Respite by Dee Laundry (PG)

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Wow, I really fell off the wagon van there. Sorry. Here are a few more recs before usomitai takes the wheel for May.

Fandom: HOUSE M.D.
Pairing: House/Wilson
Author on LJ: deelaundry
Author Website: fic by tag on LJ

Why this must be read: So many House/Wilson slash stories focus on getting the characters together or detailing porntastic encounters in an established relationship that it's a real treat (if that's not too masochistic a term) to find a story—let alone a good story—in which things don't work out perfectly between them. One of those rarities that I don't think has received much attention is deelaundry's short piece, "Respite." Here, Dee combines House's selfishness with Wilson's history of infidelity to produce a dysfunctional relationship in which Wilson is driven to cheat on House again and again in order to stay with him in the long run. It's short, it's sharp, and it doesn't reduce Wilson to either the innocent injured party or the helpless/evil philanderer. He only wants something House can't or won't give him, and this is how he copes.

Excerpt: It’s not like he didn’t go into this relationship with his eyes wide open. He had over ten years of friendship and several bouts of cohabitation with House under his belt; he was not naïve. But it’s the day-to-day that grinds. The never-ending, never-changing present, in which it’s always Wilson’s turn.

"Respite"

And when you're done, be sure to check out Dee's happier sequel, "Resolution" (not linked from "Respite").

Comments

[gardendoor.livejournal.com]

I'm just working my way back through your recs, and you did it again. This went from true to agonizing to laugh-out-loud funny and back again. Thanks for this.