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They have the habit, almost ritual, to cuddle every night after work, or just after a long day. Langdon lays comfortably on top of Mel, sprawled, snuggled, curled up in a ball or intertwined with her. In any way he chooses that night, he needs to bury his face on her chest between her breasts. That is his safe spot. It was never sexual, it just made him feel so warm, and close to her. And hearing her heartbeat was a plus. Mel loves this, not just because it makes his boyfriend happy. But also, the weight of his bigger body on top of her is extremely calming and comforting. Exactly what she needs, what they both need, at the end of the day.
But, they've been having some issues, Mel has some with him to be exact. Because Frank, once he's all comfortable, face hidden on her chest and hands by her sides, he starts doing this… whimpering noises. The first time they were faint, just soft hums, high-pitched hums. Mel likes the vibration on her chest when Frank hums or talks against it, so she didn't say anything about it at the time. But after some days, he got whinier. He even shifted on top of her, nuzzling his face more and more into her t-shirt while making those noises. Like if he was looking for something.
She sort of asked him about it one time, because she was confused. Mel cupped his face, forcing him to look at her and asked if something was wrong. But Frank just let out a quiet, almost shy "I'm okay, just tired" in a mumble while avoiding her gaze. Then fell asleep short after, without making a sound. But after that day, he kept on doing it, religiously every night. And even some times they were just hugging.
Maybe he has trouble breathing? King wondered. But once asleep, he didn't snore, he was dead silent. It was so weird. Sometimes, it felt like he did it on purpose, but why? How? She was worried, so that she decided to start asking around in the hospital. Not publicly, of course, to not embarrass his boyfriend. Maybe he was sick and he didn't realize! Poor baby.
First, she chose with the closest person she has leaving Langdon out: Trinity Santos. Except that talking to her about Langdon hadn't turn well most of the times she tried. So she chose her words and actions wisely. Planing ahead.
They met on the main desk, Santos was looking at the chart for a case while checking the time on her phone. Probably waiting for one of her patient's labs or time to give them their medication. Mel thought this was a good opportunity to approach her.
"Hey. How's everything doing?" Mel positioned herself next to Santos, who didn't even glance at her yet. She kept looking up at the screen, drumming her fingers on the counter.
"Just waiting on some labs… trying to pick something to kill time."
King nodded to herself at her colleague's murmurs, having guessed correctly. "Can I ask you about uhm.. a patient? In the meantime?"
That caught Trinity's attention quickly even if she still seemed bored. She shifted to look at her properly while still leaning against the surface. "Okay, shoot"
Mel took a breath, going over what she planned in her head. "So, the patient is completely fine. Responsive, conscious. But when he gets really tired and starts to drift off… he whimpers."
Santos frowned confused "Is he in pain?"
"No- not like that. He's completely relaxed. I even asked if he was okay, if anything hurt, but he brushed it off as just tiredness." She just really hoped Santos didn't ask about his symptoms or reason why this imaginary patient was in the ED.
"Hmm maybe there's some discomfort that appears when he's shifting positions while sleeping? Or he has some… psychiatric issues? Mood swings, a personality disorder—" She suggested hesitantly with a light frown still on her face. Mel sighed, starting to fidget with her fingers, hating to lie to her friend
"No. No, he's perfectly conscious while doing so. And… the sound isn't exactly painful… It- it's like a newborn puppy, like a whine sometimes."
Santos stared at Mel so confused and taken aback it's almost amusing, but Mel was too frustrated to find it funny. Her colleague seemed to caught on her distress, seeing how she started fidgeting and pursing her lips. Santos knows Mel doesn't get this worried or fidgety about any patient. And most importantly, if it was just a patient, she wouldn't ask her for help. So she changed her demeanor, quirking an eyebrow up. "Which patient you said?"
Santos would most probably make her way directly to the room and do her own research but there wasn't any patient to actually do that. Well, Mel could lie more to get out of this— but no. That's enough. "It's not necessarily a patient" She admitted quietly, averting eye contact.
Santos seemed to find this even more interesting, she chuckled and leaned closer, already putting up that teasing tone "Then who? You?"
"No, uhm… a friend"
Santos hold eye contact in silence for a best before taking a breath "Mel you don't have friends outside this hospital-"
"Yes, I do. Just help me with this"
"Look, I don't know who of your friends is a whiny puppy. Not sure if I want to know, actually. So you can go to Huckleberry, he's an expert on that" Trinity said with her usual teasing tone, checking the time one last time on her phone.
