Sami's kitchen became a laboratory, filled with chocolated trials and errors, that the kids would eat whether it turned good or not. Will didn't understand. Why did it seem so easy for Sonny to bake so many things every day when here he was, struggling with a very detailed recipe and never achieving much?

Of course, he didn't spend all of his time on the task. He would sit and stare outside for long oblivious moments, noticing the shades of the sunset or how many nests were filling the tree in their yard.

Syd was very curious about them, asking where the eggs would come from, unsatisfied with Sami's vague explanations. The Talk would have to come sooner or later. Will remembered with painful accuracy the day his mom had explained it to his little self. He couldn't look at her for several days after that. She couldn't even say "When a dad and a mom love each other very much..." It wouldn't have made sense. So, for a long time, his existence didn't make sense either. He was a mistake, even if she had never said it, an obstacle. He had found ways to be useful, to make amends.

He wondered if he should buy a gift for Sonny. Maybe a bedside table? He went to a junk store and found a pair that looked worn and greyish. It reminded him of a boat. In his favorite second-hand bookshop, he found novels about climbers and put them inside one of the tables, with a rope in lieu of a ribbon.

He talked to Chad, one day Sonny had to go to the bank, asking him what activity he had in mind. Chad called Sonny's friends, Will bought decorations that Sami insisted on paying.

The day came. They closed the shop earlier and sent Sonny to Sami's where Will was told to keep him occupied. He did and managed to change Sonny's pouting into a goofy smile. They didn't do much, just lay next to each other, hands in hands, telling each others some memories and loving words. Sonny's skin was soft under Will's fingers.

Finally, Chad called and they walked to the coffee-house. Here they were greeted by all the guests, including Sami and Allie and four very good-looking young men. Will felt unbalanced but fought his insecurities, reminding himself that this was Sonny's night.

Ellie brought the birthday cake. She had added some cream that spelled 'Happy Birthday Sonny' and two candles shaped as numbers. Sonny pressed Will's hand as he made his silent wish and asked Allie to help him blow them out. She giggled as he propped her up, next to the edge of the counter. Will saw Sami taking a picture and thought he could have it developed and framed, maybe for Sonny's bedroom.

The cake turned out OK. Chad congratulated him and even Sonny looked impressed. When he saw that Will had brought presents on top of the cake, he sighed softly.

"That is some serious spoiling, Will. Be careful, I'll want to keep you afterward."

Will smiled shyly. He brushed a crumb off Sonny's chin and answered:

- That was the purpose."

There weren't many presents, mostly gift certificates, so Will's stood out even more. Chad arched his eyebrows, but stayed silent. His friends teased Sonny about what he would need those tables for but it remained kind so Will felt comfortable. Sonny wrapped his arms around him, squeezing him and whispering "Thanks. From now on, you'll chose all my new furniture." and kissed him.

Sami came home just after. Allie was staying with Lucas for the week-end and had asked him to come later so she could attend the party. She hadn't said it was Sonny's though and looked embarrassed when she confessed it. Will hugged her and told her she had been wise.

The rest of the party started drinking and dancing on the radio's songs, until Kareem took them out to the club, saying they would be a queue.

At this time of night, it was quite cold again and Sonny opened his jacket to let Will press against him. Will looked at the factory facade, wondering how different it would be from a concert. He was ready for mainstream music but not for the noise level and the crowd. It smelled of perfume and sweat and alcohol. But Sonny looked happy. He held his hand to Will, as if to ask him to dance. Will focused on the brown eyes, trying to forget about every other's as he swayed on the slippery floor, trying to remember Sonny's lessons. Sonny was laughing:

"Don't be so tense, sweetheart! We're supposed to have fun."

He kissed Will's temple and tightened his grip on his waist, leading Will to let go and follow. It was very difficult. Will hated not being in control but he trusted Sonny. He refused to drink more, though. There were too many people around, he didn't want to act foolishly.

Sonny pressed him into the mattress, moaning his name in wonder. Will stretched his neck, letting the pleasure engulf him, forgetting to kiss Sonny, even.

"You're the best gift ever, Will. So good..."

As they neared their respective orgasms, Will's phone rang. He focused on the sensations, losing himself in Sonny's tender stare.

After they both came and calmed down, he grabbed his phone and realized there had been many calls, all from his mother. It wasn't usual. While Sonny walked to the bathroom to clean up, Will sat on the bed and called back.

"Mom?

-Will... Oh, Will..." She was crying. Will's blood turned cold. Sami sounded broken, like she rarely did. Was it Rafe?

- Mom, is everything okay? You want me to come home?

- No, Will. I'm in front of the hospital." No, no, no... But she said it, anyway, the worst thing Will could expect. "There has been an accident. It's Allie."

He was already fully dressed when Sonny came back.

"What's going on? Why are you crying?

- Allie... hospital... accident." He couldn't say more, but Sonny understood, running to get his car keys and dress himself too.

Lucas was drunk and had driven off the road. They were both in surgery, with critical wounds. Will felt a failure as he watch his mother's wretched face, not knowing how to support her properly, how to make the fear go away. He drank numerous coffees, stared at the clock's hands wishing them to move faster so they could get news. He had stopped crying but he couldn't move.

Here come some darker times for Will. Hope you guys continue reading nevertheless. I don't always answer the reviews, sorry for that, but I cherish them all.