{Continued}

... Gemini's steps were slow as he walked back to his apartment. The streetlights flickered softly, casting a golden glow on the uneven pavement, but he hardly noticed. Fourth's words echoed in his mind, each one peeling back layers of defenses he thought were impenetrable.

"Strong, but... alone."

The observation had been so simple yet so piercing. It wasn't just the accuracy of the statement that rattled him—it was the way Fourth had said it, without judgment or pity. It had felt... genuine.

Gemini shook his head as he unlocked the door to his apartment. The space greeted him with its usual emptiness, a stark contrast to the warmth he had felt during his unexpected evening with Fourth. He dropped his keys onto the counter, his mind still tangled in the conversations they'd shared.

On the other side of the city, Fourth wasn't faring much better. He sat on the edge of his bed, the gallery's dim lighting and Gemini's quiet voice replaying in his thoughts.

He had felt something tonight—something unfamiliar but undeniably real. It wasn't just the attraction he had been grappling with for weeks. It was deeper, more profound, and infinitely more terrifying.

Fourth leaned back against the wall, his hands gripping the blanket beneath him. What if I'm reading this wrong? he thought. What if I'm just setting myself up to fall—again?

The next day, neither Gemini nor Fourth had planned to see each other, but fate—or perhaps something more deliberate—intervened.

Gemini stood in line at a small café near his work, distractedly scrolling through his phone. His mind was a haze, filled with deadlines and unfinished projects, but all of it paled in comparison to the lingering emotions from the night before.

"Gemini?"

The voice was unmistakable, and he turned sharply to see Fourth standing a few feet away, a hesitant smile on his face.

"Oh. Hey," Gemini said, his voice betraying his surprise.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Fourth admitted, taking a step closer. "I was just grabbing something before heading to a meeting."

Gemini nodded, suddenly hyper-aware of how close Fourth was standing. "Yeah, same. Just... needed caffeine."

The words felt stilted, awkward, and Gemini hated how uncertain he sounded. But Fourth didn't seem to mind.

"Mind if I join you?" Fourth asked, his tone casual but his eyes searching Gemini's face for an answer.

Gemini hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. "Sure."

They found a small table near the window, the hum of the café providing a comforting backdrop to their conversation.

This time, it was Gemini who spoke first, surprising both of them. "About last night... what you said."

Fourth's expression softened, but he said nothing, letting Gemini find his words.

"I don't... usually talk about that kind of stuff," Gemini admitted, his fingers tracing the edge of his coffee cup. "It's easier to just... keep it locked away."

Fourth nodded, his gaze steady. "I get that. I really do. But you don't have to keep it all to yourself, you know."

Gemini looked up, his eyes meeting Fourth's. "And you don't either."

The silence that followed wasn't awkward—it was filled with an unspoken understanding that neither of them needed to elaborate on.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Gemini didn't feel the urge to retreat.

As the day turned into evening, their impromptu coffee meeting stretched longer than either had anticipated. They laughed over shared anecdotes, debated over trivial topics like the best pizza toppings, and occasionally dipped into deeper waters.

Fourth found himself marveling at the ease with which Gemini seemed to open up, even in small ways. It wasn't forced or contrived—it was natural, as if something in their dynamic had shifted.

Gemini, on the other hand, was struck by how comfortable Fourth made him feel. The man had a way of drawing him out without pushing, of making him feel seen without the usual weight of vulnerability.

As they stepped out of the café, the city's evening lights casting a warm glow on the street, there was a moment—a heartbeat of hesitation—when Gemini turned to say goodbye.

Fourth was standing close, his expression softer than usual, his gaze lingering on Gemini's face just a fraction too long.

Gemini felt his breath catch, his pulse quickening as the space between them seemed to shrink.

"Fourth, I—"

"It's okay," Fourth interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper. "You don't have to say anything."

For a second, Gemini thought he might close the distance. His heart raced, his mind screaming at him to take the risk, to let the moment happen.

But then the fear crept in—sharp, insistent, and impossible to ignore.

Gemini stepped back, breaking the spell. "I... I should go."

Fourth's expression flickered with something unnameable—disappointment? Sadness?—but he masked it quickly with a small nod. "Yeah. Of course."

They parted ways, the unspoken tension between them heavier than ever.

That night, Gemini lay awake, staring at the ceiling. He replayed the moment outside the café over and over again, berating himself for pulling away.

Why couldn't I just let it happen? he thought. Why is it so hard to let someone in?

Across the city, Fourth was having similar thoughts. He couldn't shake the image of Gemini's retreat, the way he had looked so torn, so conflicted.

He's scared, Fourth realized. And maybe... I am too.

The following morning, Gemini found himself standing outside Fourth's building, his hands stuffed into his pockets. He wasn't sure what had brought him here—an apology? An explanation? He didn't even know if Fourth would be home.

But before he could turn away, the door opened, and there was Fourth, looking equally surprised and hopeful.

"Gemini?"

"I... I was just in the area," Gemini said quickly, though they both knew it wasn't true.

Fourth's lips twitched into a small smile. "Want to come up?"

Gemini hesitated for only a moment before nodding.

In Fourth's apartment, the air was lighter, the tension between them eased by unspoken agreement. They didn't talk about the near-kiss or the fears that still lingered in the corners of their minds.

Instead, they shared a quiet evening, watching a movie neither of them cared about and letting the silence speak for them.

As Gemini left later that night, he felt a strange sense of calm. For the first time in years, the idea of letting someone in didn't feel so impossible.

And as Fourth watched him go, he allowed himself to hope.

Maybe this time would be different.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

❦ THE END OF CHAPTER 2 ꨄ