Will scrolled through his Pinterest slowly, unable to sleep. He was determined to teach himself to cook. 'With a Grandma that owns a restaurant you'd think someone would have taught me.' Realizing he was in over his head Will closed the app before pulling open a blank text.

-Can you teach me to cook?

Looking over at Sonny and Paul sleeping peacefully Will smiled. Switching his phone to silent so he wouldn't wake them up Will noticed he had a new message.

-After what I saw last night I'll give you anything you want.

Biting his lip, face bright red, Will replied quickly.

-Brian!

-What? I'm just saying when we got home Neil fucked my brains out. Also how do you feel about having sex with 4 guys at once?

-No!

-Oh come on

-Are you going to teach me how to cook or not?

-Fine…you were totally wearing your sexy undies last night Blondie. Don't think I didn't notice

Yes I was

-How did they react when you got home?

-!

-That good huh?

"Who are you texting," Sonny asked gently, slowly waking up, watching Will laugh and smile.

"Oh," Will turned towards Sonny, cheeks pink. Leaning down and kissing Sonny gently Will answered quickly, "Actually, it's Brian."

"This early in the morning," Sonny questioned, sitting up to chase Will's lips.

Will pecked Sonny several times, laughing when Sonny wouldn't let go of the back of his neck. Finally getting away Will said, "Sonny, it's almost noon."

"It is," Sonny looked at the alarm clock. "Wow, I didn't think it was that late." Stretching his arms over his head Sonny, back cracking, asked, "So, Brian?"

"I had a question," Will admitted. He wasn't sure how Sonny would react to Will going to Brian for a favor. 'Particularly if it's about me learning something they like to do for me.'

"What's with the blush then," Sonny wanted to know. He felt something unpleasant brewing in his stomach. 'Yes, we let Neil and Brian watch us last night but they aren't getting anywhere near him.'

"Oh just Brian teasing me," Will laughed, lifting one shoulder. "He was telling me about the rest of their night. You know how I get about that stuff." Kissing Sonny's cheek quickly Will hoped he sounded reassuring. "Oh that reminds me," Will rushed out.

Opening a new message Will smiled as he typed:

-Happy birthday! Don't break Brian please. You two are helping me tomorrow!

-No promises. But thank you!

Tossing his phone to the side Will turned onto his stomach and focused on Sonny.

Not sure what to think about Will's friendship Sonny pulled Will next to him. Putting his arm around him Sonny asked, "So going out last night was fun, huh?"

"Yeah," Will wiggled into Sonny's hold, placing his head on Sonny's shoulder. "I liked dancing with you."

"Dancing huh," Sonny teased, pinching Will's side gently. "I thought you liked what we did in the bathroom better."

"I liked that too," Will giggled loudly, completely forgetting Paul was still trying to sleep beside him.

Grunting and flopping onto his back Paul, voice scratchy from sleep, blinked and asked, "What's going on?"

Sonny, smiling at Paul's grumbling, admitted, "Just talking about our hot night out."

"Mmm," Paul rubbed his eyes carefully. "That was so sexy."

"I still can't believe you let Brian and Neil watch us," Will leaned over and kissed Paul's cheek. "I thought you hated them."

"I do," Paul confirmed sitting up and capturing Will's lips. "But that was all Sonny, not me."

"What," Sonny defended with a laugh, "It was his birthday! Plus it was the best way to show them that you're ours."

"I think they already knew that," Will insisted throwing his head against a pillow. Feeling uncomfortable Will realized he was still wearing his fancy underwear from the night before. Wrinkling his face at the sticky feeling from his dried come Will pulled them off and kicked them to the side.

Watching Will's shorts go flying Paul couldn't help but ask, "When did you even get those, baby?"

"At that store downtown," Will admitted with his eyes closed. "After I got my glasses."

"You went there alone," Sonny asked in concern. He and Paul had talked about taking Will there one day. But no matter how hard he tried he couldn't imagine Will going by himself. 'Who knows what could have happened?'

