#silhelm

For obvious reasons, Wille and Simon's love story in S1 was very much in its fledgling stage. That was the point, after all. Every touch was hesitant, every glance bashful, every shared feeling stumbled through with shyness. And of course one of the biggest themes of S1 was secrecy.

Simon setting the boundary with Wilhelm was the most transparent communication he's had with Wille thus far. It showed that depsite his feelings, he won't be dragged through the mud by Wille's conflicts any longer. He did not shut the door on him, but he very firmly rooted himself on one side of it and made Wilhelm realize it's him and only him that will decide to walk through it or not. While on the surface this might seem like Simon is rejecting the love growing between them, I actually see it as Simon affirming it.

Wilhelm's personal and familial situations are what caused his love for Simon to be so stifled in the first place. Every time he told Simon it was over between them, only to renege upon it later, was because of the position he has within his family and the role he's forced to take in his own life. It's a position that prevents actual choice. Simon understands this, and puts his foot down. Either change the position you're in, or don't. I will be here on the other side, whether you join me or not. Simon is the only character who gives Wilhelm a choice.

And, knowingly or not, Wilhelm made one. He told Simon he loved him. He did not abandon his responsibilities, hasn't yet escaped the mental prison he's locked in, but he whispered through the bars, and this is the most important thing of all. He chose to be transparent with Simon. And by doing this, it guarantees that inevitably he has to be transparent with himself. He has to realize he DOES have a choice. And he has to become truly okay with the destruction that choice will bring to the path cut out for him.

Where season one was about secrecy, season two will be about transparency. Wilhelm's own autonomy will become clearer and clearer to him, and he'll realize that taking the path of choice is the only thing that will make his love with Simon blossom.

simon: i beated up your cousin for owing me money

wille: