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Chapter Text

Gemini took a deep breath, staring at his reflection in the mirror. His own weary eyes met his gaze, filled with exhaustion, doubt, and something he refused to name. His chest felt tight, his throat dry. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He wasn't supposed to feel this way.

His fingers curled into fists. Not again.

The thoughts never stopped. They clawed at him, relentless, dragging him back into emotions he didn't want to name. No matter how hard he fought, they came for him-haunting, suffocating.

He told himself it wasn't real. It couldn't be. But the ache in his chest said otherwise. He was losing himself to something he had no control over. And that terrified him.

His breath shuddered. He had spent so long building walls, convincing himself they were unbreakable. But cracks were forming, splintering with every moment of weakness. No matter how desperately he tried to seal them, something inside him was slipping through-something dangerous, something he didn't want to understand.

He had to fight it. He had to. If he ignored it long enough, it would disappear. It had to.

But deep down, a chilling truth settled in his bones.

He was fighting a battle he had already lost.

And he wasn't sure he wanted to win.

Chapter Text

Gemini takes a deep breath as he steps into the café. It was supposed to be a normal morning. Just coffee. Just a quiet moment to himself.

But then-

A voice.

It cuts through the noise like an uninvited melody, wrapping around him, pulling him back into a place he swore he wouldn't return to. His fingers tighten around the cup in his hand. He doesn't turn around. He doesn't have to. That voice is burned into his memory.

I should leave.

The thought comes, sharp and immediate, but his feet don't move. Instead, he stands there, frozen in place, pretending to look at the menu even though he's already ordered. His heart betrays him, racing in a way it has no right to.

And then-laughter.

Light. Unbothered. So close.

Something inside him twists. He should be fine. He should be over this. But hearing that voice, that laughter-knowing it's near yet untouchable-makes it hard to breathe.

Gemini forces himself to take a step forward, gripping the edge of the counter like it's the only thing keeping him standing. He doesn't dare look back. If he does, he knows he'll fall all over again.

Forget. Forget. Forget.

The words repeat like a mantra in his head, but deep down, he knows-some things refuse to be forgotten.

Chapter Text

Gemini's grip on the counter tightened as the laughter faded into casual conversation. He willed himself to move, to step away before the past could sink its claws deeper into him. But then-

"Hey, we know each other, right? College?"

His breath hitched. That voice-closer now. Casual. Unaware.

He turned slightly, just enough to confirm what he already knew. The person standing there, holding a tray, looked at him with mild curiosity but no real weight behind the words. Like it was just something said in passing, something forgettable.

"Yeah," Gemini forced out, his voice carefully neutral. "College."

A small nod, as if that was enough. "Thought so. Hey, could you pass me a napkin?"

For a second, Gemini considered ignoring it, pretending he hadn't heard. But his body betrayed him. His fingers moved on their own, grabbing a napkin from the dispenser and handing it over without daring to look up.

"Thanks, man."

And just like that, it was over. A passing moment, nothing more. To the other person, it was a simple exchange. To Gemini, it was another fracture in the dam he had carefully built around his emotions.

His fingers curled slightly, a phantom touch lingering where they had brushed against the napkin. A memory surfaced-uninvited, unstoppable.

----
Flashback ~

The first days of college had been suffocating. Gemini had kept to himself, avoiding eye contact, keeping his world small and quiet. He didn't speak unless spoken to, didn't sit anywhere but the corners of the classroom, unnoticed, untouched. It was easier that way. Safer.

Until that person entered his world.

"Hey, is this seat taken?" The voice had been light, effortlessly warm.

Gemini barely looked up, expecting the same polite indifference everyone else had. He gave a slight shake of his head, barely acknowledging them.

"I'm gonna take that as a no." The person laughed, sliding into the seat beside him without hesitation.

Gemini didn't respond. He wasn't interested in small talk, wasn't looking for company. His mind was too cluttered, too weighed down by things no one would ever see. And yet, the person beside him didn't seem to mind. They talked, filling the space between them with easy words and casual remarks, never once expecting a response.

"You're quiet, huh? That's cool. I talk enough for both of us."

Gemini didn't react. He kept his gaze ahead, his fingers tapping idly against his notebook. The words barely reached him-just another voice in the background, another presence that would fade away like all the others.

But they didn't fade.

At first, Gemini thought it was coincidence. A random seating choice. But when it kept happening-day after day, the same presence settling beside him, the same easy laughter filling the space-he began to wonder.

He told himself it didn't matter. That he didn't care. And yet, no matter how much he tried to ignore it, that presence remained-steady, unwavering, slipping through the cracks of his carefully built walls before he even realized they were there.

Then, one day, they weren't there.

At first, he barely noticed. Then, he did.

When the consistent presence was no longer beside him, he felt it like an ache he couldn't name. The silence that had once been his shield now pressed against him, heavier than he expected. He told himself it didn't matter-that nothing had changed-but the absence lingered, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts. He hadn't asked for them to be there, hadn't wanted anyone in his carefully guarded space. And yet, now that they were gone, he found himself searching for the familiar warmth, the quiet reassurance that he wasn't as invisible as he wanted to be. That someone had noticed him, even when he wasn't ready to be seen.

He never asked for it. Never reached out. But somehow, without him realizing, something had started.

At the time, he hadn't understood why. Hadn't cared to.

----

Now, standing in the café, feeling the weight of the past pressing down on him, he realized it had all started there.

And no matter how much he tried to move on, some things refused to be forgotten.

Gemini exhaled slowly, his grip on the counter loosening. He told himself this moment didn't matter. That it was just another fleeting encounter. But as the other person walked away, not looking back, something inside him ached with a quiet, unspoken truth.

Maybe, just maybe, he had wanted to be remembered.

Chapter Text

Gemini exhaled slowly, his grip on the counter loosening. He told himself this moment didn't matter. That it was just another fleeting encounter. But as the other person walked away, not looking back, something inside him ached with a quiet, unspoken truth.

Maybe, just maybe, he had wanted to be remembered.

He sat there long after the moment had passed, hands wrapped around the warmth of his coffee, staring blankly at the surface of the liquid. The café around him hummed with quiet conversations, the occasional clink of cups filling the space, but everything felt distant-muted, as if he were somewhere else entirely.

His chest tightened as his gaze flickered toward the door, the weight of an old, buried ache settling over him. Two years. That was how long he had spent convincing himself that none of it mattered. That none of it had ever mattered.

And yet, in the span of a heartbeat, everything unraveled.

The noise around him dulled, fading into nothing as a memory surfaced-one he had no power to stop.

---------
Flashback ~

The first day, he had ignored him. Or at least, he had tried to.

Gemini wasn't the kind to seek company, nor did he crave it. He had built walls so high that even he had forgotten what it felt like to have someone step too close. And yet, despite his silence, the second person had found his way in slowly, persistently, in a way Gemini never expected.

He never asked anything of him. Never demanded, never expected. Just existed beside him, like an unwavering presence, like a quiet assurance. It was strange, unsettling even, to have someone who didn't push but still stayed.

"I see you here a lot," the second person had said one day, settling beside him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Gemini hadn't responded. He had just kept his head down, focusing on the book in front of him, pretending he hadn't heard.

But he had.

He always heard. And he always noticed.

The second person never pushed for answers, never filled the silence with meaningless words. He simply sat there, talking about things Gemini didn't think mattered about the campus, about the weather, about whatever book he was reading.

Little by little, it became familiar. The sound of his voice, the easy way he existed next to him without pressing for anything more. It was the first time Gemini had ever felt something like that, and before he knew it, it became a part of his routine. A part of his days.

One afternoon, as they sat together, the second person glanced over at him, a slight grin tugging at his lips. "Hey, we've been sticking around together every day, but I don't even know your name," he said casually, as if it were the most obvious thing to say. "I'm Fourth. And you...?"

Gemini blinked, caught off guard by the directness. His throat felt dry as he responded quietly, "Gemini."

Fourth's smile widened, and there was a warmth to it that Gemini couldn't ignore. "Nice to meet you, Gemini," he said, his tone light and unpressured. "Glad to finally know your name."

Just like that. Simple. No expectations. And yet, somehow, it felt like a moment that shifted something deep inside him.

--------

Gemini blinked, coming back to reality. The air in the cafe felt heavier now, suffocating. Across the room, Fourth's presence seemed just as effortless as it had those first days-two years ago. But to Gemini, those two years had meant everything. They were the years spent in silence, trying to forget, trying to convince himself that nothing had ever really mattered. Yet, here he was, still haunted by the same face, the same voice.

Chapter Text

The canteen was crowded, filled with the usual noise of overlapping conversations and the clatter of trays against tables. Gemini barely registered any of it. His focus was elsewhere-on the unmistakable presence just a few steps away.

One week. That was all it had been. And yet, here they were again.

He hadn't planned on this. Their paths had never crossed so easily before. For two years, it had been effortless to exist separately. So why now? Why again?

His fingers curled into his palms as he kept his head down, willing himself to disappear into the routine of the moment. Get his food. Find a seat. Leave. But even as he tried to focus, the weight of another's gaze settled on him-steady, unreadable.

Fourth noticed him.

It wasn't deliberate. Not at first. He hadn't been searching for Gemini, yet the moment he spotted him, something shifted. A flicker of recognition, a pause so brief that no one else would have noticed.

For Fourth, Gemini had been a distant memory. Someone he once knew, nothing more. Or at least, that was what he had convinced himself. But seeing him now-twice in a week after two years of nothing-unsettled something deep inside him.

His fingers twitched slightly, barely noticeable, before he masked it by shifting his drink. And before he could think better of it, he moved.

