Chapter 2

3rd person pov:

Gemini stood at the window of his small apartment, his eyes fixed on the bustling street below. The world seemed to move at a pace that left him feeling disconnected, as if the time around him was out of sync with his own. He had been searching for something for as long as he could remember, though it wasn't an object or a place. It was someone—someone who had been part of his childhood, someone who had left an indelible mark on his heart.

His thoughts wandered back to that summer, to the boy he had met all those years ago, barely a fleeting moment that had stuck with him through the years. He remembered the boy's name—Nong Si—and the small, delicate birthmark shaped like a butterfly on his waist. It was all he had from that time. The memory of the boy's laughter, the warmth of his presence, was more vivid than anything else in his life.

But after that brief encounter, Nong Si had disappeared. His parents had moved away, and Gemini was left with nothing but the aching void of a memory he couldn't shake. Despite the years that had passed, despite everything else that had come and gone in his life, the image of that boy lingered, as real and as sharp as the day they met.

He had searched. Countless times, he had searched, hoping that one day he would find him again. But the world was too vast, and the memories too faint. He wasn't even sure if Nong Si remembered him at all.

A soft chime from his phone pulled Gemini from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen. It was a message from Phuwin.

Gemini, I need your help. Pond and I will be away for a few days on a business trip, and I'd like you to look after Fourth. He's my boyfriend's younger brother. He's been sickly for years and has trouble making friends. I'd really appreciate it if you could keep him company while we're gone. I trust you with this.

Gemini stared at the message for a long moment, his mind racing. Fourth? He had heard the name before—Phuwin had mentioned him in passing, but he never really knew the details. He'd heard of his frail health and how much Phuwin cared for him, but that was about it. The idea of looking after someone—especially someone he didn't know—wasn't particularly appealing. But Phuwin had always been a good friend to him, and he trusted him.

Besides, it would only be a few days.

He typed a quick response.

Sure, I'll take care of him. No problem.

He sat back on the couch, running a hand through his hair. It was an easy favor, but the thought of spending time with someone he didn't know left him uneasy. He wasn't sure what to expect, but one thing was certain: this wouldn't be the first time he had spent time with someone in need of care. He had always been a caretaker, even if he didn't always want to be. It was just part of who he was.

But as the evening wore on and the hours slipped by, his thoughts drifted back to Nong Si. Would this new person—Fourth—be like him? Would there be something about him that was familiar, something that tugged at Gemini's heart the way Nong Si had? He couldn't help but wonder.

The next morning, Gemini arrived at Phuwin's place. It was a cozy house, small but warm, filled with the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the windows. As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the scent of fresh tea and the soft hum of a house in the midst of quiet activity.

He took a moment to gather himself before walking down the hall. He knew Fourth would be here, but he wasn't sure what kind of reception to expect. After all, he wasn't a stranger to the idea of taking care of someone, but this was different. Phuwin's words had been clear: Fourth needed a friend, not just someone to check on him.

Gemini reached the door to Fourth's room and knocked gently. There was no response at first, but then he heard the soft rustling of movement from inside. He pushed the door open slowly, peering inside.

The room was simple, neat, with a bed against the wall and a small desk piled with books and a laptop. Fourth sat at the desk, his back to the door, absorbed in his work. His frail frame was clearly visible even in the soft light of the room, but there was something about his posture, the way he sat so still, that made Gemini pause for a moment.

"Hey," Gemini said softly, stepping inside.

Fourth turned around slowly, his pale face softening into an almost shy expression. "You must be Gemini," he said, his voice quiet but polite.

Gemini offered a smile, though it felt unfamiliar on his face. "Yeah, that's me. Phuwin asked me to keep you company while he and Pond are away."

Fourth nodded, his eyes flicking to the side for a moment. "I'm sure it won't be much trouble," he said, though there was an underlying tone of hesitation in his voice.

Gemini stepped into the room fully, taking a seat across from him. "I hope not. Phuwin said you might need someone to... talk to."

"I don't talk much," Fourth replied, almost apologetically, his gaze not quite meeting Gemini's.

Gemini gave a small, understanding nod. He had seen the way Fourth avoided eye contact, the way he kept to himself. He was used to it—most people with Fourth's kind of fragility were guarded, keeping others at arm's length to protect themselves from pain.

"That's okay," Gemini said gently, leaning back in his chair. "I don't mind listening, or not talking at all."

Fourth seemed to relax slightly at this, his shoulders easing as he settled into his chair. They sat in silence for a few moments, the only sound the faint rustling of pages as Fourth flipped through his textbook.

But despite the quiet, Gemini couldn't shake the feeling that something about this boy—this fragile, quiet boy—was familiar. Something in the way he held himself, something in his eyes, made Gemini's heart stir in a way he couldn't explain. It was as if he had been waiting for this moment for far longer than he realized.

And as he looked at Fourth, his thoughts drifted once again to Nong Si. Could it be? Could Fourth be the boy he had searched for all these years?

He shook the thought away. He didn't want to jump to conclusions. But as he watched Fourth silently study, the feeling only grew stronger.

(A.N: We all know who this "Nong Si" would be but it's kinda funny when Gemini can't figure out that Si literally means Fourth anyway😂)