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The morning light streamed through the sheets that hung over the window, casting a warm glow across the room. The quiet was broken only by the occasional rustle of the leaves outside the window and the distant chirp of birds. In the corner of the room, the small bed held two figures - Simon and Wilhelm. They lay in a tangle of limbs, their breaths synced in a gentle rhythm that spoke of a peaceful night's rest.
Simon's eyes fluttered open first, taking in the sight of Wille's form beside him. The dark blond hair fanned out on the pillow, the strong shoulders rising and falling with each inhale and exhale, the way the early light kissed the curve of his cheekbone. Simon felt his heart swell with a warmth that washed away the lingering shadows of the tumultuous past couple months. He traced a finger down Wille's bare arm, marveling at the warmth of his skin and the softness of the freckles that dotted his forearm. He had dreamed of moments like these, moments where the world outside could do nothing but wait patiently for them to wake up to it.
Their journey had been fraught with challenges, misunderstandings, and heartache, but here they were, together in the early morning light once again, each breath a silent promise that the future was theirs to navigate. The scent of their combined warmth and the faint smell of laundry detergent from the next room enveloped him in a comfort that was almost overwhelming. He took a moment to catalog the details, knowing he'd want to return to this memory when life threw its inevitable curve balls.
Wille stirred, his eyes opening lazily to meet Simon's gaze. A soft smile graced his lips as recognition dawned. He reached over to brush a stray lock of hair from Simon's forehead, his thumb lingering there in a tender gesture that sent shivers down Simon's spine. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.
The room was a testament to the passion of the night before, with the bed unmade and their clothes scattered on the floor like confetti from a celebration of their reunion. The sight of Wille's rumpled Hillerska uniform, discarded carelessly beside the bed, brought a warm blush to Simon's cheeks. He had never seen Wille so unguarded, so utterly himself, and it was a sight he knew he would cherish forever.
"Simon," Wille whispered, his voice filled with a tenderness he hadn't dared let himself feel in what felt like an eternity. The former prince propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at Simon with a softness that seemed to make the very air between them hum with anticipation. "You know, I've missed this place almost as much as I missed you."
Simon couldn't help the smile that bloomed on his face at Wille's admission. "Really?" he asked, his voice just above a whisper. "It's not exactly the royal palace."
Wille chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest and into Simon's own, creating a symphony of comfort and contentment. "No," he said, "but it's your place. It's where I can be myself without the weight of a crown or a title." He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Simon's forehead, the simple act speaking volumes about the depth of his feelings.
Simon's eyes searched Wille's, looking for any hint of doubt or regret. Finding none, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders that he hadn't realized he'd been carrying. They had come so close to losing each other, for real this time, and the knowledge that they had found their way back was more precious than any crown. He reached up to cup Wille's cheek, his thumb tracing the line of his jaw. "I missed you so much, Wille."
Wille's eyes searched Simon's in return, and what he found was a mirror of his own emotions. "And I missed you," he said, his voice earnest. "This place, it's... it's homey." He paused, his eyes drifting around the small, cluttered room that was so unlike the grandiose halls of his own home. "It's real. It's the one place where I can breathe."
They lay there in comfortable silence for a moment, basking in the warmth of each other's presence. Simon felt a pang of sadness at the thought of Wille's life, so bound by duty and expectation. Here, in his small bedroom, he was just another person, not a prince or a public figure, but a boy in love.
"You know," Wille began, his voice a little hoarse from the night's activities, "I dreamt of this last night."
Simon raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Dreamt of what?"
Wille's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. "Of us," he said, his eyes dropping to the space between them. "Here, like this. Free to be... us." He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling against Simon's. "Last night was..." He trailed off, searching for the right words to convey the intensity of the emotions that had swept over them.
