The next morning, Will stayed home with Allie. Johnny and Syd's father had taken them with him but their own father hadn't showed up. Will would have done anything for the look on his sister's face to go away. He too his laptop and asked her to help him with the bird photos from the day before.
"You could make a wallpaper for your computer.
- That's a great idea, Allie. Could help me do it?
There were a few shots of Sonny too, smiling at him, and Will's heart beat a little faster. They opened a picture software and started pasting. Sonny was in the center, as he was in the center of Will's world, a grinning promise of happiness.
Allie asked for one photo to be developed, the one with the yellow little bird Will had first spotted. It suited her, it was a fearful animal, never getting to near, and quietly beautiful.
"I've got a better idea, why don't you draw it?
- It might not look very good.
- I'll help you.
His mother was at work again, so very busy Will had to walk outside when she started to get angry at Lucas.
"Mom, I know you're pissed at him, but let's not make Allie feel like a burden, shall we? I've spent the day distracting her, so please...
- I'm sorry, Will, but I can't come home now and you might be angry too when you have to cancel your date with Sonny.
- Do you really have to stay that late on a Saturday?" He heard her sigh on the phone
- Deadlines are deadlines, Will. You miss one, you lose a client. This is what being a grown-up means, you should know that, already. I don't have the luxury of staying home, daydreaming like you..." She had stopped. One of this instance when her words were hurtful, although she really wasn't.
- Bye, Mom, I'll call Sonny. Send a text when you get home."
- Will, I'm sorry..." He hung up and came back in the living-room.
He sat next to his sister and looked over her shoulder
"This is getting good, Allie. We'll have it framed if you want." Allie blushed and didn't answer. Will took his cell out, thinking. He had spent two weeks getting mentally ready to go to the concert, growing quietly excited at the thought. He was supposed to meet Sonny at the end of his shift, eat at his place and then join Chad to carpool. If Sami came home early enough, they could still go to the concert, maybe. He sent a text to his boyfriend and went to the kitchen to fix dinner.
His cell beeped twice. He frowned. Maybe it was Sonny as well as Sami.
It wasn't. They read 'Add a third plate on your dinner table, I'll be with you in ten.' and 'I'll bring dessert.' He smiled. This would help Allie's mood so much, make her day worth it after all.
They were laying the table when the door rang. Will went to open and was swept away in a kiss. He put his forehead against Sonny's, eyes closed, breathing him in.
"Have I told you I loved you?
- Mmm, no, do tell." It felt odd to act like a child that way, as if he was doing something reprehensible. On the other hand, it felt good, it made their relationship innocent enough that he could keep it going. He took Sonny's hand and took him to the table.
Allie's mouth was covered in chocolate and Will was busy wiping it with a tender gesture when they heard the door open. Apparently his mother hadn't bothered text or call to say she was leaving work. Allie ran to the bathroom and Will turned and saw Sonny's eyes shining at him, while a hand came on his own lips
- Looks like both of you like chocolate a lot." Will smirked and stopped when Sonny kissed him.
"Oh, come on!" Will's heart did a double-take. It had been a long time since he heard that voice.
- Dad? How did you come in?
- Allie forgot her key the last time." His voice was hazy. It was difficult to say how much he had drunk but enough apparently to speak too loud and with an aggressive tone.
- You show up now? Allie was wondering what had happened to you!
- Some stuff came up! And don't you change the subject again, Will! That guy just kissed you!" He took a threatening step towards them, leading Sonny to place himself in front of Will.
Will wasn't afraid, not yet. He was mostly stunned, not that his dad would turn homophobic, he had long ago accepted the man's many flaws, but that he would give a damn at all about what his son was doing.
"Dad, don't pretend you care who I go out with. You haven't talked to me in years.
- My son is not a damn fa...!"
- Dad!" Allie's voice was shocked. Lucas turned to her and his eyes softened immediately
- Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll kick this disgusting man out.
- Are you talking about Sonny? Don't dad, he's great and Will is in love with him.
- Men don't love other man, Allie, that's not right." His speech was faltering even more but he was still standing, looking pissed.
Will wanted all this to stop and things to go back to normal. He felt weak and angry. Sonny's arm was around his shoulder, tensed but reassuring.
"Dad, I'm attracted to men, deal with it. I'm sorry your macho's pride is offended that you would have sired a gay child, but why don't we all forget all that and be back to ignoring each other. It worked for you before, didn't it?
- I don't ignore you, I didn't know you existed!
- You did when I was ten and yet I don't recall you even asking about me recently!" he had forgotten Allie was still here until he head her gasp. He didn't want her to feel guilty, nor witness her father act drunk. He was the only one who had had the privilege before and he would have wanted to keep it that way.
His big-brotherly instincts took over and he hugged her, whispering
"Dad's not himself, honey, he doesn't really mean it. I'm sorry I yelled.
- No, Will don't be sorry. He shouldn't say things like that to Sonny.
- I'll say whatever I feel like! I don't want a pervert near my daughter!
- Then, dad, I would have to leave home! I am gay too."
"Lucas Desmond Horton! Don't you talk to my children that way!" Sami was in the same state as earlier when she had phoned, but this time, it came in handy. In about two minutes, Lucas had been thrown out the house, mumbling "I came to pick Allie up" to which she had replied "Not with that breath, not on my watch."
Will tucked Allie, listening to her cries until she fell asleep, then he joined the two others on the couch. Sami looked fierce, while Sonny looked wearied. He reached out to Will and arranged them so that Will's leg was on his lap, his head on his chest. Sonny's heart's beating soothed him and he turned to his mother.
"I'm sorry, mom, he had Allie's key.
- Don't be sorry, Will, none of this is your fault. It is mine for having chosen such a father for my children.
- Was he already like that?
- The first time, I didn't care, he was a Bad Boy, with an attitude and I was a teenager... The second time, he was making efforts and I wanted to believe it, so you would have a father in your life...
- You didn't have to..." She looked up, with something like pity in her eyes.
- Will, you deserve everything. You deserve Sonny's love, don't you ever listen to Lucas. He's the best thing that has happened to you." Will felt the chest next to his cheek move. Sonny was chuckling.
- Thank you, Sami." Will closed his eyes. He wanted to make the most of the few minutes he had left being on Sonny's lap that way, until he would have to leave.
Sami sighed and walked to the kitchen
"I'll make some tea. You guys want some before you go?
- Go where?
- To your concert. Isn't it tonight? It hasn't begun yet, has it?
- No, but don't you want me to stay?
- What for? He won't come back.
- You're sure about that?" She nodded. He couldn't help being worried and he didn't want her to put up a brave font for him.
- I'm sure. I can handle your father any day. He fears me."
Sonny was very sweet as he led Will out to his car.
"We can cancel everything and just go to Common Ground. It's almost closed but we can play another game and you can calm down." Will shook his head. He needed a bigger distraction.
- Let's go meet Chad. I paid for those tickets, remember." Sonny laughed and kissed Will's cheek.
- I do. I sometimes forget how strong you can be. Let's go."
The car lights revealed two figures near the diner, on way too tall (that would be Chad) and one with long hair. Will was curious about the girlfriend. He didn't need any new homophobic attitude for the night. Before they got out of the car, he caught Sonny's chin and gave him a tender kiss
- Thank you for being so sweet tonight. It felt good not to be alone against my dad. I owe you." Sonny smiled and answered with a light tone
- You do owe me. I'll ask you to enjoy this evening as much as possible and kiss me a lot, and we'll be even.
- OK, I can do that..." He felt he could do a little bit more, maybe, but didn't voice it. He wasn't sure he'd follow through already.