Paul got off the phone unsure how to feel. He was excited and yet now that the time had come he was nervous.
'What if I say it and Will doesn't care?' Paul thought temporarily panicked.
Will walked out of his bathroom and noticed Paul's face.
"What's wrong?" Will asked.
Paul finished getting dressed. He couldn't let Will know his plan just yet.
'It's going to be a surprise,' Paul insisted. 'I'm going to make this one of the best moments of Will's life.'
"That was my condo," Paul deflected. He tossed his phone on the bed. "I can officially move in any time I want now."
"Oh," Will responded. He wanted to be supportive but he didn't want Paul to leave just yet.
'I'm not ready for Paul to leave yet,' Will thought.
"Well," Paul said. "We don't have to worry about that now. I'm still waiting on my stuff from San Francisco to get here anyway."
Paul enjoyed the forlorn expression on Will's face a little too much.
"OK," Will nodded. He sat down on the bed to pull on his shoes.
Paul rummaged through one of his boxes and pulled out a bottle of cologne. He spritzed a bit on himself.
Will smiled while putting on his shoes. He loved that scent. Loved burying his face against Paul's neck and breathing it in.
'I love the way Paul smells,' Will bit his lip. 'And the way he always laughs when I brush my nose against his pulse.'
'I love the way Paul-,' Will cut himself off. 'Oh, oh my god.'
"Are you ready to go, baby?" Paul asked. He unintentionally interrupted Will's thinking.
Will sat up on the bed, shoes finished.
"What?" Paul tilted his head in concern.
Will, wide-eyed, stared at Paul for a few moments. He felt entranced, like he was seeing Paul for the first time.
"I'm ready," Will promised.
'I'm so ready,' Will thought, licking his lips.
Paul held out his hand to help Will off the bed.
"You look handsome," Paul told Will. He marveled at the way Will's clothing fit his body. How they brought out all his best features.
"Not as handsome as you," Will stated cheeks pink.
Paul shook his head. "I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree," Paul teased.
The two made their way through the front room, grabbing their coats and gloves as they went. Will remembered to grab his scarf. No matter what Paul said Will didn't want anyone looking at his neck.
"What are we doing on this date?" Will questioned. He locked the door as they left the apartment.
"Date stuff," Paul chuckled. "Now, I've got things figured out. You just enjoy it."
"And no," Paul said when Will opened his mouth. "There's no ice skating involved."
"Good," Will huffed, embarrassed. "I'm not good at that."
Paul reached out to adjust the scarf placed on Will's neck.
"I'd never make you do something you don't want to do," Paul ensured. "Besides, how am I going to give you the best date you've ever had if you're miserable?"
"You keep hyping up this date," Will commented. He linked his arm with Paul's. "It better live up to expectations or I'll feel disappointed," Will joked.
"I'm hoping," Paul swallowed.
"Um," Will narrowed his eyes. "The best date of my life starts at McDonald's?"
Will glanced at Paul in disbelief.
"Yes," Paul nodded before opening the door to the lobby.
Will, confused, stared at Paul.
'At least there's not that many people in here,' Will thought. He adjusted the scarf around his neck.
On the short walk here, several people in the street openly gawked at Will. Mouths dropped, fingers pointing and everything.
Paul walked up to the counter and ordered. With his receipt in hand, Paul turned back to Will. He ushered him to a table.
"Do you remember when we went to the zoo with our family?" Paul questioned.
Will, taking off his jacket, nodded. "Yeah, I remember," Will replied.
"Ari made us stop at McDonald's," Paul explained. "That day, that car ride, feeding you French fries," Paul shook his head. "It all made me realize how bad I had it for you."
Before Will could respond an employee called their number. Paul got up quickly to pick it up. Will followed him with his eyes.
'OK,' Will played with the edges of his scarf. 'Maybe McDonald's can be pretty romantic.'
The two ate their hamburgers and French fries while laughing and teasing one another. Will took a bit longer to eat since his throat was still tender.
Will felt someone staring and turned his head.
To the side of them was a group of teenage boys. One boy wore a Cubs hat. Will knew immediately they must want Paul's autograph.
Will tapped Paul's shoe with his own.
"I think you have some admirers," Will stated with a soft smile.
