Chapter 6: The First Glimpse Of Vulnerability
~~~~~~~~~~
Gemini was halfway through regretting agreeing to meet Avery at the quaint café tucked away on a quiet street corner. The place was charming—wooden beams, soft ambient lighting, and the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee—but it wasn't his scene. He preferred quieter escapes, ones where he could sink into the background unnoticed.
Yet, as the bell over the door chimed to announce his arrival, Gemini immediately noticed the figure seated by the large rain-speckled window.
Fourth.
The sight caught him off guard, but he managed to school his features into nonchalance before Fourth looked up. The younger man's amber eyes sparkled with recognition, and a knowing smirk curved his lips.
"Well, if it isn't the rain magnet himself," Fourth greeted, leaning back in his chair with an ease that Gemini couldn't help but envy.
Gemini raised an eyebrow, slipping into his usual mask of indifference. "Didn't realize you'd be here. Should I assume you're stalking me now?"
Fourth laughed, a warm sound that cut through the café's hum of quiet chatter. "If I were, I'd be much more subtle than this.
Gemini rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched in amusement as he slid into the seat across from Fourth. He hadn't planned on staying long—just a quick hello to Avery and an equally quick escape—but Fourth's presence shifted something in the atmosphere.
Before Gemini could decide whether to find it irritating or intriguing, Avery appeared with a tray of drinks. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she set the cups down.
"I see you two found each other already," she said, her tone light. "You're welcome, by the way. I figured you'd get along."
"Getting along might be a stretch," Gemini replied dryly, though his gaze flicked to Fourth, who was watching him with that maddeningly calm expression.
Fourth tilted his head, his smirk softening into something almost thoughtful. "I'd call it a work in progress."
The conversation flowed easily after that, aided by Avery's natural gift for lighthearted chatter. But as the rain outside grew heavier, Avery excused herself, leaving Gemini and Fourth alone at the table.
"So," Fourth began, swirling the last of his drink in his cup. "What's your take on all this?"
Gemini raised an eyebrow. "All what?"
Fourth gestured vaguely toward the window, where the rain blurred the world beyond the glass. "This—life, moments like this. Do you ever stop to think about it, or are you too busy trying to stay ahead of the storm?"
Gemini hesitated, caught off guard by the question's weight. He wasn't used to casual conversations veering into deeper territory, especially with someone he barely knew.
"I try not to overthink it," he said finally, keeping his tone deliberately light. "Doesn't do much good, does it?"
Fourth studied him for a moment, his amber eyes sharp but not unkind. "Maybe not. But sometimes it's worth slowing down to see what you might be missing."
Gemini wasn't sure if Fourth was referring to the rain outside, their unexpected encounter, or something else entirely. Either way, the words struck a chord he wasn't ready to acknowledge.
Before he could formulate a response, Avery returned, breaking the moment. But the conversation lingered in Gemini's mind long after they left the café.
As Avery returned, her laughter and energy filled the space, temporarily breaking the stillness that had settled between Gemini and Fourth. She plopped down in her seat and began animatedly recounting a story about a recent mishap at work. Gemini listened with half an ear, nodding at the right moments, but his thoughts remained tethered to Fourth's words.
"Sometimes it's worth slowing down to see what you might be missing."
It wasn't like him to linger on someone's passing remark, but there was something about the way Fourth had said it—calm yet pointed, as though he knew Gemini carried something heavy but chose not to pry.
Fourth, for his part, seemed content to let the moment pass. He listened to Avery's story with an amused expression, occasionally chiming in with a witty comment that made her laugh. He was at ease, as though this casual gathering was exactly where he was meant to be.
When Avery's story finally wound down, she glanced at her watch and let out a dramatic groan. "Ugh, I'm late for a meeting. You two should stay, though—bond over... whatever it is you guys bond over. Rain, apparently."
Gemini shot her a sharp look, but Avery merely winked at him before grabbing her bag and rushing out.
For a moment, silence settled over the table.
"Well," Fourth said, breaking it, "looks like it's just us now."
Gemini leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "Don't sound so thrilled."
Fourth chuckled, shaking his head. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"And yet, here you are," Gemini shot back, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.
Fourth leaned forward slightly, his expression shifting from amused to curious. "Why do you always do that?"
"Do what?"
"Deflect," Fourth said simply, his amber eyes steady. "Whenever someone gets too close to a real answer, you throw out a sarcastic comment or change the subject."
Gemini's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered. "Maybe I just like keeping people on their toes."
"Or maybe," Fourth countered, his voice soft but pointed, "you're afraid of letting anyone see what's underneath."
The words landed like a well-aimed dart, and for a brief moment, Gemini felt exposed in a way he hadn't anticipated. He opened his mouth to reply but found himself at a loss for words.
Just as he was about to recover, a voice interrupted the quiet moment.
"Hey, you two still at it?"
Gemini looked up to see Noah Sukprasert standing at the entrance, a playful grin on his face. He had clearly been listening for a while, his arms casually crossed over his chest.
