Paul pulled away from Sonny's lips and sighed. He'd just returned from a long road trip. Almost two weeks on the road with rarely a phone call to keep them connected.
Despite the distance, the two weren't clinging or clutching the other in their arms. In the beginning of their relationship, Sonny was on Paul before the door even shut. Now, Paul hated to admit, it almost felt like a chore sneaking into the hotel.
Sonny reached out for Paul again when Paul's cellphone rang.
Paul stepped out of Sonny's reach without a thought. After grabbing his phone, Paul smiled and answered.
"Hey," Paul said into the phone. "What's up?"
"Couldn't sleep," Will admitted, snuggled under his covers. "Is this a bad time?"
"No," Paul smiled softly. "It's okay."
Sonny glanced at Paul out of the corner of his eye. Sonny rolled his eyes when Paul sat on the corner of the bed, phone pressed to his face.
Lately, something distracted Paul during their interactions. Before he would give Sonny all his attention, all his free time. Now, Sonny was lucky if he got a night a week with Paul. Even his calls and texts took longer to respond to than they did before.
Watching Paul talk on the phone when he should have been with him didn't make Sonny any happier. Seeing Paul's joyful smile didn't make Sonny happy either. Instead, Sonny found himself annoyed.
"Hey, I know I haven't done this for you in a while but what if I-?" Paul began.
Sonny cleared his throat.
"Paul?" Sonny crossed his arms. "What's the holdup?"
Paul almost forgot Sonny was there.
"Hold on a sec," Paul requested. He covered the bottom of his phone with his hand and pulled it away from his mouth. "What?" Paul asked.
"Are you serious right now?" Sonny rolled his eyes.
Paul bit the inside of his cheek. "Just a few more minutes," Paul said. "Will needs me."
"Will?" Sonny's frown became more pronounced. "What does he need you for? It's got to be past midnight in Salem."
"He can't sleep," Paul explained in a low voice so Will couldn't hear.
"Why is that your problem?" Sonny wondered in a dry tone.
Paul stared at Sonny, lips pursed
"What?" Sonny challenged. "I haven't seen you in forever and you'd rather-," Sonny spat.
"I didn't say that," Paul argued with a shake of his head. "I said I'd be a few more minutes."
Before Sonny could say anything else, Paul stomped into the bathroom and shut the door.
"Sorry about that," Paul said into the phone.
"Uh," Will didn't hear the argument only muffled angry voices. "I can hang up if you need to go."
"No," Paul stated. "No, I want to talk to you."
"It's fine," Will promised. "I'll just read a book or something until I fall asleep."
"I'd rather talk to you," Paul confessed.
"Oh," Will snuggled deeper into his pillow. A wide smile spread across his face. "What about the boyfriend? He didn't sound too happy."
"If he's pissed about it I just won't tell him when I talk to you," Paul shrugged.
"You're kind of an asshole," Will laughed around a wide yawn.
"That's why you love me," Paul joked.
"You have no idea," Will replied, eyes closing.
"I'm starving," Will complained as Paul helped him step out of the Jacuzzi.
"What do you want?" Paul asked. "Should we go out? Or order some takeout and veg up here?"
"That would be nice," Will said, looking around at the rooftop deck. "That way we don't have to go anywhere."
"Hey," Paul called out, gathering everyone's attention. "Is takeout okay for dinner?"
"Sounds good," Eric responded.
Brady, floating on a raft, gave Paul a thumbs-up.
John nodded his head, "That's a good idea. Here," John climbed out of the pool. "Let me give you my card."
"Dad," Paul rolled his eyes. "I can pay for it."
"I know," John dismissed. "But you're my son. This is my family. You paid for lunch. I can handle dinner."
"If you insist," Paul said. "Let me get my phone and call it in."
Paul walked over to a set of lounge chairs. Will was already standing there with a towel wrapped around his neck.
"I wish I could take my shirt off," Will told Paul. "It's making me cold being all wet."
Paul held out his arm. "Come here," Paul spread Will's towel around his shoulders. He rubbed up and down Will's arms. "Why don't you go downstairs and change?"
"Can I wear one of your shirts?" Will challenged.
"Yes," Paul rolled his eyes and scrolled through his phone for the Chinese takeout place down the street.
Seeing Will still stood before him, Paul asked, "What's up?"
"I thought maybe you should go with me," Will lifted his eyebrows up and down several times. "I wouldn't want to pick the wrong shirt. You might get mad at me."
"You're insatiable," Paul chuckled, putting his phone away. "We'll have to be quick."
Paul looked over his shoulder. His dad, Marlena, John, Eric, and Brady were in the pool. Sami was still at the store.
They might not even notice we're gone, Paul thought, pushing Will toward the exit. And if they do I'll just say we went to get the food.
Will stumbled ahead of Paul, giggling when he bumped into Sami.
"Hey, Mama," Will greeted happily. "Did you get your sunscreen?"
Sami stared at Will for a few seconds before noticing Paul. She saw how close they were standing, how Paul's hands lingered on Will's lower back. That was something she wouldn't have cared about before.
"Why are you wearing a shirt?" Sami questioned in a tight voice.
"Oh, um," Will scratched the back of his neck.
"You never wear a shirt in the pool," Sami said. "You're shirtless all the time. All the time, Will!"
Will took a step back, surprised by Sami's sudden volume and anger.
"I know," Will mumbled. "I just didn't feel like-hey, stop it!"
Sami reached out and grabbed the hem of Will's shirt. With Will squirming away, Sami managed to lift the shirt up to his navel.
"Oh my god, it's true," Sami whispered, seeing a few mottled bruises on Will's sides. She dropped the shirt and covered her mouth with her hand.
