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Dennis was so done with today.
He was convinced the population of Pittsburg had decided to partake in a “let’s abuse ER medical staff” national holiday. Whether it be the “unacceptable” wait times or a coding patient being deemed a higher priority than someone’s mothers sore throat, countless patients had threatened or had gotten downright aggressive with him.
It had been a long, long fifteen hours, and Dennis could almost taste freedom. And yet..
“I want a real doctor!”
“Ma’am I-“
“A REAL DOCTOR!”
Whitaker paused, jaw tightening as he fought to keep his face neutral in the sight of this woman. He repeated bedside manner in his head, blinking slowly before fixing the woman with a calm expression.
“Ma’am. I assure you I-“
“Stop lying! I want a real goddamn doctor to look at my leg! Not some-“ the woman gestured towards him as if he were disgusting. “-idiot student doctor!”
“Ma’am, I am no longer a student doctor, they haven’t given me my new tag-“
“BULLSHIT!”
“Okay!” Dennis exclaimed suddenly as he clasped his hands in front of him, knuckles whitening as he took a second to breathe. If she kept yelling, she would end up disturbing the other patients, so he had to try and resolve this. On his own. The woman only stared at him expectantly. “Okay. I..will get another doctor to see you.” He then spun on his heel and started to leave.
“Make sure it’s an actual doctor, you fucking idiot.” She spat at his retreating back, and Dennis only swiped the curtain shut, his service facade falling as he walked towards the nurses station.
Dana’s pitying eyes didn’t help his mood as he approached. “I’ll find someone to tend to her before my relief comes in. Your shift is pretty much done, go home kid.”
“I still need to do handoffs-“
Dana put a hand up, silencing him. “You only have what, three patients? He’ll manage. He’ll have those charts.”
Seeing his unease with her motherly gaze, she gave him a small smile. “You should go up to the roof to unwind before going home, kiddo. Pretty nice view.”
Seeing that Dana wasn’t going to let him do his handoffs, he sighed as his shoulders slumped. “Alright, maybe I will. See you tomorrow?”
“Always, baby. Have a good night, okay?” She reached over and patted his shoulder, and he lightly leaned into the touch before turning and taking long strides to the side door leading out of the ER and upstairs to the roof.
—----------------------------------------------------------------
Robby had been preparing to leave, saying his goodbyes to Dana, Abbott, and the other night shift staff, when a flash of blue scrubs made themselves known from the corner of his eye. His head turned just in time to see the unmistakable brown curls of Dennis Whitaker disappear between the crack of the side door that led to the stairway. With how hectic today had been, Robby hadn’t gotten a chance to really talk to most of his residents besides the quick check in or patient assistance.
He stared at the now closed side door for a few seconds, brows furrowing. He’d seen Whitaker leave with Santos at least a hundred times now. But he had seen her wade through the patients in chairs just a few minutes ago. Maybe he and Santos had gotten into a fight? He knew damn well she could be abrasive, but there’s no way something so bad could’ve happened that they weren’t going home together.
The man only took a few moments of hesitation before outright following Whitaker through the side door and up the stairs. He remembered taking this similar route plenty of times; sometimes in a worse headspace as the pressure of his job squeezed him tight until he could barely breathe, or the loss of life weighing heavy on his chest until he stood on the roof, on the other side of the rail.
He hoped Whitaker wasn’t feeling the same.
Robby took the stairs two at a time, silently opening the door to the roof. He spotted the younger man’s curls instantly, stark against the city lights. Once he confirmed to himself that Whitaker wasn’t on the wrong side of the railing and was merely leaning against it, something inside him seemed to ease.
————————————————-
Dennis was too focused on the city below to register anyone else on the roof. He audibly and rather pathetically startled at the sound of someone clearing their throat.
“Fancy seeing you up here, Whitaker.” Dennis whirled his head around in a panic, only to see Robby, thick jacket zipped up as he rummaged in the pockets for a moment.
