Chapter Text
It’s way too early.
Nico’s not too surprised when he wakes to an empty bed. Will has odd hours, and he enjoys his quiet mornings while Nico loves to sleep in. What is surprising is how early it is. Nico tries to remember Will’s schedule for this week, remembering that he hadn’t had any early shifts because he’d taken that double shift last weekend for Cecil. So Will should be in bed, especially since he’d had a late shift last night, coming home around three in the morning. Nico remembers.
So where was Will?
Nico waits what he considers the appropriate amount of time for someone to use the bathroom before sighing. He really doesn’t want to leave the warmth and comfort of his bed, but he also misses his boyfriend. Nico pushes himself out of bed, wrapping a blanket around his shoulders as he trudges down the hall. The bathroom light is off. Will’s not in the kitchen or on the couch. Which means that Will’s probably on the balcony.
Nico tiptoes past the couch, poking his head past the curtain. Sure enough, Will is curled up on the bench out there, staring out over the railing. Nico steps back, deciding he’ll make some tea and fetch another blanket before heading out. He pulls on some socks while the tea’s steeping. Then he carries the two mugs and blankets out with him, knocking softly so he doesn’t startle Will.
“Hey, sunshine,” Nico says quietly. “Everything okay?”
Will shrugs, accepting the tea as Nico drapes the blanket across their laps, sitting down. Will immediately scoots closer, laying his head against Nico’s shoulder. Nico turns his head, dropping a few kisses into Will’s hair.
“You’re up early,” Nico says.
Will hums. “Couldn’t sleep.”
Nico nods, letting silence fall again. He knows better than to push Will on these early mornings. It was barely five in the morning, the sun not quite up yet. The city was still quiet, only the lullaby of traffic and birds. Will lifts his head to take a sip of his tea before settling back against Nico.
Moments pass, and Nico breathes them in. It’s not like they get a lot of time like this. Every moment spent together was a gift, and a lot of their dates recently had consisted of cooking together, music in the background, Will’s laughter as Nico recounts his day. Moments so packed with life and feeling to make up for when they were apart.
But now was different. Now was quiet and gentle and so full of love that it kind of overwhelms Nico. They’d spent countless mornings like this when Will was just getting started, when every setback felt like a complete failure, when the hours had been too much, when they fought about things that hardly mattered in retrospect. But those days had faded away as they worked things out, communicated better, made time for each other again.
“I think I want to change tracks,” Will says, drawing Nico out of his thoughts. “I like surgery, but I don’t think I can do this forever. Or even another year.”
Nico laces their fingers together, stroking his thumb over the back of Will’s hand.
“It’s just so much,” Will starts again. “So many people and hours and terrible nights.” Nico nods. He knows those nights. No matter how hard Will works, he can’t save everyone. He’d been told that it’d get easier, but Nico knows Will. He’d never be able to see a patient as just a patient. He studied to save lives, to protect them and usher them to safety. But being a doctor didn’t promise that.
“Did something happen last night?”
Will hums. He doesn’t elaborate, but Nico gets the gist. “I just don’t want everything I’ve worked so hard for to be a waste, you know? All that money and those years of studying.”
Nico looks at Will, gently tilting his face to look at him. “None of that was a waste, Will. You saved lives. You helped a lot of people.” Will starts to argue, but Nico stops him. “You had a dream, and you went for it. I’m so proud of you, Will.”
Will leans into his touch, lifting his head a little to ask for a kiss. Nico obliges, smiling as he pulls back. He brushes back Will’s curls.
“I don’t really know what to do now. I can’t just quit.”
Nico sets his mug down, wrapping his arms around Will. The morning air was warm, but hugs were always in season. Will lets out a content sigh, snuggling into Nico’s arms.
“Maybe we could look at some other options?” Nico suggests. “You were thinking about pediatrics once. And you love babysitting for Jason and Piper. You’re good with kids.”
“Yeah. And I’d have better hours.” He pauses. “I might have to go back to school, though.”
“We can do some research, yeah?” He kisses Will’s nose. “But I want you to know that you’re not stuck. There are other options, and I’m going to be right here with you. We’ll figure this out, okay?”
Will nods. “I just- it finally felt like we’d gotten settled. And now I’m rethinking things.”
Nico understands. Things hadn’t been easy starting out. Money had been going towards rent and school and groceries which left little for extras. Stress had been high, and time spent making money was less time spent together. But they’d gotten through it. They would get through this, too.
“We’re in this together, remember?”
Will gives a little snort. “How could I forget?”
“So how about we take this step by step? Do some research, explore options, stay calm.” He leans down to get his tea, taking a sip. “But the first step is to cuddle with your amazing boyfriend.”
This gets a laugh out of Will. Nico smiles as Will wraps his arms around Nico, tucking his head underneath Nico’s chin. He tugs the blanket over them, feeling content as the sun finally comes up. The city’s awake, but they don’t have anywhere to be right now.
“You’re amazing, Nico. Thank you.”
“Anything for you, sunshine.”
Will shifts to kiss Nico’s jaw before settling back against his chest. It’s way too early to be up, but Nico doesn’t care if he’s got Will in his arms and a heart full of love. Early mornings are worth all of this.