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When Dennis and Trinity run into Doctor Melissa King at the bar after a couple of beers Dennis knows Trinity will not be coming home with him. So, it is not a surprise that after one more drink, and two more shots, Santos stumbles over and asks him if he can make his own way home. However he is surprised when, after staying for ten minutes to finish his drink, he walks out of the bar and straight into a fight.
He had been trying (and failing) to type his address into Uber, so he didn't realise he was in danger until a very large man falls backwards into him. The attacker must have hit him with a bottle or something because Dennis feels a sting across his cheek just before he stumbles heavily into the brick wall of the bar. When he raises a finger to his cheek it comes back with a drop of blood and his arm stings in a couple places where the skin had been scraped and torn. Part of him, the medical student, wants to check on the guy who ended up crumpled on the floor in front of him, but the bigger part of him is drunk so he just pouts and leans back onto the wall. Security gets their hands on the men before Dennis can feel guilty about it anyway.
When the men are gone he opens his phone again, frowning down at the uber app. He doesn’t really want to go home to an empty apartment now. The injuries are nothing serious, but he wouldn’t mind a little sympathy. He briefly debates trying to guilt trip Trinity, but he wasn’t going to be that selfish over a few scrapes. He resigns himself to trying to type his address again when he gets a text.
Robby: I’m very happy for you Whitaker, have fun. Try to text me when you’re home if you don’t immediately pass out. For my own peace of mind.
Dennis vaguely remembers sending Robby a message as Trinity dragged him out the apartment, but he can’t recall exactly what he said. He clicks on the message, but ignores previous conversation as he focuses on finding the call button. The phone barely rings before Robby picks up.
“Gotten over the joys of a gay bar already, Whitaker?”
Dennis doesn't even try to stop the goofy smile that spreads across his face. “Hello to you too, Robby.”
“Did Santos leave with someone else?”
Dennis sighs. “Are you going to let me actually tell you why I called?”
“She lasted longer than I expected.” Robby hums. “I mean it sounds like you actually got drunk this time.”
“Robby.” Dennis whines.
“Ok, I’m sorry, what’s up?”
“There was a bar fight and-”
Dennis can’t even finish his sentence. “What? Are you ok? Why didn't you lead with that?”
Dennis giggles. “You’re the one who wouldn’t let me speak.”
“OK, and I’m an idiot. Tell me what happened.”
“I walked out the bar and ended up being collateral damage. It’s nothing serious, I wasn't the one hit over the head with a bottle, but I didn’t want to uber home to an empty house.”
“Fuck no, I’m glad you called.”
Dennis is just a little too drunk for this. He and Robby have been bordering on unprofessional for a while now, and just hearing the genuine care in the man’s voice is enough for butterflies to swarm his stomach.
“Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.”
Dennis can just about hear the jiggle of keys in a door. “I don’t know, I’ll just send you my location.”
Robby scoffs. “You don’t know where you are?”
Dennis shrugs, forgetting Robby can’t see him. “Trinity brought me here, and I only need to know my address for an uber home.”
Robby sighs, and Dennis wishes he could see his face. He hopes he looks fond. He hopes this is all endearing to Robby. He really hopes it doesn't make him seem silly and juvenile and it isn't a massive turn off.
“Ok, send me your location. I’ll see you soon.”
“Thank you.” Dennis sighs. “See you soon.”
-
Robby pulls up ten minutes later. Dennis smiles from where he’s still leaning against the wall, but doesn’t move. Can’t be bothered. Robby is out of the car before it fully turns off and speed walks over to him.
“You’re bleeding.”
Dennis rolls his eyes. “That’s been dry for the last, like, ten minutes.”
But Robby’s not listening, attention immediately shifting down his injured arm. “What actually happened?”
“The guy who got hit fell into me. I fell into the wall.”
Robby frowns. “And what the fuck was security doing?” His hands were on Dennis’s shoulders now, thumbs absentmindedly running over the spot where his neck meets his shoulder.
