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“You need to get a bigger bed,” Robby muttered, rubbing his neck as he sat up in bed.
“Me?” Jack asked in surprise, unable to get up because Dennis had rolled over onto his chest during the night and was still asleep. “Aren’t we staying at your place?”
Robby smiled sheepishly at him. “I like your place better,” he said, looking away. “If you don’t mind.”
Of course, Jack didn't mind. Robby was in his place more often than he was in his own apartment. It was filled with trinkets and photos of them together, and it felt more alive. Robby had said that Jack's place was more comfortable, and that he liked bringing things to Jack's place instead of his own. Plus, Jack's place was tailored to his needs. He felt quite comfortable in Robby's apartment, but he missed the little things that kept him at home.
“Okay, we'll discuss this issue. Maybe the guy doesn't want to live with old men,” Jack said quietly, so as not to disturb Dennis.
“I do want to,” he mumbled in his sleep, hugging Jack more tightly with his arm across his chest.
“Whatever you say,” Jack grinned.
Robby got up from the bed and reached for the ceiling, exposing his lower belly, which Jack stared at. “I'm going to make coffee, and you both wake up.” He said, smiling.
He walked around the bed and bent down, kissing Jack and ruffling Dennis' hair, straightening up with a groan. “God, jokes about old people aren't even jokes anymore,” he grumbled as Jack chuckled.
Meanwhile, Dennis lifted his leg over Jack's thighs, straddling him, and slowly raised his head. “Jack, I want you both,” Dennis said confidently, despite his sleepy eyes. “And I mean it. I don't care how old you are. You're sexy enough even for old men.”
“Oh, you're so brave this early in the morning,” Jack joked, but Dennis didn't even smile.
“I'm serious.”
“Okay, I get it, mouse. Really.”
Dennis exhaled and leaned down, kissing him briefly on the cheek. Then he sat on his thighs, stretching up. Jack just wrapped his arms around his thighs and stared at him in awe. Dennis looked down at him, tilting his head to the side, as if he didn’t understand that he was causing Jack to have a brain melt.
“Okay, you definitely make me feel younger…”
“I told you I didn’t doubt your functionality,” Dennis snorted.
“Hah, yeah… Let’s go get breakfast.” Jack slapped his thigh.
“I want to stay.” Dennis protested, falling into Jack’s chest.
He found his lips on Jack’s neck, sucking the skin on the other side.
“Hey, hey, no,” Jack stopped him, pulling him away, no matter how tightly he clung. “Breakfast. And pills. And bed rest for another day.”
Dennis looked disappointed.
Robby peeked into the room, raising his eyebrows in surprise at the sight of Dennis sitting on Jack's lap.
“The boy doesn't listen.” Jack complained, and Robby laughed.
“Okay, okay…” Dennis stood up, approaching Robby for a hug, losing interest in Jack.
“Well, of course, you have a choice.” He chuckled.
“Jack, let’s go.”
***
“Are you going to work tonight?” Robby asked as Jack served up a fresh breakfast.
“Yeah, can you handle it?”
“Sure, I'm almost healthy,” Dennis replied, and Jack snorted.
“Yeah?” He challenged, placing a plate in front of him and grabbing his jaw, forcing him to look at him and open his mouth. “Stick out your tongue.”
Jack pressed his free hand against the back of Dennis's tongue, examining his throat. It wasn't necessary, but he was amused by Dennis' reaction, which caused his eyes to widen for a second before he relaxed.
The throat looked acceptable. When Jack moved to remove his hand, Dennis licked it.
“Behave yourself,” Jack said as he walked away to wash his hands.
They had a quiet breakfast, Jack enjoying the pleasant company and happy that Robby was back. Afterwards, Dennis went to the guest bedroom to catch up on the missed hours of homework. He felt well enough to think straight. Jack settled on the couch with a book while Robby went to unpack the bag he had brought home. Then he unceremoniously lay on top of Jack, resting his head on his chest.
The weight of his body was comforting. Jack put down his book and began to run his fingers through Robbiy's hair.
“So,” he began cautiously, “you can pack up your things, and I'll pick you both up after work. If you're ready. And... I could write to a therapist and make an appointment for you. If you need support, I can go with you. So can Dennis.”
Robby simply mumbled his agreement into his shoulder.
“Hey, talk to me,” Jack said with a smile.
“Okay. Yes, I want to move. And... I feel really awkward...”
“That’s okay. You’ll get help.”
“I know... It’s just... It’s hard.”
“I understand. But we’re here for you.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Robby leaned into him, sighing.
“We need to talk to the kid. About his…”
“Yeah,” Robby agreed.
Jack was worried. These scars couldn’t be a coincidence. And there might be traumas behind them that they needed to know about so they could help. Jack hoped Dennis would be willing to talk to one of them.
***
Dennis sat in his room almost all day, only coming out when his body demanded it and when Jack forced him to eat. He didn't even come out to see Jack off for his shift, and Jack just shook his head.
“Were we like this?” Jack asked Robby, who was leaning against the wall in the hallway.
Robby just shrugged and chuckled. “He’s trying hard.”
“That’s great,” Jack said. “Just make sure you give him his medicine and feed him before bed, or he’ll just sit there.”
Robby nodded.
“You’ll both be okay, right?” Jack asked.
He couldn’t help feeling worried about them.
“We’ll be fine, Jack. Go work in peace.”
