Chapter Text
“We’re almost there, long legs,” Simon teased, clutching the straps of his backpack tighter and looking down at the trail behind him.
“Easy for you to say after your fucking triathlon,” he puffed, leaning against the rail. Wille had been so tied up with the crown lately that he hardly had time to eat and sleep, and Simon only took a little bit of pride that he could outpace Wille on their jogs (and apparently hikes). He’d also developed a bit of a tummy, which Simon loved with all of his heart. Wille looked healthy and manly, not like his pale and anxious teenage self, and it made Simon so proud of how far they’d come.
“It was not a triathlon, Wille. It was a half marathon with an optional biking component at the end.” It was one of those marathons for charity, and Simon had only agreed to it as an excuse to spend time with Rosh and get out of the castle for something other than work. It also made Kristina happy; something about philanthropy and the children’s hospital that the marathon benefitted. While Simon did care about that, he thought there were perhaps better ways to contribute to the cause. Yet he didn’t mind the perks, and Wille certainly didn’t either.
“Whatever, come here,” Wille panted, finally gaining on Simon and leaning in for a sweaty kiss.
“Gross,” Simon laughed into his mouth, making no moves to stop it. Malin rounded the bend behind them. Simon had a feeling she was not his biggest fan at the present moment either.
“It’s just a little longer until we get to the lookout point. I promise.” He sounded more confident than he felt. Wille shucked his backpack onto the ground and reached for his water, looking out at the valley below them. He winced when he reached back down. Their backs were also not what they used to be.
“Let’s go then,” he smiled, bumping Simon on the shoulder and trailing Joakim.
Salto Ángel came back into view, impossibly tall and fast. The closer they hiked the louder it was, and the tighter mist clung to their clothes. Simon felt a small surge of pride that Venezuela was home to the tallest waterfall in the world. He had been planning to take Wille for the last couple of years, but the timing had never been right. They finally convinced Kristina to let them go, of course with a full security dispatch and the help of the Swedish embassy. They were just in time for the court’s slow season. Linda and Sara stayed behind for this particular adventure, likely preferring time with their family on the coast, but at that moment Simon wished they could’ve been there. The spray formed a thin layer on his face, hopefully masking the tears brimming behind his eyes.
Wille draped his arm across Simon’s back and tucked his head on his shoulder. “Thank you for sharing this with me,” he breathed. Simon turned and kissed the side of his head, lost for words. They stood there for minutes, taking in the sound of the waterfall and birdsong. Simon wondered how many people had bathed, drank, and frolicked in these waters before him; what kinds of legends or gods people found at the base. He felt such extreme longing, a difficult feeling that sat low in his stomach he was so used to ignoring. But here, with this view, in his motherland with the person he loved most, he felt surrounded by it.
Wille pulled away, gentling his phone from his pocket to take some pictures. After some scenic shots, he turned and took one of Simon, who quickly wiped away his tears. Malin had them pose in front of the falls, directing them into the spot with the best angle of the falls behind them. Suddenly, Wille told her to stop, then fumbling for something in his jacket pocket.
He pulled out a ring box and flipped it open. “Remember?” He asked Simon, grinning widely and reaching for Simon’s hand. Amidst the chaos of travel Simon had completely forgotten that Wille told him - no, promised him - they would take their engagement photos at the falls. Of course Wille schlepped their rings across the many flights and boat rides it took to get to this single hike.
Simon slid Wille’s ring onto his long finger, a simple yet beautiful white gold band with one gold accent that perfectly inverted his own gold ring with a white gold accent. He placed his hand over Wille’s chest, feeling the rise and fall of his ribs, the gentle beating of his heart. At each shutter of the phone camera, they moved slightly, looking at each other and kissing. Simon could’ve never in his wildest dreams imagined they would be here, all these years later, in each other’s company like this. They made it.