Work Text:
Charlie rolled his eyes and sighed deeply, rubbing his hand along his face as he heard a soft rumble and a lowly hissed “Fuck!” from the front of the bookstore. He shook his head, putting the box filled with books he had held in his hands down onto a nearby shelf to turn himself towards the noise.
“Is it maybe possible for you to not kill or at least hurt yourself with a pile of books? Just maybe? Just a suggestion.” Charlie crossed his arms, still shaking his head. He could not help a smile forming around his lips as he looked down at his boyfriend who kneeled on the floor, slightly embarrassed, trying to pick up all the books he had dropped, rubbing his arm absentmindedly.
“Um… Usually, I am able to handle it pretty well. I promise that I am not that clumsy. You should know that by now. I was just… maybe a little bit distracted this time?” Nick raised his head, grinning at Charlie sheepishly and wiggling his eyebrows, winking at the other.
“Distracted? So? And what exactly did distract you, love?” Charlie took a step closer, waiting for Nick to get up, wrapping his arms around the taller man’s neck.
“Maybe I got distracted by the cute and stunningly beautiful employee here when he lifted a box full of books and revealed some skin?” Nick’s grin widened at his own words while Charlie chuckled at the other, trying not to roll his eyes this time.
“What are you? Do we live in a Victorian drama now where you get all hot and bothered because you saw a glimpse of my ankle?” Charlie teased which made Nick scrunch his nose with a little pout on his lips even though he pulled Charlie closer against his own body.
“Don’t make fun of me, Charlie. I won’t swoon just because I saw some of your skin.” Nick explained although it did not sound very convincing.
Charlie tilted his head and glanced at the books on the floor, raising an eyebrow without saying a word.
“Okay, maybe… just maybe, I swoon a bit. But who am I to blame? I mean… look at you. You are just… It’s hard not to look at you and get flustered, you know.” Nick shrugged his shoulders as if this would explain everything, leaning in to steal a quick kiss from Charlie’s lips.
“Nick.” Charlie giggled and patted the other’s chest, trying to get out of his embrace while there was a soft blush spreading over his cheeks. Nick always got him with his sappiness.
“What? It’s just the truth. You are the most beautiful human being on this whole wide planet and I can hardly take my eyes off of you.” Nick added, a little tease in his words now, slipping his fingers underneath Charlie’s shirt which made the other man squeal slightly due to the cold finger’s touch.
“Stop it. I am at work. This is absolutely not appropriate. What if somebody finds us like that? We can continue that at home. I promise. But right now, I should get back to… unpack these boxes and restock the shelves. And you, mister, promised to help me. And not to distract me from doing my job.” Charlie tried to look stern, glaring at Nick with his eyes squeezed into small slits which earned him an eyeroll and a huff by the other even though he did not let go of Nick.
“Fine. Your wish is my command. But first… one last kiss, okay? To motivate me even more. I mean… I’m helping you for free. I am not getting paid and…” Before Nick could finish his sentence, Charlie’s lips were on his, shutting him up.
“I think we can talk about the payment for your selfless work later at home, love.” Charlie muttered against the other’s lips as he pulled back a little. “But first… work.”
With this Charlie finally took a step back, getting out of Nick’s embrace who let out a dramatic sigh. “Okay. But… I hope you won’t forget about this promise. Nothing’s for free in this world, darling.” Nick winked before he turned around to kneel down again, reaching out for the box to put the books he had dropped into it to be able to carry them over to their respective shelf.
With one last shake of his head and a smile at his boyfriend, Charlie turned around as well, getting back to his own box to start putting the books into the free spaces, restocking their assortment.
Charlie hummed under his breath while his fingers brushed along the backs of the books he took out of the box before he arranged the others on the shelf to fit in the new ones. This kind of work was somehow soothing. Books had always been like an escape for him, had helped him to forget about time and space and all his daily problems. And even though his life had turned to the better, they were still a calming presence in his life. A place where he could dive into and relax.
