Chapter 7

3rd person pov:

Gemini had always prided himself on being patient. It wasn't just a trait he had developed over the years; it was a necessity. He had learned early on that things, especially people, couldn't be rushed. Everyone had their own pace, their own rhythm, and forcing someone into a situation they weren't ready for never led anywhere good.

And yet, as he stood in the kitchen, watching Fourth concentrate on his work, he couldn't help but feel the pull to break through the distance that still lingered between them. It wasn't that Fourth was cold or distant in the usual sense. It was more that he kept himself locked away, only showing glimpses of who he was beneath the surface. Gemini had seen that, and despite Fourth's reserved nature, he couldn't shake the desire to get closer.

He had spent the past few days trying to navigate the line between giving Fourth space and offering him the quiet support he seemed to need. He could tell Fourth wasn't used to people being around, let alone people offering help. But Gemini wasn't going to leave him alone, not now that he had started to form the faintest connection with him. It was a slow process, and Gemini had no intention of rushing it. He was willing to wait as long as it took for Fourth to feel comfortable enough to trust him.

The soft clink of a coffee mug brought Gemini out of his thoughts. He turned to find Fourth still hunched over his study materials, his brow furrowed in concentration. There was something so focused about him, as if he had closed off the rest of the world in favor of the task at hand.

Gemini smiled softly to himself. It was a good thing, in a way—Fourth's ability to get lost in his work. It gave him the space to work through his own thoughts and, for the most part, avoid confrontation. But Gemini couldn't help feeling like there was more beneath the surface. Something fragile, something that Fourth was hesitant to reveal.

Without thinking too much about it, Gemini poured the coffee he had been brewing and brought a steaming cup over to Fourth's desk. He wasn't going to ask if he needed it. That was too direct, too imposing. Instead, he placed the cup quietly beside Fourth's notebook, hoping the gesture would be enough.

"Hey," Gemini said, his voice calm and steady. "I figured you might need this."

Fourth glanced up at him, his eyes a little wide for a moment, as if surprised by the interruption. But then his gaze softened, and he looked down at the coffee. Gemini watched him closely, noting the slight hesitation before Fourth reached for the cup.

"Thanks," Fourth muttered, his voice still a little uncertain, but not ungrateful. Gemini could see the small shift in him, the way he seemed to relax ever so slightly at the gesture. It wasn't much, but it was progress.

Gemini stayed close, watching the way Fourth carefully cradled the cup in his hands. It was moments like these that made him feel like he could understand Fourth a little more, even if it was only a fraction of what the other man kept hidden. He didn't push Fourth to say anything. He simply stood there, letting the silence fill the space between them.

"So," Gemini began, shifting his weight as he leaned against the counter. "Are you still up for that walk later? I know you've been busy with your work, but we could take it slow. Just around the garden, if you feel up to it."

Fourth didn't respond immediately, his eyes still focused on the notebook in front of him. Gemini could see the way his fingers tightened slightly around the coffee mug, as if he was considering the offer carefully. It wasn't like Fourth to rush into things, and Gemini knew better than to expect an immediate response.

Finally, Fourth's voice broke the quiet, soft and hesitant. "I don't know... I've been working for a while."

Gemini smiled, not pushing. "It's okay. No pressure. Just thought it might be nice to get some fresh air. You don't have to go if you don't want to. I'll be here."

For a moment, there was only silence, and Gemini felt the faintest flutter of nervousness in his chest. He didn't want to scare Fourth off, didn't want to come across as too insistent. But as he watched Fourth set the cup down and glance up at him, there was something in his eyes—something that made Gemini's heart skip a beat.

"Maybe... maybe just for a little while," Fourth said, his voice softer than before. It wasn't a full commitment, but it was enough. Enough to make Gemini's heart lighten with hope.

"I think that'd be great," Gemini replied, trying to keep his tone casual, though his smile betrayed the warmth he felt.

He didn't wait long, gathering his jacket and moving toward the door. Fourth followed, his steps hesitant but steady. It wasn't much—just a walk around the garden, the two of them sharing the quiet of the late afternoon. But to Gemini, it felt like something important. Something real.

As they walked side by side, Gemini allowed the silence to stretch between them, not feeling the need to fill it with words. He didn't want to force anything. He wanted Fourth to feel at ease, to feel like he could open up on his own terms.

"So," Gemini began again after a while, his voice low and careful, "I'm glad you agreed to come out today."

Fourth glanced at him, the barest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "I guess it's nice to get out for a bit."

"I'm glad," Gemini said quietly, meaning it. He couldn't explain why this felt so important—why a simple walk in the garden could feel like a step forward—but it did. It felt like something real, something they were building together, slowly, piece by piece.

They continued their walk in silence, the weight of their unspoken words hanging between them. There was no rush. No need to say more than was necessary. It was enough to simply be in each other's presence, to share the moment without pressure.

As the walk came to an end, Gemini could feel the shift in the air between them. It wasn't big. It wasn't dramatic. But there was something. A quiet understanding that had grown, perhaps without either of them fully realizing it.

Gemini turned to Fourth with a soft smile, his heart a little lighter than before. "Thanks for coming out with me."

Fourth nodded, his gaze meeting Gemini's briefly. "Yeah, I think I needed this."

Gemini felt a warmth spread through him. It wasn't a declaration, wasn't anything overtly clear, but there was something in Fourth's words that made it all feel worth it. Whatever this was, whatever they were building—he was willing to be patient. He was willing to take it slow.

Because even in the silence, Gemini could feel the connection growing. And that, for now, was enough.