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Alex picked the phone up on the second ring. “Alex Claremont-Diaz!” came his cheery greeting. Wilhelm could tell he hadn’t checked the caller-ID before picking up the phone, because that was his PR voice. He and Simon exchanged a glance.
“Hey Alex, it’s, uh, it’s Wilhelm and Simon.” Wilhelm said, a bit flustered despite himself. PR Alex was such a grown-up, so put together, that Wilhelm found him intimidating in the vein of a movie star or a politician: effortlessly charismatic.
“Oh, hey!” Alex’s voice became several degrees warmer and several centimeters more open in just the span of those two words. “What are my favorite Swedish kiddos up to today? That’s you, by the way. In case you didn’t know.”
Wilhelm and Simon exchanged another glance. Alex seemed to be in a good mood today. Hopefully their news wouldn’t deflate it too much. Simon seemed to be attempting to convey something with his eyes, but Wilhelm couldn't quite read what it was. He narrowed his eyes in concentration.
“Still there?” Alex asked, after a few more seconds had gone by in silence.
Wilhelm realized he had run out of time in which to come up with an answer. “Yeah, still here, we, uh… well… what are you doing right now? Do you have a few minutes? You’re on speaker, by the way, but only Simon and my Security can hear you, is that alright?”
A second of conspicuous silence went by, and Wilhelm could almost feel Alex realize this was a serious call. And sure enough, when he spoke again, Wilhelm could tell they had his full attention. “Yeah, of course, that’s perfectly fine. I’m in the car on the way from work to the NY Youth Shelter, so I have at least 10. If this takes longer, though, I can go to Henry’s office when I get there. Are you in trouble?”
“No, we’re not in trouble.” Wilhelm reassured him, “Or, at least, nothing new.”
“What does that mean?” Alex asked, audibly trying to hide his concern.
“We know who took the video.” Simon said. Right to the point. Wilhelm met his eyes. He realized that, perhaps, get right to the point had been the thing Simon had been trying to convey to him earlier.
“ You do? ” came Alex’s reply, full of restrained emotion, as if he wouldn’t dare to get his hopes up. “What evidence do you have?”
“A confession.” Wilhelm said, “And some clever detective work from one of our school friends.”
“ Did you record it? ” Alex asked, with his particular Alex-brand of vehemence. “The confession, I mean. If you did, it’s permissible in Swedish General Court.”
Wilhelm shook his head before remembering that Alex couldn’t see him. “No. I was so angry I didn’t even think of it until after I’d confronted him, and by then it was too late --”
“And anyway, it doesn’t even matter.” Simon interrupted him. “It won’t make any difference.”
“Why do you say that?” Alex asked, seriously.
“Because it was Wilhelm’s cousin, August.” Simon said. Alex’s gasp was audible through the phone.
“And mom is protecting him. She already knew. I called to tell her, and she already knew.” Wilhlem knew his fury at his mother was leaking into his voice, but he couldn't help it. He’d been operating on a volatile combination of frustration, anger, and poorly contained violent rage ever since Felice had told him the truth, and especially since August had confessed.
Without Simon, Wilhelm knew there was no way he’d be holding it together. He was more grateful than ever that he had him at times like these.
“What do you mean, she’s protecting him?” Alex said, and Wilhelm couldn’t read the emotion in his voice.
“Exactly what it sounds like.” Wille said. “He’s not getting in any trouble. No legal trouble, no social trouble, he’s staying at school, he’s just straight up getting away with it.”
There were a few seconds of loaded silence. Wilhelm kind of wished they were on video call so he could see Alex’s face. “Oh, that insufferable --” he cut himself off just in time.
Wilhelm let out a humorless laugh. “It’s alright, you can call her a bitch. She’s the one taking August’s side over mine, what do I care what people say about her?”
Alex didn’t laugh, and when he replied, Wille could tell it was because he was still too angry. “Sorry, Henry has me trained never to insult royalty.”
Wilhelm thought about this. “Yeah, probably a good rule, now that I think about it.”
This time Alex did laugh, but it was darkly tinged. “Remember that, Simon, if you ever feel like telling a royal to fuck off: let Wille do it for you. Might save you quite a bit of trouble.”
“Duly noted.” Simon said. It sounded like he took this advice seriously.
Wille looked at him with concern, but he knew they didn’t have time to talk about it right now.
“So, how did you find out it was him in the first place?” Alex asked, after a few seconds of tense silence. “You said something about classmate-detectives?”
“Yeah, um, our friend Felice noticed that there were a few damaged pixels in the corner of the video, and -- she spends a lot of time on Instagram -- she remembered that everything August has posted in the last few months has the same pixels missing, so…” Wilhelm shrugged, even though Alex couldn’t see.
