A few weeks had passed since the fan event, and the world was buzzing.
Every new clip, every behind-the-scenes video, every interview seemed to fuel speculation about William and Est. #WilliamEstReal was no longer just a hashtag—it was trending constantly, both online and in entertainment news.
Back at the studio, the two were filming a pivotal scene together. The director had intentionally scheduled them for back-to-back romantic sequences to leverage their chemistry.
Est adjusted his costume nervously.
"You look stressed," William said softly, leaning closer.
"I am. Every time we film a scene together, I feel like half the internet is watching."
William chuckled. "You mean the part that actually is."
Est rolled his eyes. "Very funny."
Just as they were about to begin filming, Leon, a charismatic new co-star, walked onto the set.
"Hey Est," Leon said with a playful grin. "Looking good today. That jacket really suits you."
Est laughed lightly. "Thanks, Leon. You're looking great too."
William's jaw tightened ever so slightly. He noticed how Leon's hand lingered on Est's shoulder for just a second too long.
"Everything okay?" Est asked, noticing William's tense posture.
"I'm fine," William muttered, his voice low. "Just… focused."
Leon's grin widened, oblivious to the subtle tension he had caused. "Looking forward to our scene later. Should be… fun."
Est glanced at William. "Fun, he says."
William leaned closer and whispered, his voice barely audible: "If anyone touches you in a way I don't like… I'll make them regret it."
Est laughed softly, brushing William's hand with his own under the table. "I'm not worried. I'm with you."
William's eyes softened. "Good. Because I mean it."
The scene began. William and Est were sitting on a bench, scripted dialogue flowing. But their real emotions added weight to every word.
Leon's presence in the scene—though scripted as a third-party character—made William subtly protective. Every glance at Est, every touch that was supposed to be casual, William reacted to instinctively.
Est noticed, slightly amused, slightly touched. "You're so territorial," he whispered under his breath during a break.
"I'm not," William replied quietly, though his tightened grip on Est's hand said otherwise.
"You are."
"Maybe," William admitted softly.
Est leaned closer, their foreheads touching. "I like it."
After filming wrapped, William and Est slipped out of the studio together.
They found a quiet street and walked side by side.
"You know," Est began, "this is becoming harder. The fans, the rumors, the social media…"
William glanced at him. "It is. But we handle it together."
Est smiled, leaning his head on William's shoulder. "We do. I don't want to hide it anymore, but I also don't want everything to be public."
William wrapped his arm around him. "Then we keep some things just for us. No cameras. No fans. Just… us."
Est nodded. "I like that."
"And the rest?" William asked, smiling faintly. "Let them speculate. Let them wonder."
Est laughed softly. "They already do. But as long as we know the truth…"
William tilted his head and kissed the top of Est's head gently. "As long as we know the truth."
....
A few days later, William had a surprise for Est.
William didn't tell Est where they were going.
That was part of the surprise.
"Get in the car," William had said earlier that afternoon, tossing him a pair of sunglasses.
Est crossed his arms suspiciously. "You look way too confident for someone planning a surprise."
William opened the passenger door for him. "Trust me."
Est narrowed his eyes.
"That sentence has historically led to chaos."
William smirked. "Get in."
Est sighed dramatically but slid into the seat anyway. "Fine. But if we end up at another fan event I'm leaving."
William laughed as he started the engine. "Relax. No fans."
Est leaned back in the seat. "No cameras?"
"No cameras."
"No interviews?"
"None."
Est smiled slowly. "…okay I'm intrigued."
The car pulled out onto the busy street.
Late afternoon traffic hummed around them as they navigated through the city.
Tall buildings reflected the golden light of sunset while pedestrians crowded the sidewalks.
Est watched the skyline through the window. "You're really not going to tell me where we're going?"
"Nope."
"You're evil."
William chuckled. "You like the suspense."
Est tilted his head. "I like information."
William glanced over briefly. "You'll get it eventually."
