Part 6
Paul lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling; his cheeks still stained with tears. He hoped that Wil would come back, they needed to talk and Paul needed to explain. He should have told Wil about Corinne, should have been honest. He hated to think that that one thing could ruin the possibility of a relationship between him and Wil.
He was in love with Wil, he knew that, he'd just never summed up enough courage to confess his true feelings. He was always haunted by the fear of rejection, the belief that he wasn't good enough for anyone. It just stemmed from the lack of self-confidence he'd had since he was younger that he'd never grown out of. And a series of failed relationships over the years hadn't done his confidence any good either.
Paul was shaken from his thoughts by the sound of the front door closing, and he looked towards the door. After a few moments Wil appeared in the doorway.
"Hi."
"Hi. Come in."
Wil walked in and sat down on the edge of the bed. Paul sat up cross-legged so that he could look down at Wil, and they sat there in silence for a few moments, neither of them really sure what to say to break the silence.
"I'm sorry."
The silence was broken by Paul's soft voice. Wil lifted his gaze from his hands and looked at Paul.
"For what?"
"For not being honest with you."
"I wasn't honest with you either, Paul."
"About what?"
"About my feelings. I should have told you a long time ago how much I loved you, I was just afraid of what your reaction would be I guess."
Paul moved down the bed, wrapping his arms around Wil's shoulders and pulling him into a hug. Wil responded, his arms slipping around Paul's waist and they sat like that for a long time, just enjoying the comfort of each other. Paul's right hand slid up, gently stroking Wil's hair as he spoke.
"I love you so much Wil, and I'm sorry that I didn't tell you that a long time ago too. I should have told you about Corinne, I should have told you a lot of things. But I was just so scared."
Wil pulled back from Paul, but their arms remained wrapped around each other. Their eyes locked, and Wil could see the tears forming in Paul's eyes.
"Scared of what?"
"I've only ever really been in love once in my life before you Wil. And I got my heart broken."
Wil removed his hands from Paul's waist and his right hand reached up to wipe away a stray tear that had slipped down Paul's cheek.
"Tim?"
Paul nodded slowly.
"It was my own fault. I let myself fall for him too easily, before I knew it I was in over my head. When he left, I just didn't know what to do. I felt worthless, felt like I wasn't good enough, like it was my fault. I didn't think I could ever love anyone again. But I was wrong."
Wil smiled. He'd never seen Paul look more beautiful than he did at that moment. Without hesitation he leant in, their lips meeting in a kiss more tender and passionate than their first.
part 7