Alex whistled. “Damn. That is impressive. That is… and then you confronted him and he confessed? Bold of him, isn’t it?”
“He’s like that.” Wilhelm said.
“I see.” Alex replied. It sounded like he did. “So, taking him to court sounds like it’s mostly out of the question --” there was a pause, “Ah shit. I’m at the shelter, let me get inside quick. I’ll see if I can get Henry, too. Just stay on the line, if you have time, that is?”
Wilhelm huffed a laugh. “We have nothing but time.”
“Awesome, just wait a sec then.” Alex said, sounding a bit distracted.
There was the muffled sound of a car door slamming, and then a few seconds later, another heavy door being opened then closed. Wilhelm and Simon looked at each other across Wille’s bed as they listened to half-audible greetings between Alex and several different people in a row. Wille shuffled closer to Simon, still holding his phone between them, and gently leaned forward to rest their foreheads against each other. He felt Simon inhale, hold the air in for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly, then he nudged his nose against Wilhelm’s cheek. Wilhelm nudged him back. Simon met his eyes, then reached up to push Wille’s hair back. Wilhelm smiled at him with one half of his mouth.
“Alright, I’m back.” Alex’s voice came through the phone. “Henry’s here, too, you’re on speaker.”
“That’s fine.” Wilhelm said, pulling back from Simon again, his voice little more than an exhausted sigh.
“What were we talking about? Before I left.” Alex asked.
“You were saying court was out of the picture?” Wilhelm prompted.
“Oh yeah, yeah, I think we’re pretty well fucked in that avenue of justice.” Alex stated.
“Wait, can someone catch me up? You found out who posted the video?” Henry asked.
“It was August. Mom is on his side.” Wille said. Henry would know what all that meant without him having to explain it.
A pause. “You know, I never liked him. August. When I met him at events and whatnot. I thought he was a self-righteous prick, if I’m to be honest about it.” Henry’s voice was hard.
“He’s always given me bad vibes.” Wille said. “I never got why Erik was friends with him.”
“I never got my brother’s friends, either.” Henry said, gently. Wille wanted to say that Erik and Philip had nothing in common, but he knew that wasn’t true. The pressure of being the Crown Prince was enough.
“I know I’m just a commoner, or whatever,” Alex began, “but sometimes, I think, we’re friends with the people we think we’re supposed to be friends with. Even if we know they’re dicks. Especially in high school.”
“Yeah, I think that one’s pretty universal.” Simon said.
No one knew what to say to that.
“If we can’t take him to court, is there anything else we can do?” Wilhelm asked, refusing to sound hopeful.
Henry and Alex considered this.
“We could talk to him ourselves?” Henry said. “If we can’t deal with it publicly, we deal with it privately. As our family loves to do.” This last part was sarcastic.
“What do we leverage him with, though?” Alex asked, ever the lawyer. “How do we convince him it’s in his best interests to do what we want?”
“And what do we want?” Henry asked.
Wilhelm looked at Simon. He knew what his answer was. He hoped Simon agreed with him. “I never want to see him again. That’s what I want.”
Simon nodded. If that’s the best they could get, they would have to take it.
“So, how do we convince him to leave the school? And better yet, to avoid interacting with the rest of the royal family for at least a few years.” Henry said.
“Tell me everything we know about him.” Alex said, “every single piece of dirt, every secret, nothing’s off the table.”
Wilhelm smirked, meeting Simon’s eyes. “His family’s broke. The only reason he’s still at school is cause Mom’s paying his tuition.”
“Ooh, spicy!” Alex said, “Maybe we could use that. How old is this kid, anyway?”
Wilhelm furrowed his brow. “I think he’s 18? Yeah, he turned 18. This is his last year.”
“He’s 18?” Alex asked, suddenly serious.
“Yeah?” Wille said.
“He would be tried as an adult. If this went to court. He’s an adult who would be charged with the production and distribution of child pornography.” Alex said. Wilhelm instinctually wanted to object to being called a child, but understood that that wasn’t the point. “He could be looking at anywhere from 5 to 15 years.”
Wilhelm and Simon shared a wide-eyed glance. “Fifteen years? ”
“Yep.” Alex confirmed. “This shit is serious. I told you, that video was super fucking illegal.”
Wilhelm had known the video was illegal, but to hear numbers like that was a bit disorienting. In fifteen years, he and Simon would be older than Alex and Henry. That seemed incredibly far away to him. It was almost his entire life so far.
“Wow.” Wille said. There was a short silence as everyone considered the prospect of fifteen years in prison.
“This might be a stupid idea…” Simon began, tentatively. Wilhelm smiled at him encouragingly.
“No stupid idea, Si.” Alex said, “Especially not when we’re dealing with the disaster that is the royal family.”
