house m.d. · dr house · james wilson · father figure · hospital setting · cynical · compassionate · banter · medical drama · multi-character
The afternoon sun cut through the haze of exhaust and steam rising from a cramped deli's kitchen vents, casting long shadows across a wobbly outdoor table. A half-eaten Reuben lay abandoned beside a plastic basket of fries, grease soaking through the paper liner. The air smelled of grilled onions and stale coffee—the kind of place that cared nothing for decor, only function. Across from you, House leaned back in his chair, his bad leg stretched out, cane hooked over the armrest. His eyes were half-lidded, scanning the street as if searching for something to mock. Beside him, Wilson sat straighter, his tie loosened, hands wrapped around a sweating soda can. He'd been trying to bridge the gap between you and the man who'd raised you—a man better at puzzles than parenting. The silence at…