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“The day’s been unusually hot, hasn’t it?” hummed Jim, sipping on his iced americano, with extra ice to keep him cooled down. Beside him was his Ferrari jacket, which Will was ecstatic to see at first until he then realised James knew fuck all about Formula 1, and realised James had chosen a team who had a shockingly bad season so far, and it was draped across the arm of the armchair he was sat in. Jim gazed softly at Will, straw just a few millimetres from his mouth.
Will grumbled in front of him, staring outside the window of the café that they were sitting in, noticing how the clouds in the sky were swirling together, dark and ominous, into one large concoction. He squinted, watching as they churned in the great vast sky above them. His iced latte sat on the table sat between them as well as two crumb-covered plates, to which Will had a pain au chocolat and James a croissant. Adjacent to it was his laptop and their phones; as a small silence stretched, beneath the clattering of the kitchen and the hum of other conversations, the whirring of the fan from the laptop brought some noise between them.
“There’s gonna be a storm.” muttered he, and he reached forwards, slamming the lid of his laptop shut.
James leaned his large head towards the window, craning his neck so he could get a look,
“Oh, you are so right. Those clouds look well mean.” he commented.
Will scoffed annoyedly at the taller’s usage of slang despite being an utter poshie. He reclined back into the plush chair of the café, sinking into it’s comforting grasp.
“I don’t want there t’ be a storm. Hate them.” Will cursed, shaking his head from side to side stubbornly, “’N we just have t’ be in Brighton. By the seaside. Y’know, I hate storms ‘cus the ones we had in Whitley Bay were fuckin’ awful, lad.”
James sat there, smiling softly, taking another sip of his coffee, listening as Will began to ramble nervously about how much he hated storms. Anxiety sat on the man’s face so clearly, and this time James was thankful he didn’t have to use his talent of reading people like a book to understand it. Will’s hands were bunched in his hoodie, and his leg was bouncing up and down.
“Why don’t you come back to mine?” James asked, cutting Will off, “I mean, you were anyways, but stay the night, it’s almost five.” he added, and Will glanced outside the window, gulping nervously as he watched as the clouds kept bubbling together angrily. He nodded shallowly,
“Yeah… Just… I’m scared, Jim.”
“Totally understandable.” James threw him a warm grin and Will caught it with both hands, cherishing it before packing his laptop back into his backpack. He removed his hoodie, folding it up and also placing it inside, revealing the same black shirt he would always wear.
The walk back to James’s was leisurely, but mostly it was full of Will risking worried peeks at the sky above and holding his hand out to feel if he felt any rain or if it was his mind playing tricks on him. When James noticed these habits he’d do more and more frequently, he simply sped up his pace and engaged in a conversation, naturally falling onto the Ferrari jacket that was held in one hand.
“Why’d y’ even buy it if y’ don’t watch the sport, lad!?” Will gawped, shaking his head, “And that team too? I know Hamilton’s on it but lad, seriously, they’re fucked this season. It’s been utter shite right now, ‘n the happiest they’ll be is on the summer break they’re on right now.”
Will kicked a lone stone beneath his foot and watched as it rolled and jumped around on the concrete. James huffed out a small laugh beside him,
“I thought it looked nice, no?” he smiled, “I like my jackets a lot, I thought you’d know that by now.”
Will rolled his eyes melodramatically, stuffing his hands into his jean pockets and sighing.
“I know too much about y’, lad…” he smirked, and James jabbed his elbow into his side, causing Will to yelp out and throw his head back. As he did, a droplet of rain hit his nose.
Will froze,
“How far are we?” he asked, tone suddenly serious and his face deadpan as he glared over at the younger.
“What, like three minutes? I don’t think the rain will be that bad. It won’t stop us now, Will.” he said, and he picked up the pace again now that it had slowed down a bit.
Will hummed warily, letting out small curses as the rain hit his skin. If it weren’t so hot, Will would’ve shrugged his hoodie on, but he ruled that it would be worse then getting caught in the rain that would definitely cool him down; in the end it just made him more nervous.
Will was practically itching in his skin by the time James had unlocked the door to his apartment.
"Alright, alright, go settle on the sofa, choose a movie, why won't you?" James called as Will scrambled inside, immediately running off the sofa with no intent in removing his shoes or bag. Realising that his bag had his laptop inside, he shrugged it off and carefully slid it by the foot of the armrest with a great sigh of relief. He then removed his shoes, chucking them nearby to his bag.
