"Hey," Will said into the phone. "Can you meet us for breakfast at the Pub before you get to work?"
"Sure," Paul responded eagerly.
"OK," Will beamed. "OK, um good. Right, I need to get us both ready but maybe in an hour?"
"Yeah," Paul laughed. Will sounded so excited. Paul couldn't help but feel flattered.
"I'm gonna go but I'll see you soon," Will said with a smile in his voice. "Bye."
Paul walked into the Brady Pub. Almost as if he was drawn to them he found Will and Ari right away. He stopped to admire them for a few moments. Will was teaching Ari how to drink from a large glass.
Paul sat down in the booth across from Ari and Will.
"What are my favorite blondes doing?" Paul questioned.
Ari, water on her chin and dripping down her neck, answered, "I used a big girl cup!"
"Awesome," Paul lifted his hand for Ari to give him a high five.
Ari slapped her small hand against Paul's larger one enthusiastically.
"Are you ready to tell Paul what we practiced?" Will asked Ari. He couldn't wait to see Paul's reaction.
'He's either going to love this or hate it,' Will knew. Will recalled their date and the morning together after that. He remembered every time Paul was there for him, how hard Paul tried. He remembered Paul sticking up for him to Tori, how Paul sticks up for him to everyone, including Will himself. 'No, Paul's going to love it.'
"What are you talking about?" Paul wondered. He glanced between Will and Ari. The two had matching mischievous smiles.
Ari bounced up and down in her seat. Taking a deep breath she said, "Ari likes Paul. Daddy likes Paul. Paul likes Daddy and Ari."
Will patted Ari's back encouraging her to continue.
"That means Paul is not Daddy's friend," Ari grinned. "Paul is Daddy's boyfriend."
Paul kept his eyes on Ari while she was talking. The longer she spoke the wider Paul's eyes got. When Ari finished Paul snapped his eyes towards Will in disbelief.
"Seriously?" Paul breathed. He knew this was the direction they were going in but he didn't anticipate Will being the one to make it official. He never once thought Ari would be the one to tell him either.
"If you want to," Will lifted one shoulder. He hoped he looked and sounded nonchalant. "I talked to Ari about you yesterday. She already approves."
"Is that so?" Paul felt like his face was splitting in two.
"Uh huh," Ari nodded earnestly. "You make Daddy smile. Daddy's not sad with you. Paul makes Daddy happy. You get to be boyfriend now."
"Well if Ari says so," Paul coolly responded. "I can't disagree."
"I'm always right," Ari giggled.
Will tapped his foot against Paul's under the table and smiled at him.
"Hi," Paul wrapped his ankle around Will's.
"Hi," Will repeated breathlessly.
"You guys ready to order?" a waitress interrupted.
"Yes," Will dragged his eyes away from Paul.
Once they finished eating, Ari walked between Will and Paul holding both of their hands. They were heading towards the square.
"Don't you have to get to work?" Will questioned.
"I can take a few more minutes to spend with my boyfriend," Paul answered. "And his beautiful daughter."
"That's me," Ari said happily as she swung both of their large hands.
"Of course it's you," Paul replied. "Because you are the prettiest little girl in the world."
Ari tugged on Will's hand until he bent over so she could whisper in his ear.
"I like boyfriend better than friend," Ari proclaimed in a mock whisper.
"I think I do too," Will agreed. He kissed the top of Ari's head.
When they got into Horton Town Square they paused. Paul had to get to work. Will needed to get some writing in and start packing up the apartment. Ari had a standing date with the Bubble Guppies.
"So," Will pressed his lips together. "I guess this is it."
"Until tonight?" Paul asked hopefully. "I can come over. We can cook something together."
"Maybe in the morning," Will added, "You won't have to pretend you just arrived."
"I'd like that," Paul insisted.
Will slowly moved closer to Paul and pressed their lips together. He didn't care if they were in the middle of the square. He didn't care that Ari was giggling and covering her face. He didn't care that anyone could see them.
Paul reluctantly pulled away.
"This is nice," Paul admitted. "Getting to kiss you whenever I want."
"Yeah," Will opened and closed his mouth a few times before just nodding.