Dennis blinks at him slowly before responding. “They dragged them away right after that.”
“Are you sure you didn’t bang your head? Do you have a headache? Nausea?”
Dennis smiles like an idiot, leaning into Robby's warmth. “Do you want me to tell you the date? The president?”
Robby tries, and fails, to stay serious. “I want to know if you're ok.”
“I’m fine.” Dennis leans all the way into him, pressing his face to Robby’s chest and breathing him in. “I just want someone to take care of me.”
“Well I can do that.” He responds softly. “Come on, let's get you home.”
Robby guides him to the car with a hand on his lower back and Dennis doesn’t even want to blame his rosy cheeks on the alcohol. He wants Robby to know his effect on Dennis. And by the way Robby runs his hand to his waist to squeeze it before moving to the drivers side of the car, Dennis is pretty sure he’s aware of his effect.
Robby is quick to get in and set off again. Laughing lightly as the bar disappears in the rear view.
“What’s so funny?” Dennis asks, leaning on the headrest and gazing at the man next to him.
“If you were sober and got hurt like this you’d just suck it up and brush off any of my concerns.”
Dennis smiles. “Yeah, but I’d be, like, really really happy that you even cared. Probably think about it all day.”
Robby glances at him, hands fidgeting around the wheel. “You think about me a lot, Whitaker?”
“Yeah. Probably more than I should.”
There’s a beat of silence. “Well, me too.”
Dennis breathes for a second. “I miss you.” Emergency medicine had been a couple rotations ago now.
Robby’s knuckles go white on the steering wheel. “Me or the ER.”
“Both.” Dennis shifts to look at the road ahead of them. “But you more.”
They don’t speak again on the way back, but Robby does reach over to squeeze his thigh. Dennis smiles so hard when he realises Robby isn't going to take it back that his cheeks hurt.
-
When they get to Robby's apartment the older man heads straight into the kitchen for his first aid kit, but Dennis takes his time taking in his surroundings. He’s probably imagined 50 different places Robby could live in, but it doesn’t take away from finally seeing the real thing. It’s not overly decorated, a few photos with some familiar faces, a framed photo of his basset hound on a table next to the door.
“Where is Charlie?” Dennis calls, wandering into the living room. He eyes the well worn brown leather couch before he wanders over to inspect Robby’s record collection. Most of them look older than Dennis.
“Charlie is asleep in my room.” Robby mutters, placing his supplies on the table and moving over to grab Dennis’s shoulder. “Now come on Whitaker, let the doctor see you.”
It’s said softly, but it still makes Dennis’s face burn. “Shut up.” He mutters, letting Robby guide him to the couch. Dennis sinks into it. It’s comfortable.
Robby raises an eyebrow at him and smirks, but doesn’t comment on it, just sits on the coffee table in front of him.
He starts wiping at Dennis’s cuts and scrapes. “I’ll put a bit of tape on your face, you probably don't need it but it won't hurt, and I’ll cover your arm for tonight so it doesn’t get irritated.”
Dennis nods. Robby is sat with his legs spread, his knees bracketing Dennis’s. “Maybe you should kiss it better.”
“You need to calm down Whitaker.” Robby says with a shake of his head, staying focused on his task.
Dennis pouts. “Can’t help it, I like you.” He’s proud when that gets a blush from Robby. “Also, can you please call me Dennis.”
“You need to calm down Dennis.” Robby repeats, glancing up at him. “Tell me about your night.”
“Guess who Santos went home with.”
“Who?” Robby whispers, thumb smoothing over his taped cut. Definitely not needed, but Dennis likes the attention.
“Mel.”
Robby pauses, where he was unwinding some bandage. “Doctor Melissa King Mel?”
Dennis nods, holding out his arm so Robby will continue to treat him. “Yeah, the one and only.”
Robby starts wrapping his arm carefully. “I didn’t know they were into each other.”
“I don’t think they did either, but Mel was dressed like a masc from a lesbians wet dream and I think Trin was bewitched.”
