Insert my disclaimers and what not here. I don't own any of the House crew, just Anthony.
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House was packing up the last of his personal items when Wilson walked into the room. After nearly a week and a half, Foreman had finally deemed him ready to go home, and House was wasting no time in getting ready to leave.
Wilson's eyes crinkled as a smile crossed his face. Words couldn't begin to describe his relief at seeing his best friend up and around again. He had feared the worst while sitting in that ER waiting room, and watching him for those first few days through the glass of the ICU did nothing to alleviate those fears.
Now House was here, right in front of him, closing the backpack and slinging it over his shoulder in slow, deliberate movements. He glanced at the I Pod with a slight smile as he carefully wound the earbud wires around it and tucked it in his jacket pocket. "Think that's...everything."
"Then let's get you home." Wilson stepped aside with a warm smile, allowing House to lead the way out of the room.
The two men walked side by side, Wilson matching his friend's slower than usual pace. "You could take a wheelchair downstairs, you know."
"I...could." House responded slowly, his words measured. "Don't want...to. I've been...sitting on my...ass long...enough." His body ached from the illness, the seizures, and whatever else he had done while his brain had checked out on him. Oddly enough, the more he moved, the better he felt. The minute he got home, he had a hot date planned with his bathtub. These hospital showers just didn't cut it, the water never getting as blazing hot as House liked it.
Soon they arrived in the lobby, and Wilson stopped House just short of the entrance. "I'll bring the car around. Back in a minute."
Normally House would have argued the point while striding alongside Wilson, but this time he merely nodded. The short trip downstairs had taken more out of him than he cared to admit, and he was grateful that Wilson had simply taken the initiative instead of killing House with concern.
He eased himself onto one of the benches near the entrance and set down his backpack, leaning his elbows heavily on his knees while he dropped his head. Soon a floral-scented shadow passed over him. "Cuddy."
"House." She spoke softly, resisting the urge to reach out and touch him. "It's good to see you."
"Been here...the whole time." House grinned slowly, lifting his head to meet her eyes.
"You know what I mean." She smiled warmly before bending slightly over him. "You got damned lucky, you know that, right?"
"Yeah." House's grin faded. "So...no other...cases?"
"None." Cuddy rose and shook her head.
"Makes no...sense." House frowned.
Cuddy sighed. "I know you're dying to solve the mystery, but right now you have other priorities." She fixed him with her patented administrator look. "Go home, rest, and recover. There will be plenty of mysteries to solve when you get back."
House glared at her. "Monday."
"What?!" Cuddy folded her arms over her chest. "I don't think so. A week from Monday."
House slowly pushed himself from the bench as Wilson approached. "I'll be...back this...Monday."
"If I see you here, I will personally kick you out, got it?" Cuddy's gray-blue eyes bored through House.
"Sounds like...a...challenge." A slow smile curved House's lips. "See you...Monday."
He slung his backpack over his shoulder and slowly limped away as Cuddy pursed her lips together. She was fully prepared to follow through on her threat. She just hoped she wouldn't have to.
"Are you out of your mind?!" Wilson hissed as they exited the hospital and climbed into the waiting car. "Why do you always have to push her?"
"It's...what I do." House smirked as he leaned his head against the headrest. "She wouldn't...know...what to do...otherwise."
Wilson sighed in frustration as he turned out of the parking lot toward House's apartment. "You're probably not even going to be up for going to work on Monday."
"I'll make...that...call." House glared at his friend. "I'm a...big boy now. Think I can...make up...my own mind."
"Fine." Wilson pulled up in front of House's building and shut off the car. "Do you want company?"
House grinned, recognizing Anthony's car. "Looks like I've...already got...some."
Wilson's face fell a little, and House couldn't help but notice. "The more...the merrier, I...guess." Wilson looked baffled, and House rolled his eyes. "Come on...in."