“Oh- Hi, Dr.Robby.” Dennis said, watching as the older man pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He tried his best to not follow the man with his head as Robby shuffled up near him, leaning with his back on the railing.
“Enjoying the view?” Robby said, and Dennis’ mouth momentarily went dry, thinking he’d already been caught.
“Well- uh-“ he sputtered pathetically. Robby turned his head towards him and raised an eyebrow, a cigarette and lighter now in his hands.
“Is the view from the roof that good?” The man teased, and the rush of relief Dennis felt was so strong he had to white knuckle the railing to keep from falling over.
“Oh-Yeah! Yeah, the roof. Uh..” Dennis turned back towards the city, heart pounding. “Dana told me to come up and see it before I go home. Said it would help me “unwind”.” He gestured.
“I wondered why I didn’t see you with Santos.” Robby muttered around the cigarette in his mouth, cupping it with his free hand as the other repeatedly sparked the lighter. “Why’d she tell you to unwind? Something happen?”
Dennis shook his head almost on instinct. “No, nothin’ happened. Just..long day.” He exhaled, breath visible in the chilly night air. Robby nodded, that slow, long one he does when he doesn’t believe what he’s being told, and produced a quiet “aha!” When his lighter finally clicked to life, the flame illuminating the older man’s face.
He watched Robby for just a second again, worrying the inside of his cheek before he blurted out: “Can I take a cigarette off you?” Out of nowhere. Dennis immediately felt stupid for asking, as he’d never even touched one before, but it was too late.
Robby stilled for a moment, lighter halfway to his cigarette. Dennis saw his eyebrows twitch, as if in confusion, before Robby just rummaged in his jacket again, extending the opened pack to him.
Dennis gingerly took one, the stick feeling weird in his lanky fingers as he attempted to act like he knew how to hold one. Robby put it back into his pocket and lit his cigarette, moving the lighter over to Dennis to light it for him.
Unfortunately, a rather harsh gust of wind blew through, putting the lighter out almost immediately. Robby swore under his breath, smoke coming from the corner of his mouth and out of his nostrils as he repeatedly tried to bring the flame back, which only sputtered pathetically before refusing to return.
Dennis internally sighed, preparing to just give the cigarette that was now in his mouth back to Robby and sulk. Instead, Robby stepped closer, much closer than Dennis had been expecting, and cupped a large hand between them to protect their cigarettes from any more chilling wind.
His heart pounded like a drum in his chest, and he hoped the older man couldn’t hear it as Robby’s cigarette slowly started to light his own. Through the heavy scent of smoke, Dennis caught a whiff of what smelt like Cedar or Pine, something woodsy that reminded him of the forests in his hometown. It pressed around him, almost suffocating; But Dennis felt like he could drown in it forever if someone let him.
Before he knew it, Robby stepped back to his respectable distance, leaving Dennis red faced and with a sense of loss as the older man took the suffocating scent with him. He leaned forward onto the railing again and took a tentative puff, pushing past the burning of his lungs as he blew the smoke out. A rough cough burst out of him near the end, sending him into a fit that made Robby chuckle.
“So..when did you start smoking, Whitaker?” He said, fixing him with a curious stare that Dennis didn’t meet.
“It’s, uh..” he took a breath, letting out tiny coughs here and there. “..a new development.”
“Come on, kid. You know I’m not stupid.” Robby said, blowing out a long breath of smoke into the air.
“I- Never said you were, Dr.Robby.” Dennis kept his eyes glued downwards, biting the inside of his lip. “It’s just..” he started, only to shake his head.
“Come onnn.” Robby said. “I won’t tell Gloria you're complaining about patients. Promise.”
Dennis couldn’t help the chuckle that left his lips. “As if you would ever report to Gloria about anything.”
Robby barked out a laugh, nodding as he took another puff. “That is true. But I’m serious kid, what’s eating you?”
