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Simon had learned early on their relationship that Wilhelm was a very touch-starved boy. He would thrive when he was given affection through touch and was always seeking out for it. He'd also learned to interpret the blond's meaning behind each touch throughout their years together, because they all meant very different things. Simon had become an expert at reading Wilhelm's language like a book, and he was sure he could actually write one about it. A… Wilhelm Dictionary, one could call it. He didn't know anyone would buy it, but with that being said, he had separated Wilhelm's brand of touch communication into 3 systematic categories (because he was a damn nerd for his husband).
Category #1: Miscellaneous
These were the more subtle and more frequent displays that might be invisible to outsiders' eyes. And even if others did notice, they could never read what they meant like Simon could.
Like how Wilhelm would lock their pinkies together inconspicuously at the table or in a meeting, these usually occurred when there were others around. This was to substitute for a more obvious hand holding in the privacy of their home, to convey that he was a bit lost and overwhelmed, not so much that an attack was coming up, but just mild discomfort that by linking their fingers was enough to soothe it. Or how Wille would press his thigh up against his whenever he was cold, as if to feed off of his warmth just from the contact alone. Then there were the occasional footsies underneath the table to make sure that Simon was still engaged in what he was saying, the one leg tangled over his as they ate breakfast because, in his honest to god own words, "I didn't get to see you in my dreams last night and I missed you." Simon didn't know how he managed to keep his food in after that, probably because he secretly adored that shit, but he would only admit it on his deathbed.
He'd link their arms together whenever they went out, afraid they'd get separated and lost in the crowd. The pinching on Simon's side was to show how fond he was of his bullshit and his light-hearted teasing. Wilhelm would also, very rarely but sometimes, ruffle his hair when he felt like boasting about how more mature he was than Simon, despite being only 4 months older. Simon credited that to the system of which the other boy was raised in, one that never truly allowed either princes to be children.
Those were the ones that were mainly playful and innocent in their meanings, and would go unnoticed to a lot of people.
Category #2: Hugs
These were fairly numerous in their frequencies. And though at first glance, people would think, "Oh well, a hug is a hug is a hug, it's a way to display affection, what's so special?" But Simon knew better. He knew each embrace was different and each one said what Wilhelm couldn't put into words.
A hug from behind meant he missed him and wanted to be close to make up for the lost time. Whenever either of them were apart for a period of time, the entire first night they were reunited, Wilhelm would cling to his back like a koala. Whether they were standing up to make dinner or lying on the couch to watch some movies, Wille would have his arms around him, holding him tight and close, occasionally planting kisses to his neck to convey how much he'd missed him, as accompaniment to his words.
A hug that was brief with a clipped pat on Simon's back meant he appreciated his concern, but he needed some time alone at that moment. And Simon would respect it fully. Because after he'd had his alone time to decompress his thoughts, he would usually seek his direct comfort by curling into his embrace. Wille often felt very young and small in those moments and Simon was overcome with his protective instinct.
A hug that was painfully tight and desperate would hold his apologies and regrets. Those embraces that had them both nestling at the other's neck and clutching at each other's shoulder blades always hurt, because they always occurred after they had a big fight. Like once, when Wilhelm had unthinkingly blurted out that he regretted meeting Simon, and subsequently crushing both their hearts with a single sentence. They'd spent the next two nights apart, and through every second of it, Simon was simultaneously fuming mad at him and missing him like crazy. When they'd had time to think things through and couldn't bear being apart any longer, Wilhelm had literally fallen on his knees and apologized, saying he only meant he regretted hurting Simon so much, but he could never regret Simon. Never. He had begged for his forgiveness and they had clutched onto each other afterwards, hurt and love swirling together into a painful cocktail that they both shared within the embrace. Simon did cherish those hugs because they meant whatever was wrong between them could always be mended, but he never looked forward to them. They always hurt.
The ones he did love was when Wilhelm would be on lower ground than him (sitting on the ground, standing a step lower on the stairs, or lying lower on the bed) and would bury his head in Simon's stomach, a content smile pressed into his shirt or skin. He loved to card his finger into the blond's hair in those moments, and the boy would practically purr and nuzzle in closer to his belly. Those were only for them, when they were alone, as they just screamed how much Wilhelm adored him from the depth of his heart, how grateful he was for Simon being there with him.
