Chapter Text
If you were to ask Dennis Whitaker what he thought of the night shift, he honestly wouldn’t know how to respond. I mean, sure he had to pull a few nights shifts as an MS4 but that was over a year ago when he was still figuring himself out- as a doctor and as a person. Living with Trinity and going out with her after shifts made him more comfortable in his own skin and more confident in himself, and it showed in his work.
Working under Dr. Robinavich was thrilling, but Dennis felt like he wasn’t really learning anything new from him anymore. He was happy that therapy seemed to have been working for him, but their dynamic has been off since Dr. Robby came back from sabbatical and Dennis just didn’t feel like it was working anymore. Perhaps switching to night shifts for a few months was just what he needed.
Upon telling Trinity that he was leaving dayshift so he could learn more, she immediately switched too. Besides, dayshift would be fine without them; having gained Langdon back full time, as well as Joy and Ogilvie. Dr. Robby and Al-Hashimi had dayshift under control without them.
Robby gave them both three days off to fix their sleep schedules so they could acclimate to the night owl hours.
Back at their apartment, three days later, Dennis was well rested and in the kitchen making dinner- uh, lunch?- and packing protein bars and energy drinks into his backpack for them both. He yelled for Trinity to get dressed and come eat so they could leave for their first official night shift.
Trinity walked out of her room with her backpack on her shoulder and sat at the breakfast nook while grabbing her plate. She looked over at Dennis and smiled, “So Huckleberry, you excited to work with Dr. Daddy? I mean, I know you have a crush on him, but switching shifts to get closer to him is a bit much.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him while she stabbed her eggs with her fork.
Dennis rolled his eyes at her and scoffed, “Jesus, Trin, just because I like Dr. Abbot doesn’t mean I switched shifts to get closer to him. I genuinely feel like I wasn’t learning anything anymore on dayshift, and I’m sure night shift has a few tricks up their sleeves. Besides, Ellis will be there too, you know.” Dennis wiggled his eyebrows back at her and laughed.
Trinity punched him on the shoulder and stood up to put her shoes on. “Whatever, Huck, hurry up and get out the door before I leave you here.” She went to go reach for her car keys but they weren’t in the dish near the door. She slowly turned around and looked at Dennis who had a shit eating grin on his face while he produced the keys from his pocket.
“Perhaps I should leave you here, Trin. After all, you just had to leave your keys out in the open. If you tell me that I’m your best friend and you couldn’t live without me, I might be inclined to drive us both to work, and get us coffee on the way.” He teases.
Trinity raised her eyebrow and scoffed, “ As if, Hucklefuck! You’re like a hemorrhoid, always up my ass.” She smiled and shook her head. Dennis walked over to her and put his shoes on and looked at her, “Huh, then why are you following me to the night shift, Triniboo?”
They both busted out laughing and Trinity spoke up, “I’m convinced we were separated at birth, honestly. The bitchy lesbian and twink: inseparable pair.” They laughed even harder while locking the door and walking to Trin’s car.
Going into the Pitt with coffees in hand, Dennis felt weird getting there when he would normally be leaving. He says hello to Dana and does his rounds with Mel and Langdon after changing into his scrubs and putting his bag away. He says goodbye to his friends and wishes them a good night.
Dr. Abbot rounds up all of the night shift crew near the nurses station so Lena can listen in. “Alright, night crawlers we have poached us some daydwellers for the next few months. Dr. Whitaker, Dr. Santos, good to have you both. Now let’s go get some! HOOAH!”
Trinity and Dennis just stared at each other while trying not to laugh. This was going to be fun.