Glad We Met [WilliamEst AU]

Third Person Pov

William and Est walk to the parking lot in silence. As Est settles into the driver's seat, he expects William to take his usual spot in the back. But to his surprise, William opens the passenger door and sits beside him instead.
Est hesitates for a moment, glancing at him. William never sits in the front. It is a small change, but it catches Est off guard. Before he can say anything, William meets his gaze with a quiet smile. The sudden shift puzzles Est.
"Something wrong?" Est asks, glancing over at William, who is offering a small, mysterious smile.
William shakes his head. "No, just... it's fine."
Est shrugs and starts the engine. As they drive, he glances at William and asks, "Can you type in the location on the GPS?" He isn't familiar with William's address.
Without a word, William quickly types it in. The car ride settles into silence-not awkward, but heavy, carrying an unspoken tension. Est focuses on the road while William fidgets with his fingers, lost in thought.
William hesitates, his thoughts tangled in uncertainty. For days, the weight of his actions has pressed on him-the way he humiliated Est in front of the entire company. He needs to make things right, to clear the air. But how? The words feel trapped in his throat, uncertain and heavy.
To make things more complicated, he isn't sure if he should speak now or wait for Ray's confirmation. Should he hold back until the truth is undeniable? Ray has been relentless in his investigation, and William knows he must have found something. That's why he hasn't been reachable.
William's mind races with conflicting emotions. He wants to expose the person responsible, to hold them accountable. But beneath that determination is a quiet, desperate hope-that it isn't Est. That the fragile trust forming between them isn't just another illusion. If the truth has to come out, he prays it will point elsewhere.
As they near the dorm, the silence between them stretches, heavy yet unspoken. Then, as if on cue, William's phone buzzes. It is Ray.
His heart leaps, and without hesitation, he turns to Est. "Stop the car," he says, his voice urgent.
Est, caught off guard by the sudden demand, doesn't question him. He calmly pulls over to the side of the road, glancing at William's tense expression. Something is wrong-he can see it-but he chooses to wait in silence.
William takes a deep breath before answering the call, his mind racing. Is this it? Has Ray finally uncovered the truth? His stomach twists at the thought. If Ray has proof, then this nightmare can finally end. But what if the answer he is about to hear isn't the one he wants? What if it is Est? What if everything-the trust he has been slowly building-has been a mistake?
"Hey, William," Ray's voice comes through the line, slightly muffled but clear. "Sorry for the delay, but I've got something big."
William's grip tightens around his phone. "Do you know who it is?"
"I've gathered footage from that night-the night you and Nut were at the store," Ray explains. "It's not perfect, a bit blurry, but I can clearly see someone taking photos. His/her face is covered by a mask, so I can't make out his/her identity yet, but there's definitely someone. I'll keep working on it to get a clearer shot. I'm sending you the video now."
William exhales, his hands slightly trembling. "Thanks, Ray. I'll check it out."
"Don't stress too much, bro," Ray reassures him. "We're getting closer. Everything will be fine. I've got this. Talk soon."
As the call ends, William sits there, his pulse still racing, his thoughts still tangled in uncertainty. Est remains quiet beside him, observing every flicker of emotion on his face.
"Yeah. Thanks again. Good night," William murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper as he ends the call. His hand trembles, and the phone feels heavier than usual in his grip. The screen lights up with the video Ray has sent, but his fingers struggle to hold the device steady. His mind is in chaos-spinning with emotions he can't quite place.
Est notices the shift immediately. The tension in William's posture, the way his breathing has changed-it is clear that whatever Ray has said carries weight. But Est doesn't push. He simply watches, waiting.
With a deep breath, William taps on the video. The footage is just as Ray has described. A shadowed figure stands in the distance, camera in hand, snapping photos of Nut. His face is obscured, hidden behind a mask. The sight makes William's stomach turn. Frustration flares within him-at himself, at the situation. He should have been more careful, should have noticed the signs earlier. As the leader, it is his job to protect his team, and he has failed.
But then, something shifts.
His chest tightens, but not with anxiety-something else entirely. And before he can stop himself, a smile breaks across his face. A genuine one. The kind that feels out of place given the circumstances. Yet it is there, unwavering.
