Cyberpunk AU start: Max

[drfeelbad]

House didn't visit Input on a regular basis exactly, but often enough that his face was known there. The men and women he'd spent time with he'd seen more than once, and when he arrived tonight and sat down at the bar, the bartender pushed him a Jack Daniels without him having to ask, and mentioned that they were quite busy tonight but he'd seen Isaac recently if he'd like to have a drink with him. "Yes, please tell him I'm here," House had said before taking a sip.

Though before he'd even managed to take a second drink, he heard someone shouting for a doctor.

He almost ignored it. Almost. But instead, he said to the bartender, "I'll be right back," and then slid off the stool, grabbed his cane, and headed in the direction of the shouts.

Comments

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max wanted to argue. After all, he'd had those jobs too. Fast food, housekeeping... Tedious tasks that didn't engage him. Jobs where he'd shut down and go through the motions. It was all the same- At least sex work could be interesting on occasion.

He didn't want to argue with someone who was going to slice him open later though. Didn't matter if he seemed nice, it seemed like a shit idea anyhow.

Shrugging, he continued to sip his coffee.

[drfeelbad]

House looked at him for a second and then said, "I mean, to be clear I think you have more cause to judge me than I have to judge you."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"What would I judge you for?" Max asked. "Being at Input? Not to offer more 'false equivalencies', but I'm not going to judge you for spending money on company anymore than I would if you were spending money on a curry."

[drfeelbad]

“It just sounds like you’ve had some bad experiences,” House said.

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"Sure, plenty, but that doesn't make every client bad," Max pointed out with a little shrug.

[drfeelbad]

"... sure," said House. "Well. Good."

He drained the rest of his coffee. "How are you feeling?"

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"Fine, still a bit... I don't know, disconnected? Like my body knows something has been locked off to it, even if it's not important to its functioning," Max explained.

[drfeelbad]

"Huh," said House. "Interesting. Well. Better than physically feeling like shit."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max hummed in agreement, nodding slightly. "Vision is better today, less jarring now seeing everything proper."

[drfeelbad]

"Yeah?" said House. He picked up the French press he'd made the coffee in and topped off both cups. He smirked. "I looked prettier yesterday didn't I."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"You made up your mind about how people view you a long time ago," Max shrugged. "You look fine, you looked fine yesterday too."

[drfeelbad]

"... that was a joke," House said. "But thanks, I guess."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"It's a loaded joke," Max replied, though he didn't seem upset. "Don't know you well enough to joke about your appearance, which means I can be rude or honest."

[drfeelbad]

House drained the rest of his cup and put it in the sink. "Got it. Okay, you need anything else while you wait for the delivery? I'm going to just be downstairs working. You can hang out wherever you like."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max got the feeling he'd said the wrong thing, but didn't know what that thing was, to be honest.

"I'll just hang out in the waiting room," he assured him. "I'll let you know when the package arrives."

[drfeelbad]

"Help yourself to any food you find while you're waiting for your shirt to dry," House said, gesturing at the kitchen. "Though I should warn you, I mostly eat takeaway."

And then he headed downstairs. He didn't have any particular reason to trust (or distrust) Max, but frankly, there wasn't a lot in his home that was worth stealing or anything.

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max found a can of pop and a slice of bread, deciding that was enough and taking them down to the waiting area. By the time his guy called his shirt was dry and he was starting to get restless, but then he was just there, port in hand and taking his credits.

It was beautiful, slim and sleek, nothing like the clunky old one. Though as he held it, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.

Eventually he headed off to find House. He found the man in what looked to be his office, and he tapped on the open door before speaking.

"It's here."

[drfeelbad]

House glanced at the time and said, "No more appointments, I'll close up and we can get started. Assuming you're still game?"

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max looked at the device, then nodded.

"I am. ...I think this will be good for me."

[drfeelbad]

House held out his hand for it. "I did some research," he said. "It shouldn't be a terribly complicated procedure. Assuming no one busts in to arrest us."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Letting him take it, Max leaned against the doorframe.

"No one's gonna bust us," he promised with a soft laugh and a hint of a smile.

[drfeelbad]

House turned it over in his hands, examining it. "All right then," he said. And was actually kind of excited to just work with a new tech. He pointed to the room they'd been in last night. "There's a stack of hospital gowns in the corner there."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max nodded and wandered off to change, pulling on the paper gown and trying to ignore the slight flutter in his chest. He wasn't scared, just... Well, anxious, maybe.

[drfeelbad]

House waited a few minutes, and then walked in after him. "I can knock you out entirely, or just use a local anesthetic," said House. "Preference?"

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"Oh, I don't know- What do you think is best? I guess being out would be easier for me..." Max said quietly.