Chapter 19

3rd person pov:

The day had been quiet, the kind of quiet that made time stretch endlessly with rain drops pitter-pattering outside the protection of their house.Fourth was curled up on the couch, a blanket draped over him as he flipped through a book. The faint sound of rain tapping against the windows filled the room, a soothing backdrop to the stillness.

Gemini sat nearby, pretending to read, though his eyes often wandered to Fourth. There was a fragile calm about him today, as though the slightest disturbance could shatter it.

Fourth shifted slightly, pulling the blanket tighter around himself. His fingers trembled, though whether from the chill in the air or something else, Gemini wasn't sure.

"You okay?" Gemini asked softly, his voice careful not to break the moment.

Fourth hesitated before nodding. "Just a little cold."

Without a word, Gemini stood and retrieved another blanket from the closet. He walked back and draped it gently over Fourth's shoulders, his hands lingering for a moment as he adjusted it to make sure it covered him properly.

Fourth looked up at him, his eyes wide and unguarded. "Thanks," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Gemini smiled faintly and sat back down, but something in Fourth's gaze made him pause. There was a flicker of something—hesitation, vulnerability, a need he couldn't quite put into words.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Gemini asked carefully.

Fourth shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line. But even as he turned back to his book, his posture remained tense, his fingers clutching the edge of the blanket like it was a lifeline.

Gemini watched him for a moment, then made a decision. He reached out, his hand hovering for just a second before it landed gently on Fourth's.

The touch was light, almost hesitant, but it was enough to make Fourth freeze. Slowly, he looked up, his eyes meeting Gemini's.

"I'm here," Gemini said softly, his hand still resting on Fourth's. "You don't have to say anything. Just... know that I'm here."

Fourth's eyes glistened, and for a moment, Gemini thought he might pull away. But instead, Fourth's fingers relaxed under his, the tension in his shoulders easing as he let out a shaky breath.

Gemini's chest tightened as he felt the small shift. The warmth of Fourth's hand beneath his own was both grounding and overwhelming. He couldn't ignore the fragility in Fourth's posture, the way his vulnerability seemed to invite Gemini to protect him, to hold him closer than ever before.

His thumb brushed lightly against Fourth's knuckles, a barely-there movement that felt more intimate than he'd intended. It wasn't just comfort—it was something deeper, something Gemini knew all too well.

Fourth didn't say anything, but his hand shifted slightly, his fingers brushing against Gemini's in a tentative response. It was a small movement, barely noticeable, but to Gemini, it spoke volumes.

For the first time, Gemini realized how much trust Fourth had placed in him. He didn't want to do anything to shatter that. But his own feelings, raw and growing stronger every day, made it harder to separate care from something more.

The room felt warmer somehow, the rain outside a distant murmur compared to the quiet connection between them.

Gemini stayed perfectly still, afraid that if he moved too quickly, the moment would break. But in his heart, something had shifted. This wasn't just a passing feeling—it was becoming a part of him, entwined with every breath he took.

They stayed like that for a while, the silence between them filled with unspoken understanding. And in that moment, Gemini realized that sometimes, words weren't necessary. Sometimes, a soft touch was enough to say everything—and maybe, just maybe, it was enough to keep him grounded as his feelings grew too large to ignore.