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The first time that Michael Robinavitch (or Robby, to most) witnessed the way that Dennis Whitaker seemed to glide across The Pitt during mass casualty events, he didn't think much of it. The kid got an adrenaline rush that caused him to work more efficiently, that's all. He noticed how Dennis could somehow be everywhere at once whenever disaster hit. He was calm, collected, and strangely more accurate in his diagnoses any time the emergency department was hit with some strange event that caused an influx of patients. Robby even mentioned it to Jack Abbot, his best friend and confidante, a few times during handover. Both the attendings kept eyes on Dennis (and all their other residents! No favoritism here!) during disasters, trying to figure out how exactly he was capable of this sort of "second wind", but their gazes were wildly different. Jack watched him clinically, like he was something to study and learn from. Robby, however, is certainly more unprofessional in his view of Dennis. His view was less clinical and more… admiration? Yes, that's the word that Robby would use if he were to ever admit to that out loud. Robby looked at Dennis with admiration and intrigue, like he wasn't just trying to figure out where his "superpower" comes from, but like he was also trying to know more about Dennis without directly asking him. Truthfully, he did just want to get to know Dennis more, but he tried not to make it too obvious, so he disguised it at being intrigued by his resident's unique ability. Through this close interest in Dennis, Robby noticed some other things about him that made him realize that Dennis was likely stranger than he let on.
The first thing that Robby noticed— other than his incredible ability to function in crises— is that Dennis seems wiser beyond his years. Robby is a "50-ish" year old man, and sometimes Dennis seemed to be wiser than he was, despite the fact that Robby was sure Dennis was only 30 or so. He was more knowledgeable in medicine than he originally let on when he first started at the PTMC as a med student. Sometimes, Robby would catch Dennis mentioning things about medicine that Robby was sure Dennis wouldn't have been taught in his classes, and there was no way that Dennis had enough experience in medicine to have known it through personal experience. Dennis would be able to recite medical knowledge like he wrote the medicine books himself, though he would often get shy when Robby asked him how he knew that information so easily. Other than that, Robby once overheard a conversation between Dennis, Frank, and Mel where they were discussing history things that they were interested in. Robby knew Frank and Mel were history buffs through his eavesdropping habits, but he never knew Dennis to be interested in history at all before that conversation. Robby stood quietly as Mel and Frank discussed things like war and how medicine has evolved in history. He was only half listening at the time as he's certainly not a history nerd at all. He didn't really perk up until Dennis started to ramble on about medical events in history like he had lived through them. He discussed how life was before the invention of most major vaccines, like smallpox, and what it was like before penicillin came into the picture. He seemed to revel in what he was saying like he was thinking about a tragic memory, like he knew what life was like back then. Surely, Robby thought, there's no way that Dennis could've known what it was like! He's simply invested in the history of medicine! Robby thought it was strange, but it didn't raise any alarms to him.
The second thing that Robby noticed about Dennis is how pale he was. Well, he noticed that when Dennis first got to the PTMC, but he didn't realize just how strangely pale he was until he started observing Dennis closer than before. Despite knowing that Dennis liked to spend time on Amy's farm, meaning he was likely in the sun a lot, Dennis never seemed to get any tanner. He remained perpetually pale. Sometimes, Robby would overhear Trinity poking fun at Dennis, mocking his paper-white skin and making jokes about how his skin tone was similar to that of the dead patients in the hospital morgue. Robby also noticed how Dennis would just laugh and shrug it off whenever someone mentioned how pale he looked, and how he would change the topic quickly if he was compared to the dead. Robby thought that death was maybe a sensitive topic for Dennis. He also thought that the reason Dennis wouldn't often discuss death was because he was Christian, or was at one point. He often talked about religion in the past tense, occasionally quoting something that a priest said to him once or that his parents preached to him. He didn't seem too devoted in present times, but Robby could tell that religion once was an important part of Dennis's life, and he still held a small amount of faith that only people who felt a certain melancholy about religion could possess. Other than that, Robby had also noticed that Dennis was incredibly cold. He occasionally offered Dennis a jacket, saying that the ED was cold even on hot days and that Dennis would need one, but Dennis often turned the offer down. He would always say that he felt fine, which Robby found hard to believe. The boy wasn't a normal cold. Robby didn't know how to really describe it… Not until he felt the skin of a dead body again. Dennis didn't feel cold in the way that people normally feel cold— with a slight warmth under their skin from the blood in their veins. Dennis felt cold in the way a cadaver does: a kind of cold that only comes from a lack of warmth for an extended period of time. Robby couldn't feel warmth in his body in the slightest, except for whenever Dennis had just come in from a warm, sunny day, but then the warmth only sat on top of his skin, like it was incapable of sinking into his body. Truly, he didn't think that was medically possible, but nobody else seemed to notice and Dennis didn't act like anything was wrong, so maybe Robby was just overreacting.