Wilson's mouth twisted in a slight smile as he followed House into the apartment. The smell of whatever was cooking filled his nostrils as he closed the door behind him.
A flash of excitement surged through House as he glanced around the apartment. It was good to be home, better than he had expected. He could smell the chicken and vegetable pasta dish that Anthony was cooking up, the same one he had made the first night they had...
House closed his eyes at the memory. It had almost been their last night together. He exhaled shakily as he set down his backpack and headed toward the kitchen, leaving Wilson behind him.
He heard two voices in the kitchen as he approached, and he froze in the entryway. His mother and Anthony were working together, chatting easily and listening to music as they prepared the meal.
"Talking about...me?"
Two heads turned as one at the sound of House's voice, and they both stopped what they were doing to look at the figure that leaned against the entryway. After a long moment, Anthony approached House first, wrapping his arms around him and setting his chin on the older man's shoulder. "Hey, you." Anthony whispered. "Welcome home."
House closed his eyes, the emotion of the moment beginning to overwhelm him. As reluctant as he was to show affection toward Anthony in front of his mother, the need to hold him close and never let him go won out. "Good to be...home." House whispered back as he slowly returned the hug and buried his face in the space between Anthony's neck and shoulder.
Blythe turned away to hide the tears that formed in her eyes. She couldn't remember when her son had openly shown affection to anyone, herself included. This man must be more special to him than he had let on. It lifted a weight off her heart to see him like this, and gave her hope.
House finally opened his eyes and released Anthony, brushing a kiss to his cheek and limping into the kitchen to touch his mother on the shoulder. She turned and reached up to touch his face. "Greg..."
"Yeah...I'm home." House chuckled. "And you're...still here."
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." Blythe placed her hands on her son's arms, rubbing lightly.
House bit the inside of his lip, oddly touched by his mother's words. He'd always known that she worried about him, but this was one of the few times she had openly expressed it. "I'm...fine. See?" He glanced away with a frown. "You...don't have to...stay."
Blythe smiled slightly, patting House's arms. "My flight leaves Newark tomorrow afternoon. You're stuck with me until then."
House huffed and rolled his eyes. "You staying...the night?"
"Not here, dear." Blythe smiled warmly. "I'll stop by before I go to the airport."
House nodded, vaguely relieved that he and Anthony would be alone tonight. Not that anything would happen, necessarily. He was pretty sure he wouldn't have the energy, but he craved his privacy again after his time spent being poked and prodded and bothered in the hospital.
"Food's almost ready if you want some." Anthony offered.
"Later." House turned to lumber out of the kitchen. "Got a hot...date with...my bathtub."
"You want me to come get you?"
House stopped and frowned thoughtfully. "Half...an hour. If I'm...not out by...then...send in a...search party."
Anthony snorted as House continued slowly out of the kitchen. The man's sense of humor was intact, clearly.
Wilson was still wandering around the living room as House entered, and House regarded him quizzically. "You staying?"
"No." Wilson shook his head. "Lillian and I are going out tonight."
"Good." House nodded, pausing before closing the distance between he and Wilson. He glanced around, thumping his cane on the floor. "If I don't...see you...and I'm pretty sure...I won't..." House grinned teasingly as he placed a hand on Wilson's shoulder. "Thanks."
Wilson was stunned, not sure exactly what House was thanking him for. "Sure."
"I...mean it." House scowled. "You...stuck with me."
"I think you're confusing me with the other brown-haired guy." Wilson nodded toward the kitchen.
"That's...not what I...meant. Moron." House rolled his eyes in exasperation. "I mean...in...general."
"Still not sure I'm following." Wilson crinkled his brows.
House stepped in a little closer, awkwardly pulling Wilson in to him with one arm. "You're my...best friend. Hell...you're the...only one who's...put up with me...all these years. So...thanks."
"You're...welcome?" Wilson wasn't sure how to handle this. Finally he eased an arm around House.
"I'm...never going drinking...with you again, though." House remarked casually. "You can't...hold your...liquor."
