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]

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.

[drfeelbad]

"Nah I'm just a slob," said House automatically. Though then paused, as if realizing it was worth a real answer, and added, "I mean, the cane makes cleaning a little frustrating."

[shadows_fall]

Fox nodded in understanding, picking at their dessert while he thought.

"It's still hard to get used to, not being independent," he said, sure House would understand what he meant. "I mean, I don't feel different than before, but then I just... I can't do everything I used to. Stupid things. Things I barely thought about back before... You know?"