Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dennis noticed on his first day in The Pitt that his new attending has a very hands on approach. Literally. He grabs Dennis by the shoulders and manhandles him around the ED like its perfectly normal. Maybe it is, maybe Dennis is making something out of nothing. Sure he doesn't do it to any of the other interns, but maybe Dennis just needs a guiding hand sometimes. Or maybe it's because he's a guy, and Robby doesn't want to put his hands on a female intern? All Dennis knows is that those damn hands on him are driving him insane.

The only time Dennis has even seen Robby touch another person that isn't a patient is Abbot, and he's fairly certain there's an unspoken history there. Not that it's any of his business, or in any of his wildly inappropriate fantasies, not at all. Perfectly normal thoughts and dreams in his head. Speaking of dreams, Dennis is clearly daydreaming again because he hears his name being shouted with a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Earth to Whitaker!" Robby's voice shakes him out of his thoughts, and his damn hand so close to the back of his neck has him beet red.

"Yes! Uh, yes Dr. Robby?" Dennis looks up at the older man somewhat startled.

"You alright? Been calling you for a minute." Robby raises an eyebrow.

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine sorry, just uh, lost in thought there." Dennis looks back down at his notepad where he had a half finished sentence written. "You need me for something?"

"Not particularly, end of our shift kid, let's get moving. You do all your handoffs?"

"Oh! Yes, I did." Dennis stands and turns to go to the lockers when he notices Robby's hand still firmly on his shoulder, following right beside him.

"Good good... You're off tomorrow correct?" Robby asks as they stop in front of the lockers, going to his own a couple down from Dennis'.

"That's right, big plans, lots of parties to attend." Dennis deadpans. Robby chuckles as he pulls his coat on and steps towards Dennis.

"Be safe, kid." He leans down to whisper by the younger boy's ear before ruffling his hair and walking off to the exit. A shiver runs down Dennis' spine at the whispered words. 

Just as he began to daydream again, Trinity waltzes into the lockers and wraps an arm around Dennis. "Hey Huck, what do you say we hit the club? Have a girls night?" She beams a smile at him. "Mel and Vic are coming, well obviously Vic is, this is half her birthday party."

"Girls night?" Dennis raises an eyebrow. "You know just because I let you do my makeup that one time that I'm not actually a girl right?"

"Yeah yeah, but yknow, you're one of the girls."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh come on, it's not like you're not gonna hit on any of us." Trinity rolls her eyes.

"W-Well yeah, you guys are-"

"Girls?" Trinity interrupts.

"Coworkers." Dennis glares.

"What, you're saying you actually like girls? While being... You?"

"Now what is that supposed to mean?!" Dennis practically whines as Trinity starts to drag him out to her car.

"All I'm saying- it's kinda obvious, Huckleberry. You think I'd just let a random guy move in with me if I didn't clock him immediately?"

"I- Can we please not talk about this at work?" Dennis looks around as they walk to make sure no one is listening.

"Fine, but you aren't as stealth as you seem to think you are. Especially when you stare at a certain attending like a lost puppy."

"Wha- I do not!" 

"You totally do. God forbid he praise you for something, might as well clock out for the day if he does."

Dennis stays quiet until they get in the car and his seatbelt is buckled. "...Is it really that obvious?" He mutters, looking down at his lap.

Trinity looks over and must be able to tell it bothers him. "Maybe not that obvious... But as your best friend and roommate, it's kinda clear to me at least."

"Do- Do you think he can tell?"

"Tell what? That you're head over heels for a man twice your age?"

"Trin, I'm serious."

"Who knows, Den, I'm not entirely sure he even knows he likes you."

"He does not." Dennis whips his head over to look at her, eyes wide.

"The look I would give you if I wasn't driving right now I swear. Does he ever stop touching you? It's like he needs everyone to see he has a claim on you or something."

"Oh my god." Dennis buries his face in his hands. "He can just tell I'm incompetent or something, he's not claiming me."

"You are anything but incompetent, and that old man wants you babe."

"Don't put dangerous ideas in my head." Dennis groans and Trinity just shrugs.

The rest of the car ride to the apartment is fairly normal, no more mentions of Robby made. Once inside, the two of them change into more bar appropriate clothes, nitpicking each other's outfits until they're perfect.

"Really, you're giving me fashion tips and you wanted me to assume you're straight?" Trinity laughs.

"Shut up, I just don't wanna announce that I like dick to the whole world." Dennis blushes as he wraps a thin black scarf around Trinity's neck. "How's that?"

"Ohh, very nice, Huckleberry!" Trinity says as she looks in the mirror at every angle she can, admiring the addition of the scarf to her v-neck blouse and skirt with knee high boots.

"Uh, yeah, saw something similar in a magazine." Dennis says as he stands behind her in the mirror, looking at his own rather plain cargo pants and cropped tee. They look like a teenager and a New York model. "You sure this is good on me? I feel stupid."

