A/N: ok, here's a new chapter...
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House was discharged five days after the heart attack. By this time Wilson had moved his stuff back into House's apartment and cleaned the whole place. („How can one man produce that much rubbish and chaos in only four days?")
If it had been up to House he would have been back at work as soon as he was bale to stand up straight. But Dr. Roberts, his attending cardiologist and Wilson had been firm, that he remain at least five days in hospital and another two weeks at home. Wilson wanted to make sure everything was alright before releasing House onto the world again.
House was sitting in Dr. Roberts office, letting the whole 'your life after the infarction" tirade wash over him.
„... I recommend lifestyle changes, including changing your diet, and increasing your physical activity, to lower your chances of having another heart attack. I'd also like to send you to cardiac rehab to help you recover and to help prevent another heart attack. Almost everyone who has had a heart attack can benefit from rehab. The heart is a muscle, and the right exercise will strengthen it..."
When Dr. Roberts paused to take a breat House rolled his eyes and said. „Jeeze, Roberts, I'm a doctor too you know. Can't we just skip the part?"
„To me you're a patient and it is my job to inform you of the risks and possibilities."
„Did Wilson put you up to this?"
„No, the law put me up to this. Shouldn't you know that, being a doctor and all?" Roberts waited for House to respond, but when nothing came but another heavy eyeroll he continued.
God, I'm getting soft, I'd never have let anyone off so easily before... Must be all the Cameron-vibes I've been subjected to.
The rest of the appointment went fairly quickly, with House making only a couple more comments, but not putting up any real fight. For some reason the whole experience had scared him to the bones (even more than the infarction) and he was determined not to let it happen again.
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Wilson picked House up and drove them home. House was feeling a little uneasy. Wilson had been uncharacteristically un-pushy after their 'talk' and now House was waiting for the dam to break. Wilson would probably start lecturing as soon as they were back at the apartment.
It was your decision to live with the guy. Now you'll have to live with the consequences...
At least Wilson could cook. And Wilson wouldn't desert him when things got crappy.
House thought back to what he always called 'post-infarction-time' in his head. Back to the last weeks with Stacy and how they had always fought. Well, there would be fights with Wilson too. They always fought over some thing or other, but at least he knew that Wilson wouldn't leave him. Not unless he, House, fucked up big time on their agreement.
No intention of doing that!
House remembered his words to Wilson from about two years ago. „You eat neediness." Part of him recoiled from the idea of being the object of Wilson's 'obsession', but another part was strangely comforted by the idea.
Turning into a sappy fool, House?
When had this started? He'd never been that... soft with any of his former girlfriends.
Must be Wilson's fault then. Just blame everything on Wilson. He can take it.
Wilson's voice pulled him out of his reverie. „So, have you thought about pain-management yet? I heard that Tanaka over at Atlantic General is supposed to be good."
You've been wrong... He doesn't even wait till we're home.
„Tanaka's an idiot. And besides, she's a SHE. I want a male doctor."
„Alright. Who d'you want then?" Wilson was keeping his voice light and casual, as if that made the conversation any better.
House shrugged. He stared out the side window, looking anywhere but at Wilson. „I thought about Montague over at Princeton General. He knows what he's doing, plus he's not so far away. Might as well try him out."
When Wilson didn't answer immediatly House broke his former resolve and turned his head. Wilson looked pleasantly encouraged.
Damn, you are getting soft...Well, at least it makes him happy.
Wilson finally answered. „Okay. Do you want me to make an appointment or do you want to call yourself?"
„Relax. I already called from the hospital. I've got an appointment next Monday."
This time House made sure to watch Wilson's face closely.
Priceless! Alright, you might be getting soft, but at least you can still surprise him!
Wilson turned his head and stared at House, confusion, surprise and happiness fighting for space on his features.
„Watch the road, moron! I didn't survive a heart attack to be killed by your crappy driving."
Wilson immediatly turned his attention back to the road, but that didn't stop him from talking.
„You... you really made an appointment?"
„I promised you I would." House sounded as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.
„Yeah... I... I just thought, I don't know... I expected a lot more fighting..." Wilson sounded guilty.