As soon as Paul looked over, the group of teenage boys all froze before pretending to be busy.
"That hasn't really happened in a while," Paul confided. "Most people in Salem leave me alone about this stuff."
"Most adults," Will amended. "But they're kids. Plus, you're kind of infamous now."
Will looked over again and indicated with his head the boys could approach.
Nervously, all five boys started talking to Paul about baseball.
Paul dutifully signed autographs on napkins and took a series of selfies. He politely answered any questions they had for him and never once appeared annoyed.
Will watched Paul interacting with the guys.
'He's so great with fans,' Will appreciated. 'He's attentive and understanding.'
Will recalled the revelation he had in his bedroom. With a shy smile on his face, Will realized something.
'I'm in love with Paul,' Will thought. He rested his elbow on the table, palm of his hand on his face. He dreamily stared at Paul.
The boys left, each giving Will a strange look once they seemed to recognize him.
"That was cute," Will declared. He tried to act like his entire world didn't just shift. "They all seemed to really look up to you."
"Well," Paul bashfully shrugged. He ate his last fry.
Paul wiped his hands on his napkin and gathered all of their trash.
"Are you ready for the next part of our date?" Paul asked.
"I can't imagine how you could top McDonald's," Will teased. "But yes, I'm ready."
Paul and Will walked arm-in-arm down a road dusted in a light snow.
Suddenly, Paul stopped walking in front of an alleyway.
"Do you remember this alley?" Paul wondered.
Will, so caught up in their conversation, took a moment to realize where they were.
Paul knew Will remembered when his cheeks turned red.
"Yes," Will answered. He smacked Paul's chest lightly when he began to laugh. "I remember this alley."
Paul started walking again. The club they went to a few weeks ago came into view.
"I was so jealous that night," Paul revealed. "Seeing you talking to Jake, seeing that guy hit on you at the bar. I wanted to have you on my arm all night, let everyone know you're mine."
Will leaned his head against Paul's shoulder as they walked.
"And then I stormed out and you followed me to the alley," Will remembered.
"That was a good alley," Paul said seriously.
Will laughed. "I have no idea how we managed to keep our relationship a secret. Neither of us did a good job hiding it."
"Not really," Paul agreed. "But now we don't have to worry about that at all."
"Now," Paul walked them to the front of the line to get into the club. "Let's go and have a drink."
While Will might have enjoyed anonymity inside McDonald's, the club was a different story.
Despite finding a quiet table to themselves, to Will it felt like everyone was staring.
Will clutched his glass between both his hands, head down.
"Hey," Paul called. He tilted Will's head up. "Don't worry about anyone else. Tonight is just you and me."
'And hopefully everything is going to plan,' Paul thought. He was getting anxious. He needed everything to go right.
"It's hard to focus," Will admitted. "But I'll try."
Paul decided the best way to get Will to relax would be to distract him.
"What was the first thing that came into your head when you met me?" Paul wondered.
"The first thought? I had a lot of thoughts," Will began. "You were shirtless and all wet. You're all," Will made wild hand gestures, "You-like. God, the first thought was probably about how hot you were."
Paul grinned, pleased.
"I do have a tendency to do that to people," Paul remarked casually.
Will shook his head. "Maybe because you don't put on a shirt."
"You've never complained before," Paul argued.
"Not to you," Will pointed out. "Before," Will bit his lip. "Before us I did. Because you were you and I was me. And that me didn't think he had anything going for him."
"What about this you?" Paul questioned. He reached across the table for Will's hand. "Does this you have anything going for him?"
"I've got you, don't I?" Will smiled.
Slowly, Will forgot about the crowd. Forgot about the curious people wondering why he wore a scarf. The people that couldn't stop talking about the journalist and the baseball player.
As far as Will and Paul knew they were the only people in the club. It was just them, their champagne, and nothing else.
When it was time to leave, Will and Paul got up from their table. At the coat check several people interested in autographs and pictures stopped them. Bizarrely, the people wanted to take a picture of Will and Paul by themselves. Over the course of the past few days Will and Paul became quite the celebrity couple.
Will deflected off any questions about the attack. But, he had no problem talking about his articles.
"Are you going to write about what happened?" one woman asked keenly. "We all saw the video but a personal experience would be so interesting."
