Work Text:
It had been a hectic couple of months. With the launch of Rodd’s, James’ album being released, meet and greets planned, an impromptu launch gig and a tour to plan for, James was exhausted. His mind was being pulled in every direction, unable to rest for even a moment, darting every which way as he made his way over to Will’s to see his lover. It was late, he knew that, but they hadn’t seen each other in far too long, what with James having missed a recording and Will being on holiday. Truly, they missed each other dearly, and James longed to feel Will’s hands on his, hear his sweet Geordie accent, gaze into his gorgeous blue eyes. Although tired, he picked up the pace, entering the apartment building and, without bothering to wait for the lift, began climbing the stairs two at a time. He was going to see his boyfriend as quick as he possibly could, lifts and tiredness be damned. James rummaged his pockets for the keys to the flat, unlocking the door and kicking off his Chelsea boots in record time.
“Will?” He called out. “Are you awake?”
“Yeah, James, I’m on the sofa,” he heard from a different room.
A beaming smile was painted on his face as he walked in, ecstatic to see his boyfriend for the first time in what felt like ages. Will was sat knees-up against the arm rest, remote in hand as he paused the TV. James took his leather jacket off and hung it up before sitting next to Will, facing him, with Will mirroring the same seating position.
“Hi, darling.” James reached out, thumb tracing along the line of Will’s jaw, delighted when he felt Will lean into the touch.
"Welcome home, James." Will held James' hand with both of his own, wrapping around the large fingers as a way of showing comfort.
James knew of Will's struggle to be away from his lover, fuelled by years of losing those he loved most, human and animal. Calls between London and Brighton, Monaco and Leeds, South Africa and Warrington barely scratched the longing Will held deep within him, and whilst James fared better with long-distance, even the most robust of people wither down with time. These gentle touches, simple and slow, served as a reminder to James that no amount of calls, texts, and flirtatious Instagram stories would ever compete with the mere knowledge that his love is simply in his space. Hands running over arms, running over chests and legs and wherever hands could reach, basking in the air of being together. They missed each other, that much was obvious, but the fact that neither of them had words to say? That was something else entirely, years of friendship, years of yearning, pining, and loving, years of soft touches and eye-contact a few seconds too long, years of knowing each other better than themselves. So when James leaned back, hands never leaving Will's body, it came as no surprise that the other leaned forwards with him, clinging onto James like a lifebuoy saving him from drowning.
"I'm not going anywhere, I promise." His grip on Will became stronger in an attempt to physically push his words into the other, ensuring that Will understood. He glanced up at the TV, asking "What were you watching just now?"
"Oh, just some old F1 reruns, I don't know. Just needed some noise in the background or summat 'til you came."
"Wanna watch a movie?"
"Yeah, alright, go on then," with fake nonchalance, betrayed by the smile on his face that refused to stay suppressed.
After a quick raid of Will's wardrobe, James found himself back on the couch in one of Will's oversized t-shirts and his boxers, leaning against the armrest with Will atop him, arms around his neck holding him as a sloth hangs onto trees. Will had put some movie on, James didn't know, too enamoured by the picturesque sight above him. His fingers raked through Will's mullet, slightly trimmed but nonetheless just as gorgeous. His eyes ran up and down the other's figure, letting it set in that Will was here, and so was he, and this was happening, not separated by continents nor unspoken confessions.
"What are you staring at me for, like?" Will noticed, his Geordie accent coming off thicker than usual.
"What, I can't look at my own boyfriend?" James joked, before his tone sobered. "I missed you, you know that, I just can't believe this is real."
"Huh, whaddyoumean?"
"Just... Rodd's got released and that's mental, like that's two years in the making. And Don't Tell the Dog is doing so well in the charts, and I've got a sold out tour-"
"James-"
"And you've got all your brand deals, all the F1 stuff, that video that's taking you months-"
"James-"
"And on top of all that, I'm with the man of my dreams and-"
"James!"
Will's lips were on his, effectively stopping James' rambling and pulling his focus back onto his partner. His hands travelled to Will's head, deepening the kiss for a moment before Will pulled back with a shit-eating grin on his face.
"See, that shut you right up, didn't it?" James rolled his eyes. "Now, would you listen to me, you buffoon?"
James nodded, still carrying that aura of false annoyance.
Will sat back on his knees, both hands cupping James' face.
"I'm proud of you." James' expression immediately softened, with a hint of shock. It wasn't lost on him how the frequency of compliments and praise he got from Will increased massively when he offhandedly mentioned he struggled to accept them one day, and as much as he'd hate to admit it, it made his heart bloom with warmth.
"No, seriously man, I mean it," Will continued. "You have done so, so much over the last few years, it's amazing. Your album is fuckin' wonderful and there is nobody else on this planet I would rather start a business with. I don't know how I ended up with a man as great as you. You've been, like, this pillar for me especially last year, and you've been so busy all the time. I'm so grateful, like you don't understand."
James' initial shock wore off, a smile creeping into his features as Will spoke. His hands met Will's on his face, pulling them down and holding them firmly.
"Thank you, Will, I mean it. I'm so happy I started a business with you, like I don't know where Rodd's would be without you here. You are genuinely the best thing that's happened to me. I love everything we've done together, and more importantly, I love you." James left a quick peck onto Will's lips, punctuating his words.
"I love you too, James."