Chapter 5

(A.N: Double update today cuz it's been in the drafts for way too long😉)

3rd person pov:

Fourth sat by the window, watching the light outside fade as dusk settled over the house. The room felt smaller now, quieter than usual, and the soft hum of the air conditioner was the only sound that filled the space. He had been staring at the same spot for a while—too long, really—but he couldn't seem to tear his gaze away. His thoughts drifted back to dinner, to the way Gemini had looked at him when he hesitated to join him, to the softness in his voice when he had asked if he was sure he didn't want anything.

It had been so long since someone had offered to do something just for him.

He wasn't used to this. The kindness. The care. The quiet concern that had settled into Gemini's actions since he arrived. It made Fourth feel... strange. Uncomfortable, almost. He wasn't used to people looking at him like that—like he mattered, like his well-being was important enough to interrupt someone's day.

He thought about what Gemini had said after dinner, about taking a break, asking him if he had ever seen the ocean. He had given a simple answer—no, he hadn't. But it was a half-truth. He had wanted to see it, yes. But the more important question was: Why did he even want to?

He turned his gaze back to the window. He was no different from the quiet ripples of the water that Gemini had described. He felt like he was just going through the motions, moving through life without really being a part of it. He had learned how to protect himself from the pain of expectation, of connection. It was easier that way. Keep everything at arm's length and you wouldn't get hurt.

But with Gemini, it was harder. Gemini didn't just offer care from a distance. He was close. His presence was steady and warm, always just there, like an unspoken promise. It was unsettling. And for the first time in a long while, Fourth wasn't sure if he wanted to keep pushing it away.

His thoughts were interrupted by the faint sound of footsteps from the hallway, followed by the soft knock on his door. He didn't need to look to know who it was.

"Fourth?" Gemini's voice was gentle, almost cautious. "Can I come in?"

It was a simple question, but Fourth felt his stomach tighten. He was suddenly aware of how long he had been sitting there, lost in his thoughts. He didn't want to seem too distant, too unwilling, but... part of him didn't want to let Gemini in.

He cleared his throat before replying, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah. Come in."

The door opened slowly, and Gemini stepped inside, his figure a silhouette against the dimming light. His presence was calming, almost grounding. But Fourth resisted the urge to smile or react in any way. He didn't want to give anything away. Not yet.

Gemini stood in the middle of the room, watching him for a moment before speaking. "I was wondering... if you'd like to watch something? A movie, maybe? Or if you just want to hang out, I'm okay with that, too."

Fourth didn't answer right away. He couldn't decide if he wanted to be alone or if he wanted to do what Gemini was suggesting. On one hand, being alone was easier. It was safe. But the thought of sitting with Gemini, of sharing a moment, made something stir inside him. Something unfamiliar and unsettling.

"I don't... usually watch movies," Fourth finally said, his voice quieter than he intended.

Gemini's expression softened, but he didn't push the matter. "Okay. Well, if you change your mind, I'm just outside. You don't have to answer right away."

And with that, Gemini gave him a small smile, one that didn't reach the corners of his eyes as much as it should have, but it was still there, warm and understanding. He stepped back toward the door, leaving the space between them wide open.

Fourth watched him leave, the door clicking softly as it shut behind him. The room felt empty again, but this time, it wasn't the same as before. The absence of Gemini's presence was more noticeable, more pronounced. Fourth hated how much it bothered him. How much it made him question himself.

He didn't want to need anyone. He didn't want to rely on anyone. But there was something about Gemini that was different, something that made him feel like maybe—just maybe—he could allow himself to depend on him.

But that thought terrified him.

He leaned back against the headboard of his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He had always been alone. He had always been the one to fend for himself. He wasn't used to someone showing this kind of care, this kind of attention, without expecting anything in return. It made him feel vulnerable—too vulnerable.

He sighed, reaching for his phone to distract himself, but his mind kept returning to Gemini's smile, to the way he'd spoken to him. I'm just here for you, it felt like Gemini's words had meant. I'm not asking for anything. I'm just here.

Fourth didn't know how to handle that. It was too much, too overwhelming, and yet... it was also the thing that made him want to reach out.

He closed his eyes, pushing the thoughts away. He needed to focus, to clear his mind. But deep down, something had already shifted inside him. It was too late to ignore it now.

Later that night, Fourth found himself standing by the window again, looking out into the darkness. It wasn't like he expected to find answers in the empty sky, but there was something about the stillness, the quietness of the world outside, that made him feel less alone.

Maybe, just maybe, Gemini wasn't like everyone else. Maybe he could be something more than just someone who showed up when asked. Maybe he could be the person Fourth could lean on.

But that was a dangerous thought. One that Fourth wasn't sure he was ready to face.