The Quiet Knowing
Summary: You’ve learned how to exist between shifts—between exhaustion and routine, between loneliness and something that almost feels like belonging. Between them. The flirting is easy. The closeness is easier. It’s always been just a joke… right?
Until someone crosses a line. And suddenly, everything you’ve been pretending not to feel becomes impossible to ignore.
Pairing: Jack Abbot x F/Reader x Michael Robinavitch
Warnings: workplace harassment (non-graphic), unwanted physical contact, emotional distress/anxiety response, angst
This is a work of fanfiction based on The Pitt. I do not own The Pitt or any related characters or settings; all original material belongs to their respective creators.
{----------------------------------------------------------------------------}
The ER never really slept.
It shifted.
It breathed differently depending on the hour—sharp and frantic during the day, quieter but heavier at night, like the walls themselves were tired. Monitors still beeped. Gurneys still rolled. Voices still carried—but softer, edged with exhaustion instead of urgency.
You had learned to exist somewhere in between.
Day shift, night shift—it didn’t matter anymore. You were wherever they needed you, filling gaps, covering shortages, becoming something steady in a place that rarely allowed for it.
And somehow, in the middle of all that unpredictability, you had found two people who made it feel… manageable.
Dr Michael Robinavitch.
Dr Jack Abbot.
And God, that had been your first mistake.
{--------------------}
That morning started like most others—controlled chaos, clipped instructions, and too many patients at once.
You barely had time to think before you were already moving, slipping into rhythm beside Jack as he worked a case.
“BP’s dropping,” you said, adjusting the IV flow without being asked.
“I see it,” Jack replied, already shifting position. “Let’s stabilise before we—”
“Already ahead of you,” you cut in, handing him what he needed before he even finished.
Jack glanced at you briefly, something impressed flickering across his face. “You trying to make me look bad, sweetheart?”
You didn’t look up. “You do that all on your own.”
A quiet huff of laughter left him, and despite everything, warmth settled low in your chest.
The two of you moved in sync after that—passing instruments, adjusting monitors, anticipating each other’s next step like it was second nature.
It always felt like that with him.
Easy.
Too easy.
By the time the patient was stable, the tension in the room had eased slightly.
Jack stepped back, running a hand through his hair. “Nice work.”
“You too, hun,” you replied lightly, already moving to tidy up.
The nickname slipped out without thought.
It always did.
And neither of you acknowledged it—just like always.
{--------------------}
You didn’t notice Dr. Park standing in the doorway.
But he noticed you.
{--------------------}
“Does he always call you that?”
You blinked, turning slightly to see Dr Park standing just a little too close.
“Call me what?” you asked, already feeling something in your shoulders tighten.
“Sweetheart. Hun.” He tilted his head, lips quirking. “Feels… familiar. For work, anyway.”
You forced a small, polite smile. “That’s just how he talks.”
Park hummed, clearly unconvinced. His eyes dragged over you in a way that made your skin prickle. “Right.”
You shifted your weight, subtly stepping back. “Did you need something? I can page—”
“Nah,” he cut in, still looking at you like he was trying to figure something out. “Just observing.”
Something about the way he said it didn’t sit right.
You nodded anyway. “Okay.”
And then you turned away, because that was easier.
{--------------------} It wasn’t long before the pace of the ER slowed just enough for you to catch your breath.
You found yourself at one of the workstations, pulling up lab results, trying to focus on the numbers in front of you.
“Miss something?”
Robby’s voice was low, familiar, and close enough to make your shoulders relax before you even looked at him.
“Maybe,” you admitted, shifting slightly to give him space.
He didn’t take it.
Instead, he stepped in behind you, one hand settling lightly at your lower back as he leaned over your shoulder.
“Here,” he murmured, pointing at the screen. “That level’s off.”
You leaned in slightly, following his finger. “Oh—I see it.”
“Careful,” he added, voice softer now, closer to your ear. “You’re usually sharper than that.”
You huffed a quiet laugh, heat creeping up your neck. “Long shifts.”
“Still,” he said, his hand lingering just a second longer than necessary, “can’t have you slipping on me.”
Your fingers stilled for half a second before you forced them to move again.
“I’ll try to meet your expectations,” you said lightly.
“That’s a dangerous promise,” he murmured.
You ducked your head, smiling despite yourself.
Behind you, Robby didn’t move immediately.
