Work Text:
Chicago
*Just a few days after the death of Will's ex…
Dr. Charles's office !
"You look a little tired, Dr. Halstead !" the psychiatrist remarked.
Only three days had passed since Vincent Gardens had been killed in front of the hospital while trying to get Will back. At first, and in the hours that followed, the young doctor had felt nothing but relief. Relief at being able to rid himself of a past he had long kept secret. The first night he spent in Connor's apartment, in Connor's arms, had gone well, and he had slept soundly. However, the following night, the aftershocks had taken hold of his sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw that manipulative man who had tried to take him away from his family and who, for months, had tried to break him under his control. But Will was a stubborn man who trusted no one but his brother. While he had never submitted to Gardens, he had still left New York when the situation became too much to bear. He didn't regret returning to Chicago, but he did regret putting his family, his friends, and the man he loved in danger. If he could go back, he would tell Jay everything, and perhaps things would have turned out differently.
"You want to tell me what’s bothering you so much that you came knocking on my door in the middle of your shift ?" asked Dr. Charles.
"Jay…" Will cleared his throat. "Jay advised me to talk to someone about everything that’s happened, and you know my history."
"I don’t know everything, but if you’re talking about Vincent Gardens, then I’m willing to listen." said the doctor. "And if you want to talk about anything else, too."
"I’ve never had trouble sleeping despite everything that’s happened to me in the past. I’ve never let anything get to me, ever since I knew I was gay. I’ve always protected myself by building walls so nothing could touch me." Will explained. "But for the past three days, I’ve barely been able to close my eyes without reliving what happened in front of the hospital."
"Why do you think things have changed ?" Dr. Charles asked him.
"You tell me !" Will said. "You’re the shrink. I just want to understand and be able to sleep."
"It’s normal to be upset after what you’ve been through. Especially since you were very close to him when he was killed." the shrink explained.
He had been close indeed. Will had looked his brother straight in the eyes, conveying with a single glance all the trust he had in him, and on the count of three, he had tilted his head to the left. A muffled thud had sounded in his ear before he was thrown backward as a bullet pierced Vincent’s head.
"I shouldn’t be affected." Will countered. "Even when I ran away from New York after everything he tried to force me to do, I never had trouble sleeping."
"You think you ran away from New York ?"
"That’s exactly what I did." Will said.
"I’d say you found the courage to get out of a toxic relationship. It wasn’t running away, and few people have the same strength as you."
"That’s pretty much what Connor told me when I told him I was a coward for leaving." Will admitted. "He says it wasn’t cowardice, but that’s how it feels to me. I left instead of facing him."
"You protected yourself." Dr. Charles corrected. "Tell me about Connor. How are things between the two of you ?"
"It’s going pretty well." Will said. "I moved in with him, and I know it’s too soon, but…"
"Who said it was too soon ?"
Will hadn’t expected that question.
"Well, we weren’t really together before. It was just sex." he said.
"Really ?" Dr. Charles raised his eyebrows. "A simple relationship that started out based only on sex can very well lead to a real relationship with genuine feelings, considering recent events. And that’s what happened to you ; you fell in love. Unless your feelings for Dr. Rhodes aren’t as sincere as you think."
"Of course they are !" Will replied. "I love Connor ; he’s actually the first man I’ve been in love with in a very long time."
He almost said since Jordan, but managed to keep it from showing.
"I agreed to live with him because I love him, and because I no longer have any reason to live in fear of my disturbed ex finding me." he continued. "But part of me is convinced it won’t last."
"Have you told Connor ?"
"No !" How could he ? He sighed. "But I promised him I wouldn’t keep anything from him anymore."
"I think you should talk to him about your uncertainties. I believe you’re going away for the weekend, aren’t you ?"
"Yes, we’re leaving tomorrow morning." Will agreed. "It’s only for two days."
"It can only do you good, no matter how long." Dr. Charles assured him. "Take my advice, William, and talk to Connor frankly. It can only help you move forward."
Will hoped so. His pager went off. He stood up and headed for the door, his hand on the handle, and turned to Dr. Charles.
"Would I still be able to come and talk to you when I get back ?" he asked.
"My door will always be open to you, Dr. Halstead." Dr. Charles replied.
"I know my brother told you about Jordan." Will said. Dr. Charles didn’t react. "You'll no doubt have a lot to tell me about all this, won't you ?"
"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." denied Dr. Charles.
