Will Kent

Josef knew that he was perfectly capable of handling Will Kent, but the entire Kent family? He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t at least a little nervous. The Kent’s were intimidating. He knew he probably wasn’t the type of person they thought will would bring home and Josef wanted them to like him. 

It was easy to get lost in his thoughts as they walk, though Josef is brought back to earth when they pause, gazing back at his boyfriend with a small smile. “Then what is it?” He asks after a moment, knowing better than to make any assumptions, especially when it came to the two of them. “Hey, snort all you want but Nashville isn’t so bad. I mean, I live there.” The blonde points out a bit teasingly, a quiet laugh leaving his lips as rain starts to fall. “I guess that’s our cue to head back inside. But first—” Pausing, Josef closes the space between them, pressing a soft, gentle kiss to his boyfriend’s lips. “Now we can go back in. You can help me pick something to wear to dinner.” 

The rain saved him from having to explain himself, not sure if he had the right words or if it was the right time though he hoped Josef would pick up the cues. The kiss made him smile, chucking softly against the lawyer’s lips for a moment before reaching for his hand to steer them back towards the house and start getting ready for dinner. The table was set for everyone by the time they made it to the dining room later that evening, and though they all took their respective seats, no one really dared begin until his grandfather made an appearance. The whole situation was a little funny now that he thought about it, seeing it from Josef’s perspective, but also knowing how his family was acting even just a little more formal than usual in what they probably saw as a rite of passage for Josef, some sort of welcome to the family stint. Even his grandfather had a part in it, his face much more serious than usual, which made Will hide a laugh in the sound a cough, covering his mouth for a moment. George Kent was notorious in court and out of it. They all carried the family legacy of being ruthless with pride, and his grandfather was truly the pillar of the family. Will looked up to him, respected him. He knew he wasn’t as bad as he looked, but he wasn’t going to tell Josef that yet. In the morning, he’d wake up at the crack of dawn and figure it out himself.

Will knocked on  Josef’s door early the next day only to confirm he wasn’t there, moving to the kitchen as he joined his mother for a cup of tea while Mrs. Todd started baking her famous cherry scones just for Mr. Will. He liked to think he was her favorite, but that was just a wild guess. Mrs. Todd had been in the family too long he often forgot they weren’t actually related. The chat was light and cheerful, relaxing. He was rarely this laid back but he was home and, for once in a very long time, everything felt right. When they heard the voices echoing down the hall, Will knew his grandfather hadn’t, in fact, pushed Josef off a cliff during their walk. He moved to lean against a doorframe, waiting for his boyfriend to come near. “Happy to see you’re back all in one piece. Lucky me.” He grinned. “Scones are in the making and there’s tea ready, unless you need a minute to wind down first. How was it?”

“I’ll be alright. I don’t want to be rude.” Josef half insists, half promises, offering Will a reassuring smile. He was looking forward to getting to know all of his boyfriend’s family throughout the trip. And while he didn’t love the thought that they’d have to sleep in separate rooms, he was more than happy to respect the Kent’s rules while he was under their roof. “I’ll certainly do my best to impress your family…especially your grandfather. Even if it does mean getting up at the crack of dawn for a hike that I’ll probably not come back from if it doesn’t go well!” He says jokingly, reaching out to brush some hair out of Will’s eyes. Cupping Will’s cheek in his hand, Josef smiles tenderly back at him, kissing the tip of his nose before moving to his feet. “A walk sounds nice. Lead the way.” 

The cool, brisk air certainly wakes Josef up a bit, his arm linked through Will’s as they walk through the grounds. Even barren, they were still beautiful. They’re quiet for a while, so when Will starts to talk about New York, Josef is surprised, listening intently to the other man speak. “And…what do you want?” The blonde asks after a few moments, looking back at Will. “If New York isn’t what you want…you do have other options. You’re a smart, very well qualified lawyer…whether you’re in the states or the UK. If you want to come back home…then you should. You deserve to be happy, Will. I hope you know that.””

Will wouldn’t have invited Josef to spend Christmas with his family if he thought they’d end up scaring him away. On the contrary. Even if it had been a spur of the moment decision from his part, he was really looking forward to introducing Josef to the Kents. He looked up to his grandfather so much, his parents. He didn’t get to see them quite as often as he would like, or used to when he was living in England, but bringing Josef home was different. Special. In a way, it felt like he was connecting his past with what he so deeply hoped would be his future.

Facing Josef as they come to a stop in their walk, Will shrugs at the question as he faces his ex. “It’s not England, or New York.” He answers. “It’s not a place.” He thought that was it. For so long, he thought his happiness and his success were intricately tied to a city. He moved from one city to another and he was never able to find what he had been looking for, until he met Josef. “You know the last time I was really, truly happy? It was in Nashville.” He let out a quiet snort. Tennessee, of all places! But it was also all a lie, and it had been all his doing. Almost as if on cue, Will feels a few drops of rain on his face, tilting up to look at the clouds settling in. He offers Josef a smile. “Welcome to England.” 