"Yeah," someone else chimed in. "You were so brave trying to hunt down the serial killer. And then sending a livestream to the police? That was so smart."
"Everyone would love to read your take on the investigation," the first woman insisted.
"Yes," another person agreed. "Your boyfriend rushing in to save you? So romantic."
"Oh," Will scratched the back of his neck. "Um, I thought about writing something. I don't know though yet."
Paul, despite talking to a few people himself, immediately noticed Will becoming overwhelmed.
"I'm sorry," Paul said to the people he was talking to. He walked over to put his hands on Will's shoulders. "But it's time for us to go."
The two made their way through the small crowd.
"How about that?" Paul mused. "Not a single person mentioned how little you fought back or how weak you were."
"Oh, shut up," Will grumbled. The smile he fought to hold back gave him away though.
"Now," Paul squeezed Will against him. "We have one more place we need to go."
Sonny slowly meandered near the riverbank. At his mother's insistence, he finally left his room.
Sonny had watched the video of Will's attack for hours. He watched as his once friend tried to kill his husband.
'Ex-husband,' a traitorous part of his brain reminded him.
That was what Sonny could not get over now. He was no longer Will's husband. He hadn't been for months now.
'And I can't remember why,' Sonny kicked at a stray rock. 'Why did I leave and never talk to Will properly again? Why did I ask for a divorce? Was I afraid he would talk me out of it? What was wrong with me?'
'If we didn't divorce,' a part of Sonny wondered. 'Would he have ever hooked up again with Paul?'
Sonny still couldn't wrap his mind around Will and Paul. He looked at the pictures on the internet. He read the fan speculation. But none of them knew what he did. None of them knew how Will and Paul felt before Sonny left. None of them knew the things Will did.
'How could Paul forget that?' Sonny questioned. 'How could he just get over what Will did to him? To his mom? To me?'
'And Will,' Sonny continued. 'How could he be with Paul? He hates Paul. He did everything he could to get him to leave. He manipulated and schemed and did everything he could. How could he be with Paul now?'
Sonny veered off the trail he was walking on back towards a street. His hands stuffed in his pockets, head down. He didn't pay attention to where he was walking. That's why he didn't see that Will and Paul were heading his way.
"Let me guess why we're at the river," Will told Paul.
The chill off of the water made everything colder. Will and Paul walked huddled together. They each had one arm around the other's waist.
"I run this way every morning," Will started. "But only recently have you joined us. So," Will was quiet for a few moments. "We're here because letting you come with Ari and me was special."
"Yep," Paul knocked their shoulders together. "We got to be a real couple. No more hiding and secrecy. You let me into your life, your daughter's life. Every part of it."
"But," Paul licked his lips. "There's another reason we're here. Well, there's a reason beyond just that. We had to take this path to get to somewhere else."
"OK," Will nodded.
Will trusted Paul. Will knew wherever Paul wanted to go would be worth it. Worth the cold, worth the people staring, worth the bothersome questions, and the photo opportunities.
Will's attention was on Paul. He didn't notice when a figure turned from the trail onto the sidewalk.
Paul opened his mouth to say something when he saw someone out of the corner of his eye. Just in time, Paul pulled Will aside, avoiding a collision.
Sonny, brushing against someone, finally snapped out of it.
"Sorry," Sonny stated. He glanced over at who he ran into. "Oh," Sonny sighed.
'Of course,' Sonny huffed.
Sonny still didn't know what to feel about Will and Paul. Watching the video incessantly created a panic in him. While grateful that Paul got to Will in time, a part of Sonny wished he had been the one to save Will.
But, at the same time, Sonny still felt angry. Angry at Paul for moving in on his husband, again. Angry at Will for getting to have Paul in a way Sonny never did.
Paul, arm still around Will, withheld a groan.
'Not tonight,' Paul thought. 'Tonight can't be about Sonny.'
Will didn't say anything. He didn't know what he could or should say. He knew that Sonny was still in Salem with things left unresolved. But he didn't expect to literally run into him on a date.
'On a date with the man I love,' Will pressed his lips together. 'Don't smile right now. Do not do it.'
Not wanting any animosity between them Will decided to be polite.
"How are you?" Will questioned Sonny.
