Paul whistled to himself as he poured the pancake mix on the hot griddle before turning to the waffle maker and filling it with waffle mix. 'It's tough having boyfriends that love different breakfast foods,' Paul thought as he went to take some bacon out of the over. 'Sonny likes pancakes. Will likes waffles and I don't really care for either.' Glancing at the closed door to the bedroom over his shoulder Paul hoped he wasn't making too much noise so Will and Sonny could get some more sleep. He closed the door behind him when he left because he was uncertain if Will would flip out if he saw it was open.

Whistling once again Paul grabbed three plates and some silverware. He contemplated making some coffee but Sonny always complained he did it wrong. 'If they want it Sonny will have to make that.' Flipping the pancakes and pulling the thick slices of bacon off the tray Paul felt pretty satisfied with his wooing abilities. 'I can totally provide for them. I so got this.'

With one situation after the other being thrown at them Paul had not had very many opportunities to show Sonny and Will just how sorry he was. 'Of course, I hope how supportive I've been has been a good show of my devotion to them but still they deserve big gestures.' Paul wasn't exactly an expert on this stuff but he hoped they appreciated his efforts. For a long while Paul assumed getting Sonny to forgive him would be harder than Will but after Will confessed he shot EJ Paul wasn't so sure now. 'He tried to kill someone for attacking his mom. Not even just someone but EJ. How are they so close now? And why isn't Will more upset about what I did?' Paul was beginning to think that Will was more affected by what happened than he was letting on, 'Especially since the Ian incident.'

Paul desperately hoped the police would be able to find Ian soon. He loathed how paranoid Will was because of that freak. 'We'll all rest easier when he's behind bars. I just hope he doesn't try to go after us again.' He would never bring it up to Will but Paul felt horribly guilty over Ian. He was Paul's supporter. He hurt Will because of Paul. 'If I never got involved with Will this never would have happened.' Some days Paul wondered if it would have been better for Will if would have left him with Neil at The Spot that night. Paul saw the way Neil looked at Will. 'Neil might have made him happy. Even if I wouldn't have been. Or Sonny.'

Jostling Paul out of his melancholy thoughts, Paul heard the bedroom door squeak open as his sleep rumpled boyfriends entered the room. Heart rate accelerating wide smile spreading across his face Paul couldn't help but rush to them both. Taking in Sonny's bright brown eyes and wild hair Paul kissed him warmly on the cheek before wrapping an arm around Will's waist and assisting Sonny in guiding Will to the sofa. Hugging Will warmly, breathing in the scent of his skin, Paul smiled brightly at them both, "Hi."

Sonny, surprised by Paul's perky greeting, after making sure Will was comfortable leaned forward and kissed his cheek too, "Morning. You making breakfast?"

"Yep," Paul proclaimed, "I woke up early and I figured I'd make your favorites." Smelling something near the stove Paul yelped, "Oh shit." Running over to take the pancakes off the griddle and get the waffle out of the maker. "Whew, OK, it's still good. I didn't burn anything."

Will, yawning widely, feeling a steady ache just above his left eye, settled against Sonny's chest, "I like it crunchy anyway."

Pushing Will further against him and lifting his hand to cover Will's eyes Sonny asked, "Why?"

"That's how my mom always made them. Most of the time she'd forget what she was doing and that's how I'd get it," Will shrugged, snuggling into Sonny.

"My mom hardly ever made anything like this," Paul told them, dishing up their food and getting out some glasses for the orange juice he found in the fridge. "I always had to eat healthy crap."

"We always had cooks," Sonny admitted. "I don't really think my mom even knows what the difference between a pan and a griddle is. But it's kind of interesting how differing our childhoods were."

"We all lived in different cities with different types of parenting," Paul agreed. 'Although Will clearly wins the award for worst childhood.'

"That's one way of putting it," Will's lips twitched in a ghost of a smile. His upbringing was never exactly something that he liked to talk about. Some days he felt bitter and angry towards his parents, his mother in particular. Whereas other days he was defensive of his family. 'It's no one's business but ours how my parents brought me up. Besides I have more than enough support now to make up for it.' But Will already knew Sonny and Paul wouldn't think differently of him because of his mom or dad.

Setting down their plates Paul couldn't help but smirk when he saw Sonny's eyebrows raise in disbelief.

"You actually made pancakes and waffles," Sonny asked, shy smile livening up his face. 'I would have thought he'd just make what Will wanted.'

Paul laughed, "Well, I know pancakes are your favorite why wouldn't I make them?"

Will pleased by Paul's efforts wanted to dig into his waffle immediately except for one thing, "Um, will you cut my waffle for me?" Will held up his heavily bandaged hand, palm still tender after having so much glass digging into it.