Simon knew exactly what he meant. The night had been a symphony of passion and tenderness, a culmination of all the moments the world had stolen from them, all the whispers of love and longing that had gone unsaid. He leaned in and captured Wille's lips in a soft, lingering kiss that spoke volumes without the need for words. Their bodies were a tapestry of scars from their past, but together, they had found a way to weave a pattern of healing and hope.
When they pulled away, Wille's gaze was earnest. "I want you to know," he said, his voice a tender caress, "that last night was... it was more than just passion. It was a declaration, a promise."
Simon felt his heart swell with warmth. "A promise?" he echoed, his voice just a breath.
Wille nodded, his eyes never leaving Simon's. "A promise," he repeated, his thumb tracing the line of Simon's bottom lip. "I know I've hurt you, Simon. More times than I can count. And I hate that. I hate that I've made you doubt us, doubt me. I never want to be the reason for your pain again." His voice was so sincere, Simon couldn't help but lean forward and kiss him.
The kiss was soft, almost chaste, a silent agreement to move forward, leaving their past mistakes behind them. As they broke apart, Wille whispered, "I'll do everything in my power to make this right. To be the boyfriend you deserve."
Simon's eyes searched Wille's, seeing the earnestness in his gaze. He knew that the journey ahead of them would be fraught with challenges. The world outside their little bubble was not as accepting of their love as they would wish, but in that moment, none of it mattered. They had each other, and that was enough.
"Wille," Simon began, his voice barely above a whisper, "You've had my heart from the first time you talked to me. Nothing you do could ever change that." He paused, swallowing the lump in his throat. "But I need to know that we're in this together. That we'll face whatever comes our way, as equals."
Wille's gaze softened, his thumb brushing away the tear that had escaped the corner of Simon's eye. "I know," he murmured, "and I'm ready for that. I want to be the person who makes you happy, who fights for you, who loves you without hesitation. You deserve no less, especially from me."
Simon took a deep breath, the warmth of Wille's words wrapping around him like a blanket. He knew that Wille meant every word, and that was all he had ever wanted. But there was one thing that had been gnawing at him since he came down from his high last night. "Wille," he said, his voice a little shakier than he would have liked, "about last night..."
Wille's expression grew concerned. "What is it?" he asked, his hand tightening around Simon's.
Simon took a moment, feeling his cheeks warm. He hadn't meant to bring it up, not now, not when everything felt so perfect. But it was like a pebble in his shoe, an unspoken discomfort that had been niggling at him since he'd come down from his high last night. "It's just... I don't know," he began, his voice tentative. "Last night, when we were... you know." He trailed off, looking away.
Wille's brows furrowed in concern. He searched Simon's face, trying to read his thoughts. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle. "Did I do something?"
Simon took a deep breath, his heart racing. "No," he said, "it's just... I'm sorry about last night." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I know we've never talked about it, but when I asked you to... you know, without a condom, I just needed to feel you, to feel you close. It was selfish of me and I'm sorry."
Wille's eyes searched his, a look of understanding dawning on his face. He brought their joined hands to his chest, his heart beating a reassuring rhythm against Simon's palm. "You don't have to apologize," he said, his voice a soothing balm. "I know what you mean, and I wanted to be close to you too." He paused, his gaze never leaving Simon's. "But we should talk about it."
Simon felt the tension ease from his body as Wille spoke. It was true, they had never talked about it explicitly, but he had hoped Wille knew that he was clean, that he trusted him implicitly. But now, with the cold light of day washing over them, he realized that wasn't enough. They had to be open with each other, especially when it came to something as serious as this.
"You're right," Simon said, his voice still a little shaky. "We should've talked about it before. I just... I wanted to feel you, all of you." He took a deep breath, willing himself to be brave. "But I understand if you're upset. I should have been more considerate."
But Wille just shook his head, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Simon, how could I be upset? You're the most unselfish person I've ever met." He brought their joined hands to his mouth, pressing a kiss to Simon's knuckles. "You've given up so much for me, for us. And last night," he paused, his eyes misting over with emotion, "last night was perfect because it was real and it was us."