“Yeah, I'm sorry,” he stepped closer, wrapping Robby in his arms.
“Do you think I can come back soon?” Robby asked, touching Jack's shoulder with his lips.
“Give yourself a couple of weeks,” he replied, pulling Robby away, holding him by the shoulders, looking straight into his eyes, “Talk to a specialist. He'll understand what's wrong with you and tell you the next steps. And then you can come back. Just not to the detriment of yourself.”
“You don't want to talk about your 'hobby', do you?” Robby suddenly asked, and Jack frowned.
“No,” he replied curtly, “I have to go to work.”
As he walked out the door, Jack sighed. The army wouldn’t let go of him. He could leave, he could work it out with a therapist for as long as he wanted, but he couldn’t live without that adrenaline anymore. Without it, his brain would melt in the silence and tranquility. It was such a strong part of his life that sometimes it was impossible to live without it. There was no tranquility in the emergency room, especially in his post, but it wasn’t the same. He didn't think his behavior was self-destructive. Although many people might disagree with him. And the bruise from the bullet, which was still visible, was proof of that. It was a good thing that Robbie didn't know about it…
***
Robby cautiously peeked into the room, Dennis was sitting hunched over on the bed. In front of him was a pile of books and some notebooks. And he was writing something in one of them and looking at the laptop at the same time.
“Hey, missed a lot?”
Dennis flinched, emerging from the sea of knowledge. “Well... How to say… Not particularly, but... Significantly. I have to work hard.”
“Don't overdo it,” Robby warned. “You still have time while you're on medical leave.”
Dennis grunted in agreement, immersing himself in the text again. Robby tapped his fingers on the doorframe, contemplating.
“Do you mind if we move in with Jack tomorrow? We're not pressuring you, and you can still live wherever you want. You're free to choose in this relationship anyway.”
Dennis turned his full attention to Robby. “Why do you keep talking like I'm going to leave at any moment? Are my words not enough to understand the intentions?”
“Um, no, I'm sorry, it's just… You're still so young…”
“So what?” Dennis frowned, “I'm almost twenty-seven. My frontal lobe is fully developed, so I can make these decisions.”
Robby nodded. He didn't want to argue with the guy. It was their doubt, not his. “Okay... But... Just keep it in mind.”
“Whatever you say,” Dennis turned away again, “And yes,” he added, “I want to go to Jack's place, I've never been there. But I'm going to live with Trinity. I don't want to leave her. And I don't want it to be too fast... You've been together for years, but I haven't…”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well… I actually thought you and Jack were dating. He's the only one who calls you Michael. And only he touches you.” Dennis glanced cautiously over his shoulder, assessing Robby's reaction.
He stood there, somewhat surprised. “Um... that's… That makes sense.”
Dennis chuckled. “How long have you decided that you both need me?” Dennis asked suddenly, and Robby raised his eyebrows.
“Maybe a few months? I'm not sure about Jack,” he replied questioningly, rubbing the back of his neck. “We didn't plan this, kid.”
“I see. I have to work.”
“Okay. Do you think you can give me some time before going to bed?”
“Sure.”
Robby closed the door behind him, chuckling. It was unexplained, but he and Jack couldn't fully treat Dennis like an adult. Which he was, of course, but... He was half their age, with less life experience. On the other hand, looking back at the little he knew about Dennis's past, he'd had to grow up fast. So they had to believe he was capable of making serious decisions. Plus, he's almost a full-fledged doctor, and that's not just words. And they couldn't fully deal with their demons in their heads, and they avoided them like children, so…
Robby was bored for the rest of the evening. Actually, he had been bored for the past two weeks, in between his nervous breakdowns, and he wasn't used to having so much free time. In between his crazy shifts, he slept like a log and read something in his free time. His mind and heart were always occupied with work. He had no idea what his hobbies were or what he should do with his time.
Eventually, he just lay down on the couch and picked up the book that Jack had been reading, flipping through it, stopping to read Jack's notes and comments. He ran his finger over a pencil entry that Jack had made in his beautiful handwriting. They had been by each other's side for so long... Robby remembered how he had supported Jack after his wife's death, how his own heart had ached at his friend's emotional turmoil. He was really scared for him, and every time he saw him on the edge of the roof, his own heart ached with dread. He was immensely grateful that he had those words that could pull Jack out of his despair. Robby remembered how Jack, by turning to him, helped him cope with the loss of Adamson. Did Jack feel the same? Most likely... Looking back, Robby realized how selfish it was to subject Jack to such a thing. Moreover, he should have sought help long ago. However, Robby was still afraid and embarrassed that someone like him, who should be a role model of strength and restraint, had lashed out at his own residents and was on the verge of committing an irreversible act.
Robby warmed to the idea that it had always been just him and Jack. No one else seemed to understand the other so well. Perhaps they could have moved on before they hit fifty. Before Robby made mistakes with women. But their lives had always been too busy. Until Dennis came along. He mended some of the cracks in their friendship and took his rightful place. Robby liked him on the very first day. And he knew that Jack did too. He never hid what was on his face. And he was clearly interested in a young man who, despite his innocent, almost childish appearance, was strong enough in his heart. Robby himself envied his self-control, especially when his first shift fell on Pitt-Fest.
Robby was pulled out of his thoughts, realizing that he had been staring at the same page all along, when Dennis pulled the book out of his hands, sitting down on his thighs without hesitation.
“Do you think, Dr. Robby, that you can finally kiss me?”
