LOVERS: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

Summary: Jack has always had a thing for Will, but are the feelings mutual? Meanwhile, Grace bumps into an old flame

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything to do with Will Grace

Chapter details: Chapter 8, I LOVE YOU

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JACK'S APARTMENT

"…I've fallen in love with you".

Jack didn't flinch; he just sat there looking at Will. After a few seconds he mentally shook his head, Will's words beginning to sink in.

"What?" Jack asked, looking dazed and confused.

Will smiled, wondering if Jack could look any cuter than he did right now.

"I'm in love with you Jack, I… I wanna be with you" Will told him again, his voice becoming emotional.

Jack pulled his hand out of Will's, stood up and without another word, rushed into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. Will bit his lip, willing himself not to cry.

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It had been ten minutes since Jack ran away from Will. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, thinking. Was it a joke? Had Karen put him up to it? If he went over to Will's apartment, would he find them both laughing hysterically into their glasses of wine? Jack's bedroom door opening interrupted his thoughts and Will appeared in the doorway. It was quite clear he had been crying. Will settled himself down next to Jack, who turned his body towards Will so he could look him in the eye.

"Jack-".

"Will I just don't understand…" Jack interrupted. "…you've been my best friend for nineteen years… and… and suddenly you're in… Will, have you been hit over the head or something?".

Will laughed. His heart was hammering inside his chest and his desire to kiss the man in front of him was approaching boiling point.

"Okay…" Will began, taking a deep breath. "…let me explain. I know it seems sudden, but, my feelings for you…" Will stopped to compose himself. Jack was listening intently and looking right into Will's eyes. Will let out another deep breath. "…my feelings for you have been… changing, for a few months now. I think there's always been something between us, ever since we met, but, at first you were just a sixteen year old, just my friend. My friend who has never had a job longer than two months, my friend who cheats on all of his boyfriends, my friend who laughs and jokes at my abysmal love life…" Will trailed off.

For a few seconds Will and Jack just sat there looking into each other's eyes. If the phone rang or the door knocked, neither Will or Jack would hear, they were the only two people in the apartment, in New York, in the World at this precise moment in time.

"Will-" Jack began, whispering.

"Jack, please…" Will interrupted. "…let me finish. I guess I just convinced myself that you were really bad boyfriend material and I loved you so much as a friend, therefore you were completely off limits. The thought wasn't even allowed to cross my mind. But Jack… I was so, so wrong".

"Will, you-".

"I haven't finished…" Will interrupted again, placing a hand on Jacks arm. "…I have to say this… for the past few months I've watched you build a career for yourself, turn guys down cos you needed to study, accept responsibilities… be there for me, more than ever before… I tried to dismiss my feelings, but when we were both so busy with work and didn't really see each other… I missed you so much. Your energy, your smile… your presence… it made me realise why my love life is so abysmal. The man I want is right under my nose… and living next door… the truth is, I've always loved you Jack, but I made myself believe that you would break my heart and not having you in my life at all would have been too much. Being friends was the only solution… but it was the wrong solution… I love you Jack… and if having me across the hall makes you uncomfortable, I'll move, but I'd really like to stay friends, but if you don't want to, I'll understand… there you go" Will finished.

Will wanted to run away, but he couldn't move. Why did everyone tell him that Jack would feel the same? The rejection was just too much. Jack slowly got up. He stood right in front of Will, putting a hand on either side of him, leaning on the bed. He lowered his head towards Will.

"As I tried to say twice…" Jack whispered into Wills ear. "…you had me at okay".

As Jack moved his head backwards to look at Will, Will saw that Jack was smiling uncontrollably. Before Will could reply, Jack had leaned back in, this time connecting his lips with Wills for a couple of seconds. Will closed his eyes and ran his tongue along his bottom lip. He opened his eyes and looked at the man before him.

"I love you" Will said quietly.

"I know…" Jack replied. "…I love you".

