I'm listening to "Le temps de l'amour" by Françoise Hardy. You do what you want.
Will was looking at his phone and not at him. Sonny's mind was floating away from the wooden bench. He had no idea what Will would do, if he would run off or freak out, but it didn't matter. Now he knew and Sonny wasn't alone in his head anymore, having to deal with all this. After a full minute, Will looked up. His eyes were clear, fully open, inviting Sonny to enter his inner world, to connect to his trembling emotions. He felt the answer long before he heard it "Me too." God, how love was disorienting... Dizziness, even vertigo, like he'd never felt atop any mountain, even at the lowest oxygen rate. And yet, certainty, familiarity. Recognition. A gush of relieved air was rising in him, like on the arches of that cathedral. They inched closer but didn't kiss. They didn't need to. Then they did.
A bunch of students, lounging about, in the small "chambre de bonne", these ex domestic quarters turned into cheap studios. Benedict having recovered a little and reminiscing with his friend. French puns and battle of wits and no way to understand any of it. Will's legs on Sonny's lap, there like it's their rightful place although it's never been before. The "apéro" with the dangerously sweet white wine called Muscat that goes through your head and lulls you into a warm drunken state. The exchange of look promising wonders, advertising desire, making them bade an early good-night and the streets at night, with the lights making the town even more romantic. The cheap hotel, almost made entirely of plastic, that made Sonny feel like a Playmobil, just outside the old town, that Will had rented before coming, a room for two.
This time, there was joy. And delicacy. Sonny was caressing Will endlessly, the soft skin offered to his avid, respectful hands. They tried everything, not able to choose how to please the other, how to taste and feel as wholly as possible. Will's mouth enveloped Sonny's hardness and he was floating again, having found his core of inner peace.
The bed was thin and so were the covers. The place was overheated and Sonny thought about the last mountain refuge he was in. He could put Will under one of this scratchy, heavy blankets, after a day of hiking maybe. He had so many things to live with him. For now, he dozed off, safe and wrapped up in Will's happy arms.
And when he woke up, when the dreams fade off, it was still real. And awesome. He peppered Will with small kisses all morning, grateful and overflowing with tenderness. They chose Avignon for the next stop. The train was one of these extremely fast blue TGV that got you there in less than two hours, without a sound, making you wonder if it was really moving, until Sonny looked out the window and saw things past in a blurred, beautiful way. Spring was blooming all around, flowers exploding in the bright sunlight. That's where the whole world wanted to live and Sonny saw why. He fell asleep against Will's shoulder, finally letting go after so many unresting nights.
Avignon had kept his fortification towers. Those were square, not round and seemed more military. The walked slowly, savoring the stoned streets, the preserved middle-age, the souvenirs shop, selling cooking herbs and "santons" Christmas figurine. They reached the central place and stood there, gaping. Narbonne's cathedral was nothing compared to this. The popes' palace. In fact, the whole city had an aristocratic look, bursting culture and beauty at them. They were like two children, opening big eyes at the old yellow stoned buildings.
They had been warned, in that heavy south french brawl that made understanding the language much easier, that the "Mistral" was up and bitchy and that it could last days. Even wind had a name and a personality here and not a weak one either... Up on a hill on the other side of the river Rhône, in an old fort that was there as a look-out, they tried and look at the view but failed. The wind was spiteful, whipping them and making them close their eyes by instinct. Their hands were attached by just a tiny finger and Sonny felt actual fear.
They went back to the city itself, discovering new spot, sitting near fountains made of statues and then they saw a merry-go-round. It was all golden and rococo, with proud white horses but then, as it took speed, it turned into a light-shaped spaceship. Will was so excited, he couldn't help jumping on the stoned square and Sonny just had to ask him if he wanted to ride it. Will blushed so much Sonny saw all the nuances of red, even in the nightly luminosity. "Just for that, I love you more, Will. I'll come with you..." They turned and turned, even after it has stopped and they were back to walking, laughing and kissing under the benevolent stars.
After making love, they were still awake and ready to open their soul a little more. The bed was larger and better for cuddle so Sonny took Will's head on his chest and whispered "Will, you have brothers and sisters?" "Yeah, three. All younger than me. You?" "Three also, all older." Will chuckled "So, you've never dealt with diapers or late-night crying." "Why, your parents needed lots of help?" Will sighed "My family isn't like yours, I guess. Stable, lasting relationships are not my mother's forte. I learned that way. I'll be ready." Will smiled, wide and shy "So you want children one day." Will closed his eyes and turned on his belly, yawning "children are making life brighter, aren't they? You are the one making mine shine at the moment. Just turn yourself off for the moment, I need to sleep..." Sonny pulled his boyfriend closer and brushed his back "You're my sun too, even in the night. I love you."
