Will sat across from EJ at work. EJ had been on the phone all day schmoozing and arranging guests for their art exhibition. Will tried to pay attention but he could only try for so long.
Balancing a pad of yellow legal paper on his knee, Will jotted down a few thoughts that popped into his head. Ever since his discussion with Sonny, Will tried to focus on his writing. He found himself writing in the margins of his notes in class or on memos for EJ.
Will realized he enjoyed writing much more than he thought he did. It was a wonderful escape and was the perfect way to clear his mind of all fears and worries.
Unfortunately for Will, often times, his own mind worked against him. Reading the poem he jotted down, Will frowned. Even he couldn't pretend that was about his boyfriend.
Ugh, Will flipped the pad of paper over and tried again. He just couldn't stop writing about Alex. He didn't want to know what that meant for his subconscious.
Focusing on his frustration with the situation and himself, Will's fingers flew across the page.
Again, all that came out was Alex.
What the hell is wrong with me? I have a perfect boyfriend. After all that time, after months of thinking he was too good for me, Sonny wants to be with me. He wants me, only me. But all I can think about is his brother. God, I am just like my mom. Why can't I just be happy with what I have? What is the matter with me?
"What's with you?" EJ questioned, hanging up his office phone. "You're looking more high-strung than usual."
"It's nothing," Will ripped the page of paper out and crumpled it up. "I'm trying to write and it's all coming out like garbage."
"Writing?" EJ asked. "I didn't know you had any writing courses this semester."
"I don't," Will sighed. "I just like doing it. Well, when it cooperates. Sometimes it has a mind of its own, though."
"Is that something you're interested in pursuing?" EJ wondered.
"I talked to my counselor at school," Will said. "He gave me some info to look over but, yes, I thought about it."
"You should commit to it," EJ suggested. "If this is something you're interested in, you need to go after it. Although, it does explain your interest in the art expansion in the company."
"Yeah, it does," Will nodded, surprising EJ.
"Well, if you continue with your schooling and show promise," EJ decided, "there will be a place for you here."
"Thanks," Will smiled. He checked the time and realized his day was over. He gathered his belongings, a backpack and coat. At the last minute, he threw the crumpled ball of paper towards his trash can. It hit the rim and fell to the floor.
After Will left, EJ grabbed it, reading it over with raised brows. He put it in his top desk drawer, filing it away for later.
Alex walked into Common Grounds, wiping his nose with the sleeve of his shirt. It had been a few days since Will nursed him to health. Only lingering symptoms remained of his cold but for the most part, he felt much better. He attributed that to Will.
Will called and came by to check on Alex every day. He forced Alex to take his medication. One time going so far as to hold Alex's nose shut until he had to swallow down the meds. It was aggravating and wonderful all at the same time.
Will was stubborn, too cheerful, and a pain in the ass but Alex appreciated him. No one put so much effort into making Alex well before. Alex knew he was a terrible patient. He rejected comfort and never wanted anyone coddling him. When he was young, Alex would hide in his room, demanding to be alone when he was sick. Everyone realized it was easier to leave Alex be than to fight him especially when sick.
Will fought back, though. For some reason, Alex didn't mind it either.
Alex stepped toward the counter to order and paused. Sonny was there.
Alex knew he wasn't the best brother. He never had been, never would be. Whenever Alex was around Will, he couldn't control his feelings. He knew Will was dating Sonny and knew he shouldn't feel the things he felt around Will because of that. He wasn't going to go out of his way to steal his brother's boyfriend, not if Will was happy.
That was before Alex walked in on this.
Sonny's elbows were on the counter, head in his hands as he smiled at a dark haired brunette. Alex recognized the smile too. It was the same smile Sonny gave an ice cream sundae. The same look in his eyes when he gazed at a toy he always wanted as a child. And he was giving that look and that smile to Brian.
Alex clenched his jaw before striding up to the counter. He elbowed Brian out of the way and asked Sonny, "The fuck are you doing?"
"Uh," Sonny frowned, "Alex, what are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you," Alex clarified, "doing whatever this is," Alex waved his hand in Sonny's face and said, "with the stutterer."
"I don't have a stutter!" Brian hissed.
Alex ignored him and focused on Sonny. "Don't you have a boyfriend?"