Simon felt his heart stutter in his chest. It was true that he had made sacrifices for Wille, but he had never once regretted it. "You think so?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Wille nodded, his eyes never leaving Simon's. "I know so," he said firmly. "But it's important that we communicate, that we're honest with each other. And I need you to know that I trust you, Simon. I trust you with my heart, with my body, with everything that I am." He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his words. "And I only hope you feel the same."
Simon felt his chest tighten with emotion. "I do," he said, his voice a little choked. "More than you'll ever know." He leaned into Wille's embrace, feeling the warmth and strength of his body against his own. For a moment, the world outside their little bubble didn't matter. All that existed was the two of them, their hearts beating as one.
"I just want to make sure," Simon began, his voice a little shaky, "that you felt... I don't know, that it was okay. That you didn't do anything you didn't want to do because of me."
Wille's eyes searched his, a gentle reassurance in their depths. "Simon," he said, his voice steady, "I didn't do anything last night that I didn't want to do. I wanted to be close to you, just like you did. It was my decision."
Simon nodded, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. It was important to him that Wille knew that their love was a partnership, that he respected his boundaries and feelings. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "For trusting me."
Wille's smile grew, his eyes soft as he leaned in for another kiss, this one a little more lingering than the last. "Always," he promised.
As they pulled away, Simon felt the warmth of Wille's breath against his cheek. He turned his head, resting it on his prince's broad chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart. For a moment, they lay there in a comfortable silence, the only sounds the quiet whispers of the morning.
Then, Wille's voice broke the peaceful silence, a hint of playfulness in his tone. "So, you've had my orange sweater this whole time?"
Simon's head shot up, his eyes wide with surprise. "What?" he sputtered, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson. He had been so lost in passion last night that he had completely forgotten about the sweater he had under his pillow. The one he had stolen and held close, breathing in the scent of him to help him fall asleep...and among other things.
Wille's grin grew wider, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "My orange sweater," he repeated, his voice teasing. "I saw it peeking out from under your pillow last night."
Simon's face went from pink to red in an instant. "Oh," he mumbled, burying his face into Wille's chest again. "I... I just wanted something of yours, you know?" His voice was muffled, but the truth was clear - he had held onto that sweater like a talisman, a piece of Wille that he could hold onto in the darkest moments.
Wille's chuckle rumbled under Simon's ear, sending a shiver down his spine. "I know," he said, his hand stroking through Simon's hair. "And it was... surprisingly hot. To see it last night."
Simon's eyes widened, his cheeks flaming even hotter. "What do you mean?"
Wille's chuckle grew into a full laugh, his body shaking with the force of it. "It's nothing," he assured, his eyes sparkling with affection. "It was just... seeing you with that sweater, the one I didn't even know you had, it was like a piece of me was here with you all along." He paused, his expression turning serious. "And when I saw it last night, it...got me there."
Simon felt the tension melt away at Wille's words. He couldn't help but bust out laughing, the sound bubbling up from his chest and echoing around the room. It was a laugh filled with relief and joy, a laugh that said everything was right in the world again. "Oh my god," he managed to get out between gasps, "you're ridiculous."
Wille's eyes crinkled with his own amusement, watching Simon's shoulders shake with mirth. "What?" he said, feigning innocence. "It's true!"
Simon couldn't help but laugh harder, his body shaking with the force of his mirth. He had never seen Wille like this, so unabashedly playful and relaxed. It was like the walls that had surrounded them for so long had crumbled away, leaving only the raw, unfiltered connection that had drawn them together from the start. "You're so... you're just so..." He couldn't find the words, his laughter cutting off his sentences.
Wille watched him, his own smile growing as Simon's laughter filled the room. "What?" he prodded, enjoying the sight of Simon's happiness. "What's so funny?"
"You are," Simon gasped out, wiping at his eyes. "'Surprisingly hot'? You're such a dork."