"Ahem," came a deep voice behind them.
Will and Paul both turned to see Justin and Kate standing nearby.
"What the hell is this?" Kate questioned looking between the two.
"This is me kissing my boyfriend," Paul stated proudly.
"Your what?" Justin demanded.
"Paul is boyfriend now," Ari hopped up and down. "Yay!"
"You cannot be serious," Justin spat out.
"Of course he's serious," Will responded. He was sick and tired of Justin Kiriakis. He used to care about Will. At first Will understood Justin's behavior change. Will hurt Justin's son. But that was months ago. Will had moved on and as far as he knew so had Sonny. Will didn't know why Justin was so stuck in the past but he was done with it.
'Now Justin's just an asshole,' Will thought.
"Paul and I are official now," Will declared. "And quite frankly I don't care what you think about that."
Justin stared at Will for a few moments in shock.
"How could you do this?" Justin finally asked. "What about my son?"
"What about your son?" Will lifted his eyebrows and shrugged. "He moved to the other side of the world. He wanted a divorce so he got one. Your son is no longer my concern. Also, I don't appreciate you talking about this in front of my daughter."
Ari, thankfully, was too busy digging in Will's back pocket to get his phone. She was blissfully ignorant to the conversation going on around her.
"Go sit on that bench OK, baby girl?" Will told Ari. He pointed to a bench a few feet away. It was far away enough she wouldn't overhear anything negative while still being close to keep an eye on her.
Ari skipped over to the bench and sat down, swinging her legs. She opened the YouTube app on Will's phone and found something to watch.
Justin turned to Paul. Before Justin got the chance to say anything Paul beat him to it.
"Don't even bother," Paul shook his head. "I'm not interested in Sonny. I want to be with Will. I've wanted that for a long time."
"So," Paul reached over for Will's hand. "I'm going to politely ask you to leave my boyfriend alone."
Will felt a rush of gratitude towards Paul. Will was able to stand up to Justin himself. Unfortunately, he also knew that Justin had a nasty habit lately of disregarding Will.
'But Justin listens to Paul,' Will knew. 'And Paul wants me.'
Justin set his face before nodding and walking off.
Kate briefly looked at Justin before ignoring his exit.
"How did this happen?" Kate asked. "I thought you had something going on with Jake."
Paul snorted.
"Oh my god, Grandma," Will complained. "Jake and I are never going to happen. We are friends and that's it."
"What about that time I dropped by your apartment?" Kate put her hands on her hips.
"That was me," Paul stated with a smug smile.
Kate took a moment to reflect on that morning. The way Will tried to rush her out the door. How Will never really admitted that the man hiding in his room was Jake.
Kate pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Why do I always find you the morning after?" Kate rhetorically asked Paul.
"The only one you'll be finding now," Paul assured Kate, "Is Will."
"Sweetheart," Kate addressed Will, "Are you sure about this? After everything?"
"Yes," Will decisively stated. "I promise, Grandma. I know what I'm doing and what I want. I want this with Paul."
"OK," Kate narrowed her eyes slightly. "I'm watching you," Kate informed Paul, poking him in the chest. "Don't be late for work either," she ordered.
Kate went over to kiss Ari on the forehead and left.
"That could have gone a lot worse," Will told Paul.
"I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of crap at work now," Paul agreed. "But yeah. I'm surprised Justin walked away."
"Oh he's probably running off to blab to everyone about what a slut I am," Will mused.
"Hey," Paul said loudly. "What did I tell you about saying that?"
Will looked down at the floor. He was evading the question.
"Will?" Paul took a step closer.
Will reluctantly looked into Paul's face. "You said not to say it anymore."
"I said not to think it anymore," Paul clarified. "Because it's not true."
"Yeah," Will shrugged. "I guess."
"Will," Paul groaned.
"I'm working on it," Will said. "It's not going to happen overnight."
"I wish it could," Paul told Will. "I wish every negative thought in your head would disappear."
"That's sweet," Will smiled. "But it's not realistic."
"Yeah, I know," Paul sighed. "I can still hope, right?"
Will kissed Paul on the mouth. "You need to get to work," Will reminded Paul.
"We're still on for dinner?" Paul asked as they walked over to Ari.
