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]

House could hear the don't-want-to-talk-about-it in his voice, so he changed the subject. "I'm sure you will be. And how will you spend your time when you're not hunting down doctors in bars?"

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"I'm not sure," he admitted. "I suppose looking for more permanent solutions."

[drfeelbad]

"I was more asking about your hobbies," House said with a quirked smile.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Hobbies? I don't really have any anymore," Astarion admitted. "I haven't really had anything like freedom in... well, longer than I think you would be inclined to believe."

[drfeelbad]

"Well maybe now is your opportunity," said House. "Maybe take up photography or learn to play the guitar? Pursue a fulfilling career?"

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"Maybe after I know I'm not going to wind up a zombie, hmm?" Astarion replied. "Right now hobbies don't mean much- Not if I'm going to be as good as dead."

[drfeelbad]

“You know how to play chess?” House asked, as if that was a perfectly reasonable follow-up, and set down his glass.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"I do. I haven't in a long time though," he admitted.

[drfeelbad]

"Well, want to play?" House said. "I even have a physical board. I won't let you win, but I'll promise not to mock you when you lose."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"...You want to play chess with me? Is that code for something, or..."

He looked genuinely perplexed by the offer.

[drfeelbad]

"Huh?" said House. He got to his feet, limping a little without his cane. He got a wooden case off the bookshelf and brought it back. "Chess," he said, an d cleared off space to set it down and open up the board.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

Astarion stared at the board, then House, then back at the board.

"Um, alright," he said. "Are you sure you don't just want a blow job?" he joked.

[drfeelbad]

House arched an eyebrow at him before starting to set up the board. "I just thought you seem like someone who's always a few steps ahead, and you'd probably be decent at chess." He looked back up at him. "I mean, you're attractive too, but I get the impression you'd rather play chess."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"You're not wrong- No offence. It's just nice to have a say in what I do with my body," he admitted.

[drfeelbad]

"As I said," House said as he place the last chess piece, "your body is yours. As it should be." He quirked a smile. "And no, I do not consider myself more appealing with a good tame of chess. Frankly, you barely are."

Then he pushed out a pawn, playing black. "To you."

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

Astarion considered the board, then moved a pawn as well. It has been a very long time, but he remembered the rules.

[drfeelbad]

House did have no intention of going easy on him just because he hadn’t played in a while (or because of what he’d been through), but he did give him a couple of pointers as they played without being condescending.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

"And this is what you do for fun?" Astarion asked after a moment. "No judgement. ...Well, maybe some. Just a tiny amount."

[drfeelbad]

House snorted. “It’s not all I do for fun. Look around. Clearly I read and play the guitar and do drugs and fuck rock stars.” The last two were not actually immediately clear from the evidence.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

Astarion glanced around, then offered a pointy smile.

"...Right, of course," he replied.

[drfeelbad]

House only smiled back at that, and moved his queen. "Check."

There was one way out of it. He waited to see if Astarion could spot it.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

Astarion scowled at the board, narrowing his gaze as he looked it over. He huffed a bit to himself, about to have a little tantrum about how stupid this game was- Until he spotted it. His expression didn't change, but eventually he moved his way safely out of check.

[drfeelbad]

House didn't say 'well done' or anything like that, but it was in his smile. He just moved another piece, back to the game.

And reached for the bottle of whiskey still on the table beside them and refilled their glasses.

[sadistic_vampire_spawn]

Eventually Astarion seemed invested in the game, hunched over and taking note of every move made, studying the board the way he would study a safe or a locked door. He was rusty still though, and he frowned as he realized he wasn't going to win. He could see the moves House was going to make, and it was too late now to retreat and try something new.

He wasn't even in check yet, but he muttered under his breath, "Damn it."

[drfeelbad]

Weirdly, that moment of study and insight was a lot more attractive to House than when the guy had been offering him a blow job.

He smiled slowly. "You see it, don't you? That gets you a lot closer to winning." He made a move. "Next time."