Ask: "could you maybe possible write Dennis Whitaker in a secret relationship with someone (maybe a med student who works at a different hospital or on the night shift at PTMC or something) and when they finally decide to tell people, no one believes him?"
pittlings, a coffee meet cute, and a secret revealed
Warnings: No warnings I believe
Word Count: 1728
A/N: I’ve had this request for over a year that the ask got deleted. I’m so sorry anon 😭i finally wrote it
I'm also very new to posting so give me feedback (kindly), or tips for tumblr
* * * (how the hell do y'all have cute line page breaks) * * *
“Hey Whitaker, Santos and I are going to get Thai tonight, you wanna come?” Victoria asked, wiggling her eyebrows as she leaned on the counter of the nurses station.
“I can’t,” Dennis' shoulders tensed slightly, “I already have plans, but let me know the next time you guys go.” he responded with a small smile.
Unconvinced, Trinity groaned. ”Huckleberry, this is like the third time you’ve told us that. Are you ever free?”
“I’m sorry!,” He held his hands up in surrender, “I’ve just been busy lately.” He moves to walk away from the conversation, but Santos steps into his path. He abruptly stops, almost crashing into her. She squints at him while he avoids any eye contact with her, looking to Victoria for help.
“What are you hiding?” Santos continues to glare at him, well more his cheek.
Dennis rolls his eyes, “Nothing!” he shakes his head before turning around and escaping from her interrogation.
“10 bucks he’s part of some kinky cult,” Turning her head to Victoria, who just sighs, grabbing an iPad before walking away.
* * *
The last time Dennis checked his phone was about 3 hours ago, right before he put a 60 year old man’s knee back in place. He had been booked and busy since then, running around without a second to stop. But he hadn’t stopped thinking about his date later that night.
He had met her about 6 months ago on one of his few days off. He decided to treat himself to some coffee that didn’t taste like the hogwash from the ER staff room. He rubbed his face as he reached for the door to the coffee shop, still not fully awake. At the same time that he went to grab the handle, another person went for it too, accidentally grabbing his hand.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” she pulled back immediately, her face flushing as she made eye contact.
“It’s no worries, I got it.” Dennis smiled, fully opening the door to let her in first.
“Thanks,” she gave back an embarrassed smile before scurrying inside in front of him.
When Dennis got in line, he looked up at the menu, deciding if he should try something different or do his usual. He was really debating on getting one of the shop’s weekly specials though. He usually didn’t stray from his usual order, but it was his day off, he should treat himself.
“Hi, can I get an orange creamsicle cappuccino?” he asked, pulling his wallet out from his pocket.
“For sure!” The barista smiled. “By the way, your drink has been paid for.” Dennis halted his motions.
“Huh?”, he tilted his head, eyebrows furrowing.
“The girl before you paid.” The barista pointed towards the girl who he opened the door for.
“Oh, uh thanks.” He shoved his wallet back down into his pocket. The barista wished him a good day as he moved out of line and towards the girl. If she felt like she was in the wrong, she’s wrong about that. He was incredibly tired and didn’t see her at the door. If anything he should’ve paid for her drink for his clumsiness.
“Thank you,” he said as he got next to her, “you didn’t have to do that.”
“It’s an apology for my awkwardness.” she let out a snort, “and you looked like you needed a pick me up.”
“I need my fill of coffee, even on a day off.” He sighed, looking at the pick up counter.
“It’s my day off too! Where do you work?” She asked, turning to him.
“PTMC,” he said. Turns out she worked at the same hospital in the Pediatrics department. After they both had drank half of their coffee, they decided to sit down at a table to continue talking. Maybe it was their common workplace or the fact she was so funny, but Dennis was enjoying every minute of it. The conversation flowed easily, and he didn’t feel like he had a front on or hide anything about himself. She was genuine and pretty. Really pretty. They ended up talking for over an hour. Talking about family, the transition to Pittsburg, the weird sound the south elevator makes. When they eventually had to go their separate ways, Dennis gathered up the courage to ask for her phone number. Because he had to see her again to pay her back for the coffee.
Since then, they have spent every sliver of time off together. So tonight they had planned to get dinner at their favorite Italian place. They planned to go right after their shift ended, not risking going home and getting comfortable.
By the time Dennis’ shift was ending, he could almost smell the lasagna he was going to order later that night. He just had handoff and then his dreams would be a reality.
Walking to the nurse’s hub, he saw that she was already waiting for him. “Hey,” he smiled, slowing to a stop in front of her. “I just have one more thing and then I’ll be good to go.
