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Chapter Text

Dennis had a curse. He was destined to ruin at least one pair of scrubs a shift... And that was on a good day. 

He found an empty room and stripped down to his boxers. Dennis had taken to bringing a spare pair of scrubs with his since the machine wouldn't give him new ones until he got his of his old ones. It was complete and utter bullshit Dennis had decided on day one since the machine was in the middle of a hallway for everyone to see. 

While Dennis was mostly naked the door flew open to reveal two people arguing. Dennis' arms shot up over his chest. He was pre top surgery and even if his tits were small they were still there. He used his new shirt to hide his top but his bottom half was still exposed.

The arguing ceased as Dana and Robby walked noticed him. What they were arguing about Dennis had no clue but he could tell it wasn't serious. 

"Whitaker." Robby blurted, "sorry didn't know you were in here." 

"It's fine," Dennis assured even through it was completely not fine. 

"You changing your scrubs?" Dana asked. 

Dennis nodded and both apologised again and turned and left, but as they walked out the door Dennis failed to notice the way Robby looked back at him raking over his figure. 

Dennis wasn't petite that was for sure. He grew up on a farm and whether he was born with a vagina or not he did a shit ton of farm work. He was well built. Maybe a little softer since he moved to Pittsburgh for his internship but either way he could throw a bale of hay like it was no one's business. 

Dennis changed and finished the rest of his shift with no more incidents. As he walked out into the carpark, he got a text from his roommate trinity. 

She said that she had been called in for an emergency by her parents a that she couldn't drive Dennis home. 

"Fuck." Dennis groaned running a hand through his hair. 

"Everything ok Whitaker?" A voice asked from behind Dennis startling him. 

As he turned around he saw Robby. His scrubs were still on just with the jacket over it. He looked tried which was something Dennis could relate to.

"Yeah," Dennis nodded, "my ride just got caught up and can't drive me home." 

"Bummer." Robby agreed, "don't need a ride do you?" 

"Thanks but I couldn't ask you to do that, it's a long drive," Dennis assured.

He couldn't allow Robby to do that, not when he looked so damn tired. 

"Not a problem for me," Robby assured, "I needed to talk to you anyway." 

Dennis froze. It had to be about today. Robby saw his binder and was going to ask about it. Dennis was fucked. It was his parents all over again. 

Dennis shuddered at the thought of when he told his parents he was trans. He had the scars to show for it. 

"Fine, ok," Dennis nodded.

The two walked to Robby's truck. Dennis slid into the passengers seat, which was a nice cool leather. Though Dennis was a bit cold and was still in his scrubs so he had goosebumps over his exposed forearms.

Robby became the unknowing saviour when he cranked up the heat and turned on the heated seats. Dennis sunk into them as they warmed up. 

The car started and Robby drove. He handed Dennis his phone to plug in his address and Dennis did so. It was quiet for the first couple of minutes but Robby broke it.

"Sorry again for walking in on you," Robby apologised. 

Dennis felt his face flush but just mumbled that it was ok and that mistakes happen. 

"Anyway what I wanted to ask you about was the bite marks on your body, and the unholy about of bruises," Robby said.

Dennis froze... ok so there was an explanation. Dennis was a vampire. Not in the traditional sense but he was one. He drank blood was stronger and had what they'd call powers but he wasn't immortal. He could become Immortal though a ritual but he wanted a few more years of life under his belt before he considered that. 

He was also born a vampire the bite marks were from all the fights he got in with other vampires. The bruises were mainly from the nights he'd spend crashing through the streets trying to even just a small rat to eat. 

When Dennis was hungry he wasn't exactly sane. 

"Oh it's nothing," Dennis assured, "I'm clumsy and I grew up with three older brothers they bite." 

Robby gave an unconvinced hum and pulled over. But thy weren't at Dennis' place they were at a small but nice looking house. 

"Don't mind if I grab something from my place do you?" Robby questioned. 

"All good," Dennis agreed.

"Come in then," Robby said, as he got out of the car. 

Dennis obliged and walked into Robby's house. The inside was cozy and looked lived in. Robby never seemed like a neat freak but he was a lot messier than Dennis had expected. 

"Sorry about the mess, wasn't expecting guests," Robby apologised, as if reading Dennis' mind. 

Dennis hummed in response looking around. Suddenly Dennis felt something rubbing against his feet. Dennis looked down and saw a fluffy black cat rubbing at his feet. 

"I didn't know you had a cat," Dennis gasped, bending down to pet the creature who was being incessant about it. 

Robby looked down from the cabinet he was digging in at scowled at the cat. 

"My ex brought it then left it here when she ran off with some other guy she'd been sleeping with," Robby explained. 

Dennis frowned at the explanation. Who could do that Robby a man so perfect. Dennis found his chest had filled with something akin to anger and jealousy. Anger for what Robby's ex did and jealousy that someone else had been with Robby. 

Dennis shook the thought away and resumed petting the cat he had stopped petting when he had gotten lost in his thoughts. 

"I don't actually like the cat," Robby admitted, "the bastard hates me even more, but I'd rather not put another animal in the shelter unnecessarily." 

"Oh," Dennis hummed, "what's its name?" 

"Her name is Kat with a K," Robby explained. 

Dennis looked down at Kat who was meowing hungrily. Most animals avoided Dennis, being able to sense he was a vampire, but Kat didn't seem to mind and that's when Dennis decided she was his new favourite thing. 

"Got what I need," Robby declared walking over to Dennis. 

Dennis was surprised to be handed a set of keys. He gave a confused look to Robby hoping for an explanation. 

"It's a spare key to my place incase you get stuck again and I'm not around, can't have you getting murdered or something," Robby explained. 

Dennis felt something shift inside him. He wanted to get up and throw his arms around the older man, but decided that would be too unprofessional. 

He stood up and held the keys to his chest.

"Thank you so much," Dennis muttered trying to hide the flush on his face. 

Robby put a hand on Dennis' shoulder and shook him a little. Dennis tried not to lean too far into the touch as to not make it weird. 

They both stood there for a while silence coating the room in a thick layer of tension. That tension was broken by the yowl of Kat who was not happy being ignored. Robby removed his hand and looked down at Kat sitting between the pair's feet looking pissed off. 

"I'll feed you when we get home ya shit," Robby said. 

Robby then led Dennis out of the house and back to his car. The ride back to Dennis' place was silent and all Dennis could think about was the lingering ghost of Robby's touch. 

Dennis had kept his feelings for his boss a secret from everyone. He also kept his dirty little thoughts to himself but it was harder to when the man he wanted so badly was sitting next to him in an enclosed space. At least in the pitt there was always someone around to keep Dennis from getting to out of hand. 

When Robby pulled up at his apartment complex and Dennis was able to thank him and leave, Dennis felt like he could finally breathe. His body was aching in all the wrong place now. Thighs rubbing against the heat in his crotch every stair he ascended. 

By the time Dennis got to him apartment he was a mess. He ran into his bedroom and bit down hard on his pillow as he helped himself through his physical feelings so he could deal with his emotional ones.

Being a vampire dampened the effects of Dennis' testosterone. What he lost in its effects he made up with his powers which gave him more control over his body. He couldn't grow himself a penis but what he could do was reshape his vocal cords and make himself a bit less feminine looking. 

This paired with what the testosterone did do gave made him almost the perfect man. What the testosterone did do was one make his libido extremely high. What it didn't do was get rid of his period but it wasn't as heavy as it used to be so that was a plus. 

Back to Dennis' libido. His sex drive was through the roof but as it turns out the more to masturbate the more it takes and the sadder the orgasms become. 

So as Dennis laid there panting, one mediocre orgasm later he knew he finally needed to get over his religious trauma and get laid.

He cleaned himself up and went out into the living room to wait for trinity to get home. 

It was late when she finally turned up and she was exhausted. She fell into Dennis' lap pressing her face into his stomach. 

"Everything ok?" Dennis asked. 

"Yeah, my parents just fell for a scam and thought they were going to lose all their money," trinity sighed. 

"Oh Trin," Dennis sighed petting her hair. 

"Tell me something to make me forget about this, any gossip you've heard. Preferably something from princess or Pearla," trinity demanded. 

Dennis was deciding what to tell her when he got too confident for a split second. 

"Trin, I'm in love with Robby," he blurted out.

Trinity shot up her eyes wide. Suddenly all her exhaustion was gone and she was wide awake ready to listen.

"Explain," she said. 

"Well he just... alway touches me. He's so nice, he drove me home, and he just got that sexy older man energy," Dennis explained, "he drove me home because you were busy, he has a cat he hates because he doesn't want to abandon it in a shelter." 

Trinity then burst out laughing and grabbed Dennis around the shoulders pulling him into a hug. 

"You're an idiot, only you would fall for an older guy," she wheezed.

"Says you," Dennis scoffed, pushing her lightly, "I see the way you look at Garcia." 

Trinity went red and started whacking Dennis with a pillow in defence of herself. Dennis started laughing as he held his hands up to protect himself. 

In the end they laid pressed up against each other on the couch. Dennis heard trinity yawn beside him and knew they should go to bed but he'd just let her fall asleep then he'd carry her. 

"Hey trin," he muttered. 

"Yeah?" She replied. 

"I'm also trans, I was born a girl," he explained.

He was surprised he had said it but it felt right. 

"You're still my Dennis." she muttered. 

Then she was asleep. Dennis picked her up and put her to bed before he went to his own bed. He laid his head down and fell asleep almost instantly. 

———

After dropping Dennis off horn Robby had gone out for drinks with Jack and Dana. He had been through a particularly draining shift and needed a bit of a pick me up. 

He sat at table in a bar with a beer in one hand and the other he rested his heard elbow on the table. He listened to Jack and Dana talk about random things. His mind was still on Whitkater. 

The younger man's body had been so exposed when he had accidentally walked it. Robby couldn't help but feel disappointed that whitaker had been wearing a singlet under his scrubs because by god did Robby want to see every inch of that man's body. 

He had been an idiot giving Whitaker a set of keys but seeing him look so upset and distraught had pulled a string in his heart and he had to give him some sort of safety net. 

All Robby could think about now though was an exhausted Whitaker sprawled out on his couch or guest bedroom having gotten off a long shift. 

The man would preferably had undressed down to his underwear and had been on the verge of sleep when Robby walked in. He thought of the way Whitaker’s eyes would meet him. Robby thought of what he would say hopefully something like. 'Lay with me?' or 'Robby I need you.' 

Robby was brought back to reality by a hand being waved in front of his face. It was Dana's and she was raising eye eyebrow at him. 

"What got you looking out the window like a lovestruck school girl?" She asked. 

"Ah nothing," Robby waved her off.

"I know you," Jack stated, "and you've got something or more accurately someone on your mind." 

"Well I do but nothing like that," Robby lied, "I just gave Whitaker a spare set of my keys if he ever gets stranded, his place is far away and he doesn't drive." 

Dana and Jack looked at each other before bursting out laughing. 

"You wanna fuck the intern," Dana stated. It was not a question.

Robby quickly shook his head. 

"No no, I'm just worried about the guy, you saw him Dana, the bite marks a bruises, anyone would think he was being abused," Robby defended. 

He had actual concerns about the injuries and he didn't believe Whitaker’s explanation to what had happened. 

"You think he's being abused?" Dana asked. 

"I asked him about it and he said he was clumsy and the bites were from his older brothers, but they didn't look like that," Robby explained not being able to hide the worry in his voice. 

"I'll talk to him at work tomorrow if you want," Dana assured, "can't have your boy toy in trouble now can we." 

If Robby weren't already a few drinks deep he would've got in his car right then and left.

"I'm not fucking him," Robby groaned.

"Please, the way you touch him and look at him, anyone with half a brain can tell you want to get him in your bed, and in my opinion go for it, it'll be good for both of you, blow off some steam, Whitaker always looks stressed," Jack told him.

Robby thought on that for a moment. Was what his friend saying right. Whitaker in fact did always look at stressed as Robby felt and a good fuck always helped. 

He wondered if Whitaker would actually use the spare key Robby gave him. And if Robby could use that to his advantage. Maybe he could hint at something if Whitaker was there. He'd never make the intern uncomfortable but if Whitaker was willing Robby would sure as hell try. 

On that note Robby decided to throw in the towel and head home. The bar was only a five minute walk home so he could leave his car here and just walk to it in the morning. He hadn't drank too much so he wouldn't be hung over. 

Robby said goodbye to the other two who he had picked up and were going to order a cab to get back to their homes. 

Once Robby did get home he fell asleep immediately. Apparently more tired than he thought.

Chapter Text

Dennis was in a horrible mood. He had gotten his period that morning and hadn't had any blood for the past week. As he walked into work he noticed when he met anyone's eyes they would hightail it away from him. He hadn't been off blood long enough for it to change his eye colour so he decided he just must've looked really pissed off.

He walked over to the nurses station where he saw Dana. She was giving him a weird look as she drank from her water bottle.

"Good morning Whitaker... or just morning it seems," she greeted.

Dennis rubbed his eyes and sighed.
"Morning," he replied.

"Didn't sleep well?" She asked.

He shook his head and looked up at the board to see who he should tend to. He wanted something easy. Bloodless because if he caught he scent of blood there was no promising he wouldn't lose it.

He would a case of a kid with a fever. And difficulty breathing. Easy enough probably just a cold and rightfully worried parents.

Dennis went to the room and put on a smile. The kid sat there coughing harshly and Whitaker noted the smell that came from it was pneumonia. He could smell a lot of things like this but he still needed to do the proper checks so no one became suspicious.

"I hear someone isn't feeling the best?" Dennis hummed, looking down at the young girl who was wheezing slightly, laying in the hospital bed.

"We thought she just had a cold but she's been getting worse." he mother said frantically.

"I see, what symptoms has she been showing?" Dennis asked.

"She's been coughing, um, the wheezing and fever," her mother tried again.

Dennis pulled out his stethoscope and sat down next to the bed. He set the stethoscope on the girls back and listened around. The breath sounds were in fact crackling.

"Hm, I'd like to get a blood test and X-ray," Dennis explained, "it seems likely she had pneumonia.”

The parents looked at eachother then both nodded and Dennis went to get that sorted out.

At the nurses station again Dennis was starting to get a horrific headache. He was also cramping like a bitch but couldn't take anymore pills unless he wanted to overdose. Physically he would've been fine since being a vampire men's the could take the whole packet and be fine but trinity had seen him pop four this morning and gave him a worried look.

She was also talking to Garcia not far away and if she saw him take anymore she'd call the psych team on him.

"Whitaker," a voice said from behind him.

Hands came down on Dennis' shoulders. He shivered knowing exactly who it was.

"Dr Robby," Dennis replied spinning around.

Robby was looking at him with a rather concerned expression on his face.

"You don't look the best," Robby noted pressing the back of his hand to Dennis' head.

"I'm alright," Dennis assured, "sleeps been a unobtainable luxury these past few days."

Robby frowned.

"It takes a while to get back to yours, you're getting home to late, stay at mine tonight," Robby said.

Dennis blinked. He had the set of keys to Robby's house in his bag, but he didn't think he'd have to use them so soon.

Dennis just nodded unable to say no to the offer. He expected Robby to leave but he didn't. They stood looking at each other for a while.

"Boys wrap it up back to work" Dana's voice shook both men out of the tense rope they had been tangled in.

Robby and Dennis used this to shoot away from each other ending up on opposite sides of the ER.

———

Dennis was in a predicament. His shift was over and he was being led to Robby's car by the man himself.

Dennis' predicament you ask? He wanted to do nothing more than sink his teeth into Robby's neck. Venom was pooling in Dennis' mouth. A bitter taste reminding him how hungry he was. Dennis didn't realise he was advancing on the man until Robby turned around and Dennis ran straight into his chest.

Dennis blinked brought back to reality. Robby stared down at him then surprisingly smiled.

"Eager to get some sleep are we?" Robby chuckled unlocking his car.

The sound sent shivers through Dennis' whole entire body causing him to freeze up momentarily. When he got himself together he slipped into the passengers seat of Robby's car buckled his seatbelt.

Robby started the car and the radio turned on, adding quiet slightly crackly music into the air. This for some reason calmed Dennis. It reminded him of home. When Dennis worked with his family they'd set up an old radio that could crackle all the same and play music to liven things up.

Dennis smiled at the memory. His family were fucked up but some things weren't all that bad it almost made him miss home. Then he remembered that his family was basically a vampire cult that would sacrifice farm animals and sometimes humans to their even more fucked up god.

The memory of being made slaughter a creature for such a trivial matter and shuddered. Killing to survive was one things but killing for such practices made Dennis mad.

In his thoughts Dennis hadn't noticed that they had arrived at Robby's until the man’s hand rested on Dennis' shoulder causing him to jump.

"We're here," Robby said.

Dennis nodded and hopped out of the car. He followed Robby inside and the first thing he saw was a black fur ball shoot towards him.

Kat meowed at Dennis' feet rubbing up against him non stop. Dennis bobbed down and pet her. His instincts were fighting him. He wouldn't kill Kat, he wouldn't kill Kat, he would not kill Kat.

Kat sensed his internal struggle and bit him which Dennis honestly appreciated. Robby not so much.

"Get off him you parasite," Robby scolded.

Kat looked at Robby unimpressed and turned away from him making him talk to her butt. Dennis tried not to giggle but he did and Robby caught it. Dennis failed to noticed the way Robby reacted to that and Robby was glad.

"You want something to eat?" Robby asked.

"No thank you, I'm not too hungry at the moment," Dennis replied.

"Oh ok," Robby nodded, "I'll go fix up the guest room for you," just hang on the couch."

Dennis nodded and sat on the couch. Robby disappeared down the hall and Dennis now alone for the first time today felt sleep creep up on him. He closed his eyes not intending to fall asleep just wanting to rest his eyes for a second.

It was clear how that went.

—————

Robby left the guest rooms find Whitaker curled up on his couch. The younger man with his perpetually tired eyes looked somehow still tired even when sleeping. Robby noticed the way Whitaker's scrubs rode up exposing his stomach. Robby clenched his jaw. He was unable to stop the reaction he had, which was for his dick to twitch.

Robby wondered what he would do if Whitaker was in this position awake. Sad tired eyes looking at him with an expression akin to begging.

Robby would get on the couch throw one of the man's legs over his shoulder and fuck him silly.

Robby decidedly shook away that thought and went over to Whitaker scooping him into his arms. He took him to the guest room and laid him in bed. He was nice and pulled off Whitaker's shoes and removed any sharp objects from his pockets. He then left Whitaker to sleep.

Back in Robby's room he shamefully fixed his "growing" problem using his hands which he disgustingly pretended was Whitaker's throat.

———

Dennis woke up vertically venom pooling in his mouth. That wasn't right. He had fallen asleep on Robby's couch by memory. As he opened his eyes he saw a bedroom. Then he felt whatever he was sitting on breath.

His eyes shot down and Dennis. Well he screamed.

He had walked right into Robby's room and was now straddling the man whose eyes shot open and he shot up sending Dennis tumbling backward onto the bed.

Dennis didn't know what to do. Clearly he was hungrier than he had originally thought. He had sought out Robby in his sleep and judging by the venom he was planning to feed off him.

"Whitaker what the fuck," Robby asked.

Robby would think he was a weirdo who was trying to sexually assault him. Dennis had never wanted to kill himself more than right now.

"I- I don't know I just woke up here," he trembled hoping Robby would believe him. He wasn't lying.

Robby looked at the shaking Dennis who was clearly upset about what happened and he sighed.

"You sleepwalk often?" Robby asked.

"Sometimes," Dennis nodded in affirmative.

"Could've warned me beforehand." Robby sighed rubbing his eyes.

Dennis went red and mumbled an apology.

All Dennis really wanted to do was curl up beside Robby and let this nightmare be over. Robby didn't know what expression was on the Dennis' face so he decided on the safe bet.

"I'm not mad, we do strange things in our sleep," Robby assured, "not the worst thing I've ever had wake me up, actually one of the better things."

Dennis was confused now. Robby was glad Dennis was in his bed? No Dennis couldn't think like that he was just trying to comfort Dennis which was really nice of him.

"I'm uhm going to go back to bed..." Dennis said getting up.

Dennis gasped as Robby's hand grasped around his wrist. For a split second Dennis thought of how Robby's large hand would feel around Dennis' neck-

Dennis turned back sad eyes illuminated by the sliver of moonlight peaking through the curtain. Dennis almost seemed to be... glowing.

Robby pursed his lips for a second before responding.

"Are you ok?" Robby asked softly.

Dennis smiled.

"Yeah."

With that Dennis went back to his room embarrassed to death.

Chapter Text

The first thing that went wrong for Dennis that morning was an elderly patient dying under his care. The man was named Sean and he had no family but also had a dnr. 

Sean had came in for a twisted ankle. His neighbour had brought him in and everything was going ok. 

