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]

"And how are you feeling about resting for a few days before going out again?" House asked as he poured himself more tea.

[london_spy]

"I would like to take you up on that offer," Danny admitted.

[drfeelbad]

"I'll pick up some more eggs tomorrow," was all House said in response to that.

He was not going to admit that part of him was glad for the company.

[london_spy]

"Thank you," Danny said quietly. "And this is going to soud stupid, but could you help me back to bed?"

[drfeelbad]

"Oh, uh... yeah. Sure. Rest is good." House got to his feet.

[london_spy]

"Thanks," Danny said, looking embarrassed by how tired and weak he felt, and aware House could only help so much.

[drfeelbad]

House offered Danny his arm wordlessly. He was a little worried, that something else was wrong with him, if he was this weak.

[london_spy]

"There's something else I should tell you," Danny admitted as they walked.

"I have this curse. ...This king who wanted the stone had me hexed. I think to scare me into giving him the stone. Sometimes I just get tired and weak, like something inside me is leeching all my energy."

[drfeelbad]

House turned his head to him, a slightly alarmed expression on his face, but waited until he helped Danny down on the bed before speaking.

"A curse?" he said in disbelief.

[london_spy]

"Yes," Danny said. "I know it sounds mad, but I did speak to a woman who is familiar with such things, and she confirmed it. Said she wasn't sure how it could be lifted."

[drfeelbad]

House frowned. "I'll look into it," he said.

[london_spy]

"You planning on adopting me or something?" Danny asked dryly. "You're done enough. More than enough. You're kind, but please, my woes aren't your burden."

[drfeelbad]

"Oh it's not about you," said House. "I just like a puzzle." Which was at least partly true.

[london_spy]

"Whatever brings you joy, House, but- I don't think I'm one you can solve," Danny said, slipping under the covers and looking a bit frail.

[drfeelbad]

"Just humor me, okay?" House said, looking down at him. "But for now, rest.

[london_spy]

"Will you stay?" Danny asked. "Just- Just for a minute, yeah?"

He didn't want to be alone, not that he was willing to admit that.

[drfeelbad]

"Oh... sure," said House.

He stood there awkwardly for a moment, not sure what to do, and then finally sat down on the edge of the bed at Danny's feet. "Should I get a deck of cards or something?"

[london_spy]

"Or you could just talk. Tell me how someone handsome and talented like yourself wound up in this place by yourself," Danny prodded, drowsy, but not too tired to push a bit.

[drfeelbad]

House snorted. "Because I'm not as charming as I am talented. And well, I'm here because I used to work for the king. The previous king. And after I wasn't anymore I guess I'd come to like it here and I didn't want to go far."

[london_spy]

"Might want you back. Didn't you hear? The new wizard went missing. Dead, probably. Pirates had him or something," Danny replied. "Maybe that was another kingdom, I dunno. I can't always keep track," he admitted.

[drfeelbad]

"I did hear that," House said, and then rolled his eyes. "The poor fool. I tried to warn him."

[london_spy]

"Oh... Sorry, didn't know you knew him," Danny said, feeling a bit bad for speaking so casually about a man's likely death. "Does mean there's an opening though."

[drfeelbad]

"I'm not sure I would say I know him," House said. "Just gave him some friendly advice." Which he hadn't expected him to take, honestly. House had once been enamored with the idea of working for the kingdom.

"And I definitely have no interest. I did my duty. Fuck the kingdom."

[london_spy]

"What did they do to piss you off?" Danny asked.

[drfeelbad]

"Made me bait for a demon," House muttered.

Which wasn't completely accurate, or at least it was the least generous interpretation of events, but he thought he was entitled to hold a bit of a grudge.