Archive of Our Own

Will was elbow deep in moving boxes and only vaguely focusing when he answered his phone.

The voice was warm in his ear, 'Hey Will! Hope you don't mind that I called.'

Will sat back on his heels, a broad smile stretching across his face, 'not at all, McCoy, its good to hear from you.'

'I tried to give you a few days to get a little bit settled, but couldn't hold myself back any longer.'

Will's smile turned goofy, 'now's a perfect time, I just started unpacking some wardrobe stuff because it's been driving me crazy trying to find things. But I think my knees and back could use a rest.' Will groaned as he pushed himself upright.

'Oh, we skipping straight to the dirty talk now?'

'You've seen me attempt that before, it wasn't pretty.'

'No...' McCoy admitted, graciously changing the subject, 'so, how's the new house?'

Will sat on his bed, 'Oh, it's great, I still don't know what to do with myself having all this space, but it's really great.'

'I'm glad, I'd love to see it... ' McCoy cut himself off and then suddenly hurried on, a panicked, 'that wasn't a hint, I swear I'm not pushing you, I was just...'

'Of course you can come see it, McCoy, I'd like that,' Will spoke earnestly.

'Oh, great.'

'Maybe when we have things a bit more set up.' Will suddenly had a thought, 'oh, I could send you a picture! I have a great shot of the living room, although only partially set up.'

Will fiddled around on his phone, finding the photo and sending it.

After only a few moments, McCoy's voice came through sincere and effusive, 'oh Will, its really beautiful, I love it. It's like one of those homes you see in family movies.'

Will chuckled fondly, 'Yeah, I think that's why I was drawn to it.'

'Listen, I don't want to take up too much of your time, I know you're busy.'

Will wanted to argue but McCoy wasn't pausing for breath.

'I just wanted to call to know how your move was going and...see if you would like to get a drink together maybe?'

There was an abrupt silence when Will expected the stream of words to continue.

McCoy rushed to fill the awkward pause, 'but I understand if it's too soon, you're too busy, or you've decided seeing me again isn't what you want.'

'Breathe sweetie,' Will spoke, the endearment slipping out automatically.

'Sorry, I'm a bit nervous,' McCoy admitted.

'There's no need, I'd love to get a drink McCoy. You can tell me all about your time in London.'

'Great,' McCoy said with relief, 'I'll let you get back to work, I wouldn't want to get between you and the organisation of your shirts. I know how important that is to you.'

'Thanks for calling McCoy.'

-

Will walked into the bar, it was relatively quiet as it was only early. He found McCoy immediately, already waving and standing up.

Will didn't have much time, but he let his eyes look their fill of McCoy's long lean legs wrapped tightly in jeans and that red sweater Will loved clinging to his chest and shoulders. He was smiling brilliantly, perfect white teeth shining, hair artfully styled.

Even though he'd only just seen him the other week he still felt stunned, it was easy to forget just how gorgeous this man was.

Will had done his best, being dumped by him made it a necessity to try to forget how attractive McCoy was.

The swoop in his stomach though spoke of something more than beauty.

McCoy stepped forward, to meet Will, and they smiled and greeted each other. McCoy seemed to hesitate and then awkwardly offered a hand.

Will smiled fondly, he liked real McCoy, as opposed to the outwardly cool, charismatic performative McCoy that he presented to rest of the world.

He clasped McCoy's hand between both of his and squeezed warmly, holding the clasp, 'its good to see you too McCoy.'

They sat at the table where McCoy already had two drinks waiting.

Will talked all about how the move was going and then asked about McCoy's time in London.

'Well, you know the first half,' McCoy said, because they'd still been together then, was what he didn't say.

'That was when I did most of my touristy exploring. I saw some really amazing things, that I'd always wanted to experience and it was amazing. After...I mostly just focused on my work and throwing myself into networking.'

Will cocked an eyebrow.

McCoy looked down, admitting, 'and eventually I just tried my hardest to rebound with as many men as possible. There were so many models and actors.'

Will looked down at his hands too, unable to deny the twinge in his stomach at the thought of McCoy with other men. The silence stretched and Will felt compelled to comfort McCoy, 'I get it. I mean, I called a guy whose number I got from a man in a giant panda costume. We all do stupid things when we're hurting.'