He was really glad that he had been able to find a part-time job like that, at a bookshop nearby. One job he could easily fit into his regular schedule of studying so that he could do his bit to his shared life with Nick, paying his part for the apartment and food and their life together.
That the other would stick around at the store whenever his time allowed it was another bonus. It was close to the school Nick interned for his studies so he visited whenever it was possible.
Charlie would never admit it aloud but he really loved working with Nick, being with him, spending their time together. Knowing that Nick wanted this as much as Charlie did, that he wanted to be there with him at the store, taking every possibility to come over to spend his free time with Charlie…
Charlie really struggled sometimes to understand.
That he had been able to find his person.
That he had been so lucky.
That this was really his life.
A life he had often imagined and dreamt about when he was younger but had never thought he would have. A life full of love with the man of his dreams. He knew that without a doubt Nick was that man. They both did, knowing that they were their forever. That this would last until both of them would be old and grey.
His thoughts were interrupted all of a sudden as he, first, heard the doorbell ring and then another loud thud a second after that.
Charlie let out a sigh. Again. Sometimes, Nick could be really clumsy. Had he really knocked the books over again? Maybe he should send him home before he would hurt himself or would destroy any books. How he had made it through school and especially all the rugby training and matches without any bigger injuries was still something Charlie could hardly understand sometimes.
“Nick, you need to be more c-…” Charlie broke off mid-sentence, staring at the people in the front part of the store that had showed up unexpectantly.
Nick stood there with wide eyes, still holding the empty box in his hands while there was a small pile of books next to his feet. He did not bother to kneel down to grab them this time, his eyes fixed on the visitors.
Charlie blinked and swallowed, his eyes hovering over the four people, a woman and three men, dressed up in black suits who were examining the store, standing close to each other in the small space in the front. One of the men said something inaudible into a little device while the others seemed to listen intently through their earpieces.
Nick dared to look over at Charlie, the question marks floating over his head, confusion and a small bit of insecurity written all over his face. Charlie just shrugged his shoulders, having no clue what was happening right now even though he had a little flashback to a somewhat similar situation three days ago as he had an unexpected visitor from Sweden in the store. Even though, back then, the men and women in black had been just outside. So, this was different. And kind of scary, to be honest.
“Are there any customers right now?” The woman addressed Charlie after her eyes had glanced at Nick for a second. Charlie shook his head. Nick and him had been on their own in the past half an hour or so, just unpacking the delivery boxes with new books.
“N-no. Nobody else is here right now. It’s just… um… us.” He muttered while approaching Nick who instinctively put his arm around Charlie’s waist to pull him closer, putting the empty box down on the counter next to him.
“Good. We need to do a quick walkthrough to see that everything is clear and then...” She replied and turned around, giving out orders to two of the men who started to head towards the rows of shelves, quickly looking around if there was anybody hiding there.
“Um. May I ask you what this is all about?” Nick pressed Charlie against him, his voice sounded a little weak and he felt slightly overwhelmed with the situation. Obviously. Because it was not a common thing to get raided by what seemed like some kind of security without having a clue why they were here in the first place.
The woman ignored him due to listening to somebody inaudible through her earpiece before the two men came back. “All clear.” One of them stated and she nodded, her eyes fixed at the entrance.
“Okay, we’re safe. You can come in.” She muttered while Nick and Charlie exchanged a look, still not knowing what was going on right now. Did they do anything wrong? Were they under arrest? Was this how it felt when the MI-5 sweeps your store? This seemed a bit unreal and felt kind of weird.
“I apologize for the inconvenience. Really. It’s just a precaution we have to go through every time we go out in public.” They heard the voice at the same time and turned around towards the door to face the young man that was standing there now, smiling openly at the two of them.
“What the...” Charlie could hear Nick mutter under his breath while his eyes widened and he started to tremble slightly.
“Um... d-don't w-worry, your... your Royal Highness?” Charlie’s words sounded more like a question than a statement and he hurried to do something that could resemble a bow even though he had no clue what was expected in such a situation. When you met the Prince of Wales in the bookstore you were working at. This was something that did not occur every day and neither Charlie nor Nick were prepared for it.
