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Normally, doctors and nurses were forced to use scent patches. Urged especially in the ER, where emotions are heightened and to not exacerbate the patient. The hospitals and centers made a mandate requiring for full coverage of scent glands for medical personnels.
Dennis knew that.
But the jacket smelled so intoxicating that he had to get it. A mix of frankincense, cedar and lavender. Both calming and earthy but still grounding. And Dennis wants it.
It feels safe. Projects peace. Soothing and gentle to his senses.
He shouldn’t have taken the jacket but the wants outweighed the consequences. And he will regret that when he's thinking straight.
Besides if nobody knew he took it better for him and his anxiety. But his tail shows otherwise, flickering from left to right.
While his mother had warned him that predators are dangerous and will do everything to hurt him. Well, she didn’t exactly warn him about them. After all, this is all Dr. Robby’s fault. And maybe Dr. Abbot too now that he thinks about it.
“Dennis be careful if a predator gets too close they might bite you to death.”
Should’ve been “Dennis be careful or they might court you to death”. Because the blood rushing to his brain for every little touch and smile is not good for his health. And heart.
He knows that those two were predators and as a prey he should really be cautious. Careful as his mother always says but since they’ve already cut ties with him for being gay. What’s one more to his list of sins.
If not for those sudden shoulder touches, Dennis being manhandled by strong wide hands to be dragged and moved, and warm palms always near his skin. Ruffling his hair whenever he did a smooth procedure or diagnosing a patient swiftly.
National Geographic did say that brown bears like to scent mark by rubbing their paws on the trees. Assuming, since Dr. Robby was of the same species. Was he also scent marking Dennis? Thinking of this made Dennis’s tail fluffed up and twitching.
And Dr. Abbot giving him coffee during shift handover, protein bars as a pick me up when he’s on the night shift and even lunch when there’s a time is definitely not helping his thoughts. Him always smiling at Dennis whenever they’re near to each other.
If Dennis didn’t know that Dr. Robby and Dr. Abbot are married happily judging by how infused their smell is with each other. He would have thought that they were courting him. Who’s he even kidding. No they aren’t. There’s no way that’s happening.
But his hindbrain didn’t get the memo and his instincts were clamoring to add their scent to his nest. So now here he is, feeling like a criminal. Thank you very much, brain.
And now he was thinking of Dr. Robby and Dr. Abbot as something. Something he doesn’t really want to dive into, Dennis thought while hurriedly going back to the lockers, Dennis took out his bag and roughly placed the jacket inside. The locker doors clanged as he closed it.
“What was that Huckleberry,” Dennis squeaked, tail and ears frozen from surprise. Trinity leaned in the lockers smirking, crossed her arms.
“No-nothing.” Dennis squirmed, frozen in spot, his eyes shifting left to right. “Just checking something.”
“Oh? And is that something related to what Robby's missing.”
“He’s asking for his jacket?” Dennis stuttered. His tail flickering behind in distress. His ears flattened in his curls; it's nearly hidden.
Trying to see behind Trinity, Dennis can only see her tails upright and bristling. Definitely feeling playful and impish today.
“Nope.” Trinity sniggered, popping the ‘p’ louder than necessary. “How do you know it’s his jacket missing?”
“Jacket? I didn’t say jacket?” Dennis sweated trying to walk past Trinity but she’s not letting him get away so easily. Blocking his way, stopping him, Trinity grinned and put her arms to his shoulder. “Come on Huckleberry. Soooo… Why did you take it?”
“I didn’t take anything!”
“You can’t lie to my nose, Den.”
“I don’t-”
“What. You definitely did something. I can smell it!”
Dennis’ really regretting taking that stupidly good smelling jacket. Trinity won’t let him get away with this, he knows it. She’s going to be insufferable for the whole shift and more. Probably a week. She’s definitely going to chat with the girls and now he not only has her in his heels, he’ll also have other noses too.
He’s not really liking his decisions right now.
Dennis shook his head, his tail now hugging his stomach for comfort. The sudden shout of his name made his ear tremble and seeing Trinity click her tongue felt hope that he could get away from his nosy roommate.
“We’re not done with this,” Trinity murmured, voice low.
“I’ll give you a headstart before I tell the others.”
“Please don’t.” Dennis pleaded with Trinity. Hugging his tail for comfort.
“We’ll talk later.” Trinity said when the alarm for multiple trauma sounded.
Dennis just nodded his head and scuttled away. Hands still burrowing in his tail. He should really calm himself before his scent gets any worse and patients complain. Then Dana would know and he doesn’t really like worrying Dana if he could.
“Whitaker! Where were you?” Seeing Dr. Robby rolling in a patient with a GSW in the shoulder into trauma bay 1, Dennis quickly followed, hoping that the attending won’t ask about his ears and tail still curled in his mid. “Discharging a patient.”
