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"I said I don't want to talk about it."
Robby took a deep breath in, and exhaled slowly. Flexing his knuckles by his sides, he looked at Dennis as he sat down next to Trinity at the end of the isle.
This wasn't their first argument. They've been official for three months now after a year of sneaking around. HR was a battle easily won, but winning over Trinity took time.
She sent him a glare and muttered something to Dennis who already had earphones on.
All progress lost. Great.
This wasn't their first argument, but Robby hoped it would be the last, because it certainly was the worst. And it was stupid. They were at a medical conference in San Francisco adn it was going well. It was as boring as they expected it would be. So, naturally, the crew set their sights on the nearest bar to lift their spirits.
The girls took over the karaoke stage which almost got them kicked out. Dennis mostly hovered over Robby who ushered him to go have fun. And he did, he had a blast with his girls, dancing on a table at one point. Everybody whooped when he took his shirt off and started some line dance, country accent slipping out. People gathered around him, joining in the fun and snapping selfies. Almost everyone. A guy approached Robby who was left alone for a moment by Jack who had to take a piss.
And the younger man was relentless. Rubbing himself against Robby and whispering obscenities that made even him cringe. So, he declined his advances politely and turned his back to him. That unfortunately didn't stop him, because the next second he was in front of Robby, pulling him down by his tie and smashing their faces together.
Of course he pushed him away. Of fucking course he did. But the damage was done.
He would never forget the look on Dennis's face. His lips pressed into a thin line as he jumped off the table and left.
And it was stupid, because Dennis knew Robby didn't do anything wrong. And he knew it wasn't his fault. But he was drunk, his mind was foggy, and he was feeling betrayed by the man he loved.
He slept with Trinity and Samira that night, avoiding Robby like the plague.
And here they were now, Dennis in the far back, while Robby was next to the emergency exit with Jack.
But it would be fine. They'll get off, he'll catch up with Dennis before he left with Trinity and they will make up. Easy as that. It might take a sleepless night of kisses and quiet nothings whispered into his ear, but he was ready to make that sacrifice.
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It started out as some minor turbulence. People ignored it for the most part, mostly annoyed by it. Then it turned into loud grinding noise that you definitely don't want to hear while flying 7 miles off the ground. People panicked then, masks dropped and lights blared.
He wanted to stand up and go back with Dennis, but Jack held him back, yelling that he was being stupid and that everything would be okay. But Robby saw Dennis, saw his eyes widen in fear, Trinity yelling at him to hold on.
And Jack was a fucking liar, because it wasn't fine.
If it was fine, the plane wouldn't have snapped on impact, leaving bits behind while the front kept going.
If it was fine, Robby would now be with Dennis, not pulling strangers from under the rubble.
"We have to help!" Jack shook his shoulder, trying to pull him back to present.
"Dennis-"
"Will be fine. He's a doctor, he knows what to do." Jack left him then.
Robby looked around at people screaming and crying, some tried to help, some were dead, some bleeding with their bones sticking out and parts of the plane sticking out of them.
But he started moving. Because his bubba always said that you help when you can. Because Dennis taught him to care about strangers.
It's been at least an hour since the crash, the adrenaline was seeping out of them all, people slumping against trees and huddling together for warmth. Cassie started a fire while Dana directed the less injured folk to help build a shelter.
Most of his people were there, all except Trinity and Dennis.
They were all okay from what he gathered. Dana splinted her left arm before helping others. Jack had to wrap a piece of metal around his prosthetic with some cloth to keep it in one piece. Cassie and Victoria were cut up pretty badly, but were bandaged up and digging still. Matteo... didn't make it. Victoria held his hand as he bled out, he was crushed by the seats in front of his. The elderly couple in his row died on impact, ribs cracking open immediately. Cassie had to drag her away from him. He'll be hearing that scream for the rest of his life.
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Dennis would call himself a lucky guy.
He has the best people surrounding him, friends he knows will never leave. He has Trinity who has been like a sister, helping him figure himself out and always standing with him.
He had Robby. God, he was the luckiest man alive.
Never in his life did he imagine he would be this loved. His parents beat that idea out of him long time ago. But now, he knows nothing but love. He's drunk on it, feeling it from the top of his head to the tips of his toes.
But he can't feel his toes right now. He can't feel many things actually. Dennis suspects it might be because of the shard sticking out of solar plexus, no doubt piercing through him.
What he could feel was regret. For fighting with Robby last night, for leaving his parents without saying goodbye, for disappointing God.
And that's such a funny thought now. Did he ever disappoint him, really? He's saving lives, helping people. He has a family. He will.... maybe he will get married to Robby one day. He has imagined it. A simple ceremony somewhere warm, he doesn't want to get married in the Pittsburgh winter. The cold makes him uncomfortable.
But he wasn't cold right now. Trinity covered him with a blanked and her palm was warm against his.
"No, Huckleberry, hey, Dennis, don't cry, please." She whispered next to him, wiping his tears away.
