For the next days, Will didn't function. He kept seeing his father's body, hearing the flat sound on the monitors. He had never felt real, never important but now he felt as if half of him was missing. He stayed home and did all the chores he could think of.

Sonny was bringing meals and Will was grateful but he never invited him to stay. He had relied too much on him. Sonny looked tired, from having looked after him this during this endless night. He needed rest, he needed peace. Will would cope on his own.

He had informed the college administration and been told to stay home for the week at least. Then, he would meet a counselor and see how they could accommodate his studies. It felt so unfair how big an emotional impact Lucas' death had made on them all, when he had been so insignificant when he was alive.

Allie was still in the hospital, shielded from their pain. It was difficult to fake the smiles at times, but Will just had to think about the relief he had felt when he had learned she would live to manage. She didn't talk about the accident, nor did she show any reaction to his death and that was really worrying. Will knew his sister, they were a lot alike, so he guessed that she was keeping everything inside, not to worry them, trying to be too strong.

Sometimes, she asked for Sonny. Will said that he talked about her a lot and couldn't wait for her to come home so that he could spoil her with his muffins. Sonny had said that, the day after. But now, he just looked at Will with his big brown eyes, his head on the side, like a puzzled owl, waiting for Will to open up. But if he did now, he would get all the anger out, all the venom. He didn't want his boyfriend to witness that.

Exactly a week after the accident, Will was seated in the garden, staring at the neighbor's wall with unfocused eyes, when he heard the back door open. He waited for Sami to talk, maybe ask him to come and help but nothing came.

After a few minutes, there was another sound. Will finally turned his head, catching Sonny's departure. His head was hung low, defeated. He had ceased being the cocky, protective red bird that Will loved so much. Now, he looked as grey as Will.

Something twisted his heart. Sonny had had time to rest. Maybe something happened he hadn't told Will? They didn't talk, it was possible.

But it didn't feel that way. The guilt was encircling him, interweaving with the mourning and the pain. For once, his legs reacted. He was running without realizing.

Sonny heard him and stopped. His face had changed. Will couldn't read how he felt, couldn't reach him. He had to talk.

"Son?"

No answer.

"Sonny, are you angry at me? What's going on?"

Sonny turned around and walked back to his shop. Will followed, determined and devastated. This wasn't the time. He was barely making it and now...

The shop was closed, although it was the middle of the day. Will paused and looked at the note on the door : 'Closed for death in the family.'

He sat down, next to Sonny, who was still silent, trying to make sense of it all.

"I need you, Sonny. Don't abandon me, please..." Sonny sighed.

- Do you need me? I feel useless. You shut me out.

- I'm in pain. That's how I react. I'm an introvert, remember?"

At last, Sonny looked at him. This time, the anger was here. Will almost stood up to flee. He closed his eyes and thought about the little baby bird he had seen in one of the nest, all cute and fluffy.

"I was there, Will. All through it. I supported you, even when you barely noticed I was there. Apparently that wasn't enough.

- It was, Sonny. I couldn't have made it without you.

- Then, why?" His voice was trembling. Will felt horrible. It was hard to explain. But he had to.

- I didn't want you to yell at you. I've been so angry. I would have said things... unforgivable things. I couldn't hurt you. You don't deserve it. You've been through enough with your ex."

Sonny was frowning, now. His hand was flat on the table. Will put his just next to it, their fingers brushing.

"You were trying to shield me? Seriously?" Will nodded. He was crying. The tears had dried out after Lucas' death and now they were back. He wiped them off, discreetly. Sonny's hand caressed his wet cheek. "Will, don't do that. It's so stupid.

- Pardon?

- Sorry, I meant... We're together, remember, through thick and thin. I can be patient, but I have feelings too. I feel awful because you just lost your dad and there's Allie...

- She's asked for you.

- She did?" Sonny's eyes were shining again. There was hope in them but also restraint. "Shall I visit her?"

He was asking for permission. It wasn't just about Allie. Will nodded. Sonny smiled shyly. They intertwined their fingers. Will looked down at the table and said:

"You still have your dad. And he loves you.

- That makes you mad?

- No, that makes me envious. You were wanted, you have room to exist. I don't.

- That's not true, Will. Your mom loves you, I see it all the time. And you're important to your brother and sisters... You're important to me. I didn't like Lucas but thanks to him, you exist. I'm grateful for that. I wish I could have made him love you as much as I love you."

Their eyes met again. No anger left, no barriers. They kissed. Will felt his heard beat, bringing warmth to his cold limbs. Sonny moved and hugged him, wrapped himself around Will. Life could go on.

"Will you come to the funeral with me?

- Of course. I want to. When will it be?

- Next week, so that Allie can come.

- Can we go visit her, now?"

Allie was beaming. Will felt selfish. He should have brought Sonny before. He should have trusted him. He knelt next to his sister's bed, listening to her rambling about school and how much she missed her friends. She rarely talked so much. Will pressed Sonny's hand as a silent thank you.

He came back to Common Ground. He was too hurt to do anything but just lying next to Sonny was better. He remembered sleeping in his own bed after the accident, bathed in Sonny's love.

They fell asleep with their breath mingled, their legs tangled in each other. Tomorrow, he would show the baby bird to Sonny. He would hear his laugh, see his smile. Tomorrow, he would still be there, in Will's life.