"Yes I'm sure, I bought that shirt for you specifically because you'd look good with a little midriff showing. Now come on, we're gonna be late to meet Mel and Victoria." Trinity practically drags Dennis out the door.

They show up to the bar around nine at night, joining the other girls at a table. The four of them chug drinks and talk about everything and anything, personal life, med school, patients in the PTMC, until relationships came up.

"I just don't understand what he's so touchy for!" Dennis whines after his third drink. "He's always grabbing me like- Like I'm some kitten getting scruffed by his mama!"

Trinity laughs obnoxiously at that. "A kitten! Huckleberry just called himself a kitten!" 

"It's not funny! I'm being serious!" Dennis points at her.

"That's what makes it funny!"

Victoria takes a swig of her drink. "I've definitely noticed that, and he doesn't do it to anyone else either. I don't think he's every touched me intentionally." 

"Besides like, handing something to me, yeah." Mel agrees.

"Huckleberry thinks it's because he's incompetent." Trinity accuses with another drink.

"What other reason could it be?" Dennis' question is met with the same look from all three girls, a look that says 'Really?'

"Now I know you aren't that dense." Victoria deadpans. "As inappropriate as it is, he's definitely into you."

"That's exactly why it's not true, because it's inappropriate."

"What's inappropriate?" A large hand lands on Dennis' shoulder. "Rare to see you four outside of The Pitt." 

"Dr. Robby!" Mel exclaims. "Oh, and Dr. Abbot too! What are you doing here? Not that it's a bad thing I mean- Nice to see you."

Dennis whips his head around in surprise, eyes wide and cheeks flushed, either from seeing the man of his desires or from the copious amounts of alcohol drunk. Maybe a combination of the two. His eyes drift to the hand on his shoulder and Robby gives it a gentle squeeze. 

"Nice to see you kids too." Abbot chuckles. "Robby and I have been coming to this bar for years, I think we're more surprised to see you."

"Care to join us?" Trinity offers. "We're celebrating our dear Crash's 21st."

"Oh, happy birthday Javadi. You sure you kids wanna hang out with a couple of geezers?" Robby raises an eyebrow.

A chorus of agreements comes from across the table as they scoot into the booth to make room for the two older men. Dennis scoots in closer against Trinity and Robby takes a seat beside him, their thighs pressing together in the small booth seat, and Abbot sits beside Javadi, squishing Mel against the wall.

The six of them drink and talk, save for Dennis, who sits and nurses his rum and coke, too focused on every square inch of himself pressed against Robby to contribute to the conversation. Robby seems to be the only one that's noticed his silence, glancing at the younger boy occasionally.

"I'm gonna step out for a smoke, Whitaker, come keep me company." Robby says as he stands. Dennis snaps out of his focus and looks up at him, and then to the rest of the table, the other four doing a very poor job of hiding their amusement, including Abbot. Dennis stands silently and follows Robby out the door.

Robby leans against the wall and lights a cigarette before speaking. "You okay? You were pretty quiet in there, thought you'd like to step away for a moment."

"Oh, uh, thank you. I was just thinking." Dennis mutters as he takes the spot beside Robby.

"About what?" 

Still having alcohol in his system, Dennis blurts out the truth. "You, touching me."

Robby coughs out the cigarette smoke in surprise. "Touching you?" He asks, his mind going to less than innocent places after a couple of drinks himself.

"Yeah, the way you like, manhandle me at work. You're always grabbing me and pulling me around and stuff..."

"I- I'm sorry Whitaker, that's really unprofessional of me, I'll be more mindful of that in the future."

"No! I mean- I don't really have a problem with it..." Dennis mumbles towards the ground.

Robby pauses for a moment, choosing his next words carefully. "You like it?"

"I guess... Kinda..." 

Robby pushes himself off the wall and stands in front of Dennis, his gaze burning a hole in the top of the younger boy's head. Dennis looks up at him tentatively, his face flushed and eyes wide and almost pleading. Robby leans down and crowds the boy against the wall.

"You like it." It wasn't a question this time.

"I do." Dennis swallows. "I like your hands on me, Dr. Robby."

Robby exhales shakily. "Is that what you mentioned earlier, being inappropriate?" He recalls what he overheard when he and Jack first approached their table.

"The girls were teasing, saying you had... feelings for me. That that was why you put your hands on me so often. Obviously I told them that's not true, that you wouldn't..." Dennis trails off as Robby's hands land on his hips like fire against his wind-whipped cold exposed skin.

"Wouldn't I?" Robby's thumbs stroke Dennis' midriff, his large hands taking up most of the space there. Dennis has to hold back a pathetic whimper at the touch, biting his tongue so his attending doesn't see how much those hands really affect him.

"What are you saying, Dr. Robby?" Dennis asks quietly, trying to focus on the older man's face instead of the fingers caressing his stomach.

"Depends on what you want the truth to be. Do you want me to have feelings for you, Whitaker?"

"Dennis. You can call me Dennis outside of work."

"And you can drop the title outside of work. That doesn't answer my question though. What do you want from me, Dennis?"