Wille's smile grew, the laughter lines around his eyes deepening. "You love it," he said, poking Simon in the side. Simon yelped, squirming away from the tickling touch.
"Hey!" he protested, his own grin uncontainable. "I do not!" But his protests were met with another round of laughter from Wille, who seemed to find the whole situation utterly delightful.
"Okay, okay," Wille said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "But seriously, when did you take it?"
Simon's laughter subsided into a grin as he remembered the day in question. "Remember when the court showed up at Hillerska, trying to drag you back?"
Wille's smile faltered for a moment, the memory of that tense, chaotic day briefly casting a shadow over his features. But then he nodded, his eyes lightening as he recalled the stolen moments of rebellion. "How could I forget?"
Simon's grin grew. "Well, when you left in such a hurry, I noticed it was hanging on the chair. And... I just took it." He shrugged, feeling a little sheepish about his impulsive action. "It was like a piece of you I could keep, you know?"
Wille's smile softened, his eyes shining with affection. "I get it," he murmured, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to Simon's forehead. "I'm just... I'm happy you had something of mine." He paused, his hand coming to rest on Simon's cheek.
Simon looked up at him, his expression a mix of amusement and tenderness. "You can have it back if you want," he offered, the teasing lilt to his voice belying the seriousness of his offer.
Wille's smile faltered, did Simon really want to give back his sweater? His eyes searched Simon's face for a hint of the truth. "Do you mean that?"
Simon took a deep breath, his gaze locking onto Wille's. "I mean, it doesn't smell like you anymore," he said, his voice a little sad.
Wille's smile grew, his eyes filled with warmth. "Well," he said, his voice a little teasing, "I can always take it back and refresh the scent. Or give you another one for now."
Simon's eyes lit up at the suggestion, his heart skipping a beat. "Really?"
Wille's thumb traced a gentle path along Simon's jaw, his eyes never leaving his. "Of course," he said, his voice warm and sure. "You can have whatever you want from me, whenever you want it." He leaned in, capturing Simon's lips in a kiss that was both playful and filled with promise.
When they broke apart, Simon's eyes sparkled with happiness. He reached over to grab the sweater from under the pillow, holding it up between them. The fabric was soft and well-worn, the scent of laundry detergent faint but familiar. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Wille took the sweater from him, his eyes never leaving Simon's. He brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply. "It smells like you now," he said, a wistful smile playing on his lips.
Simon rolled his eyes, but couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. "Well, it's been with me through a lot," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
Wille's eyes searched his, understanding the weight behind the simple statement. "I can see that," he murmured, his thumb tracing the hem of the sweater. "It looks well-loved."
Simon felt a blush creep up his neck at the implication, but he couldn't deny the truth. He had held onto that sweater like a lifeline, especially during the darkest moments of their separation. "I promise," he said, his voice earnest, "I took care of it." He paused, then added with a small, embarrassed laugh, "Well, except for the time I..." He trailed off, his cheeks burning.
Wille's eyes widened in surprise. "Except for when?" he prompted, curiosity piqued.
Simon's cheeks burned even brighter. "Remember the Valentine's Day Ball?" He mumbled, unable to meet Wille's gaze. "When we kissed?"
Wille's eyes grew wide with realization, and he nodded, his own face flushing slightly. That night had been a turning point for both of them, a declaration of the feelings that they still had for one another.
Simon felt his cheeks burn, his heart racing as he continued. "After that night," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, "I was so desperate to feel you, I... I used the sweater." He took a deep breath, bracing himself for Wille's reaction.
Wille's eyes searched his, a mix of surprise and something else, something that made Simon's pulse quicken. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice a gentle caress.
Simon took a deep breath, his heart racing. "After the Ball," he began, his voice a little shaky, "when I got back here, I was just so... desperate to feel you. To remember you." He paused, his eyes dropping to the sweater in his hand. "I held this sweater to me and... I got myself off to your scent." The words hung in the air, a confession that was both raw and intimate.