“Ok, so, what if… what if we threatened to beat August at his own game?” Simon offered, looking embarrassed. Wilhelm grabbed his hand and squeezed.
“... With a sex tape?” Alex asked.
“No, no.” Simon blushed. “I mean, what if we threatened to leak the fact that he was the one who recorded the video online? And the fact that the Queen is protecting him? I feel like the Socialist party in particular would be very angry to hear that the Queen is interfering with justice like this.”
A stunned silence. “Oh my God. You’re a genius.” Alex said. “We could spin this into a Government corruption scandal. If people thought that crimes committed by the upper class were being covered up by the Queen right under their noses, they would be furious. Queen Kristina would be forced to take August to court, just to placate the people.”
“Do you think June would write the article?” Henry asked.
“Fuck yeah, June would write the article.” Alex said, sounding quite sure of this fact. “I mean, hopefully none of this would get to that point. But we can talk to her about it before we leave, so she’s in on the plan.”
“August is sure to cave. He’s sure to cave. If this went public like that, it would ruin him.” Henry said, sounding excited now.
“Wouldn’t my mom try to block something like that from being published?” Wilhelm asked, anxiety showing in his voice.
“In Sweden? With your free-press laws?” Alex sounded incredulous. “It would be hilarious if she thought she could stop us. She’s not a dictator.”
“Does she know that?” Wille asked.
“Listen,” Henry said, “It will be alright. We’ll discuss this more in person. Can we come up this weekend? I think we’re free. Love?”
“I don’t have anything.” Alex said, and Wilhelm could hear his shrug.
“Us either.” Wilhelm said, after a glance at Simon. “And it would be best to get this over with. Winter Break starts very soon.”
“Got it.” Alex said, “Then we’ll be there. Early Saturday morning for y’all.”
“Thank you.” Wilhelm said.
“Yeah, thank you.” Simon added.
“Don’t mention it.” Alex said, “See you then.”
“See you.” Wilhelm said. The line went dead. Wilhelm looked at Simon. “Do you think it’ll work?”
His anxiety must have shown on his face, because Simon pulled him into a hug. “I think it has a pretty decent chance. Especially with Alex and Henry’s help.”
“I don’t know how we’ll ever make it up to them.” Wilhelm said, and Simon didn’t answer. He must not have known either.
Alex and Henry arrived at Hillerska with far less fanfare than last time, the Headmistress either unwilling or disinclined to offer them another elaborate welcome so soon after the last one.
As a result, the news of their visit did not spread around the school with the same flighty weight of fresh gossip, and -- as long as they got right to it -- there was a chance they could take August completely off guard. Henry didn’t want to waste that chance. “Even if we don’t know exactly what we’re going to say, we’ve had more time to prepare than he has. That’s perfectly well enough of an advantage for me.”
“He’ll be in the gym, even though we don’t have Rowing Practice.” Simon said, just a bit of sarcastic emphasis on Rowing Practice.
Henry looked aghast, “This early on a Saturday?”
“He can’t focus on schoolwork if he hasn’t worked out.” Wilhelm said, rolling his eyes.
“Hmm.” Alex said, with a raise of his eyebrow, “Sounds like me with Lacrosse.”
“Yeah, but I bet you weren’t a dick about it.” Wilhelm said, gravely.
Henry huffed a badly concealed laugh, and got his phone out.
Alex looked at him with eyebrow raised. “Babe, what are you doing?”
Henry smirked over his phone. “I’m texting Liam, ‘ Was Alex a dick about Lacrosse?’” He flashed his screen at Alex as proof.
Alex was indignant, “Hey!”
Henry shrugged. “Gotta get the facts, love.”
“You’re supposed to be on my side.” Alex pouted.
Henry just shrugged again.
“Anyway, should we get going?” Simon asked, looking impatient.
“Yeah, sorry. Lead the way.” Alex said, with an expressive gesture towards the hallway.
Wilhelm and Simon did, Wilhelm’s security in front, Alex and Henry’s behind them. Halfway down the hallway, Wilhelm barely heard Henry murmur, “Liam says, ‘ Alex was a dick about everything.’ ” Wilhelm and Simon exchanged an amused glance at Alex’s indignant squawk.
“Whatever,” Alex murmured back, “You love my dick anyway, so.”
Henry chuckled softly. “You know I do.”
A glance at Simon told Wille that he was also struggling to hold in his laughter.
Wilhelm grabbed Simon’s hand as an excuse to move in closer to him and whispered in Sweedish, “Do you think they know we can hear them?”
Simon glanced over his shoulder as inconspicuously as possible. Alex and Henry were a ways behind them at this point. Alex had Henry’s phone and was presumably typing out a reply to Liam. Simon whispered back, “Fifty-fifty.”
