Chapter Text
“U-uh Dr. Robby, I think you should see this.” The student doctor, Dennis Whitaker stutters out. His blue eyes show a level of urgency that Robby has never seen on the Student Doctor.
“Can it wait?” Robby sighs, turning back to the TV screen, which displays the long list of patients..From the corner of his eye, he can see the younger man shaking his head firmly
“Not really.”
Groaning quietly to himself, Robby walks closer to Dennis. “Lead the way.” The pair walks down the hallway, ending right at the restrooms. Santos is standing, looking more irritated than she has all day.
“You'd better hurry, he’s getting louder.” Santos mutters to Dennis, opening the restroom door. It’s now that Robby can hear crying, loud crying. A hand snatches his scrubs, Dennis’s hand, stopping him from investigating the crying. “He’s in the stall, hiding in the corner.”
“Who is?”
“Umm Dr. Langdon.” Robby’s blood pressure skyrockets. The man who is stealing drugs is still in the building..
“Frank! You aren't the victim in this!” Robby snaps, pushing the stall door open. It’s not locked, so it swings open, slamming into the wall with a loud bang. “Wait! Stop!” The shouting of Dennis stops Robby in his tracks. The normally meek student doctor is gripping Robby’s scrubs, tugging on them fiercely.
“He’s a Little! Shouting at him won't help!” Dennis’s face looks red with anger, surprising Robby.
“Whitaker! He’s a fucking addict! Trust me! I would know if he was a fucking Little!” Robby snaps back, gently shoving Dennis’s hand off of him.
Dennis’s hand finds Robby’s scrub top again, holding it firmly. “Would you?! He’s been taking illegal suppressants!”
“He’s been stealing pain meds”
“For his very REAL pain.” Dennis bites his lip, trying to keep his anger at bay. “What do illegal suppressants do? You're a Doctor you should know!”
“Enough with the fucking attitude!”
“Can both of you shut up!” Trinity shouts, finally coming into the restroom to break up their screaming match. “People are starting to notice the noise!” Turning towards the stall with the crying Little, she simply points Frank out.
“He needs to be on an IV. Look, Dr. Robby, He’s a Little. Just look at him.” Dr. Santos acknowledges.
The three Doctors stare at the man shrinking himself closer into the corner of the stall. He’s a crying mess, with tears staining his cheeks and snot dripping down his nose, the nail on the coffin is when Frank jerks on the top of his scrubs, using them to wipe his runny nose.
“Okay. Dr.Santos grab a wheelchair...Dennis-” Shaking his head, Dennis twists to stare at Robby.
“I’m not leaving him.”
“Whitaker, see if you can pick him up. Those suppressants made him taller but he should still be lighter.”
“Hey Buddy, I’m gonna pick you up now, if that’s okay.” Dennis softly whispers, attempting to keep his tone calm. Frank’s crying stops abruptly his head tilting to the side. “Up?” It’s such an innocent question, sounding so not like Frank.
“Yeah, Buddy! Up!” Surprisingly Frank’s arms shoot up, reaching for Dennis. “Up you go.” It’s a sight to see, Frank’s long lanky arms and legs wrapping around the shorter man. Robby wasn’t lying, despite the suppressants making Frank taller, he’s still easier to pick up weight-wise. Dennis gradually makes his way out of the restroom, Robby following behind him. Santos has already parked the wheelchair near the door, with the brakes locked.
“Okay, Frankie, I’m going to sit you down in this fun chair, and then we’ll wheel you into a room. A room just for you!” Dennis makes an effort to make it sound like fun, but he knows it won’t be. Frank needs an IV and to be monitored as he withdraws from all that medication in his system.
“Noo!” Frank cries out, tightening his grip on Whitaker’s neck, hiding his face between Dennis’s neck. “Uhh Huckleberry, I’d think it would be easier if you carried him to the room.”
Ignoring the shocked looks from everyone surrounding them, Robby gently lays his hand on Dennis’s back, directing him towards one of the empty rooms. “Come on, let’s go.” Trinity pursues them close behind.
“Santos, close the door.” Robby takes his hand off Whitaker, taking a few squirts of hand sanitizer before putting on gloves.
“Whitaker, you need to lay him down.” He tries to, but the fierce grip that Frank has on his neck won’t budge. It takes Robby and Santos to gently pull the Little’s grip and to get him in the hospital bed. Just like that a new surge of tears follow. “No!” His arms reach out for Dennis. Gently, Robby places his hand on Frank’s chest, keeping him from getting up.
“Just let Dennis get in the bed with him. It’ll calm him down.” Trinity comments, looking unsure at Dr. Robby.
“Shhh! Santos, get a mild sedative and an IV ready.” Dennis can’t take it anymore, watching the upset Little sob out for him, Frank looks smaller than he is in that hospital bed. The Caregiver in him makes it’s own decision.
“Whitaker, what are you doing?” Robby has to contain himself from snapping at the younger man as Dennis gets into the hospital bed with Frank. It’s like a switch goes off, The Little instantly stops crying, burying himself into Dennis’s side. The Caregiver gently takes a hold of Frank’s arm, holding it out to Trinity. She gives Robby a look of amusement before getting to work. Surprisingly it’s a breeze after that, as Trinity hooks up the IV and vital monitor. The Little doesn’t even flinch as the needle pushes in. The sedative goes in and it quickly does its job, Frank’s eyes close and his body gets slack. Dennis lightly gets out of the bed, pulling up the blanket to cover Frank better.
“Uh, so what happens now?” Dennis questions, his blue eyes move toward the Attending.
“What happens is that you have a Little! Congratulations Huckleberry!” He knows it’s a joke, but he can’t help but roll his eyes at her.
“We will monitor him.” Robby replies, taking off is gloves, throwing them in the trash.
Dennis’s eyebrows furrow together, his mouth turning to a frown.
“No. I mean with him? He doesn't have a Caregiver.”
Biting the inside of his cheek, Robby peers down at Whitaker “We will notify the Little Protection Services and they will do their job.” Rubbing his neck in annoyance, Robby can already tell that the answer was the incorrect one to give to the student doctor.
“W-wait? That’s it? He’s going to be placed in foster care?! Aren’t you a Caregiver? Take him in!” Dennis is even stunned by himself as he stands almost chest to chest with Robby. His blue eyes peering into Robby’s brown eyes. Trinity watches silently, she can already tell this won’t end well.
“I don’t have time, something you’ll soon find out working in the medical field.” Robby barks back, trying terribly to retain his emotions.
“But you know him! Don’t you care about him?!” Dennis speaks with an accusing tone.
“I do!”
“Bullshit!”
“Look if you’re so worked up about this, YOU take him in!”
“Okay! I will!” They both are breathing heavily, Dennis glaring up at Robby.
“Great! I’ll make sure you sign the papers!” Dr. Robby shouts back, vacating the room. Trinity whistles. “Jeez Huckleberry, I guess you do have a Little now.”
Dennis jerks his head. “No…I can’t. I’m not very financially stable right now, I’m literally sleeping in the vacant level of the hospital.” He can’t really comprehend why he is telling her this, his emotions are all over the place after his encounter with Dr. Robby.
“Look Huckleberry, I’m going to forget what you just said. I have an empty bedroom in my apartment-“
“I can’t pay rent”
“-that you can have for FREE, if you just keep the place clean.”
“Really?!”
“Yes, and it’ll keep him out of Foster Care.”
“Thank you so much! I won’t-“
“Santos, Whitaker, get out here now!”
The main area is full of staff, all crowding around Dr. Robby and Dr. Abbott.
“There’s been a shooting at PittFest.”