"Really? He could help me? Oh okay.." Mel looked up at her excitedly but she had already left again.
"Whitaker, can I talk to you about something and you wont tell a soul?" King walked over to Dennis once he walked out of one of the trauma rooms.
"Me? Yeah, of course" He said with a smile as he tidied himself, just out from a emergency surgery where he wasn't needed anymore, rubbing alcohol through his hands. The blond looked happy Mel had chosen him to talk about something.
"Not even Santos" She clarified.
"Oh no, that's impossible" Whitaker stopped on his tracks and shook his head, his smile fading a slowly.
"What? How? Just keep a secret for me, please" Mel stopped too, her expression slowly showing her inner disappointment.
"Yeah, but she keeps interrogating me. I'm not a very good liar." He scratches his forearm awkwardly while looking up at the blonde. He noticed Mel had that look worth of Dr. Garcia calling her sadness, even Dennis sees the resemblance. So he shook his head, giving her a small friendly smile "B-but I can try. Tell me."
Mel's face lightened up again, smiling and fidgeting with her fingers as she started talking. "So I have this problem with Langdon" Dennis' ears and cheeks went pink, his baggy eyes opened widely, comically. He almost stopped her again, already trying to mumble something, clearly not expecting to hear about relationship issues. "Not like that, he's fine. Well more than fine, he's perfect— anyway."
She explained just in case before clearing her voice and getting back on track. "When we're in bed at night, about to sleep, he starts whining. He's okay, I asked. And he's not in pain. But he does it every night"
At that, Whitaker frowned curiously, taking a moment to process it and think. Then Mel kept going. "It's like a newborn puppy… sound? Like cries. It's cute but I'm worried. I don't know what to do or how to ask about it"
"No, you're right. It's a little… awkward to ask directly about it" Dennis nodded with a thoughtful look, reaching to scratch his chin.
They spent at least an hour going back and forth, between patients and cases, talking about it. They went their respective ways, since they usually don't have much patients together, and then found each other to debrief what they thought about. Mostly they looked like they were dissociating together from the outside, without talking to each other much. Just staring blankly at nothing. But at least Mel felt a part of the weight lifted since someone was trying to help her. And she's mostly glad that this wasn't a huge social clue she completely missed. Or if it was, she wasn't the only one missing it.
Dana noticed them meeting in the hub and looking lost, like if they were two squirrels that forgot where they hid their nuts. It happened each time they both had a few free minutes. And even if it was funny to see the blonds spacing out together, she had to say something to the kids.
"Okay, what's up with you two? You've been standing here together not saying a word, looking like you just shared an edible" She stepped in on one of the times they were leaning against the counter together.
"Oh, no. It's nothing" Mel tried to brush it off as she fixed her stethoscope around her neck. Silently wondering if Dana really saw her as someone that could have edibles while working.
"It's happening all over my desk, so it is my problem too. What's up?"
To that, they couldn't argue. Even less with Dana herself, she's always right after all. Whitaker looked at Mel expectantly before she spoke up. Telling her the dilemma around Langdon the same way she did with Dennis. Adding some of the hypothesis they came up with together. But she was sure that such a wise person like Dana would be a great help here.
"What do you think?" Whitaker asked once a silence settled between the three. Dana stared at them for something close to a minute straight (Or maybe the blond doctors were too neurodivergent to tell the time correctly). Her expression completely serious, arching an eyebrow with somewhat of a judgemental look. It was the kind of look that gave Mel anxiety and made her feel subconscious thinking she did something terribly wrong. But the nurse just burst out laughing. Cackling louder than any normal person would while working in the Pitt, it caught some attention around them but she didn't seem to care.
"Are you serious kid?" She laughed, realizing both of them look so confused "Oh, you look like scared little hamsters."
"Uh… I- What's funny?" Whitaker mumbled before Mel could make up anything to say. "You know what is wrong with him?"
"You don't?" Dana pointed and talked to Mel, her laughter easing for now.
"No, but you do? Can you tell me?"
"Oh honey, that's not any of my concern. He just wants attention, let's leave it like that. You should talk to him." She said nicely, patting the doctor's shoulder, giving her a smile before turning away. She still shook her head chuckling as she slid her glasses back to her face.
Mel followed Dana behind, fidgeting with her hands, so confused about all this. "And what- what should I say? O-or do?"
