AN: I'm going to give this chapter it's own warning. There's some adult content in it involving slash. Be warned! Please review and let me know what you think!


Chapter 2:

House left the diagnostics department smiling widely. He had been waiting for Masters to grow some backbone (nobody can be THAT caring can they?) and she finally had. He stopped to grab a bottle of water and some Ibuprofen before heading back to Wilson's office knowing the Oncologist would need the pain relievers if he wanted to go home any time soon.

He walked in loud enough to announce his presence but not loud of enough to startle Wilson, he really didn't want a repeat of earlier. He dragged a chair next to he couch and handed the water and medicine to the younger man who had been watching his every move since he walked in.

Wilson gingerly and painfully sat up, taking the medicine and not really caring WHAT it was at the moment as long as it meant he could move without a significant amount of pain. He drained the whole bottle of water having been partially dehydrated all day and was thankful that House had thought to bring one with him and not just a cup.

The two men sat in their spots staring at each other. Neither said a word to the other but the silence wasn't uncomfortable, they'd learned how to be comfortably silent. Wilson was the one to break the silence, "You ready to go?" he asked, not necessarily anxious to get home but not wanting to sleep on the couch in his office either.

House gave one of his barely perceptible nods before standing gingerly himself and waiting to see if Wilson needed help. Wilson held out his had for House to grab which the older doctor did so without hesitation, his slender pianist fingers grabbing his wrist and pressing over one of the bruises on his arm.

Wilson yelped in surprise and pain, caught off guard by the contact, and House withdrew his hand like he'd been burned, his forehead creased in concern and curiosity.

"What's wrong with your arm?" House asked sternly.

"Just a bruise. I'm fine." Wilson replied holding his arm close to his body.

"Let me see it." House told him as he held out his hand. House only made it look like a request. If Wilson didn't willingly hand over his arm for inspection House would grab it himself albeit as gently as he could so as to not inflict more pain on Wilson.

Wilson rolled up his sleeve, ignoring House's small gasp of surprise, and handed House his arm knowing that House would grab it if he didn't. His arm had several purple-ish red, angry looking bruises in the shape of a handprint, the palm starting under his forearm by his wrist and the fingers snaking up to the top of his forearm.

House immediately let go of his arm, his face a mixture of shock, concern and horror. Wilson quickly replaced his shirtsleeve knowing that no matter how he covered it House would still see the bruise.

"How'd that happen?" House asked half accusingly.

Wilson flinched at House's tone, knowing that the accusation was aimed at him for not telling House. "Last night while we, you know." Wilson explained quietly.

The impact of Wilson's words hit House like a freight train hitting a small sheet of ice, knocking the air out of his lungs and causing him to slightly stumble back. Even though Wilson hadn't said that it was him that caused the bruising he knew it was. He didn't think he'd been rough with Wilson last night, how could he have done this?

"Look, it's fine, really. Can we just go home?" Wilson pleaded sensing House's frustration.

House nodded, "Fine but we aren't done talking about this."

"I'll just add it to the list of things we need to talk about." Wilson quipped with as much of a smile as he could give. Just standing there was causing his back to hurt and though the pain medicine had dulled the pain it still throbbed painfully.

"Damn straight." House responded while opening Wilson's door and waiting for him to exit first.


Wilson and House walked into their home, each tossing their belongings onto an armchair off to the side by the door. They had sold the loft and bought a new place when they got together, wanting to get away from the past and start anew (Wilson's idea of course). The ride home had been quiet (from both of them) and pensive (on House's side) creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.

Wilson walked into their bedroom, the decorations a mixture of House's blues style and Wilson's classic but homey style. He desperately wanted to get out of the work clothing and into a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. He thought about putting on a long sleeved shirt or a sweatshirt but he knew that trying to cover up the bruising was pointless.

He heard House's step thump walk behind him, following him. He knew House was following him to get a better look at the bruising on what HE thought was only one arm and Wilson cringed at the thought of how House would react/feel when he saw the bruising on his other arm and chest, back and stomach.

