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Chapter Ten__

Fourth's return to the university was a bittersweet affair. As he walked through the familiar halls, the weight of recent events hung heavily in the air. News of Prom's expulsion—a consequence of his reckless actions—brought a wave of relief, but it also stirred an inexplicable sense of pity within Fourth. Was it empathy for a lost friend, or was it merely the shadow of guilt lingering from their shared past? He found it hard to disentangle his emotions, a tangle of relief and sorrow that left him unsettled.

Gemini, true to his word, had become Fourth's constant shadow. He was always near, a protective presence that brought both comfort and a lingering awareness of the deepening bond between them. This newfound intensity in Gemini's demeanor stemmed from a fear that had awakened in him—the fear of almost losing Fourth had ignited an urgent need to safeguard him, a feeling he could no longer ignore. Every time he caught Fourth's eye, his heart raced, a tumult of protectiveness and affection threatening to spill over.

The university felt different now. Whispers and furtive glances, the subtle shifts in their friend group's dynamics, were all telltale signs of the unspoken truth hanging over them. Ford, always close to Gemini, had drawn even nearer, his concern for both of them evident in the gentle way he leaned in during conversations, his eyes searching theirs for reassurance. Satang, once a source of constant bickering with Winny, had transformed into a pillar of support. Their laughter echoed through the hallways like a melodic reminder of their newfound understanding, a stark contrast to the tension that had once defined their interactions.

As lunchtime approached, Fourth felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. When Gemini finally joined their usual table, a palpable shift in the atmosphere enveloped them. Fourth couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in their interactions. Ford and Winny exchanged glances that spoke volumes, while Satang's mischievous smile hinted at secrets shared between them.

"Hey, eat your food," Gemini said, noticing Fourth's gaze drifting toward Winny and Satang. "Don't mind them."

Fourth giggled, a nervous flutter in his chest. "Is there something I missed?" he asked, taking a bite of his sandwich, though his mind was still buzzing with questions.

"Well, no, they just got closer," Gemini mumbled, momentarily forgetting their audience.

"Are you two gossiping about us?" Satang asked, his voice laced with playful challenge.

"Yes. What about it?" Fourth replied, his tone light but laced with curiosity.

Satang raised an eyebrow at Winny, a silent signal that passed unnoticed by Fourth. Suddenly, Winny leaned in, his voice low and teasing. "Do you know, Gemini has to tell you something?"

"What?" Fourth turned to Gemini, a flash of panic in his eyes. "No, no, he's just joking..."

"Oh, are you going to confess now?" Ford added, his casual tone deepening Fourth's bewilderment.

Gemini's eyes widened, darting between his friends and Fourth. "No," he insisted, voice tightening with a hint of desperation. "Don't listen to them."

The table erupted in laughter, their playful banter masking the undercurrent of tension that Fourth could feel like a storm brewing just beneath the surface.

Just then, a voice cut through their chatter. "Can I talk to you two?"

Perth stood behind them, his expression a mix of guilt and apprehension. The silent plea in his gaze was impossible to ignore.

Fourth exchanged a glance with Gemini, who nodded, urging him to follow as they stepped away from the table and into the quiet hallway nearby. The air felt charged with uncertainty, heavy with unspoken words. Perth stood before them, head bowed, the weight of his shame palpable.

For a moment, silence reigned, thick and suffocating. Fourth nudged Gemini, urging him to break the ice. With a shaky breath, Gemini stepped forward, his voice firm but gentle. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I am sorry..." Perth's voice trembled, breaking the stillness. "I'm so sorry for what I did to both of you. I tried to stop him, I really did. But Prom... he wouldn't listen. I thought I could talk some sense into him, but he was stubborn. He told me he was going to do something about Fourth, but I never imagined it would come to this. I am really sorry..."

His words tumbled out in a rush, and then, overwhelmed by emotion, he broke down, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I am so sorry, Fourth. I don't know how to fix this, but I need you to know that I never wanted this to happen." He sank to his knees, a picture of despair.

Fourth instinctively reached out, pulling Perth's arms gently. "There's no need to do this, Perth..."

"No, Fourth." Perth's voice was raw with emotion. "If I had done my best to stop Prom, you wouldn't have ended up in the hospital. We almost kill you once, and yet you didn't wish us ill."

