November 2019

Will got home from work a few moments before Ari's school bus rolled to a stop in front of the apartment complex. He precariously balanced his work bag on his shoulder as well as a carrier holding three drinks from a newly opened coffee house down the street.

Will chatted with a few other parents as the kids climbed off the bus. For the most part, all the neighbors were over that night in May. The one where Sonny got into it with just about everyone in the middle of the parking lot. Will got the distinct feeling most of the neighbors were glad to see Sonny go. At least now they didn't have to worry about hearing Sonny yell at Will all hours of the night.

Will wasn't proud of that night but it did set into motion several positive changes in his life. He got rid of Sonny. Yes, Will saw him every now and again when he'd drop off or pick up Ari from the Kiriakis mansion. Besides chit-chat about Ari, Will didn't have anything else to say to Sonny.

Will wasn't going to forgive Sonny, not for a long time, if ever.

Tossing aside Sonny wasn't the only good change in Will's life. He no longer wrote more than half of the paper every day. Now, Will stuck to three challenging articles a week as well as a few guest posts online every now and again. Less work made for a much happier, healthier Will.

The removal of the aneurysm helped Will become healthier too. Will worried the aneurysm wouldn't help. That he'd go through the procedure and come out just as compliant and miserable. That wasn't the case.

There was a drastic improvement in Will almost immediately. He wasn't as tired all the time. He no longer got nosebleeds if he refused to follow directions. He still went in for testing once a month at Isak's company just to make sure. But, so far, so good.

Another important change in Will's life was Paul. He stayed by Will's side throughout the entire ordeal. Through Will's stay in the hospital, through his recovery, everything.

It wasn't perfect. Just because Will healed physically didn't mean his guilt disappeared. Even now, months later, Will still fought the urge to hold Paul close, stroke his hair, and cry over mistreating him. It was a daily struggle for Will to reconcile even if Paul deserved better, he wanted Will.

"Daddy!" Ari greeted when she hopped the last step off the bus. "I made you something in art."

"Did you?" Will asked, taking her LOL backpack and swinging it over his shoulder.

"Uh-huh," Ari nodded before explaining at a rapid-fire pace. "It's pretty and has polka dots and it goes on the wall and I love it so, you'll love it and it's beautiful and I missed you. What's for dinner?"

Will unlocked the door to their apartment and let Ari walk inside first.

The place was spotless. All the remotes in a perfect row on the coffee table. A blanket carefully folded and placed in a basket on the side of the couch. Ari's toys in a large pink tub near the TV.

Not a cup, bowl, or plate in sight. The blue light on the dishwasher indicated the dishes were clean and Will could hear the dryer working.

"Hey," Paul said, walking out of his and Will's bedroom.

"Hey," Will echoed, face lighting up at the very sight of his boyfriend. "I was gonna clean when I got home."

"I know," Paul shrugged, flashing Will a matching grin. "I finished up work early and wanted to surprise you."

"Hi, Paul," Ari greeted before poking her head in the refrigerator. The shelves and drawers she could reach were filled with healthy snacks, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Ari grabbed a pre-sliced apple and small container of peanut butter. She sat at the counter, digging into her snack.

"How was school?" Paul asked while Will unzipped Ari's backpack and got out her homework folder.

"Good," Ari answered, swinging her legs back and forth. "I made Daddy a present. Daddy, show him."

Will tossed Ari her homework folder before unveiling a pink, purple, yellow, and blue polka dot something. It was large, colorful, and, as Ari said earlier, meant to go on the wall.

"Oooh, I love it," Will declared despite not knowing what it was.

"Nice," Paul agreed. "You are quite the artist."

"Where should we put it?" Will asked.

Ari shrugged, starting on her homework without being told.

"I think I know the perfect spot," Paul insisted, gesturing toward their room.

The majority of the walls in the apartment were covered in Ari's artwork. There were a few spots reserved for Will and Paul. Several of Will's best articles and even a few local awards he won. Before Paul officially even moved in, Will made a shadowbox dedicated to his ball playing days. Displaying Paul's favorite jersey and various keepsakes he had.

Paul, like Sonny, never asked to move in with Will and Ari. Unlike Sonny, he was more than welcome. Paul stayed over almost every night anyway. He kept his things at John and Marlena's penthouse and would bring over a few clothes each night.

Will offered a drawer for Paul's things so they weren't all over the bedroom. One drawer became two, became three before it made sense to just bring all of Paul's things over.

Ari didn't mind. By the middle of summer, she had gotten used to Paul's presence and no longer glared at him. It took a little bit longer for her to really open up to him but it happened.

