Worlds Of Ursula K. Le Guin (2018), Dir. Arwen Curry

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i’m proud of you for facing the days you really don’t want to face

I’ve always wanted to write Wilmon fic but nothing I write sounds like their authentic voice. You always manage to get them so in character, sometimes it feels like you’re secretory in the writer’s room. I guess I’m asking if you have any tips or tricks for characterizing Wille/Simon

Surprise, I’m actually Lisa

But thank you anon, that’s so sweet. Let me kind of lay out my thoughts on how I write them and hopefully that will help.

In general, I think you should always start with a character’s flaws and build their reactions to events/people from there. It’ll also give you a good starting place for whatever emotional journey you want to take them on.

For Wille’s flaws: there’s a lack of emotional maturity here. Wille’s usually not intentionally mean, but most of his flaws come from how unaware he is and how he ends up unintentionally hurting the people around him but is often unable to understand how he did so because, to him, his actions are always, completely justifiable. He’s almost emotionally stunted in a way, and he kind of has trouble identifying what he’s feeling at any given moment which is what makes him tip towards anger and frustration more often than not. He reacts poorly to situations and people he can’t control, which is a hallmark symptom of anxiety. As a result, he has trouble putting words to his thoughts in a meaningful, constructive way. He’s impulsive and stubborn and self absorbed.

For Simon’s flaws: he’s actually incredibly emotionally intelligent and very perceptive - but he uses this intelligence to be intentionally cruel when he’s angry. For example, in arguments with Wille or Sara, he uses his intellect to pinpoint exactly what he needs to say to cut them down completely. He’s very, very good at getting the last word and sometimes he gets kind of consumed by that. Simon’s definitely not the super nice approachable guy at school - he’s a cunt to Wille on his very first day, he’s loud and outspoken, and hard headed. He’s also got a slightly hypocritical streak of idealism where he’s an idealist when it comes to the things that affect him, but is sometimes unable to offer the same grace to other people, especially when he’s angry or hurt. He also has a difficult time asking for help and being vulnerable.

Wille’s positives: he’s loyal, romantic, and he doesn’t have a wandering eye, he likes being coddled a little and is unafraid to ask for it, he’s quicker to admit that he’s wrong and knows when to give in, he’s also incredibly bold and brave - he’s unafraid to be the black sheep of the family, but he still loves his family and wants them to be proud of him.

Simon’s positives: he’s incredibly selfless and wants to take care of the people he loves and genuinely likes being there for them, he likes being supported but not protected - he loves that Wille respects his autonomy and thinks he’s capable, he has a strong sense of right and wrong and he stands up for what he believes in even if it might hurt him or if he might end up being wrong. he’s also a romantic and he definitely likes grand gestures and praise.

As for their dynamic, I always liken it to that old Christmas story where the husband sells his prized pocket watch to buy his wife a set of expensive combs, only for her to have cut and sold her hair to buy him a gold chain for his watch.

Just don’t be afraid to make them fight and annoy each other and not always say the right thing. It doesn’t take away from their love in any way.

Sorry this got out of hand, but I could talk about it forever. Hopefully that was even the slightest bit helpful ❣️

I WANT TO BE WITH YOU, SIMON. | YOUNG ROYALS 3.06

Simon & Wilhelm ● Will we meet in our dreams?

Source: Young Royals S2/Netflix

This also connects well to how, in season 1, Wille accuses Simon of committing an act that is "so fucking low" by supposedly dealing drugs -- while he never says anything similar to August for actually USING said drugs. Classism and poverty.... and double standards.

while attempting to Avoid Thinking, i landed on a conclusion somehow about how August and Micke both play similar rolls in showing how drug addiction can look when compared between upper and lower classes.

also how they both sort of show why Wille and Simon's understanding of the drug incident were so violently different.

because while Wille doesn't know that August is addicted, he does know that he regularly does drugs and even partakes in it himself. drugs are something that you do for fun sometimes, not a hug deal. besides, Erik did them too, so they can't be THAT bad. (but of course he does also know they're illegal and he can't be caught doing them, but he's the Prince so he really can't be caught doing much of ANYTHING so what's the harm, right?)

but Simon has Micke as an introduction to drugs and the effects they can have on not only your own life, but the lives of those around you. drugs ruined Micke's life, and they damaged Simon's family. they aren't some fun hobby that you do sometimes, they're addictive and destroying and dangerous.

and tbh I had always had kind of a hard time seeing either side of their argument or fully understanding why they were behaving as they were, but this actually... helped a lot. so cool :]

Hi. Hi, hello, hi. I did not see this in my ask box, I apologize.

BIG BRAIN ENERGY.

Yes. That is exactly what's going on. Simon and Wille see drugs in two completely different lights. And it also shows the stark contrast of a drug addicted rich person and a drug addicted lower class person. Micke is addicted and it ruined their lives. Simon even says "you couldn't even get sober for mine and Sara's sake." Micke gets addicted and neglects his responsibilities. He wastes money, he can't look after his children, he can't keep his marriage intact. Problems like that don't go away in Micke's world. If he wastes money, he doesn't have anything to fall back on. If he can't take care of his children, he loses them.

But August does not face consequences. Firstly, because he does not personally have many responsibilities. Not yet, at least. He has money at his disposal, so he isn't neglecting anything or anyone other than himself when he buys them. And in August's world, when trouble comes up, the problems conveniently go away. Even his money problems disappeared - the Crown payed for his school, which then allows him time to figure everything else out. If he were to get into trouble because of the drugs he does, it would stand to reason that those problems would also disappear.

Simon sees drugs and he sees destruction. Wille sees drugs and he sees a Friday night. They see the consequences of the drugs as two completely different things.

Simon knows what it does to a person, and Wille knows what it does to a system. And drugs hurt a person a hell of a lot more than they hurt a system.

I have so many thoughts about this.

if there’s something season 3 did perfectly was Simon’s character, I love how his care for social issues was fully explored, and the fact that he tries to show wille several times the actual power of his privilege is so important and this scene is the perfect example of that!

rip marcus this is who you lost your mans to

I agree with one of your asks about the double standard of seeing August so many times having sex with Felice and Sara and not having a sex scene between Wilmon. Is that gay sex feels dirty or what's the deal here?!

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