But Will wasn't fooled. He greeted his colleague and left his office. In the elevator down to the ER, he thought about Jordan for a split second. Will was convinced that Dr. Charles knew about his first love. That he hadn't mentioned it wasn't surprising, though. Maybe Will would bring it up during his next sessions. He needed to talk to someone neutral in all of this, and Dr. Charles was a great listener. Will already felt lighter as he stepped out of the elevator.
"Maggie, did you page me ?" he said, approaching the nurse.
"Yes, at Connor's request." she told him. "He's in the break room."
Will rolled his eyes, a wry smile playing on his lips, before pushing open the door to the ER break room. He called for Connor, whose voice was coming from the bathroom adjoining the break room. He barely had time to approach the room before the surgeon pulled him inside, sat him down in the chair, locked the door, and then sat on top of him. Will's mouth was immediately attacked by Connor's, who gave him a breathtaking kiss.
"So, that’s why you interrupted my session with Dr. Charles ?" Will teased. "To kiss me ?"
"You were with Dr. Charles ?" Connor repeated, surprised.
"Yes, I needed to talk to someone who wasn’t my brother or my boyfriend." Will said, his hands resting on the surgeon’s hips. "And no, you’re not getting any more information. It’s a doctor-patient secret."
"I would never ask you." Connor reassured him, stroking the back of his neck. "It’s good that you’re seeing him after everything that’s happened, but I want you to know that you can talk to me too."
"I know. Maybe I’ll talk to you when we’re in Miami." Will said. "Something tells me we won’t be leaving our hotel room much."
"Yes, we will. We’ll be out for at least a few hours on Sunday." Connor affirmed. "We'll have all of tomorrow to rest."
"Okay ! Well, now that you've seen me, and kissed me, can we get back to work ?"
"You can be such a killjoy." Connor sighed. "I just needed my dose of you to get me through the four hours of surgery ahead of me. Dr. Becker will be assisting me, and you know how much she can annoy me."
"Focus on your patient, and only talk to Ava when necessary for the procedure." Will suggested. "I'll cheer you up when we get home."
They shared a final kiss before leaving the small space. Will remained in the break room, which also served as a changing room for some doctors and nurses, including Will, Connor, and Ethan. For the rest of the day, Will cared for a teenage girl who had come in with persistent and painful stomach cramps, which turned out to be a pregnancy resulting from denial. He later lost a patient to a knife attack, and despite his combined efforts with those of Dr. Choi, the patient was pronounced dead just minutes after being admitted. After completing his report, Will went to the break room for a moment of solitude when April joined him and placed a chocolate bar on the table in front of him.
"Here, this will cheer you up." the young nurse said.
"Thanks !" Will said, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Not a great way to end the day, huh ?" April said, sitting down opposite him. He didn't contradict her. Losing a patient was never easy, especially when a shift was ending. "So, where is Connor taking you for the weekend ?"
"Miami !" he replied before taking a bite of the chocolate bar.
The sweetness and taste of the chocolate delighted the surgeon. He could kill for chocolate.
"Just that, hum ?" April teased. "Do you think you'll have time to see a bit of the city for two days ?"
"It's just a way of getting away from Chicago after what happened, and finding each other again, sort of." Will said, shrugging. "I acted like a jerk with him."
"Stop blaming yourself." April told him. "You only wanted to protect him. Sure, you shouldn't have kept anything from Jay, but that's in the past, and you need to think about the present, and your future with Dr. Connor Sexy Rhodes !"
Will giggled and blushed at the same time.
"Do me a favor. This weekend, forget all the bad things that happened to you and have some wild sex." April told him.
The young doctor couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Yeah, uh, that's part of the program." he said.
His shift ended at precisely 7:00 PM, and until he and Connor left the hospital, no new trauma prevented them from leaving. Even if they had specifically taken time off work for the weekend, it wouldn't have silenced their true nature, and they would have put their gloves and scrubs back on to lend a hand.
"What are the chances I can go to bed right now ?" Will asked, once he'd crossed the threshold of the apartment. "I'm exhausted."
"I'd say 50/50 !" said Connor, locking the door and leading Will into the bathroom. "You promised to cheer me up because I spent hours in the OR with Ava."
"Oh yeah, that's right." said Will.
"So, we'll take a nice hot shower, then order some food, and while we wait for it to be delivered, well, I'll leave that up to you." Connor enumerated, as he undressed his man.