"We'll be waiting for you," Will promised.
"Ari," Will laughed. "You're not helping, Daddy."
"Sorry," Ari said even though she didn't mean it.
"You need to put the stuff in the boxes," Will explained again. "Not take them out. We're trying to pack everything up."
"Oooooh," Ari nodded. "I try again."
"You do that," Will shook his head. Ari started tossing books into the box at random.
Will's phone started ringing.
"You keep working," Will told Ari. He knew he was going to need to go back and repack everything Ari helped with anyway.
"Hello," Will said into the phone.
"Is this Will Horton?" a strange feminine voice asked.
"Yes," Will answered. "Who is this?" Will's forehead wrinkled in confusion.
"This is Charlotte Murphy," the woman responded. "I'm with the Salem Chronicle."
Will rolled his eyes. "If this is for an interview about that story from the other day I'm not interested."
Charlotte laughed. "Well this is about an interview but it's not about the story."
"Than what's it for?" Will wondered.
"We wanted to interview you for a position," Charlotte explained. "You're articles for Sonix have been really impressive lately."
"Um," Will was a little shocked. "Really?"
"Yes," Charlotte smiled. "Do you think you could come in tomorrow for an interview?"
"Yeah," Will licked his lips. "That would be OK."
Charlotte gave Will some details. When they hung up Will didn't know what to think.
'Why would they call me for an interview?' Will thought. 'My fluff pieces have been impressive?'
Will went back over to Ari and started packing again.
'There has to be something else. It can't just be that. But still,' Will realized. 'It's much more prestigious than working for Sonix.'
"What do you think, baby girl?" Will asked Ari. "Should Daddy try to get a new job?"
Ari thought for a moment. "Yes," she decided. She paused before saying, "But only if you stay with me all day still."
"That's not even a question," Will informed her. "Daddy is never leaving his baby girl."
"Hey," Paul greeted as he kissed Will on the cheek. He moved inside of the apartment. "Looks like you were busy."
"Yeah," Will closed the door. "I got some boxes before I got home. I figured I might as well get started."
"You sure about this?" Paul questioned. He hoped Will understood what he meant.
"I'm sure," Will smiled at Paul. "Once we move into the new apartment I'll be less stressed. I already planned out a new budget. It will be so much easier for me."
"Good," Paul nodded. He would offer to help Will with expenses. Paul knew how that conversation would go though. "Ari still napping?"
"Yeah," Will replied. "She was helping me pack and tired herself out."
Paul noticed that Will looked a bit antsy.
"What's with you?" Paul wondered as he moved closer. He grabbed Will's hand. "You look ready to jump out of your skin. Is this what happens when you don't run in the morning?"
"No," Will shook his head and led them to the couch. "I think packing as much as I did is a good enough workout anyway."
"Then what?" Paul laughed.
"I don't want to jinx it," Will admitted. He couldn't hold it in anymore though. "I have an interview with the Salem Chronicle."
"Really?" Paul asked. "Will, that's great."
"I don't know if I'll get it," Will continued. "But I'm excited and nervous. A bit suspicious too actually."
"Why are you suspicious?" Paul didn't understand that one at all.
"They called me," Will explained. "Said my latest pieces were impressive."
"Your writing is always impressive," Paul maintained.
"Thank you but not lately," Will waved off Paul's compliment. "They've been giving me stupid articles. I know that."
"Alright the one about Thanksgiving leftovers was lame," Paul conceded. "But you still worked hard."
"That's also not exactly what I'm suspicious about," Will said. "Lately the only thing anyone is reporting on is the murders, right?"
"It's pretty big news," Paul nodded.
"Exactly," Will continued. "And the thing about me being a suspect and why I got cleared got out really fast. But other things, important things aren't reported."
"Meaning what?" Paul didn't get it.
"Meaning," Will adjusted on the couch, "That I know everyone on the police force. I know most of the doctors in town. My grandma's a therapist. Chad's one of my best friends. I'm linked to just about everyone in town. I just so happen to be a journalist. Are you seeing a connection here?"
"You think they only want you so they can use you?" Paul frowned.
