Alex woke from a short nap a couple hours later. His right arm was asleep but something warm pressed into his side.

Will, Alex thought, pulling his arm free. Alex let his mind wander, thinking back on every moment they experienced.

He thought tonight was going to suck. Sure, he had a date but he didn't have high hopes for her. Then Will showed up when he had plans with Sonny. And now this, Alex rolled over to stare at Will.

Will naked was a sight to behold. The only light in the hotel room came from the cheap street lamp outside the window. Yet Alex still craved to capture the moment. He wanted to document every inch of Will's skin, wanted to remember everything.

The realization made him nauseous.

Alex searched around for his lighter and a cigarette. He cracked open the window and lit up.

He puffed and puffed, blowing the smoke out the window, hoping to calm his nerves.

Alex did not feel things like this. He didn't do this. Will shouldn't have meant anything to Alex but he did. He did and Alex didn't know how to deal with it.

When Will woke up he smelled pizza and cigarettes.

"Hey," Alex said when Will's droopy eyes caught his. "I got hungry."

Will sat up, feeling a shooting pain in his lower back.

"Here," Alex handed Will a bottle of water and some aspirin.

"Thanks," Will said after he swallowed them down. He didn't know how to react to Alex now. Something changed for Will.

Before, Will dismissed his feelings for Alex. He didn't think anything could ever happen between them but tonight happened. This happened.

Will couldn't stop the rush of affection he felt for Alex. He couldn't stop the softening of his eyes or the blush on his cheeks.

"How you feeling?" Alex gave Will a slice of pepperoni pizza and a napkin.

Will moved around a bit and said, "Sore. But that's expected, right?"

"First few times, yeah," Alex nodded. He tried not to hold Will's gaze. "It'll get easier the more you do it."

Will ate his pizza in silence, enjoying the moment. Oblivious to Alex's internal panicking.

"Did-um-did you mean your offer from before?" Will asked once he finished eating. "About letting me-uh-be with you?"

"Aw, kitten," Alex smirked, "are you saying you wanna fuck me open?"

"…Maybe," Will said, face bright red. "I don't know if I'd be any good but I want to, with you."

"With me?" Alex repeated, catching Will's eye by accident.

"I want to try everything with you," Will said, a little too honest.

Alex didn't know if he wanted to revel in victorious butterflies or vomit.

"Did you smoke in here?" Will asked after a few moments. "It stinks."

"I opened a window," Alex said.

"You should quit," Will told Alex, helping himself to another slice. "You could get sick and I'd hate that."

"Yeah?" Alex asked, throat dry.

"Of course," Will flashed Alex a grin, "you're my best friend."

"Y-you're mine too," Alex cleared his throat, hoping Will wouldn't notice his slip up.

"I don't think I'm up for any more sex tonight," Will confessed, biting his lower lip. "You kind of took it out of me."

"Just so you know, if anyone else came all over my face, I'd kill them," Alex told Will. "So, feel privileged."

"Oh," Will grinned, taking a bite of pizza. "I do feel special, you know. Tonight sucked and then you made it all better."

"Tonight sucked and then I sucked?" Alex remarked, teasing Will.

"Yes," Will laughed. "You're good at that."

"Sucking you off? I know," Alex said even though he knew that wasn't what Will meant.

"No-well-yes but not what I meant," Will shook his head. "You always make me feel better. You bring me up when I'm down. I don't know. I appreciate it, though."

"I just see you the way you are," Alex shrugged. "But you're welcome."

"You wanna know something stupid?" Will said, giving Alex a strange look. "I thought tonight was gonna be a date. With Sonny, you know? I spent forever getting ready and everything."

"You wanted tonight to be a date?" Alex asked, stomach dropping out of him. His butterflies wilted.

"Yeah," Will licked his lips. "Stupid, right?"

Alex put his pizza back in the box. He wasn't hungry anymore.

Will thought waking up the next morning would be awkward but it wasn't. He didn't know if it was Alex or the two of them together but everything felt so comfortable. He snuggled into Alex's side without a care. He kissed Alex whenever he felt like it.

Will felt warm and relaxed and wanted. He didn't want that feeling to go away.