Without acting like he heard House, Wilson began to strip starting with his pants. He unbuttoned them and let them fall to his ankles and then stepped out of them. He hated leaving his clothes in piles on the floor, unlike House, but he didn't think he could bend over just yet to pick them up. He then loosened his tie and tossed it on top of his pants and began to unbutton his shirt and shirt sleeves, gently shrugged out it and tossing it in the same pile as his tie and pants. Wilson heard House's gasps when the shirt revealed his two bruised arms contrary to just the one but said nothing, still pretending like he was alone. If he actually turned around to House and faced him, Wilson knew he wouldn't be able to continue. He didn't want to see the remorse and anger in House's eyes, he couldn't see it.

Wilson felt his strength waning and the pain medicine start to wear off so he grabbed his sweatpants and t-shirt and went over to their bed and gingerly sat down. He quickly slipped the sweatpants on, grimacing slightly at the pull on his back, and then prepared to take off his shirt and put the new one on, closing his eyes to gather the strength to do it. He probably should hop in the bath and let the heat relax his back but he knew that once he did that he'd go straight to bed which he couldn't do because House wanted to talk.

While Wilson had been getting his change of clothes and putting the sweatpants on, House had changed into sweats and a shirt and walked over to Wilson to help him with his shirt. House could see that Wilson was still in a good degree of pain and that he could barely move to put on his sweatpants. He knew that taking off the undershirt and putting on the t-shirt would be extremely painful for Wilson and so went over to help.

Wilson felt House lift his shirt and slide his arm out of his sleeve, carefully avoiding the bruises while he did so. House then slid the shirt over Wilson's head and continued to let it slide off Wilson's other arm. Wilson opened his eyes to say thanks in time to see House frown and stare at him accusingly while he gently palpitated the areas around the bruises.

Wilson winced whenever House hit tender spots, which were mostly on his back and around his ribs, but said nothing, letting House complete his examination. House stepped back and sat down next to Wilson once he was finished, the frown and accusing stare still on his face.

"Did those happen last night too?" House asked knowing that they did otherwise he would have noticed them.

"Yeah." Wilson answered quietly, bowing his head and closing his eyes. God he was so tired! He felt a hand on his thigh and quickly covered it with his own giving it a small squeeze.

"Why didn't you tell me?" House asked sincerely.

Wilson looked up into House's beautifully blue eyes and smiled slightly sadly. House's eyes showed the concern and sorrow that House felt but would never admit to. "Because it wasn't a big deal." He replied honestly and he truly believed it. It wasn't a big deal because he KNEW House hadn't meant to hurt him. House would NEVER hurt him on purpose just like he would never hurt House on purpose. Sometimes, accidents just happen.

"No big deal?" House growled, the anger at himself coming out in his tone causing Wilson to flinch slightly. "How is me leaving bruises on you not a big deal?" he exclaimed quietly.

"House," Wilson replied tiredly, "you didn't do it on purpose. It's fine, really." He said soothingly, placing a gentle hand on House's arm.

House looked into Wilson's eyes, seeing the beautiful chocolate brown eyes filled with pain, exhaustion and forgiveness. He shook his head, not knowing if he would be able to forgive himself. Suddenly he looked up at Wilson, "How did you really hurt your back?"

Wilson blushed furiously and lowered his head giving House all the answer he needed. House visibly flinched remembering when Wilson had gasped while giving House a blow job. House had taken it as a pleasurable gasp but now that House thought about it he had always suspected that it wasn't. Wilson's posture had visibly straightened and his movements became slow and stiff with concentration. House had been too wrapped up in his own pain and his need to escape it to care.

House ran a gentle hand over Wilson's face, tracing the definition of Wilson's cheek and jaw then gliding his thumb across Wilson's lips. Lips that he dearly desired to kiss but feared causing Wilson more pain. "I'm so sorry." He apologized sincerely, hoping that his expression showed just HOW sorry he was.

Wilson placed a hand over House's, taking the hand off his face and placed his own on House's face. "I know, it's ok." He assured just before he pulled House toward him and kissed him passionately.