"Obviously," Will shrugged. "But I mean I still want it. I know it's not exactly my merits giving me this. But maybe I can prove I'm more than just my connections."
"Well, of course you can," Paul felt absolutely certain. "They'd be idiots not to see how great you are."
"You're kind of full of it. Did you know that?" Will smiled teasingly at Paul.
"See if I compliment you again," Paul rolled his eyes. "Congratulations though."
"Thank you," Will smiled. "I still don't know if I'll get it."
"Don't be ridiculous," Paul threw his arm around Will's shoulder. "They called you, remember?"
Will leaned against Paul's shoulder. "How was your day?"
"Not too bad, lots of boring meetings," Paul said. Paul chuckled, "They were talking about the next campaign. They want to bring in another model."
"Male ones?" Will perked up. "Do you get pick who they are? Did they give you pictures? Can I see them?"
Paul frowned and pouted. "This is not the reaction I wanted."
"Male models, Paul," Will stated. "Models."
"No," Paul whined. "You need to be all jealous and tell me I can't be around models."
Will moved onto his knees to face Paul.
"Jealous, huh?" Will poked Paul in the chest. "Like you?"
"I'm not jealous," Paul stated.
"Ha," Will laughed. "Are you kidding me?"
"I'm not," Paul lifted his nose and sniffed the air. "Besides we are talking about you. You're not supposed to want me around models."
"I don't want you to be," Will laughed. "But come on. You could be all shirtless and I could watch."
"Will," Paul's mouth dropped open.
"Watch the photoshoot," Will chuckled. "Besides I don't have anything to be jealous about."
"Why's that?" Paul crossed his arms.
"Because you want me," Will easily responded.
Paul tried not to smile.
Will lifted one eyebrow. "You know I'm right."
Paul pulled Will into a heated kiss instead of answering.
"You could still be a little jealous," Paul whispered against Will's lips.
"Maybe a little," Will agreed.
Paul pushed Will onto his back and hovered above him.
"More than a little, baby," Paul demanded. He kissed Will again, licking across his mouth.
"You're the only male model I need," Will assured Paul. "You're the only one that I need."
Paul growled and ground his hips into Will's.
Will wrapped one leg around Paul's waist. Will encouraged, "Keep moving."
Paul turned Will's head to the side to bare his throat. "Wanna mark you up," Paul hissed.
"Not, not there," Will pushed Paul up enough for Will to start popping the buttons on his shirt. "Interview."
As soon as Will's shirt was open Paul latched his mouth onto Will's collarbone.
"Mmm," Will moaned. He pressed his hands into Paul's hair, holding him down.
"Mine," Paul whispered. He licked over the dark mark he left behind.
"Uh huh," Will agreed.
Paul placed his hands on the button of Will's jeans.
Knock Knock Knock
"Oh come on," Paul closed his eyes.
Will knocked his head into the couch cushions.
Knock Knock Knock
"I better get that," Will groaned. "I don't want them waking Ari."
Paul got off of Will. "Look through the peephole," Paul ordered. "The paper wanting you for intel on the murders freaked me out."
"Got it," Will shrugged his shirt the rest of the way off on the way to the door.
Will looked through the peephole and tried to figure out who he was looking at.
'Blonde hair, petite, impatient, oh dear god.' Will took a step away from the door.
"What is it?" Paul jumped off the couch in concern. "Will?"
"Pretend we aren't here," Will whispered.
"What?" Paul repeated. "Who is it?"
Paul went over to the door.
Pound Pound Pound
"William Robert Horton you open this door right now," Sami Brady called. "Don't make me start screaming."
Will grimaced before swinging the door open.
"Mom," Will smiled awkwardly. "Hi."
A Few Weeks Ago
"God," Paul praised. "Fuck,"
Will draped himself over Paul and grinned. "Yeah," Will kissed Paul wetly. "Mmm," Will pulled away.
"How is it," Paul wrapped his arms around Will's naked, sweaty back, "That never gets old?"
"We haven't been fucking for that long," Will snorted. "We couldn't possibly be bored of each other yet."
"You'd be surprised," Paul said.
"What does that mean?" Will looked at Paul curiously.
