Will woke up with an elbow shoving his back. He rolled and almost fell off his mattress. He turned his head and looked at his boyfriend squished against the wall, yet still deeply asleep. The previous day's memories crept in, leaving Will ashamed and grateful at the same time. He had yelled at everyone, showed Sonny he didn't trust him, upset his whole quiet world. Somehow, though, Sonny was still there, next to him, in his uncomfortable bed and they hadn't even had sex the night before. His siblings had forgiven him with the alacrity children showed in all things, kissing him good-night with big sleepy smiles. The last unresolved problem was Sami.

Will stayed pressed against Sonny's warm body, gathering the strength to face his mother. He knew what he told her was true, she was treating him like a friend, not like a son, but he should have told her a long time ago, with care and kindness. She would have listened, he was sure. Although she might have difficulties applying it.

But it had been too much. Sharing her responsibility that way, the stress and worries, he couldn't take it anymore, not with this new life he had just started, with friends his age and late-night activities. Now he didn't have time to dream, to write, to listen to the birds singing at his window. He felt burned out. Part of him feared his mother's response, either anger or the silent treatment. So he stayed pressed against Sonny's accepting love, hoping the tears running down his cheeks would dry against the sheets.

He felt a kiss before they did, drinking his sadness away. Sonny was fully awake, his arms surrounding Will and he was looking concerned.

"You're still upset about our fight?

- No... I fought with my Mom too... And with the kids... It wasn't a good day.

- Why didn't you tell me yesterday?

- Mom came in after we first talked... I was stressed before but I didn't want to bore you with that." Sonny was frowning, one finger brushing Will's face tenderly.

- Don't you know you can't bore me? That you can tell me anything?

- Well... I'm kind of used to keeping to myself, you see. I'm not used to talking about my feelings. Telling you I loved you took a lot of courage but I was afraid you would leave me if you didn't know."

Sonny sat on the bed, still holding Will and kissed his forehead.

- I think we need to establish a few things, Will. First one, whatever tension or even actual fight happens between us, doesn't mean we're over. You're too important. And couples fight, all of them. What helps mending things, though, is communication. I need to know how you feel. I can't guess." Will thought about the last month, with Sonny getting frustrated with Will's slowness when it came to dating. So he whispered:

- You don't always tell me how you feel. You wait until you're angry and then you yell, just like I did with my family yesterday. I've come to terms with my social awkwardness, but you don't seem to realize its extent.

- I know, and I'm sorry. You have opened up so much and taken big risks, I don't always know if I'm helping or if it's too much. I admire you a lot." Will's head shot up. He wasn't expecting Sonny to say that. Was he being supportive or truthful?

- You do? Why?

- Because... Here you are taking care of this kids like a pro, studying hard, being all responsible. I wasn't like that at your age. I'm in charge of a business now, I have employees to coach, but I still don't consider life as seriously as you do."

Maybe that was the problem, being too serious. But who would step in if Sami had a problem? Not useless Lucas, nor the absent EJ. And things didn't seem to go smoothly with Rafe. Will couldn't let his guard down. Anything could happen, fast.

- One thing is for sure for today, anyway." Sonny said, his tone lighter, like he was saying a joke.

- What?

- We're going bed-shopping. I am not spending another night in this thing."

Will laughed, feeling a little better. They shared a shower for the first time, caressing the other's body with the soap bubbles, kissing slowly. Sonny's hand went downstairs, wrapping around Will, who mirrored him. For a few blissful minutes, all his worries were forgotten. Being intimate with Sonny was becoming easier and really pleasurable. Will liked this part of himself and he loved how Sonny behaved after coming, showering him with kisses and acting with acute tenderness.

A shriek welcomed them when they came down the stairs. A pajama-clad Sydney whooshed in Sonny's arms, babbling;

"Sonny, you're here! You came to play with us!" Sonny grinned, keeping her in his arms

- Of course! I was missing you guys." Syd's head tilted as she asked

- Did you sleep here?" Sonny blushed but answered steadily.