"Can we go to bed after this ?" Will asked, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"Yes !" Connor kissed his skin as he removed his clothes. "Come on, the sooner we stick to this little plan, the sooner you can sleep."
Steam filled the bathroom. Will let himself be carried away by the moment — and by the desire he felt, too — and kissed Connor passionately, pushing him into the shower stall. They were soaked in seconds, but they continued kissing until they needed air. Even though they wanted to take things further, they behaved and washed up, exchanging a few kisses here and there. After their showers, while Connor, who had « retreated » to the kitchen, ordered a pizza, Will double-checked that their suitcases were packed before taking them to the apartment entrance.
"You can be so meticulous." teased Connor, opening two bottles of beer.
"Is that bad ?" asked Will, taking a sip of his beer.
"Of course not." replied Connor. "It'll be twenty minutes before the delivery guy and our dinner arrive."
"Damn, it might take longer than twenty minutes if I take care of you now."
Will was pleased to see Connor lose his composure. The surgeon swallowed, letting his gaze wander over Will's bare chest. They were both wearing nothing but sweatpants. What was the point of getting dressed, eh ? Will put down his beer and pulled Connor between himself and the work surface. He let him kiss him and, taking advantage of his lover's distraction, too engrossed in the kiss, slipped his hand inside his sweatpants.
"Will…" Connor murmured between kisses. "What…"
"What ? I'm cheering you up." Will said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Isn't that what you wanted ?"
"Y-yes." His breathing became more erratic as Will caressed him. "You…" He cleared his throat. "Are you only going to use your hand ?"
"Hmm !" Will agreed. "Unless you want me to stop ?"
"No, don’t stop." the surgeon begged, pushing his pelvis forward. "I forbid you to stop."
He tightened his grip and caressed him again and again until he came. Connor closed his eyes, overcome by his orgasm.
"I think you need a second shower." Will said, amused. There was a knock at the door. "Oh, the pizza’s here."
He gave Connor a quick kiss, washed his hands rapidly, and then opened the door for the delivery guy. He paid for the delivery and went back to the kitchen, where Connor was still leaning against the counter, clearly trying to recover. Will placed the pizza on the counter and roused Connor from his semi-conscious state with a lingering kiss.
"Come on, hurry up and get changed. I’m hungry." he said.
Connor went to clean up and change. Will was already eating a slice of pizza when he came back into the kitchen.
"I’l get to get my revenge." he warned him.
Will rolled his eyes. They ate dinner before going to bed, both exhausted from the past two days when they'd had to cover a 48-hour shift to leave the hospital early that day, only to return the following Monday for a 12-hour night shift. At least, Connor was supposed to, because Sharon Goodwin had granted Will extra days off due to the difficult events he'd been through, but treating patients and having Connor's support and presence was more beneficial to him than just days off. After setting their alarms on their phones, they slipped into bed. Will had barely closed his eyes when the images of his ex's attempted kidnapping replayed in his mind. The discreet confrontation in the waiting room outside the ER, Vincent's threat if Will refused to go with him, and then the moment they came face to face with the police. It was just a bad dream, but the moment Jay pulled the trigger made him open his eyes. His breath came in gasps, his heart pounding in his chest. He desperately wanted to understand why he kept replaying the same scene over and over. Maybe he needed to talk to Connor. Shit !
Miami !
Connor had booked a splendid room with an ocean view. In fact, the hotel was right on the beach. The weather was glorious, and the view of the beach made you want to go outside and take a dip.
"This will be a nice change from the Chicago weather." said Will, stepping out onto the balcony.
"We only have two days to really enjoy it." Connor snuggled up behind him and wrapped his arms around him. "Want to go for a walk ?"
"Maybe later." Will turned and nibbled Connor's lip. "I have a better plan in mind."
"Hmm, I agree."
Returning to the bedroom, they undressed each other until they reached the bed. Connor, very aroused and slightly craving affection — they had been working non-stop for the past three days — sat Will on the edge of the bed, knelt between his legs, and moved his kisses up his neck while caressing him. Will cupped Connor's face in his hands, bringing their mouths together. When they were both breathless, the heart surgeon lunged at Will's semi-erect penis. The moment his lips took it in his mouth, it hardened. Will threw his head back, resisting the urge to bury his hand in his lover's dark hair. Connor teased him, adding his tongue to the sweet torture and massaging Will's testicles at the same time. Ready to explode, Will stopped Connor and laid him down on the bed. He crawled over to him and kissed him.
