A week after the fan event, the two finally had a rare day off.
The city outside was buzzing with weekend activity, but William and Est had a plan: a secret date.
They met at a quiet café on a side street, far from cameras, far from fans.
The café was small and tucked between two old brick buildings on a quiet street.
It wasn't the kind of place fans usually searched for celebrities. The windows were fogged slightly from the warmth inside, and soft music played from a speaker behind the counter. Only a few customers sat scattered around with laptops and books.
Est had arrived early.
He sat near the window, fingers loosely wrapped around a cup of iced coffee that had already started to melt. Every few seconds he glanced at the door.
Not nervous.
Just… waiting.
The bell above the door chimed softly.
Est looked up immediately.
William stepped inside wearing a dark cap and simple hoodie. He paused for a second, scanning the room, then spotted Est near the window.
His face softened instantly.
Est lifted a hand in greeting.
"You made it."
William walked over, pulling the cap down slightly as he sat across from him.
"Of course," he said. "I wouldn't miss it."
Est smiled.
"You're so dramatic."
William leaned back in his chair, amused.
"Dramatic? Me? Never."
A server approached and William ordered quickly—an iced americano.
As soon as she left, William rested his elbows on the table.
"So."
Est tilted his head.
"So?"
"You've been staring at the door for ten minutes."
Est scoffed.
"I was not."
William raised an eyebrow.
"You checked your phone three times and looked outside twice."
Est stared at him.
"…you were watching me?"
William smirked.
"I notice things."
Est shook his head with a quiet laugh.
"You're unbelievable."
Their knees brushed lightly under the small café table.
Neither moved.
William glanced around the café.
"You picked a good place."
Est looked pleased.
"I did research."
"Research?"
"I searched 'quiet cafés no one knows about.'"
William chuckled.
"Very professional."
Est leaned forward slightly.
"I'm serious. If fans found us on our first date, that would be tragic."
William's lips curved.
"You called it a date."
Est froze.
"…I did not."
"You literally just did."
Est groaned softly and covered his face with one hand.
"Why do you remember everything I say?"
William reached across the table and gently tugged his hand away.
"Because it's you."
Est blinked.
William realized how that sounded and coughed lightly.
"I mean… you say interesting things."
Est stared at him for a second before laughing.
"You're terrible at backtracking."
William smiled.
"I wasn't trying very hard."
The server returned with William's drink and placed it on the table.
"Enjoy."
"Thank you," William said politely.
Once she left, Est studied him carefully.
"You look different without the stage lights."
William frowned slightly.
"Different good or different bad?"
Est shrugged.
"Different… calmer."
William stirred his drink slowly.
"That's because no one's asking me if I'm secretly dating my co-star."
Est laughed.
"Fair point."
William leaned forward.
"But technically…"
Est squinted.
"Don't say it."
"…they weren't wrong."
Est kicked him lightly under the table.
William laughed quietly.
For a few minutes they just sat there talking.
About normal things.
Filming schedules.
A ridiculous scene from their show where William had forgotten a line.
Est teased him endlessly about it.
"You said 'I will protect you forever' instead of 'I will protect the kingdom.'"
William defended himself.
"Both are important."
Est nearly choked laughing.
"You're unbelievable."
The café felt warm and peaceful.
Outside the window, people passed by on the street, unaware that two of the most talked-about actors online were quietly sitting inside sharing coffee.
William watched Est laugh for a moment. Then said softly,
"You look happier today."
Est blinked.
"…do I?"
William nodded.
"Yeah."
Est looked down at his drink.
"I think I am."
William's voice was gentle.
"Because it's quiet?"
Est shook his head.
"…because it's real."
William didn't speak for a second.
Then he slowly reached his foot forward under the table, brushing Est's again.
Est looked up.
William was watching him carefully.
"You know," William said lightly, "we should do this more often."
Est raised an eyebrow.
"Secret dates?"
William nodded.
"I like them."
Est pretended to think about it.
"Well… maybe."
William leaned closer across the table.
"Maybe?"
Est smiled mischievously.
"If you behave."
William scoffed.
"I always behave."
Est laughed immediately.
"You kissed me in front of ten thousand people."
William shrugged.
"That was professional."
Est stared at him.
"…that was not professional."
William smiled.
"You liked it."
Est tried to hide his smile by taking a sip of his drink.
But William saw it anyway.
After finishing their drinks, they left the café together.
The small bell above the door chimed softly as it closed behind them.
The air outside was crisp and cool, the kind of autumn weather that made the city feel quieter somehow. Golden leaves drifted slowly down from the trees lining the street.