"I..." Dennis can feel the heat on his cheeks and his unsteady breathing is obvious to both of them. "You. I want you, Dr. Robby."

Chapter Text

Dennis can hardly register what happens before he's melting into a kiss, arms wrapped around Robby's neck as tongues dance and hands explore his body. Robby's hands drift up under Dennis' crop top, exploring the flat expanse of skin, pausing when he feels the long scars going horizontally across his chest. Robby doesn't press about it, or even ask, instead moving his hands back to Dennis' hips and pulling him against himself.

Dennis moans into Robby's mouth as their bodies press together, the sound making Robby twitch in his jeans. Dennis feels it and presses their hips together causing Robby to groan and pulls away, much to his disappointment. Dennis tries to chase the older man's retreating lips but he puts his hand against his mouth.

"We can't, not here." Robby rests his forehead against Dennis' own.

"Take me home then." Dennis whispers. "Don't you dare leave me hanging after giving me what I've wanted for the last nine months."

"Nine months huh? You only started your rotation at The Pitt nine months ago." Robby smirks.

"Yeah, and I had my eye on you from day one. How couldn't I? Especially with how much you loved touching me."

"You got a thing for being manhandled, sweetheart?" The pet name makes Dennis melt immediately.

"Maybe." He admits bashfully. "I think you like manhandling me too."

"Maybe." Robby chuckles, grabbing Dennis by the waist again.

"So you gonna take me home or not?"

"I think I'd die if I didn't." 

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Stepping into Robby's front door almost feels unreal to Dennis. He's painfully sober now and realizing a bit too late this is probably a really bad idea, but with Robby's hand on his lower back guiding him inside how is he supposed to walk away? He can't see any reason not to sleep with his boss besides 'HR nightmare' and potential career loss, and when he's thinking with the wrong head it doesn't seem like too bad a repercussion. After all he's dreamed about this, touched himself to the thought of it nearly nightly, for almost a year now. 

Random dates never took his mind off it, grinding on a stranger at the club didn't help either. Even nearly blackout drunk with another man's hands on him, all Dennis could think about was Robby. Robby and those damn hands. 

Dennis is snapped out of his nearly spiraling thoughts by Robby's voice. "You want something to drink, sweetheart?" He asks in such a sickly sweet voice that all doubt leaves Dennis immediately.

"I can think of something better to swallow." He says with a rush of boldness, reaching up and wrapping his arms around the older man's neck.

Robby flushes slightly at the unexpected boldness from his intern. "My my, quite the mouth on you, Whitaker."

"Usually people say that after using it." 

"Using it?" Robby echoes as he sits Dennis on the couch with him.

"Mhm." Dennis smiles, hooking a leg over Robby's lap and straddling him. Robby's hands immediately gravitate to the boy's hips, pulling him down firmly against him. Dennis lets out a soft sigh as he feels Robby's erection pressed against his pussy. The friction elicits a groan from the older man and his hands tighten on Dennis' hips.

"Keep moving like that and I won't have a chance to use your mouth."

"There's always next time." Dennis says with a breath and another grind against him.

"Next time, hm?"

"If you want... A next time..." Dennis says somewhat nervously between gasps.

"I want every time to be with you, Den." Robby presses a kiss to Dennis' throat as he grinds up against him.

"Oh fuck- Robby, don't say things like that." Dennis whines, tilting his head to give Robby better access to his neck. "You'll give me the wrong idea."

"If the idea you're getting is that I want to be with you then it's not wrong." Robby mutters against Dennis' throat as he trails his lips down to his collarbone and sucks a dark purple mark where his scrubs will just barely cover it.

Dennis moans sweetly, gripping Robby's shoulders hard as they grind. "We- We can talk about that later, please, if I don't get your dick in me soon I'm gonna cum in my pants like a teenager."

Robby chuckles and picks Dennis up, letting him wrap his legs around him. "Alright, sex now, feelings later." He says as he carries him off to his bedroom. 

Robby's room is similar to the rest of his apartment, muted natural colors, untidy but not necessarily dirty, books absolutely everywhere. Robby lays Dennis down in a sea of cream sheets and forest green comforter. "You look right at home on my bed, sweetheart."

Dennis blushes and props himself up on his elbows. "Robby, please." 

"Please what?"

"Please, fuck me already." He whines, a cute pout on his lips.

"Such manners. You wanna undress for me or should I do it myself?" Robby asks as his hands roam up Dennis' thighs, spreading his legs with no resistance.

"Do it for me, please?" Dennis looks up at him with those big pleading eyes again.

"Whatever you want, pet." Robby pulls Dennis' crop top off him and connects their lips again, kissing him slow and tenderly as he unbuckles his pants. He taps the side of Dennis' leg as a cue to lift his hips and pulls his pants and briefs off in one motion.

"Oh fuck, I- I didn't tell you-" Dennis panics slightly when he realizes he never mentioned being transgender.

