A little slow on the updates, I know. Now it's the weekend and I should be able to knock out a couple. As usual, David Shore owns the House crew, not me.
# # #
It was late on Sunday afternoon when House reluctantly drove Anthony back to his apartment. They had spent the day alternately napping, lounging, and thoroughly enjoying each other, and House hated to let it end.
He pulled up in front of Anthony's building, drumming his long fingers on the steering wheel as Anthony opened the door and stepped out, pulling his bag from the back seat. Despite his earlier declarations of love, House was still edgy about this growing relationship.
"Hey." Anthony's voice snapped him from his reverie as the younger man poked his head back inside the car. "See you around?"
House nodded. "Yeah. Don't know what my week looks like yet, but...yeah."
Anthony leaned further into the car, placing a hand on the older man's cheek and pulling him to press a kiss to his lips. House took the action further, wrapping a hand around Anthony's neck and deepening the kiss. He could hear Anthony laughing softly through the kiss, and House pulled away with a glare.
"What's so funny?"
"This." Anthony climbed into the car and closed the door behind him. "You. Me. Us. All of it."
"I'm not following." House sounded vaguely hurt.
Anthony reached out and gently took House's hand, caressing the back of it with his thumb. "Just the speed of it. I guess I'm not used to the whole whirlwind romance thing."
House's mouth quirked slightly in amusement. "My last girlfriend moved in with me a week after our first date."
"So clearly you're cool with this." Anthony's eyes crinkled in equal amusement.
House shrugged. "I guess when I run across a good thing..." He looked Anthony dead in the eye. "I don't want to let it go."
Anthony squeezed House's hand. "Me either." He captured House's lips in another soft kiss. "If your week gets crazy...you know, that's why you have the key."
House nodded, planting one more kiss on Anthony before pushing him away. "God, Tony, get out of here. You'll never get anywhere at this rate."
Anthony rolled his eyes and smirked, climbing out of the car and closing the door. He watched House pull away, already feeling a small pang of...something. Not quite loneliness, but something.
He shook his head and entered the building, easily taking the steps two at a time to his apartment. The phone was ringing as he unlocked the door, and he hurried to answer it, noting the flashing light on the answering machine.
"Hello?"
"Tony!" Simon practically screamed into the phone. "Where the hell have you been all weekend?!"
Anthony grinned as he moved around the apartment, tucking the phone between his shoulder and his cheek. "Busy."
"Mm-hm. Busy getting busy, I'd imagine." Simon rolled his eyes on the other end of the phone. "And how is the good doctor?"
"Well...I just left his place. You tell me." Anthony unpacked his bag, waiting for Simon's inevitable reaction.
"Boy, you don't waste any time, do you?" Simon laughed heartily.
Anthony sat down on the bed, thinking back to House's words in the car. "Hey, when you've got a good thing..."
"This is more than a 'thing', isn't it?" Simon interrupted. He hadn't seen Anthony act this way over a guy in a very long time, excluding Drew, and Simon didn't count him.
Anthony laid back on the bed, letting his long legs dangle over the side. "Yeah. The 'L' word's already been...tossed around."
"From you or him?"
"Both."
Simon groaned on the other end of the phone. "It's worse than I thought."
"Oh, it gets better." Anthony decided to go for broke. "I gave him a key."
"No you didn't!" Anthony had to hold the phone away from his ear. "Are you out of your damn mind?!"
"Yes. Yes, I am." He let out a short sigh as he played with a string on his bedspread. "I know it sounds crazy, but we just...work. I don't know how else to explain it."
"Well..." Simon sounded doubtful. "Just don't go buying jewelry or anything just yet."
"He doesn't wear jewelry." Anthony chuckled. "I don't think you have to worry about that."
"You know damn well what I mean." Simon scolded. "Just...you know. Don't rush things. Any more than you already have, anyway."
Anthony sighed. Simon had a point, and he knew it. His weekend with House had been one giant rush, heady and fantastic on so many levels. Now that he had a little time away...hell, he didn't regret a thing. "Yeah, yeah, I know. You're still picking me up tomorrow, right?"
"Yep." Simon agreed, knowing the conversation was over. "Nine o'clock, right?"
"Right." Anthony had his neuro follow-up, and he was antsy to get the all clear. Hanging out at home was killing him with boredom.
"You'd better take it easy tonight." Simon teased. "Because I know damn well you didn't this weekend."
"Well...I did spend a lot of it in bed..." Anthony teased in return. "I even had a medical professional on call."
Simon simply groaned. "TMI, honey. I'll see you in the morning."
"Bye." Anthony was laughing as he hung up the phone. He lived to yank Simon's chain. God knew it was easy enough to do.
He started puttering around the apartment, winding down after his rather wild weekend with House. It had been fun, for the most part, but Anthony was worn out. Finally he settled in on the couch with his book after setting up his I Pod and speakers.
The music filled the room, and he soon found himself absorbed in his book, barely aware of the time passing. He started to feel his eyes drift closed, reluctant to put down his book, and before he knew it, he was fast asleep, visions of blue eyes, soft lips, and rough hands drifting through his mind.
