Movie night

In the end House and Cameron had decided on Italian food. The former was currently engaged in dividing up the pizza, which had come free with the pasta dishes, between them. The latter, however, was not impressed. "It's funny how all the meat seems to have mysteriously materialised on your slices, huh?". She began to pick off a few pieces and redistribute them more evenly. "There we go. I think this is a fairer representation".

House rolled his eyes as he began to shovel spaghetti carbonara onto his plate. "Ugh, goddam communist. It's people like you who drag America down. When I'm president, you and your kind will be forcibly re-educated".

Cameron went to the fridge and retrieved a couple more beers. "Fighting words from a man who just lost a race and a hundred dollars".

"I let you win. If you don't realise that then I'm afraid I can't help you". The pair moved over to the sofa and sank into it.

Cameron pretended to swoon as she handed over a beer. "My hero! Cheers".

The two clinked drinks and took a glug. House didn't mention it, but it was a major positive in his book that she had a well-stocked alcohol supply. He'd spotted plenty of beer and a selection of wines in a rack on the wall. The only thing missing was a liquor section but that was something they could work on together. If this relationship had any chance of succeeding, he was going to have to convert her to whiskey. Ideally scotch.

"Sooo…cricket?".

House took an enormous mouthful of pasta which he chewed thoughtfully. "Not so fast. You tell me one of your hobbies first. I still don't know much about you and I don't like it".

The other tilted her head slightly. "Alright. Let's see…you already know that I run, read, and play clarinet".

House looked up from a pizza slice. "Oh, that reminds me. I'd still like to play together at some point".

"Fine. Other than that, I like typical things. Going to the movies and-".

"-whoa, hey, I said only one hobby. Don't deprive me of the opportunity to find out more in my own time".

Cameron sighed good-naturedly at this—he'd admitted several weeks ago, in the office before their first date, that he was looking forward to discovering what was in her brain. For House, everything, even as simple a thing as a hobby, was a puzzle to be unravelled. This aspect of his personality was what intrigued her the most. It was also the one aspect of their relationship that needed careful management, because she feared what would happen if, one day, there were no more questions. She hated harbouring such insecurity, but it couldn't be helped. House was unique, but she wasn't.

"What kind of movies do you like, then?", he asked, seemingly oblivious to the turning of her mind.

"I like a lot, though I'm a sucker for a romantic comedy", she admitted, taking another mouthful of food.

"Star Wars?".

"Never seen it".

House looked at her seriously for a few seconds, then grinned, before returning to his plate. "Good one. You're a joker and it's a massive turn on, Camster".

"I'm being serious. I've never seen Star Wars", Cameron replied, a smile playing on her lips at House's utter confusion.

Eventually he nodded in appreciation. "You mean you've not seen the remakes. Wise. You haven't missed much".

Cameron raised her eyebrows. "They remade the films? Why on earth would they do that? I feel like needless tampering is unnecessary".

House was so perturbed that he placed his plate on the coffee table and gave the woman next to him his full focus. "Wait. You've not seen even the original trilogy?".

She noticed the other's movement, but it didn't stop her chewing her lasagne for a few moments before replying in a deliberately flippant tone: "no, sir. I mean, I like stars as much as the next girl, but wars? Bleh. Diplomacy is the way forwards, not fighting". At this, House's mouth opened and closed a couple of times but no words came out; then he stroked his cheek, as if in the middle of a particularly challenging differential diagnosis; then he folded his arms tightly across his chest, all the while being observed by an amused Cameron, who tilted her head. "Are you going to be sick again?".

"Sick? I'm not feeling sick. I'm feeling appalled that you've not seen Star Wars. Appalled, Dr. Cameron. I thought you said you liked movies".

"What's the big deal?", she retorted, munching pasta as provocatively as possible. "It's just a film".

"Just a film?! Right, tomorrow we're watching the whole trilogy". House folded his arms and set his jaw.

"Aww, really? I was kinda hoping we could just spend all day having sex like last Saturday". Cameron stretched her arms above her head in such a way that the t-shirt she had slipped on after the shower rode up, exposing her taught stomach to his view.