Robby laughed in surprise. “Do you want to infect me?”
“I want… something else.”
“Just wait a little.”
Dennis snorted and dropped his head onto Robby's chest. Robby immediately wrapped his arms around Dennis, one across his back and the other in his curls. Dennis exhaled wearily and stretched out his legs, lying completely on top of Robby.
“Tired?”
“My brain is fried,” Dennis muttered.
Robby chuckled. “That's just the beginning.”
Dennis grunted in annoyance into his shoulder.
They lay there for a while, then Robby made him eat and wash up so they could go to bed and get a good night's rest.
It felt empty without Jack in the bed. Robby couldn't shake the feeling as he held Dennis's shoulder.
“How did you stay friends for so many years when you worked at different times?” Dennis asked quietly.
“Well, our friendship didn't require such close contact, and we were fine. I think we'll get used to it and adjust.”
“It's a shame that we're two, and he's alone. Maybe I should take the night shift sometimes?”
“Hah, to provoke both of us?”
“I'm not the one who said that.”
“We'll decide later, Danny.” Robby placed a light kiss on his hair, closing his eyes.
***
Jack sighed in relief as he removed his prosthetic leg in the hallway and switched to crutches. The apartment was quiet, and he assumed the guys were still asleep. However, Robby peeked around the corner.
“Hi,” he greeted softly. “How was your shift?”
Jack simply sighed. Robby abandoned his task and approached Jack, allowing him to rest his head on Robby's shoulder and clench his fist around the fabric of his shirt. Robby gently hugged him, kissing him next to his ear.
“I want to go on vacation…”
“You're as lost as I am. You'll be bored out of your mind in two days.
“Fair enough.”
“Come on, I'll help you in the shower.”
“I'll fall asleep right there…”
“No, we still need to feed you. Come on.”
Robby pushed Jack towards the bathroom. He turned on the water and waited patiently for Jack to undress. Jack pushed his hands away. He was perfectly capable of taking care of himself.
After undressing, Jack sat down on the edge of the bathtub, sighing heavily. He was exhausted. It was always difficult to return to work after a day off at home. The shifts seemed particularly challenging.
Robby waited in silence for Jack to gather his last reserves of strength to get into the warm water. He couldn't hold back a moan of relief when he finally relaxed against the wall. Jack looked at Robby with half-closed eyes, who was observing him.
“Do you see anything interesting?” Jack chuckled wearily.
“More than that.”
Robby sat on the edge of the bathtub, dipping his hand into the water. He gently touched Jack's stump, ready to withdraw his hand at any moment. Jack simply watched. Robby gently wiped the skin, washing away the traces of a long day at work. Jack closed his eyes in trust. Robby was the only person he could allow to see his weaknesses. Jack knew that he wouldn't do anything he didn't like. He wouldn't say anything that wasn't necessary. He wouldn't treat him like his disability made him incapable. He knew better than anyone else how much effort it took for Jack to become who he was. He knew that he didn't tolerate pity and didn't need protection. Robby took care of him without mentioning his traumas.
Jack winced when Robby squeezed his thigh.
“Do you want to?” he asked quietly.
“Fuck…”
Jack lifted his good leg as Robby squeezed the inside of his thigh.
“Yes or no?” Robby asked again.
“Yes, yes, just do it.”
Robby chuckled and touched him, sending blood rushing through his veins. Jack closed his eyes and gripped Robby’s wrist. Robby moved his hand slowly, focusing on making Jack moan softly and his hips twitch. Jack held back from thrusting. He could feel that Robby wanted to do everything himself.
“Hey, Jack,” Robby leaned a little closer to him.
“Mh…”
“Do you think Dennis is awake yet? Would you like to…”
Robby didn’t get to finish, as Jack shuddered violently, not holding back a loud moan. Jack opened his blurry eyes, looking at a smiling Robby.
“Fuck, I’m gonna pass out right here,” Jack croaked, pushing his hair back.
“Nah, let me help you.”
Robby adjusted the water and wet his hair. As he worked on him, Jack closed his eyes, enjoying the gentle touch. Here and there, Robby would scratch his scalp, spreading the shampoo. He would massage his neck and shoulders, causing Jack to sigh as he lowered his head.
A timid knock on the door made Robby stop, but Jack didn't even open his eyes.
“Robby, has Jack already... Oh, hi.”
“Hi, mouse,” Jack said, still not opening his eyes.
“He's tired, isn't he?” Dennis asked in a whisper, apparently to Robby.
“I'm fine.”
“But you're tired, why deny it?” Dennis said.
“Hah, okay.”
Jack immediately felt the hands change. He opened his eyes. Dennis was kneeling beside the bathtub, his fingers in Jack's hair. He leaned down, kissing him on the cheek. Robby continued to sit on the edge of the bathtub, twisting a strand of Dennis's hair around his finger.
“Should I leave you two alone?” Dennis asked.
“No, stay,” they both said at the same time.
Dennis adjusted the water, rinsing the shampoo from Jack's hair. He closed his eyes again. Dennis turned off the water and gently scrubbed his body with a washcloth. “Jack, can I...?”
“Yes, it's okay.”
Dennis carefully touched his injured leg, rinsing away the dirty water. Jack felt strange under their attention, especially from these two. But it was too pleasant for him to resist. And he was too tired.
Robby pulled him to his feet and put his shoulder under Jack's to keep him upright. Dennis finished the rest and they wrapped him in a towel.