"I'm not doing anything," Sonny said, rolling his eyes. "Brian and I are friends."
"I think you're forgetting one little thing, baby brother," Alex said with narrowed eyes. "I know you."
Sonny took a step back, exhaling through his nose.
"I know all your little flaws," Alex continued. "And I know exactly what you're doing and why."
"You don't know anything," Sonny responded, refusing to look at Alex or Brian.
"Yeah, I'm sure your boyfriend will find that convincing," Alex snorted.
"What is your problem?" Sonny demanded, crossing his arms. "Alex, what the hell is this?"
"Pretty sure it's obvious," Brian interjected, giving Alex a knowing look.
Alex stood up straighter, glaring at Brian.
"What are you talking about?" Sonny asked.
"What are all you talking about?" a new voice said, Will, standing at Alex's side.
Everyone's eyes shifted to Will making him shift from foot to foot. He adjusted the strap on his backpack, resisting the urge to bow his head.
"What?" Will wondered.
"You," Brian gave Will a smarmy smile, "we were talking about you."
Sonny's eyes flitted between Will and Alex several times, forehead wrinkling.
"What about me?" Will asked, uneasy.
"Just how much Alex, here, is fond of you," Brian said as he took his cup of coffee. "I wouldn't worry about it. See you around, Sonny."
Will watched as Brian walked out of the store before turning to face Sonny. "What was that about?"
"Nothing," Alex answered right away. "Brian's nothing. Isn't he, Sonny?"
Will watched as Sonny and Alex held each other's stares before Sonny nodded.
"Will," Sonny asked, "can I talk to you, in private?"
"Oh, yeah, sure," Will said, giving Alex a smile as Sonny came from behind the counter. "I'm glad you're feeling better. I told you the medicine would work."
"Yeah, thanks," Alex responded. "I do feel better."
"Good," Will grinned before following Sonny to a hallway near the supply closet. "Hi."
"Hi," Sonny said, arms crossed. "Look, I just-I wanted to talk and I think that, well you see, I-,"
"You what?" Will asked. "You know you can tell me anything."
"I know," Sonny nodded with a small smile. "I want to ask you about Alex. About how close the two of you are."
Will felt his chest seize up. He hoped he didn't look as panicked as he felt.
"Wh-what about Alex?" Will asked, trying to control his blinking.
"You guys are close," Sonny pointed out. "Super close. Alex, he well, he doesn't get that close to people but he's close to you. He-um-stands up for you. He has since the beginning. I guess I don't get it."
"What's to get?" Will wondered.
"I don't get it," Sonny said. "I love Alex. He's my brother. But he's not the nicest guy. Most of the time he's a douchebag. He doesn't seem like someone you'd want around."
"I like Alex," Will said, annoyance creeping up on him. "I don't get why you're so upset with him all the time. Just give him a chance."
"Will," Sonny said, giving him a condescending look, "you don't know Alex the way I do."
"Maybe you don't know him the way I do," Will countered. "Why do you even care if I'm friends with Alex?"
"I care because he doesn't like anyone, Will," Sonny said. "He never has. He had friends and dates and they were all disposable. It's what's going to happen with you too. He's bored in Salem and as soon as he leaves, you're gonna get hurt. You're attached and I don't want him hurting you."
"He isn't going to," Will said, incredulous. "You don't give him enough credit. That's why he won't open up to you."
"Oh, and he does with you?" Sonny narrowed his eyes. "Alex cares about his family, yeah. But other than that he likes drinking, smoking, and fucking. I don't see how there's room for you."
Will, anger getting the better of him, wanted to tell Sonny just how he fit into Alex's priorities. But he didn't. He knew it wouldn't do anything other than hurt feelings. Besides, Sonny did have a point. Alex hurt him before. But Will understood. Alex shouldn't have said what he did and Will shouldn't have gotten his hopes up with him.
Instead of explaining that to Sonny, Will took a deep breath.
"Look, Alex and I are friends," Will said. "I'm sorry if that bothers you but we are. I'm not crazy about Brian but I wouldn't ask you to cut him out of your life. So, what are you telling me here?"