House returned the kiss ten fold, bringing his hand up and pulling Wilson closer to him, groping him.

"Mm!" Wilson yelped in his mouth before pulling back with a grimace and hiss of pain. He placed his right hand on his back and gently tried massaging it while stretching it at the same time.

House slightly shook his head, reprimanding himself. He should have been more careful! He turned to Wilson, who was watching him intently, "You should take a hot bath. I'll order some dinner while you're in there. Chinese sound good?"

Wilson grinned tiredly, "Thai sounds better."

House smiled and nodded. He stood up and went in to the bathroom and started running the water for Wilson's bath, making it hot enough to relax the stiff and spasming muscles but not hot enough to burn. He poured in some of the bubbles that Wilson was so fond of when he soaked and walked away quickly grabbing some Ibuprofen for himself while he was in there. It had been a few hours since he'd taken any and his leg was starting to scream at him. He dried swallowed them while he watched Wilson gingerly get out of his sweatpants. House walked over to his lover and gently pulled Wilson in for another passionate kiss before he left to order food, leaving Wilson to climb into the hot but soothing bath.


Wilson smiled gratefully when House left while he pulled off his underwear and gingerly climbed into the bathtub, groaning in relief when he felt the hot water begin to sooth his sore muscles. There was another part of Wilson that was bruised that House had not seen and if at all possible he was going to keep it that way.

He leaned back in the bathtub and closed his eyes, letting the hot water do it's job. He thought about House's reactions throughout the day. Most people assumed the taciturn diagnostician didn't care about anyone, including Wilson, but a few knew the truth. Besides himself, Wilson was the only other person House trusted and would do anything for. He had seen the remorse and utter sorrow in House's eyes when he had finally puzzled through things and put them together. House had looked like he wanted to cry at the thought of causing Wilson pain but he had managed to keep the tears from flowing. While he hated seeing that in his lover's face it had also warmed Wilson's heart.

Truth be told, sometimes Wilson wondered if House had really cared about him even though they were in a relationship. House isn't the kind of person to verbalize his feelings and as "actions speak louder than words" sometimes his actions didn't speak quite loudly enough for Wilson's liking. He wasn't an insecure man really but sometimes it was nice to hear that he meant something to the older man and the emotions that had flowed from House's eyes had told him just HOW much Wilson meant to him.

Wilson sighed contentedly, finally feeling his back loosen to where he could move without stabbing pain spiking through his back. He heard the step thump of House's walk come into the bathroom and wondered why he had come back. He felt hands touch his shoulders and then begin to gently knead the sore muscles of his back. Wilson groaned again, savoring the feel of House's hands on his skin.

"Feel good?" House asked huskily. He loved touching Wilson. It felt like his nerve endings came alive, zinged and exploded with pleasure every time.

"Yeah." Wilson replied sounding relaxed.

House leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the back of Wilson's neck. He moved his hands from Wilson's back and began massaging his lovers arms while he worked his kisses to the crook of the neck, nipping slightly every now and then.

Wilson let out a pleasurable moan and growled. Oh how he wished he wasn't hurting right now, there were so many things he'd like to do to House right now! "House-" he began before House cut him off.

"Just relax and enjoy it." House told him silkily, moving his position from Wilson's back to his front as best he could while Wilson was in the tub. "How about some company to help you relax?" he suggested.

Wilson smiled, "Yes please, I may need someone to show me how to, what's the phrase? 'relax and enjoy it'?"

House half chuckled while he undressed and slid in behind Wilson. Thankfully the water was still quite warm, relaxing his thigh as well as Wilson's back. He gently pulled the younger man against him, letting him lean totally into him while he ran his hands over Wilson's thighs, heading closely toward "Little Jimmy".

Wilson moaned deep in his throat, his right hand gently massaging House's right thigh while he left dug a little deeper into the healthy muscle. God he felt so good! He felt House getting hard and smiled when he returned the feeling.

House felt the tell tale hardness against his hands and began to gently rub, wanting to make the pleasure last as long as he could. When Wilson kept moaning at his touch, House began to increase pressure and speed. Wilson gave a pained gasp and House stopped immediately. "What is it?" He asked concerned he hurt Wilson worse.

