Warning: Fairly heavy smut ahead. Once again, I don't own any of the House characters. Enjoy. :)
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Avery was sitting on the edge of the tub, testing the temperature, when she heard the door open. House slowly stepped in, carefully negotiating his way over to the toilet and sitting down to undo his leg brace.
He carefully stood, testing the strength of his legs. As he suspected, his left leg was completely pathetic. The right was a lot stronger, but hurt more than the left. The universe was pulling one twisted joke on House lately, and he'd had just about enough already. He huffed in frustration and sat back down, pulling his t-shirt over his head and tossing it to the floor.
"Everything okay over there?" Avery's voice carried over to him.
"Fine. Be there in a minute." House rose to his feet, using the wall to support himself as he made his way to the tub.
Avery gave him a scathing look. "I would have helped you over here if you had asked."
"If I had wanted your help, I would have asked." House snapped as he undid his jeans and dropped them, along with his boxers, to the floor. He shook them off, wincing slightly as he swung his legs over the edge of the tub, sinking into the hot water. "Why aren't you naked and in here with me?"
Avery sank to her knees beside the tub, splashing House playfully. "This is more for you than for me. I figured you could use a little soak time before…you know."
"You're always thinking. That's why I keep you around, you know." House reached out to stroke Avery's hair. "When was the last time you put yourself first?"
"Who are you to say that I'm not? If you're hurting, we won't have nearly as much fun, right?"
House actually laughed out loud at that comment, a rich, mellow sound that Avery heard rarely. "Fine, you're off the hook…for now."
"I'll be back. Just need to get something to drink."
Avery left, and House leaned back and closed his eyes, letting the heat seep into the stiff, aching joints of his left leg and the muscles of his right. Before too long, he and Avery would be moved into the condo, and he'd be making use of that whirlpool tub, hopefully for more than soaking sore body parts.
"Got room for one more?" Avery came back with a large glass of wine for herself and a Coke for House.
"Always." House shifted, flexing his knee and ankle. "I think I can finally bend this damn thing more than halfway."
"Good." Avery quickly stripped down and eased herself into the tub, relaxing into the warm water.
House patted his chest. "Right here, babe."
Avery lay against House, closing her eyes as she felt House's hands knead her shoulders. She sighed deeply and took a large sip of her wine.
"I'm not the only one who needs to be taken care of around here." House murmured as he continued to massage Avery's shoulders.
"I know." Avery sat up a little, and House moved from her shoulders to her back, feeling the smooth skin under his hands. He slipped his hands around her waist, pulling her closer to him as he sat up, pressing firm kisses all over the back of her neck, working his way around to the spot where her neck met her shoulder, leaving his mark with tongue and lips.
Avery moaned softly under House's touch, moving forward just enough to set down her wine glass, lightly raking her fingernails up his shins as she returned to lean against House. House growled at the unexpected sensation, gripping Avery tighter to him, his hands roaming up to cup her soft breasts, rolling the nipples between his fingers.
She gasped and arched her back, gripping House under his thighs, his mouth moving up her neck to her ear, his hands sliding down her stomach and into the water. Avery felt House harden behind her as she moved her hands over his thighs to stroke the inside, his muscles twitching at her touch.
Avery rolled over so that she was on her knees between House's legs, smiling seductively as her hands moved over his thighs, up his stomach, her fingers raking through his chest hair, stopping to brush her thumbs over his nipples. House arched and groaned in response, roughly pulling Avery to him, his lips crashing into hers, leaving her shaking with his intensity.
House guided Avery's body over him, giving him access to her luscious breasts once more. His large hands gently squeezed the soft flesh, his mouth capturing a nipple, lightly sucking on it while flicking it with his tongue. Avery braced one hand against the tub wall, the other grabbing the back of House's head, encouraging him further.
He moved from one breast to the other, coming back to bury his face in her softness, running his tongue up her breastbone and pressing a kiss to the spot where her collarbones met. His hands slid to her back, moving downward over the curves of her rear, pulling her ever closer to him.