It had been a long day already between the flight and the jet lag and the nerves about meeting Will’s family, but Josef was doing his best to keep up. He was sure if he sat down and stopped moving now, he’d have a hard time getting up again, so the blonde stays on his feet, moving his suitcase to a corner of the room. “I’d suggest a nap before dinner, but I’m afraid you might not be able to wake me if I lie down now.” Josef chuckles, shaking his head. He can tell Will is spinning out by the way he’s rambling, easily moving to close the space between them to press a soft kiss to his boyfriend’s lips to get him to stop talking. “It’s cute that you’re nervous, babe…but I’m fine, really. We can freshen up before dinner. I should probably change into something a little nicer…you can help me pick something, if you’d like. I want to make a good impression, after all!” Josef’s mostly joking, but there’s definitely a part of him that wants to make sure that he looks absolutely perfect at dinner. He was nervous about meeting all of Will’s family too. They both really wanted this trip to go well. “I’m good, I promise. What about you though? Do you want to go for a walk or something? Get some fresh air?”

It was uncommon for Will to ramble. He didn’t. He often opted for silence as he thought through his next choice of words than ramble. This was a rare occasion. It was unprecedented. Josef was the first partner he had brought home, and it was Christmas celebrations at his grandfather’s place. Definitely not just any casual meeting. “We’ll call it an early night. My family can be ruthless but they understand we’ve had a long day.” Or at least, he hoped. He knew how excited his mother was to meet Josef, and he couldn’t wait to see his sister. There was always tomorrow and the days ahead of them. The hardest part was going to be knowing Josef was just down the hall and his mother had insisted to prepare him his own chamber instead of just letting them crash together. Will lets out a frustrated sigh when his nervousness is called out, clearing his throat. He didn’t need to say it for Josef to know: he hated being nervous or, in the very least, being visibly nervous. The kiss manages to calm him a little, though, and for a moment he debates going for another one but hesitates because it could lead to more than he was able to control and they had dinner to get to eventually, after all. “Oh, I’m not worried about that. I know you’ll make a good impression You already won me over, you have everyone else won. Except maybe my grandfather. I’ll definitely help you pick a nice tie for that meeting.” He’s joking too, mostly about the tie but not so much about his grandfather. Will took much after Sir George Kent, but like him, he knew his grandfather would see Josef’s value, his hardwork, his true self, and respect him. “Let’s go for a walk, it’s nice here this time of year. A little cold. Maybe wet. But harmless. Anything that takes us out of this room because I’m afraid if we don’t soon, we won’t make it anywhere else and then we’ll definitely have to deal with my mother’s wrath.” 

The gardens were barren of any flowers this time of year but it was still nice to revisit them, hands in his pockets as he walked alongside Josef. He remembered many winter breaks spent here, running around with his siblings, shooting, hiking. He was so used to all of it yet life in England felt so distant now. “New York is so different.” The words escape him, shrugging as he looks at Josef. “It’s all I ever wanted for as long as I could remember. My brother and I, we even fought over it once, who’d get to win New York. He’s the eldest so he was already one step ahead of me. My family can be very... traditional. So I took Nashville mostly to prove I could take on American politics and justice system. I’m not sure if I earned New York or Georgie’s marriage had something to do with it but, when they gave me New York, I didn’t want it.” Josef was a big part of the reason why. “I left all this—” His family. His home. His country. “I’m too bloody tired and probably making absolutely no sense right now, am I?”

Josef knew what this trip meant for them. For their relationship. They both really wanted things to go well, so of course he was putting some pressure on himself. Will’s family was so posh and Josef really wasn’t. Sure, he knew how to talk and how to act and yes, he knew how to call a Kent’s bullshit, but that still didn’t stop him from being nervous about meeting his boyfriend’s family for the first time. “Lucky for me that you like me quite a lot then, eh? I can handle tough to crack. I mean, I handled you well enough.” The blonde points out, smirking. His expression softens a bit when Will asks about his mom, able to read between the likes of the other man’s question. “She’ll come around.” Josef finally promises, pressing his lips to the side of Will’s head lightly. He knew it might not be easy, but he also appreciated Will’s willingness to recognize that he had to earn his family’s trust back as well…especially his mom’s and Vera’s. But Josef figured that if Will was willing to make the effort, that then they would see it and eventually come around and give him another chance. Hell, if Josef was, so could his family. “Let’s get through this trip first, yeah? Then we can worry about my family.” 

The drive to Will’s grandfather’s country estate from the airport was a little draining, especially after the long flight. Luckily they made it just in time for lunch to which they were joined by Will’s parents only as his siblings were still en route and his grandfather had already had his meal and was resting instead. There were elements of formality even when it came to shared dinners which Will had never really given too much thought before but knew these would be strange to most Americans, regardless of social class. He was aware of how shocking the cultural differences might be and he was grateful for his parents hospitality and warm welcome. Will didn’t really bring many friends home for holidays before, even less a romantic partner. They had always been careful in their privacy. The fact that his and Josef’s relationship was still somewhat undefined despite both agreeing to being in one was also nerve-wrecking. He was all in. He had been practically since he first met Josef. It was quickly obvious to him whatever his plan had been when he first approached him would not last, or work. He felt drawn to Josef Nilsson in a way he had never been with anyone else before. It was terrifying and, for the first time, he dared to put himself in a situation he wasn’t sure what the outcome might be. 

