Silence
Author's Notes: Hey, don't worry! Hungover and Hitched is still SO on, but I just wrote this one during my lit lesson today and I want to know what you think. I'm not too good at writing one-shots (those that don't include someone dying at the end), so… Bear with me))
Chase glanced up warily as he heard the "tap-step" of House's. He knew he couldn't deal with him right now. The news of his father's death and the trial. That Mistake. The Mistake. The Mistake that nearly cost him his career and even more. And House… he knew about his father, yet he didn't say anything. This was all because of him.
The door to the diagnostics office opened and House limped into the darkness. The sun has already set and the light wasn't on – as if someone who was in there wanted to hide. Unless there wasn't anyone there.
House suddenly heard soft whimpers coming from the dark. He raised one hand and turned on one dim light. No one.
Another whimper.
House sighed and dropped to his knees, seeing his youngest duckling under the table. He nearly did a double take upon seeing Chase's distress.
Tears were streaming down his face non-stop, it looked like even his hair was wet with them. His eyes and cheeks were red and he was sobbing silently, trying to keep quiet and to control his breathing. He had his arms around himself, crouching under the table. His god-awful tie and shirt were crumpled but he didn't care.
Even now, crying his heart out, sobbing, Chase was still beautiful. Not handsome or hot. Not even pretty. Beautiful.
House sat down, careful not to hurt his leg more. He crawled towards Chase.
Chase tried backing up, but his back met a wall. House reached to his duckling and suddenly put his hand over Chase's.
Chase glanced up, not understanding the situation and found himself trapped in House's blue eyes.
"How are you?" asked House. Chase looked at him in shock and just shook his head.
House understood, nodding. Silence was more comforting to him, too.
He put his other hand on Chase's and then…
Chase let out a heart-wrenching sob. He couldn't take his eyes off House. The same man he hated and the one and only living creature who could understand now just how Chase felt.
House wanted to soothe Chase, to make him better. But it was against his rules to get attached. He couldn't.
But he already did.
His slid towards Chase further and put his arms around him. Chase stiffened but relaxed soon, craving the soft embrace.
Without saying anything, House kissed Chase on the lips. Lightly, a kiss that you could give anyone on the cheek. But to them, it meant something more.
House touched Chase's face, trying to wipe the tears that kept coming.
Shhh, little one. I'm here now.
Thank you.
House pressed his lips to Chase's once more and this time it was as innocent, but more. Something more.
Thank you.
They sat on the office floor, exchanging kisses and not knowing what tomorrow would bring.
But for now, they had all they needed.