The man's gaze flickered but he nevertheless maintained eye contact and a stern expression.

"Wow, you're good. That's some zen-like focus. You must really like Star Wars".

"I take education very seriously indeed. And right now your film education needs some work. We can have sex whenever". House picked up his plate and resumed eating.

"I think my television knowledge is also somewhat lacking, to be honest. Maybe you'll need to, ah, work on that as well". She threw him a suggestive wink.

House stifled a smile and took a swig of beer to hide it. "Yeah, but that's gonna be a long-term job. We'll start with a few films and build up from there. By this time next year, you should be less of an embarrassment to me in the screen department".

Cameron had located the remote control and was in the process of searching for Airplane! on Netflix. But his words caused her to look around sharply. "You, umm, plan on us being together in a year's time?". Her heart beat faster. House had uttered the comment off-hand, but that made it all the more significant.

House placed his beer bottle carefully on the coffee table before meeting her eyes. "Well, I don't know. I mean, would you, er, want to be?".

"I…think I would, yes". There was no need to apply undue pressure. She had always been in this for the long haul, willing to afford him the time he needed, allowing him the initiative in dictating the terms of their romantic engagement. More than this, though, despite the strength of her own feelings, it went against her nature to confess her undying love in her lounge clothes while eating pasta. Still, she couldn't refrain from asking: "what about you?".

"There's still a lot we don't know about each other, but…I could be open to the possibility, yeah", he smiled, before continuing: "shall we get started? There are other things I'd like to do tonight, and I ain't getting any younger". House finished off his food, placed his empty plate on the coffee table, and sat back into the couch, stretching his arms out behind the other so that the fingers of his left hand tangled in her hair, brushing against the sensitive skin at the nape of her neck.

Cameron released a soft purr of satisfaction, pleased with his response and the movement of his hand. Those nimble fingers were an asset both inside and outside the hospital. Having located the film, she snuggled up and pressed play. "Are you gonna fall asleep during this?", she asked as the opening logos flashed across the screen.

"It's too early to say", House grunted. "I love the movie, but I've exercised, had a shower, eaten some food, drank some beer, and it's like…", he glanced at the clock on the wall, "…8 p.m. That's basically bedtime in the penthouse at Greg Towers. Plus, you're practically a hot water bottle at this point".

"Would you like me to sit in the chair instead? Leave this sofa to you?".

But House pulled her closer and kissed her hair, breathing in the characteristic pineapple scent. "Where are you going? I like hot water bottles".

Cameron made no reply, allowing herself to lean fully into his body, enjoying the feel of his arm around her. Just a couple of months ago she'd reflected in this very room how far away the possibility of being with House seemed. No longer. She still didn't know what had caused his sudden receptiveness to her advances. Perhaps near death had changed him somehow? It was a question she was afraid to ask, in case it caused him—or her—distress. The nightmares hadn't occurred for some time, but there was no need to risk a relapse.

The pair watched the film in silence for a good thirty or forty minutes, both laughing out loud at different points. House took a simple delight in hearing, and feeling, the sound of Cameron's laugh. Though she often smiled and chuckled, her unguarded laugh was a rarity, and it made him inexplicably warm whenever it emerged. He'd noticed this the night they'd first kissed in his office; it sounded deep and genuine, and though he was unable to see from his current position, he knew that her white teeth would be visible behind her lips; green eyes twinkling, framed by the hair that lay strewn across his chest. These thoughts caused an erotic sense to shimmer through his system.

House exhaled slowly, trying to focus on a film he'd not seen for years. But the next time she laughed, he reached across and hit pause. "OK, you need to stop that".

The tone caused Cameron to look up. "Stop what?".

"Laughing", he answered, meeting her inquisitive gaze with his own. "It's turning me on, and I need you to stop it because it's ruining film night for me".

"My laugh turns you on?", she asked, surprised.

"Yes, and I'd like you to stop. You're making it very difficult to focus on the dialogue".

"I mean, this sounds like a 'you' problem, to be honest". Cameron's face was alight with amusement, enhanced all the more by the other's apparent seriousness.