"What are you talking about?" Will pulled away, smoothing down his clothes.
"I thought he was crazy but it's true," Sami mumbled, shaking her head while staring at the ground.
"Mom?" Will asked, sharing a panicked glance with Paul.
"Sami?" Paul cleared his throat. He had a bad feeling about this.
Paul's voice snapped Sami out of her stupor. Before Will or Paul could react, Sami smacked Paul across the face with a resounding crack.
"Mom!" Will shouted as Sami pounced on Paul. "Mom!"
Sami was beyond reasoning. She rained down hit after hit at Paul anywhere she could reach almost foaming at the mouth.
Paul held up his arms to fend her off, angling his body away, and screaming at her to stop.
"Mom! Stop it!" Will threw his arms around Sami and dragged her kicking and flailing away.
Sami's shouts and screams attracted everyone else's attention. They all climbed out of the pool and rushed over.
Eric bent over and grabbed Sami's thrashing legs.
"What the hell, Sami?" Eric grunted as he struggled to hold her.
"No!" Sami hissed. "I'll kill him."
Brady took over for Will. He crossed Sami's arms over her chest so she couldn't move them.
"Sami," Marlena frowned. "What in the world are you doing?"
Sami thrashed and fought against Eric and Brady.
Tori pulled Paul's hand away from his face and winced at the thin red scratch lines.
"Ow!" Brady called out. "She bit me!"
"Samantha Gene!" Marlena warned.
"That's it," Eric gave up. "On three," he nodded at Brady. "One, two, three," Eric chanted.
On three, Eric and Brady walked the short distance to the pool and tossed Sami inside.
Will stared as Sami surfaced. He knew there was only one reason his mother would react this way.
She knows. She knows and she's gonna tell everyone and it's my fault, Will realized. He took a few steps back.
The exit was only a few short steps away. He could make it. Will knew if he ran his mother would follow. This couldn't happen here. He couldn't have Paul's secret exposed in front of everyone.
"What the hell was that for?" John rounded on Sami as soon as she emerged from the pool.
Sami, dripping wet, ignored everyone. She snatched Will's elbow and yanked with all her strength.
Will lurched, caught off guard and off balance.
"We're leaving," Sami informed Will as everyone around them watched.
Will nodded, eager to get his mother as far away as he could.
John blocked their path. He stood in front of the exit with his arms crossed.
"Sami, what the hell is going on?" John questioned.
Everyone knew Sami was prone to dramatics. But this was over the top even for her.
"That-that," Sami pointed at Paul, too angry to even speak.
"Wow, mark it on the calendar," Brady quipped, rubbing the bite mark she left on his arm. "Sami Brady is speechless."
"Shut up!" Sami shouted, letting go of her grip on Will's arm.
"Sami, what is it?" Marlena frowned. "What happened?"
Paul knew what Sami must have figured out. He didn't know how or why but she must have learned the truth.
Oh, god! Paul's breathing picked up. Oh, God! Oh, God!
Will took one look at Paul and hardened his resolve. He needed to get his mom to focus. If he could get her alone maybe he could calm her down, make her realize how far off base she was.
All Will could think about was getting Paul out of this situation. He couldn't let Paul go through this.
"Will someone please tell me what the hell just happened to my son?" Tori demanded, holding onto Paul's arm.
"Mom, I don't know what you're thinking but you're wrong," Will said, hoping he sounded confident. "Whatever you're thinking is wrong."
"Will," Paul shook his head, terrified.
"Stop talking to him!" Sami screamed at Paul. "Stop looking at him. Stop talking to him. Stop it!"
"You aren't making any sense," Marlena told Sami. She put her hand on Sami's forearm only for it to get knocked to the side.
"Mom, please," Will begged.
Will thought he could prevent it. If he could just get her alone, if everyone could just back off.
"Is anyone going to tell us what's going on?" Eric wondered. He looked at his sister's enraged face and Will and Paul's terror-stricken eyes.
"That-that disgusting, despicable," Sami spat out.
"Mom, don't!" Will yelled.
"Monster touched my son!" Sami finished.
Silence rang after the declaration.
"What?" Will laughed weakly. "That's crazy. No, he didn't."
"What are you saying?" Tori frowned, looking at Sami.
"Paul's been sleeping with Will for years," Sami accused. "Since he was a child!"
Paul swallowed when several eyes flashed in his direction. Everything he worked so hard to build crashed around him.
"You don't know what you're talking about," Will repeated. He saw how uncomfortable Paul looked. Will understood the ramifications of this were worse for Paul.
Will's own mother was accusing Paul of so much more than being gay. Will couldn't, wouldn't let anyone believe it. He would protect Paul no matter the cost.
"Shut up, Will!" Sami hissed.
"No!" Will shook his head. "You don't get it. There isn't anything between Paul and me. There isn't."
"Sami," Brady shifted uncomfortably. "Think about what you're saying. Paul doesn't see Will that way. I mean, he's not even gay."
"S-see," Will pointed at Brady. "Paul's not gay. There's nothing to worry about. We're just friends. That's it."
Tori and John shared a small, secretive glance
"That so?" Sami crossed her arms, glaring at Paul, daring him to deny it.
"He's-he's not gay," Will repeated, struggling to think of anything to get out of this. "You saw the magazine with the underwear girl."
"Uh huh," Sami said. "And that explains why your body looks like that."
"I, um," Will's hands went to his sides and the hickey he knew was on the side of his neck. "That wasn't Paul. I was with someone else."
Everyone's eyes flashed toward Will now. Will froze, uncomfortable under the sudden scrutiny.
"Someone else?" Sami challenged. "You've been here less than a week! Who could you have been sleeping with?"
