Safe Zone (GemFourth)

6.

Later that night, Fourth starts waking up. He can feel someone playing with his locks. Opening his eyes, he saw it was his older brother.

"How are you?" Third, asked him.

He took a deep breath and tried to sit up but Third told him to just lie down.

"Are they still here?" he asked softly.

Third lies beside him and makes Fourth pillow his arm. The latter snuggles to him and Third continues playing with his hair.

"Papa's cousin only left. Dad doesn't want to leave and your friends, especially Gemini don't want to leave," Third informed him.

Fourth slightly nodded. "Phi, am I a bad son?"

"Bad? Because you don't want our parents to get married?" Third asked and Fourth nodded.

"Hm, I believe you have a reason why and I know it's for Papa. You are just worried and that doesn't make you a bad son," Third answered.

Fourth sighed, "I just don't want them to hurt him again. If they learn that their son is still seeing Papa, I'm afraid that they will threaten him again. Papa already went through a lot," he voiced out.

"Nong, let me ask you this, Don't you want our family to be complete? You've always dreamed about it," Third asked.

Fourth plays his brother's shirt. "That was before I learned how bad those people are. If letting go of that dream will keep Papa safe, then I will do it. Papa will always be my priority," he said. He's starting to get teary.

"I understand you, Fot. But, if we are complete, we can protect not just Papa but also each other. Don't you think that Dad needs protection too? He's living with the wolves for us to be safe. Do you get what I mean?" Third said trying to enlighten him.

Fourth stay quiet, and think. "Will everything change when they get married? Will those people stop if they get married? Will they finally accept us once they know? I don't think so, Phi. If they learned that they have grandchildren, there are only two things that might happen," Fourth paused.

"It's either they will not acknowledge us and keep on making Papa's life miserable, or two, they will take us for their own benefit. Both are in their favor," Fourth continued.

Third understand his point. Truth is, he's also afraid. But until when?

"I won't let that happen," Mew's voice made them look at the door.

The brothers sat up. Mew walked to him and Third gave way to his Dad and went to his Papa. Mew sat beside Fourth who was looking down at his hands.

"Son, I know it's hard to believe and you're angry at me, but I'm begging you, give me a chance to fix everything. Give me a chance to prove that I deserve the three of you," he said holding Fourth's hand.

"What changed your mind?" Fourth timidly asked.

"You woke me up,"

Fourth faces him.

"When I saw you at the mall, I realized that keeping you away from me wasn't the right choice. I should've stayed with you three, and fought," Mew said.

"What if they pressure you again," Fourth asked.

Mew smiled and swatted the hair on Fourth's forehead.

"I won't be swayed this time. Besides, I don't think that they don't know about you and Third," Mew said making him and Third flinch.

"What do you mean, Dad?" Third asked.

Gulf rubs his eldest son's back. "Sons, your Dad and I talked and we both think that your grandparents might know about you two,"

"That we are Dad's sons?" Third, asked.