jottles

ellis told trinity nobody gave a shit how tired, traumatized, or exhausted she was when trinity was on the fourteenth hour of her twelve hour shift. a season of that, to more universally sympathetic characters, will NOT be palatable to a lot of gen z. ellis doesn’t care if junior residents are overworked, she doesn’t coddle or encourage. she is a tough love, ‘put me in coach,’ rub some dirt on it kind of person, and the gen z viewership will become overly critical of her life philosophy that demands a lot of grit.

shen is insensitive and detached. robby was wondering where his step son was, there was a mass casualty rolling in, and shen was relaxed enough to sip on his dunkin. he was bothering robby about if he could get thanksgiving and christmas off that year. shen’s blasé attitude will start to grate on people as he extends that lack of fucks given to more patients and coworkers than just robby.

jack is not the woke guy everyone projects him to be. i believe they kept him far away from the ICE episode because the writers had no truly satisfying answer to how jack’s character would act in that situation. this man participated in imperialism for free college and healthcare (or for valor which is even worse). he continues to listen to police scanners and joins SWAT. he is on the side of the establishment as it relates to exerting force. he may have unpacked some conservative values, but there will be nuance there that will make black and white thinkers very uncomfortable.

the night shift doctors characterization is much less developed, but the seeds of complexity are there. ellis hates whining, shen is largely emotionally removed from any patient outcomes, jack is a mess of contradictions. people just can’t pick up on that because they watch the show while scrolling through their phone.

(it is, it is crazy and it is wrong as hell. it is the craziest wrongest thing to make me h word in years)

I NEVER WANT TO BE RIGHT

(you met that boy at breakfast and now mere hours later your thumb is caressing the sensitive juncture between his neck and shoulder like it's taking every ounce of strength in your body to not slam him against the wall, push his legs apart with yours, and suck and bite until it's one giant, throbbing, delicious bruise)

YOU ARE HIS BOSS AND YOU ARE BOTH AT WORK AND SIMULTANEOUSLY *INCHES* FROM AN UNOCCUPIED UNCLAIMED BED

WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING

Robby groaned pitifully, tightening his arms around Dennis’s waist and pressing his face closer into his boyfriend’s neck. He was practically glued to Dennis's back, breathing in his scent deeply. Clingy baby.

Jack, walking in obviously into the room, paused before smirking and crossing his arms over his chest. “Ooo, hugs from behind at work? We’re getting bold now, aren’t we?”

“He’s just jelly that some guy and girl were flirting with me.” Dennis hums, reaching back to pat Robby on the head a singular time.

“Both?”

“Yup.” Dennis popped his p. “Wanted me to join their relationship.”

“Shit, you really are prime throuple material.” Jack frowned. “We need to keep you to ourselves.”

Jack walks over and bullies the papers and clipboard out of Dennis's hands, making the younger man sigh in annoyance, but allows Jack to guide his hands to wrap around his waist.

"I thought we were supposed to be professional at work?" Dennis hums, pressing a soft kiss to Jack’s waiting lips. “One could say that you’re both taking advantage of me as my superiors.”

“Such slander.”

“Such lies.”

Robby and Jack exchanged a kiss over Dennis’s head while the younger man rolls his eyes at their dramatics.

“Alright, alright, hands off you two. I’ve gotta get back to my patients.”

“Those pervs?” Jack narrows his eyes. Dennis decidedly does not answer him and simply walks out of the room with a wave of his hand.

——

“Wow, I didn’t realize they allowed models to work in the ER. You’re a fucking dream.”

Jack and Robby stopped in their tracks.

"That's the fucking room." Robby hissed. "This is where I heard them flirt with Den the first time. They're doing it again!"

“Please try to focus on moving your left arm for me.” Dennis is using his customer service voice, which could be kinda hot in some situations, but definitely not if he’s not using it on them.

Robby and Jack, like idiots, burst into the room just to stand menacingly in the doorway and glare at the patient and his girlfriend.

"Is this the troublesome patient, Dr Whitaker?" Abbot scowled, doing his best to look intimidating, and it was very easy for him to do so.

"I can get him transferred to a different hospital in one call." Robby crossed his arms and looked down at the patient. "Just say the word."

Both the girlfriend and the patient swallowed, their eyes wide in confusion and apprehension. Then they turned to Dennis for help, supposedly, because why wouldn't they?

Dennis just let out a sigh, flattered, annoyed, and just needing to get this patient out of his hair before moving on to the next one. "Alright, sir, you seem to be doing well enough. Try to avoid any strenuous activities for at least two weeks. Come back if you have any problems. A nurse will be in here shortly for last-minute questions and to check you out." He finished politely before giving a tight smile.

On the way out, he grabbed Robby and Jack by the arm, hard. "Doctors, I need to speak with you for a moment."

Jack and Robby gulped, exchanging a look and realizing they were in deep shit.

"W-wait, no, Den, I'm sorry, it was Robby's idea! Please-"