Chad's face was like stone the next day. He nodded at Will who fled before Sonny came in and confronted his barista. He had said again that Sonny shouldn't say anything but he wasn't sure he had been heard. As for himself, he felt like his opinions wouldn't matter to Chad. He didn't know what happened between the two and he feared hearing it. But he could be supportive of the people he had learned to love, like Sonny and Mel. It was easier to do, he was well-trained in the matter. Sami didn't have many real friends and Will's shy manners made him a quiet sympathetic listener. It always hurt to be in that position but he had to do something at least.

So, he sent a message to Sonny, proposing they go out, have some fun. He thought about the karaoke bar but dismissed it. If Sonny was upset about his friend, no need to go to the last place they'd been together. So, instead, Will suggested the pool.

Sonny arrived half an hour late and looking disgruntled. His eyes met Will's and his whole countenance changed. Will felt so powerful, it was almost upsetting. They entered the changing room, hand in hand. Will noticed the disgusted look one of the patrons shot at them as he was exiting the pool. He felt a shiver down his spine but clenched his teeth and focused on his boyfriend.

They entered the water, slowly. Sonny didn't try to swim, he just relaxed his body, letting himself float. Will came behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. It felt like steel.

"What got you so tensed, Honey? It can't be just Chad and Mel, can it?"

Sonny sighed, letting his head fall back and rest on Will's chest. It felt so good, Will realized he'd have to stay there for a while, until his erection went down. He started massaging a little, but it was useless.

Sonny grumbled:

- No, but I'm pissed at him, especially after all he said about me treating you right and all. He would lecture me when I didn't need to be, I mean, I'm so grateful you're in my life and … I don't like being questioned about my feelings for you."

- Did Chad talk about that?

- No..."

Will turned him around. Sonny was still looking away.

- Who did, Sonny?

There was no answer. Will took a step back, his calf hitting the pool wall. He didn't know what he hated most, the fact that Sonny didn't tell him or the fact that he looked so upset.

Sonny started swimming, getting away from him. Will got out of the pool and sat on a bench. He looked out the window at the dusk settling in. His listening skills weren't required. What was left?

To be fair, he hadn't told Sonny about his latest encounter with Adrienne. It was always hard for him to open up about his hurt. Sonny always had to guess. Maybe it was his turn to.

He waited for Sonny to have swum enough, then he sat on the edge and let his feet sink in. Sonny spotted him and came out, panting. His damp skin, the sound of his breathing, the darkness of his

eyes, it all made Will yearning.

He placed his hand on top of Sonny and asked:

"Did your mom criticized me or our relationship?"

Sonny sighed again but he answered:

"How did you know?

- She talked to me the other day. She made it quite clear I wasn't good enough for you.

- She's wrong you know...

- Is she? She's your mother, she knows you well. Sami wasn't very supportive when I told her I was into guys, but the moment she met you, she never doubted.

- Mothers can get it wrong. Your mom doesn't have a very successful love life, so, she's not that wise. I hope she's right about me being good for you, though, but I'm not very worried."

Will caressed Sonny's fingers. He liked how Sonny seemed confident now. In fact, it was the last straw.

- Sonny...?

- Yeah?" Their heads were a few inches away from each other. Will took a steadying breath but it was useless.

- I want you."

His own spurt of confidence seemed to stun his man but not for long.

Will was restless but as he took off Sonny's shirt, he remembered his stiff muscles and decided to work on that. He had never massaged anyone, so he asked Sonny to tell him immediately if he was hurting him. There were a few times he got remarks so he slowed down. After a while, Sonny was laying on the mattress, looking as if he was asleep. Will smiled, frustrated but proud of himself, and climbed inside the covers. Sonny's eyes opened instantly as he grabbed Will's wrist.

Will felt the fire ignite in him, as strong as before. He felt daring, willing. Sonny's mom had questioned them and somehow, he wanted to prove her wrong. Sonny looked so beautiful, so intense, he couldn't think straight. It was such a new sensation, like being drunk, in a way.

The next day, they stayed at Sami's house. Will took a box to bed and opened it shyly. Sonny looked at him with a question in his eyes, then grinned when Will took the lid off and extracted some papers. It wasn't his firs writings but they were still old, before he met Sonny. They weren't poems, more like musings. Sonny sat comfortably against the pillows and Will put his head on his lap. He didn't move, waiting, with a beating heart, to his boyfriend's reaction.

"God, you're good.

- No need to flatter me. I'd prefer honesty.

- I am being honest. You write really well. I think that each time I reread your letter."

Will blushed. He hadn't written Sonny anything more since then. He should, if it made him smile like that.

- Do you know what I told her?

- Who?

- My mom. I said 'Will is making me want to settle down and forget about traveling. Meet me in a few years, I'm sure we'll still be sitting next to each other and still as content.' She still seemed doubtful but I was glad I said it.

- What if we end up like Chad and Mel?

- Don't talk like that, Will, please. I need you to have faith in us.

Will raised his head, catching Sonny's lips. It was hard to explain to Sonny that, even though the doubts were still there, mostly because he wasn't self-confident enough, he was with Sonny because he had faith. He just hoped reality would listen to that.