Est pulled his jacket tighter around himself.
"Okay, maybe it's colder than I expected."
William glanced at him.
"You didn't check the weather?"
Est shrugged.
"I was busy planning a secret date."
William smiled slightly.
"I'm honored."
They walked side by side toward the nearby park, blending easily into the flow of people enjoying their weekend.
For once, no one seemed to recognize them.
It felt strangely freeing.
The park was wide and peaceful.
Tall trees formed an arch over the walking path, their leaves painted shades of gold, orange, and red. The ground crunched softly beneath their steps.
Est looked around.
"This place is nice."
William nodded.
"You picked it."
Est lifted his chin proudly.
"I have excellent taste."
William chuckled.
"I never doubted it."
They walked in comfortable silence for a minute.
Then Est glanced sideways at him.
"So…"
William raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
Est hesitated, then said quietly,
"…real date, huh?"
William nodded without hesitation.
"Real date."
Est smiled softly.
"No cameras. No scripts."
"Just us," William finished.
Est's expression warmed.
"…I like that."
William slowed slightly beside him.
Then, almost casually, he reached down and slipped his hand into Est's.
Est froze mid-step.
William immediately noticed.
"…too much?"
Est looked down at their hands.
Their fingers fit together naturally.
The warmth of William's palm was surprisingly comforting.
After a second, Est intertwined their fingers fully.
"Still feels like we're breaking rules," he murmured.
William leaned a little closer.
"Then let's break them together."
Est laughed.
"That was unbelievably cheesy."
William grinned.
"You like it."
"…unfortunately, yes."
They continued walking, still hand in hand.
A group of kids ran past them chasing each other, their laughter echoing through the park.
Est smiled watching them.
"You know what's weird?"
"What?"
"A week ago, the internet thought we were secretly dating."
William glanced at him.
"…and now?"
Est shrugged lightly.
"Now we actually are."
William's lips curved slightly.
"That's a funny timeline."
Est nudged his shoulder.
"Your fault."
William pretended to look offended.
"My fault?"
"You kissed me on stage!"
William nodded calmly.
"Correct."
Est laughed.
"You're impossible."
William squeezed his hand.
"And yet you're still here."
Est looked at their hands again.
"…yeah."
They had just turned onto a path that overlooked a small pond when a familiar voice called out.
"Hey, Est!"
Both of them looked up.
A tall figure was walking toward them from the other side of the path.
Est blinked.
"Oh."
William's grip on his hand tightened slightly.
Est waved politely.
"Hey, Kai. Long time no see."
Kai approached with an easy smile. He was dressed casually, but still looked like someone who belonged on camera.
"Didn't expect to run into you here," Kai said.
Est shrugged.
"Day off."
Kai's eyes briefly flicked to William.
"William."
William nodded politely.
"Kai."
The tone was calm.
But something about the way Kai looked at Est made William's jaw tighten slightly.
Kai leaned casually against the railing near them.
"So what are you two doing out here?"
Est answered naturally.
"Just walking."
Kai smiled.
"Nice. You look good, by the way."
William noticed.
The way Kai's gaze lingered just a little too long.
Est didn't seem bothered.
"Thanks."
Kai chuckled.
"Still working too hard?"
Est laughed.
"You know how it is."
William's fingers tightened again.
Est noticed immediately.
He leaned slightly closer and whispered under his breath.
"Relax."
William murmured back,
"I'm not relaxed."
Est tried not to laugh.
"He's just talking."
William muttered quietly,
"He's flirting."
Est rolled his eyes.
"It's harmless."
Kai glanced between them.
"You two look suspiciously close."
Est froze for half a second.
William answered calmly.
"We're friends."
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Right."
There was a brief pause.
Then Kai pushed off the railing.
"Well, I won't interrupt your walk."
He looked at Est again.
"We should catch up sometime."
William's expression sharpened slightly.
Est nodded politely.
"Sure."
Kai waved casually and continued down the path.
As soon as he disappeared around the corner—
William exhaled slowly.
Est looked at him.
"…you're actually jealous."
William didn't deny it.
"He was flirting."
Est laughed softly.
"You're dramatic."
William leaned closer, his voice low.
"If anyone tries to flirt with you again…"
Est raised an eyebrow.
"…yes?"
William smirked slightly.
"I might have to intervene."
Est shook his head, amused.
"You're ridiculous."
But then he leaned his head briefly against William's shoulder as they started walking again.
"Guess I'll just have to stay by your side."
William smiled, gently rubbing his thumb over the back of Est's hand.
"Good idea."