Seeing Alex so sleep rumpled and gentle did something to Will so early in the morning.

Will pressed Alex into the pillows, sucking on his lower lip. Alex moaned, hands attached to Will's butt.

"You really like my ass, don't you?" Will commented between kisses.

"So much," Alex punctuated his reply with a loud smack to the rear.

Will squawked but couldn't help but laugh.

With Will leaning over him, face free of all insecurities or fears, Alex asked, "Can I take your picture?"

"What? Right now?" Will didn't know if Alex was joking or not.

"Yeah," Alex licked his lips, swollen and pink. "That's-um-that's the kind of pictures I take."

"Oh," Will blinked a few times and settled into Alex's lap. "Okay."

"Yeah?" Alex repeated. "I mean, I want you just like this. No clothes."

Will bit his lower lip, nose scrunched up but nodded.

"Oh, fuck, okay," Alex didn't think Will would let him.

Alex rolled Will onto the bed, rushing around to find his things.

"Can I see some of your pictures then? You've never let me before," Will remarked as Alex grabbed his camera bag.

"I didn't want to scare you off," Alex said. He grabbed his backpack and threw it at Will. Inside was his portfolio from school. "Most people don't get my work."

"You mean your family?" Will questioned as he found the portfolio.

"Yeah," Alex snorted. "Dad tries and so do the twins. Sonny and Adrienne think I'm just using it to get chicks."

Will examined each picture with a smile on his face. He thought everything would have a porn-y feel to it but they didn't. Everything looked artistic, it told a story.

"There are more men in here than women," Will realized. "Strange way to pick up chicks."

"No one ever said they were the brains in the family," Alex set up his camera and adjusted the lighting. It was cheap and not what he'd prefer but it would do.

Will shook his head, amused. "I like these. They're interesting. I don't know if I get all them but some I do. Like this one," Will showed one to Alex, "the focus is on the scars and stuff. So it's about healing and strength?"

"Yep," Alex agreed, pleased that Will understood what his pictures said. "Most assume it's the huge tits, though.

Will laughed and held up a new picture. "And this one's not about this dude's horse-sized cock?"

"Nope," Alex smirked.

"Have you ever slept with your models?" Will wondered, trying to picture Alex doing anything with a dick that size.

"No," Alex said. "Well, not until you, but you're sort of the exception to my rules. Anyway, no, I don't fuck around with models. Work is work. Play is play. I have a line I don't cross."

"Until today," Will didn't know why that made him happy but it did.

"I got offers," Alex said, "but I'd turn them down. I am serious about my work despite what most people think."

"I can tell," Will finished the book and closed it. "These are awesome. You know, EJ and I are working on expanding the arts division of DiMera Enterprises. We're thinking of having an art exhibition or something. If we showed these photos to EJ, I'm sure he'd include them."

"I don't know," Alex said after taking a moment to think. "I want my pictures to stand alone. Not because you told someone to use them."

Will laughed. "You don't know EJ that well. Trust me. He wouldn't do something just because I told him. Maybe my mom but not me."

"Yeah?" Alex deliberated, cute little pout to his lips. "Would you set it up? I mean, I don't want you to go out of your way, but you could?"

"Duh," Will rolled his eyes. "And I'll be there at the opening right by your side so I can be there for your big break."

"Now you're being stupid," Alex huffed. He held up his camera. "I'm ready when you are."

"What do I have to do?" Will asked, nervous all of a sudden.

Alex imagined this so many times. He pictured Will in so many poses, wanted to capture everything.

"Just look at me," Alex ordered, lifting his camera to his face.

Will sat cross-legged on the bed, naked. His hair a mess and posture carefree. He glanced up at Alex, eyes wide and trusting.

"Yeah, just like that," Alex praised, snapping picture after picture.

The longer the session went on, the more comfortable Will became. Sometimes he flung his arms out, making a ridiculous face. Other times he looked vulnerable or shy. Sometimes sexy or brave.

Alex felt confident he captured most of Will's personality.

Alex moved onto the bed, focusing his camera on the dark hickey on Will's back. Will looked over his shoulder at him, back arched and ass on display.

"There's not gonna be a whole roll of just my butt, is there?" Will wondered with an impish smile.

"No," Alex rolled his eyes. "Although I could make a whole exhibit on that piece of art."

"Pity," Will wiggled his backend causing Alex to snort.

A few snaps later, Alex put his camera aside. "Thank you. I've wanted to do that for a while."

"Take pictures of my butt?" Will smiled.

"Among other body parts," Alex agreed. "So, thank you."

Will wrapped his arms around Alex's neck and pulled him onto the bed. He kissed him long and hard, their naked bodies pressed together.

"Alex?" Will asked as their hands roamed and tongues twisted.

"Hmm?" Alex wondered, hands going right for Will's butt.

"I wanna-mmm-I want you. I wanna be in you," Will declared between kisses. "Right now."

"Right now?" Alex swallowed.

"Teach me?" Will requested, thumbs rubbing behind Alex's ears. "I wanna make you feel as good as you made me."

"You'll never be that good," Alex teased, trying to play off his nerves. "But alright."

"Un-unless you don't want to," Will said, pulling back. "You said you liked being on top."

"I also said you're the exception to my rules," Alex said, kissing Will again. "So, just shut up and let's do this."

"So romantic," Will rolled his eyes as Alex got the supplies.

"Hate to break it to you," Alex said, "but most of the time sex isn't romantic."

"Maybe not for you," Will argued. "I bet I could change your mind."

"Right, sure," Alex said although he got the sneaking suspicion Will could if given the chance.

Now that the time came, Will didn't know what to do or how to start things.

Taking pity on him, Alex sighed and pulled Will into another kiss.

The two made out for several long minutes. Long enough for Will to forget their endgame and where this would lead.

It wasn't until Will climbed on top of Alex and their cocks brushed together that he remembered.

"Fuck," Will groaned, rubbing against Alex again.

"Mmm," Alex agreed, head thrown back.

"A-Alex," Will put his hands on Alex's hips, "Wh-what do I do now?"

"Touch me," Alex said, leaning back into the pillows. "Wherever you want."

Will nodded, hands spreading over Alex's hips and thighs. His hands worshiped Alex as did his lips.

Alex spread his legs, wanting Will lower.

Will took the hint. He grabbed Alex's length and tugged, smiling when Alex groaned.

"I want this to feel good for you too," Will said again as he groped around for the lube.

"Go slow and don't force anything," Alex requested. "It'll come to you."

Will did his best. He opened Alex diligently, starting with one finger and then two. When Alex's erection began to wane, Will leaned forward and licked over the tip.

"Fuck," Alex worked his hips into it. He didn't know if he wanted more of Will's mouth or his fingers.

Will worked until he felt like he wasn't going to last long enough to even get inside Alex.

"Please, please tell me it's time," Will begged, rutting into the sheets. "Alex?"

"Where's the condom?" Alex asked, just as ready.

Will scrambled to get the condom on and slick himself up. He was vibrating just like the last time they did this only Will wasn't nervous. Well, he wanted to make sure Alex enjoyed himself but most of all Will wanted to be inside Alex.

Alex grabbed Will's neck and pulled him into a kiss. Will lay between Alex's spread knees, getting lost in their kisses once more. Alex grabbed Will's cock and lined it up with his entrance.

Will took his cue and pushed inside, inch by slow torturous inch. Alex was so hot and tight.

"Oh, fuck," Will groaned, doing his best to stay still. He pressed his forehead into the juncture of Alex's neck. "This is not gonna last long."

Alex, winced when Will shifted, but nodded. He ran his hands up and down Will's back, trying to sooth him. "It's okay."

Alex admired Will's honesty and the way Will did his best to control himself. Taking pity on him, Alex hitched one leg around Will's waist and said, "You can move."

"Oh, thank God," Will moaned, breathing into Alex's ear.

It was unsteady and unpredictable. Will's thrusts inexperienced and lacking finesse but that made it even better for Alex.

Alex wasn't as loud as Will. He didn't cry out or whimper. But he held on tight. Strong thighs clamped to Will's waist, nails digging into Will's back.

Will, though, couldn't shut up.

