Chapter Text
Your nerves were eating at you, you stood in the black dress that Allison helped you pick out and your black heels to match. The wind blew sharply around you and you started to wonder why you were here in the first place. Allison popped out in front of you, a wide smile on her face. She was wearing a blue dress that complimented her well.
"Y/n! you made it!" She pulled you into a hug, pulling away quickly and admiring your hairstyle, telling you how gorgeous you looked.
"Hopefully I don't regret coming." The last memory of you and House resurface and you couldn't help but internally cringe, how stupid had you been to assume he would care even the slightest.
"Oh hush, you'll love it." She dragged you in with her, showing the people at the entrance of the ball her invitation. You were whisked away to a small group of people, the only guy you recognised was Chase from your very brief meeting.
"Oh hey, Y/n right?" He flashed a smile and you felt surprised that he even remembered your name.
"Yeah, hi." You scolded yourself for how awkward that was, turning to talk to Allison to see she had already left you alone. Typical.
"Cameron said she was bringing a friend but I didn't think it would be you." The sound of Chase's voice brought you back to him, a smile pulling at your lips.
"It took some convincing on her part." He chuckled at that, nodding his head.
"I'm not much of a fan of these myself. Just come for the free food and drink." He points to the food table and you feel the smile on your face falter slightly when you see Wilson with another woman on his arm. So House was telling the truth, you regained your composure, turning back to Chase.
"It's for a good cause I suppose." You looked over at the decoration around the Ball, far more elegant than anything you had ever laid eyes on. The music changed and you saw people begin to grab their dance partners.
"You dance?" Chase spoke up beside you but you shook your head.
"No… but I know someone who does." You gestured to Allison who was now walking towards you with a smile and Chase immediately caught on, walking to her and whispering in her ear hesitantly. She flashed you a smile before going off with Chase. You couldn't help but feel a little proud of yourself for giving him an encouraging push. You moved out of the way, grabbing a drink from one of the waiters and moved to lean against a wall. Your eyes drifted over the dance floor, lingering a little longer than necessary on Wilson and his new girlfriend, laughing and stumbling with one another.
"Do you make a habit of watching couples dancing?" You didn't have to turn to know who spoke, his voice familiar, you closed your eyes before turning to him.
"Oh is that what they're doing? Sorry I'm such an idiot I had no idea." You sarcastically reply, throwing his words back in his face and you can see that he falters slightly.
"You know I didn't mean it like that." You let out a scoff, rolling your eyes at him.
"Yeah so what did you mean?" You turned to face him, he was close and you hated the way you blushed at the proximity.
"You were an idiot for thinking someone like Wilson deserves you." You frowned in confusion, wondering if he really meant what he was saying or if this was another way to get you to let your guard down.
"That's ridiculous to sa-" You were cut off by the music changing, people falling into a different dance now. House glances over at the dance floor, a torn look on his face.
"Dance with me." The words are abrupt and you look up at him in disbelief.
"What?" You shake your head, your eyes narrowing at him.
"Are you hard of hearing as well?" He gave you a challenging look, leaning his cane against the wall and you wonder if this will cause him pain.
"Wait. Your leg…" You gesture to it not sure what else to say, he scowls momentarily and then turns to you.
"Don't make me change my mind." He grabs your hand, walking the best he could to the outskirts of the dance floor. His grip on your hand tightens as he reaches out for your waist, his hand resting just above your hips. You in turn place a hand on his shoulder and the music picks up, he leads, and you're surprised that he knows the basic waltz. You stumble slightly but he says nothing, his eyes are only on you, and you find his gaze too piercing. He spins you and you force yourself to ignore his grunt of pain, knowing if you said anything you'd only ruin this moment. Before you know it you're laughing softly, a giddy feeling in your chest as the two of you stumble. House frowns slightly, you were dancing with him as if he wasn't crippled, your smile wide and true. He gazed around the ballroom, his eyes locking with Wilson's and he finds his grip on you tighten, his fingers digging into your waist slightly yet you say nothing. He wills himself to look back down at you, an unreadable expression on his face as you giggle. Eventually the song comes to a close and House feels like he can't breathe, his leg feels like it's on fire and yet he knows that he'd do it again if you asked. Quickly he hobbles back to his cane, grabbing it and making a beeline to one of the balconies. You follow, calling out to him in a confused tone.
"House!?" You push past people, finally catching up with him. He has his back to you, cane clattering to the floor as he braces himself on the bannister of the balcony. "House?" Your voice is softer, approaching him slowly and placing a hand hesitantly on his shoulder. He spins around, his jaw clenched and his eyes almost looking frantic.
"What are you doing?" The question cuts through the cool breeze, and makes you freeze.
"What?" You shake your head, your hand dropping off his shoulder in disbelief.
"What are you doing to me?" The words leave his lips in a hushed whisper, and you wouldn't have heard it if you weren't standing so close to him, your chests almost touching.
"I don't know what you mean." You frowned slightly but he was so close. When was he so close? His hand came up, slightly shaky and brushed a strand of your hair behind your ear, his hand moving to cup the side of your face.
"Say no." He muttered, his eyes practically begging him yet you couldn't get the words out, your lips parted slightly and he let out almost a strained groan. "Say no, please." Your hands moved on their own, grabbing the front of his blazer and tugging him closer, he moved quickly so your back was pressing against the bannister.
"Please." You breathed out and before you could continue he moved, his lips pressing against yours shyly. You immediately kissed him back, your hands moving and tangling in his hair. His hands possessively cupped the side of your face, forcing you to him as his teeth nipped at your bottom lip. His tongue pressed against yours and you could feel your legs shaking. You whimpered out his name, his fingers threading through your hair. Then he pulled away, looking down at you with an expression you could only describe as regret. You stayed silent not wanting to be the reason he leaves. His mouth opens and closes before he moves away, grabbing his cane and leaving you alone on the balcony.