Est sighed and leaned his head against the window. "You're enjoying this way too much."
William didn't even try to deny it.
Within an hour the city began to fade behind them.
Concrete buildings slowly gave way to open highways and long stretches of trees. The sky darkened into soft shades of purple and pink as the sun lowered toward the horizon.
Est noticed the change first. "Oh."
William glanced at him. "Oh?"
Est looked out the window. "We're actually leaving the city."
"Correct."
Est smiled slightly. "…I like this already."
The road stretched out ahead of them, quiet and open.
William turned on the radio.
Soft music filled the car.
Est rested his elbow on the window frame. "You know what this feels like?"
"What?"
"A movie scene."
William raised an eyebrow. "A romantic one?"
Est shrugged. "Maybe."
William smirked. "You're the one who called this a date earlier."
Est immediately looked offended. "I did not."
"You did."
"That was a slip."
William laughed.
An hour later, they stopped at a small roadside store to stretch their legs.
The place was nearly empty except for an elderly couple buying snacks at the counter.
Est grabbed two bottled drinks from the cooler and handed one to William. "Hydration is important."
William accepted it. "You sound like my manager."
Est grinned. "Someone has to keep you alive."
They walked outside again and leaned against the car.
The sky above them was already darker now, filled with early stars.
Est looked up. "Wow."
William followed his gaze. "You don't see stars like that in the city."
Est nodded slowly. "It's nice."
He turned back toward William. "Okay I'm officially excited now."
William smiled. "Good."
Est tilted his head. "…we're not camping, right?"
William laughed. "Relax. No tents."
Est looked relieved. "Thank god."
The rest of the drive felt quieter.
Comfortable.
Est eventually kicked off his shoes and pulled his legs slightly up onto the seat.
William glanced over. "Comfortable?"
"Very."
Est looked out the window as the road curved through rolling hills and forests. "Where did you even find this place?"
William shrugged. "Research."
Est laughed. "Copycat."
William smiled slightly. "Your influence."
The music played softly as the car continued through the dark countryside.
At one point Est glanced over and noticed William watching the road carefully, one hand resting loosely on the steering wheel. "You look relaxed."
William hummed. "I am."
Est studied him for a second. "Work's been crazy lately."
William nodded. "Yeah."
Est leaned his head back against the seat. "…I'm glad we're doing this."
William glanced at him briefly. "Me too."
There was a pause.
Then Est said quietly, "You didn't have to plan something this big."
William shrugged. "I wanted to."
Est smiled. "You're sweet sometimes."
"Don't spread that rumor."
Est laughed. "Too late."
Nearly three hours after leaving the city, the road finally narrowed into a quiet gravel path surrounded by trees.
Est sat up straight. "Okay where are we?"
William slowed the car. "You'll see."
The trees opened suddenly.
And there it was.
A small wooden cabin near the edge of a wide, quiet lake.
The water reflected the night sky like a mirror.
Stars scattered across its surface.
William parked the car.
Est stepped out slowly.
The cool night air surrounded them.
He looked out at the lake, stunned. "…wow."
William leaned against the car door, watching him. "You like it?"
Est turned around slowly, a smile spreading across his face. "This is incredible."
He walked closer to the water's edge.
The entire place felt peaceful.
Silent except for the gentle ripple of the lake.
Est looked back at William. "You planned all this?"
William nodded. "Yeah."
Est shook his head in disbelief. "You're unbelievable."
William raised an eyebrow. "That good?"
Est walked back toward him.
Then suddenly wrapped him in a quick hug. "Thank you."
William froze slightly before hugging him back. "…you're welcome."
Est pulled away, still smiling. "This might be the best surprise you've ever done."
William smirked. "I knew you'd like it."
Est looked out at the lake again. "So what now?"
William closed the car door and walked beside him. "Now?"
He glanced at the peaceful water. "…now we disappear from the world for a while."
Est smiled softly. "Sounds perfect."
And under the quiet glow of the stars, their little getaway had officially begun.