“Nick...” Charlie hissed, elbowing his boyfriend who seemed still a bit frozen to follow his movement. Nick blinked and bowed slowly, lowering his eyes with flushed cheeks.
“You have to be kidding me. I can totally see a pattern here.” Another male voice chimed in, a laugh obvious in the tone which made Charlie look up again just to spot nobody else than Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, standing next to Prince Henry of Wales.
In the door of the shop.
The shop Charlie was currently working at.
Alex had sneaked one arm around the other man right next to him, a wide smile spread all over his face as he eyed Nick and Charlie who still stood there a little starstruck, not sure what this was all about. Or if they were just dreaming and making this all up in their minds.
“Um....” Nick was the first to regain his voice this time, raising his hand to scratch the back of his neck, glancing over at Charlie as he licked his lower lip nervously. “W-Welcome?” He blinked at the two men in front of them, subconsciously reaching out for Charlie’s hand to take it in his own as if he needed something that would ground him.
The other two exchanged a knowing look and now the smile on Prince Henry’s face turned into a grin as well. “Thank you.” He replied before turning slightly towards Alex. “I couldn’t agree less with you, love. There seems to be a pattern here.”
Before neither Nick nor Charlie could say something, Henry and Alex stepped into the shop. “Thanks, Mia.” Alex nodded at the woman. “I think you can wait outside. I don’t think there’s any threat in there. Except Henry who might throw a book at me because of me making bad jokes.” Henry rolled his eyes at Alex’s words but did not comment on them. Maybe because there was some truth hidden beneath this.
Instead Henry moved towards a row of books, his fingers brushing along the spines. A little content hum could be heard while Mia replied quietly to Alex, probably giving out some instructions for when they were on their own in here. Then she opened the door and the four securities stepped outside, closing the door behind them, staying in front of it and close by.
The four of them were alone in the store now.
“Is there a place where we can sit down?” Henry asked, turning his head to look at Nick and Charlie who had not moved at all, still glued to the spot. Alex approached him, wrapping his arms around Henry from behind. He put his head onto the other man’s shoulder and watched the two young men in front of them who just continued to stare, not able to say a proper sentence.
“U-Um… sure. There’s a small place in the back? Y-you could sit down there, your Royal Highness, and…” Charlie stammered, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, completely overwhelmed by the situation.
As Wilhelm had been here a few days prior, it had been different. A lot easier because he had had no clue that the other boy had been the Swedish Crown Prince. But right now, he knew exactly who stood in front of them. And what would probably be expected of Nick and him, concerning their behaviour.
“Please. Call me Henry.” Henry stated with a soft look on his face. “And I am Alex.” The other chimed in, letting go of his boyfriend just to reach out for his hand, exchanging a quick glance.
“O-okay.” Charlie swallowed and nodded before he slowly moved to lead them towards the couch he had sat on with Wilhelm some time ago, pointing towards it so that the two would sit down.
“Nick!” Charlie hissed as he passed his boyfriend because the other had not moved an inch, still staring at their visitors, still frozen in place.
“Sorry, Charlie. I… this is… just… surreal? Could you pinch me to prove that I am not dreaming?” Nick blinked and licked his lips, pushing his hand through his hair and yelped slightly as Charlie followed his wish. “Not a dream.” He muttered under his breath, walking behind Charlie towards the small and slightly cosy sitting area in the back.
While Henry and Alex sat down onto the couch right next to each other, seemingly very comfortable, Charlie had taken one of the armchairs while Nick had sat down on its armrest, his hand finding its way onto Charlie’s shoulder on his own without him thinking about it.
All of them stayed quiet for a moment before Charlie almost jumped, causing Nick to fight with his balance for a second. “Um, do you want some tea? I could get some. I have some Earl Grey over there. It’s a good one and I think it would be nice to have a cup and…” Charlie rambled slightly, biting onto his lip. Henry nodded at his suggestion.
“That sounds great. Would be nice. Thank you...” Henry looked at him a bit expectantly, the ending of his sentence sounded a bit like a question. That was the moment Charlie realized that he had not introduced himself. Or Nick.
