Adrienne was as different from Sami as could be. She wore her hair short, discreet make-up and proper blouse and skirt. She also looked older which was completely logical, she didn't seem the type to get pregnant at 16. Another thought crossed Will's head. With his mom, you always knew how she felt, even if it was in a murderous rage. He liked that as he wasn't used to reading people and Sonny's mom looked so composed that she could have been wanting to strangle him and he wouldn't have known.

For the moment, he was being observed, Adrienne's eyes evaluating him while she gave him a polite smile "Please call me Adrienne, Will. Sonny has talked a lot about you those last few days, you're definitely not a stranger to me, now." Will felt his cheeks burning up and looked down at his hands. Sonny's arm surrounded him and he felt a hand squeeze his back "I was thinking Will could come to dinner tonight. That way, you and Dad could get to know him." Adrienne looked at her son, weighing his words, then nodded. Sonny's grin was as big as his face. Will's heart was competing with his favorite band, drumming a complicated rhythm out of sheer nervousness.

To calm down before dinner time, he went for a walk, with the binoculars Sonny had offered him, searching the treetops, focusing his mind on feather's color and specific chirping, not to obsess on what await him at Sonny's apartment. He had wanted to help but Sonny had been firm "I don't have that big a kitchen. You and mom would bump into each other. She can be stressed when she's cooking." He had looked at Will and asked, with a serious tone "Are you okay? We can cancel..." Will shook his head. This was important to Sonny. His parents would leave soon and after all, Sonny knew his parents, it was his turn.

He let his notebook at home. His hair was perfectly styled, something he rarely did. He had ironed a white shirt and even taken slacks out of the closet but Sami had seen him and took the trousers away "Don't be ridiculous, Will. This isn't a job interview, nor Christmas dinner. Put your dark jeans and the shirt, it will be just right." Will had listened. Sami was good at this stuff. He remembered when Rafe came to dinner. He was indeed wearing jeans and rocking them. Will knew he wasn't half as attractive, but he hoped he looked decent. Sonny's father would be there and he wanted him to be reassured Will was serious.

The man who opened the door looked like an older Sonny. He had greyish hair and beaming eyes. He looked happy to see Will, who relaxed "Come on in, Will, I'm Justin Kiriakis. The war over food is over and we may have something left to eat indeed..." "I heard that, Dad!" Will arched his eyebrow. Justin went on "He can be very territorial about his kitchen and he and his mom share a very stubborn gene." Adrienne pushed her husband and greeted Will "That is very unfair, dear. And I haven't heard you complain about the quality of your meals since we arrived."

Sonny was washing his hands. He gestured to Will and led him to the bedroom. He started making out, his tongue invading Will's mouth. Will was fidgeting. He didn't want Sonny's parents to see them like this.

Dinner was all right. Justin was as charming as his son, making Will feel he was the most important person in the room. He remembered the man was a lawyer, which might explain it. Adrienne was more cautious but when Will explained he liked reading and writing as well as bird watching, he saw her shoulders become less tense. Will wondered if she had met Crystal. Was she disappointed Sonny was gay? Did she want grandchildren? Her husband only seemed to want Sonny to be happy and successful and he looked at Sonny with a proud expression. Will felt hollow. He had never garnered that look, from anyone. Sami loved him but she was mostly protective, aware of Will's flaws and the only one of her partner who had liked Will too was EJ, who had a poker face that had made the cheating much easier to hide.

They talked about living in Dubai, a very beautiful and stressful city "We were thinking I should find a firm in the US. You and your brothers are all scattered around, now. It would be good to have a quiet home." Sonny looked surprised but happy. Will pressed his hand under the table.

His body yearned for Sonny's warmth and soft skin. He could read the same longing in Sonny's eyes. They took forever to say good-night. Will walked home feeling much better. He hadn't messed up.

Sonny wasn't at the coffee-house the next evening, nor was Chad. Ellie was at the counter, looking bored. There were two or three people already seated. Will talked with the barista for a while, looking around absent-mindedly. He spotted his boyfriend's mother, sipping at a tea-cup. He walked to her and she gestured him to seat. He did slowly, the nervousness intact from the first encounter.

"Sonny loves you." Will nodded. His throat was dry. "You're the first person he's ever introduced to us, do you know?" "Oh... Okay..." Adrienne's fingers were playing with her pearls. Will stared, fascinated. When she remained silent, he regretfully lift his head "You're taking my son away from me. I don't like that at all."

Will had words at the tip of his tongue. He could have said that Sonny had traveled a lot and already left her home, long ago. Or that he was still better than Sonny's ex. But he didn't. Her face was set and he understood Justin's remark better.

She got up and turned his back on him. Will stayed seated, trying to regain some strength. A shadow obscured the tea-cup "Hi, Will." He turned to Mel, grateful to see her. But his greeting was cut short. She looked devastated.

"Chad and I are over." Will's world shook a little. Even strong couples, clearly in love with each other, broke up. He and Sonny could fail too. He swallowed the tremolo in his voice. She didn't need that "I'm so sorry. You know you can talk to me whenever you want, right?" "Are you sure? Chad and Sonny are great friends." Will nodded "And I am yours, Mel. That won't change." They didn't talk much, but she seemed a little better. Will felt useful. It was also a distraction from Adrienne's attitude.

He didn't know what to do with the words. Tell Sonny? Think over if she was right and they should break up? The mere thought hurt. He didn't see how he was bad to Sonny. He was dull, it was true but that was about it. The risk was Sonny meeting someone livelier, more handsome.

He waited three days, looking after the kids so that Sami could go out with Rafe and studying, until Sonny called "Hey, Will... You know what?" "Hey Sonny..." "I've missed you like hell. My parents have just left and my bed is very very empty." So you want a quick lay, that's it?" Sonny chuckled "Absolutely, then I'll throw you out." Two seconds later, he added "I shouldn't kid like that, it feels wrong. So, do you want to come tonight?" "Yeah..."

Sonny was happy to see him but still observant "What's with the long face? Your dad?" "No, no... Sonny... It's just... Did you know Chad and Mel broke up?" "What!?" he looked furious. Will had to beg him not to go out, looking for Chad "It's late, Sonny and you'll see him at work tomorrow. I am very sad for Mel but I don't think we should interfere." Sonny sighed and brushed Will's lips.

That night, Will discovered something. Sleeping with Sonny was a cure to his dark thoughts. The sex part made him forget Adrienne's stern face and feeling his arms around him as they doze off kept the sadness away. Somehow, the idea of living together seemed more appealing.