Looking down at the bare man below him, Robby has to stifle a groan at how delicious the view is. "No, I knew already. You look so fucking pretty, baby."

"You... knew?"

"At the bar, when I was kissing you? I touched your chest under your shirt. Felt these." Robby explains as he traces the long thin scars going across Dennis' chest. "Plus I would've felt a dick when we were grinding thirty seconds ago."

"It doesn't bother you?"

"Why would it? None of that matters to me, I'm into men and women. More importantly I'm into you, Dennis." Robby places a kiss on his forehead. "Whatever you had down here would have always been fine with me." He says as he grips Dennis' thighs and spreads them gently.

"Robby..." Dennis trails off, more emotional than horny now.

"Sorry, ruin the mood?" Robby sits on the bed beside Dennis and strokes his bare thigh soothingly.

"No, no, not at all. It just kind of surprised me. No one has ever said something like that to me." Dennis lays his head against Robby's shoulder and Robby's free hand cradles his face, making him look at him before kissing him tenderly.

"Let me say all the nice things you deserve to hear then."

Dennis simply whines into his mouth in response, moving to straddle his boss once again. They continue to kiss, still soft and tender, full of undeniable affection. Robby's hands find Dennis' hips again, he seems to like touching him there, and gives them a gentle squeeze.

"So pretty, sweetheart, so good." Dennis keens at that and Robby smiles into the kiss. "Yeah, you're my good boy aren't you, Den?" Robby asks as his right hand moves to thumb at the younger man's clit.

Dennis practically whimpers at the touch, rutting his hips against the hand between his thighs. His own hands grip Robby's shoulders and he realizes the older man is still fully dressed. Dennis tugs at the shirt and mutters. "Off, off."

"You want me to undress too sweetheart?"

"Please, wanna see you, feel you, please."

"Good boy asking for what you want." Robby pecks his lips again before pulling off his shirt.

Once done with that, Dennis' hands move to fumble with Robby's belt buckle, barely managing to undo it with his eagerness. Robby moves Dennis off his lap and strips the rest of his clothes off. Dennis stares at him enamored, practically drooling at his soft body, a forest of brown and grey hair covering the expanse of skin. His cock stands tall in front of Dennis in a nest of greying hair, average length and incredibly thick with a slight curve upwards. Dennis' hungry eyes can't decide where he wants to look, flicking from his cock to his chest to his face. 

"Want back in my lap baby?" 

"Can I ride you?" Dennis blurts out with a flush on his cheeks.

"I was planning on taking care of you but who am I to deny such a good boy what he wants?" Robby sits on the bed, leaning against the headboard as Dennis eagerly crawls into his lap again. "You sure like sitting on my lap."

"It's comfy." Dennis mutters shyly.

"Don't worry, I like having you in my lap too." Robby kisses his neck as his fingers find Dennis' cunt again, stroking his clit and slicking him up as two fingers run over his hole, collecting the moisture and spreading it all over him.

Dennis whines and gasps at the feeling, keening louder when a thick finger slips into his slick hole. "Oh fuck, Robby..." 

"So tight baby, you're sucking me in."

"Hurry please, need you in me." Dennis rocks on the finger inside him.

Robby smirks and curls his finger against Dennis' sweet spot. "I am in you sweetheart."

"Not enough, need your cock, please Robby." Dennis lays his head on Robby's shoulder, desperately grinding on his hand begging for more.

Robby relents to his pleading and adds a second finger, scissoring him open and stroking that spot inside him. 

"Fuck fuck fuck," Dennis pants, legs shaking as that familiar pool of heat stirs deep in his belly. "Stop stop, wanna cum on your cock, please." He begs, squirming in the older man's lap.

"I think you can manage more than one, can't you baby?" Robby coos as he relentlessly fucks him after adding a third finger, palm hitting his engorged clit with every thrust.

"Robby! Fuck, I'm-" Dennis bites down on Robby's shoulder as he climaxes, warm fluid spraying on the man's hand and lap just below him.

The explosive orgasm just spurs Robby on more, he continues fingering him harder and coaxing out even more juices out of him. "Holy shit, Den..."

Dennis lifted his head slowly to look down at the mess between them. His legs are still twitching and Robby's fingers are still in him, moving slower now as to not overstimulate him. "I've never... done that before..." He mutters bashfully.

"Think you can do it again? Fuck, that was probably the hottest thing I've ever seen." Robby says before kissing him gently, slipping his fingers out of Dennis carefully.

Dennis hums contentedly. "Maybe, if you put it in." Dennis takes Robby's wrist and lifts his wet hand to his mouth, licking off his own squirt with the most innocent yet seductive expression Robby has ever seen on him.

"So desperate for it, you've been begging this whole time." Robby chuckles and grips his painfully hard cock he's been ignoring in favor of taking care of his boy. 

Robby rubs the tip of his leaking cock against Dennis' clit, making him whimper. His other hand still at his mouth, Robby presses his middle and ring finger flat against his tongue and pushes them deeper in his mouth.

