“I know.” Billy squeezed back, drawing comfort from his mate’s solid presence. “It’s just... I’ve never done this before. Looked at houses to buy, I mean. My parents’ place was the only home I knew until...”
He didn’t need to finish. Cord pulled him close, pressing a kiss to his temple. “You made a home for yourself regardless, and now we’ll make our own home together. Wherever that ends up being.”
They walked up the cracked concrete path together. Billy was already cataloguing the details he knew his friends would want to hear about. The porch needed new boards in places, butthe foundation looked solid. Good bones, as they said on those renovation shows Tristan loved.
“Look at this.” Billy pointed to a corner of the yard where someone had started a raised garden bed. “We could grow herbs. Maybe tomatoes.”
“You want to garden?” Cord sounded amused but pleased.
“I don’t know. Maybe?” Billy shrugged, feeling his cheeks heat. “I’ve never had the chance to try. I’ve always lived in my little house where the most I could manage was a sad succulent on my desk.”
“Which you killed,” Cord teased gently.
“Which I killed,” Billy agreed with a laugh. “Maybe I’d have better luck with growing plants outside.”
A silver sedan pulled up behind Cord’s truck, and a middle-aged woman in a sharp pantsuit emerged, waving cheerfully. “You must be Cord and Billy. I’m Janet. So sorry I’m running a few minutes behind - traffic was murder downtown.”
She bustled up the path, keys jangling, and Billy found himself automatically stepping closer to Cord. His alpha’s scent wrapped around him, calming his nerves.
“Now, this is a nineteen twenties craftsman, four bedrooms, four and a half baths,” Janet said, unlocking the front door. “The previous owners did some updates about five years ago - new electrical, plumbing, HVAC - but kept all the original character. It sits on five acres, so you’ll have plenty of privacy here. Come on in.”
The front door opened directly into the living room which had gleaming hardwood floors and a brick fireplace. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting geometric patterns across the built-in bookshelves that flanked the fireplace.
“Oh,” Billy breathed, immediately drawn to the shelves. “I could put my books here. I’ve collected a few over the years, although most of the time they live in boxes under my desk. These shelves are perfect.”
“Kitchen’s through here,” Janet continued, leading them through an archway. “They kept the original cabinets but updated the appliances.”
Billy barely heard her, too busy running his fingers along the smooth wood of the doorframe. The kitchen had a breakfast nook with a built-in bench and a huge island. He could already picture himself working on his laptop there while Cord made coffee.
“What do you think?” Cord asked quietly while Janet rattled on about square footage.
“It feels...” Billy searched for the right word. “Safe. Do you know what I mean? Like the wood is wrapping around us and keeping us safe.”
“I like that idea for our home.” Cord smiled.
They followed Janet upstairs, where the master bedroom overlooked the backyard. Billy pressed his face to the window, spotting a massive oak tree with branches perfect for a swing.
“The office is just down the hall,” Janet said. “The previous owner worked from home, too, so it’s already wired for…”
“Can we see it?” Billy interrupted, then flushed. “Sorry. I just -my work setup is really important to me.”
“Of course!” Janet beamed. “Right this way.”
The office was smaller than the master but had two windows and enough space for his desk setup. Billy mentally arranged his monitors, already calculating where he’d need to add outlets for his equipment.
“I could work here,” he said softly to Cord. “Really work. I feel like I could build something solid here, not just survive.”
Cord’s hand found the small of his back. “Then we should think seriously about it.”
They spent another twenty minutes exploring. Billy was fascinated by the basement workshop and imagined Cord making things there. Cord was busy checking out the foundations, tapping on the wood framing, and asking about the roof and all the other structural elements. After a thorough walk through, Janet tactfully gave them space to talk privately in the backyard.
“It needs work,” Cord said, nudging a loose porch board with his boot. “But nothing we couldn’t handle. The structure’s sound, roof’s only a few years old according to the listing.”
“We?” Billy looked up at him, still not quite believing this was real. “I’m not sure I’m very good with a hammer.”
“I’ll help you.” Cord grinned, but then he turned serious, cupping Billy’s face with his hands. “Billy, I want to build a proper life with you. A real life in a real home we’ve created together.”
Billy’s throat felt tight. “I’ve never... I mean, since my parents kicked me out, I’ve never thought about living in a family home again. My place was just somewhere for me to work and sleep.”
