Work Text:
Simon misses seeing Rosh and Ayub every day. They never fail to make Simon smile, and when he's upset, they know what to do to make him feel better. The time the three of them share is effortless, the type of friendship that recharges and leaves Simon feeling better.
It's been the most challenging adjustment for Simon since switching schools –not having Rosh and Ayub there– he's always been a bit of a loner. Fitting in hasn't always been the most essential thing to Simon. It's not that he doesn't want any friends. He just has no intentions of making any long-lasting ones at Hillerska –aside from one person, Simon wouldn't mind being something to him– which is why Simon invited his friends over in the first place. But, he should have known better because their relentless teasing is almost enough to make Simon send them home. Of course, Simon would never actually do that. As much as his friends annoy the hell out of him, he loves them.
"Simon," Rosh chuckles with disbelief, "only you could manage to get the Prince of Sweden to fall for you," she taunts and reaches across Ayub to punch Simon playfully in the leg, distracting him enough to swipe a bowl of chips off his lap. He grunts at the impact and glares at her, unable to hold back his amused yet disappointed laugh. He'll never see those chips again.
"I don't even really know if he likes me like that," Simon scowls playfully in response.
"Haven't you kissed?" Ayub asks thoughtfully –his eyes still glued to the television– the interruption startles Simon. He thought his friend had abandoned them, being grossly invested in the scary movie that Simon hasn't been concentrated on for the last twenty minutes. For as long as Simon can remember, they've always let Ayub pick the film. He's usually the only one who watches it all the way through anyways.
Simon turns his body to face his friends more fully now that he knows he has both their attention. His legs cross in front of him as he rests his back against the couch's armrest. "We kissed like," Simon pretends to think in an attempt to seem relaxed about the whole situation. Except he knows precisely how many times his lips have met Wilhelms, how could he forget? "Twice," Simon tells them, trying and failing to sound casual. He attempts to ignore the thick layer of yearning that buries itself in Simon's chest. He savours the memory of Wilhelm's chapped lips brushing smoothly against his own and how easily Simon could melt into them.
Both Ayub and Rosh look at Simon like more explanation is necessary, clearly finding the whole situation entertaining.
"The first time, he was drunk, so it obviously didn't let it last long," Simon starts as his fingers tap restlessly along his knees. "The second, he spent almost the entire time panicking." Simon sighs, unsure of how to continue. Ayub tilts his head curiously as he listens, signalling for Simon to keep going. "He kept saying he isn't," Simon groans, trying to find the right words. Ones that won't riddle his friends with concern, "that he wasn't–" he tries again, "that he's not– I don't know," Simon abandons defeatedly. He doesn't want to define whatever Wilhelm is, that's not Simon's place, but it doesn't make the way Wilhelm kissed him any less confusing.
It's clear to Simon that whatever feelings might be growing between them is new to Wilhelm. It was obvious when he hadn't immediately returned Simon's kiss the night they watched the film. Simon remembers how his heart dropped into his stomach, nausea taking hold when he was sure Wilhelm would reject him. He had been ready to drown in his own idiocy, thinking someone like Wilhelm would never be interested in him. Then Wilhelm drew him back, pulled Simon closer and initiated his own careful embrace. Despite their nerves and hesitancy, it didn't take long for them to fall into each other, finding a tender rhythm for their lips to fall into, like they were meant to be there.
"Why don't you just hang out with him again?" Rosh interrupts Simon's pleasant thoughts, like it's simple, shovelling more chips into her mouth.
Simon had been crushed by Wilhelm's decision to forget about it. He was barely able to look at the boy without his stomach binding itself into a mess of hurt and confusion. It's baffling to Simon how a single boy has managed to make him feel so many complicated things. They barely know each other, yet Wilhelm is the first thing Simon thinks about every morning and the last thing every night.
It's completely unfair.
"Well," Simon begins, and his face goes warm as his friends watch him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. It doesn't take Rosh long to catch on to Simon's flustered embarrassment. When Simon sees her put the bowl of chips on the coffee table, lean casually back to prop her feet up with crossed arms and eyebrows raised, Simon knows he's done for.
"Well, what?" Rosh pushes for Simon to continue with a clever smirk.