"I-I met someone," Will whispered, eyes watering. He didn't realize how humiliating this would be. Having to admit in front of his family, in front of his boyfriend, that he had sex with someone he just met even if it was a lie.
Paul's face fell. He hated watching Will go through this.
I should step in, Paul knew. I should be the one protecting him.
"With someone you just met?" Sami lifted one brow.
"Y-yes," Will looked down at his feet, cheeks warming.
It was worth it. Letting everyone believe he did something even when he didn't. As long as he kept Paul's secret, Will knew it was worth it.
It's not completely a lie, Will knew. I slept with Paul when I was here only a few days.
"Sami," Marlena chided. She could see how uncomfortable Will looked.
"And how do you explain sleeping in Paul's bed, naked?" Sami questioned.
"I didn't do that," Will mumbled, face getting redder and redder.
"Oh, so I suppose you didn't suck him off on the couch either?" Sami demanded, getting louder and louder.
Will shook his head, trying to stave off his tears. "No, no I didn't."
The accusations, what Sami knew, hit Will, Oh, God, she talked to Sonny.
"He saw you!" Sami shouted. "He saw you!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" John asked. "Sami, tell us everything right now."
"I told you," Sami pointed at Paul. "Your horrible son has been sleeping with Will since he was a child!"
"No, he didn't!" Will yelled over his mother. "He didn't!"
"What do you mean someone saw them?" Eric asked, wheels turning, flashing back to the condom in Will's room.
"One of Paul's friends walked in on them," Sami explained. "He told me everything! Everything! He even showed me a picture!"
"No, no you can't listen to Sonny. He's a psycho, Mom. You can't believe him," Will pleaded.
"He showed me the picture of you, Will! He found you asleep, naked, and marked up in Paul's bed," Sami hissed.
"And did he tell you how he got that picture?" Will crossed his arms. "He snuck in Paul's place and took it while I was sleeping. Who does that?"
"Wait," Brady held up his hands. "So, you think that Paul and Will were together?"
"Sami, think about what you're saying," Marlena begged. "You know Paul and you know Will. There isn't anything to support those allegations."
"Oh, so I'm supposed to ignore someone when they tell me my son is in danger?" Sami countered. "He's my son and I know this is true. I know it."
"Paul?" Brady sighed with a shake of his head. "Just tell her the truth and we can all laugh about this."
Paul licked his lips, saying nothing.
"Paul?" Brady repeated.
"You know it's not true," Will interjected with a laugh. "Paul and me? Ha, like that would ever happen."
Will knew from experience that a bit of truth sprinkled with lies made everything easier to swallow.
"I slept with Sonny's boyfriend and he's trying to get back at me," Will explained, shifting from foot to foot. "That's why he snuck into Paul's place. That's why he took the picture. He wanted to trick his boyfriend into thinking I was with Paul when I wasn't. Paul's not even in the picture. Sonny just wants to get back at me. "
"You slept with someone else's boyfriend after only a few days?" Marlena asked, disapproval painting her face.
"Yes," Will said, shoulders slumped and head down.
"Did you know he had a boyfriend?" Marlena wondered.
"…Yes," Will mumbled.
"You're such a sweet boy, though," Marlena said. "Why would you do something like that? That's not who you are."
"Maybe it is," Will whispered, feeling everyone's eyes on him. "I did it so that must be who I am."
Will could feel the judgmental waves rolling in against him.
Paul watched Will. Watched as Will admitted to things he shouldn't. Watched as Will tried to stay strong under the weight of their family's judgment.
All while Paul stayed silent and did nothing.
I can't let Will do this. I can't let him take the blame. I love him too much for that, Paul thought, steeling himself.
Paul cleared his throat.
"It's okay, Will," Paul said. "You don't have to lie anymore."
"I'm not lying," Will insisted with wide eyes and a panicked lilt to his voice. "I'm not. You can't-,"
"Yeah, I can," Paul stated. With a deep breath, Paul confessed, "Sami's right, kind of."
Tori closed her eyes and shook her head. John winced, shoulders slumping. Eric moved closer to Sami, holding onto her upper arm.
Eyes racing from Paul to Will, Marlena covered her mouth with her hand.
"But," Brady stuttered, eyes racing back and forth, "But-but-but, what?"
"I-I didn't sleep with Will when he was a child," Paul insisted. "I didn't. But I have been with Will this past week."
Will shook his head weakly, "You don't have to."
"I do, baby," Paul promised with a sad smile.
Paul took several deep breaths and closed his eyes.
Eyes opened, resolve steadied, Paul confessed, "I-um-I'm gay. Okay, I'm gay."
John opened and closed his mouth several times, wiping his hand across his face.
"What does that have to do with Will?" Eric demanded. "Did you hurt him?"
"No!" Will answered. "No, of course, not. Nothing like that, no."
"Will, please," Paul cleared his throat again. "No, Eric, the only time I've been with Will was this visit. I promise."
Tori set her jaw, shaking her head.
"I don't understand," Marlena admitted.
"It's my fault," Will said. "I-I went after him."
Sami scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Let's go downstairs," John suggested. "We shouldn't discuss this here."
Everyone nodded, grabbing their towels and flip-flops.
Will and Paul pulled back, getting into an elevator of their own.
"I'm sorry," Will said as soon as the door closed. He pressed close to Paul, mapping the lines Sami left with his fingertips. "I'm sorry. I didn't know that was gonna happen. I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault," Paul promised, shaking. "You heard your mom. Sonny told her what happened. That's the only reason she knows."
"You didn't have to tell everyone," Will said. "I could have convinced them."
"By lying? By telling them you slept with some random guy you don't even know? That you broke up a relationship?" Paul shook his head. "No, no. I couldn't let you do that."
