Chapter Text
They were doing what their hearts told them. As if their spirits had been liberated, Wilhelm and Simon found each other, got lost merely at the beginning; but like magnets, they hang onto their souls. The orbit of their universe restored.
Days turned full of bittersweet chaos. On one hand, Wille spent most of his days with Simon, mostly at his home, an ambience which the prince preferred. A comfortable love haze surrounder the pair. However, the media and the entire world's attention was on them, on what they did at every moment, with a special interest in Simon. People wondered what he bought at convenience stores, what he liked to eat, what his style was, his hobbies, closest friends, talents, etc. Hence, it didn’t take long for fans to catch into a particular detail, neither of the future kings tried to hide.
The Crown Prince and his lover, what’s the meaning behind their matching rings?
Royal couple! From matching outfits to promise rings? New photos revealed!
A real fairytale: get to know more about Prince Wilhelm and Simon's love story!
The rings were made of silver, cool to the touch when left alone, though warm the longer they used them. Wille would never get tired of seeing their hands intertwined, nor of Simon simply doing anything with the ring shining on his finger. Somehow, he remained sane and not lost his composure, kissing the living shit out of his boyfriend when he admired him. Simon’s ring had a moon design. “You brighten my darkness”, the prince had explained when he gave it to him.
“You’re so sappy, jesus…” Wille’s ring had the sun, romantically fitting. “It suits you, mi sol .”
On the inside, they had engraved merry christmas , which Simon didn’t find out until August began.
The brunette was laying on his bed, caressing Wille’s hair that had grown. “Can I make braids for you, bebé ?”
Wilhelm squealed in excitement and managed to nod. Simon worked diligently as he felt the boy in his arms relax. Music filled the room with its cozyness, a playlist he had created for them.
“This is the third Taylor Swift song in a row, Simme”, the prince laughed.
“And your point is?” Mid braid, he stopped to join the gleeful moment.
Once they recovered their breaths, Wille made himself comfortable again in his previous posicion, extended his hand behind him and grabbed Simon’s. “Have you seen the message?”
The brunette frowned. “On the ring? Where?”
“Inside, inside.”
Simon took it off and put the object under his nightstand lamp’s light. He read the words out loud. “Merry Christmas? With a heart? Hey!”
Wille sat cross legged facing him, giggling at his cunning move. “Mine says the same. We can make our wedding one’s like this too in the future.”
“I will definitely not let you choose our wedding rings.”
***
Light yellow hues filled the room through the curtains, announcing morning had come. On the bed, it was impossible to distinguish the boys from the entanglement of limbs as they were sleeping huddled together. Wilhelm opened his eyes first, stunned still by his cosmic luck to wake up next to Simon again, a sight he wanted to cherish for eternity. He felt a lump in his throat growing at the same time he did his best to refrain tears from falling on their pillow. It pained him even more to think they couldn’t remain like that, sharing a little universe. Regretfully, Wille had a meeting with his mother scheduled early that day, in less than an hour, he guessed.
“Am I that pretty in the morning?” Simon mumbled, voice deep from his dreams. It did something to the prince's heart...and body. “¿ Mi amor ?”
Brown meaningful enchanting eyes looked at him. Wille sensed an electric lighting going through his system. “You’re a fucking god, mi amor .”
Simon reacted immediately and hid his face in Wille’s chest, beaming. His words were muffled, but the prince heard him saying “hot”, so he put a few centimeters between them to hear the brunette better. Wille kissed his boyfriend’s forehead, a signal for him to repeat what he had just said.
“Your voice is hot. Keep talking and you’ll arrive late at the palace.”
They stared for long seductive seconds. “I don’t care, please make me arrive late.”
Fire burnt while they kissed, slow at the begining, tasting love with growing desire. Simon’s hand travelled through Wille’s body, reaching his hair to pull him closer. They were molding a piece of clay together, nothing but touch and soft pressure everywhere.
“Crown Prince, we must go to The Royal Place”, Malin knocked on the door. “The Queen is waiting.”
Simon cursed in Spanish under his breath. Wille sighed, retaining a frustrated whin escaping from his lips. “Give me five minutes, please!”
“Understood, your highness.”
The prince caressed Simon’s cheek. “I’ll be back for dinner, okay?”
“You sound like a husband already”, Simon laughed, and oh, how the blond royal adored that sound. “Nico and Vic are coming for our double date movie marathon, don’t forget.”