It was only a couple minutes after Sean and Dennis were joking the older man's heart gave out. The only thing Dennis could do was provide comfort care until calling time of death. 

Dennis was used to death so it wasn't all that uncommon. But it still hurt it always hurt. But it would only get worse. 

The next thing Dennis had to endure was a young girl who had a piece of rebar in her stomach. She was surgery bound but they were packed with no free OR's and the girl had to wait about half an hour for a helicopter to get her. 

She coded in Dennis' arms while the helicopter was still about ten minutes out. 

She died in his arms. There was nothing he could do and he had to try not to cry and Robby called time of death. 

Number three was a domestic violence victim who went missing half way through their checkup. A passerby found them dead. They had made it to the roof and jumped. 

That had Dennis on edge when the family of Sean came screaming about his will and who got the house. Not one of them seemed to care about their dead relative. 

That's how Dennis ended up here. He was on the same roof the victim had jumped from. He pulled himself over the railing and looked down. 

Dennis sighed he was done with it all. He wondered if the victim- He never got her name, had the right idea by jumping. 

"Whitaker," the voice startled Dennis and he whipped around to see Jack Abbott standing there arms crossed. 

"Dr Abbott," Dennis replied.

"It would be rude of you to kill yourself on my shift you know," Abbott told him.

"Yeah, forgot my manners," Dennis laughed dryly. 

"Bad day," Abbott sighed. He wasn't asking he was making a statement.

"You too?" Dennis asked.

"Two deaths," he muttered hopping over the guard rail to join Whitaker. 

"Three deaths, one family dispute over a dead man's money," Dennis replied, "his name was Sean, they didn't even ask to say goodbye." 

Abbott patted Dennis' back softly. 

"Hear you and Robby have been staying together," Abbott prompted.

It had been almost a full two months since they had started their little sleep over routine and Dennis had become rather fond of it. 

"Yeah, he lets me stay over since he says I look like a corpse sometimes," Dennis chuckled.

"He's fond of you Dennis," Abbott told him, "thinks you're a god doctor and good person." 

"Did he tell you I accidentally straddled him in my sleep?" Dennis asked. 

He'd only told trinity about that but he assumed since Abbott was Robby's trinity Robby would've told him. 

"Yeah," Abbott nodded, "if you're trying to seduce a man for a place to stay don't go for Robby, be prefers baked goods." 

Dennis gave a genuine laugh this time. Maybe he would take up baking then. 

"What's his favourite flavour," Dennis questioned. 

"He's plain, boring old vanilla, or pistachio," Abbott replied.

Dennis nodded then smiled. 

"Thank you for this dr Abbott," Dennis said, "I was in my own head."

"Don't worry about it why do you think I was up here, and call me Jack," Abbott replied.

Dennis nodded. 

They were about to turn around to go back inside when the door flew open and Robby appeared red faced and panicked. He saw both men standing on the other side of the railing and his heart dropped. 

"We're coming back don't worry, Dennis was just giving me a bit of a pep talk," Jack assured.

Dennis internally thanked Jack for covering for his suicidal ass and they both went back of the safe side of the barrier. Dennis was promptly scooped up into a hug along with Jack. 

It was different after Robby had been on the roof, beforehand he could play it off. It was only Jack he had to make sure didn't kill himself and a good conversation usually made things ok. But after pittfest he knew how strong the pull was and he couldn't afford to lose his best friend and the man he... 

Loved?  

Dennis wiggled out of Robby's grip and set a had on his arm with a reassuring smile. Jack on the other hand crossed his arms tiredly. 

"You think trinity would let it go if I tired to kill myself?" Dennis joked.

Robby frowned and sighed. 

"Are you staying at mine tonight?" Robby asked Dennis.

"Trin is going to be out tonight so yeah," Dennis nodded.

Robby nodded and muttered about how that was good, he could watch Dennis. Robby dragged both men back into the building and downstairs he sent Jack on his way and escorted Dennis all the way to the passengers seat of Robby's car.

The drive was awkward. Robby clearly didn't believe that Dennis was only there to help Jack and Dennis wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing. 

Would Dennis even die if he were to jump? He was basically indestructible. He wanted to try. But he'd have to do it when no one was around. 

At Robby's Dennis sat on the couch and was greeted by Kat who purred and curled up on his lap. Robby sat down next to him slinging an arm over the back of the couch. 

Dennis wanted to press himself into Robby's side. He looked comfortable and warm. Exactly what Dennis needed. 

"You can talk to me Whitaker, whenever you know that," Robby tried.

Dennis nodded pulling his knees up to his chest causing Kat to run off.

"It was a long day," Dennis sighed.

"Well sometimes you need something to distract yourself. A hobby to come home to," Robby offered. 

Dennis scoffed.

"And what do you do?" He asked.

"Listen to music, draw, sometimes I play solitaire," Robby rattled off.

"You're old," Dennis stated.

"And what is fun for you young people?" Robby teased.

"Oh yo know, drinking drugs and sex apparently," Dennis replied.

"Only thing I can't do is the drugs," Robby hummed.

"Viagra," Dennis countered.

Robby gave Dennis a look. Dennis just stared back. Dennis finally was paying enough attention to Robby's eyes to notice that they flicked down to his mouth. It made Dennis excited but nervous.

Robby on the other hand was holding back. He wanted to pounce on the man before him. Devour him like a starving man who had seen a feast in front of him full of delicious hearty food. 

Dennis was a feast in his eyes. 

Robby reached forward hand resting on Dennis' cheek. Those sad eyes of Dennis' widened but he leaned into the touch. 

"Whitaker," Robby said other hand reaching around a pulling Dennis closer by his waist. Dennis gasped his hands pressing up against Robby's chest. Not to push him away but to steady himself because all this was making his head fuzzy. 

Robby pulled Dennis closer and closer until their breaths mingled into a single cloud of hot air between them. The only thing between them. 

Robby's hand moved up from Dennis' waist to the back of his head making sure to never break contact with Dennis' body. 

Dennis shivered as the hand scraped up his body but he accepted the warmth that it gave. 

"Robby," Whitaker whispered.

"Pull away Whitaker," Robby said. His voice low and husky.

Dennis moved closer. 

In a split second Robby pressed their lips together. Dennis made a surprised squeak... like a rat. It seems Whitaker had caught rats off that patient on the first day.  

Once Dennis became released from his shock he pushed himself deeper into the kiss. Robby had to remove his hand from Whitaker's cheek to stop himself from falling backwards. Dennis combatted this by gripping the sides of Robby's face. 

Robby wanted nothing more than to touch the younger man everywhere but he didn't want to scare him so he decided on just kissing Dennis back with the same intensity Dennis was giving. 

It wasn't long before the two had to break apart to breathe. The pair stared at each other and it dawned on them what had just happened. 

Dennis stood abruptly eyes wide with fear. Robby was looking at him with a similar expression. Though Dennis in his state of panic failed to notice the pain in Robby's eyes as he ran to his bedroom slamming the door. 

It was around twenty minute later he heard the front door open and shut then the sound of Robby's car turn on. The engine humming as he pulled out of the driveway. 

———

Robby was fucked. 

He don't usually drink on such short notice but he had texted Dana and Jack immediately after the kiss telling them they needed to go out. 

Now he sat at a table in a bar opposite the two. 

"I kissed Whitaker," Robby started.

"Hallelujah and let me guess he ripped his clothes off for you," Dana replied.

Robby shook his head.

"No, he kissed me back and he was into it but then we stopped and then he panicked and ran away into his room," Robby explained downing his second glass of whiskey. 

"Slow down there," Jack warned, "I'm sure he was just surprised she he realised what happened, if he was into it then it shouldn't be a problem.”

"But what if he wasn't and just felt like he had too," Robby argued. 

"Dennis is a full grown man, I've seen him take down patients twice his size if he didn't want to do it he wouldn't have," Dana stated.

Robby ran a hand through his hair. He didn't know wha to believe. He was worried he'd hurt Whitaker somehow, mentally more than physically. Maybe he should stop helping him. Maybe that was why he kissed back he felt indebted to Robby. 

Robby sighed and ordered another drink. hangover be damned he didn't want to think about it tonight. 

———

Dennis got up and went to Robby's room. Inside he crawled into the bed and curled up. He wanted nothing more than to smell Robby's scent for the rest of time and Robby wasn't here so this was the next best thing. 

Dennis pressed his face into the pillow. He didn't want to start crying he refused to start crying. But he would wallow that was for sure. 

He was too forward. He should have let Robby come to him. Robby was olde and probably didn't want to keep up with Dennis' pace. 

Dennis wanted the passion he wanted the touching he wanted everything all at once. A seasoned man like Robby probably wanted to take things slow to kiss and nothing more then to fall asleep in each others arms. 

Dennis gripped his arms. his nails which he had neglected to cut dug into his skin drawing blood. It was the only way to stop himself crying.

Suddenly Dennis was back on the farm. He'd been punished for something he either didn't do or it was so small it shouldn't have been noticed. 

He wasn't allowed to cry so late at night he did this to ground himself so he could keep his eyes dry. 

He stayed there for hours. He intended to go back to his bed but couldn't find the strength to get up. He heard the door creak open them footsteps stop right in their tracks.

Robby saw the breathing lump in his bed and didn't know what to do. He was too drunk to say anything so he just pulled his jacket and pants off and collapsed into bed next to Dennis.

Chapter Text

Dennis had made it his mission to avoid Robby this past week; leaving with Trinity so Robby couldn't offer him to stay. 

Trinity had been his rock during this. She listened to him break down and steered Robby away from him during work. Though he couldn't hide forever. 

"Dennis," Dana's voice called.

Dennis went over to her expecting to be given orders. 

"You ok?" She asked.

Dennis blinked Dana knew of course she knew. 

"Fine," Dennis nodded.

"Don't be too hard on him, he's old," she told Dennis who just nodded in response.

"We just need to keep a professional distance," Dennis replied, "actually, can you give Robby back his keys?" 

Dennis pulled out Robby's keys and handed them to Dana who frowned and pushed them back into Dennis' hand. 

"Trust me Dennis, you'll still need them," Dana stated.  

Dennis was now in an internal war. He wanted desperately to stand his ground. In the end he fisted the keys in hands letting the cool metal dig into his palms, he let it sting. He wanted it to bleed, he wanted to be able to feel something other than the ache in his chest, other than the crushing weight of what he had done by kissing Robby. 

He felt a presence in front of him and looked up to see Trinity. 

"Robby is on his way," she said steering Dennis away from Dana and down a hallway. 

"You can't run forever," Dana called out. 

"He can try!" Trinity called back.

Dennis and Trinity found refuge in an empty room. Dennis let his eyes fall close as he sighed. He felt childish avoiding his boss like this, but he didn't want to face it because that would mean either getting hard core rejected or having to face his feelings, both options scared Dennis so bad it made him hyperventilate. 

"He was specifically asking for you this time," Trinity explained. 

Dennis groaned running a hand through his hair. 

"I can't do this Trin, if I were cis then it would be fine but I'm not and even if he does like me, when he finds out he'll run for the hills," Dennis rambled. 

"Dennis, calm down," Trinity said grabbing him on the shoulders, "listen, I will cover for you until the day we die but I agree with Dana you need to talk to him. He may be old, but he won't be transphobic. Also, you've said he's had ex-girlfriend so, he clearly likes vaginas. Hey, maybe he's into men with vaginas." 

Dennis let out a shaky breath mumbling that everything would be ok even though he didn't believe it. 

The door suddenly opened and in walked Dr Garcia. 

"Santos," Garcia said, "I need you now."  

Trinity nodded and walked out of the room leaving Dennis by himself to his thoughts. 

Dennis now became acutely aware of the hunger he was feeling. He was suddenly starving. When he was younger Dennis always gotten really hungry when we was stressed. 

Dennis ended up wandering towards the blood bank. If he just took a bag from the blood type highest in supply, everything should be fine. 

He punched in the code for the blood cooler and went inside. He found they had a rather large stash of O positive, so he took one of the bags and stuffed it into his scrubs. On the way out he looked down hallways to make sure no one was around. 

Dennis hightailed it to the old, out of commission wing he used to live in before Trinity saved him. He found a chair and sat down. The blood bag was cold in Dennis' hand, and he was nervous. This was the first time he had ever stolen blood to satisfy his cravings but there was nothing else he could do;he was too stressed.

He used his fangs to pierce the bag and then he sucked the contents out like a juice box. The taste was sweet on his tongue but not sickening like some kinds of blood are.

It was a silky sweet that coated every inch of Dennis' mouth. It was a blissful feeling. Dennis didn't like drinking human blood, but this was different he wasn't hurting anyone. 

"Whitaker..." 

Dennis' head shot up blood bag still in his mouth. He pulled it away not noticing the way the blood trickled down his chin. Jack Abbott was standing there wide eyed. He looked so afraid and slightly worried.

"Jack, please" Dennis squeaked, "it's not what it looks like I can explain,"

"Well, explain," Jack replied, stepping back as if the worried Dennis would murder him.

"I'm a vampire," Dennis blurted, "this is the only way I can eat without hurting anyone."

Jack blinked. His head was reeling. Dennis clearly had lost it. 

"Dennis just let me call psych and we can sort this out," Jack said softly.

Dennis groaned internally. Of course he would think Dennis was mentally ill. He needed to show him somehow that he wasn't lying. 

"I can prove it," Dennis tried.

He grabbed his notepad out of his pocket and ripped a few pages out. He held them out and they burst into flames. Jack stared mouth open and eyes wide. 

"You're a vampire," he breathed.

Dennis nodded. 

"How... old are you?" Jack questioned. 

"I'm not immortal... yet anyway," Dennis explained, "I was born a vampire as well." 

Jack found a hair and slid into it running a hand through his hair. He muttered something about being too old to deal with this. He shook his head a couple times before looking up to Dennis. 

"And you usually steal blood?" Jack asked.

Dennis shook his head.

"I usually hunt animals, and it can get pretty intense which is why I'm always covered in bruises," Dennis explained. 

"Yeah, yeah," Jack nodded, "Robby was uhm... worried about you because of that. He actually sent me to find you. He wants to talk to you I guess, about what happened." 

Had Dennis sent this man into shock? Probably. 

"He wouldn't like me if he knew the real me," Dennis muttered.

"Are you sure? Robby has said he's into the biting," Jack blurted out. 

Dennis blinked. He had been referring to the fact he was transgender, but Jack obviously didn't know that.

They sat in awkward silence for a few moments. Dennis wanted to cry, and Jack wanted to... drink, that would be the best thing for him right now. 

Dennis finally stood up unable to bare the silence any longer.

"I'm not dangerous Jack, I don't want to hurt anyone, I just want to survive like anyone else," Dennis blurted out.

To Dennis' surprise Jack smiled. 

"I'm freaked out but it's fine, I know you well enough to know you'd never hurt anyone. But you are hurting Robby," Jack replied. 

Dennis tensed at the mention of Robby.

"He wants to talk to you, just give him a chance," Jack told him. 

Dennis nodded.

They parted ways and Dennis spent the rest of the day avoiding Robby still. He would talk of him he was sure of it. Just not today. 

Trinity drove her and Dennis home but then she was gone. She had been invited out by Garcia apparently, which Dennis teased her about relentlessly. 

She then tried to kick him in his non-existing nuts. Dennis personally found it hilariously gender affirming. Trinity had been good about his whole transition doing his testosterone injections for him when he couldn't be bothered. She would tell him he was a man whether he liked it or not so he had to take his hormones. 

She was aggressive but supportive. 

Dennis was now home alone lying in bed being plagued by his own thoughts. He was running through everything that had happened in the last couple days. Kissing Robby, Jack finding out he was a vampire. Dennis couldn't help but note how well Jack had taken the whole thing and didn't know whether to be relieved or worried. 

He slowly sat up hearing the doorbell. He thought it must be that annoying neighbour coming over to complain that Dennis was breathing to loud, so he got up and shuffled to the door. He didn't have a binder on or a bra so you could see his breasts if you looked at the right angle, but Dennis didn't care he hated this neighbour. 

He opened the door. Ready to fight for his life when he froze. It was in fact not his neighbour but rather Robby. Who had... flowers.

He had a bouquet of daises. Specifically blue daises. How did Robby know blue was his favourite colour. 

"Whitaker," Robby started. "Sorry for turning up so late but I really needed to talk to you."

He held out the flowers and Dennis took them from him. 

"It's all they had at this time," Robby muttered.

Dennis started down at the daises. His heart was squeezing as he looked back to Robby who looked nervous.

"I'm sorry," Dennis said softly.

"You have nothing to be sorry for... Dennis," Robby replied reaching up to grab Dennis' cheek. 

Dennis leaned into the touch. Those sad tired eyes fluttered shut as Dennis put his own hand over top of Robby's. 

Dennis was also buzzing at the sound of his first name on Robby's tongue. It had a similar effect that Dennis was sure heroin had. He wanted nothing more than to have another hitof it. But it would never be enough. He needed it more and more to be satisfied. 

"Dennis," Robby tried, "I want to know if I kissed you again would you let me."

Dennis' eyes widened and he looked Robby in the eyes. The older man was being dead serious, Dennis only had one answer on his mind.

"Yes," he breathed.

Robby then pulled Dennis into him. Their bodies were pressed firmly together, only separated by the blue daises in Dennis' hand. 

He moved the daises out of the way and set them on the side table before wrapping his arms around Robby's neck. Robby leaned in and without hesitation he pressed the man’s lips to his. Dennis let out a sigh. Suddenly, all his worries seemed like they had been for nothing. 

Robby picked Dennis up by the legs hoisting him up onto his waist. Dennis wrapped his legs around him as Robby moved further into the apartment kicking the door shut. 

"Trinity isn't here," Dennis breathed separating the kiss. 

"I know I sent Garcia to get her out," Robby replied. 

"I don't want to have sex," Dennis admitted. He feared that Robby would reject him for saying that.

"That's fine, just being here with you is enough," Robby assured. 

Dennis pulled Robby into a kiss again. Robby then found the couch and got them onto it. They were half upright and half lying down with Whitaker on top of Robby. 

Robby did notice that Dennis had a larger chest than a man of his stature would, but he didn't question Dennis. He would tell him what it was when he was comfortable. 

The kiss was hot and passionate. Dennis was honestly just trying to copy what he had seen on movies because he had actually never kissed anyone before Robby. 

Robby was more seasoned and was in control, moving their mouths in sink. Robby decided to stick his tongue down Dennis' throat which elicited a rather lewd sound from the younger man. 

This caused embarrassment to burn in Dennis and Robby to become hard. Robby fisted Dennis' hair pressing their lips together harder. He just wanted to hear how good he was making Dennis feel. 

But they couldn't do this forever. Dennis broke away sitting up. His lips were red and puffy, he was drooling a bit which he wiped away. He looked down at Robby whose eyes were filled with nothing but pure admiration for the younger man. 

"Did you... want to stay over?" Dennis asked, "if you don't mind sharing a bed." 

Robby grinned sitting up. He picked Dennis up bridal style and walked to Dennis room. It was then Dennis prayed he hadn't left any of his sex toys out. 

He had done that once before and having Trinity know he owns a vibrator was already too much for him. He didn't want Robby knowing too. 

Robby set Dennis down on the bed gently. Dennis sat and watched as Robby pulled off his shoes and jacket and slip onto the bed on the side opposite Dennis. 

Both men sat awkwardly in the best. Dennis was now aware that he didn't want binder on, he tensed up. Would he hurt himself if he slept in his binder? 

Dennis decided he could survive if he slept in a jumper or something. Dennis got up and grabbed a hoodie from his wardrobe. He slipped it on and went back to bed. 

"Are you cold?" Robby asked. 

Dennis wanting to keep up the lie, nodded, and Robby opened his arm. Dennis' heart lifted and he laid down beside Robby, his head on Robby's arm.

Dennis fell asleep. His heart was both heavy and light. Robby liked him back... but would he still when he found out what Dennis was?

Chapter Text

Dennis awoke. He was still sleepy; he rubbed his eyes and cracked them open. It was light in his room but not so light that it hurt. He looked up to where Robby was partially sitting up and partially laying down; to accommodate for the previously sleeping Dennis.

Robby had the newspaper and a pencil and was doing the crossword puzzle contained within the pages. His glasses were perched on the bridge of his nose as his eyes scanned the page.

"Where did you get a newspaper?" Dennis asked.

"Santos brought it to me," Robby explained.

"Trinity is home?" Dennis yawned sitting up.

"She came in to see how you were and was surprised to see me," Robby chuckled.

"Well she was helping me avoid you yesterday" Dennis said stretching his sore limbs.

"I know," Robby deadpanned

Dennis chuckled. He was still swimming in that blissful feeling of being loved back that he wasn't letting himself think of all the problems that the future might bring. He pressed his face into Robby's neck inhaling his scent like a rabid animal.

