True to his word, Nolan made the phone call to Wilson the very next session. House wasn't completely absolved from participating, though. He was sitting on his usual perch across from Nolan, the psychiatrist's phone on speaker. If Nolan was going to do this, he wanted his client to hear what was being said and be able to speak up, if necessary. House fiddled uneasily with his cane, growing more tense with each ring of of the line until - finally - Wilson picked up.
"Doctor Nolan? Is everything alright? House okay?" House smiled slightly at his friend's immediate concern. Only Wilson would have someone else's psychiatrist's number saved in his phone.
Nolan, of course, noticed House's reaction and mirrored it with a similar one of his own. "Everything's fine." he reassured smoothly. "House and I just wanted to talk to you about something. I obviously don't expect you to come down today since I've sort of called you out of the blue and it's not necessarily urgent, but perhaps we could all plan to meet for House's next session."
"Whatever House needs; I'll be there, of course."
Nolan raised an 'I told you so' eyebrow at House and that was all the encouragement House needed to speak up. Some part of him knew that if he didn't have this conversation today, he wouldn't do it."Nolan was just being polite. It's me. Do you really think he would be calling if it wasn't at least slightly urgent?"There was a moment of silence as Wilson apparently considered that thought. "You're lucky I'm on lunch -I'll be down in ten."
Nolan hung up the phone after a few more pleasantries, then focused back on House. "See, you two have a way with each other and clearly Wilson is quite literally willing to drop everything and run, should you need him to. I think this discussion is going to go just fine.""Here's hoping you're right." House breathed a distressed, but resigned sigh.
When Wilson arrived exactly ten minutes later, he immediately scanned his friend for signs of danger. There seemed to be no pain evident, he wasn't any more high than usual, but just as sullen as was typical of these sessions."Okay, you're not screaming this time." Wilson put his hands on his hips; not a judgmental pose, but a default one around House by now. "So, why'd you want me down here so fast?"
"Can't a guy just want to see his best friend?" House shot back, mock offended."Not usually unless you're actively detoxing or dying; since you appear to be doing neither, what's up?"
When House didn't respond, instead beginning to fiddle with his cane, Wilson softened. "House, what's wrong?"
House took a deep breath; it was now or never. "Remember a few weeks ago? I was in pain, called you, was being all weird with the teddy bear and the ice cream?""…Yeah," Wilson replied hesitantly. "What about it? You were having a rough time. Not how you usually act, sure, but I got it…sort of."
"Good. 'Cause it's probably gonna be happening more and you're gonna be stuck dealing with it."Nolan winced at the phrasing, not completely certain it wouldn't send Wilson reeling, but the man saw past it.
"You mean, that was intentional?""Not that time, but yeah. We've been doing it every time I'm here since then. Supposed to help me turn my brain off, escape and process trauma, all that jazz." House waved his hand 's eyes widened in comprehension. "Age regression therapy. Can't say I ever thought you'd try it, but I'm glad it's working for you.""It seems to be." House admitted. "Much as it makes me look pathetic. So pathetic, in fact, that Nolan here thinks I need a babysitter.""Hey," Nolan interjected. "I didn't say it quite like that. Though I would prefer you have supervision should you, intentionally or unintentionally, regress outside of my office."
"And you want me to be that supervision." Wilson finally put the pieces together.
"Ideally, yes. That said, it is completely your decision as to whether you are comfortable with that." Nolan supplied. House had checked out of the conversation to stare down at his shoes, far too embarrassed.
Wilson brought him back with a gentle hand on his knee. "Is that what you want, House?"No, it wasn't. Wilson shouldn't have to deal with this. This was stupid. But…"If I have to have someone help with this, I'd rather it be you." House admitted quietly.
Wilson nodded decisively, smile on his lips. If House was even willing to say that out loud, this approach must be doing wonders. "Then that's what we'll do."At House's baffled look, Wilson continued. "I honestly don't mind. If it helps. Besides, you always say I need to be needed so it's a win-win."
House smirked. This is why he loved Wilson. The man could twist just about anything just the right amount for it to be justifiable, normal, and even beneficial to himself somehow. House wasn't sure their friendship would've survived all the years it had if Wilson hadn't had that ability, truthfully.
"Look," Wilson interrupted his thoughts, "I ran into Cuddy on my way out; wasn't sure what I'd be walking into so I took the afternoon off.""I see your dad instincts are in full form already, Jimmy." House teased.
"Anyway," Wilson cut his friend off rather forcefully. "Since I have the time on my hands, do you want to do, I don't know, a trial run? While you're somewhere comfortable, I mean?"
Wilson rambled, nervous hand kneading the back of his neck until Nolan swooped in. "I think that's a wonderful idea. That okay with you, House?""Yeah. I…uh, yeah. Let me just grab Bartok. It's less weird when he's out. Think we could pull out the keyboard too?"
"Of course." Nolan agreed easily, already moving to retrieve it from the storage closet while House went for his knapsack.
"I was wondering if I'd be needed today" the bear whispered in House's mind as the diagnostician fluffed his fur.
