Back again with all the usual disclaimers and stuff. Don't own them, never have, never will. All the O/Cs are mine.
# # #
Anthony worked on dinner in his kitchen that evening, his lunch date with House still fresh in his mind. He couldn't help the small flame of jealousy that flared up every time he thought about Jake, and he didn't know what would help squelch it. He was sure that House would be content being friends with the man, but Anthony wasn't so sure about Jake.
Even after he and Simon had decided to become friends, they had hooked up a couple of times. Anthony hated the idea of the same thing happening between Jake and House. Not that House would do such a thing, but he couldn't say the same for the other man, and he was quite sure the other man would have no problem charming his way into House's...whatever.
The sound of Simon pounding on his door snapped him out of his thoughts, and Anthony padded across the living room to answer, crossing the space where he and House had lay just that morning. Good thing he had remembered to pick up the blanket before Simon showed up. Anthony would have hated to have to try to explain that.
The pounding continued incessantly until Anthony finally answered the door, flinging it open. "I was on my way, you know."
"I'm sure." Simon breezed past Anthony toward the kitchen. "What's cooking, honey?"
"Food." Anthony smirked as he followed Simon.
"Oh, you're funny." Simon rolled his eyes and peeked into the pan. "Smells good, whatever it is. Wine?"
"Nah, I've got my beer. I'm good." Anthony nudged Simon away from the stove and stirred the food in the pan.
Simon found the corkscrew and started uncorking his bottle of wine, finding a glass in the cabinet. He couldn't help but notice the two coffee mugs sitting in the sink. "Did you have company earlier?"
Anthony froze. He had every intention of telling Simon about his reconciliation with House, but in his own time. "Yeah, about that..."
Simon poured a glass of wine and leaned against the sink, swirling it in the glass before taking a long sip. "Go on."
Anthony set the lid on the pan and picked up his beer, draining the remains of the bottle. "I had company last night. He stayed until this morning."
"Really." Simon frowned. "Must have been pretty special if you let him hang around for coffee. You haven't done that since..." His eyes went wide. "No way."
Anthony turned his head and nodded slightly. "It was Greg."
"Get the fuck out." Simon's voice was incredulous. "So are you two back on?"
"We're...working on it." Anthony answered. "We talked and...stuff last night, went out to lunch today, got a dinner date tomorrow. What was the name of that place by your studio?"
Simon cupped a hand around his ear. "Do you hear that?" Anthony shook his head. "That's the sound of every queer in Jersey crying his eyes out because you're off the market again."
"Whatever." Anthony rolled his eyes and turned down the burner under the pan. "No need to send out announcements or anything. I'm not even sure we're 'on'."
"What do you mean?" Simon threw Anthony a baffled expression.
"I don't know." Anthony took another beer out of the refrigerator and popped it open. "Last night...this morning was...amazing. Lunch was...well, awkward."
"Of course it was." Simon nodded in understanding. "But you're seeing each other. You're talking...among other things, obviously. That's a good start, right?"
Anthony sighed and leaned against the counter. "He wants to slow things down. You know, 'date', like normal people."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, I guess." Anthony took another long drink of his beer. "One thing that's bugging me, though. There's this guy that Greg was seeing before we...reconciled."
"No surprise there." Simon rolled his eyes.
"According to Greg, he encouraged him to give me another chance." Anthony continued. "Now he wants to keep him around as a friend."
"And...?"
"And..." Anthony paused before continuing. "Greg met him for coffee. Apparently it turned into a bit more than that."
"Oh dear." Simon's brow wrinkled with worry. "How much more?"
"A kiss. And not just a friendly peck, either." Anthony frowned as he finished off his beer and slammed it on the counter.
A slow smile crept over Simon's fine features. "I don't believe this. You're jealous. Big time jealous."
Anthony flushed, glancing at the floor. "I know. It's stupid."