This time Wille did laugh aloud. Alex and Henry were a bit more subtle with their flirting the rest of the way to the gym.
Sure enough, when they got to the gym, August was there, talking shit with two of his dick friends after a satisfying workout.
God, Wilhelm couldn’t stand his face.
Before he had a chance to notice them, Wilhelm called out, “Hey, August!”
That way, he got the satisfaction of watching August’s obnoxious face go from smugly confident to surprised to pale and shocked as he took in the entourage he was faced with.
He tried to save face with his friends. “Wille, brother, what’s up?”
“Don’t call me your brother.” Wilhelm said. He watched the other two guys raise their eyebrows. “We need to talk to you. Alone.”
August’s friends looked to him for direction. The sentiment was clear: Is this a fight? Alex clearly caught this sentiment because he huffed an incredulous laugh. The hulking Secret Service agents behind them really took the possibility of a fistfight off the table.
It was clear that August knew this. “You guys can go.”
It was also clear that they were reluctant to obey. “Like socialist boy isn’t gonna jump you the moment all the witnesses are gone.” muttered one of them with a glance at Simon.
Wilhelm was indignant, but before he could speak, Alex said, “Ooh, racist, nice. Y’all are really earning sympathy points, here.”
August pressed his lips into a thin line. “Literally, just go.”
His friends hesitated for another few seconds, then when August didn’t change his mind, made their way out of the gym. “Your funeral.” One of them muttered, knocking his shoulder into August’s as he passed him. August just looked down, lips still pressed thin.
August looked back up the moment his friends were gone, and there it was: the barely concealed reckless fire in his eyes. Wilhelm had been waiting for it. “So, what do you want? You, what, called up your American friends and said, ‘August is the big baddie, come get rid of him for me?’”
Wilhelm scoffed, “Yeah, something like that.”
“And I’m British.” Henry added.
“Whatever.” August said, stepping closer. “I don’t know what you think you’re gonna accomplish. Her Majesty doesn’t want to make waves. She wants this all to go away. Taking me to court doesn’t make this all go away.”
“Yeah, but what happens if making this go away is no longer an option?” Simon asked, drawing August’s eye and ire onto him. Wilhelm wanted to step in front of him, but knew it wouldn’t be appreciated.
“What do you mean, kid?” August was disdainful. Wille wanted to slap the disdain right out of him.
“Well, for starters, my sister’s a journalist.” Alex said, and August’s eyes snapped over to him. “A pretty well-respected one, these days. People trust her to tell the truth. If she publishes an article on an American news source, how long do you think it takes before Sweden takes note of it?”
August narrowed his eyes. “You’re bluffing.”
“Am I?” Alex took out his phone. Two rings. An answer.
“Alex, what’s up?” a woman’s voice said through the phone.
“Hey, June. Just wanted to know how the article for Wille and Simon was coming.” Alex said, looking right at August. August’s expression was impenetrable.
“Oh, that! Yeah, it’s almost done.” June said, cheery. “Would you like a sample?”
“We’d love one, Bug.” Alex said.
“Well, the title is still in progress. But I’m thinking, ‘ Royal Cousin Accused of Leaking Sweedish Sex Tape.’ I’m trying to get Douchebag’s name in there somewhere, but it’s not really cooperating.”
“I think it sounds perfect.” Henry said.
“Aww, thanks, Hen.” June said, “Anyway, first line has his name in it anyways, so maybe I can pop it in under the title. The Times lets me do that.”
“That’s the New York Times?” Alex asked.
“You know it!” June confirmed. “Hey, am I on speaker? Is Douchebag there?”
“He is.” Alex said.
“Perfect!” June said, “Fuck you, Douchebag.”
Henry tried to cover a laugh with a cough.
“Anyway, thanks, Bug.” Alex.
“Anytime!” The line went dead.
“How do you feel now, Douchebag?” Alex said, looking at August.
August was pale again, his lips pressed together, but that rage was still in his eyes. Wilhelm thought it was a stupid look on him. He looked ridiculous. For a brief second, he wished the whole world could see him look like a fool like this, the same way August had made him look like a fool in front of the entire country. But that would be sinking to his level.
“So you ruin my reputation. So what? Everyone will forget about it in a few years anyway. And that’s if they even care in the first place.” August said.
“Oh, they’ll care.” Simon said. “If not about us, about the fact that the Queen is stepping in to protect you. They won’t like the idea of you rich motherfuckers getting away with anything you want. We’re all pretty sick of it already, actually.”
August looked confused, but still angry. “What, you think they’ll be mad the Queen won’t let you sue me?”
“Oh, kiddo.” Alex said, condescending and serious, “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into, do you?”
August said nothing.
