Will entered the coffee place as the evening was turning dark. It was busy inside, but in a quiet way. Chad and Ellie were going back and forth, with cups or wet clothes to wipe after customers, their aprons fluttering as they strode. Sonny was preparing an order, chatting with the customer waiting for it. He never seemed to make an effort to be friendly. It made Will admiring and slightly envious.

There was a new decoration on the wall opposite the counter, a photo of a bird. Will walked to it quietly, letting Sonny finish the transaction. It had a pink crest and a plump white body, like a snowball with dark coal eyes. He heard:

"It's a cardinal..."

He turned to his boyfriend and was greeted by a wide grin. Will whispered:

- Is it how the female look like? I thought they were greyer.

- Nope, it's a male too, just the pale kind. I saw this at the bookstore the other day and it made me think of you and your cardinal comments. I thought, if you were a bird, you might be like this one.

- "Plump?" Sonny chuckled and brushed Will's cheek:

- No, discreet. Harder to spot and yet so beautiful." His voice was raspier and Will shivered.

He stood there, waiting for what Sonny would do next. He saw him take his apron off and hold out his hand. Will took it, trembling and followed him to his office. It was small and cluttered with drawers and folders. There was a frame on the desk and Will got a glimpse of a smiling couple. It was weird that Sonny had met his mother and his sister but he didn't know anything about his family, not even where they lived.

He pushed the thoughts away when Sonny hugged him, then kept him in his arms and kissed him. His knees felt absent, the only thing supporting him was his hands, placed on the wooden surface beneath him. He felt some of his defenses crumble, each time Sonny's body came closer to him.

Sonny sat in his chair, looking up at him, his eyes drinking him in. He rummaged the pile of papers until he found his cellphone. He raised it and asked shyly:

"Can I... ? I need a wallpaper.

- So?

- I don't have any photo of you, to look at when I'm tired or stressed.

- Oh." His picture could help with that? He didn't like posing or even appear on photos, so he tended to be the one taking them. Or he walked away quietly. This time he couldn't. He turned his lips into a grin but Sonny frowned and put the cell down.

- Maybe I should wait a little. Not a good light in here..." Will sighed softly. Even Sonny was realizing he wasn't photogenic. He wondered suddenly what he was attracted to in Will. His looks? His personality? What if Sonny was only dreaming about an imaginary boyfriend and he couldn't measure up.

He didn't want to be here anymore, all alone in that tiny room. He needed to be somewhere more familiar, where they could recapture their comfortable intimacy. He asked

"Your shift will be over soon?

- It is over. I was helping with the rush. You want to come upstairs?" Will nodded. Sonny started walking, his hands hanging at his side. Will felt like he was tumbling down. What was going on? Could dating stop this quick? Was Sonny going to tell him this was a mistake?

He thought about the letter as Sonny was hanging Will's coat next to his. It was there, nested against Sonny's heart. He had written down his insecurities, the ones no one knew about. He trusted Sonny with it but was it all in vain? He hadn't open up about everything, there were things he prefered buried, but it was till rough. Especially the fact that he didn't know where they were standing. He could be completely reading Sonny wrong or he could have his heart crushed in a few minutes, seconds if Sonny's worried eyes were an indication. He sat on the couch, nervous, his stomach twisting. He was the one needing reassurance now. Or at least an explanation, anything would be better than this uncomfortable silence, that even the memories they had made in this apartment could not make better.

Sonny sat at the table and raised his eyes to Will's. He took a long breath and asked:

"Is there something wrong?" Will frowned. What did he mean?

- No, there isn't. Why are you asking?" Sonny looked down again, his hands neatly folded on his lap.

- I don't know, you seem so cautious, like you don't really want to be around. It isn't the first time and I'm never sure. Sometimes you smile like you do when you're watching a bird sing, with genuine happiness and sometimes you look like you want out. I just wanted a picture for myself, not to boast or anything, I swear. I've spent the last days counting the minutes till I see you again and you didn't call or text. And you look so solemn...

- Well, neither did you! You didn't even take my hand downstairs and we were alone. Are you fed up with me being shy? I can't change in a few days. One of the things that I like about you is that you didn't ask me to, you accept me even though I'm dull and introverted.