“You know a lot about what a lesbian’s wet dream looks like?” Robby teases.
“Trinity talks about girls a lot. I could easily pick out her type.”
Robby finishes wrapping up his last scratch and sits up properly. “That’s going to make their next shift together interesting.”
Dennis raises his eyebrows, moving his leg slightly to knock his knee into Robby’s thigh. “Like you can talk.”
Robby laughs. “I guess not.”
All the concern has finally left his expression, and it quickly turns to appreciation as he looks Dennis up and down, eyes not even lingering on any of his injuries. “Nice outfit by the way.”
Dennis’s face may as well just stay pink at this point. “Thank you. Trin dressed me.”
He’s wearing one of her vest tops that are tight enough to show off every line of his torso, and he’s wearing jeans that apparently make his ass look great. He should ask Robby if he agrees.
“It’s… fitting. For a gay bar.” Robby responds with a cheesy grin.
Dennis stares at him for a few seconds. “Oh my god you’re so old.”
“And you’re into that.” Robby leans forward, into his space. “But seriously you look good, Dennis. I bet the boys were all over you.”
“I may have got a few free drinks.” He shrugs. “I’m a broke med student, I take what I can.”
Robby smiles. “I’m not accusing you of anything Dennis.”
“I barely even spoke to any of them.” Dennis whispers, starting to lean forward himself. “Just to say thank you.”
“Didn’t want to go home with any of them?” Dennis shakes his head. “Why not?”
“They weren’t you.” Dennis whispers before closing the distance between them and kissing Robby softly.
Robby hums, pressing back with the same gentleness, hands coming to cup his face. Dennis whines when the hands push him back, blinking his eyes open.
Robby smiles at him, his thumbs petting over his cheeks. “Dennis, we can't do this right now.”
Dennis pouts. “You’re a tease.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Robby keeps smiling at him, and Dennis can’t stop looking at his lips. “There’s already a questionable age gap here and a weird power imbalance, we can’t do this when you’re drunk.”
Dennis sighs. “I’m not even that drunk.”
“I think, if you were sober you wouldn’t have had the confidence to act like you have tonight.”
“Doesn’t mean sober me wouldn’t be proud of me right now. Sober me thinks about kissing you all the time.”
Robby’s smile somehow gets warmer. “And I’m happy to hear that, maybe sober you can tell me that himself in the morning, and he can experience kissing me.”
“Stop talking like that will be a totally different person. It's weird.” Dennis mumbles. “I kissed you and I’m going to do it again in the morning.”
“I can’t wait.”
Dennis tilts his head. “Does that mean I can stay tonight?”
“Of course sweetheart.” It’s the hardest Dennis has flushed all evening. Robby probably feels it when he kisses him on the forehead. “Come on, let's get you to bed.”
Robby stands up and Dennis follows him easily. Robby’s hand finds the small of his back again. “Your inability to keep your hands off me doesn’t help.”
“Want me to stop?” Robby whispers it in his ear. It’s not fair.
“No.” Dennis sighs, but still forces himself a couple steps ahead of Robby. “But you’re the one who wants me to calm down.”
Robby laughs behind him. “Ok fine. Next door on your right is the bedroom”
Dennis hums, stopping at the door to look over his shoulder at Robby. “Do these jeans make my ass look good?”
Robby stops at his back, looking down at him. “Huh?”
“Santos made me wear them ‘cause, apparently, they make my ass look good.” He blinks up at Robby. “Do they?”
Robby watches his face for a moment, but his gaze drops quickly. His eyebrows raise in approval. “Yeah. They do.”
Dennis nods. “Cool. Date night jeans then.”
Dennis heads into the room before he can see Robby’s reaction, but he can hear him clearing his throat before he comes in himself.
Charlie is curled up in a bed in the corner of the room. His body moving up and down slowly as he continues to sleep.
“Here, change into these.” Robby hands him some of his clothes.
Dennis takes them, but looks at Charlie again. “Does he not care that a stranger is in his home?”