The third thing that Robby noticed— and the thing that set off alarm bells in his mind when he was reciting all of his findings to Jack one night over a few beers— was that Dennis sometimes seemed… too interested in blood. Robby had met a lot of residents and med students in his days, and he had met quite a few with an interest in all things blood and gore, but he got a weird feeling from Dennis sometimes. Every now and then, Robby would catch Dennis staring off at a wound that was actively bleeding, or Dennis would seem to take a deep breath when he walked into a patient's room that had an excess of blood. One time, Robby caught Dennis actively salivating at the sight of blood in the middle of a mass casualty event. He was working on one of the patients that were fatally wounded, blood all over their clothes and open wounds simply gushing with blood. Robby doesn't think Dennis even knows that he noticed, or was looking at him in that moment, but he most certainly did see Dennis's mouth open slightly and saliva pooling in his mouth, nearly spilling out and onto the patient's forehead. That was, until Dennis seemed to catch himself and click back into professional mode. That was the moment that made Robby finally think that maybe— just maybe— Dennis Whitaker was far, far more strange than everyone thought. Jack had jokingly suggested that Dennis "might be a vampire" before suggesting that "maybe the kid is just a little weird." Robby laughed it off at the time, but the more that he thought about it… Maybe, it wasn't exactly a joke.
Dennis knew that Robby knew. He knew that only Robby knew. He wasn't stupid. Nearly 600 years on the same planet, living through generations and generations of people underestimating him and attempting to outsmart him, made him not only incredibly intelligent, but also intensely perceptive. He knew from the moment he stepped into the ED that Robby had taken a liking to him, and he relished in it. Of course, he played up a more innocent role to Robby, and to his coworkers at the PTMC, but he was far from innocent. He wasn't sure why exactly he took such an interest in Robby. Usually, he would actively avoid the people that seemed to pay far too much attention to him as he couldn't risk being found out whenever he took on new identities every few years. However, this was different for him. He wanted a more solid foundation here in Pittsburgh! He wanted to settle for a little while, maybe even make some lasting connections. Truthfully, he was getting less cautious. His anxiety around being found out was fading with time. He was tired of running around. He knew that if he wanted to settle in one place, there was only two routes that his life could go from then on. He gets found out to be a five century old vampire and society forms a manhunt on him then he finally gets to die, or he somehow manages to make connections strong enough where he can reveal himself to them and they still desire to stay connected to him. He figured that if he wanted his life to go like the second route, he would start with someone who took an interest in him first.
