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Robby had been watching him all shift.
Hand-off to the night crew would be happening soon enough and the team made it through the work day. No deaths. Not even a little bloodshed. Instead, because of the recent temperature drop, the ER had been filled with people puking due to the latest strain of Norovirus.
It had been an exceptionally gross day which was saying a lot considering all of the different kinds of injuries Robby sees in the ER day after day. Robby was quickly feeling his patience thinning.
After hearing the fifteenth person dry heave behind a curtain, Robby rolled his eyes and shouted to the nearest triage staff that he did not know the name of. Likely a temporary implant from upstairs.
“Tell anyone that is coming in with flu symptoms to go home and rest. We can’t do anything for them here.” The woman nodded and headed to the triage station to spread the message.
Robby turned around and spotted Dennis across the room. The young man was fumbling around some equipment shelves looking for what Robby guessed was going to be an emesis basin. Robby guessed based on the context clue of seeing his patient leaning over the bed ready to vomit.
“Nice reflexes,” Santos cheered as she walked past Dennis handing the college-aged girl the basin just in time.
Dennis grinned but it was brief and forced. Robby frowned at the exchange.
Because today was exceptionally boring, Robby spent most of the shift ‘yearning’ for his medical student.
At least that’s what Abbott called it last week when he caught Robby watching his blonde haired subordinate stand and eat a crumby granola bar over his work station.
“Gonna clean off the crumbs with your mouth later when no one is looking, Robinavitch?”
“That obvious, huh?” Robby didn’t have anything to say in defense of himself. Ever since Dennis started in the ER last month, Robby has been infatuated with the farm boy from Nebraska.
“You’re practically yearning for the kid,” Abbott laughed as he handed over his night shift notes tucked in a manilla folder. “I feel like an extra standing in the background of a modern day hospital Pride and Prejudice movie.”
“Oh come on, it’s not like that!”
It was totally like that.
Or at least maybe. Robby hadn’t actually watched the whole movie before. It did not matter what movie this was because Dennis has no business being with a man twice his age.
If Robby had been younger, he would have asked to take Dennis out at the end of their first ever shift together.
But it can’t be like that.
Instead, Robby spent most of the shift watching Dennis go in and out of curtained rooms with patients. He’s the most efficient medical student Robby has ever had the pleasure of working with. Robby knew Dennis was going to be an incredible doctor. He already is.
During one of his latest ‘yearning’ sessions today, Robby had noticed Dennis still acting differently.
The young man was usually meek and quiet in demeanor, but lately he’s been even more quiet than usual and even more quick to hide in the background of whatever is going on in the ER that day. There had been a couple occasions where Robby noticed Dennis’s hands shaking as he pushed medicine through a patient’s IV.
Shaky hands didn’t exactly mean anything on their own, but Robby couldn’t help but worry that maybe the kid was going through something. He made a mental note to corner Dennis and talk to him after shift change.
***
When the clock finally passed seven, Robby beelined it for the locker rooms in search of Dennis.
He was nowhere to be found.
Robby waved off just about his entire staff that tried to talk to him as he swooped his backpack over his shoulder and started walking towards the parking lot. Maybe Dennis left already.
After a few minutes of searching, Robby was just about to give up and get onto his motorcycle. That is, until he saw Dennis across the parking lot. He watched him get into a beat up black Sedan.
Usually he and Santos rode together. This was unusual.
“Okay, am I really about to do this?” Robby mumbled the question to himself. The man was a doctor. He was meant to be logical.
Logic would say that there was no “real” evidence something was wrong with Dennis… other than him looking very exhausted lately. And the shaky hands. And the hiding any chance he got…
I’m going to follow him, Robby decided as he ignored logic and swung his leg over the bike and turned the ignition.
He almost lost the sedan as it turned out of the parking lot. This time of year meant that the sun went down at five so it was already dark outside. It didn’t help that the street was missing some streetlights. There was a little leftover sleet on the roads from a cold rain that likely happened earlier in the day. Robby sped around the corner and found the sedan making its way to the service drive.
Robby hoped Dennis wouldn’t notice him following the sedan. A motorcycle wasn't unheard of downtown but it wasn’t exactly the smartest vehicle to use when stalking your hot med student.
He trailed behind them by a few cars but it did not matter. The sedan only drove a short couple of miles on I-79 before pulling off at the first rest stop northbound.