He knows Dr. Robby wants to ask but stops himself. Dennis focused on the patient but he could feel the heat from his gaze. Burning into his back and he can’t help is his tail tightened around his waist.
But with the constant flow of the patients, with the multiple vehicle collisions, Robby didn’t have time to ask Dennis what happened.
Fortunately for Dennis this also means that Trinity also doesn’t have enough time to interrogate him and before he knew it, from him rushing patients to patients, his shift is done and he can scurry back to his hidey hole.
So when the shift handover was happening. With Robby busy with Jack, Dennis took off without waiting for Trinity to drive him back. He’s not so poor that he can’t pay for the bus and with the traffic maybe he can hide the jacket before Trinity gets home. Hopefully.
—
Robby didn’t believe it when he saw Whitaker take the jacket he forgot by the cafeteria. The usually timid, nervous wreck of a man casually took his jacket and ran off. He was about to call for Whitaker when he saw Gloria by the corner of his eye so he had to hide and by the time he was back to the pitt, patients poured in one by one.
Seeing Whitaker with his ears and tail curled into his chest was a sight that he would really like to see again. He was adorable and beautiful and breathtaking and seemed like in the middle of panic, Robby worriedly mused.
So to not further plunge his resident on another breakdown. Robby checked on the patients first. As is his job. That he came here to do. Robby needs to get his head straight.
Taking a look at the patient with a GSW on the shoulder. It’s a clean shot. The bullet went through and through. Not critical but will need stitches. Hooked up in antibiotics and IV and a shot of morphine then he’s good for observation so Robby wasn’t really needed in the room.
Whitaker hasn’t really looked at him once when checking on the patient. Nor when he was stitching him up. But he did look back under his lashes, face flushing when Robby said, “Good job Whitaker, clean stitches. Not pulling on the skin. Not too loose either. It’s perfect.”
“Thank you Dr. Robby.” Dennis squeezed out before running off to another patient.
This time to Samira who was working on a 7 year old kid with pneumonia. Seems like the little one inhaled sea water when they went on a beach for vacation. Developing a fever, parents rushed him to the hospital because he couldn’t breathe properly.
Then after that with Frank who was on trauma bay 1 doing a bypass surgery on a 36 year old woman. Even if he is only holding the line and monitoring the patient’s stats.
The one after that and the one after that. With Mckay then with Collins or by the triage then back again with Samira or Frank. But never with Robby. He gets the feeling that the kid was avoiding him.
Getting out of the bathroom, Robby knew Dennis saw him when the man crashed into Ahmad in his haste to cross the room away from Robby who was staring bewildered.
“What you do to Whitaker?” Dana asked him when Robby went to his desk, “Kid’s practically flying to get out of your sight, you big bear.”
“Why is it my fault?” Robby puzzled. Though being ignored so blatantly is wearing thin in his patience. Robby just wished for this shift to end.
“Well he’s only doing that to you, you know.” Dana stared at him meaningfully before going back to her business.
“Did you growl at him or what?”
“No. Dana. I did not growl at him.”
“Thank god for that. The Hr, aka Gloria, won’t like to hear something about ‘Senior Attending Assaults Resident from PTMC. Live on Channel 5’.”
“No. Just no.” Robby just sighed while Dana laughed at him. And she’s not the only one who noticed.
By the end of the shift, practically everyone asked him why Whitaker was running away at the sight of him. Even Langdon, no matter how strained their relationship is. The only thing Robby could say was he didn't know. For once, he really doesn’t know what to do. Unfortunately for him, everyone was skeptical of his answer.
Whitaker nearly flew, briskly going to his locker then out of the hospital doors. Robby had to pass Jack who just got in to catch up to him.
What Robby saw though made him stop and hide by the edge of the building. Dennis waited by the bus stop, vibrating in anxiety. Restless and unsure of himself. Looking at his surroundings before taking out Robby’s Jacket and scenting it.
That. That made Robby’s heart skip a beat. And it was his turn to be restless. Wanting to walk up to Dennis, wrap his arms around him and take him home. But rationality won out in the end.
Robby needs to talk to Jack before moving forward. Dennis scenting his jacket marks Robby as his territory by technicality. According to that one squirrel documentary Jack made him watch if they match Dennis’ behavior. Which they did. Surprisingly.
If Dennis likes Robby’s scent then that also means that he will also like Jack’s. Since they were both mated and married. Their scents lingered on each other.
Questions and choices. Those can be made when Robby and Jack talked.
—
Dennis did in fact beat Trinity by courtesy of her being stuck charting her patients and the subsequent traffic home. This means that he had time to hide the jacket and air out his bag to remove the scent.
And if Dennis placed it in his nest by his head. Trinity won’t know. She respects his privacy.