Est, who has been watching in silence, is completely thrown off. Just seconds ago, William had been visibly shaken, his distress written all over his face. Now, he is smiling? It doesn't make sense. "What's going on? Is everything all right?" Est finally asks, his voice laced with confusion.
William turns to him, his eyes brighter than before, something unreadable flickering in them-hope? Relief? Maybe both.
"It's... it's nothing," he says, still smiling, though his voice trembles slightly. "Everything's fine now."
Est is still looking at William curiously. William hands his phone to Est.
Est hesitates for a moment before taking it, his fingers wrapping around the device with caution. As the video plays, his brows furrow deeper with every passing second. When it ends, he glances back at William, confusion evident in his gaze.
"What is this? What's going on?" he asks, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty.
William exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair as if trying to find the right words. "It's footage from that night at the store. The night we first met. You remember, don't you?"
Est gives a slight nod, recalling that night vividly. It was the night that set everything in motion-the night that led to Nut's pictures spreading like wildfire, causing chaos for Lykn.
William leans back, staring at the dimly lit road ahead. "At first, I didn't know who to blame. I trusted ONER, but they didn't even bother investigating. They just wanted to sweep it under the rug. I felt angry, frustrated-helpless. And then... you showed up."
His eyes flicker toward Est, searching for a reaction. Est remains silent, waiting for him to continue.
"When you were introduced as the director for our documentary, I recognized you immediately. You were there that night. And you recognized me, too." William lets out a hollow chuckle. "I couldn't shake the feeling that it meant something. That maybe... you were involved. It started eating away at me, so I asked Ray to do a background check on you."
Est's expression shifts slightly-surprise, maybe even hurt. But he doesn't interrupt.
"I didn't find anything suspicious at first," William admits. "But then, I dug deeper. I found out about your past as a swimmer, how you transitioned into filmmaking. How you've been working different part-time jobs over the past year." He pauses, his grip tightening on his jeans. "And then I looked into your best friend's profile. She's a media journalist. And you know, she was the first to write about Nut's pictures the moment they went viral. It's very fast as if the article was already prepared. And that article created a lot of noise."
Est inhales sharply, his jaw tightening.
William meets his gaze, regret written all over his face. "That's when I connected the dots. And I-I suspected you."
A tense silence fills the car. Est's eyes darken, but he still doesn't say a word. His posture, however, speaks volumes-rigid, unreadable.
William swallows hard and looks down at his hands. His voice softens. "Tui told me I was being reckless. That I was acting without thinking. But I was too angry to listen. I wanted answers, and I thought I had found them in you. I should have thought it through. I shouldn't have judged you like that. I'm really sorry, Phi."
The word Phi- the first time William has used it. And it catches Est off guard.
Something in his chest shifts. The sincerity in William's eyes, the quiet weight behind his words-it is real.
Est lets out a slow breath. "...William." His voice is quieter now, almost hesitant. "Then this video... what does it mean?"
William straightens up, nodding toward the screen. "It proves that it wasn't you. You were inside the store when the pictures were taken. That masked person in the footage-that's the real culprit. We don't know who they are yet, but Ray is still looking into it." He lets out a small, almost relieved chuckle. "But one thing's for sure-you weren't behind it."
His gaze softens. "I've been waiting for this proof so I could tell you myself. So I could apologize. I-" His voice catches for a second before he continues. "I'm sorry, Phi. I really am."
Est holds his gaze for a long moment. The weight of William's words settles over him, the mix of hurt and understanding tangled in his chest. He has every right to be angry, to lash out for being doubted. But as he looks at William-the way he sits there, vulnerable, regretful-Est feels something else.
Acceptance.
With a quiet sigh, he finally speaks. "I appreciate you telling me this, William." His voice is steady, but there's something softer beneath it. "I won't lie-it stings knowing you suspected me. But... I get it. You were trying to protect your team. I would've done the same."
William blinks, as if surprised by Est's calmness.
Est lets a small smile tug at the corner of his lips. "But next time, maybe trust me enough to ask first, yeah?"
William lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He nods, a tiny smile forming. "Yeah. I will."
____

