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Dennis had to admit the hottest thing he’d ever experienced was being picked up, manhandled and held up against a wall while Jack Abbot hammered into him. He felt his entire body spasm around the rock-hard dick in him, and a moment later he felt Jack shout into his neck, coming himself. “Fuck,” Jack panted against him, before gently lowering Dennis back to his feet. “Christ, you’re good at this,” laughed Jack as he pressed a kiss to Dennis’s neck.
Dennis couldn’t help but grin as he pulled him boxers and pants, before pulling Jack’s back up as well, and then wrapping his own arms around Jack’s neck. “You’re not so bad yourself. I’ll head out first,” capturing another quick, dirty kiss, he grabbed what he’d come in for and made his way out of the storage room.
Several moments later, Jack followed, a sharklike grin on his face and a pep in his step. Neither man noticed the scowl Michael had while watching from the nurse’s station a ways away. “What’s wrong, Pretty boy?” Trinity Santos questioned as she stepped up to the counter beside him, glancing around him to see Jack walking out with swagger. “Oooooh, Himbo and Huckleberry are hooking up? Good for them,” she grinned.
Michael’s head snapped over, “What? I—Pretty boy?” He demanded. “I thought I was Robby?”
She shrugged, “You are, we’re all calling you Doctor Robby, but I mean I’m not going to call you that to your face. Seriously, why are you so sour, get dumped?”
“Shut up.” He grumbled before he grabbed a chart and stalked away. She looked to Perlah and Princess, who were both grinning like the Cheshire cat.
“Well, he’s in a mood,” Trinity muttered.
“Probably because his roommates are hooking up and he’s not involved,” Perlah commented in Taglog.
“I have to admit, I thought Robby and Abbot were already hooking up, but this is new,” Trinity replied.
“Ahmed has a whole betting board, bets on Robby lasting another week before he corners one or both of them and ruts one of them like a rabid dog.”
“Oh my god,” laughed Trinity as she grabbed her own pad, “Put me down for ten on nailing both of them. He’s got some major poly energy.”
o0o0o
That evening, Michael was helping his grandmother in the kitchen, his frowning getting increasingly disgruntled as he heard Jack and Dennis laughing from the living room over whatever Dennis was studying.
“What’s wrong, Pup?” she questioned, bumping into his side.
He stabbed the vegetable he’d been cutting, “Nothing.”
“Right, and that I guess that pepper just offended your ancestors. Michael, talk to me. You’ve been miserable ever since those two started hooking up.”
“Oh god, please don’t use that term,” Robby gagged as he covered his ears.
She laughed, “What, I’m hip.”
He chuckled, voice deep and laugh rich as he looked at her, “You’re really not. I’m sorry…I’m happy for them—”
“You just wish you were a part of it?” she questioned, probing slightly.
He shrugged, “I guess, I don’t know, is that allowed? Why am I having this conversation with my seventy-year-old grandmother?”
“I would point to my earlier statement, but you said I wasn’t hip. Michael, threesome and polyamory, have been around long before you came into the world, and I imagine they’ll continue to be around long after we’re all gone. You know Jack loves you, and that boy would do anything for you. I also know Dennis looks up to you and watches you with such devotion. All you’d have to do is ask.”
“But—what if I ruin their relationship.”
She turned, taking the knife from his hands, and grabbed his face, “How on earth could you possibly do that, if they’re both consenting adults, baby? You’re simply giving them more to love. Look, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, and if you truly don’t think you three would make a happy group, then find someone and stop being a miserable child.” She gently slapped his cheek, before turning back to the stove.
Michael chuckled, shaking his head and turning back to chopping his veggies. Despite what he and his gram spoke about, it was still hard to watch Dennis and Jack talking so animatedly about everything. He knew his jealousy was absurd, they weren’t overly touchy, or being inappropriate, in fact they weren’t doing anything more than what Jack and Mike had been doing only months earlier—acting like best friends. But now, Mike knew what it felt like to feel left out and he hated it.
So, he did what any mature, male in his late twenties would do, he avoided them both and acted like he couldn’t stand to be around them. By midnight he was lying on his bed, staring at his cellphone.
To Trinity
Am I fucked up?