"You're always needed." House replied quietly before remembering Wilson was there listening to him, a grown man, talk to a teddy bear. Embarrassed again, House finished what he was going to say in his head.
"We have a bigger audience today; figured you'd want to help me show them what I can do."
"Oh, you've brought a friend! Splendid!" The little bear clapped his approval. "Well, we simply must put on our best show, then. Come, come. We musn't keep an audience waiting."House huffed a laugh at Bartok's enthusiasm. It wasn't as if Wilson hearing him play was anything new. Still, this time felt different. Was different.
Wilson felt the difference too, choosing to hang back and watch for now rather than interact. House was quieter, calmer than he'd ever seen him (aside from maybe the immediate bliss that always came immediately after a correct diagnosis or a particularly large dose of Vicodin). Stranger still, it seemed to be all thanks to that sweet little white bear now tucked under his arm. Clearly a friend from childhood if House's whispered words were anything to go by. Yet, the teddy still looked almost brand new, as if it hadn't been loved for years on end. Perhaps mainly a display piece, then. Or, House actually managed to care for a possession beyond his instruments. Either way, it was a mystery Wilson could live without solving. The bear was important to House; that's all that mattered.
House set Bartok on the corner of the keyboard, his usual spot when the two had taken lessons together, and began to play. He relaxed even further almost immediately, having followed this routine a couple of times now.
Sensing the shift, Nolan chose his words carefully. "That's beautiful, Greg. Where did you learn that?""Thanks!" Greg, now clearly a boy, even in Wilson's mind, replied. "It's the first thing my teacher ever taught me."
"You still remember it, even without music? That's amazing!" Wilson couldn't help but gush. He knew House had always had an ear, and incredible affinity, for music, but he hadn't realized it had started quite so young.
"Course I do." Greg said, as if it was a forgone conclusion. "Music is easy."
"Now Gregory," Bartok admonished gently. "Just because something is easy for you, doesn't mean it's easy for everyone."
As if echoing the bear's thoughts, Wilson chuckled out a "Never has been for me. Think you could teach me?"
"You want me to teach you? Wouldn't you rather learn from a real teacher?"
"I'd rather have a real musician than a real teacher, I think. And you're definitely a real musician."
Wilson realized a moment later that the compliment may have been a bit too deep for the…kid, he supposed, in front of him. Greg definitely understood the last part, though, if his beaming smile was anything to go by.
The next half hour was spent with the boy showing Wilson the basics of of a piano scale and simple songs. For all of House's usual brash attitude towards students, little Greg was a very patient teacher. Bartok, unbeknownst to Wilson, was guiding Greg as Greg guided him.
Just before House's session was due to come to an end, the man's stomach grumbled slightly, prompting Wilson to question, "Hungry?"
Greg shrugged. "Kinda, I guess, but I'm fine. I can wait."
"No, it's okay. If you're hungry, you should eat. Good teachers need to keep their strength up. Here."Out of his brief case, Wilson produced a granola bar and a bag of chips - unopened remnants of his own missed lunch, but the oncologist didn't mind. House was too thin in his eyes. Getting his friend to eat anything was worth skipping a snack or two , Wilson hadn't expected Greg to take both items; he expected that the boy would choose between them. He was surprised when Greg didn't reach for either one, though. Perhaps a little nudge, then.
"Really, go ahead. There's plenty." Wilson encouraged.
Still nothing. On a whim, Wilson opened the bag of chips, taking a few for himself. House, for some reason, had always enjoyed stealing his food more than eating his own. Maybe it was a childhood habit and Greg was the same.
Sure enough, Greg tentatively reached over to take a few, smiling in thanks.
Interesting. Both Nolan and Wilson thought.
Greg and Wilson continued to work their way through the bag of chips until nothing was left. Then they split the granola bar too. By that time, the session was over.
"Well, glad I'm sending you both off well-fed." Nolan said in closing. "You two okay going home on your own?"
"We'll be fine." Wilson said with confidence. As soon as Greg was out of earshot, though, he pulled Nolan aside. "How to I get him…back to an adult?""You don't. Give him time. When he wants to age up, he will. In the meantime, treat him like you have been and you'll be fine. It's a testament to how much he trusts you that he hasn't forced himself back up already. This will be good for him, Wilson."The oncologist nodded, gathering their things and turning towards the door when Nolan called out to him again. "Oh, and one more thing, Doctor Wilson."Wilson raised an inquisitive brow.
"Unless he brings it up, don't mention his…peculiar snacking habits. Perhaps it's nothing more than an ingrained childhood pattern of behavior, but I'd hate to make him feel self-conscious about it. Besides, I can't shake the feeling that there might be more to it and I would like to explore it in a space where you both have support, should you need it."
"I'll take that as my invitation to the next session then." Wilson joked.
"See you next week, Doctor Wilson." Nolan bid him . Next week. Now all they had to do was successfully get from now to then. Wilson heaved a sigh. That was probably going to be easier said than done.