Chapter 23

3rd person pov:

The news came one morning as Fourth and Gemini were finishing breakfast.

"We'll be back tomorrow," Pond's voice rang cheerfully through the speakerphone. "Phuwin and I wrapped up early, so we'll take over things from here. You've done more than enough, Gemini."

Gemini forced a smile, though his heart sank at the words. "That's great," he said, glancing at Fourth, who was staring down at his plate, unusually quiet.

When the call ended, the silence in the room was almost suffocating. Fourth traced the rim of his glass, his brows furrowed.

"So," he said softly, not looking up. "You'll be leaving soon."

Gemini hesitated. "It's not like I'll be far," he said, trying to sound reassuring. "I'll still visit."

"Right," Fourth murmured, but the weight of the moment wasn't lost on either of them.

The rest of the day passed in a haze of quiet tension. Fourth withdrew into himself, retreating to his room for most of the afternoon. Gemini found himself pacing, unsure of what to say or do to make things better.

That evening, Gemini knocked on Fourth's door.

"Can I come in?" he asked softly.

After a long pause, Fourth's voice came, barely audible. "Yeah."

Gemini stepped inside to find Fourth sitting on his bed, a book in his lap that he clearly hadn't been reading. His eyes were distant, his usual warmth replaced with a guarded expression.

"I don't want to leave things like this," Gemini said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Talk to me."

Fourth hesitated, his fingers tightening around the book. "It's just... I got used to having you around," he admitted. "And now, it feels like everything's going back to how it was before."

"It doesn't have to," Gemini said quickly. "Just because Pond and Phuwin are back doesn't mean I'm disappearing from your life."

Fourth looked up at him, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "But it'll be different. You won't be here every day. And I... I don't know how to handle that."

Gemini's heart ached at the vulnerability in Fourth's voice. He wanted to promise that nothing would change, but he knew it wouldn't be that simple.

"I'll still be here for you," Gemini said gently. "Maybe not every moment, but whenever you need me, I'll come. You're important to me, Fourth. That's not going to change."

Fourth's lips parted as if to say something, but he hesitated. After a moment, he set the book aside and met Gemini's gaze.

"I'm scared," he admitted. "I'm scared of losing this—what we have."

Gemini reached out, his hand covering Fourth's. "You won't lose me," he said firmly. "I promise."

The words hung between them, a fragile reassurance in the face of an uncertain future. But as Fourth leaned into Gemini's touch, some of the tension seemed to melt away.

When Pond and Phuwin returned the next day, the house felt fuller, livelier, but for Gemini and Fourth, it marked the beginning of a new challenge. Navigating their relationship in the presence of others, without the constant proximity they'd grown used to, would test them in ways they hadn't anticipated.

Phuwin, in particular, seemed to pick up on something unspoken between the two. As they all gathered in the living room that evening, Phuwin's gaze lingered on Fourth, who seemed unusually quiet, and on Gemini, whose eyes instinctively sought Fourth out, even in casual conversation.

Later, when Pond was recounting an amusing story from their trip, Phuwin leaned toward Gemini and whispered, "You two seem close."

Gemini stiffened for a moment, his carefully composed expression faltering under Phuwin's sharp gaze. "I've just been looking after him," he said casually, though he could feel the heat rising to his face.

"Hmm." Phuwin's hum was neutral, but the slight curve of his lips suggested he wasn't entirely convinced. He said nothing more, but the glances he threw at them throughout the evening were enough to make Gemini feel exposed.

That night, as Gemini helped Fourth settle in for bed, Fourth finally voiced what they were both thinking.

"They're going to notice, aren't they?" Fourth asked, his voice soft but tinged with worry.

Gemini hesitated before nodding. "Phuwin already suspects something."

Fourth looked down at his hands, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his blanket. "Is that... bad?"

"No," Gemini said firmly. "But it might mean we have to be careful. At least for now."

Fourth nodded, though his eyes remained uncertain. "I don't want them to think... I don't know, that this isn't real."

"They won't," Gemini said, his voice steady. "I won't let anyone doubt how much I care about you."

As Gemini left the room, he found Phuwin waiting for him in the hallway.

"You're not just looking after him," Phuwin said quietly, his expression unreadable.

Gemini met his gaze, his heart pounding. "No," he admitted, his voice calm but resolute. "I'm not."

Phuwin studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then take care of him. Really take care of him."

The weight of Phuwin's words settled over Gemini as he returned to his room. It wasn't just Fourth's illness or vulnerability that needed protecting now—it was the fragile, growing bond between them, something neither of them could afford to lose.