Title: Learning to Give
Author: abernaith
Fandom: House M.D.
Rating: G
Characters: James Wilson, Greg House
Summary: House has a peculiar way of learning some things.
Word count: 265
Disclaimer: House and Wilson belong to David Shore and co.
Notes: This was originally inspired by cryptictac's "Just For A Little While, My Darling", spec. #8 - fantasizing about Wilson. I was looking through my archives, found this old thing, and thought it was the perfect de-lurking ficlet. It immediately reminded me of the methadone incident, where Wilson gets suspicious when House offers him his breakfast. I thought it's still timely, in a sense, because of all the talk of food in the latest episode. ^__^

 

It started with dessert.

It was easy. No, it wasn't easy. But it was the least difficult thing that House could imagine himself giving. He risked a glance at his best friend, who was presently scooping a piece of the custard from his plate. An innocent gesture. A simple act of giving.

Five years ago, a year ago, hell, even just yesterday, House would have winced at hearing those words. Hearing himself say them, albeit in his head, wasn't painful. No, really, it wasn't. It was just House's nature to imagine that it was painful. Hence, the cringe.

"What?" asks Wilson, spoon halfway between plate and mouth. "Having second thoughts now? Want it back? I suppose we can share, or, I can just let you steal it, and I can pretend to be indignant." Wilson's eyes sparkled. House remained mute. The custard sitting on Wilson's spoon wiggled as he brought it the rest of the way to his mouth.

House felt that the custard was mocking him. He felt that Wilson was mocking him. He frowned, then. But not because of the mocking, no. His mind was on his patient. Wilson had deduced as much, recognizing the eureka moment in his friend's face.

Without another word, House stood up and ambled off to solve his case. Wilson finished the custard, disposed of his and House's trays, and went back to his office. Unknown to them both, this would be the humble beginning of a series of seemingly random kindnesses that House would tell himself he'd never do, except when he actually did them.

I know I did the band thing before, but I can't remember what I got the first time. Anyway, I think making album covers is a fun way to unwind. :-P It's a lame hobby, I know, but I still like it!

( And this is just another excuse to show off my photoshop skillz, lulz. )

This is it: http://www.butcheredart.net/Fiction/Kids.html

I know the only reason I liked the recent Iron Man movie was because of Robert Downey, Jr. I think that, if I ever gave the comics a shot, the only reason I will like Iron Man is because of all the political angst (hopefully clever). But now I'm about convinced that the only reason I am going to start reading Iron Man fanfic is because there is at least one writer for the fandom out in the Internet who is not afraid to make a grand gesture, and do it damn well.

It's been quite a while since I read a fanfic like that. It's something I'd even consider as a model example for this organization's cause:

http://transformativeworks.org/

*the fog dissipates*....and now I realize I have spent too much time and wandered a wee bit farther than expected away from my One True Obsession (of the moment? for life?) which is House M.D. It's time to head back.