Robby is completely oblivious to Dennis's very obvious flirting, thinking it is friendly banter. Because, it just has to be. Why would this young, gorgeous doctor be flirting with an old, damaged man like him?
Dennis is getting increasingly frustrated because he can't tell if he is just being let down gently or if Robby really is that dense.
It starts simple and quite innocently when Robby is eventually worn down and comes to after work drinks with the Pittlings. He's nursing a beer when Dennis sidles up to him.
"It's nice to see you out of work." Dennis nudges him. "I wish I could do it more." Robby laughs.
"There's only so many times you're boring boss can crash work drinks before it becomes annoying."
Dennis isn't sure if he just didn't pick up on his subtle hint or if he was getting brushed off but either way he's determined to crack Robby.
Robby is soothing baby Jane Doe when Dennis walks in.
"Hey Dad." He jokes. "This is a good look for you."
"I'm a little too old for that now." He shakes his head, returning Jane to the crib and heading towards the door.
"No, I think you're the perfect age to be a Daddy." He hears Dennis say behind him. Besides a slight falter in his step Robby doesn't react at all.
When Robby cancels his death trip to focus on his mental health he tells Dennis that he doesn't need him to look after his place anymore.
"That's a shame, I always wanted to know what is would be like to sleep in your bed." Dennis smirks. "I was looking forward to it."
"You're not missing out on much, the mattress is very lumpy. I should probably get a new one." He says matter of factly, pulling his phone out to look at new mattresses and not even acknowledging the implications of what Dennis said.
Robby groans loudly as he sits down in his chair, his back is giving him a lot of grief recently. Dennis hears him groaning and like a little puppy he comes running.
"What's wrong Dr Robby?" He askes sympathetically.
"My back." He replies, absentmindedly rubbing at the base of his spine. "It's been killing me all week."
"Can I suggest a massage?" Dennis offers, replacing Robby's hand with his own. "I've been told my hands can work wonders."
"I think I'm past miracles kid." He moans despite himself as Dennis fingers start working. "I need a chiropractor."
"We can call that plan b." Dennis whispers, gently massaging him until Dana clears her throat and they jump apart.
In the end, Robby does go to a chiropractor and Dennis mourns what could have been if Dana hadn't interrupted.
Dennis is in work early, Trinity spent the night at Garcia's and the bus either gets him in crazy early or too late. So he's there before everybody else.
"You look handsome today Dr Robby." Dennis purrs as the attending walks in for his shift.
"Thanks. I actually woke up early enough to wash my hair this morning." Robby laughs as if the whole thing was a joke.
Dennis just stares in disbelief as Robby walks to his locker.
Dennis has to change scrubs, a rarity now he's been here a while and has gotten better at dodging many bodily fluids. Robby hears about it through the grapevine and teases him about it relentlessly.
"Don't worry, next time I'll make sure you get front row seats to my change." Dennis teases right back and Robby laughs loudly at him, used to Dennis's antics by now.
"Honestly, what are you like kid?"
Dennis and Robby are walking back to the hub after Robby has just finished stitching up a patient. Dennis was impressed with how quickly and flawlessly he did it and is gushing to Robby, who tries brushing off his compliments but Dennis is not stopping.
"Everybody needs a man who's good with his hands." Dennis even winks so there is no misinterpreting his double meaning.
"Give it time kid, you'll be sewing people up like this." He says, giving Dennis's shoulder a squeeze.
Dennis gives Trinity a look that says 'are you seeing this shit?' and she just shrugs back helplessly. There's just no helping some people.
Dennis decides to just take the bull by the horns at the end of a shift when its just him and Robby stood in the ambulance bay. He lifts up on his toes and kisses Robby, who looks shocked for a second before ruffling Dennis's hair.
"You kids today, much more open with your affection than me and my friends were back in the day."
Dennis practically bangs his head against the wall as Robby walks off to his motorbike, merrily whistling as if nothing out the ordinary has happened.
It all comes to a head when Dennis sits Robby down in the breakroom and leans over him so they are eye to eye and very slowly explains himself to Robby.
"I would like you to take me home and I would like to ride your dick until my spine snaps in a completely non-platonic way. Do you understand what I am saying?"
Robby swallows and stutters out a nod.
"And your opinion on that is?" Dennis prompts.
"YES!" He shouts, clearing his throat. "Yes, I would like to do that too."
Dennis smiles and mockingly ruffles his hair.
"Great, meet me by your bike in five minutes then."
It might have been hard-going but Dennis finally cracked him.