“I am a lawyer,” Alex said, “And I’m well aware your laws are different, but I’ve been looking into this for a while now. Ever since the video surfaced, actually. You’re looking at a criminal charge. Child Pornography. Wilhelm tells me you’re eighteen?”
August said nothing. It was as good as confirmation.
Alex nodded. “If this goes to court, you’re looking at prison time. Not just possession. Production and distribution. That’s even more serious. The EU takes this very seriously. If the judge takes pity on you, you’re looking at five. If not, up to fifteen.”
August said nothing.
“Years, that is. In prison.” Alex clarified. “Did you know that?”
It was clear that August did not know that. He looked like he was going to puke. He looked like he was going to pass out. There was silence until August literally swayed on his feet, and Alex stepped forward to grab his arm and said, “Woah, dude. Just sit down. Don’t try to look like a tough guy. You’re already losing.”
August yanked his arm out of Alex’s grip, and Alex backed off with his hands up. Henry stepped forward. “We’re not going to hurt you. We’re not like that.”
August looked between all of them, scared but trying to look tough, Wilhelm realized he was trying to figure out where the first punch was going to come from. “We’re really not going to attack you.” Wilhelm said, voice low.
August gave it another second, then in a show of defeat, sank down to the floor, head in his hands. He was shaking. Wilhelm wished he could feel bad. “No, just ruin my life.” he muttered to the ground.
“You ruined mine first.” Wilhelm said. He did not shout it. He didn’t have to.
“And mine.” Simon agreed. His voice held more anger, more blame. But he wasn’t going to hurt August either. Wilhelm could see it in his eyes.
August looked up at them. Just looked. The anger was gone. In its place was fear, regret, and bone deep exhaustion. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Wilhelm scoffed. Simon grabbed his hand. “Your apologies are worthless.”
“ Why did you do this?” Henry asked, sounding like comprehension of a betrayal like this was completely outside his range of understanding. “You know what it’s like to be one of us. To have everyone looking at you, all the time. And you would do something like this? To someone you call a brother?” Henry shook his head in disgust.
“I don’t know.” August said, sounding desperate. “I don’t know why I did it, I just did it, I was so angry and I was tired and I couldn’t think --” he dragged his hands through his hair, gripped it and pulled. “I’m sorry.”
Wilhelm had to admit he looked pathetic. He was rocking back and forth now, hands still in his hair, still all pale and dizzy looking, like everything was catching up with him, maybe. Or like he couldn’t cover it up anymore. Wilhelm had to fight hard not to let any sympathy through.
“You have ADHD?” Alex said. Wilhelm couldn’t read his voice. He turned to look at him. He couldn’t read his eyes.
August looked up. He and Alex looked at each other for several seconds. “Yes.”
“Diagnosed?”
“No.”
“Then why do you look like you ran out of meds three days ago and don’t have a prescription refill?” Alex sounded like he knew why.
August looked up. Alex sighed.
Wilhelm leaned in to whisper in Simon’s ear, “Is that the pills you sold him?”
Simon nodded, expression closed.
“How long have you been taking the wrong dose?” Alex asked. Wilhelm couldn’t tell if he was softening towards him. He kind of hoped not.
“Like a year.” August was talking to the floor again.
“You need to get diagnosed.”
August whipped his head back up, “ I tried. They won’t give me the pills.”
“They wouldn’t give you them, or they wouldn’t give you them before withdrawal kicked in?” Alex walked forward to kneel down on the floor next to him. Wilhelm must have made a noise of protest, because Alex glanced up and gave him a small smile. It was like he was saying, “Don’t worry, I’m not letting him off the hook.” Wilhelm felt a little better after that.
“By the time I realized my source had run dry I only had like three pills left.” August said. He sounded drained. Dead.
Alex had a really intent look on his face: his eyebrows drawn, his brown eyes hard, visible tension in his shoulders. Henry walked up and rested a hand on his shoulder. Alex reached his own hand up to place it over Henry’s, almost absentmindedly. “You know, I used to take my best friend Liam’s pills sometimes. In highschool. When I was having one of those days where I had an essay to write and my brain straight up refused to focus on it. I would stare at my blank screen for like three hours without writing a single sentence, even though I knew exactly what I wanted to write.”
August was looking at him like he had all the secrets of the universe, but like he might strike him down in exchange for them. Weirdly, Wilhelm felt like he was watching a private moment, even though Alex and Henry were supposedly here to defend him.
“And Henry can tell you that I do some stupid shit sometimes, especially when I forget to take my meds. Right, baby?” Alex gave Henry a fond glance over his shoulder.
“Some of the most ridiculous, stupid, shit.” Henry confirmed, but he sounded more than a little fond about it.
