Chapter Text
Dennis
𖤓
March 5th
Thursday 9:40 AM
The day had started how any normal Thursday would in the world of Dennis Whitaker MD.
He woke up at exactly 5:45 to a blaring rooster call of an alarm sound, courtesy of his best friend and roommate Trinist Santos after he had mistakenly handed his phone over to her in an uber on a night out for her to play games on. She had lied. No games were played. Instead she set up a rooster call as his alarm sound, ringtone, and text notification. Her reasoning was as follows.
“You are so mopey whenever we see anything country related. You needed something to remind you of your beloved farm land in this concrete jungle we call home.”
To which he had countered.
“I thought you hated my family, you know the people you exclusively refer to as the homophobes. Now you want to encourage my homesickness?”
That resulted with her swiftly kicking in his knees from behind as he walked out the front door of their apartment.
“NO! You fuckwit.” To her credit, she then helped him stand back up. “I mean, you can still miss the place and not the people. I can see how much you miss the farm, and horses or whatever the fuck it is you did at Amy’s.”
As much as he hated the alarm, she was correct in the assessment of him missing the farm life. He found some solace at Amy’s for a while, but eventually her parents were able to move down full time and they didn’t need his help anymore, and then he found the rodeo again which replaced Amy’s farm. He was then swiftly hit by a truck which added enough medical issues that it scared the barn too much to let him ride in exchange for labor anymore, and even though he was a doctor now he was still too broke to afford to pay for riding time.
So now all he had to remind him of the Nebraska farmlands was the rooster alarm. Which he immediately shut off every morning.
Just like he did today. And like every other day, he immediately crawled back under the thick duvet and tucked himself tightly into Robby’s side, burying his face into his neck, Robby’s arms wrapping around him, holding him, and drifting off for another 15 minutes until Robby’s alarm went off and then they really had to get up.
They then would make their way to the kitchen, usually Robby’s but occasionally his own. They would pick at some toast, coffee, shower, get dressed, and head off to work, hand in hand, side by side.
Working in the ED had become his new normal. With almost a full year under his belt, he had become a pretty good doctor, responsible, level headed, dependable. He had friends, good friends, a boyfriend who loved him, a charge nurse who is more of a mother to him than Carol Whitaker ever was, and also a damn good smoking buddy.
And that was how he ended up here, at his normal charting station, well, Robby’s charting station that had become his by extension. He was typing up the results for a broken collarbone while Trinity leaned on the back of his chair rocking back and forth causing him to rock back and forth in the chair. Samira was standing in front of them on the other side of the desk, throwing the odd glance up at the board, not really looking but offering the small semblance that she was working.
“Can you not?” He finally said, after about 5 minutes of his chair rocking.
“Nope. This is karma.” Trinity said, added a more oomph to her movements making it impossible to type.
“Karma for what?” Samira asked.
“This little bitch left the house early with his boyfriend to get fancy coffee and didn’t get me any.”
“Are you kidding me?” He snapped, spinning around in his chair causing her to get knocked off balance. Samira started giggling behind them. “I offered! You were all like, why would I want your coffee when my girlfriend is bringing me stuff.” He said, in a high pitched mimicked voice.
“Yea, but then she got pulled into surgery and I never got it.” Trinity replied, scrunching her nose.
“Exactly.” He spun back to the computer. “Not my fault.”
“What’s not your fault?” Victoria cut in, rounding the corner with Emma at her side.
“Trinity not getting her morning coffee.”
“Ahhh, yea I doubt it’s Dennis’ fault.”
“Crash! Really, you're taking his side. You're not supposed to do that. Girls stick together and all that shit.” Trinity whined.
“I’m not taking his side. And girls sticking together only applies when you call me by my name. Please.” Victoria said with a small smile.
“Ughh, fine, Victoria you're supposed to be on my side.”
“Thank you.” She said with a massive grin before immediately turning to Dennis deadpanned. “Trin is absolutely right, it’s your fault.”
Dennis just threw his arms up, giving up on the conversation and the charting, which resulted in the four women laughing at him.
When they finally settled Trinity leaned on the back of his chair one final time, staying there.
“You know Vic, ever since you started dating McKay you fight back now. Gotta say, not as much fun to poke fun, but love the confidence.”
“I was just thinking that.” Samira said, nodding along.
“Yup.” Dennis added, finally able to go back to charting in relative peace.
“You really do. Not that I knew you before, but you definitely seem more sure of yourself since I met you.” Emma said, with a soft smile.
“Aww, thanks guys, Cassie said the same thing like last week. Oh! Also, did I tell you that I met her family on Sunday.”
“Didn’t you already know them?” Dennis asked, offering a small glance over the desk.
“Yes, but I mean like her whole family. They all came down for Harrison’s birthday, and I met them all.”
