Work Text:
It's nearing the end of Robby's shift, he is walking to put some papers on the desk for the night shift, when he feels a hand on his shoulder. He immediately recognizes the hand as Jack Abbott’s, and doesn't turn to face him. “Hello Jack, I was going to put these papers at the desk but I mean, since you're here now I might as well give them to you.” Robby holds them back for Abbott, who takes them with a smile.
They somewhat parted after that little interaction, but are relatively in the same area as one another. Jack is at the desk, sorting the papers. Robby on the other hand, was on his way to check with Dana about patients and who has left already. However, Robby is stopped by Noelle who is smiling. They talk a little about work stuff, like how the day had gone.
Abbott, who is about 30 feet from them, stares while they talk and laugh with one another. Abbott sighs, and tries to concentrate on the papers in front of him. With little success, he decides to pass the papers onto a night nurse and walk away. To walk away though, he has to walk past Robby and Noelle. He could easily walk around them, there was plenty of room, but instead he decides to walk in between them with a short quiet “sorry” and a look at Robby.
Later, Robby and Abbott are in the break room while Robby collects his stuff and Abbott puts his hopefully lunch into the fridge. “Well, good luck tonight.” Robby says as he leans against the counter next to Abbot. “Hm. Yeah, I'll probably need it. Can't wait until after my shift.” Abbott comments while writing his name on a sticky note. “Oh yeah? Why, something special going on after work that I don't know about?” Robby quips. “Sorta, I'm getting some food with Al-Hashimi at this new restaurant.” Abbot looks at Robby as he also leans against the counter.
Robby stares for a moment, and then shakes his head a bit. “Sounds romantic.” Robby's voice is full of sarcasm. “Have fun with that.” Robby stretches and then pushes himself off the counter and heads towards the door. “Jeez Robby, you could be more enthusiastic about your best friend having a date.” Abbot's words make Robby freeze in his tracks. He turns to face Jack. “A date? You're going on a date with Al-Hashimi?”
Abbott shrugs, and nods. “Yeah, a date.” Robby shakes his head again, and then puts his hand on his face. “Work place relationships aren't smart, you know.” Robby states. Jack stands up straight, and frowns. “Like you're one to talk? I see and hear you and Noelle flirting all the time. Don't be a hypocrite, Michael.” Jack snaps back. “Noelle and I aren't going on dates, there is a difference. I'm not being a hypocrite. Flirting doesn't count.” Abbott rolls his eyes, and walks over to Robby. They stare at each other for a good moment until Robby shrugs. “Whatever, have fun on your…date.”
Abbot quickly realizes what is going on after picking up on how differently Robby said “date”. He is jealous, and it is so obvious. Plus, Jack knows how to identify jealousy because he is jealous too. Of Noelle and Robby, even though he won't admit it.
“You're jealous.” Abbot states quite boldly. “Jealous?” Robby questions quietly, and then again louder. “Jealous? As if. If anyone's jealous, it's you. I saw the way you stared at Noelle and I talking earlier.” Robby scoffs.
Abbott smirks, which confuses Robby. “Sounds like deflection, you're jealous that I'm going on a date with Al-Hashimi instead of going with you.”
“Nope. Just because you and I fuck sometimes, does not mean I want to date you.” Robby turns away, ready to leave the conversation before he breaks. Before Robby is able to take a full step away, Abbot grabs onto his sweater and turns him around whilst pulling him closer. Robby looks to the side with a sigh. No one has ever been able to make Robby flustered like this other than Abbot. “Liar.” Abbot teases. Abbot calling out Robby for being jealous is also a way of trying to hide his own jealousy, even if it never works. “Admit it, you're jealous of Al-Hashimi.” Abbott demands, but Robby shakes his head. “Only if you admit you're jealous of Noelle.”
Abbott is quiet for a minute before deciding to give in, just this once. “Fine. I'm a little jealous of Noelle. I don't like that she makes you laugh easier than I do. And I don't like how you smile at her.” Abbott rolls his eyes, and drops the smirk. “Your turn.”
Robby smiles, and stays defiantly silent. Robby is still looking away from him because if he looks at Jack he knows he will falter and say whatever Jack wants him to. Abbott knows this too, and that's why he takes hold of Robby's jaw and turns his head to face him. “Your turn Micheal.” the look, words, and tone all make Robby fold and so he sighs. “Yeah fine. I'm jealous. Happy?” Abbot smiles again, and nods. He then kisses Robby, but it doesn't last long as the door to the room opens. Abbot and Robby nearly fall over pushing each other in opposite directions. Robby turns and they both face Whitaker and Santos, who stare at them. Santos smiles, and faces Whitaker. “You owe me 10 bucks.”