Will’s mom led them to the guest room they had prepared for Josef soon after a small chat over tea after lunch. They could rest and refresh before dinner. With the promise of a proper tour later and a friendly reminder that Will’s room was ready at the end of the corridor, Ailis excused herself. She smiled at her son who had been watching her as he leaned against the doorframe, patting his chest tenderly with a kiss to his cheek. I’ll see you both downstairs soon. Be good. He didn’t move from the spot right away, watching the woman disappear down the stairs, pushing himself lightly as he then dared to step inside. “That went well.” He chimed. “Dinner might be a different story, though.” His tone was slightly teasing as he walked closer to Josef, looking around the room. “How do you feel? If you’re missing anything, we might have it. We can also take one of the cars and go to town for a few minutes even if all you need is to breathe. Or rest. I can give you some privacy too. I’m talking too much now, aren’t I?” He was nervous, after all.

“Yes, I do. I don’t want to make a bad impression!” The last thing Josef wanted was to accidentally call someone the wrong name. He was good at memorizing things, whether it was case laws, grocery lists - or in this case, the members of Will’s family. Nodding, he quietly takes in his boyfriend’s descriptions, making mental notes with each little fact he presents. “Alright, got it. Don’t be left alone with your mum or else I may end up telling her my entire life story.” Josef chuckles, grateful that Will was humoring his request. Out of all of Will’s family members, he had heard about Molly the most, smiling softly at the mention of her name. “I hope so. I want your family to like me.” Not that they needed Will’s family to approve of him or their relationship, but it would certainly help. Josef really, really wanted this trip to go smoothly. 

“Separate rooms, got it. I’m going to get lost in the hallways, aren’t I? Oh god.” Josef groans teasingly, shaking his head. “It’s fine, babe…really. Whatever your family wants. I do kind of like the idea of you sneaking into my bed at night though.” He points out, a smirk flickering over his lips, though it quickly fades at the mention of hunting. “Any way you can convince him to go for a hike instead of hunting? Actually, either sound like I could accidentally on purpose fall off of a cliff or get shot, so…” Josef jokes, amused at the thought. “If he asks, I’ll go. Don’t worry.” Leaning over, he presses a kiss to the side of Will’s head, humming quietly when his boyfriend says that he was excited that he was coming along for the trip. “I am too. Next year I’m bringing reinforcements though. My mom’ll have my back!” 

"You won’t make a bad impression, Josef.” Will repeated immediately after Josef spoke the words, huffing a quiet chuckle as he shook his head. He knew his family could be intimidating, but they were still polite for what it was worth, and they were all more than just a little curious to meet the man Will was bringing home as his official boyfriend for the first time. Will didn’t like mixing business with pleasure, though he had broken that rule when it came to Josef, and he didn’t like mixing any of it with family either. Even if he didn’t show it, he, too, was nervous about this trip, especially because things with Josef were still a little up in the air. At least, the logistics of it. “I can’t promise anything about my mum but I’ll try, and as of my grandfather, love, you’ll be fine. I promise.” Giving Josef’s thigh a light, reassuring squeeze, Will smiled at the kiss. “If I like you, my family will adore you. They’ll just be a little tough to crack at first but you’ve already proven you’re more than capable of calling on a Kent’s bullshit.”

There was a lot they had to figure out still but Will didn’t want to think about any of that in the next few days. He was happy to go back home and though he knew not being able to check on work would make him anxious every now and then, he was truly looking forward to spending time with his family and Josef, his boyfriend. “Do you think Abigail will be okay with that?” The real question was, would Abigail be okay with them after everything that had happened  between them. Will hated to think he had betrayed her too, in a way, the woman who had opened the doors to her home to him while he was deceiving her son. “I also want your family to like me. I know I’ll have to work a little harder this time around.” 

Josef is nervous. The fact that he’s flying across the country to celebrate Christmas and meet Will’s family as his boyfriend is finally sinking in. Not that he can change his mind about going because they’re already most of the way through their flight. Josef had tried to keep himself distracted by attempting to nap, and when that didn’t work, by thumbing through the book he had brought with him. He would’ve brought his laptop to do some work if they hadn’t both agreed that the trip was a no work zone - a suggestion that had been his, but now he was regretting it slightly. A lengthy brief would probably take his mind off of things, but a promise was a promise. 

Realizing he’s read the same paragraph three times already, Josef tucks his bookmark into his book, stealing a glance over at Will instead. “Tell me about your family again. I’m nervous.” The blonde murmurs, reaching for his boyfriend’s hand. Will had given him the spiel, the fast facts on his family members, multiple times already, and while he had the information all memories, Josef figured hearing it again wouldn’t hurt. “Humor me. Just one more time.” 

Will would often get work through many holidays throughout the year giving most of them little to no importance. This was not the case with Christmas. His grandfather expected the entire family at his estate in Bagshot. In the family patriarch’s words, if he could make time to spend with the family, so could and should everyone. No one dared contradict him, either. When Will suggested Josef to join him, he did so because he knew how rare it was for him to take such a long period of time off and he would really, truly regret not spending any of it with the lawyer. He didn’t give the fact that it would mean he’d be introducing Josef to his entire family too much thought at first but when Josef asked if he would do so as his boyfriend, it all sank in. They hadn’t really discussed it in depth, what it meant for them and their relationship, but after a quiet second, agreed. As his boyfriend. 