Sonny snorted. "Awful, actually," he replied. With a sneer, Sonny added, "Not that you seem to be having that problem."
Paul stood up straighter. For Will's sake he would get along with Sonny but he wanted nothing more than to leave.
"Right," Will mumbled. 'What does one even say to that?'
The three stood staring at each other in an awkward silence. The already chilly air seemed to get frigid.
"OK then," Paul cleared his throat. "Will and I are leaving now."
Paul put his hand on Will's lower back and pushed. "Let's go, baby."
Hearing that term of endearment made Sonny snarl.
"Are you doing that to be an ass or what?" Sonny demanded.
"Doing what?" Paul sighed.
"This," Sonny waved his hand at their close embrace. "This entire thing. I have been wracking my brain all day trying to figure this out. And I can't do it. I literally cannot think of a single scenario where the two of you end up together and I…" Sonny trailed off.
"And you end up alone?" Will asked. He didn't intend for it to be unkind.
"Yes," Sonny hissed.
Sonny's anger began to bleed out slowly. The frustration he felt since arriving in Salem pressed against him.
"How am I the one left behind? How?" Sonny screamed, disrupting the still night.
Will opened his mouth. He never wanted this. He didn't wish Sonny any ill will. Whatever differences they had, Will would always want Sonny to be happy.
Will didn't go out of his way to fall for Paul. He never expected Paul. He never expected any of what happened to happen. He never thought it could.
'But I'm not apologizing for it,' Will thought. 'I'm not going to let Sonny or anyone else make me feel badly about it either.'
Before Will got a chance to defend himself and his relationship, Paul beat him to it.
"No," Paul growled. "You don't get to this!"
Sonny stared at Paul in confusion.
"You knew how we," Paul indicated to himself and Will. "Felt about you. You knew. And you still chose to run away.
"You always run away when you don't get what you want. But the thing is," Paul shrugged. "I have no idea what else you could have possibly wanted. We both panted after you like bitches in heat. So, what? Will deviated from your perfect plan? I slept with Derrick, what?"
Will glanced between Paul and Sonny in shock.
'I did not see this coming,' Will stared.
"For those few minutes," Paul continued. "We didn't dedicate our entire lives to you. And you couldn't handle it."
Sonny set his jaw. "Shut up," Sonny shouted. "That, that isn't, ugh, that isn't how I felt."
"No?" Paul mocked. "Then what could have been so horrible in your life?"
"You try dealing with," Sonny pointed at Will. Only, Paul cut him off instantly.
"Fine," Paul argued. "Let's talk about how all you ever did was harp on Will. Every decision he ever made wasn't good enough for you. He wasn't good enough for you.
"Well, guess what?" Paul added. "He's exactly what I need. He drives me crazy and he's a stubborn pain in the ass. He has no self-esteem and his childhood and half his family scares me. But I wouldn't change him.
"I want someone that challenges me," Paul took a deep breath. He clutched Will's waist. "I want someone that scares me. I don't want safe and boring. I want excitement. I want to guess what comes next. To ride off onto my next adventure with him by my side.
"So, do not stand there with that self-righteous look on your face," Paul stated. "You had everything you dreamed of and you walked away. You don't get to complain we both moved on now."
Paul took a step backwards from Sonny's stunned face. He let go of Will's hip. Paul needed to calm himself down.
'I didn't mean to do that,' Paul thought. He leaned against the railing near the river. 'I don't regret it but I didn't plan on it.'
Will watched Paul walk away. He was still nearby which made Will feel relieved. He still wasn't ready to be alone for long.
Will turned back to Sonny. He had rarely seen that look on Sonny's face.
Once upon a time, Will would have done anything to clear that expression away. Now, it just made him feel uncomfortable.
After a few moments though, Will noticed Sonny staring at Paul. Will knew that look too. It was the same look Sonny always had when Paul was around.
'Came back for me my ass,' Will thought, annoyed.
Coughing slightly, the cold air getting to him, Will waited for it to subside.
"I waited, you know," Will said suddenly. "I sat around holding my phone every day the first month you left. I blamed myself for everything. I did everything I could to convince myself you would remember you loved me."
Sonny focused on Will. He tried to say something but Will wouldn't let him.
"And even now," Will shook his head. "You don't know what you want."