"Do you want something for breakfast?" Dennis questioned.

"We can get something in a little while," Robby replied running a hand through Dennis' hair.

"Okay," Dennis nodded.

"Dennis. We have to talk," Robby stated.

Dennis tensed up. Every possible bad scenario ran through Dennis' head, he didn’t want to admit it but he couldn't breathe.

"Hey, it's okay," Robby assured, "nothing bad; just what we're going to do going forward. We can't let it interfere with work."

Dennis calmed down a bit and sat up cross legged on the bed.

"Okay," he nodded.

"I can't favour you at work and you can't be stuck to me like glue. We need to stay professional," Robby explained.

Dennis nodded. That was a given he couldn't exactly be all over Robby at work. As much as he wanted to be, it just wasn’t feasible.

"Everything else we can take as it comes," Robby added.

Dennis smiled at that. He was excited at the thought of going through something new together. Him and Robby together. The realisation of them being actually together was something that made Dennis as giddy as a child on Christmas.


"I'm uhm, going to go make breakfast," Dennis muttered getting up and leaving the room.

Dennis found Trinity in the kitchen eating cereal and scrolling on her phone. She looked up at him and grinned.

"So, what happened last night, Garcia let it spill that she offered to be distraction for me," Trinity hummed.

"Well," Dennis grinned, "he brought me flowers and we made out last night."

Trinity grinned and got up pulling Dennis into a bone crushing hug. Dennis then noticed the colourful contusion on Trinity's neck.

"So, things went well with Garcia then?" Dennis asked.

Trinity who was usually aloof and not easily flustered went red. She nodded and Dennis shook her lightly in excitement.

"Things are coming up our way!" Dennis laughed.

Trinity nodded in agreement, they hugged again. Dennis then started on breakfast. It was quiet for a bit before Dennis noticed Trinity's concerned expression. Dennis gave her a look and she pursed her lips.

"Have you... told him?" She asked.

Dennis shook his head.

"Told who what?" Robby's voice asked.

He walked into the room still in the same shirt and track pants as last night. What Robby wouldn't tell Dennis: is what sleeping like they did last night did to Robby's back.

"Nothing," both Dennis and Trinity blurted.

They looked away from Robby pretending to be busy with other tasks.

"It's about me?" Robby inquired.

Dennis and Trinity looked at each other.

"Tell me when you're ready," Robby told Dennis, "how important is it?"

"Quite," Dennis admitted, serving Robby up a plate of eggs and bacon which Robby thanked him for.

Robby nodded in acknowledgment before beginning to eat his breakfast.

It was silent as the three of them ate. Dennis was torn between bliss and anxiety, Robby’s back was hurting and Trinity was sitting there wondering how she could use this to her advantage in her career.

Would it be wrong for her to put a speaker in Dennis' bedroom, one that played a barely audible track while they slept; to subliminally make Robby want to recommend Trinity for higher positions?

Seemed ethical enough to her.

———

Robby had left to get ready for work while Dennis and Trinity got ready at their place. They rambled on about random relationships things. There worry and wants on the ride to work.

As Dennis walked into the Pitt he saw that Robby and Dana were talking in hushed voices. His enhanced hearing let him know they were talking about how things went last night, and that Robby was giving her rather graphic details.

He was about to go make a star appearance when he was intercepted by Jack. The man looked worse for wear. He was covered in scratches. He looked like he lost a fight to an angry piece of paper.

"Meet me in the same place as yesterday at lunch," he whispered in Dennis' ear.

Dennis nodded and Jack sighed.

"Also, congratulations on your new relationship," he added patting him on the back before running off.

Dennis saw Princess and Pearla looking at him eyes narrowed and he took that as his cue to leave. He went and found a case off the board and went into the room. It was a woman who was seven months pregnant who had fallen down the stairs.

The maternity wing had been overrun and there was quite a large bruise on the woman's side so Dennis scoured the place until he got an ultrasound machine to check on the baby.

He needed someone to confer with and it just so happened that Robby was available. He and Dennis looked over the baby and mother and both seemed to be doing just fine.

The woman's name was Alice and she sighed with relief when they told her that everything was normal.

"This is my second," she explained, "the first one was so easy but this little one has been a hassle, I love her nonetheless."

She smiled warmly at her belly warmly running her hands over it affectionately.

"We do want to keep you overnight for observation if you don't mind" Dennis told her.

She nodded.

"Do either of you have kids?" She asked.

Dennis and Robby shook their heads. Dennis had always wanted kids but the thought of bringing a kid into the world with the possibility of them being born a vampire like him. It was something he didn't wish on anybody.

"Well it's a roller coaster ride, even before they're born, but I'd go through it all again," Alice told them

Dennis was... upset. He was on the verge of tears, but he took a deep breath to hopefully composed himself.

"I can only imagine," Robby saved him from what would be an awkward voice crack of a response.

Dennis got up and left the room taking a few more breaths to try and compose himself. He leaned against the nurse’s station trying hard not to cry. He had wanted kids since he was little,since before he realised he was trans. He used to think he would be able to. He would just have to go off testosterone for a bit. But he was young and naive.

There was the fact that the baby's would likely be a vampire,no, definitely be a vampire, and he knew how hard the life was. If they chose immortality, they would have to watch everyone they loved wither and die.

"Dennis?" It was Trinity.

"I'm never going to be able to have kids," Dennis breathed.

"Surely you could?" Trinity tried, "I'd carry the motherfucker for you worst comes to worst, though I'd bitch about everything, cause man, being pregnant sounds like a fucking chore,"

"Trin..." Dennis sighed, "I had a condition I don't want to pass down to a baby."

Trinity's face softened.

"I'm not good at comforting... but you could adopt," she suggested.

He could. He would never have biological kids, but he could adopt. He'd love his child so much; it didn't matter if it was blood related to him or not. He would make it work. He could do this.

"You do suck at comforting," Dennis smiled, earning a scoff and a punch in the arm.

He batted Trinity away to go to his next patient.

———

Dennis walked into the unused part of the hospital. There waited Jack who held a cage covered in a towel.

"What's this?" Dennis asked with cautious curiosity.

"Lunch," Jack declared pulling off the towel.

Inside the cage were two rather large looking rats. They looked comfortable enough. Jack had given them food and water as well as some bedding which Dennis was grateful for. He hated hurting animals. He only did what was necessary.

"If you're going to work here, I need to make sure you don't kill everyone," Jack. explained, "also, I had to give myself a rabies shot for this so you'd better appreciate me,"

Dennis nodded and walked over. Dennis picked up one of the rats. He bit into it injecting paralytic venom so that it didn't hurt. The rat didn't struggle as it took its last breath and Dennis felt happy that it didn't feel anything.

Dennis noticed the curiosity in Jack's eyes as he set the rat's body down.

"Paralytic venom," Dennis said wiping his face, "it doesn't feel anything."

"That's good" Jack nodded.

"No, I'm not using it for medical purposes, could you imagine what they would do to us if knew," Dennis sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

"I understand," Jack assured patting Dennis' shoulder.

Dennis smiled before digging into the second rat. It wasn't as good as human blood, but it would suffice for now. Dennis put both rats back in the cage for easy disposal.

"Thank you, Jack," Dennis said earnestly.

"It's fine," Jack waved him off.

They parted ways and Dennis went back to work.

———

A few hours later Dennis was sitting in the break room; he was about to clock out and everything hurt like all hell. His body was deteriorating it seemed, he just wanted to go to bed.

He felt the familiar pressure of Robby's hands on his shoulders. He massaged the knots on Dennis' shoulders.

Dennis leaned back into the feeling. It was nice and his head hit Robby's stomach. He looked up at Robby who was smiling down at him.

"Are you alright Dennis?" Robby asked softly.

"Fine," Dennis nodded, "just tired."

"Did you want to go back to my place and sleep, so you don't have to travel?" Robby offered.

Dennis nodded and stood up. He stretched his scrub shirt riding up. Robby's eyes were shamelessly staring at Dennis' mid-section.

Robby was wondering how much better it would look covered in hickeys. Dennis noticed him shaking his head but didn't say anything. Dennis just wanted to go to bed.

Dennis followed Robby out to his car texting, Trinity that he wouldn't be home tonight.

He hopped into Robby's car and Robby threw his jacket at him which Dennis gratefully slipped over his shoulders.

"You look beautiful, Dennis," Robby commented offhandedly.

Dennis blinked in surprise at the compliment.

"Oh, thanks," Dennis smiled, his face flushing, "you look... nice too."

He hoped Robby didn't take that hesitation as a lie to just make him feel good, and more that Dennis was a nervous wreck.

"I'd hope so," Robby hummed with a smile, "but I didn't take you as someone attracted to an older man."

"You're just likeable," Dennis shrugged.

Robby smiled and set his spare hand down on top of Dennis' thigh. It wasn't a sexual move it was just the only part Robby could reach and the way it sent heat into Dennis crotch. God,he hoped he had an extra pair of underwear at Robby's because he was soaking wet.

As they pulled up Dennis was immediately inside gettingchanged. He went and grabbed his spare clothes and lucky him, he didn't have any underwear.

Would it be weird to steal a pair of Robby's? Eh, he'd done worse.

He shuffled into Robby's room and saw the older man on the bed looking at his phone. He noticed Dennis and smiled.

"Everything okay?" Robby asked.

"Weird question but do you have a spare pair of underwear?" Dennis asked; going red at the absurdity of the question.

"Yeah sure," Robby nodded.

He got up and went to his closet producing a pair of grey underwear. He handed them to Dennis who thanked him and ran off.

Once in the bathroom he stepped in to the shower letting the warm water wash over him like a tether to reality.

Was he going to sleep in Robby's room? In his bed? Surely, he wouldn't make Dennis sleep in the guest room.

After he showered and dressed Dennis made his way back to Robby's room and stood in the doorway.

Robby had gotten into bed already and was reading a book by the light of his bedside lamp. He looked up at Dennis, not saying a word as he lifted the blankets open and held his arm out.

Dennis took that as a cue and crawled into bed next to Robby leaning against him while he read. Dennis closed his eyes and took in the man beside him and his scent. He listened to his breathing. Heartbeat and ruffle of the turning page. It was enough to slowly but surely lull Dennis to sleep. And gods knew he needed it.

Robby on the other hand read for a while. Once he started to feel tired, he settled in next to Dennis. He kept him close and pressed his face into Dennis' damp hair. Dennis smelled like Robby's shampoo which Robby was happy about. It was the way it should be.

Dennis was with him. And he wanted him to smell like no one else other than Robby. The smell on Dennis was enough to get Robby to sleep. He was intoxicated by the smell like it was booze. In the way alcohol made him sleepy, the scent of Dennis did the same.

Chapter Text

Jack Abbott had seen his fair share of strange conditions, but this one topped all others. Dennis' condition was particularly peculiar. Vampirism was something of fables and folk lore. But here sat one; sipping on a blood bag that Jack had stolen for him.

Jack was fond of Dennis and now that he was dating Jack's best friend, he had to make sure that Dennis was okay. That he wouldn't kill Robby by accident.

This had become their routine. They snuck off once or twice a week at lunch time so Dennis could eat. Jack had been providing Dennis with all his blood whether that meant he was stealing a blood bag or setting up a trap in his back yard to catch a critter to feed to the vampire.

Dennis had been so grateful for Jack's help and wanted to repay him somehow. So, the offer hung in the air that Dennis would solve a problem Jack might find himself in that may have legal repercussions.

When Jack had found out Dennis could control minds, he had been worried that Dennis had taken control of Robby but after careful consideration and Dennis explaining how he couldn't do it for long term yet since he was too weak of a vampire; due to: one he'd only just started drinking human blood, and two the amount he drank kept him alive and sane, but not satisfied.

Jack decided that Dennis was a good man and vampire or not; he meant well.

Jack had asked Dennis about his past but Dennis refused to share and judging by what Robby had said when him, Jack,and Dana went out; Dennis didn't tell Robby much either.

Jack sighed which caught the attention of Dennis who raised an eyebrow at him.

"Everything alright?" Dennis asked, discarding the empty blood bag.

"Don't worry about it Dennis," Jack assured, "Robby will probably be looking for you so you better get going."

Dennis nodded and got up, scampering out of the unused area of the hospital that they had been using as the place Dennis ate.

Jack soon went back into the Pitt and worked through the rest of his shift with as much energy he could muster. People needed to feel hopeful in a place like this. Not that Jack would ever admit it, but he believed hope to be a true medicine.

He had seen people with minor illnesses convinced they were going to die, pass away, he had seen people who were on the brink of death believe they would survive and guess what. They did.

It wasn't full proof, but no medicine was. It helped though, helped just as well as any antibiotic or suture could. So, Jack prescribed hope. And he prescribed it before any other medication.

What Jack had wished was that someone would prescribe him a little bit of hope because frankly, he was becoming a bit hopeless.

Then Dennis had come along. It was similar to having a pet. You had to stay around to help it because, yeah, if it had good enough instincts it could survive by itself but it could never thrive. Jack wanted Dennis to thrive and be happy.

A man who wasn't really a man and had an urge to kill had become a doctor to help people, despite his nature. This gave Jack hope. He would make sure Dennis, like a pet, could thrive in his life.

But Dennis was so much more than an animal. It took so much more to get the man to thrive. He knew Dennis was struggling. He had seen that man on the very same edge he contemplated jumping from every day.

When he saw him up there, he wanted nothing more than to run up to him and pull him back. Hold him tight. To Jack,Dennis was like a little brother in the same way that Robby was also his brother. Would that make Dennis the brother-in-law?

In any case, he had the familial urge to help them both. And if that meant catching animals in a trap in his backyard or stealing blood from the bank in the hospital and potentially losing his job, it was all worth it.

Jack walked into the break room and saw Dennis and Robby. They were close to each other and Dennis seemed extremely happy.

Jack smiled. Sometimes he wished for a relationship like that. Where he could get lost into another’s eyes.

He was too focused on work and unless someone came into the Pitt working there like Dennis did for Robby Jack would just have to endure the loneliness.

He watched Dennis lean up and kiss Robby on the tip of his nose before quickly leaving. He smiled at Jack as he left and Jack went over to Robby.

"He's good for you," Jack noted as Robby looked at him with this weird dreamy look in his eyes.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough for him," Robby sighed.

Jack had always been Robby's ride or die just as Robby was Jack's, so it wasn't out there for one to vent to the other.

"Trust me when I tell you he thinks so highly of you," Jack hummed making himself a coffee.

"You two always seem to disappear around the same time," Robby noted, "does he talk to you about me?"

Jack thought for a second.

"Usually he just comes to me for some support, I found him on the roof that day, I think he's taken to me because of that, you should talk to him about how he's feeling, I think it would help," Jack explained.

He noticed the way Robby froze. His eyes scanning Jacks face.

"You said you were up there first," the words made Jack tense but it was too late now.

"Dennis wanted to come to you on his own accord, you're great Robby but I know how overbearing you can be sometimes, you’re too kind for your own good sometimes," Jack told him.

Robby nodded. Jack could tell he was still slightly hurt but was agreeing with Jack.

"I'm a doctor it's in my nature," Robby replied.

"Be patient with him, he'll come to you when he's ready, I think he really does love you," Jack assured.

Robby sighed and nodded. He left without another word and Jack sipped on his coffee. It scalded his tongue in a blissful way that reminded himself that he was alive.

The rest of the day was spent taking care of patients. Jack had been glad to be moved to day shift. It was easier to sleep at night. It used to be almost impossible to even get an hour a night.

At the end of his shift he left the hospital back aching and mind even worse. He got in his car and his first stop was the liquor store. He grabbed himself a bottle of whiskey and headed home.

Back in his house Jack grabbed himself two whiskey tumblers and poured two glasses. He set one down on the mantle next to an ornate box and a photo.

Sara.

She had been the first person who looked at him like a person when he came back to civilian life. She never found him weak for his prosthetic leg. She treated him like a human and not a bomb.

Not like a landline that had taken so many soldiers. The soldiers he had to try and save and inevitably call the time of death for.

Jack shook off the memory and took a sip of whiskey.

"That Dennis has been good, he looks brighter now that he's got Robby," Jack said to the portrait.

He grabbed his wedding band with his thumb and pointer and twisted it around his finger. It matched the shining gold band that sat in front of Sara's portrait.

"It's still hard to believe he's a vampire sometimes, but he is, it almost gave me a heart attack. You'd probably get mad at me for dying to early," Jack chuckled.

Tears welled up in his eyes but he didn't allow to fall not yet.

"I'm still mad at you," he admitted, "when I see you in heaven- or hell. Wherever we end up I'm going to give you a piece of my mind."

Jack let the tears fall now.

"I miss when we used to fight Sara," Jack let out a wet laughed wiping his eyes, "now I'm stuck being a therapist and feeding my pet vampire, you'd be a big help right now."

Jack sighed. He hadn't talked to his wife in a couple nights. He was sure she was up there telling him to get his ass on the couch and to tell him everything.

She would always be with Princess and Pearla gossiping when she came in to get lunch for Jack. Now Jack had to fill those shoes.

"I got a letter from Langdon yesterday, he's still in rehab, says it's hard. I'm glad he's working on himself but what he did was so fucking stupid," Jack explained, "we're moving forward, and I just wish you were here with me."

Jack finished his whiskey and got up going back over to the mantle. He picked up Sara's wedding ring and planted a kiss on the cold metal. It was almost as cold as his wife's body. She laid in that hospital bed. Stone cold before they put the sheet over her and wheeled her away.

"Good night, my love," Jack whispered setting the ring back down.

He went to his room and got changed. In his pyjamas he went out into the backyard. When he got there, he stepped carefully into the bushes. Inside the trap was a raccoon. It looked scared and Jack felt bad. He picked up the trap and brought it inside and to the garage. He set it as carefully as he possibly could onto the cage which had bedding food and water.

"Don't worry little guy," Jack soothed, "I'm not doing this for fun, it's not fun for any of us, even Dennis."

He put a towel over the cage and went to his room to go to sleep. As he drifted off, he felt a weight in his chest, not due to his wife, or the raccoon, or work.

This was fear.

———

Jack heard screaming. He heard the rapid sound of gunfire. The camp had been attacked, he was trying to load up wounded soldiers. He ran through the encampment low like he was trained to. A soldier with a bloody leg sat against a vehicle that was on his side. Jack grabbed his bag and stemmed the blood flow with the equipment he had before beckoning over some other soldiers to help the wounded one to one of the fleeing medical vehicles.

Jack ran to the next solider and then the next. The gunfire showed no sign of stopping and Jack was running out of supplies.

He had his hands firmly placed on the chest of a soldier. He was trying to stop the bleeding, but the soldier grabbed Jack by the arm, only for a second before the soldier's eyes went blank and their body limp.

Jack said a prayer. There was nothing he could do. He still stemmed the blood with the soldiers’ uniform just as one last good gesture before he moved on. As he ran through the gunfire, he heard it from somewhere in the chaos.

"GRENADE!"

That was the last thing he heard before the explosion occurred. Jack went spiralling across the sandy dirt. He felt the pain before he looked. He sat up and saw it. Half of his leg gone just like that.

He saw another soldier looming at him with terror.

Jack passed out.

———

Jack woke up in a cold sweat. His breathing was laboured,and he wheezed out each breath from his tight throat. He hadn't had a dream like that in a while. That's when he noticed it. The sound that was similar to gunfire. Fireworks.

Jack got up and went to his front window, he saw a bunch of twenty-something-year-olds playing with fireworks and firecrackers.

He felt like a sour old man calling, but the smile that reached his face as he watched the cops arrest the group was almost maniacal.

Jack went back to bed and couldn't sleep. But it wasn't any better. He didn't have Sara with him anymore. She couldn't hold him and assure him he was safe.

He wanted it call Robby but he don't want to annoy the man who probably had Dennis in his arms.

Against his better judgement he picked up his phone and dialled.

"Hello?," Robby's sleepy voice answered.

"Hey, Micheal," Jack replied

At the use of his first name Robby was now fully awake.

"Jack are you ok?" Robby asked

"Bad dream," Jack admitted, "sorry for bothering you."

"No it's fine," Robby assured.

"Who are you on the phone to?" Dennis' tired voice asked.

"Jack," Robby said softly to him.

"Hi Jack," Dennis called out with a yawn.

"Hi Dennis," Jack replied.

"What's up?" Robby asked jacks

"You know just one of those dreams," Jack admitted. Running a hand through his hair.

"Want to talk about it?" Robby asked.

The next few hours were spent with Jack explaining his nightmare or more accurately memory while Robby listened and supported him. Dennis only said something once or twice and offered to go if Jack wanted to talk alone but Jack didn't mind too much. He trusted Dennis.

