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The wooden coffee table in the Eriksson living room was full with all sorts of drinks and snacks, the material barely visible underneath all the food, laughter filling the warm living space.
The Nintendo Switch was hooked up to the TV, Toad racing by Yoshi on the screen and winning, making Wilhelm groan, “Why am I so bad at this!”
Ayub only laughed, the 1st symbol dancing happily on his side of the screen, Toad now holding a trophy, “Bro, stop complaining, you came second!” He patted him on the back in condolence, the blonde's head hanging low on his knees, “At least you’re getting better, unlike Simon.”
“Hey!” Cried a voice from the kitchen, “I heard that!” Simon just left ten seconds ago to grab a bottle of Fanta from the fridge and they were already bad mouthing him.
He closed the door after grabbing the orange drink, still offended by Ayub's words, but just as he was about to turn back he saw a packet of Maltesers on the countertop, so he grabbed the chocolates before heading into the living room again.
He smiled at the sight before him, all his friends sitting on the sofa or on the carpet talking and having fun. Sara was on the floor while Felice sat behind her, playing with her hair and making all kinds of different hairstyles while using pins and clips. Madison was reading Rosh's palm, both crossed legged and facing each other on the sofa. And Wilhelm and Ayub were on the floor, controllers in hand while trying to beat each other in Mario Kart.
It’s been a long time since this home was filled with so many people.
He saw them choose another course on the screen, indignant at the comment his best friend had made earlier. So before they could hit play, he stood in front of the TV, blocking the view with a frown and a pout, “Nope," he shook his head for good measure, "it’s my turn, hand me the controller, I'll show you that I've improved!"
Ayub snorted, knowing that he was talking out of his ass, but handed him the small red device anyway, "Improved, right," he tutted, "is that what you tell yourself so you can sleep at night?"
Simon huffed, sitting cross legged between Wilhelm and Ayub, still not believing that his friends thought he was shit at this game. But he wasn’t going to let them get to him. "I actually think about other things when I’m in bed."
Okay, he didn't mean to make it sound dirty, but if Sara's whispered "I didn't need to know that" accompanied by Wilhelm's choking cough was any indication, it might have been perceived in a different way than he intended.
Madison patted him on the shoulder, "Feel free to share, this is a safe space after all," she teased, wiggling her eyebrows. But Sara was having none of it, "No, no, we do not need to go there," she pointed at Madison, "we will never go there."
It made everyone laugh, including Simon.
Just as he was about to press play, a blue controller appeared in front of him. “Here,” Wilhelm handed the controller to Ayub, "you play a round, I'm gonna go get some water."
He started to protest, "Wait! I can get it-" but Wilhelm shook his hand, "Don't worry, you just try not to finish in last place," he smirked, casually walking to the kitchen before Simon could respond.
That little fucker.
"I'll show you!"
Wilhelm just laughed.
Arriving at the kitchen, he opened the cupboard above the sink, looking for a glass; more specifically, his glass. Simon bought it for him a few weeks ago because he was always thirsty in his room while they were playing video games or doing their homework.
It was one of the best gifts he had ever received.
Once he moved a couple of glasses out of the way he saw it, the little illustration of a smiling cup with a crown on it and ROYAL-TEA written underneath staring right at him.
He smiled.
He tried to grab it, but miscalculated the safety of the other glasses as he moved them aside and saw one tumble out of the cupboard. He tried to catch it, but it ended up smashing on the countertop, a few pieces falling on his hand and consequently making a small cut on his index finger. "Ow! Fuck!"
That got the attention of the people in the other room, asking him what happened. But of course, Simon was already there beside him, "Wille, are you okay?" He then saw the pieces of glass on the floor, a few drops of blood in the middle of it.
He looked at the injury, "Oh my god, you’re bleeding!" He said worriedly, grabbing his hand to inspect it.
"I'm fine," he reassured him, "might need a bandaid though," he said in a small laugh, trying to lighten up the mood. But Simon didn’t laugh.
"They're in the bathroom, I'll help you clean it up." He grabbed his other hand, the one without blood cascading down his finger and tugged him towards the toilet that was near his bedroom.
"I'm really sorry Simon, I didn't mean to break it," he said in a small voice, afraid he was going to get scolded.
"It's fine,” he squeezed his hand, “you're much more important than some dishware, I'll clean it up later."
Wilhelm smiled. He squeezed back.