"No, Neil and Brian took me," Will said before opening his eyes quickly and sitting up straight. 'Uh oh,' he thought as he caught sight of Paul's face rippling in anger.

"What the hell," Paul spat out, kicking the sheets off his legs and rounding on Will.

"I wanted to surprise you," Will told them quickly. Moving away from Paul cautiously Will loudly said, "I don't see what the big deal is."

Sonny, sneakily wrapping his arms around Will and yanking him onto his lap, explained, "It's a big deal because we don't trust them around you."

"I'm not the one that said they should watch us," Will defended giving up and slumping in Sonny's lap. "And I didn't want to go alone. I knew they would help me without judging me or making me uncomfortable."

"Did they help you pick that out," Paul snarled, pointing at Will's underwear hanging precariously off the edge of the bed.

"Not really," Will said slowly, carefully choosing his words. "I picked it out."

"Did they see you in it," Sonny asked, realizing Will was leaving something out. "Will," Sonny squeezed his arms against his waist.

"Um, maybe," Will mumbled wincing when he saw Paul's face get red and splotchy. "I was nervous I looked stupid. They didn't get a good look."

"Will," Paul, clenched his fists, really wishing he had punched Brian yesterday when he had a chance.

"It's not a big deal," Will argued, "They saw more of me yesterday night anyway. And besides when I was done changing I found them making out in the porn section."

"They left you alone," Sonny barked quickly.

"What," Will rolled his eyes. "First you're mad I was with them. Now you're mad that I wasn't. Did you want me to invite them into my dressing room?"

"No," Sonny said slowly, feeling uncomfortable. Thinking about it he dropped his head to the back of Will's shoulder. "OK, that's a bit ridiculous."

"You think," Will chuckled breathlessly.

Paul, frowning darkly, glared at Will and Sonny. "I still don't like this," Paul insisted while crossing his arms.

Will, crawling off of Sonny's lap and climbing onto Paul's, wrapped his arms around his neck, "Paul," Will began slowly, "I get to have friends."

"I know that," Paul looked up at the ceiling, hands clamped on Will's bare hips. "I just don't see why it has to be them. Brian wants to have sex with you and Neil's in love with you."

"Because I said so," Will told him pointedly. "You know they aren't going to do anything. Just like you know Neil isn't going to let anything happen to me." He looked at Sonny over his shoulder. "Besides they really like each other."

"Fine," Paul gave up. "But if they ever do anything to make you uncomfortable you have to tell us."

"I promise," Will nodded, fingers twining in Paul's short hair.

Chad pushed Sydney on her swing softly while talking to his brother. "I'm telling you it was weird," Chad told EJ with a shrug.

"What's weird is you telling Gabriella you were dumping her for William," EJ said firmly, holding a cup of coffee in one hand.

"I panicked," Chad defended. "Look I know it was dumb but she freaked me out."

"Gabi not dumb," Sydney informed him, "Gabi nice."

"Uh, right," Chad smiled at his niece. "You're right. She's super nice."

"Sydney," EJ suggested, reaching out to stop her swing. "Why don't you go play with your sister?"

"OK, Daddy," Sydney hopped off the swing and skipped off.

"Can you refrain from talking about those things in front of my children," EJ requested with a roll of his eye. Walking over to the lawn furniture EJ sat down. "Now, what are you going to do about her?"

"Sydney," Chad asked feeling confused.

"No," EJ sighed deeply.

"Oh, right, Gabi," Chad nodded, feeling sheepish. "Well I was going to just ignore her and hope it all blows over."

"William better not be involved," EJ warned seriously. 'I'm not going to deal with any more issues.'

"Involved in what," Stefano asked walking outside and joining his sons. Looking into both of their faces Stefano repeated, "What is William involved in?"

"Nothing," Chad said suddenly, remembering the strange scene he witnessed the other day between his father and Will. "I broke up with my girlfriend."

"What does that have to do with William," Stefano asked with a shrug. "I do not understand."