It helped that Will kindly but succinctly informed Sonny if he continued to convince Ari there was something wrong with Paul or Will their visits were going to shrink to nonexistent.

As far as Will knew, Sonny kept his big mouth to himself now.

Will followed Paul into the bedroom, holding Ari's artwork and wondering where they would find the spot to put it. Their room was filled to the brim with Ari's work or pictures of the three of them together or separate.

It wasn't the sophisticated bedroom of two young adults but Paul never complained.

"Where do you think we can put this?" Will asked only for Paul to gently take it out of his hands and toss it on a dresser.

"I don't care," Paul said, pulling Will close by the hips.

"Oh," Will grinned, sliding his hands up Paul's shoulders to his neck.

The two locked eyes for a moment, bright blue meeting sparkling green. Almost on cue, the two leaned toward one another, heads angling at just the right moment, lips meeting in a perfect kiss.

Will sighed into it, eyes fluttering shut, arms wrapped around Paul's neck.

"Hi," Paul whispered when they pulled apart, foreheads pressed together. "I missed you."

"You saw me this morning," Will pointed out with a pleased smile.

"Doesn't matter," Paul said with a shake of his head. "I still missed you."

Will pressed his lips to Paul once, twice, three times before pulling away. He gave it a moment of thought before diving back in for another kiss, relishing the delighted burst of laughter Paul emitted.

"Okay," Will said, holding both of Paul's hands and pulling him back toward the front room. "I found a new recipe on Pinterest I wanna try. It looked simple so I doubt I'll ruin it but it's me, so, you never know."

"True," Paul agreed and laughed at the scowl Will gave him. "I'll watch Ari do her homework while you get started."

"Deal," Will grinned.

The two held hands until they got to the kitchen. Paul pulling out a bar stool and sitting next to Ari as she worked through her homework. Occasionally checking over her answers but mostly eyeing Will.

Will put on some music and was dancing around the kitchen as he chopped vegetables and stirred things on the stove. Grinning at Paul whenever he caught his eye, drifting off toward the dryer when he heard it buzz. Singing loudly to the music as he started another load and folded the clothes that came out.

Paul shook his head, surreptitiously scrolling through his phone, booking marking a page that caught his eye.

After dinner, a bath, and three stories Ari was down for the count. Fast asleep with her blankets kicked to the floor and lying diagonally across her bed.

Getting an idea, Will went into his bathroom and shut the door. It was rare for him and Paul to have free time in the evenings for longer than an hour or so.

Will was going to take advantage of it.

About fifteen minutes later, Will plopped next to Paul on the couch, almost sitting on his lap.

"Do you have any articles you need to catch up on?" Paul asked, arm wrapping around Will's waist, pulling him even closer and tossing his phone on the couch.

"Nope," Will shook his head. "Any super-secret private investigator things you have to catch up on?"

"Nope," Paul said, amused by Will's description.

"Hmm," Will wriggled out of Paul's hold, straddling his lap and holding onto Paul's shoulders. "I think I have a case I better hire you for then."

"Oh, is that so?" Paul's hands slid down to cup the round globes of Will's ass.

"Mmm hmm," Will nodded, bumping his nose with Paul's. "I have all this free time, see. And I don't know what to do with it."

"Ah," Paul played along, squeezing Will's butt. "It's a real mystery, alright."

Will started rocking his hips forward and back, rubbing himself against Paul.

"That's not what I need my sexy private investigator to find," Will teased, breath ghosting over Paul's lips.

"No?" Paul lifted his hips up to meet Will's thrusts.

Will shook his head before leaving a teasing trail of kisses to Paul's ear. He sucked the lobe in his mouth, nibbling and panting.

"It's your job to discover where I hid the toy I'm wearing."

Paul groaned, squeezing Will's butt so tight he was certain he'd leave bruises.

Will gave Paul an impish grin before standing up, heading for their room. The odd gait to his steps showed Paul exactly where that toy was.

Paul watched Will walk away, slowly trailing after him. He closed their door, locking it before getting back into character.

Paul cleared his throat, leaning against the door. Will sat at the edge of the bed, wearing his most innocent expression.

"Excuse me, sir," Paul said, working hard to keep his face stern. "You never told me what this job pays."

"What do you want?" Will asked, batting eyes and looking so ridiculously naïve and precious Paul could barely keep a straight face.

Paul pushed away from the door, swaggering toward Will. He paused at the foot of the bed, towering over Will with his arms crossed.

