Work Text:
Dennis hated paperwork. He understood why he had to fill it out but doing it under Kiara's watchful eye was embarrassing. He had put off talking to her for as long as he could but she had found him on shift today. He had already done the form for living at the residents house, now he was trying to fill out the stipend requests. “I don't even know what to put.”
“You need a stipend for living expenses because you have no current income and no family support.” Kiara directed, tapping the box with her pen. It took him a minute to fill it out. “Do you take any medications?”
“Yes. No. Sort of?” Dennis had seen the place to put a need for a medical stipend but he didn't need it. He got along just fine with the supplies he had. He hadn't been to a doctor in years but he didn't need to go to a doctor. He was a doctor.
“Are you supposed to take medication that you cannot afford to fill?” Kiara clarified, sighing when the younger man seemed to retreat within himself. She would mention it to Robby, he would be able to get a straight answer. Most of the time it was anxiety or adhd medication. Although she would never forget the resident who went off their seizure medication and didn't tell anyone. That had been a mess. “We can come back to that part later.”
Dennis groaned, moving to the next section. He really hated doing this, he just wanted to escape back down to the pitt.
-c-
Robby had worried that he was going to have to hunt Dennis down, he was supposed to be doing his biweekly check in and the young man was late. The soft knock on their office door made him sigh. “Come in. Cutting it a bit close, kiddo.”
Dennis grimaced, shutting the door behind him. “Sorry sir. I- something came up.” He dropped into the chair Robby pointed to, trying to catch his breath.
“These check-ins are important, Dennis. If you are running late, call or text us. We can always rearrange them if we need to.” Robby stated firmly, hating himself a little when the younger man withdrew into himself.
“Sorry sir. I had to catch the bus from downtown and it was running late.” Dennis knew that didn't excuse it but he had to go to the medication give away. He had almost been out of insulin and his needles were getting too dull. It was bad enough he was going to have to stretch his insulin again this month.
Robby studied the younger man for a long moment before nodding. “It's okay Dennis. Next time just text one of us so we aren't worried. How have you been settling in here?” He asked quietly, glancing at the note in front of him. Kiara had talked to him and he was definitely going to find out what Dennis was supposed to be taking.
“Everything's good.” Dennis shrugged, keeping his eyes locked on the rug. He wasn't even lying. Things were so much better now that he wasn't worried about getting thrown out of the hospital. He was still stealing sandwiches but he had gone hungry for quite a while, so he just needed to be prepared. “Everyone is really nice.”
That was a lie if Robby had ever heard one. Victoria was loud, Trinity was mean, Samira was bossy, and Mel was just…Mel. He wouldn't describe any of their girls as “really nice”. They were amazing doctors and good kids, but they all had loud personalities. “How are your shifts going?”
“Good.” Aside from pittfest, his shifts had been good. Dennis was still going through way too many scrubs but his shifts were great. He hated that his rotation was about to end and he was going to be separated from his housemates. Everyone but Victoria would stay in the ER. He wasn't quite sure which rotation Victoria was going on but he knew it wouldn't be peds with him.
“Kiara mentioned that you take medication. What medication are you on?” Robby asked finally, raising an eyebrow when the kid flinched. “We just need to know in case of an emergency.”
“It's nothing. Just- antacids and I can get them over the counter.” Dennis didn't look up, hoping against hope that Robby would believe him. He didn't want anyone to know he was diabetic. He didn't need one more thing to mark him as different. He could handle it. He had handled it for years.
As much as he wanted to believe him, Robby could tell when he was being lied to. He was afraid if he pressed right now, Dennis would shut down. “Okay, we can discuss it another day. Any questions for me?” Robby expected the rapid head shake, picking up the calendar he shared with Jack. “Then let's schedule our next check in.”
-c-
“What the fuck?” Victoria probably should have knocked but she wasn't used to people not locking the bathroom door, especially the downstairs bathroom door. At first she had thought she had walked in on Dennis using the bathroom, which was gross, but this was ten times worse. Her eyes locked on the syringe for a moment before noting the other injection sites on his abdomen. There were plenty of things he could be taking, for perfectly valid reasons.
Dennis was an idiot. He thought he had locked the bathroom door. Usually he gave himself shots in his room but his sugar was way too high and the downstairs bathroom had been closest. He locked eyes with Victoria in the mirror, slowly removing the syringe from his stomach and slipping it into a Tupperware container. He disposed of sharps at work, it was more discreet, no one ever asked. “Tori-”
“If you are doing drugs, Robby and Jack will flip.” She interrupted, waiting for him to turn around. “Otherwise, lock the damn door!” Victoria was definitely going to go find Samira. The older girl would know if Dennis was actually on injections.
“Sorry! Sorry.” Dennis apologized immediately, grimacing when she just stared at him for a moment longer before turning and letting the door slam behind her. He quickly locked the door before sitting down on the closed toilet lid. He was fucked. He just knew she would tell Robby or Abbott and then he would be homeless again. They would think he was doing drugs, they wouldn't understand why he had hid it. Shit.
