Chapter Text
Jack Abott was many things. He was a doctor, he was a partner. He could (kinda) cook and can hold his own on the pickleball court.
He was also a disabled veteran.
A fact he was forced to remember every day as he put his leg on and off. Some days it didn’t matter as much though, like now, where Dennis was trying to balance the prosthesis on his hand.
“I thought this would be easier.” He mumbled, tongue poking out in focus.
“You’re doing great.” Jack encouraged from the couch. They all had the day off and Dennis had stayed the night, curls messy and perfect. To make it even better, he had clearly stolen Jack or Robby’s sweatpants and they hung low on his hips and he had no shirt on. Jack could watch every twitch of muscles as he focused. The leg predictably dropped again, Dennis catching it and letting out a disappointed noise.
“Guess I’m not quitting medicine to join the circus.” He sighed, coming over and dropping over the arm of the couch. Dennis’ head landed on Jack’s lap.
“Ah, a shame. I mean, you’ve still got time.” Jack hummed. “You’re still young.”
“You wouldn’t come with me?” Dennis poked his head up, a little pout on his lips.
“What’s he guilting you into?” Robby came up, mug of tea in hand. “I know that look.”
“We’re quitting medicine to join the circus.” Jack grinned as Robby hummed, nodded a couple times, then sat down in his armchair.
“What would our act be?”
“Well Dennis is going to balance my leg on his hand.”
“I’m very talented.” Dennis shot up again. “Let me show you.”
“Should we be playing with the leg?” Robby looked over to Jack.
“Well I guess it’s more fun than the other one.” Jack raised his leg up, as if proving his point. Dennis laughed, losing his focus and clutching the leg to his chest. “We could try but I think I’m a little heavy for you pup.”
“I could lift you!” Dennis spun on his heel. Since his head injury Dennis had been more regular at his gym, but there was no way Dennis could lift him. Jack winked at him and shrugged.
“Sure.”
“Don’t sure me.” Dennis scoffed. “Can you believe this?” He asked Robby, the older man pretending to think for a moment, before nodding firmly.
“Yeah. You can’t lift him.”
“I could!” Dennis moved back over to the couch and Jack laughed, looking over at Robby.
“This is how I die.”
“I’ll make a very nice toast at your funeral.” Robby grinned. “Den, please be careful though. Jack is-”
“Hey.” Jack interrupted.
“Okay, so I get it. You think I’m weak.” Dennis scoffed. “Here, I’ll show you.”
“Jack, I was going to say something kind!” Robby interrupted, before trailing off a little. There was no surprise that Robby loved when Dennis flexed his arms. The little tilt of the head so he could watch over his glasses was the tip off. Dennis squatted in front of the couch by Jack, shifting his hands under Jack’s back and thighs.
“Pup.” Jack warned him again.
“Farm strength.” Dennis muttered, before his grip tightened and he stood up.
“Fuck me.” Robby’s voice betrayed all his surprise, Jack nearly echoing the statement. He couldn’t remember the last time in his life that someone had picked him up.
“Ha!” Dennis lowered Jack down, before slightly awkwardly dropping him the last fraction of an inch.
“Me next?” Robby requested. Dennis laughed, making his way over to the armchair and gently taking Robby’s tea away, and dropping into his lap. He dragged Robby into a kiss and Jack laughed, propping himself up to watch. He could see Robby’s hands drag over his bare back and if Jack was more mobile he’d get up and join them.
“This is my favorite game.” Jack admitted. Dennis slid gracefully (a betrayal of their age that his joints were so much more flexible) off Robby’s lap and sauntered out of the room. “Well done Robinavitch.” Jack complimented, watching him walk.
“Yep, right back at you Abbot." Robby leaned forward to grab his tea.
“I can hear you!” Dennis shouted over his shoulder.
“We know!” Jack grinned. “Okay, I gotta get up. Otherwise I won’t get this workout done.” He took a moment to measure how far away his leg was and if he could hop safely. Robby and Dennis both insisted that when they were home Jack should just ask for help. It felt so pathetic though. He couldn’t even get up and move.
“Here.” Dennis came back into the room with a book, picking up his prosthetic and moving it closer for him. He dropped back onto the couch and opened his book with a happy sigh.
“Thanks.” Jack pulled his leg on, stretching and standing. He made his way to the bedroom to change into his workout clothes, before heading to the home gym. Was it excessive to have converted half the garage to a gym? Perhaps. But the other half was taken up by Robby’s bike so that’s fair in his mind.
Jack was thinking a lot lately about what they would do when Dennis moves in. Mind you, the younger man didn’t have a lot of things. Jack would have to buy him more things so they could argue about garage space when he moved in. One thing at a time.
He went through his usual routine, the pleasant burn running through his muscles. At least he still had this. Even at the worst of his injury, he could go to the gym. He didn’t have a shift tonight either, so this was the best way of trying to adjust his body clock. He jumped up enough to grab the pull up bar, going through another set.
As he hung, he relaxed his hips and felt his spine decompress. He let out a deep and long sigh, before relaxing his hands and slipping down.
“Mm, my favourite view.” He turned with a smirk, Robby leaning against the doorway. “I came to work on my bike.” He explained. “But jeez. How to work with such a show.”
“Ah, Dr Robby, how scandalous.”
“I do my best.” Robby had changed into his usual hoodie and cargo pants. He was oh so handsome. “Mind if I open the main door?”
“Give the neighbours a show.” Robby chuckled, opening up one of his tool boxes. “Hey, question for you.” Jack made his way, coming close enough he could rest his hands on Robby’s hips. “Was thinking, do you think we should talk to Den about moving in soon?” He lowered his voice enough that Dennis would need to be eavesdropping to hear.
“Well,” Robby hummed, turning to rest his head on Jack’s. “I mean, I’d like to. Is it too soon?”
“I don’t think we need to worry too much about him. Doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to.”
“Does give us that disapproving look sometimes.” Robby mumbled.
“Ha, that’s very true.” Jack squeezed Robby’s hips. “But yeah?”
“Yeah.” Robby smiled. “Gotta keep him close.”
“Too cute to let go.” Jack agreed as he stepped away to walk back across the gym. “I mean, I had that thought about you thirty years ago and I nailed that.”
“Flirt.”
“Just for you, baby.” Jack winked, before jumping and grabbing the bar again.