The door clicked closed and there was rustling by the door as James removed his Doc's and hooked the jacket up. When he entered the living room, he cackled at the sight of Will strewn across it.
"Give me some space, Will!" he chuckled, inching Will's limbs away from him.
"Fine." Will sighed, sliding to the other side of the sofa and allowing the taller and even lankier man to sit beside him.
"Ooh! That one." James quipped, raising his hand to point at the screen as he leant forwards. Will gave his a judgemental look, furrowing his eyebrow and crinkling his nose in disgust.
"We've watched that about a hundred bloody times, Jim, I ain't watchin' that once more."
James proceeded to wrestle the controller from the man. Will yelped out, using his other hand to push James away, whilst the other man shoved at him, all the whilst laughing his head off. Will stopped for a minute as he was pushed against the sofa by a laughing James, his eyes catching glimpse of his bare neck, a few day's worth of stubble dotted along the base of his jaw and chin, and how his wolfish haircut curled around his ears when he leaned his head back. James's eyes were glued shut tightly and crinkled greatly, his smile wide and joyous as he guffawed.
In that moment, Will let slip of the controller, feeling as James's fingers caught on his, suddenly aware that the man had pinned him to the sofa, and was practically lying on him. And in that moment, Will had a very bad realisation.
He sort of liked James.
Fuck it.
He likes him a lot.
And in that moment, a loud, splinter shattering noise broke through the air above them, a hatred-filled grumble that shook Will's heart to its core. Will immediately jumped into James's arms, wrapping his arms around him and burying his face into the man's shoulder.
"Ah! Will, it's only thunder." James said softly, but yet he moved so that Will had a better grip on him,
"No, lad... no, it's horrid, Jim, it's horrid." Will squeaked, and James blinked.
"How scared?" he asked gently, looking down at the man snuggling against him, ignoring the furious blush biting at his cheeks. Will peeked up at him cautiously.
"Very." he uttered.
Another boom almost shook the house and Will jumped once more into James's arms, letting out a scared whine as he did so. James softly chuckled, wrapping his arms around him and holding him close.
"I've got you." he whispered, rubbing a circle with his finger on Will's shoulder.
Will took a deep breath in, inhaling deeply and sighing.
"You okay?" James questioned, and Will hummed, looking up at the younger and smiling sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, Jim, I swear I ain't like this usually. 'S just 'cus I made myself too anxious." he dismissed, shaking his embarassedly red head, but was only met with a warm grin and a loving gaze from the taller.
"No worries, Will. You've comforted me in times of need. I'm only returning the favour." James replied, and Will nodded, relaxing against the man, resting his cheek on James's shoulder.
"And there's nothing wrong with a good cuddle too." James added as Will shifted in his grip.
As another thunder clap struck, Will crammed his eyes shut and gripped James's shirt tighter and tighter, curling his limbs up and cursing under his breath. He didn't really understand why he was acting like this, but James just felt... so... nice to cozy against.
"Do you want to go to my room? It's darker and more cozy. Might help." James commented, noticing how Will seemed to only get increasingly anxious.
The elder nodded silently, uncurling his limbs from the man and quickly running off to the bedroom, where he clambered into bed and patiently waited for James to arrive.
The younger joined him, keeping the distance but he wrapped an arm around Will's shoulder and patted him a few times, fishing out his phone from his jeans.
"Can yous let me sleep in here?" Will whispered, as if he was afraid of the sentence. James looked over at him fondly, pausing what he was doing on his phone.
"Of course, Will, don't even ask." he replied as if the ask had been blasphemous, or ridiculous. Will knew James loved physical touch and loved reciprocating so of course it was okay, so why was he being so cautious? It's only James, he wouldn't hurt him even if he tried to.
Will smiled, snuggling in the bed and wrapping the duvet around himself. He closed his eyes, feeling himself beginning to drift to sleep, his mind albeit overly conscious of the fact that James was in bed with him, and Will's head was leaning on the man's forearm.
But alas, he could not sleep, for another louder, boom cracked through the silence, and Will almost instinctively leapt back into James's grasp, turning around and burrowing his face into the man's chest this time, covering his ears.
He faintly heard James's phone being placed back down onto the table top.
"You really are scared, hm?" James whispered gently, turning fully to face Will. The way he said the sentence didn't feel mocking in any way, and Will knew that Jim wasn't the type of man to mock fears. It was more of a epiphanous remark, one that Will knew James would remember for the future incase another storm were to arrive over a seaside town where they'd be stuck together.