Wille's eyes grew dark with understanding, his own breath hitching. He reached out, taking the sweater from Simon's trembling hands. "You did?" he asked, his voice a soft rumble of curiosity.
Simon nodded, his eyes not meeting Wille's. "Yeah," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "It was all I had of you. I needed... something to hold onto."
Wille's eyes searched Simon's, the weight of his confession palpable in the air. He took a deep breath, his chest tightening with the thought of Simon's desperation. "Simon," he said, his voice gruff, "that's... that's the most beautiful and heartbreaking thing I've ever heard."
Simon looked up at Wille, his eyes filled with uncertainty. He had never been one to share his deepest thoughts so openly, but with Wille, it felt natural. "It was just... I couldn't help it," he whispered.
Wille's thumb brushed over the back of Simon's hand, his eyes searching Simon's face. "You don't have to explain," he murmured. "I understand."
Simon felt a rush of gratitude. "Thank you," he whispered, his eyes filling with tears. "I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me."
Wille's hand tightened around his, his eyes never leaving Simon's. "I know," he said, his voice gruff with emotion. "But Simon, you don't have to miss me like that anymore. I'm here. You have me." He leaned in, his breath warm against Simon's skin as he kissed him again, this time with a gentle urgency that spoke of the love and desire that had been building between them since their reunion.
Simon felt the warmth of Wille's body against his own, the heat of his skin and the softness of his lips. He knew that Wille was right; they had each other now, and nothing would ever be the same. The sweater was a symbol of their past, a reminder of the moments they had when they had to be apart, but now they could create new memories together.
They laid there, wrapped in the warmth of the bed and the quiet of the morning, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air. Wille felt a gentle nudge from Simon's elbow. "Hey," Simon said, a playful smirk playing on his lips, "I've got an idea."
Wille looked at him, curiosity sparkling in his eyes. "What's that?"
Simon's smile grew. "I was thinking," he said, his eyes shining with excitement, "that today, we should go on a picnic."
Wille's eyes lit up with interest. "A picnic?" he repeated, his voice filled with a warmth that seemed to envelop the room. "I've never been on one before."
Simon's smile faltered for a moment, a pang of sadness hitting him. He couldn't believe that Wille had never experienced something so simple, so beautifully ordinary. It was a stark reminder of the world Wille had grown up in, one filled with royal expectations and security threats that had kept him from the carefree moments that most people took for granted.
"You've never been on a picnic?" Simon asked, his voice filled with wonder and a touch of sadness. It seemed like such a small thing, but to Simon, it was a symbol of the freedom and normalcy that Wille had been denied for so long.
Wille's smile was a little shy as he admitted it. "No," he said, his eyes searching Simon's face, "but I'd love to go on one with you."
Simon felt his heart swell with love for Wille. He had given up so much, sacrificed so much of himself for Simon, and yet here he was, so eager to experience something as simple as a picnic. "It'll be perfect, just you and me," he promised, his voice filled with excitement. "Just wait and see."
They spent the morning planning the picnic, Simon insisting on doing it all by himself. He wanted to surprise Wille with all his favorite foods, the kind that didn't require silverware or fancy plates. Sandwiches, fruit, some of Wille's favorite pastries, and a blanket to sit on. It was going to be perfect.
As he packed the basket, Simon couldn't help but think about all the little moments he had missed out on while Wille was away. The quiet strolls in the park, the shared laughs over silly jokes, the secret glances that only they understood. He had yearned for those simple moments of connection, the ones that made their love feel so real and alive. Now that Wille was here, he was going to cherish every second.
The sun was high in the sky when Simon called out to Wille, the picnic basket in one hand and a wide smile on his face. "Ready?"
Wille emerged from the bedroom, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the basket. He had never seen Simon so excited about anything before, and the contagion of his enthusiasm was making his heart race with excitement. "Ready," he echoed, his own smile matching Simon's.