McCoy leaned in and admitted, 'I knew I was a mess when I hooked up with a radio host, can you imagine!?'

Will snorted in amusement.

'I really missed you,' McCoy said, looking piercingly into his eyes.

Will felt warmed, 'I missed you too McCoy.'

McCoy was smiling genuinely but managed to control himself enough to change the topic, 'so, as I understood, you've also been very busy in other areas of your life.'

Will grinned, 'yeah, I'm expecting a baby.'

'Congratulations Will, I'm really happy for you!'

'Thankyou,' Will enjoyed the moment, ignoring the twinge of sadness that this was supposed to be something they experienced together, until McCoy changed his mind.

'So, tell me all about it.'

'Well, I found a wonderful egg donor and my surrogate Jenny is really awesome. She's 6 months pregnant and things are going well.'

'What's she like?'

'She's like the opposite of me, but I realised, actually a really good person. I think you'd like her.' Will frowned in thought, 'Or the two of you would be mortal enemies, I'm not completely sure.'

'Maybe I could meet her,' McCoy said eagerly.

Will blinked, taken aback, 'um...'

'Sorry,' McCoy sat back composing himself, 'I promised I wouldn't pressure you.'

'No, McCoy, you didn't do anything wrong, I was just surprised. And...it's hard to know how to feel, how to handle this...' Will pointed between the two of them, 'but of course you should meet Jenny, you're both my friends, so why not.'

'Good, great. Thanks Will...I'm not totally sure how to handle this either. Obviously I want you back, but things have changed and the break up was painful for both of us.'

'You want me back?' Will was still stuck on that.

'Of course, didn't I make that clear?'

Will felt an immature giddy thrill shoot through him, even though he had understood McCoy's implication during their first interaction, it was still really special to hear so bluntly.

'And I presume you're still unsure about where you stand?'

'...it's not about how I feel for you, that has never changed, I'm just hesitant to agree considering the new complications in my life. I have other things I need to think about, other priorities. And you made it clear how you felt about having a baby.'

'I'm not completely sure, I think my opinion on that has softened.'

'You want to be the baby's official second father?' Will suggested, deciding to confront the topic as boldly as possible.

...McCoy hesitated.

'I thought so. So where does that leave us?'

'Maybe we could just take it slow. Go back to dating and not rush in so quickly this time.'

'My baby won't just magically disappear.'

'No, but people date as single parents don't they.'

'I need to think about this.'

 'Of course Will, take all the time you need, I'm not going anywhere.'

That was just what Will needed to hear. 'Thankyou. '

At the end of the night, McCoy practically fell on him for a hug, one of his completely overwhelming, knock you over if you're not ready hugs. Like a dog who didn't know how big and strong they were.

Will knew he was grinning goofily, but no one could see because he had a face full of McCoys shoulder. He held McCoy back tightly, enjoying the feel of him in his arms once again.

-

They talked a lot from then on, lots of phone calls and texts. Will gave in pretty quickly to inviting McCoy over.

'He'll find it!'

'Maybe I should have gone to pick him up.'

'He'll find it Will, there is this thing called GPS, stop pacing!' Grace scolded him from the sofa.

'Are you just going to sit there and eat all of the snacks I prepared?'

'Hey, breastfeeding mother here!' Grace argued.

Will rolled his eyes, that was becoming a common excuse, as had the pregnancy. He turned back to the door and then worried, 'maybe I sent the wrong address.' Will pulled out his phone and pulled up his conversation with McCoy.

Just then a new message came through.

'He's here!' Will exclaimed, rushing for the door.

Unable to wait, Will exited the front door, and headed down the pathway toward the driveway to the side.

McCoy was closing the back door of a fancy looking black car and sliding his phone into his jeans pocket.

He turned around, face lighting up into a smile as he spotted Will.

They met on the driveway in a friendly hug, 'you found it!' Will said in relief.

'Of course, Tony knew exactly where he was going.'

Will pulled back, watching the car slide back down the driveway, 'did you come via driver?' He asked, stunned.

'Of course, I don't have a car myself, you know that.'

'Have you heard of this thing called Uber?'

