{Continued}

... The evening drew to a close, and the chatter in Avery's apartment started to fade as people began gathering their belongings, preparing to leave. The air seemed heavier now, the silence between Gemini and Fourth palpable. Despite the group's playful goodbyes and the lingering smell of food, the two of them remained in the same orbit, circling each other but not quite meeting.

Gemini had helped clear some of the empty glasses and plates, his movements mechanical, his mind still racing with the weight of everything unsaid. He knew Fourth was still there, his presence lingering in the room like a constant pull. Every glance felt like a question, and Gemini wasn't sure how to answer it.

As everyone began to leave, Avery made her rounds to check on the others, Maya and Liam laughing as they stepped out, and Noah, ever the grounded one, patting Fourth on the shoulder before heading out the door with a subtle nod toward Gemini.

The only sound left in the apartment was the hum of the fridge and the shuffle of Gemini and Fourth's footsteps.

Finally, Gemini couldn't stand the tension any longer. "I'll walk you out," he said, his voice rough, almost like it didn't belong to him. Fourth nodded, though it was clear he was just as conflicted, as if he'd been waiting for this moment, this chance to finally speak.

The door shut behind them, and they stood in the cool night air outside the building, the city's lights casting soft glows over the streets. The others had already left, leaving just the two of them, standing together but apart.

"I guess this is it," Gemini said, his voice low, almost apologetic. He wasn't sure what he meant by it—was it an apology for the evening, or for the silence between them?

Fourth exhaled, a soft, nervous sound. He didn't want this to be it, not like this. "I didn't want things to feel so... strained," he said, looking down at the sidewalk. "But it's hard, you know? I don't know what you want, and I'm afraid that if I ask, you'll just pull away."

Gemini flinched at the rawness in Fourth's voice, the vulnerability he hadn't expected. The words hung in the air, unspoken but understood. Gemini had been pulling away, hadn't he? But it wasn't because he didn't want this—it was because he was terrified.

His thoughts were a blur, his heart heavy with the weight of the fear that had paralyzed him for so long. He didn't want to be hurt again. He didn't want to fall into something that would break him.

But the pull toward Fourth, the way his presence made his chest tighten in a way that felt both painful and comforting, was undeniable. Gemini swallowed hard, trying to find the right words, but they eluded him.

"I..." Gemini's voice faltered. "I don't know if I'm ready for this. For us. You know? Every time I let someone close, it..." He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence, the unspoken hurt hanging between them.

Fourth looked up at him, his face softening with understanding. "I get it," he said quietly. "I do. But you don't have to do this alone, Gemini."

The words hit Gemini like a wave, overwhelming him. He wanted to believe them, to let himself believe that maybe, just maybe, this time things could be different. But the fear of what might come after the vulnerability was too much. He couldn't take that leap yet.

For a long moment, the two of them stood there in silence, the city noise a distant hum in the background. It wasn't the comfortable silence of old friends, but the quiet of two people trying to navigate something fragile.

Fourth stepped closer, closing the small distance between them. He didn't reach for Gemini's hand, didn't make any bold gestures. But the proximity was enough. His presence, grounded and steady, was a silent promise.

"I can wait," Fourth said, his voice low, almost a whisper. "I'm not asking for everything right now. I just want to be here, with you. However long it takes."

Gemini's chest tightened. He wanted to believe him. Wanted to trust that this—whatever this was—was real.

But he wasn't sure he could do it. Not yet.

"I..." Gemini started again, but the words died in his throat. He wanted to tell Fourth everything. He wanted to admit how much the other man meant to him, how deeply his presence had begun to affect him. But he couldn't.

"I'm not ready," he said finally, his voice small but firm.

The rejection stung, but Fourth nodded, as though he had expected it. His lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn't pull away. He wasn't angry, wasn't disappointed—just patient.

"I know," he said quietly. "But I'll wait. And I'll be here when you're ready. No pressure."

Gemini felt a lump form in his throat, a mix of relief and frustration. He didn't know if he could ask for that kind of patience. But he also knew that Fourth was offering it freely, without conditions.

"Thanks," Gemini whispered, finally meeting Fourth's gaze.

Fourth gave a small, reassuring smile. "You don't have to thank me. I care about you, Gemini. And I'm not going anywhere."

The night air felt cooler now, and the moment between them began to dissolve, leaving both of them standing in the afterglow of something unresolved but still hopeful. Gemini wanted to say more, to reach out and change everything in that moment, but fear held him back. The weight of commitment felt too heavy for him to bear.

As they said their final goodbyes and Gemini watched Fourth walk away into the night, a mix of emotions swirled inside him. He was afraid. Afraid of what this might mean for him, for them. Afraid of opening up and having it all fall apart.

But there was also a part of him—a quiet, hopeful part—that wondered if maybe, just maybe, this time would be different. Maybe Fourth wasn't asking for everything at once. Maybe he could take things slowly.

Back in his apartment, alone in the silence, Gemini stared out the window, his thoughts racing. His heart still thudded from the conversation, the intensity of the emotions he'd tried to suppress.

He deserves someone braver. Someone who isn't afraid to take the risk.

The thought lingered in his mind, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized it wasn't just about bravery. It was about trust. And maybe, just maybe, he could learn to trust again.

Meanwhile, Fourth was back in his own apartment, sitting in the dark as he replayed the conversation in his mind. He could still feel the weight of Gemini's words, the hesitation that had hung in the air like a cloud.

I can wait... but how long before waiting feels like letting go?

Fourth exhaled slowly, staring at the empty space in front of him. He knew what he had to offer. He knew what he felt. But now, it was up to Gemini. And all Fourth could do was wait.

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

ꨄ THE END OF CHAPTER 3 ❥