𝐀𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐬

ʙᴏɴᴜꜱ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ: 5 || ꜱᴛᴀʀɢᴀᴢɪɴɢ (ᴡɪʟᴍᴏɴ)

The night sky stretched across the football field, the stars shining down against the fake grass, the mood silver and bright. The two boys laid against the grass, their eyes turned to the skies as they searched for shooting stars. It had been several weeks since everything had happened, and almost everything had changed.

Astrid had now been declared a missing person, and posters, shrines, and public pleas for her to return had been popping up all over Sweden. Alongside this, the press had taken Simon and Wilhelm's relationship into their claws and refused to let it go. They had been the front page of almost every single paper the country had, and had been all over the media and news. The Queen had been furious, but eventually was forced to accept it.

Because of this, the couple found it hard to spend time alone together; if they were in public they were being chased down by paparazzi, at Hillerska people asked questions about the video and their relationship, and in the Palace guards followed them around everywhere. The only place they could truly be alone was Simon's house, which Wilhelm didn't really mind; it was like they were in their own little bubble at Simon's house.

Neither boy knew what was to come next, though both knew they wouldn't be alone in whatever happened.

*                    *               *

"I just saw one!" Wilhelm exclaimed, propping himself up against the grass with his elbows, as his eyes scanned the endless skies for the falling star he had just caught a glance of. "I swear, it was right there...." Simon chuckled lightly as Wilhelm turned to him, his eyes wide and bright, alike the moon which blessed them with it's silver rays. "I did see it," Wilhelm repeated, as Simon nodded encouragingly.

"I'm sure you did," He replied, as Wilhelm leaned closer; Simon couldn't help the smile which spread across his face as Wilhelm's nose touched his. "I believe you".

"I think you're lying," Wilhelm said, as he kissed Simon's cheek, "Why would you lie to me? Lying isn't good, Simon".

"I'm not lying!" Simon exclaimed, as he looped his arms around Wilhelm's neck. Wilhelm's hair tickled Simon's face, and the boy couldn't contain his laughter anymore. He set off Wilhelm, too, and the two boys found themselves rolling around on the field under the stars, their arms and legs intertwined. Eventually, they settled down, Wilhelm's arms around Simon's waist, as Simon's hands were tangled in Wilhelm's hair. They laid side by side, their eyes locked, the grass soft beneath them.

"School is going to be insane," Simon commented in a soft voice, "I sort of don't want to go back". Wilhelm brought his hand up to touch Simon's face gently.

"I'll protect you," Wilhelm promised, "I'll protect you from the whispers and the cameras and the rumours. I promise". Simon bit his lip, and tore his eyes away from Wilhelm; he turned onto his back, so his eyes were once again directed at the sky. Wilhelm, unsure why Simon had suddenly turned away, propped himself up on his elbow to be able to see his boyfriend's face again. "Is something wrong?" Wilhelm asked.

"August will still be at school," Simon replied after several moments of silence, "I mean, don't you think he should be punished for what he did? Surely he can't get off without any charge; what he did was illegal, and has caused all this. Like, Astrid and Jasmine had to leave the country because of him...we're being followed around wherever we go!"

"That was going to happen anyways," Wilhelm said, "The paparazzi love a new story, and a gay prince and his boyfriend are the most controversial story they've got".

"My point is," Simon continued, "Are you okay with August just walking around? I mean, we nearly got him gone, but he just comes back, again and again. Surely you're not fine with this, right?"

"Of course I'm not okay with this, but it's out of our control. I say, we just focus on us, not August or my parents, or the media or news. Why can't we just be Simon and Wille? Why do we have to worry about August?" Wilhelm asked, as he lightly traced Simon's hairline with his fingertips; Simon shivered slightly under his touch.

"I'm sorry," Simon sighed, "I'm not meaning to be a downer. You're right, we should just focus on us, and our friends. Though, I'm sure Felice and Madi will have some things they would like to say to August," Both boys broke down in giggles.

"We should start heading back, Malin will be worried if she's realised we're gone," Wilhelm suggested, though he made no indication of moving.

"I'm sure my Mum has her distracted, she can talk up a storm when she needs to," Simon said, burying his head in Wilhelm's chest; Wilhelm quickly buried his hands in Simon's hair, as he turned on his back - the two boys laid there peacefully. "Five more minutes," Simon whined, "Just five more minutes here".

"We could make it ten," Wilhelm added, "I think ten is good".

"Fifteen?"

"I say twenty, you know, for good measure," Wilhelm replied, as the two boys broke down into giggles again.

Wilhelm realised, in this moment, that this was everything he had imagined when he had met Simon. Their start had been rocky, unsteady and seemingly impossible to ever work, but here they were, lying under the stars in complete content. Wilhelm was thankful for everything that had taken place; the video wasn't exactly necessary, but Wilhelm knew he and Simon were stronger for it (though this still didn't make what August did alright). Sighing with happiness, Wilhelm buried his fingers deeper into Simon's hair.

For the first time since Erik's passing, Wilhelm was happy. And he would do everything in his power to keep it that way. 

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(1000 words)

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