McCoy pulled a face, 'have you not heard the horror stories? People who try to talk to you, play awful music, who don't know where they're going. No thankyou, I'll stick to my driver.'

'You're such a snob,' Will teased gently.

'Enough about that,' McCoy turned to the house, 'this is even more beautiful in real life, Will.'

'Yeah, I love it,' Will gazed at the pretty frontage in appreciation.

'Well, come on, I'm dying for a tour.'

Will grinned and started for the footpath. He opened the front door, motioning McCoy inside, 'welcome to my new home, come in!'

McCoy greeting Grace warmly, showering her with compliments about her new mother glow.

McCoy was an attentive audience as Will showed him around the house. He listened to Will go on about the features, and pointed out things he particularly liked: the fireplace, the kitchen window, the little details.

The thought of whether he was being annoying by his thoroughness did cross Will's mind, but as long as McCoy was allowed to chime in by comparing something to a celebrity's house he'd been in, he was happy.

Will showed McCoy what would be his baby's room and, very quietly, Grace's baby's room. They ended in his bedroom, after a split second awkwardness, they both steamrolled over that by intensely discussing the wall colours and the light coming in through the windows.

Downstairs Will saw that there were still a couple of his carefully prepared finger foods left and offered one to McCoy, along with a drink.

McCoy sat beside Grace and asked, 'so, how's your new baby boy going?'

Will sat in the armchair and grabbed his own snack before Grace polished them off.

They sat chatting for quite a while. Catching up with Grace around always gave the conversation that extra bit of honestly and realness, sometimes in a truly terrible way.

But this felt good, more like McCoy was a real part of his life again.

Grace went to go see to her son when he started grizzling on the baby monitor and they got some time alone to talk more intimately. It was really nice.

When McCoy had to go, he sent a message to his driver and Will walked him out.

'I'm really glad you came,' Will said sincerely.

'Me too, its nice to have seen it so that I can picture you here when I think of you.'

Will shot McCoy a bemused look.

'You know, when I think to myself, I wonder what Will's doing, is he organising his shoes or brushing his teeth? Now, I can imagine the background and not just empty space.'

Will blinked slowly, admitting, 'that's only slightly creepy.'

McCoy forged ahead like he always did, 'and it's a very beautiful setting. It suits you.'

Will smiled to himself, then looked up at McCoy, he really was so sweet, even while being weird, 'thankyou, I do really love it.'

'I can see that, I'm happy for you Will, you deserve all the great things you have.'

Will reached out, curling his fingers around McCoy's shoulders and leaned in to press a small kiss to his cheek, before bringing him in for a hug.

McCoy squeezed him back and they were interrupted by the car pulling up in the driveway.

McCoy stepped back, catching Will's hands, 'talk soon, okay?'

Will nodded and watched McCoy go with a soft smile.

He was still wearing that smile when he went back inside.

He'd only just shut the door when he was startled by Grace crying, 'what are you waiting for?!'

'Oh my god, Grace, don't jump out at someone like that! I thought you were upstairs!'

Grace was bouncing her son in her arms, 'I saw the two of you saying goodbye.'

'You were spying on us out the window you mean,' Will walked around her, trying to get away.

Grace followed him into the kitchen, 'fine whatever. What I spied was two people crazy about each other. Are you really not hitting that,' she pointed in the direction McCoy had just left

Will snorted, 'Grace, please, I'm an adult, there are very serious things to consider.'

'I know, you moved in with me and we're both having babies, and you guys broke up because he wasn't ready for that. But Will, he's here, he obviously wants you, what are you waiting for?!'

Will got a bottle of water out of the fridge, shrugging, 'I have things I need to prioritise, responsibilities I have to take seriously. You, this little guy, Jenny, my baby, you all deserve my focus.'

'Of course we do, but you are an expert at servicing all the needy people in your life, you can manage one more!'

'But McCoy deserves all my focus too, if I was going to get back together properly, I don't know if I can give him that.'

'Nonsense! What are you afraid of?'

'What are you talking about?'

'Come on Will, what's really stopping you?'

Will felt an instant reaction of anger at Graces relentlessness, but her face was open and compassionate and his anger melted.