Sonny didn't know what to say. He made several aborted sounds and motions. Sonny thought Will would back down. Thought Will would cave, say he understood Sonny's concerns. Offer to stay away from Alex only for Sonny to insist it wasn't necessary. That he trusted Will. The two would laugh it off but come out stronger as a couple.
Only, Will didn't offer anything of the sort. Sonny didn't know what to do with that.
"I guess I'm saying it bothers me that you're so close to Alex," Sonny admitted after a time.
"Because you're not as close to him?" Will tilted his head to the side.
"I-well-that might have something to do with it," Sonny admitted, glancing at the floor. "I just-the way Alex looks at you-the way you look at him-I think there might be something there. I know that's ridiculous. Alex doesn't even like men. And I mean, you're nothing close to Alex's usual type."
"Sonny," Will whispered, stomach bottoming out.
"Look, I know it's dumb but that's how I feel," Sonny said.
"No, I get it," Will said. "I kind of feel the same way about Brian, you know, jealous."
"You're jealous of Brian?" Sonny's lips quirked up.
"Can you blame me?" Will gave Sonny a look. "He likes you and you know that."
"I guess I do," Sonny admitted. "Is it bad I kinda like that you're jealous?"
"A little," Will said. "But at least you're honest."
Will tried not to grimace when Sonny pulled him into a firm hug. Will knew he needed to tell Sonny the truth about things with Alex. He just didn't know how.
"What'd your warden want?" Alex asked as Will joined him at a table near the front counter.
"My what?" Will frowned. He reached for a cup of coffee Alex pushed in front of him.
"Sonny," Alex clarified, "We all know how he thinks he's in charge of you."
"Warden?" Will shook his head.
"I imagine a life with Sonny would be like a prison sentence," Alex shrugged. "What did he want?"
Will wasn't sure if he should discuss it or not. But Alex might be the only one Will could talk to about it all.
"Nothing," Will said, looking at his mug. "Just talking about some things. But-uh-you do look better, you know?"
"I feel better," Alex said with narrowed eyes, knowing Will wasn't telling the truth. "I have a photo session in about an hour planned. I thought I might need to cancel it. But I need to get everything for the exhibition done."
"I'm glad you don't need to cancel," Will said. "You said something the other day about your inspiration lacking. How are you feeling now?"
Alex lifted one shoulder, pouring a packet of sugar in his coffee. "We'll see how it goes."
"Well," Will said, "I believe in you."
"You do?" Alex looked up at Will.
"Uh-huh, of course," Will nodded. "I've seen your pictures. I know how talented you are. You're an artist. Sometimes your inspiration comes and sometimes it goes. I understand about that. But your type of talent doesn't just disappear. It'll come to you. I know it."
"You know it, huh?" Alex said, looking right into Will's eyes.
"I know," Will grinned. "Trust me."
Alex nodded, tiny smile on his face as he looked at his coffee.
"We were talking about you," Will said after a few moments of staring at Alex.
"Who was?" Alex asked, looking up at Will.
"Sonny and me," Will said, "we were talking about you."
"What about me?" Alex pressed, swallowing.
"Sonny thinks we're too close," Will answered in a quiet voice.
"Are we?" Alex wondered, for once serious.
"I-I don't know," Will responded. "I didn't like him implying I was doing anything wrong. But sometimes it feels like I am."
Alex nodded but didn't say anything else. Will wished he had. He had no idea how to deal with his conflicting emotions.
"I gotta go," Alex said finishing off his coffee. "You wanna go with me?"
"To your photography session?" Will asked.
"Yeah," Alex said.
Will wanted to go. He wanted to see Alex in his element. Wanting to see how he'd interact with the model, how it all came about.
But Will knew he shouldn't. He shouldn't want to see those things unless it was about his boyfriend. He definitely shouldn't care about his boyfriend's brother that way. But that was the problem. Will didn't think of Alex as Sonny's brother. He thought of Sonny as Alex's.
"I need to study," Will said. "So, I better stay here. But thank you. Um, maybe I can go next time."
"Yeah, maybe," Alex responded. "See you around, Horton."
Will frowned when Alex left.
"Hey," Sonny said as he walked over and took Alex's vacant seat. "Alex go?"
Will nodded, messing with his mug. "He has a photoshoot."
"Oh, good," Sonny smiled. "It's my break. Want me to order us something to eat?"
