Between The Line || EstWilliam AU

Eleven

The dim light from the study lamp spilled gently into the room, casting faint shadows on the walls. Est sat on the edge of his bed, flipping the last page of William's notebook shut with a quiet sigh. The soft hum of crickets outside mixed with the low buzz of the overhead fan, filling the silence between them. The air in the room had settled after hours of revising, the two of them finally winding down from a long evening of study.

William stretched lazily on the floor, his head still resting on his arm as he stared up at the ceiling, trying to escape the grogginess that had slowly crept in after staring at pages of equations and notes. His sophomore year wasn't treating him well academically. Unlike Est, who had a natural affinity for numbers and formulas, William's focus shifted constantly, his mind wandering off mid-sentence during explanations, only for Est to patiently guide him back each time.

"You're going to be fine for the test," Est reassured him, already knowing what William was thinking.

William groaned in response, turning over on his stomach and burying his face in the carpet. "You say that, but I'm pretty sure I'll forget everything the moment I sit down in the exam room."

Est smiled softly. "You won't."

William pushed himself up, yawning as he glanced at the clock on Est's desk. "Late already, huh?"

"Mhm. You should sleep," Est replied, shifting slightly on the bed to make room for William to stand.

William stood up, rubbing the back of his neck. Normally, this would be the moment where he'd grab his things and saunter off to the guest room just across the hall. His own room whenever he stayed over at Est's house. The arrangement was unspoken but habitual, giving them both space after long evenings like this one. But tonight felt different. The silence in the house was heavier, the faint flicker of light through the hallway less comforting than usual.

William lingered at the edge of the bed, glancing briefly at the door, then back to Est. His usual swagger was absent, and for a moment, he looked unsure of himself, caught between the routine and the pull of something else.

"Phi... can I just... stay here tonight?" William's voice was quieter than usual, almost hesitant.

Est looked up at him, eyes soft with understanding. "You know you don't have to ask." He shifted over, pulling the covers back slightly, signaling his approval without a second thought.

William, without saying anything more, slipped under the covers beside Est, the warmth of the bed immediately easing whatever unspoken tension had been building in him. The darkness in the room seemed to amplify every little movement. William's breathing, still slightly uneven from the long day, filled the quiet air. The soft light from the bathroom cast a faint glow on his face, outlining the curve of his features as he turned toward Est.

At school, William always kept his distance. In public, he acted like the cool, aloof younger brother who could care less about clingy moments or physical affection. He was brash, loud, and unapologetically rebellious in front of their mom, friends, and even Est when others were watching. But here, in the quiet intimacy of Est's room, everything was different.

William shifted closer, his arm brushing against Est's side as he made himself comfortable. It started with the small things—his fingers finding their way to the hem of Est's t-shirt, tracing the edge absentmindedly as if testing the boundary. Then, without warning, William's hand slid further up, his fingers lacing with Est's, playing with them in a way that felt both hesitant and familiar. He didn't speak, just held on, finding comfort in the simplicity of touch.

Est didn't react with surprise. He never did. This wasn't the first time William had sought out his quiet comfort, and it wouldn't be the last. Est had grown used to this side of William—the side that didn't need words but simply needed to be close. Est let William do what he wanted, understanding that it was these late-night moments that allowed his bratty, defiant brother to let his guard down completely.

"You good?" Est asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper, so as not to disrupt the calm.

"Mmm," William hummed in response, his head now resting against Est's shoulder, his breath steady but warm against Est's arm. William curled up slightly, pulling his knees toward his chest, seeking out more contact. In the darkness, without the eyes of others on him, William allowed himself to be needy, to crave the closeness he'd otherwise reject in broad daylight.

He snuggled in tighter, almost like a kid again, burying his face in Est's chest, breathing in the familiar scent of laundry detergent and whatever cologne Est had worn earlier that day. There was something grounding about it, the scent reminding him that despite the chaos he often brought upon himself, there was always this—Est, steady and unchanging.

Est, with one arm resting naturally on the pillow, shifted the other to drape around William's back, pulling him closer without needing to say anything. He could feel William's fingers still tracing lightly over his shirt, playing with the fabric and the edges, while his other hand fidgeted with Est's fingers. There was a tenderness in the way William nuzzled into his side, the way his breath would hitch slightly whenever he shuffled, trying to get even closer.

William, for all his bravado and rebellion, was still the same kid who, deep down, just needed the reassurance that someone was there, that someone would always be there. And Est had long accepted that role without complaint. He loved William, loved him more than words could capture, in a way that only grew stronger each time his little brother sought him out like this.

William's quiet voice broke through the silence. "You... you won't leave me, right?" It was a rare moment of vulnerability, his words muffled slightly as he buried his face further into Est's chest, almost as though he didn't want them to be heard.

Est's chest tightened at the question, but he kept his voice calm and steady. "Never. I'll always be here, Will."

William didn't respond, but Est could feel the tension in his body slowly melting away as he held him. The darkness of the room, paired with the faint glow from the bathroom, seemed to wrap around them both, creating a cocoon of warmth and safety. William stayed close, his fingers slowing in their fidgeting, his breathing evening out as he began to drift off, still wrapped up in Est's hold.

Est stayed awake a little longer, his hand resting gently on William's back, listening to the sound of his brother's soft snores, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He knew that by morning, William would go back to being his bratty self—teasing him at breakfast, swearing under his breath, and acting like this moment of softness never happened. But for now, under the cover of night, William allowed himself to be vulnerable, and Est would always be there to give him the comfort he needed.

With a final glance toward the dim light in the hall, Est let his own eyes close, his body relaxed, knowing that this closeness would carry them both through whatever the morning brought.