And across the room, Park watched the entire interaction—his expression shifting from curiosity to something sharper.
{--------------------}
It wasn’t subtle.
Not to anyone paying attention.
And unfortunately, Park was.
{--------------------}
The next lull came in waves—brief pockets of quiet between patients.
You ended up at a central station not long after, leaning against the counter while updating charts. This time, there was more space—open on both sides, foot traffic moving behind you.
It didn’t take long before Robby leaned casually against the counter beside you, close enough that your shoulders brushed every now and then.
Jack stood on your other side, angled slightly toward you, elbow resting on top of the counter as he leaned in.
It wasn’t intentional.
It never was.
It just… happened.
“You’re both wrong,” you said, eyes fixed on the screen as you scrolled.
“Unlikely,” Jack replied immediately.
“Statistically improbable,” Robby added.
You glanced between them, unimpressed. “You didn’t even hear what I was going to say.”
“Don’t need to,” Jack said.
You rolled your eyes. “Arrogant.”
“Confident,” Robby corrected.
“Annoying,” you shot back.
Jack laughed softly. “You love us.”
Your fingers paused.
Just for a second.
You forced a shrug. “I tolerate you.”
“Harsh,” Robby murmured, but his tone was warm.
Jack leaned slightly closer, voice dropping. “That hurt, sweetheart.”
You shook your head, hiding your smile as you turned back to the screen.
That’s when Park approached.
This time, you noticed.
“Well,” he said, stopping just behind the open side of the station, “this is… cozy.”
You straightened, slightly moving away from the counter, instinctively creating space between you and the others. “Dr Park.”
His gaze moved between the three of you, lingering on how close Jack and Robby stood.
Then it landed on you.
“Didn’t realise we were running a social club down here,” he added.
“We’re working,” Robby said evenly.
“Right,” Park replied, though he didn’t sound convinced. “Looks like it.”
You forced a polite smile. “Was there something you needed?”
“Maybe,” he said, stepping a little closer—into your space, not theirs. “Thought you might help me out.”
“I can call Dana—”
“I asked you,” he interrupted.
Your stomach tightened.
“I’m in the middle of something,” you said carefully.
Park tilted his head, a smirk tugging at his mouth. “Didn’t think you’d be the type to brush people off.”
Jack shifted slightly beside you.
“She’s busy,” he said.
Park glanced at him. “Didn’t ask you.”
Robby’s posture straightened. “She gave you an answer.”
For a moment, the air felt tight.
Then Park stepped back with a small, dismissive shrug.
“Another time,” he said.
But as he moved past, his shoulder brushed yours—lingering just a fraction too long to be accidental.
You froze.
And this time, both Robby and Jack saw it clearly.
{--------------------}
After that, it didn’t stop.
It escalated.
It started with comments—sharp, quiet, just enough to make you second-guess yourself.
“You always this shy, or just pretending?”
“You don’t talk much. That intentional?”
“Funny how you’re chatty with them, though.”
Each one landed heavier than the last.
Each one you tried to ignore.
Then came the hovering.
The way he’d stand too close when you were charting.
The way his eyes lingered when you moved around the room.
The way he’d corner you in small spaces—supply rooms, hallways, places where leaving meant brushing past him.
The supply room was the worst.
You stepped inside to grab something quick—gauze, you thought—and barely had time to turn before he was there.
Blocking the doorway.
“Didn’t expect to see you hiding in here,” Park said.
“I’m not hiding,” you replied, already stepping toward the exit.
He didn’t move.
“Relax,” he said, smirking. “You act like I’m dangerous.”
Your grip tightened around the supplies in your hand. “I just need to get back to—”
His hand landed lightly on your arm.
You froze.
It wasn’t forceful.
But it wasn’t right.
“I’ve been trying to talk to you all shift,” he said, voice quieter now. “You keep avoiding me.”
“I’m working,” you said, pulling your arm back.
He let go—but his expression shifted.
“Funny,” he muttered. “Doesn’t seem like you have a problem making time for them.”
The implication sat heavy in the air.
Your throat tightened.
“I have to go,” you said, stepping past him this time.
He didn’t stop you.
But you could feel his gaze on your back as you left.
{--------------------}
By the time you made it back into the ER, your hands were shaking.
You didn’t realise how visible it was.
But the others did.
{--------------------}
“You need to talk to them.”
You blinked, looking up at one of the nurses—Mara—who was watching you with a knowing expression.
