Agony (GEMINIFOURTH)

Chapter 48: Unexpected Conversations

The next morning, Fourth found himself standing outside his house, frustration bubbling up as he tried—and failed—to get his car to start. He had been fiddling with the engine for a good while, but nothing seemed to work. His parents were already out, and he was alone. With a class scheduled for the afternoon, the last thing he needed was car trouble.

With a deep sigh, he closed the hood of his car, unsure of what to do next. Just as he was about to grab his phone to call a taxi, he heard a honk behind him. Fourth turned around, startled, and his breath caught in his throat when he saw Gemini's car pulling up.

Gemini stepped out, looking concerned but composed as ever. "Hey, what's going on?" he asked, walking toward Fourth.

Fourth, surprised and slightly flustered, avoided Gemini's gaze for a moment before softly replying, "My car broke down. I was just about to order a taxi."

Gemini glanced at the car, then back at Fourth. "Where do you need to go? Back to your place?"

Fourth nodded, still hesitant. "Yeah, I have class this afternoon."

Gemini smiled, his offer immediate and genuine. "I can drive you there. Just give me the location."

Fourth blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, no, it's okay. I can just order a taxi."

Gemini shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It's really no problem. I'm heading in that direction anyway. Let me help."

Despite his initial resistance, Fourth found himself nodding, feeling strangely comforted by Gemini's offer. It was so much like old times—Gemini swooping in to help, as if no time had passed at all. A few minutes later, Fourth was seated in Gemini's car, the air between them quiet but not entirely uncomfortable.

They didn't talk much during the drive. The tension from the night before still lingered between them, but there was also something familiar, something that made Fourth's heart ache. He stared out the window, trying not to think too much about it, while Gemini focused on the road.

When they finally arrived at Fourth's apartment, Fourth hesitated before getting out. "Thanks," he said softly, glancing at Gemini.

Gemini nodded, a small smile on his face. "Anytime."

On impulse, Fourth added, "Do you want to come in? I can get you some water or something."

Gemini seemed to consider it for a moment before nodding. "Sure, why not."

They walked inside, and as soon as they entered the living room, they were greeted by Phuwin, who was lounging on the couch. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw Gemini behind Fourth, but the surprise quickly morphed into excitement.

"Gemini!" Phuwin said, jumping up from the couch. "It's been forever since we last saw each other. How have you been?"

Gemini smiled warmly at Phuwin, the casual ease between them reminding Fourth just how deeply intertwined their lives had once been. "I've been good. Busy, but good. It's nice to be back, even for a little while."

They all sat down in the living room, Phuwin excitedly chatting with Gemini about all that had happened since he left. The conversation flowed naturally, easing some of the awkwardness that had lingered between Fourth and Gemini. Phuwin's presence brought a sense of normalcy to the moment, and for a while, it felt like they were just catching up, like old friends.

As they talked, Phuwin began telling Gemini about their university friends, mentioning Satang and Winny, who were still as inseparable as ever. But then, out of nowhere, Phuwin casually dropped a bombshell.

"And oh, speaking of classmates," Phuwin said with a sly grin, "Mark's been trying to hit on Fourth for the last three years. Can you believe that? The guy just doesn't give up."

Fourth's eyes widened in shock, his heart skipping a beat as he shot Phuwin a panicked look. "Phuwin!" he hissed, trying to hide his embarrassment.

But Phuwin just smiled innocently, though the glint in his eyes suggested he knew exactly what he was doing. "What? It's true. Mark's been trying to get with you ever since you guys started university."

Gemini's expression didn't change much at first, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something sharp and unsettled. He glanced at Fourth, then back at Phuwin. "Really?" he asked, his voice calm, but there was an edge to it.

Phuwin nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, it's been going on for a while. But don't worry, Fourth's always turned him down." He winked, clearly enjoying stirring the pot.

Fourth could feel his face heating up, his stomach twisting with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Phuwin, seriously..." he muttered, wishing the ground would open up and swallow him whole.

But Gemini's gaze had locked onto Fourth now, and something in the air shifted. "So Mark's still in the picture, huh?" Gemini asked, his voice low, his expression unreadable.

Fourth felt cornered, unsure of what to say. He wanted to brush it off, to downplay the whole thing, but the look in Gemini's eyes told him that this was no longer just a casual conversation. "Yeah, he's... around," Fourth said quietly. "But it's nothing. I've always rejected him."

The room felt heavy with tension as those words hung between them. Phuwin, sensing the charged atmosphere, suddenly stood up, clapping his hands together. "Well, I should probably head out and... get some stuff done. You two catch up!" He gave Fourth an exaggerated wink before making a quick exit, leaving them alone.

As soon as Phuwin left, silence settled over the room. Fourth shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to navigate the sudden shift in mood. Gemini's gaze lingered on him, a mixture of curiosity and something else—something that made Fourth's heart race.

"Three years, huh?" Gemini said softly, breaking the silence. His tone was neutral, but the weight of his words was anything but. "That's a long time for someone to keep trying."

Fourth could only nod, feeling the intensity of Gemini's gaze bearing down on him. "Yeah, but like I said, I've always turned him down."

Gemini's expression softened slightly, but the tension remained. "Why?"

Fourth blinked, taken aback by the question. "Why what?"

"Why did you turn him down?" Gemini asked, his voice quiet but firm. "Mark seems like a nice guy. He's clearly interested in you."

Fourth felt his heart skip a beat, the answer to that question hanging heavily on his lips. But how could he say it? How could he tell Gemini that the reason he had always turned Mark down was because of him? Because he had never really gotten over the boy sitting in front of him, even after all these years?

"I don't know," Fourth lied, his voice barely a whisper. "It just never felt right."

Gemini's gaze softened, and for a moment, something flickered between them—something unspoken, something that had always been there, just beneath the surface. But before Fourth could say anything else, Gemini stood up, his expression unreadable once more.

"I should go," Gemini said quietly, his voice betraying none of the emotions swirling in his chest.

Fourth's heart sank, but he nodded, not knowing what else to do. "Okay."

As Gemini walked to the door, Fourth's mind raced with everything he wanted to say but couldn't. The kiss from the night before, the lingering feelings, the unresolved tension—it was all too much, but it felt like there was no way to break through it.

Just as Gemini reached the door, he paused, glancing back at Fourth with a look that made Fourth's heart ache. "Take care, Fourth."

Fourth nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "You too, Gem."

And with that, Gemini was gone, leaving Fourth standing in the silence of his apartment, wondering if they would ever find a way back to each other—or if they were destined to remain just two people with too much history between them.