"That's not my problem anymore" Dana brushed her off before receiving a phone call, that made Mel walk away.
Mel took a break from thinking about her personal life and put her whole focus on being a doctor, which was easy for her most of the days. She was just done with another patient so she sat down on one of the computers to catch up on her charting. She was very focused on it, thinking back about each patient's medical history and the procedures they had so she could type it all out. King was so engrossed on the task at hand that the noise around her started to muffle, just her thoughts present in her mind. So at first, she didn't notice when someone stepped behind her. But she did once they leaned next to her, supporting themselves on her desk. Mel looked up with a small smile to see Langdon already looking down at her.
"All good?" He checked with his classic charming but soft smile, Mel nodded in return.
"Yeah, just charting"
Langdon nodded back, reaching to carefully fix Mel's glasses from slipping through her small nose with his free hand. Taking the moment to run his fingers on the side of her hair, tucking the few loose strands behind her ear. He's always been a touchy and affectionate person. Always stepping too close or using his hands too much. With Mel, this multiples by three at least. Even at work, or more like: especially at work.
"I just came out of a nasty three degree burn. I cleaned and patched it up like a champ" Langdon told her, playing it cool. She smiled to herself and nodded as she kept typing. She knew exactly what he was looking for with this, but it's more fun to see him plead for praise a little more.
Frank leaned down closer to Mel, resting his chin momentarily on her shoulder, making her shrug them "Hey I did pretty well there. And in general. Right?"
"Mhmmm" Mel hummed as she tried to keep charting, her focus solely on the screen in front of her. Nothing else. Maybe a little was on her boyfriend's breath against her neck and cheek.
"Was I good?" Mel nodded at the whisper as she kept her focus, gaining a huff from him. "Meeel." Langdon shifted so he's bent over, caging her against the desk but not touching her just yet. "Was I good? Was I good? Am I good? Hm? Am I good?" And there it is. He asked over and over, waiting and pleading for his girlfriend's approval. He rocked himself back and forth, leaving a tiny kiss on her cheek between each sentence once he was closer. Like a machine doing the same thing over and over, a really needy machine.
"Yes, amazing." Mel said finally with a smile, barely looking up from the screen. At that, he instantly attacked her by peppering kisses on her cheek and jaw. She scrunched her nose and playfully pulled away. Mel tried to complain quietly when she saw some co-workers looking over at them like a show. It wasn't the first (or last) time that happened. And even if she is a reserved person and personally prefers to leave all the physical affection at home, she can't do anything. Frank is too cute, how could she stop him?
Langdon moved even closer so he could wrap an arm around her waist. He leaned in such a way his face was between Mel and the screen. So she would stop working for a moment and look at him and only him. "Could you say I am good again?"
"Very good. You're the greatest. You're the best doctor ever. I'm really proud" She smiled up at him, reaching to pat his side
"Yesss. Thanks, baby" Langdon sighed in relief and joy. He gave her a last kiss, this time on her forehead, before pulling away. "You can call me if you need anything, I'll be right there"
"I know. Thanks." Mel murmured in contentment, seeing how Frank walked away backwards so he could look at her a little longer. But turned away before he could bump into anything.
Samira and Trinity were in one of the make up rooms with curtains instead of walls near the couple, checking on a patient. Santos doesn't like looking at them, or well, looking at Langdon in general— but Samira likes the couple. Santos busied herself ordering tests and medication for their patient while Mohan kept watching them with a light tilted head and a small smile. Langdon has a very… unique attitude with Mel. It feels like he becomes a different person when she's present. In a good way of course. But now that she got a proper look at them and their dynamic, being "alone", she noticed something curious. How needy Frank acted and didn't even try to hide it.
"Langdon and Mel are really—"
"Nope. Don't go there." Santos interrupted her before she could even form a proper sentence. Samira rolled her eyes as she kept looking at them. She knew Santos could not stand to talk nicely about Frank. She thinks it's childish but doesn't try to tell her that. Especially since Langdon is still a little cold about her too. "Did you know Mel, or a friend of her, whatever. Possibly she has a puppy kink."
"What? No, she doesn't" That made Samira snap her head to look at Trinity.
"She tootally does. She just ask me what does it mean when someone starts whining like a puppy when they're really sleepy. And she pretended she was talking about a friend, clearly it was about herself"
Samira listened, thinking about it, giving the couple a last glance before they part ways. How langdon kept looking at her across the room while Mel didn't bat an eye. If anything, this was the other way around. Obviously.
