Shoe Shine and Theatre Time
Dec. 14th, 2009 06:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
moose_mcmooseOn another note.... hey! my first job rejection letter. Finally, someone gets back to me with something. Bastards.
Title: Shoe Shine and Theatre Time
Rating: PG
Characters: House/Wilson
Words: 794
Disclaimer: If I owned them I would have invested in some new clothes and a sorely needed haircut. But I haven't. Take from that what you will
Summary: Wilson had told House, that for his forty-second birthday, he wanted to go to the theatre. Warning: >>>> character death <<<<<<<<<<<
Wilson had told House, that for his forty-second birthday, he wanted to go to the theatre.
House hated the theatre. He could never get away with dramatic plays, operas or ballets. He would much rather sit in his living room or go to the movies. At least there he wouldn't feel like he was sitting in a cloud of pretentiousness and he wouldn't have to try and look presentable.
But, despite his reservations and his dislike, House had booked two tickets for the evening of the 16th May.
He wasn't entirely sure what he was going to see; Wilson had just waved a leaflet in his face and, with a huge smirk, pointed out a dark blue advertisement. It was fresh from London's West End and had garnered fantastic reviews apparently, both of which Wilson had mentioned as he enthusiastically poked the flimsy leaflet.
House had been told over the phone that the two tickets were booked and were to be picked up from the front booth on the evening itself. No extra booking fee or postal charges. House had smiled as he put the phone down; he liked the theatre already.
.
.
He and Wilson went shopping for new suits two months before Wilson's birthday. Even with his ludicrously fat wallet, Wilson was still wary about parting with too much money for something he would probably never wear again. Plus, he still had that tuxedo from a few years ago that had lain untouched in his closet since he won that now legendary poker tournament. He hoped that would still fit, but he doubted it.
Eventually, with House's encouragement he shelled out $300 which covered the suit itself and a fresh pair of black shoes. House himself spent a little less – it wasn't his birthday after all -- but he still managed to be different by buying a polka dot bow tie.
.
.
A month before his birthday Wilson shined his and House's new shoes before getting the suits pressed, even though had never been worn. He had even picked out which underwear he was going to don and what pair of socks would go with the shoes. He offered to do the same for House but all he got was an over-theatrical eye-roll and barb about being like his mother.
Wilson had done it anyway, not that House knew about it. He'd already set aside House's blue boxers and black socks with white trim.
.
.
It was the 16th of May and House received his tickets from the booth at the front of the theatre. He thanked the petite blonde behind the glass and tucked the tickets into the front pocket of his suit before heading inside.
The usher lead him to their seats. Row 4, seats 18 and 19. A perfect view of the stage but not so close that all he could see were up the noses of the cast.
It wasn't long before the lights in the theatre changed signifying the beginning of the show. House crossed his left leg over his right and adjusted himself to a comfortable seated position, picking off a stray bit of blue fluff that had made its way onto his black socks with white trim. Exactly what Wilson had laid out for him. The bastard was always prepared.
.
.
Wilson died on the 9th May. One week before his birthday and one week before the theatre trip.
As odd as it may seem, great timing had been House's first thought. Not oh shit or how can this be happening. Honestly, at first, he thought it was a bit rude of Wilson. All that preparation and money gone to waste. But that feeling was quickly replaced by something all together more melancholy.
He'd hoped the theatre trip would have given Wilson some drive, something to aim for and aspire to see. Aiming to get to forty-two wasn't really as important as getting to forty itself or fifty.
House was pretty sure the plan worked. Wilson had got more of his spark back in the last three months which was in stark comparison with the previous three. The sense of being in limbo had almost evaporated, replaced by a more overwhelming sense of purpose.
It was good. House had been hopeful.
But hope on its own is never enough. He knew that.
.
.
Wilson would have loved this. Dramatic family dysfunction on stage was his sort of thing. But Wilson wasn't here. He would never get the chance to be here.
House was here with only an empty velvet chair for company. But despite the situation he found himself in, he was determined.
He was determined to enjoy this damn play, if not only for him, but for Wilson.
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no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 07:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 07:25 pm (UTC)Yeah I thought it should have a sort of heartwarming conclusion. I wasn't in the sort of mood to make it really depressing. And House is definitely the kind of guy who would do such a thing if only for Wilson, even behind the gruff exterior.
Thanks for reading and for the kind comments XD (I am sort of tempted to post this to the House_Wilson comm but I am way too scared :S)
no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 07:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 07:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 07:27 pm (UTC)Great writing though, never saw that coming, I was all going with the flow of fluff and fun. I love the determination House has to enjoy the play for Wilson, very recognizable. Wow.
Thanks for sharing, I really love your writing. And sorry for the rejection letter, that sucks.
no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 07:32 pm (UTC)I wasn't really aiming for his death to be a shock but it does please me you didn't see it coming. I was going for the subtle hints kind of thing.
Rejection is better than nothing I reckon. At least they must have considered me. Never mind.
no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 08:04 pm (UTC)I was wondering who was going to die and how so it was actually kind of suspenseful; despite the very moderate pace of the story!