They decided to keep the location a secret. It was part of the surprise, Simon had insisted, and Wille had agreed, eager to let Simon plan everything. Wille had a feeling it was going to be something special, something that only Simon would know how to make perfect.
As they set out, the air was filled with the sweet scent of summer, the sun casting light through the leaves of the trees. The path they took was familiar to Simon, one he had walked countless times while dreaming of Wille, imagining the day when they could do this together. Now, with Wille by his side, the reality was more magical than any of his dreams had been.
They walked hand in hand, the soft grass beneath their feet and the gentle sound of birdsong surrounding them. Simon felt a sense of peace wash over him, a feeling that was both new and comforting. He had never been one for grand gestures, but somehow, this felt like the most romantic thing he had ever done.
"Where are we going?" Wille asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"You'll see," Simon said, his grin widening. "It's a surprise."
Wille's curiosity grew with each step, his heart lightening with each shared smile. He had missed these moments, missed the simplicity of being with Simon without the burden of his title. He had missed the way Simon could make any moment feel like a grand adventure.
They spread out the blanket under the shade of a tree, near the field where everything changed for them. The leaves whispered secrets to each other as a soft breeze danced through the branches. Simon laid out the feast before them, his hands trembling slightly with nerves. He had put so much thought into every little detail, hoping it would be everything Wille had ever wanted in a picnic.
Wille watched him with a gentle smile, taking in the sight of Simon's excitement. He didn't know what to expect, but just being here, with him, was enough. When Simon finally stepped back, revealing the spread of food, Wille's eyes widened. "This is...perfect," he murmured, his voice filled with wonder.
They sat down on the blanket, their legs touching as they picked at the food. The conversation flowed easily between them, a mix of shared memories and future dreams. They talked about their families, their fears, their hopes for the relationship. It was a conversation filled with a newfound openness, a promise that they were building something real together.
Wille watched Simon as he talked, his heart swelling with love. He had never felt more connected to anyone than he did to this boy before him. The way the sun played with the strands of Simon's curls, the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, it was all so familiar and yet so new. He reached out, his thumb brushing over Simon's knuckles, and felt a thrill at the simple touch.
They ate in comfortable silence, the only sounds the rustling of the leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird. The food was delicious, but it was the company that truly made the meal. They had come so far, endured so much, and yet here they were, together. It was a miracle, one that Wille never wanted to take for granted.
As they lay back on the blanket, the warmth of the sun kissing their skin, Wille couldn't help but think about the future. There would be new challenges, of course, but with Simon by his side, he felt like he could face anything. He turned to Simon, his hand finding its way to rest on his chest. "Thank you," he murmured. "For everything."
Simon's smile was soft as he looked over at Wille. "You don't have to thank me," he said, his voice low. "I'd do it all over again, just to be here with you."
Their eyes met, and in that moment, the weight of their journey together was palpable. The battles they had fought, the secrets they had shared, the love that had survived it all. It was a bond that could never be broken, a love that had grown stronger with each challenge they had faced.
Wille leaned in, his lips brushing against Simon's in a kiss that was tender and filled with promise. As their kiss deepened, Simon felt a warmth spread through him, a warmth that had been missing for so long. It was a kiss that spoke of a future filled with joy and love, a future where they could be themselves without fear of repercussion.
Pulling back, Wille's eyes searched Simon's, his thumb tracing a gentle path along Simon's jawline. "I love you," he whispered, the words hanging in the air like a sweet melody.
Simon's heart swelled with happiness, his eyes never leaving Wille's. "I love you," he whispered back, the truth of his words resonating in every fiber of his being.
The picnic was a success, a moment of pure bliss in the warm embrace of the summer sun. They laid there for what felt like hours, their bodies tangled together, sharing stories and laughter. The simplicity of the day was a stark contrast to the complex lives they led, but in that moment, it was all they needed.