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Wilhelm always loved the spring. Not just because nature woke up and the flowers started to bloom. Not just because it got warmer and he could start to dress down a little, wear a comfortable shirt and loose pants instead of scratchy sweaters and heavy coats and boots that felt like lead on his feet, dragging him down with every step.
No, he loved spring because it was the season of new beginnings. Back when he was a child, it had been his and Erik's birthdays, just a mere 2 days apart. Erik was born on the last day of April, and when Wille had been born on the second day of May, it was seen as a good sign. They had always celebrated together, the two brothers, inseparable. Officially, of course, they each had their own private birthday parties, attended by the Creme de la Creme of Swedish high society and the young children of the other European monarchies. But the Princes' parade to celebrate the Princes' birthday had been moved, from the original day it had been until he was 4 days old, to the 1st of May, to celebrate both Princes.
It had been moved another day when Wille had become Crown Prince. He had tried to argue against it, tried to use it as a way to commemorate his late brother, but it had been no use. His mother had disagreed, and with a simple "Get over it, Wilhelm, the People need to accept that you are Crown Prince now, as we all have to. Grieving for Erik won't bring him back, you need to step up!"
He had heard the tears that she was fighting while uttering those words, but they remained unshed, like so many. The Queen could not appear weak, even on her own sofa, wrapped in a blanket and wearing soft fuzzy slippers.
And so, on the day he officially turned older than his brother, he had stood on the balcony, watching the Parade go by, and wished he had been allowed to mourn his brother just a bit longer. The only thing making the day manageable had been the hand that had clapped his own behind the bannister, the bronze thumb running over his own, calling him, grounding him.
It had become the season of new beginnings for him and Simon when they were 16. Telling the World about him and Simon, just a few days before Simon turned 17, had been a spur of the moment decision that had been a long way coming. No more secrets. No more lies. He had needed to come clean and not leave Simon alone in all of this. He hadn't thought of what it would mean, how both Simon and him would be scrutinised and how the sudden attention on them would make things a bit harder, especially when it came to going out on dates.
But on the other hand, they didn't need to hide anymore. They didn't have to sneak around and be worried that someone could see them when they took a walk together, hands intertwined or arms flung around each other's backs, heads leaning close as they spoke softly to each other. No fear of being seen kissing.
And the way Simon had smiled at him that day on the podium, and the way he had flung his arms around his shoulders later to pull him down and whisper "best early birthday gift ever" had been worth all the hiccups and the awkward first steps into being in a very public and very hotly debated relationship.
And it had been worth it all when on his 21st birthday, Simon stood next to him on the balcony, squeezing his hand, the secret engagement ring dangling from matching necklaces underneath their fancy uniform and dress shirt.
It had been all worth it when they announced their engagement two years later, right in between their birthdays at the end of March. Another new beginning, one hard won through many hours of meetings and discussions and compromises. Fighting hard for Simon to be allowed to not take a title, to not become part of the royal machine. For them to not rely on the taxpayer's money and instead financing their own lives with Simon's income and the interest of Wille's not insubstantial personal wealth. For the future of their children and an amendment to the law of succession to allow for familial surrogacy and adoption. They had fought hard, and it had been worth it. They had taken the step to a live together the next year as the very blossoms bloomed.
And it had been worth it when now, Wille anxiously paced the room on the last day of April while Simon sat in one of the armchairs, observing him and only stopping him when he noticed Wille began to rub his chest, something he had not done for the past decade.
"Relax…" he whispered, taking Wille's hand in his own and slipping his free hand into the hair at the back of his husband's head, gently carding through the strands that had gotten long again over the years. "Everything will be fine. They are all okay, you heard the doctors, all the vitals seem normal."
Wille could only shake his head, biting his lip anxiously. "It's too early, they… it's not supposed to happen yet!"
Simon smiled and pecked his lip, deepening the kiss a little as he felt Wille relax into it. Soon, he pulled back, leaving their foreheads leaning againdt each other. "It's fine. It's not unusual. That was bound to happen, remember? The doctor said that it might happen, that they absolutely expect everything to happen sooner. Trust them, alright? Everything will be fine."
Wille couldn't help but nod at his husband's comforting words, sinking into the embrace and only stepping back when the door to the hospital room opened and a friendly looking woman in white entered the room, smiling brightly at them.
"Your Highnesses, thank you for your patience."
She stepped aside to let the nurses push in a very exhausted looking Sara in a hospital bed, smiling softly at the waiting couple. In her arms were two small bundles, wrapped tightly in blue and pink blankets.
"Say hello to the kids, boys" Her voice was teasing, despite the tiredness that had taken over her body for the last couple days.
Wille stepped closer, smiling gently down at the little babies sleeping in their aunt's arms. Simon followed, leaning down to pick up the little baby girl, careful not to disturb her slumber. "Hello, Isabel…" he murmured softly, brushing away the tuft of brown curls framing her delicate face.
Wille watched his husband for a moment before he bent down to pick up the little boy, carefully cradling him while Sara's bed was pushed to its normal place along the wall. His fingers traced the small face underneath dark curls, so reminiscent of the love of his life, barely even touching his little boy. His child. And when the little Prince opened his eyes and gazed at his father for the first time, he couldn't hold back his emotions. A tear rolled down his cheek as he smiled at his little boy, whispering "Happy birthday, Erik".
Wille always loved the spring. It was a time for new beginnings.