One shot
"it was only just a dream...."
"Why can't you see how lovely you are?" He first thought to himself. He watched her cautiously fix her face in the bathroom mirror from the doorway, buttoning his cuffs as she applied her make-up and perfume. She then carefully slipped on her earrings, and turned to face him.
"You okay?" She asked softly. "You seem out of it today."
"I'm fine. Clearly, so are you. C'mere." He took her hand and twirled her around. Scanning her up and down, she was flawless. He pulled her into an embrace and just held her.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi," he replied. She was glowing. In the depth of his eyes, he perceived her beauty generously, captivated by her--that stare of hers. It simply drew him in; he pecked her once on the lip, which followed a loving press to the forehead. She only smiled, and he led her slowly out into the hallway and by the front door. He slipped on his coat and they were out the door. They were going out tonight--because he wanted to show her off to the world.
On the Streets
They walked down street by street downtown, like everyone else that had been out that Friday night. They took careful steps, hand in hand as each foot resounded a hard tap on the cobblestone walk. They had been going for at least fifteen minutes before Cuddy inquired where they were going.
"Somewhere I've been meaning to take you." He said. "Not that far down this street."
"Better be worth walking this long in these heels..." she smiled.
"Up over there." He gestured over to the alley, which had a hidden sign saying Scarlet. They walked in--a dark illusion filled the small hall they entered in. They walked up the stairs as music grew louder with every step--a jazzy trumpet and sax sang. In a close distance, you could make out a bar, and several sets of dining tables. On the opposite side, a reflection of that with a balcony in the bars stead. They walked through the doorway, and an ensemble was present on a low stage.
"Dr. House!" Loudly spoke the bartender. "Johnny! Get at House." He called out to a nearby waiter. Cuddy looked up at House, who just smiled back at her. The waiter strode on over to escort them to what was his usual spot: fair distance to the bar, while close to the band, while looking out the window near the balcony. They sat down, and five seconds later, glasses of wine presented in their hands.
"That's what I call service." House said. As they drank, they viewed the menu, and suddenly Cuddy began to choke on her wine. She had scanned some of the prices.
"What is this?" She asked. He didn't look out from behind his menu. She waited for a response and spoke his name.
"Shut. Up."
"I'm not eating anything. This is way too much." He only smiled and leaned over the table to reach her face.
"I know the guys. They know me. I saved this place. We only pay for the booze." He paused. "so unless you'd rather be starved, I think we should order now." He threw back some wine, and returned to his menu. She only laughed and they proceeded to figure out their dinner. After eating, they shuffled over to the lounge seats by the band and listened as the music swayed the air.
Eventually, House persuaded Cuddy to come onto the dancefloor. The band adjusted accordingly with slow songs as they glided across the floor. Whatever song played, they swung to the beat. With fast turns, fancy footwork and dramatic dips, they dominated the floor. At the end of each song, the couples would lessen and the applause for the band--as well as for them--increased. Soon enough they were the last couple, and the band set to even softer ballads for a slow dance.
It was around eleven when they both grew tired and decided to break. Cuddy was drawn towards the balcony, the stars aglow while accompanying the burnt moon. She got up from her seat, walked outside and began to zone out. House hesitated to follow, just admiring her. He carefully stepped out, as the music continued to resound. It was a night so peaceful. So serene. It was perfect.
"It got too hot in there." She spoke somewhat breathlessly. She was faced away, her attention gathered toward the downtown lights and the life of the night. He walked up a few steps and slipped his hands in his pockets.
"Should I be asking if you're okay?" He asked casually.
"What?" She hesitated to answer.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Fine...just thinking about today. This almost one-year thing."
"Is that good or bad?" He asked slower. She shook her head and held onto the railing, only to turn herself around to completely face him. Her mouth opened to speak, groping for words but nothing came. She sighed in frustration and shrugged her shoulders.
"We are both...terribly screwed up people. In that we find each other. In that we find peace, we find a sense of happiness. We even find love. We found it. But. Why do I feel like I have doubts...why do I still feel like we have something missing, that things aren't going to work out?"
"How long have you been thinking about it?"
"It's on and off, day to day. Things just--happen...and it instills doubt in my mind."
"--about me...right?" He said softly. "So break it off then." Her eyes shot up like deer in the headlights.
"End it if you're scared. If you have doubts, end it."
"No! You're not going--"
"Just end it!" She didn't answer. Her eyes welled up, and she darted for an exit. She flew across the room and went to slip on her jacket, unknowingly grabbing his instead, fleeing the scene. He chased after her after grabbing her coat.
He caught her speedwalking in some other direction and limped steadily to her.
"Hey!" He grabbed her by his jacket which she had put on, and pulled her back.
"I let you walk away...652 chances you took. 653rd won't cut it this time." He said. She wiped her face of tears which left behind a somber expression. He took his hand and held her chin to bring her eyes to meet his.