"I could have handled it. And I did break up a relationship, Paul. Sonny is doing this because I stole his boyfriend, you," Will insisted. "Now, they all know. They know about us and they know about you. And it's my fault."
"No," Paul denied. "I love you and I couldn't let you deal with this on your own."
"But they won't understand," Will's eyes watered again. "They'll think you did something wrong, think that we're wrong."
"We'll convince them," Paul rubbed his hands up and down Will's wet arm sleeves. "Okay, we're in this together and we'll convince them together. Okay?"
Will nodded. He pulled Paul into a hug, terrified.
Paul rested his chin on Will's shoulder and sighed.
"Go change your clothes. You're already freezing," Paul directed to Will as soon as they were inside the condo. "Please?"
Will, avoiding eye contact with everyone already in the room, rushed to the guestroom. Wearing Paul's shirt now didn't seem appropriate.
Paul wiped his hands on the back of his dry swimsuit shorts. He had an ulterior motive for sending Will away for a few minutes.
Sami, Marlena, Tori, Eric, Brady, and John all sat on the couch waiting for him.
Standing in front of them all, Paul said, "I can explain."
"Oh, please," Sami snarled. "Go right ahead."
"I promise I never touched Will until a few days ago," Paul guaranteed. "I didn't."
"Wait," Brady said with a frown. "So, you are gay? Like for sure?"
"Yes," Paul answered. "I just, I knew I couldn't be out and play ball. So, I've kept it a secret."
"And Will?" Brady asked, a strange look on his face.
"Will's always been important to me," Paul explained. "But, I didn't notice him like that for a long time. I mean, I noticed but I didn't do anything about it."
"Meaning what?" Sami demanded with narrowed eyes and pursed lips.
"I'm not blind and I'm not a saint," Paul said. "I know what he looked like but I didn't act on that. Not until a few days ago. And I only gave in then because I love Will. I'm in love with Will."
"For how long?" Eric wondered. "You said you didn't touch Will when he was a child but-,"
"I didn't," Paul implored. "I might have noticed him physically but I never laid a hand on him."
Will, walking back into the room, cleared his throat.
"Paul didn't touch me," Will said. "When I came out at sixteen, I kissed him. And he pushed me away. Told me we couldn't be together and completely broke my heart."
Paul winced. He didn't know his rejection was that serious to Will.
"Everyone knows I've always had a crush on him," Will added.
Several of the people on the couch nodded. Will, bless his heart, was never subtle.
"Paul rejected me but I still had feelings for him," Will continued. "I tried to distance myself but it didn't work. I even tried being with Neil-"
"I knew it!" Sami shouted.
With an annoyed look in his mother's direction, Will said. "I tried being with Neil but it didn't work. I still had feelings for Paul and Neil knew. I couldn't use him and I couldn't get over Paul. So, I just focused on bettering myself and keeping Paul at a distance."
"Will wouldn't talk to me and I hated that," Paul interjected. "Will's always been an important part of my life and without him, I don't know," Paul shook his head. "It felt wrong."
Sami kept a steady gaze on Paul, jaw set.
"That was when I started noticing Will. When he was sixteen," Paul admitted. "I didn't do anything about it, though. I was in San Francisco and he was in Salem. Even if we were in close proximity, I wouldn't have done anything. I wouldn't. I didn't tell anyone, especially Will. I didn't even want to admit it to myself."
"Only," Will smiled sheepishly, "I pushed."
"Will was one of the only people to know I was gay," Paul nodded. "And we talked, a lot."
"Will came to visit you," Marlena put it together. "And things happened."
"Not quite," Paul whispered.
"Sonny?" Sami lifted one brow.
"Right," Paul nodded. "Um, I was seeing Sonny. Dating him, I mean."
"Until when?" Marlena wondered.
"Uh," Paul looked at Will.
Will moved to stand next to Paul, a united front against their family.
"Technically," Paul said, "I stopped seeing Sonny a few days ago."
"So, you're in love with Will," Sami said in disbelief, "But you were dating someone else, someone you just broke up with."
"I'll be the first to say what I did to Sonny was wrong," Paul elaborated. "I did love him at one point but, over time, I realized it wasn't as strong as my feelings for Will."
"Look," Will said, knowing this was going to come out sooner or later. "When Paul invited me here, I took the opportunity to get what I wanted. I didn't care that Paul had a boyfriend. I didn't care about anyone but me. I wanted Paul and I was going to get him."
"Will," Sami sighed.
"I know, okay," Will shook his head, face bright red. "I know. I know that it was wrong and it was a mistake. I know that. I just, I didn't care at the time. I thought it was worth it. It was worth it. Sonny was all wrong for Paul and I knew Paul would be happier with me."
"I wanted Will just as much," Paul said. "I did. Will was just brave enough to do something about it. I could have gone the rest of my life without doing anything because I was afraid this would happen," Paul waved his hand at the couch before him.
"You were dating someone else when you hooked up with Will?" Brady asked, eyes bugging out of his head. "Another guy?"
"...Yes" Paul swallowed. He hated that the sordid truth was coming out. He never thought anyone would find this out.
"So, upstairs," Eric recalled, "When Will said Sonny was mad he slept with his boyfriend," Eric frowned, "And when Sami said someone saw you?"
Will pressed his lips together. "Sonny walked in on us. That's how he found out."
"Will," Eric pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I know but it's not like we planned for him to find out that way," Will defended.
"I was going to sit Sonny down and break up with him," Paul said. "I was. I don't know if I was going to admit that I cheated on him but I didn't plan for him to see us. It was a mistake and Sonny hasn't left us alone since then. I had to change the alarm code for the security system," Paul added. "And I had to make sure security downstairs keeps him out."