Dennis groans around the fingers, eyes rolling back. Robby smirks and takes his fingers out again.

"Please put it in, I need it I need you." Dennis begs as he lifts his hips and tries to take it in himself.

"Hang on baby, I need a condom." Robby reaches for the bedside table drawer.

"No, I'm clean, and I have an IUD. Please, I need you to fill me up."

"Are you sure? You don't know my sexual history."

"Robby if you don't put your fucking dick in me right now I swear to god."

Robby sighs, and against his better judgement, withgoes a condom. Any reservations he had about going raw however, are thrown out the window the second Dennis starts to sink down on his cock with a beautiful moan. Feeling the warm velvety walls wrap around his cock felt like heaven, and Robby decided that if he died right now he would be content.

Dennis' legs quiver as he lowers himself on Robby's cock, thicker than anything he's taken before, and now he's actually glad that he came on his fingers because he's not sure he would be able to take it without that much prep. "Oh my god, so fucking big..."

Bottoming out almost proved to be too much for both of them, moaning in tandem as Robby's tip pressed comfortably against Dennis' cervix. Dennis shudders at the fullness, his head landing on Robby's shoulder again as he adjusts to the size.

"So perfect for me baby, taking me so well, like you were made for it." Robby mutters as he rubs Dennis' back soothingly. 

"So full, so fucking full." The boy whines with a pleasant shiver going up his spine.

"Take your time sweetheart, relax, deep breaths."

Dennis takes a shuddering breath and relaxes into Robby, letting himself be cradled and comforted. After a few moments of being held and breathing Dennis starts to move a little bit, lifting his hips and letting Robby's cock slip out of him by just an inch or two before landing back down. Every time he lowers himself again he can feel the pressure in his stomach, eliciting a moan out of him.

"Shit, how are you so fucking big?"

"I'm not that big sweetheart, you're just really fucking tight." Robby's hands run down Dennis' sides and he can feel his cock bulging through his stomach. "Fucking hell, you're small."

With a shaking hand Dennis touches his stomach, feeling the bulge of Robby's cock and it makes him feel drunk again. "Holy shit..."

Riding Robby proves to be more challenging than Dennis anticipated, his legs are shaking and he's struggling to lift himself up even with Robby's hands on his hips helping him.

"You want me to take over?" Robby offers when he notices Dennis struggling to lift himself. Dennis replies with a cute nod and Robby takes himself out, laying Dennis back on his bed.

Lifting Dennis' legs, Robby settles on his knees between them and rests Dennis' legs on his thighs. Robby swears that entering Dennis again feels better than the first time, letting out a string of curses as he sinks into the tight heat.

"You can move, I'm okay." Dennis gasps.

Robby moves slowly at first, long drags in and out making Dennis whine and beg for more. He's leaning over Dennis, hands on either side of his head. Dennis' nails rake down Robby's back as he whines and moans and begs, begs for anything that Robby will give him.

"You're gonna be the death of me, kid." Robby grunts as he increases his speed, each deep rough thrust punching another moan out of the boy under him.

"Kiss me again please." Dennis asks so sweetly Robby can't deny him. He presses their lips together again, drinking in every little sound Dennis lets out.

"You sound so sweet, Den, doing so good for me."

"Good? 'm doing good?"

"Yes you are baby, such a good boy for me." Dennis keens at the praise, clenching around Robby and making him groan. "Keep doing that and I won't last long."

Robby pounds into him harder, claiming his mouth once more as he feels himself nearing his peak. After all the foreplay and teasing, he hasn't managed to last quite as long as he'd hoped.

Dennis must notice that he's getting close because he wraps his legs around Robby's waist and his arms around his neck. "Inside please, finish inside me."

Robby can't argue with such an enticing plea. His hips stutter through the final few deep thrusts as he fills the boy's pussy with his cum, a long drawn out groan falling from his mouth. 

Dennis whines and shudders as he's filled, clenching tight around him as he climaxes himself, nails digging deep into Robby's shoulders. "Robby!" He cries out, tears pricking at his eyes.

Robby kisses the tears away from his eyes and slowly pulls out, watching as his load seeps out of Dennis' abused cunt. Without a word he shifts down on the bed, hooking Dennis' legs over his shoulders as he goes down on him, licking up their mixed fluids and sucking Dennis' clit. His thighs close around Robby's head and his hands fist his hair, throwing his head back in an overwhelmed moan.

"Too much, fuck, it's too much Robby!" Dennis cries out as his tongue attacks his overstimulated clit.

"Just one more, gimme one more sweetheart." Robby breaks to say before going right back in with an incredible vigor, like he's been dying to eat him since the day they met.

Dennis shudders as he cums in Robby's mouth, the third orgasm fully exhausting him, his body numb and tingling all over.

"Good job baby, you did so good for me, so perfect." Robby brushes the sweat slick bangs from Dennis' forehead and kisses it before collapsing beside him. 

"I think... You killed me..." Dennis pants, chest rising and falling faster than usual as he lays limp in his bosses bed. "So much for being an old man."