Robby pulled off and parked far enough away to go unnoticed. He watched Dennis get out of the sedan still in his scrubs. He waved off the driver and headed to the building with the bathrooms, his backpack over his shoulder.
Robby was about ready to kick himself and drive home because clearly none of this was his business and each minute that passed he felt crazier and crazier for following the kid.
That was until the sedan pulled away and drove back onto the freeway without Dennis. So he was dropped off? At a rest stop?
Robby got off his bike and put his helmet on the seat before making his way inside the bathrooms.
It was late November on a Monday evening so there was not many people traveling. The parking lot was mostly empty. There were a few work trucks and semis parked on the opposite side of the building where they had their own doorway to the bathrooms.
When Robby walked into the men’s room, it was empty.
The doctor was trying his best to push down the discomfort that started to settle in his belly. Why is Dennis at a rest stop? Why did his driver leave him here? Why is he…?
Out of the corner of his eye, Robby caught a figure in shorts and a mesh top walking towards the semi truck lot.
Robby stood by the bathroom exit in horror as he watched Dennis approach what appeared to be a pickup truck with a work trailer attached to the back.
Dennis started talking to someone through the passenger window.
Before even processing what was happening, Robby chased after him.
“Dennis! Dennis, wait!”
The young blonde stopped talking and stood frozen with his back still facing Robby.
Before Robby could come up with anything to say, he finally turned around.
Dennis’s face looked devastated.
“What are you doing here…?” Dennis asked, his voice trembling both from the cold and the revelation that his boss was standing there.
Robby wanted to yell the same question back at him only in a much angrier tone. The pieces were all falling into place in Robby’s brain as he realized what Dennis was likely doing here.
He sucked down the anger and instead pleaded with him.
“Come with me. Let’s go talk inside.” He gestured to the rest stop building.
Dennis shook his head. The man in the truck started shouting in Robby’s direction.
“Hey! I was already talking to him. He came to me, not you. I get him first.”
Robby wanted nothing more than to walk around the truck and make the guy roll down his driver's side window so he could throw as many punches as he could before taking Dennis far away from there.
Instead Robby kept his gaze on Dennis, eyes pleading.
Dennis looked at Robby with sad eyes. “I have student loan payments due… I…”
“I’ll pay you double what he will. Triple even,” Robby spoke quietly as he stepped closer to Dennis, “Whatever it takes to bring you home with me.”
Dennis stared at him in shock, his eyes wide and his mouth dropping open.
Before the kid could respond, the man was getting out of his truck. The guy looked a little older than Robby and was likely a local of a rural town on the outskirts of Pittsburgh judging by his worn camouflage jacket and the drawl in his voice.
“I said wait your turn!”
Robby tried to think quickly. He pulled out his phone and pretended to record the guy.
“Yeah? Well let’s see what your family thinks knowing you are out here taking advantage of young men.”
Dennis ducked his head with humiliation.
Robby’s plan seemed to work because the man yelled a few expletives before getting back into the truck and squealing his tires as he sped off down the on-ramp.
Robby waited until the truck was gone before turning back to Dennis. Dennis stood right in front of him with his pale gray eyes filled with tears.
“Fuck, Whitaker. Are you okay?”
“No. No, I’m not okay. You followed me. Why did you follow me?”
Robby was surprised to hear the anger in the young man’s voice. He wasn’t sure if he’s ever seen Dennis angry like this before.
It was a fair question.
“I noticed you haven’t been acting like yourself… and I thought maybe something was going on. I was right by the way.” Robby stubbornly gestured to Dennis to make his point.
Dennis scoffed and shook his head in disbelief.
“I was following you because I was worried about you. Now it’s your turn. What the hell are you doing out here?”
Dennis looked at the ground without answering.
Robby tried again.
“How about this? Come back to my apartment with me. We can get you warm first and then we can talk.”
Dennis looked up and stared blankly for a moment before finally nodding.
Robby unzipped his jacket and pulled it over Dennis’s shoulders.
"I brought my bike with me. Your legs are going to freeze until we’re home. I’m sorry.”
Robby led Dennis to his bike with an arm around his shoulder. Dennis was mostly quiet. Robby was incredibly relieved that he was safe and away from this, however, he felt uneasy knowing that Dennis seemed very suspicious of him. Probably still a bit angry too.
Robby gestured to Dennis to get on the bike first. “Normally, I would have you get behind me but I think you might be a little warmer if I’m behind you.”