“Oh, sorry. I am… I am Charlie. And this is… is Nick. I’ll be right back with your tea.” And with that, Charlie vanished, almost fled, into the small room in the back to prepare their tea. He was glad that he could put some distance between himself and the others even though it meant that he would leave Nick out there on his own. But he needed some time to calm himself down. Because this was not an everyday situation. To have a real prince and the son of the US president in the bookshop, obviously trying to talk to him and Nick. What the bloody hell?
“So, how long have you been together?” To bridge the time, Alex had directed his attention towards Nick after Charlie had left them on their own.
“Traitor.” Nick thought for the split of a second.
He swallowed and shuffled slightly to sit down onto the armchair because the armrest got a bit uncomfortable. He needed all his inner strength that his voice stayed steady and he did not blush furiously due to the weird situation he was in right now.
“Um… Charlie and I, we met at school. I was in Sixth Form and we were forced to sit together in form group. We became friends first and… well…” He shrugged slightly and swallowed again, pushing his hand through his hair nervously.
“Sixth Form?” Alex arched an eyebrow and turned to Henry who explained to him which grade this would be in the US. “Oh, wow. That seems like a long time. You’re High School Sweethearts then.” Alex nodded appreciatively, suppressing a little whistle, while Henry put his arm around Alex so that the other could lean against him.
Nick smiled shyly and shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah. It was not that easy to be honest. I had a proper full-on gay crisis because before Charlie I was convinced I was straight, already having kissed a girl. Who turned out to be a lesbian later on, just so you know. But well… I got proven wrong as he entered my life and turned it upside down, convincing me that I am totally bi, being able to fall for a guy as well.” A chuckle left Nick’s lips. For a moment he forgot who he talked to, a bit lost in his memories about the time when Charlie and him had become boyfriends back in their school days. And actually, he would never turn down a possibility to talk about Charlie, no matter who sat in front of him.
Nick looked a bit surprised as his thoughts were interrupted as the other two started to laugh slightly a moment later, exchanging a quick look before turning back towards Nick.
“Bloody hell, I absolutely have a feeling of déjà vu.” Henry stated with a smirk around his lips as he noticed the confused look on Nick’s face who had started to frown slightly at the unexpected reaction Alex and Henry had shown. “I was Alex’s bi awakening. He thought he was straight, too. But well… turned out that he definitely isn’t.” Henry explained while a small grin crossed Alex’s face as he nodded at the other’s words.
“Definitely not.” He agreed and placed a small kiss onto Henry’s cheek.
“Oh, that’s… Charlie was my bi-awakening then.” Nick admitted with a chuckle and he finally seemed to relax, leaning back in the armchair against the backrest and crossing his legs. Because if he thought about it more precisely, these two were not that different from him and Charlie then. Except their kind of celebrity status, obviously.
“Well, it seems that there are really a lot of similarities then between us.” Alex stated with a smirk and leant forward to offer Nick his fist for a little bump. Nick leant in as well and honestly, he really started to see them as people he could easily talk to without thinking about them being public figures because they totally behaved like any other people he knew.
“Did you plot anything while I was gone? Seems so.” Charlie interrupted all of a sudden with a little smile on his face. He carried a little tray with four mugs filled with steaming hot tea on it, placing it in front onto the small coffee table as he re-entered the space.
While he had been in the back, he had taken some breaths to calm down his nerves, trying to convince himself that this was nothing to freak out about. There might be a reason for Alex and Henry being there. They were probably just here to talk. So, nothing serious. He had survived his talk with the Crown Prince of Sweden. So, he would survive another one with Alex and Henry.
“Nope, darling. We didn’t. Would never dare to plot anything against you. We just noticed that Alex and I have something in common.” Nick put his arm around Charlie’s waist while he sat down on the armrest, pulling him slightly closer so that Charlie leant against him.
“Oh, really? Do you?” Charlie arched an eyebrow as he turned his head to look down at Nick who grinned at him, his head slightly tilted as he nodded.