-c-
He groaned softly at the knock on his door, debating pretending to be asleep. His blood sugar was still too high, taking half doses didn't lower it fast enough and he had been trying to lower it with water. He didn't want to be kicked out tonight. Dennis resigned himself to at least a lecture, slowly opening his door before blinking at Samira. “Uh?”
“Can I come in?” She asked quietly, stepping into the room when he nodded. Samira hesitated for a moment before shutting the door behind herself. She told herself that this was no different than checking on Trinity. “Victoria told me she walked in on you.”
There was no accusation there but it still made him shrink back. Dennis sat heavily on his bed, feeling more tired now. “I'm sorry.”
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay. That you are safe.” She studied him for a moment, noting the sweating, before surveying the room. The glucose meter on his desk told her everything she needed to know. “How high is your sugar right now?”
“It's not! It's fine!” Dennis shook his head, grimacing at the wave of nausea. He had skipped dinner because his sugar was too high. But he couldn't take any more insulin today, he was over what he had rationed out.
Samira grabbed the meter, moving to sit beside him on the bed. “Can I check please?” She couldn't force him but she could go get Robby if he refused and she knew Robby would force him.
He closed his eyes before holding his index finger out to her. “It's really fine.” Hopefully it was starting to come down and his meter wouldn't scream at him.
“You are sweating, Dennis.” Samira found a lance on the nightstand, wiping his finger with a wipe and letting it dry before poking him. A drop of blood on the test strip and she waited as the meter loaded. He definitely needed a new meter. She blinked at the reading, shaking her head.
“Oh good, it's gone down.” Dennis flinched when she looked at him, glancing at the reading again. 260 wasn't that high. He could manage that with water.
“Dennis. That's way too high. When did you last take insulin?” The fact that he would no longer look at her gave Samira a very bad feeling.
“I've used my daily allotment.” He answered finally, reaching for his water bottle. He could bring it down with water, he had done it before. Dennis took a deep breath, relaxing at the gentle hand on his arm.
“You're rationing, aren't you? We work in the ED, Den. You know how badly rationing can end.” Samira scolded gently, rubbing his arm. At least he didn't pull away from the comfort. “Let's get you some more insulin, alright? We need to get you under 200.”
“I'll run out before the next free day.” Dennis argued, shaking his head.
“I need you to trust me, okay? We can help. “ Samira answered, moving to his mini fridge. The rows of micro doses in syringes bothered her. Clearly he had opened a pen and divided the doses smaller. It was dangerous. She calculated the dose in her head, grabbing two syringes. “Let's get that sugar down.”
He groaned but pushed up his shirt, taking one of the syringes. Dennis figured arguing with her wasn't going to work, he would just have to cut back a dose.
-c-
Samira had known that she would be going to Jack and Robby's apartment as soon as she got Dennis’ blood sugar lowered. It didn't click until Jack opened the door and she stepped in that Trinity was there. The way she was curled into Robby told her that it had been a rough day. “Hey Trin, I just need to steal the dad's for a minute.”
“Both of us?” Jack raised an eyebrow, gesturing her toward the kitchen. He had stopped arguing with them that they weren't dads. Apparently house dads were close enough to actual dads for their kids.
She hesitated, she really didn't want to steal Robby away from Trinity if she was struggling today. “Just you is fine. You can fill Robby in later.”
Jack waited until they were in the kitchen, studying Samira for a long moment. “You good, kiddo?” Which was honestly the same question they had asked Trinity early. Trinity had started crying, Samira just looked tired.
“Yeah, not here for me. Tori walked in on Dennis injecting himself earlier. I went to check on him and his blood sugar was high, 260 Jack. He's been rationing his insulin.” The surprise on Jack's face confirmed what Samira had been thinking. “You didn't know.”
That explained a lot more than it didn't. “No, we didn't. Did you get his sugar down?” Jack was pretty sure she wouldn't have left him if she hadn't. He knew Samira well, she was going to take care of other people first.
“It was 170 when I left him. He didn't want to take the extra insulin, I didn’t give him a choice.” Samira was also pretty sure he was hiding food but as long as it didn't affect his health, she would let Jack or Robby handle that. “He doesn't have insurance, he gets his insulin and supplies at a community event.”
Jack sighed softly, rubbing his forehead. It made him wonder when the last time Dennis had been to a doctor was. “Okay. He's on shift tomorrow, one of us will get his labs drawn and fill a prescription for insulin.” He wasn't sure why Dennis would hide this but it was something to ask him tomorrow. They were lucky they found out before he went into dka. He would never forget when one of their residents had just suddenly had a seizure because they didn't tell anyone they couldn't afford their medicine. “Do you want to sit with Trinity for a bit?”
“Of course. I can pick up his meds when you order them. I have to get Victoria's tomorrow anyway.” Samira offered, glancing toward the living room. “Do I need to check her?” She added softly.
“She let Mike do it.” Jack said quietly, shaking his head. Trinity's trust in them had grown since the week she had stayed with them. He was pretty sure she was going to end up staying tonight as well. Some days were just harder. He gestured Samira back toward the living room, letting her take his spot on the couch.
“Hey Trin.” Samira settled on the other side of her, rewarded when Trinity leaned against her. She could definitely sit here for a while.
