"Where's Gab?"

House looked back over to Wilson with a blink, seeing his best friend rubbing his hands together nervously. "I heard she had to go take some alone time."

"Is she okay?"

"Don't know, don't care. Get in the game here Wilson! We're next!"

It had been an hour into the talent show and so far, it was a promising night. Donations were coming by the hand full, parents smiled in delight as their children dance or performed on stage. Even Gabs little performance caused a little up roar with the teen life in the crowed, leading to some to tell Cuddy that the next time they had another show, Gab HAD to be the opening act again.

Wilson was pacing behind the closed curtain. His face beat red. His hair was slightly messy, due to his fingers sliding threw them time and time again in worry, His eyes were wide in fear and his body trembling in nervs. House normally would take this scene and use it to mock his friend endlessly for the rest of the year.

But for some reason, he found his best friend to be very adorable.

Chuckling to himself, he watched Wilson pace, muttering the song over and over again, making sure he had every word, every tone correct.

"I-I can't do this House! Its crazy! Its embarrassing!"

"Really? I think of it more as a nice dash of cold water in ones groin."

"My point! We should tell Cuddy we can't do it. Say your in to much pain! Yeah! O-Or I can say I'm sick, strep throat! She'll believe me right?"

"Nope."

Wilson's face fell and soon was covered by his sweating hands. He didn't want to do this. He wanted to go home, he wanted to curl under the covers in his bed. He didn't want to face the crowed out there. Secretly he had hoped that some would get bored and leave, letting him perform to a small group of people but for some reason, all the acts performed were very well done and everyone was having such a good time, they didn't want to leave.

That and some had found out he was performing with House to a duet piece that was made for chicks. No one would miss that.

"I-I can't do this. Its maddness, how could Cuddy do this to me!"

"Hey, if you had just said no or even tried to change her mind, then you wouldn't be in this mess. Pick your balls back up and get over it. Besides I got something that will take your mind off this."

"Do I even want to know what it is?" Wilson muttered lowering his arms. Looking up, He frowned when he noticed his best friend grinning. With a chuckle, House whipped out a small package from his coat, casting Wilson into silence.

"Lets call it... a good luck token."

Wilson stared at the wrapped gift shocked for a moment before looking up to his friends eyes. House... never got him a gift before. Well not a wrapped one. What was his plan? House always had something up his sleeve but inside, Wilson felt a burst of warmth hit and a small voice whispered into his ear.

HIS House... got him a gift.

House almost blushed at the tender smile Wilson gave. It was breath taking. If that all it took to sweep Wilson off his feet then House would buy him a gift every day... well every other week.

"This isn't like you." Wilson chuckled, taking the gift from Houses hand. He didn't want to open it, it just wanted to feel it, to hug it. House had took the time to pick out something for him and wrapped it so neatly with a black bow.

"Eh, doing a duet to a chick song isn't like me either but hey. Its almost a new year!"

Wilson only chuckled, finally the eagerness to unwrap got control and his fingers began to rip the paper apart. His heart raced at the thought. What did House get for him?

His heart stopped.

With wide eyes, his fingers picked up the hidden object, the item House had 'thoughtfully' picked out. A tie.

A glittering... bright pink.....tie...

"Your kidding." He stated bewildered causing his friend to laugh. "Nope, you have to wear that for our song."

"What?! I am not wearing this! Its ugly!"

"Oh and half the ties you wear is acceptable? Put it on! Your Glinda!!"

"I'm NOT wearing this House!" Wilson shoved the tie back into his friends chest. "The ties I wear are at least meant for men, This House, THIS Doesn't scream man!"

House took the tie and chuckled shaking his head. Looping his cane into the crook of his arm, he wrapped the tie quickly around Wilson neck and while he began to fuss, House began to remove the tie that was already done. "Come now, I spent a good five minutes looking for it. I paid for it, with MY own money! You have to wear it."

"House stop it, your going to wrinkle my ti- House! I'm not wearin-Get your fingers out of there!!"

House pulled his fingers out from under Wilson shirt, grinning devilishly at the now flushed Wilson. His face was red and his chest rose and fell with his huffs. He looked so cute flustered.

"Come on Wilson....for me?"

Wilson glared up at the man, he could keep saying no and fighting him but House wouldn't back down. Not if it mean Wilson's embarrassment. With a sigh of defeat, he let House remove his old tie and begin to knot the new one. "I can't believe I'm doing this."

"I can't believe its not butter! Look how smoothly it glides into place!"

Wilson covered his face with his hands again as House finished up. House took great care not to mess up Wilson's shirt, pulling his collar up before tucking it over the straps. Once done, he pulled his hands away, letting his fingers brush along his shoulders. Wilson lowered his arms helplessly to his side, glaring still up at his friend. House only smiled, taking his cane back into his hand.

"You look good Wilson."

"Thanks, that means alot coming from you." He muttered looking away. "Oh dont be such a downer, here. Will this make you feel better?"

Wilson looked back up to watch his best friend limp away to the side of the stage, only to return with an object in which he shoved onto his own head.

Wilson could not hold it in.

Laughing out, Wilson covered his mouth with his hand at the sight of House grinning, wearing a black witches hat.

They both laughed. Wilson couldn't stop the grinning that came from his face. Oddly enough, seeing House acting...not like himself, but more carefree and childish, almost acting like how he was before his leg. It touched Wilson and made him smile.

"Its time your guys."

They both turned to look at Lisa, who only rose a brow.

"I wont ask."

"It would be best." House agreed before walking to the center on the stage. Being given his head set, he slipped it onto his ear while Wilson nervously did the same. "H-House." Wilson muttered.

House only sighed before stomping his cane on the floor. "If your nervous, just picture everyone in their underwear.... I'm sure some are picturing it on you already." Wilson blushed but House only smirked, "Then again, I bet half the people out there already saw you in your underwear, or none at all. Dirty nurses."

"House this is NOT helping me!" He hissed, hearing Cuddy take her spot outside the curtain and announcing the next performance. House pressed his lips a little before turning to the side. Grabbing Wilsons chin, he pulled his friends head towards his own.

"Wilson! James look at me." Those brown orbs widen and stared up into his own. They showed the fear, the nervous. Wilson was scared to perform, scared about the mocking and the jokes. Sighing a little, House whispered, pressing his thumb roughly against his friends chin.

"If you feel nervous, just look at me." Wilson began to speak but House only tugged his chin, "Just look at me and no one else. Just like at my apartment, no one else is here. Just us, you, me and the music. Just keep my eye contact and you'll be fine. Got it?"

The feel of Houses fingers on him, oddly enough, he started to feel better. Closing his eyes a little, he had the sudden urge to nuzzle into House palm, to enjoy the warmth he felt but he was snapped back into attention when he heard the crowed begin to clap.

"Looks like we're up."

Wilson nodded before turning towards the curtains. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes tightly. He had been preparing for this all week. Make sure he was in tune, make sure he didn't miss a beat, make sure he didn't forget the words, the movements. Keep count, keep an eye on where House was. So many things rushing threw his head he thought he would pass out.

But House touched his wrist lightly in a gentle squeeze, his voice whispering out.

"Stop thinking.. You'll be fine. I'm right behind you."

Opening his eyes a little, he looked over his shoulder, back at his friend who kept his eyes forward, his face covered in focus yet his hand held onto him gently. Bowing his head a little, Wilson pulled his hand, letting his fingers touch Houses own, giving them a gentle squeeze back.

Looking back forward, he curled his fingers into Houses again a little more tightly as the curtains began to part.

"Lets get this over with."


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