Once inside the bathroom, Simon ran the small cut under cold water, cleaning it as delicately as possible without hurting Wilhelm. He felt him shiver, letting out a small apology but that it was necessary to clean the wound, not knowing that the reaction was caused by his touch on the blond’s hand.
After a few seconds, he closed the tap and grabbed a small towel to dab around the cut, drying it carefully and slowly, still oblivious to the pair of brown eyes staring at him fondly.
He then took out the first aid kit, grabbing wound closure strips and a bottle of Sudocrem from inside, knowing that a bandaid wouldn't be enough. "One of my mum's patients recommended these to her, it's supposed to help with cuts," he placed three strips on the wound, closing it, then lathered the cut with the white cream, making Wilhelm sigh in relief. It really was a miracle cream. Once the whole wound was covered, he placed a bandaid on top of it and gently rubbed his fingers over it, making sure it was put on properly. "There,” he placed a chaste kiss on it, “done."
He looked up and saw the boy's cheeks redden, eyes wide and staring right into his. But before he could ask what was wrong, he felt a pair of lips against his.
Not wanting to pull back, he closed his eyes and kissed him back, moving his hands to his shirt and grabbing it, pulling him closer. He then felt a pale hand run up his neck and into his hair, going through his soft brown curls, making him shudder. He sighed into the kiss, wanting to take it further, so much further, but he knew that they had to stop and breathe.
Heavy panting filled the tiled walls, both of them catching their breath and rubbing their noses together, hands still holding each other. “Sorry,” whispered Wilhelm, “I couldn't help myself,” and then, they laughed.
Why is he so cute?
“It’s okay,” he moved his hands to his back, wrapping his arms around him, “you know you’re allowed to kiss your boyfriend, right?”
He looked at the floor, bashful, “I know, I know, but I should’ve asked first.”
He grabbed his cheeks, making him look up, “You are the most considerate person I have ever met, and trust me when I tell you that if I didn’t want a kiss from you, I would tell you,” he kissed the tip of his adorable nose, “okay?”
He nodded, his forehead grazing softly against his, a radiant smile on his pink lips. “I love you, so so much,” then, he kissed him again.
Simon moaned into the kiss, feeling the intensity of it unlike the previous one, wishing they could sneak into his room for a few minutes to make out without their friends suspecting a thing, but they were already cutting it close by staying here longer than necessary.
Before it could get any more heated, he pulled back, “I love you too Wille, more than you know.”
That made him giggle. “You are such a sap,” he said, as if he wasn’t as bad of a sap as him, “and thank you, for taking care of me,” he added in a small voice.
“I will always take care of you,” answered Simon, nothing but sincerity in his words.
“See? Sap,” he added triumphantly, making him laugh “and ditto.”
Simon kissed him again, just because he could.
“Hey,” now it was Wilhelm pulling back, “Is the plan on telling them next Saturday after Rosh’s game still on?”
“I think it’s a good idea, are you having second thoughts?”
He shook his head, “No, just wanted to make sure that I still can’t kiss you in front of them.”
He snorted, “Am I that irresistible?”
“You own a mirror right?”
Simon rolled his eyes, kissing him on the cheek, "You’re one to talk,” but he could feel his cheeks heating up. Even after months of this, he still gets flustered at his boyfriend's words.
“Hey, at least Sara already knows,” he reminded him. “And Linda too,” Wilhelm added, “I’m so glad they were supportive, I do wish we didn’t get the talk though.”
Simon groaned, moving his head to his shoulder, “God, don’t remind me, it was mortifying!”
They laughed again.
Suddenly, he felt a pair of strong arms surround him, making him feel warm and safe. He snuggled closer into the firm chest, rubbing his nose against the base of the neck he loves to kiss so much.
He loved how his head could perfectly rest on his chest or shoulders, just at the perfect height and angle. But he also hated how tall his boyfriend was. But he also didn’t.
Wilhelm had legs for days and it wasn't fair.
If you had a partner who was ten centimetres taller than you and over six foot at just seventeen years old you would understand. “How come I’m a few months older than you and you’re taller than me?”
Wilhelm burst out laughing, not expecting that comment out of the blue, “Genetics, I guess? I hear eating your vegetable also helps,” he answered teasingly.
But he was having none of it, “Fuck you, you know how much I love brocoli.” It was true..
“You are insufferable.”
“A moment ago you told me you loved me, so which is it?”
“An absolute menace that I love with my whole heart,” he kissed his forehead, making Simon relax, “Common, they might start to wonder what’s taking us so long.”