When Jack finally got to sleep, he felt better but there was still that heavy feeling in his chest. The feeling that seemed to not want to leave him alone.

Jack wondered if Sara would actually be mad at him if he went to her. It was just a rooftop away, or a bottle of pills. Jack didn't care how.

Jack just wanted to feel whole again.

Chapter Text

Robby wanted Dennis. Both mentally and emotionally. Robby also wanted Dennis physically. There in lay the problem. Dennis was being very avoidant of the topic. It wasn't that Robby was annoyed at Dennis for saying no. If Dennis said no, then to Robby that meant no.

Dennis was just avoiding the question all together. He had asked Dennis a couple times about it, but Dennis just found a way to change the subject or run away. Robby was more worried than anything. He could live celibate for the rest of his life if that's what Dennis wanted, but the way he was acting around it was not normal.

Sex was embarrassing for some people, but to be this avoidant? Robby wondered if Dennis had bad experiences. He wanted to approach the conversation in a way that didn't make him upset and want to run away. Robby knew he had to be delicate. While Dennis was an extremely strong person this was something that was sensitive to him so it required a delicate touch.

Robby had gotten reservations at a nice restaurant and had brought Dennis' favourite bottle of wine. After work he was going to take Dennis out, gift him the wine then ask the uncomfortable question. He didn't expect a yes or no, the only thing he wanted was honesty; because he loved Dennis and wanted him to feel nothing but comfortable when Robby was around. He wanted Dennis to know he could tell Robby anything and Robby would still love him.

The workday couldn't have gone any slower for Robby. He had told Dennis last night that they were going out for dinner, Dennis had been ecstatic about the opportunity to go out on a date with his significant other.

Another thing they struggled with was calling each other ‘boyfriend’. They seemed too old to call one and other that. When talking to people who didn't know Dennis, he would just call him his other half or partner and that usually worked.

Neither of them called each other pet names but Robby wanted to change that. He wanted to give Dennis a cringey nickname that made people feel sickly when they said it to each other.

Babe. Honey. My love. The options were endless. Robby was as excited as he was nervous for the night ahead.

Robby was just at the nurse’s station filling out some paperwork when he felt a head pressing into Robby's bicep.

"What's going on Dennis?" Robby questioned looking down at Dennis who was yawning into Robby's jacket.

"It's been a long day, I can't wait for tonight," Dennis said.

The younger man's smile always melted Robby’s heart and today was no exception.

"Get a nap in before we go out will you," Robby instructed, "I'll get Trinity on the case."

Robby had taken to calling Trinity by her first name; after the first few times that she was nice enough to make him and Dennis breakfast when Robby stayed over.

Of course Robby repaid the favour. He had picked her up as a stray and she slept in Robby's now unoccupied guest room that once belonged to Dennis. Trinity could drive but she got just as tired as Dennis, so he had offered her the bed.

By offered he means that she had crawled into the back of Robby's truck and held out a packaged scalpel telling him to drive. He noted how it seemed it was common with every generation of doctors and nurses to pick up random equipment.

After then she had been a common figure in Robby's home. Like a sister-in-law of sorts. Kat didn't seem to mind. Both of the women had a mean streak, so they got along. Robby swore he had heard Trinity talking to Kat about how Robby sucked.

It was only natural that Robby used Trinity as recon to make sure Dennis was taking care of himself.

———

Dennis crawled out of bed after his nap to get ready for his date with Robby. Call him a cliche but Dennis spent a good twenty minutes picking out an outfit with Trinity who was being brutally honest. He made a mental note to throw away the turtleneck.

Dennis sat in his and Trinity's living room waiting for Robby. It wasn't long before a knock sounded from the door. Dennis shot to his feet but was intercepted by Trinity.

"You'll have him at home and in bed at a reasonable time?" Trinity asked Robby who was standing at the door. With a bouquet of blue daisies. The same flower he got Dennis the night they got together.

"Trinity leave him alone," Dennis sighed. Taking the flowers from Robby. He looked at them fondly before setting them into a vase.

Trinity raised an eyebrow at Dennis.

"Wear protection boys" she stated walking back to her room.

Dennis went red, and Robby was also a little embarrassed but a bit more composed. Dennis left the apartment and Robby followed him putting a hand on the small of Dennis' back.

"Don't worry I do keep protection on me at all times," Robby assured suggestively in Dennis' ear.

"We don't use intestines anymore" Dennis joked.

"I'm not that old," Robby scoffed.

"Uh huh" Dennis teased.

They got onto Robby's car and drove to the restaurant listening to the radio which was a mix of overly excited and popular songs. Dennis spent most of the ride staring at Robby.
His large hand on the steering wheel. Dennis wanted those hands on him. Curled up inside him preferably. Dennis shook those thoughts out of his head. He didn't want to think about something he couldn't do. Dennis wanted to believe Robby wouldn't care that he was trans, but it was still a nerve wracking topic.

They pulled up to the restaurant and Robby opened the car door for Dennis who grinned at the gesture. They went inside together and were taken to their table. Robby was getting nervous now, the dinner he expected to go well; but the conversation after might have consequences.

They looked at the menus and chatted about nonsense. Things like work and other unimportant things.

After a while Robby pulled out the bottle wine and handing it to Dennis. Dennis' eyes widened at the sight of his favourite wine. He thanked Robby profusely and Robby just smiled at the younger man in admiration.

They got wine glasses and Dennis pour them both a large helping of the wine. Robby hated the wine, but he drank it for Dennis because he loved Dennis.

"It's so nice to go out," Dennis sighed, deciding what he wanted to eat.

"I know. I don't get to do this often," Robby agreed, "and I was thinking we could head back to mine afterwards."

Dennis gave a small smirk.

"Are you hitting on me, that very inappropriate as my boss," Dennis teased.

Robby smiled at that but noted the way Dennis played it off as a joke. He don't want to bring it up during dinner.

The waitress came up to the table to get their orders. Robby got an Alfredo and then the waitress turned to Dennis.

"I'll take the steak," he said.

"How would you like that done?" She questioned.

"Blue rare if you will," Dennis smiled.

She did a double take but nodded and went back to kitchen to put their orders in.

"That's a bold choice," Robby hummed looking at Dennis.

"It's just better that way," Dennis shrugged.

Robby hummed but didn't push it. It wasn't the worst food choice he had heard of. Jack could go to hell with his mayo and ice cream.

The two men spent their time chatting about anything and everything. They were both admiring each other. Though Robby was worrying about the conversation that was to come while Dennis was just in unwavering bliss.

Robby decided he needed to enact his plan of giving Dennis a pet name.

Their meals came out and Robby watched Dennis' eyes light up as he dug into to his steak. Robby started on his alfredo.

"So... hon, you've been enjoying work?" Robby asked.

Dennis stopped mouth full of steak. He chewed and tried to swallow choking instead. Once everything was out of his mouth and safely down his throat Dennis looked at Robby eyes wide.

"That's new," Dennis noted.

"Yeah," Robby replied scratching his head, "I thought since we're together it's natural progression."

"Yeah," Dennis nodded, "I've just never had someone call me something so... sweet."

Both men looked at each other. The declaration hung in the air. Robby had known Dennis had some problems with family he just didn't know how bad, this made Robby feel for the man in front of him.

"I'll call you whatever you want," Robby whispered.

Dennis smiled going red. Robby didn't understand the depth at which this affected Dennis. He didn't want to think about his mother. The woman had called him sweetheart when he was younger. Back before he had come out as trans and his mother had thought of him as her little girl. He was around eleven when he had told his mother he thought he was a boy. After that she never said anything endearing to him ever again.

"Are you ok Dennis?" Robby's voice pierced Dennis' thoughts.

Dennis looked at Robby who was giving him a concerned look on his face. Dennis must’ve had rather unpleasant look on his face. Dennis internally face palmed. He was meant to be having a nice dinner with his partner but instead he was reminiscing about his old life. But he wasn't that person anymore. He needed to move on and forget about it.

"I'm ok," Dennis finally answered.

Robby gave a small smile, but Dennis could tell that Robby was not convinced. They continued on with their meal talking about nothing and everything.

Dennis was in pure bliss from his bloody steak and soon he forgot about all his troubles and Robby noticeably eased up seeing Dennis' mood improve.

By the time they had finished their meal Dennis was sloshed while Robby had only one glass of wine and he wasn't a lightweight so he could drive.

Robby got Dennis into the car and buckled him in all the while Dennis was looking at him like he had found the Garden of Eden.

Robby got in the car and started driving. He wanted to ask Dennis what he planned but he didn't want to take advantage of him while he was drunk and vulnerable.

Dennis didn't seem to have the same worries.

"Robby, babe, you've looked like you wanted to ask me something all night, out with it," Dennis stated.

"It's nothing you should answer while drunk," Robby replied.

"I'm not drunk, just ask me, if I don't like to I'll tell you to fuck off," Dennis stated.

Robby pursed his lips. Dennis was a grown man who could make his own decisions. Maybe he wasn't as drunk as he looked? Robby was having an internal war since Dennis definitely drunk, but Robby didn't know what his tolerance was and maybe he wasn't as drunk as he originally thought he was.

"Robby, I mean it," Dennis assured with a smile. Which Robby only saw at a glance.

Those words sounded so sober.

"What is our sex life going to be like?" Robby blurted.

Dennis went extremely still and quiet. Robby had thought he had fucked up.

"I want you... a lot," Dennis started, "but there's a problem."

"What's the problem?" Robby asked.

"I can't tell you... not yet," Dennis sighed.

"Ok," Robby nodded, "when you're ready."

Dennis smiled at Robby's patience. He still wasn't sure Robby would love him after he found out he was trans, but he could bask in the love for now.

They got back to Robby's and Dennis was slow as he wandered inside. He was humming along to one of the pop songs that was on the radio earlier. Robby stayed close by in case he fell into the bushes or something.

"It's such a beautiful night out," Dennis sighed leaning into Robby's warm body.

"It is," Robby agreed.

The thing was the only thing Robby was looking at was Dennis. The way the bags under his eyes were permanently etched onto his face. His eyes themselves were beautiful. The artificial light of Robby's porch lamp lit them up like stars.

Don't even get Robby started on Dennis plump lips. They would look even better bitten and swollen but that would be for another time Robby decided. Dennis' eyes were starting to droop so Robby guided Dennis inside and into the bedroom.

"You need to get changed," Robby told Dennis.

Dennis waved him off and went into the bathroom to get changed. He got into a shirt and some shorts before he crawled back into bed where Robby was reading a book. Dennis pressed himself into Robby's side inhaling his scent like a rabid animal.

Dennis was borderline rabid sometimes but that was beside the point.

Dennis quickly fell asleep, Robby not to soon after him; shutting off his bedside lamp and settled down with Dennis in his arms.

Chapter Text

Dennis felt bad. He was avoiding Robby, avoiding the inevitable. Robby had asked him a couple nights ago about their sex life and Dennis had promised to tell him at some point. Well, he didn't actually say it he just implied it. Robby would want to know, he's entitled to know, this is his relationship too.

Dennis had told Trinity and said that she was back on lookout duty since he wasn't ready, being around Robby just made him want to crack. Trinity called him a dumbass but helped him. They had spent the last few days making excuses until Dennis was ready to face Robby.
———

Robby wanted to throw up. He hadn't thought him asking about their sex life had gotten to Dennis so much, but the man was now avoiding him like the plague. Him and Trinity thought they were slick, but Robby, Dana and Jack had noticed. Though Dennis still seemed to be going to Jack for his problems.

Robby wouldn't be lying if he said he had worried they were doing things, that Dennis was cheating but Robby knew Dennis wouldn't do that, whether Jack was into men or not, he was still loyal to his late wife.

Whatever the case, Robby was trying not to get frustrated. He didn't want to force Dennis into anything, but they needed to talk to each other, otherwise this relationship was destined to end in a fiery disaster.

Robby was now in a patient room doing vitals. Dennis was also in there helping him. It was a very inappropriate time to ask about personal stuff, but this was the only time Robby would get, and it's not like the old lady was much of a talker.

"Dennis," Robby said quietly.

"Dr. Robby?" Dennis replied with practiced professionalism.

"I need to speak to you after work," Robby told him.

Dennis tensed and Robby was sure he'd have some excuse.

"I can't me and Trinity are doing something tonight," Dennis lied.

Robby sighed. He knew this wasn't going to be easy.

"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to, I just want to know you're ok," Robby whispered.

"I'm fine," Dennis assured, grabbing a chart and leaving the room.

"That young man is not fine my dear," the old lady hummed.

Robby sighed.

"I just want to talk to him," Robby admitted.

"Sometimes you need to be a bit firm my dear, this isn't all about him it's about you too," she told him, "love him the best you can but remember to love yourself just as much."

Robby nodded at her words of wisdom and finished the checkup. When he left he went straight to where Dennis and Trinity were standing.

They tried to make a run for it but Robby wasn't having it.

"Santos," he said firmly and she stopped in her tracks.

"Uh, yes sir," she replied clearly taken off guard.

"Go check on the boy with the broken leg will you," he told her.

She nodded and scampered off. Robby then advanced in Dennis who looked almost afraid. Robby softened his gaze. He didn't want to scare him he just wanted to help. Robby was sure he'd be able to help Dennis; if the man would just give him a chance to help. Dennis stood there frozen in place staring at Robby. He looked like he was a soldier standing at attention and honestly that kind of broke Robby. He might have been Dennis' boss, but he was overall not someone to be afraid of.

"Dennis," Robby said softly, "I really just want to talk, I know there is something up and even if you don't want to tell me I don't want you to avoid me. It hurts."

Dennis blinked at Robby. He hadn't been expecting such a firm but... nice answer. He'd done this his entire life, run away from the problem which usually ended up with someone yelling at him, that seemed to be why he had been so scared when Robby had come up to him. Dennis nodded in response. He hadn't gained any confidence but not anymore fear. This was good in his eyes. He expected Robby to leave, but Robby just stood there as if he was waiting for Dennis to agree like the man hadn't just nodded his head.

"I want a verbal agreement Dennis," Robby stated firmly.

"Yes, Robby," Dennis replied almost enthusiastically. Or fearfully? Dennis still hadn't decided his newfound feelings for the situation.

"Come home with me then?" Robby questioned.

"Of course," Dennis agreed readily. He wanted to spend time with him, because of the time he had spent avoiding him, he now noticed it taken a toll on himself mentally.

Robby finally left, and Dennis followed him with his eyes. He was nervous sure, but Robby just kept calm, not yelling, and it made Dennis feel almost hopeful. But he couldn't get his hopes up, not when there was still so much that could go wrong. Robby could hate him. Robby could say it was fine but, in the end, couldn't handle it. There were to many unknown variables. Dennis just wished he could pry into Robby's skull and diagnose his thoughts. Drill a bore hole into Robby skull and release everything he was thinking.

Dennis sighed and got back to work. He had a patient with potential appendicitis. They were waiting for labs which he went to pick up. Dennis was dumbfounded. The tests came back normal and so did the CT scan. Dennis went back into the room. A man in his early twenties sat in bed looking worse for wear.

"Nathan how are you feeling?" Dennis asked.

"In a lot of fucking pain," Nathan grumbled.

"Well, what your results are showing are not signs of appendicitis like we originally thought, are there any underlying conditions you forgot about, or family history you didn't mention? Everything counts," Dennis explained.

Nathan's eyes darkened. There was something he wasn't saying. Dennis gave an assuring smile and Nathan sighed rubbing a hand over his face. He seemed almost nervous if not a little fearful. Dennis had never felt like he related to someone more.

"My mother had multiple ovarian cysts," he explained.

"That wouldn't affect you unless you had ovaries... unless," Dennis trailed off.

"I'm trans dude," he sighed.

"I see, that helps us a lot, we'll get someone in here to check out if you have a cyst, if it's hurting this bad it could be ruptured and we just want to make sure you're okay," Dennis explained, "don't you worry about a thing Nathan, if anyone is acting inappropriate to you for being trans send them my way."

Dennis grinned at Nathan who eased up and smiled back. Dennis left and went back to the nurse’s station to go and complete some paperwork. It seemed to be a never-ending thing in the Pitt.

Dennis sat down for a moment to finish as much as he could, but then there was a scream. Dennis was on his feet immediately looking around. There was a guy with a scalpel looking rather pissed off with a not so friendly look in his eye. Dana and Garcia were trying to calm him down, but he was not having it. The guy was also huge and Dennis was not about to let his coworkers get hurt by this man so he stepped up to help.

"Stay back, I'm warning you I'll kill you all," he spat.

"Calm down sir, we only want to help you," Garcia tried.

"Yeah, just put the scalpel down and we can help," Dana added hands out in for of her.

"And let you poison me you bitch?" the man spat.

Then he lunged.

Dennis sprang into action. He went forwards and decked the guy. The guy flailed around swiping at Dennis. He sliced Dennis' cheek open while Dennis was on top of him grabbing at his hands. Soon enough the guy got back up and charged at Dennis who threw the guy over his shoulder slamming him into the ground. He then ripped out the drawstring of his scrubs and used them to tie the man's hands up.

The man writhed around on the floor spitting curses at Dennis like he was Satan reincarnated. Dennis thought it was over until the man who he now suspected was on drugs that enhanced him a hell of a lot broke through the restraints and went for Dennis again only to be knocked out dead cold by Dennis' fist.

The man crumpled to the ground with a thud and Dennis sighed. This was an eventful day. And now he was bleeding. Dennis tried to put a hand up to his face, but it was grabbed by Dana who was looking at him like he was a mad man. Dennis just looked back confused. He had only done what he had to in that situation, so it was weird she was so surprised. She grabbed Dennis and pulled him into an empty bay forcing him to sit down so she could work.

"What the actual fuck Dennis," she said, "how the hell did you knock that guy out!"

"Farm boy strength," Dennis shrugged wincing a bit as Dana cleaned the room.

"Wait until your other half hears about this," she sighed.

"Other half?" Dennis questioned.

"Old people slang for significant other," Dana explained.

As if on cue Dennis' "other half" came running into the bay wide eyed and frantic. Robby was usually calm, but it wasn't usually the love of his life in the er for an injury now was it.

Robby had seen the tail end of the incident. He had watched Dennis punch the guy but had gotten swept up in the chaos and hadn't seen where Dana had taken Dennis so he had only just concluded his search.

Robby came to Dennis' side and checked out the Injury.

"That's going to need stitches," Robby muttered, "are you ok?"

"Yeah, head would’ve bled like a pig’s slit throat, so it's not that bad," Dennis assured.

Robby was pushed to the side by Dana who continued to clean up the wound to prepare it for stitches. Dennis took the hand that Robby had outstretched as Dana applied the lidocaine to begin the stitches. Dennis winced but fought through the pain. It wasn't too big of a cut and after the area went numb it wasn't all that bad. He also had Robby's hand to squeeze when it got particularly uncomfortable.

Once the stitches were done Dana covered the wound and sent Dennis on his way. Dennis went straight back to work ignoring the hovering coworkers that consisted of Robby, Dana, Trinity, and Jack. Dennis was slightly fed up with it because he was done. Jack should know that more than anyone that he was fine he was a vampire for god’s sake.

Dennis was not having it and went back to see Nathan who had smiled when he saw Dennis. Dennis picked up the chart and bingo. The man had and ovarian cyst. The scans showed that it wasn't bad enough to need surgery, but some pain medications were in order. Dennis went over to Jack to get that sorted out. Dennis ignored the way Jack was trying to give him looks in favour for looking the very interesting wall smudge behind him.

Once Dennis had that sorted out, he went to his next case which was an 18-year-old woman who had presented with flu-like symptoms which had only gotten worse, and her fever was ridiculously high. Dennis pulled out all the stops and ran all the tests on the woman whose name was Carmen. She was delirious most of the time and rambled on about work schedules and a birthday party Dennis was told happened months ago.

Dennis had become very worried at these symptoms. Then came the vomiting and Dennis decided that he needed to really couldn't play this off any longer.

He could smell it. It was meningitis and now he had to make sure. Did he have any evidence to back up his claim and ask to do a spinal tap. Was he going to ask to do a spinal tap. Yes.

He went straight to Robby and told him his diagnosis. Robby asked him if he was absolutely sure, and Dennis told him he was one hundred percent confident that the cause was meningitis. Robby allowed for the spinal tap and when the results came back it was in fact meningitis.

Dennis sighed in relief as the woman was wheeled off to get treatment. His shift was just about over so he went to the locker room to grab his things. As he was in there Dennis was corralled by Robby who shepherded him to his car. Dennis happily obliged taking advantage of the heated seats the minute he got into the car.

Robby started the drive back to his place where Kat was probably waiting by her food bowl with some choice words lined up for Robby and nothing but loving for Dennis.

"How's the head?" Robby asked Dennis.

"Huh- oh fine, a little sore but I'll live," Dennis replied.

