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]

"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.

[london_spy]

Danny slept solid, and it was late when he finally got up.

He was still in the night shirt when he wandered into the kitchen.

"Morning," he said softly, still looking a bit stiff and unwell, but much better.

[drfeelbad]

"Bacon?" asked House. "It's the one thing I know how to cook." He pointed to a plate. He looked Danny over. "And you look better."

[london_spy]

"Food would be nice, I haven't eaten much since I left," Danny nodded. "Thank you."

[drfeelbad]

"Also drink that tea," House said, gesturing to a pot on the table. "For your lungs."

[london_spy]

Danny picked up the tea and took a seat, sipping as he watched House. He couldn't pretend it tasted nice, but he could feel everything sitting on his chest, like a demon trying to crush him.

"You don't have to do all this."

[drfeelbad]

"What, make sure you don't die because you were running an errand for me?" House snorted.

He put a plate with some bacon in front of him.

"By the way, well done. I inventoried what you brought last night after you fell asleep."

[london_spy]

"You're happy with it then? That's good, that's good."

Steady work was the most he could hope for at the moment.

[drfeelbad]

"Yes, though for the future keep in mind that I would rather you return with less than not return at all."

House took the rest of the bacon and sat down in the other chair at the table.