Gemini heard the footsteps before he saw him.

Slow. Unhurried. Yet, each step struck him like a pulse of panic, tightening around his chest like an unseen force.

No. Not again.

The space between them was closing, second by second, breath by breath. He didn't have to look up to know it was him.

He'll come closer. He'll act like nothing happened. Like the past doesn't exist.

His fingers curled around the edge of his tray, knuckles white. The air felt too thick, too stifling, pressing against his skin like a weight he couldn't shake off. His breath came unevenly, his pulse hammering against his ribs in warning.

He'll make me feel safe again.

And then-he'll leave.

Gemini turned sharply, his body tensed, already thinking of an excuse, an escape. He wouldn't let himself fall into that cycle again. He couldn't.

But then-

"Hey," Fourth's voice was easy, almost amused, as if nothing had changed.

Gemini forced a breath through his nose, keeping his expression blank. "Hey," he muttered, already stepping back. "I was just about to-"

"Sit with me."

The words were casual. A simple invitation. Yet, they hit Gemini like a trap snapping shut.

He hesitated. "I should-"

"Come on," Fourth cut in smoothly, gesturing to an empty seat at his table. "It's just a seat. You don't have to stay long."

Gemini knew he should refuse. He wanted to refuse.

But he didn't.

Something in him resisted walking away-his damn innate morals, the part of him that couldn't just brush off a gesture so effortlessly extended. Even as his heart screamed at him to leave, his feet remained planted.

And in the end, without another word, he sat.

Fourth leaned back slightly, a half-smile tugging at his lips. If he noticed the hesitation, the unease, he didn't mention it. Instead, he simply picked up his drink, taking a slow sip before speaking.

"Didn't think we'd run into each other twice in a week," he mused, tapping his fingers lightly against his glass. "What are the chances, huh?"

Gemini stayed quiet, staring at his tray.

Fourth studied him for a second-subtle, but there. His gaze wasn't idle. He was observing. The tension in Gemini's shoulders. The way his fingers curled slightly against the tray, as if bracing for something. The way he avoided looking up.

Fourth chuckled lightly. "Guess we're just lucky."

Gemini froze for half a second.

Huh?

He remembered that? Remembered me?

A quiet, unsteady breath slipped through his lips before he could stop it. His chest tightened, an almost painful squeeze that spread through his ribs, leaving a strange, hollow warmth in its wake.

He had assumed the café was nothing-a passing moment, easily forgotten. But Fourth had noticed. Acknowledged it.

It didn't seem like he remembered back then. But still... he did.

Chapter Text

The canteen was too loud. Too crowded. Too suffocating.

Gemini barely touched his food. His grip on the tray tightened, the edges digging into his palms as Fourth's voice drifted over the noise-casual, familiar, like no time had passed at all.

"Still the quiet type, huh? Guess you haven't changed much."

Gemini stiffened. The question was simple, but the way Fourth said it-like he remembered, like he had been paying attention-made something twist in his chest. He couldn't breathe. He looked down, trying to hide the sudden lump in his throat.

Focus. Just focus.

He forced himself to shrug, keeping his voice even. "It's just food."

Fourth hummed, taking a slow sip of his drink. "Guess some things don't change."

But everything had changed. Two years had passed. This conversation shouldn't be happening. Gemini shouldn't be sitting here.

The air felt too thick. He couldn't breathe.

A quick glance at Fourth, with that smile, and Gemini felt the panic rise in his chest. It's happening again. Why now? Why here?

He felt the weight of his past-of everything unresolved-pressing in on him. No, not this again.

"I just remembered something," Gemini said abruptly, his voice flat, though his pulse was anything but steady. He stood, pushing the tray aside with more force than necessary. The words spilled out before he could think. "I have to go."

Fourth blinked, caught off guard. "Oh. Right. Yeah, sure."

Gemini didn't wait for a response. His heart hammered against his ribs as he turned, feet moving before his brain could catch up. Every step was urgent, pulling him further from the noise, from Fourth, from the questions clawing at him.

He didn't stop until he was outside, the cool air hitting his skin with a sharp sting. He inhaled deeply, trying to ground himself. Not again. Not this. Don't let it happen.

The panic still churned in his chest. He couldn't stop thinking about it. He couldn't stop thinking about him.

He clenched his fists, the tremor in his hands betraying him. His mind raced-Go home. Focus on work. The club, anything. Anything but this.

The art of slipping away from overwhelming feelings was something he had perfected. When the weight of emotions threatened to crush him, he knew exactly how to disappear, to lose himself before it all consumed him. It wasn't avoidance; it was survival.

It had started with small things-days he spent locked in his room, pretending the world didn't exist. The first time he'd run, it had been after a family argument. The second, after a fight with someone he thought was a friend. And with each time, the feeling of control, the act of shutting it all out, became easier. Running wasn't just an escape; it was his way of regaining power, of feeling like he could breathe again.

And now, he had to do it again.

He didn't think about it. He just ran.

His feet moved on their own, the rhythm of his steps steady, almost mechanical. It wasn't about speed or strength-it was about the release, the space between his breaths, the space between his thoughts. His mind was a blur of noise, but there was no time to focus on that. No time to wonder why it hurt. He didn't have the luxury of understanding why it felt this way, or why he couldn't stop feeling it. All he knew was that he had to keep moving. It was the only way to make it stop.

Every step pulled him further from the canteen, from the questions that clawed at him, from the feeling that wouldn't let go. He didn't need to understand why he felt this way, or why he couldn't stop feeling it. He just needed to make it stop.

He ran because, for those few moments, his body felt alive. The weight in his chest lightened with every breath, every footfall. It was as though, in the endless stretch of the street, he could lose himself completely-escape all of it.

It wasn't about running toward anything. It was about running away.

And for now, that was enough.

Chapter Text

For the first week, Gemini ignored it. The second, he told himself it didn't matter. By the first month, he convinced himself it was just coincidence. Two months in, he was out of excuses.

Fourth had approached him once-Gemini avoided eye contact. Twice-he feigned distraction. Thrice-he walked away. But Fourth kept trying. The encounters were too frequent to be chance, too persistent to ignore. Still, Gemini refused to acknowledge them.

Until one day, he felt it again-that weight of a presence approaching, the crawl of anticipation beneath his skin.

He braced himself.

But then, Fourth paused.

Gemini's breath hitched. For the first time, Fourth hesitated.

Before he could process it, a voice broke through.

"Hey, stranger."

Gemini turned. His eyes widened.

Nia.

The one person he hadn't seen in two long years.

His best friend. His comfort zone. The only person he could ever really call family.

For a second, he didn't move-just stared, as if his mind couldn't catch up with what his heart already knew.

Then came the breath. Then movement.

He stepped forward and pulled her into a hug-one that said more than words ever could. It wasn't dramatic or loud. Just real. Like a weight slipping off his shoulders.

She hugged him back without hesitation, like the gap between them had never existed. Pulling back just enough to see her face, Gemini blinked hard. “You came back... when?” His voice held both shock and something softer—relief.
“Last week,” she grinned. “Still unpacking.”

And in that quiet moment, Gemini felt something he hadn't felt in a long, long time-peace. The kind only she ever brought with her.

A voice interrupted. "Well, that was unexpected."

Nia blinked. "And who are you?"

Fourth smiled lightly. "Just passing by."

Gemini frowned. The tone, the pause-it unsettled him. What had he expected?

But before he could figure it out, the moment slipped. Campus noise filled the silence. Fourth met his gaze once more, then turned and walked away.

No goodbye. Just distance.

Nia studied Gemini. "You good?"

No, but he nodded.

"Great," she grinned. "Then you're walking me out."

-

The sun dipped low as they walked. Quiet, easy, like old times. Nia glanced at him. "I have a favor to ask."

He raised an eyebrow.

"My parents are back. They want you to come for dinner too."

"Me?"

"Apparently, they still remember you. Shocking, right?"

Gemini chuckled quietly. Not shocking at all.

"You in?"

He hesitated. But when he met her gaze, something eased.

"...Yeah. I'm in."

"Good," she said, smug. "Told them you'd come."

Of course, she did.

-

Nia's house hadn't changed. Warm lights, familiar smells, her mother's embrace at the door.

"Gemini! It's been too long."

Her father's calm nod followed. "Still as quiet as ever?"

"Still here," Gemini replied with a soft breath.

Dinner was easy-conversation, warmth, the kind of familiarity that made him feel less alone. Somewhere between being teased, scolded, and pulled into memories, Gemini felt it: he wasn't just sitting at a table. He was part of it.

He wasn't passing through. He belonged.

-

Later, on the porch, the night quiet around them, Nia stretched with a content sigh. "Told you it wouldn't be a bad idea."

"I never said it was," Gemini replied.

"You hesitated."

"...Maybe."

She didn't push. Just let the silence settle.

Then, softer, "I'm glad you came."

He exhaled, eyes on the street. "Yeah. Me too."

And he meant it.

Because for once, this warmth... was something he didn't want to run from.

But even as he sat with that warmth, a part of him knew-it never lasted.
And he was starting to wonder if he was meant to live without it.

The next morning felt... lighter.

Gemini walked to college with a strange sense of ease. Not joy, not excitement-but something less heavy than usual. The kind of calm that settles after a storm, even if the clouds are still above.

Nia didn't text. She just showed up outside campus that afternoon, waving like she belonged there.

And maybe, she always had.

One day turned into two. A week passed. Then two.

She started picking him up after lectures-sometimes waiting outside with iced tea, sometimes dragging him straight to that ramen place she insisted tasted better in his memories.

He didn't fight it.