“Stop! That’s so sweet! Introducing you to everyone, that girl is down bad.” Samira said around a bright smile, giving Victoria’s shoulder a soft pat.
“Don’t I know it.” Victoria drawled.
“Hey peanut gallery!” Dana cut through the noise.
They all snapped their heads around to the right to where Dana was standing with a clipboard in hand, glasses perched on the edge of her nose.
“What, you think just because your bosses are in a meeting you can slack off?”
An almost completely in sync line of “Sorry Dana.” Came from the group.
“That’s what I thought. Trauma eta 10 minutes.”
1:05 PM
The day had been normal so far. A few traumas, a few sutures, a few minor procedures. Really a textbook day in the world of emergency medicine, Dennis could almost go as far as to say he was bored. He would never of course, because that’s just tempting fate, but he had enough time to make a pot of coffee, wait for the coffee, pour it, sit down and drink it, slowly, and that felt like an accurate explanation to the pace of the day.
He was about halfway through the coffee and halfway through his lunch when the door opened and Robby walked in, a smile spreading across his face when his eyes landed on Dennis.
“Hey sweetheart.”
“Hi.” Dennis wiped his hands on a napkin before resting an arm across the back of his chair and one across the table, a small cocky smirk on his lips. “I thought we weren't supposed to use pet names at work?”
Robby huffed a laugh, ducking his head with a small shake as he walked over. He rested a hand on the side of Dennis’ head for a beat while he kissed the top of it, he stayed in his space for a second while whispering into his ear.
“I missed you, sue me.”
He stood again, heading for the coffee pot, and Dennis waited till he sat down at the table before speaking again.
“I’m not saying I have anything against it, I don't. But it’s your rule, I’m just pointing out that you're the one to be breaking it baby.”
Dennis revelled in the way the tips of Robby’s ears started to go red, and he tried to hide his face in his cup. After a long sip and a small cough he looked over at Dennis again.
“Ok, yea you win. Back to enforcing the rule, Whitaker, I was just reminded in full clarity why I could not hear that at work.”
Dennis let out a soft gasp. “Dr. Robby, are you trying to tell me you're having inappropriate thoughts at work?”
“Maybe a few, yea.” He said, giving Dennis’ foot a small kick. “Maybe someone should come by my place tonight to help me work through those thoughts. I would hate for it to affect my work.”
“Oh of course, those patient satisfaction scores can’t afford anymore of a drop any lower.”
“Hey, I will have you know, I have raised said scores by 5% in the last 6 months, thank you very much.”
“I see, I see, and are you trying to credit the percentage rise to the inappropriate thoughts?”
“More like the source of the thoughts.” He drawled. And now it was Dennis’ turn for his ears to go red.
It took Dennis a minute longer than he would like to admit before he was able to compose himself again, and right as he did the door swung open and Al-Hashimi stepped in, she was tipping her head back and letting out a long sigh, walking over and leaning against the counter beside the sink. She looked between them for a moment before speaking.
“In the 4 months I’ve been here, I have never had to sit in this many meetings before.”
“I know, they do this at least once a year. In what world it would make sense to schedule all the meetings on one day, wrapping up the attending, well, attendings, all day. -He scoffed- It’s fucking bonkers.” Robby said, the low sense of disdain administrative work caused in full force.
“For once, I actually agree with you. And on that note they want us back up there.” She said, pointing vaguely at the hallway.
“Uh, fine, fuck.” Robby sighed. He stood up, his hand finding Dennis’s shoulder offering a tight squeeze. “So, tonight?” He asked, his voice incredibly soft compared to 15 seconds ago.
“Yea, of course.” Dennis nodded, smiling.
“Good.” He let go.
“Whitaker.” Al-Hashimi said in parting, with a small nod. He nodded back.
He heard her talking to Robby as they walked out.
“I swear you have like split personality the way you talk with him compared to-” And then she was out of ear shot. It did make him smile a little as he got up to rinse his cup out.
5:20 PM
Dennis was back to charting after finishing up with hit and run with Langdon, they were able to save the victim so he was riding that high and decided to put it to good use and try and wrap up charting so he wouldn’t have to stay late.
He saw Samira, Trinity, and Victoria walk over in his peripheral. They were standing in a circle a few feet away passing a small bag of chips around.
“I’m just saying what they do for your birthday is important. It should be a big thing!” Sarmia started after finishing a chip.
“But I don’t think it matters that much.” Trinity chided.
“I agree, as long as you're happy.”
“See, Crash gets it. Or sorry, Vic. See I told you guys I respect boundaries.”
They both chuckled at Trinity at that, Victoria adding a disbelieving “Uhuh.”