"I am screwed up," he began. "and in that I know I will always be screwed up. I will--always be able to make mistakes, beyond the extent of which you are willing to forgive. I'm willing to accept that. That one day, I will do or say something stupid, and I know you will not forgive me...and I will lose you--"
"Stop that," she cut him off and took his hand off her face. "stop debasing yourself. I didn't mean it that way."
"You're scared. Stop lying to me. Now that were together, I have all the more reason to hurt you, before you can hurt me. You're afraid of being with me because of the possibility that you'll get hurt, far worse, than I have done in the past."
"Is it wrong to be scared when I've dealt with that crap for years?" Their voices began to tense. She continued.
"I don't want a love-and-hate relationship with you. I need to know that no matter what happens to us, you will be there for me to lean on. Not the other way around. I don't want to resent you--"
"Like thirteen, it goes both ways. If I so choose to spend the rest of my life with you, we lean on each other. As my part, I will do, whatever it takes. Whatever it takes to get through, understand? I am willing to face hurt. I am willing to endure it if it's you. Because in that hurt....I--It's always been you. It always will be you. I can't change that. It's somehow not in my control." He grabbed her again, by the jacket collar and kissed her. She fit into him--his every curve, every crook-n-cranny; her every bend--every dent. He let go and saw the worry in her eyes.
"I'm not gonna leave you. I see that's what you're afraid of. It's not going to be me who will end it. Ever. I need you more than you need me."
"I love you." She said.
"Then marry me," He said fast. "because I've decided to be even more selfish. I'm done sharing you."
"What?" She asked with a meek smile.
"My next puzzle fix I've decided to take is to figure out what you're doing the rest of your life." He said slow. She put her arms around his neck and be lifted her up.
"So is that a yes?" He asked.
---
He woke up in a heated sweat. He sat up in bed, staring next to him. He missed seeing the indents of the blanket on that side of the bed. Now, it was straight...flattened and pressed. The smell was gone now as well. The only thing left was his dreams every night, for those weeks straight--his devised scenarios for their anniversary, and how he would ask her to love him forever. As surreal as they were, he found a sense of release...his fears were stripped or fixed, and he could live happily in his dreams forever.
As for her, she knew of his dreams...she felt the same ones every night. There was an everlasting ache in places she didnt know she could feel...and she cried over those pains every night.
Their desires were clear...but in the face of reality, at this moment in time they could not be granted their wishes. However, if maybe time could grow their hearts...their minds...their beings, fate might take a step in once again to lead them back. To where? Where the creases in their hearts and souls connect...forever bound by an unconditional love that does not alter.
"it was only just a dream...."
"Why can't you see how lovely you are?" He first thought to himself. He watched her cautiously fix her face in the bathroom mirror from the doorway, buttoning his cuffs as she applied her make-up and perfume. She then carefully slipped on her earrings, and turned to face him.
"You okay?" She asked softly. "You seem out of it today."
"I'm fine. Clearly, so are you. C'mere." He took her hand and twirled her around. Scanning her up and down, she was flawless. He pulled her into an embrace and just held her.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi," he replied. She was glowing. In the depth of his eyes, he perceived her beauty generously, captivated by her--that stare of hers. It simply drew him in; he pecked her once on the lip, which followed a loving press to the forehead. She only smiled, and he led her slowly out into the hallway and by the front door. He slipped on his coat and they were out the door. They were going out tonight--because he wanted to show her off to the world.
On the Streets
They walked down street by street downtown, like everyone else that had been out that Friday night. They took careful steps, hand in hand as each foot resounded a hard tap on the cobblestone walk. They had been going for at least fifteen minutes before Cuddy inquired where they were going.
"Somewhere I've been meaning to take you." He said. "Not that far down this street."
"Better be worth walking this long in these heels..." she smiled.
"Up over there." He gestured over to the alley, which had a hidden sign saying Scarlet. They walked in--a dark illusion filled the small hall they entered in. They walked up the stairs as music grew louder with every step--a jazzy trumpet and sax sang. In a close distance, you could make out a bar, and several sets of dining tables. On the opposite side, a reflection of that with a balcony in the bars stead. They walked through the doorway, and an ensemble was present on a low stage.
"Dr. House!" Loudly spoke the bartender. "Johnny! Get at House." He called out to a nearby waiter. Cuddy looked up at House, who just smiled back at her. The waiter strode on over to escort them to what was his usual spot: fair distance to the bar, while close to the band, while looking out the window near the balcony. They sat down, and five seconds later, glasses of wine presented in their hands.
"That's what I call service." House said. As they drank, they viewed the menu, and suddenly Cuddy began to choke on her wine. She had scanned some of the prices.
"What is this?" She asked. He didn't look out from behind his menu. She waited for a response and spoke his name.
"Shut. Up."
"I'm not eating anything. This is way too much." He only smiled and leaned over the table to reach her face.
"I know the guys. They know me. I saved this place. We only pay for the booze." He paused. "so unless you'd rather be starved, I think we should order now." He threw back some wine, and returned to his menu. She only laughed and they proceeded to figure out their dinner. After eating, they shuffled over to the lounge seats by the band and listened as the music swayed the air.
