Chapter Text
It’s a marvelous day in the world of Derek Nurse. It’s one of those rare times where the stars are aligning and his whole mood is uplifted because of it. One of those days that he feels like he’s kicking ass in this PhD program, his focus is aligned just right, and Will’s cooking dinner so his evening is marvelously free. Not that he’s planning to do all that much with his evening anyway; Will’s cooking dinner which means Derek's going to spend his night hanging out and watching Netflix. It's a good schedule. He sees his friends often, Will's a kick ass roommate, and he gets time to actually slow down and chill after long days.
Derek's thinking about how he should probably thank Will for that when he keys into the apartment.
“Can you come into the kitchen, please?”
“Uh, sure,” Derek responds, kicking off his shoes and heading towards Will. “What’s up?”
“You want to explain this to me?” Will hands over a gorgeous piece of white stationary, decorated in delicate lavender details around the simple black text. It's easy to recognize; Derek's seen the mock ups of his cousin Dana's wedding invitations before. What's surprising, really, is the fact it's very clearly addressed to Will in addition to Derek. No options for plus ones in sight, implications that they're a couple on full display. And that sets Derek on edge just a little bit when he remembers that's exactly what he's been letting Dana believe.
"Well," he begins, fully hoping to spin this into a perfectly normal occurrence not at all predicated on him being wildly out of line.
"Before you answer," Will's smile is strained and Derek knows he's fucked. "Just know I also read the note that came with it explaining she's excited to finally see her second favorite couple at a family event, and noting the hotel has quality beds, if we're concerned about that sort of thing."
Derek swallows hard. He can talk his way out of this, right? “Listen, hear me out here, it’s really simple...” When Will doesn’t interrupt as planned, Derek’s forced to keep talking. “Okay, I lied, it’s not simple. I was really expecting you to interrupt me there and have it figured out yourself.”
“No, Nurse,” Will says slowly and deliberately. “You’re on your own here.”
“So I guess I should explain,” Derek’s artfully avoiding Will’s gaze at this point. He hasn’t felt this guilty since he was a teen being lectured about some dumb shit he decided to do at Andover. “I may have explained, a very long time ago, that I was dating someone to my cousin. I was trying to keep it vague but she assumed it was you anyway. But she finally got off my back about being social and finding someone to date, so I just kind of let it happen? Except she didn’t forget like I thought she would and I forgot how long I’ve kept this up—”
Will pinches the bridge of his nose, looking equal measures of exhausted and annoyed. “So Dana thinks we’re dating and have been...”
“For a while now? Since right after we graduated. And now she would like my long time boyfriend and I to attend her destination wedding.”
Will takes a deep breath and levels Derek with a fresh annoyed look. "You know how I care about you and respect your decisions and choices?"
"Uh, normally, yeah."
"Okay, well," Will's voice is remarkably even despite how concerned he seems, "keeping that in mind, this is the stupid shit I've ever heard of, Nursey."
"It was a good idea at the time! When we graduated Dana was always on my case about getting in a relationship. Between her and the moms there was no end to it. We're roommates who spend a shit ton of time together anyway. One white lie I forgot I told and now..."
"Oh my god," Will says, realization dawning on his face as he slaps his hand on the counter, "is that why your moms invited me along on your New Year's vacation?"
Derek’s moms had indeed reached out this past January oddly insistent that Will come along on the trip they were planning. He didn’t because he couldn’t get off of work, but Derek hadn’t put together their motives until now, in what is rapidly becoming the most mortifying moment of his life. “I... I swear I had no idea at the time, but thinking about it they’re probably wondering why we don’t spend more holidays together.”
“Great!” Will rolls his eyes. “So not only am I your fake boyfriend, I’m a shitty fake boyfriend.”
Derek barks out a startled laugh. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty sure my family is still more fond of you than half the actual spouses of my cousins.”
Will himself laughs and it feels like the tension's defused some. It'll be an awkward story to tell the family, but at least Will isn't too mad at—
"Fuck it, I’ll do it.”
Derek's brow furrows for a second as he’s drawn out of his thoughts. "Wait, what?"
"I'll do the whole fake boyfriend thing if you want. Make Dana's special day less weird, drink some free cocktails, and redeem my romantic reputation in the eyes of your family."
“Are you serious, Will? Because I know it’s a lot and I shouldn’t have put you in this position...” Derek ‘s face is equal parts hopeful and guilty, but Will just shrugs.
“I mean it’s not what I thought I’d be putting on my calendar, but sure. Friends support each other. Even when they’re being fucking weird.”
Derek wastes no time throwing his arms around Will. “You’re the best! I owe you so much.”
Will chuckles and winds his arm around Derek.”Yeah, yeah. Flattery will get you everywhere.”
That settled, the evening slowly shifts its way back to a slightly awkward semblance of normal. They eat dinner together, but call it an early night rather than watching their typical Netflix episodes. The whole thing leaves Derek feeling somewhat off center, but how bad could it possibly be?