"Also," Robby picked up his helmet and held it out to the younger man, "It might not fit but it's safer than nothing."
Dennis nodded and took the helmet. Robby noticed his hands shaking. Dennis held his backpack with his scrubs against his chest as Robby swung his leg over. Robby held Dennis as he adjusted himself so that he was right against the younger man’s back.
“Okay?” Robby asked before revving up the bike.
“Yes.”
“Ever ride a motorcycle?”
“First time.”
“I’ll hold onto you.” I’ll keep you safe.
***
It took about fifteen minutes to get to Robby’s apartment. Dennis was shivering from the wind by the end of it.
Robby did his best by giving him his jacket but the damn kid was wearing a mesh top and shorts in late November.
Robby led them up to his apartment. Having anyone from work in his apartment was new to him. Robby wasn't even sure if he has ever had Abbott over and that was his closest friend. The realization suddenly made him feel a bit vulnerable.
His apartment was a bit bare. Just the basics needed to feel like a human. Couch. TV. Coffee Table. The kitchen had the usual. His bedroom had a matching set of bedside tables, a king bed, and a dresser.
“Let me make you something. Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
“Not hungry,” Dennis said quietly as he walked around the living room and took in the space. Robby seemed to really like the color navy blue.
Robby could sense the stubborness in his voice.
Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be.
Robby made a pot of coffee and tried to match the coffee color he remembered Dennis drinking at work. The kid seemed to like creamer more than coffee based on his past observations.
Robby brought two mugs of coffee to the living room. Dennis still hadn’t sat down yet.
“You didn’t say you weren't thirsty. Also, I figured you’d want something hot. I got beer in the fridge in case I was wrong.”
Dennis took the mug from his hand, “Thanks.”
They stood there in awkward silence. Robby was used to this with stubborn patients at work. He thrived in the silence as he waited. Eventually, the patient would break first.
“So. How do you want me?”
What?
“What?”
Dennis practically spit the next words out like venom.
“You said you’re paying double. Triple even. For me. So…how do you want me?”
Robby’s heart sank.
“Oh my God, Dennis. That’s not what I meant.”
Dennis turned his head to the side with confusion.
“I’m not paying to fuck you. I was trying to get you out of there. I’m sorry if I made it seem any different.”
Before Dennis could respond, Robby added “I do intend to pay your student loan payment tomorrow. Just tell me how much you owe.”
Dennis suddenly looked overwhelmed. He started to sway so he made his way to the couch and sank down on it with his coffee still in hand.
“Why?”
Robby gently joined him on the couch.
“Well, I don’t feel bad for what I did. I’m not sorry for stopping you from getting in the truck with that gross man. I do feel bad because I took away your income for the evening. Or at least that’s what I think I did. You still haven’t told me why you were there to begin with.”
Dennis sighed and took a sip from his mug.
He studied the light brown liquid for almost a minute before talking.
“You seem to have deduced correctly. Do you remember the guy last month that came in on the night shift? Broke his arm? I was trying to figure out which cast to use and I asked you for help?”
Robby nodded. He remembered. “He was about your age.”
“Yes. I asked how he broke his arm and he told me he fell on it outside of a bar. When I was putting his cast on he told me he was a sex worker and was making crazy good money. Told me he made a thousand in one night just the night before he came in. I got curious… so I asked what exactly he does. He told me he mostly blew men at truck stops outside of town.”
As Robby took in what Dennis was saying, he had a lot of emotions running through him. Anger. Sadness. Fear. Lots of fear. Confused. Why did Dennis think this was the answer? A sick part of him felt a pang of jealousy at the thought of Dennis blowing some old men in a parking lot.
Instead of assuming, Robby decided to try and understand.
“Have you been having money problems?”
“Yeah… Since you know this now, I guess I should also tell you that I was living in the old part of the hospital. I was staying in an old unit and slept there after work. A couple weeks ago Santos caught me and offered for me to be her room mate.”
Robby swallowed thickly. “That was nice of her.”
How could he not see this was happening? How could he have been so stupid? He was his Attending for Christ's sake. How did he not see Dennis suffering sooner?
“Totally. And now I have these student loans killing me. My family cut me off and won’t support me anymore ever since I came out to them. So, basically it’s been a rough year…”
“Does anyone else know? About this?”
