Chapter 8

(A.N: Happy New Year to all my ducklings🎉)

3rd person pov:

The evening light filtered through the windows, casting a soft, golden hue over the living room. Fourth sat on the couch, his legs tucked underneath him, eyes focused on the screen of his laptop. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, but his thoughts seemed miles away. The quiet hum of the air conditioning, the faint rustling of the trees outside, and the soft clicking of keys were the only sounds filling the room.

Gemini sat across the room, seated at the kitchen counter with a cup of tea in his hands. His gaze occasionally shifted over to Fourth, watching him with a soft expression. It wasn't a stare—it was a quiet observation, a silent understanding that came from being in the same space together without the need for words.

There were times when Gemini found it difficult to find the right thing to say. Fourth was always so... guarded. Even when he was present in the room, it often felt like his mind was somewhere far off, lost in thoughts only he could fully grasp. But Gemini didn't mind the silence. In fact, he had come to appreciate it in a way he hadn't expected.

He wasn't the kind of person who needed constant chatter or attention. He found peace in the quiet moments, the kind where two people simply existed together without pressure. And that was how it felt now, sitting across the room from Fourth—comfortable, despite the lack of words.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable. It was a kind of unspoken bond, one that didn't need to be filled with anything. It was just enough for Gemini to know Fourth was there, the quiet presence of another person in the room bringing a kind of peace that was rare for him. It reminded him of home in a way—familiar and gentle, with no expectations attached.

Every now and then, Fourth would glance over at him, as if unsure whether to speak or not. But Gemini could see it in the way his eyes softened, the faint tilt of his head that suggested he was processing something, or perhaps simply acknowledging the comfort of having someone nearby. Gemini didn't move, didn't push. He just let the moments pass naturally, respecting the space Fourth needed while remaining close enough to offer reassurance without words.

After a while, Fourth closed his laptop with a soft sigh, running a hand through his hair. He leaned back into the couch, his gaze drifting to the window, his mind seemingly still elsewhere. Gemini's gaze never wavered, but his focus remained on Fourth, quietly hoping that the stillness would eventually ease some of the tension he could see in the other man's shoulders.

Then, without warning, Fourth's voice broke the silence, so soft it was almost a whisper. "I'm sorry if I've been distant... I don't mean to be."

Gemini's heart shifted, his eyes softening with understanding. He hadn't expected the admission, but he wasn't surprised by it either. It was just like Fourth to hold things inside, to struggle with expressing what he truly felt.

"You don't have to apologize," Gemini said, his voice steady, as he set his cup down and stood. "I get it, Fourth. You don't have to talk if you're not ready. I'm just here."

Fourth's eyes flicked to him, and for a moment, there was a hesitation there—like he wasn't sure what to do with the reassurance. But then, he slowly nodded, the tension in his body easing just a fraction.

Gemini moved over to the couch and sat next to him, keeping a respectful distance. He didn't want to crowd Fourth. He simply wanted to offer the comfort of his presence, the quiet understanding that sometimes, words weren't necessary. The space between them felt natural, neither too close nor too far.

For a few moments, they sat there in silence, both of them content in the quiet. Gemini could hear the faint sound of Fourth's breathing, steady and calm. It was enough. It always had been, even when he hadn't realized it.

"I know you don't like being in the hospital," Gemini said after a while, breaking the silence with something simple, something easy. "But... I want you to know, if you ever need someone to talk to, or just sit with you, I'll be here."

Fourth's eyes met his, and this time, there was a quiet gratitude in his gaze. "Thanks," he murmured, his voice barely audible, but it carried weight. "I... I don't know how to explain it, but sometimes it's hard to have people around. I don't want them to feel sorry for me."

Gemini nodded, understanding more than Fourth realized. "I'm not here to feel sorry for you. I'm here because I want to be."

For a long moment, Fourth didn't say anything, but the way his shoulders seemed to relax and the way he settled into the couch told Gemini that his words had found their mark. There was no need for more explanation, no need for any grand gestures. Just this—just the quiet comfort of being together, sharing space without pressure.

As the evening drew on, the room grew darker, the only light coming from the soft glow of the lamp by the window. Gemini stayed by Fourth's side, content in the stillness. There were no demands, no expectations—just the quiet reassurance that, in this moment, they were not alone.

Sometimes, comfort didn't need to be loud or overt. Sometimes, it was found in the small, silent moments, where two people shared space without needing to say a word. And for Gemini, that was enough.

He stayed there, feeling the soft presence of Fourth next to him, and he realized that, in a way, they had already begun to understand each other without saying a single thing. And that, too, was a kind of connection—one that didn't need words to be understood.