To Robby
100% Like super fucked up, dude. But then, aren’t we all.
What’s your glitch this time? Also, you know we have a shift in the
morning?
To Trinity
I keep acting like I hate them, and rationally, I know that’s not the
right answer at all. But I can’t fucking stop
To Robby
You need to get laid, dude. Look we’re off for two days
after tomorrow, the girls and I are going to a gay bar for
karaoke, why don’t you join us. Himbo and Huck can come too.
To Trin
Does Jack know you call him that?
To Robby
He thinks it’s hilarious, asshole.
To Trin
Fine, I’ll join but undecided on the getting laid.
To Robby
I’ll take it. Go to sleep.
o0o0o
The next day was a busy flurry of patients, with winter right around the corner, colds, flus and other various illnesses were sweeping the city, on top of all the other crazy shit that came in every day.
Dennis stepped into West 12, his usual easy smile in place as he glanced down at the chart. “Mr. Kirkpatrick—”
He never finished.
Pain detonated across his jaw, cracking through his face as a blow sent him crashing to the floor. Heat flooded his skin—blood pouring down his cheek—as a groan tore from his throat. The man was on him instantly, fists raining down in brutal succession. Words were being shouted, Dennis knew that much, but they sounded distant, muffled, like he was underwater. He clawed and scratched, desperate to get away, every strike sending another jolt of agony through his body.
Rolling onto his back, he gathered what strength he could and swung a wild right cross. Pain burst through his knuckles, shooting up his arm and sparking down his fingertips—but the weight of the larger man shifted, faltered. For a split second, Dennis had an opening.
He scrambled, shoving the door open. “HULA HOOP!” he shouted, voice raw.
He barely got the words out before he was dragged down again. Hands clamped around his throat, squeezing. Hard.
Robby had just left Central 15 when he heard it—“hula hoop,” screamed in a voice that sounded far too much like Dennis.
He didn’t hesitate. Dropping everything, he sprinted around the corner.
The scene froze him for half a second—a filthy, disheveled man straddling Dennis, hands crushing his throat, Dennis’s face turning an alarming shade of red.
Then instinct took over.
Robby lunged, slamming his full weight into the attacker. They hit the ground hard. He drove his knees into the man’s upper arms, pinning them, forcing both wrists against the floor. “I NEED HELP IN HERE!” he bellowed.
Footsteps thundered in response.
“Jesus, what the fuck!?” Jack’s voice cut through the chaos as he dropped beside Dennis.
“Is he okay? Jack, is he breathing?” Robby demanded, barely able to keep the man beneath him contained.
“Breathing—but wheezy,” Jack replied, already assessing. “Let’s get him on a gurney, trauma room now. Someone get me a c-collar—I’m worried about spinal damage.”
Ahmed and two members of security rushed in and took over the attacker. Robby was already moving to Dennis’s side as they loaded him onto the gurney.
“Jesus…” Robby breathed. “He’s already bruising.” The damage was stark—darkening blue blooming across his jaw, his nose crooked, vivid handprints marking his throat. And that was just what they could see.
Adamson stepped forward, voice calm but sharp. “Get him on O₂. I don’t like those breath sounds. Call radiology—I want a CT and X-ray, front of the line. It’s one of ours.” He leaned closer. “Dennis, kiddo, it’s Monty. Can you hear me?”
Jack performed a sternum rub, and Dennis’s blue eyes fluttered open. “Hula—”
“We know,” Monty said gently. “You’re safe now.”
“Bilateral breath sounds are normal—no rib or lung damage. Sounds like it’s localized to the throat,” McKay reported, slipping her stethoscope away.
“FAST negative—no free fluid. Significant bruising, but nothing internal,” Samira added.
Relief surged through Robby as he checked Dennis’s pupils with a penlight. “Hey, handsome—what’s your name?”
“Dennis,” he rasped. His voice sounded shredded, like broken glass. “I—I hit him.”
“The guy who attacked you?” Robby clarified.
A faint nod.
Then Dennis seemed to realize the brace around his neck. Panic flared. His hands shot up, clawing at it, trying to rip it off.
Robby caught his wrists, careful of the IV already in place. That was when he noticed the swelling in Dennis’s right hand. “His hand’s broken,” he called out. “He landed a solid hit.”