In between classes, she'd swing by when he had a break. They'd wander around campus-her pretending to be a student, him pretending not to enjoy showing her the spots he used to hide in.

She talked a lot. Gemini didn't.

But with her, silence never felt awkward. It felt like breathing.

And slowly, almost without realizing, he started breathing again.

-

Another day.

Gemini sat with Nia on the grass under a shaded tree, their half-finished drinks beside them. Her laugh echoed through the quiet, and for a moment, he laughed too.

Not because something was funny.

But because he could.

-

Fourth's POV (present time)

From the distance, I watched them.

Same spot. Same smile. Same Gemini-but not quite.

This one laughed. Smiled, even. Walked slower. Spoke more.

With her.

I stood near the staircase, a few steps above the courtyard. From there, it wasn't hard to see them. Just hard to look away.

This wasn't the first time I'd seen them together. The first time was two years ago. A café. Some ordinary afternoon. I'd walked in, and there they were-sitting close, talking like they always had. He was laughing. Open. At ease in a way he never was with me.

And maybe that was the moment something in me shifted.

I'd been trying to talk to him for weeks before that. Reaching out, starting conversations, showing up. I was never the quiet type-but Gemini made me feel like I should be. Like I was reaching toward someone who didn't want to be reached.

He kept his distance, even when I didn't. He barely spoke to me anymore. And it irritated me-how easily he seemed to speak with her, how quickly he opened up, when with me... it always felt like I was pushing against a wall.

I didn't know what it was I felt back then. I still don't. But it stung.

So I distanced myself.

And then, I got busy-college, deadlines, life. I told myself I had enough going on.

And maybe I did.

But still... something lingered.

A quiet sting. Not loud enough to stop me, just enough to sit there, tucked somewhere beneath the noise.

I wasn't the kind to dwell. I laughed, moved on, kept people around me smiling-like I always did.

But even then, there were moments I'd wonder.

Why did it feel so hard to reach him?

Why did he seem so distant-with me, specifically?

Everyone else, I never had to try this hard. But with him... it felt like I was speaking through glass.

And that discomfort-whatever it was-I buried it. Moved past it. Or at least I thought I did.

But now, two years later, standing here again, looking at them...

It's still there.

That same weird ache.

And I still don't know why it matters so much.

Chapter Text

*******

POV: Gemini

It had been days.

Days since Fourth last tried to reach me.

The last time was when Nia had suddenly appeared-bright, warm, and unexpected, like she always was. She had barely spoken a few words before Fourth had stepped away again.

And since then... nothing.

Not a glance. Not a pause.

He had seen me-just once, briefly, in passing. Our eyes met. That was it. No steps toward me. No words. He just walked by like none of it had ever happened.

On one side, I felt relieved. Like I should. Like I was supposed to.

Wasn't this what I wanted?

But somewhere deeper-where all the quiet, unspoken things settle-it bothered me.

And I hated that. Because I couldn't even name it.

It was like something had been tapping at the edges of my mind for weeks-soft, annoying, uninvited. But now that the tapping had stopped, it felt worse.

The silence was louder.

Why did it feel worse now?

I didn't know.

But it reminded me of something. A cycle.

Two years ago, the same thing had happened.

Fourth walked into my life-casual, open, too easy to be real. He talked. He smiled. He stayed. Then he disappeared.

And back then, I convinced myself I was right. That I made the right choice by keeping my walls up. By pretending not to care. By being safe.

And now, here we are again.

Same rhythm. Same steps.

He came again. He tried. And then-gone.

And the worst part?

This time, it wasn't even his fault.

It was me. I was the one who turned away. I was the one who kept my head down. I was the one who didn't give space to anything. Not even something casual. Not even something harmless.

I knew it. And still... it pinched.

Like those answers we already know-answers we choose-but when they finally show up, they hurt in ways we didn't expect.

That's what this was.

It hurt, and I didn't want it to. I didn't want to feel anything.

What even was this?

I never gave it a name. I never wanted to. Maybe I didn't even have the courage to. Not now.

Too many things were already written into my life. Loss. Distance. Fading connections. I had already let go of too much.

And maybe that's why the ache lingered.

Some things-we choose. We walk away. We avoid. We act like we don't feel it. And then when the silence settles in, we're the ones hurting.

That's me now.

Not in some loud, dramatic way. Just quietly.

Like a small, constant sting behind the ribs that refuses to leave.

---

POV: Nia

I saw it from the beginning.

The moment I stepped into that café and found him sitting there-still, tucked into himself-I knew something wasn't right.

Gemini was always quiet. But that day? That day was different.

There was a shadow in his silence. A shift in his stillness.

And then, there was a boy.

He stood near the table, looking surprised. Said something like, "This is unexpected."

Gemini barely looked at him.

I didn't think much of it then. Just a random interaction, right?

But I remembered his presence. The way Gemini's posture changed when he saw him. The slight tension in his jaw. The flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

I started noticing it more.

Every time the boy was nearby. Every time his name came up. Every time something invisible passed between them.

It was like watching someone brace for a storm that never came.

He never talked about it. Not once. But I didn't need words.

Because sometimes silence is loud enough to feel.

I tried everything-meals, walks, my dumb jokes.

I tried filling the space around him with light, hoping some of it would get in.

But he stayed in that distance.

And yet, he wasn't okay.

Not even close.

He thought he could hide it, but I saw it.

And if he wouldn't talk to me about it... then what was I doing here?

What was the point of being his person if I couldn't hold even the parts of him he refused to show?

..

But that was it.

That day, something in me cracked too.

I'd watched him drift further for weeks-months maybe. I gave him space, offered smiles, filled our silences with jokes, stories, anything to make him feel less alone.

But silence has a weight. And his was starting to drown me too.

So I told myself-no more waiting.

If he wasn't going to open the door, then I was going to knock. Louder.

We were sitting under our usual tree-the one where fallen leaves always got tangled in our bags and the world felt quieter, smaller. I looked at him, really looked. He was there, but he wasn't.

His eyes flicked across the sky like he was searching for something he'd never name.

I couldn't hold it anymore.

"Gem," I said, quietly.

He turned to me, just a bit. Not all the way. Like even now, he was halfway gone.

"What's going on?"

He blinked. "With what?"

"With you," I said. "You've been... somewhere else. Not just today. For a long time."

He didn't answer.

So I kept going. "You don't talk like you used to. You don't laugh the same. You keep zoning out-like your body's here, but your mind is chasing something it can't catch."

Still no answer. Just the sound of wind, brushing past us like even it knew not to interrupt.

"You're not okay, Gem," I whispered. "And if you won't tell me what's hurting you, then what am I even doing here?"

That got him.

I saw the shift-the way his shoulders dropped, the breath he didn't mean to let out. And for the first time in a long time, he looked at me like he wasn't sure how to carry it anymore.

Then came the excuses.

"The semester's been hectic... assignments, you know..."

I just shook my head. "Don't. Don't do that thing where you pretend you're fine so no one has to worry. I know you, remember?"

A pause.

A silence that held something sharp and tired.

And then, finally... he spoke.

He didn't look at me when he did. His voice was soft. Uncertain. Like he was pulling the words from a place he hadn't dared to touch in years.

"There was this boy," he said.

He paused-just a breath too long. Like he regretted letting the words slip out, like saying it aloud made it real.

And real was something he'd been trying to avoid for years.

He didn't look at me when he said it. Just stared at the ground, voice low.

"I don't even know why he... mattered. It wasn't supposed to. He wasn't supposed to."

He paused, breath catching like the words were too close to something he wasn't ready to touch.

"But... things felt different when he was around. Lighter, maybe. I don't know."

He shook his head slightly, frustrated. "I didn't think it meant anything. I told myself it didn't. But then he left. Just disappeared."

His voice got quieter, like he was shrinking into the memory.

"And now he's back."

Another pause. A hollow laugh that didn't reach his eyes.

"I thought I was over it. Whatever it was."

He said it so quietly, I almost missed it.

And I just sat there, listening. Letting the pieces fall.

Because for the first time in a long time , he wasn't just Gemini-the calm, collected boy who kept the world at arm's length.

He was human. Wounded. Still holding on to something he never named, never mourned.

When he was done, I didn't say anything.

I just sat with it.

With him.

But even as I held his silence, something kept turning in my mind.

Why this boy?

Why did he get to stay inside Gemini's head, when everyone else had to claw their way just to stand near his walls?

I'd seen Gemini let people go without blinking. I'd seen him bury pain without a sound.

But not this.

This one lingered.

Why?

And maybe he didn't have the answer. Maybe he didn't know it himself.

But I did know one thing now-I wasn't going to let him carry this alone anymore.

And if I had to find the pieces myself... if I had to understand what this boy meant, and why he still held space in Gemini's mind after two whole years...

Then that's exactly what I was going to do.

Quietly. Carefully.

But I would.

Because if he couldn't say it-if he couldn't face it yet-

I would.

For him.

Chapter Text

~Nia's POV

The silence from earlier still echoed in Nia's thoughts-the kind that settled between words too heavy to be said.

She had listened quietly when Gemini spoke-when he finally let her glimpse the storm inside. She didn't push, didn't speak much. There was something sacred in that moment, something unspoken, like standing on the edge of a truth that hadn't taken shape yet.

Evening fell gently over the city, and they stepped out for dinner. The streets buzzed in soft neon and distant chatter, but between them, there was stillness. Gemini walked beside her, his hands tucked in his hoodie pockets, his eyes half-lost in the sidewalk.

He wasn't exactly distant-but he felt like someone caught between holding on and quietly slipping away.