"She's weird," Chad shrugged. "She didn't like that Will and I were friends." Not noticing EJ shooting him sharp looks Chad continued, "She thought I wanted to be with Will instead of her."

"Really," Stefano put his hands together, resting his chin on his fingertips. "That's interesting."

EJ watched his father suspiciously. 'What is going on in that mind of yours?'

Kate kicked at Lucas's shin from across the table. "How could you even do that to Will? And I had to find out from Marlena. How could you not even tell me?"

Wincing Lucas rubbed his leg, "I don't know OK. But I don't regret what I said." The two of them were sitting outside at a table in the town square.

"Excuse me," Kate leveled him a sharp look.

"I'm sorry it hurt him but that's how I feel," Lucas explained. "His life would be so much easier and better if he wasn't, wasn't that way."

"Lucas," Kate pursed her lips. "Being gay has nothing to do with what happened to Will."

"Mom," Lucas shook his head, "You don't understand but I do."

"No," Kate told him firmly, "You're the one that doesn't understand. Will is happy, happier than he's probably ever been. Considering what happened to him I think that's something that you should be celebrating not trying to take away." Taking a sip of her tea Kate sighed, "Lucas, tell me the truth, do you hate Will being gay? Or do you hate what that boy did to him?"

"I-I don't know," Lucas whispered looking at his hands. "I hate that any of that happened to Will. I hate that Sonny and Paul hurt him. I hate thinking about him being with men."

"Why," Kate asked heatedly. "Lucas, it has nothing to do with you. What does it matter that Will sleeps with men instead of women?"

"It matters because that's not who he is," Lucas sighed loudly. "Will, is careful and, and sweet. I don't even recognize him since that article came out."

"Article," Kate repeated. "That article was garbage, Lucas." Sitting up straighter Kate blurted out, "Have you been thinking that Will seduced Sonny and Paul and broke up their relationship?"

"What else am I supposed to think," Lucas growled, throwing his hands up, "Will has never done any of the things he's done since he met those two."

"He's never done what," Kate demanded, offended on Will's behalf.

"He would never take pictures like that or, or hop into anyone's bed," Lucas argued, voice low. "Let alone go after men who were in a relationship."

"Lucas," Kate sighed, glaring, "Will did not go after anyone. If you bothered to listen to him you would know. And from what I hear Will is happy with Sonny and Paul."

"They're not good for him," Lucas stated, "All they've brought Will since he met them is trouble."

"Even if that was true," Kate pointed out, "It still wouldn't change Will's sexuality. With Sonny and Paul or with someone else he would still be gay." Looking at her son in disappointment Kate stood up quickly, "And if you can't accept that then you aren't going to have a son for much longer. What happened to you Lucas? You spent years of Will's life fighting for him and now you're fighting against him."

Watching his mother flounce away dramatically Lucas crossed his arms tightly.

Gabi, having eavesdropped the majority of the conversation, steeled herself before sitting down in the seat Kate vacated.

"Gabi," Lucas questioned suddenly. "What are you doing here?" 'Will's life was so much simpler when he was with Gabi.'

"I overheard your conversation with Kate," Gabi admitted. Taking a deep breath, brushing the wild strands of her hair behind her ears, Gabi rushed out, "And I agree with you. Will's changed since he came out. And I don't think Sonny and Paul are the only guys he's been with."

"What do you mean," Lucas asked instantly alarmed. "Gabi what's been going on with my son?"

"I've seen him at work having lunch dates with these two guys," Gabi confessed. "I even saw him asking Caroline to make sandwiches for him and the other guys once. And that's not all."

"What else is there," Lucas demanded, 'I knew it. I knew something like this was going to happen.'

"Chad broke up with me," Gabi told Lucas teary-eyed. "And he said it was so he could be with Will."

Neil kicked at Brian with a loud laugh, "Oh shut up!"

"Hey," Brian snickered, rubbing against his side, pretending it hurt.

Rolling his eyes and pulling Brian against him Neil ran his fingers up and down his back soothingly, "Baby."

