First Kisses (11/13) for piepeloe "By the Book"
xi. By the Book
Prompt was: textbook, manual, guideline(s)
Given me by: piepeloe
"It's a textbook case," House snarls, pushing past Wilson into the elevator, "And I'm sick of you pawning these stupid, boring cases off on me, like I won't know the difference!"
Wilson's face is stormy, eyebrows drawn together, and he forces his way into the crowded elevator. House heads for the back, and Wilson steps on a few toes, but he's there, in House's face.
"I'm sorry that you feel like you're special, like you can only take the cases that go off the beaten path, but sometimes a case is a case, and you haven't had one in three weeks!"
The rest of the elevator's occupants had turned their heads, watching the proceedings with intense interest.
"I don't have to take this case, and I'm not going to, just because you parade that puppy face in front of me!"
"Fine! I ask you to do one single, solitary thing for me, and this is what I get? I'm calling bullshit, House!"
"You're always asking me to do cases! If I took every case that you fluttered your eyelashes over, I'd never have time to take on a real case!"
"Real people, House, who are really sick, that makes it a real case! Unless there's some sort of manual you've got somewhere, a list of guidelines as to who is and isn't worthy of your time!"
The elevator chimed, and the doors opened, but nobody seemed to want to leave. House gave them all a sweeping glare, barrelling through with Wilson dogging his heels.
"You're just pissed because all of your cases are open and shut. Cancer or no cancer. Dead or not dead."
"That's crap, and you know it!"
"That's your argument? That's your big fucking argument?"
Wilson's hand moved, and House thought for a moment that he was about to get a punch in the mouth.
Instead, Wilson grabbed his bicep, hauling him closer. He slammed their faces together, not kissing so much as taking out his frustration on House's mouth. He was shorter, but House was taken off balance, and Wilson was able to push him into the wall.
The kiss was violent, and angry, but it told House so much that Wilson's words couldn't say. How worried he was, not for the patient, but for House. How aggravating it was, to want so much for House to be happy, but to have no way to do it. How hurtful it was, to continually have his efforts thrown back in his face.
There is blood in his mouth when Wilson pulls away, faint and metallic, but it's a good taste, when overlaid with Wilson taste. His lip is split, and Wilson takes one last swipe at it, licking away the blood, holding their foreheads together for a moment, letting the anger and hurt seep away.
"Damn. I'm sorry," he whispers, locking eyes with House.
"For the blood, or the kiss?" House says, just as softly, just as hesitantly.
"For letting you get to me," Wilson answers. He doesn't clarify. House understands.
"I'll take the damned case."
"Because I kissed you?"
"Because you care. And because I can hold it over your head later for sexual favors."
Wilson closes his eyes, and laughs, long and hard. "I admire your honesty."
House smiles, and takes the file.
He would've taken the case anyway. Results like that are just weird.
Prompt was: textbook, manual, guideline(s)
Given me by: piepeloe
"It's a textbook case," House snarls, pushing past Wilson into the elevator, "And I'm sick of you pawning these stupid, boring cases off on me, like I won't know the difference!"
Wilson's face is stormy, eyebrows drawn together, and he forces his way into the crowded elevator. House heads for the back, and Wilson steps on a few toes, but he's there, in House's face.
"I'm sorry that you feel like you're special, like you can only take the cases that go off the beaten path, but sometimes a case is a case, and you haven't had one in three weeks!"
The rest of the elevator's occupants had turned their heads, watching the proceedings with intense interest.
"I don't have to take this case, and I'm not going to, just because you parade that puppy face in front of me!"
"Fine! I ask you to do one single, solitary thing for me, and this is what I get? I'm calling bullshit, House!"
"You're always asking me to do cases! If I took every case that you fluttered your eyelashes over, I'd never have time to take on a real case!"
"Real people, House, who are really sick, that makes it a real case! Unless there's some sort of manual you've got somewhere, a list of guidelines as to who is and isn't worthy of your time!"
The elevator chimed, and the doors opened, but nobody seemed to want to leave. House gave them all a sweeping glare, barrelling through with Wilson dogging his heels.
"You're just pissed because all of your cases are open and shut. Cancer or no cancer. Dead or not dead."
"That's crap, and you know it!"
"That's your argument? That's your big fucking argument?"
Wilson's hand moved, and House thought for a moment that he was about to get a punch in the mouth.
Instead, Wilson grabbed his bicep, hauling him closer. He slammed their faces together, not kissing so much as taking out his frustration on House's mouth. He was shorter, but House was taken off balance, and Wilson was able to push him into the wall.
The kiss was violent, and angry, but it told House so much that Wilson's words couldn't say. How worried he was, not for the patient, but for House. How aggravating it was, to want so much for House to be happy, but to have no way to do it. How hurtful it was, to continually have his efforts thrown back in his face.
There is blood in his mouth when Wilson pulls away, faint and metallic, but it's a good taste, when overlaid with Wilson taste. His lip is split, and Wilson takes one last swipe at it, licking away the blood, holding their foreheads together for a moment, letting the anger and hurt seep away.
"Damn. I'm sorry," he whispers, locking eyes with House.
"For the blood, or the kiss?" House says, just as softly, just as hesitantly.
"For letting you get to me," Wilson answers. He doesn't clarify. House understands.
"I'll take the damned case."
"Because I kissed you?"
"Because you care. And because I can hold it over your head later for sexual favors."
Wilson closes his eyes, and laughs, long and hard. "I admire your honesty."
House smiles, and takes the file.
He would've taken the case anyway. Results like that are just weird.