Chapter Text
Est has always been a decent person. He is sweet, understanding, smart, well-tempered and honest when he has to be. He gets along with people just fine, flashing friendly smiles and laughter to his peers, family, even to strangers he just met.
In short, he’s easy to get along with.
Well, it’s a different case with his best friend’s younger brother.
Est is currently in 4th year college as his friend Daou, but differently from him, Est decided to go towards a path for corporate, taking Business Administration as his program. Daou on the other hand, remained loyal to his love for music in Theater Arts. That set them apart for a good while, but it didn’t really stop Est from being entangled with his friend’s everyday life.
Just like today.
“Come on, dude. I can’t pick him up today, I have to go to my part time job after class.” Daou sighed over the phone. Est’s eyes remained uninterested, still holding his favorite book to read whenever he finishes studying his digests, eyes on the page where he last marked it, phone still sandwiched between his shoulder and ear while his back leisurely rests on the arm of his couch, a small pillow supporting his back comfortably.
He heard Daou’s pleading tone, but he’s not really much of an empath when it comes to other things that don't necessarily concern him.
Like William.
“He’s not my brother, so he’s not my responsibility,”
“I know William can be just as annoying as I am but he can’t drive his own ass home. Plus, I gave a word.”
“Let him take a cab then,”
“That’s a waste of money!”
“Let him walk.”
“He’ll kill me.”
Est sighed.
“Come on, why do you hate my brother so much?” Daou faked a sad tone but he sure failed miserably. Est rolled his eyes.
“I don’t hate him.”
Really. Est doesn’t hate him. Well, maybe a little. He just really doesn’t like William’s personality in general. They’re just so… different . William is– well, his total opposite. He is loud, energetic, too free-willed, can’t stay a second still, and does not care for his studies as much as he cares for his band.
He’s the type of person people like Est fears. Too much. Too loud. Too lively. Just looking at William from afar drains the life out of him.
Sometimes he wonders how Daou can put up with him and his antics. But then again, they’re brothers. For sure they share the same character of some sort.
“That’s a done deal then,” Daou laughed triumphantly, Est snorted. “I didn’t say yes, fucker.”
“Oh come on! My brother’s been good to you lately!”
“We’ve literally never seen each other lately.” Est retorted in a matter of fact-ly manner.
“That’s because I told him not to annoy you so much or you’ll end up killing him someday.”
“You annoy me too. I should kill you first then?” Est let out an airy laugh but Daou only laughed mockingly at him.
“You give me mercy as your friend. Kill my brother first.”
He sighed at his friend’s useless clap-back. There’s really no winning if Daou’s the one involved.
It took another five whole minutes before Est finally agreed. He settled with Daou owing him a whole week’s worth of free matcha drink.
Was it worth all the trouble? Maybe.
Or maybe not.
Est found himself sighing internally already seeing William just outside the university premise. His hoodie over his head, earphones tucked in his ears, foot tapping on the ground to jam with every beat. He put the car on a soft break, watching William who’s at least two meters away from him.
William is not that bad, Est knows that. He’s not much of a young guy anyway. He’s only two years younger, but somehow, Est couldn’t help but think William must have mastered how to turn the right gears in Est’s head all in the wrong way. He knows how to properly knot his brows, his forehead wrinkle like an old man nearing his 90’s, and knows how to let a restrained sigh from Est’s lips, patience thinning with every breath.
Est’s lips pursed, his fingers tapping the steering wheel lightly.
But he’s not that bad. He’s a good kid. Helpful to his brother although they fight 90% of the time. He listens well to his parents. He never really bat an eye to his studies, but he never once failed a course despite spending most of his time busking on the streets.
Est saw him once or twice singing there. He’s good and talented just like his brother. He plays guitar well too. Est watched one of his performances. He didn’t realize he'd been standing in the middle of the street for a little too long with his thin pajama set and slippers, still holding a plastic bag full of snacks he bought from the nearest convenience store because he got hungry. That’s when he realized William turns into a different person when he’s doing what he loves doing.
That was just one time. Est didn’t know why his mind still remembers.
Est sighed. Why is he even thinking about that anyway?
He stirred, looking for his phone in his pocket, but just as when he’s about to call William to tell him he had already arrived, he saw William had already looked around, his eyes searching, before it landed on Est’s just in time.
Est’s lips parted— obviously caught off guard, but before he could even look away— or at least pretend he was not staring at him for a whole good minute, William with his so-friendly-character already flashed him a big grin before waving his hand.
Est just stared at him. Mind slightly going blank.
He looks like a kid hopping towards Est’s car like he’s been waiting for him to come. Est clicked his tongue inside his cheek before looking away and unlocking his door, waiting for William to swing it open and get inside.
A laugh immediately escaped from William’s lips the moment he settled on the passenger seat.
“I knew you’re going to come pick me up,” William sing-sang, his tune overjoyed.
Est sighed lightly, now sitting properly to start the engine before stealing just a glance at William. “Stay still and don’t say anything. I was just coerced by your brother.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I forced him too.” William giggled, eyes focused on pulling his seatbelt naturally as if it’s already his second nature. Est’s brows furrowed. He looked at William this time, mouth parted.
“What?”
William looked at him innocently.
“What ‘what’?”
“What did you just say earlier?”
“I said what ‘what’?”
Est bit his lip to stop himself from smacking William’s head.
“Before that!”
“Why are you yelling, phi!?” William asked while frowning like a kid.
“Because you’re pissing me off again you little piece of shit!” Est yelled back like a kid too, blood rushing to his head like magic, his body turned to William fully like an unconscious habit.
William tried to stifle a laugh but still ended up bursting out laughing.
Est glared at him. Still out of breath, already feeling his soul draining out of patience, he kept his eyes on William as the latter laughed like there’s no reservation. Too carefree. Too easy.
Est could’ve smacked his mouth, or slapped the back of his head.
But he waited instead, letting his ears be filled by William’s laughter.
He waited with his teeth gritted until William’s laughter slowly died down, his eyes looking at Est again.
“God, I missed this so much.” he said, wiping a tear that fell from his eye from laughing too much, he threw his head back against his seat, his other hand on his stomach.
Est’s frustrated expression faltered a little. His pulse faltered a beat.
“W-What?”
“Do you know you only make this face when you’re with me?” William said, still grinning. He pointed to his phi’s face, smiling widely. “That face.”
“W-What face?” Est retreated his head a little, now getting conscious and hyperaware that they’re the only ones inside the car. Their scents mixing in such a tight space, a low hum of the stereo filling the background. He can still feel his heart pulsing on his throat because of William.
Because William did it again.
“That cute face.” he heard William answered, “You only do that face when you’re with me.”
Est swallowed. His eyes looking away from William, both hands flew back to the steering wheel, taking a deep breath before he cleared his throat— regaining his lost composure.
“That’s because you piss me off so much.”
“Come on, I make your life better.”
“You make me miserable.”
“You like it,”
“I seriously don’t?!” he shot a glare at William but the younger one seemed to love not taking him seriously. He only grinned like he’s talking to a little kid.
“Phi, you don’t have to lie to me.” William said, his tone changing from his usual high pitch into something more… unlike him.
Low. Deep. With intention and a little meaning.
Est just couldn’t keep up with what he’s trying to mean.
“I’m not lying to you William.” Est rolled his eyes shortly, now remembering to restart the engine. “You’re the only person who can piss the life out of me aside from your brother.”
“I know,” William grinned, his eyes tearing away from Est before his head turned towards his side, forehead resting on the window slightly.
But that doesn’t mean Est didn’t notice the hint of red on William's cheeks when he looked away.
And for some reason, that earned a small smile from Est's lips.
Just a tug. Barely noticeable.
But it spoke to Est enough.