Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Rating: strong M, very strong

Pairing: House/Cuddy/Wilson, het and slash- don't like, don't read.

Intro

Having both of them was never seen as a viable option. She may have had a fleeting fantasy or two about creating the perfect man, picking traits that she liked from each of them and merging them into what she wanted in a lover; what woman hadn't entertained the same idea, though? But keeping them as two separate lovers, each with their own benefits, quirks, and faults, never crossed her mind.

She wasn't an adventurous person by nature. She took (planned) risks in her professional career, but her personal life was really quite dull. She hadn't been promiscuous in school, hadn't felt the need to barhop with her friends to pick up men. She had had a string of monogamous long term relationships, several blind dates that never went any further, and a smattering of one night stands that were neither kinky nor vanilla. Her love life was average but at least it was predictable—safe.

And then suddenly it wasn't. It all started with a harmless birthday party. Wilson was turning 41 (she can't believe how old they are all getting) and House started with his usual over the top, wildly illegal, completely inappropriate birthday ideas. Somehow she convinced him to plan something Wilson would actually enjoy for once. They piled into Cuddy's Lexus after work the Friday before his birthday, scarves and coats wrapped tight around them to try and fight off the unforgiving February chill. House made a scene of "calling shotgun" and adjusting the heat, radio, and everything else he could reach the whole ride. Next time they were taking Wilson's car.

The city was covered in snow. After finding no adequate curbside parking, they had to brave the cold and walk to the restaurant from the nearest parking garage. Trudging through drifts up to her knees in a skirt and heels was less then fun for her but appeared to entertain the boys endlessly. As subtly as possible, Wilson was kicking snow and ice out of the way so House could get through without needing too much help. Wet and winded they pushed through the doors of Ichiban and were promptly seated grill side with menus and drinks. The heat from the grill made quick work of drying their clothing and hair by the time the appetizers were arriving. They drank Kirin and green tea and laughed as Wilson tried to pick up edamame with his subpar chopstick skills. The mood was jovial, comfortable, warm; it felt like the best date her mind could ever conjure.

Date? This wasn't a date. She had to repeat that fact over and over in her mind to keep from thinking about what it would be like to be with them both, as her friends and her lovers. Just the thought of how that would work sexually made her blush, House catching the flash of color that spread across her cheeks and chest before she could tamp it down. His eyes lingered longer than decorum should allow at the rise and fall of her chest as she tried to calm her breathing, but then House was never one to follow etiquette. Wilson on the other hand surprised her with his subtle side way glances and broad, charming smiles. She forgot sometimes how much of a flirt he could be.

By the entrees, the tension between them had settled into a relaxed closeness that had them sharing bites of food and leaning just a little bit closer than necessary when talking. House pressed pickled ginger to her lips, slipping his fingertips into her mouth and laying the delicate garnish on her tongue. The taste of the ginger mixed with his skin was overwhelming and her eyes closed at the onslaught of sensation. When she opened them again House and Wilson were both watching her like hungry wolves, their pupils dilated and transfixed on her.

By dessert Wilson's thigh was pressed warm and distracting against hers and House's hand had somehow found its way to her knee without her realizing when they had both gotten so close to her. The last thing they needed was more alcohol but against their better judgment bottles of sake appeared at the table and House made quick work of pouring cup after cup until all that remained on the once crowded table was empty glasses and an ignored check. Without the distraction of food the trio found it hard keep themselves from talking about…whatever this was.

"What are we doing?" Her whispered question surprised her as it slipped out of her mouth unbidden. She stared into her empty glass waiting for one or both of them to answer.

"We're celebrating Wilson's birthday." House's simple reply was almost good enough. She wished it could all be as easy as that. Friends going out together for dinner, enjoying each other's company, maybe hooking up for the night, no strings attached. But uncomplicated, consequence free sex wasn't really an option for three 40-50 year olds that see each other every day at work. Cuddy couldn't stop herself from thinking what if it was more than that?

"James, what do you want for your birthday?" Her voice was weaker than she wanted it to be when she asked. She wanted so much to be the confident, self assured woman she portrayed every day.

"I want you to take us home with you." His sincere, uncharacteristically forward response took her breath away. She stared dumb founded into his eyes, unsure of how to respond when he did not drop her gaze or retract his previous statement. He was serious. She turned her attention to their dinner companion who, to his credit, had not said a word during this surreal exchange.

"House?" She didn't have to finish the question for him to know exactly what she was going to ask.

"I always want you." His answer was immediate and as truthful as she could ever expect to get from House. His eyes were unguarded and captured hers like magnets. They left no room for doubt. He was as ready as Wilson to end this night in her bed.

"And the two of you…" She wasn't sure where she was going with this anymore.

"We can share." Wilson was quick to reassure, his smile just as charming as at the beginning of the night but now laced with… anticipation? House's hand on her thigh tightened in agreement. After a long, silent moment Cuddy smiled and let out a shaky breath.

"Okay." She was far from sure this wasn't one of the biggest mistakes of her life but she was tired of playing it safe. There weren't two men she trusted more in this world so why not make their wishes (and maybe a few of her own) come true?

They divvied up the tab, Cuddy paying for House's meal so Wilson wouldn't have to on his birthday, and by the time the waiter returned with their cards Wilson had a cab waiting for them outside. Climbing into the backseat between her companions she couldn't help but think: what were they getting themselves into?