Chapter 16

3rd person pov:

The moon hung low in the night sky, its light casting faint patterns across the living room. Fourth sat quietly on the couch, his knees pulled to his chest as he stared at nothing in particular. Across from him, Gemini sat on the arm of the chair, his gaze steady and patient as he watched Fourth wrestle with whatever thoughts had him so subdued.

Gemini had been noticing the subtle shifts in Fourth since the night his butterfly-shaped birthmark had confirmed everything. It was undeniable now—Fourth was Nong Si, the boy Gemini had carried in his heart for years. But even though he knew the truth, he had held back from saying anything, waiting for the right time.

Tonight, Fourth seemed different, as if the emotional walls he'd worked so hard to maintain were beginning to crack.

"Do you ever feel like... no matter how hard you try, it's never enough?" Fourth's voice broke through the quiet, his words brittle but honest.

Gemini leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "What do you mean?"

Fourth exhaled, his shoulders slumping. "I mean... I feel like I'm always stuck. Like I'll never be strong enough to hold on to the people I care about. They're always going to leave, and it's my fault because I can't... keep up with them."

Gemini's chest ached at the vulnerability in Fourth's voice. He stood, moving to sit beside Fourth on the couch. "That's not true," he said gently.

Fourth looked up at him, his eyes filled with doubt. "How would you know?"

Gemini hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. He had promised himself he would wait for Fourth to trust him enough to share, but maybe the only way to break down the walls was to let Fourth see his.

"I know because I've been there," Gemini said softly.

Fourth blinked, surprised. "You?"

Gemini nodded, his gaze distant as he let himself remember. "There was someone I cared about when I was younger. He was stubborn, full of life, and... he made me feel like I belonged. I lost him, and for years, I couldn't let go. I kept searching, kept hoping that somehow I'd find him again."

Fourth's breath hitched, and Gemini turned to meet his eyes, his voice steady. "I found him, Fourth. And it's you."

The room fell into silence, heavy with the weight of Gemini's words. Fourth's eyes widened,he hadn't realized that he had such a huge influence over someone's life.

"You care that much about me?" he whispered.

Gemini nodded. "Since the day I saw your birthmark. I couldn't wait to form the same bond we shared long ago but I wanted you to trust me on your own terms."

Fourth's hands trembled as he clutched the edge of the blanket draped over his lap. "Why did you even need to find me? I'm not the same. I'm not... whole."

Gemini reached out, his hand hovering over Fourth's before gently taking it. "You're more than enough, Fourth. I didn't find you because I needed you to be perfect. I found you because you've always been important to me. And you always will be."

Tears welled in Fourth's eyes, spilling over as he finally let his guard down. "I'm scared," he admitted, his voice cracking.

"I know," Gemini said, his grip on Fourth's hand firm but comforting. "But you don't have to face it alone. I'm here. For as long as you'll let me be."

For the first time, Fourth didn't try to hold back his emotions. He leaned into Gemini, his tears soaking into his shoulder as years of fear and self-doubt began to unravel.

And as Gemini held him, he felt the weight of his own search finally lift. This was where he was meant to be—by Fourth's side, facing whatever came next together.