“You’re cute.” Henry stated and chuckled a bit.
“Young love can be so sweet.” Alex added, letting out a slightly exaggerated sigh, which caused Henry to scoff as he scrunched his nose.
“Young love? What do we have then? And how old are you? Fifty?” Henry shook his head and rolled his eyes even though there was a smile playing around his lips.
“I might. Concerning all the grey hair you’re giving me.” Alex replied immediately and nudged Henry’s side.
Now it was Nick’s and Charlie’s turn to giggle somewhat at the other’s antics after exchanging a quick glance. “You’re cute as well?” Charlie stated as both Henry and Alex turned their heads towards the other two, a questioning and partially surprised look on their faces.
For a moment, Alex and Henry were dumbstruck, just staring at the other two before Alex let out a snort and the other three followed, light laughter filling the room.
“Okay, after we have established that…” Henry grinned and shuffled in his seat to lean forward to take one of the mugs in his hand, blowing at the hot tea to cool it down at least a bit to make it drinkable. He leant back against Alex’s side again, taking a little sip.
“There’s a reason why we came here. As you might have already suspected. Even though there might be another one, concerning that you work in a book shop.” The last sentence was added quietly and almost inaudible when Henry’s eyes darted towards the full book shelves.
“Henry.” Alex sounded almost scolding, sighing a little. “We already have a bazillion books at home. There’s no need to buy another one, at least not here and now.”
Henry let out a little huff and he opened his mouth to argue but he closed it again with another one. “You cannot have enough books.” He muttered under his breath, almost pouting before he continued to talk. “Fine. You might be right. No more books right now. Even though…” Henry cleared his throat. “Anyway. You remember you had a visitor a few days ago?” He asked, turning his attention towards Charlie who nodded.
“I think you’re referring to Wilhelm? Yes, I remember. He came here and… To be honest, I didn’t recognize him. Just found out who he was afterwards. I am not that much into royal families, I have to admit.” Charlie said with a little apologetic shrug.
“Oh, don’t worry. If it wasn’t for Henry, I wouldn’t give a damn about any royalty as well.” Alex stated with a grin, reaching out for a mug of his own, hissing a bit as his fingers brushed along the hot cup, burning his skin slightly.
“I think…” Henry seemed to ignore Alex’s comment, just eyeing him for a second. “I have to thank you. In Wilhelm’s name.”
Charlie’s eyes widened for a moment and Nick squeezed his side. “Thank me? Why?” He wanted to know, sounding a bit insecure.
“I am sure you know by now what happened to him?” Charlie nodded again. “He was in a really bad place, being under so much pressure with what he should do and what not and… there’s also this interview coming up.” Henry let out a sigh and closed his eyes for a second.
“I know. Nick told me about it.” Charlie looked at his boyfriend for a moment before turning back to Henry. “He had heard the gossip about Wilhelm and Simon and the tape. And that there would be a statement this Sunday, concerning the whole ‘scandal’. I feel so sorry for them and what they have to go through.”
Henry scrunched his nose, another sigh falling from his lips. Alex reached out with his hand and squeezed Henry’s knee softly, smiling at him reassuringly. “Yeah. The interview about that tape. That big scandal.” Henry shook his head for a moment. “You have to know… Alex and I, we were in a scandal as well. Not sure if you have heard about it because it has been a few years ago.”
Henry gave Nick and Charlie some time and he could see the moment they both seemed to remember. “Gosh, right. You had to experience something like that as well. How horrible.” Nick muttered sympathetically and shook his head.
“Yeah. It was hard. But we made it through.” Henry glanced at Alex who still smiled at him, staring at him with a warm look in his eyes. “Because of our scandal that shook the public back then, we can totally relate to Wilhelm and Simon. That’s why we’re here. We wanted and still want to support him.”
Charlie nodded. “I am glad that they have someone else on their side.”