"Is that where the bruising is from?" Marlena gestured to Will's face.
Will nodded. "When I woke up the other day, in Paul's bed, Sonny was there. He wouldn't leave and he hit me, a lot."
"I came in and had to pull Sonny off him," Paul agreed. "We haven't seen him since. I guess telling Sami now is his way of getting back at us."
Sami slumped her shoulders. She was still mad as hell but she could concede that Sonny played her.
Paul looked toward his parents. Both Tori and John had been unusually quiet.
"So, you two were never together when Will was underage?" Marlena clarified.
"No, Grandma," Will answered. "Never."
"I see," Marlena mumbled. "This is a lot to take in."
"It changes a lot of things," Eric agreed.
"How?" Will asked, eyes wide.
"You and Paul were always close, yes," Marlena said. "But never this way."
"It doesn't change anything," Paul said. "It doesn't."
"Are you and Will together?" Sami questioned. When Will and Paul both nodded, she said, "Then it changes everything."
"You're going to school in Salem," Eric reminded Will. "Paul's going to be here. How is that going to work?"
"We'll make it work," Will promised. "It'll be long-distance but fine."
"Are you sure?" Marlena pressed. "You're so young, Will. How do you know this is what you want?"
"I've been in love with Paul almost my entire life," Will confessed. "I want to be with him and he wants to be with me. I'm not going to give that up because I'll live somewhere else for four years."
"We haven't figured it all out yet but we know what we want," Paul answered in a firm tone. "The two of us want this, we do."
Almost in unison, everyone on the couch sighed.
Paul, alone with Tori, John, and Brady, sat on the coffee table in front of the sofa. Unplanned, everyone dispersed for smaller, private conversations.
"Neither of you said anything," Paul said, glancing between his parents. He pressed both hands between his knees so he'd stop wringing them.
"I don't know what you want me to say, son," John admitted. "This is a lot to take in."
Tori cleared her throat, "I can't say I'm surprised."
"What?" Paul frowned.
"What?!" Brady asked in an obnoxiously loud voice.
Ignoring Brady, Tori said, "I'm your mother. A mother always knows. I just-," Tori cut herself off.
"You just, what?" Paul moved closer to the edge of the coffee table.
"I hoped nothing would ever come of it," Tori confessed. "With Will, that is. He was always so taken with you, Paul-san. When he came out," Tori closed her eyes, "I was proud of him, I was. But also terrified."
"Why?" Paul asked.
"Because of you," Tori said, staring into Paul's eyes. "Because you've never denied him anything. Because I knew, sooner or later, this would happen and where would it leave you? You can't come out. You can't lose your career. And sooner or later, Will will come to resent that, resent you."
"Will understands," Paul whispered. "He gets it. He knows how much baseball means to me."
"He's eighteen," Tori said in a firm tone. "He'll grow and learn. You can't expect him to stay happy being your secret."
"He's not a secret," Brady interrupted, "Not anymore. We all know now."
Paul shook his head, lips pressed together.
"Do you know what Will almost did for me today?" Paul asked. "He was ready to let every single one of you believe he slept with a stranger. He was going to take the blame for everything to keep my secret. He didn't want me to come out at all."
"So, why did you?" John wondered.
John wasn't like Tori. He didn't know his son was gay, exactly. He knew there was something suspicious about Paul and Will's friendship but he never made that connection.
To John, Paul was the picture perfect son. Star pitcher, model girlfriends, Paul had it all. John didn't know how to reconcile the image of his playboy son with one that loved Will Horton.
"Because I love him," Paul said simply, honestly. "I couldn't let him do that. I couldn't let anyone think that about him. He deserved better. I-I've made those mistakes with Sonny before. I cared more about my own image than Sonny's feelings. I don't feel that way with Will. I won't make those mistakes with Will. Besides, you're my family, his family. If you can't accept us, accept what we are…" Paul trailed off.
"You're my son," John said in a strong voice. "This is going to take time to adjust to. Not only the gay thing but the Will thing too. You know I love you, though. I love Will too. It's just going to take time knowing that your love for Will is different than I thought."
"Bro," Brady shook his head, "You're not even a little straight?"
Paul smiled, "Sorry, no. Hundred percent gay."
"But all those underwear models," Brady bemoaned.
"Yeah, wasted on me," Paul teased with a small smile. The smile faded away as Paul looked at Tori. "Mother?"
"Of course, I love you," Tori assured him. "And you know I love Will."
"So, you're happy?" Paul tried.
"I-," Tori paused. "I am happy you have someone you love. I am happy Will's loved as well. I just don't want you to jeopardize your career, everything you worked so hard for. That is my worry."
"I won't," Paul promised. "Will and I can make this work."
"And this Sonny guy?" John questioned. "He had no problem blabbing to Sami about your secret. Who's to say he won't tell someone worse?"
"I don't know," Paul took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "I have to talk to him, again. I can't believe he told anyone, let alone Sami."
"I can't believe he told anyone you were some sort of child molester," Brady quipped. "Wait a second," Brady's forehead wrinkled as he thought. "Is that Sonny the same Sonny that's-?"
"Yeah," Paul said. "It's Sonny Kiriakis. Small world, huh?"
"Maybe I can talk to my grandfather," Brady suggested. "Get him to talk some sense into Sonny or something. Uh," Brady looked at Paul, "I'll have to downplay some of the details, though."
"Victor would never dare harm my son," John declared. "He knows what I'm capable of."
Tori rolled her eyes. In many ways, she was glad John was Marlena's problem and not hers.
Sami slammed the door to Will's guestroom behind her. Seeing Will's luggage, Sami hauled the suitcase on the bed, throwing things inside of it.
"Mom," Will sighed, "Stop it. I'm not going anywhere."
