#hillerska shenanigans

[othervee]

I work in education, albeit on the other side of the world from Sweden, and have some experience with scholarships and financial assistance grants for students at my own and other institutions. I am pretty sure that August would not be eligible for the kinds of grant he is suggesting for Sara.

Many institutions and external funding bodies offer grants for access/equity/inclusion. They are there to provide extra support to a student who would otherwise face extra difficulties in accessing their education which the 'average' student would not. The most common reason for this is financial hardship although it can also be for disability, illness, living in a remote location, challenging family background with no family support, many other reasons. Academic merit may taken into consideration, as you want to support students who have the potential to succeed at their studies, but the primary focus will be overcoming their disadvantage.

August, although he is temporarily broke, would never qualify. He comes from a place of privilege, has had his school fees paid right up until his final year, and is sitting on valuable assets which can easily be liquidated.

Sara, OTOH, has several areas of disadvantage to take into consideration. If I were writing her grant application and was as savvy about it as August obviously is, I would frame it like this.

Sara is neurodivergent and was bullied at her old school as a result. This impacted her studies causing her to repeat a year.

Sara's family situation has also negatively impacted her studies due to the break-up of the family unit while she was at a critical life stage (I might also bring in the stress and threat of family violence if Sara was willing for me to do so).

While Sara's custodial parent is supportive and positive about her daughter's education, as a working single parent it can be challenging for her to provide the hands-on guidance that Sara sometimes needs.

At Hillerska, Sara has come into a supportive and nurturing learning environment where her peers have been welcoming and accepting. As a result she has improved both her academic performance and her social skills.

Sara's family are unable to financially support her to board at Hillerska, although becoming a Hillerska resident would enable her to further develop her social skills amongst her peers. It would also provide her with a supportive and immersive learning environment, with staff on-hand to provide ongoing supervision and keep an eye out for potential difficulties

Finally, boarding at Hillerska will open future doors for Sara, enabling her to make connections and develop networks that she wouldn't otherwise have access to.

Note that not everything I've said here is entirely true (the girls at Hillerska certainly didn't accept and nurture Sara at first!). But this is how I would frame it for maximum impact.

It's notable that Sara had apparently not been aware that there were grants that could enable her to board at Hillerska until August told her there were. It's a recurring issue in real life too that the students who need financial support the most are often not the ones that apply for it because they don't know it exists, or they don't have parents or teachers to help them apply.

No, wait, because if Hillerska had enough money to give Sara a grant, why on god’s green earth did they not offer it to August before the break?

Like they knew he didn’t have money, they knew he was going to get kicked out, they had meetings about what to do, and they didn’t think to, I don’t know, tell him to apply for that grant? Or just give it to him?

WHAT WAS THE REASON?

Like I hate August so much, but those adults absolutely had it out for him. They magically found enough money to board a student a month after literally kicking him out of school?!

reason 5897 to hate the adults in this series.

[caramelpenguin]

Wilmon+

"Stay with me, please!"

"Stay with me, please!" Simon's voice breaks as he places Wille's head on his lap, softly stroking the brown strands of hair as tears well in his eyes.

Wille's palm reaches up to his cheek, and Simon grips it in his palm. He knows what Wille will say, he knows how he must respond and his lips tremble... he doesn't expect him to start giggling.

"CUT!" Madison yells, and both their heads snap towards her. "That was amazing, you two!" She says, standing up to place her hands on her hips. "It would've been perfect if it wasn't for your laughing."

Wille turns around to smush his face in Simon's stomach. "Sorry," he breathes, shoulders shaking. It only takes seconds for Simon to join in on the laughter.

[rwrbficrecs]

Halloween Rec List Part 1 🎃👻

Here's the first part of the Halloween recs! Part 2 will be posted late November to cover all the new fics still coming out @halloweenhuh is currently posting works from their Halloween/Autumn themed fest, so be sure to give them a follow! Here's a link to their collection on AO3 🎃 Fics themed around Halloween and Autumn/Fall vibes 🍂:

but i can count on you to tell me the truth when (i’ve) been drinking and you’re wearing a mask by @anincompletelist

mistaken identities and halloween kisses

Halloween Calamity by @itsthemxze

Alex and Henry throw a Halloween party, but Alex has some strong opinions about Henry’s costume

Leave him Hen, he's a spice hater by greenandmoss

Alex learns to love the Spice Girls because of Henry's thighs

Lost and Found by milowren 

Alex and Henry are coworkers, Henry has a crush, and they end up at a haunted corn maze together a few nights before Halloween. Shenanigans ensue! Plus many horror movie references.

love bites by @coffeecatsme

Alex leaves love bites on Henry's neck right before a public Halloween party. The solution? Vampire costume.

stars by the pocketful by weather_stained

Though Henry opts out of June's Halloween party, Alex makes sure he doesn't spend the holiday alone.

