Chapter Text
Simon’s POV
It was Christmas Eve.
Ever since Simon could remember, Christmas wasn’t his favourite holiday. Even though, the vibes seemed cheerful, it was never the case in his house.
He remembered one Christmas, when he was maybe 6 or 7, his dad got so drunk that he destroyed the decorations that he and his mom had put together.
'Maybe that’s why I hate Christmas' Simon sighed thinking to himself.
This Christmas wasn’t any different, Sara being at Felice’s and his mom sleeping before 10:00 pm. Although Ayub and Rosh insisted that he should spend the night with them, he didn’t feel like going outside because whenever he does, he would be met by unnecessary stares.
Resorting to a soup and a blanket that barely made this shivering night bearable, he sat on his bed.
He scrolled through his phone, trying to distract himself from the emptiness that filled his heart and from the boggling thoughts of who could possibly record and leak the video.
Fortunately or not, his loneliness was interrupted when he heard a knocking sound on the front windows. He panicked and secretly wished it was Wille, but he calmed himself down thinking it is probably Rosh and Ayub.
He removed the blanket off of himself and rushed to the window to see who was it.
Saying he was shocked is an understatement.
“What the fuck!!!” he frowned at the sight of the mystery visitor, he opened the door quickly and whispered yelled, “What the hell are you doing here?"
Wilhelm’s POV
It was the first Christmas without Erik. Thinking about it made Wilhelm’s heart ache. Without Erik, Christmas in the Royal family is a nightmare of pure protocol and fakeness. Wilhelm remembered those Christmas days when Erik would take him and sneak out of the Palace to play in the snow.
Bittersweet, his eyes teared up a bit. But quickly snapping back to reality when Malin asks if he wanted anything before she could go to sleep, he said "No I’m fine" he lied.
Sleeping was an impossible task. His anxiety would creep inside him and would recall Simon’s last words "I wish you have a nice Christmas", it stung in his chest.
'Why didn’t he say it back?' Wilhelm understands why but it doesn’t make it any better. He just wants to hug him and tell him how gloomy his Christmas is. How he only wishes to hear ‘I love you’ back so he would be the happiest person alive.
Trapped in this place his ‘home’, he couldn’t take it any more. He put on a thick coat and a scarf and headed to the doorway where he was stopped by the Royal guards.
“What do you mean I can’t go out?” His voice cracked, “It is the Queen’s order! Crown Prince. We are terribly sorry.” one of the guards answered him coldly.
“AM I A FUCKING PRISONER?!! IN MY OWN HOUSE” He cried out, the vastness of the Palace made the echo haunting.
“It is okay the Queen said I could accompany Crown Prince wherever he wants” Malin’s voice in the background came as a beacon of hope. He mouthed her a ‘thank you’.
Simon’s POV
“They say ‘Hi! Merry Christmas' Simon” August laughed while chewing on his gum.
“What do you want August?” Simon asked giving him a disgusted look.
August dug his hand in his coat pockets and pulled an envelope out handing it to Simon.
Confused and hesitant to take it, “What’s that?” Simon questioned him.
“The rest of the money I owe you.” August answered genuinely for the first time since Simon had known him.
Simon checked the envelop, the money was actually there. He almost laughed, amused that August himself is right here in Bjärstad to pay off his debt.
“You could have transferred it by the app” Simon murmured under his breath, but raised his voice to ask him, “How do you know my place, though?”
“You live in a small town Simme.” August grinned and Simon cringed at the nickname.
There was a moment of mutual silence that August broke by saying, “I know you won’t thank me, but at least let me in for a bit. I am freezing dude.”
He awkwardly laughed. Simon thought it wasn’t as obnoxious as his usual laughs, and he found himself making a room for him to enter.
It felt so wrong. He couldn’t figure out why he would possibly accept his bully in his house.
“Don’t make noises, my mom is asleep.” August zipped his mouth and seated himself on the sofa. Simon rolled his eyes at how silly August was acting as if he was an old friend or something.
August patted the seat next to him inviting Simon to sit there. He could have sworn this night won’t get any weirder, but it did.
“I know I treated you badly Simon, but I always knew you are a good kid at heart.” August tapped his finger on Simon’s chest. He flinched at the touch and backed up a bit.
“Are you dying of cancer or is this a pity because of the video?” Simon ironically chuckled.
“No one deserves what happened to you, you know your reputation.” August sounded genuine once again, but Simon was determined not to be fooled.
Simon stood up, “I don’t want your pity, August.”
August followed up and stood next to him, “No, Simon you don’t...”
Simon was confused and wondered why August almost sounds defeated.
August reached out for Simon’s arm in an attempt to make Simon look at him properly. And what happened next, Simon wouldn’t have guessed not in a million years. He felt August closing the gap between them and lowering himself to kiss him.
Simon felt a knot in his stomach, he almost wanted to throw up. He pushed August away, “What the hell is that?”
He didn’t get an answer instead felt a cold hand slipping onto his nape and into his curls and experienced the same lips on his but this time more demanding. August kissed him as if his life was dependant on it. Simon didn’t know what was onto him at that time.
His body froze. He didn’t resist.
He hated himself for that his body found comfort in a touch from someone like August.
It was a temporary cure from the pain that resided in his heart or maybe an act of rebellion against the feelings he had from his 'betraying lover'.
Wilhelm's POV
Wilhelm’s mind was racing, what if this is a terrible idea and Simon didn’t want to see him. His thoughts were irrational, he almost wished to find the same fate as his older brother while being on this late night's car ride.
These suicidal thoughts were kicking in more than he wished for. He fought the urge to open the car door and jump out of it. What kept his sanity alive is the fact that he knew he would meet his lover after this seemingly endless road.
When they arrived, Malin told him that she will be waiting in the car. He thanked her again for all the things she has been doing for him.
Heavy-heartedly he approached the house.
He stopped when he saw two figures through the sheer curtained windows and from their proximity they seemed to be kissing.
His heart sank and his legs shook as if made of jelly. He wished the ground could crack and engulf his entirety.