Dennis hesitated, before sighing and turning his head to Robby. “Just patients today..and their family members.” He chose his words carefully, not wanting to sound like he was complaining when he had just become a doctor. “It was like nothing I did was enough for them. Everything I did for one patient meant another got angry. I was probably this close-“ Dennis raised his thumb and index, showing a faux distance. “-to getting hit like three separate times.” He let out a long exhale, running a hand through his curls. “I’m just glad today is over.”
Silence stretched between them after Dennis’ little rant, and for a moment he thought Robby would scold him. For what? He wasn’t sure. But his upbringing had turned him into an over apologetic, people pleaser of a man. Dennis took another drag of the cigarette, which didn’t turn out much better than the first, leaving him quietly coughing in the night air.
“I’m sorry.” Robby said instead, which surprised him.
“For what?” Dennis said, fixing him with a confused glance.
“I’m your attending. I should notice when patients or family members are being verbally or nearly physically abusive to one of my interns. I’m sorry I didn’t realize, Whitaker.”
Dennis had hardly ever heard Robby give a genuine lengthy apology. Not that he thought the older man wasn’t capable of doing so, but they’d never really been in a situation to warrant it. It felt almost alien to him.
“Oh- I-I don’t blame you, Dr.Robby.” He was quick to amend. “Today was just wild and hectic, I barely saw you unless it was to save a patient.”
Dennis hadn’t meant to make Robby feel like it was his fault. “Plus..” He desperately searched for words. “I don’t think any day could be worse than my first, right?”
To his relief, Robby chuckled a bit, shaking his head. “God, yeah..you were kinda like a..” Robby gestured in the air a bit, trying to find the term. “..a sad wet mouse.”
“I-what!?” Dennis sputtered, and Robby only put his hands up in defense.
“You just had such sad eyes!” Robby exclaimed, laughing. “But- I mean- you’ve gained plenty of confidence over this past year Whitaker.”
Dennis hummed in doubt. Today had made him feel like he’d regressed in his abilities, somehow.
“Hey.” Robby patted Dennis on his shoulder, the other hand raising his cigarette to his lips. “I’m being serious. It’s been great to see you improve so much. And for what it’s worth..you’re a pretty damn good doctor, Whitaker.”
The rush of pride Whitaker felt in himself at that moment was unlike anything he’d ever felt before. He was the type of person to constantly doubt and second guess himself, but hearing Robby, his boss, someone who he’d had a stupid crush on for months now say that he was a good doctor? It made Dennis just start to believe it a little.
“I..” Dennis was a bit speechless. “Thank you, Dr.Robby.” Was all he could say.
“Gotta acknowledge talent when I see it.” Robby shrugged.
Dennis huffed out a laugh. “I think you’re the reason I changed so much. Well. I mean- being in your ER and knowing you have my back makes me more confident in my job.”
“..Really?” Robby questioned, surprise obvious in his voice. Dennis nodded, genuine with his words. “Even after you witnessed my..ah, what did you call it? Moment of silent reflection?”
Dennis quieted for a moment, pondering. “It was a mass casualty. I’m sure you don’t need to be reminded-“ He quickly cleared his throat and continued. “One moment of weakness during something like that.. it doesn’t make my confidence in you waver. It..just means you're human.”
He turned fully to Robby, waist leaning on the cold metal railing. “It doesn’t hold a candle to what I’ve seen you do as an attending during my time here. I’m serious. You’ve made me more confident.”
Robby didn’t face him. He only brought the cigarette up to his lips. Finally, after Dennis had feared he’d gone too far, Robby’s mouth twitched into a smile as he exhaled the smoke into the night.
“Thanks, Whitaker.” He said, voice low and rough. The sound of his name, even if it was his last, coming out of Robby’s mouth like that made Dennis’ heart jump.
“Yeah-“ his voice cracked a bit at the end, so he cleared his throat and nodded dramatically. “Yeah. Of course.”
There was a lull in conversation as Dennis faced back towards the city, letting the noise of people and traffic engulf him. Dana hadn’t been wrong, the view was nice.
