Yo I think about your service dog Dennis au a lottttt (pls I will go leave comments soon TRUST) but I was wondering if you have any thoughts on what happens when other hybrids come into the ER? Like I can’t stop thinking about a young child hybrid that maybe steals Dennis toys and they get the zoomies together ahah
Service dog Dennis AU part 9
Thank you so much I'm so glad you enjoy them!!
I feel like there would be a lot of mixed feelings for Dennis with other hybrids, particularly hybrid kids.
The first time one comes into the ED accompanying their parent, Dennis is so excited to see them, and the kid is staring up at Dennis like he's hung the moon right in front of them. And Dennis' tail is wagging up a storm, and the kid's tiny tail is flailing around in answer.
Robby decides to kill two birds with one stone; he needs to have a frank conversation with the hybrid's parents about things the kid shouldn't overhear from him, and he gets the impression that the kid could benefit from spending time with someone like himself.
Dennis' head whips straight around to stare up at Robby, as immediate as if Robby's yanked on the leash that he always refuses to affix to Dennis' harness. Robby has to swallow down the realisation that Dennis stares at him with the same big, admiring eyes that the kid is still fixing on Dennis.
"Dr Robby?" Head cocked, ears flopping, tail wagging inquisitively. Robby can see that the child - with their own small, somewhat stiff little ears - is itching to get their fingers on Dennis' ears, just as much as the rest of them. Robby smiles, cocks his head in return because he knows Dennis will repeat the motion and send his ears flopping around again. Sure enough, the sight of those ridiculously big, soft ears flapping into Dennis' face makes the kid giggle.
"If Jamie's parents are okay with it, would you like to go show him the family room, maybe share some of your toys for a little bit?"
He pitches his voice upwards ever so carefully as he makes the suggestion - he doesn't think Dennis would actually get possessive over his toys, but every hybrid has their limit, and Robby's aware that he's never found Dennis'.
He doesn't have anything to worry about, because Dennis is nodding his head frantically and beaming, and Robby swears he hears him stifle an excited little 'whuff' sound when Jamie's parents nod in something approaching relief.
And even though it's a day where Robby is near-constantly buffeted from one crisis to another, the small sightings of Dennis and Jamie that he manages to catch between all the chaos somehow makes it all feel a little less tight in his chest.
"This is my daybed - you can go in if you like. Everyone who works here has given me some things to make it extra comfy! Robby let me have that blue hoodie there, that's my favourite." Dennis is keenly pointing out fabrics of interest as Jamie squirms into the space and snuffles at all the scents he's finding. "Although I suppose I did just sorta...take it? From him? I guess? But I was looking at him the whole time, he knew what I was doing! And he still didn't say anything, so I feel like that's as good as giving it to me."
"I mean...if he didn't want you to have it, wouldn't he just have taken it away?"
"That's what I'm saying!"
Robby doesn't know whether to feel victorious about the fact that Dennis has finally confessed out loud to bullying his way into possession of the hoodie, or to roll his eyes at the validation that Dennis was getting for the behaviour.
He doesn't have time to decide before he's called to another trauma, but the next time he sees them, Jamie is enthusiastically petting Dennis' ears, and he sees Dennis heroically hold back a wince when Jamie's fingers accidentally jab inside the ear he's currently squeezing and pulling. Robby smiles at him and gives him a reassuring nod when Dennis' eyes catch his - he really must buy a special snack of some kind for Dennis after this, because he's being remarkably tolerant with being pulled around and manhandled.
Later on, Robby's passing by and trying to listen to Dana as she updates him on the constant game of keep-away the other departments like to play with them and their boarding patients, but he catches sight of Dennis reverently placing his favourite toy in Jamie's hands.
"She's called Cowbug, and Robby got her for me. I love her so much, she's so good to chew on, the little baby cows - or bugs, I guess? Robby says they're supposed to be ladybugs because they're red, but I'm not sure he knows for definite. But yeah, they're super good to chew on and-"
Robby doesn't hear the rest, too busy trying to convince Dana he didn't zone out while she was talking, but he does hear the soft, squeaky sound of canine teeth chomping happily on little rubber bugs.
At the end of the day, when it's got dark outside and it's just a few minutes off the night shift coming to relieve them, Robby manages to snatch a quiet moment to check in with Dennis where he's leaning absently against the charge desk.
"Hey, Denny. How you doing?" He keeps his voice pitched low and quiet, because Dennis' gaze is a little foggy and distant as it watches Jamie clamber up on the bed and chatter away to his parents, waving Cowbug animatedly in a way that Dennis' eyes lazily track.
Robby allows a gentle silence for the half-truth to settle into and unfurl. Dennis lets out a little sigh and shuffles closer to Robby, who lifts an arm immediately, unsurprised when Dennis leans heavily into his chest and inhales deeply.
"You did a really good job with Jamie and his parents - ah-ah, don't start that. You did. Doesn't matter that you didn't spend a lot of time with the parents, you gave them space to process a difficult new diagnosis without having to worry about their child in the same moment. You gave them space to talk about how to approach that conversation with him, without making them feel rushed. That's a very big gift, even if you don't realise it."
Dennis feels Robby smile into his hair, press a rare kiss to the top of his head. He can feel his tail smack Robby's leg in gratitude, and he flattens his ears to give him more room to work with.
"And Jamie seemed like he absolutely adored you. It was probably good for him, you know? To have the chance to speak to someone who understands, to see them in an important role, doing meaningful work."
Robby doesn't let the continued silence throw him, just rubs his hand down Dennis arm quietly.
"And it is meaningful work, Dennis. What you do matters. Don't ever forget that."
Dennis sighs once more, although this one is smaller and maybe a little bit more...damp. Robby doesn't care that he can feel moisture on his chest where Dennis snuffles at the chest hair that peeks through.
"They really love him, don't they?"
Dennis' eyes are fixed on where Jamie's parents are squeezing him tightly between them, and his voice sounds a little like grief over something you've almost forgotten.
"Yeah, they do, sweetheart."
Robby's voice is reverant, like the sound he might make before lighting a candle. He lets Dennis breathe deeply through the feelings or memories that are making him tremble ever so slightly. He wraps his arm tighter around Dennis and squeezes, almost too hard but at the pressure that Jack reassures him is just right. Places another kiss between those delicate ears.
He lets them stay like that until he feels something in Dennis loosen, until he's simply leaning into the hug rather than clutching at it desperately.
"You wanna go get Cowbug back now?" He murmurs into Dennis' closest ear. Stifles a laugh at how it twitches and the other one pricks up. "I can see you trying very hard to be good and not go snatch it back. How about we go give them their discharge papers and negotiate for Cowbug's return?"
"Oh my god, please yes. Robby, he's a sweet kid but I really need my Cowbug back now."
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