my take on the "Andrew shows up at the Pitt randomly and people aren't sure what to do about it" trope (no smut this time, just some good ol' fluff) ((also this the first time i've uploaded my ao3 writing to here, so if the formatting is weird lmk)) (((also also, if you have writing ideas you want to see, send em over!)))
God, Dennis' feet ached. He had been walking since 7am and it was currently— he looked down at his watch— 8pm? He was supposed to be home an hour ago, snuggled up in the covers and drifting off to sleep under his boyfriend's heavy hands. He could drool at the thought, swaying his way down the hallway towards the charting stations.
There was always just one more trauma, one more emergency, one more issue that the staff needed an extra pair of hands, and how could Dennis say no? He was an intern, he needed the experience desperately, even if it meant that he wouldn't be able to see Andrew for a little bit longer.
Dennis' footsteps halted as he reached he seat. Crap. He had totally forgot to text him. Andrew was probably freaking out in the parking lot by now.
"Whoa kid, calm down. You look like your dog just died." Dana leaned over from her stance at the board, clearly surviving the long shift better than he was.
"Haha, yeah," Dennis half-heartedly chuckled, "Just forgot to tell my ride that I'm running late."
Dana just hummed, looking him over with a level of calculating scrutiny. "You should get out of here. Now that the night shift is here we'll live without you. Plus, you practically look dead on your feet. Rough night last night?"
Dennis tried desperately not to turn beet red, most likely failing miserably as Dana cocked an eyebrow at him."Yup," he forced out, shifting uncomfortably at the soreness lingering in his legs, "didn't really get much sleep…"
"Well," she smirked, "finish up those charts and get up out of here. Don't need you falling asleep at the desks."
"Yes, Ma'am." he mumbled, all but throwing himself down in the uncomfortable rolling chairs.
Finally. He was done. Pressing the enter button one final time, Dennis felt a weight slide off his shoulders, slumping further down into the chair. According to the small clock at the bottom of the screen it was only 8:45, not even a full hour had passed, but with each heavy press of the keys and each agonizingly long blink it felt like years passed by.
Dennis let out pleased hum, sinking down further, as he closed his eyes. The dark allowed the slightest bit of relief from the still bustling ER.
Finally, he could leave this windowless prison. He could go home and eat whatever delicious homemade meal Andrew cooked up, then curl up on the couch together and find a new documentary to start. Maybe, as Dennis allowed his mind to run, he would end up falling asleep on the couch, and wake to the feeling of being wrapped in his boyfriend's arms as he carried him to bed. Dennis loved those nights where Andrew took over and Dennis could simply lie there, content and taken care of.
Andrew would probably force him in the shower, sitting him down and scrubbing him clean so methodically and carefully that Dennis couldn't lift a finger if he wanted to. Then, after he was all clean he would help change him into pajamas and tuck him under the covers, kissing him to sleep.
Dennis smiled a little more to himself picturing it. He just had to leave the building. He just had to make it to his locker and walk out the door. He just had to…
Dennis jolted awake in his seat, lurching far enough to hit his head on the way back into his chair.
"Geeze, kid, breathe." the voice said, "There's someone asking for you out in chairs. Ahmad's dealing with him right now, make sure to check in with him."
Grabbing at the back of his head Dennis groaned internally at the sudden sensations of the ER rushing back into reality. The clock read 9:15. Shitttt. Andrew was gonna be so concerned.
"Y-yeah, uh huh. I'll take care of that. Thank you Dr…" Dennis looked up at the mysterious figure that was slowly taking form under the dazzlingly bright florescent lights. "…Abbot."
The older doctor chuckled at his delirious, still half asleep state. "Christ, you should have gone home ages ago, the hell are you still doing here?"
"Just lost track of time charting I guess." Dennis trailed off, flushing a bit in embarrassment.
"Whitaker!" Ahmad's voice called across the floor as he jogged over. "There's an angry visitor in the lobby looking for you."
Dennis groaned, hands dragging across his face, "Alright, I'm getting up."
Dragging himself up he braced his hands on the table, his mind running through the laundry lists of reasons that this person could be asking for him. A disgruntled former patient? Family of a patient? Dennis tried to think of every person that he saw today. He didn't do anything too drastically bad, hell he only had to change his scrubs once today.
"So, what exactly is the issue?" Dennis yawned as the two men made their way towards to the waiting room.
"40- something year old guy came up to Lupe and started demanding to see you. Never gave me a good reason, but he said he knew you. From what I could see he wasn't injured, but what do I know, I'm not the doctor here. I'd keep your distance, the dude's a little freaky looking, can't put my finger on it. By the time I said I would get you he looked pretty pissed." Ahmad nodded as he held the door for Whitaker.
Dennis squinted as the gears in his head started to turn, the sleep finally wearing off as he rounded the corner. Andrew was standing ominously next the front desk, making way for people to check in, but brows furrowed in a way that seemed to ward off those standing near him.
