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PTMC had an annual halloween fundraiser that was supposed to be about raising money for the hospital, but even if that’s what everyone else was saying. You were starting to think that it was just an excuse. For the doctors to be put in ridiculous outfits and for the PTMC owners to allow the staff to drink and let loose some of that anger.
You adjusted your little black bat wings for what seemed like the hundredth time seeing as they are attached to your dress, and took a quick glance around the decorated ballroom. That’s when you caught Dr. Dennis Whitaker's eyes looking at you.
Again.
The second he saw you, he looked away. Intently looking at some random probably fake flowers that were being used as decorations. You smiled inwardly, just a few short minutes later Jack appeared at your side, in a pirates costume. “Hello mister peg leg.” Jack just shook his head at your joke. “You know the kids, staring at you again.” You laugh while taking a sip of your drink.
“Why?”
You could hear Jack rolling his eyes at you. “Don’t do that.” “Do what?” You asked innocently, “The thing where you act like you don’t know what’s going on, makes all those years in college seem useless.”
You take another glance across the room, and of course Dennis is looking. Maybe a bit more graceful this time. The moment your eyes met, he gave you the smallest smile, before turning back to the donor who he had been speaking with.
Again Jack shook his head, “He’s not very subtle if you ask me.” He said, taking a sip from his glass. “I think he’s just trying to be professional.” You suggested, “Well he’s failing at that too.” You rolled your eyes bringing your glass up to your lips. To hide the smile so that it wasn’t too obvious.
“I just don’t think he’s doing anything wrong.” You muttered. “No.” Jack agreed, which was a hell of a thing to get the older man to do. “I think he’s just looking at you like you’re the only god damn person in the room.”
You feel your cheeks go warm, and you look away. Back into the endlessness of your drink. “You’re getting real annoying, Abbot.” Jack shrugs his shoulders, “Yeah I’ve been told that before.”
It’s later when you notice that Dennis has finally made his way over to you. He clears his throat. “You look nice.” He says. “Just nice?” You ask with an arched brow. He looks stunned, “No, I meant you look very nice.” He says quietly, and you smile at him warmly, “Thank you.”
He looks you up and down briefly before settling back upon your face. He does end up taking a glance around the ballroom before quietly adding something else. “You know the wings really suit you.” He says with rosy cheeks. “Dr. Whitaker, Are you flirting with me?” You ask him.
He looks like he’s been caught, his eyes wide, “No, absolutely not!” He barely manages to get out. You just laugh, and his mouth twitches at the sound, “I’m here maintaining professionalism.” You nod, “And that includes staring at me all night long?” You tease.
“‘I haven’t been staring all night long.” He tries to defend himself. “You were, and you have.” He sighs in resignation. “Okay, perhaps I’ve been occasionally staring.” You stare at him in aww, “Just occasionally?” You question the younger doctor. “Frequently?” He asks.
You laugh again, and Dennis seems completely and utterly pleased with himself for making you not only smile again, but laughing too. Yet before you can tease Dennis any further the music in the ball room changes to something that goes a bit slow, and something that sounds a bit softer.
Dennis takes a glance to the floor, and then back towards you. “Would you like to dance with me?” He asks, and honestly seems one hundred percent ready to hear a ‘No’ come from you instead of “I’d love to, Dennis.” You say slipping your hand into his out reached one.
His hand settles perfectly against your waist, as he guides you onto the dance floor with ease. Just for that moment either of you speak.
The fundraiser is still happening around you. You can hear the nurses laughing near the desert tables, and there’s someone who is cheering on a raffle winner that was just announced, and then there’s children you are running around and underneath the tables with little costumes on.
Yet Dennis doesn’t seem to be interested in anything but you.
You rested your hands up against his shoulders. “You do clean up pretty well, Dr. Whitaker.” He looks down at his rather simple costume. “It is just a vest.” He murmurs, “A very good looking, handsome vest indeed.” You wink, and Dennis smiles.
“I’m taking that as a compliment.”
“Good you should.” You tell him, Dennis' thumb gently brushes against your waist as if the younger doctor is trying to calm both of you. Then he’s looking around again. “You know I was really worried about tonight.” He tells you.