“About what?” you asked, though you had a feeling you knew.
“Don’t play dumb,” she said gently. “We’ve all seen it.”
You swallowed. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing,” she countered. “And you shouldn’t have to deal with it alone.”
“I’m not—” You stopped, shaking your head. “It’s fine. Really.”
Mara didn’t look convinced.
But she didn’t push.
Not to you, anyway.
{--------------------}
Jack found out first.
Then Robby.
{--------------------}
Park didn’t expect to be stopped in the hallway.
But he was.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Jack’s voice was calm.
Too calm.
Park frowned. “Excuse me?”
“You’ve been following her all shift,” Jack continued. “Cornering her. Touching her.”
“I didn’t—”
“Don’t,” Robby cut in, stepping beside him. “We’ve seen it.”
Park’s jaw tightened. “You’re reading too much into it.”
“Am I?” Jack asked.
Silence.
“She’s uncomfortable,” Robby said. “That should be enough.”
Park scoffed, but there was less confidence now. “You two her bodyguards?”
“No,” Jack said. “We’re the reason you stop.”
Another beat of silence.
Then—
“Fine,” Park muttered, stepping back. “Whatever.”
But he didn’t look happy about it.
{--------------------}
You didn’t know any of that had happened.
All you knew was that you couldn’t breathe properly inside anymore.
{--------------------}
The roof was quiet.
That was the only thing that mattered.
You sat on the ledge, knees drawn in slightly, staring out at the city lights below.
Up here, the noise faded.
The pressure eased.
But your hands were still shaking.
You hated that.
Hated how small it made you feel.
Hated that you hadn’t said anything sooner.
Footsteps echoed behind you.
You tensed immediately.
“It’s just us.”
Robby.
You exhaled slowly, shoulders dropping as you glanced back.
Jack stood beside him.
Of course he did.
“You disappeared,” Jack said, softer now.
“I just needed air,” you replied.
They didn’t leave.
Instead, they moved closer—slow, careful.
Like they didn’t want to spook you.
“You okay?” Robby asked.
You nodded.
Too quickly.
“Hey,” Jack said gently, stepping closer. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Pretend.”
Your throat tightened.
“I’m fine,” you said again—but your voice cracked this time.
Silence settled between you.
Then—
“Park.”
The word alone made your shoulders tense.
You looked away.
“It wasn’t— I mean, it wasn’t that bad,” you said quickly. “He didn’t really—”
“Hey,” Robby said softly. “You don’t have to minimise it.”
“I just didn’t want to cause problems,” you admitted, voice small now. “I didn’t want to make it into something bigger.”
“You wouldn’t be,” Jack said immediately.
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Robby added.
You swallowed hard. “I just didn’t know what to do.”
Jack’s expression softened. “You come to us.”
The simplicity of it hit harder than anything else.
“Why?” you asked quietly.
They both stilled.
“Because we care about you,” Robby said.
“More than we probably should,” Jack added.
You looked at them then.
Really looked.
And something in their expressions—something honest, something vulnerable—made your chest tighten.
“Oh,” you whispered.
“We didn’t want to overwhelm you,” Robby admitted.
“We thought it was just us,” Jack said. “Didn’t want to risk ruining what we had.”
You let out a shaky breath. “I thought the same thing.”
That caught them off guard.
“I thought it was just joking,” you said. “The flirting, the nicknames… I didn’t think you meant it.”
“We did,” Robby said quietly.
“Every bit,” Jack added.
Your heart raced.
“Then why didn’t you say anything?”
“Same reason you didn’t,” Robby said.
You huffed softly. “That’s… frustrating.”
Jack laughed under his breath. “Yeah.”
A pause.
Then—
“So what now?” you asked.
They exchanged a look.
Then turned back to you.
“That’s your call,” Robby said.
For the first time all night, you felt steady.
Not overwhelmed.
Not small.
Just… sure.
“Then I think,” you said slowly, “we stop pretending.”
Jack’s smile softened. “You sure?”
You nodded.
“Yeah,” you said. “I am.”
Robby stepped closer, his hand brushing yours—hesitant.
You didn’t pull away.
Jack shifted beside you, close enough that you could feel the warmth of him there.
And this time—
It didn’t feel uncertain.
It felt right.
{--------------------}
Below you, the ER kept moving.
But up here—
For once—
Everything slowed.