Eventually, House persuaded Cuddy to come onto the dancefloor. The band adjusted accordingly with slow songs as they glided across the floor. Whatever song played, they swung to the beat. With fast turns, fancy footwork and dramatic dips, they dominated the floor. At the end of each song, the couples would lessen and the applause for the band--as well as for them--increased. Soon enough they were the last couple, and the band set to even softer ballads for a slow dance.
It was around eleven when they both grew tired and decided to break. Cuddy was drawn towards the balcony, the stars aglow while accompanying the burnt moon. She got up from her seat, walked outside and began to zone out. House hesitated to follow, just admiring her. He carefully stepped out, as the music continued to resound. It was a night so peaceful. So serene. It was perfect.
"It got too hot in there." She spoke somewhat breathlessly. She was faced away, her attention gathered toward the downtown lights and the life of the night. He walked up a few steps and slipped his hands in his pockets.
"Should I be asking if you're okay?" He asked casually.
"What?" She hesitated to answer.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Fine...just thinking about today. This almost one-year thing."
"Is that good or bad?" He asked slower. She shook her head and held onto the railing, only to turn herself around to completely face him. Her mouth opened to speak, groping for words but nothing came. She sighed in frustration and shrugged her shoulders.
"We are both...terribly screwed up people. In that we find each other. In that we find peace, we find a sense of happiness. We even find love. We found it. But. Why do I feel like I have doubts...why do I still feel like we have something missing, that things aren't going to work out?"
"How long have you been thinking about it?"
"It's on and off, day to day. Things just--happen...and it instills doubt in my mind."
"--about me...right?" He said softly. "So break it off then." Her eyes shot up like deer in the headlights.
"End it if you're scared. If you have doubts, end it."
"No! You're not going--"
"Just end it!" She didn't answer. Her eyes welled up, and she darted for an exit. She flew across the room and went to slip on her jacket, unknowingly grabbing his instead, fleeing the scene. He chased after her after grabbing her coat.
He caught her speedwalking in some other direction and limped steadily to her.
"Hey!" He grabbed her by his jacket which she had put on, and pulled her back.
"I let you walk away...652 chances you took. 653rd won't cut it this time." He said. She wiped her face of tears which left behind a somber expression. He took his hand and held her chin to bring her eyes to meet his.
"I am screwed up," he began. "and in that I know I will always be screwed up. I will--always be able to make mistakes, beyond the extent of which you are willing to forgive. I'm willing to accept that. That one day, I will do or say something stupid, and I know you will not forgive me...and I will lose you--"
"Stop that," she cut him off and took his hand off her face. "stop debasing yourself. I didn't mean it that way."
"You're scared. Stop lying to me. Now that were together, I have all the more reason to hurt you, before you can hurt me. You're afraid of being with me because of the possibility that you'll get hurt, far worse, than I have done in the past."
"Is it wrong to be scared when I've dealt with that crap for years?" Their voices began to tense. She continued.
"I don't want a love-and-hate relationship with you. I need to know that no matter what happens to us, you will be there for me to lean on. Not the other way around. I don't want to resent you--"
"Like thirteen, it goes both ways. If I so choose to spend the rest of my life with you, we lean on each other. As my part, I will do, whatever it takes. Whatever it takes to get through, understand? I am willing to face hurt. I am willing to endure it if it's you. Because in that hurt....I--It's always been you. It always will be you. I can't change that. It's somehow not in my control." He grabbed her again, by the jacket collar and kissed her. She fit into him--his every curve, every crook-n-cranny; her every bend--every dent. He let go and saw the worry in her eyes.
"I'm not gonna leave you. I see that's what you're afraid of. It's not going to be me who will end it. Ever. I need you more than you need me."
"I love you." She said.
"Then marry me," He said fast. "because I've decided to be even more selfish. I'm done sharing you."
"What?" She asked with a meek smile.
"My next puzzle fix I've decided to take is to figure out what you're doing the rest of your life." He said slow. She put her arms around his neck and be lifted her up.
"So is that a yes?" He asked.
---
He woke up in a heated sweat. He sat up in bed, staring next to him. He missed seeing the indents of the blanket on that side of the bed. Now, it was straight...flattened and pressed. The smell was gone now as well. The only thing left was his dreams every night, for those weeks straight--his devised scenarios for their anniversary, and how he would ask her to love him forever. As surreal as they were, he found a sense of release...his fears were stripped or fixed, and he could live happily in his dreams forever.
As for her, she knew of his dreams...she felt the same ones every night. There was an everlasting ache in places she didnt know she could feel...and she cried over those pains every night.
Their desires were clear...but in the face of reality, at this moment in time they could not be granted their wishes. However, if maybe time could grow their hearts...their minds...their beings, fate might take a step in once again to lead them back. To where? Where the creases in their hearts and souls connect...forever bound by an unconditional love that does not alter.
