Chapter 37

3rd person pov:

Gemini had not left Fourth's side since the doctor's grim assessment. His heart was heavy with dread, but he tried to remain composed, for Fourth's sake. The rhythmic beeping of the machines around them was a constant reminder of the fragile thread Fourth's life now hung on.

As the minutes stretched into hours, Gemini felt a deep, gnawing sense of responsibility—a duty to share the news with those who needed to know, especially with Fourth's family. He had promised Fourth that he wouldn't face this alone, and that promise extended beyond the two of them.

His phone was lying on the bedside table, and though it felt like a thousand weights were pressing down on his chest, Gemini knew he couldn't put it off any longer. He needed to contact Pond and Phuwin, to let them know what was happening.

Taking a deep breath, he reached for his phone, the cold metal of it feeling heavier than usual in his hand. His thumb hovered over the screen, but it took a moment to gather his thoughts before he dialed Pond's number.

The phone rang once, twice... and then Pond answered.

"Gemini?" Pond's voice was clear, but the faint tension in it made Gemini's heart ache. "What's going on? You sounded panicked on the phone earlier."

Gemini swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady, but it betrayed him. "Phi... it's Fourth. His condition... it's worsening. The doctors say he doesn't have much time left. His mitochondrial disease is advancing faster than they expected."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, the silence thick and heavy. Gemini could almost hear Pond's breath catching, his world shifting in an instant.

"What do you mean, 'not much time left'?" Pond finally asked, his voice sharp but cracking with emotion. "How bad is it?"

"It's bad," Gemini said, his voice breaking despite his best effort. "They've done all they can, but his organs are starting to fail. They're trying to keep him stable, but... they can't promise he'll recover. The doctor said we should prepare for the worst."

"God..." Pond's voice was filled with disbelief, pain, and fear. "Why didn't you call me sooner? I should have been there with you both."

Gemini squeezed his eyes shut, the weight of his words settling in. "I wanted to protect him... I didn't want to burden you with this. He didn't want anyone to know. But he's... he's not doing well,Phi.. He needs you. We both need you."

"I'm on my way," Pond said, his tone suddenly firm, though there was a tremor beneath it. "Phuwin and I will be there as fast as we can. Don't let him go through this alone. We'll be there for him. For both of you."

Gemini felt a wave of relief wash over him. Pond's words were a lifeline, a reminder that he wasn't alone in this fight, even though it felt that way in the hospital room. "Thank you,P'Pond. Please hurry. He's still awake, but I don't know how long that will last."

"We're coming, Gemini," Pond said, his voice softer now, but full of resolve. "We'll be there for you both."

Gemini ended the call, his heart pounding in his chest. He set the phone down and looked at Fourth, who had been drifting in and out of sleep. He was pale, his breathing shallow but steady for the moment. Gemini reached out, taking Fourth's hand in his, squeezing it gently. "They're on their way," he whispered, hoping that somehow Fourth could hear him.

It wasn't long before Gemini called Phuwin, who answered almost immediately. He didn't need to say much; Phuwin's voice softened with understanding when he heard the urgency in Gemini's tone.

"We're coming now," Phuwin said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of worry. "Pond told me what's happening. We'll get there as fast as we can."

Gemini thanked him quickly before ending the call, his eyes not leaving Fourth's face. He knew how much Pond and Phuwin meant to Fourth—how they were family, and how they would want to be there for him, no matter how difficult the situation had become.

Sitting back down beside Fourth, Gemini pressed his forehead against his hand, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. His mind was a storm of emotions: fear for Fourth, guilt over not calling for help sooner, and deep sorrow for the inevitable.

But, despite the pain, he couldn't allow himself to break just yet. He needed to be strong. For Fourth.

It wasn't long before he heard footsteps outside the room, and then the door opened to reveal Pond and Phuwin. They were both exhausted, their faces lined with concern, but there was an undeniable urgency in their eyes as they rushed to Fourth's side.

"Fourth..." Pond whispered, his voice cracking as he placed a hand on Fourth's still form. "I'm here, little brother. I'm here."

Phuwin stood quietly beside them, his hand on Pond's shoulder, offering silent support.

Gemini stood up slowly, giving them space as they took their place beside Fourth's bed. His chest tightened at the sight of Pond's pained expression, but he could see how much it meant to Fourth to have his family there. The quiet solace that surrounded them felt like a fragile moment, one that would soon pass, but it was still there, for now.

Pond met Gemini's eyes, and without a word, Gemini could see the question, the shared understanding. Both of them were caught in the same painful reality, but neither of them would leave Fourth's side. Not now, not ever.

As the hours passed, they waited together in the quiet, their collective presence offering Fourth what little comfort he could take in these final moments. No one spoke much, but the silence was thick with love, grief, and the painful understanding that time was slipping away faster than they could hold on.