As of right now, he didn’t really care, he just wanted to stay in his boyfriend's arms a bit longer.
He sighed, defeated, “Fine,” he opened the door and they got out, walking hand in hand through the corridor, ”How’s your finger? Better?”
“It is, thank you,” He reassured him with a small smile.
He stopped and looked around the small hallway, finding no one in sight, giving him the courage to kiss him one more time.
How is he so smooth?
The kiss was over too quickly for his tastes, but they had to get back to their friends at some point, so he let it go –this time–, “And you have the audacity to call me a menace.”
He lifted an eyebrow, “I thought I was a pain in your arse?”
“Well, sometimes you literally-”
Wilhelm covered his mouth before he could finish that sentence, “I beg you to not .” He could feel the smirk under his palm, “Then beg.”
With a shake of his head, he tugged Simon towards the kitchen, ready to clean the mess. Just as he was about to start his glass appeared in his line of vision, filled with water, “You go ahead, I’ll clean up.” Simon could see he was about to protest, so he placed a finger on his lips, “No arguing, you’re injured, you need rest.”
He still tried though, “I didn’t lose a bloody arm, you know? I can still help,” Simon shook his head, “I don’t care, I don’t want you near the murder scene,” he nudged him out of the kitchen, “plus, you need to tell them what happened.” Wilhelm reluctantly left, squeezing his hand one last time.
Simon picked up every last piece of glass before sweeping the floor and cleaning the small pool of blood, leaving the space spotless. Satisfied with the result, he went back, seeing Wilhelm showing everyone his covered index finger. “Does it hurt?” asked Felice, everyone showing concern over his small accident, “It did but not anymore, Simon took good care of me,” he looked at him and smiled. He hoped his blush wasn't obvious, “I might have a future as a nurse after all.”
It was Madison and Sara playing on the console now, the happy music filling the space.
They sat down on the floor, shoulders and thighs touching, sending a spark through both of them. He glanced to his left and saw Wilhelm already looking at him, eyes soft. He then noticed it again; even when sitting, he was still a couple of centimetres shorter than him.
It made him so mad. It also made him want to grab Wilhelm by the neck and kiss him senseless, which is something he sometimes struggled with when they were both standing up. Sometimes he even had to climb him like a fucking tree. There were also times where Wilhelm would pin him against a wall and hold him up, and it was honestly one of his favourite things, so he wasn’t going to complain. Not much anyway.
But he wanted to know if there was another way to make it easier for him and his neck. And before thinking it through, the question was out of his mouth, "If I had a boyfriend who was too tall for me to kiss him on the lips, what should I do?"
Wilhelm choked for the second time that evening, the water from his glass splashing over his shirt.
He patted him on the back, apologizing for the abrupt question.
"Excuse me, since when do you have a boyfriend?" Rosh crossed her arms, ready to know the answer.
“It’s just hypothetical! I mean, logistically, I’m more likely to end up with a guy taller than me since I don’t even reach six feet.”
Rosh hummed, “Yeah, okay, that makes sense,” the others nodded along with her.
“So, any ideas?”
Everyone except Wilhelm seemed deep in thought, wanting to come up with a good solution.
Rosh snapped her fingers, “Got it!” she exclaimed excitedly, “Punch him in the stomach, and when he leans over in pain, kiss him.”
Okay, that was terrible.
“What? No! Kick him in the shins instead!” Added Madison.
Okay, that was even worse.
“No violence, wear high heels, you can even borrow a pair of mine if you want.” He hated to admit that Felice’s idea was compelling to him, maybe Wilhelm would like that?
Now it was Ayub chiming in, “Have him lift you up against a wall.”
They already do that though!
“I refuse to give you any ideas about this topic,” Sara added frustratingly, not wanting to think about her brother making out with Wilhelm.
Everyone else seemed to have more ideas, talking over each other and arguing that their solution was better. After a couple of minutes of this, Wilhelm couldn’t hold it any longer and spoke up, “Or, you could just ask me to lean down!” He could feel a raging blush on his cheeks, not only by his admission but from everyone else's input on how Simon could hypothetically kiss him.
Those few words seemed to shut everyone up.
And, well, the plan of telling them next Saturday was certainly out of the window.
After a couple of silent seconds and open wide mouths, the four oblivious people in the room screamed, “WHAT!?”
Simon laughed and leaned against Wilhelm, not believing that that was how they told them, but not regretting it in the slightest.
Let's just say, they didn’t play any more video games that evening.