Will ran to Common Ground, panting so much he had to stop and put a hand on a wall not to spew his lungs out. He had no idea if he would find Sonny there but maybe he could see Chad. There was no way he was going to let Sonny push him away because he was sick. He knew firsthand the error that was fleeing from those you loved because you hurt too much. He owed Sonny that.
He had left Sami with a kiss on the cheek and the promise he would come visit the next week-end. He had been about to tell her to come to Chicago instead but then he had pictured the empty apartment, filled with Sonny's absence, and changed his mind. He felt the wind brush his face, felt the tears that had started running on their own.
Chad was indeed there, manning the counter a slight frown on his face. He looked up and met Will's stare, then looked guiltily away. Will walked to him, decided to fight.
He didn't need to. Chad didn't lie "Hi, Will, what can I do for you?" "Hello Chad. I'm looking for Sonny." "I don't think it's such a good idea" He stopped when he met Will's eyes and whispered "He's at Victor's mansion, moved in yesterday. He can't see you, though..." "Can't? What is that supposed to mean?" "Sorry, man..."
In Will's heart, the grey was creeping back, the one from the previous year when he was struggling, when life was bleak. Sonny's harsh words were resonating in his skull. They hadn't sound like Sonny, now that he thought about it. Even hurt, Sonny was compassionate.
He reached the Kiriakis door just in time to catch Justin exiting the mansion. He seemed pleasantly surprised to see Will which didn't make sense. Didn't he know they were broken up? Will didn't ponder and used the opening to ask "Hey, Justin, is Sonny in?" "Yes, didn't he tell you? Are you staying with us?"
The door was still open and Will had a view of the staircase. He saw Adrienne walk down. For the first time since he'd met her, she wasn't wearing any make-up and Will let out a gasp. Her skin looked dull and she had heavy bags under the eyes. Her steps were slow. Was she in sorrow over Sonny's health? Whatever the reason, Will's animosity toward her faded, just a little.
Hers didn't and he heard her yell with a broken tone "What are you doing here? You're not welcome!" Justin tensed up "Darling, we've discussed this. Will is Sonny's partner, he's family." "Will...?"
Will turned at that, staring right at Sonny. They froze, tears meeting tears, with no time to put a mask on. Sonny seemed broken. Will ran in his arms.
"Sonny!" Adrienne's harsh tone wasn't enough to make Will stop the hug. Being surrounded by Sonny's warmth, by his soft smell, was heaven. Sonny didn't move at first, then said "Why didn't you listen?" with such tenderness, Will felt his knees buckle under him.
"Are you sick, Sonny, you have to tell me. I'll help you, I'll be by your side, I promise." He heard Sonny gasp. They each took a step back, still connected through their gazes. Adrienne was beside them, looking furious "Sonny, don't!"
"At least, let me explain, mom. I owe him that." "You owe him nothing! He left, remember! You were miserable and he didn't care, went into other men's bed, I'm sure..." The venom in her voice was even worse than even Sami at her worst. Sonny didn't seem to listen, though and tugged Will's hand, leading him to the library room.
"Sit down, Will." He waited until Will reluctantly obeyed then asked, grave "What did you hear?" "I met Cameron. He was surprised to see me. I realized you had talked to him but he used the 'patient privilege' stuff so I realized it was about your health." Sonny looked horribly sad. Will's heart did a double twist "It isn't. You don't understand, I'm torn..."
He wasn't sick, Adrienne was. She had told him the day before, saying she had hidden it before as Sonny had rejected her but Justin had convinced her to tell their son. Sonny had felt guilty to the chore and wanted to spend as much time as possible. He had explained Will's job and the fact that he had a long commute and his mother had exploded, insisting he broke it off with Will to be at her side. And Sonny had agreed.
"We can still be together, honey. I've been accepted in college and I'll work part-time from home for the computer firm." Sonny shook his head, his brown eyes big and soft like those of a puppy "I'd be betraying her. She needs me." "I need you too. If we live in Salem together, I won't ask for much and she'll always be first. How serious is it?" "It's hard to say. Cameron looks worried but he can't be certain for now."
Will had never Sonny like that, like a vulnerable child. He put a hand under his boyfriend's chin and kissed him slowly. Sonny responded, sealing the deal. Whatever Adrienne would say, they had made it.
They went to the Coffee-house, holding hands to Chad's obvious delight. He brought them some muffins, then left them alone. Will felt like a drowning men who had just been rescued. This time he had been the one not giving up and he was proud and a little confused "Why did you say I should date James, honey? You know he isn't interested in me." Sonny's eyes turned a shade darker as he too Will's hand to press a kiss on it "Oh, he is, he's in love with you." Will shook his head "He never tried anything and we were living together. Plus he's gorgeous and successful, not the type to go for the likes of me." Sonny grinned, the clouds on his face parting a little "You never notice it, Will. You're beautiful, like few guys are. I'm lucky you wanted me too. James wasn't." Will wasn't convinced but he let it go. He started talking new apartment, here in Salem, they could sublet in Chicago. It didn't matter, nothing did. Sonny was healthy and he was his again, the Earth was turning right.