"That'd be nice," Will agreed.
Sonny stood up but before he left he bent over and kissed Will.
Alex adjusted his camera and sighed. He had everything set up and nothing. No inspiration.
"Is there a problem?" the model asked, voice raspy.
"No," Alex said, "Need a minute."
Alex turned his back on the naked female and closed his eyes. He needed to clear his head and get his shit together.
Alex thought back to the last time he felt comfortable taking pictures. It was with Will. Will's naked body, Will's trusting eyes, Will's flushed skin.
With Will, everything felt easy, natural. It all came together without any trying.
Will believes in me, Alex recalled. He knows I can do this.
With that flowing through him, Alex turned back around, confident.
"Alright, get back in position," Alex ordered. He snapped shot after shot, settling into his old swagger. If he kept Will in his mind during the shoot, that was his business, no one else's.
Will's fingers flew across his laptop screen. He needed to write an essay for his Economics class but he couldn't focus. Instead, Will wrote a story. Just something small and simple, childlike even. He might try reading it to Sydney as a bedtime story later that night.
Sonny darted around the room, refilling coffees and restocking everything. Sometimes he'd spend time in his office. Other times Sonny would work behind the counter or sit and flirt with Will.
Will read the simple story and sighed. He used his writing to distract himself from Alex. Just like this morning, Will's writing had a mind of its own.
A handsome, blue-eyed prince needing rescuing from his evil stepmother. God, I'm not even subtle, am I?
Will slammed the lid down on his laptop and rested his head on top of it.
No wonder Sonny worries about me being around Alex. I'm starting to get worried. What if I do something stupid because I can't control myself?
Contemplating ordering another coffee, Will heard a loud, familiar commotion rush inside the door.
"Cookies!" Sydney yelled, running straight to the pastry counter.
Johnny and Allie followed after her. EJ, holding the door open for Sami, walked over as well.
Will watched his siblings jump up and down, jittery and distracted by the possibility of sweets. It took them all a few minutes to notice Will.
"Will-Will!" Sydney screeched, pumping her little arms and legs over to him. She jumped in his lap, wide grin staring up at him.
"Hey, Syd-Syd," Will smiled.
"I get a cookie!" Sydney exclaimed. "Daddy said so."
"Did he?" Will nodded. "That's nice of him."
Will glanced over at the counter to see one of Sonny's employees handling the large order. Finished, they all joined Will and Sydney at his table.
"Hey," Sami greeted, getting the kids seated and handing out cookies. "Here, for you," Sami said as she pushed a chocolate cookie in Will's direction.
"Thanks," Will said, breaking it into pieces and chewing. "What are you all doing here?" Will asked around a mouthful.
EJ, a disgusted look on his face, said, "how many times do I have to tell you to stop talking with your mouth full?"
Will stuck his tongue out, half-chewed cookie showing.
"We're waiting for your father," Sami told Will, amused by his interaction with EJ.
"Is it time to send Allie with him already?" Will asked.
Everyone chatted for a few minutes until Sonny headed out of his office and walked over.
"Hi," Sonny said, hand on the back of Will's chair, "how is everything?"
"Great," Will told him with a strained smile. This was the first time since they started dating that Sonny was with Sami, EJ, and all three siblings. Will didn't know how this was going to go.
Sonny, used to everyone liking him, didn't know what to say when faced with Sami and EJ. He'd talked to them before, of course, but that was under different circumstances. Now, Sonny was dating Will and Sami and EJ were looking at him expectantly. Only, he didn't know what they expected of him.
EJ gave Sonny a shrewd look. It wasn't that EJ didn't like Sonny Kiriakis. He just didn't think he was the best fit for Will. Like Samantha before him, Will had many facets to his personality. Certain aspects that Sonny would never understand or appreciate.
"So," EJ faced Will, "after the art showing, I thought we could throw a little after party. Just for a few select individuals."
"Okay," Will nodded. "At the mansion?"
"Yes," EJ confirmed. "I'll find a way to make my father scarce."
"Just give him that new recording of the Italian Opera Company," Will suggested. "He'll get distracted for hours."
"That's a good idea," EJ agreed.
"Nono likes music," Johnny confirmed, face covered in crumbs.
