#i said ''what if dennis and mac are practicing the system together so mac can know the straegy well''

[sunnykeysmash]

ik that's dee but dennis is gonna be looking at mac's date as well so, do you see the vision here

[glennjaminhow]

Mac and Dennis + calming each other down

July

Mac’s cheeks are strawberry red, and he’s sweating a shit ton when heenters the apartment. As much as it pains Dennis to thinks so, it’s a good lookon him. But Mac’s brown eyes slant down while he kicks off his Chucks, stompingover to the couch barefoot because, for some reason, the dude’s not wearingsocks with his shoes, even though it’s nearly 100 degrees outside. Gross.That’s fucking revolting. It’s disgusting. It’s… Whatever. Mac plops downpractically on top of Dennis’ feet; Dennis takes the liberty of settling them on Mac’s lap.

Dennis mutes the stupid murder mystery he solved within the first twominutes and watches Mac brood. He’s stewing in his own anger. It’s kinda hot.But never mind that. That’s not important right now. What is important isgetting to the bottom of why Mac’s upset and correcting the problem. Dennis isexcellent, a professional even, at fixing Mac’s problems. He’s God, after all.

“What’s up?” Dennis asks from where he’s sprawled out on thecouch, beer in one hand and the remote in the other. It’s a ridiculously hotsummer day, and he’s ignored his daily responsibilities for a little R ‘n’ R.He woke up this morning with a fierce, stabbing ache behind his left eye anddecided that was it. He usually tries to push through it, but it’s hot, and hedoesn’t want to be sweaty at all today, so he stays home, where his headachehas morphed into a dull throb.

He almost wishes he made Mac stay home with him too, but he’s got theAC cranked too low and is gorging himself on crime TV, two things Mac hates.

Mac doesn’t say anything. His face goes from red to flushed. He wringshis fingers together. He bounces his knee up and down up and down up and down,and Dennis almost loses his Goddamn mind because the repetitive motion hurtshis ears, and he can feel the pulsing in his bones. But Mac looks somehowpissed and terrified all at once, and Dennis doesn’t like that.

“Dude,” he tries again. “You okay?”

Mac shakes his head. He doesn’t offer an actual verbal response. Dennisis so not in the mood to deal with pulling teeth for an answer today. He sitsup, letting the plaid quilt fall to the floor. He nearly blushes when Macglances at his boxer and oversized t-shirt clad form only to quickly look awaylike he didn’t just look Dennis up and down. Uh huh. Two can play it that game.

Dennis nestles himself beside Mac. He knows Mac likes to keep himclose. That’s the only rational explanation he has for why Mac is so fuckingclingy and bossy toward him all the time. Dennis sorta likes the closeness too,but never tell Mac that because he’ll just feel empowered, and that’spractically Dennis’ only recognizable emotion. He places his head on Mac’sshoulder and traces his index finger over Mac’s hardened muscles.

“You look so great today, baby boy,” he says softly, gently,like he’s talking to a newborn kitten.

Mac shrugs. Nothing else.

“What’s wrong, Mac?”

It’s the question that sets off the unsteady, ragged breathing. Macclutches at Dennis’ - it’s actually Mac’s - shirt like it’s his only lifelineand hides his face in Dennis’ neck. His nose is snotty and hot and fuckingnasty, but it only takes a few seconds for the hiccups, followed by tears, toroll in like a tidal wave. Dennis wraps an arm around Mac’s quiveringshoulders.

Mac’s cries swiftly morph into sobs. Dennis rearranges them to wherethey’re both lying down, Mac lying on Dennis’ chest. Mac is a lot heavier thanthem, so it isn’t exactly what he would call comfortable, but the weight issoothing in its own way. Dennis isn’t having a bad day, not really at least,but this is calming him down regardless. He hopes it does the same for Mac,whose tears soak into his shirt until his chest and stomach are thoroughlydrenched.

“Breathe, baby boy,” Dennis whispers. “Just breathe.It’s alright. I’ve got you.”

God’s got you.

“You’re doing so well. Keep breathing,” he instructs.“Try to relax your muscles, babe.” Mac does so without question, justas he should. His shoulders release tension immediately.

Mac falls asleep just like that, snotty face hiding in clothing from1999. He doesn’t snore, so Dennis knows it isn’t deep, much less relaxing. Butthis was Dennis’ R ‘n’ R day, and now he’s sharing it with Mac. He runs hisfingers through Mac’s fluffy, gel free hair, peppering kisses on soft skinwhere he can reach. He lets himself drift off too, Mac shielding him from theAC and the rest of the world like a blanket.

Later on, when the sun is down, and the heat is less suffocating, Macawakens, smacking his dry, cracked lips and scanning the living room. Dennisthinks it’s a hauntingly beautiful sight all while hoping Mac feels at leastsomewhat better. Mac sits up and leans his head on Dennis’ shoulder again. Thistime, there are no tears or sobs.

“Den?” Mac’s voice is shot to shit.

He kisses his forehead anyway. “Yeah, bud?”

“Do we have any popsicles?” he asks quietly. “’s hot,and my throat hurts.”

Dennis pecks Mac’s forehead one more time before getting to his feetand walking to the kitchen. He finds a box in the freezer, used for when Dennisscreams himself voiceless on the really bad days. He grabs blue raspberry forMac and orange for himself and snatches two beers for the road with high hopesMac will be thankful.

Mac smiles just a tiny bit when Dennis hands him the unwrapped Popsicleand already opened beer. He starts licking the icy treat, and Dennis rubs theback of his neck, almost weary of breaking this moment.

But Mac pats the cushion right beside him, and Dennis settles in, barefeet tucked beneath him and Mac close by.