Coincidentally, Samira and Mel picked up a trauma case together. After some stressful procedures, they were left alone in the room when the last nurse got out to fetch something. They were stitching up one of the patient's leg in silence. Since there's no new incoming emergencies, they take their time to do it the best way they could. Samira took this as the perfect time to try talk to her, seeing how she seemed in her element while stitching up the sedated woman.
"So… how's everything with Langdon?" Mohan let out the question quietly, keeping a friendly tone.
Mel was a little then aback, since Samira typically gets more along with Langdon than her. But she appreciated the interest. "Huh? Oh! great, he's an amazing partner"
"Oh, is he? That's good to hear"
A silence settled between them. Each of then stitching different wounds in the same leg. Samira could see Mel twitching, taking more breaths than usual. Until the blonde finally spoke up.
"Actually—" Samira tried to not smile too much. She loves how Mel cannot keep secrets for the life of her. She's so sincere it's endearing. "—I know you and Dr. Langdon are pretty close. I don't want you to tell me his secrets or be a snitch. Of course not. This comes just from concern and- I-I even asked Whitaker to help me think this through and—"
"Mel, just ask" She cut her off nicely.
Mel took a deep breath and tried to focus on the patient so she would be more calm while talking. "When we're about to sleep, he starts making this unusual sounds. It does not bother me, to be clear. I personally think it's adorable. But uh- I- I'm kind of worried it might be something else. Because when I ask about it he just brushes it off or changes the topic entirely." She started rambling but slowed down as she got everything out. Glad Samira hasn't walked away from her yet, even if she quite literally can't since she wasn't near finishing with her stitches. But that still reassured her.
"So uh-uhm, he's making this noises. Like whining, whimpering… sometimes sounds like a puppy. You know? When they're looking for their mom but they haven't open their eyes yet. So they keep crying and whimpering looking for their mom while wandering around. And he's just like that but he stays in bed with me and keeps whining" She explained with her usual soft, sheepish voice when she isn't sure if she did something wrong.
It took a moment for Samira to process it all and really think about what and how to say it. She didn't even realize she was taking so long until Mel started rambling again. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't discuss his personal life with you since you're his frie—"
"You're okay. I was just thinking. Don't worry" Mohan reassured her, flashing her a quick smile.
After another moment of silence, King looked up at her again, sighing and pursing her lips impatiently. An habit she picked from Langdon, Samira noticed. "You know what is up with him?"
"Well, I think so." Samira sighed as she finished up her stitches and proceeding to clean up the area. She got ready to mentally ruin Mel's innocence. "You know there's like… how sometimes, you call your partner pet namess and stuff. And sometimes when one feels sad or sick you want to be taken care of and sometimes be babied, right?"
"Mhmm, Langdon loves to be babied" She murmured quietly without any hesitation. Samira's eyes widen at the confession but she moved on.
"It's something like that. I think he want to be babied, but not treated as a baby. He want to be treated as a puppy" Samira's shoulders tensed, her tone a little hesitant as she stared at Mel. But Mel looked up at her with immediate realization.
"Ohh, like puppy play? Pet play? You think he wants that?"
It took Samira so much aback that she let out a few stutters before she actually could make up coherent words. "Wow… yeah, like that"
"Huh, didn't expect him to be into that. How did you know?" Mel frowned curiously, really thinking about it. The question wasn't meant to be accusatory but it out of curiosity and surprise. How couldn't she consider that option before? It was mildly obvious looking at thew bigger picture. Yet, Mel's question made Samira blush and stutter again, feeling caught and flustered.
"I-I uhm I dunno. I guessed. I… I should go" She left everything aside, since her job was done there and walked out the room. "Good luck"
"Oh okay, Thanks Dr. Mohan!"
Mel knew she could be oblivious most of the time. She didn't get jokes at first, took everything too literal, looked good in everything. But she's not near as innocent as everyone, or most, part of the ER pictured her to be like. She was well informed about kinks, even tested some of them with Langdon. And she had a basic knowledge of what puppy play was. Never practiced it or informed herself much, something he was regretting that day. But Langdon made it clear that their bedroom was a complete open space to try anything and everything they felt comfortable with. So she decided to not reserch, to not plan and just follow her instincts in the moment.