"I've been doing this longer than you've been alive, sweetheart. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." Robby smiles playfully, not letting his guilty thoughts of fucking someone so much younger even come to the front of his mind.

"Is it bad that turns me on?" Dennis laughs humorlessly.

"Is it bad I want it to?" Robby asks back.

"What, you want me to call you daddy or something?" Robby doesn't reply, but it answers everything. "Next time."

"You really are gonna be the death of me."

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Dennis isn't sure when he fell asleep, but he wakes up to an empty bed and the smell of coffee. He sits up carefully, wincing at the pain in his lower back that he notes to complain to Robby about later, and pulls on a pair of boxers on the floor. They aren't his briefs from last night, but they were the nearest thing to cover him.

Dennis pads out of the bedroom and manages to find his way to the kitchen. Robby is in there with a pot of coffee still being filled and two bowls of hot oatmeal on the table. He hears the creak of the floorboards and turns to look at Dennis.

"Good morning. Oatmeal's on the table for you, coffee on the way." Robby says somewhat detached, very different from the soft gentle pet names and kisses from last night. It hurts Dennis a little but he rationalizes it with Robby just feeling awkward.

"Thank you, love." Dennis says as he hugs Robby from behind, feeling the older man tense up for a moment before relaxing.

"You don't have any regrets then?" Robby asks quietly.

"Why would I?"

"I'm twice your age, your boss, not much to look at, you were drunk, there's a long list of reasons."

"I'm gonna ignore the self deprecation for now. I wasn't drunk enough to not think, it just gave me courage. I've wanted this, Robby. I've wanted you for fucking months."

"You shouldn't."

"Don't tell me what I should and shouldn't want, who I shouldn't have feelings for. I know it's complicated because of work, but that's the only part I'm not excited for. I don't care about your age, I think you're fucking gorgeous, and I'll do whatever paperwork or meetings or whatever the hell to stay with you, to stay in The Pitt." Dennis says firmly, not letting Robby interrupt for a second as he gets everything out.

"You're sure this is what you want? You're okay with whatever repercussions come with being with me?" Robby asks carefully, causing Dennis to roll his eyes.

"I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you." Dennis says with hands on his hips.

Robby doesn't reply, instead pulling Dennis into a kiss. Dennis melts immediately, any frustration gone the second their lips touch.

"Fuck, I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you too." Robby rests his forehead against Dennis' with a sigh.

"Does that mean we're dating then? Boyfriends, or partners, or whatever old people prefer."

Robby laughs at the teasing. "I like partners, but you can call us whatever you want."

"Partners." Dennis tries it, feels the word on his tongue. "Sounds nice, mature. I like it."

"I'll set up a meeting with HR soon, it'll be annoying but worth it."

"Wanna keep it on the down low? I kind of wanna see how long it takes people to figure it out." Dennis smiles.

"I think Santos is rubbing off on you in a dangerous way." Robby pulls away from Dennis and pours them coffee before sitting at the table to finally eat breakfast. "Go ahead, play your game."

"Come on, you can't tell me it doesn't sound funny, just imagine the betting board."

Robby shakes his head disapprovingly but the smile on his face betrays him.

Chapter Text

Walking into The Pitt after a long domestic day off at Robby's was thrilling for a couple reasons. The first reason is that Dennis absolutely loves his job. He's always eager to get back and solve puzzles and save lives. The second being the excitement of a budding romance kept hidden. Every brush past his attending, every case presentation or emergency procedure felt all the more exciting knowing something no one but the two of them did.

Dennis looks up at Robby from where he's sitting at his station with that heart-melting sickly sweet smile that seems to be reserved just for the attending and rattles off the symptoms and his suggested care route for his latest patient.

"All that sounds good to me." Robby says without looking up from the tablet in his hands, his reading glasses perched on his nose.

"Okay, I can get on that as soon as I finish charting it." Dennis says with a somewhat loud crunch of a protein bar. They were a bit too busy to grab breakfast on their way out this morning.

"Getting more crumbs on my station, Dr. Whitaker?" Robby asks with a smile as he leans over the nurses counter.

Dennis flushes and looks down at the keyboard, seeing just a few tiny crumbs, which he brushed away immediately. "No sir, not at all." 

Robby chuckles and takes his glasses off. "Finish eating quick Dr. Whitaker." He sets down the tablet and walks off to see a patient.

"Yes captain." Dennis salutes playfully and goes back to charting.

As it turns out, hiding a relationship is much more difficult than Dennis thought when he's cornered by Trinity in the hallway.

"Huckleberry where the hell have you been?!" Trinity shouts when they have a free moment. "Not a single text? You didn't think to tell your best friend and roommate that you'd be MIA for two nights?!"

"Oh my god Trin I'm so sorry, my phone died at the bar and I was a little... busy..." Dennis flushes.

"Jesus Christ Huck, next time you make a 36 hour dick appointment at least let me know you aren't dead. You just disappeared from the bar after going outside with Dr. Robby... Hang on." Trinity's jaw drops when she puts two and two together. "Dr. Robby?! Man I was kidding about that stuff. Mostly."