They ordered something light, sat in a quiet corner of a small diner. For a while, they talked about nothing-food, random college mess, the usual. But Nia could feel it pulsing underneath: the questions, the weight, the ache.

Finally, after a sip of her drink, Nia hesitated. "Gemini..."

He looked up at her, brows slightly raised, guarded.

She took a breath. "I've been thinking about what you said earlier... about how he made you feel. Warm. Safe. Different." Her voice lowered, gentler now. "I don't want to assume anything, but... is it just in a friendly way? Or... is there something more you're not telling me?"

Gemini froze. Completely.

His lips parted slightly like he was about to say something-but the words never came. Just silence. His fingers tapped restlessly on his glass.

After a moment, he said, barely audible, "It's nothing like that."

She knew that tone. Deflection.

Still, she didn't push. Not tonight.

"Okay," she said softly, giving him the space he clearly needed.

-------

One Week Later

Life went on.

Same lectures. Same routines. Same silences between moments that should have passed like any other.

But Nia noticed. How sometimes Gemini would pause in the hallway longer than he needed to. How he would glance around, distracted. How his energy shifted when he thought no one was watching.

The night air felt heavier than usual as they stepped into the quiet diner. Gemini walked beside Nia, but not with her-his presence was distant, like he was trailing behind his own thoughts.

They didn't speak much. Just small things. Things that didn't matter. Nia let it be.

They sat near the window, soft lights casting faint shadows on the table between them. Two bowls of soup. Unspoken tension.

It was Gemini who broke the silence first, quietly, like the words had been chewing him from the inside.

"I don't know what it is," he said. "I really don't."

Nia looked at him, but didn't interrupt.

"I thought... if I didn't say it, it wouldn't be real. But it is. It's real in my chest. Every time I see him, I can't breathe. Every time he walks away, it's like I fall apart in silence."

His voice was even, but barely held together. His fingers clenched around the spoon like it grounded him.

"I never wanted this," he whispered. "Not for a boy. Not again."

He paused. Looked out the window like it might carry his pain away.

"I thought I had buried it," he said. "All of it. But when he came back... it was like the ground opened under me again."

He laughed, dry and broken. "And I didn't even know he remembered me."

Nia reached out, gently placing her hand over his. "Gemini... did you fall for him?"

His eyes shifted to hers, and for a second, everything trembled. But he said nothing.

She could see it-his refusal to speak wasn't denial. It was fear. He was terrified of what would come out if he said the word.

As if saying love would make it hurt more. Or make it real enough to destroy him.

Then came the moment.

Nia's voice was low, careful.

"Is it that... you haven't really moved on?"

Her words weren't sharp-but they pressed gently on a wound she knew he never let anyone touch.

"Is that why you're acting like this?"

Gemini didn't respond immediately.

Something shifted in his expression-just slightly.

Like a door inside him creaked open again. One he had sealed shut.

And behind it-

The betrayal. The ache. The guilt.

Shadows of things he swore he'd buried.

He looked down, exhaled slowly.

He didn't want to go there.

Not again.

The memory stabbed silently. Something only they knew. Something buried deep in the past-a name never spoken anymore, a chapter Gemini refused to reopen.

He pressed his palm against his chest, like trying to keep something from spilling.

"I... I tried to move on," he said finally, voice cracking. "God knows I did. I ran. I ran so far from it all, thinking if I moved fast enough, the past couldn't catch me."

His eyes were glassy now. "But it's like... something inside me won't let go.

Like grief built a home inside me, and love got tangled in its walls.

And now, I don't know how to tear one down without losing the other."

He looked at Nia with something between desperation and defeat.

"I don't know who I am without all this pain."

And for a moment, Nia couldn't speak.

The boy in front of her wasn't broken-he was buried.

Beneath years of silence and everything he never said.

"I hate him for coming back," Gemini said, tears slipping now. "Hate him for making it worse. For being kind. For remembering me. For making me feel again-when I was finally numb enough to survive."

He bit his lip, voice trembling. "And I hate myself more... for still hoping."

Nia didn't speak. She just moved beside him and hugged him, tight.

He leaned into her, his shoulders shaking, breaking in a way only the quietest people ever do-when everything inside them finally becomes too loud.

And as he cried in her arms,

Nia thought:
If it didn't matter to him, why did he come back?

But she didn't ask him that-not tonight.

*****

Chapter Text

The air felt heavy. Too heavy for 6 a.m.

Gemini jerked awake-chest rising in uneven waves, sweat clinging to his skin like a second layer. His eyes darted around his dark room, trying to locate the danger his body swore was there.

There was none.

But his heart didn't believe it.

His breath caught in his throat, fingers clenching the bedsheet as if it could tether him to the present.

It had been days. Five, maybe. Since Nia asked him that question. Since her words dug out something he thought he'd long buried.

> "Wait... you never moved on?"

He'd brushed it off. Changed the topic. Pretended to forget.

But the ache had returned like a habit. Quiet. Inescapable. Familiar.

And now, so had the dream.

***

[Flashback]

Laughter.

It echoed from somewhere far, too far to reach. Distant and sharp. Muffled, yet loud enough to pierce straight through him.

He was standing-somewhere. Surrounded. Eyes, blurs, shadows. Faces turned toward him, lips curled in amusement.

He didn't know what they were laughing at.

No-he did.

His hands trembled at his sides. He tried to move, but couldn't. Like his body wasn't his.

Then came the voice.

Her voice.

Mocking, soft, slicing.

> "You really believed that?"

A second passed. Then another.

> "You actually thought I meant any of it... didn't you?"

It wasn't just the words. It was the tone. The way it cut deeper than silence ever could.

He couldn't answer.

He just stood there. Small. Hollow. Like he had handed over everything and realized-too late-it was never real.

***

[Back to Present]

Gemini sat upright, jaw clenched.

That dream again.

He hadn't seen her in years. Hadn't spoken of her in longer. But somehow, just a mention-a simple mention-was enough to break open the vault he thought he sealed shut.

His hands ran down his face, then through his hair.

He couldn't let this spiral again.

He needed to run

***

The sky was still tinted with that early blue-grey hue when Gemini stepped outside. The air was cold enough to sting, but that was the point.

His feet hit the pavement in steady rhythm.

Faster.

Faster.

Until he could feel nothing else. Until his thoughts blurred, and only the sound of his breathing and shoes against gravel existed.

This is what he did when things slipped.

He ran. Until it didn't hurt. Until it couldn't.

But the thing about running is-you eventually have to stop.

And when he did, gasping, leaning forward with his palms on his knees, he felt it again. The hollowness.

~Time skip

[Gemini's POV ]

The corridors were louder than usual.

Or maybe it was just his head. Still buzzing from the run. Still echoing with her voice. Still... breaking, somewhere he couldn't reach.

Gemini adjusted the strap of his bag, walking fast, eyes locked on the floor. He didn't want conversation. He didn't want presence.

And then he saw him.

Fourth.

Leaning near the vending machine like the world owed him nothing and he owed it even less. Head tilted. One earbud in. Eyes closed like sleep still tugged at him.

Gemini's steps slowed. Instinct.

He turned his face slightly away, hoping it would be enough to slip past unnoticed.

But of course, it wasn't.

> Please. Just let me get to class ( he thought to himself)

[Fourth's POV]

I was just standing there. Waiting for the vending machine to spit out my regular lemon drink. One earbud in, music low.

Then I felt it.

Not a sound. Not a voice.

Just... something.

Like when you know someone's looking at you. Or like when the air shifts and your body tells you before your mind can.

I glanced sideways. Just a glance.

And there he was.

Gemini.

Two years, and still my gut knew before my eyes did.

He looked... tired. Not the kind that sleep fixes. The kind that clings to your spine and settles in your shoulders.

---

[Gemini's POV]

His voice.

Gemini didn't expect it to hit him this way. He kept walking. One step. Two.

"I didn't think we'd cross paths again this soon," Fourth added, like they were old classmates who used to bump into each other all the time.

Gemini paused. Just for a moment. Then let the words fall, quiet, automatic.

"Timings overlap sometimes."

Why did he say anything at all?

He should've just kept walking. Like he always did. Like he promised himself to.

But the words slipped.

He didn't look at him. Not properly. But for a flicker of a second, his eyes met Fourth's. And that was enough.

He turned again. "I have a class."

This time, he didn't wait for a reply.

[Fourth's POV - after Gemini leaves]

He replied.

That shouldn't mean anything.
But it does.
It always does with him.

Because Gemini never replies. Not to me. Not anymore.

It's always me trying. Always me reaching. Always me standing here watching his back disappear into some lecture hall like I was just another classmate who never mattered.

But just now-he spoke.
Not warmly. Not kindly. But still.

And I felt something move in me.

Two years.

Two years of silence, of effort turned into distance. Of telling myself maybe I read too much into the way he looked at me. The way he used to listen.

So I stopped. Backed off. Got busy with life, with everything else.
Told myself not to think about it.

But sometimes-leaving college late, walking out past the gates-I'd see him. From far away. Just a glimpse.

And for a second, something in me would want to say hi. To just... call his name.

But I never did.

I knew how he is-quiet, distant. Not someone who lets people in easily.

So I let the thought go. Every time.

But now...

Now, with him standing just a few feet away, his voice still echoing faintly in my mind-however short, however dry-

I don't know why, but I want to ask.

Why is it only me he treats this way?

He isn't cold with everyone.
"I've seen him with her-that girl he always sits with. His friend, maybe more. I don't know. It's just... I never really got the chance to understand her. I've seen them together a few times-sometimes they talk, sometimes they just sit in silence. But there's something about the way they are together. I've never seen him like that with anyone else. And it... it makes me wonder. Why does he let her close? Smiles. Exists around her like it's easy. But with me? There's always been this wall. Always. No matter what."