His eyes slid over to Robby, who was now facing the same way towards the city, smoke trailing up from his half burnt cigarette.
Yeah. The view was nice.
He brought his own cigarette back to his lips, but inhaled too deeply this time, choking on the smoke and going into a coughing fit. He heard Robby chuckle again over his coughs, and then felt a warmth on his back as Robby patted it.
“Maybe you’re done with this.” Robby said, amused as he plucked the cigarette from Dennis’ hands.
Dennis had gotten his breath back by the time Robby crushed it under his shoe. “Guess I wasn’t being subtle, was I?”
“No, you were not.” He said, his hand still settled on Dennis’ back. “I feel like if you had started smoking, I would’ve known, or Santos would’ve told me.”
Dennis sighed, nodding. “Yeah.. she would. Can’t hide anything from her.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, feeling the warmth on his back move up to his shoulder, Robby’s fingers brushing his neck. Before he knew it, he felt those fingers gingerly reach the curls licking at his neck and twirl them around.
Dennis couldn’t help the shiver that was produced. It was more like a full body shudder, something that made his brain short circuit and his heart jump out of his chest. The heat of Robby's hand seemed to burn through his scrubs and go straight to his skin.
“You cold? Where’s your jacket?” Robby asked, hand unmoving as he ever so slightly twirled the hair again.
“It’s- uh- In my locker.” His shiver was less pronounced that time, but still obviously affected him.
“Well why is it down there?” Robby said, almost like he was teasing. Dennis could only shrug.
“I..used to live on a farm. I’m pretty used to the cold. I would go outside in the winter and just sit. It kinda..” Dennis shut his eyes to keep his composure as he felt Robby’s hand slide down to his back again before being removed completely. “It would kind of restart my system, help me calm down, you know?”
“Well, I feel like you’ve restarted by now.” Was all he heard Robby say. Before a heavy warmth settled over his shoulders. His eyes were quick to fly open, seeing that Robby had shed his thick brown jacket and had placed it over his shoulders. The very same one Dennis had always seen him wear when coming to start his shift.
“What-“ Dennis froze for a moment, before quickly shaking his head. “Rob- Dr.Robby.” He stressed. “You can’t just give me your jacket, it’s freezing out here.” Dennis reached up to take it off and give it back, but Robby was suddenly in his space, which made Dennis pause. Robby pulled the jacket around him more, connecting the zipper. Dennis was enveloped by that woodsy smell once more, which Dennis had finally figured out must be from some kind of beard oil Robby used. Paired with the coffee and oaky smell of his jacket, the smoke from Robby's still burning cigarette, and the familiar scent of hand sanitizer had Dennis dizzy and spiraling.
Dennis at least had the sense to put his arms through the sleeves so his arms wouldn’t be stuck to his body as Robby zipped it. The cuffs did their best to stop at his wrists, but they did end up slipping a little. He couldn’t ignore the warmth it gave, but he also couldn’t ignore the slight guilt he had by making Robby think he was cold, even if it had been an accident.
“Dr.Robby, I really-“
“Shh.” Robby interrupted, looking a bit too smug to Dennis as he stopped the zipper so it wouldn’t choke him out.
“I..Did you just shush me?” Dennis asked incredulously.
“Mhm.” The older man hummed, starting to clip the buttons over the zipper now. The higher his hands got, the quicker Dennis’ heart pounded, as he slowly melted on the inside.
“There we go.” Robby murmured as he fastened the last button.
Dennis had covered Robby’s hands with his own before he even realized he was doing it. The thought of Robby’s hands leaving him again after just being so close was agonizing.
Against his better judgement, against anything he had ever been taught by his parents in that old farm in Nebraska, when Robby’s eyes flicked up to him in confusion, Dennis leaned up, using his hands as an anchor as he pressed their lips together.
