House

[more_flexible]

Jack was still a little drunk when he woke up from his nao and realized he needed to tell House. He left Logan and Joe in the comfort of the hut and headed for the good doctor's place, hoping to catch him there.

Jack knocked on the door and waited. Fucker came around the place from the back side and demanded attention from the onc familiar man. Jack scritched his ears and chin as he waited for House to answer so he could deliver the hard news.

Comments

[misanthrope_md]

And the really sad thing was, House realized, that didn't sound all that appealing. He didn't even know what he wanted anymore.

"Exactly," he said.

[more_flexible]

He realized just a little too late how awkward the embrace was, how clingy and emotionally charged. He reluctantly let go, giving House's chest a slow pat before he broke contact completely.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I know how much Rob means to you. I'm...sorry."

[misanthrope_md]

Some of the numbness threatened to face into something else, and House held it firmly in place.

"You should go home and sleep it off, Jack," he said. "You'll feel better."

[more_flexible]

"I should. I should have never left Logan. I...there's so many people I want to keep close," he said, his words slurring a little. "You could come over. You could stay with us if you want to..."

[misanthrope_md]

"Go be with your family, Jack," House said quietly.

Because, sure, that was exactly what he wanted to deal with - Logan's jealousy over Jack bringing him home as someone he wanted to keep close. Right.

[more_flexible]

He was just drunk enough that he was easily suggestible. Jack nodded twice and took a step back. He didn't really want to leave- he wanted to bring House and Helen home, others too. He wanted to bring everyone together just in the hopes that it would be safer that way.

He knew it wouldn't be.

"I'll go. But...I'll come back. I'll check on you more often. You mean a lot to me, Greg. You really do."

He turned and stumbled away from the door, nearly tripping on the dog as Fucker danced around his feet.

[misanthrope_md]

House felt his chest tighten. It was only a matter of time. House was the one that had been here forever. Since the beginning. If anyone was leaving, it was Jack.

"Goodbye, Jack," he said, before the numbness could slip away again, and walked back in and closed the door.

[more_flexible]

Goodbye. That sounded so...final. Jack's eyes burned as he ducked his head and turned away. He knew he needed to get home but...goodbye. He didn't want to say that.

"I'll see you later," he mumbled, then started to stagger off toward home.