Work Text:
Erik is more than a little nervous going to pick Wille up.
He hasn’t actually talked to his brother since before the video was leaked. Every time he opens his phone to text Wille, he chickens out.
At first, it was just the fact that he didn’t know what to say. But then Wille didn’t say anything either, and he felt like it was too late. Erik feels terrible - Wille deserves to know that he has his brother’s support. But, also, it feels like a conversation they should have in person.
Despite all of that, he thinks Wille will at least be grateful it’s him and not Mamma taking him back to the palace.
When he arrives at Hillerska, no one is waiting for him.
Erik assumes that Wille is in his room, so he walks the familiar halls of Forest Ridge until he finds his brother’s door.
He knocks lightly on the door and it opens a moment later.
“Erik?” Wille says, appearing surprised and more than a little afraid.
“Hey, Wille. Can I come in?” He asks.
Wille glances back into his room nervously and absently rubs his chest with the hand not holding the door. “Um, sure. Yeah. You can come in.”
Erik follows Wille into the room and suddenly understands why his brother was so nervous about his presence. The other boy from the video is sitting on the floor, leaning against Wille’s bed, looking just as anxious as Wille.
“Hello,” Erik says, holding out his hand. “I’m Erik, Wille’s brother.”
“Simon,” The other boy says.
“It’s good to meet you. I had planned on talking to Wille on the drive back, but you’re welcome to stay and we can talk now. It’s probably better that you’re here, actually, since you’re just as involved in this as Wille is.” Erik smiles a little, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere of the room.
Wille and Simon both appear shocked.
When they don’t respond, Erik turns to Wille. “I’m sorry I didn’t text you. Or call you. I should have, and I’m sorry about that. I want you to know that I’m totally on your side here, and I’ll support whatever you and Simon want to do.”
Wille’s mouth opens and closes a couple of times before he gives up on words and throws himself into Erik’s arms. Erik holds him tightly, feeling him break down completely - probably for the first time since the video leaked.
“Why didn’t you call?” He finally asks, pulling away from Erik slightly.
“Because I didn’t know what to say, originally. Actually, I, uh, called Philip for help, because I was freaking out, Wille, and I didn’t want you to see that when you were going through so much already. You’re my baby brother, and I couldn’t protect you from this. I failed you, and I am so, so sorry.”
Wille falls back into his chest, hiccuping. “I forgive you. You were just being stupid.”
When he turns to look at Simon, the boy is beaming. Erik supposes that he hasn’t seen much support for Wille besides himself up until now.
When Wille slips out of his hold, Erik takes a seat on the floor across from Simon.
He thinks about the conversation he had the other day. Treat it like you would with any other sex scandal.
“Like I said, I talked to Philip. Have the two of you discussed whether you want to come out or not?”
Wille grabs Simon’s hand, holding it tightly. “I want to be honest. I don’t want to lie about Simon, Erik.”
Erik smiles, genuinely. “I promise I’m not trying to talk you out of this, I just need to make sure you know - you understand the consequences of this? Even if you break up in the future, Simon will be in the public eye as the boy who dated the prince. And, Wille, there’s no going back in the closet after this.”
He watches as Wille straightens, looking fiercely determined. “I know. I want to do this.”
“And you, Simon?”
Looking slightly surprised at being addressed directly, he says, “I don’t want to be a secret. I’ve been out to everyone that matters for a long time. I don’t want to hide.”
Erik is so proud of them, for sticking together despite the terrible position they’ve been put in.
“Okay. Have you drafted a statement?” He asks.
Wille stutters. “Uh, no- not really. You know I’m no good at that. Mamma never approves anything I write.”
He’s right. Wille’s statements are always written by their PR team because their mother doesn’t think that Wille’s are good enough yet. Erik thinks they’re fine, but he isn’t in charge (yet).
“That’s okay, I can help you come up with something on the way home. Mamma will let you use it if we say I wrote it.”
“Thanks, Erik,” Wille says, flushing a little.
“Now that business is done, I’d love to get to know you a little better, Simon. You’re seeing my brother, after all.”
