Noah woke to scratching at the door.
Whining. Paw on wood.
Sunny.
Sunlight striped across the bed. Warm on his face. May morning bright and early.
Atlas's arm heavy around his waist. His breath slow against Noah's neck. Still asleep.
The scratching came again. More insistent.
Noah reached for his phone. Squinted.
Nine AM.
"It's nine," he mumbled.
Tried to sit up. Atlas's arm tightened. Pulled him back.
"Atlas—"
"Mm." Not even awake. Just holding on.
Noah smiled despite himself. Twisted around. Kissed Atlas's forehead. "Sunny needs to go out."
"I'll come."
"Sleep. I'll be quick."
"No." Atlas's eyes opened halfway. Unfocused. Drowsy. "Coming with you."
Their noses nearly touching. Morning breath and all.
"Good morning, love," Noah whispered.
Atlas's mouth curved. Slow. Sleepy. "Morning."
Leaned in. Kissed Noah soft. Lazy. No rush at all.
Noah kissed back. His hand finding Atlas's jaw. Stubble rough under his palm.
They broke apart. Atlas's eyes barely open.
"Okay. Let's go before she breaks the door down."
---
Noah opened the door. Sunny burst in like she'd been shot from a cannon.
Jumped straight onto the bed. Licked Atlas's face.
"Alright, girl." Atlas laughed. Sat up. Rubbed her head with both hands. "We're moving. I promise."
Noah changed fast. Jeans. Hoodie. The gray one Atlas liked.
Atlas pulled on yesterday's shirt. Wrinkled. Didn't care.
They did a quick sweep of Marcus's apartment. No accidents.
"Good girl," Noah said. Crouched down. Let Sunny lick his face. "You waited for us."
----
Outside. The air cool. Fresh. That perfect May temperature before the city gets sticky.
They walked toward Riverside Park. Sunny pulling ahead on the leash. Tail going like a propeller.
Atlas linked his arm through Noah's.
Neither spoke. Didn't need to.
Just walked. Sunday morning quiet. Most of the city still asleep.
The bakery on Columbus had a line already. Good sign.
They waited. Got everything. Croissants. Pain au chocolat. Coffee. Bacon. Eggs. The works.
"This is way too much food," Noah said. Bags heavy in his hands.
"It's Sunday." Atlas grinned at him. "Sunday brunch doesn't count."
Noah laughed. "That's not how calories work."
"Don't care."
----
Back at the apartment. Noah fed the animals first.
Sunny dove into her bowl like she hadn't eaten in days. Luna ate delicate. Dignified. Taking her time.
Then breakfast prep.
Atlas washed and cut strawberries. Noah cracked eggs into a bowl.
They moved around each other easy. Atlas's hand trailing across Noah's shoulders when he passed. Noah's hip bumping Atlas's when he reached for the pepper.
Couldn't seem to exist in the same space without touching.
Set everything on the table. Sat down close. Noah's knee finding Atlas's under the table immediately.
Started eating. Stealing bites from each other's plates without asking.
"So," Atlas said. Sipped his coffee. "The house."
"Our house." Noah's whole face lit up.
"What do you really want? Besides the obvious."
They started talking. Getting more animated with each new idea.
Three bedrooms minimum. Office space. Open kitchen. Tons of natural light.
"And a pool," Noah said. "I want a pool."
"Big yard. Sunny needs room to run."
"Not too far from the city though."
"Westchester maybe. Or—"
"Connecticut?"
"Too far."
They kept building on it. Interrupting each other. Laughing at themselves.
Noah picked up a chocolate croissant. Tore off a piece. Fed it to Atlas.
Chocolate smudged on Atlas's bottom lip.
Noah leaned in. Licked it off. Quick. Playful.
Atlas's eyes went wide. Then that grin. "You planned that."
"Maybe."
"Definitely."
Atlas pulled him in. Kissed him properly. Tasted like chocolate and coffee and morning.
They broke apart. Both grinning like idiots.
Looked down at the table. Somehow they'd demolished everything.
"We really were hungry," Noah said.
"Or distracted." Atlas's eyes warm. Soft.
"That too."
----
Cleaned up together. Hip checks and stolen kisses between putting dishes away.
Collapsed on the couch after. Coffee mugs warming their hands.
Atlas pulled Noah against his chest. Noah went easy. Fit there like he was made for it.