"Oh, fuck. Oh, Alex," Will grunted, thrusting in and out to the best of his ability. "You feel so-so-oh God."

Will wrapped his fist around Alex's hard cock and jerked for all he was worth. Determined to get Alex off, determined to make it good before Will lost it.

Alex moaned when Will touched him. His eyes slipped closed as Will bent forward so they could kiss.

Will didn't last any longer. Alex was too hot, too tight. His mouth was too good. Everything was too good.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Will shouted, slamming into Alex one more time before coming.

Will kept his wits enough to keep moving his fist as he ground his pelvis into Alex.

"Keep doing that," Alex requested. Watching Will come undone, knowing it was because of him, brought Alex so much closer to the edge than he expected.

Will nodded. He eased out of Alex, remembering to be gentle, and collapsed near Alex's hips. He mouthed at the base of Alex's cock, thumb digging into the head.

Alex let out a small choke of warning before he came. Most of it landing on Will.

"Sorry," Alex grunted without feeling.

"No, you're not," Will chuckled. He wasn't sure what to do with the mess on his hands or cheeks.

"You know me so well," Alex laughed, sitting up with a wince. "Fuck, I want a picture of that too."

Stupid from orgasm, Will blinked up at Alex and said, "Okay."

"Wait, what?" Alex wasn't serious but if Will was offering.

Will let Alex snap a few pictures of his face. Flushed pink with pearly white smears over his cheeks, Will knew he had to look lewd.

"That'll be for my eyes only," Alex decided. He put his camera aside before helping to wipe Will's face clean. He groaned when Will sucked his come-covered thumb into his mouth.

"Was that good?" Will asked, using the sheets to wipe up Alex. "I tried my best."

"You were awesome," Alex promised with a kiss. "I don't normally get off from it either."

"No?" Will pulled Alex down, forcing Alex's head on his chest.

"Nope. I'll let them fuck me for a while before I roll them over," Alex said, trying to get comfortable. "So, trust me, it was good."

"Good," Will grinned, hand running through Alex's thick hair. He kissed Alex's forehead and said, "thank you for letting me do that."

Alex mewed, enjoying the petting.

"And you say I'm the kitten," Will teased.

Will didn't want to leave later that evening. He wanted to stay in Alex's room forever. Get lost in his kisses, in the intensity of his eyes.

Alex's hotel room was safe and warm. Nothing could hurt Will there. Alex wouldn't let it.

But Will had to go back to the real world.

"Do you have to go?" Alex asked. He had Will pressed against the front door, gripping his cheeks.

"Yes," Will groaned, desperately kissing Alex back. "My m-mom wants me home."

"Fuck that," Alex said.

"Promised," Will reminded Alex. "I'll see you again soon, right? Real soon?"

"You could always come back when you're done. Stay the night here, with me," Alex suggested.

"Yeah?" Will grinned.

"Uh-huh," Alex nodded. "If you want."

"I want," Will promised. He gave Alex one more kiss which turned into two which turned into three before he pulled away. "Okay, I gotta go. Thank you again for everything. You don't know what this all meant to me."

"Hurry the hell up then," Alex slid his hands down Will's back and squeezed his ass. "I want this again."

"I'm going, I'm going," Will laughed.

It took all Will's willpower to walk out of the hotel and away from Alex.

After Will left, Alex uploaded the photos to his laptop. He spent a long time admiring them. Admiring and remembering what Will's skin felt like against his.

He heard his phone buzzing nearby and saw his father calling.

"What?" Alex answered.

"Alex," Justin responded with a sigh, "must you answer the phone like that?"

"Yes, I must," Alex said, not paying much attention.

"Are you busy now?" Justin questioned, shaking his head.

"No, Will just left," Alex informed his father.

"I'd like you over to the mansion for dinner tonight. I haven't seen much of you lately," Justin explained.

"What time?" Alex asked, still looking at the pictures, captivated by one. Alex didn't remember what he said but it caused Will to smile. Too wide and bright, eyes sparkling in a way that made Alex's head spin.

"An hour," Justin said, surprised Alex agreed without an argument. When Alex told him goodbye, Justin knew for certain something was wrong.