I don't know what I did.

Maybe I'm thinking too much again. Reading into nothing.

But maybe... maybe not.

Because right now, I don't want to walk away again. Not like before. Not after all this time. I've done it too many times-just let him slip away without understanding why. But now... now, I don't want to. I don't know what it is, but I need to know. I just want to know the reason. That's it. No more wondering. No more silence.

Right now, I want to understand.

And maybe this time, I should try-
Because this silence is starting to feel louder than anything else.

Chapter Text

Fourth's POV

It started as a quiet coincidence-at least that's how he played it.

Fourth sat two rows behind Gemini in the lecture hall. No words, no glances-just silence and timing.

But Gemini noticed. Of course he did. The way his shoulders tensed said enough.

When the class ended, Gemini packed up fast, slipping toward the door.

"Don't worry," Fourth said, just loud enough to reach him, "I'm not chasing you. Apparently, we share this lecture now. Coincidence, right?"

Gemini paused. A quick glance, unreadable.

Then he walked away.

Fourth watched the space Gemini left behind like it owed him an answer.

---

The Third Day

When it happened again-Gemini leaving in a rush-Fourth decided he was done waiting.

He followed him down the hallway, catching up just before Gemini exited the building.

"Gemini."

Gemini flinched at the name. He didn't stop walking.

"Wait."

He finally turned. Tired eyes, half-guarded.

"I have class now," Gemini said quietly, but firmly. "I'm getting late."

Fourth stepped in front of him.

"Then be late."

A beat. Gemini didn't move.

"I just need to ask you something," Fourth continued. "After that, if you still want to disappear, fine. I won't stop you."

Gemini's fingers tightened around the strap of his bag.

"Why are you doing this?" Fourth asked, stepping forward. "Why do you look at me like I broke something in you?"

Silence.

"I'm not a bad person, Gemini." His voice cracked. "So why do you act like I'm the one you need to run from?"

Gemini opened his mouth. Closed it. Looked away.

"It's just... we're not close," he muttered. "There's no reason for this."

"Then let me go," Fourth said, softer now. "Let me go without wondering why you always avoid me."

Gemini turned slightly. His steps were ready to flee again.

But then-Fourth reached out. Not to grab, but just enough to stop the moment from collapsing.

"Five minutes," he said. "Just give me that."

---

~Gemini's POV

"I have class," he repeated, barely audible.

But even he knew-it wasn't about class. It hadn't been for a long time.

He could've walked away.
He should've.

But something in him froze.

His mouth was dry. His chest tight. Words hovered on his tongue, but none came out clean.

Fourth stood in front of him, not angry, not demanding-just... waiting.

Why now? Why not when it could've made a difference?

He wanted to shout that.
He wanted to say:
"You were the only one who made me feel safe back then. And then you just left."
"You don't get to come back like nothing happened."

But instead, he whispered, "There's nothing between us."

A lie that tasted like blood.

Fourth didn't flinch. He just watched him-really looked at him.

And it made Gemini's skin burn.

Stop looking at me like you still care. Like you still remember.
Don't say you're trying now. Where were you when I needed you most?
Why now-why after I spent two years pretending you never mattered?

But those thoughts stayed trapped.

Out loud, all he could manage was:

"You should go."

Fourth didn't argue.

He just stepped aside, nodded once, and left.

---

Gemini stood there long after the hallway emptied.

The air felt heavier once the silence settled. He hadn't realized he was shaking until he looked at his own hands.

The weight in his chest pressed deeper. He needed out.

Anywhere.

He walked without knowing where, past buildings and benches and noise.

Then-he heard her voice.

"Gem?"

Nia.

He blinked.

She stood there, books in her arms, her expression softening with concern.

"Are you okay?"

He didn't answer.

She moved closer.

"What happened?"

Still nothing.

But then his breath caught. His throat closed up. A tear slipped before he could stop it.

And without thinking, he collapsed into her arms.

No words.

No walls.

Just silence-cracked open.

---

He didn't remember walking into the café. Only the numbness. The quiet hum of conversation around him, like the world was happening far away.

He sat at the far corner, by the window, letting his breath slow. Letting the ache settle.

Then-

"Gem?"

Nia's voice.

She approached cautiously, setting her tray down before sliding into the seat across from him.

"You okay?" she asked (again) gently.

He nodded-too fast to be convincing.

She didn't press.

But after a pause, she asked quietly, "Can I meet him?"

Gemini froze.

"Meet who?"

But he already knew.

"Fourth," she said, like it was nothing.

Something about the way she said his name made the air feel tight.

He didn't respond right away. Because what was he supposed to say?

Why would she want to meet him?
What would she even see?
They weren't close.
There was nothing left between him and Fourth. At least, there wasn't supposed to be.

But her question cornered him.

If he said no, she'd ask why.
If he said yes, it would open a door he'd tried so hard to keep shut.

So he breathed in, voice low and unsteady.

"Why do you want to meet him?"

She looked at him, her gaze calm and genuine.

"Just to see... what you're not saying."

His throat tightened.

"We're not close. There's nothing to build there," he murmured, half to himself.
"So what would you do after meeting him?"

But before she could answer, the air shifted.

The bell above the café door chimed.

Gemini didn't look up.

He didn't need to.

His chest already knew.

Someone had walked in.

And the silence between them cracked.

---

Chapter Text

The door opened with a soft chime.

It wasn't supposed to mean anything. Just another group of students walking into the café, laughing over something that happened during their game earlier. Their voices carried that easy lightness only friendships built on shared sweat and inside jokes could hold.

Gemini didn't look up-not at first.

But Nia did. Out of habit. They were sitting near the entrance, a spot where every incoming presence brushed past them, a silent breeze of movement. She glanced at the door, then back at Gemini-until she noticed the way his shoulders stiffened. As if something-or someone-just collided with the quiet world he tried so hard to keep untouched.

Across the room, Fourth stepped inside.

He didn't notice Gemini right away. His friends were around him, joking, nudging him toward the counter. They had just wrapped up a football match-tired, sweaty, but alive. The café was their usual post-game ritual. Familiar. Easy.

Until his eyes caught something across the room.

Gemini.

And he wasn't alone.

The girl. Nia, the one who had been around him lately. Her laughter wasn't loud, but it reached him. And for a second, he froze mid-step. Just a second.

He had thought of going over. Saying something. Anything.

But the way Gemini sat-so still, so tightly wound, like one wrong move might make him shatter again-made him stop.

So instead, he walked past. Said nothing.

And sat at a table two spots away. Just close enough to see him. Just far enough to pretend he wasn't looking.

~Gemini's POV:

The moment the door opened, my heart betrayed me.

I didn't even have to look-I felt it. That shift in the air. That rush of panic I couldn't explain.

And then I saw him.

He walked in with his usual ease, like there was nothing special about this moment. Like everything was just as it had always been. His laugh filled the space, easy and carefree, and it was like watching something warm, something I couldn't reach. He smiled, and his friends joked around with him, as if the world around him didn't even matter. That effortless glow-he had it, and I... I didn't.

I prayed he wouldn't come near.

Not now. Not while I was already teetering on the edge of breaking again.

When he didn't approach me, something in my chest loosened. Relief, sure. But also something else. Something that stung.

Why did I feel this way? A minute ago, I had been a mess-fighting back tears and caught in my own chaos. But now, seeing him like this... it just felt weird.

I didn't want to be shaken, but I was. It felt like a moment ago, I could barely hold it together, and now... everything was different.

~Nia's POV:

After listening to Gemini-seeing him this vulnerable, this hurt-I couldn't take it. I didn't want to see him like this anymore. I didn't want to lose him again.

So I just thought...

"I was thinking..." I hesitated, unsure how it would sound. "Can I meet him? Just once?"

He looked at me, startled. "We're not close. There's nothing to build. So what would you even do after meeting him?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but something changed in him-sudden, sharp. His shoulders tensed. His gaze turned distant, locked somewhere behind me.

I turned to follow it.

There, near the entrance, stood the boy I had seen in glimpses and quiet glances-Fourth. For a second, I wondered if today might be the day I'd finally understand what truly lived between them. But then I noticed he wasn't alone-his friends surrounded him, laughing, nudging. He passed by us without stopping, without even looking directly at Gemini. And in that moment, I saw Gemini's shoulders loosen just a little, the tension fading from his frame. So I let go of the thought. Not today, I decided. Today, I'd stay beside Gemini. Comfort him. And everything else... could wait.

~Fourth's POV:

We'd just wrapped up a match-sweaty, breathless, laughing in that way only exhaustion allowed. No one really cared who won; we were starving.

So we headed to the nearest café from campus. It was the usual spot, familiar and loud. The kind of place where no one really looked too close, and no one asked too much.

The moment I stepped in, I felt it.

I didn't see him right away, but I felt him. That presence I couldn't name but always noticed when he was near. My laughter stalled mid-step as my gaze swept the room-then landed.

Him.

Sitting near the entrance. Folded into himself. Quiet in a way that didn't demand attention, but always drew mine.

He wasn't alone.

The girl was there. The one who'd been orbiting him lately. I'd seen her around. She made him smile sometimes. That rare kind of smile. The real kind.

I almost went over.

Almost.

But then I saw it. The way his shoulders tensed-not from fear, but from bracing. Like he was waiting for something he already knew would hurt. And I knew what that something was.

Me.

So I let the moment pass.

Sat down two tables away. Close enough to see him. Far enough to not break him.

