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]

"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?"

[drfeelbad]

"The latter," House snorted. "I have had some truly terrible coffee in my life. Don't hate me, but there's a Keurig in my clinic."

[shadows_fall]

"Disgusting," Fox tutted. "At least get a nespresso."

[drfeelbad]

House smirked and took a sip of his coffee. "Noted. No sleepovers at my place for now then."

[shadows_fall]

Fox laughed a bit, then seemed to remember something. "I got a new roommate today. I said the other night, I think, that I was looking to rent out a room. I ran into someone who did some consulting for my old job ages ago, and he happened to be looking for a place. How lucky was that? Until he finds work, he says he'll just help around the flat with everything I can't manage anymore."

[drfeelbad]

House thought someone not paying rent seemed a little sketch, but all he said was, "If that's working out for you, that's great."

[shadows_fall]

"I think it will. You'd get on with him, I think," he admitted, looking thoughtful and wondering if he'd just started collecting grumpy older men. Best not to dwell on that.

"Honestly, there's a lot I struggle with. When I can't use my magic, I definitely can't use my hands, and that means dishes pile up, dust... Everything. If he can just help keep the place from becoming a dump, I'm thankful."

[drfeelbad]

"Maybe I should get a tenant," House joked.

[shadows_fall]

"You have a hard time as well?" Fox asked, not sure yet how much Greg's leg affected his life.