House going to the theatre alone as some ritual to honor Wilson was so heart-breaking and so beautiful!
Great piece, thanks for sharing!
no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 11:54 pm (UTC)Yeah the pace was deliberate. I didn't want it to feel rushed so I'm glad that worked for you.
Cheers for reading and for the kind comments XD
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Date: 14/12/2009 08:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 11:56 pm (UTC)Cheers for reading and commenting. XD
no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 11:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 14/12/2009 11:58 pm (UTC)Cheers for reading and commenting.
no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 03:33 am (UTC)I saw "warning" and the arrow, but guess I needed bracketing arrows. You know like this ==>Surprise!<==. Yeah, you got to draw me a map. :/
A warning is proper etiquette, but honestly, I appreciated being taken by surprise. Went back and read it again, and noticed your delicate hints. Very well done. What I love is that you can read between the lines what House and Wilson mean to each other, and that's why I'm adding it to my memories.
Hope you do go ahead and post this to
Sorry about the letter, at least the company had enough class to follow through.
no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 11:08 am (UTC)And a fooking mem?!?!?! Seriously. *keels over in a fit of delight* I don't think I've ever been memmed before. :D
Cheers for reading and commenting XD and for the mem (AAH)
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Date: 15/12/2009 11:48 am (UTC)Beautiful, but so, so sad. ♥
no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 11:51 am (UTC)*hands a tissues*
Cheers for reading and commenting XD Much appreciated
no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 01:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 02:54 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading and commenting though XD
no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 02:55 pm (UTC)very good fic!!never saw it coming and hit like a ton of bricks. thank goodness dad is used to hearing me sniffle while reading on the computer. would love to continue readng more of your stuff..please post away!!!!
no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 02:57 pm (UTC)The death was never intended to be a surprise. But I am sort of happy some people found it to be a shock and some people didn't.
Cheers for reading and commenting.
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Date: 15/12/2009 02:56 pm (UTC)1) $300 for a suit and dress shoes? Damn, House you're cheap for an M.D. who spends all his time at work and is the head of a department at a teaching hospital. XD
2) f*@& he can't be dead. D8
Horay, thank you for posting.
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Date: 15/12/2009 02:59 pm (UTC)And thank YOU for reading and commenting. XD
no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 10:05 pm (UTC)You're right. House is cheap about some things for no decipherable reason. His appearance is probably something he'd be cheap about.
But, if you want an easy reference: There is an episode where House wants Wilson's advice when they aren't talking. So, House tries to get Wilson to listen to him by paying him what he takes an educated guess to be his hourly rate. It was something insane - I think around $300. I'd guess that House makes about that same amount.
no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 03:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 03:24 pm (UTC)Cheers for reading and commenting. Much appreciated :)
no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 04:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 15/12/2009 04:22 pm (UTC)And thanks for reading and commenting. Much appreciated.
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Date: 15/12/2009 07:53 pm (UTC)Okay, I'm rambling so I'm just going to stop and say I loved it. :D
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Date: 16/12/2009 10:17 am (UTC)Well i'm glad i've managed to surprised someone who is rarely suprised. I shall take that as a win on my part :)
I don't mind ramblings....especially when they are complimentary ones
Cheers for reading and commenting XD
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Date: 15/12/2009 09:41 pm (UTC)And you should take that as a compliment. This was really, really, really good. A fantastic first post. Sad and somehow bittersweet. *glomp* ^_^
And I expect you to post more stories in future. :3
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Date: 16/12/2009 10:20 am (UTC)And thank you for the glomp, glomps are <3
Aahhh pressure *wibbles*
Thanks for reading and commenting XD
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Date: 15/12/2009 11:00 pm (UTC)Loved the fic, and don't be scared to post more ^^
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Date: 16/12/2009 10:24 am (UTC)"...I was properly taken by surprise that Wilson died..." Looking at the sentence I am taking a guess that you're from the UK. YAY! Fellow Brit *high fives* (or am I totally off...I did linguistics at university so I pick up on stuff ;0) )
And thanks for the nice comments. That was very much what I was going for. I did start out by declaring that Wilson was dying and the like but I re-wrote with it at the end. It just seemed a bit more powerful and it worked a bit better structurally.
Cheers for reading XD
no subject
Date: 16/12/2009 08:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 16/12/2009 10:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 18/12/2009 03:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 18/12/2009 03:38 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading and commenting XD Much appreciated.
no subject
Date: 18/12/2009 04:22 pm (UTC)This story was very soft in its approach and I could see the enthusiasm Wilson was displaying about getting ready for his night.
So beautiful and one I will be re-reading. Thank you for sharing :-)
*mems*
no subject
Date: 18/12/2009 04:26 pm (UTC)Cheers for reading and thank you for the enthusiastic and kind comments XD
AND for the mem. *grins like a cheshire cat*
no subject
Date: 20/12/2009 12:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 20/12/2009 12:04 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading and commenting. Much appreciated XD