"Oh fuck," Paul said, taking Will's cutlery and immediately helping him, "I should have remembered that." 'Damn it I wanted everything to be perfect.'

Between a mouthful of bacon, still leaning slightly against Sonny, Will said, "It's OK. I think in a few days it will be back to normal."

"I still should have realized," Paul grumbled under his breath.

"Hey," Sonny stated, nudging Paul with his bare foot, "This was really sweet of you. Don't beat yourself up over it."

Paul, having cut the waffle into small bite sizes so Will wouldn't have to open his mouth too wide, admitted, "I know. I just, I really wanted to prove how serious I am about this, us."

"But we already know," Will whispered sitting up straight and reaching out to grab Paul's hand and pulling him onto the couch. Picking up his plate, setting it in his lap, Will used his fork to get a bite of waffle before handing the fork to Paul, smiling at him sweetly.

Rolling his eyes fondly at Will Paul waited for Will to open his mouth before feeding Will gently. Watching Will chew and swallow, blue eyes cheerful Paul thought, 'OK maybe I did something right.'

"OK," Will said after his first bite, "Now feed Sonny."

"Uh, no," Sonny said while elbowing Will in the side, glad he was not on the side with stitches, "Thanks but no thanks. Besides I like watching you eat."

"You're no fun," Paul joked, reaching across Will and snatching Sonny's bacon, drifting it under Sonny's nose, "You know you wanna."

Taking a bite and snapping his teeth playfully at Paul Sonny made a large production of chewing, "Gee thanks. Now why don't you go get your own plate?"

Sonny stood at the sink washing all of the dishes. Will was resting on the couch watching as Paul checked and then double checked all the windows and doors.

"I told you, no one is getting or looking in," Paul reassured Will. 'I really hope this doesn't last too long. I hate that he's so torn up by this all.'

"Thanks," Will looked down at where his hands were folded against his stomach. "I'm sorry it's so weird. I just want to be sure."

"It's no problem," Paul informed Will. "Now, just wait here while I go get your meds." Seeing Will frown Paul laughed, "You have to take them. And don't try the puppy dog eyes on me. I'll make Sonny come in here and make you take them."

"Hey," Sonny called from by the sink. "What does that mean?"

"That you're the strict one," Paul said rationally, walking into the kitchen and opening the white paper bag all of Will's medicine was inside of. "What? We all know I have issues telling him no."

"That's for damn sure," Sonny agreed while rinsing the last of the dishes off. "We're just lucky he doesn't ask for the world because you'd probably try to give it to him."

"I'd give you the world if you wanted it," Paul stated firmly, opening the bottle of pain medicine, looking over at Sonny when he felt him staring. "What?"

"Nothing," Sonny said, swallowing heavily, heart pounding, a nervous tremor to his fingers. Dropping the towel he was drying his hands on Sonny wrapped his arms around Paul's neck suddenly.

Paul, surprised, nearly dropped the bottle in his hand before putting it on the counter, holding onto Sonny, "You OK?"

"Yeah," Sonny breathed, forehead resting on Paul's shoulder. "I'm OK." Licking his lips Sonny sighed, "I'm more than OK."

"Um, you're kind of freaking me out," Paul informed Sonny.

"Shut up you're ruining the moment," Sonny hissed.

"OK," Paul replied, flinching slightly, embracing Sonny and staying silent.

"You, um, you really love me don't you," Sonny whispered softly talking to himself just as much as he was talking to Paul.

"Yes," Paul said simply, not sure if was allowed to be talking or not yet.

"And this whole time since it happened all you've done is try to take care of Will and take care of me," Sonny continued as if Paul didn't say anything. Placing a feather light kiss under Paul's ear Sonny decided, "I forgive you."

Eyes practically bulging out of his head, clinging tightly to Sonny's waist Paul asked, "You do? Oh my god really? This isn't some cruel trick, right?"

Huffing a laugh Sonny clarified, "I mean it. I-I'm not saying I'm going to forget that it happened but I trust that you won't do it again. That you're sorry."

"I am," Paul promised, "I am so sorry and I will do everything I can to make sure you know just how dedicated I am to you. To both of you."

"I think you've showed that," Sonny stepped away from Paul, hands sliding down his arms until they were holding his hands.

Blinding grin on his face Paul blinked tears from his eyes, "Thank you."

"Thank you for proving that you care," Sonny answered, lifting up one shoulder. Kissing Paul firmly on the lips Sonny grabbed the bottle of medicine, "Now, I have to go force someone to take his medicine." Walking over to Will, Sonny couldn't help but smile at him when he saw he fell back asleep. Sitting beside him on the couch Sonny stroked his cheek, touching the shell of his ears. 'I wonder how close Will is to forgiving Paul.'

Roman paced back and forth in his office every so often turning to share a look with Lucas. "Are you absolutely sure?"

