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Simon snuggled even closer into Wilhelm’s lap, slow steady breaths leaving his body. In Simon’s room, they were far away from the outside world, where people forever felt the need to insert their opinions on every single move he made and every word that left his mouth. Here he could finally be himself, they could finally be themselves. Free from pity, judgment and free from the royal family. Here they were able to just enjoy the simple company of one another.
Wilhelm glanced at the bay windows lining one of the walls of the room. It’d been a long time since the sun had set and they were currently relying on a single lamp sat on Simon’s nightstand for light. Originally, they had been watching a movie on his laptop cuddled together on the bed but thirty minutes in Simon had drifted off to sleep and Wilhelm hadn’t felt in the mood to finish it alone so he put it on pause and pushed his laptop aside.
Slowly Wilhelm carded his fingers through the other boy’s hair enjoying the way it sprung back into place every time. He repeated the movements over and over again fully submerging himself in this little bubble they had created together. If he could stay in a single moment forever then it would be now.
The sound of his phone ringing within his pocket jolted him from the said bubble and he quickly fumbled around for it trying his best not to wake up Simon. He clicked accept without checking the caller ID and covered the speaker with his hand before tilting his head to study Simon’s face. Luckily he was still sound asleep. After a moment, when he was happy Simon was comfortable he brought his phone to his ear and was met by a voice.
“Wille are you there?” his brother's voice crackled through the speaker and Wilhelm noticed a hint of worry in his tone.
“Oh yeah yeah I am,” Wilhelm replied, trying his best to sound convincing.
He rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand as he tried to sort his mind out. He just needed to get his head straight for this short phone call and not spill his entire guts to Erik which was basically impossible. Erik, the person who knew every single secret about him and could read him like a book. There was no chance this was going to be kept private for long if Erik had anything to do with it.
So it came as no surprise as to what Erik said next.
“You seem distracted.”
“I'm not,” Wilhelm answered far too quickly for his answer to be considered believable.
Erik made a noncommittal noise on the other end of the line. “Well if you say so.”
They remained silent, each of them waiting for the other to speak and break the tense silence.
“Maybe I’m a little distracted,” Wilhelm said eventually into the phone. He could feel his cheeks burning and if Simon was awake he knew he would be teasing him about it relentlessly.
“Thought so. So what's up.”
Wilhelm could imagine exactly what Erik was doing. Sat down in the drawing room the phone held to his ear as he played with a fountain pen in his free hand.
“I have made a friend.” Wilhelm tried.
“A friend.”
“Uh-huh.” Wilhelm nodded even though Erik couldn't see him.
He was technically telling the truth. Simon was a friend. A friend, who he may or may not have made out with thirty minutes prior but he was still a friend nonetheless. They hadn't discussed labels yet; they were just a unit. They were Wilhelm and Simon.
“Tell me about this friend then.” Erik prompted knowing far too well that Wilhelm wouldn't explain any further if he wasn't provoked.
“They're nice.”
Erik laughed loudly and Wilhelm could just imagine him shaking his head. Nice. Nice. What a great adjective to use to describe someone who you have ultimately fallen for in a matter of weeks.
“Shush,” Wilhelm said as his eyes went wide when he realised Erik’s laughter was going to end up waking Simon.
“Wait, are you with them right now?”
“No.” Wilhelm lied.
“Let me video call you.”
Before Wilhelm had a chance to protest an incoming video call was coming through. With a frustrated sigh, he accepted the call.
“No,” he repeated as the image of Erik came into focus on his phone.
Wilhelm knew the flushed colour of his cheeks probably would show up on camera for all the world to see but he wasn’t going to back down.
“Let me talk to them.” Erik pleaded through the phone. He put his chin on his fist and looked into the camera with a wicked smile on his face.
“They’re asleep,” Wilhelm muttered under his breath.
Simon then made a noise in his sleep and Wilhelm looked down at him with a fond smile. His face was free from the usual frown etched on his face and he hated to use the word again but it was...nice.
