Will would often get work through many holidays throughout the year giving most of them little to no importance. This was not the case with Christmas. His grandfather expected the entire family at his estate in Bagshot. In the family patriarch’s words, if he could make time to spend with the family, so could and should everyone. No one dared contradict him, either. When Will suggested Josef to join him, he did so because he knew how rare it was for him to take such a long period of time off and he would really, truly regret not spending any of it with the lawyer. He didn’t give the fact that it would mean he’d be introducing Josef to his entire family too much thought at first but when Josef asked if he would do so as his boyfriend, it all sank in. They hadn’t really discussed it in depth, what it meant for them and their relationship, but after a quiet second, agreed. As his boyfriend.
To say his family was delighted to have another guest was an understatement. His mother particularly, as well as his sister. It was the first time Will included anyone in their family holiday whether he had been in a relationship before or not, so there was truly a part of him that was also nervous about this trip even if he didn’t share that with Josef. He knew Josef was nervous enough as he was, turning to look at him with an amused smile in his face as he folded the newspaper he had been reading and letting it sit in his lap as Josef’s hand found his. Brining his knuckles to his lips in an effort to ease his nerves.
“You really don’t need to memorize all of our given names.” Will joked lightly with a shrug. “We’re going to my grandfather’s estate, George. My grandmother died when my father was young around this time of year and Christmas was always her favorite holiday, which is why my grandfather will not have any of us missing it. It’s like a rite for our family, almost in remembrance of her, to spend some time together around this time. He’s definitely the one person you need to make sure not to piss off—but I think he’ll like you. I think, you’ll find, you have a lot in common.” Will smiled, pursing his lips. “My parents, Jasper and Ailis, like Billie Eilish. She is Irish, but much to my grandfather’s relief, Northern. Don’t take it personal if my dad seems a bit reserved. I get that from him. My mum will want to know everything about you. Please don’t feel like you have to entertain her. I’ll come save you when she’s being too much, but if you let yourself be dragged and out my sight, then you’re on your own.” He wasn’t sure if Josef would get the jab but it made him chuckle quietly. “Let’s just hope he can overlook you being American the same way.” He was teasing, of course, but there was a little bit of truth there. “My brother is alright, for the most part, just don’t call him Georgie unless he tells you to first His wife likes to boast about pretty much everything. I find her quite boring but to each their own. My sister is the best, though, Molly. She’s the best one out of all of us, a sweetheart, and she cannot wait to meet you. You’ll be fine, Josef, I promise.”
Will tried to reassure him, giving his fingers a light squeeze. “There is one thing, however, that I may have forgotten to mention.” Pressing his lips together, he offered Josef an apologetic look. “You will have your own quarters. We can sneak you to my room, or I can sneak to yours, but let’s just play along when we get there and don’t freak out when they do take your things somewhere else. It’s ridiculous, I know, but apparently, since we aren’t married, mum won’t have it any other way.” He tried to find the humor in his own words, really. His mother wasn’t even that old to be so antiquated. “And… you may be asked to join my grandfather for a hike, or early morning hunting. By early I mean, very early. He does this often. He likes conversing with people at the break of dawn. It’s a thing. I’d say you don’t have to but, you might want to.” It didn’t really occur to him just how specific his family was because he was so used to it all himself but Will knew they were not exactly ordinary either. “If it makes any of this better, I really, truly am excited you’re coming with me, as my boyfriend. I promise, after we’re done here, we can just relax. We don’t have to do it again… until next year, that is, if my family doesn’t scare you off.”
"Yes, I do. I don’t want to make a bad impression!” The last thing Josef wanted was to accidentally call someone the wrong name. He was good at memorizing things, whether it was case laws, grocery lists - or in this case, the members of Will’s family. Nodding, he quietly takes in his boyfriend’s descriptions, making mental notes with each little fact he presents. “Alright, got it. Don’t be left alone with your mum or else I may end up telling her my entire life story.” Josef chuckles, grateful that Will was humoring his request. Out of all of Will’s family members, he had heard about Molly the most, smiling softly at the mention of her name. “I hope so. I want your family to like me.” Not that they needed Will’s family to approve of him or their relationship, but it would certainly help. Josef really, really wanted this trip to go smoothly.
“Separate rooms, got it. I’m going to get lost in the hallways, aren’t I? Oh god.” Josef groans teasingly, shaking his head. “It’s fine, babe...really. Whatever your family wants. I do kind of like the idea of you sneaking into my bed at night though.” He points out, a smirk flickering over his lips, though it quickly fades at the mention of hunting. “Any way you can convince him to go for a hike instead of hunting? Actually, either sound like I could accidentally on purpose fall off of a cliff or get shot, so...” Josef jokes, amused at the thought. “If he asks, I’ll go. Don’t worry.” Leaning over, he presses a kiss to the side of Will’s head, humming quietly when his boyfriend says that he was excited that he was coming along for the trip. “I am too. Next year I’m bringing reinforcements though. My mom’ll have my back!”