“Will you eat?” Robby asked.
“No, I'll sleep…”
Robby led Jack out, Dennis following. Jack lay down on the bed, exhaling. He fell asleep almost immediately, not even hearing Robby and Dennis leave the room.
***
When Jack woke up, there was a dim light on in the room. He stretched, belatedly realizing that there was a head on top of him. Jack looked down. Dennis was lying on top of him, across the bed, reading something on his laptop. He was wearing a stretched-out T-shirt that Jack didn't even know where he had gotten, along with underwear and warm socks that wrapped around his thin ankles. He hadn't even moved since Jack had woken up.
“How long have you been here?” Jack asked.
“About three hours. Robby went for a walk. He promised to be back by the time you left.”
Jack grunted in approval and took the laptop from Dennis, setting it on the floor. Dennis protested for a moment, but then fell silent as Jack wrapped his arms around him and squeezed him tightly.
“Do you trust me, mouse?”
“… This question is rarely followed by anything good…”
“That’s not an answer,” Jack whispered into his hair, leaving a light kiss.
He had slept well and wasn’t fully awake, so he wasn’t as prickly, saving his sarcastic comments for later.
“Yes, Jack. I trust you. Only… You have something to ask, don’t you?”
“Uh–huh,” Jack mumbled, closing his eyes, Dennis clinging to his forearms and wincing at the touch of his lips on the back of his head, “Something definite. If you're ready for it.”
“Can we just not talk about it?...”
“I'm worried.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” Dennis replied uncertainly, starting to fidget.
Jack knew that if he pushed too hard, the boy would just run away. “Okay, okay, mouse, calm down. Don’t say anything. Just know that you can talk to any of us. Okay?”
Dennis nodded, relaxing again in his arms.
“Did Michael say where he was going?”
“No… He just said he needed some fresh air. I didn’t push.”
“Okay.” Jack left another kiss on the top of the guy's head, then began to get up. Dennis rolled off him and sat up as well.
***
In the end, their ‘move’ was delayed. Dennis finally recovered and apologized, saying that he needed to see Trinity, pack some things if he was staying with them, and catch up on the program he was behind in. Jack and Robbie waved off Dennis’s assurances that he wasn’t disappearing forever.
“You intimidated the guy,” Robby said as Dennis left the apartment.
“What?” Jack asked.
“You said he'd leave us, and now the kid's worried.”
Jack rolled his eyes and left Robby alone. He needed to pack the remaining items into a bag and help Robby with the things he wanted to take with him. Since Jack had a day off, they decided not to delay the move anymore.
Robby didn't intend to take many things, he had little emotional attachment to them now, so he took mostly what he needed. Jack wandered around the apartment and thought about how empty it felt. Without Dennis with his belongings and the mess he left behind. Jack went around and unclipped the cards the guy had stuck all over the apartment to learn terms and characteristics.
“Michael, we need to get him to talk,” Jack said as he walked out the door, Robby closing the apartment.
“I’m afraid to push him. He’s already struggling with his studies, he’s just recovered from a sore throat, he’s in a questionable relationship, and he’s trying to live in two places. It’s a lot for a young guy.”
“Yes, of course, I know that, but… Wait, what do you mean by questionable relationship?” He interrupted.
“Can you imagine yourself at twenty-seven in his position?”
“Hell no.”
“There’s your answer.”
“Come on, when we were twenty-seven, even thinking about a man was a death sentence…”
Robby just shrugged, and they didn’t discuss it further.
“When do you think he’ll be back?” Robby asked as they lay on the couch.
They had already unpacked Robby’s few belongings, set aside space in the apartment for Dennis, and cleaned up after a few days of the apartment being empty. Jack gave a noncommittal grunt. They haven't seen him for several days now.
Their phones buzzed at the same time. They were resting on the armrest on Jack’s side, so he was the first to pick up his phone. He opened the app where Dennis had created a new chat with him and Robby. His eyebrows shot up when he read ‘Hot bosses.’
“What the hell?...”
Robby looked over his shoulder with interest, chuckling. “Wow, that's a brave guy.”
Dennis had posted a photo of himself, with no caption. He was wearing Jack's army T-shirt, and it was pulled up almost to his neck. Only a part of his face was visible as he grinned. He had his hand on the chest, and they could see a strip of hair disappearing under his pants. Jack didn't know what that made him, but he wanted to drive to Trinity's house right now and drag him back to their place.
“The mouse is flirting,” Jack chuckled, but it sounded more sinister than the situation required.
“Yeah. I want to steal him back.”
Jack was in full agreement with Robby’s opinion. Something dark was awakening in his chest from the thought of him specifically taking him out in his own T-shirt. They probably didn’t respond to his message for too long, and Dennis sent another photo. Now he was lying on the bed, his face was not visible, his pants were dangerously lowered a millimeter before crossing the line of decency. The T-shirt continued to hang around his neck. “Are you both still alive there?” read the caption under the photo.
“Don't you and Santos have anything to do there? Or have you already missed the two of us?” Jack replied, burning inside with the desire to hold the guy to himself.
“We discussed today whether she was ready to let me go.”
“She said she didn’t mind sharing with you :)”
“She helped me pack some things”
“She’s throwing me a goodbye party today, even though I said I’d come visit her”
“We’ve already had a few drinks” at this point, the stream of messages stopped, and Jack realized where the boldness in the photos came from.
