Chapter Text
Wilhelm flipped his phone over again to check for notifications and his face fell slightly when he saw that he had gotten none yet. His neck was starting to ache from looking down at his phone for too long. His thumbs were already cramped due to the continuous texting he'd been doing for the last hour or so. And his cheeks also hurt from smiling too much (which is not something he thought would ever happen to him). But in spite of all this Wilhelm couldn't stop himself from checking his phone every two seconds. Ever since he had asked Simon to spend the weekend they had been in constant contact. And yes, it had only been half a day since Wilhelm had gathered up all his courage and stumbled over his words, somehow managing to convince Simon to stay over. But it had been the best half a day of his life. He sneaked around after class to hold hands with Simon and they even stayed longer in the gym after rowing practice so they could kiss for a few seconds when everyone else left. After Simon went home he texted Wilhelm and since then had kept up a steady stream of texts between them. It all was very exhilarating yet dreadful. Wilhelm liked knowing that the glances they shared and the giddy smiles they gave each other were only theirs and no one else's to pry upon.
He was waiting impatiently for a reply and when his phone finally buzzed Wilhelm almost jumped to unlock the screen. A smile automatically spread on his face as he read Simon's text.
Simon: Should I bring my expensive clothes or normal ones?
Wilhelm quirked an eyebrow at the question before typing-
Wilhelm: Why would you bring your expensive clothes?
Simon: I thought that was a requirement for spending the weekend with the Prince of Sweden
Wilhelm was well aware that Simon was mocking his title and joking but honestly, he didn't care.
Wilhelm: You can bring whatever clothes you like
Wilhelm wrote rather sincerely but then decided to add something a bit more funny.
Wilhelm: Just don't bring anything with capes or trails that I might trip on
Simon: What?! 😨😭
Simon: So you are telling me I can't, bring my Gucci designer coat with the long trail
Simon: Is this weekend even worth my time?!
Wilhelm couldn't help but chuckle at the 3 texts that came in quick succession from the other boy. Simon truly was a menace and Wille didn't mind at all. Wilhelm tried to be flirty with the next text but immediately regretted it as soon as he pressed send.
Wilhelm: I'll make it worth your time
He wanted to delete it but it was too late now, Simon had already seen the message. As the three agonising dots blipped on his screen Wilhelm wondered what Simon must be thinking. He had accidentally implied something that he didn't mean to. After all he wasn't planning on doing anything scandalous, he just wanted to hang out with Simon. His internal self reproaching came to a halt when he heard the notification ding.
Simon: Those are some big words, Wille
Simon: You sure you can deliver on them?
A relief spread over Wilhelm's chest after reading the playful texts. He was so glad that he didn't scare Simon away.
Wilhelm: I guess you'll have to find out
Simon: I guess I will😉😊
Simon: See you this weekend, Wille. Goodnight.
Wilhelm also shot off one last goodnight text before closing his phone. He knew it was late and he should probably go to sleep since tomorrow was parents day. But he couldn't stop himself from overthinking that winky face. What does it mean?!
Next morning Wilhelm woke up actually excited. Not for the parents' day, of course, that was going to be a misery to get through. Just thinking about all the fake smiles, greetings, handshakes and photoshoot already made him cringe. But the knowledge that he'll get to be himself for the next two days after this was over and done with kept him going. Wilhelm was willing to trudge through a morning filled with awkward social interactions if it meant he'll get to see Simon. He put on his uniform and his socially acceptable mask with the perfect artificial smile before venturing outside his room.
The entire ordeal was honestly exhausting and all Wilhelm wanted to do was go back to hiding in his room. By far the only part of the day that has brought him some joy was hearing Simon sing. His voice was, as usual, beautiful and Wille couldn't keep a wide grin off his face even if he tried. But even Wilhelm had his limits and he drew the line at being forced to take pretentious photos with August. He excused himself by saying that he had to make a phone call before bolting off to his room. He slammed the door shut and tried to brush off the annoyance he felt towards August as he called Erik. His brother picked up the phone after two rings and as always gave a genuinely happy smile when he saw Wilhelm's face. They talked for a bit about the usual stuff like how Wilhelm's school was going and what new diplomatic stunt their mother was forcing Erik into doing. Then Erik felt it necessary to give his little brother some unsolicited advice on how he should go out there and talk to people, all of which Wilhelm promptly ignored. And then finally Erik asked the question Wilhelm knew was coming.
"We'll see each other this weekend?"
"Well….I was going to talk to you about that." Wilhelm avoided eye contact as he said the next words. "Because, uh….I was thinking about staying here….this weekend."
"What? Why?"
"To….uh, study. I am behind, so I need…to catch up a bit." Wilhelm shrugged, trying to act all nonchalant but was met with his brother's very unconvinced eyes.
"What?" he asked, feeling a little self-conscious under his brother's gaze.
"Are you, Wilhelm, my little brother, staying in school?" Erik shook his head in disbelief.
"Yes. What's so strange about that?"
"You've met someone." Erik said knowingly and Wilhelm flushed.
