Chapter Text
“Why are you here, Wille?”
Simon said with a sigh, not surprised, just tired of having to nurse Wille whenever he had his constant breakdowns, especially since they've been broken up for months.
He’s tried to set boundaries, but even his jaded brain can’t pretend and lie about being indifferent.
He’ll always care for Wille. No matter how many times he’s hurt him, betrayed, and stomped on his heart with glass–he loves Wilhelm.
This time, it was serious. Yes, they've broken up countless times, but back then the lump in Simon’s stomach was smaller, and he could mask his resentment for Wilhelm and the legacy that came with him.
After Hillerska closed, Wille had been moved to a private school, far from Bjarstaad, and even further from Simon’s touch. Kristina could now finally sink her teeth in Wilhelm’s brain, now that his light had faded–as had the memories of being free with Simon.
Simon went back to Marieburg, alone in the halls, and after he stopped talking, so did his friends.
They did care.
At least at first,
But even the most good-hearted of people get worn out from silence.
It’s not like Wilhelm gave up on their relationship; but after a summer filled with Wilhelm dealing with Kristina, crown prince duties, and being separated from Simon, it was hard to be close. Even if his mother didn’t admit it, it was clear Kristina wanted to keep them apart for the sake of his traditional “prince” image.
He barely saw Wille, just a couple restless nights in Stockholm, where Kristina had him coupled up in a house too large. The most recent time they had broken up was the second month of the school year.
This time it was Willie who initiated it. He’d come on the phone crying, just a bitter half-hearted explanation of how he needed to focus on himself, but what he really meant was that his mother wanted him to purse a relationship with a “proper” girl, one that he could be with without controversy. It was clear his mom got to him; but deep in his heart Simon knew Wille could never love another like he loved him, but still he lost his appetite for a week.
He had to move on.
He didn’t.
Even after Wille admitted it was him in the video, the media was relentless, tearing apart the both of them any chance they could. If Wilhelm wanted to take Erik’s place, he’d have to take on a persona of a traditional prince, one who doesn’t have a sex tape and a boyfriend who is an anti-monarchist. Still, though they both knew this, they tried.
It was harder to be positive with distance, even with the few joy-filled days of visiting each other for break.
Two weeks of dread passed, and soon the phone call was lost; a faded memory of what could've been gone. Still, Simon called. One day Wille picked up–fourth ring, and one hundred missed calls too late.
Simon believed Wille’s apology on how Kristina failed to set him up with a girl, family friend; filthy rich. He delivered a fake promise on how he can’t be without Simon, and how the girl didn’t compare. Anna was her name, he described her as nice, but nothing that would go forward.
He was wrong.