Hiatus Challenge Post 3
A few more entries for the House hiatus challenge.
Title (Episode): Birthday (The Socratic Method, 1x06)
Pairing, Rating, Word Count: House/Wilson, PG, 150
Birthday
He thought he'd get through the day without anyone mentioning it. Most of the staff had been at PPTH long enough to know better. But Cameron decided she had to wish him a happy birthday. He hadn't known how to respond and so said nothing.
He knew he was safe mentioning the milestone to Cuddy; it was easier than letting her find out about the incredible shrinking (and admittedly alcoholic) tumor. He knew she'd never make a big fuss by wanting to celebrate his "special" day with a song or greeting or by giving him a gift or a card.
Wilson, on the other hand, was another matter. When Wilson asked him about his birthday, House winced. Wilson grinned, knowing he'd hit a bullseye with that little dart. House grinned, too; the meal Jimmy was going to buy him as payback for that comment was going to be ridiculously expensive.
Title (Episode): Are You Pondering What I'm Pondering? (Fidelity, 1x07)
Pairing, Rating, Word Count: House/Wilson, PG, 350
Are You Pondering What I'm Pondering?
It had been an exceptionally long day. That night Wilson found himself mindlessly channel surfing, not particularly looking for something to watch but trying to unwind before bed. And if he was honest, he was killing time to make sure Julie was asleep before he went upstairs. He was not in the mood for her disappointed looks tonight.
He grinned when he found a somewhat familiar show. The kids at the hospital loved the DVD, and it was frequently on when he visited the playroom in the pediatric oncology ward. The two little mice were silly, had funny voices, and made the children laugh. In Wilson's book, that made the show worthwhile.
He'd heard the theme song enough to recognize the tune, but this was the first time he actually listened to the words. "They're Pinky and the Brain, yes, Pinky and the Brain, one is a genius, the other's insane..." He laughed. Certainly Greg was the genius, which made him Brain; that left himself as Pinky, the insane one. Fitting; a lot of people thought he was crazy for his devotion to House.
He watched the cartoon and laughed like he hadn't in a very long time. The show ended just as he remembered, with Brain reminding Pinky of their nightly plans for world domination. Wilson sang along to the closing theme (including Pinky's signature "Narf!" at the end), turned off the television, and headed for bed.
The next day, House was taunting him mercilessly about his tie, his shoes, and his choice of lunch companion. Finally, the teasing hit too close to home.
"You can be a real jerk sometimes, you know that?"
"Yeah. And you’re the good guy."
"At least I try."
"As long as you’re trying to be good, you can do whatever you want."
"And as long as you’re not trying, you can say whatever you want."
"So between us, we can do anything. We can rule the world!"
Wilson had to leave quickly. He didn’t want House to see his smile or hear the "Narf!" that was about to come out of his mouth.
Title (Episode): Favorite (Poison, 1x08)
Pairing/Rating/Word Count: none, G, 200
Favorite
Thin Mints were Wilson's favorite cookie. Some people liked Oreos better; some preferred chocolate chip, but he was a Thin Mints man all the way.
He remembered that as a kid he'd be so happy when the uniformed little girls knocked on his parents' door. His mother would tease him by "forgetting" to get a box of his favorite; Jimmy would have to ask her for them. She smiled at him fondly, thanked him for the reminder, and added a box to her order.
Sometimes when he wasn't around, she'd order an extra box and hide it in the back of the freezer. Then his birthday would come, and he would unwrap a box of his beloved treats, happily hugging her in gratitude. He didn't have to share them; he'd eat one cookie a day, making the supply last as long as possible.
He didn't eat cookies very often any more, but he always bought a box or two of Thin Mints at Cookie Time. Of course, these days they never lasted long; no matter where he hid them, House always managed to find them. At least, Wilson thought, he makes sure to save a cookie or two for me.
Title (Episode): How Many? (DNR, 1x09)
Pairing, Rating, Word Count: none, PG, 200
How Many?
How many of those pills are you taking anyway?