- You're not dull, Will! You're the greatest guy I've ever dated. I've dreamt about you every night since we met. But in my dreams you're more...

- More what? Physical?" Sonny shook his head again, looking defeated.

Will looked at the gorgeous man seated a few feet away and something struck him. It was going to be hard to say it, yet it needed to be said. He closed his eyes, focusing on an image in his head. The little red cardinal bird that he had spotted a few times now, and the white one on the photo. Same species but very different individuals. Singing a song in disharmony. Maybe before teaching Sonny how to sing, he should fix that. He whispered

- It is something I struggle with a lot in the past and I had come to peace with it. Now you're challenging it with your words.

- What?" Sonny's voice was strung. Will kept his eyelids close and explained:

- It's hard for me to believe you. It's not that I think you're lying but maybe you're trying to make me feel better and that means you're awesome, really. But I don't need this. It's OK, I know I'm not gorgeous or fascinating. Just say honest things." He finally looked at Sonny. He had stood up and was walking to the couch with prudent steps.

- Is that why you looked so tensed earlier? You feel you don't look good on photos?

- You've met my mom. She's fantastic and always looking at her best. I am barely a shadow in life. It's hard to see a shadow on a picture." Sonny sat on the edge of the cushion. He took one of Will's hand in his, tenderly. Will felt his throat hitch.

- You are exactly what I look for in a guy, on the outside and the inside. I could lose myself in your eyes. I have troubles refraining myself to …."

- To what?

- Make you mine..." Will felt his pelvis get a life on his own, moving forward on the seat. This part of his body was accepting Sonny's advances eagerly, it seems. Will bent a little and captured Sonny's lips. He felt, once again, Sonny's desire and also his need. He was grinning after that.

Sonny didn't lose a second and pointed his phone at Will's face. He smiled at the result and watched the photo for a long time, his eyes dreamy. Will understood something. Sonny wasn't going anywhere. By total luck, Will had made him his. He fished in his pocket and took out his cell. He typed 'Let's kiss again. More seriously, I have lots to learn.' The message beeped and when he saw it was from Will, Sonny turned to him. He was still beaming and Will took the picture. He didn't look at the result, as Sonny wrapped him in his arms and started teaching him how kissing and caressing could go a little further.

It was easier when he let go of his fears. Sonny was respectful, delicate in his movement, his hands staying mostly on Will's back. Sometimes, one ventured on a thigh, short-circuiting Will's brain. He tried to mirror it and Sonny groaned in the kiss.

He nested himself in his boyfriend's arms. He could feel his breath on his hair. There was a whisper in it:

"Your letter...

- Yea?

- If you feel like writing others... I had no idea I could feel like that, ever. You're precious, you know. I really want you to be mine.

- I am yours." Sonny's chest inflated, lifting Will's head up.

- Wow."

They ate in silence, this time because they didn't need to talk to feel connected. Afterward, Will asked Sonny to open his laptop and chose a song that would be easy enough. They spent half-an-hour working on Sonny repeating the right notes. It was only partially effective, as each time Sonny failed, he asked for a kiss, and each time he managed, Will congratulated him with another one.

Then Sonny changed the song and got Will up.

"It's your time to learn, mister. Show me what's left of the steps we worked on the last time."

Will walked on his feet, giving his answer. Sonny swore and had them take off their shoes. Now the socks bumped against each other, resting on the other one's ankles or toes.

"Where do you come from?

- Lots of places. I was born in Texas, but I grew up abroad.

- Really? Where?

- In Dubai. My father was a lawyer there.

- Is he still practicing?

- Yes, but they're living in the States now. What about you? Do you see your dad often?

- I used to see him every two weeks but not anymore. We've never been close. He's a good dad to Allie and that's great. You may have notice how cautious and fragile she looks. I love all my brothers and sisters but she's the one that makes me want to protect her the most, you know?

- I do. You have no idea." Will remembered his mother's remark, about inviting Sonny. Things were different now, but why not.

- Would you like to come at my house on Saturday? Allie would love to see you again. She could show you the bird feeder she helped make. It would be nice to have you at my place for once."

Sonny hugged Will in a strong grateful embrace, murmuring "Yes, I'd like that. And until, then, you have to promise to call me, every evening. OK?"

Thank you Joel for the picture you sent me. I felt it fit right here.