Disclaimer: I don't own House, otherwise I would be rich and this would be on TV! ;-)

Author's Notes: A St. Patty's Day fic. No spoilers. Un-beta-ed. Inspired by a pre-relationship fic where Guinness causes the boys to decide to take a risk.

Reviews are love!

Wilson riffled through the junk drawer in search of the elusive corkscrew he knew House owned. He had bought it for House only a year ago.

"Beer's easier, you know," House shouted from the living room, "Besides, Guinness is the traditional drink of Ireland."

"Don't you read the news?" Wilson yelled back before exclaiming, "Found it!"

He made quick work of removing the cork from the bottle of Chardonnay, pouring two glasses and carrying them into the other room. House scoffed at the offered drink.

"Guinness is old news," Wilson told him before gracefully falling into his usual spot on the couch.

House stared suspiciously at his drink, "Since when?"

"Since now, apparently," Wilson told him before tasting the sweet liquor.

"Who says?"

Wilson shook his head. "USA Today. Guinness just isn't at the level of sophistication that people want anymore. Everyone eventually grows up and leaves their frat house tastes behind, House."

House scowled at Wilson. "I don't see why."

"Desires change," Wilson explained simply while suppressing a sigh.

"But, when something's been good enough for this long," House muttered, "what's the reason for changing anything."

Wilson swallowed carefully before sizing House up.

"Sometimes," Wilson spoke levelly, being careful not to break the code they found themselves suddenly speaking in, "Change is for the better. If life didn't change there would be no evolution. We would be comfortable, but we would be missing out on everything."

House returned Wilson's gaze thoughtfully before downing the contents of his glass. He carefully placed it, now empty, onto the coffee table before leaning heavily on his cane and heaving himself off the couch. He watched Wilson expectantly. Wilson watched him back, lips slightly parted near the rim of his own half full glass. In a moment, he too downed the remainder of the wine, gently discarded the Crystal atop the side table, and stood up in front of his friend.

"Are we making a change?" Wilson asked.

"Who am I to argue with USA Today?" House asked in answer.

Wilson's lips drew back into an amused smirk causing House to grin.

"Let's go fuck this up then," House told him while lowering his chin slightly, "You owe me for making me drink wine."

"That's a price I'm willing to pay," Wilson's smirk was more subdued than usual as he stepped forward. He placed a hand on House's shoulder before leaning in, pressing their lips together.

House's grin grew into a predatory smile. Erin go bragh, he thought as he slipped his fingers into Wilson's tousled, brown hair and his tongue into Wilson's eager mouth.

title meaning: "The Wine is Sweet, The Paying Bitter"