He took a long time to think but suddenly realisation hit him and he blurted it out, 'I'm afraid he's going to realise he doesn't really want me, with my baggage and newborn baby, and break my heart again.'

'Oh Will, sweetie,' she gave him a sympathetic look.

Will sighed, 'maybe if I wait until the baby's born he'll truly know if he really wants to be with me.' Will frowned, considering, 'Although that's unfair to start a relationship when I have no time. Maybe a couple months after...'

'Will,' Grace said firmly, 'listen to yourself, you can't hold someone dangling on the hook for a year. Its unfair to both of you.'

'What do I do then? I can't help it, I'm terrified of losing him again.'

'I think you know what you want, Will.'

'Of course I do.' Will said.

Grace considered him, 'talk to McCoy, tell him this.'

'You're right.'

'Aren't I always.'

'No,' Will went to walk away, stopped and added, 'thanks.'

-

They met up at a cafe for brunch with Jenny. Honestly, it was because Will could never resist the strong urge to tidy her apartment.

Will stood between them, 'McCoy, this is Jenny, Jenny, McCoy.'

'So you're the fiancé that left the country when Will wanted to procreate.' Jenny said, straight out of the gate.

Will winced, wondering if it was too early to conclude they would lean more towards hating each other.

McCoy smiled his bullshittinganchor smile, and spoke in an overly peppy, 'Hi Jenny, lovely to meet you!!'

Will sighed, 'guys, please.'

Jenny gave him an apologetic look, 'sorry, my temper comes out when it comes to my friends.'

McCoy gave Jenny a long look, 'if you're on Team Will, I'm very interested in rejoining. Maybe I could convince you to put in a good word for me.'

Jenny laughed, startled, grinning to Will, 'he is very charming, I'll give him that.'

'How about we go sit down,' Will suggested, sheparding them both into the cafe.

They settled in their seats.

'So, how are you feeling?' Will asked Jenny.

'Yeah, fine, great,' Jenny shrugged.

'No morning sickness yet?'

'Nope, I told you, I never get morning sickness, my body is an absolute pro at this.'

McCoy looked confused.

'She's done surrogacy a few times,' Will explained.

'Wow, really? And you never once got morning sickness?!' McCoy asked.

Jenny shook her head, 'nope, like I said, pro.'

'Cool.'

McCoy was a trooper, sitting through the whole meal listening to baby talk.

Will tried to change the subject a few times, but Jenny kept rediverting.

He could see what she was doing, and it made him nervous.

But the meal came to an end and McCoy was still relaxed and engaged.

Jenny eventually had to leave, but she paused to speak levelly to McCoy, 'I suppose you're alright. But if you leave again, don't think I won't come and find you and kick your ass, regardless of how pregnant I am.'

'Yes ma'am,' McCoy answered sincerely.

Will watched Jenny leave and reached over to squeeze McCoy's hand, 'thankyou.'

'What?'

'She was pushing your buttons on purpose. I appreciate your willingness to put up with it.'

McCoy shrugged, 'I'll do everything I can to convince the people in your life they can trust me.' Including you was the unspoken meaning.

Will felt a warmth in his chest at the effort McCoy was going to.

They headed out and walked, heading towards McCoy's apartment building. Will walked him to his door.

'Do you want to come in?'

'No, I don't think so,' Will wasn't ready to make a decision about McCoy, he didn't want to be tempted to do something stupid.

 It was agonising to feel so torn. Will took a page from Jenny's book and blurted out, 'what would you be to this baby? When would we see each other? I'd be up half the night with a screaming baby, I couldn't just pop over here anymore, what if you realise how full on it is and change your mind? Are you sure about this?'

McCoy was frowning in contemplation and took a while to answer. 'I have thought about it. I would be your boyfriend, I would help if you needed me to, but only in so much as a friend would. For the first couple months I'd just come over to your place. Maybe eventually we could put a portable crib in my room. If I needed some sleep for work or a break I'd just sleep at home for a couple nights. And as for changing my mind, I can't promise that I won't. I'm worried about that too. But you have to understand, I had a massive realisation that I want you in my life. Being in London, with my dream job but losing you made me see, how important you are to me, I've never felt this way about anyone my whole life. I can't see myself letting you go again, even when it gets challenging and I find your baby confronting.'

