Chapter Text
Dennis knew he shouldn’t pry. Robby was a closed off person at work and Dennis now had access to his home, with all his trinkets and memorabilia. And there was a lot of it.
It started with just dusting. Some of the bookshelves had dust Dennis could see from across the room. So he looked in all the cabinets, found a cloth and some spray, and went about the rooms dusting the shelves, windows and coffee tables. There were books, vinyls, and enamel pins stuck to a flag that Dennis didn’t recognize. He dusted everything he could see. But then it felt half done. He chewed on the side of his cheek and pondered. It wasn’t ‘snooping’ if it was in the service of the house sitting, job right? Regular house maintenance could be part of the expectation for house sitting, especially if Dennis was trying to do a good job. And he was.
Finally, when he’d finished cleaning everything in the living room and dining room, he went to the ‘lounge’ and started on the bookshelf. There were a LOT of books. Dennis imagined Robby reading one of them, curled up on the loveseat with a cup of tea; Dennis had also found a lot of loose-leaf tea in the kitchen on his first night. It made his heart grow three sizes for his detached chief physician, even though he knew that there was no point in pursuing anything. He was truthfully just glad to be of help to Robby. Dennis dusted his way up one bookshelf of medical books, down another of mythology and spirituality texts and found himself staring at three editions of ‘The Leatherboy Handbook’.
Whitaker dropped his dusting cloth.
Could Robby have interests that aligned with his own? Was that possible?
He pulled one of the books off the shelf and flipped through the pages. Yes, it was the real thing with information about dynamics and flagging and submission- suddenly the picture of Robby in his head, relaxing in his lounge, was starting to look different. Robby, in varying levels of undress- what color handkerchief would he have? Would it be dark green?
Dennis closed the book and slid it back on the shelf. Robby was allowed to have secrets. Of course he was. He backed up from the shelf, abandoning dusting as he went to wash his hands and water the plants.
The next day though, it was pouring rain. His uber was halfway down the driveway so he threw open the front closet behind the entryway and scanned the closet, searching for an umbrella. Right away, his eyes landed on a big cardboard box labelled with ‘LANGDON’. He didn’t have time to investigate though. He ran out of the house, backpack bouncing on his shoulders as the gravel driveway splashed up on his ankles. He hadn’t found an umbrella.
All day, even as he treated patients, ran tests and fielded questions for med students, he kept thinking about Langdon’s box. It had to be Frank’s right? He didn’t even really entertain it belonging to someone else- who else was named Langdon? Dennis had only been around Robby and Frank together that first day, but it wasn’t hard to imagine the ‘golden boy’ treatment Langdon might’ve received. Just one thing that had aggravated Trinity about Langdon- so Dennis didn’t tell her about the box. He just thought about it, within the context of Robby’s leather handbook.
It could’ve just been his stuff from house sitting but, wouldn’t Robby just bring it to work, or throw it away? He hadn’t seen them talking when Robby was here, but Frank had told him that he used to have that job. It made Dennis feel uncomfortable when he thought about all the ways he’d replaced Frank. That cemented it- he couldn’t open the box.
Just when he decided it, who should appear but Frank? He was leaning forward on the charge desk; it looked like he was doing a push up. Dennis strode over to him.
“Hey.” Frank greeted him as he walked over. He straightened up and rolled his shoulders back. “Is everything all right back here?” He’d been on triage for all his shifts since he’d come back, only getting to come back to the department when chairs cleared out. Which never happened.
Dennis nodded. “Yes, going really- according to plan.” He didn’t want to jinx it, so he just acknowledged that their floor wasn’t overrun with patients.
Frank nodded quickly. “Cool. Glad to hear it. I was just coming to grab a protein bar from my locker; I’ll go back up there to eat it.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. You’re still a resident.” Dennis reminded him.
“Yeah. Thanks. I just don't want to step on toes. See you around.” He rolled his shoulders forward again and walked off toward the lockers. Dennis watched him go and wonder what secrets Robby had kept, what secrets they had shared.
Technically, he didn't need to go back to Robby's. The mail wasn't running today and the plants had been watered that morning. But there was so much left to discover- ah, dust. So much left to dust.
He walked there, several streetlights coming on as he journeyed to Robby’s place. It was tucked way back in a neighborhood of homes that had been built in the 1950s. Robby’s whole place had an undeniable comfortability about it, including the front yard. Since it was so tucked back, the gravel driveway was extremely long. It reminded Dennis of his grandparents' house in Nebraska. He wouldn’t ever get to see that house again, so it was nice to get to be at Robby’s.
Once he was inside, Dennis changed out of his scrubs and washed his face in the bathroom. Once again, his thoughts flitted to Robby doing the same. And now Frank was there following after Robby, being taken care of. What dynamic did they have?
Dennis shook his head. “Stop it.” He said aloud, patting his face dry.