The Last Day of October by ifigo

A reflection on Henry’s relationship with October 31st over the years

This Is Halloween by @bibliothesoph

Their first Halloween in the brownstone goes...not according to plan

Trick or Kiss by @hillerskas

Alex is throwing the Halloween party of the year and can't quite figure out why the Prince of England is haunting his every thought.

Where There Are Octobers by @iboatedhere 

31 Days of October themed FirstPrince prompts

For more spooky vibes! Fics featuring ghosts/vampires/demons/other supernatural & mythical beings etc 👻🧛🏻:

A Love That Haunts the Land by @14carrotghoul (necromancy & other supernatural things) 

Falling in love is the easy part. The supernatural consequences - not so much.

a slightly hysterical vampire fantasy moment by @cinnamoncoffees (vampires)

Alex doesn’t really think Henry is a vampire. He’s just his roommate. Because vampires aren’t real… right?

A Taste of You by @everwitch-magiks (vampires & other supernatural beings)

When Henry lets Alex take him home, he thinks he’s the only one who’s about to reveal his true nature. He’s wrong.

Ghosted by @tintagel-or-cockleshells (ghosts)

the fic where people are ghosts until they're not, dead until proven otherwise, and we take bets on how thin the veil is between the living and the dead.

Got a ticket for two by @clottedcreamfudge (demons)

Henry likes his apartment - he has done since the day he moved in a year ago. His flatmates themselves? Well, they're a little… strange.

(lord, save me) my drug is my baby by @coffeecatsme (vampires)

5 times Alex learns something new about Henry and 1 time Henry learns something new about Alex.

matchmaking from beyond the grave: a guide by arthur fox by @softest-cinnamon-roll (ghosts)

Alex can see the dead. Enter Arthur Fox who really thinks Alex should meet his son, Henry.

Out For A Bite by @everwitch-magiks (vampires)

He's heard whispers of this place, and more importantly of its patrons. He thinks he knows what this man is.

the beagle, the ghost and the wardrobe by @dumbpeachjuice (ghosts)

Henry’s new flat comes with one unexpected feature: it’s already inhabited. But not by a human. By a ghost.

🎃🎃🎃

[grapehyasynth]

au where wille and simon never kiss but remain close friends through their three years at hillerska. now they've just taken their final exams, they're days away from being done with school, and felice demands they all do a sleepover/spa night to celebrate. except of course there are teenage shenanigans and everyone's drinking a lot and normally simon is okay to just laugh at his friends as they do this but he really was looking for a chill night, so he ends up alone in felice's room, considering the benefits of the different skincare products. the door opens - it's wille. "here, let me - it'll be more relaxing if i do it for you."

simon sits with his back to the bed, head tilted back onto the mattress, where wille sits, leaning over him. "close your eyes," he instructs simon, and then he begins to gently apply the face mask in soft circles, applying a little extra pressure at his jaw and temples. when he finishes with that, he takes a dab of honeydew lip mask on his pinky and smooths it across simon's lips, which open without his permission.

wille touches simon's shoulder with his clean hand. "don't move." simon hears him get up, go to the sink, wash his hands, and then he's back, the bed bobbing just slightly as he sits. then there are hands in simon's hair, fingers scratching soothingly at his scalp. "what are you doing?" simon asks a little breathlessly. "the mask needs to sit for 15 minutes," wille reminds him.

at some point during the head massage, simon drifts to sleep, and he wakes to wille brushing simon's hair away from his sticky forehead. simon is drowsy and relaxed and pliant as wille leads him to the sink. he slides a gentle hand around to the back of simon's neck and tilts his head up so that he can softly wipe the mask away with a wet cloth and then pat simon's face with a dry one.

he sets the cloths aside but doesn't release the hand on simon's neck or step backwards. simon realizes how close they're standing, and his gaze flickers between wille's hooded eyes and parted lips. "will it ruin the dewy glowing anti-wrinkle benefits or whatever, if i kiss you?" wille murmurs. "i really don't care," simon whispers, and he draws him in by wille's sleep shirt.

[groenendaelfic]

so I had an August/Vincent/Nils thought.

One for which I first need to make a confession:

I, too, was once a poor, local non-res at a fancy boarding school just like Simon, and now sometimes that experience is helpful, especially when writing about spoiled classmates and Hillerska boarding school life.