Will's mind was racing in a million different directions, when he spoke, his voice was hoarse, 'thankyou for your honesty. My thoughts are very similar to yours, but I'm just not ready yet, I'm scared of getting my hopes up and losing you again. I'm sorry, I don't mean to drag this out to torture you.'

'Will,' McCoy cupped his face, again, 'there is no pressure from me, when we're ready, we'll know. '

He nodded, closing his eyes as McCoy kissed his forehead.

'Text me when you get home safe,' McCoy said as he stepped back.

Will was smiling and taking a deep shaky breath, he walked away a little lighter.

-

The next day Will was busy helping Grace and Jenny, and then having to deal with a grumpy Jack who turned up in Will's office, dramatically ranting about how he was being neglected.

He'd ended up leaving when Will gave him some money, but Will thought Jack had actually really been there because he missed him.

The house was coming together and Will had a lot of the baby necessities he needed. But he was slightly overwhelmed.

They were having something of a house warming party, mostly to appease Jack and Karen, who would both deny any accusation that they missed Will and Grace.

McCoy was also there, mingling and chatting to everyone with ease.

Will was flustered as he played host, making sure there were enough chairs and food and drink.

Jack eventually dragged him onto the couch next to Grace, shouting, 'time to open presents! Open mine first!'

A large flat rectangular gift, obviously store wrapped was shoved into his hands.

Will smiled, somewhat hesitantly as he tore the paper.

It was a large framed professional photograph of a dramatically posing Jack. Of course it was.

'Thankyou Jack,' Will said, shaking his head in amusement.

'I thought, now that I don't live across the hall, I could be on the wall, for you to look at always!' Jack proclaimed, like it was greatest idea in the world.

'Oh, now mine,' Karen pushed a gift exactly the same size and shape into Graces lap.

'I wonder what this could be.'

Jack and Karen cackled together in anticipation.

Will shook his head, sometimes and Jack and Karen were so, Jack and Karen.

Karen's photo was even more dramatic if that were possible.

She immediately started brainstorming where they should hang it, so everyone could see it.

They both snatched up their frames and scurried around the room, pushing each other out of the way as they fought of over the best positions.

Will and Grace shared a long-suffering look and started in on the rest of the gifts. Thankfully they were all much more normal, and useful.

McCoy bought them a very fancy coffee machine, which he said was the same one Anderson Cooper had. Will loved it, he had always gushed over the one at McCoy's apartment. And he knew how expensive these things were.

Some time later, Will couldn't find McCoy in amongst the party guests. 'Have you seen McCoy?' Will asked Jack.

'I think I saw him over there,' Jack waved very vaguely at the kitchen.

'Thanks, ' Will said sarcastically.

'You're very welcome.'

Will moved over to the kitchen, trying not to think about the mess he'd have to clean up eventually.

About to give up, a figure outside finally caught his eyes. On the patio outside the kitchen door sat McCoy.

'Hey,' Will said as he stepped out, 'what are you doing outside?'

'Hey, sorry, I just wanted to take the opportunity to sticky beak some more. I wanted to see your garden.'

Will came and sat beside McCoy on the bench seat, 'of course, so what do you think?'

'It's perfect Will. I really love it.'

Will grinned, 'me too.'

'I can see your children running around, playing. This is a great childhood right here.'

'That's why we got it, it's what I could see too.'

McCoy turned his head finally, Will could just make out his face through the light from inside, 'oh, I got you some more gifts.'

'What!? McCoy! You've already given too much,' Will objected.

'Firstly, I hired a couple people to clean up the party.'

Will stared at McCoy in disbelief.

'I knew it would probably all fall on you, and you'd be up half the night. You do so much for other people, and it's obvious how stressed you've been. I just wanted to help take one thing off your plate. They should be here in about an hour.'

'...McCoy,' Will was overwhelmed.

'And the second thing, ' Will didn't know if McCoy was pressing on because he wanted to halt any objections or because he was nervous about how his gifts would be received. McCoy pulled a small, soft, hand wrapped gift out of his jacket pocket and pressed it into Will's hand. 'I got you this.'