Simon presses his lips together, trying to hide the smile that they'll only ridicule him for. He eventually holds it together long enough to go on. "He invited me to stay at Hillerska for the weekend. While the res students have gone home," Simon explains through a flustered laugh which escapes as he hides his face in his palms.
"Simon," Rosh gasps theatrically, "are you actually going to fuck the monarchy?" She teases loudly, which manages to capture Ayub's attention again, eyes now bouncing between Simon and Rosh. Apparently, Simon's dalliance with the prince has officially been dubbed more significant than whatever character is supposed to die next in the film.
Simon drops his face further into his hands, pressing the tips of his fingers lightly against his eyes, hoping it will magically hide him from his embarrassment. He curls himself into the couch, eventually peeking through his hands to observe his friends' impressed and amused reactions.
Simon eventually looks at them entirely, but only after he gets his blushing under control, " I don't know what he wants," Simon admits, trying his best to sound optimistic, "all he asked was if I would keep him company."
A slight smirk plays on Simon's lips when he recalls how difficult the question was for Wilhelm to ask. Simon hadn't exactly made it easy for the boy, having him practically spell it out for him. Simon needed to be sure that Wilhelm meant it, that he wasn't being set up to be hurt again. But, when Wilhelm said he'd changed his mind, Simon felt like he could breathe again. The weight hovering over him dissipated, and the knots in his stomach untangled like silk. It's terrifying how quickly Wilhelm can change his world. But when Simon said yes, and Wilhelm smiled, it was enough for Simon to understand.
Simon would be lying if he said he didn't have hopes for what might happen between him and Wilhelm during their time alone, without anyone breathing down their necks. He's trying not to set any expectations, but there is still a flicker of desire that something might happen. Maybe Simon will get somewhere with Wilham, even if they simply talk, he could find more clarity on where they stand and what all this means. If they were to kiss, well, that would just be a bonus.
"Company," Ayub snorts, raising a suggestive eyebrow.
To anyone else, Wilhelm's intentions might seem suggestive. As much as Simon internally hopes they might be, he also can't wait to openly talk to the boy. "He might just want to hang out," Simon implies, still trying to grasp the concept of he and Wilhelm being alone for an entire weekend. A nervous shiver charged with anticipation sweeps through Simon, and he finds himself a bit breathless.
Rosh laughs to herself, rolling her eyes, "in my experience, that's not what a boy says when he–," she lifts her hands, signalling sarcastic quotations, "just wants to hang out."
"That's not saying much, considering half you're dating experience is from the women's football team," Ayub jokes with a humourous judgement that holds no real meaning. Rosh reaches for the bowl of chips and chucks a hand full at both Simon and Ayub, pretending to be scandalized by the remark.
"Yo for real," Ayub grabs both their attention, breaking Simon and Rosh's miniature food fight, coating his words with care. "We don't want you to get hurt. Will you be okay?"
Simon takes a deep breath, studying his friends, who are patiently waiting for his reply. But Simon isn't sure how to answer. He's filled with anticipation, but his confusion is nearly equal, and the more intensely he thinks about it, the more his heart does somersaults. What Wilhelm means to him is something Simon is still trying to wrap his head around. He loves spending time with the boy. There's not a single moment that Simon doesn't enjoy Wilhelm's company. Somehow despite how completely separate their worlds are, they never run out of things to discuss. Maybe their differences are why they got on so well.
But, it's not only that. Simon can feel something strong building between them, even when they're sitting in silence during workies –pretending they're not studying each other– it's comfortable. Simon doesn't need to hunt for things to talk about like he does with other students, not that he tries with them. It's refreshing, especially when Simon is constantly surrounded by people he can't help to resent, even the slightest bit.
When he's with Wilhelm, they can just be. There's no pressure for Simon to pretend he's something he's not. Not that he's ever been great at that. The best part is that Wilhelms doesn't seem to want Simon to pretend either.
"Look at him," Ayub teases, "he's blushing." He nudges Simon with his elbow, a teasing grin on his face as he pulls Simon from the complex thoughts in his mind to where his friends are staring at him with amusement.
Groaning, Simon curls deeper into the couch, hiding his face in the cushions, "Whatever," He mumbles with a smile as both his friends continue their teasing.