“How could I if Nico texts me at least five times a day about it.”
“Well, your highness”, Simon stood up, stretched and helped Wille do the same, “if she annoys you it means she likes you.”
They got dressed unwillingly and still tired from sleep. With their hands intertwined, both left their safe space and headed for the entrance door. Malin was waiting there.
“Good morning Crown Prince, Simon”, she looked at Wille. “Ready to go?”
He nodded. “The sooner we go the sooner we return.”
“I’ll wait in the car.”
Wille turned to kiss Simon once again, deeply. “Tell Linda I say goodbye.”
“Hmhm...kiss me more.”
Whether it was for the summer temperature or the kiss, the air grew warmer and warmer.
“See you at night, Simme. Merry Christmas .”
“ Merry Christmas , Willie.”
The ride to the place felt too tedious for the hour, not yet nine. For whatever reason his mother wanted to see him, it always meant being criticised or forced to do something against his will. He was not even once doing things right in her opinion, and the young prince was growing tired of trying.
Malin guided Wille through corridors and spacious rooms until they reached The Queen’s study. She didn’t need to wish him good luck, her mild condescendant smile was enough.
“You are late, Wilhelm.”
He remained expressionless and sat in the chair in front of her desk.
“Remember you are our Crown Prince, my son. Royals do not arrive late, royals hold a pristine image at all times.”
“Yes, mother. I am very aware.”
“Wille”, she sighed, seemingly exhausted despite their conversation just starting, “you spend most days at Simon’s house. And I understand that love may appear as the most important of your priorities. It is how all romances begin. Nevertheless, don’t get too attached, especially coming from you. It does not look good for you to present yourself as the one who is behind him. A Crown Prince should act properly. That entails not living and not sleeping so frequently at his house.”
“All couples can, it is not fair…”
“Your bond with Simon is not normative. You are the future king of this country, and if you choose to stay so adamantly with him, he’ll be your Prince Consort.”
Wille passed his hand through his hair thrice, doing his best to not bite his nails, knowing his mother despised it.
“Wille, dear, you must speak with Simon about the official announcement of your relationship, if he is comfortable we will do it soon. It will change all aspects of his existence. Therefore, you are aware that entering royal life, being now a public figure, requires him to follow certain regulations and protocol. In the future, his responsibilities will grow, never lessen. I will make sure someone emails you the document with further information for both of you, mainly for him to get acquainted with.”
“Do you have a date for the announcement?” Wille asked, covering his nerves.
“There is a previous period in which you both will act with decorum just as two young normal boys would. The last we want is for a rushed official announcement. Before December, it should already have happened if neither regrets and there is no major scandal.”
“Thank you for informing me, mother.”
“Your father and I will see you at lunch. Please ask in the kitchens for your breakfast. You may leave.”
***
As expected, Simon didn’t like much having a puppeteer control some aspects of his life. In the stage they were in, the details he would have to arrange were minimal, small changes when out in public. Wille’s presence was of great comfort, having his prince accompany him at every new step; the hand of expertise motivated by love. From the way he walked, to his clothes, the things he could be seen buying, eating, doing...Simon was more conscious about all.
That’s why it didn’t surprise him for The Queen to request his presence at the palace on the day their second year at Hillerska started. “A power move” Wille called it on their way to the school. Together. Because it would solidify their image to the public, and of course put the royalty and their head (Wille’s mother) in a positive light.
“Matching rings, pristine uniforms, matching bags, arriving in the same black car...wow Willie, better ask my mom for my hand in marriage.”
The prince blushed, his neck and ears gained a crimson hue. “ Aún no. Esperate. ”
Simon choked on nothing. “Eh?! Since when...what?!”
Wille smirked at him and kissed his forehead. “I wanted to practise for you.”
The brunette buried his face on the other’s chest, deeply overwhelmed by his care. “ Mi sol… ”
“ Mi luna… ”
After photos were taken (of course, not prepared, at all) and the rest of students watched the power couple part ways reluctantly as Simon had to reunite with the choir (they had been practising for a week), the inauguration began.
“Willeeee!” Vic greeted him full of bright emotion, hugged him and settled on the bench by his side. “Do you know which song they are going to sing?”
“Nop” he pouted. “Nico didn’t tell you?”
She shook her head. “She said it was a royal secret, so I thought you could know.”
“Not my royal secret, so no.”