“What do you think we’ll get next?” Jack asked with a grin, turning to Robby.
“I want to test your bed,” Robby replied suddenly.
“What?” Jack asked in confusion, but Robby had already stood up and pulled him towards the bedroom.
Robby turned to him halfway to the bed, pulling him in by the cheeks. Jack grabbed his T-shirt and pulled him even closer.
“You like the look of the guy so much?” Jack chuckled as Robby gently laid him on the bed, taking his phone and tossing it aside.
“Don’t you? Your jaw almost hit the floor when you saw him.”
Robby sat on his thighs, pressing him against the bed.
“Of course, he’s wearing my clothes. And I didn't even know he'd taken it from me.”
“Think about how you'd hold him for it,” Robby whispered in his ear, kissing his neck, and Jack shuddered.
Jack cursed, squeezing Robby’s hips with his fingers. They were breathing heavily as they fumbled with their clothes, barely breaking apart, as if they might die if they did. They barely noticed the notifications coming in on Jack’s phone.
“I'm going to throw your phone out the window,” Robby muttered, and Jack sighed in frustration, turning over on his belly to reach for his phone behind his head.
Robby didn't wait, pressing himself against his back, kissing his neck and shoulders.
“Fuck, Robby, he's going to kill me,” Jack moaned, dropping his face onto the bed.
Robby raised his head in interest, peering at the screen.
“Why are you ignoring me?”
“:((“
There was a photo that Trinity had probably taken. And they were probably very drunk. Because Dennis was lying on her couch with his head thrown back, arching his body as if they were having a photo shoot.
“If you don’t take him, I will fuck him.”
“This is your favorite girl, Santos.”
She sent another photo of the two of them, and she was kissing Dennis. The only thing that kept them from being jealous was the fact that they both knew that she liked women (Garcia, in particular).
“Do you think they’ll be out by the time we get there?” Robby asked.
“I’m not going anywhere until you finish what you started. Let the kids have fun.”
Robby chuckled, and kissed Jack on the shoulder blade.
***
Jack's phone continued to vibrate, but they ignored it. Jack could only clench the sheets with his fingers as Robby ground against him. They were acting like teenagers, but in all fairness, they needed to hurry. Both were rooted in the decision to take Dennis home.
After a quick shower, they were in the car in record time. Jack opened the messages as Robbie got behind the wheel.
“He sent a few more photos with Santos. I hope they know what they’re doing,” Jack said with a grin.
“I suggest we make fun of him for the rest of his life.”
“You’re cruel.”
“And you’re telling me that? Didn't you send a photo of Shen after a bar brawl to the hospital's general chat?”
“That's different,” Jack dismissed. “They're ridiculously drunk right now.”
Jack opened the video where they were dancing to some music. He’d never seen Dennis so relaxed. During his time working with him, Jack had a completely different perception. That he was quiet, shy, and inconspicuous. Jack was even glad that wasn’t the case. The guy opened up with those he felt comfortable with. And if they were sending this to their superiors, Dennis was quite comfortable.
***
When they arrived at Trinity's house, it was past midnight, and there was hardly any light in the windows, but one of them was illuminated by colorful lights, so Jack and Robby assumed it was the apartment they were looking for.
“Go get him,” said Robby, sitting on the hood of the car with his arms folded across his chest.
Jack snorted, but he went to the door and rang the bell. There was no answer for a long time, but then Jack heard some noise on the other side of the door, and it made him frown. The door opened, and there were two young doctors and a bag of clothes. Trinity’s lipstick was smeared on both of their faces, and their eyes were glassy, and they didn't look very steady.
“Okay,” Jack drawled, a mischievous grin on his face, immediately reminiscing his college days. “Are you all right?”
“Fine, Dr. Abbott,” Trinity replied with aplomb, Dennis just resting his temple against the doorframe, eyes closed.
“I see you’ve been having a good time?”
“You’re jealous, aren’t you?”
“Hah, sure,” Jack replied sarcastically. “Can we take Dennis home, Dr. Santos?”
“Just promise to take good care of him. Or I’ll kill you both,” Trinity threatened with a finger.
Jack raised his eyebrows in surprise. Despite the fact that she was drunk, Jack was certain that was exactly what she meant.
“Of course,” Jack replied, this time seriously.
“Good.”
Trinity shook Dennis to wake him up and grabbed him as if they were saying goodbye forever. Jack found this show of affection amusing. At the same time, it was really nice that Dennis finally had someone who understood and supported him. Even though Trinity initially seemed like a cold-hearted bitch. Jack liked her. Maybe because he was like that sometimes.
Trinity kindly handed Dennis to Jack, along with his bag, and he nodded in gratitude.
“Get some sleep, Trinity, and drink some water, or you’ll feel bad,” Jack advised kindly before turning around and leading Dennis to the car.
“Hey, is he okay?” Robby asked, getting up from the hood to open the passenger door, and he took Dennis’s bag to put it in the trunk.
“I think he’s asleep on the go, but he’s fine,” Jack said as he put Dennis in the car and closed the door.
“Will you sit with him? Just in case he feels sick” Robby asked, and Jack just nodded as he walked around the car to sit on the other side.
Dennis leaned his forehead against the car window, and when Jack sat next to him, he rested his head on Jack’s shoulder.
“Dennis, can you hear me? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine…” the guy mumbled, rubbing his cheek against Jack’s shoulder.