To say his family was delighted to have another guest was an understatement. His mother particularly, as well as his sister. It was the first time Will included anyone in their family holiday whether he had been in a relationship before or not, so there was truly a part of him that was also nervous about this trip even if he didn’t share that with Josef. He knew Josef was nervous enough as he was, turning to look at him with an amused smile in his face as he folded the newspaper he had been reading and letting it sit in his lap as Josef’s hand found his. Brining his knuckles to his lips in an effort to ease his nerves.

“You really don’t need to memorize all of our given names.” Will joked lightly with a shrug. “We’re going to my grandfather’s estate, George. My grandmother died when my father was young around this time of year and Christmas was always her favorite holiday, which is why my grandfather will not have any of us missing it. It’s like a rite for our family, almost in remembrance of her, to spend some time together around this time. He’s definitely the one person you need to make sure not to piss off—but I think he’ll like you. I think, you’ll find, you have a lot in common.” Will smiled, pursing his lips. “My parents, Jasper and Ailis, like Billie Eilish. She is Irish, but much to my grandfather’s relief, Northern. Don’t take it personal if my dad seems a bit reserved. I get that from him. My mum will want to know everything about you. Please don’t feel like you have to entertain her. I’ll come save you when she’s being too much, but if you let yourself be dragged and out my sight, then you’re on your own.” He wasn’t sure if Josef would get the jab but it made him chuckle quietly. “Let’s just hope he can overlook you being American the same way.” He was teasing, of course, but there was a little bit of truth there. “My brother is alright, for the most part, just don’t call him Georgie unless he tells you to first His wife likes to boast about pretty much everything. I find her quite boring but to each their own. My sister is the best, though, Molly. She’s the best one out of all of us, a sweetheart, and she cannot wait to meet you. You’ll be fine, Josef, I promise.” 

Will tried to reassure him, giving his fingers a light squeeze. “There is one thing, however, that I may have forgotten to mention.” Pressing his lips together, he offered Josef an apologetic look. “You will have your own quarters. We can sneak you to my room, or I can sneak to yours, but let’s just play along when we get there and don’t freak out when they do take your things somewhere else. It’s ridiculous, I know, but apparently, since we aren’t married, mum won’t have it any other way.” He tried to find the humor in his own words, really. His mother wasn’t even that old to be so antiquated. “And... you may be asked to join my grandfather for a hike, or early morning hunting. By early I mean, very early. He does this often. He likes conversing with people at the break of dawn. It’s a thing. I’d say you don’t have to but, you might want to.” It didn’t really occur to him just how specific his family was because he was so used to it all himself but Will knew they were not exactly ordinary either. “If it makes any of this better, I really, truly am excited you’re coming with me, as my boyfriend. I promise, after we’re done here, we can just relax. We don’t have to do it again... until next year, that is, if my family doesn’t scare you off.”

Running a hand through his still damp hair as he walks back towards the kitchen after his shower, Josef presses a kiss to Will’s cheek, accepting the mug of coffee. “You remembered.” He murmurs, touched by the fact. Things almost felt normal between them, easily slipping back into old habits. Josef wished he could stay longer, but they both knew that he had to get back to Nashville. The lawyer chose to focus on the time that they did have left instead of moping all afternoon about his departure, humming quietly between sips of coffee.

After Will’s shower, they pack up their lunch, Josef slipping his hand into Will’s as they walk out of his apartment. “Promise me something?” He asks, turning to look at the other man. “Promise me that you’ll get out more. Life’s too short and the world’s too big for you to be wasting it away in your office.” 

Will doesn’t really say anything when Josef notices he remembered the way he takes his coffee. Of course he remembered. He remembered everything. This weekend wasn’t making any of it better, either. Although their time together was coming to an end, this was just an easy reminder that he was still not anywhere near over Josef. Maybe, if Will knew Josef was, it’d be easier to move on. They weren’t moving on. Not really. 

“Hm?” Will asks, lighting a cigarette as they walk, blowing the smoke in the contrary position from where Josef stands. He snorts, making a silly face in reply to his request. “I’m not wasting time away in my office!” Will shakes his head, looking at Josef for a moment. “I’m working, Josef, there’s a difference.” New York was too big, there was so much to do, see. It had been his dream goal for so long and now that he was finally there, he couldn’t find it in him to enjoy it. It was wrong of him, maybe, to blame the place for his own mistakes, for what he lost in the process. “You could always just come over more often. I will make sure my assistant does not keep any more surprise visits from me though, good luck trying to work that one again, but you can just let me know and I’ll make sure I clear my schedule.”

“I’d consider you more like dessert…a treat, per se.” Josef teases, leaning over to press a kiss to Will’s shoulder. They both knew that he was leaving this evening, and he wanted to make the most of what time they had left together. “We should shower first…but then I can make us breakfast. I’m thinking eggs and bacon? Unless you prefer soft boiled eggs and soldiers.” The blonde says jokingly, grinning back at Will. “I can make us breakfast and you can pack us a lunch for later. Sound good?”