But she doesn’t really believe it when he said that he “Didn’t have Dr. Robby’s jacket, Trinity, why would I take it?”
“Cos’ you’ve been eyefucking him ever since your first day in your rotation Huckleberry.”Trinity stared at him, brows up sky high if it could, like he was an idiot. And maybe he has some questionable choices but they haven't really been a problem.
“I am not eye fucking him!” Dennis protested.
“Whatever you say Huckleberry, whatever you say.”
“Just. Can’t we just stop talking about this.”
“Hey, I’m not the one stealing clothes from their boss who they very much like to suck dick with.”
“Trinity!”
“If you throw that to me, Huckleberry, that’s coming back to you twice as fast.” Trinity warned Dennis who was holding a throw pillow in his hands. Indecisive if the risks outweigh the gain.
“But for real are you also going to take Abbot’s underwear if you can?”
Dennis picks up the smaller throw pillow beside him and hurls it into Trinity’s face, not letting go in case he needs to do it again. And to prevent Trinity from having ammunition.
“Shit! You are going down!”
Maybe wrestling your roommate who might weigh more than you and definitely knows how to punch your brains out isn’t a smart move but Dennis wasn’t really known for making good decisions. Er go, stealing his boss’s jacket and also having a crush on him and his spouse.
But the momentary pain of Trinity’s thumb in his kidney definitely helped him forget his troubles and maybe his name. While he loves Trinity as a brother could his sister, he sometimes wished he was bigger than her just so he could throw her over his shoulder.
It was humiliating. Having your ass handed to you by your female roommate.
Dennis had to tap out of the fight he started but with Trinity basically crashing his back he couldn’t even move if he wanted to. “Trinity… heavy!”
“Excuse you! I am not that heavy!”
“Tell that to my back!”
“AW! Trin. Tail!”
“What do you mean tail. You bit me you little shit!” Trinity complained from where she was holding down Dennis. Her right hand smarting from where Dennis bit her. Not enough to draw blood but enough to leave marks.
Dennis just huffed and splayed himself more on the floor. Thank god he cleaned and mopped last night when he couldn’t sit still enough to try and sleep.
“I’m not making you breakfast for tomorrow.”
Trinity’s squawk of indignation still made Dennis feel a little gratification. If not for her ass digging into his spine.
—
Dennis thought that since no HR calls were made last night that he wasn’t caught. So though cautiously, he thought that maybe this day could be good. Injury, blood and death aside.
But finding a bulging bag in his locker filled with clothes. One jacket smelling like Abbot and sitting at the bottom is something that had Dennis flushing, blood rushing up to his head.
The heady mix cardamom, lavender and nutmeg. Different but at the same time identical to the jacket sitting at his nest.
Just more spicy. Potent and Intoxicating. Where Robby’s soothes. Jack’s stimulates. It’s electrifying as it is mind-blowing.
And it’s all jammed into this tiny bag. Now choked full of Jack’s scent.
“Is that a boxer?” Trinity hissed under her breath from beside him. She’s been watching him ever since he opened the bag smelling Abbot before Dennis even could. A badger’s nose is stronger than a squirrel ever could be. “Guess you didn’t have to take it huh.”
Zipping the bag closed and chucking it into his locker, Dennis took a deep breather but it only made him smell Dr. Abbot more. Choking on air, he slammed the locker door closed, loudly. Making the people around him to stare at him and Trinity who was gaping at his locker.
“You didn’t like it baby?” Jack asked, like a cat who got the cream. Dennis and Trinity were startled when he suddenly appeared behind them. “I thought we were giving clothes for you to scent.”
Dennis stepped back, slamming into the locker. Frozen in place when Jack tilted his head, ears twitching incessantly, listening. Dennis then noticed the high pitch sound leaving his throat making him stop.
“I-uh… what?”
“I thought since you took Robby’s jacket you’d also like mine. Too much?”
“Yes?” Dennis squeaked out through narrowed pipes. Ears hidden under his curls again but his tail was pinned by his body into the locker. Feeling something brushing his arms, locking them together.
Seeing Dennis startled and frozen, like a prey being hunted, Trinity mused. No, not like definitely being hunted after noticing Jack’s eyes. Intensed. Direct. Focused only on Dennis who stood in front of him wrapping him up with his tail.
She left. She didn’t really need a front row view of Abbot eyeing her roommate like a piece of prime meat. Nope. Nu uh. No.
Seeing Trinity backing away slowly from them. Dennis stared at her until their eyes met, trying his best telepathically asking for help out of this, whatever this is. “I put a condom in your pocket.” Trinity mouthed, “Incase you need them.”
Dennis feels his cheeks warm at what Trinity said but before he can react Jack takes his chin in his hand and slowly turns his head until they’re facing. Dennis noted absentmindedly that Jack’s face was really, really close.