House heard the question every time he reached for the little orange bottle. Sometimes it was Wilson's voice; sometimes it was Cuddy's. Now he supposed he'd hear John Henry's voice from time to time, too.
His answer had been honest: "I'm in pain." Pain in one form or another had been a constant companion most of his life. He'd lost his share of fist fights, been sick and banged up playing sports, and suffered countless other physical pains just like everyone else.
The emotional pain he'd suffered hurt much worse. His issues with his father caused him the most grief, but he'd be damned if he'd ever admit that to anyone; he barely admitted it to himself. House's near-complete lack of social skills and his own strong belief system ensured both his independence and his loneliness.
Then there was the infarction, the betrayal, the surgery, the abandonment: pain heaped on sorrow piled on anger, all covering his own personal Mount Angst that already reached to the sky.
How many of those pills was he taking, anyway? They took away his pain; he didn't care.
Now if he could just convince himself.
Title (Episode): Keinahora (Histories, 1x10)
Pairing, Rating, Word Count: none, PG, 200
Keinahora
He knew House was multilingual, so it shouldn't have surprised him. During a conversation, House replied "Keinahora" to Wilson's "Mazel tov."
The word evoked deep, satisfying memories for Wilson. He remembered his grandfather, who had died many years ago, would stroke the top of his head or the side of his face and softy say, "Keinahora."
At first, young Jimmy didn't think twice about it, but as he grew older, he was curious and asked what it meant.
His grandfather thought about how to explain it. "Keinahora… it's made up of two other words. The first is originally a German word meaning 'none.' The second is from Hebrew, meaning 'the Evil Eye.'"
"But I don't understand, Grandpa. What does it mean?"
"My darling grandson, it's a kind of prayer, a protection. I want you to always be safe, so I pray for it. Literally, I ask that the Evil Eye stays away from you."
Wilson thought of difficult times he'd faced in his life and how he'd always felt protected. He would never stop feeling grateful to his grandfather for blessing him in that way.
He wondered if his brother remembered what it meant to feel safe. "Keinahora," he whispered.
Title (Episode): Birthday (The Socratic Method, 1x06)
Pairing, Rating, Word Count: House/Wilson, PG, 150
Birthday
He thought he'd get through the day without anyone mentioning it. Most of the staff had been at PPTH long enough to know better. But Cameron decided she had to wish him a happy birthday. He hadn't known how to respond and so said nothing.
He knew he was safe mentioning the milestone to Cuddy; it was easier than letting her find out about the incredible shrinking (and admittedly alcoholic) tumor. He knew she'd never make a big fuss by wanting to celebrate his "special" day with a song or greeting or by giving him a gift or a card.
Wilson, on the other hand, was another matter. When Wilson asked him about his birthday, House winced. Wilson grinned, knowing he'd hit a bullseye with that little dart. House grinned, too; the meal Jimmy was going to buy him as payback for that comment was going to be ridiculously expensive.
Title (Episode): Are You Pondering What I'm Pondering? (Fidelity, 1x07)
Pairing, Rating, Word Count: House/Wilson, PG, 350
Are You Pondering What I'm Pondering?
It had been an exceptionally long day. That night Wilson found himself mindlessly channel surfing, not particularly looking for something to watch but trying to unwind before bed. And if he was honest, he was killing time to make sure Julie was asleep before he went upstairs. He was not in the mood for her disappointed looks tonight.
He grinned when he found a somewhat familiar show. The kids at the hospital loved the DVD, and it was frequently on when he visited the playroom in the pediatric oncology ward. The two little mice were silly, had funny voices, and made the children laugh. In Wilson's book, that made the show worthwhile.
He'd heard the theme song enough to recognize the tune, but this was the first time he actually listened to the words. "They're Pinky and the Brain, yes, Pinky and the Brain, one is a genius, the other's insane..." He laughed. Certainly Greg was the genius, which made him Brain; that left himself as Pinky, the insane one. Fitting; a lot of people thought he was crazy for his devotion to House.