That's where Robby comes in. Robby's eyes follow Dennis into every room. His hands grab onto Dennis's body in ways that Dennis has never seen with the other residents. Robby makes small talk with Dennis, calls out for Dennis to assist him when needed, extends kindness to Dennis that is warm and comes with no strings attached. Robby was Dennis's perfect victim. His ideal test subject for his most dangerous experiment. So, he reveals little details about himself when he knows Robby is listening— when he knows Robby is sniffing around for information like a bloodhound. Dennis makes sure that he does this in such a way that makes Robby feel like he's the one in control here. He doesn't want to scare Robby away, after all! So, he reveals these things about himself like he doesn't know that he's revealing anything at all. He talks about medicine history, reliving the memory of life before medical advancement, right in earshot of Robby, and he makes it seem like he doesn't know Robby is listening. He allows Robby to touch him frequently, feel the chill of his skin, and makes excuses for not taking something as simple as a jacket just to drive the point home that he's naturally cold to the touch. Then, the final nail in the metaphorical coffin… He lets himself give into his bloodthirst for just a moment. Of course, he makes sure that nobody else but Robby is looking at him before he does, but when he's sure the coast is clear… Dennis breaks down his own barrier for just a few seconds as saliva gathers behind his lips with a bloodied patient right below him, right under his hands. Then, he feigns innocence, pretending like it was entirely unintentional. Once he walks away and is away from Robby, he smiles to himself. He could feel the shock in Robby's eyes and smell the slight twinge of fear that strikes his heart. However, Dennis isn't worried about Robby being scared of him because after that moment, Dennis never smelled fear on Robby again. In fact, he smelled something entirely different. He smelled the familiar scent of sin on Robby's skin. He could smell just how Robby felt about everything he learned about Dennis.
Dennis could smell the delicious scent of arousal running through Robby's veins. That's how he knew that after five hundred excruciatingly long years, he would never be alone again.
All that was left now was for Dennis to finally strike up a conversation with Robby. He knew that there was no way that Robby was going to start this confrontation on his own. Dennis figured that the only reason that Robby would even attempt to speak first would be if Dennis somehow got Robby drunk, and that was far more complicated than he wanted. His best option, he assumed, would be that he corners Robby in a free room. Robby would be more willing to be alone with Dennis if they were at work, he knew that for a fact. This may not be a conversation to be had at work, but it's not like he would let anyone walk in. He does have immaculate hearing and an intense sense of smell after all. He'd be able to tell if anyone even walked by the door.
So, he asked if he could speak to Robby about something, suggesting that he needed to consult Robby on a case. He led Robby to a room that he was sure was empty, shutting the door behind them. Once Robby realized there was nobody in the room, he looked back at Dennis a little confused, but Dennis could smell the anticipation building in Robby's body. He could hear just how fast Robby's heart was beating. He loved it.
"So…" Robby started, his arms crossing against his chest as if to provide a shield. "Your case?"
"I know you know, Dr. Robby," Dennis rocked on his heels, hands in his pockets. He's keeping up the whole meek and innocent look in front of Robby. Robby can't see him as a threat, not yet anyway. "There's no way you don't, right?"
Robby seems to freeze. Dennis has to resist the urge to take a deep breath just to inhale the absolutely intoxicating fumes of Robby's fear mixed with the slight sweetness of attraction. "Know— Know what?" He stumbles over his words.
Dennis's lips twist into a smile, moving ever so slightly closer just to hear Robby's heartbeat speed up a little. "C'mon, Dr. Robby! I know you keep a close eye on me. Tell me what you've found out!" His voice is light and high as he really plays into the idea that Robby has of him. Over the many centuries that he's been alive, he's certainly learned how to play a part.
Robby did that thing that Dennis always found attractive: he let out a deep sigh as he wipes one of his (far bigger than Dennis's) hands down his face as the other hand lands right on his hip. Honestly, Dennis has to resist the urge to jump at him right there. That gesture is one of those things that Dennis finds intensely attractive for reasons he doesn't even know. As much as he'd like to continue mindlessly admiring Robby's hands, Dennis is snapped out of it by Robby's voice finally piping up.
"Whitaker, I'm not sure what you want from me here." Dennis rolls his eyes. How many times is Robby going to try and deflect and resist what Dennis is? He scoffs as he takes a few more steps forward, getting in Robby's personal space by now. They're not extremely close, but they're definitely closer than Robby would like, Dennis knows that.
"I want you to tell me what you know about me, Robby." Robby's shoulders tense up as he looks down at Dennis, eyes wide and smile even wider. Dennis could tell exactly how Robby felt. He felt like prey. Like Dennis was hunting him, tracking him down and isolating him just to confront him about a fact that should be horrific to Robby. Robby should be more scared right now, both of the men know that he should. But, for some reason, the scent that fills Dennis's nostrils is not the strong, intense smell of fear. Now, the only smell that surrounds the both of them is the saccharine, sickly sweet smell of pure attraction— lust, arousal, whatever word you prefer.