It was a short, sweet kiss, and Dennis’ brain slowly caught up to his body as he pulled away and quickly removed his hands, bringing them up to cover his mouth. A tense moment of silence followed as Dennis felt Robby’s eyes boring into him. His breath quickened as he began to panic:
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry-“
“Whitaker-“
“I shouldn’t have done that why did I-“
“Whitaker, hang on-“
“Am I going to lose my license!? Can you lose your license for kissing your boss-!?” Robby’s hands settled heavily on his shoulders, stopping him cold.
“Dennis.” Robby said, shaking the man a little. “Calm down.”
“I’m calm.” Dennis squeaked, obviously not.
“You aren’t going to lose your license because you kissed me.” Robby said. “I liked it.”
“I’m not?” Dennis said, then blinked owlishly up at him. “Wait, you did?”
“Yes, I did.” Robby had the nerve to chuckle, clearly amused by Dennis’ suffering. “Honestly, I thought I was going to make the first move. Didn’t think you would beat me to it.”
Dennis went slack jawed. “I..you..?” He stammered, pointing a finger between them.
“Was I really not obvious? Following you up here, giving you a cigarette? Hell, my jacket? That didn’t raise any suspicion?” Robby said, eyebrows furrowed despite the amused smile on his face.
“I just thought you were being nice!” Dennis exclaimed. “Plus, it’s not like anyone usually flirts with me!
“I thought you were an attentive doctor, Dennis.” Robby said, enjoying this.
Despite his stomach flipping at his first name being used, He fumbled to find words to defend himself. “Yeah, about medical issues! Not about someone flirting or making advances! It’s-it’s not like you're a horrible person!” He ran his fingers through his curls, acutely aware of Robby watching him do so. “I just thought you were being kind to me, as one of your interns..” Dennis covered his face with his hands and groaned.
————————————————-
Robby laughed openly, thumbs rubbing over Whitaker’s shoulders. “I may not be a horrible person. Mmm..by your standards anyway.” His hands slid down Dennis’ shoulders and biceps, slowly pulling his hands away from his face. “But I am extremely..”
Robby leaned closer, watching Whitaker's face for any signs of discomfort and giving the younger man plenty of time to pull away if desired. “Extremely..” Robby continued, their breaths mixing as Robby’s hands slid down to Whitaker’s waist. “..Selfish.”
Their lips met for a second time, with more intensity than Whitaker had first shown him. One arm wrapped around his waist to keep Whitaker upright as the other trailed up his back to reach his curls again. God, Robby thought he could play with his curls forever, if Whitaker let him. After a moment he felt Whitaker's arms wrap around his neck, the younger man seemingly finally processing the situation.
Robby tilted his head to deepen the kiss, and Whitaker surprisingly followed suit, allowing Robby to step back and press him against the railing of the roof. Feeling the chill of the metal and a sudden barrier must’ve spooked Whitaker, because one arm unwrapped from Robby’s neck and attempted to grab the railing behind him, but Robby took his arm off of Whitaker's back and intercepted, pulling away just enough to speak a quick: “I got you. I gotcha.” In a low gravelly tone and tightened the grip his other arm had on the younger man's waist for emphasis before diving right back in and putting Whitaker's arm back around his neck.
This dizzying, love filled kiss lasted just a few moments longer, and although Robby would’ve been content to stay like that forever, they both broke away eventually for air. The two men stood silent, panting as one of Robby's arms lowered to cage Whitaker in against the railing, the other still steady around his waist. The poor guy looked like he might pass out, so much so that Robby gave him a worrying look.
“Whitaker? You okay?” He finally asked, which seemed to snap him out of his daze.
“Huh-oh! Yeah. Yeah I’m- I’m good. So good.” He nodded dramatically, one arm staying around Robby’s neck while the other trailed slowly down Robby’s arm on the railing. “That was..really good.”
“Yeah?” Robby said, partially teasing how out of it Whitaker currently was and partially because he did really want to know.
“Yeah. I..can’t really believe it. I didn’t think you were into me. Or like..into guys. At all.” Whitaker admitted.