Dennis shook his head. “Just you. Santos knows I’m stressed but I told her I was looking for a bartending job. I’m not much of a drinker so I probably wouldn't be any good at it.”
“And what makes you qualified for what you’re doing now?”
Dennis looked away again, warm shame creeping up his neck. Robby immediately regretted asking.
“Because I’m a whore.”
“Says who?”
Dennis felt tears begin to fall.
“My family. An ex told me once. The men at the rest stop call me that every night.”
Robby lightly pulled Dennis’s chin up and turned it so that they faced each other.
“I’m sorry they made you believe that about yourself.”
Dennis finally smiled for the first time that evening. Robby smiled back.
“I bought some property on Lake Erie. There’s an old cabin from the 1940s that I’ve been trying to fix up. As you know, I’m always at the hospital so I never have the time to work on it.”
“That sounds nice Dr. Robby,” Dennis seemed confused about the topic change.
Robby moved the hand on Dennis’s chin down to the nape of his neck. He felt the younger man shiver.
“Do you like working at the rest stop?”
Dennis was quick. “Of course not. I wish I could do anything but that… but no one was hiring and I was getting desperate. I didn’t want to drop out of school.”
Robby’s heart sank for the tenth time it felt like since finding Dennis.
“You’re not dropping out of medical school. I will not let that happen,” Robby said sternly. He meant it too.
Robby had all the money in the world since all he’s done the past twenty years is work. He never had anyone to spend it on. If Dennis would let him, he would pay the rest of his loans off right now. He knew, however, that Dennis would likely be uncomfortable with that.
“How about you help me fix up the cottage? I’ll pay you for your time, of course. Once you’re through your residency you’ll finally be able to start making the money you deserve. Until then... help me.”
Dennis thought about it.
“I’m shit at fixing up things. I may be a farmer’s son but I could barely fix a tractor without my brother’s help.”
Robby smiled. “Good thing I’m also shit at fixing up things. We can learn together.”
Dennis considered the offer and smiled.
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”
Robby chuckled, “You can just call me Robby, Dennis. I don’t mind.”
“Thanks, Robby.”
Dennis pulled his phone from his pocket and started texting.
Robby looked at him. He didn’t mean to be nosy but Dennis noticed.
“Oh, I’m texting Trixie. She’s the one that dropped me off at the rest stop. I just sent her a text and told her I’m done.”
“Who is she?”
“I met her the first night I showed up there. She’s not a pimp or anything. Just a friend. She works at the rest stop on the other side of town.”
Robby’s brain was spinning. He isn’t naive. He works at a hospital. He treats sex workers at least once a week. If Robby had to guess, it was the fact that Dennis got involved in this world that made him feel so unsettled.
“Have you been getting check-ups?” Robby asked. Very parental of him.
Dennis nodded. “Every week. I also never actually had sex with anyone. Just hand jobs and blow jobs. Most of the time they were willing to wear a condom. I was offered drugs a lot… I never took any of course.”
“Christ, Dennis,” Robby said without even thinking.
“Sorry… oversharing?” Dennis’s shoulders slumped.
“Not at all. Just… I care about you a lot. What you were doing was incredibly dangerous.” Robby felt that anger from earlier rising back up into his chest. It was the anger that wanted to punch the man in the truck.
“I know…” Dennis clearly didn’t want the lecture but Robby was going to give it anyway.
“I’m sure you saw that each bathroom stall at the rest stops have the human trafficking hotline number. You could have easily gotten caught up in that world. Not to mention those drugs they were offering were definitely meant for you to fall asleep and forget the rest of the night. Don’t even get me started on the fact that you are in a see-through shirt and shorts in 40 degree–”
Dennis cut him off, “I know, Robby! Of course I know all of this. I told you, it didn’t feel like I had much of a choice.”
Robby regretted the lecture as he watched another tear run down Dennis’s cheek. Dennis doesn’t deserve his anger even if he needs to know how dangerous it was.
Robby caught the tear with his thumb. Dennis let him.
“I’m sorry… I mean it when I say I care about you.”
Careful, Dr. Robby. He could hear his friend Abbott in his head.
“Why?” Dennis practically whispered.
“You’re incredible. Fuck, you are a fourth year med student and you are the best doctor on that ER floor. Don’t tell anyone I said that,” Robby winked and continued, “You really care about people and you do everything you can. You're smart, so damn smart. And you have conviction. I like that.”
Dennis’s cheeks grew pink by being flooded in compliments.
