Will is passing through the archway to HTS while talking on his phone, "No, Dana, I'm positive. If his eyes keep falling to your chest, then he's straight." He stops in the shadows as he beholds the two thugs confronting Jackson. "Dana, call 911. Tell them that Jackson Kiriakis is being attacked in Horton Town Square. I've got to go!"

Taking a running start, Will takes down the nearer creep with a flying tackle. He then punches out the second guy. Jackson steps out to throw a punch at the recovering first creep.

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While the police take Danny and Al away, Will joins Jackson on a couch. Jackson is staring at the ground as he runs trembling hands through his hair.

"Jackson, are you—"

I've never been so scared for myself in my life, Will. It's been years since anyone has commented on my sexuality. I once got into a fight with a jerk who called me a faggot. Tonight, I just froze in front of those two!"

Will takes one of the hands from Jackson's hair and holds it. There is little tingle but the warmth is very present. "Jackson, that was the smart thing to do! There were two of them and, from what you told the officers, they intended to rob you and sexually assault you. Plus, you stepped up when the guy I tackled was getting ready to go after me."

Jackson looks at Will with a mixture of sheepishness and gratitude, "Yeah, I guess I did. Thank you for being there. And, Will . . . call me Sonny, please."

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It's been three busy days since the HTS "incident". Will hasn't even thought to call Sonny and guesses that Sonny hasn't had time to contact him.

Will has just arrived home with his entire evening free. He strips off his work shirt, contemplating a shower or a swim when he hears his ring tone.

W-Hey, Sonny.

S-Hey, Will. Do you have any plans, tonight?

W-Not really; no. Why?

S-I feel that I still haven't thanked you properly. I want to treat you to dinner.

W-Sonny, You don't have to do that. You did thank me.

S—Wasn't enough for what you did. So, get dressed up. I'll be by to pick you up in 45 minutes. G'Bye.

Will has just finished combing his hair when he hears his door chime. Taking his jacket from the back of the couch, Will turns and opens his door. Before him stands Jackson Kiriakis with puppy-dog eyes and high-beam smile. Taking in the rest of the picture, Will sees that his friend is wearing a dark purple dress shirt with metallic silver stripes and a metallic silver tie. Over that, he's wearing a stark black blazer and slacks. At the same time, Sonny notes that Will is wearing a scarlet pull-over with a navy suit. Will has accessorized his clothes with his class ring and a necklace of multiple leather strings through which are braided two gold rings and a diamond pendant.

"I'm ready, Sonny. Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you to Chez Rouge!"

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They are both talking, laughing, and thoroughly enjoying their meals. Sonny has ordered fish and Greek salad while Will is indulging in a steak and a loaded baked potato. As Will reaches for his lemonade, a reflection catches Sonny's eye.

"Will, that's an unusual necklace and that isn't an emerald in your ring."

"Yeah," Will grins, "my class ring has my birthstone, a peridot. In most light, it's a pale green, but it gets darker under different lights. And the necklace; the rings are my parents' wedding bands and the pendant was made from my mother's engagement ring."

"That's a really sweet tribute to your parents, Will, and your eyes are similar to your birthstone."

"Sonny, you're the second person to tell me that. The first one was my high school boyfriend, Gabe Fowler."

"Oh, a boyfriend in high school. Is that how you came out to your parents?"

Will rolls his eyes and responds, "Sonny, to 'come out' implies that I was 'in' to begin with. Gabe had just gotten his driver's license and I had just turned fifteen. His picking me up for our first date confirmed to my parents that I was gay." Will looks down and fingers his ring as he chuckles, "By my junior year we'd been in every position we wanted to try. But Gabe was a senior and going off to college, so we split up. Our relationship had cooled to buddies with benefits by then, anyway." Will takes a sip of his lemonade as Sonny is being served coffee.

"After I turned eighteen, I dove into dating, but, like you said, I was looking for a connection. I wanted a relationship. My last date sure wasn't looking for one. Ryan had taken me out to dinner and then to his place for a movie. He put on a porno and was all over me. I got up and left. So, for the time being, I'm no longer dating. Okay, Sonny Kiriakis, how about you? Has there been anybody in your life since . . ."

Sonny sets down his cup and leans forward, "Since I lost My Will? I've dated a few times but nothing serious. I mainly focused on my work and raising my daughter. "

"That's right! My friend, Sonny, is a daddy. You have any pictures to show me?"

"As a matter of fact, I have two I always keep on my phone. All the rest are on my computer. The first one is a baby picture and the second is more recent."

Will accepts Sonny's phone, and gazes at the 2 photos, "In the first one, that's your fiancé holding Arianna. And it looks as if it was taken at the same time as your engagement photo. The second one, she's beautiful, Sonny. That coffee & cream skin, her dark hair, and those bright blue eyes! What's she doing now?"

Sonny's eyes sparkle, his mega-watt smile appears, and with great pride he says," She's touring on a Mad World Cosmetics campaign as a spokesmodel!"

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Will bounces out of the doors to the restaurant first. He then turns around to face Sonny following right behind.

"Okay, Sonny. Did you have anything else planned for this date?"

"Date? Did you actually get someone else to go on a date with you, Will Hutson?" A tall, well-built, young man with auburn hair and gray eyes comes up from behind Will and throws an arm across his shoulders.

With an eye-roll and a grin that was more grimace, Will says, "RYAN Duncan, this is my date, Jackson Kiriakis." Sonny's expression says that he's noted and understood the emphasis on the name.

"Well, Jackson, hope you're not horny. Will here has all these great play things and won't share." Ryan uses his other hand and starts patting Will's chest which rapidly becomes a grope.

Sonny can plainly see that Ryan's attention is bothering his friend. Will's eyes are downcast, his face is red, and his hands are fisted. Will is struggling mightily to be nice and not ruin the night with a fight.

Sonny's eyes take on a wicked gleam and a tight smile spreads across his mouth, "Doesn't share? You must be kidding, Ryan. When I picked Will up, he'd gone down on me before I had a chance to start the car. Here in the parking lot, Will gave me a show on how he 'handles' himself. And, this is our first date." Ryan's jaw drops as Sonny grabs Will's hand to pull him away from Ryan and into a kiss.

Will breaks the kiss and turns to the other man, "You see, Ryan? It isn't me. It is you." He reaches out to pat Ryan on the face, but perhaps a little harder than necessary.

TBC