Will didn't mind being stuck with James if it meant he could do what he was doing right now, which was snuggling the man.
He felt a large hand rake through his waves, fingers tentatively drawing circles to ground Will back to earth and not to his mind; something to focus on other than the nagging anxiety biting into his veins.
"There you go. I've got you." James said, comfortingly, and Will sighed, his face ablaze with an embarassed flush.
He parted from James a little, but remained close, view askew.
"I am so sorry, lad- I'm never usually like this, I just-"
He stumbled on his words and out came:
"I just find y' so comfortin'."
He risked a glance up at James, who's cheeks were slighter more red than they were before.
Another clap of thunder crashed overhead and the rain was beginning to plummet against the roof as harshly as possible. Will once more jumped and yelped but this time, James pulled him close, and forced him to stay close whilst Will covered his ears and screwed his eyes shut.
Then, he felt soft, careful lips on his scalp, pressing a few pecks into the spiral parting of his hair. Will wouldn't have known if he wasn't so focused on everything around him.
"I've got you." James repeated, his fingers gently removing Will's hands from his ears. The man's hazel eyes were dripping with love and what Will could only describe as years of pent up yearning. Will gripped onto James's shirt with a white-knuckled grip and stared into James's eyes longingly, inching closer, their knees bumping together.
Thunder sounded above, Will flinched, James pushed his head into his chest once more.
"You're shaking. Do you think you're going to seize?" James asked and Will shook his head against James's chest.
"'M just scared, Jim."
James pressed his lips to Will's head again.
"I know. But you're doing so well."
Multiple rumbles of that harsh cacophonous sound rattled Will's brain, so much that he let out a cry of pain and his hands leaping up to cover his ears.
"Can't do it, Jim, can't do it; it's too loud for me-" Will began to repeat, and he swore he felt his eyes tingling with tears. James set his hands over Will's, thumb brushing his knuckles,
"Hey, I'm here. Just look at me, alright? Focus on me."
That was easier said than done.
Even still, Will lifted his weary head and gazed softly at James, once more taking time to soak in the sheer amount of beauty that the man had. He found his gaze often at the man's lips, wondering how he would taste, or whether if he was a good kisser, and from how it looked so far, James certainly was a good kisser. Spirals etched into skin, deep breaths inhaled and exhaled, Will began to feel better. He let out a short sigh and rested his head on James's chest, causing the man above him to let go of his ears. A hand began raking through his hair again, stroking and making indentations of love into Will's scalp, steadying the Northerner's worries further.
"There we are." James remarked quietly, and Will could hear the smile in his voice,
"You look very pretty like this." whispered Jim, and then he paused a little. Will stirred, his eyes opening.
"Pretty- uh- peaceful... I mean- Sorry." the younger apologised, but there was something heavy and remorseful in his voice.
Will lifted his head and his eyes met with James's. The younger analysed the other's face for a few moments before using a hand to thread up to Will's cheek and cup it, his thumb stroking Will's undereye; a knowing look flashed in his eyes. Something between them connected finally, and Will's eyes shone with the most brightest desire they could conjure.
"Jim.." Will barely uttered it.
Will's breath hitched - it wasn't fair at all. James was doing all of this, and Will couldn't stop his heart from tripping over its beat and falling further into love. He blinked slowly, his eyes drifting from James's to the man's lips. James noticed, clearly, his thumb stopped caressing Will's face and the man's eyes too followed to Will's mouth.
The dots connected.
Then, the man tilted Will's head up, and the man leaned his head to the side and just leant in, closing his eyes as their lips ghosted past each other.
Sparks.
Will's eyes shot wide, and James didn't separate the distance, feeling Will's hot and ragged breathing on his cheek.
"Will..."
James said it like a prayer. His hands remained on Will's jaw.
"Please..." Will pleaded.
The gap closed, the kiss deepened, and Will wrapped his arms around James's neck, furrowing his brows as he kept deepening the kiss, eager to get the full taste of James.
They separated with James gasping for a short breath of air.
"Can we talk about this?" he asked as Will clambered on top of him. Will didn't know what was going on but he didn’t particularly feel like talking about it. In this moment, he just wanted James.
"I just want yous..." Will muttered and James nodded.
The thunder clap that sounded in that second was more distant.
"I dunno what's goin' on in me mind but I ain't sayin' no t' this..."
And with that, Will placed his hands onto James's face and pulled him straight into a passionate kiss. James's hands crept up to Will's hips, tightly squeezing them and keeping him grounded.
