Chapter Text
"I'm fine.” That's what Wilhelm said, when someone asked him, how he was doing. It was far away from the truth, but this hardly matters.
Who would care anyway?
No, he shouldn't be ungrateful. Eric cared. Eric was the one he could go to, when he felt pressured or got into a fight with the queen.
Eric would hug him, comfort him and say things like: "Wille! You just have to learn to fake your feelings in public. You just have to pretend. It's not that hard.”
Easy to say for the crown prince who was simply perfect, who never tripped ones, who always said the right thing effortlessly, who never got into any scandal.
Wilhelm wished he could be more like his brother.
The fifteen year old boy sighed and looked at the ceiling. He was lying awake once again, but the castle seemed to sleep.
Wilhelm took a deep breath and tried to relax. He was so tensed and nervous. Sleep wouldn't come like this.
He tought about his school day. It had been okey. Wilhelm will never get used to the peeking and the whispering, just because he was part of the royal family. Most of this people didn't even want to know him. They just cared about his title.
He had a few friends, who hang out with him and took him to clubs ocassionally. He enjoyed going out and trying to forget about his responsibilities. But sooner or later his position had become again very clear. He was a prince, which means the slightest mistake wasn't allowed.
Wilhelm turned around, kicking nervously his comforter. He was thirsty.
Quickly he was on his bare feet, trying to get to the kitchen. But as soon as he drank his first sip of water, someone turned on the light and he winced.
"Wilhelm! Why aren't you sleeping? You're having a test tomorrow.” a strict voice said.
His mother. The Queen. Fuck.
”Sorry, I was just...” He bit on his underlip, searching for an excuse. ”Thirsty?” He offered, uncertainity in his voice.
The queen shook slowly her head. ”You know exactly what I expect from you. You should get enough sleep. Then you can be focussed tomorrow and get an excellent grade.”
Wilhelm sighed and his shoulder sank, making him look smaller. ”Yes, mama.” He mumbled numbly but with a sad look on his face.
”Go to bed.” No good night kiss, no hug. Just a very demanding tone and a disappointing glance in his direction.
Good night, mother.
Wilhelm hurried to his room, balancing the water glass in one hand. He put the glass on his table, and sat down on the bed, feeling more alone and missunderstood than before.
He grabbed his phone.
Wilhelm: [23.54] Are you awake, Eric?
Eric: [23.59] Wille! I thought my little brother was asleep for a long time. No, I'm reading this very boring text about some international conflict.
Eric: [00:00] What's wrong?
Wilhelm: [00:03] I... don't really know. I can't sleep and I'm not feeling so well. Could you...come?
Eric: [00:04] Okey, sure.
Just a few minutes later, Eric opened his door very quietly and crept to his bed.
He sat down next to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
”Tell me, Wille.” He said gently and looked worried.
”I-I just feel lonely and Mama only cared about this stupid test tomorrow.” It sounded so ridiculous. It was just a little scolding, which shouldn't affect him at all.
”You're not alone.” Eric assured him and kissed his forehead. This gesture always comforted Wille usually. And also this night he felt his younger brother relaxing, leaning closer to him.
”I'm lucky, you're here.” Wilhelm confessed with a little voice.
”Did something happened today?” Eric asked carefully and hold his brother a little tighter. Wilhelm wasn't handling all this pressure and all this attention very well.
”They said, I'm spoiled and arrogant and then they started shoving me around and...” Wilhelm looked down and stopped.
”Who is 'they'?” Eric asked and frowned.
”Some older guys in my school. I said they should stop and they just...laughed.”
Eric clenched his fist. ”They sound like real assholes.”
”They were really mean. And I...pushed them back at one point and started insulting them.”
Eric grimaced. ”Please don't tell me someone recorded this.”
Wilhelm turned pale. ”No-nothing like that.” He seemed horrified about this possibility. ”When I started to defend myself some of my classmates came over and told them to get lost.”
Wilhelm asked his brother, if it was okey to lay down. If he was willing to stay until he falls asleep. Erik snuggled wordlessly closer to him and let him find a comfortable position.
”Do you think... someone is going to like me? All of me? The prince but also the person behind?” Wilhelm whispered, right when Erik thought he was finally asleep.
He stroked Wilhelms forehead.
”I promise you.” Erik answered. Of course Wilhelm would also find his soulmate. Eric hoped it would happen soon.
But who? Wilhelm thought confused, before closing his eyes and finally drifting into sleep. With his brothers embrace, he was finally at ease.