"I do," Sonny defended. "I came back once I found out about you."
"Right," Will mumbled. "So, what? It took me almost dying for you to care? I was just going to take you back after you left me. Abandoned our daughter without a second thought? Divorced me and didn't even have the decency to do it to my face!
"And the worst part is," Will covered his face with his hand. "You still don't know who you want."
Before Sonny could say anything, Will continued.
"I know what I did. I know every stupid thing I've ever done hurt you. But you hurt me too. I acted like a lunatic and you ran off to Paul every chance you could. You told me you were committed to me and you still ran to him. You told me I was crazy for thinking there was something going on but there was," Will pushed his shoulders back.
"Oh," Will remembered a conversation he had weeks before with Paul. "And thank you very much for telling me about all the times you kissed Paul. That was so considerate of you.
"You made me feel crazy. Made me feel like I would never ever be enough for you," Will shook his head. "God, Sonny. I loved you!"
Will took a deep breath. "And I also moved on from you.
"I have a beautiful daughter. A promising new career. A solid relationship with my family and friends. My mental health has never been better. And I have a great boyfriend," Will declared. "I'm happier and healthier than I have been in a long time.
"Maybe what happened is my entire fault," Will said. "Maybe it's yours, maybe it's Paul's, or all of us together. But you don't get to begrudge me for moving on with my life. I wanted to fight for you. You threw me away.
"You need to figure out if you can behave around me," Will declared. "Because I'm not letting someone around Arianna if they can't respect me and my decisions."
Sonny, last residual anger slipping away, asked, "Why him? Why did you have to go after him?"
"I deserve to have someone in my life, someone like Paul," Will informed Sonny. "Maybe it's hard for you to see how or why he might want me but I don't. I know how he feels about me. I know. Maybe it's not what he felt for you but it's real.
"And for your information," Will frowned. "Paul went after me."
Sonny slumped. He understood what Will and Paul both said. He didn't like any of it. He wasn't ready to deal with it yet either. But he got the message.
'I had my pick of them both and I walked away,' Sonny knew.
Sonny nodded.
"OK," Sonny said. "OK."
With one last look at Will and Paul both, Sonny turned and walked away.
Paul pushed off against the railing and joined Will.
Will turned into Paul's arms. "I can't believe I said all that."
"It was good for you," Paul insisted. He rubbed his hands up and down Will's back. "Sonny couldn't go around acting like we wronged him. He chose to leave. No one forced his hand. It's not our problem he didn't realize life could go on without him."
"I hope he can accept things eventually," Will said. "And I hope he doesn't turn away from Ari. She doesn't deserve that."
"If he tries we'll talk to him again," Paul promised. "Nicer though. We'll make sure Ari is taken care of."
"Alright," Will agreed. After a beat, Will smiled. "It did feel kind of good to get that off my chest."
"It did," Paul admitted.
"Now," Paul put his arm back around Will. "We have a date to finish."
The two walked a few more minutes. The adrenaline from their talk with Sonny slowly left them.
'I feel good,' Will realized. 'Getting that off my chest was good. Now, I can completely commit myself to Paul.'
"We're here," Paul said while stopping.
Will, lost in his thoughts, finally noticed their location. He turned to Paul, quizzical.
"What are we doing at your condo?" Will asked.
"I might have called in a favor," Paul stated. Paul stepped away from Will and held out his hand.
Will glanced at Paul's outstretched hand. He knew that hand now. Will knew the support it could offer him. He knew what it felt like sliding down his sides. Knew that it could be warm and kind or rough and gripping.
Without any worries, Will grasped Paul's hand. He followed Paul into the expansive lobby.
'I know this hand, this man,' Will thought happily. 'And I love him.'
Paul stood closely next to Will in the elevator. Will cuddled against him, burrowing in close.
Paul couldn't believe their short walk took such a dramatic turn. In a way though, he was glad it happened. Glad that things got in their way, Sonny got in their way.
'Now I know we can handle anything,' Paul kissed the top of Will's head.
The elevator dinged.
'And I know Will is going to appreciate this,' Paul smiled.
"I thought you didn't have any furniture or anything?" Will questioned. He followed Paul to the front door.
"I have some," Paul revealed. "Enough."
"Enough?" Will's nose wrinkled. "Enough for what?"
