𝐀𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐬

ᴠɪɪ || ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴇɴᴛʀᴀᴘᴍ

Wilhelm chewed on his index finger nail anxiously. He had done his best to avoid conversation with Simon, and to avoid him all together, and then Astrid had to go and lock him in Simon's dorm room, with Simon.

This Saturday night was going wonderfully.

Simon was seated on his bed, his legs crossed gracefully beneath himself. He had discarded his phone after the first couple minutes of being locked in the room. Wilhelm stood by the door, hoping in a futile attempt that his friend would open the door; he knew, though, it wasn't going to happen.

Wilhelm could feel Simon's gaze on him; steady and strong and familiar. He deliberately looked away. "She'll let us out soon," Simon said, as he tracked Wilhelm's anxious tics, "I wouldn't worry about it too much if I was you. Shouldn't be long now - the joke's over".

Wilhelm laughed humorlessly, "If you think Astrid wasn't serious about keeping us in here until we 'work out our problems', then you clearly haven't met Astrid. We aren't getting out of here till tomorrow morning, at least".

"I see we're being optimistic as ever," Simon remarked sarcastically.

Wilhelm clenched his teeth, "We really can't be civil for one night?" He asked, releasing a breath. Simon rolled his eyes.

"You don't get to be mad at me".

"Oh, is that fucking so?" Wilhelm exploded, moving further into the room. Simon sat up straighter, bracing himself against the mattress with his hands; Wilhelm rarely spoke like this, "First you accuse me of trying to keep you here and quiet with money, and then you go at my best friend in front of the whole damn class. I get that I made a mistake, Simon, but it doesn't mean I'm not trying".

"You're trying, are you?" Simon challenged, standing from his bed. He and Wilhelm stood less than a meter apart now, and Wilhelm felt a saddened feeling washing over him - this is what they had come to. "Sorry, but I don't believe you, Wilhelm. See it's hard to trust and believe someone who just lies all the time, who can't keep his words. You told me we were in this together, that we hadn't done anything wrong. Then you go and tell the bloody world that it wasn't you in that damn video, screwing me over in the process, and then you tell me you love me". 

The words 'you love me' stung Wilhelm in the heart. Simon was breathing heavily, his eyes wide and angry. Wilhelm could feel the tears welling up in his eyes; he hadn't meant for this to happen, it wasn't supposed to get this out of hand.

But Simon was far from done. As Wilhelm bit his lip nervously, the tanned boy continued his onslaught. "Astrid had no right paying for mine and Sara' tuition, we would have figured it out ourselves. And you," Simon shook his head, a tear slipping from his eye, "I don't know you".

"Simon..." Wilhelm started, "I'm sorry".

Simon shook his head, "Are you sorry for fucking me, or for getting caught?" He asked harshly.

Wilhelm went still. Simon collapsed back onto the bed, sitting so his back was against the wall. "I didn't lie," Wilhelm said in a quiet voice. "With that I said. I didn't lie".

"What didn't you lie about, Wilhelm?" Simon asked, taking the bait. He chucked his phone to the side.

"About loving you".

Now it was Simon who went still. Wilhelm didn't look away from the other boy; instead, he kept eye contact until Simon turned away. Running his fingers through his hair as he always did when he was nervous, Wilhelm took a breath, steadying himself.

"I need to tell you something, before it hits the media," He began, Simon turning his attention back to the Prince, "And I'm telling you this so you don't go off believing all the lies the media will twist it into. My mother is trying to orchestrate a marriage between Astrid and I. We're both against it," he added quickly, upon seeing Simon's surprised and disgusted face, "And we're fighting it. But the media will twist it into lies and nonsense, as it always does".

"Yeah. As it always does," Simon said. There was a pause, Wilhelm's worry building in his chest like waves building before they break. "You two are against it?" Simon asked in a small voice.

"Yeah, of course. We're against it," Wilhelm reassured.

"Why?"

Wilhelm furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, then wondered if he could use this to his advantage. He moved closer to Simon's bed, sitting down at the edge. Simon watched him curiously. "Well, uh," He started uncertainly, "There's this guy that I'm in love with".

Simon couldn't suppress the smile which was creeping onto his face, "Is that so?" he asked, crossing his arms as his eyes twinkled with interest.

"Yeah. He's, uh, he's a singer. Yeah, he can sing ridiculously well. And," Wilhelm chuckled lightly as he spoke, "He doesn't really fit in here, so he decided to join the rowing team, which didn't really work out".

"No?" Simon asked, in the same playful tone.

"Nah, wasn't really his thing. He should stick to singing". Wilhelm knew his smile was wide, and upon seeing Simon's amused face, he couldn't contain his laughter.

"You're a little bitch!" Simon exclaimed, reaching out to grab Wilhelm and pull him towards himself. Simon too couldn't help his laughter, especially after Wilhelm's final comment.

The Prince fought Simon's grasp, but Simon just launched himself at Wilhelm. In a tangle of legs and sheets, Wilhelm found himself beneath Simon, his back against the mattress, with the boy straddling his hips. "Well, this feels vaguely familiar," Simon joked, as he held Wilhelm's hands down by his head. Millions of thoughts swarmed Wilhelm's head, but only one escaped his throat.

"I'm sorry. For everything".

Simon released Wilhelm's hands, and the Prince sat up, Simon still on his lap. "I know," Simon said, bringing his arms around Wilhelm's neck. "I'm sorry too".

"You didn't do anything wrong".

"We didn't do anything wrong," Simon corrected, causing Wilhelm to chuckle. "But I did. I've been a complete bitch since term has gone back".

"I'm not going to deny it," Wilhelm said, knowing he would be on thin ice.

Simon rolled his eyes, a mock shocked expression on his face, "Uncalled for!"

"I know, I know. I'm sorry," Wilhelm said. "Can we start over?"

Simon nodded, smiling. "We just can't get caught this time". Wilhelm burst out laughing, Simon following not far behind. They collapsed into a mess of limbs and sheets once more, giddy with joy.

Maybe it would all work out in the end. Now all Wilhelm had to do was deal with August. 

*          *         *

(1100 words)