{Continued}

... Later that night, Gemini found himself alone in his apartment, the faint hum of the city filtering through the windows. He paced the small living room, hands shoved deep into his pockets. His thoughts kept circling back to Fourth—the quiet smile, the way his voice softened when he spoke, the way their fingers had brushed in the café. It was maddening, the way something so simple could feel so significant.

Gemini shook his head and dropped onto the couch, running a hand through his hair. "Get a grip," he muttered to himself. Yet no matter how much he tried to push it aside, the memory of Fourth lingered, warm and insistent.

Across town, Fourth sat on the edge of his bed, staring blankly at his phone. He'd typed and deleted the same message to Gemini at least five times, each variation more awkward than the last. Thanks for tonight. Delete. It was good to see you. Delete. Did you feel it too? Delete.

He tossed the phone onto the bed with a groan, burying his face in his hands. The air in his room felt stifling, heavy with the weight of his unspoken thoughts. He couldn't stop replaying the moment outside the café—the way Gemini's hand had hovered near his back, the way their eyes had met.

For Gemini, the quiet of his apartment offered little solace. He leaned back against the couch, his eyes tracing the cracks in the ceiling as he tried to make sense of the turmoil in his chest. He didn't want to admit how much Fourth affected him—it felt too dangerous, too raw. Yet the more he tried to fight it, the more the memory of Fourth's laughter, his touch, his presence consumed him.

Gemini thought about the walls he'd built over the years, the fortress of detachment that had kept him safe. Letting someone in meant risking everything—his peace, his independence, his heart. And yet, with Fourth, those walls felt fragile, like they could crumble with just one look, one touch.

What are you so afraid of? a small voice in his mind whispered. But Gemini didn't have an answer.

Fourth lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling as the minutes stretched into hours. His chest felt tight, as if the weight of his unspoken feelings were pressing down on him. He'd always been careful with his heart, cautious about letting anyone get too close. But Gemini—Gemini made it impossible to stay detached.

He thought about the way Gemini had looked at him in the café, the way his eyes had softened for just a moment before he looked away. There was something there, something real. But the fear of misreading it, of opening himself up only to be rejected, kept Fourth rooted in place.

He turned onto his side, clutching the pillow as if it could ground him. Why can't I just say it? he wondered. But he already knew the answer—because saying it would make it real, and real meant vulnerable.

The next day, Gemini and Fourth found themselves back in the same orbit, their paths crossing at a mutual friend's gathering. The apartment was crowded, filled with laughter and music, but the moment their eyes met across the room, the world seemed to narrow.

Gemini offered a small nod, his expression unreadable, while Fourth managed a faint smile. Neither approached the other immediately, instead falling into separate conversations, though their gazes kept drifting back.

As the evening progressed, the distance between them seemed to shrink. By the time they found themselves standing together near the kitchen, the tension was palpable.

"Hey," Fourth said softly, his voice barely audible over the music.

"Hey," Gemini replied, his tone equally subdued.

For a moment, neither said anything more. The silence between them felt heavy, but not uncomfortable—charged with something unspoken. Gemini leaned against the counter, his arms crossed, while Fourth fidgeted with the edge of his sleeve.

"You seemed quiet tonight," Gemini finally said, his gaze steady.

Fourth hesitated, then shrugged. "Just thinking."

"About what?"

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, Fourth considered telling the truth. But the words caught in his throat, replaced by a small, evasive smile. "Nothing important."

Gemini's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't press. Instead, he reached for the bottle of wine on the counter, pouring two glasses and handing one to Fourth. Their fingers brushed as Fourth accepted the glass, the fleeting contact enough to send a shiver down both their spines.

As the party began to wind down, Gemini and Fourth found themselves alone on the balcony, the city skyline stretching out before them. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the warmth of the crowded apartment, and the quiet felt almost sacred.

They stood close, their shoulders nearly touching, the silence between them more revealing than words could ever be. Gemini turned his head slightly, his eyes tracing Fourth's profile—the curve of his jaw, the soft rise and fall of his chest.

Fourth felt the weight of Gemini's gaze but didn't look away from the skyline. His heart raced, each beat echoing in his ears as he struggled to find the courage to speak.

"You ever think about... what it means to want something?" Fourth's voice was quiet, hesitant, as if he weren't entirely sure he wanted an answer.

Gemini tilted his head, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"

Fourth finally turned to meet Gemini's gaze, his eyes searching. "Like, wanting something so much that it scares you."

The words hung between them, heavy and raw. Gemini's breath caught in his throat, his mind racing. He wanted to say something—anything—but the vulnerability in Fourth's eyes rendered him speechless.

For a moment, it felt like the world held its breath. Gemini's hand twitched at his side, as if he were about to reach for Fourth, to close the distance that had always felt insurmountable. Fourth leaned in slightly, his eyes flicking to Gemini's lips.

But then, as if by some unspoken agreement, they both pulled back.

The drive home was quiet, the tension from the evening still lingering in Gemini's chest. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, his mind replaying the moment on the balcony—the way Fourth had looked at him, the way his voice had trembled.

Across town, Fourth lay awake in bed, his mind just as restless. He replayed the moment in his head, wondering what might have happened if he'd leaned in just a little closer, if he'd dared to close the gap.

The chapter ended with the image of both men staring into the darkness, their hearts heavy with longing and uncertainty. The pull of desire was undeniable, but so were the fears that kept them apart.

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❥ THE END OF CHAPTER 1 ❦