"I think you know," Paul said, standing between Will's spread legs. He looked down at his crotch before giving Will a harsh look.

Will let out a soft gasp, hand covering his mouth, eyes wide.

"Oh, gosh, I don't know if my boyfriend will approve."

Paul almost didn't say the first place his mind went to. Then he decided to go for it.

"What a Swedish millionaire doesn't know what hurt him."

Will almost broke character but didn't. He was gonna make Paul pay for that remark, though.

Paul smirked at the trouble Will had responding.

This was gonna be fun.

Will reached Paul's zipper with a trembling hand. He fumbled at the button of his jeans and kept glancing up at Paul in false worry.

He took his time pulling Paul's cock out of his boxers. Will's eyes bulged and he swallowed audibly.

"Oh," Will licked his lips, "you're so big."

Paul withheld a groan. Damn Will and his big doe eyes.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do, now," Will added, enjoying this more than he thought possible. "You'll have to teach me."

Paul dug his teeth into his lower lip. Will was good but Paul was not going to break character first.

"No?" Paul reached out and brushed his thumb along Will's lips. "A dirty little thing like you? I don't believe you."

Will's lips wobbled. Dirty talk was his kryptonite and Paul knew it.

But, Will knew Paul's weakness as well.

Will licked his lips again, the tip of his pink tongue touching Paul's thumb.

"But yours is so much bigger than Isak's," Will said, gripping the base of Paul's cock and scooting closer.

Paul inhaled sharply.

Will toyed with Paul, jerking him up and down, maintaining eye contact.

"You're so big and wide. I don't know if my mouth will fit all of it. I might choke."

Will moved closer, angling the tip of Paul's dick toward his mouth. Tapping Paul against his lips, tongue flashing out to lap up a small rivet of precome.

"Is this what you want me to do?" Will asked before wrapping his lips around the tip. Swirling his tongue and making a sloppier mess than he normally would.

"Mmm," Paul grunted, hands grabbing the back of Will's hair. "I think you can do better than that."

"Like this?" Will eyed Paul while taking a few inches into his mouth. Moving forward and back, stopping each time Paul came close to the back of his throat.

"Close," Paul teased. "But you wanna make me happy, don't you?"

Paul glanced at Will's face to gauge his reaction. When he saw Will's eyes flutter shut, he added, "wanna take me all the way down? Swallow my big cock down that pretty little throat?"

Will nodded, redoubling his efforts. Letting spit and drool pool in his throat and spill over his chin in a way he wouldn't regularly. Taking Paul all the way down until Will's nose was buried in Paul's pubic hair. Will making little pained noises Paul knew were for show.

Paul rocked forward and back, getting a rhythm. Keeping his moans quiet since neither wanted to wake Ari. When Paul felt his release building, Will tapped him on the back of the thighs and he let go.

Will panted. His lips and cheeks were bright red and his eyes watery. He made a large show of wiping up the mess of spit and precome all over his face.

"I don't think I can pay you in full," Will said, eyes twinkling at Paul's frazzled expression. "Half now and half when you find what I asked, Mr. Private Investigator."

It took Paul a few moments to respond, squeezing the base of his dick.

"In that case," Paul unbuttoned Will's shirt and carefully pulled it over his shoulders, and off his wrists. Then he shoved Will flat on his back. He gripped Will's hips and flipped him over. "I think I'm gonna need to do a body cavity search."

Will arched his back, elbows down on the bed, and ass up.

"I don't know," Will said voice not quite as innocent sounding since it was so hoarse. "I buried it pretty deep."

Paul shook his head, pulling his clothes and shoes off. Then he took his time. Untying Will's shoes and throwing his socks to the other side of the room. Paul unbuttoned Will's pants and pulled them all the way down. Dragging his fingers into Will's muscular legs and even the arch of his foot.

"What would your little boyfriend say if he saw you like this?" Paul wondered, fingers holding onto the waistband of Will's boxers.

"He'd be so jealous," Will whispered, unable to keep from wiggling his hips side to side. "He wouldn't like the thought of you turning me on so much, making me so hard I'm dripping."

Paul pressed his lips together, squeezing the fabric under his hands.

"But maybe," Will admitted in a shy, quiet little voice, "he might like it. He might want to take lessons on how to turn me on. You're so good at, Mr. Investigator."

Paul eased Will's boxers off his hips and over the ample swell of his butt. He kept his eyes on Will's legs for the time being until he ripped the boxers all the way off.

Paul ran his palms up and down the back of Will's thighs up to his lower back. Repeating the process a few times, admiring the view.