"I've slept with plenty of guys that I got bored with quickly," Paul admitted.
Will's eyebrows furrowed. "How many guys?"
Will felt strange. He wasn't sure if he was jealous or insecure. He'd never really thought about Paul's past with men outside of Sonny.
"It's not that many," Paul rolled onto his side. He reached out to lightly trace Will's face. "I had to keep it all a secret."
"Right," Will almost forgot that detail. "That must have been hard."
"Sometimes," Paul admitted. "But as I said I got bored fast."
"Not bored of me yet?" Will looked down at Paul's chest.
"No," Paul answered. "I don't think I'll ever be bored with someone like you."
Will smiled softly.
"In case you were wondering," Paul added. "Sonny was really the only serious relationship I've had. Everyone else was just hook ups or randoms."
Will didn't say anything.
"I could tell you a number," Paul offered. He felt unnerved by Will's silence. "If you want."
"I don't need to know a number," Will stated. "I just never really had this conversation before."
Paul looked at Will oddly. Then Paul remembered Will never knew about him and Sonny.
"Oh, oh," Paul sat up slightly. "Right. OK."
"Obviously," Will sucked his cheeks into his mouth.
Paul cautiously said, "Can I ask why you never talked about that kind of thing?"
"We tried," Will confessed. "It didn't go well."
"What does that mean?" Paul wondered.
"I maybe tried to talk about it at a bad time," Will offered.
Paul stared at Will.
Will sighed. "We had tried to, um, be together earlier and got interrupted. Some stuff happened in between but my dad tried to convince me that Sonny just wanted to sleep with me."
"I was upset and I asked Sonny about it and made a mess of things." Will shrugged. "The usual with me."
"Why didn't you try to talk about it again?" Paul questioned.
"He got so mad at me about it. I decided I didn't want to know," Will whispered. "Maybe if I did everything would be different."
"Probably," Paul agreed. "We wouldn't be here though."
"You never know," Will gave Paul a half smile.
Paul thought for a moment.
"Let's have that conversation," Paul insisted.
"What conversation?" Will asked.
"The past conversation," Paul nodded. He sat up on the bed and pulled Will up too. "I don't want anything like that coming between us."
"I told you," Paul continued, "Sonny was really the only serious one. He wasn't the only repeat though. None of them were considered a boyfriend or anything. It was just sex."
"OK," Will pressed his lips together.
"I've been tested, in case you were worried," Paul said. "Now," Paul nudged Will with his knee, "What about you?"
"You already know about me," Will quickly replied. "And I did get tested a few months ago too."
"Are you sure?" Paul asked. "I don't want to offend you or anything but you told me Sonny was the only one. But he wasn't."
Will looked down at his lap. He started playing with his fingers.
"I've had sex with one girl," Will finally said. "And three guys."
"OK," Paul nodded encouragingly.
"I kissed a few boys when I first came out," Will confessed. "I'd sneak into a club, dance, drink, kiss. But that's it."
"That's fine," Paul tried to sound positive.
"Sure," Will sighed. He closed his eyes. "Maybe if I would have just fooled around with guys then I wouldn't be such a slut now."
Paul flinched. "What are you talking about?"
"Like you don't know," Will crossed his arms.
Paul shook his head. "No, no I don't know. Will, you just said that you've only slept with four people."
"Yeah," Will nodded. "All three of those guys happened while I was married. What else is a person supposed to think?"
"You are not a-," Paul started to say.
"A slut. Yes, I am," Will interrupted. "I know I am. You don't have to lie to make me feel better."
"I'm not lying," Paul argued.
"Fine," Will shrugged. "It still makes me a sl-,"
"Will," Paul yelled. He grabbed Will's bare shoulders. "Why do you even think that? I thought you were talking to your therapist."
"I talked to my grandma about it," Will offered.
Paul blanched. "Then how can you still think that?"
"She never corrected me when I would bring it up. I assumed she agreed with me," Will said. "I do think better of myself now for the most part. I'm trying to be better."
"You are not a sl-," Paul stopped himself from using that word. "You are not that. You aren't."
Will shook his head weakly. "Then what do you call this?" Will gestured between the two of them.