“Alrighty, I’ll be here.” She beamed, setting her bag on the counter. Trinity squinted at Dennis as he walked away.
“Who is that?” she bumped her shoulder against Victoria’s, nodding towards the unfamiliar face. Victoria followed her line of sight before shrugging her shoulders.
“Probably a friend?” she suggested with a tilt of head.
“As if Huckleberry has friends besides us.” Trinity scoffed, making Victoria roll her eyes.
“Just ask him.” Trinity rolls her eyes to Victoria in return before walking over to Dennis. He just finished handoff and was ready to leave, but Trinity blocked him like a linebacker before he could make it back to the hub.
“Who’s the chick?” She asked, raising her eyebrows at Dennis. He looked back at his girl with a smile.
“My girlfriend.” He said shortly with a nod, then swiftly moving away from Trinity before the cork blew off and he was hit with it. He was tired of hiding it from everyone. It wasn’t like he was doing it on purpose, he just wanted to make sure the relationship was serious before he told anyone. Everyone wanted to poked their noses in other people’s business, so he just wanted to be private for a while, which just meant that he was quiet about the whole ordeal. But he was so happy. He got to be himself and found someone who loved that. Someone who supported him and who he supported back. They understood each other to a degree that was kinda unexplainable to him. But they fit together so well together that there was no way he would go back to what life was like before her.
Trinity watched Dennis walk away, her mouth slightly agape. Then, she let out a snort sound, making Victoria stare at her with wide eyes. After a moment, she started to cackle, her laugh getting soon louder and she doubled over. Victoria threw a pen at her in an attempt to snap her out of whatever was happening. Trinity just ignored the pen hitting her, picking it up and walking back over to the curly haired girl, still having a giggle fit.
“What did he say?” Victoria leaned over the top of the counter, itching to get as close to Trinity to hear the news.
“His girlfriend?” Trinity laughed out, shaking her head as she spoke.
“And you don’t believe him?” The younger girl leaned back with an eyebrow raised.
“No!” letting out an exasperated laugh as she let her hands fall. “He is just lying to get out of Thai night.”
“Whatevery floats your boat.” Victoria sighed. “Whatever, let’s just get going, I’m so hungry.”
“I am right.” Trinity pointed a finger at the other before moving to leave together.
* * *
The next morning, Dennis’ supposed lie had spread across the ED. There was even a bet set up by Ahmed.
“You don’t really think he has a girlfriend do you?” Trinity looked up to Perlah from the computer.
“It could explain why he’s been more smiley lately.” Perlah pointed out.
“Or it could be because he doesn’t have to deal with you two after hours” Princes motioned to the two pittlings.
“Hey! He likes us.” Victoria defended, crossing her arms over herself.
“Yesterday he was just complaining about how you guys don’t take his restaurant suggestions.” Robby interjected, squinting his eyes.
“He has bad taste.” Trinity shook her head. “One time he took us to this grody BBQ place in the middle of nowhere.”
“Didn’t you say it was the best BBQ you’ve ever had.” Robby tilted his head.
“Yes…” Trinity hesitated, “but the atmosphere was not it, he doesn’t get a choice anymore.” Robby just shook his head with a sigh. As the conversation continued, Dennis walked in through the triage door, in step with the same girl that was waiting for him the night before.
“Is that her?” Princess asks, nodding over to the entrance. All heads at the station turn.
“Could you guys be any more obvious?” Robby laughed, lightly knocking his knuckles against the counter. He shook his head at the antics of his staff before moving to start his day, but still kept an eye towards the lot.
* * *
“Oh god,” Dennis saw the all beady eyes staring at them as they walked.
“You think they’re talking about us?” She asked from next to him with a small smile. Dennis just dropped his head with a huff. “Word travels fast.” she laughed.
“It does,” Dennis looked up to meet her eyes, his head still handing low.
“Let’s give them something to really talk about then,” Before Dennis could ask what she meant, she had raised to her tippy toes and snaked her hand to lay on his shoulder, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. She started to pull back but Dennis quickly leaned down and kissed her again, his hand on her cheek to halt her from pulling away. It wasn’t anything crazy since they were at work, but it was more than enough to get the gossip going. Smiling, they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
Trinity’s jaw dropped, eyes following Dennis as he walked to the lockers.
“You owe me 20 bucks, Santos!” Victoria exclaimed, pointing at the girl who was still in shock.