Will hummed in agreement but restraining himself from playing along. They could go down a dangerous rabbit hole and Josef knew exactly what he was doing to him much to his own amusement. “Is that an invitation?” He shot back, looking straight into his ex’s eyes for a moment. They both knew it was the worst idea and it took all of Will’s strength to walk away from it. “Eggs and bacon sounds lovely. I’ll start the coffee. You better hurry before it goes cold.” He was so tempted to lean in, to steal a kiss, to make it linger and follow him to the shower and just beg Josef to stay one more day, but he held back. He did what was right even if it’s not what he wanted to. That’s what he kept repeating in his head as he busied himself with the coffee machine, almost all ready when Josef returned. “Here you go, just a touch of cream, right?” Pushing the coffee mug closer towards Josef, Will leaned back against the counter behind him, sipping on his as he let his eyes fall on the man. 

The end of his trip is near, and they both know it. Josef was dreading it just as much as Will was, not wanting their weekend together to come to an end. He can feel the dread coming off of Will when he looks at him without a smile or a good morning kiss, letting out a quiet sigh. He didn’t want to spend their last day together upset and counting down the minutes until he left for the airport. “Breakfast in bed. Lunch at Central Park. You.” Josef murmurs, leaning closer to Will in order to press a kiss to his shoulder, offering him a smile. “My flight’s not til tonight, so…”

Will stirs slowly on his side of the bed as Josef moves closer, watching him somberly for a moment. He really didn’t want this weekend to end mostly because he didn’t know what it would mean for them, once Josef left. They led different lives now. Their paths didn’t necessarily have to cross again or often. Will knew there was no one to blame but himself for what happened between them, and yet, if anything, this weekend together left him hopeful and aching all over again. “Breakfast, lunch... you almost make it sound like I’m supper.” He says instead, trying to break his own gloominess with a grin, clearing his throat softly. “We can do that. We will have to get out of bed to make our own breakfast, however. What do you feel like having?”

Josef isn’t sure which one of them breaks the kiss first, but he’s breathless when they do, still clinging to Will. He’s almost afraid to let go just in case it’ll ruin the moment. He’s grateful that Will speaks first, nodding slowly at his ex’s words. “We do. We’ll make the most of it.” The blonde promises, his voice quiet. Even though Will had given him a hard time about it, Josef was glad that he had done it. It meant that they would get to spend more time together, and he didn’t want to waste a moment. “Yeah, well…someone had to make sure you hadn’t become one with your desk chair.” He teases gently, kissing the top if Will’s nose. All jokes aside, he was glad that he was there and that he had decided to check in on Will. “Thanks for letting me in.” I missed this. I missed you. The words are on the top of his tongue but Josef swallows them back, brushing his thumb over his ex’s cheek lightly. “Kiss me again?”

Will kissed him. He kissed him and more throughout the weekend, walking down busy avenues holding hands so he wouldn’t lose Josef in the crowd or, at least, that was his excuse. He wasn’t sure he needed one. He wasn’t sure about many things except one: his feelings were the same as before he left Nashville and, if there had been any part of him that was beginning to move on from Josef since his move to New York, any effort was all in vain now. They were mostly busy that weekend enjoying the city and each other’s company, something Will was grateful for after realizing he had not really had the chance to do any of that yet. New York was fun and unique and buzzing in every corner. Will just felt like it wouldn’t be the same once Josef left. He wouldn’t be the same. Their time together was coming to an end and Will dreaded waking up that morning, knowing it was just a matter of hours before Josef had to be at the airport. He was torn between wanting to make every last second count and not wanting to have to go through any of it. Will wasn’t able to pretend to be still asleep when the alarm eventually went off, groaning quietly into his pillow as he reached for his phone to stop it. He could feel Josef in bed beside him but he didn’t immediately turn to look at him. When he did, he couldn’t bring himself to smile. “Good morning.” Will said instead, quiet and still keeping a safe distance from the lawyer, his eyes taking him in. He wasn’t going to be there tomorrow. “Any special request for your last day in the Big Apple?”

There’s a few seconds before Will moves that are completely silent and Josef fears that he’s made a mistake, that Wills is asleep and he’s going to have to go back to the couch with his tail between his legs, so to speak. But then he sees the other man nod and it only takes Josef a second to react, stepping quietly into the room. The dim light coming from the lamp catches Will’s features perfectly and Josef has to resist the urge to brush his fingers over his cheek, swallowing thickly as he climbs into bed with him. “Me either.” The blonde murmurs quietly, not entirely sure why he’s whispering when they’re the only two people in the room. It’s obvious that they both have a lot on their minds, but there’s only one thought that comes to the forefront. His gaze drops to Will’s lips for a moment, clearing his throat softly as he looks away, his gaze meeting his ex’s again. “I don’t want to waste any more time.” Josef whispers, shaking his head. Before he can even realize it, his hand has found its way to the back of Will’s neck, pulling him closer until their lips meet, kissing him slowly.

Will had to say something. He watched Josef cross the space from the door, climb into bed with him, brush his fingers against his cheek. He had to say something before he would combust from the inside out, so he decided to speak the truth. He couldn’t sleep. He didn’t want to waste any more time. He still wasn’t expecting the kiss, though. As much as he had wanted to, quietly begged for it, he didn’t deserve the kiss. Will returned it slowly, quietly, fighting a moan that threatened to escape his lips, a a hand moving to the back of Josef’s neck too until it was just the two of them in bed, holding each other close, trying to catch their breaths with their foreheads still resting against each other. I missed you. Will almost blurted before he stopped himself. It wasn’t fair for him to say that. Instead, as their noses touched, he smiled. “We have the weekend. You made sure of that.” He didn’t need answers of what any of it meant, of what they were doing. Will was sure there weren’t any right now. He could wait. For now, they still had the weekend. Leaning back enough to look into his ex’s eyes for a moment, he waited for some sort of reassurance before reaching for the light. They were in the dark again but Will found Josef easily in bed, wrapping his arms around his ex, their bodies still fitting perfectly against each other. “Thanks for coming over.” Will whispered. 