-x-
Jack knew Dennis was afraid of him, they were hoping that would work to his advantage right now. Robby had argued that the kid might run on him but he was pretty sure Dennis would just freeze. He had come in early to get this young man taken care of.“Hey kiddo, come with me for a minute.”
“Uh, I think Dr. Robby needs me, Dr. Abbott.” Dennis blinked, looking around rapidly for Robby. Or anyone who wasn't Jack.
“It will only take a minute, Dennis.” Jack answered firmly, directing the younger man toward the room Dana was waiting for them in. He waited for the young man to enter before shutting the door behind them. “Sit. Dana is going to draw some blood and then we are going to talk.”
“I don't understand.” Dennis hesitated, sitting where he was directed. He couldn't afford tests.
“You're okay, kiddo.” Dana murmured, getting the two vials of blood before pricking his finger and running an accucheck. She showed Jack the meter, shaking her head. “When was the last time you had a full dose of insulin?”
The fact that the kid didn't answer told him a lot. “I'll put in the order, let's get you a shot of insulin.” Jack ordered firmly, moving to the computer. Dana had already started Dennis a chart.
“I can't afford it.” Dennis argued quietly, not looking at either of them. He felt Dana squeeze his shoulder before she left but he still didn't look up. He didn't know if he really wanted to be alone with Dr. Abbott.
“It's being taken care of.” Jack answered firmly. “Why did you hide this from us, Dennis? There's nothing to be ashamed of. You have diabetes.”
“If I had prayed harder, I wouldn't." Dennis snapped, grimacing when he met Jack's eyes. “Sorry sir, I didn't mean-”
“Dennis.” Jack interrupted firmly, rubbing his forehead for a moment. “Can I sit?” He questioned, gesturing toward the bed. He sat beside the younger man at the nod, sighing softly. “You are a doctor. You know that's not how diabetes works.”
“I'm sorry.” Dennis whispered, locking his eyes on the floor again.
“Look at me kiddo.” Jack waited until the younger man obeyed, taking a deep breath. “ I am not angry at you. I am angry at whoever told little Dennis that this was his fault. When was the last time you saw a doctor for your diabetes?”
“I think I was twelve. My mom got my supplies from a rural clinic. They didn't ask questions.” Dennis shrugged, flushing slightly. He thought Jack could probably take on his parents and win. Not that they had anything to do with him now.
“Kid… is it okay if I touch your shoulder?” Jack took the rapid nod as consent, resting a firm hand on the younger man's shoulder, squeezing gently. “We are going to make sure your diabetes is under control and that you have access to everything you need. You don't have to skip doses anymore.”
“I can't afford to repay that. Housing and food is already going to be too much.” Dennis argued but he did not pull away from the warm hand on his shoulder.
“You aren't repaying anything.” He stated firmly,removing his hand and wrapping his arm around the younger man's shoulders. The fact that Dennis instantly relaxed against him told Jack a lot. “Let us help you please.”
Dana knocked on the door before opening it, returning with the insulin. “Let's bring that sugar down, kid.”
“It's not even that high.” Dennis shrugged, holding out a hand for the syringe without pulling away from Jack.
“It's high enough.” Dana raised an eyebrow at him, handing over the shot.
He injected the insulin into his stomach, pulling away from Jack to drop the syringe into the room's sharp container. Dennis sat back down, sighing softly. He relaxed when Jack wrapped an arm back around him.
Jack waited until Dana had left, squeezing Dennis' shoulder. “I'm going to write a prescription for insulin and some new supplies. Do you want a dexcom or do you like poking yourself several times a day?”
“That's too expensive.” Dennis shook his head, leaning against Jack for a moment. He knew he needed to get back to work but he did just want to accept the comfort.
-c-
Samira pulled up to the pharmacy drive through, glancing at Dennis for a moment. “I have a prescription for Whittaker and Javadi, both should be paid for.”
“Samira, I can't afford more insulin.” Dennis argued again, ignoring the lady in the window. He should have ridden home with Mel and Victoria. He couldn't afford to buy insulin. It was too expensive.
“It's already been taken care of.” Samira repeated, handing him the two bags.
Dennis glanced at Victoria's prescription, knowing it wasn't his business before opening his own bags. The month's supply of insulin wasn't what caught his attention. It was the two dexcoms. “Mira-”
“Dennis, let us help you. This is what families do.” Samira interrupted, shaking her head. She knew Jack had paid for both prescriptions but she wasn't going to tell Dennis that. Jack usually paid for her own prescriptions, she didn't even try to fight it anymore. “The dads just care about us.”
“My father never cared about me unless I was useful.” Dennis said finally, not looking at her.
She sighed softly, pulling into the driveway of the house. “There is no catch here, Den. They don't want anything in return. You are safe here.” Samira felt like she had said that a lot recently and she was tired. Maybe she did need to go talk to Robby again but she still needed to get Victoria her medication and check on Trinity.
Dennis hesitated, sitting in the car for a moment longer. He wasn't used to people caring about him. He wasn't quite sure what to do with this. He finally grabbed his bag, needing to get his insulin safely stored. He could deal with whatever he was feeling later.