“Put those pretty brown eyes on me love.” Jack murmured smiling coyly at Dennis. His eyes not drifting and just for a moment Dennis felt his thumb brushing past his lower lip.
Blood rushing to his head for the umpteenth time, Dennis only felt his head spin and then suddenly blank.
Tilting to the side, Jack had to catch Dennis before he fell and break his head open on the floor. Huffing from suddenly lunging downward Jack had Dennis resting in his chest.
“Holy shit. Robby’s gonna kill me.”
Taking Dennis’ arms and hooking it to his neck, Jack took a deep breath before lifting Dennis up into a princess carry. Surprising himself when he staggered getting up Jack found that Dennis was really light for someone his frame.
Taking the long walk to the break room. Thankfully not encountering anyone, patient or otherwise since it was still early in the morning.
Opening the door to the break room, Robby was stirring a cup of coffee that he was about to take a sip when Jack interrupted him carrying a passed out Dennis in his arms, startling him.
“What-what?”
“Overheat.”
“What do you… overheat? Jack, it's negative degrees out there.”
“Bloodrush then.”
“No. Just no.” It feels like Robby said those words before.
Robby pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing deeply. Putting his coffee down and walking forward to where Jack laid Dennis down while they were arguing. Palm going to Dennis’ forehead to check for temperature and the other to his wrist for heart rate.
“What happened to taking our time?”
“He was just shocked,” Jack shrugged apologetic though at the same time not. Making the cute little squirrel blushed so much he fainted was a massive ego boost for the man. Though making Dennis faint wasn’t really ideal, Jack would apologize later when he wakes up.
“Slow Jack. We were going to go slow.” Robby sighed again. Thankful that Dennis fainted from being overwhelmed and not because of something medical.
“But you gave your jacket for him to scent!” Jack argued.
“He took it,” Robby pointed out, “Without asking may I add.”
“Well I had to do something. At least now he knows I’m interested.”
“What. The coffee run, snacks and lunch wasn’t a hint. Jack this’s you practically screaming it out in his face!”
“The boxer might have been too much but—”
“Boxer! Where did you even get the time to get that?”
“I have my ways.” Jack said smugly from where he was sitting with Dennis’ head in his lap. Running his fingers through his hair. Feeling Dennis stirring under his hand had him shushing Robby’s tirade.
Feeling offended by being told to shut up. Robby tried to open his mouth when Jack’s tail smacked him in his cheeks.
“Wakey wakey princess.” Jack teased when Dennis screwed his eyes and nestled further into Jack’s stomach making the man laugh.
Dennis couldn’t believe what he heard. He didn’t really faint, only light headed and with the tinnitus screaming in his ears he might as well have.
But he was aware enough to hear the argument above his head. The two were practically screaming them for the whole hospital to hear. It’s a good thing the break rooms soundproofed. Noise insulation for the win.
So, Dennis reflected in his mind, they were courting. The National Geographics was really telling the truth huh. He was just knee deep in denial, for the record though. Those two are married and he didn’t even know they’re looking for a hook up or something.
But they’re courting him, so not a hook up? Dennis doesn't really know what to think.
Taking a deep breath before he backed out, Dennis asked if he was firmly planted on Jack’s stomach. “You’re both courting me? Not just being friendly or whatever?”
“Sweetheart, I don't think me scenting you means I’m just being friendly. I’ve been courting you ever since you came back for your residency.” Robby assured Dennis. Running his hand down and up on Dennis’s back.
“But you’re married to each other. Are you guys getting a divorce. Oh god! My senior attendings are divorcing because of me! I’m a homewrecker!”
Dennis could feel Jack laughing. The shaking made his head swim and the noise sounded deafening, echoing in the room endlessly.
“No baby, Robby and I are still happily in love with each other,” Jack smiled, nails scraping down Dennis’s scalp sending tingles down his spine, “We just found that we liked you too.”
“Come on, honey, let me see those brown eyes of yours.” Robby crooned at Dennis who was still hiding in Jack’s stomach. Now more comfortably curled up knowing he's not about to be an adulterer or whatever they call it.
Peeking at Robby from under his lashes, Dennis bit his lips before trying to sit up. Still not letting go of Jack but it seems that sentiment is mutual by the way Jack’s now circling his waist.
Not forgetting Robby. Dennis had his tail wrapped around the man’s arm and tugged him slightly.
“Well, essentially… My instincts already think of both of you as my… mate.” Dennis whispered into Jack’s collar. His ears tickled Jack’s neck making the man chuckle.
“That’s why you took Robby’s jacket.” Jack teased.
Dennis nodded his head. Blush returning to his cheeks.
“Well you can have everything in my closet that you want from now on.”
“Anything of mine and Robby, sweetheart.” Jack promised. Catching Robby’s eyes and seeing the same conviction that he himself felt.
“Anything you want.”