I ordered whatever everyone else was having. Laughed at the right times. Nodded when they pulled me into a story.

But my eyes kept drifting.

To him.

And I knew-he saw me too.

But like always, we pretended not to.

~Author's pov:

Nia's eyes drifted away from the door and back to the boy beside her. His shoulders had relaxed, but his silence hadn't. Not fully. There was a heaviness still lingering in his eyes-like he was somewhere else, somewhere far from this café.

So she did what she always tried to do when Gemini slipped too far from her reach.

She stayed.

And gently, without pressing, she began to speak again.

"Hey," she said, nudging the menu toward him. "You haven't eaten properly in days. Your favorite's still the same, right? The one with the double cheese and too much garlic?"

She ordered before he could protest.

Then, with that same soft persistence, she shifted the conversation. Asked about the little things. What he did now when no one was around. Whether he still watched those old movies he used to quote under his breath. If he still played songs on loop when he couldn't sleep. If he still hated pineapple on pizza. She teased him for that one, just enough to earn a side glance.

He didn't respond much-not at first-but she kept going. Telling silly stories from her recent classes, making faces while imitating professors he never even met, cracking jokes that weren't really funny-but she tried.

She even told him about her life abroad. How it felt to be in a different world. How she met someone-thought it might be love-but left because something deep down told her it wasn't meant to be. "But it's been good," she said softly. "I'm figuring things out. And right now, I'm here, making you laugh. That's got to count for something."

And Gemini noticed.

He saw every effort, every pause where she waited for him to smile, every nudge toward something lighter. And maybe, just maybe, a part of him didn't want to waste it. Didn't want to sit there like a shadow and let her voice fall flat.

So he tried.

He nodded. He let the corners of his lips twitch. He added short answers, shrugged, and finally-finally-laughed. Just once. At a joke so ridiculous it didn't even deserve a laugh.

But he laughed anyway.

Because in that moment, he knew-she didn't want to see him sad. And something about that quiet love, that care wrapped in clumsy humor, warmed the parts of him that had forgotten what warmth felt like.

From two tables away, Fourth watched the faint smile spread across Gemini's face.

It caught him off guard.

That smile-rare and fleeting-lit something in him he hadn't expected. A kind of ache, soft but sharp.

He's smiling again... Fourth thought. When was the last time I saw him smile like that?

He leaned back a little, watching without trying to look like he was. He always looks grumpy when I'm around. Always hiding behind that poker face...

A quiet sigh left him.

Maybe... maybe one day we'll be friends again. And maybe I'll be the one to make him smile like that.

But for now, he stayed where he was.

And Gemini smiled-just a little longer.

Later that evening, as the crowd around the café settled into a warm hum, Gemini stood from the table and made his way quietly toward the small worshroom tucked into the side hallway.

Fourth noticed.

Without thinking, he stood and made a vague excuse to the friends at his table. Nia noticed-she observed quietly. She couldn't ignore the way Fourth kept glancing at Gemini when Gemini wasn't looking. And now, watching him leave his table and follow, her brows furrowed faintly.

She didn't say anything. She just watched.

Down the quiet corridor, Gemini slipped into the washroom . He didn't notice the figure that trailed a few steps behind.

Inside, the mirror stared back at him-tired eyes, damp hair, and a face that looked older than it should. He turned on the tap and splashed cold water across his face, trying to wash off something that wouldn't leave.

As he reached for a paper towel, the door behind him suddenly closed with a loud slam.

Gemini flinched, startled, his breath catching in his throat as he turned sharply. There, standing by the closed door, was Fourth.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Gemini blinked. His mind raced-What is he doing here? Did he follow me? No... this can't be just coincidence. But then... why now?"

He took a step to the side, attempting to leave without a word.

But Fourth stepped forward instead.

His voice cracked-low, frustrated, almost desperate. "Can you please not do this to me?"

Gemini froze.

Fourth looked at him, breathing a little harder than usual, like he'd been holding something in too long. "I don't know why, but I'm getting frustrated. And I can't take it anymore."

Gemini kept his eyes down, silent.

"You ignore me," Fourth continued, voice rising slightly. "Yesterday too, when I tried to talk to you. You just walk away like I've done something to you."

He took another step closer. "Can you just... please tell me? What did I do to you that makes you act like this around me? Like I'm the worst person in your world?"

Fourth laughed-dry, hollow. "People don't treat me like this. I don't chase after people. I don't keep trying when someone clearly doesn't want me around. But with you-"

His voice cracked again. "You never laughed at my jokes. Never smiled at me. You look at me like I don't deserve to exist near you."

There was a pause.

"And yet... I saw you today," Fourth whispered. "With her. Smiling. You laughed."

"That last word opened something in him he didn't know was still breakable."

Something in Gemini tensed-shoulders tightening, jaw clenched.

Fourth exhaled sharply. "I told myself I'd leave it. That I wouldn't ask. But I can't help it. I need to know-why do you look at me like that? Why do you run from me?"

That was it.

Gemini, trembling slightly, tried to keep himself in check. But it snapped.

"Can you please leave me alone?" he burst, voice low but cracking. "I don't know what your problem is-but can't you see I don't want to be around you?"

Fourth looked taken aback.

"I thought you'd understand without me having to say it. But clearly, you don't. This-this is too much. Why are you behaving like this? Why now?"

That last word-now-landed like a blow.

Fourth didn't move. His brows furrowed.

Now?

Gemini stormed past him and yanked the door open, stepping out without another word.

Fourth remained there, frozen in place, staring at the empty space where Gemini had stood.

Why now? the words echoed in his head, over and over.

What did he mean by now?

Chapter Text

Gemini walked out of the washroom, his mind swirling. He needed to leave the café before he let the awkwardness settle deeper into his bones. The brief encounter with Fourth had been enough to set his heart racing, and he wasn’t sure he could deal with more. So, he left, walking quickly out of the café, hoping to leave the moment behind.

Meanwhile, when Fourth emerged from the washroom, he paused, glancing around the café. His eyes landed on the empty seat where Gemini had been sitting moments before. Gemini was already gone.

Fourth stood still for a moment, his thoughts drifting. Why did he leave so suddenly? he wondered, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it. Shrugging, he headed back to his table, trying to shake off the feeling that something was left unfinished.

-------

The following days passed by with a subtle tension. Fourth continued to show up at Gemini’s classes, as he had been for the past week. Every day, he’d sit behind Gemini, trying to strike up a conversation, but Gemini didn’t respond. It was as if he were invisible. Fourth’s attempts to connect felt like they were met with an impenetrable wall. But Fourth couldn’t let it go. There was something about Gemini that he couldn’t quite understand, and it frustrated him.

One day, after yet another failed attempt to talk, Fourth sighed and left the classroom, thoughts swirling. Why now? It seemed like Gemini had withdrawn more than ever since their brief interaction in the café.

-----

The next day, as Gemini was walking across campus, Nia caught up with him, her voice cutting through his thoughts.

“Gemini, there’s this trip coming up for the campus, and you’re going,” Nia declared, without leaving room for argument.

Gemini frowned. “You know I don’t do trips like that. I’ve never enjoyed them.”

Nia’s expression softened. “But you’ve been alone for so long. Now you have me here. I want to go, and I’m asking you to go with me.”

Gemini hesitated. He hated the thought of participating in something like this, where everyone would be out socializing, mingling, and doing what they did best—acting like they didn’t have any problems. But Nia’s persistent encouragement wore him down. She was right, after all. He had to try. He couldn’t stay locked away forever.

With a sigh, he finally agreed. “Fine. I’ll go. But only because you’re making me.”

---

When the morning of the trip arrived, Gemini and Nia made their way to the campus buses. As Gemini entered the bus, he immediately spotted him—Fourth, sitting near the back, chatting with his friends. Gemini froze for a second, his mind racing.
Of course. Why wouldn’t he be here? Fourth was the type to go on these trips, wasn’t he? Always out, always socializing.

Gemini hesitated for a moment but then Nia tugged on his arm, dragging him further into the bus. She found a seat in the front, and Gemini sat beside her, trying to ignore the knot in his stomach.

---

~Fourth’s POV

Fourth was in his element. A campus trip like this was practically a social event, and it was the perfect excuse to get out of his usual routine. He loved these things—meeting new people, joking around with friends, seeing how the different departments came together. It was exactly the kind of day he thrived on.

As he settled into his seat, chatting with his friends at the back of the bus, his gaze shifted toward the front. His eyes widened when he saw Gemini walking down the aisle, a girl with him. Gemini? Here? He never goes on trips like this.

But then he saw the girl—she was always with Gemini on campus, and he recognized her. She was the one Gemini was always with, but he’d never actually gotten to know her. They had never introduced themselves. The girl and Gemini seemed to be comfortable with each other, so maybe it wasn’t so strange after all.

Fourth quickly shrugged off his surprise and went back to joking with his friends, deciding not to dwell on it. Whatever, he thought. It’s no big deal. It’s just a trip.

~Nia's POV

She hadn’t planned on staying long when she returned from abroad. But then she met Gemini again—quiet, guarded Gemini—and something in her told her she needed to stay a while longer.

So she did.

She enrolled in a short course at Gemini’s college, partly to be close. He never asked for it—Gemini never would—but she knew he needed someone around.

One afternoon, as she walked across campus, she heard a few students excitedly talking about an upcoming trip. She was about to walk past when she saw someone walk out of the student club, holding a form.

Fourth.

A mischievous spark lit up in her eyes.

This… could be a good chance.

She didn’t know where it would lead. But if it meant giving Gemini the smallest push toward something—toward facing what he kept running from—she’d take it. She didn’t say anything to him at first. She simply made up her mind.

