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

[drfeelbad]

"I'm sure you're in better health than I am," House said with a snort. He picked up the hospital gown from the bed and tossed it into a bin.

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"That's a frightening thought," Max said, hesitating a beat, then taking it as an opening to ask...

"What's with your leg?"

[drfeelbad]

“Accident,” said House. “And an incompetent medical bureaucracy.”

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"Never thought about getting a metal one? I mean, people get them now just to have them. You at least need one," Max said.

[drfeelbad]

"I know way too much about cybernetics to actually want one in my body," House said. "They come with strings attached. Besides, I like my leg. But if I change my mind, I think I might go with one made of wood." He smirked and knocked the table with his knuckles.

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"Doesn't hurt then?" Max asked. "Because it looks a bit like it's bothering you."

[drfeelbad]

"Yeah, thank god for drugs," House said.

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"Pain over chrome? You must really dislike it. ...I wouldn't be here without cybernetics and chrome," he admitted, shrugging one shoulder. "Suppose that gives me my own bias."

[drfeelbad]

"It's complicated," House said. "Though eventually I might end up in a position much like you, hoping someone's willing to help install something off market for me."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"It's not so bad, you know? I mean the ports and... That's all not important, but..."

He hesitated, frowning slightly as he decided how much to share.

"Had my face caved in as a teenager. I hadn't been working long, and this man who'd- He'd sort of raised me, I guess. Took me of mum's hands when she decided she couldn't look after me or whatever..."

A very nice way of saying it. Mum hadn't cared if he was looked after- She'd wanted some cash and a fix.

"...Not important, point is he lost it one night when I came home. He'd never been right in the head really, but it was worse that night I suppose. Took a hammer to my face. Nearly died, actually. They had to rebuild half my skull, it's all metal from about here to here," he explained, showing House where he meant as he spoke. "Said I'm lucky I only suffered some minor brain damage. Not even sure what I lost. My coordination's fine, never slur my words, memory is alright, but you can see something's damaged apparently on a scan," he shrugged.

[drfeelbad]

House looked surprised, and then a touch angry. "Jesus. What happened to him? The asshole who did that to you?"

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Usually Max lied, said he didn't know. Sometimes he made up an elaborate story about how he was fairly certain the man had left the country- How he was actually some sort of Russian diplomat, and had taken off to avoid bad press.

For whatever reason though, this time he didn't.

"I returned the favour, and no one needed a scan to see his brain damage," Max said plainly.

[drfeelbad]

House looked at him for a beat, as if deciding if he was serious.

Finally all he said was, "Good."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

Max held his gaze a beat, then looked away.

He didn't regret taking care of him, or any of the men who'd hurt him, but it still haunted him.

"Anyway- Thank you for this. All of it. I should get out of your hair."

[drfeelbad]

House felt weird about him leaving, though he wasn't sure why.

"Oh uh, sure," he finally said. "Well. You know where to find me."

[511v3r_h4mm3r]

"And you me," Max chuckled, since he worked at Input pretty much daily.

Hopping down off the table, he pulled his shirt back on and straightened himself up.

"I'll see you, House."