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What do you get the boy who has everything? Wilhelm insists that Simon doesn't need to get him a present for Christmas. They've only been dating for a few months so Simon doesn't "need to feel pressured to get anything. Being with you at Christmas is enough", as Wilhelm put it one evening at Simon's house. It earned him a lot of teasing and a satisfying blush across Simon's face.
Simon still insists on getting him a present. This is what leads him with his face planted in his hands on Christmas Eve. Ayub and Rosh sit next to him on the couch, game controllers in hand. They've put up with Simon's gift-crisis for the last week and only came over with the promise of pizza. Simon groans over the video game's music.
"Just get him a scarf" Ayub says. "He wears the same one all the time. He could use a change"
Simon shakes his head. "He got his scarf from Erik before he started at his old school. It reminds him that he's not just a prince, he's also a brother"
"Your scarf can remind him that he's a boyfriend too" Rosh suggests
"Well aren't you romantic" Ayub teases, earning him a punch in the shoulder.
"I don't want to overstep. It's too early to get him a scarf" He's so deep in his conundrum that Simon doesn't even notice their banter. Getting him a random 'thing' is pointless since Wilhelm can afford everything. Whatever Simon can get him, he can get a much better version of.
He knows that Wilhelm isn't materialistic, but he's sure that he can still feel disappointment. Wilhelm is probably buying him an island or something. He wouldn't be impressed by a scarf or a "bj coupon" as Ayub suggested earlier.
"How about something sentimental?" Rosh snaps him back to reality. "You could make him dinner"
"I don't know how to cook, but that's not a bad idea" Simon sits up, leaning his elbows on his knees as the gears in his brain turn. Wilhelm can buy anything, but he can't buy a memory. An experience. This might be disappointing and a total failure, but if this goes well, he could give the Prince of Sweden the best present ever.
Now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Simon still has an entire present to plan. But it's hard to not get excited when you're planning a present for someone you love.
❆❆❆
Simon leans against the door frame, smiling at the sight before him. The common room's Christmas tree is covered in fading lights, homemade decorations, and scattered garlands. Messily wrapped presents sit underneath. They're passed around by the group who sit on the floor and couch. They chatter loudly as gifts are opened. Cheeks are kissed. 'Thank you's fly through the air. Wilhelm sits next to the tree, talking to Felice as she opens a purple package. He catches Simon's eye. He smiles.
Wilhelm is beautiful- Simon knows more than anyone. But bathed in LED lights, cheeks flushed from excitement as hes surrounded by his closest friends, he's breathtaking. Simon wishes he could save this sight forever.
He gestures Wilhelm over, disappearing from the doorframe. He walks to the music room down the hall, trusting that Wilhelm is following behind. The room is dark. Light glows from the white fairy lights draped over the large windows. It's almost ethereal. Outside, against the exterior lights, it looks like it might snow.
Simon sits down at the piano. Wilhelm follows him inside and pushes the door shut. His cheeks are warm and pink from excitement. His cheesy Christmas jumper is a size too big. His eyes glow in the soft lighting. God, Simon loves him so much.
"Come here" Simon scooches over, letting Wilhelm sit next to him, shoulder to shoulder. "I uh . . .I didn't know what to get you for Christmas . . ."
"Simon, you don't have to-"
"I know, I know I don't have to but I want to. I didn't know what to get so I'm going to play you something" He glances at his boyfriend, trying to gauge his reaction. "I wrote this for you, and I hope you like this"
Before he can chicken out, Simon presses his fingers onto the keys. It starts rough, messy. His speed picks up and drops as nerves gets the better of him. But as he goes on, the music becomes nothing less than enchanting. The music pulses and lives. It transports Wilhelm. He's swept up in the magic as he reminds himself that Simon wrote this and he wrote this for him.
As the tempo gets more upbeat, his heart pounds in his chest. He can feel it. Love pours out of each note and into the air. Simon sings along quietly to the bridge, his voice getting louder towards the end. The only line Wilhelm properly registers, and the only one that matters, is the last one.
"I love you" he sings gently.
The song ends. Simon's hands fall into his lap. His cheeks are flushes and he's too nervous to look at Wilhelm.
"Simon" a warm hand cups his cheek, tilting his head upwards. Wilhelm can't hide his grin. His eyes sparkle. "I- thank you"
Before Simon can smile or respond, Wilhelm kisses him. The kiss is the perfect response- it's sweet and caring as Wilhelm tries to show Simon how much he loves him too. His other hand combs through Simon's hair before cupping his jaw, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. Simon's hands hold Wilhelm's waist, kissing back with equal eagerness.
They both understand. Their love for each other can't properly be expressed through words or music or even a kiss. It can only be felt; and, God, they are so lucky to be able to feel it.
They finally separate to rest their foreheads together. Simon gently tucks a strand of Wilhelm's hair behind his ear. They breathe in each other's air as their hearts slow to a normal pace.
Wilhelm chuckles. "There's no way my present can compare to that"
"Would it be cheesy to say that you're the perfect gift?"
"Yes, especially since I was going to say that to you"
They burst into giggles. Their hands link together in their laps. In a romance movie, snow would start to fall outside the window. Maybe it did. They wouldn't notice. All they care about is how they're falling for each other.