Fox

[drfeelbad]

House still couldn't quite believe how the previous day had gone. When he'd gone into Fox's shop for an ingredient for an experiment, he certainly hadn't expected to share a bed with him. Asking him to dinner would have seemed like a slightly more likely outcome, and somehow that had ended up happening after.

Later that evening he went back to Fox's place, dressed nicely (for him) and smelling good.

Comments

[shadows_fall]

"Well, I did think it was odd you'd not even checked my pulse," Fox smiled.

[drfeelbad]

House reached across the table, gently took his hand, turned it palm up, and put two fingers on his wrist.

"Anything I could do to quicken it?" he asked.

[shadows_fall]

"I'm not that kind of girl, Greg. Still our first date," Fox said with a laugh, smiling as he gently tugged his arm away.

[drfeelbad]

“Dan I thought that was such a good line,” House said sheepishly. “But to be clear I was totally thinking first date stuff.”

[shadows_fall]

"And what counts as 'first date stuff'?" Fox asked with a laugh.

[drfeelbad]

"Usually not sleeping in the same bed half naked," House said with a smirk. "I was thinking more... a very respectful kiss at the end of the evening."

[shadows_fall]

"Oh, well I do prefer a respectful kiss over a rude one," Fox said with a barely hidden smile.

[drfeelbad]

House quirked a smile too. He realized it wasn't an answer to his question, but he at least thought this date was going pretty well.

"Dessert?" he asked, spotting the waiter coming back over to them.

[shadows_fall]

"Sure, do you want to share?" Fox suggested, aware he'd never manage one to himself. And besides, sharing was nice.

[drfeelbad]

"Gulab jamun?" House suggested. "I like something a little sweet, don't you?"

[shadows_fall]

Fox hummed and nodded, then laughed. "Sometimes I like things a bit tart too though."

[drfeelbad]

"Me too," House said, but when the waiter finally approached, House ordered precisely what he'd suggested, and also a coffee for himself.

[shadows_fall]

"Have you ever been married?" Fox asked once they were alone again.

[drfeelbad]

"Oh, uh - " House was a little surprised by the question, though perhaps he shouldn't be. Perfectly fine first date question. "No." Pause. "Engaged once. You?"

[shadows_fall]

"I was seeing someone for a while. A co-worker. I haven't seen him since I retired. I don't think he much likes being reminded of what happened, to be honest," Fox said honestly.

[drfeelbad]

"Last serious relationship was a while ago then?" House read between the lines.

[shadows_fall]

"It's been a bit," Fox nodded, looking a bit self conscious.

[drfeelbad]

"That's all right," House said. "Me too. I mean, I don't really... date."

[shadows_fall]

"No? You don't seem the lonely sort is all," Fox said.

[drfeelbad]

"I'm not lonely, just... alone a lot," House said after a moment.

He arched an eyebrow. "Did I really strike you as someone who dates a lot?"

[shadows_fall]

Fox didn't answer that, he just shrugged. Whatever conclusion he'd come to he was keeping to himself for now.

"How did I strike you?" he asked instead.

[drfeelbad]

House tilted his head a little and then said. "Honestly? I could have totally bought you as someone with a partner and a cozy flat with a cat to go home to."

[shadows_fall]

"I think I'm flattered. Either that, or I've never fully stopped being a spook," Fox laughed.

[drfeelbad]

The water returned then with the dessert and two spoons, along with a coffee for House, who drank it black.

"I can't get used to tea," he said.

[shadows_fall]

"I prefer coffee as well," Fox admitted. "I have quite the setup at home, as you likely saw. Are you a coffee snob too, or just a bit of a caffeine addict?"