“Especially when…” Henry let out a groan. “When Wilhelm’s mother separated them after the video tape leak, sending Wilhelm to England to get him away from Simon, cutting all their ways of communication. Because she probably thinks that this is the right thing to do. Sending him here that he could be under my grandmother’s eyes who thinks about…” A shadow crossed Henry’s face and for a moment he was not able to continue, needing to take a breath so that his anger would not overtake him.
“Hey, baby. It’s okay.” Alex muttered and cupped Henry’s cheek, leaning in to peck his lips softly, before he turned back to Nick and Charlie. “You can keep a secret, right?”
They both nodded and Alex continued. “You have to know… the Queen, Henry’s grandmother, was absolutely not amused as she found out about us. She wanted to fake things, sending him on fake dates with girls, denying his sexuality. Because she is a homophobe, convinced that only her way of thinking is the right one. That everything should be done to protect the Crown, even if you have to give up yourself doing so. It was a very hard time...”
“But because this one here is a very stubborn American dumbass…” Henry interrupted Alex just to get interrupted himself by the other “…whom you love…” “Yes, I do. He convinced me to give us a chance. That it was worth it. To fight the Queen. And there we are. But even though the Crown seems to be accepting, the views my grandmother has, haven’t really changed. Probably Wilhelm’s mother had sent him here because she knew that my grandmother would keep him in line with her homophobic views and behaviour.”
Charlie gasped slightly and Nick shook his head at this revelation. “That sounds awful. I cannot believe that somebody would do that to their son.” He huffed. “I mean… Being forced by your own mother to lie? To leave the person you love? If my mother had done that to me… I have no clue what I had done back then. Being forced to be apart from Charlie, the one I love? Good god, that is absolutely atrocious. And kind of devastating.” Nick shook his head again, not being able to wrap his head around this thought, especially not when his own mother had been so understanding and wonderful as he had come out to her and introducing Charlie as his boyfriend.
“Yeah, unfortunately the Queen is a b-“ “Alex!” Henry scolded him before Alex could say more. “What? It’s true.” He pouted and Henry rolled his eyes. “It probably is. But still.” Henry sighed while Alex leant in and rested his head against Henry’s shoulder.
“So, we came here because… Wilhelm’s and Simon’s situation seems so similar and… because I know how my grandmother is, I wanted to protect him. I know first hand what she is capable of. But it seems we were too late when we arrived at the palace, having the chance to talk to Wilhelm.” While Charlie’s eyes widened a little smile appeared on Henry’s face.
“Because he already had some support. Someone he could talk to and who could help him seeing things clearer. It was a godsend that he stepped into this store, Charlie, so that he could pour out his heart to you. Having someone to listen to him.” Henry leant forward and reached out for Charlie’s hand, taking it and squeezing it softly. Gratefully. “I have to thank you. For being there for Wilhelm. To help him. To give him some advice. You have absolutely no idea how much it meant to him. And to us. To have someone on his side like that. We thought that he was on his own. But obviously he isn’t.”
A little blush was creeping up on Charlie’s face and he lowered his eyes, biting on his lip. “Um, you’re welcome. But really. It’s nothing. Everybody would have done that. It’s just what any decent person would and should do. I thought he needed help and I wanted to help. Because I could relate as well and…” He shrugged his shoulders, leaning against Nick’s touch who had shuffled closer to him.
“You have to know that this is just how he is. Charlie is absolutely selfless and wants to help people. Like all the time. Trying to get into their shoes to give the best possible advice.” Nick stated and glanced up at Charlie with a proud and loving look on his face.
“And you did. You helped him. I think he feels a lot better now. Seeing things clearer. I am not sure if he really has decided what he will do and say in the interview tomorrow. But he is a lot calmer about it.” Henry explained and Charlie looked up, returning his look.
“I am glad that I could help him. I felt a bit sorry for him because he seemed to go through a lot. But if talking to me helped… that’s great. Really.” Charlie smiled and Henry nodded.
After they had finished their tea, Alex had gotten a sign from outside from Mia that they should be on the road again. They needed to catch their flight back to the US because Henry had a charity event this evening for the New York shelter.