Dinner is delicious, though Josef finds himself enjoying the company more than the food. So when Will suggests a drink, he’s quick to agree. It’s easy to get lost in conversation with Will, chatting about everything and nothing until they’ve emptied the bottle of wine. It had been a long day and he was tired from the travel, but he didn’t want to go to bed just yet. He liked seeing Will and talking to him face to face. Phone calls and FaceTiming wasn’t quite the same. Eventually though, he yawns, giving away the fact that he is, in fact, tired. “I suppose we should call it a night.” Josef finally hums, rubbing a hand over his face. “I’ll take the couch. And I’ll see you in the morning?” He says, waiting until Will heads off to get ready for bed to change himself, grabbing his bag from where he left it by the door. Soon it’s quiet in the apartment and Josef is left on the couch trying to get comfortable under the blanket Will had given him, tossing and turning a bit. The couch was comfortable enough, but he couldn’t fall asleep. There were too many things going through his mind, but most of those things were about Will. He doesn’t know how much time has passed, but eventually Josef throws the blanket off, moving down the hallway to Will’s bedroom Hoping that the other man isn’t asleep yet, he knocks on his door lightly, pushing the door open after a moment. “Do you have room for one more?” The blonde asks, his voice quiet as he stands in the doorway, hoping that Will wasn’t asleep. 

Will took a long shower that night after retiring to his room just trying to quiet his mind a little and rest. His body was tired but even as he tried, all lights out in his room, he couldn’t fall asleep. He wasn’t sure how long it had been since he bid Josef goodnight in his living room, his ex suggesting taking the couch before he could even offer an alternative. He didn’t really have any but sharing his bed and it was clear to him that wasn’t an option for Josef. Whatever this visit meant for them, Will had to remember it didn’t mean they were okay. Not really. Not like before. He wasn’t even sure if that was a possibility at all, no matter how much he wanted it to. His eyes are shut when he hears the light knock, slowly pushing himself up and leaning on his elbows. He didn’t answer because, for a moment there, he wasn’t sure if he had just imagined it, but when the door opened, he reached to the night lamp on his bedside table, his eyes on Josef. It only occurred to him after a few seconds that he had not spoken a word, nodding his invitation instead as he moved slightly to one side of his bed to make room for Josef. He barely moved until Josef had joined him, just looking at him, a thousand questions in his eyes and this maddening desire to just kiss him. Will bit on his lips instead, almost afraid to turn off the light as if Josef would disappear from his side in the dark. “I couldn’t sleep.” He said, as if it wasn’t obvious by the fact that he had been awake when his ex came knocking on his door. “I couldn’t sleep knowing you were in the living room and you’re leaving in a day or two and we were wasting what little time we have.”

Josef swallows hard at the feeling of Will’s fingers tightening around his, his heart racing for a few moments before he gets ahold of himself. “I’m perfectly fine with the deli.” He laughs, offering Will a smile as hey get into the car. Takeout bags in hand, he follows his ex into the penthouse apartment, not surprised by the digs given Will’s old place in Nashville. Dropping his duffel bag by the door, Josef follows Will deeper inside, looking around as he’s given the tour. Like Will’s old place, there wasn’t much added to the apartment other than a few photos, which make the blonde smile slightly. “It’s nice.” He finally says, pausing by a window to look out at the view. Even if Will didn’t say it, he knew the other man didn’t spend a lot of time at his apartment. Not much had changed in that way, he supposed, even if everything else had. “I have a feeling you’ll manage to keep me entertained. Let’s eat though, I’m starving.” Josef’s both hungry and tired from the travel, but the food helps perk him up a bit, wiping his fingers on a napkin once he’s finished eating. “You’ve got some…” Gesturing towards Will’s face, Josef waits a moment before he leans forward, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin. “There. Better.” 

Will didn’t really have a lot to say when it came to the apartment or its decorations. The move to New York City happened too fast after the last court date in Nashville as his own relationship with Josef fell apart. He watched as Josef took the place in and nodded, tucking his hands in his pockets as he too, looked around almost as if for the first time. “Yeah... yeah, I guess it is.” It was lonely, too, empty without it being vacant. “I’ll be the worst city tour guide but I’ll try my best.” Wills had barely explored the city himself. There was some irony to it considering how he had worked so hard to earn his spot here, precisely, overseeing his family’s firm after proving himself capable. He looked at Josef for a moment as they ate, hoping he didn’t see him staring, finding it tragically sad that, while he had everything he remembered ever wishing for, he didn’t have him, and he was everything he ever wanted now. “Not too bad, right?” Wills added between easy conversation, sure he would up his game during the weekend but the deli sandwiches doing the job for now. He was a little confused when Josef reached forward, not really embarrassed when his ex wiped the corner of his mouth. He let out a quiet, half amused sigh instead, shaking his head. “Good thing I didn’t take us to a fancy place tonight, eh?” He joked in spite of himself, chuckling as he relaxed a little against his chest. This time, when he let his eyes fall on Josef for a moment, he didn’t care if he noticed he was staring. Will was still not sure what Josef was doing there, what it meant, what it meant for them, but he was just so happy to see him, lines forming around his eyes as she smiled softly. They had been chatting over the phone more frequently as of recent, FaceTiming every now and then. Will now had him right before him and he didn’t want to call it quits yet, no matter how exhausted he was. “Do you fancy a drink by chance? I have some wine here, I think. Scotch, for sure.” 