Paul opened the door and gestured for Will to go inside first.
The first thing Will noticed was the giant sprawling windows. The next thing he noticed were the candles.
"Paul," Will whispered. He stepped closer inside, gazing around in wonderment.
True to Paul's word, there was no furniture. Instead, every inch of available space was covered in candles. A mismatched assortment of candles of all sizes and colors. There were no lights only the soft dim of the candlelight. A narrow walkway free of candles led to the bedroom.
"I know it's a lot," Paul said, nervous. "But I wanted to make it memorable."
"It's beautiful," Will stated. "Who did this?"
"I might have fibbed a little bit earlier," Paul bit the side of his cheek. "The condo did tell me I could move in. That wasn't who I was talking to on the phone though."
"Who were you talking to?" Will wondered. He couldn't stop looking at the candles.
Paul pushed Will's jacket off of his shoulders. He turned Will to face him.
"Your mom," Paul explained as he unwound Will's scarf. "I asked her for a favor. Your grandma, your mom, and Ari came here to help with this all."
"Really?" Will asked. He didn't know why but that made the moment even better.
'Some of the most important people in my world did this,' Will thought. 'They support me with this, with Paul. They all do.'
"Do you want to see the rest?" Paul questioned. He tossed his jacket and Will's to the ground.
"Yes," Will declared.
Inside the bedroom there were more candles everywhere. Will could see which ones Ari helped with-LED tea lights surrounded one area in a haphazard manner. Unlike the rest of the condo, the bedroom had furniture.
A freshly made bed with several pillows and a single dresser. On top of the dresser was an IPod sitting in a docking station. Paul let go of Will's hand long enough to flick a switch and turn on the gas fireplace. With another push of a button, the IPod began to play.
"Dance with me?" Paul requested, hand outstretched.
Will nodded. He recognized the song from somewhere, a movie perhaps.
It was awkward at first. Neither man knew where to put their arms. Eventually they found the perfect rhythm.
Paul's hands gripped Will's waist firmly. Will's arms wrapped around Paul's neck. They each stared into the other's eyes.
Paul recalled the night he finally decided to stop wallowing over Sonny. The night he finally decided he needed to move on.
'And I walked right into Will,' Paul remembered. 'Will helping Chad into a cab. And for whatever reason I just couldn't let him walk away. That was when it all started to change for us.'
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I fall in love when I'm afraid?
But watching you stand alone,
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
'It's amazing I thought I was going to be alone forever,' Will thought. 'When Sonny left I never thought I would get anyone like this again. Actually,' Will realized. 'I don't think I ever imagined someone like Paul ever wanting me.'
'But Paul's worth it. Worth the struggle it took to get to this moment,' Will knew. 'So worth it.'
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Paul and Will gently swayed back and forth to the light tempo. Will tightened his hold on Paul. His thumbs rubbed up and down Paul's neck.
'I might have missed out on this,' Will realized. 'I might never have gotten to know Paul. I tried to walk away so many times, deny myself this.'
'Why was I so afraid of what everyone else would think? I don't know what I was so afraid of,' Will wondered. 'What I have with Paul is worth any ridicule.'
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
Paul squeezed Will's hips. As they rotated in a circle, Paul's eyes were drawn towards Will's neck.
Most of the time, Paul tried his best to look away from the mottled bruises. But after watching that video of the attack, Paul thought differently.
'Each and every one of these bruises represents how hard Will fought back,' Paul thought. 'Besides, I would much rather see the bruises and hear his voice raspy than the alternative.'
'Nothing is going to take Will away from me now. Not Ben, not Sonny, nothing.'
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
Will moved closer to Paul so their chests were brushing. Will couldn't help a smile from spreading across his face.
'I used to think Paul was perfect,' Will grinned. 'Now I know he's not. He has flaws. He's a real person. And that's why I fell in love with him.'
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
Once the music began winding down, Paul lifted one hand to Will's cheek. He caressed the soft skin, thumbed against Will's lips.
"I talked to Arianna on the phone when I called your mom," Paul confessed. "I had something I needed to ask her."
"What?" Will wondered, leaning into Paul's hand.
"If she had a problem with me being in love with her daddy," Paul declared.
Will exhaled shakily. "What did she say?"