“Dennis, baby, we can’t take it off yet,” Jack murmured, stationed at his head, fingers gently threading through sweat-damp curls.
“Please—get it off—I—” Tears welled in his eyes, and Robby felt his chest tighten painfully. He glanced at Jack, who looked just as shaken.
“Shhh,” Jack soothed. “We will, okay? As soon as we can.”
“Any pain in your neck or back?” Adamson asked, palpating carefully.
“No…” Dennis whimpered.
Adamson nodded. “Go ahead, remove it—but keep his head still.”
“Am I in trouble?” Dennis asked as Robby unfastened the brace and Jack lifted it away with steady care.
“No,” Adamson said firmly. “You defended yourself. You are well within your rights.”
Jack checked along Dennis’s spine, and his hands were steady. “Everything feels aligned.”
“Good,” Adamson confirmed. “No head movement until we get imaging—but we’ll leave the brace off.”
“Throat swelling, soft tissue injury. O₂ in the 90s—we monitor him today and overnight,” Robby added.
Adamson nodded. “Agreed. Radiology now. Abbot, Robby—go with him. Bring him back after.”
o0o0o
Radiology took Dennis immediately, leaving Robby and Jack standing in the hallway, both a little unsteady, adrenaline still crashing through them.
“I—I’m going to call Bubbe,” Robby whispered, hands shaking.
But before he could move, Jack grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in.
For a second, Robby went rigid—then he collapsed into him, pressing his face into Jack’s shoulder. His hands fisted in his shirt as a broken sob tore free.
Jack held him just as tightly, his own face buried against Robby’s neck, breath uneven. “I was so scared,” he admitted softly.
“Me too,” Robby choked. “When I saw that patient on him—”
Jack pressed a gentle kiss to his neck before pulling back slightly. “I’m sorry. We’ve… we’ve been distant with you.”
Robby shook his head. “I didn’t want to come between you two.”
Jack let out a quiet laugh. “You’re an idiot.”
Then he leaned in and kissed him—brief, certain.
“We want you,” Jack said when he pulled back. “Both of us. We’ve talked about it. We were going to bring it up soon.”
Robby blinked, heart still racing—but for a very different reason now. “I… I think I’d like that.”
“You want me to call Edith?” Jack asked, his thumb still brushing Robby’s neck.
Robby shook his head, “No. That’d scare her more.” He paused, “Will you stay with me?”
Jack nodded, and they moved over to a small waiting room. Robby sank down, cell in hand and pushed his Bubbe’s contact number.
She answered on the second ring, “Michael, sweetheart, what’s wrong, you never call me during work.”
“Bubbe, there was—there was an accident, Dennis is hurt. He’s going to be fine but…” Michael sniffled, trying to control his emotions. “He could probably use a mom figure, or grandmother.”
“I’m on my way, baby. I’ll see you soon, will you be in the ER?”
“Uh, yeah, probably. Just let Lupe know at the front desk you’re here for me. She’ll bring you back.” He cleared his throat slightly.
“I’ll be right there. You boys just take care of our young man.” She encouraged, before disconnecting the call.
“Well?” Jack asked.
Robby nodded, “She’s on her way.”
A nurse stepped out, “Dr. Robby, Abbot, Dr. Whitaker is done, you can take him back downstairs, we’ll have the images ready to read by the time you get down there.”
“Thanks, Linda,” Robby replied with a soft smile. “How’s he doing?”
She smiled, “He’s a little more aware of his surroundings.” A moment later the doors to radiology swung open and Dennis was wheeled out, he was sitting up at a thirty-degree angle now, eyes less hazy with pain.
“Hey, kid,” Jack greeted as they joined the side of gurney, headed to the elevator.
Dennis just waved, clearly having finally got the message that talking wasn’t encouraged now. That, or he’d realized it hurt to speak. The bruises looked more vibrant in the twenty minutes he’d been back in radiology.
They made it back down to the ED, and settled Dennis in one of the central rooms, Adamson stepped in, along with Dana. “Well, you certainly gave everyone a scare, kiddo.” Monty said with a soft smile.
“Sorry,” Dennis croaked, though it sounded more like ‘ory’.
