Work Text:
Michael was tired. Tired of running into Langdon and awkwardly avoiding eye contact. Tired of running into a new problem involving Dr. Al-Hashimi in some way. Tired of being told to put a helmet on while riding his bike. You can basically say he’s exhausted, but even that doesn’t sound right. To make matters worse, Santos told him Dennis has been helping out Amy. The wife of the burn victim that died on his very first day. Michael didn’t know how to react.
Should he be touched that Dennis was helping out a grieving wife? Should he be worried about Dennis being taken advantage of and used as an unpaid worker? Should he be angry that Amy took away his special someone first? All these different emotions and questions led back to one thing. Michael was jealous.
It was very prominent by the way he grimaced at the information, and how he held himself back from rolling his eyes. Dennis was clearly trying to be helpful, but Michael could only see how this could go wrong. Dennis was a very gullible soul. Hell, if Michael asked Dennis to sit on his lap as an excuse to calm him down, the boy would do it without a second thought.
People like Dennis were rare, and they keep becoming rare every time someone takes them and breaks them. Michael doesn't want to see Dennis’s little heart broken. There was a lot of stuff Michael wouldn’t do, but if Dennis got his heart broken, he’d rain hell on anyone and everyone. It was a very dangerous thought, but it was somehow also possessive in a way.
Michael couldn't bear the thought of Dennis with anyone else but himself. Michael wouldn’t break Dennis’s heart. He would cherish it dearly, and spoil his boy rotten. If Dennis was his, Michael would smile every day, even if it pained his cheeks. The thought of Dennis snuggled in his arms, sleeping soundly, being safe, made Michael ecstatic.
So of course the conversation about Amy made him pissed. His baby Dennis was clueless. People like Amy can take advantage of him, use him until every last drop of happiness is lost. Dennis doesn't see how wrong it was to be with someone grieving, someone who doesn’t know the boundaries of anyone but themselves.
Amy just lost her husband, and she’s clinging onto the only man who’ll give her attention, who would do things that others won’t. Can’t Dennis see what she’s doing? Next thing he knows, Dennis might be trapped by guilt that’s eating him alive. Guilt that never should have been there. Michael can’t have that. He can’t watch the only person who gives him true joy be broken down by someone who sucks joy up and uses it for themselves. Michael wasn’t going to let that happen, not to Dennis.
—————————-
Michael couldn't stop thinking about it. Ever since he got the news, everything felt agitating. He kept calm around patients, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Dennis with Amy. This was all wrong to him. Why did someone so cute have to be so clueless? Michael couldn't help but watch Dennis more as the hours passed by. Dennis was so lively, smiling or giving that serious look that was so cute to Michael. How can someone so smart be so dumb.
‘He’s not dumb, he just needs some guidance.’ Michael thought to himself. His inner self was right. His baby’s not stupid. He just needs Michael to show him right from wrong. If Dennis won’t watch out for himself, then Michael will do that for him. After all, a little guidance never killed anyone.
——————————
Michael found himself calling out for Dennis through their shift.
“Whitaker, with me.”
“Someone grab Whitaker.”
“Ah Ah Ah, Whitaker you’re assisting with this patient.”
Dennis was so obedient. Always following Michael’s every order. See how easy it is to take advantage of him? This is only proving Michael’s point further, strengthening this decision that is currently trapped in his head.
It’s risky, seeing as how he and Dennis haven’t been working together for long, but it’s a risk he’s willing to take, especially when he sees Dennis blushing when he notices his staring. It’s more than obvious that the boy’s a little fixated on him, just like Michael is to him. It’s a silent mutual understanding, one that needed no further thought. Besides, high risks come with great rewards.
———————————-
Michael caught Dennis at a perfect time. His baby boy was munching on a snack in the break room. Perfect! Nobody was inside but Dennis. It may be the only chance for Michael to talk to Dennis alone for now, so he slipped inside before anyone could call out for him. He had a perfect excuse when he saw Dennis’s confused look, quickly slipping out the new badge that was made for Dennis, and watching the boy’s face light up as he grew red.
‘So pretty.’ Michael thought, sitting down in front of Dennis and watching the boy study his badge for a moment. It didn’t take long for Dennis to realize Michael was watching him with a smile. Michael only realized Dennis noticed when the boy cleared his throat, coughing awkwardly. He didn’t want his little mouse to be embarrassed, so he struck up a conversation with him. He just didn’t expect his words to be.
“So Amy…”
It was a bit weird, but Michael had to know. He could see the betrayal flash across Dennis’s face as he sighed, and Michael felt a sharp pain in his heart. Don’t tell him…
“I was just helping her on the farm. You know her husband-“
“Died because of his severe burns. I know Whitaker.” Michael cut off, feeling a bit annoyed that this was the only excuse Amy had over Dennis. The boy was emotional when it came to patient deaths. He wouldn’t be human if he didn’t have a reaction to death, but it hits harder for Dennis sometimes. Amy clearly knew this information and was using it to her advantage.
“What about her family? Her friend perhaps?” Michael questioned. Wondering what other lies Amy told him. Dennis rubbed the back of his neck, looking away from Michael’s heated gaze.
“They were busy, but I grew up on a farm, and Amy’s getting pressured to sell her land, so I thought I’d help out.” Dennis whispered.
‘Great. Just great. Another white lie. How many lies has he heard from Amy? I need to teach my baby the difference between a lie, and the truth.’ Michael thought to himself, growing angry for Dennis. The signs are there, but they’re not shining enough for Dennis to see. Michael could see a sad look cross over Dennis’s face. He had to change the subject. He was making his baby feel bad.
“Hey, I was thinking…how about you house sit for me.” Michael said, loving the way Dennis tilted his head in confusion. A lost pup. A mouse doesn't really suit Dennis anyways.
“It could help save you some money for rent.” Michael continued, hoping Dennis wasn’t too skeptical about his offer.
“Are you serious?” Dennis asks, and Michael wanted to grab his hands and confess his love. Dennis would probably question that too, but at least it’d be out in the open.
“No smoking, no parties, no unexpected guests, no babies.” Michael listed, hinting heavily at Amy herself. Thankfully he has cameras in just about every room of his house. He might point that out to Dennis, or he might save that for his own benefit. The latter is sounding better the more he thinks about it, but he doesn’t want to make his baby boy uncomfortable. Now he just needs to cover it up a bit so he won’t get called in for a HR meeting about harassment.
“I would have asked Abbot, but he likes to do naked yoga. My elder neighbors wouldn’t know what to think.” Michael said, leaning back in his chair and smiling. He watched the hesitance flash across Dennis’s face, before acceptance settled in. Bingo.
“Yes-er I mean for house sitting, not for Dr. Abbot’s naked yoga.” Dennis stuttered out, face going red. Michael chuckled, but not because of Dennis’s comment. He had done it. He had finally built up the courage to do something a bit more intimate with Dennis, even if that means just house sitting. Dr. Al-Hashimi had to ruin their little moment as she walked into the break room, looking between Michael and Dennis.
Michael stood, taking one final look at Dennis while commenting about giving him his keys and security code. As he walked away, he smiled. There’s nothing greater than being ahead of his competition. If Amy thinks she can get her hands on Dennis, then she’s got another thing coming.
‘Beat that, Amy. Next is my bed, then my hand in marriage.’ Michael though sassily, almost skipping to check on one of his patients. He’s never felt this young in a long time, but apparently the youth can change a person, because Dennis sure changed Michael.