Chapter 35

3rd person pov:

The night was peaceful, the kind of quiet that could only exist by the sea. The stars were bright overhead, and the soft sound of the waves against the shore was a lullaby, comforting in its constancy. Gemini sat beside Fourth, both of them wrapped in blankets, the cool air of the night brushing against their skin. It had been one of those rare moments where Fourth seemed to be at ease, smiling up at the stars as if he didn't have a care in the world.

But that peaceful night would not last.

It started with a soft cough. A sound so slight that Gemini almost didn't hear it. But then it came again, sharper this time, followed by a faint wheeze. Gemini immediately looked down at Fourth, who was sitting up slightly, his hand pressed against his chest.

"Fourth?" Gemini asked, his voice laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

Fourth's face was pale, a sheen of sweat forming on his forehead. His eyes were closed tightly as he tried to breathe, but it was clear he was struggling.

"Gem... Gemini..." Fourth rasped, his voice weak and strained.

Gemini's heart skipped a beat as panic surged through him. "Hey, hey, look at me," he said urgently, gently cupping Fourth's face in his hands. "What's happening? Can you breathe?"

Fourth opened his eyes, his gaze blurry and unfocused. "I—I can't... It hurts..."

Gemini's mind raced, his hands trembling as he tried to steady Fourth. He could feel the tremors in his body, the way his chest struggled to expand, and a gut-wrenching fear flooded him. He had seen Fourth's condition worsen, but he had never seen him like this before. Not this bad. Not like this.

"Stay with me, Fourth. You need to focus on your breathing, okay? Just focus on me. I'll get help, I promise," Gemini said, his voice a mixture of panic and determination.

Fourth's breath came in shallow gasps, his chest rising and falling erratically. He seemed to be losing strength, slipping away in front of Gemini's eyes.

"I'm... I'm scared, Gemini," Fourth whispered, his voice barely audible.

"No. No, don't be scared. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere," Gemini insisted, his voice cracking as his fear mounted.

He immediately stood up, his heart pounding in his chest. He had to get Fourth to the hospital. Now.

Gemini moved quickly, trying to remember everything he needed to do in the midst of the panic that was threatening to consume him. He grabbed his phone from the table, his hands shaking as he dialed the emergency number.

As the phone rang, Fourth's condition seemed to worsen. His breathing was so shallow now that Gemini could barely hear it. His face was growing more ashen by the second, and his body was starting to tremble uncontrollably.

"Please, please pick up," Gemini muttered under his breath, his heart in his throat.

Finally, the call was answered. "Emergency services, how can I assist you?"

"I need help," Gemini said, his voice urgent and filled with desperation. "My boyfriend—he's very sick. He's struggling to breathe. We're at Khao Kalok Beach in Pran Buri. Please send an ambulance."

"Stay calm. Help is on the way," the dispatcher said, their voice steady and reassuring. "I'll alert the team immediately."

Gemini hung up the phone, his eyes never leaving Fourth, who was now clutching at his chest, his breaths ragged and labored. Gemini immediately knelt beside him, trying to keep him calm.

"Fourth, stay with me. I've called for help, okay? They're coming. You're going to be okay," Gemini said, trying to steady his voice, though his own fear was rising with each passing second.

Fourth's eyes fluttered open again, and he gave Gemini a small, weak smile, though it was clear how much effort it took. "Gemini..."

"I'm here, I'm right here," Gemini said, brushing the sweat from Fourth's forehead, trying to give him some comfort. "You're going to be fine, I swear."

But even as the words left his mouth, he couldn't help but feel the overwhelming sense of dread creeping over him. He had seen Fourth struggle with his illness before, but this—this felt different. This felt like the end was too close, too real.

Minutes felt like hours, and just as Gemini thought he couldn't take the waiting any longer, the sound of sirens broke through the stillness of the night. The ambulance arrived in a rush, paramedics rushing out to assess Fourth's condition.

Gemini stepped back, his heart in his throat as the medical team worked quickly to stabilize Fourth. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, trying to hold back the flood of emotions that were threatening to burst forth.

"Please be okay. Please," Gemini whispered to himself, watching the paramedics do everything they could.

Fourth's body was limp, his breathing still shallow, but Gemini refused to let himself believe that it was too late. He would fight for Fourth. He would fight with everything he had.