“No apology necessary. This wasn’t your fault, son. The patient who attacked you was on meth, which is likely why he attacked you, he’s got police in front of his room now until he’s off his high and can be arrested. I’m sorry this happened to you. Now, would you like to go over your scans?”
Dennis gave him a slight nod, wincing likely from the pain in his head, face and throat. Monty brought up the images on the pad in his hand. “As we assumed, you did fracture a couple bones in your hand. We’re going to put you in a splint for about four weeks and then do a new X-ray. Your nose is also fractured; I’m going to do a reduction shortly, but you’ll probably always have a small bump in the bridge. Your skull CT is good, no hemorrhaging, no bruising even. Your throat has some swelling inside, but most of it is external. Since you live with two doctors, and are one yourself, we’re going to let you go home at the end of the shift. We’ll keep you under observation until then.”
There was a knock on the glass door, and they all turned to see Lupe standing there, with Edith at her side. Edith ignored everyone, gasping at the sight of Dennis. “Honey,” she hurried to Dennis’s side. Dennis’s looked utterly shocked to see her, as she reached out slowly, hesitant to touch his face, but clearly longing to take his face into her hands. “I trust the man who did this is under control?” She demanded looking at Dr. Adamson.
Dr. Adamson for his part was smirking as he nodded, “Yes ma’am, are you Dennis’s mother?”
“Charmer,” she waved him off. “I’m Edith Robinavitch, I’m Michael’s grandmother, but these three boys are mine,” she said looking at Michael, Jack and Dennis, before she gently ran her hand through Dennis’s curls. “Is he going to be alright?”
“Yes, he’ll be just fine, sore for a few days, may have trouble talking today and tomorrow. We’d recommend he save his voice at least today and keep the talking limited tomorrow as well. We’ve got his shifts covered for the rest of the week, I’d like him to rest up, and he can return on Saturday. We’ll work around the hand situation, when you return, son.”
Dennis nodded, his eyes taking on the familiar look of a kicked puppy. Jack stepped forward, “Hey, no feeling guilty, it’s like Dr. Adamson said, this wasn’t your fault, Den. You did nothing wrong.” He stepped over to Edith, “We gotta get back to work, gram. Can you keep him company til we’re done for the day?”
“Of course, baby. Go be doctors, I can take care of Denny.” She replied.
Robby and Jack both gave their boy a longing look, before dropping kisses to his cheek, and heading out the door. Dr. Adamson smiled at Dennis, “You’ve got those two wrapped around your little finger, you know that, right?”
Dennis shrugged, as if he was clueless to his power over those two, all he knew was he adored them just as deeply. Monty just shook his head, “You three are going to be best team this ER has ever seen. Coupled with Dana over here, I think you’ll be unstoppable.
Now, we need to set your nose and get your hand cast. Do you want anything for the pain?”
“I’m fine,” he replied, his voice still scratchy. He reached over with his good hand to Edith, who gladly took his hand in return and held it in both hers.
Adamson nodded, scooting to the edge of the bed, he shifted Dennis, so he was seated upright, and gently put his thumbs on either side of the boy’s nostrils. “On three, ready?” A moment later a small crack echoed through the room, tears gathering in Dennis’s eyes. “How’s that feel, kiddo?”
“Ow,” he mumbled weakly.
Adamson chuckled, “Sorry. Alright, Dana and Perlah are going to handle your casting. Sit tight, need anything?”
“Hot drink?”
“We can do that; I’ll see if someone wants to do a coffee and tea run. Anything specific?”
“He likes Earl Grey with a splash of milk,” Edith replied looking at her boy. He smiled, leaning his head into her side and nodded. She gently stroked his forehead and hair.
“Great, we’ll bring that. I’d recommend some lemon, ginger and honey later for your throat. But any tea is fine for now.” Adamson said before he gave Dennis’s knee a squeeze and left the room.
Dana smiled at them both, before she moved to the cabinet in the room and began to pull out what she needed to put his hand and wrist in a cast. Perlah stepped inside. “We’re glad you’re okay, Dennis.”
“Thanks.”