"What do you want to do today?"
"Don't know. What do you want to do?"
"Well." Atlas's fingers found Noah's hair. Started playing with it. Gentle. Absent. "We could look at furniture."
Noah tilted his head back. Looked up at him. "You want to go furniture shopping?"
"For our house." Atlas smiled down at him. "Yeah. I do."
Something warm bloomed in Noah's chest. "Okay. Yeah. Let's do it."
"But first." Atlas's eyes sparked. Mischievous.
"What?"
"Most important decision. The bed."
Noah's face went hot. "Atlas—"
"What? It is important."
Noah shoved him. Atlas laughed. Pulled him back.
"You're the worst."
"You love me."
"Unfortunately."
Atlas kissed his temple. Still laughing.
----
The shower. Definitely not big enough for two grown men.
Noah's elbow hit the wall. Atlas stepped on his foot. They both started laughing.
"This is impossible," Noah said.
"Completely." But Atlas was pulling him closer. Problem solved by eliminating space entirely.
"Better?"
"Much."
Water ran hot over them. Steam fogging the small mirror. The world shrinking to just this. Just them.
Atlas kissed him. Slow. Unhurried. His hands sliding down Noah's wet sides.
Noah's fingers found purchase on Atlas's shoulders. Slippery. Warm.
They stayed under the spray until the water started going lukewarm. Kissing. Touching. Taking their time.
Finally got out. Got dressed.
Noah handed Atlas a shirt. Black. Soft from too many washes.
"Pretty sure half my wardrobe is at your place now," Atlas said.
"I'm not complaining."
Atlas pulled it on. Noah watched. That warm feeling again.
Mine. Wearing my clothes. Here with me.
----
Left Marcus's place. Got in Atlas's car.
His phone buzzed. He checked. "Realtor sent stuff."
"Fast."
"I told her we're serious." Handed the phone to Noah. "Look through them. Tell me what you think."
Noah scrolled. Houses in Westchester. Scarsdale. Rye. Some in Connecticut. Long Island.
Started describing them. Pointing out features. Getting excited about certain ones.
Atlas drove. Glanced over more than he watched the road.
"You're supposed to be driving."
"I am driving."
"You're looking at me."
"Can do both." But Atlas's eyes were soft. That look. The one that made Noah's stomach flip.
Noah went back to the listings. Described what he liked. What he didn't.
Atlas mostly listened. Smiled at Noah's enthusiasm.
"Okay," Noah said after a while. "I like these three."
"Show me."
----
The furniture store in the Meatpacking District. Restoration Hardware.
They walked in hand in hand. Immediately overwhelmed.
"Where do we even start?" Noah asked.
"Beds?"
"You're obsessed."
"Can you blame me?"
They started trying everything. Every couch. Every chair. Every bed.
Sat. Bounced. Tested firmness. Made comments. Debated.
At one point they were both horizontal on a king-size bed. Staring at the ceiling.
"We could just stay here," Noah said.
"Live in the store?"
"Why not? Free furniture."
Atlas turned his head. Looked at him. Started laughing.
Noah laughed too. That stupid infectious giggling. Couldn't stop.
A sales associate walked by. Smiled. Didn't comment.
Hours passed. They picked out couches. Dining table. Bedroom furniture. Lamps. Rugs.
Debated everything. Compromised. Made decisions together.
At checkout, the woman looked at their massive order. Then at them.
"Do you have a delivery address?"
Noah and Atlas looked at each other.
"Not yet," Atlas said. "Getting the house this week."
The woman blinked. "You're buying all this without—"
"We wanted to pick things together," Noah explained. His excitement spilling over. "As soon as we get the address we'll call."
Her expression softened. "That's really sweet. Congratulations."
"Thanks!"
----
Lunch at a cafe in Chelsea. Outdoor seating. Perfect May weather.
They pulled up the house listings again. Looked through them together.
Narrowed it down. Eliminated two. Left with three.
Atlas called the realtor. "Can we see them today?"
Pause. Noah watched him. Excited. Nervous.
"Yeah. We can meet you in an hour. Westchester." He hung up. Looked at Noah. "Let's go find our house."
Noah's heart kicked. "Let's do it."
----
The drive north. Out of Manhattan. Across the bridge into Westchester.
Trees getting thicker. Houses getting bigger. Farther apart.