"Maybe." Simon crossed the kitchen to squeeze Anthony on the shoulder. "But it's normal."
Anthony's eyes finally rose to meet Simon's. "So what do I do?"
"Be honest with him." Simon looked at Anthony as if he were crazy. "Duh. It's what he would do...and apparently did." He wrinkled his nose. "He was a little too honest, if you ask me."
Anthony laughed softly and patted the hand that rested on his shoulder. "I'd rather he be too honest with me, trust me."
"Suit yourself." Simon sniffed as he released Anthony, who crossed the kitchen to stir up the pan's contents. "Seems to me he could dial down the honesty a little."
Anthony smiled to himself as he turned off the stove. He preferred House's brutal honesty and indifference to social conventions over others' smooth talk and lies. "Food's ready when you are."
"I'm definitely ready." Simon answered as he pulled down plates from the cabinet. They dished up and settled in the living room with their plates. "So what made you decide to try again?"
"I don't know, exactly." Anthony looked thoughtful. "There's just something about him. If there's even half a chance we can be together...I just can't let that go."
Simon nodded sagely. He had seen his friend through some of the highest and lowest points in his life. House had been one of those high points, and their break-up, one of the lowest. Anthony had been down as low as Simon had ever seen him. He supposed his own reaction hadn't helped matters, but when Simon saw Anthony return to his former barhopping, bedhopping existence so soon after his split from the man he supposedly loved so much, he didn't know what else to do. All he could do was walk away.
"Well, I'm glad that other guy pushed Greg your way." Simon asserted. "That man really was the best thing to happen to you in years."
Anthony didn't answer at first, and Simon thought he saw his green eyes go a little shiny. "I know." He finally managed to choke out softly. "I don't want to lose him again."
"You won't." Simon assured him. "Now that you know how important he is to you...you're no dummy. You won't screw it up twice."
Anthony barked out a short laugh. "Mostly because he won't let me."
"And that's a damn good thing." Simon spoke sharply. "Means he won't put up with anything."
Anthony nodded and returned to his dinner, and he and Simon moved on to other topics, simply spending the evening catching up with each other.
Finally Simon had to leave, and he gave Anthony a long hug before he left. "Promise me you'll talk to that man of yours."
"Can't really call him my man just yet." Anthony laughed as he returned the hug. "But I will talk to him."
"Good." Simon released him, patting his arm lightly. "I really hope you two can work it out. You're so good together."
Anthony couldn't help but roll his eyes at Simon's romantic notion. "We'll see what happens. See you around."
Simon left with a slight chuckle, and Anthony made his way to the kitchen to wash the few dishes. His thoughts drifted to House, wondering what he was doing with his evening. After he finished the dishes, he checked his watch. Eleven o'clock. Late by most people's standards, but not by House standards. If he wanted to, he could just stop by, assuming House didn't have anything else going on.
He wiped off his hands with a sigh. This was one conversation Anthony would much rather have in person. He quickly donned shoes and a coat, grabbing his keys before he could change his mind.
# # #
House was just settling into bed when he thought he heard a knock at the door. He turned over in bed and pulled the covers over him when he heard the same knock, only louder. Clearly whoever wanted to see him wasn't giving up easily.
He huffed in irritation and pushed himself out of bed, limping heavily down the hallway as he heard the third knock on the door. "I'll be there! Stop fucking knocking!"
He flung the door open to see Anthony standing there, a stunned expression on his face. "I...I know it's late."
House regarded him with a baffled expression. "I know you're weary. What are you doing here?"
Anthony leaned against the door frame, glancing at the floor. "I know your plans don't include me. Can I come in? It's kind of chilly out here."
House's mouth quirked in amusement as he stepped aside to let the younger man in. "You didn't answer my question."
Anthony shivered a little as he stomped the snow off his shoes and closed the door behind him. He debated briefly on how to best bring up his jealousy, finally deciding to go for the direct approach. It's what House would do, after all. "You know when you told me all about Jake today, and I was kind of okay about it?"