"Ah, shit." Dennis laughed, much to the security guard's incredulous look, "Yeah, yeah, I know him, don't worry Ahmad."
Ahmad crossed his arms, clearly not quite believing it, "Uh huh, you need me to grab Abbot? If he's giving you trouble I can help."
Dennis frowned, the relief fading from his face, "I'm serious, don't worry about him. And, you don't need to get Abbot, I can handle myself." With that he strode over to Andrew, who had been staring awkwardly at him since the moment he walked into the room.
This wasn't the first time that Andrew had made his way into the Pitt out of concern for Dennis, but it didn't happen often. He looked tense, only softening his posture slightly as Dennis got near. He couldn't help grin as he took Andrew's rough, calloused hands, brushing soft circles into the skin.
"Hey Andrew, I'm sorry I kept you late." Dennis spoke softly, leaning up for a quick kiss. "I might have fallen asleep for a couple minuets and forgot to text."
Andrew shook his head, humming softly in response, "Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're ok. Are you all done for the day?"
"Mhm," Dennis smiled, " Just gotta get my stuff and we can head out."
"Good." Andrew nodded in response. He paused as his eyes looked around the crowded room. "Can I come with you?"
Dennis raised his eyebrows. Their relationship had never been private, but it had never been the sort of thing that either of them went flaunting about. He certainly never got around to talking about it at work, only a handful of people either knew or figured it out on their own.
As they walked through the ER Dennis knew that there were stares. Clearly, the talk of an extremely intimidating and uninjured man asking for Whitaker specifically had gotten around. It didn't bother him too badly. If anything, he felt a little tickled, holding Andrew's hand as the two walked side by side through the bustling hallways. He felt accomplished almost? Proud if nothing else. Something about the way he could lead Andrew around like a loyal guard dog was intoxicating. It was as if, when Dennis was with Andrew, the world's troubles could fade away and nothing could hurt them.
"How was your day?" Dennis smiled up at Andrew as the two approached the lockers.
"Good," Andrew nodded, "I was able to deep clean the kitchen and fix that pipe that was leaking under the sink you were complaining about"
Dennis sighed, fiddling with the lock until it clicked, "Thanks so much, I've been meaning to get to that. And here I've had the audacity to keep you waiting in the parking lot for two hours. I'm really sorry."
"No worries. I was fine with waiting, just wanted to make sure you were ok." Andrew gazed down and Dennis' still sleep-tussled hair.
"Whitaker!" Dr. Abbot's voice cut through their small talk.
Dennis glanced towards the hallway, "Damn it. I'll be right back." Landing a soft peck on Andrew's lips he jogged out towards the attending.
"Yeah? Whats going on?" Dennis asked, his brow furrowing as he neared Abbot.
"I should be asking you that. That man, was he the one asking for you out there? I heard he was waiting out in the lot for a while before that. Ahmad said he was pretty sketchy. " Abbot crossed his arms, a brow raising in concern.
Dennis sighed, not quite believing how helpless his coworkers truly thought he was. "No, Dr. Abbot. There is nothing to be concerned about. I am fine."
"Are you sure? You know I'm here to help—"
"Yes! I'm sure!" Dennis tried not to snap, "He was waiting for me out there. He's my boyfriend! I'm fine!"
Dennis ran his hand through his curls, sighing as he felt Andrew's presence come up behind him.
"Is everything ok over here Dennis?" He practically growled, laying a large hand possessively on his shoulder, and glaring daggers at Abbot.
Abbot, unsurprisingly, didn't back away. Instead, he met Andrew's gaze, returning the sharp look, and sizing him up in the process. "Everything is fine."
"I wasn't asking you." Andrew narrowed his eyes, his free hand balling up into a fist.
Between the two Dennis sighed again, "Don't Andrew," placing a hand on top of the one on his shoulder.
Almost instantly, Andrew unclenched his hand, relaxing as much as he could allow himself to in front of Abbot.
"God, can we please not do this? Dr. Abbot, it is not your place to ask about my relationship. You're starting to sound like Robby." Dennis continued.
Dr. Abbot looked almost offended by that, before turning away from the pair and waving them off. "Fine then, get out of here. You were already supposed to be gone hours ago anyways."
With a final nod Dennis said taught but polite goodbyes and quickly made his way to the door, Andrew in hand. By the time they reached Andrew's truck, it took everything in him to not fall asleep as soon as he touched the seat.
"Thanks for grabbing my stuff," Dennis hummed as Andrew tossed his bag in the back seat. "and you really didn't need to step in there, I had it handled."
Andrew frowned as he closed the driver seat door, gripping the wheel tightly. "I know. I couldn't stand him talking to you like that."
Dennis grinned sleepily, leaning over the consol. "Believe me, I've dealt with it before. It's nothing I can't handle." He lazily cupped Andrew's cheek, forcing eye contact before kissing him tenderly. "But thank you. It's good to know have my back."
Andrew leaned into the gentle touch, chasing after the sweet taste of Dennis on his lips. "Always." he hummed.