She’d go on the trip.

And she’d make sure Gemini did too

Now, sitting beside him at the front of the bus, she could feel the tension ripple through him the moment they stepped in. She didn’t need to ask why. Fourth was at the back, laughing with his friends, completely at ease.

She hadn’t told Gemini she already knew Fourth would be on the trip.

For now, she just sat beside him, calm and steady. And waited.

****

The hum of the engine was louder than he expected. Or maybe it just felt that way because Gemini couldn’t focus on anything else. Outside, trees blurred past, sun spilling through the window, but all he could see was the back of the bus—and the sound of Fourth’s laugh when they’d stepped in still echoed in his mind.

Nia sat beside him, her earphones in, pretending to scroll through something. But Gemini could feel her awareness. She always knew too much, even when she stayed silent.

He shifted in his seat.

Why was Fourth here? It didn’t make sense. This trip, this bus—it was supposed to be a way out. Not a way back in.

He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the window, trying to steady his thoughts. But his mind refused to be quiet. Every so often, he caught himself glancing at the bus mirror, subtly, hoping not to be obvious. And every time, his eyes searched for a figure near the back.

He hated that he was doing this.

Somewhere behind him, someone cracked a joke. Laughter erupted. His pulse skipped.

That laugh.

He knew it. Too well.

He sank lower in his seat.

Don’t turn. Don’t look. Don’t start something you can’t finish.

But the silence inside him had started to shift—like something old was beginning to stir again. (Which he always ignored)

*****

 ~Fourth’s POV (later during the ride)

Fourth tapped his fingers against his knee, only half-listening to the banter around him. His eyes kept drifting forward, toward the back of Gemini’s head.

He hadn’t looked back once.

Not even a glance.

Fourth leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling of the bus, a bitter thought settling into his chest.

He really doesn’t want me here, does he?

*****

~Arrival ~ (Late Afternoon at the Trip Destination)

The bus finally rolled to a stop at the retreat center, a quiet place nestled between hills and tall trees. Students poured out, stretching and laughing, the air buzzing with early excitement.

Fourth hopped down from the last step, tossing his backpack over one shoulder. The sun was beginning to dip, painting the sky in hues of soft orange. He glanced around, scanning the crowd like he always did—out of habit, maybe, or something else.

Gemini was nowhere in sight.

He figured as much.

Still, his eyes landed on someone familiar—the girl who was always with Gemini.

Fourth hesitated a second, then moved toward the refreshment table where she was pouring juice into a paper cup.

“Hey,” he said, casually, offering a small grin. “I’m Fourth.”

She looked up, brows raising a little. “Nia.”

“Right. I’ve seen you around. You’re always with...”

He didn’t finish the sentence, letting it trail.

She didn’t fill it in either. Just nodded.

Fourth scratched the back of his neck, a flicker of awkwardness passing through him. “Just thought I’d say hi. You seem... cool.”

Her lips curved, faint amusement in her eyes. “That your usual opener?”

He laughed. “Not really. Just trying to make more friends while we’re all stuck out here.”

He paused.

“And... I guess I’ve been meaning to talk to you anyway.”

Nia tilted her head, sipping from her cup. “Oh?”

“Yeah.” Fourth shrugged, keeping his tone light. “You’re close with him. I figured... maybe you could help me understand him. Just a bit.”

Nia’s eyes sharpened almost imperceptibly. “You mean Gemini?”

He nodded.

“I don’t think he’s the kind of person who wants to be understood by someone else,” she said, voice calm but clear.

Fourth didn’t flinch. He expected that.

“Maybe,” he replied. “But I’m not here to push anything. Just trying to figure out where I went wrong.”

For a second, neither of them spoke. The wind rustled nearby trees. Other students passed, laughing as they pulled their luggage inside the dorm building.

Nia finally gave him a small nod. “Alright, Fourth. You made the first move. Let’s see how this goes.”

Fourth smiled—genuinely this time.

“Deal.”

****

~Nia's POV

I hadn’t even finished pouring my juice when someone stepped up beside me. I didn’t turn right away. Gemini wasn’t around—maybe off grabbing food, sorting the bags, or taking a quiet minute to himself. He always did that when things got too noisy.

Then I heard a voice. Calm, friendly.

So this is him.

I glanced sideways—Fourth. I didn’t need an introduction, but he gave one anyway. Said his name like I hadn’t already heard it, like I hadn’t noticed how carefully Gemini avoided saying it aloud.

He talked casually, something about seeing me with Gemini a lot. Something about making friends.

Right, I thought. So he’s finally trying.

It caught me off guard a little. Not because he came over, but because he was doing it now. While Gemini wasn’t around. Maybe that made it easier for him.

Then he said it—he wanted to understand Gemini.

I didn’t answer right away. Just took a sip and let it hang in the air.

Understand him? People don’t even try. They give up before they begin.

But he didn’t. He just stood there, waiting—not nervous, not backing down.

So I tested him. Said something like, he’s not the kind of person who wants to be understood. I said it on purpose, to see if it would shake him.

It didn’t.

Huh. Maybe... maybe he’s not like the rest.

Something shifted in me then. Quiet. Steady. If he’s really stepping in, maybe I can help him find his way through. Maybe someone finally can.

I didn’t smile. But something in my voice softened when I spoke again.
"I didn’t know what would come of it. But something told me—they both needed this more than they’d admit."

"She knew she was crossing a line Gemini wouldn’t even draw himself—but maybe that was the only way to reach him."

Chapter Text

Fourth gave a faint smile, the kind that said more than words. Nia nodded in return, the weight of their brief conversation still lingering between them.

Just then, she noticed someone approaching.

They didn't say much.

As Gemini neared, Nia gave a nod and matched his steps.

"You're late," she muttered, more out of habit than complaint.

"Yeah, just... needed a walk," Gemini replied, eyes on the path.

"Let's head to the rooms," Nia said. "Get some rest before the evening. There's dinner later. Campfire too. Games-I heard."

"Mm," Gemini nodded. "Cool."

They didn't need more words. The silence said enough.

, Together, they headed to the lodging area, where everyone was being assigned rooms. Gemini and Nia parted ways at the hallway with a simple exchange of "See you later."

---

~Evening - Campfire Grounds

The flames flickered in the center of the open field, casting soft orange hues on the gathered students. Laughter and chatter echoed under the night sky as everyone took their seats with plates of dinner and warm drinks.

After the food, the games began.

"Alright, it's Questions or Shots!" someone announced, holding up a bottle and a small bowl filled with folded dares.

"If you don't wanna answer the question, or don't wanna do the dare-you take a shot!"

The group cheered.

It was light-hearted at first. Silly questions. Mild dares. Easy laughs.

But then the bottle spun and pointed at Gemini.

Everything slowed.

One of the students smirked. "Alright, Gemini. Question or dare?"

Gemini hesitated. His fingers tensed. His throat dry.

The quiet stretched. Someone called out, "You can take the shot, you know!"

But he didn't move.

He stood. As if to walk away.

"Hey, hey-wait! You gotta either answer, do the dare, or drink!"

The group lightly protested, some laughing, others nudging.

But before the pressure could close in tighter, a voice cut through.

"I'll take the shot for him."

It was Fourth.

He was already reaching for the glass, calm and casual like he'd done this a hundred times.

The group went wild. "Ooooh!" they shouted, laughing, nudging one another. "That's real friendship right there!"

But Gemini didn't laugh. He looked at Fourth-long, still-and then quietly turned around.

No words.

He left the campfire behind and didn't look back.

The voices behind him faded with each step, replaced by the dull sound of his own heartbeat. He reached his room, shut the door behind him, and let the silence swallow him.

He thought he'd just lie down-just for a little while.

And he did.

For a moment, sleep came softly.

But then came the nightmare.

Laughter echoed in the distance-sharp, cruel, familiar. His breath caught. Faces blurred in the shadows, but the sounds were clear. Mocking. Pointing. Gemini stood in the middle of it all, hands clenched, voice hoarse as he begged them to stop. No one did. No one ever did. He was crying, trying to speak, but the words wouldn't come out-just air, just pain.

He reached out, desperate for someone, anyone-but the space around him remained empty.

And then-

He jolted awake.

Breath ragged. Chest heaving. Shirt damp with sweat. His hands trembled as he gripped the edge of the bed.

It was dark.

Still.

But the ache inside him didn't wait for morning. It gripped him, sudden and raw.

His body curled inward as the weight hit him all at once.

And then he broke.

No thoughts. No names. Just hurt.

Tears streamed down silently at first, but then came the sobs-shaking, helpless, and heavy. He didn't know where he was anymore. Didn't care. The room, the camp, the people-they all faded.

All that remained was the ache in his chest.

And the sound of his own heartbreak.

--------

The morning sun crept in slowly, casting a soft orange hue through the trees and onto the quiet cabins.

Gemini hadn't really slept.

After hours of lying still, numb and drained from the night before, his body eventually gave in-his eyes shutting for a brief, heavy sleep. But it didn't last long.

A soft knock stirred him.

"Gemini?" Nia's voice called gently from the other side of the door.

He blinked, slowly pushed himself upright, the ache still sitting heavy in his chest. When he opened the door, Nia stood there-arms crossed, eyes wide with worry as the cold morning air brushed past them.

"You okay?" she asked, her voice unsure. "Your eyes... they're red. Swollen. Did you-did you cry?"

For a moment, Gemini didn't know what to say. He could lie. Or maybe just deflect.

"No, it's nothing," he finally muttered. "Just didn't sleep much. Tired, that's all."

