“You deserve more than that.” Cord cupped his face gently. “We both do.”
“The kitchen needs updating,” Billy said, blinking rapidly as his eyes filled with tears. “And that guest room carpet is horrific.”
“Bullet would help us rip it out,” Cord said immediately. “He loves demo work. He claims it’s a great way to let his aggression out.”
Billy chuckled at the idea of a rampant alpha tearing up carpet. “Cece will want to pick paint colors. And Tristan is going to insist on staging every room perfectly.”
“It’s a good thing we have the friends we do, then, isn’t it?” Cord pulled him close, his arms warm and solid across Billy’s back. “What do you think? Should we make an offer?”
Billy looked back at the house - their potential home. He could see it already: his coffee mug on the kitchen counter, Cord’s boots by the front door, maybe eventually a kid’s drawings on the fridge. The vision should have terrified him. Instead, it felt like coming home.
“Yeah,” he said, surprising himself with how steady his voice sounded. “Let’s do it.”
Janet practically vibrated with excitement when they told her they wanted to make an offer. As she pulled out her tablet to start the paperwork, Billy’s phone buzzed.
Cece: How’s house hunting going??? Tristan’s already picked out paint swatches just in case.
Billy snapped a quick photo of the front of the house and sent it. The response was immediate.
Cece: OMG IT’S PERFECT
Tristan: THAT PORCH THO…
Cece: When can we come see it???
Tristan: I call dibs on decorating the guest rooms
“Your friends?” Cord asked, reading over his shoulder.
“They’ll be planning the housewarming party next,” Billy said, with a grin. “They’ve probably already called Bullet asking for his ideas, too.”
“Sounds like we’ve made a decision then.” Cord looked at Janet and nodded.
“Alright,” Janet said brightly. “Let’s write up this offer and get you boys into your new home!”
/~/~/~/~/
Billy traced lazy patterns on Cord’s chest, his head tucked under his mate’s chin. The house viewing had gone well - maybe too well. His mind kept circling back to that third bedroom, the one with morning light streaming through east-facing windows.
“Hey,” he said softly, pressing his palm flat against Cord’s heartbeat. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.” Cord’s voice rumbled through his chest, his hand sliding up and down Billy’s spine in slow, soothing strokes.
Billy bit his lip, gathering courage. he wasn’t sure what the protocol was for talking about sensitive topics.I’m not going to know until I ask.“Do you... Did you want kids?”
Cord’s hand stilled for just a moment before resuming its path. “That’s quite the question, sweetheart.”
“I know.” Billy lifted his head to look at his mate properly. “It’s just…that house today. That third bedroom with the lovely light. I started thinking...” he trailed off, suddenly unsure. They’d been mated for less than two weeks. Was it too soon for this conversation?
“What were you thinking?” Cord’s dark eyes were warm, encouraging.
“I never thought I’d have the chance,” Billy admitted, the words tumbling out. “After my parents... Gods, I need to stop referencing them, I know, but you know I figured I’d always be alone. No mate, definitely no family. But now” - he gestured between them - “now everything’s different.”
Cord shifted, propping himself up on one elbow so he could cup Billy’s face with his free hand. “You want pups?”
“Maybe?” Billy’s cheeks heated. “I mean, not right this second. We just met, and you have your work, and I have my freelance gigs, and we don’t even have the house yet, but” - he took a breath - “Yeah. Someday. If you wanted them too.”
“Billy.” Cord’s thumb stroked across his cheekbone. “I spent years thinking my job was all I’d ever have. Told myself I was fine with that, especially after…” he paused, and Billy knew he was thinking about Rapid. “But then I scented you on Cece’s clothes and everything changed.”