# # #
House spent the evening alternating between finishing off Thai leftovers, surfing through his TiVo, and sitting at his piano. He felt unsettled, and the place seemed oddly empty without Anthony. It was funny how quickly one got used to having another human being around, after living alone for so many years.
He smirked to himself as he polished off the last of the Pad Thai, running over the weekend in his mind. It wasn't just the sex that kept drawing him in to Anthony, although that would have almost been enough to keep the boy around. No, House had begun to bond with Anthony on a much deeper level.
It was thrilling, exhilarating, scary. Mostly scary. He tried to remember the last time he let himself get so close to another person, and couldn't. What he had with Wilson was completely different than what was beginning with Anthony, and even though he had loved Stacy deeply, he had never developed the level of trust and intimacy that he was beginning to allow with Anthony.
This was huge, and it hit House like a ton of bricks. Obviously Anthony felt something similar, even as he had tried to be so casual about giving House that key. House pulled it out of his pocket, turning it over in his hand, examining it closely. How many times had Drew used this very key to let himself in over the years, smooth talking his way into Anthony's heart and bed? House didn't want to think about that.
He huffed in irritation and shoved the key back in his pocket. Damned if he was going over there tonight. Anthony already had one stalker. He definitely didn't need another one. On the other hand...House shook his head to clear the thought. He couldn't believe he was even considering the idea.
House pushed himself off the couch and limped back over to the piano, grinning a little to himself as he slid onto the bench. Thanks to Anthony, he'd never be able to look at the thing quite the same way again. Christ, House could still feel Anthony's hands smoothing over him, his lips on his skin, and he could still feel the muscle flexing under his hands as...
This was getting ridiculous. House closed the cover over the keys, scrubbing his hands over his head. Was there nothing around here that didn't somehow remind House of him? He finally heaved himself off the bench and started taking care of the containers that were scattered around the living room in an attempt to distract himself from his thoughts.
The key seemed to burn a hole in his pocket as he limped heavily around the apartment. So much for distractions. He dug the key out of his pocket again, feeling the now warm metal in his hand.
"To hell with it." House muttered to the empty room, digging out his key ring and adding Anthony's key to it. Almost automatically, he packed up his backpack, slinging it over his shoulder as he grabbed his helmet and jacket before heading out the door.
His boldness left him almost as soon as he climbed on the bike and buckled his helmet. The doubts that he had managed to put aside crept up on him once again as he started the bike and took off down the street.
He rode around for a good hour, alternately doubting himself and chiding himself for his lack of courage. Surely it couldn't be this damned difficult. Anthony had given him the key. Obviously he intended House to use it.
But people often tossed out casual statements that they didn't really mean. It was just human nature. Perhaps now that Anthony had some time to cool off, he would feel differently. The thought filled House with dread as he pulled up in front of Anthony's building, still doubting his impulsive move.
He slowly dismounted the bike, rubbing his thigh reflexively. Stress always made the pain worse, and his leg was damn near killing him right now. What was that thing the pain management guy had tried to teach him? He hadn't been particularly receptive then, but House finally managed to recall it, a simple breathing exercise. He pulled in a few deep breaths as he leaned on the seat of his motorcycle, and damned if things didn't seem to abate, making the pain tolerable, if nothing else.
House limped slowly up the steps and into the building, taking his time climbing the short flight of stairs that led to Anthony's apartment, his key ring clutched in his hand. He fumbled with it as he found the key, briefly wondering what would happen if it didn't work.
It slipped easily into the lock, and opened with a click. He quietly opened the door, immediately spotting Anthony.
He was stretched out along his couch, one arm hanging over so that it nearly touched the floor, the other clutching a book to his chest. His glasses were perched on the end of his nose, in danger of falling off. The peaceful scene sent a small flutter through House's chest as he leaned on his cane near the door, simply watching the younger man sleep.
House closed the door behind him and set his backpack on the floor, making his way across the small living room to the coffee table. He sat down and leaned forward, elbows on his knees, studying Anthony. The other man snorted in his sleep and shifted to his side, and House quickly caught the book as it slid out from under his hand.
Anthony awoke with a start, those bright green eyes flicking open, blinking furiously as he tried to focus. Unless he was still dreaming...there was House right in front of him, seated on the coffee table, intense blue eyes staring him down, a serious expression on his face.
The scent of House's jacket drifted to where Anthony lay on the couch. If this was a dream, it was incredibly vivid. Finally he was oriented to his surroundings, and he pushed himself to a sitting position, removing his glasses and rubbing his eyes, meeting House's somber expression with a small smile.
House felt awkward, feeling the need to explain himself. "I...just thought I'd try the key. You know, to make sure it worked."
"Right." Anthony rose from the couch, dropping a kiss on top of House's head. "I wouldn't have given that key to you if I hadn't meant you to use it." He squeezed the older man's shoulder as he padded into the kitchen, returning with a pair of beers and handing one to House. "I assume you plan on staying."
House accepted the beer, taking a quick swig before setting it on the coffee table. "Didn't really have a plan."
