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Wilson gradually became aware that he was awake. It felt like he was being forcefully dragged from unconsciousness and the comforting nothingness of quiet, dreamless sleep. He opened his eyes into the pitch-black room. He waited for his eyes to adjust but not a hint of sun came through the windows, telling him that it was either rather early or rather late. Next, he became aware of the cold. It had seeped into his hands and his feet while he was sleeping, settling there and spreading through his body. He rolled onto his side, pulling his blanket closer around him and all too aware that he had spent the last several nights sleeping on a couch. House’s couch no less. His nose was cold and all together, it made trying to quickly get to sleep again difficult. How was it this cold? House’s apartment wasn’t usually freezing even in the middle of winter with snow outside like there was currently.
He tossed and turned a few moments more, trying to get warm. It was relatively quiet in the small apartment apart from the soft hum from the fridge and the rustling of Wilson’s bedding as he tried to get comfortable. Combined with the darkness, it would be perfect for sleeping if it weren’t so damn cold. Sighing, he realised there was no chance of falling back asleep like this.
Wilson waited another moment before he rolled to his feet and stood up from the couch. He was going to find House and at the very least, annoy him and keep him up so Wilson wasn’t alone. The floor was cold on his bare feet and the cold air enveloped him as he left his spot of little warmth on the couch. He stepped carefully through the darkness, taking care not to knock anything over or bump into any of House’s possessions.
House was a relatively light sleeper, so when Wilson entered his bedroom and stood over him lying peacefully in his bed he was already close to consciousness. But that didn’t stop him from waking with a start and an unhappy grunt when Wilson prodded him in the shoulder unceremoniously with a finger.
“House, your apartment is freezing,” Wilson said, mostly deadpan, without regard for his best friend's sleepiness.
He couldn’t quite stop the smile playing across his lips when House grumbled something unintelligible back while rubbing his face. Wilson could barely see the other man in the darkness, but he knew the exact slightly annoyed frown on his face right now. Wilson placed his hands on his hips and watched House wake up a little more.
“The heating mustn’t be on or it’s just broken,” Wilson continued, watching House as he turned onto his back and let out a huffing breath.
“Well if that isn’t a problem for the morning, I don’t know what is,” House replied, his voice still filled with sleep but also some of his usual sarcasm.
“Yes, but I’m cold now,” Wilson complained, hugging his arms to his body both for emphasis and because the chilly air had wrapped around him, cutting through his pyjamas and trailing over his skin.
House didn’t respond for a moment, instead he moved himself to the other side of the bed and tossed back the covers where he had been lying in front of Wilson. He settled into his new position and looked back at Wilson expectantly.
“C’mere then,” House said, inviting Wilson into his bed, holding the covers up for him.
“House-” Wilson began to protest, rolling his eyes but sitting on the edge of the bed anyway.
“Come on,” House said with a smirk, wrapping a strong arm around Wilson’s waist and pulling him into his bed properly.
Wilson giggled and let himself fall into the big bed, right into the spot where House had been asleep. It was perfectly warm and he pulled the covers up and over his body as he settled in. He lay on his side with his back to House, but House shuffled closer and put an arm around his middle, holding him close. House’s long fingered hand brushed over Wilson’s exposed wrist in the process, warm against cold.
“You really are cold,” House said, laughing softly, curving around Wilson and snuggling in.
Wilson just hummed lightly in response. Their bodies fit together nicely and Wilson revelled in the gentle warmth from House pressed up all along his back. The cold began to dissipate, mostly due to House hugging him close and sharing his heat. He would never admit it, but when he was tired, House really was quite the cuddler.
It felt right when House leaned over him and pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of Wilson’s mouth. Wilson turned a little to properly reciprocate the slow, sleepy kiss. The heavenly touch of House’s lips and rough stubble had Wilson utterly lost for a moment. The soft slide of their lips in the darkness felt like home. Wilson was happy, he couldn’t stop smiling into the kiss even as House carefully pulled away, his warm breath ghosting over Wilson’s face as their eyes met. House briefly kissed him on the cheek before settling back down with arms looped around him protectively. This was how it was meant to be all along.
Surely this would have to be talked about in the morning. Or they might just not, letting it be another event in their relationship that remained unspoken. Wilson didn’t mind either way, he was happy right now in House’s arms.
House’s arms around him were comforting. The safeness was unparalleled, Wilson could get used to this. He let his eyes fall closed, relaxing into the soft sheets and House’s loving embrace. He felt warmer now, not only physically but his heart felt warmed. House could be caring and vulnerable, just not very frequently. Maybe Wilson would have the spring himself on the other doctor more often.
“Goodnight House,” Wilson said happily, smiling into his words.
“Goodnight Wilson,” House muttered back with contentedness in his voice.