i was looking at episode 2 for my simon gif series and i came across this small moment:
and i just had to make a separate post to talk about it because simon is so painfully endearing here. he just told his friends that he has bigger dreams than staying in his bjärstad forever, and you can tell he feels out of place when the awkward silence follows and his friends react in a way he wasn't really expecting. simon has a very selfless, kind and pure heart, and it's clear that he really values the opinion of the people he loves - seeing him feel down or inadequate when he believes he's "disappointing" them is just like a kick in the guts because my son my baby you're perfect and good and good enough. and it's okay to have your own dreams and be your own person, you don't have to explain yourself to anyone. it's such a small moment but i think it really shows a lot of who simon is
the first time you caught my eye it was not love at first sight. instead, a quiet curiosity was planted in my chest and i knew it was only a matter of time before you sunk beneath my bones and nurtured this deep-seated familiarity into a love so fierce that i would question if i had ever been in love before.
I will never get over the perfection that is Wilmon’s first time (ignoring the fact that August was lurking outside). The fact that Wille got to take control of something in his life and make the decision to go for it with Simon. The fact that Simon, who spent his whole life looking out for other people, got to be the complete focus of someone’s attention. The way they laugh, and smile, and just enjoy being with each other. One of the best intimacy scenes ever.
all images: young royals, s1—s3 // micah nemerever, these violent delights // interludxs, to love and be free // jhené aiko, you vs them // benjamin alire sáenz, to the desert // frank ocean, pink and white // jhené aiko, to love and die // sza, saturn // boygenius, true blue // richard silken, crush // lisa ambjörn, post series finale interview quote // ranier maria rilke // unknown quote
I’ve just started a rewatch of the show and almost screamed at the moment when Wille tells his mom that he just wants a normal life. He’s always wanted this!!! He was never going to be happy as King just as Simon was never going to be happy as a consort. He really wasn’t kidding when he told his mom in the last episode that it wasn’t about Simon. Sorry bit of a jumbled mess of thoughts but I love that Lisa planted the seed from the very beginning, the show wasn’t about Wille growing into the role of Crown Prince it was about him gaining the confidence to reject it.
I just want to announce that I think this is the sexiest moment in S1. The music, the lighting, the choreography and framing. The sudden, sharp eye contact. The entire football field scene is perhaps the most gorgeous part of the show, but I never fail to get goosebumps every time this particular bit comes around.
The music in the background drowns out Wille and Simon’s dialogue. The words they are saying (“Pull yourself together.” “I don’t want you to be mad.” “Come on.”), while heartfelt, are secondary to what is really happening. The lyrics Let’s start a revolution ring out as Wille swings his hair out of his face—and for a fraction of a second, Wille seems completely sober. There is a sense of profound clarity in his gaze, while Simon meets his eyes in a frenzy of panicked concern.
Simon looks incredulous at his impulsive decision to bike all the way to school in freezing temperatures in the dead of night—all to rescue a boy who had effectively dumped him earlier. He is bewildered and upset by Wille’s physical state, and his state of mind. Simon has every reason to avoid men who engage in substance abuse. Despite his anger and annoyance, something in him intuitively trusts Wille, and in Wille’s abilities to respectfully accept support from him.
Each boy is suddenly discovering the staggering extent of their affection for the other; it feels real now, and the enormity of a potential affair crashes into them.
Wille has been fighting to keep thoughts of the collateral damage of his feelings for Simon at bay for so long, but right now, he looks immune to his anxiety. He has finally admitted to himself that the conventions and traditions that his family and late brother cared deeply about were simply made up. In a world where everything is fake—where he mostly tolerates his life by dissociating—Wille’s feelings for Simon are so tangible that suppressing them have been driving him over the edge. The surety he feels (towards his authentic identity, his wants, his needs) when he is with Simon has grown to become his anchor, the only thing that might keep him sane. With Simon, he feels relief.
They face each other directly across the scene, and we watch closely from behind as an audience peeking in. With their stance and the way they take up space, the music and lyrics egg on a sense of victory. This is a turning point in both their lives, but not because they decide now that they will truly commit to a revolutionary relationship—It’s altogether too soon for that.
This moment is just a simple, beautiful, wondrous realization: I would start a revolution, with you. For you. It would be worth it.