Orbiting You

Est (28) and William (21) were once connected by marriage. Est had been married to William's older sister, and even after their amicable divorce, he never truly left the family. The split was mutual, more about growing apart than losing love, which made it easier to keep him close. William's parents still adore him. His sister still calls him a dear friend. Family dinners and holidays still include Est. This summer, he joins them for three weeks in Paris.

William has had a crush on Est from the beginning, back when Est was his sister's gentle, charming boyfriend. At seventeen, he called it admiration. By nineteen, he knew better. At twenty-one, he keeps it carefully hidden. Est was once his brother-in-law. Est is still family.

Est has always noticed William. What began as fondness and protectiveness slowly changed as William grew taller, broader, quietly magnetic. Est's gaze lingers more than it should.

In Paris, something shifts. Shared breakfasts, late walks along the Seine, hands brushing in crowded museums, eye contact beneath the Eiffel Tower. Est realizes what he feels is not nostalgia. It is something warmer, heavier.

For the first time, he names it.
He wants William.