„Yeah, well, I've had enough excitement lately."
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Five minutes later they reached the apartment.
The moment the door had closed behind them House grabbed Wilson, shoved him against the wall and began attacking his lips.
„Steady!" Wilson mumbled before surrendering to House's roaming hands and mouth. The next time one of them uttered something more eloquent than a moan was when House pulled back a little and said breathless. „Should move this to the bedroom, eh?"
Wilson pulled back too. „Do you think this is a good idea?"
House was confused. Wilson had never before been so hesitant when it came to having sex. At least not when it happened in the private space of their apartment.
Wilson elaborated. „You've just had a heart-attack. We really shoudn't..."
Damn him! Bloody doctors... should have started dating a trucker...
„Shut up! If I die tonight at least I die a happy man!"
„HOUSE!" Wilson pulled away completely looking hurt. „You are not going to die anytime soon. Is that clear!"
House swallowed. „You don't know that. I could have another attack any minute or the house could collapse on us..."
Better play it down. You don't want him starting to cry on you...
Wilson rubbed his eyes furiously. When he answered his voice was higher than usual. „Yes and we could all be abducted by aliens..." he tried to joke, but then became serious again. „We both know the risks House. I just don't want us to risk more than is neccessary."
House sighed. Again, Wilson was probably right. „Fine!" he said rather aggressively and went over to the sofa to slump down on it.
Wilson came over and sat next to him. „We could just sit here and relaxe and enjoy each other's company." He offered.
House knew Wilson was attempting to cheer him up. He sulked another couple minutes with Wilson waiting patiently beside him. Then he edged closer and leant against Wilson, resting his head on the other mans shoulder. „Fine." he said much calmer.
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House actually went to his appointment, without Wilson having to tackle and sedate him first. During the days leading up to Monday he'd thought about not going a few times, but everytime he considered the option the memories of sleeping alone and waking up miserable and in pain resurfaced.
So he figured that he'd had more than seven years to ignore and abuse his body. And his body, refusing to give up completely so far, probably deserved a break. Maybe it was time for a change.
He'd insisted that Wilson did not accompany him to the appointment.
My pain. My body. My business.
Wilson had looked a little sceptical at first, but finally given in.
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When Wilson came home that evening, he opened the door to the sounds of music. Not the piano, he noticed, but the guitar.
House looked up shortly when Wilson entered, but didn't stop playing. Wilson, hearing the song, couldn't help but smile. He let House continue and went through his usual coming-home-routine before he settled himself on the sofa and waited for House to finish.
When the last chords were floating into silence, House focused his attention on Wilson. He knew what was coming.
I wonder if I should make him squirm?
But then he saw Wilson's scrunched-up-in-apprehension face and decided it wasn't worth it. Wilson had probably suffered enough for the time being. But that didn't mean he would make it easy for him.
Wilson rubbed the bridge of his nose. „So... How was your day?"
„Fine. Yours?"
Well, maybe make him squirm just a little bit.
Wilson frowned, clearly wondering if it was safe to push on, or if he should just give up and wait for House to start on his terms. House took mercy on him.
„The appointment went alright. Noone was seriously hurt or killed."
Wilson visibly relaxed. He waited for House to give him details.
„Nothing much happened. We just went through my medical history and my expectations for the future." The last words came out rather mockingly.
„Are you going again?" Wilson's voice was carefully guarded.
House pulled a face, but then shrugged and gave a slight, reluctant nod. „Made an appointment for Friday."
At this Wilson broke into a small smile and House's stomach immediatly did a backflip.
Good Lord!
He seriously needed to get a grip. He'd almost reached out to hug Wilson! For no reason at all... unbelievable.
Change the topic!
„So, what's for dinner?"
„You were at home all day. What did you cook your man?" Wilson tried to give him a blank expression, but House could see the humor sparkle in his eyes.
„Me? Cook? I'm the sick person, remember? You're supposed to take care of me. And besides, you're the woman in this relationship."
Wilson let out a put upon sigh. „Give me a minute and I'll see what I can come up with..."