Not always though, because I went to high school pre-smartphone/wifi times and things have changed a lot since then.

Case in point: the porn laptop.

Back then internet was only available in computer rooms during class and we had no TVs. There was however one student who’d managed to snag a laptop from his dad. It was slow and otherwise useless, but what hard drive space there was was filled to the brim with porn.

I don't know who the thing originally belonged to, because by the time I became aware of it, it was already in constant rotation and no longer had an official owner (probably because that would lead to said student getting kicked out) but it was very much real in all it's grubby, sticky glory.

Why am I telling you this? Because mine can't have been the only boarding school with a porn laptop making the rounds, and well ... if you set Young Royals a decade or more likely two earlier, then the third years (led by Vincent) would have the worst porn laptop shenanigans.

The very worst.

There would be all the no-homoing going on, and well, if Nils, who's the most proper one in their friend group, says that touching each other's dicks while watching straight porn isn't gay, then Vincent and August certainly won't act like cowards and chicken out, and tbh it does feel nice to have someone else touching you.

And anyway, once a brother, always a brother.

Or maybe it's the society's and getting to use it is one of its perks. Idk, but Vincent would definitely try to be in charge of it (and fail arguably miserably).

[raincitygirl76]

They’re presumably allowed to have platonic sleepovers with friends of the same gender. In 1.05, Sara has a sleepover in Felice and Madison’s room. And in 1.03, Simon was planning on sleeping over in Wille’s room at Parents Weekend until Wilhelm found out August was staying the weekend as well. I suspect that would NOT have been a platonic sleepover, but presumably Wilhelm and Simon weren’t planning on telling Goran the housemaster that.

I don’t know how a place as heteronormative as Hillerska would handle sleepovers involving a same-sex romantic couple who are known to be in a relationship. Would they make up new rules that sleeping over isn’t allowed for that specific same-sex couple because they suspect the sleepover will involve shenanigans?* Or would they carefully ignore the implications of a sleepover, and stick with the usual rules?

What about couples who are already roommates? If Stella and Fredrika ever get together in S3, and the romantic relationship becomes known to adults, would the housemistress make them stop sharing a bedroom to stop potential shenanigans? The various rules Hillerska seems to have about boys staying over in girls’ dorm rooms and girls in boys’ dorm rooms are only logical if you assume the student body is 100% cisgender and heterosexual. When they’re not, it falls apart.

* “Shenanigans” is the term my grandmother would always use as a euphemism, because heaven forbid she utter the word “sex”. Use of “shenanigans” was always accompanied by raised eyebrows and significant looks, so you’d know perfectly well she considered herself to be saying something quite risqué.

I need a morning after scene in s3 where 1 of 2 things happen. 1. Either Wilmon doesn't have to go anywhere and can just stay in bed (in Wille's room, cause that's where both morning after scenes have happened so far) for the day and be cute and cuddly together or 2. they get ready for the day and leave the room together cause they're no longer hiding their relationship from anyone (expect for maybe the house master, cause who knows if they're technically allowed to have a sleepover lol)

[purplehoodiesimon]

In a thrilling twist of my usual projecting shenanigans, I will be projecting onto Simon tonight 💜

Just hear me out on this one. It's after the video. The dust has started to settle but those few weeks of terror are still so fresh. And Wilhelm is out of it. It's not his problem anymore. It's just Simon in the video, it's just Simon that has to deal with the reporters at his door and the articles picking apart his life. He may not have slept with the Crown Prince anymore, not to the public, but he's still the boy that momentarily held that title and people still want to know about him and his life at Hillerska. And he deals with it. He deals with it, it's fine, it's not like his entire life imploded just a few weeks ago. He deals with it, that's what he does.

And it's just a small thing at first. Just a momentary blip of panic when he goes to the store and there are people whispering, and he stands in the snack aisle and for one fleeting second his entire body seizes with this place isn't safe, it's not safe it's too far from home, what if something goes wrong in this unsafe place? And then he dismisses the thought, because it's ridiculous, it's fine. This is the store he goes to daily, it's not unsafe. But there's still that too fast heartbeat and weird weight on his chest as he walks home, that only goes away once the door is safely shut behind him.

And then it gets worse. And honestly, he doesn't see it happening. When Rosh and Ayub ask if he wants to go to the movies and he feels uncomfortable at the thought, it's nothing. When he stands at the gate of Hillerska after Linda's dropped him off and has to work up the courage to keep walking, to just keep his feet moving forward until he's up the path and in his first class of the day trying to calm his heartrate, it's nothing. When he realizes it's his third weekend in a row not leaving the house, it's nothing. It's all just weird anxiety spikes and nothing to worry about, he's dealing with it and it's fine.

