Chapter Text
They celebrated Dennis getting his cast off by recreating the night he got it (minus the bowling). This meant pancakes and Predator, their favorite combo.
“You’re finally able to cut your own pancake!” Mac said happily while handing Dennis his pancake. Dennis smiled and took the plate. Perfect, as always. Still, something nagged at him. He had gotten used to Mac cutting them. Dennis didn’t miss it out of laziness (He was perfectly capable of cutting his own pancake now), but he just liked it when Mac did it. Like when Mac peeled his apples. It was just different.
Still, Dennis started cutting his pancake. It was a tad rough, as he hadn’t used his hand in a long time. The doctor had recommended physical therapy, but on the car ride home Dennis bitched about how the ‘golden god’ doesn’t need physical therapy. He made it perfectly clear he was fine.
He managed to cut his pancake without almost stabbing himself, which was an improvement from last time. It did take a bit longer.
“So, uh, do you still need support?” Mac suddenly asked with some semi-serious tone in his voice.
“Didn’t you hear the doctor? No sling, no brace. The golden god has healed fully! I do not need support.”
A look of hurt flashed across Mac’s face, which confused Dennis. Was Mac upset he didn’t need a sling? Did he want Dennis hurt?
“Oh, uh, that’s good.”
Dennis wanted to inquire more but Mac had already turned his attention to the tv.
-
It didn’t hit Dennis until he was ready to go to sleep.
“You tired, Mac?”
“Huh? Yeah, I guess.” Why did Mac seem confused? Why was he not getting up?
“Alright, well, I’ll be in my room.”
“Okay.”
What the hell was going on? Maybe Mac wasn’t ready for bed. However, at this point it was routine. They usually got tired around the same time. One would ask the other if they were tired, and that was their sign to start getting up. They would make their way to Dennis’ room and Mac would ‘support’ Dennis the way he had for a few months.
Yes, Dennis still called it support. So what if other people would call it spooning? It was technically support. Just….emotional support. Everyone needs emotional support at some point, right? Dennis just didn’t mind getting a lot of it.
He also told himself he was partially doing it for Mac. Mac had been getting happier. Sometimes they would talk about something stupid from work and Dennis could hear the smile in Mac’s voice even though he wasn’t facing him. Quite a few times, it made Dennis smile too.
Anyways, it was time for their ‘emotional support’ and Mac wasn’t there. If one wasn’t ready for bed, they would just tell the other. But Mac said he was tired. So why the hell wasn’t he in Dennis’ bed?
Dennis looked out of the cracked open door. He saw Mac on the couch, surfing the channels. Dennis opened the door and walked until he was beside Mac. Mac didn’t look up.
“Hmm?” Dennis asked. He wasn’t sure how to phrase whatever he wanted to ask.
Mac looked up. “What’s up?” It was calm, but a tad curt.
“Why are you still watching tv?”
“Wanted to see what was on.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I could stay up.”
“Why does it matter?”
“Why does- what are you talking about?” Why was Mac like this?
“Why does it matter if I go to bed or not?”
Why was Mac questioning this now? After all these weeks? Dennis had grown accustomed to Mac not questioning anything. What changed? Was Mac really going to make Dennis explain he can no longer fall asleep alone?
“Wh- well, because- you- you know!”
Now Mac lost the curtness and was just confused.
“I don’t think I do?”
“Bastard,” Dennis muttered under his breath. “You- you know- my bed-“ He really could not get a sentence out.
“Your bed? You said you didn’t need support anymore?”
Shit! That was the support Mac was talking about! Suddenly it all made sense. Mac had started acting weird when Dennis said he didn’t need support. How was Dennis supposed to know Mac was talking about that?
“I-I wasn’t talking about that support! I thought you were talking about slings and shit!”
“Why would I ask about slings? I was in the room with you! I heard the doctor!”
“I don’t know! Maybe you weren’t listening or something!”
“Of course I was listening! I want to protect you!”
They each took a second there, realizing there was no argument to be had. They both wanted the same thing. Dennis took a breath.
“Are you ready for bed?”
“Yeah.” This time, Mac turned off the tv and stood up. They smiled at each other for a second before making their way to Dennis’ room.
They followed the routine. Mac behind Dennis, arms holding him tight. Over the weeks, it had evolved to them being flush against each other. On good days Mac would bury his face in Dennis’ hair. Dennis didn’t mind. In fact, he preferred it. Neither spoke about it.
Dennis started thinking. “I want to protect you!” ringing in his head. He did feel safe with Mac. Not because of any ‘ocular patdowns’ or whatever Mac called them, just something in his presence. He realized just how good Mac was to him. Even from the first night, Mac never made fun of him or questioned too much. Hell, even before this whole cast thing.
Dennis knew he was a little unreasonable sometimes. Not as much as Dee or Charlie or literally anyone else, obviously, but he had moments. Yet here Mac was, holding him every night. Who else would do this? Who else could?
Dennis suddenly felt the urge to do something.
Doing something he had never done before, he turned around to face Mac. Mac was already half asleep but stirred awake feeling Dennis move. Dennis looked at Mac, with his messy hair and sleepy eyes and soft face and Dennis never wanted to see another person again. He raised a hand and set it on the side of Mac’s face.
“Den?”
Dennis didn’t know what to do. He had to ask, right? If he just went for it and Mac didn’t want it, that would be the end. End of him and Mac, end of the apartment, end of this, end of his work life, his love life-
Shit.
“C-can I?” was all he managed to get out.
Mac nodded slowly with wide eyes.
Dennis closed his eyes and leaned in until he felt contact. Mac tightened his grip on Dennis’ shoulder. After a few seconds, they both pulled away. They looked at each other, both looking shell-shocked.
Then Mac smiled, which made Dennis smile.
“Really?” Mac asked in disbelief. Dennis could only nod. This time Mac leaned in, pulling Dennis by his shoulders. They pulled apart, both smiling with sporadic giggles.
Dennis pulled Mac into a hug. He knew he couldn’t get the words out, but he hoped Mac got the message.
Thank you. I love you.
They fell asleep like that. Dennis tucked into Mac, holding each other as close as they could. Mac would pepper kisses into Dennis’ hair every now and then. Dennis thought he heard a sob once. Dennis had to hold back a few himself.
Dennis was in love, and it took a shattered hand for him to realize.