Chapter Text
Dennis’ knee vibrates against his backpack that rests under his shins in the dirty pick-up truck. Michael's large, warm hand covers his thigh. His thumb rubs soft circles on the outside, silently trying to comfort the younger man. While his middle and ring finger gently dance over the spot that both men know hosts a scar that matches on the other thigh. It's too early in the morning to make conversation, and Dennis's anxieties are much higher than normal.
This isn’t like his normal rotations. This is the rotation that has been his biggest fear. Not only is everything so stressful, but it is the rotation where he and Michael have to pretend not to know each other, and more.
His ring burns against his neck, the first time in so many months of wearing it nonstop.
Dennis moves his hand to be placed on Michaels, his hand looks so much smaller on top of his husband's. His naked ring finger glares up at him, he can’t help but glare back down at the naked appendage.
Michael's deep voice cuts the silence of the early morning drive, “Baby, what’s on your mind?”
The blonde glances up at Michael. He realizes that he’s been chewing on the sleeve of the elder man’s jacket, a small imprint of his teeth and a slightly wet spot on the left sleeve stares back at him.
I didn’t realize how stressed I was…
“Do you promise it won’t make things harder for you? I know that today is also the anniversary of-”
Michael interrupts him before he can complete his thought. “Denny, I told you, whatever makes you most comfortable today. I know you don’t want to make it more complicated than it needs to be.”
Dennis nods, still worrying his lip between his teeth. “And I'm sorry about your jacket.”
Michael barks a laugh, his eyes wrinkle as he tries not to squint his eyes.
“In my mind, you just made it even better to wear it today.” He says with a smirk.
The blonde boy smiles, his cheeks grow hot. He’s thinking about his Michael thumbing this very spot with his own thumb while watching Dennis work a case. Or maybe he feels the cool spot glide up his arm while pushing his sleeves up to work. A reminder warmer than the matching ring on Michael's own silver chain around his neck. The only thing that sticks out of both of their scrubs. A silver chain that won't be visible if Michael wears this hoodie.
The truck rolls to a stop in the ER parking lot - they are in the patient lot. It’s less likely for someone to be aware of the vehicle that a new intern steps out of, especially so early in the morning. The sun is coming up, making the lot bathed in a light orange. Dennis glances at the clock in the truck.
6:38
A lot earlier than Dennis is supposed to be here, but Michael needed time to park the car and walk in.
“I love you, baby.” Michael tells him. “Today is going to be a normal day in the Pitt.”
Dennis leans over the center console to give the older man a light kiss. His stubble tickles Dennis’ cheeks, and he smiles. His words calm his anxieties, just a little, enough for him to take a deep breath and unzip the hoodie as he sits up from the kiss. He shrugs out of the sleeves, just revealing his bare arms, goosebumps pimple over his skin.
Michaels just continues to smile at him the way he always does, his eyes warm.
The blonde boy leans over and grabs his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. He goes to open the door, but it clicks locked before he can jiggle the handle.
“Michael!” Dennis huffs in faux annoyance.
The older man clears his throat, “I said - I love you, baby.” Dennis can hear the taunt in his words.
“Oh honey,” Dennis twists in the passenger chair quickly and gives him another brief smooch. “I love you too.”
And then he dashes out of the car, too anxious to sit still. He needs to rip the bandaid off.
As Dennis quickly walks his way out of the parking lot, they parked a bit away from any of the entrances. Not a very romantic drop off, but Dennis asked for it. He didn't want to risk one of the night nurses leaving Michaels- no Robby's car, he needs to remember to call him Robby today.
Deep breath in, Dennis, this is easy. Just another rotation. Just like all the others.
---
Once Dennis heard they were going to do rounds, his hands started sweating again. He has to act normal. Can’t be awkward and can’t call him Michael. Or worse. A pet name.
They walk to the center of the ER like a good little row of ducklings following Doctor McKay.
“As you can see, we have some new faces with us this morning.” The all too familiar gravelly voice calls out. “Good morning, good morning. Come on over.”
They circle around Michae-Robby, as he introduces the blonde next to him - Dr. Melissa King, or as she adds, “Everyone calls me Mel. So happy to be here.”
“Trinity Santos, intern.” The woman to the far left of Dennis calls out after.
“Victoria Javadi, MS3.” Ah, Dennis thought he recognized her, she's the young med student a year under him that he’s heard a lot about. And she’s not looking at Dennis.
Oh shit, I have to introduce myself as well.
“Dennis Whitaker, MS4.” Sometimes he wishes he could say Whitaker-Robinavitch, but they’ve talked about it. The blonde can’t help how he stares at Robby in their hoodie, the one they share.
Robby keeps introducing everyone, and Dennis pays half attention. He knows what he’s saying, he’s heard it a million times in different contexts. He knows his husband's new students/interns speech.
--
“Dr. Robby, she uh, took a fall.” Dennis says as he escorts Victoria to their attending - not husband.
“No, I--” the girl stutters, “I tripped on the gurney. I’m fine.”
Michael glances at Dennis, watching him shake his head in disagreement. Dennis tells him as much as he can wordlessly that ‘No, she’s not okay. It was gross.’
He nods back to Dennis, telling him he understands, then looks back at the kid in front of him. “Why don’t you go get a cold drink in the staff lounge?” The take care of yourself is silent, but his intentions are clear.
At least to Dennis, but the girl defends herself, and Robby bites back at her with a simple sarcastic comment to brush her off, which causes her to walk away frustrated. He can’t imagine the ruthless eye roll she gave the older man from behind.
Michael gives him an encouraging smile before turning around and heading over to a room where he is needed more than an eval on their own coworker. Dennis in pure reflexes raises his hand to give his husband a swat on the ass in jest, the same way he would at home when he would walk past him and Jake when they are playing games on the couch but Dennis quickly catches his hand raised awkwardly in the air. He looks around nervously before scampering off to care for his own patients. What a morning.