The alarm went off at exactly 6:30. Turn off, Chase thought to himself. He couldn't be bothered to move. The shooting pain in his wrists caused a grimace and rolling over in bed. Oh yeah...the alarm...
...was shut off. By who? Quickly, Chase saw him exit the room. How long had he been there? How did he let himself in? Bewildered, Chase stumbled out of bed to find House in the bathroom.
"Don't you know how to knock?" House asked, examining himself in the mirror.
"It's- it's my house. How did you get in here?"
"Been here all night." He brushed by Chase, who was still confused.
"Wait, what?" Chase shook his head. "I didn't feel-"
"I didn't sleep in bed. Slept in a chair in the room. Didn't want you to think I was taking advantage of you." House straightened his collar out and grinned at the still shocked Chase.
"Now, it'd be best if you come in a few minutes late, let me yell at you, pretend everything is normal." House gave Chase a quick peck on the cheek before leaving. Chase was speechless. He couldn't move or breathe. It felt like the air in the room stood still and it started to spin. Now normally, he would take a shot before work, or something harmful. But he couldn't bring himself to do anything. House already knew. He would be more suspicious. Chase knew the beginning of his detox started now, and the thought was too much to handle. Shaking, he ran to the bathroom to throw up. He was scared: to detox, to fall in love. The last time he fell in love...he cringed at the thought. The abuse, those horrible words...he threw up again. With trembling hands he called House.
"I'm afraid." He croaked.
"Since when are you afraid to come to work?" House hissed, "you better be here. Fast." He hung up and Chase knew he better make it in. When he finally arrived, Cameron was the first to react.
"Chase! You're back! But you don't look so well. Are you sure-"
"He's fine. He's staying. Everything will be ok, won't it, Chase?" Too afraid to answer, Chase only could nod.
"Alright. We get it. Can we move on from Chase to a dying patient that actually needs our help?" Foreman snapped, causing Cameron to roll her eyes.
"Why in such a rush, Foreman? Got a house to rob soon?" House was in no mood for snide remarks, especially about Chase. Until last night, House never realized how beautiful Chase really was. His sheets crumpled, barely covering him, his hair tousled cutely over his eyes, the way his lips slightly pursed...stop thinking about Chase like that, House interrupted his own thoughts. He couldn't help but sneak a glance at Chase, though, who was arguing with those other two. God, he was a good looking guy. Way too good looking to ever give House a chance. Chase was vulnerable, and House was there. How could he be so stupid and think Chase would ever think of him like that? As if Chase could read House's mind, he looked over at him and gave him a quick smile. House returned it, but quickly taking a drink of his coffee to mask any happy emotion he might elude.