"I was drinking beer." Wilson stepped back from House, chuckling and sticking his hands in his pockets. "You, on the other hand..."
"Would have been...fine if...it hadn't been for...you know." House leaned on his cane, looking thoughtful. "Anyway..."
"Yeah." Wilson tilted his head and glanced at House. "Call me if you're ready to go to work Monday. I'll give you a ride."
House nodded, then frowned. "I need to...get my...bike."
"It's already here." Wilson told him. "Tony had it towed home."
"How'd I...miss that?"
"Don't worry about it." Wilson turned to leave. "See you later."
"See you." House turned and headed slowly down the hallway to the bathroom. He pondered the mystery of his bike for a moment while he ran steaming hot water into the bathtub.
Once the tub was full, he stripped down and carefully eased himself into the tub. The water stung as it hit his skin, immediately turning it a bright red. It also felt fantastic after so much time away. He closed his eyes, letting the heat soothe him and lull him into a dozing state. Even though it seemed like he'd been sleeping for a week and a half, House still felt like he needed more.
That would be a lot easier to come by now that he was home. Home. House smiled to himself at the thought. It was becoming far more than a place these days, no question, and he gave Anthony full credit for that.
He could hear Anthony and his mother chatting and laughing in the other room. God only knew what sort of stories his mother was telling about him out there. House supposed that he should get out of the tub and put a stop to the bonding madness between them, but...the water felt so good, and the aches in his body were just starting to ease. There would be plenty of time to give Anthony a hard time later.
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House jolted awake at the sound of a knock on the bathroom door. The water had cooled significantly, and he could feel his muscles attempting to stiffen up again from laying in the water so long.
"Just a...minute." House hollered as he climbed out and wrapped himself up in a towel.
The door opened, and Anthony poked his head in. "It's just your personal search party. Half hour's up."
House grinned a little and nodded. "I'll be out...in a...bit."
Anthony tilted his head, appraising House from head to toe. He was a little thinner from his ordeal, and his facial expression was a little wearier than usual, but God, he was still beautiful to Anthony.
House regarded Anthony with a baffled expression. "Something wrong?"
"No, hon." Anthony stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind him, closing the short distance between himself and House. He slipped his arms around House's waist and spread his hands out along his lower back, pulling the older man in for a long, slow kiss.
House responded immediately by spreading his hands out over Anthony's hips, his tongue darting out to meet the younger man's inside his mouth. He had missed this, but now was only beginning to realize just how much.
Anthony broke off the kiss, evoking something like a whimper from House. He reached up and lightly stroked the older man's scruffy cheek, planting another soft kiss on his lips. "Your mother's still here. Go see her before she leaves."
House groaned and rolled his eyes. "I'd rather...hang out here...with you."
"Plenty of time for that later." Anthony told him firmly. "Your mother's not going to be here much longer, and she did come to see you."
"Can't tell." House grumbled as he pulled away and started dressing. "You've practically...adopted her."
"Only because you weren't always available." Anthony answered defensively. "Besides, I kind of like her."
"You didn't grow up...with her." House growled.
"True." Anthony folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the bathroom door as House stood up to tie his flannel sleep pants. "Come on, you need to eat something anyway. Might as well visit with your mom while you eat."
House's stomach rumbled as if it agreed with Anthony, evoking an eyeroll from House and a snort from Anthony. "See, even your body agrees with me."
"My body's...betraying me again." House scowled as he limped toward the bathroom door, dropping a kiss on Anthony's forehead. "Should be used...to that...by now."
Anthony pushed himself off the bathroom door, and House flung it open with barely contained irritation. He followed House down the hallway to the kitchen, where he was filling a plate.
"Are you stalking...me?" House fixed him with a blue-eyed glare.
"Nope." Anthony replied calmly as he started to stack up dishes next to the sink. "You going to have more of this?"
"Maybe."