"I don't see any toys," Paul commented. His voice was much more casual than he felt.

He snaked his hand around to Will's hard cock fisting it once and enjoying the yelp Will emitted. Fondling Will's balls, even sliding his hands up to Will's nipples and tweaking them.

"I don't feel any toys."

"Oh, gosh," Will sighed long and loud. Paul could hear the pout in his tone. "If you can't find it, I'll have to hire someone else. Someone who'll know what to do with me."

Will grinned when Paul grabbed the globes of his butt and pulled.

"Fuck," Paul gasped when he looked.

Nestled between Will's cheeks was a sparkly little gem on the end of a plug. A plug Paul knew from experience was thick and long but would still leave Will tight enough for his cock to barely squeeze inside.

"You found it," Will praised, arching his back even higher. "I guess you get your payment, now."

Paul grabbed the base of the plug and pulled before teasingly pushing it back into Will a few times. When Paul pulled it free, he groaned at the sight of Will's muscles clenching around nothing, all wet and shiny from copious amounts of lube.

Will, sneaky little thing that he was, reached under his pillow and threw a dual package of condom and lube behind him.

Paul wasted no time covering his dick with the condom and slathering on some lube.

"Is it gonna hurt?" Will asked when he felt Paul circled his entrance with the tip of his dick. "You're so big."

"Oh, it's gonna stretch you so good," Paul guaranteed before easing inside Will. One hand held tight to Will's hip, the other wrapped around Will's waist as he started thrusting inside.

Will worked back against him, trying to keep his cries muffled.

Ari almost caught them once. She banged on the door in the middle of the night demanding to know why Paul was making Will cry.

"Shh," Paul urged. He brought one hand up to Will's mouth, shoving two fingers inside. "You gotta be quiet. There you go, so good. You feel so nice and tight around me. Stretched around me so good. You did your best getting that silly plug inside but it's not as big as me, is it?"

Will shook his head, sucking at Paul's fingers with relish.

"No, you're little boyfriend isn't as big either, huh? No, you've never felt anyone this big. Never been this stretched and open."

Will let go of Paul's fingers to say, "You feel so good. Feel so good inside me. Oh, god, please."

Will slurped Paul's fingers back into his mouth when Paul wrapped his fist around Will's cock. Stroking Will in time with his thrusts, groaning in the back of Will's ear.

Paul circled his hips, searching for that one spot inside Will that always made him lose control.

Will choked on Paul's fingers when Paul found it.

Paul grinned against the back of Will's neck as he redoubled his efforts. Hips hammering into Will as his fist jerked Will off.

It didn't take long for Will to come. Paul's fingers and mouth absorbing most of the sound. Will's rhythmic clenching around him triggered Paul's orgasm. Will pushed his hips back against Paul as Paul dug his hips forward, the two working the other through their orgasm.

Once they were spent, they flopped on their backs, legs overlapping.

"Fuck," Will praised, arm over his eyes. He let out a few deep chuckles. "That was so hot."

"Hell, yeah it was," Paul grinned, arms behind his head.

Will smiled before turning over onto his front, leaning against Paul's chest.

"Speaking of Isak, though, he sent me a message, today. He'll be in Salem next week for some meetings."

"Ah," Paul said, "wonder if Sonny's probationary period is over."

"Who knows," Will replied.

Paul waited a few seconds before adding, "so, should we tell Isak how we roleplay you're dating him in bed?"

"No," Will lightly smacked Paul's chest with the back of his hand.

"Yeah, you're right," Paul agreed. He moved his arms down, letting one hand slid down Will's back. "He'd probably want to join us."

Will lifted one brow, lips pursed.

"Get that look off your face," Paul ordered with a laugh. "It's not gonna happen."

"You brought it up," Will pointed out, leaning up to give Paul a kiss.

He sat up and stretched his arms over his head, Paul following his lead. The two cleaned up in the bathroom. Washed off in the shower and brushed their teeth before getting back in bed.

Will fell asleep plastered to Paul's chest, exhausted and content. Paul stayed up a bit longer, scrolling through his phone. He found the page he bookmarked on Safari earlier.

With a grin on his face, Paul made his decision, looking over the picture perfect ring.

Next month, for Christmas, with all of their family and friends around them, would be the perfect time to ask Will to marry him.

The End

Author's note:

Thank you to anyone who read, reviewed, followed, and/or favorited. I truly appreciate the support and feedback.

I have two holiday themed fics in the works. One is a one-shot and the other is a short story around 5 chapters. So be on the lookout for those soon. I hope to post them both before Christmas.

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