"She said that I had to love her daddy," Paul stepped even closer. "Or I would be in trouble. But she still wasn't sharing."
Will laughed happily.
"Well," Will breathed against Paul's lips. "I guess it's a good thing I love you too."
Paul's lips quirked upwards before being smothered by Will's.
Will sighed blissfully. He held onto Paul. He wanted him as close as possible.
Paul adjusted his grip on Will's face. He opened his mouth, tongue flicking out.
Will pulled away.
"Sorry," Paul said. "Was that too much?"
Paul almost forgot that too much right now might not be a good idea.
'Something horrible almost happened to him,' Paul forced himself to remember. 'He might not want that kind of touch for a while.'
"No," Will answered. "Just surprised me, sorry."
"You don't have to apologize," Paul promised. "I love you with or without that."
Will beamed.
"And if you never want me to touch you," Paul assured Will. "I would be fine with that. If it made you happy I'd do just about anything."
"Don't get crazy," Will ran his fingers through the short hairs at the base of Paul's skull. "You just surprised me."
"Kiss me again," Will requested.
Paul pressed their lips together. He shivered when he felt Will's tongue brush against the seam of his lips.
Opening his mouth, Paul touched his tongue with Will's briefly.
Will held tight to Paul's neck. His knees felt shaky.
Pulling away to breathe, Will and Paul rested their foreheads together.
"Bed," Will whispered.
"Are you sure?" Paul asked. "We don't have to do anything you don't want to."
"I trust you," Will declared. "You won't hurt me."
"I wouldn't," Paul said before scooping Will into his arms.
Will laughed in appreciation.
Paul gently lowered Will onto the bed. He kneeled next to Will, hovering.
"I love you," Paul stated again.
Will yanked on Paul's shirt, dragging him into a kiss.
Paul settled against Will, chests touching, slotting together.
Paul placed his hand on the edge of Will's shirt. He fingered a button. Paul wanted to unbutton it but he didn't want to stop their kiss. But, he knew he needed to ask permission.
Will took one hand out of Paul's hair and placed it over Paul's.
Taking the hint, Paul slowly began opening Will's shirt. His hand mapped out each inch of skin.
Will puffed out a tiny breath. Paul's touch felt so good. So warm and comforting and yet still mysterious and sexy.
Paul pushed open Will's shirt. Finally breaking their kiss, Paul moaned at the sight.
Will's chest panted up and down. With the candle light and the glow from the fireplace, Paul could see every line, every muscle.
Paul kissed Will's lips once more. Then he began trailing kisses along Will's chin towards his throat. Ever so softly, Paul peppered Will's skin with kisses. His tongue lightly teased, just enough to get Will to gasp.
Paul pushed Will's shirt off. Will sat up to get it over his shoulders and down his arms.
Paul's mouth latched onto the top of Will's bare shoulder. He kissed and licked, sucking.
"Paul," Will moaned. His hands clenched into fists before grabbing at Paul's shirt. "Off," Will pleaded.
Paul eagerly got out of his own shirt. He pressed their naked chests together, kissing yet again.
They both kicked off their shoes and socks while their mouths were busy.
Will sucked at Paul's lower lip, dragging his teeth down, causing Paul to shudder.
Paul pressed his hands to the button on Will's slacks.
Will tensed momentarily. Flashing to the last time someone tore at his clothes.
Paul, feeling Will's discomfort, placed kisses over the apple of Will's cheek.
"I love you," Paul whispered into Will's skin. "I'd never hurt you."
"I know," Will exhaled. "You can do it. Take it off."
Paul kissed Will's lips again before undoing his pants. Paul understood Will's temporary panic. He also planned to do everything he could to keep Will in the here and now.
When Paul's tongue dug into the roof of Will's mouth, Will forgot all about his worries. He eagerly wiggled his hips out of his pants. His mouth stayed attached to Paul's the entire time.
Will only felt Paul's hands and Paul's touch. This moment, this night, was all Will could imagine.
Once his pants were off, Will sat up, pushing Paul with him.
"I wanna take yours off," Will explained.
Paul nodded. First, though, he emptied his pocket.
Reverently, Will pulled down Paul's pants, hands gliding along his sides.