"I know".

Jack pulled Will to his feet. They were so close they could hear each other's hearts beating.

"I'm sorry…" Will said, stroking the side of Jacks face. "…about Saturday night. I shouldn't have let it happen. I was an idiot".

"It's okay" Jack replied.

They smiled at each other and Will placed his hands over Jacks.

"It's not okay Jack. I hurt you and that could have been avoided" Will said.

"Well I shouldn't have hidden away. I didn't even give you a chance to explain".

"Please don't make excuses for me Jack. I don't deserve-".

"Will…" Jack interrupted. "Shut up and kiss me".

Will looked taken aback. He slowly placed a hand behind Jack's neck.

"As you wish… Mr McFarland" Will said, raising an eyebrow.

Will began kissing Jack, all his pent up anxiety and emotion of the past week disappearing. They eventually pulled apart, both gasping for breath and staring into each other's eyes. Passion written all over them. They took a moment to catch their breath back.

"So… were you worried about me?" Jack asked, smirking.

"Big time. I even went to Karen for advice…" Will replied. "…where have you been?".

"Elliott's. Oh, he turned up at the hospital today and told me he was concerned about me. I didn't tell him why I was staying over and I guess he got fed up of my grumpy mood" Jack said in a disheartened manner.

"He loves his dad" Will told Jack, matter-of-factly, feeling his love for Jack rise.

"Do you really think so?" Jack replied, happily.

"I know so".

"Thanks…" Jack said, shyly. "…I love him too. I never thought I'd be able to love someone so unconditionally, or be proud to call somebody my son. It's an amazing feeling… oh Will, I'm sorry, I'm being insensitive-"

"Jack, don't be daft…" Will interrupted, smiling. "…if it's possible, I think my love for you just deepened even more… Jack? Can I ask you something?".

"Sure" Jack replied.

"Remember in nineteen eighty six… thanksgiving… you said you were in love with me and then disregarded it as a test? Was… was that real?".

"Yeah, but I was just a kid then, I didn't know what love was…" Jack replied, looking down at his feet, embarrassed. He then returned his gaze to Will. "…and anyway, you met Michael and I accepted that you would never want a romantic relationship with me, so I settled for the next best thing… friendship. I never thought in a million years that you would… you know. I guess I learned to keep my true feelings well hidden".

"I think we both did…" Will said thoughtfully. "…but Jack, I want you to know that I'm deadly serious about this. This isn't a phase, I'm not using you for sex and this certainly isn't a spontaneous or drunken idea. You're my best friend and I wouldn't want to risk losing you altogether, which is why I want us to do this. It's right and I know it will work. We have a lot to talk about, but that can wait".

Jack had tears in his eyes. Will wrapped his arms around him. Jack returned the gesture. They stayed silent, comfortable in each other's arms. After about a minute, they drew apart, smiling happily.

"So…" Jack said mischievously. "…we're… um… you're my…".

"Boyfriend?" Will offered.

Jack giggled. It was all so surreal for him.

"Yeah… boyfriend. This is so weird, I feel like I'm in a dream. When I was younger I used to fantasise about you declaring your love for me… sad huh?".

"No… maybe…" Will said seductively, placing his arms around Jacks waist. "…we should do something to break through the awkwardness? Like… I don't know, make out?".

Jack started giggling.

"What?" Will asked.

"Sorry, I've just never heard one of Will Truman's seduction lines before" Jack said, smiling.

"Well, I've got plenty more up my sleeve".

"I think we've done enough talking, don't you?".

Will kissed Jack hard. He then got onto Jacks bed, laying on his back and propping himself up on his elbows.

"Would you like to join me?" Will asked.

"I thought you'd never ask" Jack replied, jumping on top of Will.

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I hope you liked the eighth chapter!

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I want to say a BIG thank you to those who not only read chapter 7, but also took the time to review it.

Please note: If you're confused about something or want anything answered, just ask!

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