"I'm positive," Lucas stated decisively. "He took advantage of Will when Will was drunk. There has to be something we can do."

"Damn it," Roman growled, making Lucas jump, "Why did no one come to me right away."

"I didn't know about it until after it happened," Lucas defended, "No one did."

Slumping into his office chair Roman put his head in his hands, "Is there any evidence that could be used against him?"

"Well," Lucas tried to remember, "He took a picture."

"If Will was underage that would help but right now," Roman shook his head. "Would Will testify against him?"

Lucas laughed cruelly, "No way in hell."

"Then there's not much we could do," Roman explain voice resigned. "If we knew when it happened or if Will would cooperate but all we have is hearsay. Any lawyer would be able to get the charges dropped."

Lucas, closing his eyes, hands pressed together as if he was in prayer, "Well it's not the only way we can get him away from Will, right? I mean there has to be something."

"Nothing by the law," Roman said. Sneering Roman practically shivered in disgust about the whole situation. 'That man has poisoned Will. No, those men.' "Will was never like this when he was straight," Roman said quietly.

"No," Lucas agreed, "No, he was shy and sweet and the only time he ever did anything wrong was when he was upset with EJ. Now he's practically living with EJ. He hangs on his every word. And those, those idiots he hangs out with. They filled his head with such nonsense that Will does whatever they want."

"It's not natural," Roman decided, "What they do. They never should have manipulated Will into being with them. He's just confused."

"He doesn't know what he wants," Lucas stated. "He doesn't. He's never known. And now all this garbage keeps happening to him and he's got so many people pulling him in different directions."

"We have to protect Will," Roman looked into Lucas's eyes, "We have to protect him from EJ, from Sonny and Paul. From all of their influence."

Will nuzzled into the hand petting his hair. He dreamt he was with Sonny and Paul on the beach. The water was crystal clear, the sand white. Will was splashing and playing in the waves as Paul chased him easily catching him in his strong arms and spinning Will round and round. Sonny, lying on his side in the sand, laughed at them before insisting Will put on more sunblock. Tossing Will to the sand dramatically Paul dripped water all over Sonny causing him to shriek. Will threw his head back and laughed as Sonny threw sand in Paul's face. Basking in the warm sun and his boyfriends laughter Will never wanted to leave.

Eyes blinking quickly Will winced at the bright mid-day sun bathing the apartment in light. Quickly covering his eyes Will whined high in his throat, head pounding. The hand on his head quickly began stroking softly over his forehead and cheeks, "It's OK. Sonny's closing the blinds. Shh," Paul hushed Will.

Sonny, making sure the room was as dark as possible sat down on the couch again, lifting Will's legs so they draped across his lap. Rubbing Will's foot soothingly Sonny said, "You can uncover your eyes now."

Will, gingerly taking his hand away, sighed when there was no more light. Clearing his voice, throat dry, Will sheepishly admitted, "I'm sorry."

"Hey, no," Paul reassured, fingers massaging Will's scalp, Will's head resting in his lap, "There's nothing to be sorry about. We should have known better."

"Why were the blinds open," Will began to panic, "Anyone could see in. I don't want anyone to see in."

"No one can see in," Sonny told Will, thumb rubbing up and down the middle of Will's bare foot.

"You promise," Will swallowed, looking at Sonny eyes wide and trusting.

"Of course I do," Sonny ensured. "Now, it's time for your meds."

Making a face Will turned so his head was smushed against Paul's firm stomach, "No thank you."

"Sorry, but you have to," Sonny insisted, grabbing the water and pill he left on the coffee table. "Here."

Taking it quickly, hating the chalky taste of the pill, Will complained, "Gross. I hate medicine."

"It's good for you," Paul tugged on his hair lightly, "Besides you should take it for us if not for yourself." Seeing Will's questioning look Paul explained, "It's hell watching you in so much pain. If this helps even just a little bit it's worth it."

"Fine," Will huffed, pushing his feet back into Sonny's hands, wanting him to rub them again. Closing his eyes, enjoying the tender touches to his head and feet, Will said, "I was dreaming we were on the beach."

"Oh yeah," Sonny smiled, playing with Will's toes. "At the lake?" 'Like that time we went and you stood up for me against T and I saw you half naked for the first time. Mmm.'

"No," Will shook his head, "It was much nicer than here."

"I bet you looked hot," Paul teased, thumbs rubbing Will's temples now.

"I don't know what I looked like," Will said simply, "I just remember that it was warm and sunny and I never wanted to leave."

"Well we should go there someday," Sonny decided, "To the ocean. Have you ever been before, babe?"

"Yeah," Will admitted, "When I lived in Switzerland I did. We traveled some. It was so pretty there."

"When did you live there? I thought you spent your whole life in Salem," Paul questioned, watching Will's serene face.