Soon enough, they both sat side-by-side in their underwear. The heat from the fireplace kept them warm.
Will admired Paul for a few moments. He looked over Paul's exposed skin, his muscles.
'God,' Will softly smiled. 'All of that loves me?'
Paul captured Will's lips again. He pushed Will against the mounds of pillows.
Paul touched the edge of Will's underwear. "Can I take these off?" Paul asked between kisses.
Will nodded. He didn't feel anxious at all. Only the good kind of tension fluttered inside his stomach, anticipation.
Paul eased Will's underwear off as well as his own.
"Nervous?" Paul asked once they were completely naked.
Will looked into Paul's bright eyes.
"No," Will responded. He touched Paul's cheek. "Are you?"
"A little," Paul truthfully replied. He wanted to make this moment perfect.
"Don't be," Will said before kissing Paul once again.
Paul's hands slid along Will's sides, his arms, and legs. Anywhere and everywhere he could reach.
Will's hands explored Paul's back. His teeth found a spot underneath Paul's ear.
Paul reached along the bed for what he took out of his pocket.
Will, noticing what Paul grabbed, chuckled.
"Did you carry that in your pocket all night?" Will mused.
"Yes," Paul grinned. He pecked Will's swollen lips. "I couldn't exactly ask your mom or grandma to bring it."
Will took the dual condom and lube packet out of Paul's hand and ripped it open. He shoved it back towards Paul with a smile.
Paul playfully but dutifully stretched Will open. He kept their mouths attached the entire time. Tongues brushing each time Paul prodded against Will, making him jump and moan.
"Want you," Will insisted. "Paul, please."
Paul nodded frantically. He made quick work of his condom. He wasn't sure if he could wait any longer.
Will grabbed one of the many pillows and shoved it under his hips. He spread his legs, putting his feet on the mattress.
Paul took a deep breath, looking Will over.
"Did I mention how much I love you?" Paul asked. He lined himself up against Will.
"You did," Will licked his lips. "But you can say it again."
"I love you," Paul panted as he pressed inside.
Will grunted in both pain and pleasure. His arms wrapped around Paul's neck, pulling him in close.
Paul kissed Will, slowly building up a rhythm.
"Love you," Will whimpered.
Paul grabbed Will's arms from around his neck. He laced their fingers together, holding them down near Will's ears.
Their noses bumped together when their rhythm picked up. It was harder and harder for them to maintain their kiss.
"Baby," Paul grunted.
"Mmm," Will moaned. His hips moved forwards and back, restless.
Will needed Paul closer. He sat up and flipped Paul over.
Will sat on Paul's lap, sinking back down onto Paul's cock.
Paul placed one arm around Will's waist. The other held onto Will's hand.
"Fuck," Paul closed his eyes. He lifted his hips up and down, bucking up into Will.
Will and Paul worked together, each clutching at the other. Will's thighs began to burn but he didn't care. His heavy cock bounced against his stomach leaving a trail of precome.
Paul let go of Will's hand to slide down and grasp Will's cock.
Will emitted a strangled sound from the back of his throat.
"Keep going," Will urged. "Please."
"Yes," Paul agreed. Their lips met again, tongues brushing.
Paul flicked and twisted his wrist in time to their thrusts.
"So close," Will whimpered. "Don't stop."
"Uh huh," Paul nodded. "I know, me too, baby."
Will whined. His hands reached out to clutch at Paul's sweaty shoulders. His fingers scratched at Paul's skin, leaving red marks.
Paul's wrist speeded up. He could feel Will's walls fluttering around him.
Will cried out, slipping over the edge and across Paul's hand.
Will held onto Paul, breathless. He nuzzled into Paul's neck repeating over and over how much he loved him.
Paul continued thrusting into Will for a few more minutes. Will's sweet words and pulsating hole guided Paul until he couldn't take it anymore.
"God," Paul whispered, exhausted.
"I love you, puddin' pop," Will promised.
"I know you do, baby," Paul smiled. God, he loved that dumb nickname. He held onto Will's face. "Just like you know I love you."
Will nodded.
They kissed one more time, prolonging their moment.
Author's Note:
The song was Christina Perri's, "A Thousand Years"
Any thoughts? I promise the photoshoot will be in the next chapter for sure.
Thank you so much for reading!