Noah was a long-time friend of both Gemini and Avery, and though he wasn't one to show vulnerability, his carefree attitude always seemed to pull everyone out of their introspective moments.
"I'm not interrupting anything, right?" Noah added, stepping closer to their table, his voice teasing but genuine.
Gemini blinked, momentarily grateful for the interruption. "No, just... having a chat," he said, giving Noah a pointed look.
"Well, looks like I came at the right time," Noah remarked, pulling up a chair without waiting for an invitation. "You two look like you're about to start a therapy session."
Fourth chuckled, easing the tension. "If this was therapy, I'd be charging by the hour."
Noah shrugged casually. "Hey, if the rain makes you guys talk about feelings, I'm here for it."
Gemini glanced at Noah, a slight smile pulling at his lips. "You would be."
"Always." Noah gave a playful wink, his easy confidence a contrast to the more introspective atmosphere between Gemini and Fourth.
The conversation soon shifted to lighter banter, with Noah keeping things casual and easy. But as they spoke, Gemini couldn't help but notice the subtle shifts between him and Fourth—an unspoken understanding quietly building in the background.
Fourth didn't push further. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving Gemini's. "Don't worry. I'm not asking for answers. Just... something to think about."
Gemini let out a slow breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "You're surprisingly good at reading people, you know that?"
"Occupational hazard," Fourth said with a shrug, though he didn't elaborate.
The rain outside had lightened to a soft drizzle, the world beyond the window now bathed in muted shades of gray.
"You know," Fourth said after a pause, his tone lighter, "Avery's right about one thing."
Gemini raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
Fourth's lips curved into a playful smirk. "We do bond over rain. Might even call it our thing."
Gemini couldn't help but laugh, the tension between them easing. "Well, it's not the worst thing to bond over."
They stayed a little longer, the conversation drifting back to lighter topics. But beneath the banter, an unspoken understanding lingered—a tentative connection neither was ready to acknowledge, but both couldn't ignore.
When they finally parted ways, Gemini found himself replaying the afternoon in his mind. The quiet moments and unexpected words stuck with him, like drops of rain clinging to his skin.
And as he walked home under the soft drizzle, he couldn't help but wonder what it was about Fourth that made him feel so... seen.
___________________________________________________
♤to be continued...
Chapter 7: {Continued}
... The conversation soon shifted to lighter banter, with Noah keeping things casual and easy. Avery chimed in with a few jokes, and Liam added his usual sarcastic commentary, making it hard for Gemini to stay focused on the heavier thoughts lingering in his mind. But as they talked, Gemini couldn't help but notice the subtle shifts between him and Fourth—an unspoken understanding building in the background.
"Noah, are you seriously telling me you like pineapple on pizza?" Liam raised an eyebrow, half-amused, half-disbelieving.
"Yup, best combo ever," Noah said, leaning back with a grin. "You're just mad because you're missing out on the best food ever."
Avery snorted. "Noah, you're the only one who thinks that. Liam, back me up here."
Liam sighed dramatically. "I swear, it's like a crime against food. Pineapple doesn't belong on pizza. Ever."
Maya, who had been quietly observing the group, gave them both a teasing eye-roll. "You two could argue about this forever, couldn't you?" she said, her voice dripping with amusement.
Avery smirked. "Of course. It's about the principle of not ruining pizza."
"I'm with you on that one," Liam said with a satisfied nod.
Noah laughed, shaking his head. "You guys are missing out, I swear."
Gemini found himself tuning out their chatter. Noah and Liam's back-and-forth was a familiar comfort to the group, and Avery and Maya's sarcastic remarks kept the mood light, but Gemini couldn't shake the unease creeping up inside him. The words Fourth had said earlier echoed in his mind: Deflect. Afraid of letting anyone see what's underneath. The accusations weren't new—he'd heard similar things from people in his life before—but it was different coming from Fourth. There was no judgment, no malice in the observation. Just a quiet truth that Gemini wasn't ready to face.
Noah laughed at something Liam said, and Maya, who had been quietly observing the group, gave them both a teasing eye-roll. But through it all, Gemini couldn't shake the subtle unease Fourth's words had stirred.
As the group made their way outside the café, the rain had all but stopped, leaving behind only the lingering scent of wet pavement and the rhythmic dripping of water from rooftops. Gemini pulled his jacket closer against the cool air, glancing at Fourth as they started walking down the street together.
"Did you mean what you said back there?" Gemini asked after a long silence, his voice carefully casual.
Fourth turned his head slightly, his amber eyes catching the dim light of a streetlamp. "About what?"
"About me deflecting," Gemini said, his gaze fixed straight ahead. "You seemed pretty sure of yourself."
Fourth shrugged, his tone light but honest. "It's just an observation. I could be wrong."
"You don't seem like the type to say something unless you're sure of it," Gemini countered, his hazel eyes narrowing slightly.
A small smile played on Fourth's lips. "Fair enough. But I think everyone has their reasons for keeping people at arm's length. I'm no exception."
Gemini stopped walking, his curiosity piqued. "Oh, really? And what's your reason?"