"I'm not joking. I want to watch this movie and thoughts of you are getting in the way. Kindly refrain from making any noise".

"Alright, House, you complete weirdo. I'm…sorry for exciting you? I'll be quiet as a church mouse. I give you my word as a girl scout of America, and as an avid consumer of Chicago pizza. Satisfied?".

"I feel like you're being facetious, but I'll take it".

Cameron snuggled up once more. "'Facetious' is a good one".

"I know, right?", he grinned. "I don't get to use it often, unfortunately".

"Which is odd, because you're probably the most facetious man I know". Cameron reached over and entwined her fingers in his.

"I try".

They resumed the film, Cameron being sure to keep her mirth under control. But House's admission had given her an idea. If he wasn't going to allow her to enjoy the film as she wanted, then it was only fair that she return the favour. After about ten minutes, she allowed her spare hand to drift down to his thigh. The slacks she had given him to wear were thin, though he showed no indication that he was aware of the movement. She waited a few moments before trailing upwards.

This did elicit a growl. "Can't you wait until the end of the film?".

"No", she whispered, "I can't".

House sighed but did nothing as she edged along his inner thigh. She took his hand, which was resting loosely across her shoulders, and slipped it down to her waist, to the bare skin between the hem of her grey pants and that of the t-shirt.

"I'm trying to watch this", he muttered, nevertheless beginning to draw little circles with his fingertips, dipping just under the waistband every now and then.

"You can multitask". Cameron, who had given up all pretence, turned her head to the side and planted feather-light kisses on his cheek.

House remained looking forwards stubbornly, refusing to reply, and his fingers stilled. Cameron's however, continued until they reached their destination.

"Hmm", she breathed into his ear, "how much of this are you able to take, House?".

"I told you a while ago. My will is iron, more so when TV is on the line". Still he kept his eyes on the screen.

"That's fine. I like a challenge", she replied, tracing his shape through the cotton while gently biting his earlobe. She hadn't bothered giving him underwear to change into since these clothes were only ever going to be worn for a couple of hours. House's breathing was regular, despite Cameron's attentions. Time to raise the stakes. She brushed her lips once again to his stubble, while also using a hand to cover his, which had remained at her waist. Then, she slowly pushed his hand southwards, underneath the hem of her slacks.

House's gaze flickered. If he'd glanced down, he would have been able to see the ripple in Cameron's pants. As it was, he could feel the warm smoothness of her skin under his fingertips. Though his eyes never left the screen, his attention had been well and truly diverted. She guided him towards her groin, unable to prevent her breathing from shallowing out. "How are you feeling? Excited yet?", she asked, spreading her legs a little to create more space.

"No", he replied in a low voice.

"Do you mind if I consult on that? With patients, it's safer not to take them at their word", Cameron breathed, dipping her other hand under the waist of his pants and grasping him directly. "What have we here? You just told me a barefaced lie, Dr. House. I ought to punish you, but I've been thinking about this all week". She began to caress him with slow strokes, trying to force his attention away from the television, though the clothes were making it tricky.

"You've been thinking about Airplane! all week?". House was determined to hold on until the end credits. Still he refused to look at the other.

"Not quite. More like…this". She started to touch herself with House's fingers.

"Fuck", he growled, "you're already wet…". Cameron had remained in close throughout all this, and he could feel her hot breath against his cheek.

"I've been wet for the last twenty minutes, Gregory", she replied, releasing soft murmurs of pleasure.

The use of his first name, combined with Cameron's attentions, was the final straw. House's head snapped to the side, and his blue eyes were dark. He withdrew his hand and used it to tilt her face upwards, intentionally drawing the woman's own moisture across her skin. "You are…impossible, Dr. Cameron".

"Would you have me any other way, Dr. House?".

"Absolutely not", he laughed. "I'm hungry".

"We ate, like, an hour and a half ago".

House raised an eyebrow before springing to his feet and taking her by the hand. "Always so literal…".

"Oh, I see what you did there". Cameron gave a grin and allowed him to lead her to the bedroom, crouching down to turn the television off as they walked past it.

Dessert awaited.