“Hey, I can keep secrets if I need to.” Robby chuckled. “I was being so painfully obvious, though.”
“I- okay, you gotta give me some credit, I just figured out I was gay like a few months ago, I’m still new.” Whitaker said, joining Robby in the laughter. “So, um..how long have you..?” He trailed off.
“How long have I known I liked men?” Robby tried, only for Whitaker to shake his head.
“No, uh- I mean, how long have you..liked me?” He finally got out. Robby let out a low, amused chuckle.
“I mean, I kind of started to admire you after your first day, but I didn’t fully realize it was romantic until a few months later.” He admitted, and watched Whitaker chew on his lip in thought.
“Why didn’t you..say anything sooner?” He asked.
“Well, I’m sure you’re aware of our..” he raised a hand to rub the back of his neck. “..difference in age.”
“Mm, I’m aware.” Whitaker said in such a suddenly smug tone that almost made Robby lean in and kiss him all over again. Almost.
“Well, there was that to consider, and..” Robby hesitated,chuckling. “I kind of thought you and Santos were together for a while.”
Whitaker choked on the cold night air. “What-!? Me and Santos??”
“To be fair I’m not the only one who thought so! You two have a certain..dynamic.” Robby defended himself.
“We are just friends, believe me. She’s more gay than I am. Ask Dr.Garc-“ Whitaker suddenly slapped a hand over his mouth. Robby raised an eyebrow, chuckling a bit.
“Wow..huh. Santos and Garcia..gotta say I’m surprised.” Robby said, and Whitaker groaned.
“Santos is going to kill me if she finds out I told you.” He muttered.
“I don’t think two residents getting together is as much of a scandal to the hospital as an attending and an intern.” Robby heaved a sigh. He watched Whitaker frown a bit, momentarily avoiding eye contact.
“So does that mean we..can’t?” Whitaker said, and Robby almost caved at how small Whitaker's voice sounded.
“Not openly.” Robby said. “We barely have enough staff as it is, so it’s not like termination would really be on the table, but if it was found out they would probably force you to transfer to nights or another hospital completely.”
Whitaker seemed to weigh those options in his head, before furrowing his eyebrows. “Wait-you said “not openly”? Does that mean..you want to?”
“Yes.” Robby admitted, slowly taking Whitaker’s hands in his own. “But, I know most people don’t like being kept a secret, and we would have to be.”
“For..how long?” The younger man asked carefully.
“Honestly? Years. Likely until you finish your residency or happen to go to work at another department or hospital.” Robby said honestly. “So if we decide to..do this-“ he raised their joined hands for emphasis. “We would have to be quiet about it. Really quiet.”
Robby got a bit more anxious when Whitaker didn’t speak for a moment. Maybe laying out the hard truths of what could happen was making the younger man second guess things-
“I can be quiet.” Robby blinked down at Whitaker, who seemed oddly calm about everything considering how much their forming relationship might alter his job.
“I- what?” Robby said, caught completely off guard.
“About our..” He paused for a moment, looking out to the city before looking up right into Robby’s eyes. “..relationship.”
“Are you absolutely sure?” Robby checked, raising a brow, and choosing to ignore the spike of emotion he felt at hearing Dennis call it a “relationship”.
“Very sure.” Whitaker said, his hands slipping from Robby’s and lifting to cup his face. Robby got the message and started to lean down, before a sharp ringing startled both men and made them break apart.
“oh-Shit my phone-” Whitaker fumbled for a moment as Robby leaned with one hand on the railing. “Uh-hello?” He said, wincing.
Robby, being the nosy man he was, leaned in to try and catch whoever was on the other line.
“-waiting for you for fucking ever, man! Where are you?” Santos’ voice came through muffled by the phone.
“Well- I..” Robby smirked as Whitaker glanced up to him, eyes flitting to his lips for just a split second before he diverted. “I’m..just finishing up with a patient and doing handoffs with my relief. I-I’ll be out there in a minute.”