“Well, I’m glad I met you," Dennis said.
Robby lost his breath at that. Dennis looked up at him despite the heat of embarrassment spreading down his neck.
“I’m glad I met you too.”
“I was pretty pissed you followed me tonight. I was also mad you were about to make me lose out on some income... but I mostly felt ashamed. And afraid you’d judge me. So, thanks for not judging me.”
Robby pulled him into a hug.
“Never, kid. Just make sure to tell me if you are ever struggling with anything. Promise?”
“Promise.”
Robby pulled away and looked down at the young blond man.
“I mean it about the cottage. I’ll send you the money for your loans in the morning. I’m heading up there this weekend if you’re free. I have to start insulating the windows for winter. I should have done it a month ago.”
Dennis nodded and grinned, “Thank you. I’ll come with you this weekend.”
Something about that warmed Robby’s heart.
Their coffees had gone cold on the coffee table.
Dennis scooted closer to the older doctor and leaned against him. It looked like he was trying to hide.
“Can I say something that might be crazy?”
Robby looked down at Dennis hiding against him and chuckled, “Of course.”
“I know I was mad at you earlier… but I kind of hoped you did take me home to…use me.”
Fuck.
Robby’s heart must have skipped a couple beats, he was sure of it. He could hear Dennis take a deep breath and let it out shakily.
Robby pulled away and took Dennis’s head into his hands. He lifted the man’s head so they could look at each other.
“Tell me what you mean by that,” Robby said, his own voice shaky.
Dennis looked vulnerable but, despite that, he did not break eye contact with Robby. Brave boy.
“I have been wanting you to jump my bones since we met,” Dennis said quietly. He added, “I think that’s the phrase, right? Jump my bones.”
Robby couldn’t help but grin, “Yes. If you mean you want to have sex with me then you used the correct phrase.”
“Good. So yeah. That’s all...” Dennis used up all of his courage and considered pulling away, “Maybe I should leave?”
“Hell no,” Robby said quickly, “You’re staying here tonight. I mean, as long as you want to.”
“I want to.” So quick.
“Good. Would it be crazy if I told you that I also have been wanting to ‘jump your bones’ since the first time I saw you in my ER?” Robby said using Dennis’s silly phrasing.
“Fuck…” Dennis closed his eyes. Robby could feel the relief sink through him.
Robby laughed, feeling his own sense of relief.
Robby was increasingly becoming more and more aware of the fact that Dennis’s mesh shirt did very little to hide his pink pebbled nipples and pale, tight belly.
Robby suddenly wondered if the mesh felt good against his body. He wondered if it made his nipples hard and sensitive against the fabric.
Dennis noticed the staring and read his mind.
“Do you want to touch me?” He asked innocently.
More than anything.
“Yes. But is that a good idea tonight?”
To his credit, Dennis did really consider the question for a minute.
“I don’t want to do a lot tonight. I’m tired and still a little stressed. But I want to do something…”
Robby smiled down at Dennis. The young man must be a mindreader.
“I was thinking I take you to bed and spend some time touching you everywhere you want me to. I want to make you feel good... And, I don’t want anything in return tonight. Just whatever you want.”
Dennis seemed excited about that and pushed himself up to straddle himself around Robby’s lap.
“That sounds amazing.”
Dennis was the one to lean down and initiate the kiss. It was chaste at first. Robby kept one hand on his hip and the other near the back of his neck.
The older man couldn’t help but deepen the kiss by pushing past Dennis’s lips with his tongue.
Dennis moaned in his mouth and it was game over.
Robby wanted this forever. Absolutely forever.
Within minutes, the shy, quiet med student demeanor disappeared into a confident and talkative man in his arms. It was endearing to see all of these sides of him come out.
Dennis jerked his hips forward to grind against Robby’s cock and fuck… he wasn’t going to survive this.
Robby pulled away from Dennis briefly before tugging him off the couch and into his bedroom.
Robby helped pull off his mesh shirt while Dennis shimmied out of his shorts.
Robby pulled off his own shirt and sweatpants and followed him into bed. He left his boxers on for now since he knew he wanted this to be about Dennis. Robby could wait.
Robby pressed himself to Dennis’s bare side with his elbow propping up his head. He liked the angle of Dennis being beneath him.
“Can I touch you?” Robby asked once they were settled in. Dennis looked so comfortable in his bed that it made his chest flutter.
