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It had been another stressful shift at The Pitt, Dennis had grabbed his things and was heading for the door when he caught the conversation that was happening at the nurse’s station.
“Robby, it is dark and cold out, and you don't have your bike anymore, wait for me to get off so I can walk you home.” Dana pleaded with him.
“With all due respect I don't like the idea of you being out there in the cold at this time of night,” he countered.
“Uh..I can walk you home” the words had slipped out into the cold winter air that was spilling in from the open bay doors, like the wind had carried them away from his tongue.
“If it isn't too much trouble,” their conversation interrupted and Robby’s attention was solely focused on the younger doctor.
“Oh no, my apartment is pretty close.” he gave a white lie, it was close but still a few miles away from where Robby lived.
“Good to know.” the smirk on Dr. Rabinovitch's face said it all and Dennis could feel the heat rise from his core to his cheeks and ears.
They carried on walking out of the emergency room and down the long cold hallway to the exit. Their coats swooshing with every step.
They had stayed silent for the majority of the walk to their apartments but something stretched between them. Their shoulders were touching with almost every step they took.
The cold air had seeped into Whitaker's bones, his coat was not made of material that kept out the cold but it was better than no coat at all. When he lost feeling in his hands, about a mile from his apartment he decided to finally speak up.
“Hey…uh Robby, do you mind if we link arms? I can't feel my hands anymore.”
“Okay, sure thing, you got poor circulation or something?”
“Yeah, I got it from my mom.” he smiled and Robby smiled back.
They carried on with their walk.
They got to Robby’s doorstep and let go of each other, the warmth fleeing with Robby’s arms and the cold returning to Whitaker like a wet blanket flung at him. They lingered a little, the feeling between them stretching thinner the more they shared eye contact and breaths.
And then it snapped.
“Listen, kid, I know you said that you lived close by but with this freezing wind and your coat situation..i don't know.” he was implying something and Whitaker caught on almost immediately but for the sake of witnessing awkward Michael Rabinovitch, he let whatever was happening in front of him happen.
“Yes?” he asked, feigning innocence.
“Would you like a night cap?” he asked, finally finding his words with wide eyes and blush not just from the cold air.
“I would love a night cap.” Whitaker indulged him, he was already freezing again and it took all of the leftover energy in him to force his teeth into calm nothingness while he stood there shaking from the neck down.
“Good. Now let’s get inside before you freeze.” he laughed and Whitaker smiled as he adjusted the strap of his bag as he walked up the stairs.
They disappeared into the warm, welcoming doorway of Robby's apartment with the intent of drinking and sharing stories by his fireplace, while they cuddled up to each other.
Dennis was glad he brought his extra change of clothes, and Robby was glad they both had the day off tomorrow.