“Henry’s the one who convinced me it was worth it to get diagnosed, even though I was already well past my school years. He’s the one who hands me my meds with my morning coffee. He’s the one who sits with me when I need motivation to clean up my fucking mess. He’s the one who makes me eat when I hyperfocus on shit. And I tell you, kid, before him I was way worse.” Alex said, still calm, still serious. It wasn’t his lawyer voice, and it wasn’t the same way he talked to Wilhelm and Simon. It was stern but kind. Like a good teacher.
“Then you understand why I did it.” August said, almost desperately. As if he was hoping for redemption. For Alex to tell him this wasn’t really his fault.
But Alex just shook his head. “I understand how this happened. At least, I have a pretty good idea. You were going through withdrawal. You were taking the wrong dose, and when you stopped taking it, it made your impulsivity even worse. You were desperate and angry. You did a stupid thing. Now you regret it. Maybe you even immediately regretted it.” l
“I did.” August said, hugging his legs, knuckles going white from how hard he was clenching his hands into fists. “I regretted it. I regret it so much.”
He looked like he was going to cry. Wilhelm thought for a second, he deserves to sit here and cry , but he knew he didn’t really mean it. Or, at least, he was pretty sure he didn’t.
“What I don’t understand is why you did this.” Alex said, some of his previous anger leaking back into his tone.
“But. But you said you do stupid shit sometimes, right?”
“Yeah, but my stupid shit is, like, impulse buying a collectible lightsaber for 300 bucks. Totally forgetting I told my sister I would call her before lunch. Sending an indignant email to my asshole professor that I probably should have thought through more.” he looked over his shoulder at Henry, “Flying to London in the middle of the night because I have a long weekend and I miss my boyfriend.” Henry knelt down next to him and laced their fingers together. “My stupid shit doesn’t hurt anyone.”
August was quick to defend himself. “I don’t usually -- I didn’t mean -- I didn’t do it on purpose .”
“I think you did.” Alex said, shaking his head when August made to say something in response, “I think you did, because ADHD doesn’t make you do shit you don’t want to do. If you had been thinking straight, you probably wouldn’t have done it. You would have thought it through. You would have realized it was an incredibly stupid thing to do before you did it. But you would have still thought about doing it. You did this because you wanted to hurt Wilhelm, and that wasn’t your ADHD, that was all you. ”
August was shaking his head, but Alex kept talking anyway.
“You can’t use your ADHD as an excuse for being a dick. You can’t do mean things to people and then just think ‘Oh, I’m not in control of my actions, so it doesn’t matter,’ yes it does. It’s not like I’m saying I’ve never said something to someone that I’ve regretted the moment it came out of my mouth. I’ve done that so many times, and I feel like shit every time, but I’ve never even considered doing something as cruel as what you’ve done to two innocent people, one of them your own family.”
August was crying now. Real tears running down his cheeks. “ I’m sorry. ”
Alex took a deep breath and put a hand on his arm. “I know you are. If I didn’t know you were sorry, I wouldn’t be half as nice to you right now, I hope you know that. But you need to take responsibility for your actions. What you have done.”
“ I will .” August said, a vehemence in his voice that surprised Wilhelm. August looked at simon. “I’m so sorry.” he looked at Wilhelm. His eyes looked younger than Wilhelm had ever seen them. “Wille, I’m so sorry. ”
Wilhelm looked at Simon. He saw the same thing on his face that he felt in his own heart. “I can’t forgive you, yet. And I can’t trust you. I think Simon feels the same way.”
Simon nodded.
“You betrayed me. You’re supposed to be there for me, and you betrayed me. In a way so horrible that I don’t think you can even imagine how it feels. No one who isn’t like us can even imagine. ” Simon wrapped an arm around his waist. Wilhelm was glad for his support. “And Alex is right.” Alex looked back at Wilhelm and smiled gently, “When you did this, you meant to hurt me. Even if it was only for that one second, you meant it.”
August looked away. He’d held Wilhelm’s eyes until that moment, but now he looked away. “What can I do?” he said, staring off at the wall. “What can I do to make this better?”
For just a second, Wilhelm really thought he had the courage to say, I want you to leave. He really thought he could do it. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He looked at Simon.
Simon said, “We want you to leave the school. Finish your last semester somewhere else.”
“I think that would be best for everyone.” Alex said, “and there are plenty of public schools that would accept you without a second thought that you wouldn’t need the queen’s money to pay for.”
August looked up. “But that would --”
“Ruin your life?” Wilhelm asked.
August clenched his jaw. “Fine. I’ll do it. I’ll leave. Fine.”
“It’s a pretty good deal. One semester of public school over fifteen years in prison.” Alex said. August went pale all over again. “Yeah, can’t let you forget about that one. And this way, you can even still get into college .”