"What?" Paul couldn't believe any of this. "Will, you are not doing anything wrong by being with me."
"Aren't I?" Will smiled sadly. "The first second you showed me an ounce of attention I hopped on your dick."
"Will," Paul disputed.
"Let's face it," Will pulled the sheets higher up on his waist. "I probably would have slept with anyone that gave me any attention."
"I don't believe that," Paul growled. "Jake's given you plenty of attention. That guy at the bar the other night too. You didn't sleep with either of them. You didn't even want to."
"Why are you so upset about this?" Will wondered. "I know you used to think this about me too."
Paul opened his mouth to defend himself before closing it. He didn't want to admit it but Will was right. A few months ago he had thought some pretty awful things about Will. Things that were very similar to what Will was saying.
Paul looked away from Will.
"It's OK," Will said. It hurt Will to think about but Will wasn't stupid. He knew most people thought that of him. He knew even more people would when they found out about him and Paul.
"No," Paul snapped his eyes towards Will's. "No, it's not, Will."
"Paul-," Will attempted.
"It's not," Paul argued loudly. "I shouldn't have thought anything like that. I knew who you were. I should have known better."
"I cheated on my husband with you," Will replied. "And like you said, I told you I had only been with Sonny when that wasn't true. It's a natural reaction."
"Will," Paul was getting upset. "I shouldn't have thought that. I don't think that. I only ever thought that because I wanted to think the worst about you."
"And fine," Paul admitted. "Maybe I did consider the possibility of you using me to get the article but I know that's not true. I was the one who requested you."
"Now," Paul ordered. "Stop thinking that way about yourself. You are not a slut."
"I am," Will whispered.
"Why didn't your grandma talk to you about this?" Paul was trying not to lose his patience.
"Maybe she just believes it too," Will whispered.
"No she doesn't," Paul shook Will's face. "The only one that thinks that is you."
Will shook his head.
Paul tightened his grip on Will's face. "Did someone call you that?"
Will closed his eyes.
"Who?" Paul demanded.
Will shook his head again.
Paul set his jaw and lifted his eyebrows.
"Did Sonny call you that?" Paul asked. When Will didn't say anything Paul repeated, "Will? What did Sonny tell you?"
Will kept his eyes shut tight.
"Tell me," Paul rubbed his thumbs under Will's eyes.
"I don't even know if he really meant it," Will finally said.
"Just tell me," Paul requested. "Please, tell me."
"H-he said I whored myself out for your story," Will finally opened his eyes. He was almost afraid to see Paul's reaction. Will was practically certain Paul would agree with Sonny.
"That's not true," Paul calmly said. "You did not sleep with me to get a story."
"No," Will agreed. "But it still makes me one, doesn't it?"
"No, it absolutely does not," Paul maintained. "You made a bad choice."
"Well then why am I the only one that got called out on it?" Will asked in exasperation.
"Justin cheated on Adrienne and no one cared. Adrienne cheated with my dad and everyone forgave her. Abig-," Will cut himself off. "Why am I the only one that got any flack?"
Paul decided to pretend he didn't know what name Will just tried to say.
"I don't know why you're the only one, Will. I don't," Paul sighed. "All I know is that you've beaten yourself up enough for your mistakes. You lost everything and had to start over again."
Will swallowed heavily.
"You don't need to punish yourself anymore for that," Paul reasoned. "You absolutely shouldn't be listening to anyone else either. They don't matter. You are not any of the things you're thinking right now either."
"Paul," Will tried to say.
"No," Paul pressed his forehead to Will's. "You are not a slut. You did not whore yourself out to me then or now. So stop thinking that way."
Will wasn't used to someone talking to him like this. His grandma tried. But after a while it seemed like she stopped. His therapist tried but Will wasn't completely comfortable talking about everything.
"I'll try," Will said. "OK? I'll try."
"Thank you," Paul cautiously pressed his lips against Will's.
Will kissed Paul back enthusiastically.
"Thank you," Will sighed.
"Of course," Paul repeated. "Now come here," Paul pulled them back down on the bed.
"What time do you need to get Ari?" Paul asked after they rested for a while.
"Around 6," Will replied. "My grandma has a date with your dad."
