Sami was right, Will did get his bus. Through luck, mostly, as it turned up five minutes late and Will was running to the bus stop, panting. He went in, fidgeting with his jacket's collar. He was afraid every passenger could see the mark. Sonny hadn't been aware he was doing it. He had apologized, but with a lingering pride in his voice too. "I guess I think of you as mine and it feels right... I normally don't make such a big one, though. I can lend you a scarf." So Will was wearing one, even though it was clearly not winter anymore, but it kept sliding. He hadn't like the remark, either. He didn't want to hear about Sonny being with other guys before him. They hadn't really come up. Just the fact that Will was Sonny's real first boyfriend and that, while traveling, he had tried out his newfound sexuality quite a bit. It felt so easy, the way he said it. Will loved Sonny but rarely understood him.

Will was walking to his next class when he spotted a tall lean figure. He frowned. He didn't know Chad was a student too. It made sense, though. Will hesitated. He didn't like the idea of calling him in the middle of the hallway but on the other hand, Chad had always been nice to him so he could try and make the effort. So Will walked faster until he reached the man, then he patted his shoulder. Chad looked startled but smiled when he recognized him

"Hey, man, it's been a while! How are you and Sonny doing?

- Fine, thanks. How's Mel?

- Great! She was talking about you the other day. Said we should go out again, the four of us." Will grinned. Mel was easy company.

- I didn't know you studied here. What's your major?

- Music theory of course! What about you?

- Economics.

- Really?" There was such surprise in Chad's tone that Will felt slightly offended. Did he look stupid? He took a step back without noticing.

Chad was stuttering

- I mean... It's great, man. It's just... Sonny says you're always writing and you're good. I would have thought...something like English, you know?"

Will sighed. He was always overreacting. He was sorry it had shown and he vowed to be more careful. He put a polite smile on display and answered truthfully.

- Writing is something I love doing but it rarely pays the bill. I'll still be able and choose that path later, but I would want to have a steady job. I can't afford to dream."

Chad pinched his lips.

- Maybe. I guess I'm a dreamer then... Well, if anything, I can always fall back on being a barista." Will blinked. He hadn't realized Chad could be hurt by the statement. It humanized him a lot all of a sudden.

- I didn't mean that. I'm sorry. I'm sure it'll work out for you. Plus Mel looks really serious in working in management. So, she'll bring home the bacon." Chad laughed loudly at that and they walked together until Will reached his classroom. They parted with Chad playfully tapping Will's shoulder and saying:

- Given how good Sonny is as managing the coffee-house, you could decide on a more risky career too. Maybe you guys should talk about that."

Will reflected on that as he was commuting that night. He was very aware how serious Chad and Mel were. She had told him they had dated for five years. He had been with Sonny for a month or so, there was no comparison. But envisioning a future with him came easily. It felt right. Will wasn't naive enough to act upon it but maybe they should talk about how serious all of this was.

Sonny was waiting for him with an offering the next day. It had a long green stem, thin leaves and delicate small white flowers. Will accepted solemnly, stuttering a little. That made Sonny beam.

On Wednesday, they went to the multiplex. There was a movie Sonny really wanted to see.

- You don't have to come with me, love, but I'd like it if you did. I'll pay of course."

Will agreed to come but insisted on paying. They walked in the big parking lot, hands in hands, talking about what they could do on a night out with Chad and his girlfriend. There was a long line but they were early enough. Sonny's hand was ruffling Will's hair lazily. It stopped and Sonny whispered

- Isn't that your mother's boyfriend?" Will craned his neck. It was Rafe, a few feet away, standing next to a gorgeous young woman with long black hair. Will wondered who she was. He didn't want to jump on conclusion. He could still picture Sami coming home furious, after having walked in on her husband kissing someone else. Sonny was still talking

- They look a lot alike. Maybe she's his cousin. Or his sister, he said he was used to kids because he was the eldest of a large family, remember?" Will nodded. That made sense.

They reached the right door at the same time as the odd couple. Rafe called them

- Hey, Will, Sonny! Nice to meet you like that. This is my sister, Gabriella." Sonny rubbed Will's back with a sided smile.

He shook hands but slowed his pace so as not to be seated next to them. Rafe was still a stranger to him and even if they weren't going to talk during the movie, he didn't want to be invited to coffee afterward or anything like that. He could see Sonny's frown in the glow of the exit's green light. Will kept silent and they found two seats near the back. Sonny put his arms around Will's shoulders and captured his fingers. It was unnerving. Will could feel his hand getting sweaty and didn't like the fact he could hardly move it. The movie had started so he stayed like that, feeling his back stiffen.

At one point, a humid kiss was pressed on his cheek, along with a whispered "I love you." Will relaxed a little. It was possible to enjoy being enveloped like that, if he let himself trust his boyfriend. So he answered "Me too." and dug deeper in the seat. One of the few advantages of the place compared to the art-house was the comfort.

They drove back to Sonny's apartment, with Will half-asleep in the car. Sonny woke him up when he asked:

- What about a karaoke bar?" Will shot him a disbelieving look but Sonny insisted "I know you and Chad are purist but frankly we could have all fun and I'm sure Chad wouldn't pass the possibility to serenade Mel.

- Hum, sure, why not?" Sonny got out of the car and hold out his hand.

- I'm aware of my singing limitation, of course. But you can teach me a little more and anyway bad singing is expected there."

Will thought it over. Sonny was right, it would be okay for him to be singing off-key. It was his turn now to allow Sonny to go to places where he would be comfortable too. At least it wouldn't be a night-club. Will grinned and they walked the stairs slowly.

They were lying, all sweaty, Will's heart beating crazily fast after having blacked-out for a few seconds. Sonny was getting better and better at making him react. Will was still quite passive but at least he enjoyed himself. He turned to Sonny who was already closing his eyes and breathing evenly. Nevertheless, Will asked, softly

"You think I should buy a new bed?"

In the dark, he could make out Sonny's brown eyes opening, staring.

- What?

- So that you can sleep at my home too. I know my mom would be okay with it and it would feel great to have you there." There was a long pause. Will waited, tranquil. Finally he heard

- Or you could move in with me..." And the tranquility was gone. Will stirred in the bed but Sonny switched the light on and took his hand.

- Calm down. It just came out, I guess I'm tired, I didn't think. I think about moving in together one day, in the future, but I know it's early..." He kissed Will's finger and added "What about Allie and Johnny? Wouldn't it be weird if they saw me at breakfast?" Will smirked.

- Not really, no. Mom always wait until she's really serious with a guy, but when she's sure, we all wake up to him, so they're used to it.

- Okay... Sure, then. You need help choosing it?" Will nodded. His chest was about to explode with happiness. No need to talk about how serious they were, after all. Sonny was all in. They kissed and cuddled until sleep swept them away.

It was the bird's songs that always felt weird when he woke up at Sonny's. Will was used to the one he could hear from his bedroom's window, so, in his half-sleep, he already felt off. He turned and met Sonny's soft skin. Their eyes opened at the same time. Will kissed him slowly but kept his hands to himself. He didn't want to run to the bus stop again but he still wanted to spend a few minutes pressed against his warmth.

Sonny walked him to the bus stop and kissed him good-bye. He glowed so much he looked like a peacock with his tail on display. He only let go of Will's hand a second before the door was shut. Will watched him get smaller as the bus drove on, until a turn that made him disappear. He took his notebook and remembered Chad's remark. If he were to become a writer, what subject could he choose? Maybe Sonny...