Chapter 31

3rd person pov:

The hospital room felt colder than usual, the sterile air a sharp contrast to the warmth of the sunshine that bathed the garden outside. Fourth sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers nervously tapping against the sheets. He had been through countless tests over the past few weeks, and the results had all led to this moment—the one he feared but had known was coming.

Gemini sat beside him, trying to keep his expression calm, his hand gently resting on Fourth's. His touch was a comfort, but even he couldn't ignore the growing weight in the air, the heaviness that seemed to settle over them both as they waited for the doctor to arrive.

The door opened quietly, and Dr. Tanakorn stepped inside, his expression serious but not unkind. He had been Fourth's doctor for years now, guiding him through the ups and downs of his mitochondrial disease, always careful with his words. But today, there was no avoiding the harsh reality of what was happening.

"How are you feeling, Fourth?" Dr. Tanakorn asked, though he already knew the answer. He had seen the decline in Fourth's health over the last few months—his energy had waned, his muscles had become weaker, and his breathing had become more labored. The signs were clear.

Fourth offered a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Tired," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's getting harder to keep up."

Dr. Tanakorn nodded, a deep sigh escaping him as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "We've gone over the results of your latest tests. The progression of your mitochondrial disease has advanced more rapidly than we anticipated."

Gemini's grip on Fourth's hand tightened, but he said nothing. He had feared this moment for so long, and now that it was finally here, he wasn't sure how to prepare himself for what was coming.

"What does that mean?" Fourth asked, his voice small, almost childlike. He had always known his condition was terminal, but the thought of it speeding up, the end coming so quickly, was something he hadn't been ready to face.

Dr. Tanakorn's eyes softened, though his words were harsh. "It means, Fourth, that your body is starting to lose the ability to fight back. Your organs are weakening, and the mitochondrial dysfunction is spreading faster than we thought. Based on the current progression, I estimate that you have less than a year to live."

The words hit like a blow, and for a moment, everything around them went silent. Fourth's breath caught in his throat, his chest tightening as if the air itself had been stolen from him. The reality of it settled like a stone in his stomach, cold and heavy.

Less than a year.

Gemini's heart broke for him, but he didn't know what to say. What could he say? There was nothing that would take the pain away, nothing that could change the outcome.

Fourth looked down at his hands, his fingers trembling as he tried to process the words. It felt surreal, like a bad dream he would wake up from at any moment. "A year," he repeated softly, his voice shaking. "That's all I have left?"

Dr. Tanakorn nodded grimly. "I'm sorry, Fourth. We've done everything we can to slow the progression, but this is where we are."

The room fell into an agonizing silence. Gemini didn't know what to do. He wanted to comfort Fourth, to tell him that everything would be okay, but he knew that wasn't the truth. He couldn't lie to him—not now.

Instead, Gemini leaned in and wrapped his arms around Fourth, pulling him close. "I'm here," he whispered. "I'm not going anywhere. Whatever time we have left, I'm spending it with you."

Fourth's body trembled against him, and for a moment, Gemini thought he might break. But then Fourth pulled away slightly, his face pale but composed. "I don't want to be a burden," he said quietly. "I don't want to make anyone else suffer because of me."

"Fourth," Gemini whispered urgently, cupping his face in his hands. "You are not a burden. You are loved. Don't ever think you're anything less."

The tears that had been building in Fourth's eyes finally broke free, and he buried his face in Gemini's chest, his sobs muffled against his shirt. Gemini held him tighter, feeling the weight of the grief and fear that Fourth was carrying alone.

Dr. Tanakorn stood up and nodded quietly. "I'll leave you two alone for now," he said gently. "If you have any questions, I'm here. But for today, just take the time you need."

As the door closed behind the doctor, the room was filled with the sound of Fourth's quiet sobs and Gemini's comforting whispers. The truth was out, and now they had to face it together.

The days that followed were filled with more uncertainty. Fourth's body was already showing signs of wear and tear, his once vibrant energy now a faint memory. The thought of losing him, so soon, felt unbearable, but Gemini refused to give up on him.

He made the most of every moment. He took Fourth out on short walks when he could, helped him with meals, and spent hours talking with him. They talked about everything—about their past, their dreams for the future, and everything in between. Fourth was determined to live whatever time he had left to the fullest, but Gemini could see the quiet fear in his eyes when he thought no one was looking.

He knew that Fourth was struggling with the idea of death—struggling with the thought that his time was running out. But Gemini also knew that he couldn't let Fourth face this alone.

"I'm not afraid of dying," Fourth admitted one night as they sat on the balcony, watching the stars. "I'm afraid of not having enough time. Time with you. Time to experience everything I never got to."

Gemini squeezed his hand gently. "You have all the time I can give you, Fourth. And I'll make sure you know how much you're loved every single day."