Ah, how lovely, that now they can truly view each other as equals. It would indeed take time and Will's own aptitude for forgiveness (and I do see it as something he strives to do, rather than it simply being an inherent character trait. It's just another thing that makes him interesting) for them to reach this stage.

Also, I have to admit that the image of Will's large hands sliding into Jack's hair (dying or not), gave me a tweak of a thrill ;)

*sigh* Something about finding new fic from you is almost like everything in the world is set right again. God, I love reading your stuff. There's so much complexity contained within such economical writing, and the imagery you've used is, as everyone has pointed out, simply gorgeous.