"Perth..." Gemini called softly, moving closer to place a hand on his shoulder. "Please, don't do this. Stand up."

With trembling limbs, Perth rose to his feet, looking at both of them through a haze of tears. The sorrow in his eyes was mirrored by the pain in Fourth's heart.

"Thank you for being honest, Perth," Fourth said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "But please, just give us time."

Gemini patted Perth's shoulder, an anchor in the storm of emotions swirling around them. The three stood in the hallway, an unsteady truce forming amidst the wreckage of trust, each grappling with their own pain and hope for healing.

Days passed, and Gemini and Fourth found themselves inseparable. Their bond had shifted subtly yet profoundly; both noticed it, but neither dared to name it. Gemini was thrilled, even as his plans to confess his feelings for Fourth lingered on the back burner. He relished the moments they shared, content to build a deeper connection before risking their friendship.

On this particular afternoon, Gemini walked Fourth home, their fingers intertwining as if it were the most natural thing in the world. They chatted and laughed, the lightness in the air palpable, until they reached Fourth's house. When they discovered that Tu was still out, Fourth's face brightened with the invitation. "Come on in! Let's grab some snacks."

As they entered the house, Gemini felt his heart race, his thoughts swirling with possibilities. For a moment, it felt like it was just the two of them, a cozy little bubble away from the rest of the world. Settling onto the sofa, he took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in his chest.

Fourth bustled into the kitchen, rummaging for drinks. The sound of clinking glass and the soft rustle of snack wrappers filled the air. In the kitchen's warm glow, Gemini watched Fourth, his heart swelling with affection. Fourth's laughter rang out, bright and contagious, and Gemini couldn't help but smile. There was a sweetness in the way Fourth carried himself, a lightness that made everything feel brighter.

"Hey, do you want lemonade or soda?" Fourth called, peeking his head out from the kitchen.

"Lemonade sounds great!" Gemini replied, trying to sound casual, though his pulse quickened at the thought of Fourth's closeness.

When Fourth returned, he handed Gemini a glass and settled beside him, the sofa barely big enough for the both of them. Their legs brushed together, sending electric shivers up Gemini's spine. The atmosphere shifted; laughter faded into a comfortable silence. They sat close, the distance between them charged with something unspoken.

Fourth took a sip of his drink, his cheeks slightly flushed. "So, what do you think of all the craziness at school lately?" he asked, trying to break the tension.

"It's been... intense," Gemini replied, his gaze locked on Fourth. "But I'm glad you're okay. I've been worried about you."

The sincerity in Gemini's voice made Fourth's heart flutter. He felt a warmth spreading through him, a mixture of gratitude and something deeper. "I appreciate that. It means a lot."

As the conversation shifted, they began to tease each other, the familiar banter flowing easily. But as Gemini leaned closer to whisper a joke, he caught the glimpse of Fourth's shy smile, and everything shifted again. The way Fourth looked at him, with those soft, curious eyes, made Gemini's breath hitch. He realized then that this was more than friendship—he felt a deep, undeniable attraction.

The moments stretched between them, each second filled with potential. Fourth's laughter faded into a soft smile, and they both fell quiet, the air thick with unspoken words. Gemini's heart raced as he considered the weight of the moment. He couldn't ignore the pull between them any longer.

"Fourth..." Gemini started, his voice barely a whisper.

"Yes?" Fourth looked up, his eyes wide and inviting.

"I... I know you feel it too," Gemini confessed, his heart pounding. "And I don't want to hide it anymore."

Fourth's breath caught, the blush on his cheeks deepening. "What do you mean?"

"I like you, Fourth. More than just as a friend." Gemini's words tumbled out, raw and honest, hanging between them like a fragile promise. 

"Since when?" Fourth asking gasping to whatever Gemini is saying to him. "I don't know when it happen but I just know, one day I don't see you as friend anymore and been wanting more than that." 

Fourth looked at Gemini's eyes, he can feel his sincerity and Fourth would be lying if he would say that he didn't catch feelings to Gemini too all this time. 

The honesty between them sparked a new kind of energy, one that seemed to light up the space around them.

"Can we take this slow?" Fourth asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course," Gemini replied, a smile breaking across his face. "I wouldn't want it any other way.

End of Chapter Ten