deelaundry: person holding a cane and blue folder in the same hand (folder)
[personal profile] deelaundry
Title: Shining Armor
Author: Dee Laundry
Pairing: House-Wilson-Cuddy friendship
Rating: PG
Words: 880
Summary: "The first treatment is to rest and avoid activities that aggravate your symptoms." (about.com)
Notes: Midquel to My Fathers’ Son but I don't think you need to read that to read this. Written for the Camp Sick!Wilson "Incorporate These Three Things" Challenge. Despite the lj-cut line, Wilson is only minorly injured. Thanks to [livejournal.com profile] nightdog_barks for the beta.


"It looks like a horror movie in here," Cuddy exclaimed as she walked into Wilson's living room. Trolls, dinosaurs, and dragons of multiple sizes and colors glared down from several of the bookcases; a scimitar and an axe (both quite obviously foam, but still) had been thrown across a chair; and warriors from a variety of armies were set up in formation across the floor. On the coffee table stood a hideous gray plastic castle ornamented with red gargoyles and a white skull gate. "Are those... skeleton soldiers?"

"Skeleton knights," Wilson clarified. "House wanted to refer to them as Children of the Hydra's Teeth, but Jack's a little young to be introduced to Ray Harryhausen monsters."

"Harry who?"

"Never mind. Thanks for coming over." He lowered himself stiffly, carefully onto the couch, only allowing his right hip to hit the seat cushion before lying down on his side.

Cuddy kept herself from wincing in sympathy, but it was difficult. She'd grimaced when she'd first heard about the twisting, wrenching fall he'd had: dark hallway plus baseball bat left on the floor plus furniture impeding rather than breaking his fall equaled ouch. She'd offered to come back early from her conference to help out, but Wilson had said no. "Still a lot of pain, huh?"

"No, no," Wilson immediately demurred, though the tension in his posture, even lying down, told a different tale. "It only really hurts when I sit. But with the marauding hordes --" He gestured toward the plastic soldiers across the floor. "I have to be careful where I step. Easier just to lie here."

"Lazy bones," House growled, surprising Cuddy. She hadn't noticed him coming him down the hall. "Won't even get up and make dinner. You're lucky I'm here," he continued, pointing at Wilson. "If not for me, you'd be starving to death."

"Yes," Wilson scoffed, "I do appreciate the herculean effort you put into calling Cuddy and telling her to bring over takeout." His sarcasm was undercut, however, by the pained flinch his attempt at a snort induced.

House's eyes narrowed, and Cuddy decided to take the cue she'd been given. "I brought Japanese," she said, raising the bags high. "Edamame and gyoza for Jack, right? California roll and extra miso soup for Wilson. And, yes, House, before you badger me again, I did get you unagi don."

"I didn't know you were that into eel," Wilson mentioned from the couch, as House began to lead the way toward the kitchen.

"I'm not," House called back. "I just like how dirty it sounds when she says it."

Cuddy swatted House on the arm in retaliation and then put the bags on the counter. As House handed her plates she asked, "How is he, really? His pain seems to be a little high."

House shrugged and busied himself with rummaging through the silverware drawer. "He did it to himself. Didn't take it easy the first day after the accident, and his middle-aged spine let him know what a bad idea that was."

"Herniated disk?"

"Yep."

With amusement, Cuddy noted that House had retrieved regular china dishes for Wilson and her, and plastic Spiderman plates for himself and Jack. She decided not to comment on it, though.

"But," House continued, "MRI showed no tumors, abscesses, or anything out of the ordinary to have caused the herniation; it was just plain old lower back sprain compounded by garden-variety stupidity in pushing himself too fast."

Cuddy speared a small chunk of tofu and had a quick bite. "And that's why the soldiers are standing guard? I wondered why Jack let his toys stay a mess."

House smiled slyly. "Had to get the idiot off his feet somehow." He picked up Wilson's plate and his own. "Which means I have to fetch and carry, of course. Get the drinks? Glasses are up there; water and everything else is in the fridge. I didn't bring over sake, but Wilson's got some girly white wine in there you might like."

"Why, thank you," she replied, unsure whether to be amused and grateful or annoyed and grateful. Jack wandered in as House was going out, and Cuddy decided pleased was definitely the way to go. "Hi, sweetheart. Dinner's here; you like gyoza, right?"

"Yeah, it's awesome," he replied, climbing on the barstool next to the kitchen island. "Thanks."

Pouring water for all of them, Cuddy smiled. "It's my pleasure. Must be hard having your Pop laid up." Jack raised his eyebrows, and she realized she'd used an older phrase, one a nine-year old might not ever have heard. "'Laid up' means 'having to rest and not being able to do what you normally do, because you're sick or hurt.'"

"Oh," Jack said, his delight in learning a new phrase or word evident. "Yeah, I guess it is." He munched on a dumpling contemplatively. "Kind of."

That was not the reaction she'd expected. "Kind of?"

Shrugging, Jack slipped off the barstool, plate in hand. "Kind of hard, but... Dad's been here the whole three days since Pop fell. He came over right away, got here before the ambulance did."

As Jack walked out of the kitchen his voice grew quieter, but Cuddy still heard him.

"Should've left my bat out a long time ago."

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-14 01:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] namasteyoga.livejournal.com
Aw, Jack knows how to manipulate just like House. Heh. And this is a complete House line: "I'm not," House called back. "I just like how dirty it sounds when she says it."