But then it's the end of a school day and Henry asks if he wants to hang in the common room with all the guys, a subtle gesture of inclusion probably born of pity, and Simon's throat closes at the thought of walking all across campus to the Forest Ridge dorms. It's too far from his path to the bus. It's Sara asking him to walk to the store with her and him making excuses about having homework. It's too far to the store, anything could happen in the 10 minute walk. It's Ayub asking if he wants to come over to play games and Simon barely making it down the street to his house as his stomach rolls and his heart pounds. It's so far, too far, 13 steps from his house 14 steps from his house 15 steps from his house...

And Simon can't keep lying to himself about it, he's scared to leave the house and it's getting worse.

Wilhelm asks if they can hang out in Bjärstad one day, a few months after, well, everything. He's asking just as friends, trying to rebuild some of the tentative platonic layers under the love that drove them to each other's arms, and Simon wants to. But he can't have Wilhelm at his house, not so soon after the last time, and he feels his pulse spike at just the thought of being anywhere else with him. It's that thought, that realization that it's Wilhelm, who he loves (though he can only admit it in his head) and he can't hang out with him in Bjärstad because there's nowhere safe besides his house, and he can't hang out at Hillerska because it's too far away on the weekends, and where else is there to go? And it's him turning the offer down with a lie about not feeling well and a "maybe next week" that sends a different sort of sickening jolt of cold fear down his spine.

Simon knows he needs help. He needs to sort this out, fix it before the summer holidays roll around. Because honestly, he's not sure he'll leave his house at all once they start. It's the only place that feels safe, that doesn't leave him shaking and counting the minutes until he can return home. And it's a terrifying possibility that once he loses the sole reason of school to leave, he just. Won't.

[wharnal]

Wondering what August’s deal is going to be in S2 though. By the looks of the confirmation video he’s going to play a major part in the storyline again, presumably at Hillerska. But how is he going to be able to continue attending? It was Wilhelm who arranged the payment of his tuition fee, wouldn’t he want to cancel that arrangement now that August is no longer ‘part of his family’? Will the queen prevent Wille from cancelling the arrangement? Why would she though? She kept it a secret from Wilhelm that August was the one who leaked the video because she knew how he would react, but now he has found out anyway. Or was that not really, or not the only reason she didn’t tell him? I can’t think of another reason for her to want to maintain bonds with August or his family. Except that she… might be afraid he has more shenanigans up his sleeve…? Another video or something else that could cause more damage? I’m not entirely convinced.

Or will August do some serious soul searching and go through an unimaginable character redemption arch, causing him to get back in Wilhelm’s good graces? Perhaps by actually helping Wilhelm’s position/situation somehow? The way he looked at Wilhelm and Simon hugging in that final scene of episode 6, like he only really realized at that moment what he had done, makes me think maybe we’re going to see August finally discovering the concept of self-reflection in the beginning of S2. Although, Malte did thank us for loving to hate August… Which makes me a bit doubtful the writers will change a character everybody loves to hate.

But wait… I’m only now just realizing that August’s tuition fees for the next semester have already been taken care of. He wasn’t going to be able to pay for the next semester, which must’ve been the one after Christmas. Okay, so assuming it’s been paid for and Wilhelm can’t take that money back but definitely will try to stop the Crown paying for August after that, will August still go through a redemption arc so he will be able to stay after, like, Easter? Or will he fuck off come spring? Maybe he’s actually just going to stay the evil son of a bitch he is but will try to trick Wilhelm into believing he’s become a better person just to get him to cover his final semester’s fees so he can graduate from Hillerska? Ohohoh – what if HE’S the one who’s going to take ‘cover’ for Wilhelm by publicly claiming he was the second person in the video? Though I’m not sure anyone would really buy that claim, seeing he’s quite a bit taller and broader than the person visible in the video.

I think it’d be the most interesting to me if August would actually go through a redemption arc, or like, if he would start reflecting and trying to consider others. Maybe not always getting it right, but trying. It would fit the show, as I think YR didn’t mean to portray August as inherently, 100% evil even in S1. I like that all characters are complex and have questionable moments, even if they are generally likeable. August changing his ways would also make for an interesting, new story dynamic, instead of repeating the main dynamics from S1 (Wilhelm being uncomfortable, Simon taking care of everyone and August fucking everyone over). I would like to see new dynamics for S2, like Wilhelm being rebellious/resentful (towards the institution telling him how to live his life) and taking action, August realizing his humiliation and frustration was not worth ruining other people’s lives for, and Simon??? Probably learning to stand up for himself not only when it comes to Wilhelm but also his family. And hopefully wising up his dealing business.