He didn’t allow himself a moment to think about boxes or dynamics. He started sweeping, cleaning, and decluttering. He tidied the mail collection bin and straightened the trinkets on the mantle. He found a box of incense and a censer- they had one at Trinity’s house. He didn’t know if Robby had a lighter so he used the gas stove to light three sticks. The scent was heavy and woodsy and it made Dennis feel at ease.
He didn’t know exactly what had transpired between Frank and Robby but the tension between them at Louie’s memorial had been palpable. And Robby hadn’t been doing very well that day. Dennis pulled his phone out and texted Robby a picture of the incense.
Hi Dr. Robby! Just hanging out at your house today, took care of the plants and dusted the bookshelves. It was really rainy earlier so I’m going to open the windows but I lit this incense and it smells so great! Enjoy your day!
He locked his phone and went to the closet. Whatever had happened between them, Robby had asked him to house sit. He wouldn’t ever tell Robby he’d found the box, and he certainly wouldn’t tell Frank. So why couldn’t he open it?
The box was heavy. The top was folded together but not taped. He gently pulled the flaps open and laid his eyes upon the items Robby had hidden in the box.
A blue and white circlet with a bone in the middle. Several teethers and chewies, a pacifier with white dog bones on it, puppy ear barrettes. A tiny stuffed puppy. There was a bracelet that said ‘Daddy’, and a blue blanket rolled up. Under that, Dennis could see a rubber banded stack of polaroids. Before he knew it, he was pulling the stack out and pulling the band off.
Frank- laying out on the couch with his eyes closed and his legs spread open on the couch. Frank on his knees with the bone in his mouth. Frank with fingers in his mouth- Robby’s fingers. Robby’s dick too. There were a lot of pictures. Dennis shuffled through them and saw Frank, Frank, Frank. Some of them were at a park, the movies, the sand dunes in Indiana- he only knew because there was a picture of Frank in front of the national park sign. Some of them had Robby in them too but it was mostly Frank. He had been the object of affection, the muse. And now, Robby didn’t even want to look at him. Dennis shuffled the pictures again and found the one with the bone toy in his mouth. He picked the bone toy up and held it, stroking the soft blue leather by the closure. There was a set of initials stamped there- FL. Frank Langdon.
He put the bone and the pictures back in the box and got his stuff. He couldn’t stay here. He couldn’t stay in Robby’s house with his memories of Frank.
Dennis had gotten everyone’s phone number out of the staff directory on his second day in the ER but Frank’s had already been removed, so he’d never had it. He chewed on his lip and pondered where he could get it while he stood on the curb. He was waiting for the bus- it was only 9 pm, they should be coming for another hour before they ran express. He stared at the list of contacts and pulled up Mel King’s message screen.
Hey! Do you have Langdon’s number?
Mel texted back almost immediately.
YES! I can send you the contact for him!
Frank Langdon.contact
There you go! Are you guys friends now?
He’s so great!
Dennis smiled and heart reacted to the last text message.
I’m trying to reach out to him. He has a lot of expertise and I’m trying to get it all.
Mel heart reacted to that text and that was it, conversation over.
The bus rattled up the street and Dennis waved his hand, double clicked his phone to get his wallet up and stepped up to the curb. He paid his fare and made his way through the seats to the back. When he sank down in his seat, he pulled up his message screen and clicked on Frank’s contact. What could he say? ‘Hi, I found your kink box in our boss’ closet, do you want to get it back?’ Not an option.
Hey man, are you up to anything tonight?
It’s Dennis Whitaker by the way.
From work.
That didn’t seem too incriminating. Frank might not text back-
His phone vibrated immediately.
I’m at 5801. You could come if you want.
5801 was a gay bar in Shadyside. Dennis would have to transfer buses but he was willing- god, was he willing.
Be there soon.
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Frank had packed his clothes in a tight roll at the bottom of his backpack and showered at the hospital. He had to get out- triage was breaking his soul. It was like playing doctor- he barely got to do any medical care, he didn’t get to help at all. Mostly, people were just mad when he sent them back out to chairs. It sucked. But that was his responsibility. He knew why.
He didn’t know what had made him get so stuck on the benzos. No one in his family had any addiction issues, he’d asked them all! And his parents were currently horrified that he’d gotten so addicted that he had to go to a treatment facility. They shouldn’t have ever known, but due to his housing situation, his mail had gotten re-routed to his earlier address. Which meant the rehab bill had gone to them. He was drinking all of that away now. Some substances were okay.
But Whitaker was coming. Which meant he either needed to sober up, or get a lot more drunk. He held up a hand and ordered another double vodka cranberry.
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When Dennis Whitaker arrived they checked his ID and put a sticker on his phone camera. Then he was free to walk around the bar. To find Frank.
There were a lot of people there, in varying levels of attire and makeup. Dennis was thrilled to witness all of it, but he didn’t want to get distracted. He knew Frank had at least had relations with Robby but the casual admission of attendance to a gay club was more than Dennis was accustomed to. This wasn’t the one he and Trinity went to, and that made him slightly more comfortable. There would probably still be overlap, but at least he wouldn’t see the guy he made out with sometimes-
“Whitaker! There you are. C’mere, dance with me.” Frank grabbed his wrist and pulled him onto the tiny area not occupied with pool tables or darts. He was bouncing on his feet, holding one arm over his head and the other swinging Whitaker’s wrist back and forth as he danced.