Avery responded by straddling House, leaning into him for a rough kiss, pushing her tongue into his mouth, slowly rolling it around in his mouth, dueling with his. His response was obvious, and she reached down between his legs to guide him inside her.
House gripped her harder, holding her tightly to him as he pumped upward into her, hitting her sweet spot with each stroke. He felt her tighten around his shaft as she cried out, collapsing on top of him, sighing as House groaned, finally relaxing his grip on Avery.
"Damn, babe." House's voice was rough as he lightly stroked Avery's soft back. "Didn't think it could get any better."
Avery laughed softly and lightly kissed House's neck. "Just wait until we move. That whirlpool tub has a lot of…possibilities."
"You bad, bad woman." House laughed, jumping at the feel of her lips on his neck. "Such…dirty thoughts." He lifted Avery's chin to look her in the eye, a small smirk on his face as he appraised her. "I like it."
"Figured you would." Avery moved around a bit, gently kissing House on the lips before stepping out of the tub.
"Hey…where are you going?" House leaned back, watching Avery's movements.
"I can't speak for you…but I can't sleep in that tub. Water's cold." Avery rubbed her body with the towel, wrapping it around herself.
House grinned teasingly. "Can't say I noticed."
Avery chuckled and offered a hand to House. He waved her away, using the grip bar to bring himself to a standing position. Avery tossed him a towel, admiring the muscles in his upper body.
House squinted at her. "Are you checking me out, woman?"
Avery moved closer to House, watching him wrap the towel around himself. "Yes, yes I am. Got a problem with that?"
"Hell no." House wrapped an arm around Avery's shoulder as she wrapped one around his waist. Between the two of them they managed to get House out of the tub, he stepping tentatively on his left leg. He could feel it wobble under him, and a tense expression crossed his face.
Avery immediately moved closer, keeping a firm grip around House's waist. "I've got you."
"I know." House stepped out with his right leg, feeling a little more stable now that he had both legs under him. He brought Avery close to him, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the top of her head. "You've always got me."
"Always have, always will." Avery wrapped her arms around House's waist, placing her head against his chest, feeling his heart pound in her ear.
"Promise?" House's voice was husky with unexpressed emotion.
Avery lifted her head to look into House's brilliant blue eyes. "I promise." She whispered, pushing herself up on tiptoe to capture House's lips in a soft kiss. "Now, let's get to bed before you collapse on me."
"Right." House pulled away slightly, leaning against the wall for support. "You go ahead. I'll be there before too long."
"Okay. Holler if you need me."
"Will do." House eased himself to the edge of the tub, absentmindedly rubbing his right leg and flexing his left knee as he went over Avery's words in his mind. The woman was solid, an emotional rock. Over the last year or so, she had been a pillar of strength for him. And what, exactly, had he done in return? House wasn't convinced that his actions could hold a candle to all she had done for him.
He finally heaved himself from the edge of the tub, gingerly making his way over to the toilet, where his clothes still lay in a heap. House quickly tossed the t-shirt over his head and eased on his boxers, grabbing his crutches and lumbering toward the bedroom, forgoing the leg brace for the night.
House paused at the bedroom doorway, looking at Avery. She was already fast asleep, curled up on her side, snoring lightly. Not wanting to disturb her, he made his way in as quietly as he could, easing himself onto the mattress and setting the crutches aside.
She stirred slightly, murmuring something he couldn't quite make out. House slowly climbed in behind her, curling up to her soft, warm body, placing a gentle kiss on the back of her neck. He had missed this part most of all when he was in the cast. Now that he was able to sleep so close to her again, House was sure he never wanted to let her go.
"Babe…I've got you, babe." House couldn't resist singing softly in Avery's ear as he settled in, looping one arm over her waist and pulling her close. She giggled softly and interlaced her fingers with his, squeezing gently.
"Crazy man." Avery spoke sleepily. "Love you."
"Only crazy for you." House placed one more kiss on Avery's neck before closing his eyes, feeling sleep begin to overtake him. He felt himself drift away, still amazed at his good fortune at finding this woman. "Love you more."
