"Our room ?" Sonny is resting on the banister and watches Will who blushes but look at him defiantly. If Sonny didn't know Will's innocence on that subject, he'd take him at his word. Instead, he keeps on walking upstairs, then takes Will's hand and says " Beloved, I won't be able to sleep if we're sharing a bed. And we both need rest. You want to take the room next to mine ?" Will nods, looking contrite. Sonny gives in "We can spend some time alone together in my room, tonight, if you want ?" Will looks away and Sonny can see the glint of a tear on the corner of his eye " No, no, you're right. I shouldn't distract you and anyway, you must want a little peace and quiet..." Sonny feels like he's just been punched in the stomach. He takes a deep breath and force himself to speak in a quiet tone " Will, I wouldn't trade a moment in your presence with any other, You have to believe me. I'm making great efforts to act sensible because, after all that's happened, my health, as well as yours, have to come first. How can you think, for an instant, that I wouldn't want you ?" Will shakes his head and goes downstairs, leaving Sonny standing next to his old bedroom. Will comes back straight away, with their two bags. He hands Sonny his and turns to the next door, opening it with a shaking hand. Sonny feels exhausted. He can't find the strength to stop him. He goes in and lies on the bed. He falls in a nervous and agitated sleep.
He can feel a hand slightly rocking him. It's his mother. "Sonny, darling, I'm sorry to wake you up but dinner is ready. Do you want to join us or you prefer to eat in bed ?" Sonny sits, then gets up, but his knees give way. He looks at his mother who understands and leave the room. Sonny leans back against the wall and tries to relax. He finally feels the repercussions of the attack and of this harrowing night. Will's temporary absence, the fact that they had a disagreement, has takes him out of the bubble they had created and into which they allowed themselves to be carefree and recovered. He shivers and decides to slide under the covers. But he's still feeling awful and, no longer able to resist, tries another walk to the door. Once in the hallway, he knocks at Will's door. No answer. He has a quick look inside. The room is empty. Will's bag is on the floor, wide open, with half his stuff lying around. Sonny closes the door and goes back to his own room just when the butler arrives with a tray. He's happy to see the man again and they have a quiet talk while the domestic settles him comfortably, opening a napkin on his lap. As Henderson is taking leave, Sonny calls him "Could you ask Will to come up after diner ?" The butler bows "Master Horton is not in the dining-room but I'll make sure he gets the message as soon as I see him." Sonny blinks, instantly blocking bad scenarios from his mind. He must be in the bathroom. Or, on the terrace outside for a phone call... Sonny hates feeling that vulnerable and focus his attention on his delicious meal. He's putting the tray away when he hears a knock. "You can come in Henderson". But it's not him.
Will comes into the room, hands behind his back. He comes close to the bed and holds a hand to Sonny's face, which make him smile shyly. Sonny can feel Will's lips on his own like a light breeze. Then Will puts something in his hand. It's an envelope. Sonny re-energizes a little longer in the tranquil blue of Will's eyes, then opens it. Inside are two tickets to a concert for the next week. "And this time, we're going together… " "How did you get them ?" Will looks mischievous and doesn't answer. He lies next to him on the larger-than-the-one-at-the-hospital bed and puts his head on Sonny's shoulder. "Love ?" "Yea, kitten ?" "Are you still tired ?" Sonny notices his malaise is over. "No, I'm a little better. What about you ?" Will caresses Sonny's arm. Sonny slides his fingers in Will's. "I've slept like a log. I didn't realize how beat I was. Is it late ?" "Apparently, you've missed dinner." Will looks perturbed. Sonny thinks he must be hungry and is getting ready to tell him to go on a hunt for the kitchen when Will does a wonderful thing. He looks straight into Sonny's eyes and takes him in his arms. He strokes his back, then puts a hand behind Sonny's shirt. He brushes the skin, without stopping or pushing. His touch is soft, almost surreal. He pauses to open Sonny's shirt, who, feeling treated with airiness, shows no resistance. Will slides down the sleeves and resume his silky touch on Sonny's chest and arms. He doesn't kiss him nor ventures down, but merely traces waves and valleys that Sonny discovers, amazed. Will looks up and whispers " I won't always know how to act, this boyfriend's business is very new to me and I don't really feel up for the task. I'm sorry I shut myself like that earlier." Sonny brings out as much tenderness as he can to answer "I might be a little hurtful sometimes in the future. I hope you'll know these are only outbursts but I'll still love you deeply." Will acquiesces and ends his exploration at Sonny's shoulder. He kisses the tip of his nose and says "I'm off, I'll bring your tray back and find something to eat. Do you have a map so that I don't get lost ?"