“Oh my god.” Erik gasped. “Turn the camera around. I need to see the girl who’s stolen my brother's heart.”
“They’re not…”
“They’re not going to steal your heart? Sure because you just looked at your lap with heart eyes. Totally normal behaviour.”
“No no.” Wilhelm interrupted. There was no way he was getting out of this now.
“Then what?” Erik asked, raising a brow at him.
Wilhelm took a deep breath. This was it. Erik had always supported him with his decisions no matter what but this was different. He was different. Different to Erik and his entire family.
“He’s not a girl,” he mumbled, looking at Simon in his lap instead of at his phone
“Okay so show me the boy. I’m waiting.” Erik said not missing a beat and Wilhelm stared at him for a moment still processing how Erik had barely batted an eyelid at him coming out.
Wilhelm finally collected himself and rolled his eyes good-naturally at Erik.
“Fine.”
He clicked the button to turn around the camera and Simon’s head nestled in his lap came into view. Wilhelm then turned it back around, his hands slightly shaky and again avoided all eye contact with his brother.
Erik sighed contently, “I’m happy for you. Having a boyfriend is a good look on you.”
“We...we aren’t official or anything.” Wilhelm stuttered.
“Well, do you like him?”
The simple answer would be yes. Course he liked him. Simon was —well perfect. For starters he was pretty and everyone knew it. The sun, moons and stars knew it and would shine down on him whenever he walked past.
He also had a heart of gold and always put others before himself even when they didn’t deserve it. He never showed any interest in Wilhelm’s title and treated him like a normal person. Unlike August who was always so condescending towards him and acted like he had the right to make decisions for him.
He was Simon. And Wilhelm wanted him to be his.
“He's very pretty.” Was the only thing he admitted aloud.
Everything else seemed too personal and he would prefer to keep it to himself as selfish as it sounded. Maybe on a late night where he would almost be about to pass out, they would come to light but not now.
“Look, going by the position he’s in right now, I don't think he would be too opposed if you asked him out. Made things official.” Erik offered.
“You really think so?”
“I know so,” Erik told him with a wink. His face once full of awe switched to a smug grin and an arched eyebrow.
Wilhelm closed his eyes and covered them with the palm of his hand before letting out a groan, “God why are you so cocky.”
“Just being your wingman.”
He opened one eye to study his brother and the look he wore on his face was sincere.
“Mhm.”
“Well, I shall let you enjoy the rest of your rendezvous with your boyfriend.”
“Not my boyfriend.” Wilhelm pointed out.
“Soon to be boyfriend.”
“Love you too.” Wilhelm laughed and his finger hovered over the red button to hang up but then he remembered one more thing he wanted to say before he hung up. “Wait, Erik.”
Erik paused and looked at him expectantly.
“Don’t tell mum or dad about…” He trailed off. There was no need to finish his sentence they both knew what he meant.
“Yes sir,” Erik said doing a little salute with his hand and even though Wilhelm knew he was being humorous about the situation he trusted him enough to not let slip any details about his newfound friend to his parents. Erik was good with secrets. Always had been.
Wilhelm finally hung up and placed his phone beside him, making sure to switch it to silent. He looked down at Simon who had a curl falling in his face. Gently he pushed it out of his face as he marvelled at the colour of his cheeks and the curve of his lips. Maybe he could muster up the courage and ask Simon out properly. Especially when he looked so at peace here. He wanted him to look like this all the time.
“I didn’t give you permission to video me,” Simon mumbled, rolling even closer to Wilhelm.
Wilhelm's eyes widened in shock and he felt himself go rigid. This wasn't the way he wanted things to pan out.
“You are awake. How much did you hear?” He asked his voice barely a whisper. He had a sinking feeling Simon had heard everything. He had heard everything that had come out of his dumb mouth.
“You think I’m pretty.” Simon giggled into Wilhelm’s chest.