Dennis tilts his head, awaiting a response from Robby that isn't just the heavy breaths that make his chest heave. Robby just shakes his head, taking half a step back like he's trying to snap back into reality. He's realizing how inappropriate this whole situation is, surely. He always did try his best to remain professional around Dennis, even before this realization that he's come to. "Listen, Whitaker—"
"Dennis is fine." The smaller man cuts him off with another step closer. Dennis knows exactly what he's doing here. He's purposefully invading Robby's space, pressing him as much as possible. He wants to hear Robby say it! Dennis doesn't think that's a hard ask. So, he continues to get closer… and closer… until Robby is pressed against a wall with Dennis standing right in front of him, nearly chest to chest. Dennis's hands are behind his back at this point, but his presence is enough to essentially pin Robby to the wall, rendering him unable to move out from under Dennis's gaze. If Robby is looking close enough (which he is), he would see how Dennis's pupils are blown out; his gaze has gone from innocent to dark and full of what can only be described as pure lust. Something about this little confrontation has Dennis reeling. He isn't sure if it's just the scent of Robby's own arousal or if he just is attracted to Robby being scared and turned on by Dennis being a blood-sucking demon. Either way, he's never been more attracted to someone in his entire life.
"Dennis…" Robby breathes out as he gazes down at the man in front of him. He's sick. He knows he's sick for this. Dennis could kill him right here, right now, and he knows it. Dennis could pounce on him and sink his teeth deep into his skin and drain all of the blood right out of his body. He's sick for being attracted to a man that is his resident. He's supposed to be the professional mentor of his students, not a pervy old man who can't stop thinking about what one of his seemingly younger students would look like in his bed. He should leave and try and forget this whole interaction even happened. He should remain professional and refuse to give into this charade. But by God, he doesn't want to. "This is insane. There's no way that you're a…"
"Vampire?" Dennis laughs, a heavenly sound coming from such a hellish creature. It softens the blow of confirmation ever so slightly, but doesn't ease Robby at all. "See, was that really so hard? Were you scared I'd kill you if you admitted it or something?"
"Still scared." Robby admits, knowing it's not exactly true.
"No, you're not." Dennis smirks as his eyes trail down Robby's body, focusing on the tightness of a specific spot in his scrub pants. Then, they trail right back up to meet Robby's eyes. "You wanna know one of my favorite things about my… condition, Robby?" He says in a hushed tone as he motions for Robby to lean down. Of course, Robby does, bending in half and keeping his arms crossed in front of his chest. He can feel his own heart pounding in his chest as Dennis leans forward, breath tickling Robby's ear.
"I can smell just how badly you want me," He whispers to Robby before pressing his face to the crook of Robby's neck, right between his neck and shoulder, and taking a deep breath in. Robby shudders, but refuses to stand up straight. He could easily get away from this, but he feels entranced by this. "I smelled it when you walked in the room. I can smell it when you walk past me. It's my favorite smell, really." He murmurs as he licks the side of Robby's neck, sending a shiver right down the taller man's spine.
"Fucking hell, Dennis…" Robby mutters out as he stands up slightly straighter, his hands moving to hold Dennis by the waist. "I can't tell if you're gonna eat me or fuck me."
Dennis laughs as his own hands move to the back of Robby's head, tangling in his hair. "If I get my way, I'll do both."
Finally, Dennis uses his leverage to pull Robby into a heated kiss. Almost instantly, their chests are pressed against each other as Robby wraps his arms around Dennis's waist, using the position to press Dennis's entire body against his own. Dennis tugs on Robby's hair roughly, earning a gasp from Robby that lets Dennis invade the inside of his mouth. The image of the two of them is sinful, to say the least. There's nothing but pure desire radiating from both of their bodies as their tongues lick at the inside of each other's mouths and their teeth nip at each other's lips. It isn't until Robby is panting that they separate. Then, Dennis steps back, grabbing Robby by the collar of his scrubs to drag him to the gurney in the middle of the room. With one hand on Robby's chest, he shoves Robby down onto the gurney. Robby takes the hint to get fully on the gurney, legs out in front of him and sitting up straight, allowing for Dennis to crawl right on top of him.