"Um... lube..." Connor mumbled between kisses.
"Plan B !" whispered Will, sitting up and turning Connor onto his stomach with such eagerness that Connor groaned. "It won't be the first time."
When he felt Will's mouth trail from the nape of his neck to the small of his back, Connor understood perfectly. No, this wasn't the first time. When everything between them was just sex, the intensity of their lovemaking was unrestrained and completely uninhibited. They let themselves be guided by their desires and succumbed to each of their whims. Connor smiled and moaned simultaneously as Will's tongue found its way to his opening, delighted that nothing would change in that regard. Seconds, minutes ticked by, until Connor could take no more and craved nothing but his lover's tongue. His buttocks raised slightly by Will's firm hands, he felt his unrestrained glans gently penetrate him before being filled with a powerful thrust. When Will found his rhythm, he began to move languidly, prolonging the pleasure to further entice the handsome brunette at his mercy. His legs half-trembling, Connor nevertheless pushed his pelvis back to match Will's thrusts, which drew hoarse moans of pleasure from both of them. The sensation was all the more exquisite. The orgasm was instantaneous, and Will erupted inside him in powerful spurts at the same moment Connor came on the bed. He waited for Will to withdraw before collapsing flat on his stomach, breathless, his body languid and aching, but he was smiling. When he came to, he said in a voice filled with utter satisfaction :
"Hmm, that was great. I don't know where you get this energy, but don't you ever stop."
"You're the one who told me you wanted to make the most of this weekend and have sex like animals." Will reminded him, stroking his back before placing a kiss on the small of his back.
"I remember that very well, and I'm not complaining." He took a brief moment to roll onto his back. Will kissed him. "Hmm, what's gotten into you ? You're not usually this adventurous."
"It must be the hot Miami weather." Will joked, to mask what was really bothering him. "And this is my way of thanking you for this weekend."
"You're welcome."
They shared a long, lingering kiss. Will was using sex to avoid thinking about what was really going through his mind. The incessant dreams where he relived Gardens' death. He couldn't take it anymore. He just wanted to be able to sleep through the night without a single dream. "Talk to Connor frankly…" Those were Dr. Charles's words. He didn't want to ruin their weekend. Who knew when they might have time off at the same time. Mrs. Goodwin hadn't made objections when Connor had requested three days off for himself and Will in exchange for longer shifts the following days. Will had been through a difficult ordeal ; that was the only reason she had granted them both time off at the same time.
"Hmm, I think the walk on the beach will have to wait until tomorrow." said Connor.
"Yeah, great idea," agreed Will, who peppered his forehead with kisses until he reached his penis, which he took into his mouth.
"Hmm... Will !" moaned Connor.
Hours passed until they finally decided to get out of bed for a long shower, to change the sheets, and order dinner. Night had fallen on Miami when Will took advantage of a call from his brother to step out onto the balcony, wearing only shorts.
"I thought I asked you not to call me all weekend ?"
"I know." said Jay. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I'm fine, Jay, don't worry."
"You know, just because we're on the phone doesn't mean I can't tell when you're lying to me. Spill it !"
"It’s nothing, bro. I took your advice and went to see Dr. Charles yesterday. I think I’ll keep going to talk to him from time to time."
"Good, I’m glad to hear that."
"Hey, since you called, I’ll take this opportunity. You told Dr. Charles about Jordan. Don’t deny it."
"I asked him not to tell you anything…"
"He didn’t say anything, I figured. Why did you do that ?"
"I was worried about you. Gardens was out there, and you’d drifted away from Connor. You may be the oldest, but that doesn’t stop me from looking out for you too."
Will let his gaze drift across the ocean, so calm that evening.
"If you hadn't intervened, I might never have tried with Connor. For real, this time."
"Uh oh, you want to talk about it ? What's wrong ?"
"Nothing."
"Will, keep it short if you want, but talk to me."
"I've been having nightmares about Vincent's death. It happens every time I close my eyes, but it'll pass."
"Have you told Connor ?"
"No !"
"Will, whatever's on your mind, whatever's bothering you, don't keep it to yourself. You swore you wouldn't keep anything from him anymore."
"I know !"
They hung up two minutes later, and Will let out a long sigh. Perhaps the time had come to talk to Connor about all the dreams he'd been having for the past three days. Reliving his ex's death over and over again wasn't funny, even if he was relieved to no longer have to worry about his safety or his loved ones's. With Gardens dead, Will could finally breathe and get on with his life. Connor's arms wrapped around his waist, and he rested his mouth between his shoulders.
