House

[london_spy]

The trip took much longer than he'd hoped, and he'd been right in assuming he'd wind up taking a ship back. That would have been fine, except the damn thing had sunk  miles out from the shore, forcing him and the other passengers to struggle to shore on planks and leaky lifeboats.

He'd done it though, all without losing a single item from House's order.

He was feeling victorious- Until only a few hours into the last leg of his trip back he'd begun coughing and his body shakey and unsteady by the time he reached Greg's door and began to knock.

Comments

[drfeelbad]

House was in his workshop when he heard the knock, and he went to the door and opened it.

"Danny." He sounded relief. "Well fuck, I was starting to think you'd never - are you okay?"

[london_spy]

"Fine," Danny lied, shivering as he pulled out the items House had asked for, all stored safe in a long, flat wooden box he kept wrapped up and hidden in a coat he'd found along the way.

"That's everything," he promised. "And she said she can-"

He started to cough, the sound rattling and raspy, sitting right on his lungs.

"Sorry," he said, once he had his breath again. "Ended up in the ocean on the way back."

[drfeelbad]

Alarm flashed across House's face. He took the box from Danny and set it aside, then took his arm. "Sit. What have you done to yourself? I expect you to come back in one piece."

[london_spy]

"You expect your stuff mate. My understanding is the how isn't important," Danny said as he sat down.

"Besides, I didn't sink the ship myself."

[drfeelbad]

"Well it wouldn't have done me much good if you hadn't made it back," House pointed out, though in all honest he was more worried about Danny. He put a hand on his chest. "Take a deep breath."

[london_spy]

Danny tried, but it was rattly and weezy sounding.

"I suppose that's not good," he said, offering a laugh that became a cough.

[drfeelbad]

"Yeah no," House sighed. "I'm going to make you something that will help. Stay here. Rest for a minute."

[london_spy]

Danny coughed again, then sighed.

"You don't have to fuss me, I'm fine." he insisted. "I just need to get paid, then I'll be out your hair if you like."

[drfeelbad]

"Stay," House repeated, slightly irritably, and then went into his workshop.

A few minutes later he came out with a pipe. He lit it and handed it to Danny. "Smoke this. It'll clear out your lungs."

[london_spy]

Danny hesitated, then took the pipe and smoked.

He didn't like the taste, but House was right, it did help.

"Thank you," he said softly.

[drfeelbad]

"Is anything else wrong besides the cough?" House asked. "Any abrasions? Bruises?"

[london_spy]

"I'm sore," Danny shrugged. "I dunno. I'm fine," he lied.

[drfeelbad]

"I'm going to make you a low dose of the painkilling tea I use," House said, starting to get to his feet. "And something to help you sleep for a while."

[london_spy]

"You sure?" Danny asked, unsure.

[drfeelbad]

"You need to rest," said House. "And I don't want you to be in pain. You'll feel better when you wake up."

[london_spy]

Danny nodded slightly, finishing the tea. He was still shaky, but he did feel slightly better already. He wouldn't pretend he wasn't grateful for that.

"Thank you," he said quietly, gaze lingering on House.

[drfeelbad]

"All right, come on," said House. "Let's get you into bed before you pass out. I'll put away the things you brought." He offered him a hand.

[london_spy]

Danny took the offered hand, getting to his feet. He was still a bit unsteady, but he wasn't coughing anymore for the time being.

Returning to the room where he'd slept before, he took off his boots and still slightly damp clothes as he climbed into the bed.

[drfeelbad]

House stepped out for a moment and then returned with a night shirt, and holding a small device that looked a bit like a lamp. "Here, put this on," he said. "And this will keep you warm, too." He put the device on the floor and tapped it, and it began to glow slightly and radiate heat.

[london_spy]

"That's remarkable. What is it?" Danny asked, pulling on the nightshirt.

[drfeelbad]

"A room warmer," said House. "A new invention... and just in time for winter." He looked pleased. "Works well, doesn't it?"

[london_spy]

"It does, it's lovely. Thank you for letting me use it," Danny said as he lay down. "I didn't know a body could be so cold."

[drfeelbad]

"Sleep," House said. "I'll check on you in the morning."

[london_spy]

Danny nodded slightly, settling in.

"Goodnight, House. ....And thanks, yeah?"

[drfeelbad]

"You're welcome," House said. He lingered in the doorway, as if he might say something else, but in the end just left him there, closing the door.