“You better hurry your ass up Huckleberry, or I’m leaving without you.” Santos sighed, but with an air of affection in her tone that Robby wasn’t used to hearing from her.
Whitaker reassured her more than once before hanging up, sighing deeply as he looked back up at Robby sheepishly. Robby chuckled, shaking his head.
“You are going to have to lie much better than that if you don’t want us to get found out.” He said lowly, watching the reaction it gave to Whitaker.
“I know..” He groaned, leaning his head back. “Just a forewarning, it's so difficult to keep stuff from Santos. She is very perceptive.”
Robby hummed in acknowledgement, crossing his arms. “Ahh, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.” It probably wasn’t the smartest thing to say, but Robby couldn’t deny how much he wanted this. How much he wanted Dennis.
Despite Whitaker just stating to Santos he would be down as soon as possible, he stood there for a few more minutes, shifting his weight. “..I would ask if you wanted to go get coffee sometime, but with how much we drink it at work it doesn’t seem very special.”
“Are you asking me on a date, Dennis?” Robby asked slyly, watching redness slowly creep up the man's neck, having nothing to do with the cold.
“Don’t make fun of me, I’m new to..this.” He gestured between them. Robby thought for a moment, getting a better idea.
“How about dinner after a shift sometime?” He offered. “I know how to make a damn good chicken alfredo.” He bit the inside of his cheek to not laugh at how Whitaker seemed to light up at the mention of food.
“That actually sounds..great.” He admitted after a moment. “I can’t cook to save my life. I’m lucky Santos can kinda cook homemade stuff.”
“Kind of?” Robby echoed.
“You know, like..ramen. Eggs. Grilled cheese. Uh..” Whitaker seemed to notice the semi-horrified look on Robby’s face. “..and-and other totally normal, really nutritious meals.”
“Ohh, you’re killing me.” Robby put a hand on Whitaker’s shoulder, momentarily closing his eyes. “I need to get you some real food.”
“I-It’s not like I'm wasting away!” Whitaker gestured to his lean body, which was partially hidden by Robby’s jacket.
Robby pinched the bridge of his nose, a smile breaking through in spite of himself. “If that stuff is what you normally eat, at least I know you’ll like my food.”
Whitaker huffed out a laugh. “I’m sure I will. Can’t wait.”
Robby had subconsciously gotten closer without either realizing it during their exchange. It didn’t take more than a few seconds of silence for Robby to lean in and share a few small, sweet kisses with Whitaker.
“I really-I have to go- before she leaves without me.” Whitaker murmured between kisses, exhaling a breathy laugh as Robby gave one last kiss to the corner of his mouth.
“Alright, Alright. I won’t keep you.” Robby sighed, leaning against the railing on his elbows as he watched Whitaker unbutton and unzip the jacket he’d given him.
“See you tomorrow.” He said, offering the jacket back to Robby, which he slowly took, selfishly wanting to drag out this interaction as long as possible.
He couldn’t help but watch as Whitaker walked to the door to go back downstairs. He went to turn towards the city of Pittsburgh as the door shut behind him.
“Hey.” Whitaker's voice spoke out. Robby turned back, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah?” He asked.
“Uh-” He lifted his badge, with his ID and teal tag that read “Student Doctor”. “I need a real Doctor’s tag, by the way. Could you..?” He trailed off.
“First thing tomorrow. I’m on it.” Robby pointed at him, and then gave a thumbs up.
Whitaker put his hands together in a prayer motion. “Thank you. Okay- Okay going now.” He chuckled nervously as he finally slipped through the door, it thudding shut behind him.
Robby stood on that rooftop, on the safe side of the railing for once, and ran a large hand over his face as his brain processed everything that had just happened.
“I am..in so much trouble.” He sighed, shaking his head despite the small smile now present on his face. He knew they would get found out eventually, and whether it messed up their careers or not, only time would tell. But for now, Whitaker was just..his.