William hesitates for a moment before asking again, his voice quieter this time. "You're really angry, aren't you?"
Est exhales softly, shaking his head. "I'm not angry," he says, his tone calm but honest. "I'm just... confused. And to be honest, I'm a little hurt when I overhear your conversation with Tui. Realizing that all this time, the way you treated me was built on suspicion-it doesn't feel good." He lets out a small, almost self-deprecating chuckle. "I feel bad, William."
A beat of silence passes between them before Est adds, "But don't worry. It doesn't matter anymore."
William's chest tightens at those words. His eyes, filled with quiet remorse, meet Est's. "It matters, Phi," he says, his voice earnest. "It matters a lot." His fingers curl slightly as he takes a breath. "I know what I did was wrong-really wrong. And I want to make things right. I want to start over. Just tell me what I need to do."
Est blinks at William's words, surprised by his sincerity. Then, unexpectedly, a small smile forms on his lips. There's something about William's genuine innocence, the way he is so willing to fix his mistakes, that makes Est's heart soften.

"You don't have to do anything for me," Est says gently, his eyes warm as they hold William's gaze. "But next time something serious happens, think rationally, alright?" His voice carries quiet wisdom. "I know you're young. And at this age, you're already carrying so much-your career, your responsibilities as a leader, the pressure of being William."
William lowers his gaze. "I know," he murmurs. "And I've failed in my responsibilities."
Est shakes his head. "That's not what I mean," he corrects, his voice firm yet kind. "You're a good person, William. Otherwise, you wouldn't be sitting here, trying to make things right. You wouldn't have come to me, wouldn't have apologized. Who am I, really? I'm just a rookie director. I'm nothing compared to you. And yet, here you are-treating me as an equal. That alone speaks volumes about the kind of person you are."
William looks up, his eyes searching Est's, as if trying to find reassurance in his words.
Est chuckles softly, shaking his head. "From what I've seen, you're someone who feels things deeply. You're sensitive and fiercely protective of your members. That's why you reacted the way you did." He leans back slightly, exhaling as if letting go of something. "Honestly? If I were in your position, maybe I would've done the same."
William lets out a slow breath. The guilt that has been weighing him down feels just a little lighter.
"So don't be sorry," Est adds, offering him a small but genuine smile. "Let bygones be bygones."
For the first time in a long while, William feels a sense of relief-as if a heavy weight has finally been lifted from his chest. He lets out a quiet breath, feeling lighter.
Est watches him with a small smile. "Shall we go now?" he asks, his voice gentle.
William meets his gaze and nods, his lips curling into a grateful smile. "Yeah."
The rest of the ride is quiet, but this time, it isn't a heavy silence. It's a peaceful one.
When they reach William's dorm, Est pulls the car to a stop. William hesitates for a moment before turning to him. "Do you want to come in for a bit?"
Est glances at the time on the dashboard and shakes his head. "It's already late. I'll visit next time."
William nods in understanding. "Alright. Good night, Phi."
"Good night, William," Est replies before starting the car and driving away.
William stands there for a moment, watching the car disappear into the distance. A small smile lingers on his face as he turns and makes his way inside.
The dorm is quiet. It's late, and Nut and Lego are already asleep. But as he steps into the living area, he finds Tui and Hong waiting for him.
As soon as they see him, Hong speaks up. "Did you hear anything from Ray?"
Tui and Hong's eyes are filled with anticipation, their expressions hopeful. William looks at them, the corners of his lips tugging into a warm smile.
That smile alone is enough for them to understand.
Hong exhales, relief washing over his face. Tui leans back against the couch, running a hand through his hair. "That means it's good news," he murmurs, his voice softer now.
William nods. "Ray found some footage. It's still not clear who's behind it, but one thing's certain-it wasn't Est."
Hong lets out a quiet chuckle. "Well, that's something."
Tui eyes William carefully. "And you?" he asks. "You look... different."
William blinks. "Different?"
Tui smirks. "Lighter. Like you can finally breathe."
William's smile grows a little. "Maybe because I can."
Hong claps a hand on William's shoulder. "Good. You've been carrying this for too long."
William nods. "Yeah... but it's not over yet. We still need to find out who's really behind this."
Tui stretches his arms, yawning. "We will. But for now, let's get some rest. You look like you need it."
William chuckles. "Yeah, maybe I do."
As he walks to his room, the weight that has been pressing on his chest for days feels noticeably lighter. For the first time in a while, he allows himself to believe that things will finally start to fall into place.

_________

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