“I already said I’d do it.” August muttered.
Alex smiled crookedly. “Yeah, I know, just making sure it sunk in.”
“I don’t want to see you at the palace, either. For a while.” Wilhelm said.
August gave a single nod.
“I mean it. If mom tries to force you to visit, I want you to stay well away from me.” Wilhelm warned him.
“Got it.”
“Good.”
There was a silence. “Will you ever forgive me?” the desperation was back. Wilhelm wasn’t sure whether he should let it talk him into leniency or not. “I don’t know.”
Henry cleared his throat. “If I may. If I were you, August, I would give Wilhelm the time he asked for. I used to think I’d never forgive Philip for the way he treated me when I was in the closet. We’re getting along quite civilly these days. Not that anything he did to me was quite this bad.”
August nodded. Wilhelm got the sense he wanted something more from him, but he didn’t know how to give it, or even if he wanted to.
“I’d start by keeping your word and leaving.” Alex said, the last of the lecture filling his voice all at once. “I’m not giving you a second chance.”
August nodded, hands running through his hair again.
Alex considered him. “I don’t think you’re a bad kid.” he reached into Henry’s coat pocket and extracted a pen and a business card that read Okonjo Foundation LGBTQIA+ Youth Shelters . He flipped the card over and wrote down what Wilhelm recognized as his personal phone number. He held the card out to August. “If you ever want to talk about ADHD bullshit, call me.”
August looked like he thought Alex might snatch his arm back the moment he reached out to take it. Alex just kept holding it. Eventually, August took the card, tucked it in his pocket. He didn’t say Thank you. The Thank you was understood.
Henry took the pen back, and both he and Alex stood up. Alex held a hand out to help August up, and after a few tense seconds, he took it. “I think we’re done here.”
August nodded, and Alex took a deep breath before taking Henry’s hand and making his way to the door. He signalled to Wilhelm and Simon -- as well as the security -- to follow them out.
They made it all the way out of the building before Alex released the tension in his shoulders. He rested his arms against the wall and leaned his head against them. Henry placed a hand on his arm. “That was hard, baby.”
“I know.” Henry said.
Wilhelm and Simon exchanged a glance. For the second time that day, he felt like he was intruding on a private moment. He was almost surprised Alex was letting them see so much real emotion. He felt kind of honored.
After a moment, Alex pushed back off the wall with a purposeful breath in and out. “Let’s go back to your room, if that’s alright.”
Wilhelm nodded and led the way.
Halfway there, Wilhelm wanted to ask Alex a question. He and Henry must have noticed how many times he was glancing over at him uncertainly, because Alex let himself fall back a step and Henry started up some inane conversation with Simon about classical piano.
Wilhelm walked next to Alex in silence for a second. He knew exactly what he wanted to ask, but he had to work up to asking it.
Eventually he just said it. “Do you really think he’s sorry? That he regrets it?”
Wilhelm could tell Alex was considering his question seriously. “I like to think I’m good at reading people. I always have been, and I’ve gotten better since I started practicing law.” he met Wilhelm’s eyes. “I really, genuinely think he regretted it the moment he hit post .”
Wilhelm nodded.
“I really don’t think I’m wrong.” Alex said, looking back ahead of them again, “It doesn’t mean you have to forgive him. I don’t know if I would ever be able to, if I was you. But I don’t think I’m wrong, for whatever that’s worth.”
Wilhelm wasn’t sure what to say.
“But if I am wrong, make sure you call me. Immediately. I also meant it when I said I wouldn’t give him a second chance.” Alex’s voice was hard. And serious. “I work with a lot of kids with ADHD. If he tricked me just now, that was some superb acting. I’d even call it sociopathic.”
Wilhelm nodded.
Alex smirked at him. “But don’t worry. You two are definitely still my favorite Swedish kids. Always will be.”
Wilhelm smiled. “Thanks, Alex.”
“You’re welcome.” It was clear that Alex knew Wilhelm was grateful for more than just the compliment.
Back in Wilhelm’s room, it was clear that everyone was emotionally exhausted. Wilhelm and Simon collapsed onto Wilhelm’s bed, and when Simon put his arms around him, Wilhelm leaned against him gratefully.
Alex and Henry were leaning against the wall by the door. Alex was fidgeting with a chain around his neck that held a key and Henry’s signet ring, pulling it around and around his neck. Henry had his phone out and was frowning at it intently.
“I think that went well.” Simon eventually broke the silence, “At least we only have to deal with him for a few more days until Winter Break.”
Wilhelm nodded.
“What are your plans for the break?” Henry asked, politely.
Wilhelm sighed, “I have to go back to Drottningholm. I don’t want to. I’ll have to sit in the palace with mom and dad for the next month, being lectured all the time.”