He hated that his brother could read him like an open book. But he was nowhere ready to disclose any details about his budding romance to Erik. Especially since he, himself, didn't know what they were doing or what Simon was hoping to get out of this weekend.
"No! It's nothing….'s nothing like that." Wilhelm mumbled, denying Erik's claims though his brother wasn't planning on letting go so easy.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes!"
"I don't believe you." Erik's words were laced with mirth as he watched his little brother squirm under his loving scrutiny.
Wilhelm grunted, knowing that he won't be able to fend off his brother's nosy questioning much longer. So instead he decided to end the call before Erik finds out more than he needs to.
"Bye, Erik, bye. You are being annoying. Bye!"
As Wilhelm was about to hang up he heard his brother's yelling.
"Wait, wait!"
He reopened his half closed phone to see what Erik wanted to tease him about now.
"Hey, listen, don't sulk in your room all day, okay? Go hang out with this….'someone' you've definitely not met."
He groaned, shutting his flip phone. While Erik chuckled from the other end, sounding overjoyed and borderline evil, in Wilhelm's opinion, until the line cut off completely.
Wilhelm sighed, putting down his phone. This had not been the conversation he had envisioned when he called his brother though he couldn't be mad about it. He wanted to tell Erik all about these unfamiliar feelings that have been bubbling inside of him ever since he saw and heard that beautiful boy in the choir. But he just couldn't work up the nerves. He couldn't imagine what implications him telling Erik, about liking Simon, might have. Wilhelm hadn't yet to figure out the concrete answers to his sexuality or about the nature of him and Simon's relationship, what was he even going to tell Erik when he inevitably asked. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying not to think about the big issues right now because he knew if you thought about it too much he might give himself an anxiety attack. Wilhelm looked around his room in an attempt to find something to distract himself with but ended up empty handed. He actually started considering Erik's advice. Maybe he should go out, he thought, after all he did have someone he wanted to hang out with.
A small part of Wilhelm felt slightly bad about ignoring August but he could not take anymore of his annoying antics today. Besides, he came out of his hiding to spend time with Simon, not to tolerate his cousin's holier-than-thou behaviors. He managed to sit down next to Simon and get introduced to his mom who seemed like a pretty nice lady. Everything was going pleasantly for a while and Wilhelm was kinda glad he decided to get out of his room. But of course the universe couldn't allow him to be at peace for more than a few minutes. Soon enough things became awkward as Sara continued talking and then Felice left the table, barely containing her tears. He obviously felt obliged to go after her and just when he thought things couldn't get more awkward Felice kissed him. The difference Wilhelm felt between this kiss and Simon's was stark and hard to ignore. He tried to keep his expression neutral but it must have been obvious how not into it he was since Felice practically ran away from him in embarrassment. Wilhelm cursed himself for ever listening to his brother's garbage advice. Erik might be good at this but he, quite evidently, wasn't. He should have just stayed in his room and waited for this day and week to be over.
After lunch was finally over Wilhelm took a walk around the school fields to clear his head. In spite of everything that happened today he still couldn't keep a giddiness from boiling in his chest as he thought about the weekend. He had never awaited a week to end with such anticipation. Wilhelm smiled, genuinely looking forward to seeing Simon tomorrow. But all his anticipation crashed and burned during dinner when he overheard Nils and Vincent talking about how August will also be staying at the school for the weekend. He didn't think he could feel this level of disappointment about anything uptil now. Next morning when he talked to Simon he seemed equally displeased by the news of their ruined weekend. Though Wilhelm had spent all night, coming up with an alternative idea to salvage the weekend from getting completely wrecked. He was just a little nervous to run it by Simon since he didn't want to overstep his bounds.
"Do you think….it would w-work….if I, um…" Wilhelm fidgeted with his sleeves as he tried to get the words out. "...if I came to Bjärstad instead?"
"To my house?" Simon raised an eyebrow.
"I just want to….hang out with you." Wilhelm wanted to sound casual but even to his own ears he sounded desperate.
"With me and my mom?" Simon asked and Wilhelm took a breath of relief when he saw a grin gracing the other boy's lips.
"Exactly." Wilhelm gave his own affirmative smile. "I thought she was cool."
Simon tilted his head towards the hallway inviting Wille to follow and Wilhelm did just that. He really wanted to reach out and hold Simon's hand as they walked through the hallway. But he restrained himself for the time being, hoping that he won't have to when they are at Simon's house. Both boys wore identical, eager smiles when they stepped outside.
"You okay?" Wilhelm inquired one more time, just to make sure they were on the same page.
Simon nodded with an anticipatory smile and Wilhelm was so busy looking at him that he didn't notice the loud excited chatter and fanfare that was going on in front of them. That was until Simon stopped in his tracks with a stunned expression.
"What's wrong?" Wilhelm asked, turning to look at what Simon was eyeing.
A gasp escaped his mouth when he saw Erik standing there, in the school grounds, surrounded by giggly students who were greeting him with awe. Wilhelm had never before been this disheartened to see his brother. He shook his head in an attempt to convince himself that this was just a hallucination and Erik was not actually here, in person, right now. It was impossible for Erik to really be here, right? Right?!