Fourth paused a few steps ahead, glancing back at Gemini with a wry smile. "Maybe I'll tell you someday. When you're ready to answer the same question."
The challenge hung in the air between them, unspoken but understood. Gemini didn't press further. Instead, he fell back into step beside Fourth, their silence filled with the muted sounds of the city around them.
As the group continued to walk, Avery playfully nudged Maya, who grinned, making some lighthearted comment about Gemini's obvious discomfort. Noah followed close behind, adding to the friendly chaos, while Liam and Avery continued their banter. But Gemini and Fourth remained a quiet island amidst it all.
They turned a corner, and the street opened up into a small park, its benches and pathways glistening with leftover rain. Without saying a word, Fourth walked over to a bench beneath a tree and sat down.
Gemini hesitated, unsure whether to follow or keep walking. But something about the way Fourth sat there—calm, unbothered—made him take a seat.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The quiet was different now, less heavy, more contemplative.
"You don't have to tell me anything," Fourth said eventually, his voice quiet but firm. "But sometimes it helps to let someone in. Even just a little."
Gemini tilted his head back, staring up at the dark branches overhead. "You make it sound easy."
"It's not," Fourth admitted. "But it's worth it."
The sincerity in Fourth's tone caught Gemini off guard. He shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of his own silence pressing down on him. Against his better judgment, he decided to speak.
"There's a reason I keep people at arm's length," Gemini said, his voice low. "It's easier that way. Less messy."
Fourth didn't interrupt, didn't push for more. He just waited, his amber eyes steady and patient.
"My parents split when I was a kid," Gemini continued, his gaze fixed on the wet ground. "It wasn't a big deal at first. They said it would be better for everyone. But the way they just... drifted apart—it was like watching two people stop caring. About each other, about us, about everything. I think I learned pretty early that letting people in only gives them the chance to leave."
The words hung in the air, raw and unpolished, but they were out there now, and Gemini couldn't take them back.
Fourth nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "That sounds... hard."
"It was what it was," Gemini said with a shrug, forcing a nonchalance he didn't feel. "It's not like I'm the only one with a sob story."
"Maybe not," Fourth said. "But that doesn't make it any less real."
Gemini glanced at him, caught off guard by the simple kindness in his voice. There was no pity, no condescension—just understanding.
For the first time in a long time, Gemini felt the tiniest crack in the walls he'd built around himself.
"Well," he said, his tone shifting back to its usual lightness, "now you know my tragic backstory. Your turn."
Fourth smirked, but there was a flicker of something guarded in his eyes. "Nice try. I said someday, remember?"
Gemini rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. "Fine. Keep your secrets."
As they left the park and started walking again, Gemini realized that something had shifted between them. It wasn't just the teasing or the flirtation anymore. There was an understanding now, a thread of trust that hadn't been there before.
As the group slowly gathered nearby, Noah threw a joking comment in their direction, Liam snickered, and Avery shot Gemini a knowing look, but he couldn't help but stay focused on the quiet connection he had just shared with Fourth.
And as much as it scared him, he couldn't help but wonder where it might lead.
They walked side by side, the night air cool and damp, their steps falling into an easy rhythm. Fourth didn't press for more, didn't prod at the vulnerability Gemini had just shared. Instead, he let the silence stretch between them, giving it space to breathe.
"You know," Fourth said after a moment, his voice casual but tinged with curiosity, "for someone who doesn't like letting people in, you're pretty good at it when you want to be."
Gemini glanced at him, a faint smirk pulling at his lips. "Don't get used to it..
Fourth laughed softly, the sound warm and genuine. "Noted. But for what it's worth, I'm glad you did."
Gemini didn't respond right away. His gaze flickered to Fourth, catching the way the dim streetlights cast a soft glow across his features. There was something about Fourth's presence that was disarming, a quiet confidence that made Gemini feel both safe and completely off-balance at the same time.
"Yeah, well," Gemini said finally, his voice dropping into a murmur, "don't make me regret it."
Fourth's lips curved into a faint smile, his amber eyes meeting Gemini's with a quiet promise. "I won't."
The simplicity of his words hit harder than Gemini expected. They weren't grand or overly sentimental, but they held a sincerity that felt impossible to question. For the first time in a long time, Gemini felt the stirrings of something unfamiliar—a cautious hope that maybe, just maybe, letting someone in wasn't such a bad idea after all.
As they reached the edge of the park, their paths diverging once more, Gemini hesitated. "Next time we meet," he said, his voice teasing but softer now, "maybe you'll share something about yourself."
Fourth's smile widened, a spark of playfulness in his gaze. "Maybe. If you're lucky."
Gemini shook his head, a chuckle escaping his lips as he turned to walk away. "We'll see about that."
As he disappeared down the street, Fourth remained where he was, watching until Gemini was out of sight. The faint smile lingered on his face, but his thoughts were far from light.
For all of Gemini's deflections and guardedness, there was something in him that drew Fourth in—something vulnerable and raw, hidden beneath layers of carefully constructed armor.
And Fourth couldn't help but feel that he wanted to see more.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
❥ the end of chapter 3 ❦
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