They had talked about it for some time with Nick and Charlie, telling them about their daily life – Henry’s work at the shelter while trying to write about queer history while Alex was studying law. They had also offered that Nick and Charlie, whenever they were in the States or wanted a tour through Buckingham Palace, should give them a heads up and Alex and Henry would meet up with them and make it possible.
They had exchanged numbers, handing over their phones without hesitation so that they could put each other’s contacts into them.
And then, after a slight cough as Mia had come back in, Alex and Henry had gotten up and bid their farewell, leaving the store. Even though Henry had managed to sneak out two smaller books he had paid at an unobserved moment when Alex had not paid attention.
Then, Charlie and Nick were on their own again, falling onto the couch, their fingers still linked.
Both stayed silent for a little while, just holding hands and lost in their own thoughts before Nick turned towards the other, breaking the silence. “Was this a dream or has this really happened? Did we meet the Prince of Wales and the son of the US president, are on first name basis with them and even have their private phone numbers?” He asked, sounding incredulous.
Charlie nodded slowly. “I think that sums it up pretty well. Plus… I have met the Crown Prince of Sweden and have given him my number to call or text me.” He added after a short moment of consideration.
Nick and Charlie stared at each other for another second before they both broke out into laughter. “What the bloody hell is this week?” Nick asked, shaking his head.
“I don’t know.” Charlie replied. “But even if we didn’t sign anything and are not forced to keep quiet about it technically… I am totally sure that nobody would believe any of this even if we told them...”
“Not that we would.” Nick interrupted.
“Not that we would.” Charlie repeated, an unsaid understanding between them.
“I am nervous.” Charlie stated and bit down on his lip. His fingers were shaking slightly and he was hardly able to sit still on the couch, shuffling from one side to the other.
“Hey, Char. Calm down. It will be okay. I am sure. He will do the right thing.” Nick tried to sound reassuring while brushing his fingers along Charlie’s arm to soothe his boyfriend.
It was Sunday evening and the interview would be broadcasted in around half an hour. Charlie presumed that Wilhelm was already back in Sweden, probably back in the palace to get ready for his statement.
Nick and him sat next to each other quite comfortably, their legs brushed against each other and Nick had his arm over the backrest, trying to force Charlie to sit still due to him being on the edge since around noon.
Their laptop stood in front of them on the table, BBC iPlayer already open because they would broadcast the interview, concerning it was something quite important for the Swedish Royal Family. Hopefully they would have subtitles or translate the whole statement simultaneously because Wilhelm would most likely speak Swedish. After all, his words were for the Swedish public, not anyone else even though it was broadcasted worldwide due to its importance.
Charlie was really anxious, having no clue what Wilhelm would do and say in the end. He just hoped that the other had enough time to think about everything. To weigh all his options. To think things through. To follow his heart.
And maybe he had even been able to get in contact with Simon even though Charlie hardly believed that Wilhelm had managed to do so after all he had heard about his mother and the communication ban she had put him under.
“I am convinced that he considered your advice. He will do what’s right for them.” Nick pulled Charlie into a half-embrace, kissing his temple.
“But what if… What if his family put more pressure on him? What if they had talked to him and blackmailed him? What if something happened to Simon? What if…” “Charlie.” Nick kissed the other again, nuzzling his cheek with his nose. “You cannot do anything now. It’s up to Wilhelm. You have given him support and advice. Now it’s up to him. Even though I really hope that he does what’s best for him and Simon.”
“I do so as well.” Charlie nodded and leant into Nick’s touch as all of a sudden his phone which was laying on the table next to the laptop buzzed three times in short intervals. Charlie glanced over, just being able to read “unknown number”.
He frowned, not sure about who would send him a message without him having the number before a second later he realized that there was only one person who could do so. “Wilhelm.” He gasped and reached for his phone, almost dropping it in his haste, to read what the other had written.
Nick leant away, not wanting to intrude. Because Charlie had been the person to talk to Wilhelm. He did not know the other. And there had been enough intrusion of his privacy already. Nick did not want to add up to this as well even though Wilhelm would probably never know if he had read his messages or not. But Nick did not care. It was a matter of principle.