Dennis doesn't sit himself down onto Robby's lap, instead opting to hover just above where Robby wants him. Dennis just tugs on Robby's scrub top with a little smile, fangs finally making an appearance. Robby never noticed those before. "You won't want to get this dirty."
Those words send a shock through Robby's entire body. So, that's why Dennis's fangs are finally visible. He's making good on his word. He's going to eat Robby.
Obviously, like a fully sane person, Robby takes his top off along with his undershirt. Dennis's hands run from Robby's shoulders down his chest, enjoying the soft feeling of his chest hair under his fingertips. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you what blood loss does to you, right, Doctor?" He laughs a little at the groan that Robby lets out in response.
Dennis puts a hand on Robby's shoulder, the other moving to grab at Robby's hair. He uses his grip in Robby's hair to move Robby's head to the side, allowing him more access to Robby's neck. Maybe he should be more cautious about leaving puncture wounds on Robby's neck, he considers it. Then, he decides against it. Robby doesn't deserve that, he decides. Robby is the one who has been eavesdropping on his conversations, sneaking around to try and gather information on him like a spy. Then, he has the gall to try and act like Dennis didn't know what Robby was doing when confronted! He deserves a little bit of a punishment, Dennis thinks. In fact, Dennis doesn't even warn him about what vampire bites feel like. He doesn't warn Robby that vampire bites are not only painful, but also arousing. He found that out the first time he had fed from someone. If the bite kills you, obviously it doesn't give that effect, but if you're just being fed on, it feels almost equivalent to sexual stimulation. He isn't entirely sure why that happens, but he also doesn't care.
"Wait, Dennis—" Robby tries to get some sort of protest out, but Dennis ignores it as he sinks his fangs right into the aged skin on Robby's neck. Immediately, Robby's hands shoot to Dennis's hips as he lets out a pained moan. All of his protests melt away as he feels Dennis drink right from his veins. "Fff—Fuck, is it supp—posed to feel like…" His own words are cut off by another moan as Dennis tugs on his hair again.
Robby doesn't like the feeling of blood loss, but he does enjoy the feeling of Dennis's teeth in his neck and the feeling of Dennis's hand in his hair. Robby also doesn't like not knowing if he's going to die in this moment. He doesn't know when Dennis is going to stop or if he is at all. However, the feeling of pleasure overpowers all of that. Especially when Dennis finally decides to grind down against Robby, which makes Robby let out a groan that's likely a little too loud.
Eventually, Dennis does unlatch from Robby, lips red from Robby's blood. He grinds against Robby again as he cleans up his mess, licking at the blood that leaked out and onto Robby's shoulder. Robby's hands tighten on Dennis's hips as he guides Dennis's hips to grind down harder against him, chasing his own pleasure as Dennis makes sure not to leave a drop left on Robby's skin. By now, Dennis is drunk off the taste of Robby. Any semblance of dominance is fading as Robby takes control. He laughs a little at Dennis's quiet moans, head tilting back and eyes closed as he lets himself give into pleasure.
"You look so pretty like this," Robby mutters as he lets out a breathy moan, keeping the pace between them terribly slow. "What happened to the all-powerful, scary vampire I saw earlier, hmm? All you needed was a little blood and now you're all soft and pliable for me?"
Dennis looks at Robby, opening his mouth to argue, but Robby just puts a hand to the back of Dennis's neck to pull him in for another kiss. Any argument that Dennis had melts right away as he moans into the kiss. Robby quickly notices that Dennis's hips start to stutter in their movement, and he smiles as he breaks the kiss. "You really gonna come in your pants just from this?" He laughs at Dennis. Dennis truly cannot believe the audacity of Robby to laugh at him. He should bleed him out right now, drain his entire body of blood and leave his corpse sitting right here.
But it's been an awful long time since Dennis has been able to get off.
And Robby mocking him was awfully hot.
