their son tucked between them.

~End~

Moj mali genije - My little genius