"That's good, it was pretty scary watching you punch a guy, I didn't see it all but apparently you flipped him over your shoulder," Robby hummed, trying not to let the worry onto his tongue.

"I grew up on a farm, I'm stronger than you think," Dennis shrugged.

"So I've heard," Robby nodded, "still it was rather heart attack inducing."

"You'll get used to it," Dennis grinned.

"No, I won't. Do not make this a regular thing," Robby scolded.

Dennis laughed and to Robby the sound was similar to a siren’s song pulling him into the water to drown him... and well, Robby would gladly let it happen. If Robby were to be killed, he would rather it be by Dennis. Because if Dennis were to do it then Robby could be assured that there would have been a good reason for it to have happened.

They pulled up to Robby's house and Dennis didn't want to move he was too comfortable in the seat and Robby wasn't having that. He scooped Dennis up out of the car and brought him inside. Robby set Dennis down on the couch before going into the kitchen to grab himself a drink. It was only a glass of water, and he brought a second one to Dennis who accepted it but didn't sit up from where he laid. Robby picked Dennis' legs up and sat down letting them fall onto his lap.

"Long day," Robby announced.

Dennis nodded in agreement. He sighed contently as Robby ran a pair of hands over his sore legs, massaging them. He had been on his feet for so long and it was killing him. Robby was just preparing for this conversation.

"Dennis," he started.

"Yeah babe?" Dennis replied the nickname slipping off Dennis' tongue as easily as it did while he was drunk.

"You remember our conversation? About our sex life," Robby asked.

Dennis nodded now sitting up. This was going. To be a horrible conversation. Dennis' head was running wild. He wanted to trust to Robby, he really did but his trust issues dug into him like an almost molten piece of glass. Strong enough to slice and hot enough to burn.

"Yes," Dennis' words came out weaker than expected.

"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to," Robby assured, "I just want you to know it doesn't matter what I'll always love you."

That word. Love.

Love had always been conditional for Dennis. So, the "no matter what" part was frightening. Was it true? Or was it a lie to get Dennis to let his guard down so Robby could destroy him emotionally. Dennis shuddered at the thought. Robby noticed.

"Dennis I'm not lying," Robby tried.

"It's just... hard, Robby," Dennis muttered, "I've been told that love is conditional, and I'm scared you won't like me if you knew me."

Robby felt a pang of something in his chest. How could someone do something to a man so perfect, so kind. Robby just wanted to hold him and tell him it was alright.

"Dennis, if I don't like you for who you are then I'm not worth it," Robby stated matter-of-factly, "if I am upset by who you are then you are better off without me."

Dennis looked away from Robby with a pained expression on his face. He didn't know what to do at this point. He wanted so much to tell Robby the truth, but he was still so scared. Dennis still had the scars from last time he told someone he was trans. Not including Trinity of course. Though after she dropped a scalpel in Garcia's foot Dennis was weary that she would accidentally butcher him in her sleep.

"I want to believe you," Dennis muttered, "but it's hard."

"I don't know what you went through Dennis, but I know it affected you a lot, and if you can't tell me yet that's fine. I just want you to know that I love you no matter what," Robby added.

Dennis was really not okay now. All he wanted to do was tell Robby everything. As hard as he goddamn tried, he couldn't shake the fear. He sat there in silence for a long-time, nails digging into his palms as he tried to ground himself. He was trying to rationalise his fears that Robby would hate him, but the problem was that he for some reason couldn't. Nothing he could think of could rationalise not telling Robby, that was the worst part since without it Dennis, through his fears, felt compelled to tell Robby everything.

"I..." Dennis trailed off unable to find the right words.

Robby slipped his hands into Dennis' inadvertently stopping him from harming himself. The motion seemed to be just enough to send a spike of confidence through Dennis who opened his mouth.

Closed it.

Took a deep breath.

"Take off my shirt Micheal."

Chapter Text

Robby was taken aback. He blinked in pure surprise. Dennis had just asked him to take off his shirt. Was this some form of trick? Was it bad that Robby was gladly going to fall for it.

"What...?" Robby blurted out.

"I trust you," Dennis said, "so take off my shirt."

Robby slowly removed his hands from Dennis' and moved to the hem of Dennis scrub shirt and undershirt. Robby slowly lifted it upwards. Dennis lifted his arms to help Robby get the layers off.

The clothes dropped to the floor with a soft thud and Robby noticed that Dennis still had a singlet on. He then noticed that it was in fact not a singlet.

The piece of clothing covered the top half of Dennis' torso,and it looked exactly like a binder. Robby's eyes widened.

"Do you wear that at work Dennis? That isn't safe to have onthat long," Robby blurted out.

Dennis blinked. His ribs could attest to that. But that wasn't what had Dennis confused. It was the fact he hadn't mentioned why Dennis wore a binder in the first place.

"Is that all?" Dennis asked, "you're such a doctor."

Robby blinked. It seems he hadn't addressed the elephant in the room. He went red and went to apologise but Dennis cut him off with his own rambling.

"Listen I know that this is a big thing and I would understand if it made you uncomfortable or anything and if it's too much for you I won't be mad if you end things-" Dennis didn't get to finish as he was startled by Robby's hands on his face.

Robby had this soft smile on his face as he studied Dennis,who, as the man stared longer and longer the redder Dennis became, he saw nothing but adoration in Robby's eyes which really pulled on something in Dennis' heart.

"You think I care, well I mean I do but not in that way, I care about you, not what you look like. Because no matter what,you're beautiful to me and that's all that matters not if you have male or female anatomy. God Dennis, I'm just glad you decided to give an old man like me a chance," Robby explained, "you are transgender right? If I got this wrong that's embarrassing."

"I am," Dennis nodded. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to cry or rip the rest of his clothes off for Robby because both options seemed like good options. Though crying was out of the question.

"Ok, cool," Robby nodded, "but we do have to talk about your binding habits."

Dennis couldn't help it. All thoughts of crying out of his mind he burst into maniacal laughter. It was cackling so hard that Robby actually worried he had a mental break and needed to go to psych but Dennis saw his concern and it only made him laugh harder. He managed out wheezy "I'm ok's" and "everything is fine" through his laughs. It took a rather long time for him to calm down but once he did he looked at Robby and grinned like a manic.

"You really don't care," he sighed.

"Why should I, you're still a man, I still love you, and even if you weren't trans I'm still into women. It's not like anything would turn me away," Robby replied.

"Trinity said the same thing, albeit with less poise," Dennis chuckled, "I don't know why I was so worried."

Robby raised an eyebrow. Dennis did know why he was so worried but that was a package to be opened another time. Right now, the only thing that mattered was Dennis and Robby. Together and in love.

"I'm glad you're ok," Robby smiled.

"Well, I guess since you know we can have sex now," Dennis joked.

The joke fell... strangely. The way it fell had Robby raking his eyes up Dennis' body. Would it make Robby a bad person to say he wanted to rip Dennis' binder off because my god, did he want to see the man naked. Against Robby's better judgment he leaned forward only for Dennis to do the exact same thing. They stopped both surprised and a little humoured.

Robby grabbed Dennis' face and pulled him in for a kiss. Their mouths met and Robby used his other hand to pull Dennis on his lap. Robby bit at Dennis' lips to achieve that swollen fantasy that Robby was thinking about earlier. Dennis whimpered into the kiss which on solidified the erection growing in Robby's pants. Robby stuck his tongue into Dennis' mouth and Dennis was surprised at the level of passion coming out of Robby. Dennis let out another surprised sound when Robby's hand landed on then squeezed Dennis ass.

“Robby,” Dennis breathed into the kiss.

“Mhm?” Robby replied.

Dennis took a deep breath unsure of what he was about to say.

“Fuck me Micheal,” Dennis pleaded.

That’s all it took for Robby. The older man tugged at Dennis’ binder to try and get it off and Dennis helped Robby get it off him since it was a rather annoying piece of clothing to get in and out of.

Once the binder was off Robby leaned back taking in Dennis. He was wearing only his scrub pants and his tits, while on the smaller side, were still breathtaking. Robby knew Dennis would probably want them removed at some point and he’d be just as hot without them but now Robby could indulge.

Robby hauled Dennis up and made a break for the bedroom ignoring how his back would hate him in the morning. Robby threw Dennis onto the bed and Dennis looked up at him while Robby removed his own shirt. Robby was then on top of Dennis. Dennis immediately wrapped his arms around Robby to kiss him again. Robby’s hands were busy feeling up every part of Dennis. They moved up from his stomach over his ribs then landed on his breast. Dennis let out a moan as Robby groped him.

“Fuck Robby that feels so good,” Dennis panted.

The heat between Dennis’ legs was akin to hellfire. He just wanted to be touched everywhere. He wanted to feel Robby inside him.

Robby’s mouth moved away from Dennis’ he moved down his neck leaving a trail of hickeys in his wake. Dennis, who was already a sensitive person, was unable to stop the moans and whimpers from coming out of his mouth. He tried to stifle them with Robby’s pillow but a hand grabbed Dennis’ face and wrenched it back. Dennis’ eyes met Robby’s. Robby was looking at him hungrily and that only fanned the fire in Dennis stomach. He was so fucking wet.

“Let me hear you Dennis,” Robby whispered lowly. His voice gravely and seductive.

Robby moved back down to Dennis’ chest. He clasped his lips over Dennis nipple sucking and licking like a starving man. Dennis could do nothing but moan and arch his back into the feeling. Robby left more hickeys around Dennis chest. It was torturous in the most blissfully erotic way for Dennis. He was just so glad that it was Robby doing this to him.

“Whitaker,” Robby breathed, “can I take your pants off?”

“Yes- yes please” Dennis agreed.

Dennis watched Robby slowly hook his fingers onto the waistband of Dennis’ scrubs and boxers. With a pace so agonisingly slow Robby released Dennis from the confines of his bottoms. Dennis breathed out as the cold air hit his swollen clit.

Robby stared at him and Dennis became a little embarrassed but powered through it. He knew Robby wasn’t judging him.

“Fuck Dennis, you’re so wet,” Robby muttered before nodding to his crotch, “mind if I?”

“Yes go for it,” Dennis nodded enthusiastically.

Robby with Dennis consent Robby’s hand came forward and he swiped his thumb over Dennis clit. Dennis let out a vulgar noise and bucked his hips forward.

“Now, now, be patient,” Robby told him.

Robby leaned down feeling the heat of Dennis on his face. He started higher at Dennis’ stomach kissing down his body until he reached back down to Dennis crotch. Robby settled in comfortably before running his tongue up Dennis’ slit. Dennis moaned his legs instinctively snapping inwards. Robby held them apart and looked up at Dennis.

“Ok?” He asked.

“Yes, yes, please don’t stop, please I need- I- I need-,” Dennis was unable to finish his sentence.

“Use your words Whitaker,” Robby instructed.

“I need you,” he managed.

Robby went back to pleasuring his partner. He ran his tongue over Dennis clit, sending jolts of pleasure shooting through Dennis making his head fuzzy with pleasure. It was the best feeling he’d ever felt. Dennis decided then and there to throw out all his vibrators because nothing could compare to the feeling he was currently feeling. That was a lie, Dennis would not be throwing away his vibrators.

Dennis squirmed under the feeling. He was getting so close to an orgasm it wasn’t funny. He then felt Robby’s fingers at his entrance. Dennis arched even harder and let out the loudest moan of the night as Robby’s fingers curled up inside of him. Dennis felt every inside him and there was nothing for him to do except let Robby know how close he was.

“Robby I’m gonna come!” Dennis yelled out his hips bucking and back arching so much it hurt.

Robby let out a groan into Dennis’ groin. The vibrations shot up Dennis’ spine and sent him crashing into his orgasm like a tsunami crushing a building.

“Oh my gods yes” Dennis cried.

Robby didn’t stop. He kept going all throughout Dennis’ orgasm only stopping when he had come down and was now a twitching mess. The slightest touch would be enough to make him cry out in borderline blissful pain.

“Good boy Dennis,” Robby praised, “you did such a good job.”

Dennis went red, squeezing his legs together. The post orgasm clarity was setting in and he was feeling a bit embarrassed. He was also getting aroused again at being called a good boy. Robby really did see him as a man even while eating him out.

“You look like you could use a hand,” Dennis hummed looking at Robby’s cock which was straining through his pants.

“I have a better place to put it,” Robby replied, eyes darting down to between Dennis’ legs. Dennis blushed eyes darkening at the thought of Robby buried deep inside him in just as much bliss as Dennis.

Dennis sat himself up. He tilted his head a little to the side.

“Well then, why are you just sitting there?” Dennis asked.

Robby’s eyes darkened this time, and he advanced on Dennis ripping, off his pants and underwear while he did so. Dennis saw Robby’s dick and by fucking God he was huge. It was a little intimidating to Dennis but he was too excited at the thought of that drilling into his guts to let his intimidation have any effect on him.

The tip was leaking precum and Dennis wanted to lick it off, he imagined it be slightly salty.

Robby pushed Dennis back down onto the bed with a wild look in his eyes that softened momentarily.

“You need to tell me if you want me to stop, okay?” Robby said softly.

“Okay,” Dennis nodded.

“I mean it I don’t want to hurt you,” Robby muttered.

“I’ll tell you I promise,” Dennis assured.

With that Robby kissed Dennis as he prepared to enter him. Neither man even thought about needing condom since they were both too horny to think about anything else other than one being inside the other.

Robby teased Dennis’ entrance running the tip of his dick over it. Dennis let out a moan into the kiss that was like music to Robby’s ears. Robby slowly eased in which made Dennis arch again.

“Oh gods,” Dennis breathed.

Robby chucked.

“You’re taking me so well,” Robby praised groping Dennis tits again.

Dennis let out a breathy moan. Robby moved his hand from Dennis’ breast to his jaw. He stuck his fingers in Dennis mouth to pry it open. Robby then leaned down and spat straight into Dennis’ mouth. Dennis was reeling, he in fact found something out about himself.

Robby raised an eyebrow at Dennis who shook himself back to reality.

“Do that again,” Dennis begged.

Robby smirked and spat on Dennis again while picking up the pace inside him. In response Dennis wrapped his arms around Robby taking his fingernails down Robby’s back. Blood seeping from the wounds.

The pleasure mixed with bloodlust sent Dennis into a place he never wanted it to leave. His moans were almost constant, and he felt nothing but pleasure.

Robby groaned and it was mixed with a hiss of pain.

“Whitaker,” he snapped.

Dennis couldn’t bring himself to feel sorry until Robby pulled out. Dennis’ face a displeased whine.

“Robby,” he gasped.

Robby grabbed Dennis by the throat. Only lightly, not enough to obstruct his airway’s.

“You really think you can do that and get away with it?” Robby scoffed gaging Dennis reaction.

“Who’s gonna stop me,” Dennis asked his eyes almost challenging Robby to punish him.

Robby with those words squeezed a little and the light-headedness that overtook Dennis was purely heavenly.

“Want to change that answer?” Robby asked.

“No,” Dennis stated matter-of-factly.

Robby let go of Dennis and sat back grabbing his discarded scrub pants. Dennis did not expect his partner to tie him to the bed, but Dennis was all for it.

“There,” Robby stated, “now, you do what you’re told, hm?”

Dennis just wanted Robby inside him again, so he nodded. Robby just glared at him feathering his fingers on Dennis swollen clit. Dennis squirmed under him.

“Yes, Micheal,” Dennis nodded.

Robby smiled and pushed himself back into Dennis who immediately went back into a state of bliss. The tight binds around his wrists only adding to the immense amounts of pleasure he was feeling. His body had so many different feelings happening all at once it was slightly painful in the best way possible.

Dennis felt Robby’s thrusts become deeper and harder. The pace quickened and this sent Dennis close to his next orgasm. He could tell by the look on Robby’s face the older man wasn’t far off his either.

Every thrust elicited a moan or grunt and then Robby thrust in and made a move that singled to Dennis he had orgasmed. Dennis followed close behind both of them riding out their orgasms together. When they were done Robby flopped down beside Dennis panting.

“Are you gonna untie now?” Dennis asked.

Robby looked up at Dennis’ tied hands and made an “ah” noise before propping himself up to release Dennis from his bindings. There was some friction burns on Dennis wrists.

“We need to get you something for that,” Robby hummed lightly running a hand over the marks.

“Worth it,” Dennis hummed yawning. “I just thought you’d be a lot more vanilla, given your age.”

“Don’t insult my age after I just made you orgasm twice,” Robby replied.

“Mhm,” Dennis yawned, “I’m going to go have a shower.”

“Don’t use all the hot water I need one,” Robby replied.

“Come with me then,” Dennis offered.

Robby sighed and got up. His back was killing him, but a shower would help.

Showering together was shown up to be sexy and Dennis,being inexperienced, was rudely shoved into reality while seasoned Robby knew this was going to happen but just wanted to spend more time seeing his lover naked and pleasured. Robby also forgot about the marks on his back and that was a rather painful reminder as boiling water pounded onto his back, courtesy of Dennis’ absurd water temperature. This confused Dennis who had in-fact actually put the coldwater tap on since he had a human in the shower with him.

Robby had told him he was crazy and turned the water down. The rest of the shower wasn’t awkward but it sure was uncomfortable given that someone had to be cold while the other one got to be under the water.

Once they got out, Dennis went to Robby’s closest and grabbed a pair of boxers which he threw on and he crawled into bed yawning. Robby joined him having put on underwear and shirt. Dennis spread out his entire body needing to stretch after that activity. Robby just made sure he had a hand on him while he while he fell asleep. That was enough for him.

They fell asleep like that. Things were perfect in both of their minds and that was all that mattered.

Chapter Text

Dennis was having a good day. None of his cases had been fatal and he was out to Robby, which was all he needed to feel okay. When Dennis had told Trinity what had happened, she had been so excited. Less so when Dennis started getting into the details, but he couldn't help it! He was feeling like he was the king of the world. Besides that, Robby had been amazing. The morning after they had sex Robby had gotten up early and made Dennis breakfast. Dennis had been completely hooked at that point. If he hadn't been already. Which he probably had been.

Dennis was now trying to get blood from a young girl who was very sick. This was the sort of sick even Dennis didn't recognise. She was scared though, the thought of a needle in her arm was clearly upsetting her. The parents weren't helping they just told Dennis to hold her down and she'd get over it like they did last time, that was when Dennis understood why the girl was so afraid now.

Dennis looked around and it seemed the only person who was free was Garcia. He waved her over and she came over with a questioning look.

"This is Doctor Garcia," Dennis explained, "she's going to put the needle in me."

Garcia gave him another look, but he just handed her the tools, and she sat down to start. She put the tourniquet on Dennis' bicep and let the vein pop. She then inserted the needle and they both looked over to the girl who was wary but curious.

"See it's nothing," Dennis smiled.

"Does it hurt?" She asked Dennis.

"Like a pinch," Dennis explained, "I can promise you it's not too bad, and hey, do it now and it's done."

The girl finally agreed. She asked that Garcia do it since she had seen her put Dennis' needle in and she agreed. Dennis held her hand while her parents were too busy on their phones doing work stuff to notice. This pissed Dennis off, assholes weren't going to ruin your good mood. He would take a warning or a write up with the same grace he took the beatings when he was younger.

So, slightly emotionally.

Dennis went up to the parents who vaguely looked up to hear him. Dennis frowned and his face grew stone cold.

"Your child is sitting there, scared, with an illness that could harm her. We won't know until the tests come back," Dennis snapped while Garcia seemed rather distracted talking to the girl. Dennis was happy she was letting him chew these people out.

"It's pretty horrible that you're ignoring her, she needs her parents not some doctors who she's never met," Dennis snapped, "now if you'll excuse me I'm going to try and find out what is wrong with your daughter."

Dennis then left feeling actually rather proud of himself for standing up for the girl. He went and ran her labs and caught up on some other work before he headed back. When he saw the family, the parents were sitting by the girl awkwardly trying to comfort her. Neither could look Dennis in the eye, so he dropped off the labs and handed the case over to Garcia.

Dennis finally got his lunch break and ended up in the break room with Mel.

"Hey Mel," Dennis smiled grabbing a cup of coffee.

"Hi Dennis, are you doing alright?" Mel asked

"Great," Dennis grinned.

Mel gave a reluctant smile back.

"That's good," she nodded, "how are you and Robby, since you're together?"

"Good," Dennis nodded, "I guess it must be weird for you, I'm dating the boss aren't I."

"I worry about the power dynamic," Mel admitted.

That was something Dennis chose to ignore. Since Robby had authority over him, he could probably take advantage of Dennis if he wanted to. Dennis trusted Robby would never do something like that to him, but to others anything they do could be seen as either Dennis being controlled. On the other hand, it could look like Robby was favouriting Dennis even though he wasn't.