“Don’t be too hard on her. She was very hard to crack. No secrets were spilled, I promise. It was a call purely for pleasure, not business.” Josef promises, realizing his words might’ve had a bit more of a naughty connotation that he had meant them a moment too late. “Phew. You’re not fully attached to that desk chair yet. Let’s get out of here before you change your mind. I didn’t fly out here to hang out in your office, Kent. Not this time.” Shrugging as Will suggests that he’s mental, Josef only smiles, pleased with himself for actually pulling off the surprise. “I’m alright. Definitely hungry though. We can do takeout - I know you have a favorite place by now. Whatever it is, I’m game.” He replies, grabbing Will’s hand to start to pull him out of the office, not wanting to stay in the building another moment longer. “Let’s go.”

“She still cracked, did she not?” Will narrowed his eyes, cocking his head enough to make his point across even as his lips broke slowly into a smile and an eye roll when the other lawyer teased him about being attached to his chair. “It is a very comfy chair, mind you!” He added as he joined Josef by the door, still trying to make sense of the visit but mostly just so very happy to see him. He couldn’t ignore the sharp sensation in his chest, giving Josef’s hand a squeeze when his ex reached for his. “If you’re expecting some fine dining, Nilsson, you’re wrong. There’s a bloody good deli right around the corner from my place. It’s the real late-night New York City experience.” Will still made a mental note to call his favorite restaurant in Little Italy for a reservation that weekend, or better yet, put his secretary to the task as a payback for giving in so easily to Josef Nilsson’s charm. 

A car was already waiting for them as they exited the office building, dropping them by the deli and walking up to his penthouse right after. The apartment was nice and, very much like his old apartment in Nashville, pre-furnished so it lacked some personality. He didn’t spend much time in it. There was still a few things that were very his, like the framed photo of Cleo, one of him and Andy at a football game, a small corner office full of tomes and books, a big screen TV he rarely used, a nice espresso machine he could set to automatically have his coffee made for him in the morning. The view was magnificent, too. Will still felt as if he was coming into a hotel room every night instead of coming home. It was lonely in the city. It was nothing like what he had imagined New York would be. His mind, and his heart, had stayed in Nashville. “This is it.” Will stepped out of Josef’s way as he walked into the apartment, turning the lights. “Kitchen. Living room. Bedroom is the door to your right, bathroom is to the left. Make yourself at home. Hopefully you don’t get too bored of me this weekend.”

Josef could hear the tiredness in Will’s voice as he listens to him speak, adjusting the strap of his duffel bag on his shoulder. “Just because the city doesn’t sleep doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.” He chides, tsking his tongue softly. It’s then the elevator doors open and he steps off, making his way through the empty floor of the office, trying not to speak too loud so Will doesn’t hear him coming. He didn’t want to ruin the surprise at the last minute, after all. 

Approaching Will’s door, Josef leans in the doorway for a moment, an amused smile moving over his lips when the other man turns around to see him there. “Surprise,: The blonde teases with a grin, pocketing his phone. “I’ve come to get you out of this office for a weekend. And don’t tell me you’ve got work to do, because I already cleared your schedule. I had to pull a few strings, but I finally got your secretary on my side. So get your things, we’re leaving. No buts.” 

Will is puzzled for a moment, albeit genuinely surprised, about Josef’s visit. Even if he kept himself calm and cool, he could feel the increased beating of his heart as a smile slowly took over his lips just as he was about to protest only to be cut short. Josef was one step ahead, which was not a surprise to him, looking down at the piles of cases stacked up on his desk and back at the man. “I will have to have a serious conversation with my secretary about confidentiality but also loyalties.” Even if he was just mildly concerned, it was all short lived. Will still had to give his secretary a warning not to do this with anyone else. Only Josef. This was all so very Josef. “Alright.” He chuckled under his breath, grabbing his phone as he stepped from behind his desk, standing just a few feet from his ex. “Did you really just fly all the way here to get me off my desk, Nilsson? You’re absolutely mental if you did.” Smiling, he looked at Josef, the duffle bag slung across his chest. “Are you—” Staying somewhere? Will Kent didn’t like asking questions he didn’t know the answer to already, so he stopped himself. “I’ll call a car to pick us up. We can drop your bag at my flat, grab dinner or order in, whatever you feel like. You must be tired from all the hassle from the airport.”

The trip to New York had been exhausting. Seeing Will again had taken a lot out of him, and in all honestly, brought up a lot of feelings he had tried to keep buried. Their conversation at the hotel bar hadn’t been an easy one and instead of feeling better after it, Josef felt worse. The truth of the matter was, he missed Will. Even if they never got back together and only remained friends, that had to be better than not speaking to him at all. Josef knew he was the one who said he wasn’t sure if they could be friends, but the more he thought about it, the more he had to at least try. Which led to him texting Will a picture of the car he had finished, and from there they had started texting - few and far between at first, but slowly picking up, turning into the occasional phone or FaceTime call whenever they had a free moment. 