"I'll just pack it up. It'll be in the fridge if you want it."
"Tony, do you need any help?" Blythe was suddenly at the entryway to the kitchen, observing the interaction between this man and her son. They just seemed to...work, for lack of a better word. Everything seemed so natural and easy between them, and Blythe found herself getting more used to the idea of her son settling in with a man.
"No, Blythe." Anthony flashed her a quick smile. "Thank you, though."
"Well then..." Blythe twisted her fingers together. "I should be on my way, then." She stepped into the kitchen to lightly touch House on the arm. "I'll stop by in the morning, if that's okay with you."
"Sure." House spoke softly, freezing momentarily before suddenly turning to her and bending down for a long hug.
The move startled Blythe, even as it pleased her. Perhaps the ice was starting to thaw between them after all. She wondered how much Anthony had to do with that. "I love you, Greg."
"You...too." House was suddenly emotionally overwhelmed, for no reason he could define. "See you tomorrow."
He released her as suddenly as he had hugged her, and Blythe moved to where Anthony was starting dishes. "Thank you...for everything." She whispered to him as she gave him a hug.
"Of course." Anthony returned the hug, warmly embracing her. "We'll see you in the morning. I'll have a fresh pot of coffee waiting for you."
"I'll look forward to it." She fixed Anthony with a warm smile as she turned to leave, squeezing House's arm affectionately as she did so.
The apartment door closed behind her, the clinking of dishes in the sink the only sound. Anthony thought he was alone in the kitchen until House suddenly spoke.
"My dad's...dead, Tony."
"I know, hon. You told me."
"What did she...tell you about...him?" House's eyes seemed to bore into Anthony's skull.
"Nothing." Anthony wiped his hands off on the towel and turned around to lean against the sink. "She started to, but...I told her that it really wasn't her place to tell me about him."
"Really?" House didn't quite understand.
"I don't remember exactly how I put it." Anthony conceded. "Something to the effect of...if you wanted me to know, you would tell me."
"And she...was okay with...that?"
"Oddly enough, yes." Anthony tossed the towel over his shoulder and continued working.
House seemed to process this information as he leaned against the stove and polished off the food on his plate, moving to place it in the soapy water. He placed a hand on the small of Anthony's back and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Good dinner."
"Thanks." Anthony smiled as House turned to limp back out to the living room. "Is there some reason you mentioned your dad?"
House paused, leaning heavily on his left leg, looking decidedly unbalanced. "No. No reason...at all."
He quickly turned and left, and Anthony sighed heavily. He couldn't help but think he had missed a prime opportunity to allow House to open up more about his family issues, but apparently it wasn't to be.
Anthony finished the dishes and padded back into the living room with a pair of beers, not sure if House would want one or not. Judging by the way he was stretched out on the leather couch, one arm flung over his eyes, snoring slightly, he probably didn't want one right now.
Anthony returned the beer to the refrigerator, setting his own on the end table and finding the blanket in the hall closet. He gently covered House, planting a gentle kiss on the older man's forehead before settling in with his book.
House stirred, craning his head to frown at Anthony. "What are you...doing...way over...there?"
"You were sleeping." Anthony calmly replied. "I didn't want to disturb you."
"You can dis...turb me...all you want." House half smiled. "I'll let...you."
Anthony chuckled and pushed himself out of the armchair. "Lift your head."
House easily complied, immediately wrapping a long arm around Anthony's waist. "I've...missed this."
"Me too, hon." Anthony lightly stroked House's forehead, tracing the lines that crossed it with one finger. "If I ever see you like that again, it'll be too soon."
"That bad...huh?"
"Yes, that bad." Anthony's voice caught in his throat as he recalled House struggling against the restraints, out of his mind from fear and fever.
"Didn't mean to...scare you." House's voice went suddenly soft, his arm wrapping a little tighter around Anthony's waist.
"It's not your fault." Anthony tenderly stroked House's cheek. "Not like you tried to come down sick."
