House

[london_spy]

It was a strange series of events that had led him here, and as he sat in the waiting room of the local A&E, Danny went back through it all hour by hour.

6PM: With class out Danny was back to hunting for the lunatic who'd been targeting fellow students, drugging them and then dumping them at home with no sign of sexual or physical assault. He'd stopped home, changed into club clothes, and set out.

7PM: he'd been walking from the tube to the club when a car started driving along side him- A familiar car. Rich's car.

The window came down, and Rich leaned out. "Get in," the man said, prompting Danny to flip him off. 

Rich laughed, then spoke again. "I know who you're after- If you want them, get in the damn car, Danny."

8PM: Rich had dumped him down the block, having given him a list of what he knew. Apparently he wasn't a fan of this guy either, and while Danny wouldn't consider him a trustworthy source, it wasn't like he had much more to go off.

9PM: He'd headed into the club, spoken to someone Rich had suggested might be in on it all, and had let himself have a drink or two so he didn't stand out like a sore thumb.

10PM: Okay, maybe a drink too many.

11PM: He'd called a car, apparently now was the prime time. He'd used the correct service and rejected drivers until he found one who seemed to fit the bill.

11:15PM: The man had complementary water. It was sealed, and so he took one.

11:30PM: Everything was slow. Fuzzy. 

<i>I warned you. STOP. FOLLOWING. ME.</i>

Was it midnight now? Danny squinted at the clock. He was still drugged, not bleeding, but he was certain his ribs were broken and his left eye was struggling to focus. But he had to wait. They said he had to wait.

His hand was shaking as he pulled out his phone. The screen was shattered but it was still working. Should he call someone? Text someone? No, best not. Best to just go it alone.

Comments

[london_spy]

His hands slipped under Greg's shirt, and Danny moaned into the kiss- before stopping.

Fuck. Fuck his conscience.

Gently he nudge Greg away, pulling his hands back.

"You should go home. James is probably wondering where the hell you are, and I- I should go to bed."

[drfeelbad]

House looked a little dazed, and took a step backwards. He wanted to say he was sorry, that he shouldn't have kissed him back, or that he was sorry he couldn't keep kissing him... but would he have?

In the end, he only nodded, looking slightly miserable, and got into the car.

[london_spy]

Danny gave himself a moment before getting in as well, silent as he stared out the front windshield. After all, what more was he supposed to say? He wasn't sorry, not really. He also wasn't about to try and talk Greg into staying the night.

So he just said nothing.

[drfeelbad]

House started driving back to Danny's house. Eventually he cleared his throat and said, "How are you feeling? Ribs okay?"

[london_spy]

Danny had been lost in thought, but he glanced over.

"Yeah. Sore, but fine," he replied, his gaze lingering as he studied the line of Greg's jaw and the set of his brow.

[drfeelbad]

House glanced at Danny and caught him looking at him.

The way Danny looked at him... it made him feel desirable in a way he hadn't in a while. For some reason it felt more real to him than when Fin had looked at him like that.

"Good," he said, looking back out at the road. "You may not need all the painkillers, but you should keep them for a rainy day."

[london_spy]

"Sure, " Danny nodded, even though he knew he'd take them all even if he didn't really need them.

His gaze lingered a beat longer, but he eventually made himself look away.

[drfeelbad]

They spent the rest of the drive pretty much in silence. And after House pulled into the garage and turned off the engine, he was quiet for a moment before saying, without looking at him, "I don't want to hurt you, Danny. I just can't figure out what hurts you more."

[london_spy]

"It all hurts," Danny replied with an awkward laugh. "I mean, either you're not interested, or you are but you're denying yourself to be noble or some bullshit like that, or you're interested, but not enough to see what happens next... It's all shit, Greg. Do you want me to pick the least shit? Should I rank them or something for you?"

[drfeelbad]

"I'm not being noble," House said quietly. "Or I mean, that's not my intention. I just don't want to be a total asshole, not to you. No matter how much I might want you... do you really want to be with me, knowing I'm in love with someone else?"

[london_spy]

"No," Danny replied bluntly, not one to lie really. "I want to be with you, because I'm hoping you'll fall in love with me."

He laughed again, slumping back against the seat. "Which is pathetic, but- You want to fuck me on the side? Sure, let's go, let's do it. But here's the thing, mate. If I fall for someone else while you're dancing between me and death, I'm gone. Because once I give someone my heart, it's over. I'm all in."

[drfeelbad]

House winced. "You can't be in love with me. Why would you be in love with me? Danny, I'm... I mean, I'm a lot of things and a lot of them point to why you deserve better."

[london_spy]

"You're in love with a dying man, and a bloke who dumped you to be with someone who told me two weeks ago he's not that into him. So, you know, pot and kettle, Greg," Danny replied, giving him a look.

[drfeelbad]

"I never said I was in love with Fin," House said, and then sighed softly. "And James, I'm not going to apologize for that. And you... Danny, I like you. A lot. I never expected..." He shook his head, thinking of what James had told him, that he shouldn't close himself off. But he couldn't bring himself to open himself up, either.

[london_spy]

Danny said nothing, he just sighed and climbed out of the car.

[drfeelbad]

House wasn't sure how many times he could apologize.

"Text me tomorrow and let me know you're okay?" he asked. "I can call you in more pain meds if you need them. And... I'll let you know if I hear from Bond."

[london_spy]

"I'm not going to text you, and I don't want pills," Danny replied, not upset, just tired. "I think maybe we shouldn't see one another anymore, Greg."

[drfeelbad]

House was quiet for a second, then said, "I understand. I ah... I just need to call a car. It'll just be a few, I can wait out here."

[london_spy]

Danny would have usually insisted he wait inside, but the truth was he couldn't be around the other man any more tonight.

"Sure. ...Goodnight, Greg."