Avery chuckled slightly at House's half-asleep fit of sentimentality. If most people could see what a wide romantic streak House truly possessed…it would boggle their minds. Just as well, then, that House kept these moments private. It made her cherish them all the more.
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House awakened the next morning to the sounds of Avery bustling around the room, humming softly to herself. He pushed himself up onto his elbows, watching her move around, digging through drawers and tossing garments over her shoulder.
"It's the weekend, babe, what's your hurry?"
Avery turned at the sound of his voice, a puzzled expression on her face. "We've got a wedding to go to. Foreman and Hadley, remember?"
House flopped down on the bed, groaning inwardly. Foreteen had moved up their wedding date due to Thirteen's steadily worsening symptoms. She seemed to have plateaued for the time being, but the pair didn't want to waste a moment of whatever time they had left. "I guess that means I have to actually get out of bed, doesn't it?"
"Yes, baby. I might bring you coffee if you at least sit up."
"Deal." House pushed himself to a sitting position, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. Avery soon walked in with two cups of coffee, handing one to House. "Mmm…perfect. Thanks, babe."
"Of course. Wedding's at noon, and it's about ten now. You might want to think about getting a move on."
"I'll think about it." House fixed Avery with a teasing grin. He reached over for his morning meds, popping a couple with his coffee. As he sipped at his coffee, he took another shot at flexing his knee and ankle. They both seemed better, and he could at least bend the knee past the halfway point. The hot soak last night definitely hadn't hurt, and further activity didn't seem to do it any harm either. Perhaps he could convince Avery to make those…other activities a part of his continuing physical therapy.
He grinned at the thought, setting down his coffee to grab his crutches. Biting back a small groan, he heaved himself up and started to make the slightly painful walk down the hallway to the bathroom. He kind of wished he hadn't left the leg brace behind the night before, but he'd manage.
House heard Avery humming in the shower as he lumbered in, taking care of business before heading over to the sink to brush his teeth and shave. Avery seemed to like the clean-shaven look when he dressed up, and he didn't figure it would hurt to look good for her.
Avery shut off the water, hearing the sound of House's electric razor. She poked her head out to see him shaving himself clean. Suppressing a small smile, she wrapped one towel around herself and another on her head and slipped over to where he stood, trapping House by placing her hands on the edge of the sink.
He finished shaving before turning around to face her, smirking at her. "You like what you see?"
Avery reached up to touch House's now smooth cheek. "Today, yes. Somehow scruff and a suit just don't go together."
House leaned against the sink, pulling Avery close and kissing her softly on the lips. "I'll remember that when it's our turn."
"Good." Avery quickly returned the kiss and looked up at him, meeting his soft blues with her own chocolate browns. "You have another date in mind?"
House's face turned serious as he stroked her cheek. "When I'm off these damn crutches and back to my cane, we'll talk. I'll be damned if I'm lumbering down the aisle on these things. Besides," He brushed his lips against her ear, whispering softly, "I want to dance with you at our wedding."
Avery immediately choked up at House's statement. "I'll wait as long as we need to. I'm not going anywhere, you big romantic lug."
House chuckled and wrapped his arms around Avery. "There you go, telling all my business again. What did I tell you about that?" He dropped a kiss on her forehead. "Now let go of me, woman. I'll never be ready in time otherwise."
"Fine." Avery gave House one more quick squeeze before releasing him. "Better hurry. You've only got about an hour now."
"I'm moving, I'm moving. Don't rush me." House grinned as he prepared himself to climb into the shower. "Sure you don't want to join me? I might miss a couple spots otherwise."
"You'll be fine. Silly man." Avery laughed as she found her blow dryer.
"Some help you are." House grumbled as he climbed in and started the water. Avery could hear him humming loudly as he washed up. Suddenly she recognized the tune as Billy Idol's 'White Wedding'.
She chuckled to herself as she fired up the blow dryer, using the brush to straighten out her hair as it dried. Apparently House's sentimental streak had come to an end for now. Just as well, Avery supposed. House did have a reputation to uphold, and why should today be any different?
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Okay, you know what to do. Push the little green button and tell me what you think. I'll be working away on the next chapter. :)