"Yeah?" House regarded Anthony suspiciously.
"I kind of...wasn't so okay with it." Anthony leaned against the door, glancing up at the ceiling.
A slow smile curved across House's lips. "Were you...jealous?"
Anthony rolled his eyes. "Yes. Yes, I was, and am, jealous. Just a little."
House limped over to where Anthony stood, placing one hand on the door above Anthony's shoulder, leaning in to study him. "So you're human after all. That's good to know."
Anthony could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, feeling a little silly at his fit of jealousy. "So I don't want anyone else chasing after you. Is that so wrong?" He frowned slightly. "I'm not even sure I'm okay with you staying friends with him."
"Jake." House answered calmly, stepping a little closer.
"Jake. Right." Anthony could smell House's freshly showered skin from where he stood. It was a different scent from what he was used to, and it made Anthony wonder what House had been doing all night. He shook off the thought as the older man moved in closer, pressing a soft kiss to Anthony's forehead. "Sounds like he wants more than friendship out of you."
"He does." House murmured, moving so that he had Anthony pinned against the door.
"So why not him?" Anthony asked softly, taking in the spicy scent of House's soap.
House bent lower to kiss Anthony's temple. "He's young, hot, and damned good in bed. But he's not you."
"That doesn't really answer the question."
House moved in so close that Anthony could feel his breath on his lips. "I like him, but I don't love him. I love you, you jealous idiot." He quickly captured Anthony's lips in a slow, lingering kiss. "Any more stupid questions?"
Anthony snorted, relaxing somewhat. "I guess not."
"Good." House planted a kiss on the younger man's forehead. "I figured something was up. I just didn't know what."
"How did you know?" Anthony pulled back in surprise. "I didn't even know until I was getting ready to leave the deli."
House rolled his eyes. "Only a saint would be totally okay with what I told you. And you're definitely not a saint."
Anthony's lips curved in a slight grin. "I think you like it that way."
"I do." House agreed. "So...are you going or staying?"
A bit of fear stabbed at Anthony. He hadn't thought that far ahead. "We wouldn't be going very slow if I stayed..."
"I'm okay with that." House murmured as he started a line of kisses down the younger man's throat, his hands moving to caress his back.
"I didn't...plan on staying..." Anthony was melting under House's lips and hands, losing his ability to think.
"Your excuses are getting lamer." House softly told him as he moved his hands under the layers of leather coat, fleece, and t-shirt.
Anthony gasped softly when he felt House's cool hands against the warm skin of his lower back. "I'll...stay. But I'm not staying all night."
"Deal." House shoved Anthony's jacket off his body and onto the floor. His fleece and t-shirt quickly followed, and House pulled back to smooth his hands all over the younger man's body before wrapping his arms around him and pulling him in for a long, fierce kiss.
Anthony responded in kind, sliding his hands up the back of House's t-shirt to feel the muscle move under his skin. The move evoked a low moan from the older man, and he pulled Anthony toward him as he backed up.
"Mmm...where are we going?" Anthony murmured as House broke away from his mouth and started down his throat again.
"Bedroom." House growled. "Just don't step on my feet."
Anthony stopped House long enough to toe off his shoes. "There. Problem solved. Where were we again?"
"This way." House rumbled, pulling Anthony along, nearly running into the couch along the way.
"How about I just follow you?" Anthony softly suggested. "Not like I don't know where it is."
House nodded firmly, turning and limping down the hallway. Anthony soon caught up, catching House around the waist and pushing his t-shirt up and off his body. He wrapped his arms around the older man's waist, pressing kisses into his shoulder and taking in his scent. "You smell different."
"All those damn bottles look alike." House grumbled. "I don't know what it is."