Will looked down at the pastel pink wrapping and up at McCoy's face. When the man didn't meet his eye, Will focused back on the gift, carefully unwrapping it. Something about this gift in particular made him not want to rip the paper.

The same pastel pink was revealed in a small item of clothing. Will lifted it up, it was a tiny baby jumpsuit. He angled it towards the light and read out loud, 'daddy's favorite girl,' which was printed in cute cursive on the front.

Will, embarrassingly, teared up immediately.

'I know this isn't a baby shower, but I was looking online, and I came across it. I just had to get it,' McCoy explained, sheepishly, nervously. '...Will?'

'I love it,' Will croaked, overcome with emotion.

'You're going to be such a good dad, I know it. That girl will be the luckiest baby in the world.'

'McCoy,' Will whispered. He placed the jumpsuit carefully back in the wrapping, turned and grasped McCoy's face, pulling him in for a passionate kiss.

After a moment of frozen shock, McCoy leaned into the kiss, grabbing onto Will just as fiercely as their mouths locked.

The noise of the party and other people disappeared, all Will could hear was the sound of his heart racing, the slide of their mouths together and the rustling of clothes as they moved.

They kissed so intensely that Will was gasping for breath when they finally broke apart.

He pressed his forehead to McCoy's and then pulled back, trying to meet his eyes. But shadows played across his face. Will softly traced his fingers from McCoy's jaw over his swollen wet lips to his cheek.

A loud shout from inside broke the moment and Will turned to look in through the windows, trying to determine if there was a situation he needed to handle inside.

'C'mon,' McCoy said knowingly, 'let's go back inside.'

Will wasn't going to argue, even if it was sad to be leaving the incredible moment they just shared.

As they got inside, there was another shout, and Will quickly placed his gift from McCoy into a kitchen side table drawer to keep it safe and hurried into the lounge.

-

They hadn't had a chance to talk about it.

Will felt surprisingly relaxed about the whole thing. It was unlike him, but he suddenly just felt no need to stress about it.

He had the pink baby jumpsuit in pride of place on his chest of drawers in his room.

He still felt so touched by how sweet the gesture had been. It spoke of a man who was anticipating and understood the significance of Will's arriving bundle of joy, one who was searching websites for baby things. He wasn't scared or pretending that nothing was going to change. It was an offer to be a part of both Will's life and the baby's life.

Will's phone beeped and he looked away from the gift to grab his phone from beside his bed.

It was a message from McCoy.

I would like to formally ask you out on a date. Respond Y for yes or N for no.

Will smirked and responded, typing Y.

Awesome! So, would you like to officially be my boyfriend? Respond Y for yes or N for no.

Will giggled, which he didn't think he'd done since he was a child. He quickly responded, very very Y!!

Cool! And then there was a heart and a kissy face emoji.

Will sent some cheesy emojis back and immediately got up to go and find Grace to show her his phone.

Grace was walking her baby around her bedroom, bouncing him, she read the text exchange when Will shoved it in her face.

'Okay first of all, you two are disgusting and he is so charming it makes me sick. '

Will rolled his eyes but he was grinning goofily.

'But second, I'm so happy for you! Who knew all you needed was a grade school, check the box yes or no note?!'

Will had already told her about the kiss and the gift so he knew she was just teasing.

Will looked at the message again and then suddenly said, 'I'm going to go see him.'

Grace gave him a knowing smile, 'you go get your man.'

Will made it to McCoy's apartment in record time.

McCoy opened the door within moments of Will's hasty knock.

McCoy was smiling, 'about time you got here.'

Will stepped right into McCoy, clutched his face and kissed him.

They stumbled back into his apartment, the door closing behind them with a thud, both more focused on the intense kiss and holding each other's bodies close.

Will broke the kiss to pull back and say, 'You are my Prince Charming. I'm so in love with you. Cheesy middle school love notes and all.'

McCoy looked breathless, taken aback, perhaps by the strength of emotion and conviction in Will's voice.

'I'm madly in love with you too,' McCoy murmured, holding him close.

'If I make out with you behind the bike shed, do you promise not to tell everyone at lunch time?' Will teased.

McCoy grinned wolfishly, 'I promise nothing, I'm gonna be bragging about you to everyone I meet.'

Will laughed as McCoy started dragging him towards the bedroom.