Dennis wasn't an idiot, Dennis was sure the moment the higher ups got a whiff of their relationship Dennis would be shipped halfway across the country so Robby would be nowhere in his chain of command. It seemed like a stupid rule to Dennis but a small rational part of his fucked up brain knew there was a good reason for it.

"He wouldn't do anything to me," Dennis assured smiling at Mel, "but I trust you'll knock some sense into me if it gets that way."

"I'd get Trinity to do it," Mel replied.

Dennis nodded in agreement Trinity would not put up with Dennis' shit if he was in a toxic relationship; she would kick him in the balls then go kill whoever was hurting him. Dennis of course wasn't worried. He had Robby and he knew Robby wouldn't do anything to hurt him.

Dennis left the break room saying goodbye to Mel before heading back into the Pitt. The fluorescent lighting was giving Dennis a headache. It didn't usually but he guessed he was worn out and maybe a little hungry.

Dennis was sucked out of his thoughts when a massive commotion overtook the area. The paramedics rushed in bringing the scent of blood with them. Dennis tensed and ran forward.

He took to one side of stretcher and saw Robby on the other.

"What have got?" Robby asked pulling on a pair of gloves and Dennis did the same.

"Thirty-year-old Caucasian male with a ten inch laceration in the front region on the right thigh with possible associated hematoma," the paramedic rattled off.

If that wasn't obvious, Dennis don't know what was. The man was conscious but had a scared look in his eyes.

"Don't worry sir you're at the hospital we're going to treat you," Dennis told the man.

"My daughter," the man sputtered, "she was in the car."

"The children's hospital," the paramedic said to Dennis.

"She's at the children's hospital, she's going to be treated too," Dennis assured.

"Call my wife, she needs to be with her," the man told Dennis as he struggled with his jacket pocket thrusting a phone into Dennis chest. Dennis handed the phone off to a nurse and followed Robby into trauma bay two.

"Whitaker, control the bleeding," Robby instructed.

Dennis got to work adding more dressings on top of the wound while applying pressure. Blood soaked Dennis' gloved hands and the smell made Dennis lightheaded. There was venom pooling in his mouth and there was nothing he could do except breathe through his mouth to try and negate as much of the man's blood's scent as he could.

He had a steady flow of blood for a while now, so why the hell was this making him so uncontrollably ravenous. Dennis was either going to sink his teeth into this man or pass out and he wasn't sure which was the better option. Dennis held out as long as he could his body becoming as ridged as a statue in the places he didn't need to be moving which consisted of only his arms to put pressure on the wound.

A hand then landed on Dennis' shoulder and in a low voice Dennis heard Jack.

"Get out of here" he instructed.

Dennis didn't need to be told twice he booked it from the room and found himself in the safest place he could think to be. The little single stall bathroom just inside the maintenance tunnel. Dennis got inside and couldn't stop himself. He shoved the blood-soaked glove into his mouth sucking on his own fingers like they were lollies. The taste of the blood on Dennis tongue was overwhelming. Blood had never tasted this good to him. Maybe he was finally losing it, that seemed like a viable option.

Dennis jumped when he heard a knock at the door. He quickly removed his gloves and washed the blood from around his mouth. He then went to the door and opened it. Robby stood there looking at Dennis with a questioning look.

"Oh, Robby," Dennis said, "is everything okay?"

"I should ask you that. You seemed to run out of there rather quick," Robby replied, "are you alright?"

Dennis needed to come up with a lie.

"I... Uhm, I'm still recovering from last night," Dennis muttered meekly.

Robby blinked. He had been harsh, but he hadn't been that harsh, had he? The awkward atmosphere was almost palpable as they stood there. Dennis was hoping his lie worked and Robby was getting hard thinking about last night.

"Are you ok?" Robby finally asked, "should I book you anobgyn appointment? Make sure there isn't any bleeding."

Dennis let out a breath. At least he believed it but now he had to convince Robby he wasn't actively bleeding out of his vagina out of the normal time he was meant to do that.

"I'm fine Robby," Dennis assured putting a hand on Robby's arm, "just sore, I was... well you took my virginity."

"You were a virgin before me?" Robby asked, mouth falling open.

"Well, I'm not exactly many people's cup of tea am I," Dennis smiled jokingly, "unless they have a fetish." 

"Are you saying I have a fetish for trans men?" Robby teased.

"No, no," Dennis shook his head, "it seems like you're a lot less vanilla than I thought, we'll just call my anatomy situation a happy accident."

Both men burst out laughing at the absurdity of their current conversation. Dennis did have half an idea of how non-vanilla Robby was and he was about to find out.

"So, does that mean no sex tonight?" Robby asked.

"Are you offering," Dennis replied feeling the tingle between his legs.

"Of course," Robby nodded.

"Well, I'm not that sore from last night," Dennis hummed suggestively.

Robby raised an eyebrow before leaning in.

"Good because I am spanking you until your ass is red and marked while giving you soft praise for taking it to well," Robby told Dennis hand tucking a strand of Dennis' frankly shaggy hair behind his ear.

Dennis froze at the words. Every word sent a jolt down Dennis' spine like an acupuncture needle. He didn't know what to say, all he could think was that he was completely and utterly on board with that idea.

"Also, Dennis, you have blood on your chin," Robby hummed before turning and leaving.

He left Dennis there soaking a wet patch into his underwear unable to function like a normal person. Dennis needed Trinity to come give him a factory reset, which would consist of her hitting him on the head really hard until he either got knocked out or was brought back into the real world. He stood there for another five minutes before he was able to conjure up a single thought which was that he had to get back to work.

Dennis left the small bathroom and went back into the main area of the Pitt. People were bustling around so he joined the chaos getting himself lost in work so he would think about Robby, more accurately Robby's hands and what they would do to his body if given the chance.

It wasn't until Dennis was finally free for a lunch break was,he able to talk to someone about his current predicament. It just had to be Jack didn't it.

Jack had stolen him a bag of blood and from the storage and Dennis had shot gunned it like a beer. Then he sat there huffing to get his breath back. It had become second nature to them both to run away to the old unused area of the hospital, that Dennis used to call home, during lunch it was actually something Dennis enjoyed.

“So, Robby’s been telling me way too many personal details about you two,” Jack started.

“Did you know how fucking freaky Robby was?” Dennis asked.

“Yes,” Jack nodded.

“And you didn’t tell me,” Dennis scoffed crossing his arms, “I’m into it but my gods would it have been nice to know beforehand so I could’ve prepared better.”

“Sorry I didn’t tell you my best friend would tie you up?” Jack replied unsurely.

“I accept your apology,” Dennis nodded.

“But into the more pressing matters. You looked like you were about to pounce on that guy,” Jack told Dennis a worried look in his face.

“I don’t know what happened, maybe I need to readjust my testosterone I might have a hormone imbalance and it might be what’s making me like this,” Dennis muttered running a hand through his hair stopping to rub the strands Robby had touched earlier that day.

“I can do some bloods,” Jack offered.

“No, I have to go to a particular doctor back in Nebraska, a proper vampire doctor, testing can show that I’m not human which would be a nightmare if anyone saw the test,” Dennis explained.

“What if I did it off the books?” Jack tried.

“I don’t want to risk it but thanks for the offer,” Dennis smiled.

“All good, tell me if you change your mind,” Jack nodded.

They parted ways and Dennis got straight back to work. He was still reeling from Robby’s teasing and just wanted to keep himself busy, so he didn’t think too hard about it and distracted himself. If he was distracted, he’d put the lives of every patient in the hospital at risk. Dennis didn’t want to hurt anyone… did he? Today’s events made him question if he even really was as stable as he claimed to be. Dennis wondered if it would be in bad taste to give Jack a gun and some silver bullets. Dennis did own some for obvious reasons.

Dennis decided he would ask Jack if he wanted to have the items whenever they next had a moment to talk. Dennis spent the rest of his shift stuck in his work until he was finally allowed to go home.

He waited by Robby’s truck. The older man was taking exceptionally long to get back to the car. Dennis had half a mind to smash the window and hotwire the car for the heaters but before he couldn’t act on that, he saw Robby in his same jacket as always. When he saw Dennis, he shrugged it off and handed it to him. Dennis didn’t hesitate to throw it on and get in the car.

The drive home was silent. Was it the anticipation? Or were they both just too tired to talk. Dennis didn’t care if they never spoke again as long as he had his partner’s company, he would be ok. On the other hand, Robby was freaking out thinking Dennis was mad at him or weirded out by his comment in the bathroom. Robby also didn’t know how to approach the subject without making it awkward for both of them.

As they pulled up to the house, they both got out and made their way inside, Dennis dropping Robby’s jacket on the back of the couch. Robby went for the coffee machine while Dennis went and fed the, oh so starving, Kat who was screaming at him like a toddler. Dennis slightly rethought the‘having kids’ idea if a cat could be this bad. Though, it didn’t stop him from loving Kat to death so he doubted it would sway him in the end.

Once Dennis had fed the cat, he wandered towards the kitchen to find Robby who was cradling a cup of coffee. Dennis walked over and took it from him taking a sip before handing it back. It tasted like dirt. Didn’t that man know what sugar was? Dennis decided he wasn’t going to try and get the man addicted to sugar tonight. He had other things he wanted Robby addicted to.

“Are you going to hold true to your promise?” Dennis asked Robby.

Robby stared at him for a moment taking a slow agonising sip of his coffee. He watched Dennis with darkened eyes.

“Depends on you, I’m still a little worried since you said you were sore from last time,” Robby replied.

“I’m fine for something a little less intense if you can manage that?” Dennis stated.

“Can I finish my coffee first?” Robby inquired, “then I’m all yours.”

Dennis nodded lifting up the hem of his scrub shirt. He tugged it off to reveal his binder. He had been wearing it for way too long and he needed it off.

“Need some help with that?” Robby asked.

“If you don’t mind,” Dennis nodding turning his back to Robby.

Robby helped him shimmy his way out of the binder. The relief he felt was immediate and he could finally take a deep breath. He sighed as Robby lightly scratched his back to help with the transition.

“Oh that feels so much better,” Dennis breathed turning back o face Robby.

Robby’s eyes immediately flicked down to his breasts and Dennis just gave him an unimpressed look before crossing his arms.

“My eyes are up here you degenerate,” Dennis said.

Robby looked back up but didn’t seem like was happy about it.

“You’ve seen them before, and they’re getting cut off anyway,” Dennis added.

“I’m just admiring,” Robby shrugged.

Dennis rolled his eyes. Robby could stare at his chest all he wanted, he felt comfortable enough with the man to let him do that. He knew that Robby still thought of him as a man even with the extra parts he had, so Dennis was fine with it. He just liked to tease his partner.

“Finish your coffee, I’m going to the bedroom,” Dennis told Robby.

Dennis skulked off to the bedroom where he collapse on the mattress. He wanted to get fully undressed and look sexy for Robby but he just couldn’t be bothered. Would Dennis be a bad person for asking Robby to do the hard work tonight? He’d make up for it in way of head, but he just wanted to be taken care of tonight.

Robby, who had abandoned his coffee, decided he wouldn’t tell Dennis that he strode into the bedroom where Dennis was. Dennis sat up and smiled at him. He watched as Robby walked closer to him until he hit the edge of the bed where he crawled on top of Dennis. Dennis wrapped his arms around Robby’s neck and pulled him in. The kiss was soft and effortless. It wasn’t like the last time, that had been fiery and intense. This was a slower pace, and Dennis was glad for it,

Robby broke the kiss so he could flutter kisses down Dennis neck. He didn’t want to leave any marks tonight, he just wanted his mouth on every part of his lover. Robby’s hand snaked downwards between Dennis thighs. It hovered there while Robby looked at Dennis for permission to continue.

“Go ahead,” Dennis whispered.

Robby palmed Dennis through the fabric of his scrub pantsand Dennis let his head fall backwards so he could revel in the feeling. It only served to make Dennis wetter and it seemed to be just what Robby had wanted. Robby slipped his hand underneath the fabric and his fingers found their way to Dennis’ clit. Robby rubbed the nerves in all the right way,leaving Dennis breathless.

Dennis let of a string of soft moans that were like a siren’ssong to the ears of Robby. He caught Dennis’ mouth in a kiss wanting to feel the vibration of Dennis’ words on his lips.

Robby finally, to Dennis pleasure, curled his fingers up inside him. Robby watched as Dennis’ breath hitched, Robby kissed him again with the same softness. An unspoken praise from the older man to the younger one. Dennis’ toes curled as Robby continued to thrust his fingers in and out of Dennis. It was enough to send Dennis over the edge. The orgasm matched that of a tidal wave and Dennis’ back arched up before falling back down as he went into post orgasm bliss.

It took a lot of coaxing from Robby afterwards for Dennis to get out of bed because even though he had just laid there,Dennis was suddenly so fucking tired. The minute he actually got changed and got back into bed he was out like a light,while Robby had trouble sleeping.

Maybe that cup of coffee wasn’t a good idea.

Chapter Text

The feeling of needing to vomit plagued Dennis the entire morning, even when he got to work. It wasn't until Dennis smelled an infection from a patient who hadn't gotten proper care from a deep wound, that Dennis wasn't able to hold it in. He didn't make it to any bathroom, and he ended up chucking up his guts in the paper waste basket by the nurse's station. Dana had rubbed his back while he threw up his breakfast. It would just be Dennis' luck that he got sick; he'd never been someone who could rely on luck.

Dana forced him to sit at Robby's desk until she could figure out what to do with him. He was given a couple sick bags which all ended up being used since his body just didn't seem to want to stop ejecting his stomach contents. He wondered if it was the flu. The disease had been going around lately, and he worked in a hospital it was only natural he would get sick.

Dennis wrapped Robby's jacket around himself as it had been draped over the back of the chair then sat there head in his knees while he fought with the feeling of throwing up. He didn't move until he felt a pair of hands on him. They were warm and comforting . Robby's hands. Dennis looked up and saw the man standing over him with a sympathetic expression. He leaned into Robby's stomach leaching his warmth like parasite.

"I've already talked to Trinity you're coming home with me," Robby explained, "she said she can't afford to get sick."

Dennis nodded. If he spoke he feared he would throw up again and it would do nothing but hurt since he had nothing but concentrated acid in his stomach.

"I can't get you home until my shift is over, you can stay here, go lay in the car, or I can try and find you a bed," Robby offered.

Dennis knew a place that he could go. He stood up and slowly shuffled to the unused part of the hospital that he called home all those months ago. He found the old bed and fell onto it curling up. Robby looked rather surprised Dennis knew about this place since he didn't know about Dennis past living situation.

"Will you be okay here alone?" Robby asked.

Dennis nodded.

"I'll check on you later," Robby assured running a hand through Dennis' hair before leaving. Dennis lay there for the rest of his shift. He felt better at some points and worse at others. He had the flu for sure. He didn't get sick often his immune system was extremely good but when he did get sick; it was as bad as every man made the common cold out to be. It was times like these Dennis considered immortality,virtually no sickness could touch him, and it seemed like a dream. Until he remembered he'd have to watch everyone he loved die. Or he'd have to bite them all and that seemed a little cruel.

Dennis was half asleep by the time Robby came around for lunch, with him was Jack. Both men wore masks like Dennis was a contagious ball of the black plague. Dennis sat up and rubbed his eyes. He hadn't thrown up in almost an hour which was his current record. Dennis took the food from the tray Robby brought him, muttering a small thank you to the man yawning in the process.

"How do you feel?" Jack asked, checking Dennis' temperature with thermometer. Dennis saw his temperature was really low but not out of the ordinary for him. He verged on corpse cold sometimes.

"Alright," Dennis nodded, "probably just a bug."

"You're still taking a couple days off," Robby told him matter-of-factly.

Dennis wouldn't complain about that.

"I've taken tomorrow off for you," Robby added, "just in caseit gets worse."

Dennis nodded shoving another mouthful of the mediocre ham and cheese sandwiches into his mouth. Dennis actually had the urge for onions. Specifically, the pickled ones that came in the jars from most grocery stores. The thing was. Dennis hated those fucking things. But right now, it was the only thing he could think of to eat. His mouth watered at the thought of them, and he looked up at Robby.

"We need to go shopping after work," he told him.

Robby gave him a questioning look and crossed him arms expectantly, waiting for an answer to the obvious question. They had heaps of food at home.

"No questions," Dennis muttered looking over to Jack. Jack didn't know Dennis was trans, he needed to go so Dennis could explain his theory.

"Jack, can you go check my locker and see if I brought a painkiller?" Dennis pleaded. Jack nodded and left then Dennis turned back to Robby.

"So?" Robby tried again.

"I think I'm about to get my period," Dennis groaned putting his head in his hands. "Craving you know."

"Ah, do you need anything else? Menstrual products or anything?" Robby inquired.

Dennis was glad Robby was a doctor; it meant he wasn't weird about period things. A bit too technical sometimes but he didn't act like it was the most disgusting thing it the world and they made Dennis love him even more. The bar really was that low huh.

"Nah, I can sort that but thanks babe," Dennis replied.

Robby smiled and crossed his arms. He enjoyed any nickname that Dennis gave him, but he found being called ‘babe’ when he was the ripe age of 50 a little bit funny. Robby stepped forward grabbing a hold of Dennis' cheeks. Robby ran his thumbs over the younger man's cheekbones a touch so light that it send pricks cloud like tingles into Dennis' skin. Through the mask, Robby pressed a kiss on Dennis forehead. The fibres of the mask pressed into Dennis. He could feel every groove, every wrinkle of the mask on his head. The defined shape of Robby's lips took over Dennis' mind and he closed his eyes. If he was going to feel like death was coming for him; he would go through it a hundred times over just to have Robby hold him like he was the crumbling statue of a god forgotten to time until the day it is unearthed. Brought into a new century after being dormant for years.

"I've got to get back to work now Dennis, call me if you need me," Robby whispered.

Robby moved away from Dennis. The ghost of his soft touch an echo on Dennis skin. Dennis sighed and laid back down. He was only disturbed once by Jack bringing him his asked for medicine and a stolen bag of blood. Dennis thanked him then popped a couple pills letting himself fall into the state between being awake and asleep. Where he could be aware of his surroundings but could also negate some of the nausea he had been feeling.

———

In the drive home Dennis forced Robby to stop in at a shop so he could get the pickled onions he had been craving all day, he grabbed two jars. Then went and got some peanut butter because obviously those two things were meant to be eaten together. Robby just walked behind Dennis with a confused but slightly amused expression on his face. Robby against Dennis' wishes paid for the groceries. Dennis scowled at him but took his food and went back to the car. Robby got them home and Dennis had bolted inside grabbed a fork and started eating pickled onions and peanut butter much to Robby's disgust.

"What the hell Dennis," he laughed.

"I get cravings when I'm about to get my period," Dennis shrugged, stuffing another oniony concoction into his mouth.

"I see," Robby nodded, "that's slightly disgusting but if it keeps you sane."

"Try one," Dennis said holding out the fork with the peanut butter smeared onion on it.

"No, I'm okay thanks," Robby assured.

"Come on, it actually tastes really good," Dennis tried.

Robby relented and bit the onion off the fork. Two chews in and Robby ran to the since spitting it out. He looked at Dennis- who was happily eating away, like he was crazy. That tasted horrible. He wouldn't even feed that to his worst enemy and here Dennis was munching on it like it was the tastiest thing in the world.

Robby decided to not press it and left Dennis to his... meal. Robby went and got into the shower having had a long day at work. It was peaceful until the door burst open, Dennis bolted inside chucking up his guts into the toilet. Robby sighed and peeked his head out of the shower wall.

"You okay?" He asked Dennis who was sitting on the floor looking queasy.

"I think it is the flu," Dennis mumbled clutching his stomach.

"Are we sure it's not what you just ate?" Robby hummed.

"No, it isn't," Dennis replied, "I'm going to go to bed."

"Shower first," Robby instructed getting out of the shower and wrapping a towel around his lower half. He went over to the sink and grabbed his toothbrush while Dennis got undressed and got in the shower.

By the time Dennis was done Robby had already gone out into the living room where he was watching some show on the TV. Dennis sat down beside him pressing himself into Robby's side. Robby wrapped and arm around him and Dennis fell asleep.

———

The throwing up hadn't stopped and Robby rubbed Dennis back as he threw up. Robby had already called to take the day off to take care of Dennis. He wasn't presenting with a fever,but the vomiting just didn't want to stop. Once Dennis was finally able to stop Robby carried him to bed; his bad back be damned. Once in bed Dennis curled up in the foetal position holding his cramping stomach. He didn't know if he was going to throw up again. He hoped it was over for now and that he would just be able to sleep it off.

Robby had gone and gotten him a cup of chamomile tea, a hot water bottle, and easy to digest foods. Dennis felt bad for making Robby take the day off work, but Robby didn't seem to mind. He spent the entire time on the bed next to Dennis,running a hand through his hair keeping him company. He spent most of the time on his tablet playing solitaire or sudoku. If Dennis wasn't feeling so shitty he would have teased Robby about his old man tendencies but too bad he felt like absolute shit.