They drove in silence for a while, with only the old music playing softly on the radio. And then Dennis suddenly winced as if he was in pain, and he stood up from Jack’s shoulder.
“You both don’t like me.”
Jack looked at him with surprised eyes, looking over at Robby, who briefly looked out the back window.
“Why do you think that?” Jack asked carefully, reaching out to touch Dennis's hand, but he pulled away.
“Because you don’t want to kiss me. It’s because I’m gay,” Dennis said, turning to the window in pain, “My father always told me that no one would love me. Because I’m a sinner and I’ll go to Hell.”
Jack inhaled deeply, holding back his anger and anxiety. The leather of the car creaked as Robby gripped the steering wheel tightly.
“Mouse, that’s not true,” Jack began in a gentle voice, but Dennis shook his head vigorously.
“You’re lying to me. My father spent my entire childhood trying to cure me, but nothing changed.”
Jack tried not to think about how his father had treated his son. Otherwise, he risked losing his temper.
“Denny, what did he do?” Robby asked slowly, glancing briefly at the boy.
“He said all these terrible things,” it was clear that it was painful for Dennis to even say it, “He kept saying that I would go to Hell, and he would always punish me if nothing changed.”
“Baby,” Jack called out gently, still touching Dennis’ shoulders to get him to focus on him, “I’m going to ask you something important, okay? I really need to know. Is that allright?”
Dennis looked at him as if he didn’t understand what Jack could ask him, and nodded timidly.
“Good. Mouse, the scars on your skin, are they his doing?”
Dennis squeezed his eyes shut in pain, shaking his head, trying to break free from Jack’s grasp. “No. No. You don’t want to kiss me, you really don’t. We’re going to Hell, I don’t want you to suffer, I…”
“Hey, hey, I’ve got you, kid, I’ve got you. We’re not going to Hell, do you hear me?” Jack used some of his strength to pull Dennis close and wrap his arms tightly around his back.
Dennis struggled slightly, his heart racing and his breathing heavy. But after a while, with his cheek pressed against Jack’s heart, he calmed down and his breathing became more regular.
“You… I…”
“It’s okay,” Jack stroked Dennis’ head, combing his fingers through the strands of hair. “We love you, mouse. It’s okay. No one will punish you anymore. Do you believe me?”
“Mmm…” Dennis mumbled, his fingers clinging to Jack’s clothes.
Jack looked at Robby anxiously, seeking support in his eyes, but he looked just as confused.
“My father did it when I was sixteen,” Dennis suddenly began to speak in a low voice, almost as if he was afraid of being overheard, “Before that, he would just hit me and give me a lecture, but then... I... We were caught kissing with a neighbor's son. I don't know what happened to him, I never saw him again,” Dennis sobbed, his voice breaking, and Jack held him tighter. “My father locked me in the barn for several days without food. He never hit me that hard... Then I had to pretend that I had realized and corrected myself. And everyone forgot about it, as if it had never happened... And I couldn't even sit for a long time.”
Dennis was shaking, and Jack tried to calm him down. To provide all the support he could.
“I'm sorry, Mouse. You're all right now. We'll take care of you, okay?”
“Thank you,” Dennis sobbed, wiping away his tears.
“I haven’t been in a relationship with anyone for a long time, until… Well, I wanted attention, but the guy was a real asshole…” Dennis added after a while, his voice sleepy.
“Sit for a while, okay? We’ll get you out of here.” Jack assured him, gently brushing the wet strands of hair off his forehead.
Dennis nodded weakly and closed his eyes. Jack and Robby looked at him for a moment, their eyes filled with regret, then they exchanged a quick glance and got out of the car.
“Fuck!” Robby cursed, kicking the car’s wheel with all the anger he was holding back.
“Hey, hey, Robby!” Jack shouted, wrapping his arms around Robby's neck to make him look at him. “Breathe, do you hear me?”
“Did you hear him?! Damn asshole!” Robbie swore, looking at Jack, then at the car windows with glass eyes due to tears.
“Michael,” Jack said firmly, giving Robby a short tug to keep him focused on him alone. “It's terrible, it's just disgusting, and I can't tell you how angry I am and how much self-control I need not to snap. But we have to hold on for the guy. I'm sure he didn't tell anyone that. And he probably won't remember this conversation when he wakes up. But we need to discuss it with him. He shouldn't have to go through this alone.”
Robby nodded, sighing in an attempt to calm himself. Jack knew that Robby was familiar with religious trauma, albeit not to the same extent. Dennis was too young, and the wounds were too fresh. Jack placed his hand on Robby's chest, where a Star of David rested beneath his hoodie.
“You'll be okay, right?”
Robby nodded, sniffling briefly as he regained his composure.
“Let's get him home.”
Jack opened the door, and Robby gently shoved Dennis in the shoulder. He grunted with displeasure, opening his eyes.
“We're here, honey, it's time to go to bed.”
Reluctantly, the guy got out of the car, and Robby immediately hugged him.
“What's the matter? Dennis chuckled as Robby's beard tickled his neck.
“I fucking like you, babe.”
Dennis shuddered, hugging Robby back.
“Come on,” Jack said quietly, patting Robby on the shoulder.
***
Dennis passed out on Jack's bed without even undressing. They only left him for a couple of minutes, but he was already asleep. Jack shook his head, turning off the main light and leaving only the bedside lamp on, as Robby approached Dennis and removed his shoes.