First house. Scarsdale. Pretty. Colonial. Traditional.
They walked through. It was nice. Fine.
But something was missing.
"The yard's too small," Noah said.
"Yeah." Atlas looked out the back window. "Sunny needs more space."
Upstairs was nice. But still. Nothing special.
"Next one?"
"Next one."
----
Second house. Rye. Mediterranean style. Bigger.
They explored. Room by room. Discussing where things would go.
The kitchen was great. Big. Open. Good for cooking together.
But the master bedroom felt wrong. Layout off somehow.
"It's better," Noah said.
"But still not right," Atlas finished.
"One more."
----
They drove deeper into Westchester. Away from main roads. Trees everywhere.
"This one wasn't on your list," the realtor said when Atlas called for directions. "But I think you should see it."
They turned into a gated community. Security guard checked their IDs. Waved them through.
Tree-lined streets. Houses set way back. Privacy. Space. Quiet.
Then they saw it.
Noah sat up straighter. "Atlas—"
"I see it."
Modern architecture. Two stories. Clean lines. Stone and glass and wood.
So much glass.
They parked. Got out slow. Just stared.
The front was striking. Floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of a wood and steel door. Second story with large windows. Small balcony. Modern but somehow warm.
Stone walkway through landscaped front yard. Mature trees providing shade. Green. Perfect.
The realtor met them at the door. Opened it.
Noah stepped inside.
Stopped walking.
The entryway opened directly into the main space. No walls breaking it up. Just open. Flowing.
Ceilings so high. At least fifteen feet. White. Clean. Light everywhere.
And the back.
The entire back wall was glass.
Floor to ceiling. Wall to wall. Nothing but glass.
Looking out onto—
Noah's breath left him.
The pool. Huge. Rectangular. Modern. Infinity edge. Water seeming to disappear into the yard beyond.
The yard. Massive. So green. Trees at the edges for privacy. Open lawn space. Perfect.
Built-in BBQ area to the right. Covered patio. Outdoor kitchen. Seating.
All of it visible through that wall of glass.
May afternoon sun pouring through. Making everything glow gold.
"Noah?" Atlas's voice behind him.
Noah couldn't speak. Just pointed.
Atlas came up beside him. Looked.
"Holy shit."
The realtor smiled. "The living room flows into the kitchen. Open concept."
Noah finally moved. Walked toward the kitchen.
Modern. White cabinets. Marble countertops. Island with seating. Professional appliances.
Windows here too. Light everywhere.
Dining area between kitchen and living room. Space for a big table. More windows.
"There's an office through here." The realtor led them.
Good size. Windows overlooking the side yard. Built-in shelves. Desk space.
Perfect.
Guest bedroom. Full bathroom. Nice. Clean.
"Upstairs?"
They climbed the floating staircase. Glass railing. Modern. Beautiful.
The landing opened to a loft area. Could be anything. Reading nook. Sitting area. Gym.
Three bedrooms. Two with en-suite baths.
The master at the end of the hall.
Noah walked in. Stopped again.
Large. Airy. Windows on two walls.
Front windows. Back windows overlooking the pool and yard.
Light pouring in from everywhere.
"The closet." The realtor opened a door.
Walk-in. Huge. Built-in everything. Space for all their clothes and then some.
"And the bathroom."
They followed.
Noah's jaw dropped.
Double vanity. Marble. Modern fixtures. Huge mirror.
Glass-enclosed shower. Massive. Rainfall head. Body jets. Easily big enough for two.
Freestanding tub. Modern. Deep. Next to the window overlooking the backyard.
"I—" Noah couldn't finish.
Atlas's hand found his. Squeezed.
They went back downstairs. Out the sliding doors to the patio.
Stepped onto the deck. Warm May air. Birds singing somewhere. Peaceful.
Walked to the pool. Modern pavers. Clean lines. Water crystal clear.
"It's heated," the realtor offered. "You can swim year-round."
The yard stretched beyond. So much space. Trees providing privacy. Perfect for Sunny.
Perfect for them.
Noah turned. Looked back at the house.
Two stories of glass and stone and wood. Sun reflecting off all that glass. Interior visible through the transparency. Open. Light. Modern. Beautiful.
"This is it," he said. Quiet. Certain.
Atlas was already looking at him. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Noah turned to face him fully. "This is home."
Atlas's throat worked. He nodded. "I think so too."
