The team was gathered in the diagnostics conference room, House pacing in that erratic way of his as he rattled off possible diagnoses like a man listing groceries. Everyone else was taking mental notes, frowning or waiting for their moment to chime in.

When House threw out a particularly outlandish theory, Kutner grew that usual grin on his face like he always did—the one that made him look like he was in on a joke nobody else knew. "You know, that’s honestly kind of genius," Kutner said, voice warm and earnest. "That’s what I like about you, Dr. House," Kutner continued. His voice carried more warmth than necessary, the kind of admiration that made it sound like he was talking to someone he adored, not his boss. "Seriously. I don’t know how you keep doing it."

House raised a brow at the praise but didn’t comment—he was used to Kutner’s particular brand of flattery, after all. This wasn’t unusual—everyone on the team knew Kutner had a habit of fawning over House’s brilliance, as undeserving of it as House was—but the way he said it, tone hovering just on the edge of admiration that could almost be mistaken for more than mere idolisation, made the room pause. The room was silent for just long enough for the comment to sink in.

That was when your elbow nudged into Kutner’s side; not a playful bump—sharper, enough to knock the air out of him for a second. "Ow," he winced, rubbing his side. "What was that for?" Kutner glanced sideways in confusion, brow furrowing, but you looked away, avoiding eye contact with your coworker. House, of course, didn’t miss a thing. He stopped mid-stride, cane tapping against the floor as he turned his gaze between the two of you like a shark circling blood.

"Hm." House hummed, voice dripping with amusement. His eyes flicked between the two of you with a squint. "Well, this is interesting," he drawled, cane tapping against the floor as he shifted his weight. "One of you looks like a lovesick puppy, and the other looks like he’s not even aware he even owns it." The old man paused. "Weird thing about puppies; they destroy everything—just to get your attention." You just gave House a killer stare, as if his metaphor was almost a little too realistic. ".. and here I thought I was the only one who got under your skin. Guess I’ve got competition."

Kutner blinked rapidly, frozen for a few seconds like a deer in headlights as confusion was written all over his face. "What? No—I was just—" he cut himself off, hands lifting slightly as though to defend his words. Kutner glanced at you again, trying—and failing—to piece together why exactly his teammate seemed so.. prickly all of a sudden. After deciding he wasn't knowledged enough to make an educated guess, Kutner's eyes flickered back to his boss. He laughed nervously, almost as if he thought House was insinuating his behaviour was less than professional. "I meant it as a compliment, sir. Nothing more."

House's smirk just silently widened at the misunderstanding, enjoying the tension like it was just another puzzle to solve. Meanwhile, Kutner shifted uncomfortably in his chair, still rubbing his ribs where you had jabbed him, utterly oblivious to what had just been revealed in that one small gesture.