Anthony chuckled, nodding his head toward the backpack near the door as he sat down on the couch, putting his feet up on the coffee table. "So I suppose that thing is empty?"
"Contingency plan." House glanced at Anthony to gauge his reaction. Anthony merely grinned and shook his head.
"Well, you're here now." Anthony nudged at House's ribs with his foot. "Might as well stay."
House's rough face relaxed into something resembling a smile. "Might as well." He shrugged out of his jacket and toed off his shoes, pushing himself off the table and plopping himself on the couch next to Anthony.
Anthony could feel House's eyes on him, and he could almost hear the wheels turning in House's head. He gently placed a hand on the inside of House's knee, causing the older man to jump.
"I thought so." Anthony's eyes crinkled in amusement at House's reaction.
"What?" House fixed Anthony with a scowl.
"I can almost hear you overanalyzing." Anthony lightly stroked House's knee with his thumb.
House's mouth twisted in a thoughtful expression, drumming his fingers alongside his right thing. "I've never had an open relationship with a guy. It just feels...different."
Anthony raised his eyebrows in surprise. He was starting to get used to House's out of the blue confessions, but this eclipsed everything he had heard so far. "Really?"
"Really." House shifted so that he faced Anthony, extending his arm down the back of the couch. "I had...flings, I guess you could call them. All through college, med school. I guess I never had the balls to be open about it. Not like you."
"It's not about having balls, Greg." Anthony sighed and moved closer, lightly stroking House's cheek. "It's more about...being true to yourself, and accepting yourself, and to hell with what anyone else thinks." His voice went soft as House finally looked him in the eye. "Maybe you're more willing to do that now than you were then."
"Maybe." House's voice was barely above a whisper. "I just know...I like what we have."
"Me too." Anthony's hand moved down to wrap around House's neck, stroking tenderly.
"And...I don't want it to end."
"Likewise..." Anthony felt something clutch at his chest, not sure what was coming next.
"I guess that's it, then, isn't it?" House's wheels continued to turn, the whole thought process reflected in his brilliant blue eyes.
Anthony was baffled. "What's it?"
"Maybe it really is that simple." House frowned, still deep in thought. "Huh."
"Yep. Sometimes it really is that simple." Anthony leaned forward, brushing a soft kiss to House's lips. "Sometimes all you have to do is...let it happen."
"Simple...but not easy." House murmured. "It shouldn't be so damned difficult."
"Quit getting so hung up on the way things should be." Anthony told him firmly as he pulled House to him.
If only it were that easy, House thought to himself as he wrapped his arms around Anthony, losing himself in the scent of his skin and the warmth of his embrace. "I'm kind of tired. Think I'll go to bed."
Anthony sighed to himself. In House-speak, the confession session was over for tonight. "Sounds good." He started to rise, but with over six feet of House attached to him, it proved more than a little difficult. "You realize you're going to have to let go, right? At least long enough to get to the bed."
House huffed in mock disgust. "If you insist." He unwrapped himself from around Anthony and pushed himself to his feet, striding over to pick up the backpack that still lay next to the door. Anthony could see that House was still struggling internally, and it sent up just a flicker of doubt inside Anthony as well. He didn't want House to bolt just as things were looking so promising.
He decided to continue as if it were just another night, changing into his sleep clothes and climbing into bed. If House decided to join him, fine. Otherwise...well, he'd deal with that if it happened.
Anthony heard the apartment door open and close, and his heart sank. He turned over on his side, cursing himself for rushing things with House. He should have known better, really. At least he and House had a weekend to remember. His eyes drifted closed, attempting to push House out of his thoughts.
He was just drifting off when he thought he heard the door open and close again, and he barely dared to hope that House had returned. Anthony heard the already familiar sounds of House limping heavily around the hallway and the bathroom, grumbling to himself.
Finally Anthony felt the mattress dip as House climbed into bed, and he breathed a small sigh of relief as he felt House's arm snake around him, his body pressing against his.
"Hey you." Anthony murmured. "I thought you left."
"Left my helmet outside." House spoke sleepily.
Anthony turned over to his other side, all but burying himself in House's warmth. House chuckled and pulled the younger man closer to him. "Jesus, boy, I wasn't going anywhere."
"I knew that."
"Like hell you did." House snorted. "And I thought I was the insecure one."
"You are." Anthony's muffled voice carried to him. "I just thought maybe...maybe I pushed you into things too fast."
House rolled onto his back, taking Anthony with him. "First of all...nobody pushes me into anything. Second of all...I already told you about Stacy. Fast...has its place."
"Actually..." Anthony was suddenly intrigued. "No, you didn't tell me about Stacy."
"Some other time, boy." House's voice went soft as he turned back on his side, facing Anthony once again. Right now, he was just enjoying the weight and warmth of Anthony against him. He had briefly considered leaving, but the boy didn't need to know that. Besides, if he'd been foolish enough to go back home, he would have missed this. That, House decided, would have been damn foolish on his part.
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Now that I've finally done my part, you can do yours. Read and review. :) (And many thanks to those of you that have added this story to their alerts. That's very cool as well.)