While it hurts to see Jesper so disquieted, it's nice to know that he's allowed to see what else is behind the dangerously charming smile, the carefree attitude that turns everything startlingly light. Jesper can trust him with the heavy things. God knows Wilhelm has dumped his problems in his lap a million times. The conversation may be sagging under the weight of their troubles, but there's something about being gloomy together that makes it easier to bear.

I've never been free, pigeon. He sits with that for a long moment, tracing the line of Jesper's forearm down to his hand. He knows what it's like to feel caged by the circumstances of your birth.

"I get it. Back home, my family dictated pretty much everything about my life. My whole future was already decided for me. I felt like I was trapped in a life I didn't even want, stuck being someone that wasn't even really me. I know that things aren't perfect in Thorne, not even close, but...I have choices now, and I never had that before."

At least, he felt like he couldn't make the choices that he wanted. The walls of his cage had felt insurmountable.

Chuckling softly into Jesper's shoulder, he adds, "Hey, maybe I need to swoop in and rescue you."