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You’re real. You’re real. You’re real. Wille could hear his voice saying those words, could see that beautiful face in front of his eyes. Simon. Simon. Simonsimonsimon. He’d told him he was real, and yet here he was, in the car back to the palace for the winter holidays, and he’d fucked it up completely. We’re in this together. He’d failed Simon, there was no denying it.
As soon as he’d denied it was him in the video, all Wille could do was pray Simon would forgive him. He didn’t deserve the shit he was going through, and it was all Wille’s fault. Now everyone knew it was Simon in the video, but his own identity was protected, if only slightly. Obviously, Simon didn’t forgive him. Wille had hugged him in front of everyone at the Christmas assembly, holding on to the last bit of him that he had. I’m sorry. I love you.
This drive to the palace was more daunting than the one for the interview. The further he drove, the further away from Simon he went. And he didn’t want that. Not one bit. He’d made his decision. His life, all the smiles, the privilege, the glamour; it was all plastic like the grass on that football field. Simon was real. His love was real. He was real. This was real. And he’d be damned if he was going to let it go.
-----
At the palace, Wille barely acknowledged his parents before locking himself into his room. This place reminded him of Erik, and it hurt. It hurt to remember him, to miss him. It hurt that he knew his brother would’ve supported him, told him what to do. Told him to be himself. August might be an asshole, but he wasn’t wrong about that.
“Prince Wilhelm! You’ve been called for dinner!” He let out a soft groan. “I’ll be there in a minute, thank you.”
Dinner with his parents, just what he needed. He ran his hand through his hair, the way he often did when he was nervous or annoyed. Well, time to face the music. Time to take a stand.
“You have an interview coming up in a few days. The public wants to know how you’re stepping into the role of Crown Prince.” No affection, no greeting, just straight to business. His mother had always been that way, rigid and stubborn, placing duty above all else. But now, after everything that had happened, he felt like she truly didn’t care about him, his happiness, just wanting to keep up the façade of a proper royal family. It was total bullshit. “Wille?” He nodded, keeping his eyes on the bowl in front of him.
He couldn’t do this, pretend to be a role model for the public, act like he’d done something wrong. Simon was right, as he always was, they hadn’t done anything wrong. We’re in this together.
-----
The days passed rather monotonously. Lessons, etiquette classes, how to be a Crown Prince. Wille was exhausted. Truly. It had only been four days since he’d come back home, and he was itching to get out. Obviously, his mother had thought about that, and he had guards posted outside his room in all directions at all times.
It was nearing midnight when he picked up his phone, to write a message to Simon.
I’m so sorry I hurt you. You were right. I needed to figure myself out. I’m going to make it better, I promise. I’m going to make it better for us.
He sent it before he started overthinking, quickly shutting his phone right after. He shook slightly in anticipation, hoping Simon would reply. He’d just started falling asleep when his phone lit up.
Simon❤
Wille.
You don’t have to do anything if you’re not ready.
I’d wait forever for you if I had to.
I didn’t say it earlier, but I love you. I really do. And I’ll wait for you.
Wille scrambled to type out his message.
I know I don’t have to, but I want to.
I can’t lose you, I can’t be without you.
You make me feel real. I love you.
Simon❤
What are you going to do?
There’s an interview I have to do tomorrow. They probably won’t bring it up, but I’ll talk about it. I can’t lie anymore. Not about me, not about you. If that’s okay with you.
Simon❤
It’s okay with me if it is with you.
Okay. I’m going to do it. I owe it to you, to Erik, and to myself.
Can I call you after?
Simon❤
Always.
Good luck, Wille.
Thank you, Simon.
He closed his eyes, feeling just a little more confident.
-----
Wille tried and failed to keep his leg from shaking. He kept flashing back to the last time he’d done this, when he’d ruined the best thing he had. Not again. Not this time.
“Prince Wilhelm, thank you for agreeing to do this interview.” He smiled slightly and nodded. “This hasn’t been an easy year for you. Is there anything you’d like to say about it?”
