March was unfolding, bringing the needed rest that was spring break. Will had heard some of the other student make excited plans to go to Malibu or Vegas, to party with all the wild girls. He felt like a searcher observing another species. He just wanted to sleep and not study for a while, focus on what made him feel whole.

Once again, his siblings would leave for the week with their father, even Allie. Sami had met with Lucas and laid down the law. One toe across the line, even postponing bedtime and she would take him to court to revoke his parental rights.

So Lucas was coming on Friday night, just after school. Will examined his strength and found himself wanting. He didn't want a fight he wasn't sure to win, he didn't want to upset his sister again. He asked Sonny if he could spend the time with him, knowing his boyfriend would make yet another remark about him really not needing to ask. He couldn't help it. He was born polite, developping the skills out of necessity instead of being taught them. Sami replaced social niceties with strength of character and it seemed to work, most of the time. Will wasn't sure he envied her though.

The coffee-house was quiet, a perfect place to unwind. Will had stopped at the bookstore and bought a book of poems by Thoreau. He let his mind get wraped up in the dancing words, forgetting where he was. At times, he got inspired and took out his notebook to scrible down.

He didn't read all the poems at once and, after awhile, put the book down to take a look around. Ellie was refilling coffee for an ederly couple, chit-chatting. Sonny wasn't around. He had greeted Will with a quick kiss and went back to work immediately. Good chances were he was in the office. He looked tired those days. No break for him. Will's thoughts jumped from one thing to the next until he remembered it would soon be his birthday. He sighed. He had no idea what he was supposed to do about it. Should he ask Chad, see if he they should host a party? Sonny had said he wanted to dance with Will but that would be later at night. Will was only experienced in little kids' parties and he didn't even know the name of the friends Sonny had mentionned some time ago.

The emotion was threatening to engulf him. He took a deep breath and focused on one of his nicest memory, when Sonny and he were bird-watching after his exam. He felt more relaxed and reassessed the situation. He didn't have to follow a script. Maybe Sonny had ideas already, maybe Chad was already on it. What would really be his to find was a gift idea. He started thinking.

"What are you writing, love?" Will gave a start and turned the paper over, blushing. It was a good thing he wasn't involved in a surprise birthday party, he would have been found out in seconds.

- Nothing..." Sonny narrowed his eyes but didn't insist. He looked exhausted now. Will thought for a second. "Do you want me to prepare something for dinner? That way you won't have to work after your shift's over."

Sonny bit his lip. Will laughed.

- What?

- You're trying not to say it, aren't you? You don't think I can cook a meal.

- No... yesss. But there's some left-over in the fridge. I was planning to put them in the micro-wave but they would taste better with the oven...

- Right, I can do that. Just tell me the time and the temperature."

Sonny sat suddenly, as if his legs were giving way. Will wad beginning to worry if maybe he was coming down with something.

"Or I could make soup?"

Sonny shook his head.

- I'm not sick, sweetheart, but thanks. I think I'll crash early though. So, if you don't want to stay, no problem."

Will frowned. Was this a hint that Sonny wanted to be alone? Or was he just his usual kind self? Right... Communication.

"I'm okay with staying, honey, I'd like to take care of you. But I can leave you alone if you prefer. Just tell me."

Sonny raised an eyebrow and smiled softly.

- I selfishly would love to have you to myself. I thought about tonight all day, to keep me going. But I'm afraid I won't be able to act on what I planned to do..."

- I'm not here just for sex, you know that..." Will was whispering, not to be heard by the eldery couple at the opposite end of the shop. Sonny took his hand and pressed it gently.

- I love you, Will, you're the best."

The oven proved docile and soon Will started smelling the oncoming dinner. Sonny was really good at cooking. He had taught Will a few new recipes, including how to cook rice or pastas. He took a trip to the bathroom and noticed the sink was stained. He opened a few doors until he found cleaning products and got to work on it, then on the toilet seat.

He was just finished when the door opened. Sonny was looking confused.

"Are you doing my cleaning?

- Yes. I thought you would like having less work. Don't you?

- Can you stop being perfect for a moment and come eat with me? I need company."

Will winced at the word. He'd have to explain why he didn't like it but later. He followed Sonny and spent dinner checking his boyfriend didn't fall asleep on his plate. He cleared the table, after pushing a reluctant Sonny to the bathroom and started the dishes when the shower noises stopped.

Sonny was like Syd when she joined him in the bed after a nightmare, trying to snuggle a way into his chest, then refusing to move. Will was happy he wasn't aroused and opened his book with one hand, letting Sonny's even breathing soothe him down.

The next morning, he got breakfast in bed and lots of grateful kisses. He bit into a pancake and moaned:

"How do you do this, Sonny? Will you teach me again?

- Oh, right! Just a moment."

Sonny was back soon, holding a fat yellow book. Will was surprised, Sonny wasn't a big reader but he waited politely.

"It's a cookbook. With all the basis. I bought it last week and I forgot to give it to you.

- Thanks. Does this mean no more free lessons?"

Sonny smiled playfully:

- Yep, it's over. Now you'll have to pay. I accept kisses and sex.

- Okay, I'd like to pay in advance, then."

Will was still feeling inexperienced with oral sex, but he hoped he was progressing. He had to stop before Sonny came though. He knew it would be better not to but he just couldn't. Sonny didn't comment and just returned the favor, before changing his mind and entering him.

Sonny left for work early. Will decided to stay and enjoy the tranquility. He had two homes, now. He caught sight of the cookbook and leafed through it. Maybe he could bake Sonny's birthday cake. Something easy with lots of chocolate. He knew Sonny enough that he would love the fact that he tried.

But for the moment, he exchanged the book for the Thoreau one and laid down on the couch, a bird's melody coming from the window, the sun's rays caressing his back, his cell next to him so that he could text Sonny once and again. Just to tell him he loved him.