Work Text:
Sometimes it seemed like Wilhelm’s love for Simon was so all-encompassing that it would explode out of his chest and consume him. Their decade together through their days at Hillerska, university, starting their careers, and their wedding have only seen their love grow. They have fights and disagreements like anyone else, but they have never wavered in their trust and adoration for each other.
Which is how Wilhelm found himself at a tattoo parlor on a Monday a week before Simon’s birthday while the man was out of town for work. He had mentioned his idea to Felice during one of their frequent phone calls and she was all in, encouraging him. The artist had prepared a stencil with soft flowy script and placed it on Wilhelm’s skin. She had him check the placement and then settle back in the chair.
The first touch of the needle against his skin made him tense and gasp at the unfamiliar sensation, but he gripped Felice’s hand and took some deep breaths to calm himself. The tattoo was fairly small and was over in about twenty minutes. He smiled broadly when he saw the finished piece in the mirror, amazed at how the black looked against his pale skin. The fresh ink was covered and aftercare instructions provided before Felice and Wilhelm were free to leave.
The slight discomfort of the healing tattoo kept Wilhelm company the remainder of the week while he waited for Simon to finish his trip and return home. By Friday, the excess ink and outermost layer of skin peeled away as normal and the ink looked stark and perfect. Wilhelm loved looking at it and he hoped Simon loved it just as much.
Simon’s plane landed thirty minutes ago and he should be home soon. Wilhelm was practically vibrating with nervous energy while he waited. He busied himself by trying to throw something together for dinner even though his cooking skills were mediocre at best. He was draining some pasta when he heard the front door open and nearly dropped the entire pot to rush over to his husband.
When he put the pot down and turned around, Simon was just walking into the kitchen. Wilhelm launched himself into his husband’s arms, squeezing him so tightly he might pop from the pressure. Simon giggled, squeezing Wilhelm back just as tightly.
“Hi,” Wilhelm finally said after he had pulled back and given Simon a lingering, chaste kiss. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
“Me too, I missed you, Wille.” Simon rubbed his nose against Wilhelm’s before leaning their foreheads together. They stayed together for a few moments before Wilhelm reluctantly pulled back to finish putting together dinner.
Simon dealt with his suitcase and changed into more comfortable clothes before joining Wilhelm at the breakfast bar to eat side by side. They chatted about Simon’s flight home and an aggravating client Wilhelm had at work that day, easily falling back into their normal rhythm of cleaning up and curling up together on the couch to watch a show before heading to bed.
Wilhelm was in the bathroom looking in the mirror to apply a thin layer of healing ointment to the tattoo when Simon walked in and stopped. Wilhelm looked at him through the mirror and suppressed a smile at the wide eyes and open mouth Simon wore. He turned around, leaning back with his hands on the edge of the counter.
“Wille, did-did you get a tattoo?” Simon managed to breath out.
“Yeah, an early birthday present for you. Want to come look at it?” Wilhelm felt confident that Simon wouldn’t be appalled, but still a little unsure at the reaction it would receive.
Simon stepped up to his husband, lifting his hand to lightly touch near the ink on Wilhelm’s chest, over his heart. His name. Wilhelm had tattooed Simon’s name on his chest in a beautiful curling script. He gently traced around it, careful not to disturb the fresh layer of ointment.
“You got my name tattooed on you? Why?”
“Well, I know it’s cheesy, but I just love you so damn much. Sometimes it feels like my heart and body can’t hold it all in and I felt like permanently inking you into my skin would help that feeling when it happens.” Wilhelm looked a little embarrassed at his reasoning.
Simon’s hands slipped up to cup Wilhelm’s face, his thumbs gently sweeping back and forth against his cheeks. “Baby, I love it. I love you. At the end of the day, it’s your body and you’re allowed to do what you want with it, but I absolutely love that you chose to put my name on you. Especially over your heart. You’re really the best, sweetest husband I could have ever hoped for.”
“I love you too, Simme.”
Simon helped slip Wilhelm’s shirt on and they made their way to bed. Simon curled up against Wilhelm’s side, his head resting on his husband’s shoulder and his hand lightly resting over his heart and tattoo. Wilhelm held Simon close, happy to have his other half back home.