Service Dog AU part 8
Service dog hybrid Dennis who doesn't understand why he's not allowed to go in the exam room with Jack, because it only really smells like him in there and nobody else.
He's pacing around outside the door, and Robby's already gently told him to come away twice, each time steering him away towards a different job, but he keeps circling back because Jack is in there and he wants to see him.
There is something a little weird about the smell though. It's Jack, yeah, but it's...stronger? Than it usually is. And there's something layered on top of it, like it's doubled up but also had something slightly different about it. He can't work it out and it's maddening that he's not allowed in.
But then the door whooshes open and Dennis flinches back a little, and Jack is suddenly right there in the doorway, looking slightly surprised to see him there.
"Denny." His tail picks up wagging because he feels like he hasn't seen Jack in forever. "Just who I was looking for."
And Dennis' tail wags even harder because hell yes, Jack's been looking for him!
"Can you come in here and just...sit here with my - patient. For just a second?" And Dennis doesn't really know why Jack's hesitating or why he looks a little tense, but if he can help then he's more than happy to. He likes to help people, and he particularly likes to help Jack.
He follows him back into the exam room and feels his whole body come lurching to a halt because the patient -
The patient is Jack?
Except he's obviously not because Jack is wandering back towards the tools he left on the tray, and the man sitting on the bed and looking like he's one second away from bolting, is clearly younger, and clearly...not Jack.
"You look just like Jack! That's so cool!" And there are clearly hearts in Dennis' eyes or something because Jack glances back up at him with this little fond twitch to his lips and eyes that tell Dennis he should be getting so many pets right now.
"I dunno that Pope would agree with you. Must be hard living under such an impressive shadow his whole life." The man doesn't respond, so Jack just gives Dennis a little nod of introduction. "Dennis, this is my little brother, Pope. He's a fucking terrible patient, so if you could just sit next to him and work your magic while I try to get his arm sewn back together, I'd appreciate it. Pope, this is Dennis, he's our -"
"You're a hybrid."
Pope has his head tilted down but his eyes firmly and unwaveringly fixed on Dennis, and - and there's something about it that makes the hairs on the back of Dennis' neck stand on end. He feels vulnerable, suddenly. He can't see any extra ears or a tail attached to Pope, but he feels like he's in the presence of a bigger, wilder dog than he will ever be.
He feels like he should be scared. He feels like he wants to roll over and show Pope his belly just a little. But whatever he's feeling right now isn't fear, because there's something else about Pope that is screaming and pulling at something inside Dennis. He's staring, yes, but his eyes don't look like they're harbouring rage or aggression right now. They look like they're searching, desperately, for something. Like they're scanning a crowd for someone he recognises. They're sad, somehow.
It's like looking at someone who is appealing for someone, something intangible. Like even he doesn't know what it is he's asking for, but he knows he's desperate for it.
Dennis feels such a strong need to give him what he's searching for, and he feels his ears flatten against his head and he has to swallow his own sad whine because for some reason it hurts him that he doesn't know what this man - Jack's brother - wants.
"Pope, c'mon man. That's not polite. His name is Dennis."
"But he is a hybrid."
"Yep! That's me!" Dennis interrupts because it looks like Jack's opening his mouth to scold some more. He wags his tail for Pope, whose eyes catch on the motion immediately and don't leave.
"Sorry, Denny. Don't worry, though, he's not an asshole. Well, he's not trying to be. He just - he likes hybrids." Pope doesn't even acknowledge the words, he looks like he's so thoroughly fixated on Dennis' wagging tail. Dennis allows himself a little giggle.
"I mean I'd much rather be in a room with someone who likes hybrids than someone who thinks we shouldn't exist."
"I would never think that."
Pope's voice is quiet, and his eyes are fixed back on Dennis' with an intensity that he doesn't quite know what to do with, like he's trying to convince Dennis of how much he really means it.
"Can I sit next to you, Pope?"
The speed with which Pope hauls himself further along the bed makes Jack curse from where he was trying to suture, and Dennis laugh a little, because he likes seeing Jack get wound up.
Pope is looking at him like that one time a local high school graduation had ended up in the ED, and the prom king couldn't keep his eyes off the queen in dark blue chiffon with the emesis bag clutched in her hand.
Dennis hops up on the bed, making sure to press himself against Pope's side, even though he'd usually spend more time gauging the mood. He lets his tail thump against the bed and Pope's back, and he can feel Pope's eyes boring into him, and it kinda makes him want to smile and show him his favourite toy.
"Okay, if we're all settled and snug now?" Jack is raising his eyebrows and Dennis sticks his tongue out at him. "Jesus Christ. Okay. Pope. Stay fucking still. Please. I don't wanna explain in my chart why you came in with a 10cm open lac and left with a 25cm closed one."
"Can I touch your ears?"
Out of the corner of his eye, he can see Jack take a big deep breath for patience. He ignores it in favour of blinking up at Pope's returning, unblinking stare that has a hopeful greediness to it. Something lurking behind them flickers and threatens to slam down on the sparkling thing that Dennis is enjoying looking at.
"Sorry," Pope mumbles, making an effort to break eye contact. "I dunno if that's rude. Sorry if it is. You don't have to. I don't wanna make you uncomfortable."
And no, that's not how this is supposed to go at all. Dennis looks over at Jack, who's watching them both carefully. He gives Dennis a minute shrug as if to say it's your choice, kid.
Dennis smiles up at Pope, lets them both feel the lazy wag of his tail.
"It's not rude! It's what I'm here for! Besides, it's not really a hardship for me. I like having my ears touched. I guess it would be like someone having a job getting massages. It's pretty great!"
Pope grimaces just a little, as though he's not sure that's a thought he's entirely comfortable with, and Dennis doesn't want him getting side tracked, so he carefully picks up Pope's hand - large, scarred around the knuckles - and brings it slowly to his own head.
"Here." He guides Pope's hand to his right ear, and watches something in Pope's shoulders go lax, sees his face soften like he's just walked into a patch of sunshine on a cold day. "You can't really go wrong - just don't yank them real hard, please."
"I won't." Pope sounds like he's been put under sedation, the promise soft and scratchy and almost slurred, absent as his large hand starts stroking Dennis' ears like they're made of fine crystal and might shatter if he presses too hard. Dennis is struck by the difference between this and Jack's usual boisterous ruffling and tugging, and he feels himself smile as he looks at the older man's face, solemn and as totally focused on his stitching as his brother is on Dennis' ears.
He can't wait to tell Robby about this.
