Work Text:
When Jack realizes it, he feels extremely stupid.
How can a man who was widowed, flirts left and right, not know what love looks like? He actually thinks that's insane, nuts even. How could he not notice his own eyes lingering on that man for as long as he could look? How could he not notice how that man made him feel like a smile actually belonged on his face? And, even more stupidly, how could he not notice how his own brain kept conjuring up scenarios of a future, a home, and a family? Things he’d never actually had before?
Obviously, he knows Michael Robinavich is hot. He has eyes, thank you.
But there are some things that only a casual heterosexual appreciation of another man can excuse. Staring at Robby's necklace peeking through his shirt was not one of them. Noticing how he reacts when someone calls him attractive, his little tongue tics and extreme blush, was not one of them. Enjoying Robby's warm hand resting on his neck for long minutes was definitely not one of them. And also, Jack wasn’t heterosexual. He’d known that since he was a teenager.
What makes Abbot feel even more like an idiot is how he discovers all this. Look, he’s not mad that apparently everyone and their moms knew about it, but really, why did no one tell him?
He starts to notice something’s off when Gloria, of all people, hits him with a sentence he honestly never expected to hear.
“Dr. Abbot! One of the men I need to talk to. Have you and Dr. Robby already spoke to HR about your thing? It’s really important the hospital doesn’t get any complaints about workplace relationships. We already have enough messes in the ER-”
“Um, actually, what are you talking about? Did someone see me and Robby on the roof?” Jack interrupts her. He doesn’t have the time, nor the mental energy, to hear a full lecture about hospital policies.
“Roof? What roof thing, Dr. Abbot?” She looks confused, and he, in turn, looks even more lost.
Their silent competition of confusion is interrupted by an ambulance emergency that requires Jack to jump into action.
The next piece of this stupidity puzzle comes from a med student. Dennis Whitaker.
It’s Dennis’ first night shift, and he’s looking at Dr. Abbot like he’s an alien. Jack is used to that look, especially once people find out about his prosthesis, which the boy probably had.
Jack does the asshole move. He’s tired, his body aches, and the night’s been hell after nearly losing a patient due to a fluke that was his fault. So he corners the kid.
“So, bloodhound, what’s wrong? You keep looking at me. Lost something?”
The boy practically shakes in his shoes.
“Um, no sir, sorry. Just, um...just...?” Dennis shrugs nervously, like a lost, wet puppy. It's almost funny.
“Just what, kid? Something funny about me?” Jack’s probably being too harsh, but God knows it’s for the best. A less patient person might’ve already thrown a punch for the staring.
“No, Dr. Abbot. Just... just... doesDr.Robbyknowthatyoustillwearyourexspousering?” Jack actually gets astonished with this, like, actual shock.
“What? Why are you even -?”
“Sorry sir! I lost a bet to Santos! I’m sorry! Too personal, no need to answer!” And the kid somehow vanishes to help a patient.
Jack, at this point, has no idea where all this is coming from.
The final piece, and, to be fair, his breaking point, is Dana. A woman he admires with every fiber of his soul and brain. That hospital would not stand without her.
It happens early in the morning. Jack is exhausted from his shift when Dana arrives earlier than expected, looking like a woman on a mission.
“Abbot, can we have a talk?”
“Yeah, sure. Everything seems alright, everyone’s in their place.”
They find an empty room, and he leans against the wall for a moment. His body is killing him, and his knee is the main victim and suspect.
“So, what’s the deal between you and Robby? Everyone's asking, and now Gloria’s bothering me because you and ‘Mr. I don't wanna talk about it’ are being total jerks.” She sounds pissed, like this is a chore she really didn’t want on her list today.
“A great friendship? There’s nothing between us. We’re doing fine, actually. Two weeks without either of us going to the roof.” He tries to joke. It lands flat.
Dana groans and looks even more pissed. “Please don’t fuck with me. Everyone knows you two are having a fucking affair, Jack. Everyone with eyes and ears. Even patients have noticed.”
“What? Uh, Dana, dear... I’m sorry, but that’s not it. I swear...” He stops and takes a deep breath. “This doesn’t even make sense.”
“What?” She looks at him, analyzing. Then...
"Oh my God.”
And she bursts out laughing.
“Oh God, everyone in this damn ER is betting on when you two will go to HR or just make it official. And you’re not even together?” She can’t stop laughing. “You two are so stupid. I can’t believe it.”
Now Jack feels offended.
Dana finally catches her breath, still smiling. “God. You and him. Definitely two people who deserve each other.” She looks at him intently. “Do you even realize you’re in love with him?”
You see, Dr. Abbot lost a leg in combat. That shock was less impactful than this.
Consciously, he didn’t know it. But the information runs down his spine like a cold shiver.
“And do you realize that he’s utterly in love with you?”