———

Dennis was able to get up and walk around by late afternoon. He was still nauseous, but it was manageable. Dennis was set up on the couch; piled in blankets. Robby had gone to the bathroom and when Dennis heard his footsteps he turned around.

"How are you feeling?" Robby asked kissing Dennis on the forehead.

"Better," Dennis nodded, "still a little nauseous,"

"I can go get you some anti-nausea medication," Robby offered, caressing Dennis face.

"You don't have to," Dennis assured.

"But I want to," Robby quipped back.

"If you insist," Dennis relented.

Dennis wouldn't admit how much he enjoyed being taken care of. He watched Robby grab his keys and go out the door after pulling on shoes and jacket. He was gone for maybe five minutes when the door opened, and Robby came back inside cursing under his breath. Dennis looked at him confused as Robby grabbed a different set of keys and headed to the door Dennis had never been through, the door to the garage.

"What happened?" Dennis asked.

"Truck won’t start," Robby explained.

Then he was gone. The door closed behind him and Dennis waited for Robby to come back out with tools or something. Instead, Dennis heard a loud roar of an engine and the sound of the garage door opening. Dennis sprinted to the window just in time to see Robby peel out of the driveway on a motorbike. Dennis blinked in surprise. He clearly didn't know everything about his partner.

Dennis kept himself busy while waiting for Robby. Mostly watching trashy reality TV and eating ice-cream with soy sauce. Something he did not want Robby to see him doing. He expected to be able to hear the bike with enough time to put everyone away, so he didn't worry.

Just as expected he heard the roar of the bike and stuffed the ice-cream back in the freezer and the soy sauce in the cabinets. He then dove back onto the couch as Robby came into the house through the garage handing Dennis a white paper bag with the pharmacy logo printed in it in dark blue ink. Dennis opened the bag ripping the tape off. Inside was some anti-nausea pills. He grabbed the packet and took out two pills popping them into his mouth with the water Robby had just brought him from the kitchen.

Dennis swallowed the pills and leaned into Robby who had sat on the couch.

"Hey hon?" Robby started.

"Yeah," Dennis replied yawning as if he hadn't been sitting around all day.

"Why is the soy sauce in the cup cabinet?" He asked

Dennis froze.

"I'm not going to dignify that with an answer," Dennis said pressing his face into Robby to hide his embarrassment.

"Ok," Robby hummed.

They fell asleep together on the couch. Both of them content despite Dennis' sickness and Robby's secret that he rode a motorbike. The soy sauce question would forever be unanswered by Dennis as he couldn't bear explaining the answer.

The TV blared at the two men fell asleep in each other's arms. A perfect end to the evening.

Chapter Text

Dennis was still hurling up his guts every so often, but he had hidden that from Robby to get back to work. Now he was trying to hold it in while Jack gave him Samira and Trinity a lesson on a rather complicated fracture. Dennis tried his hardest to listen as the breakfast Trinity had cooked this morning was coming back up. She had let him come home after a few days but Dennis was sure she knew he was still throwing up. The way she looked at him scared him.

"Uhm, sorry Doctor Abbot," Dennis muttered, "can I be excused?"

Jack looked at Dennis who was probably pale as hell with his hand over his mouth and nodded. He made it as far as a secluded bin and hurled into it. Whatever bug it was might have been a super bug since Dennis had been throwing up for over a week now. He thought he was in the clear until his so-called best friend came over leaning against the wall arms crossed.

"Dennis, I have a question." She said.

"Yeah," Dennis croaked out.

"You and Robby had sex, right?" She started.

Confused, Dennis nodded.

"Did you use a condom?" She continued.

Dennis froze. Now that she mentioned it, Dennis realised they hadn't.

"We didn't," Dennis muttered, going red.

"Is there... may be a slight possible chance that you, I dunno, could be pregnant?" She hummed looking down at Dennis.

"I'm on the pill, and the testosterone..." he tried coughing a little as a bit of spit went down his trachea.

"Either you're very unlucky or I'm wrong, and I don't think I'm wrong," Trinity told him pulling out one of the hospital's pregnancy tests.

Dennis reluctantly took it and they started their mission. Trinity covered them as they made their way to the staff toilets, they both slipped into the single room stall locking the door tight.

Trinity leaned against the wall listening for voices while Dennis sat on the toilet awkwardly peeing on the test. This was something he never would've thought possible but now that he was thinking about it, it was an option.

He set the test down on the sink and went and joined Trinity who set a five-minute timer. They stood there in silence for the first minute or two neither of them wanting to think of what a baby would mean for the people of the Pitt. After a while they couldn't take it anymore.

"If you are... will you keep it?" Trinity asked.

Dennis thought on it for a second. He had always wanted kids, but he was not in the best position. He was technically freeloading off both Trinity and Robby so if anything were to happen between them, he was in a horrible position. He's always wanted kids. But was it fair on the child?

"I don't know Trin," Dennis finally answered running a hand through his hair.

"Whatever you choose I'll support you, though I don't have room for a nursery that's Robby's job," Trinity joked.

Fuck. Dennis hadn't thought about what if Robby didn't want kids. It could break their entire relationship apart. Dennis didn't want to baby trap Robby. Dennis didn't have time to dwell as the timer went off. He signalled for Trinity to go and check it. She slowly walked over, and Dennis squeezed his eyes shut.

"Dennis..." Trinity said quietly.

Dennis heard the wrinkle of her scrubs as she walked. The sound of her shoes in the tile floor. Then it stopped. Dennis slowly opened his eyes and looked down to where Trinity held the test in her lines. Two little pink lines were clearly visible on the test, and he grabbed it like it wasn't real. Dennis didn't know whether the need to vomit was because of the baby growing inside him or the shock that he was pregnant. Whatever the reason he was at the toilet punk his guts up again. It was basically stomach acid at this point and Dennis was in so much pain.

"We need to get you up to get an ultrasound," Trinity mumbled, "I know the head doctor there I'll text them tell her you're coming."

Dennis nodded as Trinity whipped out her phone texting someone. She then got a response immediately and got Dennis to his feet. They booked it from the bathroom and snuck around until they made it to the place Trinity had explained they needed to go. A woman with dark blonde hair and green eyes. She gave a smiley the two as they walked over. She opened the door to an exam room.

"Hello Dennis, please just call me Scarlett. I'm going to do an ultrasound for you," the woman- Scarlett explained.

Dennis nodded, and she gestured for him to lay on the bed. He did as Scarlett told him and laid down on the bed. He was getting kind of panicked now. He was scared he was actually going to see the thing growing inside of him.

"Can you lift up your shirt for me please?" She said.

Dennis lifted up his shirt as he was told.

"Now, this is going to be a little cold," Scarlett explained squeezing the gel onto Dennis lower stomach

She was about to put the ultrasound wand onto Dennis' stomach when the door burst open and a frazzled looking doctor with starling blue eyes came scrabbling in. She smiled awkwardly fixing her scrubs.

"This is Jorja, she's a med student," Scarlett sighed, "who is late, sit down."

Jorja smiled awkwardly and sat down in an empty chair my Scarlett. Scarlett pressed the wand to Dennis' stomach and moved it around a little searching for an embryo. Dennis watched nervously when a little circle appeared on the screen.

"There it is," Scarlett said pointing to the circle.

Dennis felt queasy again and his throat seemed to close up.

"Can... can I schedule an abortion," Dennis croaked.

The silence that fell on the room stretched forever what seemed like forever. Trinity grasped Dennis' hand firmly for comfort as Scarlett pulled the wand away.

"I can have you back in tomorrow to get the pill to induce an abortion," Scarlett offered.

Dennis nodded, and him and Trinity left. It was silent as they walked down to the ER. Trinity wasn't sure how to approach this.

"Are you sure you want to do this, think about it for a few days," Trinity tried.

"I’ve made up my mind," Dennis whispered. His voice was shaky like he was trying not to cry.

Dennis had thought about it. If he had a baby, it would be born a vampire and that is a life Dennis didn't want to give to a child, especially with a human dad. Robby was also older. He wouldn't want kids when he was at this age. The best thing Dennis could do for everyone was to get rid of the pregnancy before anyone could find out. Even if he didn't want to. He wanted to keep the baby and raise it with Robby, but he couldn't, no matter how much it hurt.

Dennis went back to work ignoring everyone unless it was important. He decided he couldn't face Robby tonight so he'd go home with Trinity just so he could have a quiet night to cry alone about the loss of the baby he wanted to love so dearly.

Dennis tried not to be snappy, he tried so hard. But when Dana had asked him for the billionth time if he was okay, he told her to mind her own business, or he'd just ignore her for the rest of his life. This stunned those around them which included Robby. As Dennis walked off Robby tried to follow him but was blocked by Trinity.

"Give him a bit," she told him.

"Is he okay?" Robby asked.

"He will be, I hope," Trinity sighed.

Dennis had gone to a patient. A teenage girl who had come in with a rather nasty rash and a fever.

Dennis did all the proper tests. His senses were so out of whack he couldn't even smell what she had. He felt so hopeless and clearly the patient and the parents could tell as they asked for a new doctor when Dennis was out doing labs. He spent the rest of the day at Robby's desk doing unholy amounts of paperwork. Robby walked by and gave him pats on the shoulders and other small comforting touches, but they don't speak which Dennis was glad for since he couldn't promise that he wouldn't blow up at Robby. He already needed to apologise to Dana. Dana herself came up to him after his shift finished and gave him a look.

"Sorry," he whispered not looking up to meet her gaze.

"Go home and get some rest Dennis, something is clearly stressing you out," she told him.

Dennis nodded and got up, going to find Trinity who was waiting by her car. But also, there was Robby. Dennis internally groaned. He couldn't deal with this today. He walked up and stood in front of Robby.

"Feeling, okay?" Robby asked.

"Yeah, I'm going home with Trin tonight," Dennis explained.

"She said, call me if you need anything won't you?" Robby pressed.

Dennis nodded, and Robby leaned down pressing a kiss onto Dennis lips. Robby’s stubble scratched at his cheeks and the feeling was surprisingly grounding especially given his current situation. He wrapped his arms around Robby's neck deepening the kiss. It wasn't until Trinity gave a cough did the two break apart. Dennis and Trinity left, and Dennis leaned against the glass of the car’s window thinking about the events that unfolded today.

"I hate to ask again but are you really sure about this?" Trinity asked, "I'm going to support you no matter what, but you have said to want kids."

"I have a condition I don't want to pass down," Dennis muttered.

"Something like Huntingtons disease?" Trinity inquired.

"Something like that," Dennis nodded running his tongue over his fangs beneath his lips.

"Are you gonna tell Robby then?" She continued.

"No, what he doesn't know can't hurt him, it's like it never happened," Dennis replied.

It became silent as they drove. Dennis was lost in thought. About the lies he had to tell Robby, the baby he would never get to raise. Dennis' hands moved to his stomach. His hands shook violently on his stomach. He clenched his jaw and tried not to cry. As they pulled up to the apartment Dennis made his bedroom and collapsed on bed sobbing his eyes out. Bloody tears streamed down his face soaking the synthetic fibres, staining them permanently with Dennis' sorrow.

He wanted this baby so bad, more than anything in this world. His sobs became harder and less contained. Dennis worried his neighbours would be able to hear him sobbing. He was basically screamed into his pillows when someone touched him. Trinity laid down and held him. She wasn't affectionate like this usually, so it was a surprise, but Dennis let her hold him. The gods knew he needed it.

She squeezed him tight hands bundled in his hair soothingly running back and forth through the strands which were stiff with sweat. Dennis was inconsolable still but at least he wasn't alone. Trinity whispered to him telling him he was okay, he was safe that he didn't have to do this alone. It helped and Dennis was able to get to sleep even though his mind was plagued. Plagued with thoughts of his parents how they would react to Dennis having an abortion. They would kill him for it. Dennis also wondered how Robby would react if he knew. Dennis wasn't going to tell him in case Robby convinced him to keep it. Dennis couldn't say no; he would use it as an excuse not to abort since he didn't want to anyway.

Dennis had a dream that night. He held a baby in his arms. It looked like him, but it had Robby's eyes. The baby gurgled and cooed at Dennis. It reached its tiny hands up to Dennis. Dennis changed his grip allowing him to reach for the baby. It grabbed his fingers continuing to coo at him.

Dennis smiled at the bay gripped his fingers. It pulled them towards its mouth to try and bite him. Dennis laughed and pulled away. He rocked the baby until it fell asleep.

Everything was perfect.

Chapter Text

Dennis woke up the next morning sobbing again. His arms were empty of a baby. He had never felt so empty. This woke Trinity up and she was groggy to start off with until she saw Dennis face. He was covered in blood, and it was streaming down his eyes. It was just another perk of being a vampire.

"Dennis you're fucking bleeding," she gasped grabbing his face.

"It's a condition," Dennis choked out wiping his eyes, "doesn't harm me."

Trinity's eyes softened, and she grabbed Dennis holding him tight. Dennis wrapped his arms around her as if her body would be the same as holding that tiny little baby in his arms. They stayed like that until Dennis was able to pull himself together. Trinity had done so much for him, he felt like he had done so little for her. He wanted to be helpful. Dennis didn't want to be as useless as he was.

Dennis against Trinity's wishes got ready for work. He washed off all the blood in the shower then pulled his scrubs on. For some reason as Dennis stared at his stomach in the mirror... it looked bigger. Medically he knew it was impossible, maybe he had just gained a few pounds after eating all the things he'd been craving. Dennis shook the thought off and brushed his teeth.

The car ride to the hospital was silent as Trinity drove. Both knew what was happening today. The pill Dennis would take would make him miscarry basically. The first pill wouldn't allow the pregnancy to continue, and the second would expel all the matter like a period. It would be painful. Dennis should do this at home, but he couldn't afford to miss anymore work, he would just have to work through it.

As they pulled up to the hospital he received a message, it said his appointment was early so as he walked inside he tried to avoid everyone as him and Trinity went towards the elevator. Luck was not on their side today as it would seem.

"Santos, Whitaker, where are you going?" Dana's voice cut through sharply. They both froze.

Dana stood behind them arms crossed like a mother who had just caught her kids doing something they shouldn't be. Dennis and Trinity looked at each other. They needed an excuse stat.

"I'm going up for an appointment," Trinity blurted.

Dennis' eyes widened. What would she say. Trinity was in a lesbian relationship if she said she was pregnant then it would basically be saying she had cheated on Garcia. Dennis waited with bated breath for what she was going to say.

"An appointment?" Dana questioned.

"Yep," Trinity nodded, "an ultrasound, on my ovaries, might have a cyst,"

Trinity was bloody brilliant, and Dennis would in fact be buying her whatever the hell she wanted after this was over. A car? Hers. A horse? Don't know why she would want a horse but Dennis would make it happen.

"We could do that down here you know," Dana replied, "and do you need Dennis?"

"I had a friend up there and yes, I do need huckleberry," Trinity nodded.

"Be quick," Dana instructed.

The two nodded and bolted into the elevator. They sighed thinking they were in the clear. It had to be studied their lack of luck. The doors opened on a different floor and in walk Garcia and Robby. The two froze as their partners walked in. Smiling at first but those smiles we came frowns after seeing the looks on Dennis and Trinity's faces.

"Where are you two off to?" Garcia asked looking at the highlighted button as she pressed for the Pitt.

"Ultrasound on my ovaries for a cyst, Whitaker is my emotional support," Trinity explained reusing the same lie.

"Oh? I can go with you," Garcia offered, "better than a man if I say so."

"I want Whitaker, we're together but he's my guy," Trinity rambled.

"Are you sure?" Garcia asked, "I think I might be more helpful."

"I'm sure, right Robby?" Trinity said staring at Robby with a knowing expression. They both knew Dennis was trans so they knew that Dennis in the event of this imaginary ovary check could be of more help.

"You learn not to question those two," Robby told Garcia, "if you do things start to get weird."

"Ok" Garcia nodded, "text me if you need me."

Trinity nodded as the doors opened. She grabbed Dennis' wrist and walked out placing a kiss on Garcia's cheek as she walked past. Dennis got no more than a brief hand of Robby's chest as they separated.

The two met up with Scarlett and the bumbling med student Jorja who had made a turkey out of glove and was currently making it "emo". Dennis sat in a chair while Trinity gripped his hand. He was starting to feel it now. He began shaking as Scarlett began talking.

"First you'll take a pill, it's called Mifepristone. This will stop the pregnancy from progressing and it will detach from the uterine wall, then you'll take a second pill, this is Misoprostol, it will cause strong contractions, cervical dilation and it will expel the pregnancy similar to a miscarriage," Scarlett explained, "I'd suggest you head home because this is not something you should work through."

Dennis nodded knowing he would be working through it. Dennis filled out all the paperwork and Scarlett came back with a small cup with a white pill in it. She also handed Dennis a cup of water. Dennis picked up the cup with the pill and lifted it to his mouth. It was mere a hair away when he stopped.

The memory of the dream came crashing into Dennis like a truck. Tears welled in his eyes. He thought about his future. Him and Robby sitting together, Robby holding the tiny infant in his arms with the care of not a doctor but a father. He thought of what he would name the baby. There were so many options.

A tear fell. Staining his blue scrubs red. He vaguely heard Trinity explain about the condition, but his head was buzzing. He couldn't properly hear anything. He looked down at the pill through blurry vision. All of a sudden it seemed so big. Like it would get stuck in his throat and choke him to death along with the baby inside him.

"I can't do it," Dennis sniffled.

"That's okay," Scarlett assured, "Dennis I think you should go home take a day off, this is a big thing."

"No," Dennis shook his head, "I just need work, get the day over with, I don't want it be alone."

Dennis then got up and left. He went backdown to the Pitt through the stairs ignoring trinity's calls for him. She didn't know where he was and was panicking but Dennis couldn't find it in his heart to care. He had just made a big decision, and he didn't want to deal with it right now.

Back in the Pitt people were staring at him as he went over to the nurse’s station. Dana who was there looked at him wide eyes.

"Dennis what happened you're bleeding," she said, running over to check his face.

"I have a condition," Dennis replied, "I need new scrubs."

"Dennis what happened you don't look okay?" She tried.

Dennis waved her off, going to his locker to get a new set of scrubs. He also washed his face and when he came back out, even though he didn't look like he had just witnessed bloody murder, people still stared. He went to find a patient. The first patient he stumbled across was a woman. Early eighties who had taken a fall. Dennis checked her out and asked her if anywhere hurt. There was a young woman who looked worried the entire time. The older woman sighed seemingly annoyed by the constant fussing.

"Elana dear, could you go call your father? He'd want to know," the woman- Esther told the young woman.

She nodded and left the room. Then the old woman turned to Dennis with a smile.

"The good one’s fuss, as annoying as it is," she chucked, "my son is going to be so worried when she calls."

"Well, you took a rather serious fall Esther," Dennis replied with a forced smile. The woman laughed and waved him off.

"I'm as tough as a weed, nothing can get rid of me that easy," she assured as Dennis rechecked the bruising on her hip.

"I wish," Dennis sighed, "I'd like to get an x-ray on your hip, make sure nothing is broken."

"Of course" the woman nodded, "but while we wait, you seem to have something on your mind. My daughter was telling me all about the doctor everyone was talking about who looked like he'd just come back from war, she was not happy to see you in here,"

Dennis shouldn't trauma dump on this poor woman but he honestly just needed to get it out, so against his better judgment he spilled his heart out.

"Have you ever been in a situation where you know doing one thing is the right thing to do but you want to do the other?" Dennis questioned.

"I need more details my dear," she replied.

"I'm pregnant," he blurted out, "I should abort the baby since it's not the right time and it would be born with a condition I have but I can't bring myself to do it."

The woman raised her eyebrow.

"Will this condition alter the baby's quality of life?" She asked.

Dennis thought about it. Would the baby have an altered quality of life? Dennis was going to tell Robby that he was a vampire one day... maybe. And as much as Dennis worried, he knew Robby would be there for him and the baby. And being a vampire wasn't really something that would change quality of life. In all seriousness it would give the baby an advantage in life.

"Thank you for listening," Dennis smiled.

"Any time," Esther replied with a smile. Beneath the smile a pair of rather sharp teeth sat. Dennis didn't notice them, but Esther sure noticed his.

Dennis got her up for an X-ray. Nothing had been broken luckily but the bone had been bruised. Dennis told the woman to stay off her feet until it is healed and booked her a follow up appointment with a trusted doctor. She thanked him profusely as she left in her wheelchair.

