The place looks different, Will thinks. Small changes that somehow make it more solid. It's good to see it like this, so be able to really look at it, and to know some things are able to change for the better. With the right hands behind the wheel.

Over the years, Will's gotten used to thinking the Dimera mansion as a kind of dreamy place, buried firmly in the past. More than that, he decides. By the past.

Now, with brand new unpainted boards checkered with peeling white paint, with some windows shining and othered covered in dust, it's definitely a work in progress.

Sonny's really putting life back into it.

Though the gardens are still a bit of a mess, the flowers are finally blooming. And he's put a huge clay flower pot of flowers on the veranda.

He definitely planted them himself, Will thinks, as he walks towards the door. Sonny's definitely the kind of guy that's not scared to get his hands dirty. Especially when it comes to things that he thinks are his.

Which makes Will wonder if Sonny considers him one of his works in progress. Maybe. But Will's not even sure whether he's amused or offended by that idea.

Will walks inside, figuring that when two people sleep together as often as they have, silly formalities like asking to be invited in aren't really an issue.

Will smells the flowers first, the strong scent bringing the garden inside. He's bought a gorgeous table, a couple of chairs, and, as Will can see with a smile, a rooster figurine for the main room.

Some would call it ridiculous, others dashing, Will supposes, but nobody can call the entrance to the mansion boring anymore.

"Sonny?" Will wanders in and out of the smoking room, taking note of the new additions. Will circles into the library, before he finds himself crossing over to the mantel, where the heavy candlesticks are resting.

Why are his hands shaking? Will wonders as he reaches out to touch them. Why do these old candlesticks look so oddly familiar?

They're not even that special, not really. Expensive, sure, but just a tad too flashy for his taste. Still...he lightly brushes his fingers down them. Somehow they look like they're supposed to be there, so much so he can almost imagine the slim white tapers that are supposed to be in them; he can smell the melting wax.

Shivering, Will steps back before walking back out of the room.

He keeps calling Sonny's name as he walks up the stairs. When he gets to the top, a hidden door in the wall opens. Both Will and Sonny have to halt their simultaneous screams.

With a gasp and a startled laugh, Will clutches his chest as he stares at Sonny. He has cobwebs stuck all over his hair, dirt smeared on his face and hands. The flashlight he's carrying wags back and forth.

"Jesus, next time just shoot me and get it over with."

"Only if you extend me the same courtesy." Sonny blows out a breath, dragging a hand through his hair, pulling out some cobwebs. "I think you just reduced my life expectancy by 5 years."

"I called out a few times, then gave up and decided to just hunt you down myself." Will looks past Sonny's shoulder. "What, did you find a hidden dungeon?"

"No, the servant's chambers. They're all over the place, so I thought I'd check them out. Really cool, but really messy." Sonny looks down at his disgusting hands. "Why don't you go grab yourself a drink? I'll just go get cleaned up?"

"I'm actually open to making one for both of us. What'll it be?"

"How about a beer?" But Sonny's looking at Will's face now that Sonny's recovered from the shock. "What's wrong?"

"Besides you scaring the crap out of me? Not a thing."

"Something's bothering you. I can tell."

Will goes for a knowing smile. "Maybe I'm just upset cause I came all the way here, and you didn't even kiss me hello."

"Or you don't trust me enough to tell me the real reason, and still think sex is all I want." Sonny takes one knuckle to lift Will's chin, looks him right in the eyes until Will's start to burn. "In which case, you'd be wrong. I love you."

Sonny waits for a beat, then nods when Will doesn't say anything. "I'll be down in a minute."

Will starts walking down the stairs, before stopping himself, and speaks without turning back around.

"I don't think all you want is sex, Sonny. But that doesn't mean I have the first clue what it is you do want."

"William, you're the only thing I've ever wanted my whole life."

Sonny doesn't push Will to tell him more. If Will needs to pretend he's not bothered or twitchy, he'll give the guy space. They take a walk through the gardens as the sun starts to set.

"This place. All this time, people coming and going. Mostly going. And you're still here, having accomplished more in a few short months than anyone's ever been able to do since before I was aware this place existed."

Will turns to study the mansion. It definitely still needs work. Wood, paint, new shutters. But it doesn't look so...dead, Will realizes. This place was never just abandoned, it had been dead until Sonny had revived it.

"You're bringing it back from the dead. This is so much more than a money pit or a labor of love."

"Can you see yourself living here?"

Will's eyes immediately dart to Sonny's, simultaneously startled and panicked. But Sonny's remain calm and collected. "I have my own apartment."

"Not what I asked. I asked if you can. If you can imagine being comfortable here, or if the idea of sharing it with...ghosts, memories, or whatever it is would be too much for you."

"If it was too much for me, I would've declined your dinner invitation. Which reminds me. What's on the menu?"

"I'm gonna try grilled fish." Sonny pulls the lapel watch out. "In just a little bit." Sonny says, after he checks the time.

Will's immediately entranced by the watch he's holding. His stomach flutters like it did when he touched the candlesticks.

"Where did you get that?"

"Found it in an antique shop today." It's Will's tone that tips Sonny off, and intrigued by it, he holds it out. "Recognize it?"

"Don't know a lot of doctors that wear that kind of watch anymore."

"I knew it belonged to me the second I saw it. I think it was you that bought it for me." Sonny says, making Will jerk his head up. "A very long time ago." He holds up the clip so Will can see the inscription.

"It's Tom's." Will's first instinct is to dig his fingernails into his hands, he makes himself reach out and touch the engraving. "Weird. Definitely weird, Sonny. You think I was Alice?"

"Yeah, I do."

Will shakes his head. "You don't think that's too easy, and just maybe a little egocentric?"

"Murder, anguish, suicide, and decades of lost souls?" Sonny shrugs, slipping it back into his pocket. "Nothing easy about it, from the sound of it. But Will, I so think love is boundless, willing to hold out until it's ready to try again."

"Damnit, you're so...intriguing. And it's really starting to get old how I'm the sensible one in this relationship. I like being with you, Sonny."

Will messes with the key around his neck as he speaks. A nervous habit, Sonny thinks, one he's probably not aware of.

"I like having you here. I think you're hot. And I like having sex with you. That's all I'm able to let you have right now."

Sonny pulls Will into his arms, "And I'll gladly take it."