The choir took their places and their partners gave them meaningful but undecipherable looks. One of Wille's photographers snapped a few more shots while everyone else got ready.
I've always hated my room, it's so gloomy and dreary. Always the dark, for the windows just face the backyard. So I can't understand how it's happened, how everything's changing.
Considering they were in Sweden, not recognising the song was impossible. Vic’s expression broke into a beaming smile, eyes glowing. If Wille had to guess, his face wasn’t different from hers.
“You must have a lovelight. Everything around you is lovelight”, Simon sang as the lead. “And I can feel your love anywhere. Maybe even when you're not there. The lovelight.”
He was singing to him, straight to his soul. And their soul-link did not shatter, but only strengthened as the hours passed and they spent time with their friends. However, most importantly, at night, it flueded their desire for a more intimate and profound connection. Simon had sneaked into the prince’s residence, a new bedroom on the second floor, with black curtains and a bed that wasn't for one person solely.
They savoured the seconds, no rush nor pressure. Somehow it felt as if they were writing a delicate simphony. Perhaps influenced by the classical baroque music playing in the background. Wille’s hands on Simon’s exposed skin felt so right, like it belonged there, holding his hips, bringing their bodies closer and closer on the mattress. The prince angled his body in a certain way, making the remaining covered part of them to light fire, which caused Simon to see stars, eyes rolling backwards, heart speeding.
“ Ah mierda, Wille~”
Wille raised his head from Simon’s neck, where he had been working diligently, and kissed his lips again.
“ Eres tan perfecto… ”
“Simon…”
“Yes, you can, por favor… ”
Simon was losing his mind. Speaking in Swedish was becoming harder and harder. Wille adored listening to his boyfriend relax like that because he could feel how much he trusted in him, but also Wille got to see the most Simon persona: caring, free, endearing, and speaking things he understood half of the time. He loved him.
***
The days went by fast and smooth for most but one girl. Sara focused her attention on her classes and the horses. Sometimes Fredrika, Maddie and Stella talked to her, either at school or at the dorms she continued to have a scholarship to stay in. That year, Maddie and her shared a room, which was an interesting combination. She at least had those interactions, or the isolation would have been crushing her mind. However, when Sara found herself alone, she thought of August and his talent with words, twisting them with ease. It’s your fault too. But if Simon was happy, why treat her like she was the one who uploaded the video. Why leave her alone?
***
Half of the month was gone and with it came their first opportunity to party. Vic wasn’t keen on huge celebrations but drinking and dancing with friends was more than okay. Still two weeks away, Nico decided to search for a gift for her girlfriend. Who better gift-searching buddy than Simon. Plus she realised in the middle of it that the stores had a tentative sale she couldn’t waste, nor her brother from another mother.
A single hour and people were looking, not many thank God. Near a skirts and skinny jeans area, a brave girl approached them, asking for a photo with Simon. He was taken a back but quickly recovered. Five minutes later, while they tried on shoes, two more girls. Ten minutes passed and a straight couple told Simon they were so happy for him and the prince. In the tshirts zone, it was a full group of people, with cameras, requests, looking for social media growth.
“Let’s go, Simme. We can come another day”, Nico whispered to him.
At the exit of the store, five photographers and more media awaited them. Simon kept his unbothered facade as much as he could, always a gentle smile, no sudden reactions, no agressive behaviour, no anxiety.
“Simon! Simon, Simon.”
“A word, Simon?”
“Simon, what are you buying?”
“Who’s she Simon?”
“How’s The Crown Prince, Simon?”
“Simon, nothing to tell?”
“Are you going to see His Highness later?”
Nico grabbed a random bag from the stan next to her, it was minimalist and rather simple, probably cheap too, but it was the closest most available object.
“Hey guys!” she intervened, drawing the attention to her. “Do you think this is a good gift? It’s for my girlfriend! Is it okay?”
Her little interaction with them bought Simon enough seconds to slip away and for the store’s security team freed the way for her too. She found her friend not far away, hiding in a corner where he was unnoticeable.
“You’re shaking, Simme. Come, I’ll drive you home.”
As soon as they arrived, the brunette went straight to shower, hot water always worked wonders.
“What happened?” Sara questioned Nico in the living room.
“Now you worry.”
If looks could turn blood into ice and send you to Dante's Inferno, then Sara would be in her way. If flashes could kill, Simon was their target.