"My parents sent me there with Uncle Austin and Aunt Carrie. A few times actually," Will explained, nervously fiddling with his hands, "It's the only time I left Salem. Well except when I was little I guess but I don't really count that. I really loved it there though. I didn't really have a lot of friends but it was nice, peaceful. Being away from Salem was relaxing."

"No kidding," Sonny teased, "My life has never been so dramatic as when I lived here." 'Although I guess with Ian around longer than we thought that's not exactly true.'

"That's Salem," Will smiled, "Drama central." Opening his eyes, watching the ceiling fan go round and round Will whispered, "Will you really take me there? To a beach far away?"

"We'll take you anywhere you want to go," Paul promised. "Just say it and we'll go there."

"Disneyland," Will asked, craning his neck to catch Paul's eyes. "I always wanted to go and no one ever took me."

"Sure," Paul said, "If that's what you want."

"Maybe not right away," Will relaxed back on Paul's lap, "I want to go somewhere relaxing, just the three of us. Like an island or something just for ourselves."

"The three of us, a room, a beach and no clothes," Sonny leaned his head against the back of the couch, just picturing it.

"No interruptions or family members," Paul sighed imagining the three of them making love under the night's sky.

Will, shifting uncomfortably, hands twisting together, frowned slightly wondering if Sonny and Paul were unsatisfied with him. 'Everything that's happened has been because my family has made it worse. And I'm not ready for that again. Not yet. What if they don't want to wait for me? Should I let them be together? They said they would wait for me but what if they can't?'

Sonny thumb rubbing up and down the top of Will's foot, knowing almost exactly what Will was thinking told him, "Stop that."

"I can't help it," Will maintained, "I just, I know everything is different from how it was when you first wanted to be with me. I'm different. What if you decide you don't want me anymore?"

"Hey," Paul scolded, voice rough, "That's never going to happen. Now quit those thoughts. That's not you thinking them anyway, it's everyone else's voice running in your head."

"You know we want you for more than just sex," Sonny comforted, "And nothing you say or do is ever going to change how we feel."

"It could," Will argued softly, "I've seen it happen to my mom all the time. She always promised me that this relationship was going to be different. This time it would last. And it never did."

"You're not your mom," Paul stated, looking over at Sonny sadly.

"Aren't I," Will mused. "I always got so angry at her for changing partners so often and I did the same thing with you guys and Neil."

"You weren't even dating him Will," Paul argued, "You went on dates. He was not your boyfriend."

"I still went with you anyway after I told him I wouldn't," Will continued, "I shot someone. I'm constantly in the news. I am my mom. That's why I get so mad at her because I'm exactly like her."

"Babe," Sonny said slowly, "That's not true. Maybe you have some similarities but that isn't a bad thing. Sure, you're mom has been married more times than most. And she hasn't always put you first but she loves you. And despite everything she's been through she's always come out stronger. Being Sami Brady doesn't have to be a bad thing."

"Not to mention," Paul cut in, "That you being in the news is because other people butted in your life. It's not anything you did." Encouraging Will to sit up, turning him so he was directly in the middle of Sonny and Paul, Paul added, "Besides we happen to like you exactly how you are."

"Even with the stitches," Will asked looking between Sonny and Paul with sad eyes.

"Stitches and all," Sonny pulled Will against him, kissing the side of his head.

"OK," Will smiled, "OK."

EJ glared at the man sitting opposite his desk, "What do you mean he wasn't in today?"

"Well, Sir," the middle aged man answered nervously, "Zach didn't show up and he didn't call in. It isn't company policy to report directly to you about that."

"I know it's not," EJ said tersely, "But I need to see him."

"I can send another person from our tech department if you want," the man suggested.

"No," EJ growled. "Now get out." Seeing the man scamper from his sight EJ pursed his lips absolutely certain, 'Of all the IT employees at Dimera Enterprises Chad had to hire one working with that lunatic.' Turning in his chair EJ stalked to the door, 'If you want anything done in this town you have to do it yourself.' EJ was going to find his missing IT man and Ian sooner or later. 'If it's the last thing I do.'

"Oh my god," Sonny said, throwing his pen down in frustration, "I am never playing this game with you again."

Will, smiling slightly, "I told you I was good."

"Good," Paul chuckled, "You pulverized him. Who knew Scrabble could be so competitive?"

"Sorry Sonny," Will crawled around the coffee table until he was in front of Sonny. Putting his hands on Sonny's knees Will added, "I can't pout my lips out right now but if I could I would and I would look at you like this," Will tilted his head and opened his eyes batting his lashes slowly.

Sonny, trying not to smile, "Stop that. You totally cheated."

"Sonny, how can you cheat at Scrabble," Paul rolled his eyes, 'He is too competitive about this crap.' "His brain beat yours fair and square."