Each item Sami threw in the bag, Will tossed back out.
Marlena and Eric sat on the bed watching as the two tossed Will's clothes around the room.
"Yes, you are," Sami declared. "I don't care what you say. I am not letting my teenage son stay here."
"I'm eighteen," Will argued as he wrestled Sami for a pair of flip flops. "I'm an adult."
"I don't care," Sami grunted when Will stole the shoes from her. "You are not staying with that man."
"That man is my boyfriend," Will huffed. "The only reason you're mad is because you still believe his psycho ex over me."
"Well, excuse me for worrying about your wellbeing," Sami sneered.
"Mom," Will grabbed both of her hands. "Just think about it." When Will was certain he had Sami's attention, he continued. "If someone told you Paul sexually abused a child, would you believe them?"
Sami narrowed her eyes.
"Exactly," Will let her hands go. "Paul would never do that. You know him. You trust him. The only reason you even considered it was because of me."
"Anyone could see you had a crush on him!" Sami defended. "You did everything he said. It wouldn't have taken any sort of manipulation to get you in his bed."
"I am the one that went after him!" Will yelled. "I did, Mom, me. Not Paul, me."
Sami looked at Will's face for several long moments before plopping on the bed, wailing.
"Mom," Will said in a voice that was both fond and exasperated. "It's okay."
Will rubbed Sami's back as he looked toward his grandma and uncle for help.
"No, it's not," Sami sobbed. "You're my son so you're making awful decisions."
"Sami," Eric tried not to laugh. "That doesn't have to do with anything."
"Yes, it does," Sami cried. "He's taking after me. That's always been my worst nightmare."
Sami sat up and wiped at her eyes and sniffed.
"You're so much better than this," Sami told Will through watery eyes. "You're so much more than stealing someone's boyfriend, someone's life. I never wanted this for you."
"I didn't either," Will told her. "And I didn't think about the long-term effects. I just, I wanted Paul and I knew he wanted me too."
"If Paul wanted you," Marlena said, "Why was he dating someone else?"
"I-," Will frowned. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Eric asked with narrowed eyes.
"I know that he used to love Sonny," Will explained. "And that they were dating before I even came out."
"So, why is Paul with you now?" Marlena wondered over Sami's loud sniffles. "Why would he break up with the man he loved?"
"Used to love," Will defended. "Paul used to love him. I'd talk to him every day, Grandma. Paul fell out of love with Sonny a long time before I came to town. He broke up with Sonny because he didn't feel the same way about him anymore. Nothing close to what he feels for me."
"Okay," Eric nodded as he handed Sami a tissue. "Paul's not coming out anytime soon, Will. Are you going to handle that?"
"Yes," Will said. "I know that he has to stay in the closet. I know more than anyone. I support that. Just knowing that Paul loves me is enough."
"You say that now," Sami sighed. "But I know you."
"What does that mean?" Will asked.
"It means you have a big mouth, a big heart, and you aren't going to handle the pressure," Sami said. "You'll give it away somehow and it'll blow up in your face."
"No, it won't," Will denied. "I know how big this is, how important it is. I wouldn't sacrifice all Paul's hard work for nothing."
"Just like he sacrificed for you?" Sami wondered. "He sure let you flounder around by yourself before he stepped up."
"What do you want from him?" Will asked. "You attacked him. You outed him in front of his family. You told everyone he was some kind of sick freak. Everything he ever worked for was just thrown in his face. He needed time to process. And even if he didn't, I would have taken the blame for everything."
"Why?" Marlena questioned. "Why would you do that for him at the expense of your dignity?"
"I love him," Will answered. "I'd do anything for him."
"Because that always ends well," Sami grumbled under her breath.
"I'm happy," Will declared. "Completely and totally happy for the first time in maybe forever. Paul loves me. He wants to be with me. Don't ruin that."
"How do you know?" Sami demanded. "How do you know you won't be like that Sonny guy in the end? That Paul won't drop you for the next guy that wants him?"
"I know," Will stated. "I know when he touches me, when he kisses me. Anytime he looks at me, I just, I know. I've always known. I knew when I was younger and I know now. Paul is it for me."
Sami groaned, flopping back on the bed. "God," Sami covered her face in her hands. "It doesn't matter what I say or do, does it?"
"No," Will said. "If you taught me anything it's to go after what I want. I wanted Paul. I went after him. I got him. Now, I'm not letting him go."
"Yeah," Eric conceded. "Maybe he is like you, after all, Sami."
"Oh, shut up," Sami complained. Sitting up again, Sami put her arm around Will. She ran her hand up and down the expanse of Will's bicep. "Oh, my sweet baby Will. In a way, I guess I'm not surprised."
"No?" Will leaned his head toward Sami's shoulder even though he had to crane his neck to reach.
"You always loved him," Sami explained. "And he always loved you."
"That's true," Marlena agreed. "I guess it's only natural for your bond to expand and grow as the two of you did."
"It's still weird," Eric pointed out. When everyone looked at him, he shrugged. "What? It is. I mean, I get it. Doesn't mean it's not weird."
Sami sighed one more time. "When you came out, I always thought we'd get to gossip over boys. Talk about your crushes, your first kiss. And I don't know anything about your love life. You're in love and in a relationship for the first time. You couldn't even tell your own mother."
"We could do that now," Will offered, touched by the sentiment. "Talk about all that stuff, if you'd like."
"I always wanted your first time to be special," Sam said. "I didn't want it to be like this, with someone in a relationship, someone that wasn't completely yours."
"Oh, Mom," Will patted her shoulder and tried not to smile. "My first time was special…two years ago."