Will took his turn putting a puzzle piece in place. He adjusted Sydney on his lap and glanced up in time to see his mom and EJ giving him matching looks.

"What?" Will asked.

Sami and EJ insisted they needed to have family nights. Will assumed it was some sort of dating thing they were trying out. But they were all in Sami's living room around a table working on a puzzle.

"You," Sami said with narrowed eyes. "There's something different about you."

"I agree," EJ nodded. "You don't look so uptight."

Will didn't know how to respond.

"Wait," a wide smile spread along Sami's lips, "didn't you have a date with Sonny last night?"

"Uh-no," Will told them. "Something happened and we had to cancel. I hung out with Alex."

"Oh, that explains it," Sami rolled her eyes.

"What explains it?" Will tilted his head.

"Why you look so relaxed," Sami said. "I'm sure the two of you-uh-found a medicinal way to relax."

"No, we didn't," Will huffed.

"Sure," EJ laughed. "As long as you're somewhere safe it's fine."

"We didn't," Will said.

"Whatever, you say," Sami responded. "At least you were with Alex. I know he won't let anything happen to you."

"Yes," EJ said, something hidden in his tone.

When Will caught EJ's eye he swallowed and looked away.

"Um-you know," Will said trying to change the subject, "I saw some of Alex's photos today. They're really great. I think you should have some in the DiMera Enterprises art exhibit next month."

"Hmm," EJ mused, "I'll have to look into it."

"You should," Will said, "He's talented."

"I'm sure he is," EJ told Will before looking away.

Alex pushed his food around his plate without focusing. Dinner was a small affair, Justin, Adrienne, Victor, and Maggie. Sonny bailed which Alex preferred, less chance of Sonny annoying him.

Alex had trouble following the conversation. Everything reminded him of Will. The food reminded him of that afternoon, polishing off the pizza while in bed. The red wine made Alex think of the flush of Will's cheeks. Even the napkins brought up memories of Will. How messy Will was when eating. How Alex wiped Will's face clean of pizza sauce and grease among other fluids.

Whenever Alex moved, the stinging in his backside brought to mind Will opening him up. Will, determined to make things good for Alex. Will caring for him. Will's interest in his art. Will in his arms. Lying in Will's arms feeling comfort and warm instead of caged.

Will, Will, Will.

"Okay, what is up with you?" Justin asked mid-way through dinner. He stared at Alex, incredulous he didn't respond to Adrienne wanting them to take a family portrait for their Christmas card. "Who are you and what have you done with my son?"

"What?" Alex asked, giving Justin a strange look.

"You!" Justin put his silverware on the table and stared at Alex with a pointed expression. "You're spacy. You keep smiling. This is unheard of."

"Maybe young Alexander here is in love," Victor quipped. "Of course, he'd have to find someone willing to put up with his personality for that to last."

Alex glanced at Victor and frowned. He didn't know what offended him more about that statement.

"See!" Justin pointed across the table. "Insults and nothing. Are you sick?"

"No," Alex huffed. "M'fine."

"You know," Adrienne said with a smile on her face, "you haven't denied Victor's accusation. Maybe he is in love."

"That would be the day," Justin joked. "Not my son, no. I don't think he's ever been close enough to someone to love them."

"Leave the poor boy alone," Maggie said. "Anyway, Adrienne, dear, you never told us why Sonny canceled."

"Oh, yes, well," Adrienne flared her nostrils and lifted her chin high in the air, "he wanted to find Will. Something about a date."

"Not something," Justin added, "everything. Sonny is hopelessly in love."

"Well, that's sweet," Maggie said. "They'd make such a lovely couple, you know. They are quite suited for one another."

Adrienne huffed, bowing her head.

Alex tossed his silverware on the table. He lost his appetite.

Standing in the back garden, Alex took the last hit of his cigarette before flicking it aside. Victor would kill him for leaving cigarette butts everywhere but Alex didn't care. That's what maintenance was for, after all.

Alex kept repeating the conversation from dinner in his head.

Of course, everyone would think Will and Sonny make a perfect couple. Of fucking course.