Wille let out a shaky breath. “A couple weeks ago, a video was circulated around social media, and a lot of people believed it was me. When I spoke about it, I said it wasn’t me. It was a lie. I was advised not to tell the public, but I can’t hide it anymore. I’ve not just hurt my partner, but myself and in fact the LGBT community of Sweden. I’m gay, and I’m the Crown Prince. We’re in 2021, there shouldn’t be any need for me to hide my sexuality.”
The interviewer nodded, a smile gracing her features. “And what about the video itself?”
“The video was taken without our consent, we don’t know by whom. However, the fact remains that it’s illegal under child pornography laws, and I hope once we find out who it is, they face the required consequences. At this moment, I request that everyone give my partner the privacy he deserves. He didn’t ask for this to happen, and shouldn’t have to look twice before exiting his house. That’s all I have to say.”
The interview went on a little longer, with him answering questions about his plans as Crown Prince. He couldn’t wait to get out.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
“Thank you for speaking with us today, Prince Wilhelm. Merry Christmas.”
With a rushed “Merry Christmas”, he was out, running to his room.
Calling Simon❤
“Wille?”
“I did it! I actually did it!”
“I’m so proud of you, Wille. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I think so. I’m sort of hiding from my parents, but I’ll have to face them eventually, I guess.”
“They’ll have to support you. They love you. Your mother might be the Queen, but she is still your mother.”
“I know. I’ll see you when term starts?”
“Yeah, we should probably talk, right?”
“Yeah, we should. Merry Christmas, Simon. Thank you for everything. I love you.”
“Merry Christmas, Wille. I love you.”
-----
Sitting in the car again, Wille felt the nerves setting in. He was going to see Simon again. He was going to see Simon again!
His parents had a relatively warm reaction to his interview. His father, always softer, had hugged him close, and told him how proud he was. His mother was cold, but what else could he expect? He was still expected to respect his role, but he finally, finally had the freedom to love who he wanted to.
“Prince Wilhelm?” He looked up to see Malin smiling at him. “We’ve reached Hillerska.”
Sucking in a breath, he muttered, “Thank you.”
Minutes later, once he was in his room, he sent out a text to Simon.
I’m here
Simon❤
I’ll be there soon.
He waited in anticipation, rearranging his things, pacing around the room, until he heard a knock on the door.
“Wille?
He tripped over his feet in his haste to get there quicker, flinging the door open to see Simon standing there, a hesitant smile on his face.
“Hey. Can I come in?” Wille nodded, shutting the door after him. “You came.” He thought back to that night on the football field, a smile making its way to his face. Simon smiled a little wider, glancing around the room in a bid to hide his nervousness.
“Simon. Sit, please.” Once he was settled on the side of the bed opposite him, Wille continued. “I’m so sorry for what I put you through. I took you for granted, and no one deserves that, especially you. But I’m going to make it up to you, and I want to be with you, publicly, if you’ll have me.” He finally raised his head to meet Simon’s eyes when he felt two fingers under his chin.
Simon was looking at him with what could only be called utter fondness and love. “I want to be with you. Of course I do. It’ll take time for the past to heal, but that’s what it is, the past, Wille. I love you. We’ll figure the rest out, together.” He smiled that contagious smile, and Wille nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around Simon’s shoulders, burying his face in his neck, finally feeling safe, feeling at home.
“I love you. I love you I love you I love you. Thank you, Simon.” Simon pulled away slightly, raising a questioning brow. Wille smiled stupidly, as he always seemed to do around him, “For being you, for being my rock.”
He shook his head, “No, thank you, Wille. For being so brave.” He brushed the hair back from his forehead, joining them together. Wille closed his eyes, basking in the warmth that was simonsimonsimon. Slowly, he moved to close the gap between the two, their lips meeting for the first time in weeks.
He took in the warmth, the softness, the caring touches. He took in Simon. His Simon. Maybe they’d make it. Maybe they’d be okay.
“Hey, Wille?” He let out a content hum, not wanting to move out of his cocoon of safety. “I love you. You’re real.” He clung tighter, closer, until they were practically one. They’d take it slowly.
They were real.