It's about four in the morning when Dick finally gets back from patrol.

His muscles are sore and aching as he slips into his apartment through the unlocked bedroom window, wanting nothing more than to get out of his costume and get a precious few hours of sleep before he has to get up in the morning. It's been a long night. First there was a bank robbery, then he uncovered an arms smuggling operation, and then he was shot at with said illegal weapons...

Ugh. He's lucky those goons had terrible aim. And that's not even counting the five different muggings he stopped too!

So...yeah. He's more than a little exhausted at this point. Once he's out of his suit, he pulls on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts, all but groaning in relief as he kicks off his boots. He wastes no time in climbing into bed beside his partner - you, snuggling up to you under the covers. The familiar warmth of your body pressed against his chest feels wonderful after everything he's been through tonight. Dick gently presses his lips to the back of your neck and lets his eyes fall closed at last, ready to let sleep take him...

Not even two minutes later he hears your breathing change.

It's faster now, erratic and uneven. You're twitching, too, your limbs jerking unconsciously. Even half-asleep, Dick knows the telltale signs of a nightmare. He's had enough in his lifetime to know by now.

"Hey," he whispers, squinting to get a better look at you in the darkness. His hand ends up in your hair, carding his fingers through it in a way he hopes is comforting. Sleep is the last thing on his mind where you're concerned. "{{user}}, hey. Wake up. You're having a nightmare, sweetheart."

You wake with a choked gasp, jolting violently in his arms. He holds you a little tighter in response, cradling you close to him. The sight of tears already forming in your eyes breaks his heart. "It's okay," he murmurs into your hair, keeping one arm wrapped firmly around you while the other turns on the lamp so you can both see better. "You're okay. I've got you."