"I was so stupid Trin." he felt his lip wobble "So, so stupid. I knew he didn't do anything and-"
"No, none of that. They will get here soon and then the two of you can make up and kiss or whatever it is you do with him."
He let out a wet chuckle at that, Trinity laughing too.
"Dis you help that girl?" he finally looked at her. By the was her eyebrows furrowed he knew the answer. "I'm sorry."
"She lost both her legs, there was nothing I- nothing anyone could've done."
A silence fell over them again.
"Catch any signal?"
"No." she muttered, fumbling with a phone she found while looking for survivors "I think I need to go higher."
"Then go higher."
"Good one, Huckle, I'm not leaving you alone."
"I'll be fine, I'm a big boy."
She let out another wet laugh and squeezed his hand tighter. Obviously turning the idea over in her head.
"Just for a minute. I'll be quick."
"Go."
And she did. She ran uphill, her lungs burning as she did so. But they needed her, Dennis needed her.
She was a doctor. A great fucking doctor. And she knew that there was nothing she could do. At least not here, maybe in a hospital, but not here. It was a miracle he was still conscious and not crashing. So she thanked whatever god him and Robby were no doubt praying to and continued going up.
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"Anything?" Robby looked over at Dana, who miraculously managed to not lose her phone.
She shook her head with a grim expression.
They did everything they could, saved who they could, covered the ones they couldn't and said a short prayer.
Jack, with a solemn expression, advised them against going searching for the rest of the people. It was nightfall, it was getting colder and they were all tired as they were. Searching would only tire them, out more and possibly be fatal if they had some internal injuries they didn't know about.
Then Dana shot up.
"I got you baby, just breathe." her knuckles were white around the phone.
Someone picked up.
"Okay, okay, I'll give you to Jack, he'll tell you what to do."
The phonecall was a blur for Robby. All he could hear was his blood rushing and heart beating. Softly praying that Dennis was okay Please, let him be okay.
When he looked up, Dana and Jack were telling gim something. He just nodded his head and stood up, following them into the woods.
"They should be west, their part crashed before ours, so we need to follow what tracks we can find." Jack muttered, more to himself than the two of them.
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Trinity cried, happy tears this time. They were coming.
She rushed back, sliding down next to Dennis.
"Hey, Den, they're coming."
His eyes fluttered open. He looked so tired, pale and clammy, mouth dry and eyes glassy.
She swallowed.
"You know I love you, right?"
"I love you too Trin. You're like a sister I never had."
"Yeah?" She smiled at him.
"Just hold out a little longer mouse boy. Robby's coming, and the two of you need to make up."
His mouth fell into an oh shape, eyebrows furrowing.
"Oh I messed up Trin. I have- so much to say to him." leaves rustled and branches snapped in the distance "And I'm so tired. And I don't like the cold. And I'm afraid of the dark."
"I want to go home Trinity."
"Yeah... me to Denny. We will, soon."
Robby was there first, his legs and lungs burning from overextension.
"Dennis!" he knelt down next to him. And he looked so small. And he was shivering and Robby wanted to tuck him in tighter but then he saw it.
He saw the metal, the damp earth underneath Dennis, saw Trinity's face.
And he knew.
"Robby I'm so, so sorry. I shouldn't have yelled, I know it wasn't your fault and I feel so stupid now-"
"None of that, please. I'm sorry for getting so worked up. We're okay now, yeah?" he squeezed Denniss hand.
Trinity kissed Dennis on the temple, muttering something about Dana fussing over her. She wanted to give them space. To make up and to say goodbye.
"Yeah, we're fine." Dennis smiled at Robby.
"You scared me there, kid."
"Sorry. Is everyone okay?"
Robby nodded, it was a lie.
"That's good... her Robby, will you marry me?"
Robby laughed at that, actually laughed, his heart giving a little flutter despite the situation.
"I thought you'd never ask." giving Dennis a chaste kiss, he ran his fingers through the golden curls.
"But no winter wedding, I don't-"
"Like the cold, I know baby."
"Yeah..." Denniss eyes closed for a moment, a deep rattling breath settling in his lungs before he opened them again "Do you want to lay down for a bit, you look tired."
"Sure." the word broke on Robby's tongue as he laid down, tucking Dennis into the crook of his neck, planting a soft kiss on the crown of his head.
"Hey Robby." he only hummed in response, not trusting his voice right now "Can you wake me up fpr breakfast?"
"Of course, pancakes?"
"Mhm."
They laid together for a few minutes and his breathing got shallow. His hear slowing down where Robby had his fingers pressed on his neck.
"I luv you. M'sorry. Forgiv'ya. Pleae forgiv'm." he muttered before stilling. His chest didn't rise again.
Jack had to pry Robby away from him, Dana had to hold Trinity up.
Dennis smiled, the bastard. A soft expression on his face, like the one he had when Robby woke up before him, when sun made his curls look like liquid gold.
Robby never liked pancakes, they were too sweet. But Dennis loved them.
Now their smell alone made him throw up.