[19:37] [From: Unknown number] “I don’t have much time but I really wanted to write to you before I do what I have to do. Because you offered that I could text whenever I need to.”
[19:38] [From: Unknown number] “I just wanted to thank you for listening to me and treating me like a normal person. Probably you really had no clue who I was. But you surely do now, I assume. It meant a lot to me that you were really listening and not just pretending. You made me see things clearer. And I think I might make the right decision tonight.”
[19:38] [From: Unknown number] “This is me, Wilhelm. By the way.”
Charlie read the messages four times before he let out a breath he had no clue he had held, a little smile stealing itself onto his face.
“Good news?” Nick asked and turned to look at Charlie who nodded hesitantly.
“I… think so. It’s Wilhelm. And he thanked me. And told me that he might do the right thing.” Charlie stated. Nick pulled him into a brief hug, nuzzling his face against the crook of Charlie’s neck.
“See, I told you. Everything will be fine. Your advice is always great. So even a Crown Prince will listen to you.” Nick grinned softly and winked at Charlie who rolled his eyes but not without placing a kiss onto Nick’s cheek.
“I should write him back, I think.” Charlie stated and looked down at his phone, thinking for a moment about the right words.
[19:40] [To: Wilhelm] “I am glad that I could help you with that. Don’t forget. The decision you make is yours and yours only. And I will be in your corner. No matter what.”
After he clicked ‘send’ he put the phone back onto the table and leant against Nick again, now feeling a little less nervous and somehow calmer, hoping that Wilhelm would really stand up for himself and would do what was best for him.
The moment the interview was over, Nick shut the laptop and turned to look at Charlie who sat there in shock even though it was a good kind of shock, obviously, concerning the smile on Charlie’s lips. “I can’t believe it. He really did it. He really stood up for himself, confirming the video.” Charlie shook his head and blinked excitedly before he turned to look at Nick.
Nick took Charlie’s hand in his own, smiling at his boyfriend. “Yes, he did. He came out to the world and told them about Simon. And he even mentioned you even though he did not say your name.” Nick chuckled at the blush on Charlie’s face, shaking his head. “If the translator did a good job and took his statement to translate it word for word, I think Wilhelm spoke quite well.”
“It’s… wow… I can hardly believe it that he was that brave. Coming out publicly to the world, taking back at least some control after the unwanted leak.” Charlie blinked as Nick beamed at him, snuggling closer to the other as he was pulled into a tight hug.
“I think I have to… where’s my phone?” He pushed Nick away a bit which made the other chuckle, looking around before he grabbed it from the table where he had placed it earlier. He started to type a few words.
[20:37] [To: Wilhelm] “I am so, so proud of you, Wilhelm!”
The moment Charlie hit ‘send’ Nick’s phone buzzed and Nick took it to look at it.
[20:37] [From: Alex] “I cannot believe he did it. Please thank Charlie again. He really made an impact.”
[20:38] [To: Alex] “I will. He already wrote Wilhelm. We’re both glad. Just hoping that they will survive the aftermath.”
Nick raised his eyes to look at Charlie who leant in to read the text as Nick held out his phone to him so that he was able to see the display.
[20:39] [From: Alex] “He will survive. He’s strong. Stronger than most people think. And because he has Simon. And Henry and me. And you and Charlie. The best support system he could wish for. We will be by his side and help him and Simon. Together.”
“Oh, yes. We totally will.” Charlie mumbled and put his head against Nick’s shoulder, closing his eyes for a moment.
Yes, the next days and weeks would probably be hard for Wilhelm and Simon. But they were not alone. They had at least four people who stood beside them. And that was all that mattered next to the love the two boys had for each other.
They were finally able to show it openly. Nobody would be able to force them back into the closet. Back into the darkness, forcing them to keep it a secret. There was no need to hide anymore. They could be proud of themselves. Together they would go through it all.
And no matter what people would say about them, Wilhelm and Simon would have somebody who had their back. And would fight for them. Four young men across the globe who wanted to support them and be by their side.