“No but seriously, for my birthday yea we all went out drinking together but all Garica got me was a sweat set and made sure Huckleberry vacated the apartment for the night. And honestly, best birthday in a long time. And I took her out for dinner and got her concert tickets and she seemed to love that.”
“Yea, it’s about what you like or what they like, not necessarily the event.” Vic added with a nod. “What did Abbot do for your birthday?”
“Well… -She was already smiling from ear to ear- He took me to this concert in the park thing, and then for this really nice dinner. Like he dressed up super fancy, ugh he was just so sweet, real gentlemen.”
“Dudes like 100 of course he was a gentleman.” Samira slapped her shoulder lightly at that, but the chuckle and grin gave her away. “But I think you just like that stuff.” Trinity added, finishing off the chips.
“What stuff?” Samira quirked an eyebrow.
“Like the cheesy romantic stuff. Which is good for you, but I would rather just get laid and get a stupid gag gift.”
“Hm. What about you Dennis?” Victoria called.
“What?” He said, spinning around to meet the three sets of eyes on him.”
“What did Robby do for your birthday?” She repeated.
“Oh, nothing, we weren’t dating yet. I mean, we all met up at the bar after shift and he bought me a beer, but that’s it.”
“Well, always next year. What are you doing for his birthday?” Samira asked.
And Dennis just stared at them for a solid 30 seconds before dropping his eyes to the floor.
What was he going to do for Robby’s birthday? What does he want? What does he need? What doesn’t the man already have? He can buy whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Holy shit. When is Robby’s birthday?
“I- uh… I don’t know when it is.” He said, still staring at the floor.
“Well, that’s not good.” Trinity quipped. They all shot her a glare.
“I’m a terrible boyfriend. Oh my God, I’m the worst. ” He whined, dropping his head to his hands.
“No, you're not.” Victoria said, giving his shoulder a rub.
“What am I supposed to do if I don't even know when it is? Oh God, what if I already missed it?”
“Shut up Huck, there no way you did, we would have gotten drinks or something. And even if you did, how are you supposed to know, you weren't together last year, hell, you weren't even here, you were on your pedes rotation.”
“Dana probably knows.” Samira offered.
He was already moving before she could finish speaking. Darting out the emergency entrance to the ambulance bay where Dana was on her smoke break. He found her sitting on the concrete flower bed with a lit cigarette in her hands.
“Hey, kid.” She said with a smile.
“Hey.” He was breathless. And she could see it, she patted the spot beside her.
“Take a minute. What’s up?”
He sat down beside her. Taking a few deep breaths. “Ok, is Rob- When- Do you know when Robby’s birthday is?” He finally mumbled out.
She let out a light chuckle before throwing an arm around his shoulders. “It’s next week, don’t worry, you didn’t miss it.”
He let out a sigh of relief. “Good, that’s good.” He waited a few minutes before speaking again. “Can I ask, does he like his birthday?”
“Uhm, that’s a tough question.” She started.
“It’s just, he never said anything. And I would love to get him something or do something. But if he waited this long and never said anything I would hate to ambush him on a day he doesn't particularly want to celebrate, even though he should want to celebrate, because he’s amazing and he deserves to feel special and-”
“You're rambling.” She cut him off. He snapped his mouth shut. “I wouldn’t say Robby dislikes his birthday, he just… never had someone to share it with.” She paused, crushing out her cigarette. “He loved it back when I met him, back when he was with Janey and he had Jake, you know about them right?”
“Uh, sort of? Robby mentioned them a few times, and PittFest, but nothing in depth.”
“Ok, well, when he was with them he loved his birthday, mainly because Jake loved to have these little parties for him, and they would go out and do stuff, and they would invite all of us over for dinner. It was great. But after they broke up, and Jake got older, they stopped doing the parties and dinners. He would still celebrate, but nothing like what it used to be. And I don’t know, the longer he didn’t have someone the less he cared. So I guess, no he doesn't hate it, he just doesn't care.” Dana said, looking off into the parking lot.
“So, if I did something for him, you think he would like it?” He asked, hesitantly.
She looked at him then, a soft smile on her face. “I think he would love it.”
He nodded, his own smile forming along with a plan.
8:35 PM
A trauma that came in at the end of shift kept Dennis around longer than he had hoped, but who was he to complain when he got to help someone. Even if it meant another hour before he could crawl into bed. Trinity had left almost right at 7, for the first time in months she was actually caught up on charting and refused to tempt fate. Garica had left with her, so with no pressing reason to leave Dennis figured he might as well wait for Robby to finish his last meeting.
It worked out well too, he finished his charting and talked with Abbot for about 10 minutes before the elevator doors opened and a half awake Robby walked out followed by an equally wiped Al-Hashimi. She headed straight for the locker room, but Robby scanned the floor before his eyes found Dennis and Abbot and he made his way to them. A small tired smile tugging at his lips.