"No way," Sonny tried to hold in a laugh, "You had to tell him the letters you two conspired against me."

"How could we do that," Will questioned. "You were sitting across from us the whole time."

"Just admit you're a bad loser and get over it," Paul teased.

"Nope, nu uh, not happening," Sonny protest, arms crossed. "I demand a rematch."

Giving Paul a secret look, Will patted Sonny's knees lightly, "Maybe later. My head still kind of hurts."

"OK," Sonny agreed easily, "Is there anything else here we could play?"

"There should be a Clue game around here somewhere," Will suggested, looking at Sonny with a leery look, "Unless you're going to go crazy on us if you lose."

"Ha," Sonny said sarcastically. "I never lose at Clue. I always beat my brothers when we played."

"Really," Will asked as Paul got up to rummage through the closets to see if he could find it.

"Yeah," Sonny elaborated, taking a quick sip of his water, "I was like the master. Joey and Vic never cared but Alex always threw a temper tantrum. It got so bad that Mom banned us from ever playing."

"I wonder why," Paul mumbled under his breath to himself.

"Are you sure it wasn't you throwing the tantrum," Will asked teasingly.

"Hey," Sonny complained. "I'm your boyfriend you have to take my side. But what about you when you were little?"

"Oh," Will stated, "I played with my cousins or Grandma Marlena or Grandma Caroline. I couldn't really play too many games with my parents. They're super competitive. Like they make you look tame." Giggling at Sonny's indignant expression Will added, "Although EJ and my mom had family nights sometimes. Well it was more us playing poker and holding one of the kids. High stakes games were more their style."

"Well," Paul said walking over with the game and beginning to set it up. "I pretty much had my mom and baseball. And I'd play baseball to get away from my mom. So there's that."

"Oh shut up," Sonny reached across the coffee table and flicked Paul's ear, "You love your mom and you know."

Will smiled as he watched Sonny and Paul argue good-naturedly quietly waiting for his turn, wishing his life could be like this forever.

"You really don't have to do this," Neil said for what felt like the hundredth time. "I mean, it's a hospital, they have nurses."

"I know what I'm doing," Brian insisted, sitting on Neil's bed and examining the wound on his back. "Well it looks like it's closing up already which is good. And it doesn't look infected. I'm going to clean it now though." Gloves on his hands, being as clinical as possible Brian sanitized the wound before letting it air dry a bit.

"Well still," Neil sighed, "It's probably disgusting back there."

"I've seen worse," Brian assured Neil, patting him on the back. "Besides I can't exactly be a doctor if a little stab wound gets me squeamish."

"Little," Neil barked, "That is not little. There was a big serrated blade shoved back there I'll have you know."

"It's barely four inches," Brian shot back, "It's small."

Neil huffed to himself, "Well Will found it impressive even if you don't."

"Uh huh," Brian told Neil with a smile, "And I find you impressive by yourself even if Will doesn't."

"Oh," Neil said, eyes wide and panicked, not sure how to respond. "Right."

"Relax," Brian rubbed his exposed flank, "I know you're getting over your pretty little sexual deviant."

"Hey," Neil said, wanting to laugh but knowing he shouldn't.

"I'm just saying you know," Brian put a new bandage on Neil's back, tying the strings on his hospital gown. "Maybe."

"OK," Neil agreed, "Maybe."

"You could, um, you could come too," Will said, toe digging into the bathroom rug, eyes downcast and nervous. "Just um, to be close, not for, not for you know."

"If you want us to," Paul said, "If you're comfortable with that."

"Yeah," Will looked up into both of their faces, relishing in the devotion and trust he saw coloring their expressions. "I um, please."

"Sure," Sonny smiled lightly. "Whatever you want."

"No," Will said, shaking his head, "Whatever we want."

Reaching for Will's hand and squeezing it Paul nodded, "This is what we want."

"OK, um, you two first," Will requested, swallowing, cheeks pink.

Sonny, disrobing at quickly as possible, knowing this wasn't a sexual moment, held his hands out for Will silently asking for permission.

Will nodded, trying not to stare at Sonny's nude body, stepping forward and letting Sonny help him undress.

Paul, going to turn on the water in the shower, immediately ducked back over to the window, making sure it was locked and no one could see inside before double checking the door was shut and locked as well. "Ready," he asked Will and Sonny.

"Yes," Will replied following Sonny into the shower, frowning a bit at the hot water stinging his stitches.

Adjusting the showerhead so it wasn't blasting on them Paul began to clean himself quickly watching Will unwind under the light flow of water. Paul could practically sense that Will was going to need them soon.

Sonny, rinsing his hair of shampoo, spitting out some soapy water that got into his mouth by accident, gazed at Will's tense figure sadly. 'I hope he can unwind in here.'