“No, he's too old for that.” Robby has started changing. Dennis is momentarily distracted by his bare back. “He’ll assess you in the morning.”
“Assess me?” Dennis is still watching when Robby drops his joggers. He might be drooling.
“Don’t worry, I think he’ll like you. He tends to have the same taste as me.” Robby finally turns around, in his pyjamas now, tilting his head when he sees Dennis is still fully dressed. “Do you want to sleep in your date night jeans?”
“Your fault. You distracted me.” He mutters, turning around to finally change. He smiles when he feels Robby’s eyes stay on him.
The shirt and joggers are a few sizes too big for him, hanging off him in various places. The shirt looks like it had a logo on it, but it’s so faded Dennis can’t even make out what it might have been. He’s already planning on taking it home and only giving it back when Robby’s scent fades to nothing.
When Dennis turns around again, Robby is still watching him. “How do I look?”
“Good.” Robby smiles. “Now go to sleep, I’ll see you in the morning.”
He turns to leave and Dennis frowns. “You’re not staying in here?”
“Do you think that would be a good idea?”
Dennis crosses his arms, feeling the pull of his damaged skin for the first time in a while and smirking. “I’m injured. You need to stay with me.”
“Dennis.”
“I’m not going to, like, jump you.” Dennis promises, moving forward to take both of Robby’s hands. “I do have some self control. I just want to sleep with you, I promise.”
He winks. Robby shakes his head but lets Dennis start pulling him towards the bed. “If you try anything I’m going to the couch.”
“Fine, but you won’t have to.”
Dennis lets go of him to get into bed. Robby only hesitates another second before sliding in next to him. Dennis manhandles him until Robby is on his back, so Dennis can curl up on his chest. He sighs, content.
“I see the farm muscle hasn’t completely gone .”
He sounds a little breathy and Dennis smirks into his chest. “Can’t take the farm out of the boy. Want to revisit that another time?”
Robby huffs and Dennis can feel it through his curls. “Yes, I would actually.”
Dennis settles further into the heat of the other man’s body. Robby raises a hand to start tracing his spine.
“I’m really glad you called tonight.” Robby whispers, placing a barely there kiss on Dennis’s hairline.
Dennis can only hum in response as he falls asleep.
-
Dennis wakes up to something licking his face. He flinches back slightly, but doesn’t get far before he hits a solid body. He blinks his eyes open and is met with a lightly panting basset hound. He’s got his front legs on the bed, staring at Dennis like he’s waiting for something.
Dennis smiles, reaching out to stroke the dog’s head. “Good morning Charlie.”
The dog shuffles forward and licks him again before pushing off the bed and trotting out of view. Dennis assumes the dog has rounded the bed to greet his owner. Speaking of, at some point in the night they had shifted in bed and now Robby is plastered along Dennis’s back. His arms are holding Dennis close and his face is pressed in between Dennis’s shoulder blades. As he sleeps little puffs of air blow across the top of Dennis’s spine, making him shiver.
Dennis is debating if he should stay in the warmth, or start on some coffee when Charlie barks. Dennis startles, but Robby just groans and pulls Dennis closer as he wakes up slowly.
“Does he wake you up like this often?”
Robby’s body heat moves away as the man turns to pet his dog. “I think he gets jealous of my alarm clock.”
Dennis turns around, watching Robby as he gives Charlie his undivided attention. “He said hi to me already.”
Robby smiles. “His tail’s wagging. He likes you. Told you so.”
“Good.” Dennis mumbles, leaning over Robby to pet the dog himself. Charlie’s tail picks up speed. “I would hate for you to have to choose.”
“You’d lose that fight any day.” Robby scoffs, but his hand leaves Charlie to wrap his arms around Dennis’s lower back.
“Yeah I know,” He gives Charlie one last scratch before crossing his arms over Robby’s chest and leaning his chin on them. “But you’d miss me, right?”