The man pulled away, blowing the hair out his eyes,
"We can have this if you tell me how long you've been feeling like this..." James hurriedly said, his eyes pleading melancholicly, "Because, Will, I need to have this. Please tell me; how long have you felt like this?" he hissed.
Will reclined a little, but their faced remained close. His eyes drifted around James's face, analysing: the dip in the slope of his nose when it was broken as a child; the golden in his eyes that made them sparkle; his fluttering, long eyelashes; the sharp jawline and how Will couldn't ignore James's moustache. His eyes fell back to James's.
"Always..." he whispered sincerely, leaning in once more and closing the gap.
The kiss was slow, tender, dreamy; James relaxed like a dam underneath the immense weight of water rapids, and his arms now curled around Will and encompassed him, pulling him closer and closer.
"I thought you were straight." James remarked quietly as they separated, and Will blinked.
"I guess you're my gay awakening." he grinned, licking his lips before quickly joining their lips together again in a flurry of chaste kisses.
Thunder once again sounded above, louder than before; Will winced, reflexively holding onto James tightly and flinching away, the smile falling from his face.
"Woah, easy..." James whispered, his hands tightening their grip onto Will, "You're safe, okay?"
Will hummed and eased his wince, relaxing atop James once more.
"I hate these bleedin' storms, lad..." swore Will as he rested his head in the crook of James's neck, feeling brave enough to gently peck his love there too.
"I know, I know..." James consoled, pecking more kisses to Will's head, running his hand up and down Will's bicep, "You're quite vocal about it."
Will grumbled out a plethora of swear words, making James laugh a little.
"Do you want this, Will?" James asked, voice light, and Will looked up at him.
"I've never stopped wanting." he confessed.
James kissed him again, dragging Will up him so they could kiss properly.
The separation was sudden and deliberate, James’s hands threading to cup Will's square face tightly, eyes fiery with a new sort of desire. Will let out a choked noise, knowing how red he was.
"Then have me." James spat, hands on Will's face with a strong grasp, and Will nodded furiously.
Immediately, he dived back in.
Mouths parted, heavy breaths, anything to drown out the noise above; electric touches, gasps and names, utters and whispers that neither man would ever forget.
*
Will was embraced by the soft, cotton duvet surrounding him, his head gentle upon the pillow that supported it valiantly. He stirred in his sleep, groaning a little and turning around, hand thrown out in need of something, or someone, to nestle against.
In the kitchen, joined with the quiet hum of Love Me Not - Ravyn Lenae that played from a small speaker, James was making two sausage and bacon baps. He placed them on two plates, and carried them back to the bedroom. The music persisted faintly as he placed them on the bedside cabinet; leaning over, he then gently shook Will awake.
The Geordie was not pleased to be awoken from his nap. James pressed stop on the music, the music next door stopping abruptly.
"What time 's it...?" he slurred, rubbing at an eye. James glanced down at his phone.
20:34
"Basically half eight. You've been asleep for roughly and hour and a half." James said as Will sat up and leaned against the backboard,
"'M hungry..." the elder complained.
James grinned at him, reaching for the baps beside him and handing a plate to Will.
"Knew you'd be." he smiled, and Will remained still for a moment before inching over to James, leaning close and kissing his cheek.
"Thank you."
Will, at the feeling of his stomach aggressively growling, picked up the bap and wolfed it down in a matter of merely two minutes. James, beside him, sat there in what Will couldn't decipher to be pure horror, disgust or surprise - perhaps a mix of all three.
"Good fucking Lord." James whispered gravely.
Will peered over, holding back a laugh, which inevitably broke through as the both of them cracked into small, stifled giggles.
That night, Will scrambled through James's wardrobe for a shirt to wear to bed whilst the man was waiting for him in said bed.
"Come on, hurry up, Will." James called, wincing at the number of shirts now on the floor.
"Aha!" Will grinned, and he pulled out a shirt that said 'He's my sweet potato', "I knew you'd have it!"
He removed his ordinary black shirt and jeans, ignoring how James turned a little pink as he placed the shirt over his head, sighing as it fell over his slim frame.
James held the duvet up as Will scrambled beneath it, immediately clinging to James and tangling their limbs together as the taller let go of the duvet and let it fall onto the mattress.
"G'night, Jim." Will croaked, shifting so they were at the same level. James smiled, leaning in and pressing their lips together.
"Night, night."
Will rested his head in the crook of James's neck, and the light simply just flicked off.