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The first time they used it, Sam was actually home.
Even though he had reassured them that yes, I want you to have it and yes, that means you can use it, it was still such a foreign feeling. To just let themselves into his home.
To know that they were wanted.
So they settled on texting him before coming over. Which was something they had gotten better at, now that this breakthrough had taken place.
It took them about a month to use it when Sam wasn’t home. He had gone out with Vincent to one of the Solaire properties, to help with some maintenance work, and wouldn’t be back for at least another half-hour.
Use the key, Darlin’, he had reminded them via text. Make yourself at home.
Home.
Funny how that word held so much significance now. They had never really felt at home before. Bouncing back and forth from Washington to Dahlia. Cycling between friend and once-were-friend groups . They had a past full of unrest and no place to land.
But now they had Sam. Sam and his home were pure safety. Warmth. Acceptance. Love.
That night they had made some tea for the both of them to share when he finally returned.
It took a few more weeks after that, to use it when Sam wasn’t home, and didn’t give him a heads up beforehand. They had decided to come over after a pack meeting.
Asher had asked about their new necklace before the meeting started.
It’s a key to Sam’s house, they had explained.
Sam gave you a key? Asher hadn’t been surprised.
That’s what mates are supposed to do, right? They had retorted.
Asher only replied with a knowing smile.
Mate. Just thinking about the word made their entire core thrum.
-
They were in the kitchen when Sam had come home, from a clan meeting of his own.
“Darlin’?” He had caught their scent when he opened the door, so their presence was not a surprise.
“In the kitchen, Sugar,” they called back.
Sam’s eyebrows raised at the genuine nickname for him, but otherwise didn’t comment on it. Not Cowboy or Pardner or Collins. It was sweet, coming from them, and the irony of it was not lost on him.
“I didn’t know you were plannin’ on comin’ over tonight.”
“Is that a problem?” Their voice was teasing, but it had an undertone of real hesitation.
“Not at all Darlin’. Quite the opposite,” he reassured. He paused in the doorway of the kitchen, taking a deep inhale. “Are you bakin’?”
They let out a laugh at his bewilderment. “Why do you sound so shocked?”
“Just wasn’t expectin’ it, is all. What’re you makin’?”
“Butter pecan cookies. I know how much you like them,” they admit with a blush. “They should be done in a few minutes.”
“Plenty of time for a few kisses then.” Sam slips an arm around their waist, pulling them close before planting a sweet kiss to their lips. Their arms slip around his neck, and only the beeping of the oven timer is able to break the pair apart.
As they look into his gentle silver eyes, they realize that this, right here, is where they were meant to be.