A Lesson in Comfort

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N: I've been having a lot of Nightmares lately and it makes me remember how much I always wanted a big brother. I love being the oldest, the protector, but there are times I wish I could be protected. So here's a little story about my favorite brothers.

Nail

Thought

"Speaking"

Piccolo sighs as he listens to the sound of Dende's panicked whimpers and cries. The young Namekian has been living at the lookout for only a few weeks now as he now holds the place of Kami. The nightmares seem constant though Piccolo is unsure what they are about. Considering Dende witnessed both the horrors of Frieza and Cell they could be about quite a few things.

Are you seriously just going to sit here and let him suffer?

Piccolo groans out loud as Nail's voice speaks up in his mind. Wasn't he supposed to disappear?

"Didn't I say I'd start charging you rent," Piccolo growls.

Shut up Piccolo. He's your brother too!

"I'm not good with kids," Piccolo snaps.

You could at least try!

"I…," Piccolo sighs in frustration.

It's not like I don't want to help, Piccolo thinks though he's almost certain Nail can hear him. Dende is a good kid, a lot like Gohan in some ways, but he doesn't know how to approach the issue! With his luck Piccolo can very easily see himself making it worse.

Than let me.

"What," Piccolo sounds confused and the statement made this true.

Let me take over just for a little bit; just to make him feel better!

"Err…I guess…fine but just for tonight," Piccolo says. "And I am going to start charging you!" Nail snorts and Piccolo shifts his mind, letting Nail take control. Once in control Nail stretches his arms above his head and enters Dende's room.

Dende is completely tangled in the bed seats from tossing and turning. Sweat is beaded on his green skin and his face is scrunched up in fear. Nail crosses the room and puts a hand on Dende's shoulder.

"Wake up Dende," Nail says in a hushed voice not wanting to frighten his little brother any worse than he is now.

"NO," Dende shrieks as he shoots up strait of his mattress. Tears stream down the child's face as he stares at Piccolo. Dende blinks in confusions. It looks like Piccolo but he's almost certain it's not Piccolo.

"N-Nail," Dende ventures a slight bit of hope shining though the fear in his voice. Nail smiles knowingly and puts a hand on Dende's head.

"Yeah it's me," Nail offers a smile. Dende's eyes widen and he just stares for about five seconds before he launches himself into Nail's chest. The young Namek clings to Nail's shirt and sobs. Nail puts on hand on Dende's back and let's his free hand rub the younger's head.

"Shhhh," Nail sooths. "It's alright, nothing can hurt you. Do you want to tell me what it was about?"

"I-I couldn't help them," Dende sobs. "They all died and I didn't do anything!" Dende's sobs become frantic and Nail holds him tighter. They sit like this for a long time, Dende curled onto Nail's lap and Nail holding him. After while Dende's sobs turn into hiccups and then even breathing as he falls into sleep.

I need my body back. Piccolo growls lightly. Nail sighs and looks down at Dende still snuggled in his arms.

"Will you at least stay with him," Nail asks. "Just till morning?"

Yes.

Nail is surprised by the answer but pleased none the less so he willingly returns to the back of Piccolo's mind and gives the Demon back his body. Piccolo's feeling turns and he looks down at Dende and gives a crooked smile. This isn't very different than Gohan at all. The older Namek closes his eyes and allows himself to find sleep as well.

When morning comes Mr. Popo finds them like this. Piccolo leaning against head of Dende's bed and Dende cuddled into his chest. Both with contented, peaceful smiles on their faces.