Wrapping his arms around Walker, Fernando shook him. “You’re my person, Walker. Do you know how important that is? I’ve never had a person of my own. You have my back, and I have yours. Of course, I want your pictures hanging on my walls. I want every bit of you I can get.”
“Me.” Walker huffed out a laugh. “You’re really mine, aren’t you?”
Fernando settled his head on Walker’s shoulder. “Yes.”
They stood there a while, soaking in one another’s presence. The house was peaceful. Beans snored from the couch, and the television played a soccer game. Piles of laundry lined the hallway, and the washer shook as it changed cycles.
Walker wrapped his arms around Fernando and hugged him tightly.My omega, he thought again and again.
Beans stirred on the couch, head raising and searching the room. Spying Walker, he woofed happily and rolled until he stood on his feet. Two big jumps, he was right beside them, standing on his back legs to join the hug, tail wagging furiously.
“I love you, Fernando.” Walker couldn’t keep the words inside any longer. Was it too soon? Yes, but he didn’t want another second to go by without his omega knowing how he felt.
Fernando’s eyes widened, and he slowly smiled. “Really? Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Walker said, eyes full of amazement. “I knew you were special the night we met, but what I feel for you is more than I thought possible. I’ve never loved someone, Ferdie.”
“I love you too,” Fernando whispered. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
Beans barked and jumped up.
Walker caught him and pulled him into their arms. “Damn, he’s huge.” Walker laughed. “We love you too, Beans.”
The large dog woofed, then jumped out of their arms to run in circles around them.
“Want to go on a walk?” Fernando asked Walker.
Even though he’d love nothing more than to sit down and fall asleep on the couch, Walker couldn’t say no to both Fernando and Beans.
“Sure.”
“You brought your things, right? You’re staying the night?” Fernando gave him a worried look.
“Yeah, my bag is on my bike.” Walker ran his hand over his short hair, feeling his ears heat up. He knew they were red as tomatoes, but he didn’t care. His omega wanted him to stay.
They walked together, hand in hand, letting Beans lead them on his leash. It was still hot, but the day was turning to night, and the temperature would be more comfortable in another hour or so.
“The apartment building has a pool and a hot tub. There’s a small balcony off the living room, but our neighbor smokes, so I haven’t been going out there much.”
Walker liked that he always used 'our' instead of 'my'. “You sure about me moving in? I got approval already, but the barracks aren’t terrible if you want to take it slower.”
Fernando snorted. “I want you with me, Walker. Fuck the barracks. We have an apartment. What’s something you have always wanted to do with your own space? We do have an extra room.”
Walker thought about it. One of the reasons he liked his job was because he’d learned so many skills while training. A combat engineer had a lot of responsibilities, ranging from constructing and maintaining roads to employing explosives. His favorite part was, of course, the explosives, but that wasn’t something he could bring into the apartment.
He winced. “You said you didn’t like cooking, right?”
Fernando shrugged. “I didn’t like having to cook for the alphas of the house like my dad expected me to. I’m actually really good at cooking; I just don’t have a use for it.”
“Do you think you could teach me?”
Fernando grinned, eyes lighting up. “I would love that. Gabs and I cook with Valentina all the time. We’re teaching her Mom’s recipes. What kind of things do you want to cook?”
Walker shrugged. “Anything really.”
“I’ll start making plans.” Fernando swung their hands back and forth. “Cooking with other people is so much better than cooking alone. Now, how do you feel about doing laundry?”
Walker laughed. “Better than you, I think. That was a lot of clothes in the hampers for just a week.”