"I knew it!" Sami shouted again, pointing her finger in Will's face. "When I see that loser, Neil, next I am gonna snap off his di-!"
"Sami, please," Marlena scolded while Will and Eric laughed.
Will, Sami, Marlena, and Eric walked out of the guestroom. They traveled back into the front room where Paul, Tori, John, and Brady waited.
Reluctant, Sami stepped toward Paul and said, "I'm sorry I clawed your face. And called you a monster. And implied you molested my son. And outed you in front of everyone."
Will cleared his throat.
"And," Sami rolled her eyes, "Listened to some strange psycho ex instead of waiting to talk to the two of you about it."
Will smiled and patted his mom on the arm, proud of her.
Paul crossed his arms and smirked. "That's the most you've ever apologized for anything."
"I'm not repeating it," Sami smirked right back.
"I think it's time for us to go," Marlena suggested. "It's been a long day and I think we all need some time to process everything."
"Crap," Paul looked at the time. "I never ordered the food."
"That's alright," John clapped Paul on the arm as he stood up. "We can get something on our way back to the hotel. I think it's been a long enough day."
After congratulations and well-intentioned threats to watch over the other, Will and Paul were alone with Tori.
"Um," Will shifted from foot to foot, trying not to look at Tori. "I'm still hungry."
"I'll call the Chinese place," Paul mumbled, leaving the two alone.
Will glanced up at Tori from under his eyelashes. He admired Tori so much. He'd hate for her opinion of him to change because of what he did to Sonny.
"Do you know why I wanted to set you up with that young man? My client's son?" Tori questioned Will.
"No," Will answered in a quiet tone.
"Because I hated watching you pine over my son knowing there was nothing I could do," Tori admitted. "I knew you loved him and I knew he felt something for you. Just like I knew the chances of him coming out were small. I didn't think you had a chance. I wanted you to find happiness even if it wasn't with Paul."
"Oh," Will blinked a few time, not sure how to interpret that.
"But," Tori realized, "You found your happiness with Paul anyway. As long as you two watch out for each other, take care of the other, I could not be happier for you."
"Yeah?" Will breathed a sigh of relief.
"You know I adore you," Tori reached out and patted Will's cheek. "How could I object to someone as special as you being with my son? Make sure you take care of him, though. He's more vulnerable than he likes to admit."
"I know," Will promised. "He's taken care of me my whole life. Now, it's my turn to take care of him."
"He's going to need it," Tori predicted. "Now that his secret's out in the open."
Paul walked back into the room and paused. He took in his mother and Will wrapped in a tight embrace. A wide smile spread across his face, warmth settling deep in his stomach.
That night, Will fell into Paul's bed with ease. There was no sneaking around, no lying. The two didn't have to pretend. They told Tori goodnight and walked hand-in-hand to Paul's room.
Will turned to lie on his shoulder on the bed. He traced his fingers over the light scratches his mother left behind on Paul's face.
"I'm so sorry she did that," Will told Paul for perhaps the hundredth time that evening.
"It's not your fault," Paul reached out to grab Will's wrist. He kissed each fingertip before letting go.
"I can't believe today," Will sighed. "I can't believe Sonny told my mom. I can't believe my mom bought his story. I can't believe everyone knows."
"Me either," Paul said in a weak voice.
"Your mom and dad, they both know about you," Will breathed. He cradled Paul's face in his hands. "They know you're gay and they love you. They accept you. Brady does, Eric, my grandma, even my mom towards the end. Almost your entire family, Paul. They know and the only thing they worried about was us getting hurt."
Paul nodded, eyes watering.
"They know and they love you," Will repeated. He leaned down to kiss away the tears that rolled down Paul's cheeks.
Will understood how overwhelmed Paul was, how anxious. Will knew how it felt to have your deepest secret revealed to the people you care about most. Being vulnerable in front of the people you love and admire, praying they'll accept you.
Only difference is I came out on my own terms. Paul didn't. He didn't get to choose how or when or why. Sonny stole that from him.
When Will came out, he was too embarrassed to rely on Paul. Too embarrassed to lean on him for comfort or support. Will was so hyper focused on his heartbreak over losing Paul that he rejected any help Paul offered.
This time around, Will vowed he'd be there for Paul no matter what.
"It's okay," Will eased Paul's head onto his chest.
Paul crawled on top of Will, covering him completely.
Will ran his hands through Paul's hair, adjusting his weight. "It's okay, love. I've got you. I know."
Paul clung to Will, his entire body heaved with the strength of his sobs.
Will hugged Neil as hard as he could. "I'm gonna miss you so much."
"Not as much as I'll miss you," Neil responded, holding onto the back of Will's neck.
"Promise you won't forget me," Will pleaded.
Neil burst into laughter. "Like that would ever happen. You, Will Horton, are anything but forgettable."
"Why can't I go with you to the airport?" Will asked again, head resting on Neil's shoulder. "I wanna go. I wanna see you off."
"Because I'd do something stupid like stay," Neil reminded Will.
"It wouldn't be stupid," Will argued.
"Yeah, it would," Neil smiled. "So, one last hug and I'll call you when I land."
Will closed his eyes, squeezing even tighter. "I don't know what I would have done these last few years without you."
"You're smart and strong. You would have made it," Neil said. "But I'm glad I was there to help you."
Reluctantly, Neil pulled away. "I gotta go or I'll miss my flight."
"Why can't you wait until summer's over to move?" Will didn't care if he sounded whiny. He wanted to whine.
"You know I'm taking a summer course," Neil rolled his eyes.
"But whhhhhy?" Will squirmed.
"Hey," Neil chuckled. "You'll come visit me, won't you?"
"Duh," Will rolled his eyes. "I'm seeing you during Thanksgiving break. And winter break. And spring break. And every break until the dawn of time because you're never getting rid of me."
