Chapter 39

3rd person pov:

The hospital room was quiet,except for the rhythmic beeping of machines and the soft rustle of the curtains as the wind outside whispered through the open window. The afternoon sun filtered through the blinds, casting gentle patterns of light on the floor. Fourth lay on the bed, his frail body almost swallowed by the blankets, his face pale but peaceful. His once-vibrant eyes now seemed distant, lost in thoughts he didn't share.

Gemini sat at his side, his fingers gently tracing the back of Fourth's hand. He had been here for hours, never leaving his side, not even to eat or sleep. He didn't need to. He couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

"Gemini..." Fourth's voice was weak, but it still carried the same warmth Gemini had come to cherish. It was one of the things that kept him anchored to this moment, to this life they were sharing, despite its fleeting nature.

"Yeah?" Gemini whispered, leaning in a little closer, his heart thumping in his chest.

"I... hate this," Fourth murmured, his fingers twitching slightly. "I hate that you're stuck here with me... I'm... I'm ruining your life."

Gemini's chest tightened. He hadn't been prepared for this moment, though deep down, he knew it would come. He had to be strong—for Fourth, for himself.

"Hey," Gemini said softly, holding Fourth's hand tighter, "you're not ruining my life. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. You know that, right?"

Fourth's lips twitched into a small, sad smile. "I don't deserve you."

Gemini shook his head firmly, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside. "No, you do. You deserve everything. More than I could ever give you, but I'll give you everything I have. I promise."

There was a long pause. Fourth closed his eyes, his breath shallow. It felt like the room itself was holding its breath, waiting for the next words, the next moment.

"Gemini..." Fourth said, his voice more urgent now, a hint of frustration seeping through. "I don't have time. I don't have time for all the things I wanted. To do things with you. To love you properly..."

Gemini's heart wrenched. He gently cupped Fourth's cheek, lifting his head slightly so their eyes met. "You've done more than I ever imagined possible. More than I ever deserved. And you don't need more time to prove that. You've already given me everything I need. Your love. Your heart. That's all I've ever wanted."

Fourth blinked back tears, looking away to the window, as though the world outside might offer him some kind of escape from the overwhelming reality. His chest heaved with a quiet sob that he quickly swallowed, trying to be strong, to fight against the weakness that was taking over him.

"I'm scared, Gemini," Fourth admitted, his voice raw and fragile. "I'm scared of leaving you. Of leaving all of this behind. I wish I could fight this... I wish I could be the person you need me to be..."

Gemini's heart broke for him. He had never seen Fourth so vulnerable, so stripped of the strength he always tried to hide behind. It was the side of him that Gemini cherished most—the one that allowed him to love him fully, without the fear of rejection.

"You don't have to be anyone other than who you are," Gemini said, his voice low, but full of unwavering certainty. "I don't need a perfect version of you, Fourth. I just need you. You're already enough."

Fourth closed his eyes tightly, tears spilling over. "I just wish that we could've found each other earlier because it's too late now.I'm sorry... I didn't want to leave you like this. I wanted more time... I wanted to see us grow old together."

Gemini leaned in, pressing his forehead against Fourth's. He could feel the coolness of his skin, the weight of his frailty, but it didn't matter. In this moment, all that mattered was the love they shared, the time they had, however short it was.

"At least we did find each other,didn't we?," Gemini whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here. Always."

The night had settled over the hospital, the soft glow of moonlight casting a pale light across the room. Gemini hadn't left Fourth's side, even as he drifted in and out of sleep, his breathing shallow, his body weakened by the illness that ravaged him from the inside.

Pond and Phuwin had stopped by earlier, their concern etched on their faces. They knew how hard this was for Gemini, but they also understood the bond that had formed between him and Fourth. Still, no words could fill the empty space left by the inevitable truth.

"Gemini," Phuwin said quietly, resting a hand on his shoulder as he stood at the doorway. "We've talked. We're here for you. And for Fourth."

Gemini nodded without looking up. He didn't need words. The weight of everything—the love, the pain, the fear—was too much to bear for too long. But he was here. And he would stay here.

By the time morning light began to creep through the window, Fourth's breathing had slowed, his chest rising and falling with increasing difficulty. The machines beeped softly, a constant reminder of the time they had left.

Gemini held his hand, as he had all night, unable to imagine a world without him.

"I'm not afraid anymore," Fourth whispered, his voice barely audible, but it was enough for Gemini to hear. "I know you'll be okay. You're strong, Gemini. Stronger than you think."

Gemini fought the tears, nodding quietly. "I'll be okay, because I'll carry you with me. Always. I promise."

With those final words, Fourth's breath came to a gentle stop, and the room was filled with a silence that no longer held the weight of words—only the memory of a love that would never fade.

Gemini sat there for a long time, not moving, just holding his hand, feeling the warmth of the love that would stay with him forever.

(A.N: Anyone cutting onions cuz that's all I've been doing since the last few chapters😭)