Dana moved over towards him, “Alright, you good with navy blue?” Dennis just nodded. “You’re going to hold your hand like a loose curve, like you’re holding a tennis or baseball in your hand.” She waited as he made the hand gesture she described, she changed a few small things, moving his thumb down slightly. “Sock that goes underneath to protect your skin. Then we’ll do a layer of gauze and then the fiberglass. This will feel warm for about an hour or two after we put it on, that’s normal, it’s the fiberglass drying.”
“Kay.”
“Can he shower in it, or does he need one of those covers?”
Dana looked at Edith, “Guessing this isn’t your first rodeo. He can technically get it wet, but I find most patients dislike that because it leaves the skin underneath itchy, and obviously it takes awhile to dry, it can get gross over time. I recommend just getting a cover. We may have one around here, but you can pick one up at the pharmacy too.”
Putting the cast on took about ten minutes, before both nurse’s left the pair alone, Dana turned the lights down, “Give me a shout if you need anything, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dana.”
Dennis watched as Edith fixed the blankets on his bed, helped him settle and then gently fussed over him. It was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. His mother had never been one for fussing, even less so his brothers and father. But here was this woman, not related to him at all, sitting beside him and gently caressing his curls, while his eyes threatened to slide shut.
“You can rest, baby.”
“Tea,” he mumbled.
She chuckled, “We can reheat it, or get another one, baby.”
“Why’re you here?” he asked quietly, confusion in his tired eyes.
She smiled at him, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead, “Because you’re worth it, baby.”
o0o0o
It was nearly 7:30, before they finally got Dennis’s discharge papers finished and the boys were done with their shift. The four slowly made their way out, Edith offered to drop them off for their shift tomorrow, so they could all ride together tonight, since it was clear no one wanted to leave Dennis.
By the time they arrived back at the apartment, it was clear Dennis’s head was throbbing and the most he’d be eating today was smoothies and tea, so Edith disappeared into the kitchen to get the boys’ food, while making a smoothie for Dennis. Meanwhile, Jack and Robby moved the living room around enough to pull out the sofa bed, all three deciding they’d cram on it for the night, rather than make Dennis try the stairs. Once arranged, Jack ran upstairs to find his and Robby’s comfiest clothes, before returning and they both helped get him changed into baggy sweats and a comfortable t-shirt v-neck that wouldn’t hurt his throat.
They situated Dennis in the center, propped up by a mountain of pillows and blankets from each of their own beds, then Jack and Robby joined the kid on the bed. “You guys don’t have to keep me—”
“Stop talking,” Jack ordered, it wasn’t unkind, but it was as much to make Dennis realize they wanted to be here as it was to discourage him from using his abused throat.
“Thanks,” Dennis croaked, before leaning into Jack.
“I was an ass,” Robby said suddenly, unable to meet their eyes. Dennis turned and looked at the man.
“Not really new,” muttered Jack, who hissed when Dennis whacked his thigh with his good wrist.
“No, I mean it. I was avoiding you both because I didn’t know how to deal with the fact that…that you both had something I wanted, or wanted in on I guess. And once I realized I’d missed out, I was so afraid to ask and risk ruining what you have—” Robby shrugged.
Dennis reached out, casted hand, and interlaced his fingers with Robby, pulling the man close. “You won’t mess up anything,” he assured the older man. “Though, next time if you could come to this conclusion with less workplace violence, that’d be great.”
Jack snorted, while Robby let out a quiet huff of laughter as he pressed his face gently into Dennis’s blonde curls. “Noted,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the curls.
“Guess we’re doing this,” Jack offered softly, as he reached over to Dennis’s lap and placed his hand atop Robby and Dennis’s.
“Guess so,” Robby replied.
“Do I need to give you three some privacy?” Edith asked, making all of them jump.
“Hell no—there’s always room for one more!” Jack called back with a grin.
She laughed. “Oh, sweetheart, there absolutely is not. I’m already concerned that couch is hanging on by a thread with the three of you. Good thing our Mouse barely weighs a thing.” She handed over two bowls of matzo ball soup and a smoothie for Dennis. “There’s more in the kitchen if you boys want seconds.”
“Thanks,” came the chorus from her three favorite boys.
Edith settled into her usual armchair, opening her book as they turned on some mindless TV. She kept her eyes on the pages—but didn’t really read a word, quietly keeping watch over them.
End