?WilliamEst Oneshots?

William held onto Est’s wrist loosely as they slipped out the backstage exit, stepping into the cool night air. The muffled sound of the event continued behind them, but out here, it was quiet. Peaceful.

Est took a deep breath, tilting his head back slightly as the night breeze brushed against his skin. William watched him carefully, noting the way his shoulders weren’t as tense anymore, though his hands still twitched at his sides.

"You’re cold?" William asked.

Est shook his head. "No. Just… still coming down from it."

William nodded, then pulled out his phone. "I already called the host and told them we’re not coming back."

Est’s head snapped toward him. "Wait, what? You didn’t have to do that—"

"I did," William interrupted, voice calm but firm. "You needed to get out of there. I wasn’t gonna let them push you back on stage just because it was ‘scheduled.’ It’s fine."

Est opened his mouth like he wanted to argue, but then he just sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Thanks."

William smirked. "Of course. Now, come on. We’re getting something sweet."

Est blinked. "What?"

"You like sweet things," William stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And sugar helps when you’re overwhelmed." He glanced at Est. "Unless you don’t want to?"

Est hesitated, then huffed a small laugh. "You’re ridiculous."

"But I’m right," William shot back, already leading the way.

Est didn’t protest.

—

Fifteen minutes later, they were tucked into the corner of a small, quiet café just a few streets away from the venue. It was late, and the place was mostly empty, save for a few college students studying in the back. The warm scent of coffee and pastries filled the air, and Est finally felt like he could breathe again.

William placed a plate in front of him. A slice of chocolate cake, rich and thick, with a drizzle of caramel on top.

Est raised an eyebrow. "You ordered for me?"

"Obviously," William said, taking a sip of his own iced coffee. "You weren’t paying attention when we got here, so I picked something you’d like."

Est stared at him for a moment, then picked up his fork, poking at the cake before taking a bite. The sweetness melted on his tongue, and he let out an involuntary hum of approval.

William grinned. "Good?"

"Shut up," Est muttered, taking another bite.

For a few minutes, they ate in comfortable silence. The tension from earlier had faded, replaced with something easier—something that made Est’s chest feel a little lighter.

Then, William leaned back in his chair. "You know, no one was laughing at you."

Est stiffened slightly but didn’t look up. "You don’t know that."

William tilted his head. "I do. Because I was there. I was watching. And you were doing fine."

Est pushed his fork through the cake absentmindedly. "It didn’t feel fine."

"I know." William’s voice was softer now. "But your brain lies to you sometimes."

Est sighed, finally meeting William’s gaze. There was no pity there—just understanding. That made it easier to hear.

After a moment, William smirked. "And anyway, if anyone was actually laughing, they can fight me."

Est snorted. "Right. Because you’re so intimidating."

"I can be," William said, puffing out his chest dramatically.

Est shook his head, but the corners of his lips lifted. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

William grinned. "There it is."

Est rolled his eyes, but his smile lingered. Maybe he wasn’t okay just yet—but sitting here, with William across from him, chocolate cake on his plate and the weight in his chest easing bit by bit—he felt like he would be.

And that was enough.