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Dennis was never a lucky man. Things never worked out in his favor, and he doubted that this would be the one time they did. His unluckiness had gotten to the point that he thought god was punishing him, that it was his fault, and that he didn’t deserve love. But that didn’t stop him from thinking, ‘Don’t let me leave, Robby. Don’t let me go with Amy.’ He wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted to happen, just that he wasn’t ready to leave Robby yet. Ever since his first shift in the ED, he has grown a liking to the man, and over time it has become more than just a stupid crush. Robby was probably the most handsome man he’s ever seen, and looking at him now, he felt an electricity run through his body. But, he never stood a chance with him, Robby was old enough to be his father, he was his boss, he wasn’t gay, and after all Dennis was always unlucky.
People always left Robby. He had watched so many people leave, that he had started to believe that he was the problem, that he was the one who ruined all of his relationships. Standing here now, watching Dennis get in the car with Amy, he knew that this would be one of those times. He knew that he shouldn’t give himself false hope, but he couldn’t help it, he hoped that Dennis wouldn’t leave. He thought to himself, ‘Dennis, please don’t go. Don’t leave me like everyone else has.’ He wasn’t sure yet exactly what he wanted to happen, but he knew that he didn’t want to watch Dennis leave. Robby had grown a liking to Dennis, ever since Dennis’s first shift in the ED. Their relationship had grown over time, as mentor and mentee, and as something closer to personal. Dennis was the most beautiful man he’s ever laid eyes on, he sometimes found himself staring at his lips, wondering how soft they would be, or thinking about his big blue eyes, Dennis truly captivated him. Robby didn’t know what these thoughts meant, he’d never liked men before. He told himself that he was just a perverted old man and he didn’t deserve Dennis. He told himself that it would just become another ruined relationship, that Dennis doesn’t want him. But, standing here now, he felt an electricity run through his body, and he felt the urge to stop Dennis, maybe he didn’t have to let this be one one of those times in which somebody left him.
“Dennis, wait!” Robby called out to him.
Dennis looked back, his eyes met Robby’s, the mutual gaze felt oddly intimate. “What’s up? Forget something?” Dennis questioned, he wasn’t sure what he wanted the answer to be.
Their gazes lingered as Robby took a few steps closer, the tension between them growing. “I– I don’t know, I just didn’t want to watch you leave, I don’t really know why, maybe I’m just not ready yet.
Dennis’s heart raced in his chest, was he interpreting this wrong? Robby didn’t want to watch him go, that can only mean one thing, right?
Robby reached instinctively for his shoulder, but dropped his hand before the touch landed. He looked away, was this really happening?
“I don’t think I’m ready either, I don’t want to go.”
“Then don’t go, stay, just a little longer.”
“I will. I promise, I am not going to leave you.”
Dennis didn’t know what he was doing, as he stepped closer, he didn’t know until their lips met. It was soft and slow, Robby melted into it. It wasn’t the perfect kiss that might be displayed in movies, but it was enough. Dennis pulled away slightly, resting his forehead on Robby’s.
After that, they just stayed like that for a few minutes, foreheads touching.
"Are you still going on your sabbatical?”
“Yeah, I still need it, there is something I need to find, and I need to be better, for you. I think I might also start seeing a therapist.”
“Ok, just promise me that you’ll come back.”
“I promise.”
“Bye Robby, I’ll miss you,” Dennis walked back towards the car.
“Bye Dennis, I’ll miss you too,” now, watching Dennis drive away, for once, Robby didn’t feel like he was being abandoned, for he knew that he would see Dennis again, and that Dennis would remain in his life, he trusted Dennis. He wasn’t sure if he would survive three months without Dennis.