Dennis moved automatically, closing the distance between them as he tried to get a look at Frank’s face. He was flushed, his pupils were blown. Dennis could smell the cranberry juice on his breath. He moved to hold Frank’s shoulder. “You okay?”
Frank nodded quickly. “Yeah. I really enjoy alcohol, suprise surprise. Substance abuse disorder!” He laughed sharply and dropped his hands. “I shouldn’t really even be here. I was almost a month sober.”
Dennis winced. “We can go home. Did you drive here? I’m not drunk.”
“I don’t have a home! I have - uh- uh, an apartment. There’s nothing in it. There’s nothing in it, Whitaker. It’s nothing.” He wasn’t crying yet but Whitaker could see tears forming in Frank’s eyes. Dennis grabbed his wrist.
“Come with me. I’ll take you to Robby’s.” Dennis said. “It’s really nice there-”
“No, no. You can’t. I can’t go there. He doesn’t want me. There.” Frank pulled his wrist away. “You can’t.”
“Hey. It’s okay. He didn’t say you couldn’t come over. He said no parties, no babies. You just need a place to crash, not party.” Dennis put his hands in his pockets, leaving his elbow out. “Did you drive here?”
Frank nodded. “I wasn’t gonna drive home though. I wasn’t.” He seemed serious. Dennis was glad he’d come. Langdon got the keys out of his pocket and handed them to Dennis. “I’m thirsty.”
Dennis nodded. “Yeah. I’ll get you a drink of water. Come on.” He offered his elbow to Frank, so he could decide to hold on. Frank did. Once they were outside he clicked the button to lock the car and alert him to where it was. Once he found it, he opened the passenger door for Frank and stood back to make sure he got buckled in. Frank just lifted his arms up and leaned back in the seat. Whitaker waited just a moment before grabbing the seat belt buckle and fastening it across his body. Frank closed his eyes, evidently comfortable with this. Of course.
On the drive home- well, Robby’s home- Frank barely made any noise, just hugged his arms around himself and kept his eyes closed. Dennis wondered if this was his routine, if Robby drove him home on nights out. Another role he was stepping into. Once they’d gotten there, Frank was coming around a bit more. He got out of the car by himself and walked somewhat cognizantly to the back door, lifted the knob and pushed into the house. Dennis hadn’t used that door once. He locked the car and followed after Frank.
His top and shoes had been abandoned by the washer and dryer across from the back door. Frank was leaning on the counter, pants unzipped and sinking lower on his body. Dennis walked over, hands empty. “Hey. Can I help you?”
Frank nodded. “Yeah. For sure.” He leaned his head down on the counter and let out a deep breath of relief. “I missed it here.”
Whitaker bit his lip as he moved to pull Frank’s pants off. He didn’t know how long it had been since Frank had house sat but he couldn’t imagine not talking to Robby. Well. Now he didn’t have to- it had been eight days since Robby had left and he hadn’t from him since. “Yeah. It’s really nice. Do you want to get comfortable on the couch?”
Frank nodded but didn’t move. He was still leaning on the counter. “Mmh. Need help.” He mumbled.
Dennis moved right to his side and took his arm. “Yeah man. Of course.”
Frank giggled at that. “Mmm not.” He managed, covering his mouth with his hand. “Not.”
Dennis looked at him. “You’re not?”
He shook his head and wiggled his hips. “Not man.”
Dennis nodded. “Okay. Come on then.” He led him deeper into the house let him lay on the couch. “Do you want a blanket?”
“Blue blanket.” Frank mumbled. Dennis glanced up and saw his fingers were in his mouth. Dennis’ stomach twisted. Frank was hardly here with him right now, having retreated to a place of safety where he was at Robby’s house. That made sense. Why else would he be at Robby’s if he wasn’t safe? He stroked Frank’s hair.
“I’ll get your blue blanket.” Dennis said. He got to his feet and honestly scurried to the closet. He took the box down again, this time with purpose. Whitaker opened it up, grabbed the chewies and the blanket. He left everything else, but didn’t put the box back in the closet. He might need it again.
He spread the blanket over Frank’s body and gently pried his fingers out of his mouth and replaced it with the Chewie. “Here. Have this instead.”
Frank’s hips started wiggling again. “Mmh. Thank you, daddy.” He mumbled, eyes closing.
Dennis sank down onto his knees. There it was. Frank and Robby had been- probably everything to one another, and now Robby wouldn’t even look at him. Dennis stroked his hair back. “It’s okay. You’re safe here.” He promised, scooting closer to the couch. “I’m here with you.”
Tears did roll down Frank’s face at that but he didn’t open his eyes. He just gnawed on the Chewie and clutched the blue blanket. He only made a noise when Dennis stopped touching his hair. So he didn’t stop touching his hair.