"Shh! Oh my god, shut up, Trinity you can't tell anyone!" Dennis puts a hand to her mouth instinctively, looking around the hallway frantically for any eavesdropping coworkers.

Trinity yanks his hand off her face with a pointed look. "Do that again and see how many gay little fingers you end up keeping."

"Listen, it just happened, we haven't even had a meeting with HR yet so we can't let anyone find out yet."

"Alright fine, I'll drop it for now but the second we get home you are spilling everything."

"Okay, I will, but seriously I mean it, no gossip. That includes Tagalog." Dennis points at her accusingly, knowing her well enough at this point that she would immediately spill to Princess.

"Oh my god fine, buzzkill." Trinity rolls her eyes, hands raised in surrender.

Dennis' heart is racing as he walks away from the confrontation, turning a corner too fast and landing right into Robby's chest.

"Woah there," Robby catches Dennis before he lands on the floor, his hands instinctively grabbing Dennis' hips. "In a hurry?" 

A shiver goes up Dennis' spine at the strong hands gripping his waist. "Uh no, not really, sorry I wasn't paying attention."

"You're alright, don't worry about it." Robby looks down at Dennis and awkwardly removes his hands from him, glancing around quickly to see if anyone noticed.

"I was just talking to Dr. Santos, she uh, put two and two together."

"Well damn that was quick. She's a smart one, can't say I didn't see it coming."

"She's decided I'm telling her everything after work." Dennis runs a hand through his hair.

"You mean I don't get to take you home again?" Robby crosses his arms with a smile.

"As much as I'd love that, no, not tonight." Dennis sighs before continuing. "Maybe tomorrow night." He mutters.

"Sounds good Whitaker," Robby smiles before checking his watch. "I've got some cases to look over so I'll see you later, alright?"

"Alright," Dennis watches fondly as Robby walks away, probably staring too long before going back to work.

✦•┈⋅⋯♡⋯⋅┈•✦

"Alright Miss Rivera, keep this dressing clean and dry and come back in a couple days so we can check on it, alright?" Dennis says as he finishes wrapping up an older lady's hand. 

"Thank you so much sweetheart, it's always nice to be doted on by a handsome young man like yourself. My children might as well have abandoned their poor mother, leaving me all alone in that big house."

Dennis' chest tightens, thinking of his own mother he left back in Nebraska. He swallows the feeling and refocuses on his patient. 

"Do you need assistance at home, Miss Rivera? I can call Kiara our social worker and she can help set something up for you."

"Oh no, that's quite alright, I can take care of myself." She assures him. "I just wish they'd stayed closer to home when they moved out, or at least give me a call every once in a while." She sighs and examines her bandaged hand.

The pit in Dennis' stomach grows as she talks about her children. He knows his mom probably feels the same way about him at least. He hasn't talked to his older brothers but he was the last to leave the farm house, he has no idea how often they call and visit but he knows that he himself doesn't.

After discharging Miss Rivera, Dennis takes a seat in the staff lounge since there's a lull in urgent cases. He puts his head in his hands and leans over the table, stuck in his head about home. He hasn't called home in months, since he was staying in the empty floor of the hospital. Not that they know about that either.

Dennis has been keeping too many secrets from home. How his rotations were going, being homeless, and now Robby. Not everything he's kept from them has been bad, but he feels incredibly guilty about it. Probably more so because he's kept even good things from them.

"Do you really have to go all the way out there to become a doctor, Denny? Surely you can stay here and work at the clinic in town!" His mother cried, gripping his shoulders tight.

"Please Ma, you already knew I was leaving months ago. I'm gonna be late for my flight." Dennis' voice wavered when he saw the tears in his mother's eyes.

"It's just so far away, you've never left home before, you'll be all on your own out there. I can't protect you from here."

"I don't need you to protect me. I'm an adult now I can take care of myself." He said as he walked out the door, suitcase dragging behind him.

Except he couldn't take care of himself. He ended up homeless and starving until Trinity took him in like a lost puppy. Dennis groans into his hands and sinks further into the chair.

"Hey kid, you doing okay?" Dennis didn't hear the door open until Dana spoke.

"Oh, hey Dana. Yeah I'm okay, just thinking about some things." He says vaguely.

"Cmon, spill. I've got a minute free." Dana takes a seat next to him expectantly.

Dennis takes a deep breath and leans back in his chair. "It's just been a few months since I've called home. Too long to just call and pretend everything is fine."

"I don't know your folks, but I'm sure they'd love to hear from you. You're their kid, they'll get over the radio silence eventually."

"I don't know, I feel like there's too much to catch them up on that they won't be happy I didn't tell them right away."

"Then don't spill your guts on the first call. Ease 'em into it over time."

Dennis sits with the idea for a moment, mulling it over. "I guess you're right, thanks Dana."