After they both showered and did their respective night routines, they were ready for bef. Langdon plopped down on top of her, her hand moved to his hair like every night. She's a little giddy, waiting for the exact moment to start treating him like a puppy. There's some uneasiness setting on Mel's inside, overthinking and wondering what if she mess up? But the thought of finally giving her boyfriend what he has been craving for so long, gave her enough motivation and eagerness. After some yawns while shifting and snuggling closer, he finally let some quiet whimpers. The vibration of those muffled sounds made Mel smile. She took a final breath before breaking the silence with a gentle whisper.
"You're like a newborn puppy making those sounds" Her hands kept playing with his dark hair to ease her own nerves more than for him.
Frank's head immediately snapped up to look at her with the shiniest most adorable eyes ever, looking at her in pure awe. It made Mel let out a soft giggle, surprised by his quick response. "What? Are you a puppy?" She teased affectionately with a big smile, excited that it seemed to be working. He laughed softly, shyly almost. He had that soft smile on his face that only has with her. But he hid it again against her chest. She could feel him grinning against her, and it warmed her heart.
"A little puppy, right? So cute and cuddly." Mel tried with a soft tone, even if she has no clue how she would talk to a puppy. Never had a conversation with one, really. But it made Langdon blush and kick his feet in the air, so she assumed she's doing something right.
King snickers, running her fingers through his still wet hair. She brought her face closer, pressing a kiss on the crown of his head as she whispered "Are you a good boy?"
Langdon's ears turned red, what usually happens when his whole face is burning too. He whimpered quietly, but a little louder than his previous ones, "Yes, yes. Your good boy"
"You're right! You are my good boy. Very good boy" Mel's voice sounded almost like when someone is talking to an actual dog. That along with how she petted his hair, made Langdon let out another whine. A happy one it seemed. Because he started nuzzling and kissing Mel's chest like a puppy asking for more pets. That's a very very good sign.
"Are you a good puppy too?"
Langdon let out something closer to a moan this time. He clung to Mel's old snoopy t-shirt she uses for sleeping and looked up at her, nodding pathetically. "Yes, yes. Your good boy. Your good puppy. I'm a very good puppy, right?"
"Of course you are, babe" Mel stroked his cheek with a light pout mixed with a smile, something she did every time his boyfriend was being way too cute.
Langdon kept whining like a clingy puppy looking for warmth. And Mel was amazed watching him act like this. Even if she was mildly informed about pet play, she would've never thought Langdon would like it, and even less, like being a puppy. Well, her puppy.
A gasp came out of the blonde when she felt a tug on her shirt. It was not the usual kind, when Frank was getting comfortable and tugging on her shirt with his hands to pull himself closer. No, this time, it wasn't with his hands but with his teeth. He bit a spot of her t-shirt near her chest and started to tug it playfully. She laughed in surprised and then amusement. He looked absolutely adorable like this.
"Dumb puppy. What are you doing?" Mel teased him, trying to tug her t-shirt back. But it made Langdon smile and tug harder. She laughed even more and pushed his face away playfully, making him groan and squeeze his eyes close. He bumped his head against her hand, pushing while smiling. They play like that for a while, pushing and tugging while Frank stayed on top.
After a while, Langdon settled on her chest again, yawning adorably.
"Oh, this puppy is sleepy" Mel cooed, making him giggle and look up at her with a smile, feeling so comfortable and happy.
"Yeah, sleepy" He groaned tiredly, tucking his face under Mel's chin and pressing kisses on any skin he could reach. Her neck, her chest, her jaw. His kisses slowed down as the day catches up to him, making him yawn again.
"Good boy, just sleep" Mel whispered with a smile, scratching his scalp while her other hand rubbed his neck. He has a huge sleepy smile on his gorgeous face.
"Love you so much, Mellie. Thanks for this" He got to mumble before he finally drifted off to sleep.
The next day, Langdon came into the Pitt with the biggest smile he had on in his 5 years there. Santos was with Princess and Perlah, catching up with them when she saw him come in. A teasing smile adorned her face as she called him teasingly.
"Hey there puppy dog—"
"GET back to work" Danna interrupted her smacking her shoulder gently enough to not hurt but hard enough to make Santos jump. She gritted through her teeth like a mother scolding her troublemaking kid. Dana spinned her from her shoulder and made her walk away. "Go check on the patients, someone might me dying."
"Dana, I was just—" Santos tried to defend herself as she was being scolded. But when she looked back at the nurse and saw her glare. She walked away immediately.
Robby was just walking by and looked at them confused "What was that for?"
"What do you mean?" Dana played casual pretending nothing happened.