But Nia didn't look convinced. She hesitated, then wrapped her arms around him in a simple, comforting hug. She didn't ask again.

"Come on," she said softly, pulling back. "Everyone's at breakfast. Let's go before it's over."

As they walked together toward the dining area, Nia spoke again-casual, like trying to fill the silence.

"I heard a few more colleges are joining us today. For the rest of the camp, actually. Some kind of exchange or... group thing? Should be fun, I guess. More people, more chaos."

Gemini gave a faint nod, the weight of the night still clinging to his shoulders.

After breakfast, the organizers arranged afternoon activities-focused on teamwork and connection. The idea was to build trust, communication, empathy. Pairing students randomly, they assigned tasks: pitching tents, prepping food for the evening campfire, setting up sleeping arrangements under the open sky.

Gemini and Nia were grouped together. Despite the tiredness dragging at him, Gemini moved through the tasks with quiet precision-tying ropes, staking tents, helping Nia with the grill setup. The tasks kept his mind busy, and that was enough.

------

The evening breeze grew louder with chatter and laughter as more students from other colleges filled the open area. New faces. New energy.

But in that sea of unfamiliarity, Gemini saw one face.

And everything inside him froze.

His fingers tightened around the plate he was holding. The chatter, the sounds, the warmth of the bonfire-all of it faded into a hollow hum. That face.

The one that never left his mind.

The one that haunted his dreams.

The one he couldn't sleep because of.

His breath caught in his throat. He stood up abruptly, heart hammering, lungs begging for air-but he forced himself to stay still, to not panic, to not let Nia notice.

He managed a weak excuse. "I'll be back in a minute. Just need to freshen up."

Nia frowned. "Now? But it's about to get fun. We were going to-"

"I'll be back," he said again, not meeting her eyes. His voice was low. Too calm. Too composed.

But someone was already watching.

From a few feet away, Fourth had noticed the sudden shift in Gemini's expression. He had seen the way he froze, the slight tremble in his hands, the way his breath became shallow.

And it unsettled him.

He didn't understand it-but something about Gemini's reaction struck a deep, quiet chord inside him. Confusion curled in his chest. Why is he like this? What happened?

He watched Gemini disappear toward the washroom. For a moment, Fourth hesitated. He knew boundaries-especially the invisible ones Gemini carried like armor. Maybe this was one of them.

So he sat.

Five minutes passed.

He couldn't sit anymore.

Something in him wouldn't let him.

He stood, walked briskly toward the washroom area, unsure of what exactly he would say. But the moment he reached the hallway, he heard it.

Soft, broken sobbing.

He stopped, hand hovering near the door, heart pounding now for a different reason.

Should he go in?

Was this too far?

But then another cry slipped through the quiet-and his doubt vanished.

He stepped in.

And what he saw stole the air from his lungs.

Gemini, hunched near the basin, arms clutching his own sides like he was holding himself together. His shoulders shook violently as he sobbed-tears soaking into his sleeves, breaths ragged and shallow like he was struggling to keep up with his own pain.

Fourth froze. His heart ached-a deep, unfamiliar twist of pain he couldn't explain.

"Gemini..." he stepped forward slowly, voice unsure. "Hey... are you... are you okay? What happened?"

Gemini didn't answer. Couldn't.

He just kept crying. Breaking.

Fourth panicked for a second-he didn't know what to do, how to fix it. His hands twitched at his sides.

Then, instinctively, he moved forward.

He reached out-hesitated for a heartbeat-but then gently pulled Gemini into his arms.

"It's okay," he whispered, unsure if he was saying it for Gemini or himself. "It's okay... whatever it is, just... just let it out."

Gemini didn't resist.

He crumbled into Fourth's hold, sobbing harder-shoulders trembling with years of silence and hurt that refused to stay buried any longer.

And Fourth held him.

Held him like something precious was falling apart in front of him.

He didn't know the story.

He didn't know the cause.

But in that moment, none of it mattered.

Because something told him-

That whatever Gemini was carrying...

He had been carrying it alone for far too long.

----

Gemini POV~

I saw that face.

And everything inside me shattered.

Like a rail crashing into my chest, memories flooded back-loud, uninvited, ruthless. My heart ached so violently, I could barely stand. The noise around me dulled, blurred into a distant echo, and for a second, I thought I'd stop breathing.

Panic clawed up my throat.

I couldn't stay.

I stood up-legs barely steady beneath me-and made my way to the washroom, fast, head down. I didn't look at anyone. Didn't care.

Once inside, I gripped the sink, knuckles white. It's okay. It's nothing. Just breathe. I tried to calm myself, whispering to no one but me. You're fine. You're okay. It's in the past. Breathe. You can relax. You're okay now.

But I wasn't.

I wasn't okay.

I broke.

The panic won.

The walls closed in.

And everything blurred out.

I couldn't see clearly anymore-not the mirror, not the floor, not my own hands trembling in front of me. I couldn't stop it. The sobs came, messy and loud. I tried to cover my mouth, to hide the noise-but I couldn't.

I just cried.

Cried like I had no air left. Like the past was drowning me. Like I wasn't standing in a washroom, but somewhere deeper-somewhere I hadn't escaped from after all.

Then I heard it.

A voice.

Distant at first, like an echo underwater. I didn't register it. Maybe I didn't want to. But then-

A warmth.

Arms. Around me.

Holding me.

I sobbed harder.

I don't know why. Maybe because I was falling and something-someone-caught me. I didn't know how long I cried. I just know that I did. I let it all out. Every ache, every scream that had stayed trapped behind my silence.

And then-

I heard the words.

"It's okay. Just let it out. You're okay..."

And that voice-that voice-hit me harder than anything else.

My heart stopped.

Fourth.

I was... hugging Fourth.

How?

How is this happening?

How did I end up like this-in his arms, breaking like glass?

But I didn't move.

Because for some reason, despite everything, I felt safe.

Still a mess. Still in pain. But safe.

I could feel his hand gently rubbing my back. Hear his voice trying to calm me, even if he didn't know what had shattered me. And in that moment, I wanted to stay. I wanted to just... disappear into the comfort, to cry until I couldn't anymore, to let someone else hold what I couldn't carry alone anymore.

I leaned in closer. I let myself cry. Let myself need it.

But then-

Reality.

My mind slammed the brakes.

No.

You can't. You can't do this. You can't let someone in again. You can't be this weak. Not in front of him.

Not him.

And I pushed him away.

Not harshly. But enough.

I pulled back.

I finally looked at him-and what I saw broke me in a new way.

His eyes.

The pain. The confusion. The worry.

It looked like... like he felt it too.

Like he was holding something he couldn't explain either.

But I couldn't stay.

I couldn't face him.

Not like this.

I didn't say anything. I couldn't.

I turned.

And I ran.

Back to my room.

To my silence.

To the place where no one could see the wreckage I carried.

Not even him.

----

Fourth POV ~

He didn't expect it.

One second, he was holding someone breaking apart.

The next, that same person pushed him away-and ran.

Gone.

No words. No explanation. Just silence left behind, thick and heavy.

Fourth stood there for a moment, frozen, the echo of the restroom door swinging shut still hanging in the air. His arms, still halfway out from the embrace, dropped slowly to his sides.

And then-

That ache.

A quiet, sharp pang in his chest that he didn't understand.

Why do I feel like this?

They weren't close.

They used to talk. A little. Shared a few lectures. Shared even fewer conversations. But that was two years ago. Maybe less. Maybe more. Time got blurry.

Still, they weren't close.
[Yes! He want to know him , want to get close as friends* but this feel little weird to him]

So why did it feel like something in him cracked when Gemini looked at him like that-like he was a stranger, like he didn't want him near?

Why did he feel like he was the one being left behind?

He leaned against the cool wall for a moment, head tilted back, staring at nothing.

He didn't know what Gemini was going through. Didn't even know where to start. But in that moment-in those tears, that trembling, that quiet collapse-he had seen something. Felt it.

And all he wanted to do was help.

To tell him it was okay.

That whatever storm he was in, he didn't have to fight it alone.

But Gemini ran.

And Fourth didn't chase.

He stood there, letting the silence return.

He thought about going to Nia. Maybe she knew something. Maybe she could help him understand. But the thought twisted uncomfortably in his gut.

Would that be crossing a line?

Would Gemini hate that?

Would I be overstepping something I'm not even part of?

He didn't know. And for some reason, he didn't want to risk losing whatever fragile thread might still connect them.

So he let it go.

For now.

Later. Maybe later.

He walked back to camp.

It was already getting dark, and the campsite was lit by lanterns and the fire. A few students sat around, talking and laughing, each caught up in their own little world.

And there was Nia.

Sitting casually on a bench, tapping something on her phone, looking entirely untouched by the storm that had just swept through Fourth's chest.

He walked over, kept his expression neutral.

"Hey," he said, nodding at the empty space beside her. "Mind if I sit?"

She glanced up, smiled. "Yeah, sure."

He sat down slowly, eyes scanning the area again.

No sign of him.

So Fourth asked-softly, casually, trying not to give himself away.

"Uh... where's Gemini? Haven't seen him around."

Nia didn't seem to read into it.

"Oh, he said he was sleepy. Went to rest in the room or something. Long day, I guess."

Fourth nodded slowly, but something inside him stirred with quiet doubt.

Sleepy, huh?

It didn't feel right. Not after what he saw. Not after that breakdown.

But still, he didn't push.

Maybe Gemini needed space.

Maybe it wasn't his place.

Not yet.

So he kept the rest of his thoughts to himself, sat there beside Nia, letting the voices of the others drown out his silence.