"I'm always right kid." Dana pats him on the shoulder before standing and pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Here," She passed him a mug as well. "You look like you need it."

"Thanks, I should get back out there though."

"Leave it at my station then, I'll hold it for you."

Dennis nods his thanks and heads back out. The rest of his shift goes smoothly, taking a minute between patients to sip the coffee Dana got him. The last words his mother spoke to him in person still repeat in his mind.

"I can't protect you from here."

By the lockers, Dennis is chatting with Robby when Trinity comes in and grabs him by the collar, dragging him away.

"What the hell- Trinity, let go of me!" He tries to get out of her grasp but she tightens her grip.

"See you tomorrow, Whitaker. Try not to get killed by Dr. Santos in the meantime." Robby calls after them.

✦•┈⋅⋯♡⋯⋅┈•✦

Dennis is thrown unceremoniously into the car by his roommate, who he's now considering ending that situation with. "Was all of that really necessary? Did you see the looks on everyone's faces when we left? It looked like you found your husband with another woman and dragged him home by the ear." He scowls.

"We have business to attend to Huckleberry, your little chat with your boyfriend can wait."

"Oh come on, is it really that serious?"

"Yes it's that serious! You're dating our boss, Dennis."

"No, please don't use my real name, you never do that and it's scary."

"Okay look, I know I was joking around about you and Dr. Robby but I didn't think you'd go and hookup with him the same night. Isn't that like, a fucking terrible idea?"

"I mean probably! Honestly I don't really care enough, I've had a thing for him since day one and now I finally have him. You should be happy for me."

"Alright, I need alcohol for this, drop it 'til we get home." Trinity sighs as she turns the steering wheel.

Dennis crosses his arm and looks out the window as they drive in silence for the rest of the ride. He thinks back to that morning, cuddling in bed with Robby after a passionate night. Having another hour of fun and ending up having to skip breakfast. Before he knows it they're pulling into the apartment parking lot.

Stepping into their shared apartment feels more tense than usual. Dennis drops his bag by the door and announces that he's going to take a shower before they talk.

The hot water cascading down Dennis' body is a welcome relief after his shift and helps him wind down for what's sure to be an incredibly awkward conversation with Trinity. He scrubs himself clean and sits under the water for an extra few minutes just to prolong the inevitable.

They sit on the couch with some microwaved leftovers, Trinity breaking the silence after a few minutes of awkwardness. "So are you like, actually dating now?"

"Uh, yeah, yeah we are." Dennis purposely avoided eye contact as he takes another bite of pasta.

"Okay, okay... He didn't like, take advantage of you or anything right? I mean you were both drinking."

"What? No! No of course not! We like, mutually came on to each other."

"Okay, did not need to know that."

"God Trin, not like that!" Dennis flushes red and makes a scandalized face.

"I mean you had sex right? No way you spent that long together and didn't bone."

Dennis cringes at the word bone. "Well yeah, we did."

"You used protection right?"

"Uh, not that it's any of your business, but no... I know I'm clean and he wouldn't lie about that either."

"He really convinced you to go raw first time?" Trinity makes a face.

"No... I uh... Kinda begged him to actually..." Dennis takes a sip of his water, suddenly wishing it were alcohol like Trinity had.

"Okay now that I really, seriously, didn't need to know." 

"You asked." Dennis takes her cup and takes a swig of alcohol.

"Don't bring logic into this, I don't wanna hear about your breeding kink." Trinity takes the cup from Dennis and takes another gulp.

"Maybe I should take out my IUD." Dennis jokes.

"Wait- your what?" Trinity's brows furrow.

"My... IUD?" Dennis looks equally confused now.

A beat passes between them before her eyes widen. "Holy shit, you're trans?!"

"Oh my god Trin, how did you not fucking know that?"

"I've never seen you shirtless!"

"Yes you have! The first day we met?!"

Realization dawned on her face. "Oh my god, that day was so traumatic I didn't even register that, holy shit. Wait I called you a girl the other day, shit I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about that crap, it didn't bother me." Dennis leans back on the couch. "Jesus Christ I can't believe you had no idea."

"To be fair, we don't really walk around talking about our vaginas." Trinity pauses. "Am I allowed to call it that?"

"I'd prefer you don't talk about my vagina at all, but yeah I don't really care. What else would you even call it?"

"Male box."

"You disgust me." Dennis laughs, making Trinity smile.

"Anyways, shocking revelations aside, are you guys gonna tell the rest of the ER about this?"

"Nah, I said it would be funny to see how long it takes people to figure out. I wanna see if we end up on the betting board." Dennis chuckles, some would argue evilly.

"You," Trinity points at him. "Are messy. I knew there was a reason we're friends."

The rest of the night is spent watching some shitty tv show, the tension having dissipated hours ago. It's around eleven at night by the time the two of them are too exhausted to keep watching the poor quality ghost hunting show Trinity insisted on putting on. Dennis lays in his bed staring up at the ceiling absently, wishing he had Robby's phone number right about now. At least he'll see him tomorrow.