- Yes, I did.

- Did you play with Will yesterday, then?" Both boys blushed but Syd's remark was innocent. She whined "I was already sleeping, I didn't hear you come in." She looked so devastated that Will took her from Sonny's embrace and said:

- He came very late and we went to sleep right away, honey. How about you both go down to the kitchen and Sonny fixes your breakfast while I go talk to mom?" Syd's face lit up. Sonny smiled but sent a sideways glance to Will. Will nodded and put his sister down. She trotted happily down the last flight of stairs, followed by Will's too-beautiful-to-be-true lover.

Sami was still getting dressed when Will knocked. She looked rested but still grim. Will's inside coiled. He was failing his mother, again, acting selfishly. He stared at the floor, getting himself ready for his big apology when Sami spoke.

"I'm so sorry, Will." He looked up in shock. His mother rarely acknowledged her wrongs. And Will was the one to blame. Before he could answer that, she added "I know I rely on you too much. You make it so easy. Most of the time, I try to let you live your youth, I really do. But with Rafe in the mix, I've let my guard down." She passed her hand in her hair and sighed "I wish I was a better mother. You're so reliable and sweet, I forget to put any filter and I can see it's been affecting you.

- I... I shouldn't have yelled, though...

- You were upset, I get it. I kind of eavesdrop yesterday. You and Sonny... He's not EJ, Will. If I thought he was like him, I would have warned you.

- And Rafe isn't either?" Sami pursed her lips. She was the one looking shy now.

- He wants us to move in together. I said it was way too soon. The children barely know him. We fought. It was so stupid. And you know me, too arrogant to make the first step." Will chuckled, feeling harmonized again.

- You just apologized to me. You can do it. I think you should wait though. He is going too fast. I don't want you to make a mistake..." Sami's eyes met his and he didn't need to finish his sentence.

They joined the kids at the breakfast table. Sonny looked overwhelmed. He was laughing and joking though. Will fell in love with him again.

After they all finished eating, Sonny sat on the couch with Syd and Allie as they watched a family of small colored birds hopping in the garden through the window. Will noticed it was time to clean it and scheduled to do that the next day. He and Johnny played with his cars until the girls and Sonny joined him.

Sami finished her week-end extra-work early and told them they were free to go around 10 am. Sonny had his shift at 3pm. Will insisted they stay clear of the coffee-house so as to have his boyfriend for himself. He kissed Sami on the cheek and calmly explained to John and Syd that Sonny and him needed to be on their own for a while.

Spring had transformed the lake's surrounding. There was a clatter of birds singing at the top of their lungs, surely out of competition for the quieter, dull-looking females. They had to press their hands on their ears when they passed the first set of trees, chuckling. Sonny led Will to the same spot they had been to. They lay on the grass, smiling at each other. Will put his hand on Sonny's chest and let his mind wander.

"Son...?

- Mmmm?

- This friends you mentioned yesterday?" Sonny reacted immediately, with a big reassuring grin.

- They are just friends, don't worry Will.

- I... No... I meant... could I meet them?" Sonny frowned at that. Will watched him mull this over, patient.

- Are you sure? They're... kind of loud. You know when you said you had trouble socializing. I'm not sure if you guys would get on with each other." He put a finger on Will's mouth, who noticed he was biting it and added "Not that you aren't great company, not at all. But you might get bored. They mostly go to bars and night clubs.

- Oh, okay then. Maybe one day." Sonny smiled:

- Maybe. I like it that you want to meet my friends, though. By the way..." He looked bashful. Will tilted his head, taking in the novelty. "... My parents are visiting next week. I would like you to meet them."

Will smiled and asked:

- Are they like my dad?

- No! They're completely okay with me coming out.

- Then, yes, with pleasure." Sonny kissed him hard on the lips.