“Go get some sleep brother.” Abbot said, side stepping Robby right as he arrived, one sharp pat to his shoulder before he was gone.
“Yup.” Robby called out a beat too late. He let out a sigh, pinched the bridge of his nose, and then dragged the hand down the rest of his face before looking at Dennis. “Hi.”
“Hey. You look like you're barely standing.” Dennis chuckled.
“That would be a correct assessment. Are you ready to go?”
“Mhm.” Dennis nodded.
“Great, let me grab my bag…” He trailed off as Dennis lifted his worn out backpack and green fleece.
Robby looked like he might melt. “I love you so much, you have no idea.” He reached out grabbing his stuff as the two started heading for the door.
“I think I have some idea.” Dennis said, bumping their shoulders together.
“I doubt it. Let’s get out of here so I can kiss you.” Robby said while throwing an arm around Dennis' shoulders.
“Don’t have to ask me twice.” Dennis grinned.
They walked out of the sliding doors and through the ambulance bay, and the second they made it to the small alley way off the hospital Robby stopped dead in his tracks and pulled Dennis close, a hand coming up to hold the back of his head, fingers threading through curls, and his thumb resting just below Dennis’ jaw. Robby kissed him like it was a lifeline, letting out a soft sigh the second their lips touched. Dennis couldn't argue much, he found just as much comfort in the contact, his own hands wrapping around Robby’s middle, holding his jacket in tight fists.
The kiss ended far too soon in Dennis' opinion, but breathing was something they needed, when Robby pulled back he kept his face close, looking at Dennis eyes for a second before placing soft kisses on his cheek, ear, and temple, before finally speaking.
“Can we go home now?” Robby brushed a few curls from Dennis’ forehead.
“Well, you might hate me for what I’m about to say.” Dennis started, sliding a hand up to play with the collar of Robby’s jacket.
“Well I doubt that, but I am a little scared now.” Robby teased.
Dennis huffed a laugh before continuing. “I think I’m gonna head back to my place tonight… just by myself.”
A flicker of pain crossed Robby’s face before he blinked it away. “Of course, yea. We don’t have to spend every night together.” He tried to laugh it off.
“Hey no, just to be clear, I absolutely want to go home with you, and I quite enjoy spending every night together.” Dennis paused at the way Robby’s ears started going red. “But, I uh, I need to talk with Trin about some stuff, and it's just, yea, sorry.”
Robby cupped his face. “You don’t have to apologize Den, it’s ok, go be with your friends.”
“Tomorrow though? Can we do that? Watch a movie, eat crappy Chinese food?” Dennis asked.
“Absoluley, I would love that.” Robby said, punctuating it with a small kiss.
“Me too.”
9:05 PM
Dennis walked through the door to his apartment with a box of pizza and a 6 pack of beer, both a small apology for what he would no doubt be interrupting. He pushed the door open with his back, making sure to keep his eyes on the hallway, and closed for safe measure, before calling out.
“Hey, I’m here.”
A string of curses followed. English. Spanish. Tagalog. He could get the gist even if he only understood half of what they said.
“Fuckleberry! What in the fuck are you doing here!” And after a painfully long second. “And turn the fuck around already.”
He slowly turned, only cracking one eye before opening them both fully to find Trinity standing in the living room, a hoodie half tugged on and Garcia laying on the couch with a shirt on backwards.
“I, uh, I texted but you never responded.” He said, moving towards the kitchen to drop the food.
“Yea, kinda busy. You're supposed to be at Robby’s.”
“I know, but plans changed, and I need your help.” He started walking to his room.
“My help? Right now? And for what?” He walked out of his room and then into Trinity’s. “What the fuck are you doing in my room!?”
He returned with his and Trinity’s laptop’s tucked under his arm and a pad of paper and a pen. He walked over to the living room and sat down on the floor in front of the coffee table.
“Ok, I got you guys beer and pizza as an apology and hopefully a thank you for helping me.”
“Helping with what!?” Trinity yelled, flopping back down onto the couch.
“Robby’s birthday is next week, and I want to plan the best party I can for him.” He said, pleading.
The two doctors looked at each other, then back at Dennis, then back at each other, then Garcia looked back at the food and drinks and gave a shrug. Before they both looked back at him.
“Fine, we’ll help, but you have to make yourself scarce tomorrow.” Trinity said, heading over to grab plates.
“Already done.”
With only a little disdain etched on her face Trinity returned to the couch with the plates, pizza, and beer. Dennis opened his laptop up and started asking what they think he needs for the party, he asked if he should decorate and that was all Trinity needed to lose all faith in his party planning abilities and she promptly took over.