———

Dennis slumped down during his lunch break at Robby's desk. He had multiple other patients after the woman. Some good some bad. It was never a dull moment in the Pitt. As Dennis rubbed his pounding temple a pair of hands slid onto his shoulders massaging his muscles. Dennis sat up and leaned back into Robby looking up at him. Robby cupped Dennis cheeks from behind and Dennis closed his eyes leaning into it.

"I heard you cry blood?" Robby said.

"I do," Dennis nodded.

"Why were you crying?" Robby asked.

"That's what you're worried about?" Dennis gave a single puff of a laugh.

"Trinity said it was a condition, so I'm not worried... I am but I know you're okay physically for now, I just want to know if you're okay mentally," Robby explained, "Trinity told me she couldn’t stay anything,"

"It's been a long couple days Robby," Dennis muttered, "I just need some time."

"Okay, Are you coming home with me?" Robby continued the conversation.

"No," Dennis shook his head, "tomorrow night."

Robby ran his fingers over Dennis' face. Robby could clearly see how much stress and pain Dennis was under. He didn't want to push Dennis. Robby was worried that Dennis would shut down. There was a lot more to Dennis than the younger man seemed to let on, Robby wished he could understand the complexity that was his partner. Every line in his face held some form of a secret. Every breath was a whisper of something unspoken. The day Dennis stopped breathing was the day that his secrets died. Robby didn't want Dennis to die all bottled up. Fuck he didn't want Dennis to die period. Dennis looked so ethereal like he wasn't even human. Robby wouldn't have been surprised if Dennis was a god or Robby's guardian angel, beautiful in every way Robby wasn't, smart where Robby lacked. The reason Dennis was so perfect was because he wasn't perfect. His flaws were apart of him, woven so delicately they almost seemed like features rather than flaws. Dennis was such a good person it was hard not to just immediately love him.

"I need to get back to work," Dennis mumbled getting up and stretching. Robby patted his shoulder, and they parted ways.

———

Back home Dennis and Trinity sat on the couch with a bottle of wine and another bottle of juice. Both had a wine glass with their respective beverages. This wasn't a pregnancy celebration, but it was lightheaded though stills little awkward.

"So, you're having a baby?" Trinity hummed.

"Maybe... I don't know..." Dennis admitted.

"I'd help," Trinity told him, “Though, I might teach it to swear."

"I expected as much," Dennis nodded.

It was silent again for a moment as both took swigs of their drinks. Dennis would miss wine and all other types of alcohol, but that was a price he was willing to pay. Trinity could drink enough for the two of them she was more of an alcoholic than Dennis was.

"You have to tell Robby at some point you know," Trinity muttered.

Dennis stirred the ice cubes around in his drink with his pinkie. He knew that, he just didn't know how. Dennis wondered why he would say, maybe something like "oh, hey Robby did you know you are very fertile? Wanna know how I know?" Or "did they teach you the birds and the bees, well the bird is having a baby bird and it's all the bee's fault." Dennis was laughing at the humour of it all. Even he could admit this was a little funny.

"I know," he finally nodded, "give me a couple days to think on it."

Trinity nodded, wrapping her hand up in his. They stayed up a while longer before both retiring to their bedrooms for the night. Dennis helped Trinity to her room because in her words "you might be pregnant but you're still a man so be a gentleman and open the door." Dennis had obliged and got her safely to bed before he went and fell asleep on his own.

Chapter Text

Something was off.

That was the first thought that when through Dennis' head as he woke up that morning. He pulled back his covers only to find he was sitting in a massive bloodstain. Dennis' breath hitched as he got to his feet. He yelped as the cramps overtook his body. He fell to the floor. This wasn't happening to Dennis, not now, not after everything. Dennis got to his feet. This was just some bad plantation bleeding. That's all it was.

Dennis got ready for work popping a couple pills to help with the pain. Trinity could tell he was off, but she just thought it was due to the pregnancy stressing him out. When they got to work Dennis tried so hard to ignore the pain in his lower abdomen, but he was cramping so bad he had to go and take refuge in one of the toilets and take so many more pills hoping it would help him. He took so many he was sure it would be considered an overdose even by his standards.

Dennis after downing an entire packet of painkillers got up. He was still bleeding and had to change his pad. He stole a massive one from the supply closest and went back to work. Dennis was dizzy and unable to think straight. Was it the pills? Was it the bleeding? He just had to get it over with he was fine the baby was fine. They were all fine.

Dennis helped with a couple cases trying not to look like he was on drugs even though he felt it. Everything was going fine. He was sure he was going to be okay. Then it was called. A staff meeting. Dennis in his daze wondered what had happened. Was it just one of those talks you get in high school about wearing a condom. Though Dennis went to a religious school, and they only taught no sex before marriage.

The men were all corralled into the staff room which confused Dennis why weren't the women here? Where was Trinity? He needed Trinity, everything was getting fuzzy. He felt a hand on his back he looked over to Robby. He couldn't focus his eyes. He could feel Robby, but he couldn't see him. Dennis leaned into him feeling sick as someone he didn't know who started talking. He caught snippets of the words.

"Bathroom... pills... who?... dangerous..."

Dennis slumped down harder against Robby. He felt him grab his face. It went black after that for Dennis.

Robby on the other hand was extremely alert. He had seen Dennis' pupils. They were pinpoints and he wasn't responding to anything. He was shocked when he heard that someone might have overdosed in the men's bathroom, but he didn't want to believe it was Dennis. Now the younger man was collapsed in his arms convulsing. Jack was at his side and help Robby move Dennis to the floor. He was throwing up as well as seizing all the signs of an overdose. Then there was the blood. Dennis was bleeding from his crotch area Robby froze. That was way too heavy to be a period.

"EVERYONE OUT, GET ME DANA AND SANTOS," Robby ordered.

The crowd scrambled out and it seemed the two women had heard the yell because they were in the room before Robby could do anything else.

"Trinity what is going on, I know you know," Robby barked.

Trinity stopped. It was just her, Dana, Robby and Jack in the room. She had to tell them. Or Dennis could die.

"A miscarriage," Trinity whispered.

That word hung in the air like an unstable knife. Trinity ran forward checking Dennis' pulse. It was weak but there.

"We need to fix the overdose; the bleeding is heavy we need to make sure he hasn't haemorrhaged. Jack explained.

They went into action. Activated charcoal and IV fluids had been administered to help and a little while later Dennis was stable. Tucked away in a quiet little corner up with Scarlett,who had offered to take him. He looked horrible and wasn't expected to wake up for days. His eyes were sickened, and he had little colour in his face. If it wasn't for his small breaths anyone would think that he was just a corpse. It was a surprise to everyone when Dennis woke up at 10:30 am. His entire face blank as he sat up. His eyes stared into nothingness as he recalled everything that had happened.

Robby was there when he woke up, but he wouldn't look at him, it was as if looking at Robby meant facing reality. Dennis wasn't ready for that yet. Dennis knew, Robby knew. And Robby knew that Dennis knew that Robby knew. The older man reached out for Dennis who curled in on himself. It was like he was expecting Robby to yell at him. Robby didn't want to yell, Robby wanted to help.

"Dennis..." Robby said quietly.

"I'm sorry," Dennis choked out.

"It's okay, you don't need to be sorry, I'm just glad you're okay," Robby assured going to sit on Dennis' bed. Dennis grabbed onto him.

They held each other for a while. A silent agreement between them. They were both mourning except it was only Robby who had the relief of Dennis being okay, all Dennis had was the pain. It was worse than any cramp he endured. This was soul deep pain. It came from loss and anguish so loud it deafened Dennis like he had stuck his head in a church bell.

"I was going to tell you," Dennis muttered, "I just wanted to think for a bit."

"It's okay Dennis," Robby assured, "I know you would've, I'm just so, so, sorry you had to do this alone."

"I wasn't trying to kill myself, it just hurt," Dennis mumbled.

"Trinity said that's what happened," Robby replied.

"Who else knows?" Dennis asked, "that I'm trans?"

"Dana and Jack," Robby told him, "I kicked everyone else out."

Dennis pressed his face into Robby's side. He didn't cry. In fact, he started laughing. It started as a soft chuckle then turned into a full-on hysterical howl. Robby gave Dennis a concerned look and Dennis just waved him off as he laughed.

"Gods have I been unlucky these past few weeks," Dennis chuckled, "got pregnant, backed out of an abortion and had a miscarriage anyway."

"Are you okay?" Robby asked.

"I just wanna go home get some rest," Dennis sighed, "how are my labs looking?"

"I'd want another set before we think of that," Robby told him, "and maybe a psych evaluation."

"I can't argue with that," Dennis nodded.

Robby got up leaving to get a nurse and Trinity came bolting in with Dana and Jack behind her. She squeezed Dennis hard calling him an idiot for what he did. Dennis hugged her back then turned to the other two in the room.

"Not how I expected this to go," he laughed nervously.

"It explains... a lot," Dana noted.

"You are going to give me a heart attack one of these days Dennis," Jack sighed.

"Sorry," Dennis replied meekly.

"You're alright though?" Trinity asked.

"Yeah I think so, Robby is getting some more labs done Ithink," Dennis explained, "and a psych consult."

"You need it," Dana stated and Dennis nodded in agreement.

"Mind if I have a bit of a nap?" Dennis asked, "passing out doesn't exactly do it for me."

They all nodded and left Dennis alone to let him sleep. The minute the door was closed Dennis waited until it sounded quiet, and he got up. He found his bag on the floor and silently thanked whoever had brought. Inside was a spare pair of clothes which Dennis slipped into. Dennis then left the room and made his way to the stairwell. He climbed until he made it to the roof. It was stupid he had almost died once today but...

Dennis walked and jumped the railing. Standing on the edge of the roof. He didn't know how to explain this feeling to anyone. There was a hole inside him it gaped and bled like an open would. The grief he felt was unfathomable. Dennis felt that the only way to make this better was to make it stop.

If he had just acknowledged he was miscarrying when he woke up maybe he could've saved his baby. Dennis sniffled looking down at the street below. People would miss him when he was gone. Dennis liked to believe that was true. But would they still if they saw what Dennis had become after this loss? Dennis would rather die knowing they cared for him than live to lose them.

Trinity, Dana, Jack... Robby. They loved the person he was whole, not the person he was all fragmented. He was broken. And what do you do with broken things?

You throw them away.

Dennis stepped forward. His legs shaking as his foot hovered in mid-air. The wind whipped his hair and slashed his face. Dennis was unstable where he stood one right move, and he would plummet to the ground. Dennis had revoked his religion years ago, but he couldn't help but look up at the sky. Cloudy and grey and for the final time he prayed. He prayed that it wouldn't hurt even if he deserved it. Dennis prayed for mercy. Suicide was sinful to his gods, but maybe they would pity the grieving man. Or maybe they would make it hurt worse. Dennis wasn't sure. His hands loosened on the railing,and he leaned forward.

Dennis had hit rock bottom.

Somehow, he found a way to fall further.

Chapter Text

The body was would by a passerby. Crumpled in a heap on the sidewalk. Bones broken, twisted in ways that shouldn't be possible. It was called in immediately. A scream echoed through the Pitt.

"A DOCTOR JUMPED!!! HE'S DEAD,"

Staff scrambled to do headcounts. It was possible they weren't even from the emergency department they could've been any doctor. Dana had been the first one out of the doors. She had a first aid kit to get whoever had jumped, hopefully stable if they were still breathing. Dana stopped in her tracks as she pushed to the front of the crowd. Lying on the sidewalk barely recognisable... was Dennis. Dana was a strong woman. Dana had seen it all she had seen so many people die it was just another day.


She screamed. Dana screamed and fell. This was Dennis. This was the man who had become a staple in everyone's lives in this hell hole of a place. Her head spun and she wasn't able to think straight. She should be okay; she had dealt with suicide before. But this wasn't any suicide this was Dennis. This was fucking Dennis.

"Dana!" A voice called, "what happened. Who was it."

She felt a hand on her shoulder the had then tensed.

"GET ME A FUCKING GURNEY HERE NOW," the voice of Jack cut through the air like a bullet through the skull. Sharp and deadly. But there was a waver to it. A waver that sounded almost like... he was going to cry.

The second Jack had yelled that he bolted over to Dennis. His injuries were internal and severe. He felt for a pulse,breathing, anything. There was nothing. Jack started chest compression ignoring the sound of the already cracked ribs snapping. The state Dennis was in that could do no more harm than good. He counted each compression like it was the countdown of Dennis clock. If it got to zero, he would die. Jack looked up to find the where the hell the gurney was, but his eyes locked with Robby's.

Robby stood there. Mind blank. He was frozen unable to hear anything except the ringing in his ears. He stared a Dennis face. Pale eyes open. Robby ran. He went back inside and found a quiet spot. He paced. He paced back and forth heaving as his breath failed to catch up with him. He ran his hands through his hair over and over digging his nails into his scalp until it bled. He couldn't feel the pain. Why couldn't he feel the pain? Dennis felt the pain. He should feel the pain too.

"Robby... Robby... Micheal!" A pair of hands grabbed him. It was Garcia. She looked at him tears in her eyes.

"His eyes were open, he didn't close them, he was seeing everything, he watched himself hit the ground," Robby rambled, sobbing uncontrollably.

He wasn't able to breathe. His Dennis was dead. His Dennis was gone. He was alive barely an hour ago and now he was gone. Robby fell down hitting the wall. Garcia tried to help him, but he was long gone. He just kept mumbling that his eyes were open he saw everything. Garcia had to leave, she had patients. She had to find Trinity she had to go.

———

"Time of death 11:37 am,"

The morgue had cleaned up the body, set the limbs to look more natural despite the blooming blacks and blues. They covered the bruises in clothes and makeup. A plain white t-shirt and sweatpants. His eyes were still open. Why were his eyes still open?

Surrounding the table. Robby. Dana. Jack. Trinity. Yolanda. Others were told to wait. Dennis body looked similar to when he was alive. The only indication of death on the man's face were that his rosy coloured cheeks and soft pink lips were now the same colour as the rest of him. His eyes were also open. Beginning to sink into his skull.

"We thought one of you would like to let him rest," the morgue worker said softly. "Dr Robby?"

Robby stepped forward. Resting a hand on Dennis' face. It was cold. Cold and dead. He was dead. Robby stayed there for a while looking at his dead lover. The one whose eyes had been open when he died. Robby put his hands over Dennis eyes and gently pulled his eyelids shut. He looked so much like he was sleeping. Like he would wake up and smile at Robby asking him what was for breakfast.

Dennis was crying? There were tears on his cheeks. But that wasn't possible. But as a sob racked up Robby's throat it became obvious. It was Robby who had been crying. The tears had fallen onto Dennis' face. Robby wiped the tears away then leaned down pressing his lips to Dennis cold ones. He hoped he warmed him even just a little bit.

Robby stepped back and his place was immediately taken over by Trinity who was sobbing hysterically now. Robby felt how she looked.

"FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU," she screamed, "SHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME YOU SELFISH PIECE OF SHIT."

She held onto Dennis' body. Her own was shaking uncontrollably as she sobbed. She continued to curse him out. Then beg for him to come back. Then curse him out again. Garcia moved forward to hold her. She finally let go only to cling straight onto Garcia like she would die without her.

"He's gone," she sobbed, "the fucking freeloader is gone, and I want him back."

Others came and went to say their goodbyes. Robby just went through the rest of his shift like a zombie. So did everyone else. The entire ER could tell something was missing, like the building itself was mourning Dennis. Patients were unusually nice today, no doubt having heard whispers of the doctor who committed suicide. Robby tried so hard to keep it together but every half hour or so he had to go find a quiet corner to just go cry in. Most of the time it took him a couple tries to find a corner that didn't have another person in it crying.

Robby intended to go home and drink his sorrows. Then maybe slit his wrists since he couldn't see any future without the person he planned to build it with. Jack stopped him. He told Robby he was coming home with him. Robby couldn't argue. Jack wasn't going to let him if he tried to.

They drove together, pulling up to Robby's place and going inside. The house felt so... normal. Dennis' stuff was everywhere like it was waiting for him to come home. Robby felt empty as he sat on the couch picking up one of Dennis' shirts holding it to his chest. The fabric smelled of him. Dennis smelled faintly like cinnamon; due to the low-qualitycinnamon body wash he used that he got on clearance. He'd never smell that body wash in his shower again. Never press his face into Dennis hair which also smelled the same because of the 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner that came in the set with the body wash.

Robby let out a shaky breath as Jack came over with a bottle of whiskey and two cups. He set the cups down and poured each of them a drink. Robby took the glass and swirled it around.

"When Sara died, I was beside myself," Jack sighed twisting his wedding ring on his finger, "it all happened so fast I didn’t know what to do."

"I feel so mad Jack. And that makes me feel horrible because I can't help but wondering why would he do that?" Robby sniffled looking at his pathetic reflection in the glass coffee table.

"I was mad too," Jack nodded, "it's no use trying to rationalise it, it'll pass, you'll realise why be angry, it doesn't change anything."

"He talked to you about his problems didn't he?" Robby asked, "do you have any idea why he would... why he did..." Robby couldn't say it out loud. Saying it out loud meant accepting that Dennis was really gone.

"The kid had some demons, but I don't have a clue, the only person I can think who would have a clue is Santos," Jack replied, "but give her some time."

Robby nodded.

"To Dennis," Jack announced holding up his glass.

"To Dennis and Sara," Robby countered.

They both downed their drinks in one go. Pouring themselves another. And another. By the bottom of the bottle, they were passed out on the couch with the presence of a hangover looming above them like a dark cloud.

———

The funeral was small. The only people who came were people from work. And a few of Dennis' old patients. Jack had taken it upon himself to organise the funeral. While he wasn't exactly sure what Dennis’ religion was, he knew he wasn't Christian and opted to have the service in a rented garden rather than a church or other religious setting. Robby picked the garden specifically because it had blue daises.

The speeches were the hardest bit. You had to speak kindly of Dennis. And that was hard to do when all anyone wanted to have; was him alive.

Trinity had gone first.

"He was my best friend, a freeloader, and the best damn doctor I ever knew. He put all his time and effort into saving people, I had just wished he spent more time saving himself. It's hard not to feel responsible when someone dies this way. Like you should've noticed they were struggling, but he was complicated. That was one of his best qualities. He thought so much, and it saved so many people. If he could see me now,he would tell me to get my head out of my ass. He deserved nothing but love, and even though he's gone I still love him so, so, much," Trinity's speech ended up with her in tears. Garcia got her off the podium and back or her seat so Dana could come up.

"Dennis was a good doctor. So smart and so full of potential. What was even better was his character, he was so dumb sometimes, running around getting himself into trouble. But he was a lucky man. Things always turned out well for him. Even if he didn't realise it, he was an inspiration to us all. Dennis gave me hope in a place I had lost it. I wish I had told him more how proud I was of him. I can't help but think what he could've accomplished if he had more time, I have no doubt he would've become the world’s finest doctor," Dana finished and dabbed her eyes with a tissue before leaving. To let Jack up on the podium.

"I had a complicated relationship with Dennis. He kept me on my toes that was for sure. He was very talented, he'll he could've told me he was a vampire and I would've believedhim," Jack broke his speech with a laugh, "I agree that he would've made a fine doctor, even better than me if I had to be honest. Dennis was a better man than I was, and he was taken too soon. He put everyone above himself and was the most selfless man I had ever met, and all I have to say to him, whatever he may be, is that he did a bloody good job."

Jack went back to his seat grabbing onto Robby's shoulder as he walked up. Robby was nervous as tears threatened to spill. Robby hadn't made any cue cards he was hoping he'd be able to come up with it on the spot. He had so much he wanted to say about Dennis, but so little time. He stood there silent for a moment, eyes fixed ahead. Robby refused to look at the casket even if it was closed.

"As many of you know, me and Dennis' relationship was more personal than colleagues, some people might have some choice words about that, but I don't care. I loved Dennis so much; I pictured myself growing old with him... older. He lit up every dark crevice of my life and helped me through so much even if he didn't realise he was doing it. His smile was something I couldn't get enough of. He was so smart, so witty, and if I had to do it all over again. The good and the bad, I wouldn't change a single thing. Losing Dennis feels like I've lost a part of myself. Something that can never be filled. Dennis meant so much more to everyone here than I think we ever realised. But I don't think he realised how much he means to us either. He was head strong that's for sure. And determined, he just never stopped to take everything in," Robby finished his speech. He let the tears fall freely now as he went back to his seat. Jack gave him a side hug as more people went up to do speeches.

After the speeches came the burial. A quiet plot in a wooded area away from any other grave in the cemetery. They had wanted a quiet place so that Dennis could finally properly rest. Maybe if he was lucky his eye bags would fade a little.

Robby watched the entire time. He watched as the dirt slowly covered Dennis. Just like that he was gone for good. Six feet under. Robby would never be able to touch him again. Never be able to hold him, comfort him, kiss or hug him.

He was gone