Work Text:
Dr Dennis Whitaker and Dr Michael Robby Robinavitch have a... Special relationship. Let's just say they have helped each other out a bit outside of work as well as at work.
It started one night when Robby was stumbling out of the hospital tired but not wanting to go home, he had bumped into Whitaker and offered to take him out for a drink, his treat. Whitaker of course wouldn't pass up a free drink, especially when he had the next day free.
They barely had finished a drink each before they were back at Robby's "relieving some stress". In fact, they had done the same and very similar things for months. They had both agreed that it was just to relieve stress, when either of them needed it. And it actually helped with their workflow, Whitaker had become more confident in his work, Robby was able to delegate his work better and the two of them just worked together better, melting into one unit.
That is until a few weeks ago. Sure they don't tend to do it more than once a month and sometimes Dennis doesn't realise how much time has passed. He normally feels bad about that but something is just different between the two of them, both at work and personally. Robby has stopped watching over him, Dennis thought maybe it was Robby trusting him more since he's finally a real doctor but... Then Robby stopped talking to him as much, still enough for a boss and worker but that's just it, Dennis thought they were more.
Something's different and Dennis doesn't like it. Is Robby ignoring him? Does Robby not want to do this anymore? He knows this was only a temporary deal but is this the end of the line?
Dennis knows he needs to check, to ask but he's afraid he already knows the answer. Robby is done with him or worse is dating someone. He's also worried about sounding like an insecure whiney bitch if he's wrong.
He takes a deep breath. "Robby?" That came out more pathetic than he meant for it to be. He clears his throat as Robby turns around. "Could I have a word with you in private?" He says trying to sound professional as he points over his shoulder.
It's near the end of their shift as Robby follows him into the empty family room. "What is it Whitaker?"
"Okay, so um... Sorry for doing this on work time but it's been bothering me." He takes another deep breath. "I miss talking to you, like a lot. I know I could have reached out, but I hesitated because I didn't want to bother you. I understand that you would say I wouldn't be, but I can't shake that feeling. I dislike bothering anyone, especially those I care about, which sometimes feels like pushing them away or ignoring them. It's a negative cycle." He rambles.
Robby goes to stop him but he continues. "I just want to assure you I don't intend to avoid talking to you. I’m not trying to pressure or stress you into doing something about it, nor am I complaining about being lonely or bored. I don't want you to think I only, you know, for entertainment or because I lack others to talk to. Although, honestly, I kinda do." He shakes his head, trying to focus. "You're my boss. But you're also somehow one of my closest friends, even if we don't hang out often or whatever. And whatever has been happening between us doesn't change that. Even if I feel like I might have a heart attack whenever we speak or when I have to think of or do something because I don't want to mess up. And I understand if it's different for you. But I just want to know why you're ignoring me."
Robby gives a polite smile in understanding but it's more of a pained one. "Dennis, you're a sweet kid, I see how kind you are and how tough things are for you. I realise it's been a long time since we've done anything together, and that's more my fault than yours. Do you know Noelle Hastings? She's a case manager here, and we started dating a little while ago. I've really enjoyed spending time with you, but I don’t think it’s right, and I won’t be able to maintain the same connection when I'm dating someone you know." He says softly, feeling guilty.
Dennis deflates, his heart aches. "The case worker?"
"Look, I think you're a great doctor, Dennis. And you have been a good friend to me. I don't want you to doubt that. I'm sorry I forgot to tell you. I hope this hasn't fucked up your whatever."
Dennis nods as he thinks through what Robby just said. "Right, uh yeah, that's fine. I... It makes sense. Glad I um... Pointed it out? It's good to know." He knows he shouldn't be upset about this. He's happy for Robby.
"Dennis..."
"It's fine. I'm happy you found someone. I should go home now though, Santos is probably waiting."
Robby smiles again, more genuinely. "Thanks for being understanding about this."
"Yeah, sure. Bye, Robby." Dennis hurries out heading to the locker room. He speed walks over stopping when he finds Trinity. "Get me the fuck outta here!" He says out of the corner of his mouth to her.
She looks at him with a raised eyebrow in confusion but she nods. "Yeah, okay. Let's go."
Dennis gets his stuff and they hurry out of the hospital. He sits in the car quietly staring out the window as she drives. Trinity parks in the car park of their apartment when they get there.
She turns to him and sighs. "Alright, what's going on? What happened with Dr Robby?"
Dennis groans and tilts his head back against the headrest. "He's got a girlfriend."
She laughs before catching herself. "He dumped you?!" She tries to hide her grin.
"You can't dump someone you weren't dating." He turns to look at her. "He just forgot to tell me. Oh, and she works at the hospital."
"Oh! The case worker?! What's her name...?"
"Noelle Hastings..."
"That's right. I knew something was up with them." Trinity's look softens when she focuses on him again. "Hey, I'm sorry you had to go through that. But you knew this wouldn't have ended well, right? You knew it was going to end like this."
He sighs. "Yeah... But I thought we'd have, like a proper conversation before either of us would, you know, go off with someone else..."
She clicks her tongue. "Right." She slaps her lap and gives him a sympathetic smile. "Do you want me to cheer you up?"
He shrugs. "You don't have to."
"I can do... A beer, take-out and a movie?"
He smiles. "Add in some ice cream?"
"Deal. Let's go." She gets out of the car.
They head up to their apartment, Trin pushes him onto the couch and starts to order something on an app as she sits next to him.
"Pick something." She mumbles as she scrolls, pointing to the screen. "Nothing super cheesy."
He rolls his eyes and looks through a streaming service. They watch an action movie and soon the food arrives. Trinity grabs the food while Dennis gets the beers and they settle in for their comfort-filled night. She makes him a big bowl of ice cream and decorates it with chocolate sauce, candy, chips, whatever she can find in their pantry, making him laugh at the mess. They end up sharing the ice cream before they head to their rooms after the movie.
"Hey, Huckleberry..." She says stopping in her doorframe.
"Hmm?"
"You're okay, right?"
He shrugs then nods. "Yeah, I should be. Might be a bit weird at work but I'll be fine."
She nods. "Good. Robby's a jerk." She gives him a slight wave before entering her room.
He smiles, feeling the platonic care and love that Trinity gives him in her own way. He lies down in the dark his smile fading, a single tear escaping as he unwillingly thinks over his conversation with Robby. He curls the blanket around himself as he tries to sleep.
He will be okay. Eventually.