Chapter 32

3rd person pov:

The following days were a blur for Gemini. The weight of Fourth's diagnosis hung heavy over them both, but it was time to share the news with the others—the ones who had been by Fourth's side for so long. Pond and Phuwin needed to know the truth, even though Gemini could feel the deep, impending sorrow of that conversation.

It was late in the afternoon when Gemini decided it was time. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft golden hue over the house. He found Pond and Phuwin sitting on the porch, talking quietly, though both their faces were drawn with fatigue. It was clear that the weight of the past few weeks had worn them down, though they had done their best to remain strong for Fourth.

Gemini walked up to them, his heart heavy. "P'Pond, Phuwin," he said, his voice unsteady. They both turned to him, their expressions shifting to one of concern at the sight of his serious demeanor.

"Phi,I need to talk to you about something important," Gemini continued, his words slow and deliberate. "It's about Fourth. The doctor has given us the results of the tests."

Pond's expression hardened, and Phuwin shifted in his seat, his eyes narrowing as if he sensed the gravity of what was coming.

"What did the doctor say?" Pond asked, his voice tense.

Gemini swallowed hard. "Fourth's condition... it's progressing faster than anyone expected. He has less than a year to live."

The words hung in the air like a punch to the chest. Pond's breath caught, and Phuwin's face paled as his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Less than a year?" Pond repeated, his voice cracking. He rose from his chair, his hands clenched at his sides as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "But... we've been managing it. We've been—"

"I know," Gemini interrupted gently. "But it's advancing too fast. His organs are failing, and there's nothing we can do to stop it."

Phuwin stood up beside Pond, his face torn between anger and helplessness. "So, what do we do now? We just... wait?"

Gemini shook his head. "That's not what he wants. He wants to live. He wants to experience as much as he can, even if it's only for a little while longer."

Pond's face crumpled, the tears he had been holding back finally breaking through. "I don't know how to... how do I even begin to accept this?" His voice was barely a whisper, a cry of agony. "He's my little brother, Gemini. I was supposed to protect him from this."

Gemini stepped forward, his hand resting on Pond's shoulder. "You did protect him. You've given him everything, P'Pond. Everything he needed, and more. He knows that. He always has."

There was a long pause before Phuwin spoke, his voice soft but resolute. "So, what happens now? What's Fourth's decision?"

Later that evening, after the conversation with Pond and Phuwin had settled into a heavy silence, Fourth was alone in his room. Gemini had stayed by his side, as he always did, but the news needed time to sink in. When Gemini entered the room, he found Fourth sitting by the window, staring out at the fading sunset.

"Fourth?" Gemini called gently, stepping into the room.

Fourth didn't turn around. He kept his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I don't want to die here, Gemini," he said quietly. "I don't want to spend my last months just waiting in this house. I want to see the world. I want to experience everything I can, even if it's just for a little while."

Gemini's heart ached at his words. He understood. He felt the same—he wanted to give Fourth everything he hadn't had the chance to experience. "Where do you want to go?" he asked softly, sitting beside him.

Fourth hesitated, his fingers tracing the outline of the window frame as he thought. "I don't care where we go. I just want to go. I want to be with you, Gemini. I don't want to spend my last months surrounded by this... heaviness. I want to live, even if it's just for a little while longer."

Gemini nodded, his throat tight. "Then we'll go. We'll go wherever you want."

Fourth turned to him, his face lighting up with a soft smile. "I want to see the ocean. I've always wanted to feel the saltwater on my skin, hear the waves crashing. It sounds peaceful."

"Then the ocean it is," Gemini agreed, his voice firm with resolve. "We'll do it. We'll go wherever you want."

Gemini took Fourth's hand, holding it with a tenderness that spoke of all the love and care he had for him. He didn't know how long they had, but he was determined to make every moment count.

The next morning, Fourth gathered the strength to speak to Pond and Phuwin about his decision. They were sitting in the living room when he entered, his presence still fragile but filled with quiet determination.

"I've made my decision," Fourth said, his voice steady but firm. "I'm going to travel. I don't want to spend my time waiting here. I want to experience the world, see the things I've always wanted to see."

Pond's eyes softened, though there was a lingering sadness in them. He nodded slowly, understanding the desire to live, even with the knowledge that time was short. "If that's what you want, then I support you," he said quietly. "But promise me you'll be careful. Promise me you'll come back safe."

Fourth smiled, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I promise, Pond. I won't forget you. I won't forget any of you."

Phuwin, who had been silent until now, stood up and walked over to Fourth. He clapped him on the shoulder, his usual playfulness absent. "I'll miss you, Fourth. But you deserve this. You deserve to see the world."

As the conversation ended, the weight of Fourth's decision settled on them all. There was no easy way to say goodbye, but they understood that this was what Fourth needed. He had to live, not just exist in the shadow of what was coming.

Gemini and Fourth began to plan their travels—starting with the ocean, as Fourth had always dreamed. The journey ahead was uncertain, and the days left were few, but they would make them count. Gemini would be there every step of the way, helping Fourth live the life he could, embracing whatever moments they could still share.

They didn't know how much time they had, but for now, they were content in the knowledge that they had each other.