"Did you hear everything ?" Will asked.
"Only from your side." Connor replied. "But that's okay if you don't want to talk about it."
"I have to, though." Will turned back in his arms. "I don't know why it's affecting me so much. When I realized I had such strong feelings for you, I thought I'd tell you about my past. About Jordan, about Vincent, and everything else. I thought your reaction would tell me whether you were going to run away or not, but Robin arrived, and I learned right after that he wasn't in New York anymore. I think deep down, I already knew he hadn't forgotten me, and that he would come looking for me sooner or later. If I hadn't been too scared to tell Jay the real reasons for my return to Chicago, then maybe…"
"Hey…" Connor gently silenced him, his index finger to his lips. "Regrets only serve to ruin your life. Telling me everything before wouldn't have changed how I feel about you, Will. I liked you from the moment I arrived at the Med, and I knew right away that it wouldn't stay just sex between us for very long. I didn't mean to pressure you, but I hoped you'd open up to me. I messed up by getting close to Robin, but I promise you nothing happened. I'm not attracted to women."
"I know that now." Will said. "I'm sorry, for everything. For hurting you, and for the secrets."
"Come here !" Connor cupped his face in his hands and kissed him. Will wrapped his arms around him. "Thank you for telling me how you feel."
"And we'll find a solution for your nightmares. I promise !"
He led him into the bedroom, closed the sliding window, and took him to bed. Once the lights were out, they lay down under the covers. Connor lay on his back and pulled Will close. The young doctor rested his head on Will's chest, while Connor wrapped his arms around him and began to stroke his short red curls.
"Sleep peacefully, baby. I'm here !" Connor whispered tenderly.
Will let himself be lulled by the caresses in his hair and the sound of his partner's heartbeat before drifting off to sleep. A restful sleep, because that night, he didn't dream a single thing. When he opened his eyes, he heard Connor's voice say "Thank you." He raised his head just enough to see Connor placing the bedroom phone back on its base.
"Good morning !"
"Good morning !" Will adjusted himself so he could bury his face in Connor's neck. "Who were you thanking ?"
"I ordered breakfast." said Connor. "Usually, you say thank you when the order is taken. Did you sleep well ?"
"Yeah !" Will mumbled.
"Any nightmares ?" asked Connor.
"No !" replied Will. "I haven't slept this well in a long time."
"Probably because you told me about your bad dreams." Connor said. "It must have lifted a weight off your shoulders, in a way."
"Yeah ! How long until breakfast's up ?" Will asked.
"About twenty minutes." Connor replied. "Why ? Want a morning cuddle ?"
"Maybe after I brush my teeth." Will said.
He snuggled up to his lover for a bit, kissed the nape of his neck, and then decided to get out of bed and go to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Connor stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame, and watched him, his arms crossed over his broad, bare chest.
"You should do the same if you want me to kiss you." Will said, before shoving the toothbrush into his mouth.
"Stop bossing me around, it's turning me on." Connor reminded him.
Will rolled his eyes and rinsed his mouth before splashing cold water on his face. Connor handed him a towel, which he used to dry himself.
"How about we go for a drive ?" Connor suggested. "I could rent us a car, and we could have lunch out."
"Yeah, if I pay for lunch." Will said.
"Honey..."
"Connor, I’m not going to let you pay for everything." Will interrupted. "Either I treat you to lunch, or we’re not leaving this room until we have to go back to Chicago."
"I’m not sure I wouldn’t prefer that option." Connor said, frowning.
"Of course." Will laughed. He became serious again and sat down in front of his man. "You know how I react when someone tries to control my life, even if that’s not your intention, but I’ve been through this before and…"
"I know, I know." Connor said, cupping Will’s face in his hands, kissing him on the cheek, and pulling him into a hug. "Sorry. Okay, I’ll let you pay for lunch."
"Thanks !" Will tightened his arms and kissed Connor’s neck. There was a knock at the door.
"I’ll go !"
Connor took Will's place in the bathroom. When he came out, the young paramedic was putting the breakfast dishes on the table. He lifted the lid of a small bowl and smiled to find the chocolate balls he had specially ordered for Will.
"I’m starting to think everyone knows about my love of chocolate." he chuckled.
