Will watched his cell on the table. It didn't look broken. Nor did it need to be plugged. It was lying there, ready to use, so there was no way for him to postpone the inevitable.

Sonny was taking a bath to calm down. Will told him to, after promising to call. But it was turning to be even harder as he thought it would be.

He still needed time to heal but not when Sonny was suffering too. And he had to go back to college anyway. Marlena would help him, he knew that.

It was ironic in a way that Sonny, the previous world-traveler would have such thick roots in Salem that he couldn't start over in Washington when Will did without any problem... Well, any practical ones. He still dreams of his parents, of these rare moments when they all lived together as a family. When he was important to them, a little boy who loved them with all his little heart. It was painful to relive these memories. But Sonny was there to hold him when he woke up and wept for the loss he suffered.

He realized he didn't know if his father was in Salem or abroad. It hit him, straight in the chest. At the moment, he was like an orphan. His parents had failed him but he was at fault too.

He took the cell with trembling hands and searched for his father's contact info. Sami was still too hard to try, what with her self-centeredness and tendency to make him feel guilty. There were a few rings and he got ready to hang up before reaching the mailbox, but he suddenly heard a tensed voice asking "Will? Is that you?"

He hung up anyway. Then he wept.

Sonny came out of the bathroom, wearing a towel. He put a hand on Will's arm, tenderly. His fingers brushed the skin in circles, in a slow, regular stroke. Even when down, he made Will feel protected and cared for.

For a few selfish seconds, Will wished Justin was his father. That way, he would be like Sonny, strong and confident, instead of this mess that got hurt so fast, so deeply.

Sonny's voice was as soft as his hand "You don't have to, if it's too hard. We'll find another way."

It was an empty promise and Will knew it, yet it made him extremely grateful. For some reason, Sonny loved his broken, fragile nature. He went through this exhaustion because he needed Will.

Will didn't wipe his tears. He was sure he'd cry later on, anyway. Instead, he took his phone again and called the last number. He heard the small sigh Sonny let out and reached for his hand with his.

Sonny grabbed Will's fingers and wrapped his hand, then sat behind Will, on the same chair and wrapped his whole self around him. Will felt safe. Strong. When his father picked up, he answered.

"Oh, God, Will, I've gone insane. Are you okay, did you find somewhere to live, do you eat enough?"

But after Will had reassured him, Lucas became harsh. "You worried everyone, Will, we didn't know if you were alive or dead. Your sister... She cried herself to sleep for two weeks. You didn't fight, Will, you fled. How could you do that?"

Will tried to forget about his chest hurting, or the way his face got wetter and wetter. He focused on the memories he had been left with. How he had been treated, how no one believed him. He became harsh too.

"You all convicted me, dad. Whatever I said, you didn't trust me. I didn't know Justin would clear my name. He was the one who kept his faith his me." Why couldn't you be like him? "I was trapped, and you know that. You have to choose, dad. Either I keep protecting myself, from breaking down because of accusations, whatever they are. Or we both get past all of our mistakes and start over."

The last part was a sob, but Lucas understood him enough.

There was silence on the line. Will's heart was beating in his throat. He waited, on the verge of despair.

"I love you. I'm sorry." Will's crying stopped in mid-whimper. His breathing had paused. Sonny, who couldn't hear Lucas' words, hugged Will from behind, squeezing. Will muttered "Thanks... I... Yes..." and felt Sonny's forehead on his shoulder.

Allie would come to visit again, the next week-end, but this time with their father. It felt so good, Will felt like exploding with joy. It didn't solve their problem, not really, but it was done. He was connected with his father again.

Sonny kissed his neck, then after the phone-call, he drank Will's tears. Will's shirt disappeared, somehow and the kisses went down his chest and belly. They walked backward, drunk on love, vulnerable and trusting.

Will let Sonny lead him to the bed and watched him lay down. They dressed down, slowly.

For the first time, Sonny surrendered and opened himself to Will. Will thought he could die of pleasure.

The next day, Will insisted for the restaurant. Sonny liked the food but he was distracted. Will asked him why, to get him back.

"Will you still work if you go back to college? For James, I mean. It's a full-time job. I earn enough, it won't be a problem, but what do you want to do?"

Will didn't reply right away. He was still struggling with finding the courage to face Sami and his lover's mind was already on the next step. They were getting out of synch. Will better keep up.

He loved his job. And he owed it to James, just like he owed his Sundays to the shelter. In Salem, he would be too far, unless he tried the inhumane commuting, making the same mistake the other way around.

He looked at Sonny, at the hope that twinkled in his pupil. He didn't share his thought.

"We'll figure it out, in time. I've sent a letter to the college office, explaining and asking to be re-admitted." "You did? Why didn't you tell me?" "I wanted to wait for their answer. If they say no..." "If they do, we'll ask my father to help. He's good at arguing, you know that." Will looked down at his plate "Sonny, I can't ask Justin to come to my aid for everything. I have to fight my own fights." Sonny smiled "I know. But it is too important. You need a degree. We have our life ahead, full of promises, let's make it happen."

So, Will let Sonny pay half. When they'd be back home, they should open a joint account.

When. Because home was still an idea, an unreachable dream. He couldn't settle back if his mother still hated him. Sonny was confident but Sonny hadn't grown up with Sami. And there was Adrienne too. Even if Sonny made up with her, she would still reject Will, and act on it. Was it a risk worth taking?