I splashed water on my face and then leaned against the basin, my mind racing from Wilhelm to Alexander to August.

Ugh, why do I have a heart?

Why the fuck was it so difficult to think about getting August into trouble to save my own ass?

I wiped my face with the towel and stared at myself in the mirror, a million thoughts floating all around me.

Okay, even if I decided to get the proofs, how the fuck was I supposed to get a hand on them?

Wilhelm could help, a little voice in my head suggested.

Yeah, he would get his cousin into trouble for me. Sure.

I heard a knock on the bathroom door. "Come out boy, I gotta get ready for rowing practise," Casper called out.

I sighed and gave myself one last disgusted look in the mirror, and then walked out. I cocooned myself in my bed, phone in my hand; finally, some peace and quiet.

As Casper was about to walk out a question flitted in my mind and I asked it without giving a second thought, "Is Wilhelm coming to practise these day?"

Casper was distracted by a message on his phone, "Prince Wilhelm?"

"Yeah."

"Nope," and he rushed out closing the door shut behind him.

I exhaled in relief. Thank goodness he wasn't paying attention.

I was scrolling through some random meme pages when a notification slid down from the top. I stared at it.

Wilhelm

Are you in your room?

I waited for a full minute before replying.

Simon

Yeah. Why?

Wilhelm

Is your roommate there?

Simon

Nope. Why?

Wilhelm

I'm coming over

Oh shit shit shit shit. I looked around. The room looked like a horse stable. I quickly jumped off my bed and started fixing anything I could lay my hands on. Bedsheets, my clothes, heck even Casper's fucking underwear.

How does mom keep the house so clean?

After about five minutes, I heard a knock at the door. I gave myself one quick glance in the mirror and then opened the door.

Wilhelm was standing outside, his hands stuffed in his pockets, a little smile dancing on his lips, "Hey."

"Hi," I said, slightly breathless. I peeked around, "aren't the bodyguards here?"

"Hell no. You have no idea what I had to do to get them off my back," he replied seriously.

I frowned, amused, "What exactly did you have to do may I ask?"

"Leave it," he said walking in, "long story."

"We have a lot of time," I smiled.

"It's not a lot, Simon. Not for me at least," he said, then glanced around the room, "it's neater than I thought it would be."

"Well, if you hadn't messaged before coming over, you would have encountered me huddled in a garbage dump," I shrugged. Wilhelm smiled, his eyes twinkling.

I looked at him and felt a certain kind of warmth spreading from my heart to my chest and arms. I took a step to close the distance between us until I could feel his breath on my ear, then I raised a hand and gently played with his hair.

"How are you feeling now?" I asked, my words laden with so much emotion, I couldn't recognise my own voice.

Wilhelm closed his eyes momentarily then replied, "Better."

I nodded and then leaned my head against his shoulder. Wilhelm raised his hands and wrapped them around my torso. I enjoyed the calm that came with the touch.

"I have come to complete what I did not the last time," Wilhelm whispered softly in my ear.

I swallowed, my heart racing. I was sure Wilhelm could feel it.

"I-" my voice faltered as Wilhelm planted a fleeting kiss on my neck, "I have something to complete as well."

"And what is that?" Wilhelm asked, watching me with wide eyes.

"I love you too, Wille," I said, looking him straight in the eye.

Wilhelm looked at me for a second and then looked down. His face fell, "Well, I guess it's too late now."