House shrugged, suddenly looking thoughtful. "Surprised you...didn't...get sick...too. Makes no...sense." He tilted his head up to look at Anthony. "No symptoms?"
"Nope, nothing." Anthony answered. "Doctor Foreman seemed surprised, too."
"You...should have. The stuff's highly...contagious."
"Let it go, will you?" Anthony chuckled. "I'm fine, you're fine, it's all good."
"Right." House closed his eyes at Anthony's touch, even as his mind automatically worked over the mystery at hand.
"Seriously." Anthony's voice went soft as he touched him in the furrowed space between his eyebrows. "Just...relax. Try to, anyway."
House removed his arm and shifted to his side so he was facing Anthony and the back of the couch. Anthony could see House's eyes start to drift closed, blinking languidly as he fought off sleep. It was oddly endearing and sexy at the same time, and Anthony reached out to rub House's shoulder and arm.
"Let me know when you're ready to go to bed, okay?" Anthony tilted his head as House's eyes threatened to close.
"Why?" House murmured, melting away under Anthony's hand. "You're not...likely to get...any tonight."
Anthony couldn't help but laugh a little at House's comment. He moved to stroke House's head. "Do you really think it's only about sex with me?"
"Be okay...if it was." House smirked a little.
"There's way more to it and you know it." Anthony ruffled House's hair. "Silly man."
"Mm-hm." House's closed eyes crinkled as he smiled. "Think I'm...ready for bed...now."
Anthony gently pushed House off his lap, and the two men went through what had become their standard nighttime rituals. It was funny how quickly they had fallen into a routine, Anthony thought as he crawled into the bed. It was comforting to him how they seemed to be picking up right where they left off.
He felt the mattress sink as House climbed in behind him, wrapping an arm around Anthony's waist and pressing his body as close to him as he possibly could. House's rough chest hair brushed against Anthony's back as House pressed a series of kisses to the back of his neck.
Anthony grinned, thoroughly enjoying the dual sensations of soft lips and rough hair. "Thought you said I wouldn't be getting any tonight."
"Did I...say that?" House murmured, pulling Anthony in closer to him. "I just...said it was...unlikely. Didn't rule it...out completely."
Finally House seemed to settle in, his warm breath softly hitting the back of Anthony's neck. They were quiet for a long moment before House broke the silence. "Think I missed...this...most of all."
"Me too." Anthony spoke softly, not wanting to give away the growing emotion that was building inside him. The thought of never having this again, never feeling House's warmth against him...it was almost too much to think about.
A shaky breath and wetness on his shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts. "What's the matter, hon?"
House's thoughts were crashing into one another, and he was having a hard time trying to voice them. "Nothing...much. Just good to...be...home." He managed to choke out. It was the truth, close enough for right now, at any rate.
He curled against the younger man, taking in his scent and holding him as close as he could, almost fearing he would disappear again if he didn't. Here was something real, something solid, something House could hold on to when things got impossibly difficult. It was something he hadn't felt in years, if he ever had.
And that was what had brought on the waterworks. Suddenly House pressed a kiss to the phoenix that graced Anthony's shoulder. "There's...something else."
"And what's that?"
House shifted so that he could speak directly into Anthony's ear. "I feel...like I can...trust you now."
Anthony's heart soared. "That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard you say."
"Don't go...telling everyone. You'll...ruin my...rep." House rumbled.
"I won't tell anyone." Anthony squeezed House's hand. "It'll be our secret."
He could almost feel House smile against his shoulder. "I'm...good with...that."
"Good." Anthony closed his eyes, listening as the older man drifted off to sleep, his even breathing the only sound in the room. It proved to be almost like a lullaby for Anthony, as he felt himself fall asleep, feeling warm and secure for the first time in a very long time. If House's words were any indication, he was starting to feel much the same way. Finally, things were starting to fall into place for them. It was about damned time.
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