He watched the cartoon and laughed like he hadn't in a very long time. The show ended just as he remembered, with Brain reminding Pinky of their nightly plans for world domination. Wilson sang along to the closing theme (including Pinky's signature "Narf!" at the end), turned off the television, and headed for bed.
The next day, House was taunting him mercilessly about his tie, his shoes, and his choice of lunch companion. Finally, the teasing hit too close to home.
"You can be a real jerk sometimes, you know that?"
"Yeah. And you’re the good guy."
"At least I try."
"As long as you’re trying to be good, you can do whatever you want."
"And as long as you’re not trying, you can say whatever you want."
"So between us, we can do anything. We can rule the world!"
Wilson had to leave quickly. He didn’t want House to see his smile or hear the "Narf!" that was about to come out of his mouth.
Title (Episode): Favorite (Poison, 1x08)
Pairing/Rating/Word Count: none, G, 200
Favorite
Thin Mints were Wilson's favorite cookie. Some people liked Oreos better; some preferred chocolate chip, but he was a Thin Mints man all the way.
He remembered that as a kid he'd be so happy when the uniformed little girls knocked on his parents' door. His mother would tease him by "forgetting" to get a box of his favorite; Jimmy would have to ask her for them. She smiled at him fondly, thanked him for the reminder, and added a box to her order.
Sometimes when he wasn't around, she'd order an extra box and hide it in the back of the freezer. Then his birthday would come, and he would unwrap a box of his beloved treats, happily hugging her in gratitude. He didn't have to share them; he'd eat one cookie a day, making the supply last as long as possible.
He didn't eat cookies very often any more, but he always bought a box or two of Thin Mints at Cookie Time. Of course, these days they never lasted long; no matter where he hid them, House always managed to find them. At least, Wilson thought, he makes sure to save a cookie or two for me.
Title (Episode): How Many? (DNR, 1x09)
Pairing, Rating, Word Count: none, PG, 200
How Many?
How many of those pills are you taking anyway?
House heard the question every time he reached for the little orange bottle. Sometimes it was Wilson's voice; sometimes it was Cuddy's. Now he supposed he'd hear John Henry's voice from time to time, too.
His answer had been honest: "I'm in pain." Pain in one form or another had been a constant companion most of his life. He'd lost his share of fist fights, been sick and banged up playing sports, and suffered countless other physical pains just like everyone else.
The emotional pain he'd suffered hurt much worse. His issues with his father caused him the most grief, but he'd be damned if he'd ever admit that to anyone; he barely admitted it to himself. House's near-complete lack of social skills and his own strong belief system ensured both his independence and his loneliness.
Then there was the infarction, the betrayal, the surgery, the abandonment: pain heaped on sorrow piled on anger, all covering his own personal Mount Angst that already reached to the sky.
How many of those pills was he taking, anyway? They took away his pain; he didn't care.
Now if he could just convince himself.
Title (Episode): Keinahora (Histories, 1x10)
Pairing, Rating, Word Count: none, PG, 200
Keinahora
He knew House was multilingual, so it shouldn't have surprised him. During a conversation, House replied "Keinahora" to Wilson's "Mazel tov."
The word evoked deep, satisfying memories for Wilson. He remembered his grandfather, who had died many years ago, would stroke the top of his head or the side of his face and softy say, "Keinahora."
At first, young Jimmy didn't think twice about it, but as he grew older, he was curious and asked what it meant.
His grandfather thought about how to explain it. "Keinahora… it's made up of two other words. The first is originally a German word meaning 'none.' The second is from Hebrew, meaning 'the Evil Eye.'"
"But I don't understand, Grandpa. What does it mean?"
"My darling grandson, it's a kind of prayer, a protection. I want you to always be safe, so I pray for it. Literally, I ask that the Evil Eye stays away from you."
Wilson thought of difficult times he'd faced in his life and how he'd always felt protected. He would never stop feeling grateful to his grandfather for blessing him in that way.
He wondered if his brother remembered what it meant to feel safe. "Keinahora," he whispered.