Chapter Text
It was finally the end of his shift, and he missed the night shift dearly. Sure, the day shift wasn’t bad, but the darkness is much more supportive for him. He finds comfort in the darkness.
Another good thing about leaving is he gets to go out with a hot doctor, it probably isn’t the best idea to go out with a co-worker, but who cares? He asked him out before their first day together, so no harm done?
He sighs as he gets his bag and runs a hand through his hair, closing his locker. He sees Jesse walking towards him, swinging his back pack over his shoulder. He has his phone in his hand and he seems to be texting someone. He puts his phone in his pocket and crosses his arms, smirking.
“Don’t you have a hot date with Robby, Jack?” Jesse asks, obviously knowing the answer. Jack nods, “yeah, i’m just gonna go home and change into some different clothes, shower.”
Jesse nods, “Let's get going, man, I’m tired.” he comments, stretching his arms.
“I’ll meet you in the parking lot, I gotta tell Robby the plan.” He always liked plans and organization, which must be something from his army days that he’s kept.
“Alright, go talk to your lover.” Jesse teases dryly. Jack rolls his eyes and starts to walk away.
He walks to the center section of the hospital and sees Robby talking to Dana, obviously invested in their conversation. Maybe Jack should just text him, that might be easier. Right before he turns around to walk away, he hears his name.
Dana.
“Hey, Jack! Ya’ need something?” Dana asks, getting her bag as the night shift nurse comes in and settles. Jack shakes his head.
“No, I was just gonna talk to Robby.”
“Well, here he is.” Dana pats Robby's shoulder and walks away, exiting the stressful day.
Robby looks bashful, like a teenager who had just asked out their crush to prom. Jack thought it was cute. Really cute.
“I just wanted to tell you that I'm gonna go home first to change and shower, we can meet at the same bar that we met at.” Jack smiles, Robby nods.
“Sounds good, I’m probably going to shower too. Germs and all.” Robby says awkwardly.
“You don’t have to be awkward and shy, Robby. It’s just me, I don't bite. Unless you want me too.” Jack winks, Robby blushes and nods.
“Sorry, umm…i’ll see you soon? Just text me when you get there.” Robby smiles. Jack nods again.
“Alrighty, see you soon, Dr. Robinavitch.” He flirts.
Robby is, of course, blushing and bashful.
—
He puts on the tenth shirt of the night, nervous that he might fuck this up. Jack wasn’t the nervous type, but fuck if he isn’t nervous. Even his hands are sweaty. He shakes his head and takes his shirt off.
“You’re overthinking this, you could wear a trash bag and I'm sure Robby would still think you're hot.” Jesse says, sitting on Jack’s bed. He was the fashion judge of the night.
He puts on a tighter shirt with a ‘Tool’ logo on it, he adjusts his jeans then turns around.
“This better, Van Horn?” Jesse pretends to think then nods, “Yeah, that's good, Abbot.” he teases back.
“Good, because I ran out of shirts, and I refuse to wear a button up to a bar.” Jack explains, fixing his hair.
Jesse only nods.
“Be yourself, Jack. Don’t be all big manly army man tonight. Be you.” Jesse suggests. He gets up and starts to walk out the bedroom with Jack.
As they make it to the front door Jesse faces Jack.
“And don’t forget to wrap it before you tap it.” Jack blushes and groans.
“It’s a date, not a hookup.”
“Still.” Jesse says, throwing his hands up.
“I’m leaving, bye.”
“Bye, be safe.
And Jack is on his way to the bar. He’s nervous, he’s sweaty, and he’s hoping Robby won’t notice. He takes a deep breath and opens his phone and notices a text.
Michael:I’m at the bar, sitting in the third booth on the right :)
Jack smiles and sends a thumbs up, walking into the bar and looking around. He notices a very awkward tall man sitting by himself. Nervously sipping a drink.
Yep. That's the Robby he knows.
He strides over and smiles, Robby looking up.
“Hey!” Robby greets. Jack smirks, “Hey, Mike.” he sits down across from Robby.
Robby blushes at the nickname.
“I like your necklace.” Jack comments, smiling. Robby looks at it then smiles, “Thanks, it’s from my grandmother.” he answers. Jack nods.
“My wife was agnostic jewish. She had a similar necklace, shorter and smaller though.” jack makes small conversation, not wanting it to get awkward.
“Really?”
“Yeah, you would’ve liked her. She was a pediatrician. Took care of many sick kids.” Robby opens his mouth to say something but is interrupted by a waiter walking up.
“Can I get you something to drink?” the waitress asked with a smile.
“Just a beer, please. Surprise me.” She nods and writes something down before going back to the bar.
“May I ask how she passed?” Robby asks, breaking the slight silence that followed.
“Cancer, got to her too quickly…” Jack answers, picking the table’s wood. “I’m sorry, Jack.”
“It’s been five years, she’s still in my heart, but I think she’d want me to meet someone. I promised her I wouldn't be miserable and alone forever.” Jack says.
The waitress makes her way back with a beer bottle and smiles, “Anything else?” she asks. They both shake their heads and she walks away with a smile.
“How about you? Any family? Friends? Past lovers?” Jack jokes at the end, and Robby chuckles, shrugging his shoulders.
“Not really, both my grandparents are dead, mom left, dad i didn’t know that well. My only friends are just Dana really…I don’t have many past lovers either, by the way.” Robby takes a sip of his drink and Jack only nods.
“You look good, I like your shirt. When I was a student doctor, another student doctor I knew really well loved Tool.” he smiles, Jack looks at his shirt.
“I’m gonna be honest with you, I put on thousands of shirts before coming. Didn’t want to look sloppy or too dressed up.” Robby laughs and Jack laughs too.
“No way! I went through four pairs of jeans before I came here. I didn’t want to dress badly, I would rather not look ugly for my date. I’m not much of a looker but the last thing-”
“I think you're handsome, big guy.” Jack interrupts.
“Really?” Robby asks, a little shocked.
“Yeah, has no one told you that?”
“Other than my bubbe, no, even my past partners never said that…to be fair I haven't been in a relationship in over ten years.” Jack tilts his head, “why is that?”
“I never have the time, but I'm willing to change that…after meeting you.” Robby looks at his hands on the table. Jack puts his hands on top of Robby’s.
“Maybe after this date we could hang out again? Maybe at the park across the street from the pitt?” Jack grins. Robby nods.
“So this is going well?”
Jack leans over the table and kisses Robby’s cheek.
“It’s going really well.”