Chapter Text
After their last class of the week, Simon and Wille take an evening stroll around campus.
They walk hand-in-hand enjoying the beautiful sunset. Vibrant pinks and oranges paint the sky and fuse into a darkening hue. A whimsical and reinvigorating energy whirls in the spring air. It’s fresh and sweet and reminds them of new beginnings. Together.
“This is nice,” Simon whispers, squeezing Wille’s hand as their feet tap against the pebbled trail leading to town.
Wille hums in agreement and presses a kiss to Simon’s temple.
He absentmindedly kicks a rock as they walk, knocking their shoulders together. Ever since they got back together the urge to always be touching each other was more powerful than ever.
“The sunset is beautiful,” Simon murmurs, stopping to admire the view.
Wille couldn’t care less about the sunset. He has his own beautiful view right in front of him. “You’re beautiful,” he smiles.
Simon giggles. He untangles their fingers to wrap his arms around Wille’s neck. “You’re kinda a sap, ya know?” he teases, playing with the tendrils of hair sprouting above the nape of Wille’s neck.
Wille squeezes Simon’s hips, “Yeah, but you like it.”
“Correction: I love it.” He leans up to connect their lips in a passionate kiss. Their mouths mold together perfectly.
A bolt of happiness zips through Wille as his tongue ventures inside Simon’s mouth. He tastes sweet from the strawberry ice cream cone they shared earlier.
Simon pulls away far too quickly, his lips glossy and just a bit swollen.
“I should be sappy all the time if it’ll get you to kiss me like that,” Wille chuckles, breathless.
Eventually they stumble into town. The sunset has long dissolved, leaving bright stars in its path. It’s eerily quiet for a Friday evening but Simon and Wille like it that way. It feels as if they are the only ones in the world. It feels safe and powerful and exhilarating.
Shops crowd cobblestone streets and opposite, a small park and fountain shaped like a sunflower connect the heart of town square.
Simon skips to the fountain, it's one of his favorite spots. He sits at the edge and dips his fore and middle fingers in creating intricate ripples in the water.
Wille admires his boy in awe. The fountain’s built-in lights reflect iridescent aqua across his face highlighting his sharp jaw and cute button nose. My beautiful sunflower.
Simon gasps, drawing Wille from his daze. He points and squeals excitedly, “Ooh Wille, look! A café!” he bounces over to his boyfriend and tugs on his sleeve, “Can we go?”
Wille peers at the shop. A rustic wood sign reads: “The Cozy Nest” in pretty cursive letters and an icon of a steaming cup of coffee is adorned on top.
“‘Course, love.”
Simon’s smile grows wider. He leaves his boyfriend trailing behind him.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills Wille’s nostrils as they wander inside. It immediately relaxes him. The scent is thick and nutty and there’s a hint of caramelized sweetness laced in it.
“Hi, what can I get for you guys?” one of the baristas greets them warmly.
Simon squints at the chalkboard menu hanging above the register. He smirks and flashes Wille pleading kitten eyes. They’re big and half hidden under a curtain of long lashes. It’s a look that makes Wille fall to his knees and succumb to Simon’s demands. “You know what I want.”
He does. It’s Simon’s favorite drink, perfect for a soft, cozy date like this.
Wille whispers, “you’re insufferable,” while shaking his head, lips stretched into a smile, “go ahead, love.” Who is Wille to deny anything his wonderful, lovely boyfriend wants? He’d give him the world in a heartbeat.
Simon’s face brightens. He turns to the barista, “Two hot chocolates with extra marshmallows please.”
After they pay (“Wille, please let me pay. It’ll be my treat, plus I ordered for us!” “Nope, I’m treating you tonight.” “You always treat me.”), Wille places a hand on Simon’s hip and guides them to a sofa nestled between a retro fireplace and a cherry cedar shelf plumped with books.
Simon snatches a thick wool blanket from one of the armrests and swaddles it around their legs. The scratchy fibers are a welcomed sensation after enduring the chilly breeze outside.
Wille scoots as close as he can to Simon, itching to touch his boy as much as possible. He wraps an arm around him and rubs soothing circles on his shoulder with his thumb.
“This is nice, I’m happy,” Simon murmurs, snuggling closer to Wille.
Wille’s heart swells. Because all he wants to do is make his boy happy. After everything Simon has been through, Wille’s sole mission in life is to make him smile.
He sighs deeply, “Mhm, me too,” and takes Simon’s hand to his mouth, pressing his lips to the back of it. Soft lips peck each of his knuckles eliciting a giggle from Simon and making him squirm.
They fall into a comfortable silence, basking in each other’s love and warmth while a fire crackles in the background. It’s perfect.
Wille surveys the café. As the name suggests, it’s cozy. The space is dimly lit and intimate with plush sofas scattered on vintage shag rugs. String lights line exposed brick walls spotlighting paintings by local artists. Shelves of books are stacked everywhere on warm maple wood flooring and plants with leaves dripping down like waterfalls dangle from the ceiling.
Besides one other couple, they are the only ones there. It was nice to be (sort of) alone. No distractions, just them.
After the whole fiasco with August attempting to steal Wille’s title as prince and Wille confessing his love for Simon in front of all of Sweden, things were stressful to say the least.
Wille and the Queen spent long hours discussing his future (one that most definitely included Simon), what he wanted, and what was needed from him to be next in line for the throne.
One of the many compromises was going on a Royal Family press tour to appease the media. No matter how hard the media tried to force him into a box, he continuously reinforced his desire to be unlabeled. There wasn’t a need to come out as gay or bisexual or any other sexual orientation. He didn’t want his identity to boil down to his sexuality. He was just Wille.