"He does," Sami said, reaching over to wipe off his face.
Sonny stood behind Will with a forced smile on his face. He didn't understand how Will could get so close to the DiMera family. Most of the time Sonny forgot Will's siblings were DiMera's. But here, faced with EJ, hearing them casually discuss Stefano as if he was a regular, everyday grandfather, left Sonny unsettled.
Will was in a family that was too dangerous.
"Maybe one of these days I'll take you on a business trip with me," EJ told Will.
"Are you sure that's smart?" Sonny interjected before Will could answer.
Will, mouth open and ready to speak, turned to look at Sonny. His eyebrows wrinkled, forehead creased.
Sami and EJ both stared at Sonny. Sami's eyes blazed as her arms crossed.
"I just mean he has school," Sonny clarified. "I don't think missing class for that would be a good idea."
"I didn't say he would miss school," EJ said, lips pursed.
"Well, I still think that-," Sonny tried to see only for EJ to cut him off.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion," EJ drawled. He held Sonny's gaze for a long moment before turning back to Will. "We could visit the offices in Chicago or St. Louis. Maybe even go to New York during the holidays."
Will sat up straighter, face lighting up. "Really?"
"Of course," EJ nodded. "Maybe make a family trip of it."
"Trip?" Allie said, perking up. "Disneyland?"
"No one said Disneyland," Sami sighed.
"But you could," Johnny grinned, batting big brown eyes at Sami.
"No one is going to Disneyland without me," Will said, talking with his hands. "Just so we're all clear here, people."
"Who's going to Disneyland?" Lucas asked, walking up to the group while they were distracted.
"No one," Sami said. "It's just wishful thinking."
"Aw," Will and Johnny said at the same time, crossing their arms and pouting.
"Yeah, they're not related to you at all," Lucas said while looking at Sami.
"Why do you even want to go to Disneyland?" Sami asked Will. "You're afraid of heights."
"I could still have fun," Will defended.
"William and I were discussing him accompanying me on a few business trips," EJ said, attempting to be polite with Lucas.
"What?" Lucas asked, smile falling.
"Well, I am his intern," Will said, sensing trouble. "That's sort of what I do."
Lucas and Sonny rolled their eyes at the same time.
"I don't think that's a good idea right now," Lucas said which caused Sonny to voice his agreement.
"Lucas," Sami said in a low voice, eyes flashing at him, "what did I talk to you about?"
Lucas cleared his throat, averting his eyes. "Anyway, I'm just here to get my little princess."
As Lucas gathered up Allie's things, Sonny rushed behind the counter. He came back with a to-go bag of desserts for Lucas and a plateful of things for the table.
"Enjoy," Sonny said.
Will's grin was worth putting up with Sami and EJ.
A few hours later, at closing time Will helped Sonny wipe down table tops.
"I'm glad you spent all day with me," Sonny told Will.
"And all night," Will said. "I'm glad I did too. I like spending time with you."
Will did. He enjoyed spending time with Sonny even if most of the time Will watched him work. Still, whenever Sonny would catch Will's eyes, Will couldn't ignore the warm feeling inside his chest.
Sonny had always done that to Will. There was always something about Sonny that made Will nervous, like a schoolboy. He had a way of making Will feel awed in his presence. Almost like Sonny was some mystical figure, someone higher above Will. At times it made Will feel awkward. Other times Will felt charmed by it almost. Today was one of those days.
After everything got wiped down and cleaned, Sonny collapsed on the couch. He patted the spot next to him, smiling when Will sat down.
"Thanks for helping me tonight," Sonny said, grabbing Will's hand. He rubbed his thumb up and down Will's pulse point.
"You're welcome," Will shrugged with one shoulder. "It's fine. I've had a lot of practice at the pub."
"Will," Sonny gave him a look, "let me show you how thankful I am."
"How would you-oh," Will grinned, letting Sonny pull him in close.
Will let Sonny control the kiss. He enjoyed the gentle heat of Sonny's hands on his face. The sweet, almost chaste nature of their kiss. But after a few moments, Will wanted more.
When Sonny wouldn't take the hint, Will decided to take the initiative.
Sonny made a sound in the back of his throat when Will shoved him onto his back. His hands grasped Will's hips, opening his mouth when he felt Will's tongue on his lips.