[bishoprose]

Fic Master List?

Currently bouncing around between fandoms, writing for Young Royals, All for the Game, and Julie and the Phantoms whenever inspiration strikes. Ongoing list of everything is below, or click here to go right to my Ao3 if you want.

*YOUNG ROYALS*

A Rhapsody for You and Me: (T) Simon and Wilhelm each reflect on that kiss at the end of season 2 (written just after I watched the series for the first time so my thoughts have kind of changed since writing this but eh, it’s still cute.)

And Now Your Song Is on Repeat: (T) 3+1 of Simon singing/Wilhelm living for it. 

Hold Me Tight (and Don’t Let Go):  (T) Future. Simon comforts a nervous Wilhelm.

What You Alone Can Give: (T) Soft Wilmon at Hillerska?

It’s Golden Like Daylight: (T) More Future!Wilmon 

When I Love You Is Not Enough: (G) Sad Simon POV, end of ep. 6.

Better Than a Fantasy: (T) Stolen kisses at fancy events.

Could We Try This Again?: (T) Wilmon reunion after 7 years apart.

Where Were We?: (T) Sequel to ‘Could We Try This Again?’

*JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS*

Series: A LITTLE BIT INEVITABLE 

[Alive/famous!Juke-centric AU/rated T/M for language-mild sexual content]

[Written completely out of order because why tf not dig myself into possible plot holes]:

A Little Bit Inevitable: The high school years, where Luke meets the gang. Fluff. Mutual pining.

Boys Making Noise: Luke, Reggie, and Alex write a little surprise for Julie and Flynn during rehearsal on day in high school. This one is dumb I’m sorry it’s cute though. Fluff.

Burning Skin and Fireworks: Post music-video shoot, Sunset Curve goes out for drinks, which prompts Luke and Julie confess some long-hidden secrets. AKA lots of Juke kisses. Angst with a happy ending/Fluff.

Tell The World That We Finally Got It All Right: Sunset Curve is a popular rock band. Luke and Julie are secretly dating and arguing over when to tell the others about it. (For Jukebox Week). Angst with a happy ending/Fluff.

Like Glitter and Gold: Sunset Curve on the way to their first Grammy’s. Fluff.

I’ve Spent My Whole Life Trying to Put it Into Words: a 3+1 of Juke being in love based on a Taylor Swift song. Fluff. 

MISC. WILLEX FICS:

[rated G-T, short, fluffy one-shots]

‘Til the Stars Start Falling: First kiss, post-season one.

Meet Me in the Pouring Rain: Date night ft. some light Juke.

Songs That Make Me Think of You: Alex makes Willie a mixtape. 90′s high school AU.

Series: REMEMBER ME AS A TIME OF DAY

[rated T, canon-compliant angst]

Almost Everything I Wish I Said the Last Time I Saw You: Luke as he begins to write Unsaid Emily.

The Tide That Left and Never Came Back: Bobby mourns the loss of the boys.

It Gets the Worst at Night: Julie mourns the loss of her mom.

Series: THAT’S ME INSIDE YOUR HEAD

[rated T, canon-compliant fluff]

Falling For You: Alex loves Willie/Willex fluff.

To Wish Impossible Things: Luke loves Julie/Juke fluff.

I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here: aaand Reggie loves the Molinas.

*ALL FOR THE GAME*

piece by shattered piece:  (T) Domestic Andreil, 2 years post-canon.

every part of you with every part of me: (T) Andreil doesn’t say ‘i love you’, but they do say ‘i hate you’ and it’s kind of the same thing. 

if it’s a yes for you: (T) It’s a proposal fic.

all that could be: (M) Andreil ft. alone times in the backseat of the Mas. (mild sexual content)

somewhere between lost and found: (T) an introspective Andrew Baltimore POV

anywhere with you: (M) 3 times Andreil were interrupted and one time they weren’t.(mild sexual content)

better with you: (E) Andrew walks in on Neil doing something *unexpected* and decides to join him. (explicit sexual content)

a pirate’s life for me: (T) Andrew has a dream, the boys have a soft morning.

no going back now: (T) Some Minyard-Josten rivalry shenanigans.

good and right and real: (G) Just a soft morning Andrew POV.