“Please. Yes, please touch me,” Dennis grinned and arched his back to show how much he wanted it.
Robby wasted no time as he started with his hand grazing across Dennis's collar bones. He took his time exploring the younger man's body.
By the time he thumbed over one of Dennis’s nipples, the younger man was practically writhing against him. So vocal too.
“Are they sensitive?” Robby asked as he swirled around his right nipple. Each time he swiped over them, he felt them pebble until they hardened.
“Fuck… yes. I love it… want your mouth on them…”
Robby immediately obliged and leaned forward to mouth his at his chest. Robby enjoyed resting his hand on his stomach and feeling the deep rise and fall as Dennis gasped for breath.
After a few minutes of that Robby pulled away. “Can I touch you here?” Robby gestured to the tent in Dennis’s boxers.
Dennis could barely speak at this point and instead nodded enthusiastically.
Robby wasn’t having any of that.
“Say it.”
“Yes. Please let me fuck into your hand. Wanna cum so bad...”
Christ, this kid is vocal. Robby pushed off Dennis’s boxers and freed his cock finally.
“So fucking pretty,” Robby couldn’t help but say as he grazed his eyes up and down Dennis's body. His cock was long and red at the tip.
Robby first reached for the wetness pooling at the tip of his cock, slowly swirling it with his thumb before wetting the rest of his shaft with it.
Dennis threw his head back and moaned so prettily it almost made Robby tear up at the sight of him.
Robby went to work and followed Dennis’s request of letting Dennis use his hand to get himself off.
Robby repositioned himself until he was practically towering over the younger man.
“Oh fuck… so fucking good, Robby… feels so good. Let me cum please.”
Robby couldn’t help but notice Dennis talked so submissively. He tucked that thought away for safe keeping for now.
Robby started working Dennis’s cock with his hand so all Dennis had to focus on was letting go.
“You can cum, baby. Wanna watch you… wanna watch your eyes while you cum for me.”
That’s all it took before Dennis was writhing and Robby felt his heat pool around them, hitting their chests.
Robby was in awe as he watched Dennis's pale grey eyes pleading for him as he writhed against him. It was enough for Robby to cum in his own boxer shorts like a fucking teenager.
Christ, he hadn’t done that in years.
Eventually their breaths settled. Dennis’s chest was still hot pink from the exertion.
Robby pulled the younger man close to him and kissed him on his cheek, jaw, and forehead before finally landing on his lips.
Dennis giggled and it was a beautiful sound.
“How was that?” Robby had to ask.
Dennis smiled against him.
“Insanely good. Like, best thing ever good.”
Robby chuckled and kissed him again.
“Good.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to…” Dennis asked shyly.
Robby shook his head.
“Believe it or not, you already got me off,” Robby said, “And besides, this was just for you tonight.”
”Thats’s hot,” Dennis was excited that he could do that to Robby. Then he added, “I know. I said I was stressed and it’s true. Just know that I want more in the future. Like everything…” The shy Dennis was creeping back in.
“Trust me, me too.” Robby wanted everything and it scared him. The thought ignited a spiral in Robby.
He knew they had a lot to talk about because fuck Dennis is his med student his literal subordinate and also let’s not forget the kid has been at the rest stop for the past month and Robby didn’t even check to see if he is traumatized by his experiences there before taking advantage of him tonight and oh god Dennis is vulnerable did he take advantage of him? Is this okay? I already want this kid living in my house and the fact that I keep calling him kid is concerning because hello Robby Dennis is half your age how is this going to work? I’m bringing him to my cottage and I want to fuck him against my headboard every night and again let’s not forget how again how much younger he is and fuck Robby wants him so bad and he can tell Dennis wants him too maybe hopefully…
Robby had to do something so he got up and grabbed a warm rag to clean them off with. By the time they were cleaned up, the thought spiral had mostly subsided with Robby deciding they were going to talk more this weekend at the cottage.
He tucked them both into bed after offering Dennis his bed while he went and slept on the couch just in case Dennis was more comfortable with that.
Dennis smiled and insisted he was happy in bed with him.
"I'm good in here with you."
"Me too," Robby wanted to reassure him because it was true. He would go to the couch if that's what Dennis wanted but it would have killed him a little inside.
Before drifting off to sleep, Dennis whispered to Robby.
"Thanks for following me tonight."
Robby smiled in the dark. "Thanks for coming home with me."
***