crack_van | Tangent Universe and Manipulated Living by perspi (R)

Fandom: HOUSE M.D.
Pairing: None. House-Wilson friendship.
Length: Just over 1,000 words total
Author on LJ: Author's LJ profile
Author Website: Perspi's House fic list here.
Why this must be read: It was not until after I’d compiled a list of House fics for this month that I realized I hadn’t found a spot for one of

perspi’s fics. There was rejuggling to make space, and then I couldn’t choose just one because her writing is so good. Fortunately for us, she wrote two outstanding very short fics that must be read together.

These two stories, in which the apocalypse comes on a very small scale for a handful of people, pack amazing characterization into their short length. House is both doctor and walking wounded in them, and through it all demonstrates the power of deeds over words.

Excerpt from "Tangent Universe":

Foreman doesn't want to think about what it means that House is sitting here next to him.

"I'm dying, yeah?" he asks in the loudest half-whisper he can manage.

House is the only one who would give him the unvarnished truth, and for once Foreman is glad of it. "Yeah. Couple hours, a day tops. Wanna see your chart?"

Excerpt from “Manipulated Living”:

"You fucking idiot," House growls. He can't think of much else to say.

Wilson doesn't seem to have that problem; he's almost starting to babble. "The phone lines are still jammed, I tried calling and there was no way...I ended up helping wherever I could, wherever they needed me. Everything was gone, Cuddy—"

"Fucking apocalypse," House helpfully supplies.

Tangent Universe and Manipulated Living.