?WilliamEst Oneshots?

Two months.

That was how long it had been since William first bumped into Est in the hospital hallway. Since that first awkward conversation. Since the first time he saw the golden rain tree take shape in Est’s sketchbook.

Now, the sketchbook sat untouched on the bedside table, its pages unmoving, its pencil lying still beside it.

Because Est could barely sit up anymore.

William knew things were getting worse when Est stopped drawing. At first, it was just that his hands trembled too much to hold a pencil. Then, he started sleeping more, his voice growing weaker with each passing day.

Now, he barely had the strength to lift his head.

William sat beside the bed, watching the slow rise and fall of Est’s chest. His breathing was shallow, uneven. His skin was pale, almost translucent under the dim hospital lights.

“You’re staring,” Est murmured, his lips barely curving into a ghost of a smile. His voice was so quiet William had to lean in to hear him.

William let out a breath, forcing a smirk. “You’re the one who looks like a vampire.”

Est let out a weak chuckle, but it quickly turned into a cough. His whole body shuddered with the effort, and William immediately reached for the cup of water on the nightstand, guiding the straw to Est’s lips.

Est took a tiny sip before turning his head away. Even that seemed to drain what little strength he had left.

William set the cup down, trying to ignore the way his hands trembled.

“You okay?” he asked, knowing how stupid the question was the second it left his mouth.

Est gave him a tired look. “No.”

William swallowed hard, forcing himself to smile. “Honest, at least.”

Est closed his eyes for a moment. “You don’t have to keep coming.”

William stiffened. “What?”

“You don’t have to watch this.” Est’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I know it’s not easy.”

William exhaled sharply. “You think I’d just leave?”

Est opened his eyes again, staring at him.

William leaned forward, gripping the side of the bed. “I don’t care how hard it is. I don’t care if you get worse. I’m not going anywhere, Est.” His voice wavered, but he didn’t look away. “So stop trying to push me away.”

Est’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to argue. But then, after a long moment, he simply sighed.

“…Okay.”

William sat back, running a hand through his hair. The silence between them felt heavier than usual.

Then, softly, Est said, “The ocean.”

William looked up.

“I still want to see it,” Est murmured, eyes unfocused. “Even just once more.”

William’s chest tightened. He reached out, carefully taking Est’s frail hand in his.

“I know,” he whispered.

And as he sat there, holding onto Est like he could somehow keep him tethered to this world, he made a silent promise.

No matter what it took, he would get Est to the ocean.