Paul taking the body wash and washcloth from Sonny asked Will, "Is it OK if I do this?"

"Please," Will agreed, closing his eyes and enjoying the warm trickle of water and the comforting presence of Sonny and Paul. They were standing in front and in back of him but not close enough to touch. Will appreciated how well they anticipated what he wanted. How well they took care of him.

Sonny, putting some shampoo in his hands waited until Will opened his blue eyes before washing Will's hair, not wanting to scare or upset him. Rubbing his hands through Will's blond locks Sonny smiled at Paul over Will's shoulder. Sonny felt more relaxed than he had in a long time. 'Since our weekend away.' Forgiving Paul was one of the hardest and easiest things he had ever done. 'But I feel better and happier now that I have.'

Paul, gliding his hands along Will's warm, pink-tinted skin, marveled at how lucky he truly was. 'I have the kindest most forgiving boyfriends in the world.' Will hadn't said the words yet but Paul was certain it was imminent. 'He wouldn't let me be here, doing this if he didn't forgive me at least a little bit.' Keeping his touches light Paul cleansed Will, wishing he could wash away all of Will's fears and anxieties as well.

As Will rinsed his hair and body he couldn't help but shiver slightly, almost overwhelmed by everything he was feeling. He was naked and potentially vulnerable between Sonny and Paul and they only looked at him like he was something precious. 'They don't make me feel used or broken. They make me feel loved.' Blinking away tears, sniffling slightly, Will reached forward to collapse against Sonny. The bright lights of the bathroom, the heat from the shower and the crushing emotions he was feeling catching up to him.

"Shh, it's OK," Sonny promised, not questioning Will's sudden need for contact. "We've got you."

Moving closer against Will's back, daringly pressing his groin to Will's backside, holding Will's hips loosely Paul whispered in Will's ear, "Relax baby boy. Everything is OK now."

Almost whimpering Will clung to Sonny fiercely, eyes closed tightly, leaning his head back to rest against Paul's shoulder. He wanted to say something but he wasn't sure if he could; if he should.

Seeing Will was still conflicted Sonny held the back of his neck firmly, "Tell us, whatever it is. You know we'll take care of you."

Taking deep breaths, licking away droplets of water from his mouth and stitches, Will softly wished, "That's what I want. I want my Daddies to take care of me."

"And we will," Paul swallowed harshly, catching Sonny's eyes, almost terrified he was going to screw up. 'I won't hurt him. I won't. If Will trusts me enough for this than I'll trust myself as well.' "Now tell Daddy what you want."

"Hold me," Will breathed, body drooping in their arms, expecting, knowing that they will catch him.

Sonny and Paul held Will tightly in their arms, skin to skin. Praising Will, offering him comforting touches and firm commands until the water turned cold and their skin wrinkled.

"So," Gabi said trying to sound casual as she rubbed her hand up and down Chad's bare chest, "What exactly has been going on with you and Will these past weeks?"

"What do you mean," Chad questioned, trying to enjoy his afterglow, 'I love Will but I don't want to be thinking about him right now.'

"I just mean, you know, from what I saw online," Gabi started, pulling the sheet higher across her chest, "Rumors and stuff."

"What," Chad barked out, shocked, "You're asking if I was actually boning Will? Seriously? After what we just did."

"Well," Gabi said defensively, "You could be bi for all I know. I mean, you haven't been that close to Will in a long time and suddenly there's pictures of you hugging and kissing and holding him."

"When did I kiss him," Chad demanded, already beginning to feel suffocated. 'This is one of the reasons we didn't work before,' Chad remembered.

"In the picture you did," Gabi remarked, "On his head."

"That does not count," Chad argued. "And not that you have the right to ask me that but no I did not fuck Will. I mean, god, that's as asinine as the rumor about Will and EJ."

"That one you cannot say isn't at least a tiny bit plausible," Gabi insisted, "I mean, EJ bought Will a fancy car and an upscale apartment when he was working for him. That is not something you give an intern unless you've got something going on."

"That is ridiculous," Chad laughed, "Oh my god. No, just no. They are like father and son. No. No no no no. Besides Sami would kill them both."

"That's true," Gabi smiled, just thinking about how epic that would be, "Besides Will's probably too exhausted from being with Sonny and Paul to have time for anyone else."

"Oh god," Chad protested, "Stop talking. Gross, no, just no. I can't think about Will like that. Ugh."

"OK," Gabi patted his chest soothingly, "I was just kidding."

"Well don't joke about things like that," Chad complained, "It freaks me out. I don't need to be thinking about that when we're naked." Chad gently pushed Gabi to the side before climbing out of bed. "I'll be right back. You stay there."