"I especially remember one night when I showed up at your place with a tub of that flavor of ice cream, and you asked if you could eat it on me." Connor said.
"You expect me to believe that wasn’t what you were after ?" Will pressed.
"And I don’t regret it one bit." Connor snuggled up to him and begged for a kiss. "I could return the favor. I’d spread ice cream all over you body and lick every last drop carefully and, ahem…"
Will silenced him with a kiss.
"First we eat, then we get laid." he said.
"Great idea !"
Connor had been teasing him constantly, whether by playing footsie under the table or by deliberately licking the coffee or jam residue off his fingers. Will had had enough and had eaten half his pancakes when he got up from the table to go to the bathroom. When he heard the shower running, Connor smiled slightly, finished his coffee, and joined his lover while undressing.
With a little maneuvering, Connor rented a car and had it delivered to the hotel. Goodbye sweaters, down jackets, and hats. Hello shorts, tank tops or short-sleeved shirts, and sunglasses. Will enjoyed the day they spent exploring the streets of Miami, discovering a different landscape than Chicago. They had lunch on the terrace of a seaside restaurant before returning to the hotel to relax by the pool and sip cocktails.
"This is heaven !" Will said, sighing contentedly.
"Let's enjoy it before we go back to Chicago and its freezing cold." said Connor, sitting on the lounge chair to his right.
"If I were mean, I'd send a picture to my brother." said Will, thanking a waitress who brought them their cocktails.
"It would have looked better if we'd been at the beach." said Connor. "Hmm, next time we can take a longer vacation, I'll take you to Hawaii."
"Something major would have to happen for that." said Will. "This weekend together is pretty exceptional."
"Our honeymoon won't be a problem." Connor sipped his cocktail when he noticed Will looking at him, his glasses lowered. "What ?"
"Am I dreaming, or did you just imply we're getting married ?"
Will wasn't against the idea, but it was a bit too soon. He'd never thought he could be happy enough to get married, but then Connor came into his life like a cannonball.
"What ? You're against the idea of marrying me ?" Connor asked.
"No, but don't you think it's a bit early to be thinking about it ?" Will interjected. "We've only just gotten back together."
"And I already know I want to be with you and spend my life with you." Connor affirmed. "Don't worry, I'm not planning on proposing just yet."
Will let out a "hun" that went no further, interrupted by a woman's cries for her son, who was having convulsions by the pool. Immediately, Will and Connor stood up and resumed their roles as doctors.
"Let us through, we’re doctors." said Connor, kneeling beside the boy.
Will placed the boy, who looked to be about ten years old, in the recovery position and supported his head, gently lowering it. When the convulsions stopped…
"Two minutes !" said Connor, who had been looking at his watch the whole time.
"No vomiting, that's a good sign." said Will.
"Was he eating anything before he had the seizure ?" Connor asked the panicked mother.
"N-no. He was getting out of the pool." she replied anxiously.
"He's hot." said Connor, who had his hand on the boy's forehead. "Has he been in the pool long ?"
"I-I don't know." sobbed the mother. "An hour, maybe."
"He's probably dehydrated." said Will.
"We called an ambulance." said one of the waiters.
"No need." said Connor. "Cancel it. He needs to rest and drink water. Has he had a seizure before today ?"
The mother shook her head. Maneuvering in perfect harmony, Will scooped the boy into his arms and stood up.
"Will you take us to your room ?" he asked the mother.
Connor helped her compose herself and gather their belongings before returning to the hotel and then to the room she shared with her son. It was much more comfortable there. While Will laid the boy down and stayed by his side, Connor helped the mother sit down and called reception to request bottles of water.
"Do you have a thermometer ?" he asked the mother.
It took them a good hour to be sure the young boy was no longer in danger. After giving the mother very specific instructions, Will and Connor decided to return to their own room.
"Of course, we have to become doctors again during our vacation." Will sighed, collapsing onto the sofa facing the balcony and the ocean. "We were so comfortable, and I didn't even have time to drink my cocktail."
"That can be fixed." said Connor, who went to makea phone call.
Twenty minutes later, sitting on the sofa, they sipped their cocktails.
"That’s it, we’re not leaving here until we have to go to the airport." declared Will.
Once the glasses were empty, Connor placed them on the cart, then returned to Will and knelt between his legs, which he spread apart. He unbuttoned Will's shirt, making no attempt to hide his eagerness, then removed the tank top he was wearing underneath and placed his mouth directly on his nipple, sucking it between his lips. He subjected the other nipple to the same delicious torture, then moved aside to remove Will's shorts.
