?WilliamEst Oneshots?

The beeping of the hospital machines had become the rhythm of William's days, a constant, suffocating reminder of time slipping away.

But he refused to let Est's life end like this-trapped in this sterile room, surrounded by white walls and the smell of antiseptic.

So he made a decision.

And that was how, in the dead of night, William found himself pushing Est down a dimly lit hospital hallway in a stolen wheelchair, his heart pounding so hard it echoed in his ears.

Est, barely awake, let out a weak chuckle. "This is the dumbest thing you've ever done."

"Probably," William muttered, glancing around to make sure no one had noticed them yet. "But you love it."

Est's fingers twitched against the blanket draped over his lap. "I do."

William's stomach tightened. Est's voice was barely above a whisper now, his breaths shallow. He was running out of time.

That thought alone made William move faster.

By the time they reached the car, William was sweating. He carefully helped Est into the passenger seat, buckling him in, trying not to think about how weightless he felt.

"Alright," William breathed, starting the engine. "Let's get you to the ocean."

The sky was still dark when they arrived, the waves glowing silver under the moonlight. The air was crisp, the scent of salt thick and alive.

William carried Est in his arms, his chest aching at how small he felt-so fragile, so light. But Est didn't complain. He just leaned against William, his breathing unsteady but content.

William set him down on the soft sand, carefully propping him up so he could see the sea.

Est let out a slow, trembling breath. "It's beautiful."

William sat beside him, watching the tide roll in and out. "Yeah," he murmured. "It is."

For a long time, they just sat there, listening to the waves.

Then, Est's head gently fell against William's shoulder.

William froze. "Est?"

"I'm still here," Est murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

William swallowed, his throat tight. "Good."

Silence stretched between them. The wind ruffled Est's dark hair, and William found himself reaching up, gently threading his fingers through it.

"I think I love you," William said suddenly, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

Est let out a soft, breathy laugh. "You think?"

William huffed. "Fine. I know I love you."

Est's fingers curled weakly around William's hand. "Good," he whispered. "Because I love you too."

William squeezed his hand, holding onto him like an anchor. "You're gonna be okay, Est." His voice cracked. "You're okay."

Est hummed softly, his head still resting against William's shoulder. "Yeah..."

Then, after a long pause-

Silence.

William's heart pounded. "Est?"

No reply.

His fingers tightened around Est's, but there was no response.

A cold wave of fear crashed over him.

"Est," William whispered, his voice shaking. He turned his head slightly, pressing his forehead against Est's temple.

No warmth. No breath.

Just stillness.

The waves rolled in, then out. The golden light of dawn was just beginning to creep across the horizon, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks.

William's eyes burned as he exhaled a shaky breath.

Est had made it.

He had seen the ocean one last time.

And now, just like the tide-

He was gone.