“He's still covered in lipstick,” Robby chuckled, gently tracing his lips with his finger.
Jack just smiled. While he went to get a wet cloth, Robby took a photo of him.
“What are you doing?” asked Jack with a chuckle, sitting down next to the guy on the edge of the bed, gently wiping his face.
“It’s a keepsake. To keep him from relaxing.”
Jack chuckled, imagining the mouse-like eyes the next morning.
He gently stroked his hair, studying his innocent face. Robby approached from the side, touching Jack's hair and pulling him closer. Jack rested his forehead against Robby's belly, sighing.
“It's unfair,” he mumbled.
“Yes, it is.”
“I'm afraid to bring it up.”
“Me too.”
“But we need to do it.”
“Yes, we do,” Robby echoed Jack's words.
“Fuck,” Jack shook his head, sighing heavily again.
The next evening, Jack had to go to work. He remembered that Dennis also had to go with him to make up for some of his absences. He looked up at Robbie, resting his chin on his belly.
“I don’t want his trauma to define him as a person in our eyes. I hate it myself. But all I can think about right now is this.”
“I know,” Robby continued to run his fingers through his hair, trying to calm either Jack or himself. “And it won’t define him. He’s very strong. We just need to help him a little. He’s already done it, he’s escaped from there.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“Do you want to sleep?”
“I want coffee.”
“But…”
“I don’t care.”
***
When he and Robby got back into bed, Dennis was lying across the bed, shifting around. Jack chuckled, moving the guy to the side so he could lie in the middle. Robby snuggled up against his back, sighing into the back of his neck.
“I love you,” he whispered, kissing the back of his neck.
“I love you too. And I think I can love him as well,” Jack replied, nodding towards Dennis, even though Robby couldn’t see the movement.
“Yeah, well. It seems like it.”
Dennis was restless, so Jack had to hold him close so he wouldn’t disturb their own sleep.
Jack woke up early, not used to sleeping for long at night. Robbie continued to nuzzle into his neck, and Dennis turned around, pressing his head under Jack's chin. Trapped, Jack could only lie silently to avoid waking anyone up.
Dennis was the first to wake up, if you could call it that. He opened his eyes with a pained expression and looked at Jack.
“Oh, I see, you don't feel well, let's go.”
Jack quickly pushed the guy to get up. Dennis had his hand over his mouth and was already heading towards the bathroom when Jack stood up on his crutches. He just had time to close the door behind them when Dennis bent over the toilet, his body convulsing. Jack looked at him sympathetically as he approached.
“How are you, little mouse? Should I get you some water?”
Dennis grunted incoherently and Jack left him alone for a moment to get some water. When he returned, Dennis was sitting on the edge of the bathtub, recovering. His face was pale and his eyes were tired. Jack handed him a glass of water without saying anything.
“Thank you… And I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
Dennis drank the whole glass and put it on the sink. He winced at the taste in his mouth. Jack rolled his eyes good-naturedly, and took a new toothbrush from the bottom drawer. Dennis looked at him as if he were a saint. Without getting up on his weak legs, he continued to sit on the bathroom, brushing his teeth. Jack watched him with a smile. Once upon a time, he too had been drunk to the point of unconsciousness and had done all sorts of stupid things, suffering the next morning.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yeah.”
Dennis looked up at him. The color had returned to his face, mostly probably from embarrassment. Jack touched his face with his palm, rubbing his thumb over it.
“Stand up,” he said, and Dennis did so, holding onto Jack’s shoulder for stability.
“I’m going to kiss you, do you mind?” Jack asked carefully, and Dennis nodded weakly.
Jack moved his hand to the back of Dennis’s neck, tangling his fingers in the curls, and pulled him closer, finally kissing him without resistance. Dennis moaned into the kiss as Jack tugged on his hair.
“You’re so sensitive, little mouse,” Jack growled in a hoarse voice, preventing Dennis from pulling away, and lightly bit his lip.
“Fuck…” Dennis whispered, and Jack felt his skin heat up with embarrassment under his fingers.
He chuckled. “Do you like it?”
“Yes… I want to kiss Robbie.”
Jack chuckled again. “You’re insatiable, kid, did you know that?”
“I’ve been told I’m ambitious.”
“Hah, let’s go.” Jack kissed him briefly again before they returned to the room.
Robbie was already awake, lying on his belly, hugging a pillow.
“Are you okay there? What is it?" he asked in a sleepy voice, and Jack answered shortly.
Dennis unceremoniously laid on Robby's back, pinning him to the bed. And Jack laughed at his surprised face.
“I want to kiss you,” Dennis said confidently, peering in from the side.
Robby chuckled. “Why the sudden zeal, huh?”
“Jack’s a great kisser, I want to know how you do it.”
Robby glanced at Jack’s smug face, as much as his position allowed. Dennis lifted himself up so Robby could roll onto his back, wrapping his arms around Dennis’s thighs.
“Okay, if that’s what you want.”
He cupped Dennis’s cheeks with both hands, pressing his soft lips firmly against Robby’s. Dennis whimpered when Robby bit down hard on his lip, licking the bite. As they kissed, Jack walked around the bed, sitting down on the empty side, his back against the headboard.
Dennis reached for Robby's t-shirt with confidence, trying to pull it off without breaking the kiss.
“Hey, hey, slow down, Denny.”
Robby lightly slapped his thigh, and Denny huffed in annoyance.
