Work Text:
According to the internet the answer is simple: turn off your phone, avoid late night snacks, exercise during the day, establish a consistent sleep schedule and if you’re feeling particularly desperate avoid liquids an hour before bed so you don’t have to get up a billion times because you have to pee.
According to Dennis it’s impossible. He’s always been a “bad” sleeper as his mum used to call it, always waking up throughout the night but it’s never been this bad. He used to be able to get at least 4 to if he’s lucky even 6 hours of sleep every night, not ideal but not catastrophic as well.
Lately though, he’s been lucky getting 3 hours, staring at the wall all night as if it’s the sole reason for his inability to fall asleep.
Trinity voiced her concerns last week asking him if everything’s okay.
„This can’t continue forever Huckleberry. I know you’re not sleeping and if you keep this up, it’ll at least start impacting your work but first and foremost your fucking health! You can’t keep doing this to yourself, get help, talk to someone. For God’s sake talk to me! I’m worried about you Dennis. “
He could only shrug as a response. He understands that Trinity only wants to help him but he’s tried everything there is, he even bought those awful smelling lavender packets to keep under his pillow.
He eyes the damn alarm clock.
4am.
Fuck.
I have to get up in an hour.
Might as well just get up now and clock in early for some more money. He walks to the bathroom, splashing some cold water on his face in hopes it makes up for the sleepless night and gets dressed. It feels like every single cell of his body is running on low.
After quickly making himself and Trinity some sandwiches for the day, he quietly leaves the apartment and walks towards the bus stop. The bus ride is quiet, some drunk people half asleep probably on their way home occupy the few seats taken.
The 30-minute commute isn’t terrible but Dennis is happy to finally leave the bus and see the familiar entrance of the hospital.
As he walks into the building someone grabs him by the shoulders.
“Now Whitaker while I do appreciate the enthusiasm, what the fuck are you doing here already kid”
“Hey Dr. Abbot” he says sheepishly. “Woke up early so might as well come here, you guys would never complain about extra hands, no?”
“Usually no, however, if I may remind you. You’ve been coming in early almost every shift kid. I’ve talked to Robby about this a few days ago and he agrees. Theres a thing called working too hard. We want you here and we’re grateful for your good work but if you run yourself into the ground, you won’t be a help for anyone okay?”
Dennis nods, eyes glued to his shoes feeling embarrassed about being called out like that.
“I’m sorry”
“Listen here Whitaker, this is not a scolding, okay? We just want you to be able to reach your full potential. I’ll talk to Robby when he arrives if he’s able to let you go earlier so you can get a few more hours of sleep. Once again this is not me chewing you out, it’s for your own good kid.”
Abbot finally gives him a light shove towards the changing room and Dennis quickly takes the out and basically runs towards the door.
He immediately throws him into work to forget the encounter.
It’s a few hours later and he can just feel the exhaustion in his bones, wanting nothing more but a short nap. He stares at the board, vision swimming slightly. Dennis can already feel Danas eyes on him, probably about to warn him about cherry picking.
However, before he can assign himself another patient, a very stern looking Robby grabs his shoulders and guides him towards the break room, dropping him into one of the chairs.
“Whitaker lets take a few and talk. Now I know that you know what this is about so buckle up champ and let me talk okay”
Dennis lets himself fall deeper into the chair Robby pushed him into, quickly nodding while feeling mortified about what’s to come. Especially since its now coming from the one person he admires the most.
“Abbot told me that you came early again and while I appreciate your motivation, this needs to stop. You’ve been consistently looking more tired every shift and while I do know that we healthcare workers are more prone to exhaustion in general, I’m worried about you. Hell, even Dana and some of the other nurses have been pushing me to talk to you just because of how tired you look Whitaker. And while I’m aware this is intrusive, I need to know how I can help you. I’m not doing this to embarrass you; I need you to understand that I am just worried about you kid.”
“It’s just- I-“
Fuck Dennis can feel his eyes water. God why is he like this.
“Take your time sweetheart, what is it”
sweetheart? did he just-.
Dennis doesn’t really get the chance to ponder on the term of endearment before Robby gestures to him to continue.
“I can’t sleep. And it’s so dumb like what do you mean I work 15 hours and then I can’t sleep? But it’s been like for a long time, just a little bit worse the past few months and I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried everything but nothing is working, I’m sorry Dr. Robby I just don’t know what to do”
Dennis can feel the tears threatening to leave his eyes so he tries to quickly blink them away while avoiding looking at Robby like he’s the plaque.
What he doesn’t see is the softening look of Robby when he sees how Dennis is basically hanging on a thread.
“Okay listen to me sweetheart. The next time you lay in bed not being able to sleep, you call me, okay? And then we’ll talk and maybe well be able to find some things that work. But you need to let us help Dennis.”
“I can’t possibly ask that of you. You need your sleep as well Dr. Robby- “
“Let me quickly stop you there. This is an offer, because I want to do it. If you want me to sleep enough, I guess you’ll have to find out how to fall asleep little one. I wont sleep till you do.”
Months later Dennis lies in bed, wrapped warmly in Robby’s arms, snoring loudly, sleeping better than he ever has before.