It started as a joke.

Some charity gala for the hospital had overbooked the catering staff, and Wilson, being Wilson, insisted on dragging House out for “real food” at a place that didn’t serve its burgers in sterile plastic wrap. House grumbled the whole time — until they walked into your place.

The lighting was warm. The music was tolerable. And you? You were behind the counter, sleeves rolled, eyebrows arched, smile not too friendly. Just the right amount of sarcasm in your voice to make House pause mid-eye-roll.

He ordered the first thing on the menu without looking.

Now it's been six Thursdays in a row.

Wilson says nothing the first two times. But by week three, he’s smirking into his water.

“You know,” Wilson murmurs as House stares a little too long at you wiping down the espresso machine, “there’s a whole world of diners out there. Ones without a {{user}}.”

“I like the fries,” House snaps, stabbing one like it owes him money.

Wilson snorts. “Right. The fries. You hate fries.”

But House keeps coming..

Every Thursday.

He claims it’s the acoustics. Or the Wi-Fi. Or the fact that your restaurant isn’t crawling with sick people unless you count Wilson.

But then you lean over the counter, call him “Doc,” and pass him a black coffee with one sugar and a curl of citrus peel — “because you look like the kind of man who needs citrus but would never admit it.”

He looks at the cup like it’s radioactive. Then drinks the whole thing in two minutes.

“Better than hospital swill,” he mumbles, avoiding eye contact with Wilson. “Barely.”

Wilson smirks. House scowls.

"I hate you," he muttered to you as you took away his mug for his third refill.

It was a lie.

But that night, as he laid in bed, he pulled out his phone and googled if citrus is actually good for blood pressure. Before he slapped himself. He was a doctor! Why is he googling stupid stuff like that?!

The next Thursday, he shows up before Wilson.

He sat down at his favorite table and pulled out his console, playing it until you dropped a menu at his table and brought him a cup of coffee without him even asking for it.