They stood there. The sun warm. The house behind them. Their house.
Found the realtor inside.
"We want it," Atlas said.
"You're sure? You don't want to think—"
"We're sure." Noah was grinning. Couldn't help it.
"Very sure." Atlas already had his phone out. "I'll have my lawyer handle everything. Whatever you need."
The realtor smiled. "It's a beautiful home. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
They walked through one more time. Slower now. Seeing it differently.
"The couch we picked goes here," Noah said. Standing in the living room. Facing the glass wall. The pool. "We can see everything."
"Dining table here." Atlas in the dining area. "We can have people over. Or just us."
Upstairs. "Bed here. Facing the windows."
Kitchen. "You chop vegetables on this side. I'll be at the stove."
Outside. "Sunny's going to run herself ragged out here."
"Luna will love the sun on the patio."
"We can have BBQs."
"Or just swim at night. Just us."
They looked at each other. Both grinning. Both lit up from the inside.
This. This was really happening.
----
The car. Driveway. One last look.
Their house. Home.
Atlas turned to Noah. Cupped his face with both hands.
Kissed him. Deep. Slow. Pouring everything into it.
Joy. Hope. Love. Future. Everything.
Noah kissed back. His fingers tangling in Atlas's hair.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavier.
"We bought a house," Noah said. Disbelief in his voice.
"We bought a house." Atlas's forehead pressed to Noah's.
They sat like that. Breathing each other's air. Grinning like idiots.
"I love you," Atlas whispered.
"I love you too."
Stayed there another moment. Then pulled apart.
Atlas started the car. Noah took his hand. Held it the whole drive back.
Talked nonstop. About furniture placement. Paint colors. When they could move in. Everything.
Both buzzing with excitement.
----
Back in Manhattan. Evening now. Golden light on the buildings.
Went inside. Found Marcus in the living room.
"Hey," Noah said.
Marcus looked up. Took one look at their faces. "You found one."
"We found one." Noah couldn't keep it in. Started describing everything. The glass wall. The pool. The yard. The space. The light.
Talking with his hands. Animated. Excited.
Atlas watched. His expression soft. Content just watching Noah light up like this.
Marcus smiled. Genuine. "That's amazing. Congratulations."
"Thank you." Noah's grin threatening to split his face. "I can't believe it's real."
"It's real." Atlas's hand found Noah's shoulder. Squeezed. "Very real."
"Guess I'm losing my roommate," Marcus said. But he was smiling.
"Yeah." Noah's expression turned grateful. "Thank you. For letting me stay. For everything."
"That's what friends do."
"Still. Thank you."
Atlas nodded at Marcus. That silent guy communication. Respect. Gratitude.
Marcus nodded back. Understanding.
"Alright. I'll leave you guys to celebrate."
He left.
----
They ate in Noah's room. Thai takeout. Easy. Comfortable.
Changed into sweats after. Got ready for bed.
Lay down facing each other. Noah's hand found Atlas's chest. Atlas's fingers in Noah's hair.
"I'm wiped," Noah said.
"Same." But Atlas was smiling. "Good wiped though."
"The best kind."
They lay there. Just existing together.
"Are you excited?" Atlas asked after a while.
"So excited." Noah's smile softened. "Little scared too."
"Yeah?"
"What if we mess it up?"
"We'll figure it out." Atlas's thumb traced gentle circles on Noah's scalp. Soothing. "We're getting better at that. The figuring it out part."
"Together," Noah said.
"Together."
Quiet settled. Comfortable. Warm.
"Will you tell your family?" Noah asked.
"They'll find out eventually. They always do."
Noah huffed a laugh. "I'll tell my mom. And Lydia."
"Good."
"But seriously. If Lydia visits. Three days maximum."
"Why is that my job?"
"She doesn't listen to me. You have to be the bad cop."
"So I'm the villain now?"
"In this situation? Yes."
Atlas laughed. "Fine. I'll be the bad cop."
"Thank you."
They settled deeper. Noah's eyes getting heavy.
"Hey," he mumbled. Half asleep already. "I'm glad you exist."
Atlas's chest went tight. Warm. Full.
He kissed Noah's hair. Watched him drift off. That small smile still on his face.
Our house. Our home. Our life together.
He closed his eyes. Still smiling.
Fell asleep holding the man he loved.
Building a future. Together.
Finally home.