"Don't say it like that," Paul grimaced. "Are you going to be busy tomorrow?" Paul wondered. His fingertips were trailing up and down Will's arm.
Will nodded. "I have three articles I need to work on."
"You work too much," Paul decided.
"We can't all rely on our abs to get by," Will joked.
"You know," Paul wasn't sure how Will would take this. "If you needed it I could help you out."
Will's smile froze. "That's OK."
"I, um, it doesn't have to be money," Paul explained. "I could watch Ari or I could bring over groceries. I eat enough of your food."
"I'm fine," Will said bitterly. "I can do this."
"I know you can," Paul looked down. "I just want to help."
Will bit his lip. He didn't like the defeated look on Paul's face.
'He just spent the better part of our afterglow comforting me,' Will scolded himself. 'Stop it.'
"You do help me," Will touched Paul's cheek briefly. "You make me feel good. Not just physically but about myself too."
"Yeah?" Paul held Will's gaze.
Will nodded. "Despite earlier, I have been feeling better about myself. I smile more. I don't feel like everything and everyone is against me. I think a lot of that is because of you."
"Good," Paul kissed Will. "I still wish I could help more."
"You do help me," Will assured Paul. "If anything I need to do more for you."
"You have enough on your plate to deal with," Paul shook his head. "Don't worry about me."
"No," Will moved closer to Paul. "Tell me something you want, something I can do."
There was something Paul wanted but he knew Will wouldn't go for it.
"No," Paul sighed. "Trust me. Everything's fine."
"Tell me," Will moved even closer until he was practically sitting on Paul. "Come on, anything. Whatever you want."
Paul bit his lip. "A date," Paul confessed.
Will pulled back. "What?" Will asked.
Paul gave Will a pained smile. "You said anything. That's what I want and I know I can't have it."
Will felt terrible.
"Don't worry about it," Paul said. "I get it."
Paul checked his phone. "It's almost six," he told Will. "You need to get Ari."
"Hello?" Paul answered his phone.
"Paul?" Will started panicking. "I-I need you to get to my place!"
"Will?" Paul practically ran out of his hotel room. "What's wrong?"
"Paul," Will panted. "Just hurry."
When Paul arrived at Will's apartment he didn't bother with knocking. Instead he burst through the door, heart racing.
"Will!?" Paul screamed, thoughts of serial killers running through his head.
Paul was prepared to enter a crime scene. He thought he'd find a hysterical Will sitting in the middle of a mess or something.
'Anything but this,' Paul thought.
"Hey," Will smiled sheepishly. He only felt a little bit bad about worrying Paul but he wanted it to be a surprise.
Paul stared at the dimmed lights and the set table. All of Ari's toys were put away. Will was dressed nicely.
'If I didn't know better I would think this was a-,' Paul thought.
"Um," Will shifted his weight from foot to foot. "You said that you wanted a date. This is the best I could do."
Paul exhaled. His heart rate and blood pressure were going back to normal.
"You did all this, for me?" Paul questioned.
"I said anything," Will hoped he did the right thing.
Paul rushed towards Will and yanked him into a kiss.
"Thank you," Paul breathed against Will's mouth. "You ever scare me like that again though I will kill you."
"OK," Will agreed.
"Now exactly what kind of date am I getting here?" Paul asked as he moved towards the table.
"Well," Will explained. "I decided not to subject you to my cooking so I ordered something."
"Oh good," Paul sighed in relief. "I didn't want to have to pretend to like it."
Will kicked Paul under the table after they sat down. "Jerk," Will laughed.
"You're getting better," Paul offered.
"Not really but I'm learning," Will shrugged. "Anyway," Will continued, "When we go on a real date it'll be better than this."
"When?" Paul caught Will's eyes.
"If you don't mind waiting," Will said. "Then it'll be when."
Paul picked up the open wine bottle on the table. He poured a glass for Will and himself.
Paul clinked their glasses together, "I'll wait as long as I have to."
Author's note:
I've pretty much decided I'm going to write whatever the hell I want with this story. That's going to include fixing whatever problems I always had with the show.
Please let me know what you thought.
Thank you for reading!
iluvh0rs3s, thank you for being there for me.