Second Chances (GEMINIFOURTH)

Chapter 2: The Drunken Night

The end of exams always brings a sense of relief, and with that relief comes celebration. Tonight is no different. The student union has organized a massive party at one of the most popular clubs in Bangkok, and almost everyone from the university is in attendance. The air is thick with the buzz of excitement, the pulsing beats of music, and the mingling of laughter and conversation.

Gemini, always the life of the party, is in his element. He's surrounded by friends, drink in hand, as they toast to the end of another grueling semester. His charm and energy are infectious, drawing people to him like moths to a flame. Fourth, as usual, stays close by his side, though he's not much of a drinker. He prefers to observe, sipping his soda as he watches Gemini light up the room.

Tonight, however, Gemini seems more intent on letting loose than usual. Perhaps it's the stress of exams, or maybe it's the pressure of his impending internship at his father's company, but he's drinking more heavily than Fourth has ever seen him. At first, it's all in good fun—dancing, laughing, and clinking glasses with friends—but as the night wears on, Fourth begins to grow uneasy.

"Gem, maybe you should slow down a bit," Fourth suggests gently, placing a hand on Gemini's arm as he reaches for another drink.

Gemini flashes him a wide grin, his eyes slightly glazed. "Come on, Fourth, it's just one night. We deserve to celebrate, don't we?"

Fourth forces a smile, nodding, though the knot in his stomach tightens. He knows Gemini's right—they've both worked hard, and a night of fun shouldn't be a big deal. But something about the way Gemini is acting tonight makes him feel on edge, as if things could easily spiral out of control.

As the night progresses, the club becomes more crowded, the music louder, and the drinks keep flowing. Gemini, now thoroughly intoxicated, pulls Fourth onto the dance floor. Fourth hesitates at first, but Gemini's enthusiasm is hard to resist. They move together to the rhythm of the music, and for a moment, Fourth lets himself get lost in the feeling of being close to Gemini, the world fading away around them.

But as the night goes on, Gemini's behavior becomes increasingly erratic. His touch, usually tender and affectionate, grows more insistent, his movements more aggressive. Fourth tries to keep up, laughing it off at first, but soon he finds himself feeling uncomfortable. When Gemini's hands slide down his back, pulling him closer than usual, Fourth tenses.

"Gem, maybe we should head home," Fourth suggests, trying to keep his tone light, though his heart is pounding.

Gemini, his judgment clouded by alcohol, doesn't seem to hear the hesitation in Fourth's voice. Instead, he leans in, his breath warm against Fourth's ear. "Not yet. Let's stay a little longer."

Fourth swallows hard, unsure of how to handle the situation. He loves Gemini, but he's not sure how to navigate this side of him—the side that's driven by alcohol and impulse. As they continue to dance, Fourth tries to maintain some distance, but Gemini keeps closing the gap, his touches becoming more insistent, more demanding.

Finally, Fourth makes the decision. "Gem, I'm really tired. Let's go," he says firmly, taking Gemini's hand and leading him out of the club.

Gemini, too drunk to argue, stumbles along behind him. They manage to hail a cab, and the ride back to Fourth's apartment is silent, the tension hanging thick in the air. Fourth keeps glancing at Gemini, who has slumped against the window, eyes half-closed. He wonders if he's overreacting, if maybe he's just being too sensitive. But the unease gnawing at him won't go away.

When they finally reach the apartment, Fourth helps Gemini inside. As soon as they're through the door, Gemini turns to him, his expression unreadable. "Come here," he mutters, pulling Fourth into a kiss that's more forceful than usual.

Fourth hesitates, gently trying to push Gemini away. "Gem, you're drunk. Let's just go to bed, okay?"

But Gemini is persistent, his hands gripping Fourth's waist, pulling him closer. Fourth's mind races, torn between his love for Gemini and the unsettling feeling that something is off. He tries to reason with himself—it's just one night, Gemini doesn't mean any harm—but the anxiety building in his chest makes it hard to breathe.

The situation escalates quickly. Gemini, in his intoxicated state, becomes more aggressive, his advances more insistent. Fourth, feeling overwhelmed, tries to push him away, but his attempts are weak, muddled by his own emotions and confusion. He's torn between wanting to be close to Gemini and the fear that this is crossing a line he's not ready to face.

Eventually, Fourth relents. He tells himself that this is Gemini—the person he loves, the one he's been with for so long—and that maybe this is just part of the night. They've been intimate before, but this time, something feels different, clouded by the alcohol and the intensity of Gemini's advances.

They end up in bed, and what begins as a rough, hurried encounter gradually softens as the familiarity between them takes over. Fourth tries to relax, reminding himself that this is normal, that they've shared moments like this before. But the lingering discomfort doesn't fully disappear, leaving him feeling conflicted even as they lie together afterward, Gemini drifting off to sleep beside him.

The next morning, Gemini wakes up with a pounding headache, barely able to recall the events of the previous night. He groans, burying his face in the pillow as Fourth quietly gets ready for the day. Gemini mumbles something about drinking too much, brushing it off as just another wild night out.

But Fourth can't shake the feeling that something has changed. As he moves around the apartment, his mind replays the night over and over, each detail sharpening with every passing second. He wants to talk to Gemini about it, to explain the unease he feels, but the words stick in his throat. What if Gemini doesn't take him seriously? What if this is just his own insecurities playing tricks on him?

Gemini, blissfully unaware of Fourth's internal turmoil, gets up and wraps his arms around Fourth from behind, kissing his neck. "Morning, babe," he murmurs. "Sorry about last night. I didn't do anything too embarrassing, did I?"

Fourth forces a smile, shaking his head. "No, it's fine. You were just... really drunk."

Gemini chuckles, releasing him to make coffee. "Well, that's what happens when you celebrate the end of exams, right?"

Fourth nods, but inside, his unease only grows. He watches Gemini move around the kitchen, acting as if everything is normal, while the weight of the night before presses down on him. He knows that something life-changing may have happened, but for now, he chooses silence, hoping that his fears are unfounded.

As the day unfolds, Fourth carries the burden of uncertainty alone, unable to shake the feeling that their lives are on the cusp of a dramatic shift—one that neither of them is prepared for.