Astarion

[drfeelbad]

Surprisingly there were not many pubs in London that played American football on the televisions. Even then, it was usually like one television out of half a dozen above the bar. As a result, House had not only a regular pub that he went to this time of year but also a regular seat.

"Hey Greg," said the bartender as House slid onto a stool at the end of the bar and leaned his cane against it. He went ahead and poured a double of Jack Daniels on the rocks and pushed it to him without House having to ask. "Who's playing tonight?" he asked, as if he cared. But House appreciated the effort.

"Ohio State versus Rutgers," said House then added gleefully, "I'm just here to watch Ohio State get their asses kicked." He'd gone to Michigan.

"Hey can I also get a basket of chips?" he asked, and the bartender nodded and walked away.

Comments

[drfeelbad]

"Tell me about the symptoms," House said, finally looking away from the screen and over at him.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"The symptoms are good, I no longer feel tethered to my former master. I can go out when I please, do what I want. ...With just the occasional pain in my skull and some odd visions here and there..." Astarion explained.

[drfeelbad]

"What kinds of visions?"

Also the utter ick he felt at the reminder of what some sicko had done to him.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"I dunno, they're sort of abstract. I don't remember much of it clearly, just this insistence that things are okay for now. I'm safe."

Though he didn't feel very safe.

[drfeelbad]

"That's... pretty tame as far as symptoms go," House pointed out. "Is there a reason you think it's dangerous?"

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Well, the people who gave me it assured me it was. The intention, apparently, is to wipe me and use me as... I don't know, a shell? A bot? I don't know, but I know I don't want it."

[drfeelbad]

"Jesus," siad House, and then looked back at the screen.

After a moment he glanced over at him. "Have you decided you trust me?"

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"I don't have much choice. It's not like I have many other options. ...Besides, it can't get much worse at this point," Astarion said.

[drfeelbad]

"Sure, I just - "

House hesitated, and looked back at him. "It just seems like you've had a lot of people rooting around in your head."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"If you're worried about payment, I'm sure we can work something out," Astarion said, instinctively turning on the charm.

[drfeelbad]

House looked over at him. "Oh. Uh. We can - talk about that after," he said. " I think I can give you a drug. Some modifications to 4U that will slow the progress."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Slow is good," Astarion nodded. "It'll hopefully buy me time to find a more permanent solution."

[drfeelbad]

"I need to draw some blood," House said. "That okay? And then it will take a couple of hours to synthesize after I put in the specifications."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

Astarion seemed uneasy, but nodded slightly.

"That's fine," he said finally, though he looked uncomfortable.

[drfeelbad]

"I'm a very good phlebotomist," House said. "You won't feel a thing."

He went to a drawer and puled out a tray of supplies, then went back over to him.

"Are you squeamish about needles?" he asked. "Or is it the blood?"

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Not a massive fan of having sharp objects slipped into me," he replied. "It's fine, I'm not going to faint or something ridiculous like that."

[drfeelbad]

"I'm very good at it," House assured him again, quietly.

He moved closer. "And you also seem like a man very determined not to show weakness."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"People, in my experience, have a tendency to use weakness against you," Astarion replied, going still while House worked.

[drfeelbad]

"Well all I just used against you was your distraction," House said. "I'm done."

He pulled the needle that he'd slipped in out.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

Astarion watched the needle, nodding slightly.

"Well played," he said simply.

[drfeelbad]

"Thanks." House took the vial of blood back over to his workstation. "Do you want to stay?" he asked. 'Like I said, looks like... a couple of hours."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

Astarion took that to mean the man was looking for his payment, and he settled into the familiar role.

"Of course," he purred, starting to unbutton his shirt. "Good work deserves fair pay."

[drfeelbad]

House heard him before he turned to look, and then surprise flickered across his face when he saw the other man unbuttoning his shirt.

There was a moment where he was tempted, but it was just a split second and then it was gone. What kind of monster would take away this man's bodily autonomy after all that?

He walked over to him, and reached for the buttons on his shirt. Though instead of undoing more of them, he fastened the buttons he'd undone back up.

"Your body is your own tonight," he said quietly. "Though you can still stay and wait if you like."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

Astarion looked slightly surprised, then unsure.

"If you don't want that, what do you want? I don't have much cash, though... I have some."

Certainly not enough to pay for medical care.

He hesitated again, then pulled a necklace from his pocket. A trinket he'd snatched a few days ago. He wasn't sure what it was worth, but it had to have some value. Unsure if the man would accept, he held it out in offering.

[drfeelbad]

House had a feeling from the way he held it that it didn't have any particular sentimental value. "Sure," he said, and took it from him.

"I also appreciate the opportunity to stick it to your former keeper," he said. "That guy deserves a kick in the teeth."