"I like it." Anthony moved from House's shoulder to his spine, leaving a series of kisses up House's spine, evoking a soft groan from the older man. He untied House's sleep pants and let them fall to the floor, pleasantly surprised to find nothing but skin underneath. "I like this even better." Anthony caressed House's hips and thighs as he lightly licked and nibbled at a particularly sensitive spot on House's neck.
House growled, reaching behind him in an attempt to undo Anthony's jeans. After some fumbling, he gave up, turning to finish the job as Anthony resumed his ministrations, feeling House's hands slip under the waist of his jeans and shove them off his body.
The older man pulled Anthony closer, and they both fell onto the bed with a soft thump, Anthony kicking his jeans off the rest of the way before settling in next to House, one leg thrown over his, one hand moving over the older man's body while his lips wandered all over his neck, making his way to his collarbone.
"Goddammit, Tony." House groaned and arched his back, pulling Anthony on top of him and rocking against him. Anthony gasped in response, burying himself in House's neck and shoulder, finding another sensitive spot, lightly licking and nibbling at it, evoking a variety of almost animal-like sounds from the older man.
House reached out for the bedside table, fumbling with the drawer briefly before finding the condom, but nothing else. He ripped it open and reached down to cover Anthony, guiding him toward his intended target.
"Are you sure?" Anthony murmured as they shifted.
"Just go slow." House managed to answer back as he lightly caressed the younger man's back.
Anthony nodded and shifted so that he was on his knees, carefully easing his way in, watching the older man's face scrunch up slightly. He seemed to relax once Anthony was in, moving in gentle rhythm, and he took Anthony's hand to wrap it around him. Anthony started stroking him, watching as House squirmed under him, a slight smile gracing his rough features.
He pumped a little harder into House, and while the older man winced slightly, he moaned softly at the action, pulling Anthony in closer. Anthony braced himself with a hand on either side of House, riding the edge until he finally went over with a loud gasp, shaking as he collapsed against House.
The older man lightly stroked Anthony's back, and the younger man took the moment to recover before pulling out and moving down House's body to take him into his mouth, gently rolling his tongue over him as House roughly stroked his head, every noise coming from him encouraging Anthony on.
Anthony took House all the way in, feeling the rough hair at his core tickling his lips as House gasped loudly, arching upward, both hands curling in the younger man's hair as Anthony sped up the action. He could feel the older man tense for a moment as he unloaded, shaking and finally relaxing with a sigh, lightly stroking Anthony's head.
Anthony climbed back up to lay down next to House, and the older man almost immediately wrapped an arm around him, bringing him in close and kissing his forehead. He couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Everything okay?"
"Mm-hm." House murmured sleepily. "Sure you don't want to stay?"
"I'm not sure of much of anything these days." Anthony answered as he turned on his side and curled up to House, throwing an arm across his chest.
House frowned slightly. "You having second thoughts?"
"No, nothing like that." Anthony moved so that his hand was spread out across House's chest, feeling the now-slowing heartbeat under his hand. "It's just that...if we're supposed to be slowing things down, we're doing a terrible job of it."
House chuckled. "I know. I also didn't hear any objections from you."
"What can I say?" Anthony laughed. "You can be very convincing."
"So that's a 'yes' for staying tonight." House glanced over at the younger man.
"I suppose." Anthony found the covers and tugged them over the two of them. "But just this once."
"Right." House snorted as he pulled Anthony closer to him. "That's what they all say."
Anthony chuckled a little to himself as he curled under the covers, taking in House's scent. Secretly, he kind of hoped to make a habit of this again. He had missed this most of all during their time apart, and try though he might, no one could ever take House's place, in either his bed or his heart. Anthony hadn't planned on this at all when he had come over, but he wasn't objecting, either. From the way House was holding on to him and lightly stroking his arm as he fell asleep, neither was House.
# # #
Anthony awakened with a start, somewhat disoriented in the darkness. It was either ridiculously late or extremely early, and Anthony couldn't tell which.