"N-n-nothing," Wilson replied imploringly, "just keep it gentle." He instructed his partner.

House grew curious but did as he was told, keeping his stroking gentle and steady. When he felt his lover tremble beneath him, House leaned in, whispering "How about we go to bed?" in his ear.

Wilson let out another moan before he replied, "Food?"

"Won't be here for an hour, I made sure of it." House replied smiling.

"M-maniuplative Bitch." Wilson quipped returning the smile just before moaning again. He was having trouble holding his desires in and bucked his hips, thrusting his dick in House's hands. The movement had the opposite effect it was meant to have however. Instead of immense pleasure he felt stabbing pain throughout his back and throbbing pain in his penis when the action caused House to apply pressure to the bruising around it. He cried out at the pain and grimaced.

House immediately let go. "Wilson?" he asked, alarm and concern coloring his voice.

"I'm ok." Wilson panted, waiting for the pain to stop. "Stupid move."

"Is it your back or something else?" House asked, ignoring his comment.

"Both." Wilson replied, collapsing back gently against House.

House didn't comment, merely nodded. "Come on, let's get you out of here and in bed." He said. "The water's too cold to do your back any good anyway."

Wilson grimaced while he moved to climb out, figuring he needed to give House a hand out. "I don't know if I'm up for more than just laying there and possibly eating." He informed his lover, wanting to give him full warning not to expect much.

"I know." House told him gently. Maneuvering himself out of the tub with practiced ease while Wilson started drying himself off. He got his arms done before House gently grabbed the towel away from him and proceeded to dry him off, being extra gentle around the bruises and with Wilson's back in general.

House normally just wraps a towel around his waist and let's himself air dry but Wilson was bit more particular and preferred to be toweled dry. When he went to dry Wilson's lower half the man in question stopped him. "You don't have to do that House. I can just wrap a towel around my waist and leave it alone."

House frowned. Either Wilson was really hurting or there was something he didn't want House to see and neither scenario sat well with House. "Is there something you're trying to hide?" House asked knowing he wouldn't get a truthful answer.

"No." Wilson answered so quietly it was almost said under his breath. "But my back is killing me and it's beginning to get harder to stand upright." Wilson countered.

House couldn't argue with that so he nodded and sat down on the toilet to do as the younger man asked. While he was wrapping the towel around Wilson, House noticed the bruising on his partner's penis. It wasn't deep or horrible but it was there. House looked up at Wilson's face to see him blushing once again and giving House a small smile of apology for not telling him.

House swallowed his horror at how he's treated Wilson lately, albeit without meaning to but that didn't ease the guilt any, and quickly wrapped the towel around Wilson's waist and helped him into bed.

Wilson couldn't hold back the little groans and whimpers of pain that escaped his lips while he walked to the bed. His back hurt so bad he just wanted to cry. Just when he thought he was going to House handed him some Aleve and another bottle of water, guilt slightly coloring his eyes.

Wilson took the pills and downed them with half the bottle of water. "Thanks" he told his lover gratefully. House said nothing, just began to pull out the heating pad from the side table drawer and plugged it in. After it heated up, House laid the pad on the bed and helped ease Wilson down onto his, grabbing a pillow and placing it below Wilson's knees as well as his head.

House sat down on the side of the bed next to Wilson and ran a hand over Wilson's face, caressing it, before he leaned down for a soft kiss. He pulled away with a slight grimace of his own which immediately perked up Wilson's overprotective side. "Is your leg ok?"

"It's fine, just a long day." House replied while rubbing the ruined muscles.

"You should sit in bed with me, it'll be more comfortable than the couch." Wilson told him in full mother-hen mode.

"Then who will get up for the food?" House countered with a slight smile. "Don't worry about me, just worry about yourself." House dismissed while he got up to leave.

"How do you expect me to worry about me when I'm already worrying about you?" He countered.

House sneered, "Exactly." He said before he walked out of the room, leaving Wilson to ponder what he meant.