So, he just looks at Robby with pleading eyes. "Please." He whines out. It's pathetic, he knows. And it's entirely inappropriate. He's at work, in his scrubs. There's going to be a noticeable stain in his scrub pants if he does this, but he can't wait any longer. He can't just stop here and hope that Robby will let Dennis go home with him tonight. He knows that he wouldn't even be allowing this to happen— allowing Robby to take control— if it wasn't for the fact that he had just tasted some of the best blood of his life and he was barely functioning after the euphoric experience. He's just so, so close, and he needs this so much more than he even realized.
"Please what, baby?" The petname only stokes the fire building in his stomach. Robby just smiles even more as he watches Dennis unravel more and more. Making Dennis beg for it is Robby's own form of payback for cornering him earlier, and Dennis knows that. Part of him doesn't want to give Robby what he wants, but the rest of him just craves release so desperately. He won't be able to focus if he goes back to work like this, that's the excuse he'll use anyway.
"Please let me come. Please, Robby, I need it…" Dennis whines out, putting his hands on Robby's shoulders to steady himself as he tries his best to fight against Robby's slow pace and chase his orgasm.
Robby's hands move from Dennis's hips to his waist with a groan as Dennis speeds up his own movements now that he's free to do so. "Go ahead, baby. Since you're just so desperate for it, come for me."
All Dennis needed were those words for him to come undone, body shaking and vision going white from just how hard he comes. Robby kisses him through it to muffled Dennis's moans, holding him close to keep him from shaking too bad. Dennis slowly starts to come down from his high, melting into Robby's embrace and moving to put his head on Robby's shoulder. They stay there for a while, likely a little longer than they should considering how long they've been gone already. Robby just lets Dennis sit in his lap, caressing his hair and rubbing his back to soothe him through his apparent embarrassment. He doesn't move to get up until Dennis does. He swings his legs off of Robby and jumps down from the gurney, looking down at his pants in shame. Robby laughs a little as he gets up as well, putting his shirts back on.
"Just go change your scrubs, try to avoid everyone on the way. I'm sure you're quite capable of sneaking around." Robby says to Dennis as he moves to grab some stuff to clean up and dress his wound on his neck.
"I am, thank you very much." Dennis replies in a snarky tone, rolling his eyes. "How about you focus on trying not to get caught with that on your neck." He moves to Robby, poking at the puncture wounds before grabbing the antiseptic wipes and bandage. He makes Robby sit back down on the gurney, not fully this time, and stands between Robby's legs to cover Robby's wound. Once he's done, he places a little kiss to the bandage with a smile. Then, he realizes something. "Wait, you didn't—"
"It's fine, kid." Robby stands, wrapping a single arm around Dennis's waist to give him a quick kiss. Dennis doesn't make a comment on how he's most certainly not a kid, and is definitely older than Robby. He likes the petname. It makes him feel young again. "How about you come over after our shift ends. You can help me out then?"
Dennis smiles, a slight devious glint in his eye. Robby decides to ignore that glint. "I'd love to."
"Great," Robby leans down to give Dennis one more kiss. He savors this one, knowing that he'll have to go another few hours before he can kiss Dennis again. "See you back out there, then." Robby then turns to walk out of the room, heading right back out into the chaos that is the PTMC. Dennis gives it a few moments before he walks out as well, masterfully sneaking past all his coworkers to change his scrubs.
"What's with the band-aid?" That's the first thing Jack asks Robby once handover is done. Robby just laughs and waves him off, but Jack raises an eyebrow in suspicious. It isn't until Dennis comes up to Robby asking if he's ready to go that Jack realizes that Robby is more pale than normal, and Dennis seems more energized than he normally is at the end of shift. It doesn't take but a few moments before Jack pieces it together. He grabs Robby's arm before he can leave and Robby hangs back for a moment, telling Dennis to wait for him outside.
Robby just leans in close to whisper to Jack, hand on Jack's shoulder. "Turns out… He's definitely more than a little weird." Robby then pulls back, winking at Jack before he walks out the door to Dennis.
Dana then walks up to Jack, looking at the bewildered look on his face. "What's that all about? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Jack just sighs, shaking his head as he watched Robby and Dennis walk away together to Robby's car. "Yeah… Something like that."