As Chad went into the bathroom to fine a towel to clean them both up with Gabi reached over the bed to her purse and dug out her phone. Typing a message quickly and tossing her phone back in the bag Gabi threw herself on the bed and smiled at Chad enticingly. "We don't have to clean up just yet," she purred, reaching out her hands and pulling Chad on top of her.

Will rested on the bed on his side completely naked. He could feel Paul against his back, fingers tracing his shoulder blades and along the sides of his new bandage. Will was staring into Sonny's warm brown eyes completely enthralled.

"Is this alright baby boy," Sonny questioned voice a solid mix of demanding and gentle, not wanting to scare Will.

"It's alright Daddy," Will sighed, head supported by a pillow, "I trust you."

"You trust us to watch over you," Paul clarified fingers stilling against Will's skin.

"Yes," Will promised. "I know you will. You won't let anything bad happen."

"No we won't," Sonny agreed, moving his head in closer to Will's. "Now tell me, why do you want us to check the doors all the time?"

"Because I'm afraid," Will confessed, looking down, feeling like he did something wrong.

"Afraid of what," Paul asked, trailing up and down Will's body again, from the top of his shoulders to the bottom of his spine.

"That someone will come in," Will closed his eyes, hating being so afraid. "I don't want anyone to take me."

"That isn't going to happen," Sonny insisted, "Never. We're never letting you out of our sights again."

"OK," Will acknowledged, eyes opening, curling into Sonny.

"We won't let anything or anyone hurt you again," Paul kissed right below Will's neck where he had a perfectly placed beauty mark. "Including ourselves or you."

"You wouldn't hurt me," Will said certainly. "I know you wouldn't."

"That's right," Sonny approved. "Never again."

"Never," Will parroted back eyes closing again the slight ache above his eyebrow returning, making him focus.

EJ stood with a cigar in his mouth and a Scotch in his hand. 'Where the bloody hell are they,' he asked himself. He had no luck finding any traces of Ian or the IT worker, Zach. He still had Victor Kiriakis to contend with, he was certain Lucas was plotting something and he didn't even know how William was. 'I just want one night of peace and quiet to clear my head.'

Sami, bursting in with Sydney in her arms and Johnny and Allie on her heels, rolled her eyes at EJ's smoking. Immediately plucking the cigar from his mouth and stubbing it in the ashtray nearby Sami said, "Look kids, I told you Daddy was home."

Two little hands pulled him left and right until he practically fell backwards onto the sofa. Laughing, face smiling brightly, EJ looked at Samantha, taking Sydney when she was offered to him, still marveling at how big she had gotten.

"Daddy," Johnny asked quickly, bouncing against his father's side, "When is Will coming home? I drawed him a picture."

"Oh," EJ commented, thinking quickly, "William is feeling a little under the weather Johnny. He's been staying with his friends until he feels better."

"Oh no," Allie gasped, "Did he go to the doctor? Did they give him a shot?"

"Something like that," Sami told her daughter, sitting beside her where she was plastered to EJ's side. "Will is going to come back when he's no longer sick." 'Or when he feels forgiving.'

Seeing the put out expressions on all four of their faces EJ cleared his throat, "How about I take your picture to William tomorrow."

"Won't you get sick too," Johnny asked worriedly, curly hair flopping to the side with the dramatic tilt to his head.

"No, no," EJ assured him, "Besides if I get sick I'll have you to take care of me now won't I?"

"Help," Sydney chimed in with, beaming at her father proudly.

Reaching over Allie for Samantha's hand EJ closed his eyes and relaxed, glad that at least three fourths of his children were safe and well.

Sheet covering his legs, Will ate his dinner slowly, still feeling slightly embarrassed from earlier. 'Ugh why do I feel like calling them that?' It never felt wrong in the moment but afterwards Will felt like a mess.

"Quit it," Paul poked Will in the thigh, "I know that look. And how many times do we have to tell you? It's fine if you say that. It doesn't bother us."

"It really doesn't Will," Sonny promised, "You don't have to feel humiliated afterwards. It's fine."

"I'm trying but it's hard," Will sulked quietly. "Sometimes I feel like I'm just one big walking freak."

"Don't even go there," Paul growled, "No. I will not let you talk about yourself that way, ever. You're our beautiful, endearingly imperfect boyfriend and you don't have permission to say things like that."

"I don't need permission to do everything," Will snarked taking a bite of his chicken.

"Well you do for this," Sonny quipped. "Now say something nice about yourself."

"What," Will laughed, "Sonny, no."

"Do it," Sonny urged. "You said an hour ago that you trusted us to watch over you and protect you from yourself. Well here it is. Now one nice thing about William Horton."

Will, blinking in surprise, contemplating before deciding, "I'm a good speller."

"Yes you are," Paul agreed before kissing the top of Will's head lovingly. "And tomorrow you're going to say something else about yourself. And the day after that and so on and so forth."

