"Patrick you look... Whoa." William smiled.

"Thanks. You look whoa too."

He laughed. "Thanks right back."

He pulled Patrick's chair back. Patrick sat down and he pushed it to the table. Then he took his own seat. Staring at Patrick from across the table. Smiling like he always seemed to be.

"You're always smiling." Patrick's brow furrowed.

"I have a lot of reasons to be happy."

"I wish I had your mindset."

"Hello, I'm Ashlee, and I'll be your waitress for today. Would you like to hear our specials?"

"No." William shook his head. "I want a veggie burger with enough ketchup to drown a small human. And waffle fries. Please."

"Okay." She wrote it down. "And you?"

Patrick frowned at the menu. Not to seem snobby, but he couldn't remember the last time he ate at a diner. Or any place that wasn't five star. The only time he didn't order off of a foreign menu was when they had pizza or Meagan's shitty food.

"I uh, I want the same thing. Without all the ketchup."

"And to drink?"

"Sprite."

"Iced tea with lemon." Patrick said.

She nodded and walked off. William turned his gaze back on Patrick. Patrick smiled.

William was wearing all black today. Black jeans, black T-shirt, leather jacket. Even the beanie he was wearing was black. The only thing non black were his red shoes.

"I'm glad you came."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know." He shrugged. "I've been stood up a few times.

"Really? Why?"

William bit his lip and glanced down shyly. "I don't know."

"I would never do that."

"So what do you do, Patrick?"

"I, uh, I used to paint. I mean I do paint. Actually, I don't know if I can even paint anymore."

"I'm confused." William admitted.

"Oh I'm sorry." Patrick laughed in spite of himself. "I was in an accident about two years ago that left me comatose. I woke up a few days ago."

William's eyes widened. And for the first time, he wasn't smiling. Patrick muttered a curse. Too much too soon.

"I-"

"No, I'm sorry. That was a lot to take in. I shouldn't have-"

"I'm glad you're alive." He was smiling again.

"I'm glad you're glad I'm alive."

"So you were a painter?"

"Yes."

"And you don't know if you still are?"

"Exactly."

William leaned forward as if he were about to reveal some huge secret. Patrick found himself leaning forward too.

"I bet you can still paint your ass off."

"Really?"

"You look like you're great with your hands." He grinned.

And damnit, Patrick blushed.

"T-Thank you."

"I say we go see if you can paint."

"What?" Patrick's eyebrows lowered in confusion.

"There's an arts and crafts store a block from here. Let's go get some supplies."

"But we ordered-"

"I'll leave a big tip as an apology."

"And where am I supposed to paint at?"

William pursed his lips in consideration. Clearly he hasn't thought too far into this place.

"We can buy an easel and you can do street art! Quick paints for free!"

"That's crazy!" Patrick laughed.

"Maybe painting will give you a reason to be happy."

Patrick sobered at the words. He didn't have a lot of reasons to smile lately. He was in a coma. His husband left him for a woman. He was still madly in love with said husband. And to top it all off... The damn baby.

"Fine." Patrick stood up. "Let's go paint."

William stood up to. He fished his wallet from his back pocket And placed a bill on the table. They began walking out of the diner together. When they were outside, William grabbed Patrick's hand in his.

Patrick yanked his hand away instinctively. He didn't mean to be rude or hurt William's feelings. It was just, holding hands was something he did with Pete. Only Pete. And William's hand didn't feel like Pete's.

"I'm sorry." He said quickly.

"No." Patrick sighed. "I'm sorry. That was extremely inconsiderate-"

"I'm the inconsiderate one. I was way too forward-"

"No. I'm just not used to-"

"You don't have to explain yourself. I'm the one-"

"William, would you shut up and let me apologize!?" His smile took the blow from the words.

William laughed. Showing all his perfectly white teeth.

"You have nothing to apologize for. I should have asked your permission first."

"It's fine." Patrick grabbed William's hand. Squeezing it lightly.

It felt weird. Not bad. Just different. Pete's hand was warmer. And his grip was tighter. Also, Williams fingers were long and thin. Pete had perfect fingers. Well, not perfect. But perfect for Patrick's hand.

Ugh! He was never going to move on if he kept comparing everything William did to Pete. Because he knew without a doubt that no one would measure up to Pete in his mind. But he still needed to get over Pete. And William seemed good for that.

"You have really soft hands."

"I've heard that before."

"They're like crazy smooth." He lifted their hands up and rubbed Patrick's agaisnt his cheek. "It smells good too."

"Don't be a creep." Patrick laughed.

William laughed too.

"I'm sorry. I just get nervous and awkward around extremely cute guys."

Patrick could feel his cheeks warm up. He was such a teenage girl. It wasn't his fault though. He couldn't remember the last time someone actually flirted with him.

"What a coincidence." He tapped his chin thoughtfully with his free hand.

"Coincidence?"

"Yeah. Because this really cute guy likes awkward guys."

William's smile widened. If that were even possible. Patrick was smiling just as wide. It seemed William actually liked him. It felt good to know someone was genuinely interested in him.

William leaned in slightly. His eyes alight with humor. Patrick leaned in too. They were only a few inches apart.

"I have a confession to make."

Patrick felt his heart slow down. That didn't sound good. What if it was something terrible? Holy smokes, why if he was straight?

William sensed Patrick's panic.

"It's nothing too bad." He reassured him.

"W-What is it?" Patrick could feel his hand sweating. He knew William must feel it too.

"I lied when I told you I had to help you into that shirt that had the zipper in the back."

Relief flooded Patrick's system. He smiled again.

"Did you, now?"

"Yeah." William smiled back. "You could have just pulled it over your head."

"Well why would you lie about something like that?" He teased.

"I wanted an excuse to touch you. You look like some kind of human, porcelain doll. I needed to make sure you weren't made of glass."

"I'm not quite that fragile." Patrick scrunched up his nose.

"I'm so happy to hear that." He stared right into his eyes. Making Patrick's breath hitch. His eyes flickered to his lips. "So you won't break if I kiss you?"

Patrick blinked.

Was he going to let William kiss him? He barely knew him. And Pete! But... Pete was home with his wife.

Fuck it.

"Find out for yourself." The words were uttered almost too low for William to hear.

He leaned in slowly. Patrick's eyes fluttered close. Not knowing what to expect. Gentle? Rough? Slow? Quick? Whatever it was, he was ready for it.

He could feel William's breath on him. His nose pressed against his. Patrick could practically feel the skin of his lips.

And then he was yanked backwards. With so much force that he lost his footing. Causing him to stumble back into a solid chest. A chest he knew all too well.