“I want to…”
“I know,” Robby interrupted, “But before we do anything, I need to know that you're ready. And ready for what we're going to see."
Robby's eyes were fixed on the emotions on his face. And Jack was watching as he and Dennis were playing a staring game as the guy tried to figure out what he was talking about.
"Shit, I told you guys last night when I was drunk, didn't I?"
Dennis rolled his eyes in frustration, throwing his head back.
"Yeah, and we need to make sure you're..."
“I’m fine,” Dennis snapped, looking at Jack, but he raised one eyebrow expressively, and the guy apologized. “It’s all right, really… I… I don’t really think that way. I don’t believe what he said. It’s just… Damn, I’m never drinking with Trinity again…”
Jack and Robby chuckled.
“We still need to know. And we need to make sure you're okay with it,” Robby said.
“And we need to know if we can look, touch, or if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“I'm fine. I even... Like it...” Dennis mumbled, “The skin is sensitive there.”
Jack smiled. And Robby sat with Dennis on his lap, whispering in his ear, “Go to Jack, Denny.”
Dennis obediently moved to Jack's lap, kissing him immediately. Robby sat behind him with a smile.
“Let's put on a little show,” he whispered in Dennis's ear, looking into Jack's eyes, and Dennis shuddered.
Jack held Dennis's hips firmly, preventing him from fidgeting as Robby touched him. Robby wrapped his arm around Dennis's chest, pulling him close and lifting his shirt.
“Do you remember what you sent us?” asked Robby, kissing his neck.
“Um… Yes…”
“You were kissing your friend, weren’t you?” Jack reproached, grabbing his skin at the base of his legs.
“Fuck.” Dennis hissed, trying to jerk his hips, but Jack’s hands were too strong.
Robby pulled Dennis’s T-shirt off, leaving him in his underwear.
“Hey, Jack, can you help me here?” Robby asked, lifting Dennis by the armpits with such ease that Dennis’s eyes widened in surprise.
Jack obligingly pulled at the waistband of the underwear, pulling it off the guy. It was a pleasure to watch him blush in embarrassment.
“It’s not fair, you’re both dressed…” Dennis muttered, looking away from Jack.
“Mm… I like it like this.” Jack said with a smile, squeezing his toes again.
Robby pushed Dennis in the shoulder blade, and he slammed into Jack’s shoulder, grabbing his wrists. Robby began to gently kiss Dennis’s back, biting him lightly. He held Dennis’s hips with his hands next to Jack’s, their fingers touching. Robby gently stroked the skin with his hands, moving from the hips to the back and back again, lowering his hands to the buttocks in a questioning gesture. He touched them with his fingers, almost tickling them. Dennis shuddered and moaned into Jack's ear. Jack pulled him closer by the hips, pressing him tightly against him, causing Dennis to let out a loud moan. Robby leaned his chest against him, kissing his temple, finally touching the hot skin, so that Dennis's legs shook slightly. He tried to push his hips forward.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, be a good little mouse,” Jack chided, kissing the other side of his temple.
Dennis was trapped between them, shaking with overstimulation and trying not to moan too loudly. Robby was squeezing his fist around him in a deathly slow motion, and Jack was preventing him from moving. In this position, Dennis really felt like a silly little mouse who wanted too much.
“Please… Please, I can't take it anymore…” Dennis said, sobbing.
“No, you're doing great, babe, you can handle it.”
“Fuck.” he hissed, his skin feeling hypersensitive.
Jack wrapped his arms around Dennis’ neck, lifting his head to look into his flushed face. He pulled the guy into his arms, kissing him, and Dennis began to snort through his nose from the lack of air.
“Let him come, Michael.”
Robby looked into Jack’s eyes, squeezing his fingers tightly, and Dennis let out a small, startled cry. Jack let go, and Robby removed his hand, and Dennis pushed back into Jack’s belly reflexively.
“Ugh…” Dennis collapsed against Jack, and he laughed.
“Was that enough?”
“More than enough…” Dennis wheezed.
Robby slapped his thigh approvingly and stood up to wash his hands.
“Should I...?”
“Nah,” Jack said curtly, “It’s okay.”
Dennis relaxed. Jack traced simple patterns on his back as he caught his breath.
After a quick shower, they were back in bed. They were lucky to have a slow morning, which was rare for them. Dennis was lying across the bed, his head in Robby's lap as Robby played with his curly hair, and his legs were in Jack's lap as Jack wrapped his fingers around Dennis's ankle. As Jack and Robby chatted casually, Dennis continued typing on his laptop.
“Hey, kid, are we okay?” Jack caught his attention by giving his leg a brief squeeze.
Dennis looked up at him over the top of his laptop, smiling brightly.
“Yeah, we’re good.”
“Talk to us if you need to,” Robby said. “Or Caleb if you don’t want to involve us.”
“I know,” Dennis said. “Please don’t make a big deal out of it. I know you’re worried, but I’m fine. I lived with it before you, and I will live with it after you.”
Jack and Robby nodded in agreement. Jack knew that they were all just terrible patients who were being brave and refusing help. However, he also knew that they were strong enough to cope. If not alone, then together. And all he could do was wait patiently. As much as he encouraged everyone to seek therapy, he had his own demons to deal with, and he wasn't ready to share them either, so it might have sounded a bit hypocritical. But it was different for his guys. Jack wouldn't let them fall apart. Not ever. It was his responsibility to protect them now.