Alex crossed his arms, tapping his fingers. It took a few moments before he grabbed another cigarette out of his pack. He couldn't help it. He needed something to calm him down.

Alex put it from the back of his mind last night but now it was front and center.

Will thought last night was a date with Sonny. He wanted to go on a date with Sonny.

He wanted to date Sonny and settled for me. Last night only happened because Sonny fucked up. If he hadn't, Will might have… Alex couldn't finish that thought.

Alex did not feel this way about anyone. He didn't get butterflies. He didn't reassure them of their attractiveness and worth. He didn't cuddle. He just didn't do those things.

I need to pull my shit together and get over this funk I'm in.

The sliding glass doors opened and a familiar maid appeared.

"Got a light?" she asked, walking up to Alex, confident and strong.

She was the type of person Alex was used to. Hot but meaningless. Their night together wasn't that memorable but it also wasn't complicated. They both knew what to expect.

Alex lit her cigarette and said, "What are you doing tonight?"

He was getting Will Horton off his mind, no matter what it took.

Will closed the bedtime story he read to the twins and smiled. Allie and Johnny were fast asleep, curled up in Allie's bed.

It took a bit of maneuvering but Will managed to get Johnny back to his own bed and under the covers. Moments like this were worth the frustration of having younger siblings. The kids might whine and annoy him but Will loved them. When they were fast asleep, Will saw just how precious they were.

After checking on Sydney one last time, Will walked to the living room. His mom and EJ were drinking a glass of wine and talking. Will didn't want to interrupt.

"I'm going out for a while," Will informed them. "See you both later."

"Kids fast asleep?" EJ asked and smiled when Will nodded. "Goodnight, William."

"Night, baby," Sami said and laughed when Will wrinkled his nose in disgust.

Will closed the front door behind him and sighed. The past twenty-four hours were so exhausting and exhilarating. It was beyond anything Will could ever have dreamed.

And it's all because of Alex, Will thought.

He headed for the elevator and couldn't stop grinning. Alex changed everything for Will. He couldn't wait to go back to his hotel. It didn't matter if they did anything or not. Will just wanted to be around him.

Will didn't realize how strong his feelings for Alex were until now. He thought Alex was hot and loved spending time with him. But Will never considered the possibility of a relationship before. He didn't think Alex had it in him.

But he told me to come back. He took care of me. He listens to me. He shared so much with me.

Will wasn't naïve enough to imagine everything would be cupcakes and sunshine now. It would be difficult and Alex would be difficult. It would be worth it, though.

Alex likes me too. I know he does.

Will knocked on Alex's door for the fifth time and frowned. Alex was out and wasn't answering his phone.

Do I wait? Or will that make me look pathetic?

He told me to come back, though. He wanted me to spend the night. That wouldn't change, would it?

The elevator behind Will dinged and he turned around, excitement filling his insides. Or it did until he saw Alex stumble out of the elevator with a girl attached to his lips.

Will didn't say anything, couldn't say anything. He didn't understand.

Alex tumbled down the hall to his hotel. The chick with him was so short he almost had to carry her to keep their lips attached.

He didn't like inviting anyone back to his place but he needed to this time. He had a point to make, after all.

Alex didn't notice Will until he was in front of the door. It took him a few seconds to categorize Will's expression. Alex swallowed. He didn't anticipate how difficult it would be to do this to Will's face.

"Will, what are you doing here?" Alex said, arm wrapped around the girl's neck.

"You-uh-you told me to come back," Will said, trying not to look at Alex or the girl or anywhere at all.

Will wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole.

"Things change," Alex said, voice gruff. "I'm busy, so," Alex made a shooing motion with his hand.

"Right," Will mumbled, eyes on the floor. He took two steps towards the elevator before he stopped and turned around. He looked Alex in the eyes, doing all he could to stave off his own tears. "You're an asshole, you know that?"

"I don't know what you want from me, Horton," Alex responded. "I'm not your boyfriend and I'm never going to be. You knew that from the start."

"What's his deal?" the girl with Alex asked with a laugh.

"Nothing," Alex said, unlocking the door. "Just someone else I have to add my reject list. Pity too, I didn't even get a proper blowjob out of him."