“Why?” You ask cocking your head to the side. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to balance this.”
“This being what?” You ask, Dennis gestures to the small space between the two of you. “Us, and work, and everyone being here.” He tells you plainly. You go soft, “Dennis we are allowed to enjoy ourselves.” You murmur under the slow music.
“I know that.”
“I feel like there's a ‘but’ coming soon.” He seems hesitant. “I don’t want anyone thinking that I’ve been treating you differently.” “Dennis, you are treating me differently.” His brows go so high up on his face, “How?” He stutters in his steps.
“You’ve been starin’ at me for the last three hours, Dennis.” You say smiling, he laughs, actually truly laughs. “I guess that’s a pretty fair statement.” “And let’s not forget that you brought me that coffee earlier.” You tell him.
“That was only because you said you were tired.” You smile continuously. “You remembered it was my favorite.” He nods, “I just remember a lot of things about you.” The words are probably softer than he wanted them to come out and be. Your expression changes of course, and Dennis looks down for a moment before gathering the courage to look you in your eyes again.
“I suppose that’s a problem, or a part of the problem.” He mutters.
“What is?” You ask him, “that I notice everything about you.” He tells you. “Can I tell you something?” You ask, he gives a single nod, “I don’t think it’s that much of a problem.” Even Dennis’s expression goes soft. “That’s good, really good.”
When the song ends, neither of you separate. Dennis looks down at your intertwined hands. “I’ve honestly spent most of the night trying to not make it look too obvious.” Dennis admits. “Make what obvious, Dennis?” You ask him. He gives you a look, “Just how much I like you.” You smile even wider. “I’m pretty sure everyone already knows that.”
From far across the room there’s a loud shout that has both of your heads perking up. “WE DEFINITELY ALL KNOW ALREADY!” It’s Jack shouting over the music that had grown loud once again. You roll your eyes, and laugh. Dennis on the other hand closes his eyes, shying away from the sudden attention going your way.
“Just ignore that old man.” You say to Dennis, “Yeah I’ll try.” He mutters. He looks at you again, this time without even bothering to hide any of it. “I think…” He starts, "I'm over trying to hide it.” You give his hand a good, strong squeeze. “Good.”
Dennis leans down, and presses the softest of kisses to your forehead. When he does pull back, you notice the faintest of smiles on his face. “You’re still staring.” You whisper teasingly. “I know.”
“So you aren’t even trying to hide it anymore.” Dennis shakes his head. “Why?” You ask before you can stop yourself. “Because.” he says, intertwining your fingers with his again. “I think you’re beautiful.”
Your heart flutters. “Dennis…” You mutter softly. “I also think.” He continues, Dennis’s voices going quieter so no one hears. “I’ve spent enough time here pretending that I don’t have feelings for you while we are at work. Tonight, I would really like to just be your partner.” Dennis admits.
You lean in closer, “I’m pretty sure I can live with that.” You tell him, Dennis smiles at you. “Good.” he echoes again. Then even with all the noise, and the crowd, and somewhere Jack watching all this play out. Dennis leans in, and kisses you softly. With a hand holding the back of your neck, and the other still on your waist.
There isn’t anything dramatic, or special, or even inappropriate about it. It’s just filled with warmth, sweetness, and it’s all completely yours. When Dennis does pull away, you’re smiling brightly at him. “Still professional?” You tease him. Rolling your lips together while still being able to fill his lips on yours. The stubbleness of his stubble.
Dennis seems to consider what you’ve said for a moment. “No, absolutely not.” he finally mutters. You laugh loudly, “Finally.” He gives your hand another squeeze, “Come on.” And drags you towards the tables with food still stacked high on them.
“Where are you taking me?” You ask. “For desserts.” “Oh cake!” Dennis rolls his eyes dramatically at you. “Darling, I’ve been watching you eat candy all night long.” You grin devilishly at him, “Oh so you’re very observant.”
“I’ve been told that once or twice.”. Dennis leads you towards the dessert table anyways. You hands in, and this time when he looks at you from across the room he doesn’t care to look away from you now.