Henry hummed. “She’s sure to plan out some public appearances for you, as well. Now that you’re Crown Prince.”
Wilhelm groaned. “Why must I?” he turned to Simon, “And the worst part is, I won’t be able to see you for the entire break.”
Simon smiled at him sadly, hugging him closer.
When Wilhelm looked back up, Alex was smiling mischievously. “What?”
“Oh, nothing, it’s just that I might have a solution to that.” Alex said.
“To my sentencing of one month of royal torture?”
“To the fact that you won’t see each other for a month.”
Wilhelm and Simon exchanged an incredulous glance. “What is it?”
Alex smiled big now, a real shiny American number. “How would you two like to go to a party?”
Wilhelm had to give it to Alex, the Young America New Years Gala was much cooler than any party he’d been to in Sweden. He and Simon were in a room full of minor celebrities, Tik Tok stars, Youtubers, TV Actors, the children of important political figures, various friends of Alex, June, Nora, and Henry, and anyone under the age of 35 that Alex wanted on his good side.
Wilhelm liked to think that he and Simon qualified under both “minor celebrities” and “friends of Alex and Henry.” They were sitting at a table in the corner near the music at the moment, drinking soda -- Wilhelm had been denied alcohol, because “even the prince of Sweden has to obey the American legal drinking age in the White House” -- holding hands and watching Henry be thoroughly danced by Alex right up near the DJ. Some sort of Spanish rap that Wilhelm didn’t recognize was playing, and Alex had his arms around Henry’s waist. He was doing this thing with his hips that Wilhelm couldn’t quite wrap his mind around, but that had Henry completely hypnotized. Wilhelm watched as the bass dropped and Alex turned around to press his back against Henry, pulling Henry’s hand over his shoulder and guiding both their hips to sway back and forth. They only had eyes for each other.
Wilhelm looked at Simon and said, “Can you do that, Simme?”
Simon just laughed at him.
“How long you think until they’re leaving to find somewhere more private?” Wilhelm asked.
Simon glanced at him playfully, then back out at Alex and Henry. He studied them. “If Alex wasn’t hosting this thing, I’d say less than an hour. Since he is, I think they’re gonna make it almost all the way through the night.”
Wilhelm wasn’t sure he believed that. “Really?”
Simon studied them again. They were really, shamelessly grinding now. “Maybe not.”
Wille laughed.
It had been weird earlier, to see Alex and Henry partying and letting loose, especially after seeing them as almost parental figures for the majority of their friendship.
“This is weird.” Alex had said earlier, when he and Henry had sat down at Wilhelm and Simon’s table with their drinks. “I’m not entirely sure we should be drinking in front of you. It’s like I’m a teacher drinking in front of my students.”
Henry had shook his head with a fond smile. “Oh, love, it’s fine. They’re our friends, right gentlemen?”
Wilhelm and Simon had just nodded.
Alex had pointed at them. “Just don’t learn any bad behavior from us, alright?”
Henry had leaned into him and said, “Oh, what, are you planning to be naughty?”
Wilhelm had to glance away from the look they gave each other. He and Simon met eyes. Maybe this was weird.
And now, there they were, literally making out on the dance floor. Hands clutching hair and clothes, music mostly forgotten. Wilhelm looked away and hid his face in Simon’s shoulder with an awkward laugh. “It’s kind of like watching your parents kiss,” he said, into Simon’s ear.
“Yeah, if your parents are super hot and not related to you at all.” Simon whispered back, and Wilhelm pulled back to gently hit him on the arm.
“Henry is related to me, you dick!”
Simon shrugged, eyes still on the crowd. “Not me.”
Wilhelm frowned. He didn’t want Simon looking at anyone like that, unless it was him. He grabbed Simon’s face and pulled him into a kiss. Simon froze in surprise for a second, then kissed him back with vehemence. When he pulled back, Wilhelm was feeling much braver than he had before, even without any drinks. “Dance with me.”
Simon hesitated. “I really can’t dance.”
Wilhelm smiled and shook his head. “Neither can I!”
Simon just looked at him for a second, almost long enough that Wilhelm started to get worried, but then he just laughed and said, “Sure, Wille, let’s go.”
Wilhelm kissed him one more time before dragging him out to the dance floor. And if they were followed by voyueristic glances and over-interested whispers by some of the other guests, then who cared. Wilhelm was happy and he loved Simon and he didn’t care who knew it.
And when a slow song came on next that they could just sway to, Wilhelm liked to believe Alex had noticed they weren’t sitting at their table any more, and had requested it just for them. Either way, as they had both learned from Alex and Henry, they danced like nobody was watching. And kissed like they had every right to.
Because they did. They did .