"You should be nicer to me," Brian mocked, "I've given you the best birthday of your life."

"It's been pretty good yeah," Neil conceded. 'Actually it's probably been the best but he's cocky enough as it is.'

"Speaking of your birthday," Brian announced cuddling against Neil's chest. "Last night was interesting. And I don't mean the sexy parts."

"What do you mean," Neil wondered, fingers trailing Brian's neck.

"I mean Blondie's boyfriends," Brian said carefully. "They seem really intense about him."

"Trust me," Neil sighed deeply, "I know."

"Do you think Will's OK," Brian asked gently. Sometimes he felt weird talking to Neil about Will. He didn't know all of the details of their friendship or relationship but he knew enough.

"I hope so," Neil's hands stopped moving against Brian. Will Horton was always going to be his weak spot. "I want him to be but Will has a habit of being talked into things he doesn't really want."

"Well, I guess we'll have to look out for him then," Brian replied. "Because I really didn't like the way they were talking about him."

Smiling gently Neil squeezed Brian tightly. He knew Brian always tried to appear cool and collected. 'But deep down he's a big softie.' Rolling Brian onto his back and straddling him Neil grinned, "I don't want to talk about Will anymore."

Brian locked his arms around Neil's neck, "That's good because I don't feel like talking."

Will threw an M&M into Sonny's mouth and cheered when he caught it easily.

Sonny, swallowing the candy, reached out for the bag and took a handful. "So you got your essay all finished," Sonny asked chewing the chocolate.

"Yep," Will confirmed licking chocolate off his lips. "I am all ready for school tomorrow. Oh and I guess I'll have to talk to Grandma Caroline about work."

"So you're really going to work with EJ again," Sonny questioned trying to appear nonchalant.

"Yeah," Will shrugged, "It should be fun. I liked it before. It was kind of exciting."

"He isn't running for public office this time though," Sonny told Will, "So the excitement might not be as high."

"Still," Will shoved another handful of candy in his mouth. "I like spending time with EJ."

'That's what I'm afraid of,' Sonny pursed his lips before closing the bag of candy. "Paul's going to be back with dinner soon." Walking into the kitchen and putting the snack into a cupboard Sonny tuned back to Will, "So, you never really said what you and EJ talked about the other night."

"Oh," Will blinked, trying to remember, "Just, you know, EJ stuff."

"And what does that mean," Sonny asked directly, holding onto the countertop behind him.

"We talked about Ian and work and some other stuff," Will tongued the scar on his lips while looking at his knees.

"Will," Sonny said lowly.

"OK, we talked about me calling you Daddy," Will blurted out.

"Did he make you feel bad about it," Sonny questioned, walking back to the couch and taking Will's hand.

"Not really," Will tried to explain. "I didn't really give him a chance to say much. I told him I liked it and that I wasn't going to stop just because he felt uncomfortable."

"Why would that make him uncomfortable," Sonny rolled his eyes.

"He's like my dad," Will pointed out. "I'm sure it weirds him out."

"Sometimes I think he forgets you aren't actually his," Sonny licked along his teeth.

"Well he's been doing a better job than my actual father," Will slumped against Sonny's chest.

"What are you going to do about your dad and grandpa," Sonny rubbed his hands up and down Will's arms.

"I don't know," Will shook his head, "I guess just ignore them until I decide what to do."

Paul, opening the door and locking it again out of habit, smiled at Sonny and Will curled up together on the couch. "Hey," he tossed two bags of food at them on the couch.

"McDonald's," Sonny frowned while opening the bag.

"Sorry," Will smiled lightly, "I said I wanted chicken nuggets."

Sami smacked her hands excitedly on the table smiling at Adrienne, "And then he hugged me and left with Sonny and Paul."

Adrienne, looking at Sami fondly, "That's great. I'm glad you and Will are getting closer."

"Everything is working out so well for me right now," Sami took a bite of her salad and chomped quickly, "Will is happy and safe. EJ and I are getting along perfectly. Our seminar is ready to go."