Simon, clearly not intimidated by the fact that he’s royalty, leans in a little. “So you don’t care that I’m a boy? That Wille is into that?”
“No,” Erik says honestly. “Of course not. I’m just glad that Wille has found someone who makes him happy.” He pauses. “Did you know that he ditched me to hang out with over the weekend after Parent’s Day? He was so cute, all embarrassed about his crush. But he was so excited to get to spend time with you. I’ve never seen him that happy, Simon.”
Wille makes a pained noise and buries his face in his hands. Simon bursts out laughing.
“You didn’t tell me that, Wille!”
Wille just groans.
Still, Erik seems to have passed some kind of test, because Simon leans back against the bed and relaxes. “I like you,” He says matter of factly. “Wille, your brother is cool.”
“I guess you can’t be an anti-monarchist anymore, then. There’s only four of us, and you like two of them.” Wille teases, poking Simon’s side.
“Just because I like you doesn’t mean I like the crown,” Simon says lightly, although Erik can tell that it’s the truth.
It’s an interesting revelation, but Erik somehow can’t find it in himself to be surprised. Only Wille would fall for someone who hates his status - and get them to fall for him in return.
They talk for a little longer, but at some point, they really do have to go if they want to get back to the palace on time.
He and Simon exchange numbers before they go, and he gets the privilege of watching Wille kiss Simon goodbye. It’s adorable. They’re a really good match, from what Erik has seen, and he hopes that they stay together.
On the drive back, Erik helps Wille write a statement like he promised.
It isn’t long or complicated, but it doesn’t need to be.
They take it to Mamma together when they get to the palace.
“Are you sure this is what you want, Wilhelm?” She asks after reading what they’ve put together.
“I’m sure, Mamma,” Wille says, just as determined as he was when Erik asked him the same thing.
“Very well. You may use this statement tonight.”
Wille lets out a breath in relief. “Thank you, Mamma.”
He turns to leave, looking back to see if Erik is following.
“I’ll join you in a minute, Wille. I have something to talk to Mamma about.” Erik tells him.
Wille nods, closing the door behind him.
“What was it you wanted to talk to me about, Erik?” Mamma asks.
“Prince Philip has invited Wille and I to spend Christmas with his family in London. I think it would be good to take him up on his offer.” He doesn’t elaborate any more than necessary.
“I assume you are old enough to make transportation plans for yourself. You and Wilhelm may go. Make sure you behave responsibly while you are there.”
“Thank you, Mamma. We will.” Erik says gratefully.
With that, he goes looking for Wille.
Erik finds him staring at his open closet. There are a few suits tossed on the bed and a couple more on the floor.
Wille looks up when he hears Erik come in. “What did you need to talk to Mamma about?”
Well, now is as good a time as any.
“You and I are going to London for Christmas.”
Wille looks incredulous. “Mamma approved this?”
“Prince Philip invited us. She can’t say no without looking bad.”
Now he looks suspicious. “Why did Prince Philip invite us for Christmas?”
“Again, I told you I called him. I don’t know if you remember his younger brother, Henry, but he went through something pretty similar a couple years ago. Philip was in my position, which is why I called him, but Henry and his boyfriend are going to be there for Christmas, and we thought that might be good for you.”
Wille seems like he’s going to argue for a moment but then thinks better of it.
“Thank you for doing that for me.”
“Of course. And it’s not just for you - I’m looking forward to seeing Philip. It’s been a while.”
Wille smiles.
Erik changes the subject. “Do you need help picking an outfit?”
He nods gratefully. “Please. Nothing looks right.”
They go through his closet together, eventually settling on a bluish-grey suit with a white undershirt.
All too soon, it’s time for the interview.
Wille is visibly nervous, but Erik knows he’s absolutely sure of his decision. He doesn’t make any attempt at backing out - just sits down in the chair he’s been assigned. He looks more like a prince than Erik has ever seen him.
Everything goes well, and it’s over far sooner than Erik expected.
He takes out his phone.
Simon
Erik: How would you feel about coming to London with us for Christmas?