Category #3: Kiss
Wilhelm's million different kisses could be a whole other book of their own.
A kiss on the top of his head meant he didn't want him to worry. Whenever he had to make a speech or attend a press conference, he would see that Simon was anxious and worried for him, always looking out for his mental health, and the prince (in these moments, he could really see what a kind prince, a kind future king he would be) would reassure him with a kiss. "I'll be alright. I'll have you right there, won't I?" The man would say with a wink and Simon would curse him for having grown into himself and becoming so sickeningly confident and charming.
A kiss on his eyelids was to praise his beauty as Wilhelm usually planted those early in the morning when Simon was only half-awake. Low murmurs of 'beautiful' and 'mine' were uttered in the haze of dawn. Simon would pretend he was still asleep during it, but he suspected his reddened cheeks might have betrayed him.
Kissing his ears was the way Wille would subtly tell him to shut up and to give him attention. He remembered one time he was going on and on about a colleague of his who made his day by pulling the dumbest prank on their boss. Because he was so enthralled by his own story, he honestly didn't register that the blond was getting restless and jealous beside him until the man grumbled, "Oh really? Is that so? Very interesting." He then attacked his ear, nibbling on the shell, biting at the lobe, kissing the space behind it. All thoughts left Simon's head then, as he couldn't do anything else but sink into the kiss.
"If you wanted me to shut up, just tell me to shut up." He barked with no bite as he was too busy being engulfed in exasperated arousal.
"Never said I wanted you to shut up. Keep talking." Wille had smirked against his ear, arms tightening around his middle, "If you still can, that is." He couldn't, that was the problem, as he groaned and turned around to pin the blond down and kiss him half to death, his story long forgotten.
A kiss on the cheek meant he found him cute. He would be posing weirdly for a selfie with him, or burrowing himself into one of Wilhelm's oversized hoodies, or just sneezing , and the man would get giddy and plant an endearing kiss on his cheek. His face would always redden afterwards, and Wille would find him even cuter and would keep kissing him as they got trapped in an endless loop of quite vomit-inducing affection. Rosh and Ayub certainly didn't appreciate it at all when they witnessed it once. Simon, however, couldn't find it more charming.
Whenever Simon would have a bad day, whether from life, work, or his mental health, Wilhelm would always be there to comfort him with his words, his presence, and his neck kisses. Simon never would have imagined his neck would be that sensitive and pliable under Wilhelm's touch. Just a soft press of his lips to the nape where his hair ended was enough to make him shiver off all the bad feelings. He'd become a putty and melt into Wilhelm's arms as the boy wrapped them around him from behind. Safe and loved were the only feelings he'd get whenever he was kissed there.
He'd become so ridiculously Pavloved that even being playfully poked at that spot was enough to make him all dopey. And Wilhelm would take advantage of that quite often. If he felt like he was about to lose in play fights, he'd reposition himself behind him and just rapid fire kisses at his neck. It was plainly cheating but the blond did not care, and truthfully, neither did Simon because he was too blissed out for anything else.
He loved every single gesture of love and touch Wilhelm provided him and he'd learn to read all their meanings and reciprocate. Though, one of the most memorable and endearing displays that he'd never forget was on their wedding day. His whole family was there, Wilhelm's extremely close family with only around 10 ish people as he did not invite any distant relatives or rich nobles he didn't care about, and their friends. That was it. Nothing huge, no cameras, no press, they did not want to publicize their wedding because it was literally none of anyone's business. It was a beautiful wedding and the vows were as equally beautiful. As Wilhelm finished his vows to love and honor and protect him, he pressed a long lingering kiss on his forehead. Somehow, that kiss felt more memorable and intimate than the official 'You may kiss the groom' kiss on the lips. The way he lingered as he cupped the back of Simon's neck to draw him in close, the way a bit of hurt was swirling in Wilhelm's eyes as they drew apart. That forehead kiss felt like it was saying everything aforementioned. Everything. It felt like love, like a promise, like an apology, and regrets, and a wish, and a praise, and concern, and adoration. It was everything. He could feel everything Wilhelm was feeling about him in that kiss.
That one he would put in: Category #4: Special
He was excited to add more to every entry for the rest of his life.