Last night's events started to come back to him, and when he heard House snoring next to him, everything came together. A slow smile curved his lips as he shifted closer to the older man and slipped an arm around his waist.
House had literally seduced him, and Anthony couldn't help but feel a small thrill course through him at the idea. He had come here last night with the intention of simply talking things out with House. Some talk indeed.
The older man turned over to his side, trapping Anthony's arm beneath his as he did so. He muttered something unintelligible and immediately started snoring again. Anthony managed to extricate himself from House's grip and slip out of bed to follow his trail of clothes back out to the living room, dressing as he did so.
He pulled the fleece over his head as he padded toward the kitchen to start coffee. As he did so, he chuckled in amusement at how automatic his actions were. It was almost as if nothing had changed at all.
Anthony knew that wasn't the case. A good deal had changed in their time apart, and Anthony knew that he and House couldn't simply pick up where they left off. For one thing, there was the matter of the younger man that was waiting in the wings. House had made it clear that this was their one chance, and he wouldn't hesitate to walk away again. Anthony had to admire the inner strength the older man seemed to have developed, but he had no intention of testing it. That other man...Jake, or whatever the hell his name was, was shit out of luck as far as Anthony was concerned.
He scrubbed his hand over his face as the coffeemaker spluttered to a stop. Simon had certainly called this one. Even though he felt better for telling House, it didn't stop Anthony's feelings from bouncing all over the place.
This must have been how House felt after Anthony told him about the dance club incident. Anthony's stomach churned a little at the thought. He sighed a little and found a pair of coffee mugs, filling one with sugar before pouring coffee into both of them, not thinking about what he was doing.
He was so deep into his thoughts that he didn't hear House step-thump into the kitchen, jumping when he felt House's lips press against his neck. The older man smirked slightly as he grabbed one of the mugs and took a long drink, sighing appreciatively. He leaned against the counter, noting Anthony's ponderous expression. "Kind of early for such deep thoughts, don't you think?"
Anthony leaned forward on the counter, spreading his fingers out as he frowned thoughtfully. "I don't like feeling this way."
"I know I'm going to regret asking this, but...feeling what way?"
Anthony glanced over at House briefly before continuing. "This whole jealousy thing. It's not me." He shook his head in befuddlement. "I've never been jealous of anyone."
"I'd be honored if it wasn't so damned creepy." House answered before taking another drink of his coffee.
Anthony snorted in response and took a sip of his own coffee. "It is creepy, isn't it? I mean, it's not like I'm the only one who's ever found you attractive."
House studied Anthony's face carefully before responding. "There's more to it, though. You weren't bothered by that idea when we went to that drag show."
Anthony nodded. "You're right, of course." He sighed heavily, trying to find a way to explain himself. "This is just...different. I don't know. It's stupid. Forget it."
House fixed Anthony with a steely look. "It's not just going to go away, you know."
Anthony drained his coffee mug and set it in the sink, returning to place a gentle kiss on House's lips. "It doesn't matter, really. I'll get over it."
"Right." House looked skeptical, but didn't say anything more. He simply returned the kiss, placing a hand on the younger man's waist. "We still on for tonight?"
"Of course." Anthony smiled slightly. "Seven work for you?"
"Sure." House nodded as Anthony left the kitchen. He pushed himself away from the counter and limped out to the living room just as Anthony was picking up his coat from the floor. "Leaving so soon?"
Anthony nodded. "Got a few things to do at home before I go into work." He wrapped the older man in a hug and kissed him before opening the door. "See you later."
The door closed behind him, and House allowed a small smile to spread over his face. The boy was jealous. That wasn't an entirely bad thing, House decided. It was good to be wanted, good to know he was worthy of such emotions, even if they were a little misguided.
He chuckled to himself as he finished off his coffee and limped back down the hall to the bedroom. The puzzle behind Anthony's behavior could wait until he'd gotten a couple more hours of sleep.
# # #
All yours, readers. Read and review.
