golden repair - geminifourth

date

To Gemini's surprise, his post didn't create the uproar he had anticipated. While some people questioned whether he was serious or joking, the world did not come crashing down. Even his parents remained oblivious to the situation. Though he expected his brother and uncle's life-partner to keep it from his parents, Gemini was taken aback when even New didn't inform Tay. The only mention of it came when New asked if they should wait for him for dinner on Wednesday, catching Tay off guard. Gemini dismissed New's suggestion and before Tay could inquire about why he wouldn't be joining them that day, a work-related call interrupted their conversation. It turned out to be an urgent call regarding a troublesome deal with Hong Kong that was causing stress for everyone in the office.

Gemini was frustrated to find that the days were passing by slowly. Sunday that usually felt like a day that suddenly appeared out of nowhere and was gone before you could blink suddenly seemed endless. Monday was even more sluggish than usual, and the only thing keeping him going through Tuesday was the anticipation of tomorrow: Wednesday. In the morning, he only had one business ethics class to attend before a brief window of time allowed him to go home and get ready for their date.

This is why Fourth made the decision to skip his nonlinear dynamics class. This day was way too important, so spending it in a classroom didn't seem feasible when he needed more time to prepare everything.

Fortunately, Winny willingly vacated his cramped one-room apartment for him to utilize today. He even endured the uncomfortable process of "pampering time" once again. His face experienced various masks throughout the morning to achieve a radiant and plump appearance, as he gathered every available blanket and pillow. After completing his preparations, he found himself with some spare time before needing to leave. As he contemplated how to occupy this interim period, a new message chimed on his phone. Upon seeing the sender's name, his entire body stiffened: it was from his father.

>>Come home now<<

With no other alternative, he was aware that he had to depart. After all, there was still an additional hour before Gemini's arrival and he didn't want to further provoke his already angry father.

~*~

He anticipated his father would once again be irritated. Lately, work had been stressful for his father, and the easiest way for him to alleviate that stress was by taking it out on Fourth. Typically, it consisted of a string of foul words followed by open-palm slaps that stung but were not severe enough to cause serious harm. Nevertheless, they were still deeply humiliating. However, he did not anticipate that his good mood and attention to his appearance today would only intensify his father's anger. Seeing the abomination of a son in a good mood just soured his own even further.

Although the episode didn't last as long as Fourth initially expected - due in part to his father's exhaustion from working overtime - the aftermath left him with several new bruises and wounds on his back from being struck repeatedly with his father's worn-out leather belt. His stomach was particularly tender; each kick delivered during the lashing made moving or breathing extremely uncomfortable for Fourth, leading him to suspect that a couple of ribs might have been cracked in the process.

However, once his father departed and he mustered up the energy, he quickly got off the floor and freshened up in the bathroom before hastily heading out to meet Gemini. The day that he had eagerly anticipated for such a long time had finally arrived, and he was determined not to let any discomfort or pain dissuade him from going.

By some stroke of luck, he managed to arrive on time; only four minutes behind schedule. Gemini was already waiting at the designated spot, casually leaning against a big tree. He was attired in simple black trousers and a black button-down shirt that he left partially unbuttoned - revealing his well-toned chest.