"We're definitely not leaving this room." he said, straightening up to take off his clothes.
Their mouths and hands found each other, touched, and pleasured each other until Connor stepped back to get the tube of lube from the nightstand.
"Turn around !" he ordered in a calm, husky voice.
"What if I refuse ?" Will snapped.
"As you wish." Connor settled onto his lap, and their throbbing penises rubbed together. "I'll take you later. We have all day, all night."
Will grabbed the lube, poured some onto two fingers, and elicited a loud moan from Connor as he inserted them. The brunette didn't let him go any further, withdrew his fingers, and slid on top of him, but Will had already gotten up and gone to the bed to lay them both down.
"You're no fun." Connor muttered against his mouth.
"Oh ?" Will sat up, pulling away. "I thought you wanted to take me."
He shook the bottle of lube above their heads. Immediately, Connor took the lead and switched positions.
"I wanted you on the couch, on all fours, at my mercy." Connor groaned, running his tongue down Will's neck.
"We'll do this at home." Will said. "I know we have hours ahead of us, but I'm going to get cramps from waiting."
"Impatient, Dr. Halstead ?" Will wanted to pinch him, but Connor grabbed his wrists and held them above his head. "Relax, darling, I'll give you whatever you want, but tell me how. Do you want me gentle, or more rough ?"
"I'll tell you, but kiss me !"
His request was granted, and Connor left him breathless with that kiss before pouring lube into the palm of his hand and coating his long, hard penis. He ran his index finger along his lover's cleft. He added two more fingers, and once he judged him sufficiently prepared, he withdrew them and penetrated him with his thick member.
"Connor…"
Will arched under this welcome assault. Connor filled him each time as if he had been born especially for him, to fulfill his desire. The surgeon withdrew gently before returning to the comfort of his warm nest, which welcomed him without difficulty. Then, Connor leaned down to capture his man’s mouth, who closed arms and legs around him.
When night fell, both sated by each other’s body, Connor convinced Will to go for a walk on the beach bordering the hotel.
"No more than ten minutes." Connor had promised.
Sitting side by side in the sand, their gaze lost on the dark but calm horizon, the ten minutes had long since passed, but Will didn’t care.
"The weekend went by too fast." he sighed. "To think we have to go back tomorrow."
"But it did you good." Connor pointed out. "You're not having nightmares anymore, and you managed to talk to me."
"You know, I always thought Jordan and I would spend our lives together." Will turned to Connor, who listened. "We broke up because he went to Canada for his residency, but we told ourselves our paths would cross again after we finished our studies, and that on that day, we would never be apart again. But he died. I never fell in love again after that, because I didn't want to get hurt anymore. It was all just sex, and then you came into my life. I can't stop thinking about the past these days, but it's over. I'll keep seeing Dr. Charles, but I won't keep anything from you anymore, and I know I want to spend my life with you, Connor, because I love you."
Smiling slightly, Connor climbed onto Will's lap and kissed him.
"I love you too, William. We'll take it one step at a time. You already live with me." Connor said. "I support your decision to see Dr. Charles one hundred percent. I promise to be patient and put up with your piggishness." Will sniffed, but didn’t argue. "You’ll always be safe with me, you’ll never have to go through what happened with that bastard again, and I’m glad he’s dead."
"Shall we move forward together ?" Will suggested.
"Yes, we’re moving forward together, with no secrets." Connor agreed.
Three years later !
Will had been seeing Dr. Charles every week since returning from Miami, and he continued to talk to him whenever something was bothering him, before finding the best way to talk to Connor about it. The two men had become a very strong couple over the years, weathering everything. Even when Connor’s father tried to interfere in his son’s life by becoming a member of the Chicago Med committee. Nothing could have exasperated the surgeon more, but he didn’t let his father’s influence affect him. He focused on Will and his work as a doctor. Nothing else mattered.
That’s why, three years after Gardens’ death, Will and Connor married in secret before a judge, with only Jay and Hailey, who had married two years earlier, as witnesses to their union. They both wore very simple suits, but exchanged vows, and once the gold wedding bands were slipped onto each other's left ring fingers, the judge declared them husband and wife.
"You may kiss !" announced the judge.
Connor took Will's face in his hands and kissed him to seal their union, while the three witnesses smiled.
THE END !