Of marking Australian wombat
"Where are we going, House?" Chase yelled trying to drown out the sound of House's accelerating motorcycle.
"Don't worry, wombat. I'm not having you stuffed." Chase glared at House's shoulder. "Hey! No hitting the driver. Bad rabid wombat!" House shouted back over the wind. He sped up, cutting off Chase renewed attempt of questioning him.
They stopped ten minutes later in front of the mall at the handicapped spot. After getting off the motorcycle and securing their helmets, Chase looked puzzled at the building. He couldn't phantom, why House had brought them there.
"What are you waiting for?" House yelled from the entry door. Chase hurried to catch up to House who obviously knew where they were going. House walked to the escalator. He was pretending to watch the other people in the mall, purposefully not catching Chase's enquiring eye.
They walked in quiet side by side, neither talking. Both lost in their very different thoughts. They took the main aisle and then turned left. Finally, they stopped before Kay Jewelers.
Chase face light up like a Christmas tree and his eyes wide open in astonishment. Before House knew what hit him, he was being kissed. Chase embraced him and plastered himself into House's personal space. When they broke the kiss, Chase tugged on House's arm until their hands were intertwined.
"No need to get frisky." House said gruffly, but didn't attempt to shrug Chase off . Chase continued to beam at House. House rolled his eyes. They went into the jewellery store and were greeted aloofly by a pristine looking clerk who mustered the two men with disdain.
"If the gentlemen are looking for O'Reilly's pub then you're in the wrong floor." The sneer was clear in the clerk's voice. His disapproval of them holding hands, was only outranked by his obvious contempt for their mismatched and gruff appearance.
"Oh, I think we're exactly were we want to be." House said anger clearly audible in his tone. He took a step toward the half-witted clerk and pulled Chase with him.
"What do you want?" The clerk asked aggressively, narrowing his eyes at the pair.
House face formed a maniacal grin. Chase tensed, he knew with House either something insulting or provocative was following and he wasn't look forward to it. House didn't disappoint his him. "I'm his pimp and I want to mark him as my own." House leered, drawing Chase closer by putting an arm around his waist.
The antagonistic clerk clearly missing the sarcasm, looked affronted and his glare intensified. He looked coldly at House and began in a scathing tone. "I think you're not the kind..."
"Shut up!" The clerk looked dumbfounded at the young Australian. If looks could kill the clerk was sure he would no longer be under the living. The Australian was looking murderous."You're nothing but an insignificant, worthless, sad man with a superiority complex to cover up the failure that is your unhappy and desolate life. But I will not let you make me miserable so you're going to clear out immediately and bring me the manger of this establishment. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir!" House tripped the jerk, when he went to rush of. He smirked self satisfied because of the good deed and turned toward his fiancé who was still scowling in the direction that the clerk had scrambled of. House touched Chase's face until they looked into each other's eyes. Thereupon he leaned in and devoured Chase's mouth. The snogged hard, long, unforgiving until a discreet cough made them part. As their foreheads rested against each other, House whispered just for Chase to hear. "You losing it and berating the jerk. That was hot. There is some hope for you after all." House kissed Chase a last time and righted himself. He looked up to find a familiar face.
"Ah, Dr. House. I apologize for Claude's behaviour." The manager said as if he'd just entered. "Is Dr. Wilson getting married again?" He asked as if he hadn't just walked in on the couple, kissing like their life depended upon it.
Chase snorted."Not quite yet. But probably in a year or two," House answered in an amused voice.
"Definitely." The manager agreed smiling benignly and continued professionally."Do you wish to see the ring now, Dr. House? House nodded. The manager made his way behind one of the counters and the engaged couple followed his way to stand before the counter opposite the manager.
The manager came up behind the counter and presented a small blue velvet box. "Will you do the honour?" The manager gestured to House. House inclined his head in consent and the manager left.
After leaning his cane against the counter, House took the velvet box in his hand. He opened it and mustered it for a second. After scrutinizing it and giving it a nod of approval, he looked at Chase who was watching him intently. House took the ring out of the box and took Chase's right hand gently in his before putting the ring on his ring-finger.
Chase looked at the engagement ring it was a yellow gold, gold band with eight small diamonds en-betted into the gold. It looked marvellous. It was perfect. A grin spread over Chase face and he looked at House whose eyes where sparkling. House was certainly smug. Chase kissed him regardless.
"Does it fit right?" House asked embracing Chase from behind.
"Yes, it fits perfectly, " Chase said still admiring his ring." Does it have an inscription?"
"Yes, but you'll have to look for yourself what it is."
Chase took the ring of and examined it intently. The inscription read: "My wombat" Chase smiled and let House put the ring on his finger again.
"Possessive much?" Chase asked amused.
"Yes."
"Good. How about we celebrate at home?" Chase suggested.
"Sure." House agreed, hiding his smile.
After the manager bid them goodbye, they made their way back to the parking lot.
"You know this trip could be called borderline romantic." Chase said teasingly. House mounted his motorcycle.
"Oh, please! I don't do romantic" House protested and threw Chase his helmet.
Chase smiled.