He also couldn’t help but declare his love for Simon every chance he got. Fortunately, it seemed like the world accepted him, accepted them. In the weeks since then, Simon and Wille received thousands of letters and messages from people in the LGTBQ+ community telling their stories and expressing their support. It affirmed that he made the right decision. And after reflecting on it, he was silly to ever keep Simon a secret.
The Queen has also come around. She has been inviting Simon to family functions and events, much to Simon’s dismay. At his first royal event two Sundays ago, hosted on a sunny afternoon in the palace garden, Simon was so wound up with nerves that he wasn’t paying attention and accidentally sat on a slice of strawberry shortcake. He was red in the face from embarrassment while Wille wiped fluffy white cream off his butt in the bathroom (“Honey, it’s really not a big deal.” “It is, Wille! Also what kind of person just leaves their half-eaten cake on a chair!”).
Wille continues therapy sessions at school. He learns coping techniques for his anxiety and has even started taking yoga classes. He persuades (forces) Simon to attend class with him at least once a month and rewards him after by watching—scratch that—by cuddling him and kissing down his neck while an episode of Narcos blares on TV.
Simon sees Boris regularly now as well which arose after a gentle and encouraging push from Wille. He’s easing into therapy, nervous about accidentally oversharing. But every session he’s able to talk a minute longer than the last.
Wille is still processing all the recent events. He’s been tense and moody and gets into these crotchety fits every so often. He is also more protective of Simon. When rude or disrespectful comments about Simon appear in his DMs, his mood spoils instantly. And his aggravation level hits a peak when he reads inappropriate and utterly untrue things written about his relationship in the paper. But Simon and Boris, and even his parents, help him through it.
All that being said, things are better. People recognize them on the streets and the media writes about their relationship nonstop but they’re finally able to be open and free and together.
“Did you two have the hot chocolates?” A deep voice pulls Wille out of his thoughts.
“Yup!” Simon grins with a sparkle in his eye.
Wille catches Simon checking out this very new, very handsome barista. Jealousy bubbles in his core. Why the hell is Simon—
A loud crash echoes throughout the café.
“Fuck!” Wille howls as searing hot liquid seeps onto his lap.
“Oh shit! I’m sorry! I tripped over that pile of books,” the barista squawks and stuffs his hands into his apron, pulling out a stack of napkins. He shoves them in Wille’s hands and picks up the fallen mugs that landed on Wille’s lap.
Wille ignores the burning pain. “No, it’s fine,” he grits out with a clenched jaw.
Simon springs into action. He flings the wool blanket on the ground and yanks napkins out of the guy’s hands. He smothers them on Wille’s legs and adds pressure, allowing them to soak up the piping hot chocolate on his boyfriend’s legs.
Luckily, the wool blanket shielded some of the spillage but the drinks still drenched all of Wille’s right leg.
The barista wipes the mess that leaked from Wille’s leg onto the floor. He gathers the mugs and serving plate in his arms. “Sorry again, let me grab, uh, I’ll go remake your drinks,” he stumbles out.
Wille mutters a thanks, irritated by the uncomfortable dampness on the front of his jeans. But mostly he’s irritated that his lovely date with Simon turned sour.
“Are you ok, babe?” Simon asks, concerned. He continues dabbing napkins on the dark stain on Wille’s thigh.
Wille nods but Simon knows he’s agitated.
“Wanna go change into your gym sweats?” Without waiting for a response, he unzips Wille’s backpack, plops his grey joggers in his hands, and shoos him off to the bathroom.
A minute later, Wille emerges. Simon notices the aggravated expression plastered on his face. “Aw, my baby looks so cute in dry, non-hot chocolatey joggers!” he exclaims high-pitched and enthusiastic, hoping Wille cracks a smile.
“It’s not funny, Simon,” Wille grumbles as he sits down on the sofa.
Simon bundles Wille in his arms. He covers their legs with a fresh beige fleece blanket and rubs his knee, “It’s really not a big deal.”
“He ruined our date, Simon!” Wille huffs and crosses his arms like a toddler throwing a tantrum.
Simon thinks for a moment, then a devious grin spreads on his lips. “Sweetheart, our date isn’t over,” His words come out slow and sweet like molasses, “We’re going to enjoy our hot chocolates by the fire,” he spares a glance at the bookshelf, “And I’m going to make you read me a chapter of Red, White & Royal Blue, and then we’ll go to your dorm and if you’re good…” Simon trails his fingers up Wille’s thigh under the blanket, “I’ll give you the best blowjob you’ve ever had.”
Which. Simon always gives the best head. Wille’s concluded that Simon’s lips were made to suck dick, specifically his dick. His pants tighten at the thought of Simon wrapping his soft, plush lips around his—
“Baby, want you,” Simon nuzzles his cheek. He twists his neck and quickly scans the café. Confirming no one’s in eyesight of them, Simon slides his hand up Wille’s thigh and over his bulge.
“Fuck,” Wille swears under his breath while Simon squeezes him gently. For a fleeting moment he wonders if he could convince Simon to fuck in the bathroom.
“You look so good in these joggers, baby…can’t wait to take them off,” Simon whispers, his hot breath fanning Wille’s ear making his cock twitch in excitement.
Simon talking dirty will be the death of him. He can't believe such sinful words can come from such a seemingly innocent boy.
Wille arches into Simon’s touch. He thrusts his hips forward, chasing the feeling and encouraging Simon to keep massaging his concealed cock. He’s aching for his boy right now. He wants to touch him back, tease him with his tongue, bite his neck, pull his hair, fuck him on the—
The barista coughs, “Um, excuse me?”