Saying good-bye to Sonny hurt so much, Will was in actual pain. Sonny had said he would call as soon as he got home and then every night, but that didn't reach Will's emotions. He was suddenly back to his previous sense of loss, as if nothing had happened in between. It took all his willpower and sense of duty to go to work with James. He focused and stayed late.
He had brought boxes to Jame's place, but didn't start packing. He really didn't own much. He needed more clothes, less dull and discreet, to go out with Sonny, to express who he was, to be all smug and warm at home. But the idea of shopping alone was too much. He spent the next hour waiting for Sonny's phone-call. He had only gotten a text in the morning, short but sweet and ending with 'I love you'... Now every minute was filled with silence. James came home and disappeared in the kitchen. Will joined him there and started chatting. They sat on the couch when the conversation got easier. Maybe Will could buy a bottle of wine for Friday, a good one. The phone interrupted them and Will looked at his friend for permission. James had a small smile and nodded. He went to the kitchen again, to fix dinner.
Will felt the doubts and worries fade away at the sound of Sonny's voice. There was affection in it, so thick, it dripped off the phone, into Will's thirsty ears. Loving words that he still hadn't returned. He tried, but his mouth betrayed him. He had said "I've missed you.", he said "I can't wait", but the word itself, it was too hard. He had to feel loved by more people to be able to utter it.
Abby did love him. She called many times during the week, to ask about the move, but mainly to tell him how she longed to see him. She was coming with food and a boyfriend for heavy lifting, a doctor. Chad would be here too. Will didn't know if it would be for him or for Sonny. He had tried to convince Sonny to stay in Salem, insisted that they would be harder to hang with, but Sonny had heard Will's pain. Will knew he was asking a lot but it was about survival. If Sonny wanted him, he had to be a boyfriend in working order, not a family-messed wreck.
Sonny sounded more and more tired and Will hated it. He guessed it was work-related, as they were having a tough week at the coffee-house, but he hated not being there to help him unwind or relax. On Wednesday, he told James about something funny that had happened at work and they chuckled for a few minutes. He caught his smiling face in the bathroom mirror and ran to his room to take a selfie. He sent it right away with the words 'to brighten your day'. He got a photo in response as he was getting ready for bed, of Sonny making a funny face, saying 'to make you laugh more'. Will did.
James liked the wine and hugged Will for a long time. Will spent the evening thanking him, opening up more than he had ever done with him. His belongings were all ready by the next morning and when Sonny rang and came in, Will forgot everything. The key to the new place, the people around them, his first name. He was looking at Sonny and Sonny was looking back. They were like kids. The move was easy. The apartment's windows let the golden sun rays in, making the place shine. Will took the framed picture and looked at the walls around him. Sonny frowned. "I'm not Stefano, Will, I don't need a big picture of me in my own place. Why don't we put one of us, together?" But Will said they didn't have one. Not since their new beginning. And he wanted to see this one, it was important to him. He hadn't told Sonny a lot about his first weeks in Chicago. He didn't want him to feel bad, he wanted them to forget and move on.
Chad hugged Sonny and turned to Will. He looked awkward, started a gesture. Will didn't do the first step. He needed to know. For everyone. Then Chad put his hand softly on Will's shoulder "Glad to see you again, man. Can't wait for the housewarming party." Will patted the hand and grinned. Abby almost choked him. She was slender but full of happy energy. She whispered "They're waiting for you." But Will couldn't listen yet.
And here they were, all on their own, vulnerable. With a fragile and naked happiness that made their movements cautious and full of hopes. Sonny was still waiting for Will's overtures, and it was frustrating a little. Will didn't want to be angry, not on this day, but he wanted his man to be bolder, more himself.
So Will became more seductive, licking his lips, taking his clothes slowly, brushing his own stomach. He let his eyes invite Sonny. But Sonny closed his eyes "I'm tired, Will, with all the lifting. Can we got to sleep?" Will felt slapped.
He lied in the lying bed, cold. He hated his feelings, how strong his emotions could go. Taming them had turned him into a zombie, so he couldn't change. He felt his tears dampen the pillow and walked up to the bathroom. There was a tub, a big one that carried promises of shared bath. He ran one for himself, needing the warmth. His muscles relaxed, his head cleared up. He saw things from a different perspective. He wanted Sonny to be sure, and yet, he had no way to be.
He tiptoed to the side of the bed and ran a gentle finger on Sonny's cheek. His boyfriend opened two confused and warm brown eyes. Will kissed him softly and murmured "I love you Sonny. Like I did before. Even more." Sonny's shoulders sag and the relief made his body tremble sightly. He caught Will's hand and pulled him to the bed. Will resisted just a little, playfully, so Sonny sat up and grabbed him. Will found himself pinned to the mattress, panting. Sonny kissed him rough, in a predatory way, with lots of tenderness. Will felt young. Like the 20 year-old that he was.
The slept in and had breakfast in bed. Sonny gave Will plenty pecks. He was laughing all the time. Except when he was moaning under Will's hands as he massaged his back. He slept a lot. Will read. In the afternoon, they went for a little walk in the city, hands in hands. Will was feeling so strong, he began thinking about the idea of visiting Salem. He didn't tell Sonny though. He needed to be more sure.
They went to bed early. The first commute was on Monday morning and they didn't know exactly when Sonny would have to leave to beat traffic. Just before drifting to sleep, Will said "Thank you, Sonny." "For what, my love?" "For agreeing to live here and drive so much every day." Sonny had a tired smile and answered "It's okay, I needed the distance too. I wanted to ask you anyway." "Ask me what?" "To live with me."
Will dreamt of his mother. She was kissing Sonny hello and joking with them. She used to. Then she changed and looked at him with scorn. That was his last memory. He woke up screaming. Sonny soothed him back to sleep.
It only took Sonny five more kisses to get in the car. He still wasn't late, but if he wanted to sleep longer, they would need to tone it down. Will smiled and went to catch his bus.