"Right," Adrienne looked down at her own salad. She was happy that Sami and Will were getting along better. She had come to really enjoy spending time with Sami but she loved her son even more than that. 'Sonny's in way too deep because of this family,' Adrienne thought.

"And I don't want to gossip or anything but Will told me about when they all admitted they were in love with each other," Sami gushed happily, "And it was so cute."

"Sami," Adrienne tried to say, wondering if she should ask Sami about what EJ might be up to.

"There was a poem and god," Sami beamed, "I just, I have never seen Will so happy before."

Adrienne listened helplessly as Sami rambled on and on about their sons. 'Whatever Sonny and EJ are up to Sami must have no idea.'

"That is the weirdest thing," Paul wrinkled his nose.

"I'm telling you it's delicious," Will laughed. "You have to try it. No come on," Will insisted when Paul started shaking his head.

"No," Paul moved his head away from Will chuckling.

Sonny, grinning, picked up a French fry and announced, "I'll try it." Dipping his fry into the bowl of honey Will set out Sonny ate it quickly. Swallowing Sonny approved, "Actually that is good."

"Right," Will bounced on his cushion on the couch excitedly.

"You two are weird," Paul proclaimed.

"It's salty and sweet and you're missing out," Will waved a fry at him threateningly. Polishing off the rest of his fries Will smacked his lips to Paul's cheek, "Thanks for dinner!"

Wiping off the trail of salt Will's lips left behind Paul nodded, "Of course baby."

Crumpling up his wrappers and tossing them in the take out bag Sonny grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. "Should we watch something live or put on a DVD or what?"

"I don't care," Will told him. Will easily cleaned up the mess from their dinner, throwing their trash in the garbage and picking up a disinfecting wipe to clean off the coffee table.

"Why don't we put on a movie," Paul suggested getting up and rifling through their collection. "Any requests?"

Will pondered getting out the vacuum as Sonny and Paul started arguing playfully about what movie to watch. Hearing a newscaster on the TV mention a name he recognized Will stopped to listen.

"The Salem Police Department could give no further details other than the fact that the body of Thaddeus Stevens was found in his dorm room earlier this evening," the woman on the screen said sadly. "The police suspect it was a break-in and have no suspects so far."

"Such a tragedy," the male newscaster shook his head before moving onto the next story. "The local primary school is putting on a Thanksgiving pageant-"

Sonny quickly shut the TV off. Turning to Will Sonny put his arm around Will's waist and pulled him until he was sitting down.

"What is it," Paul asked not identifying the name from the broadcast.

"She said," Will whispered slowly, face pale. "She said T was dead."

"What," Paul shouted loudly. "But, what?"

"Who would kill him," Will asked bleakly. "Why would anyone do that?"

Staying silent Sonny rubbed against Will's back comfortingly, "I don't know babe."

"I know he was a douche towards the end there but that sucks," Paul admitted as he grabbed Will's hand. "You two were really close once weren't you?"

"Yeah," Will licked his lips. "We played little league together. Ever since I met Sonny he had been so weird but he was my friend. I never even got to talk to him about everything."

"Will," Sonny said quietly, "He hurt you."

Will, eyes watering, "I know. But I didn't want him to die. I don't want anyone to die." Turning his head into Sonny's chest Will held him tightly.

Paul scratched Will's back gently, "I know baby. But it's going to be OK." Looking at Sonny's face Paul frowned momentarily. He had never seen that look on Sonny's face before.

Holding Will until he fell asleep against him Sonny, practically silent the entire time set his jaw. Hearing that woman announcing T's death didn't stir any guilt or regret in Sonny. 'EJ and I did the right thing. Who knows what T might have known or done? Someone was talking to him about Will over the phone that day at Common Grounds. Will is safer now. And that's all that matters.'

Author's note:

Short one this time. Sorry about that.

Please review and let me know what you thought. Is it still interesting? Too slow moving? Any and all critiques are welcome.

PS. For anyone interested I'm updating my first story most likely tomorrow morning.