~

January

Dennis’ shoulders hunch as Dee squeaks and squawks everywhere. He keepsswirling his finger around the rim of his glass, filled with ginger ale insteadof beer. He flinches when Charlie opens the basement door and bounds back intothe bar like a bundle of untapped energy. Dennis cringes hard when Frankaccidentally elbows him, pistachio shells flying all over the counter in frontof him. He blinks heavily, rubbing his temples with sweater paw hands. Mac watchesall of this happen and knows they’re heading straight into the danger zone.

“I’m pretty beat,” Mac announces with a yawn, stretching tomake it seem that much more authentic because he doesn’t need or really want toleave, but Dennis definitely does. “You ready to go home, dude?”

Dennis clenches his hands until his knuckles turn ghost white. Macdoesn’t expect a response and doesn’t receive one either. He isn’t surprised.He told Dennis - all but forced him - to stay in bed today the instant he cameout of his room wrapped in the weighted blanket and Mac’s sweater, an oldwinter one that’s navy blue and red, that’s far too big on him. But Dennis saidhe’s fine; he’s always fine, apparently. He told Mac he had a headache andwould feel better once he got some coffee in his system. Dennis downed threecups before they even left the apartment, eyes fogged over with a blanknessthat scares Mac.

“We were gonna smash rats in the alley!” Charlie screeches.

“Yeah, quit bein’ a pussy. Let’s go rage,” Frank adds.

“They just wanna go home to bang,” says Dee.

“I will cut you, bitch,” Mac spits out at Dee, turning hisattention to Charlie and Frank. “And I’m not being a bussy, douche-face.I’m tired. Sue me.”

Charlie blinks. “Okay, dude. But I’m a wicked bird lawyer, soyou’ll probably lose. Fair warning.”

“It’s true,” Frank says. “He is a great bird lawyer.I’ve seen it.”

Mac rolls his eyes. “Whatever. I’m out. You wanna go with me,Dennis?”

Dennis doesn’t answer, but he gets to his feet, and Mac watches himsway as he tugs on his coat and shuffles to the door. He bites his lip while hesteps in the slushy snow. It doesn’t take a genius to know Dennis is megaoverstimulated right now, but, luckily, Mac is a genius. He can handle this. Heis an expert in all things Dennis, after all.

“Seat belt,” Mac whispers. He’s careful not speak loudly ortouch as they bundle into the Range Rover.

But Dennis shakes his head a tiny bit, pointing to the left side of hisneck with a trembling finger. Mac gets what it means.

“Please? For me?”

He just wants Dennis to be safe.

Dennis buckles himself in, face oddly blank considering his opposition.He covers his ears as the Rover roars to life. The rumbling from the engine isn’tdoing either of them any favors. There’s too much noise. Too much touching him.Too much of everything. Dennis explained it to him once, babbling fromexhaustion and nearly delirious from the overload. He hears everything. Feelseverything, even colors. It’s like when a computer freezes, too many tasks openand loading. He wants to jump out of his skin just to make it stop.

It’s horrible. Mac would never want anyone to feel this way, but, withDennis, it happens fairly often. Mac knows the signs - tiredness, wearing comfyclothes regardless of style or appeal, hiding in the bathroom, all that stuff -but knows it isn’t enough. Sometimes, like today, Dennis just tries to tough itout, but it never lasts. Sometimes, he gives up before he even gets out of bed,cuddling into his pillows and refusing any form of sunlight. Sometimes, heneeds Mac wrapped around him or in the living room or out of the apartmentbecause invisible sounds wrack through his brain, and he can’t handle havinganyone home.

They’re quiet on the car ride home. Mac focuses on the road whileDennis stares idly at the falling snow. Dennis inhales sharply when the snowmelts against his face while they walk inside. The five flights of stairsaren’t great either. The moment they’re inside, Dennis goes to his room andcollapses on the mattress, curling himself beneath the weighted blanket, earsplugged harshly with cold fingertips. His boots are wet and soaking into thecomforter, but Mac knows better than to touch him or speak out loud right nowwhen there are other ways to communicate. He grabs a pen and paper andscribbles, 'Shoes?’ before showing it to Dennis.

Dennis looks at Mac with glazed eyes. They’re so beautiful.

'Want me to do it?’ he writes next

Dennis gives another barely recognizable nod. Mac removes his shoesswiftly and gently. He can feel Dennis trembling through the brief touch. Restand darkness are often the only things that will calm him down at this point.Mac quickly writes, 'Want me to stay?’

Another nod. Mac almost smiles in relief because he likes being closeto Dennis.

'Living room or here?’

Dennis blinks twice; Mac gets the drift. He draws the black outcurtains just in case, removes his coat and boots, and lies down on the otherside of the mattress, far enough away that they’re not touching but closeenough that he’s right here in case Dennis needs anything.

Mac drifts off listening to Dennis’ light, soft snores. He doublechecks he’s in reach of Dennis before letting himself fall into a deep sleep.

Later on, when the snow clings to the cracked pavement, Dennis curlsagainst Mac, nestling against him, cheek smushed into Mac’s shoulder. He’s warmand smells like cinnamon, and it makes Mac tingle in all the right and wrongplaces. Mac soaks in the silence, letting Dennis get his comfort however hewants.

He’s groggy when he feels a single light jab in his ribs. He blinksheavily. He can barely see in this darkness, but he knows Dennis’ eyes are openand bloodshot.

Mac nods, giving him the go ahead.

Dennis doesn’t speak - usually doesn’t for a long time after theseepisodes.

Instead, Dennis signs 'I love you’ in the dreary bleakness.

Mac’s heart swells.

He signs it right back.