He watches him move, watches how he shifts in his lap, how he lays his cheek against the piano bench, glancing back up at him, and in the wake of Chase admitting that he hadn't been able to sleep with him, that they'd tried but he got scared and that's why they broke up, House wants to rush and say that he doesn't expect Chase to sleep with him to earn a place to stay. It'd be a nice perk, but he's not going to push for more than he wants. He's an ass, but he's not a monster.

But he doesn't manage to get anything out before Chase continues, tells him he doesn't scare him and House stays quiet to listen. He rambles on, gets it all out in one rush of breath, and House can't help the little hint of a smile at what he says. Now isn't the time to tell him that Brett is not at all the kind of guy he wanted to settle down with, because the truth is that he isn't, either, and saying something now will hint that he thinks he might be, or should be. Instead, he quietly rubs a circle over Chase's sore ass, and just pats him gently.

"I think about fucking you, too," is what he finally settles on saying, and he feels as though there should be something else. Some explanation as to why Chase feels okay with him but not Brett, but it's nothing House wants to speculate on. So he fills the empty space with a spank, not quite as hard as before, but enough to smart on that bright, hot cheek.