They had been talking like that for a couple of months when Josef decided to make the trip to New York to surprise Will. He knew how much the other man working and wanted him to take a break, even if it was just for a couple of days. So he had worked it out with his secretary to get his calendar cleared, pulling a few strings and promising a couple of favors in order to get it done. 

Will should still be at the office, Josef thinks, when he stops in front of the building, duffel bag sling over his shoulder. He’s nervous, but not for the same reasons he was last time, licking his lips before he takes out his phone, dialing Will’s number. “Hey, you.” The blonde hums into his cell while stepping into the lobby, starting towards the elevator. “Have any big weekend plans? Please tell me you haven’t become one with your desk chair yet.”

Work had slowly consumed Will in the long weeks that turned into months since the last time Josef had seen him. Even as they picked up on talking a little more often, Will had not quivered. He took in a little more than he could physically handled but he was yet to break. Part of him wondered what would happen if—or when he did.

His secretary had left for the night already and only a handful of interns remained at the office. Most lights were off except a few, his office included, eyes tired from reading over towers of case files covering his desk. A cup of coffee had gone cold hours ago. He blindly reached for it and took a sip, grimacing at the taste and the realization that it was no longer any good when his phone rang. Will Kent’s speaking. He answered without even looking at the screen, a tired smile spreading over his face at the voice from the other side. Gripping the device a little closer to his ear, he sighed. 

“Is it Friday already? Good Lord... could’ve fooled me.” Will asked, half serious, half joking, clearing his throat as he leaned back against his desk chair. “It is a very nice chair, at least.” He shrugged even if Josef couldn’t see him. Being friends with Josef was hard. Will tried to convince himself repeatedly that it was better than not having him in his life at all but he may well have a different opinion at times when it the pain cut through him and regret made it hard for him to breathe. “I have a few cases to review, you know, I am in the city that never sleeps after all...” Even if he was sure that was supposed to have a very different meaning than the one he gave it now. Frowning as he felt someone approach his office, he turned his chair around and, for a moment, he was genuinely confused, slowly standing up as he put his phone down. He was speechless for a brief second. “This is the second time you come into this office without a fair warning, Nilsson.” He smiled, his heart racing. 

Josef doesn’t know why he’s asking Will these things. He hadn’t meant to. The words had just tumbled out before he could stop them. He supposed he needed to know. He needed the closure, if that was even possible to get. Josef wasn’t sure if there was ever any getting over Will Kent, but he had to try. Holding on to a relationship that hadn’t even been real wasn’t healthy for either of them. Two weeks. Will’s answer hits Josef like a ton of bricks, even though it really shouldn’t surprise him. “I see.” The lawyer finally manages to say, clearing his throat softly. “It doesn’t matter what you didn’t mean to do, Will. You’re a smart man and you knew what you were doing. You took the stupid bet and even if it stopped being one to you along the way, our relationship - if we can even call it that now - was based on a lie.” Josef isn’t saying these things to be mean or to hurt Will in any way, he really wasn’t. He was just laying out the facts, presenting the information much like he would for a case. It was the only way he could without completely losing it, because the last thing he wanted to do was break down in front of Will. “I can’t just sit here and pretend like things are fine between us. I can be professional at work and in court, which I’m sure you know. We can’t take back what happened between us and maybe someday we can be friends, but…I don’t know. And that’s the honest truth.”

Will had nothing else to lose. He owed Josef the truth when asked and he offered honest, even if erratic, answers. He watched every word sink in his ex’s guarded features, the burn and the hurt in Josef’s words as he spoke. Will had nothing. Had it been anyone else, had their relationship meant less, Will would’ve probably tried to play this in his advantage, maybe go as far as make himself a victim in this story too. Josef knew him. During the time they were together, Will had allowed the man in. He knew better than to underestimate his intelligence. He had to own his mistakes and his wrongdoings. He owed him that much. So he sat there, having said what he had meant to say, and having listened what he had dreaded the most. Will downed the drink in front of him, turning slightly to look at Josef in silence, no word coming out of his lips. He swallowed everything he couldn’t say, the last bit of hope of remaining friends if nothing else. Maybe that was for the best, too, he thought. Josef would always be that one missed chance at a kind of happiness he would’ve never thought himself worthy of. Simple and wholesome and real. Will hopped off the stool slowly, calling the bartender with a hand gesture to close their tab as he put on overcoat, signing the receipt placed before them on the counter. He hesitated for a moment before leaving, only needing to clarify one more thing before he left if this was the last chance he got to do so. “Our relationship was not based on a lie, Josef. New rule, remember? We leave work aside.” Will didn’t want to overstay his welcome. He didn’t want to make Josef more uncomfortable than he was already. They both had to meet the next day in court regardless of what was spoken between them tonight. His only fear was that maybe this was the very last time he got to have him this close, so if only for just a few seconds, his eyes lingered on Josef, taking him in. “I’ll send you a copy of the verdict and stipulations whichever way it goes. Good luck tomorrow, Nilsson.”