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-16 11:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
I don't think Jack left his bat out on purpose, but he certainly knew how to take advantage of the situtation after the accident. : ) Thanks.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-14 02:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] debbiel66.livejournal.com
I have always adored this 'verse, and this fic just reminded me that it's been too long since I re-read it. Absolutely loved it. Thank you.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-16 11:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
I have had a hugely hard time writing over the past several months, but this 'verse feels like coming home. Thank you.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-14 03:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] l-eremita.livejournal.com
A MFS-verse story that didn't make me cry, yay! This was so sweet. Of course I feel sorry for Wilson, but he's getting excellent care. *happy sigh*

I'm so jealy -- they are eating all my favourite Japanese food too.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-16 11:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
Wilson is very pleased with the care he's been getting (to the extent that he can feel comfortable at all about getting care instead of giving it). House plays with Jack and keeps Wilson's mind occupied with fun and challenging conversation. Jack gives Wilson extra hugs and kisses, and lets Wilson pet him.

You may have noticed they didn't get sushi -- House won't let them get takeout sushi, because that should be a treat reserved when you can go to a restaurant with an excellent sushi chef.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-14 04:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] srsly-yes.livejournal.com
Sitting and reading your story while polishing off my leftover edamame and California roll from lunch.

Delighted to see another installment in the MFS verse. I adore finding out that Jack's soldiers are standing guard over Wilson, House chose the Spiderman plates for himself, and Jack's last line reflects how much he is like his dad. Squeezes my heart a little.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-17 12:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
House and Jack have been field-marshalling epic campaigns all day. They both enjoy the strategy element -- and it has the added benefit of requiring formations that Wilson's not allowed to move because it would "turn the tide of history, Pop!" Wilson has enjoyed watching and thowing in some ideas of his own, particularly about covert/sniper tactics.

Thanks!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-14 05:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] barefootpuddles.livejournal.com
I like the idea of the soldiers standing guard. Very Housian. The Spiderman plate for House was a great touch. I also liked that Jack has both a sarcastic and manipulative streak in him as shown by his parting line. It's very fitting with the influence of both those men on his young psyche.

I wince with sympathy for Wilson. Around here it has been the damn scooters left at the bottom of the outdoor steps that has done me in. Kids toys are like lethal weapons sometimes. And don't get me started about the legos...

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-17 12:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
So glad you liked this. Thank you.

Oh, the legos! Grr. Matchbox cars have been a problem in my house lately...

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-14 05:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hibernia1.livejournal.com
Oh, I adore this. I love how they House gets Wilson to stay off of his feet using the soldiers, and how Jack's happy to have his Dad home, and now knows how to accomplish that... Awesome. Memm'ing.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-17 12:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
Jack is so happy to have his Dad home. The accident scared the heck out of him, but since he realized Pop would be OK, he has been elated to have the both of them around at the same time. Thank you.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-14 09:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] talulahk.livejournal.com
<3 this 'verse, miss your writing and *mems*

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-17 12:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
So glad you liked. (I miss writing, too. Wish my muse would come back.) Thanks!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-14 01:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pwcorgigirl.livejournal.com
The exchange about eel is just fabulous. :) And I love how strong the sense of family is here.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-17 12:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
Thank you! This story is all about family. Cuddy hasn't had much "air time" in this series, but she's a stable, supportive presence throughout Jack's life. (She found out about House and Wilson's couple-dom when Jack was just a few days old.)

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-14 04:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com
eel and noodles and Ray Harryhausen?! can I hang out with you guys? (I'll bet House has seen Valley of Gwangi!)

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-17 12:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
This was -- other than Wilson's pain -- a fairly awesome weekend for all involved. Dragon battles, war campaigns, great food, fun TV, and good music too. Thanks.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-14 05:31 pm (UTC)
ext_14022: (house: happy blooper)
From: [identity profile] fleurione.livejournal.com
Hah. Manipulative Jack, setting it up like that ;)

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-17 12:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
Thank you. The accident was truly an accident ... but Jack might start being more careless with his toys from here on out. : )

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-15 07:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] layne67.livejournal.com
((((((( Jack ))))))))

God, how I miss that family, that verse! Thank you so much for this, Dee ♥

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-17 12:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] deelaundry.livejournal.com
♥ ♥ ♥

I've missed them too. Thanks!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-17 09:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jezziejay.livejournal.com
I only read this series for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and found it really moving. This little addition gave my heart-strings another tug! Very nice.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-17 11:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sara-tsuzuki.livejournal.com
I love the family fics, and this is sweet and cute. Thanks so much for to share!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-18 01:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maineac.livejournal.com
Your comments are like the DVD extras. I think you need to actually write the story of the weekend preceding the accident. Yes? your muse seems to think so too.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-19 09:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lz1982.livejournal.com
Aw, this was cute. I liked the continuity of Jack picking up new phrases--I remember that from the longer fics.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-27 03:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lhoma320.livejournal.com
I loved this. I read this a few times while I was away on my blackberry. It makes for commenting frustrating. You write the most interesting things. I love that House and Wilson were together and had a son. I find it interesting that they are no longer together. I loved that fact that the son manipulated them to bring them together. I also like that you added Cuddy to the story. Oh yeah and House having the dinasaurs protect Wilson was cute. Thanks for sharing this. :D

Profile

deelaundry: man reading in an airport with his face hidden by the book (Default)
Dee Laundry

October 2025

S M T W T F S
    1234
567891011
121314151617 18
19202122232425
262728293031 

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags