Work Text:
February 2026
London
In the WillNE office, Valentine's day was a half day.
He didn't know about the baby editors, but he knew that Aby always appreciated the shorter day. She used to be the only person with someone to go home to and spend the rest of the day with. Will would always find himself at the pub with Ieuan and Mikey. Nursing a pint for an hour or two, before he'd head home to watch shit TV until the early hours of the next day, and shovel down half a tub of ice cream for his dinner. All the while, he'd be moping.
But this year was different. On the one hand, Valentine's landed on a Saturday, so no work anyway. And on the other, he had someone to celebrate this overly capitalist occasion with for the first time in a few years.
He returned from the skiing trip in France on the Wednesday. Aching muscles placated by a hot shower that soaked him through. The wank helped significantly too - he'd spent the last week constantly surrounded by his mates, with little to no time for himself, let alone time to rub one out. And it hadn't helped that James kept trying to start a sext chain with him. One evening during dinner, it began with an innocent enough zero-point-five exchange. A couple of silly pictures of the lads, the food and drinks they had spread across the table, and some photos from the day - including a shirtless mirror selfie Will had taken after their day on the slopes. Until James' photos started moving further away from his face, purposefully showing off the white tank top he wore, and the wide expanse of neck Will desperately wanted to sink his teeth into. His captions became flirtier too - not that Will was feeding into it, no matter how much he wanted to. It got to a point where Will phoned him, called him a 'daft bastard' and told him to stop. He heard only a second of James' giggling before promptly hanging up.
They had all dogged on him after that. Good-natured snark, and the suggestion they hung about down there for another half an hour so that Will could have some alone time with James upstairs, who was only an hour behind and surely back home from the studio by now. Will's cheeks had flushed with heat, and he told them to all piss off. He regretted ever telling them.
James was coming up from Brighton on Saturday. They'd see each other soon enough. But they hadn't discussed any plans for Valentine's - Will just assumed they would order a takeaway and have a dirty shag on the sofa. But it hadn't sat right with Will; the thought that that would be their entire afternoon-slash-evening, despite how enticing it was to keep it simple. This was their first Valentine's - hopefully the first of many - and Will wanted it to be somewhat memorable. So he took some initiative, and booked them a table at some poncy restaurant a fifteen-minute walk away.
\ꕥ/
On Friday, Will left the office a little after four, and let himself indulge in the buying aspect since it'd been so long.
He drove to the nearest Waitrose and purchased a bouquet of red roses for ten quid - later they would sit in the biggest glass container he could find in his flat, stem tips submerged in water overnight. Heading for the confectionery aisle next, he picked out the most delicious-looking box of Thorntons, stuck them under his arm, and headed to the tills.
A gift shop across the road displayed a plethora of helium balloons in the window. His attention was drawn to the shiny red heart slowly shifting amongst some birthday-specific designs. It seemed like a good place to buy a card too. He slammed the passenger side door closed, and crossed the road.
Will wandered the shop first. But inevitably found himself drawn to the selection of Valentine's cards at the front. Would James appreciate a humour card over something gushy? Maybe so, but Will really liked the look of the larger ones - which were all soppy and decorative in design. Eventually, he picked out a fifteen-pound card so big it needed its own box. It was filled with endearing wordage, none of which Will would ever find himself saying in real life; red and silver love hearts sprawled across the cover. Boyfriend in large, obnoxious cursive.
The cover read:
Valentine's day is the perfect time
to tell you how happy you make me,
so whenever we go or whatever we do,
as long as I'm with you,
I'm exactly where I want to be...
He flipped open the cover to carry on reading the absolute drivel continued inside.
...I used to dream of finding someone
to share my life with,
Someone who'd really get me
in a special way...
Sod it. That would do.
It carried on for another two paragraphs, but Will didn't think he could stand reading any further.
He hadn't been able to look the store employee in the eyes as he waited for her to put the card through. He was still getting used to the whole 'dating a man' malarkey.