Will held Sonny down, hands wandering. When the palm of his hand found Sonny's crotch, Sonny sat up.
"Woah," Sonny said, dislodging Will. "Hold on."
"What?" Will asked, chest heaving, sitting on Sonny's legs.
"Don't you think we're going too fast?" Sonny asked. He brushed Will's hands away when Will tried to touch his hair.
"No," Will said, "I think we're going too slow."
"This stuff is all new for you, Will," Sonny sighed. "I don't want to rush you into anything."
"Um-," Will pressed his lips together and got off Sonny. "That's not entirely true."
"What do you mean?" Sonny sat up straighter, brows furrowed.
"I-um-well, you see," Will wrung his hands together. He knew this day would come. He tried to prepare but he had no clue what to do here. "I-um-I've done this before."
"With Gabi?" Sonny asked, lines on his forehead pronounced.
"Yes, but that's not what I meant," Will said. He took a deep breath. "I've been with a guy before."
"You've made out with a guy before?" Sonny swallowed.
"You could say that," Will mumbled.
"How far have you gone with a guy?" Sonny wondered, tone gruff, and arms crossing. "And how many guys? One or-or more than that?"
"Well," Will frowned, "how many have you been with?"
"What?" Sonny asked.
"You tell me about your times and I'll tell you about mine," Will replied. He didn't appreciate Sonny's tone.
Sonny balked, scooting away from Will. "We don't need to do that."
"What?" Will looked at Sonny in surprise.
"Why are you asking about that?" Sonny stood up. "We don't need to talk about any of that."
"Your past?" Will clarified. "You don't want to talk about that, ever?"
"Why do you need to know?" Sonny challenged.
"Because it's important," Will said. "It's your past. How am I supposed to know you if I don't know how you got to where you are?"
"The past is in the past. That's where it's going to stay," Sonny insisted. "We don't need to talk about it. I've had some boyfriends. You've been with someone. That's all we need to know."
"You don't want to know who I was with?" Will narrowed his eyes. "Not at all?"
Sonny opened and closed his mouth. He fought with himself and his instincts. He did want to know who Will was with and just how far things had gone. But asking Will to reveal his past would bring up his own. That wasn't something he couldn't tell Will not this soon anyway.
"I like you, Will," Sonny confessed, grabbing Will's hands again. "It doesn't matter to me who you were with, that's not gonna change. How do you feel?"
"I like you too," Will promised. He felt strange about this all. From what Will knew, it was important for couples to talk about these things. Will didn't get why Sonny was so opposed unless there was something he wanted to hide.
"Does it matter who I dated before?" Sonny asked.
"No, I guess not," Will answered, thinking for a moment. "You don't care who I was with at all?"
"It's not that I don't care," Sonny said. "It just doesn't change anything for me. Now, why don't I walk you home?"
Will nodded and stood up. He didn't know how to feel about everything. A part of him felt relieved he wouldn't have to tell Sonny about Alex. But he there was a niggling in the back of his mind about Sonny's desire for secrecy.
Alex sat on the couch in his hotel going through his shots from earlier in the day. They weren't half bad. Some he even quite liked. Yet, all Alex could think about was talking to Will.
Alex wanted to tell Will how well the shoot went. Invite Will over to look at the photos. Help Alex select which photos were going to go to EJ's art show.
He just wanted to see Will.
Alex opened the folder that contained Will's photos. They were some of the best photos he'd ever taken but he knew he couldn't use them. Well, he could but he'd never do that to Will. He looked them over a few minutes before grabbing his phone.
Alex thought of what to text to Will. Something simple and blunt but he knew Will would understand for what it was. Before he got a chance to send it, a knock sounded at the door.
"Saves me some time," Alex muttered, shoving his things on the small coffee table. "I was about to send you a text-,"
Alex trailed off when he saw who was at the door. It wasn't Will.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Alex spat out.
"Is that any way to greet your mother?" Anjelica Deveraux rolled her eyes. She pushed Alex and the door aside to enter the room. "Now, get Mummy a drink."
Author's note:
Decided to post this a day early as tomorrow is a busy day for me.
Thanks to everyone for reading. I hope you all have a happy holiday, no matter what you celebrate.