“Yeah.” Robby whispers, fingers lightly tracing Dennis’s back through his own shirt. “I would miss you.”
Dennis flushes, turning his face into his own arms, having nothing to say back.
He feels Robby’s chuckle more than hears it. “I assume all the alcohol is gone then. Not as confident as last night?”
Dennis pushes himself on his knees, not thinking as he straddles Robby. “You promised me more kissing last night.”
Robby’s hands easily smooth up his thighs. “After we talk. Coffee?”
Dennis pouts but nods.
Charlie follows them to the kitchen, and Dennis gives him more attention while Robby makes their coffee. They sit in comfortable silence until Robby holds out a mug, beckoning Dennis over to where he’s leaning against the kitchen counter.
Dennis leans on the counter, facing him.
Robby raises a hand to smooth over his cut again. “How are you feeling?”
“My arm still feels a bit sore but that’s it.” Dennis sips his coffee.
“And your head?”
Dennis rolls his eyes. “I have a little bit of a headache. It’s not bad though.”
“And how do you feel about last night?”
Dennis smiles. “I’m really glad you picked me up. Thank you for that.”
“Always.” It’s said sincerely enough to tug on Dennis’s heart strings.
“And I’m really glad I finally kissed you.”
Robby fails to hide his smile behind his mug. “Me too.”
Dennis puts his own mug down and tilts his head. “You could have made a move at any point you know?”
“I couldn’t. I needed you to initiate it. To know it’s what you actually wanted.”
“I should probably be happy the guy I’m into is so moral.” Dennis sighs. “Even if it meant months of texting before anything happened.”
Robby lets him see his smile this time. “You know this won’t change anything when you come back as an intern.”
“I haven’t been matched yet.”
“You’ll get it.” Robby puts down his drink and crosses his arms. “But I won’t be playing favourites.”
“Please don’t. I’d never hear the end of it from Trin.”
“You really want to do this?”
Dennis nods, not caring if he looks too eager. “I really want to do this.”
“Ok.” Robby replies softly. “We’ll do it.”
They stand in silence and Robby’s eyes drift to his bandaged arm. Dennis watches him for a moment before speaking up.
“You were really worried about me last night huh?”
Robby’s eyes dart back to his. “You called me and said there was a bar fight. The initial panic didn’t wear off until you were safe in my house.”
Dennis steps forward. “I didn’t even get hit. Just a few scratches.”
“Still more than there should have been.” Robby huffs, arms dropping to his sides.
His fingers twitch like he wants to reach out. Dennis thinks he should. “You’re a little protective of me.”
Robby looks down at him. “Just a little.”
“Good.” Dennis whispers. “I like it.”
Robby only looks at him for another second before he finally reaches for his hips, crowding Dennis against the counter. The kiss is not as soft as last night. It has months of texts and looks and touches charging it. Dennis wraps his arms around Robby’s shoulders and pulls himself closer to the men, chest to chest. Robby smiles against his lips momentarily before the hands on his hips grip him harder and lift him onto the counter. Dennis gasps and Robby sticks his tongue down his throat. Dennis moans and Robby responds to it with his own low groan as Dennis squeezes him between his thighs. Dennis just gets his hands under Robby’s shirt when a bark startles him away from Robby’s mouth.
When he looks down from the counter Charlie is staring up at them from Robby’s feet.
“No! I thought he liked me.” Dennis whines, pressing his face into Robby’s chest.
Robby laughs, running a hand through Dennis’s curls. “He does, he just wants his breakfast.”
“Oh.” Dennis sits up, smiling down at the dog who barks again in response. “Well, don’t leave him waiting.”
Robby runs his hands down Dennis’s thighs. “How about you go wait for me back in bed and we can pick this up again when he’s happily distracted.”
Dennis bites his lip and nods, leaning forward to press a lingering kiss to Robby’s lips. “Don’t take too long.”
Robby just squeezes his thighs and watches as Dennis hops off the counter and swiftly leaves the room, preparing Charlie’s breakfast in record time.