The rush of people queuing up at the till when he'd initially walked in had died down by now, a brief respite that he used to ask for two of the red balloons he'd seen in the window, as well as another heart about three times the size of the other two. All three attached to the same foil-wrapped red weight. Miraculously, he managed to fit them into the back seats.
The moment he collapsed into the driver's seat and noticed the larger balloon obstructed the rear view mirror, did he realise just how much he'd spent and how seriously he was taking this. They were nearing three months now. Was it too early to be this eager to please? Was he compensating for something? Had James put in the same effort? Will wouldn't mind if he hadn't - it had been too long since they'd seen each other that just having James there; physically and not just through a screen - that would be enough for him. And anyway, Will enjoyed spoiling the people he loved. He had the money, so why not use it?
\ꕥ/
On the fourteenth, he met James at the train station ten minutes after five. Standing against the car, scrolling through the comments of the new video whilst he waited. It was posted at noon - filmed a few weeks ago. Valentine's day-themed. Testing shitty products designed for couples. Plastic and pink handcuffs; a small book of sex tokens with some pretty adventurous things inside; lingerie for both men and women; the like. A year ago, he would have never agreed to it. But now they were together, Will was more open to these outlandish video ideas. Ones that would have historically added fuel to the fire that was their friendship.
Even so, jokes were still deflected, occasionally played into, and they refrained from touching each other enough to incriminate them. Will didn't think they would ever post something to purposely tell the crazed blue-haired fans they were, in fact, together. A trail of breadcrumbs was a whole lot more exciting.
James approached him, swinging his duffel off his shoulder and dropping it to the floor when he was close enough. He crowded Will against the car and wrapped his arms around him. Will buried his face into the crook of James' neck. "Missed you, mate."
James rocked him from side to side in response, and delighted laughter spilled from the both of them.
The second the car doors closed, James leaned over the gear stick and kissed him. Will held the side of his face, pulling his face closer and melting into it immediately. Sliding fingers from James' stubble up to into his hair. If he could climb over the centre console and plant his bony arse on James' lap, he would. But after a minute, or maybe longer, Will reigned it in and pulled away.
"You really did miss me, huh," James said with a grin. He rearranged his glasses, having gotten skewed during their kiss.
Will drew his bottom lip between his teeth, trying to stop the persistent grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. He shrugged and started the car.
\ꕥ/
"Wowzer," James said immediately upon stepping inside Will's flat. He dropped his bag and wandered further into the room.
Before leaving for the station, Will tidied up - even though he tended to keep his home relatively in order for a man his age. He'd decided to put the bouquet of roses properly into a vase instead of taking the whole thing with him. The balloons sat in the centre of the living room, gently bobbing and bouncing off each other. The chocolates he'd left propped up against the vase. The large card lay flat on the counter.
Will gripped the edge of the counter and leaned against it, watching James inspect the chocolate box intently. "Too much?"
"No-no, it's great." He sniffed a little, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "You are the grand gesture type so I should've expected this."
Will shoved his shoulder. "This weren't a grand gesture."
"It so is. I only got you a card, and one present."
"Yeah? Let us see."
James put the box down and stepped over to his bag. He pulled out a slightly bent envelope and a surprisingly well-wrapped present in red paper with gold love hearts. He handed them over before shuffling his feet into the living room, plopping down on the sofa. Will trailed after him and perched on the seat cushion beside him. He opened the present first, his inner child slipping out as he excitedly tore at the paper.
Inside was a soft toy in the shape of a Formula-1 car. Mostly red with grey wheels.
"Oh." He loved it.
The arm James had resting across the back of the sofa curled around his shoulders. "Do you like it?"
"I do, aye." He squished each wheel. "It's proper cute, like."
"Open the card now," James told him, giddy and eyes bright.
For my
SEXY FELLA
on Valentine's day
Here's hoping
YOUR LOVE
isn't the only thing...
He flipped it open to reveal the rest of the text, a large aubergine emoji, and James' scruffy scrawl.
...growing for me on
Valentine's Day!
With loads of love and
lustful thoughts on
Valentine's Day!
Will sent him a sideways glance at the crudeness of it. A smile pinched at his lips.
James had written:
Will,
You're the only one who matches my freak. One could say we're a matcha made in heaven ;)
I love you
Jim xxx
Folding the card, a fluttery feeling in his stomach, Will nudged his shoulder against him. "Cheers, Jim. You're sweet."
"I'll open yours now."
Will kissed him fleetingly - both out of gratitude and just because he could - before shooting up and grabbing the card box from the worktop. Tucking himself back under the open arm, he stuck his thumb between his front teeth whilst James read through the gigantic card. The complete word vomit that it was. And he worried that James would laugh at him for picking it. Fuck, he shouldn't have bought it. He should've bought something simpler- smaller.
James flipped open the small paper insert where the rest of the blubber was that he hadn't been bothered to read earlier. Will's lips parted in surprise - it did that? He'd just signed his name on the front of that smaller section and called it a day.
"I feel so lucky to say I'm your-" James cut himself off and laughed. "Girlfriend?"
His face dropped, and leaned in to see what he was on about. "What?"
James pointed to the final word, looking back at him in amusement. Eyes crinkled behind his glasses. "It says girlfriend, idiot. Did you not read it through?"
Will buried his head in his hands to the sound of James' laughter. He was utterly mortified and James was laughing. Had the employee known what it said inside, and thought it'd be funny to let him find out after he'd bought the fucking thing?
A hand squeezed his forearm. "Hey, it's okay."
"It's not. Sorry, Jim." Will slid his face out from behind his palms, daring a glance James' way.
"You can make it up to me by telling me what've you got planned for us."
He gave James a deadpan look. "Prick." James stuck his tongue out at him, taking his hand away and gripping the edge of the seat cushion instead. Will continued, "Expensive tea-"
"So, the chippie."
He pinched his thumb and index finger together in James' face, shushing him. "Aye, shut."
"I'm being wined and dined, then?"
"We can ask to swap the wine for Shloer."
James' eyes crinkled at the corners. "'Kay, and then, what?"
"We head back to the gaff, and y'know."
"I don't actually," James said, feigning ignorance with a smirk.
"Don't make me say it, Jim."
"Why not?" James inched closer, his face looming over him. "I like when you ask for it."
Will leaned away, but the corner of his mouth betrayed him, tipping up into a half smile. "Piss off."
"Okay," James said, backing off. "So we get back here and go straight to bed. Sounds good."
"I hate you."
His voice hitched up an octave. "Well, if you won't-"
Will threw up his hands. "Fine! We come home and have sex. A good shag. The kind where you throw us around a bit, run us into the fucking mattress, and I can't walk the next day."
For a split second, James seemed caught off-guard at his word vomit - Will was too - but then, he smirked again. And Will's stomach fluttered. "That's more like it."
"Arse."
James hooked a finger under his chin, thumb pressing against Will's chin. Leaning in again, he tipped Will's face up and pressed their mouths together in the softest kiss. A promise of what was to come; that he would get what he'd asked for when they got back. Will never wanted James to shave his tache - he loved the slight scratch on his top lip far too much.
\ꕥ/
An evening in London, in the middle of February was always going to be chilly. James, in his black trench coat and thin scarf, held firm on Will's gloved hand as they walked down the street. Will knew his cheeks were flushed a deep red from the cold, and also because they were holding hands in public. Which was such a trivial thing, but not something Will was used to. And it was dark enough now that no one would even notice their tightly grasped hands.
Inside the restaurant, Will leaned closer to the woman so she would hear him over the combined chatter of the other patrons. It was busy, being Valentine's day and all. "Reservation for two, under Lenney."
The waitress stepped away to grab the menus from another cabinet. Will noticed James in his peripheral take a step towards him. He turned to look at him curiously. James came up close and practically purred into his ear, "I like being under Lenney too."
"Sod off." Will elbowed him just as the waitress returned, two food and one drinks menu in her grasp. She gave them an amused look before prompting them to follow her. She led them to a booth, much to Will's relief. There would have been nothing worse than sitting in the centre of the restaurant. At least the booth gave them some semblance of privacy.
His gaze trained on James' green turtleneck as he shed his coat, folded it in half and laid it on the seat cushion. Will was obsessed with it. The way it clung to his body in all of the right places. The way it covered up the marks he would leave the night before a recording. And he couldn't wait to take it off the moment they returned home.
James caught his eye as he slid into the booth. "I know what you're thinking."
Will felt his cheeks flame in embarrassment. And he picked up a menu to play it off as nothing. "No, you don't."
"You think I look extremely sexy in my turtleneck, but… you'd rather I be without it."
With a huffed laugh, Will said, "Lucky guess."
All throughout their main course, James rambled about the newest songs he was working on with his band. Reciting to Will the lyrics he was most proud of. Occasionally, Will's cheek would find its way against his curled fist. Dreamily watching James prattle on as they ate. He spoke with a smile. The love for what he created evident in his voice. A number of times, his eyes would grow knowing when he realised Will hadn't been able to get a word in edgeways, but Will just would wave him off. Carry on.
"I was thinking," James said after a brief pause of stuffing a big piece of steak into his mouth. Will waited for him to swallow before continuing to eat his own meal. "Of writing a song for you."
Will arched a brow. "Haven't you done that already?"
"It's Only Love is ambiguous. But if it helps you sleep at night, sure, it's about you, mate."
"Can I tell people that?"
James' eyes crinkled as he spoke. "Most people think it anyway."
When offered, they unanimously declined dessert menus. They went back and forth on who should pay. James tried to argue that he'd already spend so much on him, but Will just waved him off. He stood up to pay at the bar, off-handedly telling James that he could paid him back later. He hadn't meant for it to carry the connotations it did, hearing James' giggling behind him as he quickly walked away.
On the walk home, James pulled him into a little Tesco. He didn't tell Will what for, so he just allowed himself to be pulled along the aisles. The first stop was the baking aisle. James reached for the box of Butterscotch Angel Delight sachets, and took out four of them.
"Jim?"
"One of the guys reminded me about this stuff yesterday, and I couldn't stop thinking about it."
Will smiled with amusement. "How old are you?"
"Old enough to be nostalgic."
"Over a kid's dessert?"
James shrugged. "It's a classic."
"Okay, freak." He started to move down the aisle, back towards where he was sure the tills were.
But then James called out after him. "Do we need condoms?"
Will froze mid-step; slowly pivoting to gawk at him. "Shut the fuck up, lad."
"What? Just being courteous. Do we?"
They didn't, and Will told him with a stubborn 'no', spinning back around and marching down the aisle again. The audacity of this man.
\ꕥ/
James prepared the dessert when they got home. Will sat at the counter and watched him do it, chin resting in his palm. He took his phone out and scrolled through TikTok in silence, showing a couple of the videos to James as he moved around the kitchen with a familiar ease.
The moment James closed the fridge door, Will straightened his back with an obnoxious sigh. The final step - apart from eating the damn things - had been to put the bowls into the fridge to set. "Finally."
James side-eyed him before turning his body properly. "Oh, I'm sorry, were you waiting for something?"
"We're not doing this shit again, lad."
Throwing up his hands, James asked instead, "Did you want to do anything specific?"
"Shag," Will said, like it was obvious. He'd been more than explicit on what he wanted.
"Duh, you twat. I meant: do you want do something in particular? Something you're really desperate for."
"You. Just yous."
Walking around the counter at a brisk pace, James came right up to him and framed Will's face with his large hands. It left Will somewhat defenceless as James leaned down and kissed him, softly at first. James slid his fingers into the shorter hairs of Will's mullet. Thumbs caressed his temples.
Will tugged at James' turtleneck, untucking it from his trousers, and lifted it halfway up his back before James seemed to get the hint, stepping back momentarily to pull the garment over his head. In it's wake, it left James' hair messier than it had been. Will stood up and reached up to rearrange it, albeit not much - he was bound to muss it up again - then pressed their mouths together again. He felt James bend lower as they kissed, with a little more fervour now, and hands glided down his back and arse, then curled under his thighs. Instinctively, Will lifted a leg and let James wrap it around his waist. He looped his arms around the other man's neck, before allowing James to do the same with his other leg, until he was completely off the ground.
This was what he wanted. To be effortlessly manoeuvred, with the promise of something more when he was placed down again.
James began to shuffle his feet along the floor then, heading to what Will assumed was the bedroom. He didn't open his eyes to check they were heading in the right direction though, and continued to litter kisses along James' cheek and jaw. Scraggly beard against his lips and making them tingle.
He was lowered onto the bed, legs still wrapped around James' middle. He hovered above him. Hands on either side of Will's head. Pupils dilated.
"What?"
"Nothing."
He wiggled against him, sliding one hand down James' chest, that thick hair against his palm. "Then get to it, big lad."
James slid off the bed to take off his trousers and take out a bottle of lube and a condom from the bedside table. Sitting up, Will stripped off his own clothes, boxers and all, and dumped it all onto the floor. He scrambled backwards up the bed until he reached the pillows. Simultaneously, James knee-walked across the mattress. Spreading his bent-up knees to accompany him, Will stretched his arms out over the duvet. He was practically vibrating out of anticipation.
James took his time opening him up. One finger for a few minutes. Drawing desperate moans from Will as he begged for another. Even now, three months in, the initial slide of that first finger still felt so foreign every time they did this. Then two - which he used to find that one particular spot. Will had never realised its full potential before - how good James could make him feel with it. The fingers scissored and twisted inside him. Will was a squirming mess by the time James asked him if he wanted a third. But he just shook his head, far too eager for his own good, adamant in his need to feel him. To have James' cock be the thing to bring that final stretch.
Withdrawing his fingers, James wiped them on the edge of the bed, before quite literally scooping him up and flipped them over so Will was on top. He could feel the other man's cock against his backside, hard and radiating heat. They had had sex in this position once before, and it had left his thighs burning for at least an entire day after; aching more than a typical leg day at the gym.
A large hand trailed down his front as he looked down at the handsome man below him. A smug smile tugged at James' lips as he said, "Like I said earlier, I like being under you."
Will laughed whole-heartedly, pushing back against him before he could stop himself. "You're good."
\ꕥ/
Two orgasms later, he rolled onto his side and stared at the digital clock on his nightstand. Nine forty-five. A sheen of sweat clung to his skin. Well, he'd gotten what he wanted - legs and arse aching in the best way. He'd usually go for a run on a Sunday morning, but James had made quite sure that wasn't happening. Will could hardly move now. A shower was desperately needed, for the both of them, but he really couldn't be arsed.
He sat up against the headboard when James came back into the room a few minutes later, two bowls balanced in one arm now. It had been left to set far longer than necessary. Five minutes, supposedly, the packet said. But they'd given it the best part of twenty minutes.
Red marks littered James' neck, visible even from across the dimly lit room, left by Will's wandering teeth as he'd rutted up into him. Will had come first pretty quickly from those slow, deep movements. James had flipped them over again after that to really put his back into it, picking up the pace to bring himself there too. It had felt so fucking good to be used like that.
James handed him a dish and sat on the edge of the bed by his legs. Will lifted the spoon balanced on top of the mousse-like substance. They clinked spoons. "Happy Valentine's day, buddy."
Will grimaced. "Don't be calling me 'buddy' now, lad."
"Bae, baby, my love, my lover?" James leaned in closer as he spoke. Will lifted a knee to let it fall against James' side, a playfully silent way of telling him to shut the fuck up. He sat back. "Can I just say one last thing?"
Scooping up a spoonful of the brown mousse, Will hummed.
James kissed him sweetly once before he could stick the spoon in his mouth, then said, "You are a delight, my angel."
A genuinely amused laugh spilled out, shaking his head in fond disbelief. "Shut your gob, you daft twat."