"Aw, poor baby," the girl leered. "I think I can change that, don't you think?"

Will turned for the elevator, doing everything he could to erase Alex's words and the image of the girl's hands sliding over Alex's body from his mind.

Will trudged through town, arms wrapped around his waist. He didn't know what to do or where to go. If he went back home he'd see his mom and EJ again and they'd force him to talk. Or worse, he'd catch them in a compromising position, again.

There wasn't anyone Will could talk to, not about everything. He couldn't talk to anyone about his first time and how amazing it was. Not without telling them who it was with and what happened after.

The worst part was, Alex was right. He didn't make any promises to Will. Will knew they weren't dating. He knew what Alex was like. He didn't know why he got his hopes up.

Alex never said he liked me or that he wanted to be with me. He took care of me because we're friends. That's it. He said he waited a long time to sleep with me. That's all it was.

I can't believe I thought it could mean anything more. I'm such an idiot.

Will walked and walked until he walked right into another person.

"Woah," two steady hands on his shoulders helped steady Will. "Hey, there you are. I've been looking all over for you."

Will didn't have to look up to know it was Sonny. He'd recognize the gentle tone in his voice anywhere.

"Where've you been?" Sonny asked, looking over Will's forlorn expression. "Why did you cancel on me last night?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Will mumbled.

"No," Sonny sighed, "I was afraid of this. Lauren said she saw you last night. You know, my waitress? She said she saw you rushing out of there. You overheard what they said, Kareem and Dustin, didn't you?"

Will nodded. He almost forgot about that. Alex made him forget.

Will wanted to tell Sonny that wasn't what the problem was, though. That Sonny's friends weren't worth Will's frustration. That the real reason Will felt so bad was because of Sonny's brother. But he couldn't. He couldn't tell Sonny what happened.

"I don't know if you heard everything," Sonny said.

"I heard enough," Will interjected. "I'm not as stupid as they think I am."

Sonny winced. "Well, I wish you had stuck around. You would have heard me tell them off."

"Yeah?" Will looked at Sonny in surprise. "But you didn't-you let them-you didn't say anything."

"Not at first," Sonny said, "I should have but I didn't. I wish you didn't have to deal with that but I promise I scared them off. No one's allowed to talk about you like that."

"They aren't?" Will asked, voice soft and vulnerable.

"Of course not," Sonny took a step closer to Will. He ran his knuckles down Will's cheek. "I was looking forward to last night tot. I kind of thought we were going on a date."

"I did too," Will whispered, looking Sonny straight in the eyes. Eyes that were so different from Alex's. Everything about Sonny was so different from Alex.

"I want to try again," Sonny told Will with a confident smile. "A proper date. I'll even pick you up, if you want."

"You don't have to do that," Will replied, breath caught in his throat.

"Okay," Sonny grinned, "Then you'll meet me at the pub. Tomorrow, okay?"

Will paused. Something cautioned him against this. He couldn't go out with Sonny when he was hung up on Alex. He couldn't go out with Sonny when that morning he had sex with Sonny's brother.

Then Will remembered what he saw, Alex's hotel, the girl, the cruel words Alex said.

It didn't mean anything. We're just friends. That's all we'll ever be, if that.

Will nodded, "Tomorrow."

"Great," Sonny said, "5 o'clock at the pub. Don't be late."

"I won't," Will responded.

"I gotta get going," Sonny said but didn't move. He continued standing in front of Will, beaming.

"Sonny," Will urged, feeling embarrassed.

"Right, sorry," Sonny shook his head. "I'll see you tomorrow. Bye."

"Bye," Will said, a sinking sensation in his stomach.

Will did have a crush on Sonny, had for a long time too. But the past few weeks, getting closer to Alex, things got all screwed up.

Maybe it was better for Will to focus on the boy that liked him back rather than the one that only wanted to sleep with him.

Author's note:

That turned around fast, didn't it? Hopefully, no one is too upset. The course of true love never did run smooth, after all.

Thanks for reading and please let me know what you thought.

Also, it broke my heart to hear that Joseph Mascolo passed away. I always loved him and loved Stefano.