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It was Christmas Eve and House was getting home from work with his coworker and temporary roommate, Wilson. Christmas was boring to House, since he was an Atheist and he figured since Wilson was Jewish, he wouldn't like Christmas either. Oh boy was he wrong. As the two doctors entered the apartment, the younger of the two immediately started pulling out Christmas decorations from the closet. Christmas decorations that the older man had never even seen before.
"What are you doing and where did you get those?" Asked House, pulling out his bottle of Vicodin and taking two pills.
"Unlike someone, I do happen to like celebrating the holidays." Was Wilson's reply, focused on setting up a Christmas tree.
"You're Jewish, why are you celebrating Christmas instead of Hanukkah?"
There was a moment of silence before Wilson looked up at his friend. "Because I want to celebrate the holidays with my best friend."
Oh. Well, that was mildly unexpected, but House wasn't going to complain. He sat down on the couch, resting his cane against the coffee table, and watched his friend turn his apartment into a Christmas wonderland. The brunette had set up a small tree and was now untangling Christmas lights. While Wilson was occupied with the lights, House had reached over and grabbed some mistletoe, hiding it underneath a couch cushion. There was a prank he was going to pull later...
After the lights were successfully untangled and placed around the tree, Wilson somehow managed to get House's help with placing decorations on the tree. Garland, tinsel, balls, candy canes, then finally the star on top. The diagnostician sat back down, rubbing his thigh, then pulling back out his bottle of Vicodin. He took four pills this time before putting it away. The oncologist then pulled out a shopping bag from the closet, opening it and pulling out three holiday sweaters. The first one was the one for himself, which was blue and silver, with snowflakes on the sleeves and a menorah in the centre of it. The second one was for House, it was green with a picture of The Grinch dressed up as Santa Claus on it. Finally the third sweater was a very small rat-sized red sweater with mistletoe on it, for Steve McQueen.
House gave Wilson an unamused look. "Steve and I are not wearing Christmas sweaters."
Wilson promptly ignored his best friend and put his own sweater on, then went to get Steve. The rat was just chilling in his cage, drinking water. The brunette opened the cage and picked up Steve very gently, carefully putting the little rat sweater on him. Steve looked very adorable in his little sweater, even House thought so. Wilson then put the rat back into his cage.
"Do I need to dress you too?" Ask Wilson, making eye contact with House, hands on his hips.
House's eyes went wide at the question. He was almost speechless. "No, I'm good, thanks." Was all he could say. Well damn, now he had to wear the stupid fucking sweater. Ugh.
The diagnostician put on his Christmas sweater and then rolled his eyes, glaring at his friend. Wilson smiled, knowing that just getting House to wear a Christmas sweater was enough of a win. His dimple caught House's attention, making him half-smile back.
"Are you making a Christmas feast or can we just order takeout?" Asked House, both feeling kind of hungry and curious as to what Wilson had planned.
"I'm not cooking, order a pizza while I get some money for it." Replied Wilson, knowing very well that his friend wouldn't want a huge elaborate holiday meal.
Once the pizza was ordered and Wilson got his wallet ready, House invited his friend to sit beside him on the couch while they waited. Now was the perfect time to prank him...
Wilson sat down next to House, only to be dragged closer. The diagnostician took the mistletoe he had hidden earlier and placed it above him and his best friend. The brunette looked up with wide eyes, then back at his friend.
"House..."
"Christmas tradition is that two people kiss when under mistletoe." Said House, his blue eyes sparkling with both mischief and playfulness.
Wilson and House both hesitantly leaned forward to make their lips meet. House had very dry lips, while Wilson's were smooth and tasted like cherry lip balm. It was a nice kiss and neither doctor wanted it to end. After a few more seconds, House and Wilson both pulled away from each other, Wilson's doe-like brown eyes meeting House's blue eyes.
A knock on the front door startled both men. Wilson quickly grabbed his wallet and quickly stood up, making his way to answer the door. He greeted the pizza deliverer and paid for the pizza, tipping very generously. He brought the pizza and placed it on the coffee table, grabbing himself a slice and sitting back down next to House, who reached over and grabbed his own slice.
After each of the men ate a few slices of pizza, Wilson leaned his head against House's shoulder. The two of them were now wrapped up in a blanket while snuggling on the couch. It was quite relaxing, to be honest.
"House?" Wilson looked up at his friend.
"Yeah?" House made eye contact with the brunette.
"Did you have fun today?"
"That depends, can you kiss me again? I can get the mistletoe..."
"No need."
Wilson and House pressed lips once again, both smiling in the process. Wilson's left cheek formed his signature dimple, which melted House's heart. This was quite a good Christmas celebration. Nothing could be more perfect. House was very happy that he let Wilson con him into celebrating the holidays. He wished that everyday could be a holiday so he could celebrate with his best friend. The older man looked at the time and it had just turned midnight.
"Merry Christmas, Wilson."
"Merry Christmas, House."
Wilson then smiled once more and snuggled up closer to House, closing his eyes. House did the same, holding Wilson tighter in his arms. The two of them gently dozed off on the couch together, eager to spend Christmas morning together.