"Why," Will rolled his eyes. "I don't need to compliment myself. That's what you're for or if I'm desperate Neil."

Pinching Will's leg Sonny said, "Well then I hope you were listening when we did because you're going to do it now. And no amount of sad eyes is going to get you out of it."

"Fine," Will stated not sure if he should be annoyed or amused. Silently eating Will recalled everything he felt while he was with Sonny and Paul in the shower and earlier on the bed. 'I felt safe and comforted and cherished. I didn't worry about anything. I trusted them completely.'

Will pondered his situation. Despite everything that had happened in the few short weeks he had been with Sonny and Paul, all the good times and the bad, they were all still together. 'Here, in this bed. They didn't give up on me or run away. They've put up with my mother and Chad and EJ almost killing one of them. And they still want me. They dealt with rumors and articles and they didn't leave. They don't care what Ian did to me. They still look at me the same way they always did. The same way they looked at me when I tried so hard not to look at them. Paul's done everything he can to prove to me that he won't hurt me. Sonny's done everything he can to make me see how much I mean to him.' Deciding Will got up out of bed and looked for a book he knew was on the bookshelf nearby.

"Ugh," Will groaned a few minutes later, tossing his book to the floor in frustration covering his eyes with the palms of his hands.

"What is it," Sonny asked from the other side of the room, "What's wrong?"

"My stupid eyes," Will complained, "They won't focus and I can't read." 'I have to read this. I have to.'

"What's all this bellyaching about," Paul asked coming back from the bathroom.

"Will wants to read but he can't," Sonny explained looking at Will in concern as he walked back to the bed, still unclothed.

"Well there's an easy way to fix that," Paul announced, picking up Will's book and settling on the bed. "Now, what are we reading?"

"Poems," Will said meekly, shoulders hunching in, feeling small and ashamed. 'They do everything they can to make me feel comfortable and here I am acting like a child.' "I read them a few times when I lived here before."

"I didn't know you liked poetry that much," Paul commented lightly, flipping through the pages, not addressing Will's little freak out.

"I like to read a lot of different stuff," Will whispered. Moving closer to Paul Will swallowed, "I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," Paul shrugged. "It's fine that you get frustrated. I know it's not at me or Sonny."

"I don't want to seem ungrateful," Will explained shifting under the thin sheet.

"You aren't," Sonny informed him reaching over to touch Will's arm. "Now wait one second." Scurrying to the closet they found the board games in Sonny returned with an array of candles. Large tapered ones, short stubby ones, big fat ones, even the plastic LED kind. Lighting or switching them on Sonny relaxed next to Will. "OK, now he'll be able to see better."

Paul, smirking at Sonny silently, 'Yeah, that's why you set those up.'

Ignoring Paul Sonny tossed an arm around Will's shoulders and pulled him into his side, "Go for it."

Will, nervously taking the book from Paul and opening to the right page, gazed at Paul expectantly, "Please." 'Please understand what I mean.'

Clearing his throat, feeling slightly uneasy with two sets of beautiful eyes on him Paul read from the passage:

Because She Would Ask Me Why I Loved Her
by Christopher Brennan (1870-1932)

If questioning would make us wise
No eyes would ever gaze in eyes;
If all our tale were told in speech
No mouths would wander each to each.

Were spirits free from mortal mesh
And love not bound in hearts of flesh
No aching breasts would yearn to meet
And find their ecstasy complete.

For who is there that lives and knows
The secret powers by which he grows?
Were knowledge all, what were our need
To thrill and faint and sweetly bleed?

Then seek not, sweet, the "If" and "Why"
I love you now until I die.
For I must love because I live
And life in me is what you give.

Licking his lips and rubbing them together Paul pressed his fingers to the words on the page as he asked Will quietly, "Why, um, why did you want to read that one?"

"Because," Will responded, trying to calm down the fluttering in his stomach, "Because that's what I feel about you. About both of you."

"Yeah," Sonny asked, holding Will's hand tightly in his own, not wanting to get his hopes up. 'Oh god, please.'

Swallowing and blinking rapidly Will nodded, "Yeah. I mean, I'm here with you, like this," Will gestured to his nude body, to the apartment around them, "Because, because I forgive you. And I love you."

Author's note:

I guess that counts as a cliffhanger doesn't it? Well it was slightly cheesy but oh well. I was reading an old anthology of poems a few weeks ago and decided this was going to be how it happened.

I know that some people enjoy the Daddy kink and some do not so I hope it was a nice compromise since Will didn't say it very often. Is that something I should warn for before the chapter starts? If it is I'll do it.

Also I threw in a signature Roman, 'damn it' because I always laugh when he does it. So over the top. I love it.

Please review. What do you think Sonny and Paul's reaction will be to Will's confession?