"Good," Neil nodded, touching Will's chin. "I wouldn't know what to do without my cute little tag along."
"Hey," Will pinched Neil's side. "If anything, you turned into my tag along."
"I did," Neil hugged Will again, resting his chin on Will's shoulder. "And I'd do it again. Next time we see each other, I'll show you around Boston. Show you off to Boston."
"I'd like that," Will squeezed Neil one last time before pulling away. "Kiss?" Will stuck out his lower lip and batted his eyes.
"When have I ever said no to that?" Neil asked. He cupped Will's face and kissed him, soft and sweet.
"You're my best friend," Will whispered, rising up on his toes to kiss Neil again. "And I'll miss you every day."
"You're my best friend too," Neil promised. "But you're gonna be just fine without me. Soon enough, you'll get everything you've ever wanted."
Will smiled and nodded, hugging him one last time.
"You have to call me when you get there," Will ordered. "And text me every moment you can. And don't replace me with someone better or hotter. I wouldn't handle that well."
"You're the hottest best friend a boy could have. I'm sure any future boyfriend will fall over themselves in jealousy," Neil pecked Will's cheek and laughed when Will smiled haughtily. "I'll text you when I get to the airport."
Will watched as Neil got into the cab idling outside the DiMera mansion and drove away. He walked inside and climbed up to his room. He ignored the laughter from his siblings and EJ arguing with Stefano.
Will slammed his bedroom door and threw himself on his bed. It took only a few seconds for him to burst into tears. Loud, noisy tears complete with snot and rosy red cheeks.
He wailed into his pillow for a good half hour until he found his phone.
"Paul?" Will sniffed as soon as he answered.
"What's wrong?" Paul asked, lounging on his sofa. "Are you crying?"
"Yeah," Will sniffed, closing his eyes, and taking a deep breath.
"Why? What happened?" Paul sat up straighter, focusing on Will.
"Neil left for Boston today," Will explained, licking his lips.
"Oh," Paul said. "You two will still talk, right?"
"He said so," Will wiped his eyes and sat up. "But he's my best friend. He was there for me every single day for almost two years. I don't know what to do without him."
"You still have T, though, don't you?" Paul questioned. He hated the thought of Will all alone in Salem. Alone and hurting, needing someone there for him
Before Neil, that was my job, Paul thought, lips curling. It was my job to take care of Will, look out for Will.
"Yeah," Will rubbed his nose against the sleeve of his shirt. "But it's not the same. T is a good friend and he tries but anytime I want to do 'gay things' he gets all weird."
"Gay things?" Paul wrinkled his nose.
"T's phrase not mine," Will rolled his eyes. "I know he tries but it's not the same. I can't talk to him about certain stuff."
"Like what?" Paul wondered, glad Will was no longer crying.
"You for one," Will admitted in a low voice.
Will never told Neil Paul was gay, at least not outright. Neil figured it out for himself. Thankfully, Paul wasn't too angry with Will over it.
"What about me?" Paul pressed. "You can talk about me to T."
"I do, sometimes," Will confessed. "But I can't talk about my-um-I mean I can't talk about our connection in the same way. T doesn't get me and you that well."
"What's to get?" Paul asked. "We care about each other. Don't we?"
"Yeah," Will whispered, pressing his lips together, eyes watering again. "We do."
"Sonny doesn't get it either," Paul admitted. "I don't understand why not. We're close. What's to get?"
"Sonny doesn't get a lot of things, does he?" Will mumbled.
"Hey," Paul said, mind-whirling. "You know what I just realized?"
"No idea," Will answered.
"That you're gonna graduate in a few weeks," Paul responded. "Which means you'll have three months to yourself until you start college."
"I work at the pub still," Will said. "But yeah, you're right."
"I haven't seen you in forever," Paul stated. "Not since, uh, yeah, the last time I was in Salem."
When I kissed him and he broke my heart, Will thought.
"Two years," Will said instead.
"At the end of July, the team has a two-week home stand," Paul explained. "No road trips at all. Just me, all alone in my nice big condo, with no one to keep me company."
"Uh huh," Will replied, refusing to get his hopes up.
"How about you hop on that fancy jet EJ has and come see me?" Paul suggested.
"What?" Will asked. "Just you and me?"
"Of course," Paul said. "I haven't seen you in so long, too long. I miss you and I want you to come stay with me. Consider it a graduation present."
"Oh my God," Will whispered. "This is amazing."
"I'll have to talk it over with Sami, of course," Paul said. "I'm sure she'll say yes. She doesn't have any reason to say no."
"I'm eighteen," Will's cheeks burned. "I don't need to ask my mommy for permission."
"Yeah, you wanna tell your mom that you're going to the other side of the country and see what happens?" Paul wondered with a laugh. "Besides, you have to ask EJ for the jet anyway."
"God," Will giggled, momentarily forgetting Neil left. "This is awesome, Paul."
"I miss you," Paul repeated in a lower voice.
Will heard something in that tone. Something that made him pause and take note.
"Living here is great and all but it doesn't have you," Paul sighed.
"Won't, um," Will tried not to smile. "Won't Sonny get mad?"
"He'll be fine," Paul dismissed. "I wanna see you so bad."
"I wanna see you too," Will responded as it hit him. He was going to San Francisco to see Paul.
We'll be together, all alone. He'll be all alone.
Thinking back to what Neil told him, Will smirked. I guess I am going to get everything I wanted after all.
"Think it over," Paul suggested. "And in a while, we'll figure out the details."
"Okay," Will leaned back against his pillows, mind reeling.
Author's note:
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you thought. I'm thinking there will be 2-3 more chapters depending on how things play out.