Tangled Hearts And Classroom Smiles

Chapter Five: A Fragile Truce

It had been a week since Fourth's curt response to Gemini's confession, and things had returned to a semblance of normalcy—at least, on the surface. Fourth no longer avoided him outright, and the cold "Mr. Titichareonrak" had been replaced by his first name again. But the distance remained. There was a certain formality to their interactions that hadn't been there before, and despite Gemini's best efforts to bridge the gap, Fourth kept his emotional walls firmly in place.

For the most part, Gemini accepted it. He didn't push. Fourth had made it clear he wasn't interested in anything poly, and Gemini respected that. But that didn't mean he didn't feel the tension between them, the unspoken charge in the air every time they were alone. And despite Fourth's coldness, Gemini couldn't deny that he still wanted him.

It was a quiet afternoon, and the last of the kids had been picked up. The classroom was finally empty, and both teachers lingered behind, tidying up the mess that always seemed to multiply by the end of the day. Fourth was at the other end of the room, stacking some papers, his attention focused on his work. Gemini watched him from the corner of his eye, stealing glances between his own tasks.

The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but it was thick with something else—something unsaid.

As Fourth moved to gather more papers from a student's desk, Gemini found himself walking toward him. He wasn't entirely sure why—maybe it was just to get closer, or maybe he was just tired of the unspoken tension. He stopped a few feet away, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Fourth," he said softly.

The omega looked up, startled by how close Gemini had gotten. His brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't move away. "What is it, Gemini?"

There was no malice in his voice, no coldness. But there was still that distance—a distance Gemini suddenly wanted to close.

"I just wanted to check in," Gemini said, his voice low, softer than usual. "I know things have been... weird between us."

Fourth's eyes flickered, but he didn't respond, simply watching Gemini warily. His posture was tense, like he was bracing himself for something.

"I don't want things to be awkward," Gemini continued, taking a small step closer. "I still care about you, Fourth. That hasn't changed."

Fourth's jaw tightened, but he didn't move. Gemini was close enough now that he could feel the warmth radiating from the omega, could see the way Fourth's hands gripped the papers just a little too tightly.

"Gemini..." Fourth's voice was quieter now, almost a whisper. He seemed to struggle for words, his eyes darting away as if looking for an escape.

And then, before either of them could think better of it, Gemini closed the gap between them. His hand reached out, gently brushing against Fourth's arm, and when the omega didn't pull away, Gemini leaned in.

Their lips met in a soft, hesitant kiss—barely more than a whisper of contact, but enough to send a jolt through both of them. For a brief, fleeting moment, Fourth didn't resist. His lips parted slightly, and for the first time in what felt like forever, there was no distance between them.

But then, just as quickly as it had started, Fourth pulled away.

He stepped back, eyes wide and breath shaky as he stared at Gemini in shock. His hand flew to his mouth, as if trying to erase the kiss that had just happened. Panic flashed across his face, and before Gemini could say anything, Fourth spun around and fled toward the door.

"Fourth, wait—" Gemini called after him, but it was too late. Fourth was already gone, the door swinging shut behind him with a sharp click.

Fourth's heart pounded in his chest as he hurried down the empty hallway, his mind racing. *What just happened?* He couldn't believe he'd let himself kiss Gemini. He couldn't believe he'd let it happen at all.

*You idiot,* he scolded himself as he practically ran toward the exit. *He's already in a relationship. A polyamorous relationship, no less.*

Fourth pressed a hand to his chest, trying to calm his erratic heartbeat. What had he been thinking? He'd told himself he wasn't interested, that he couldn't be interested. He wasn't poly, and he didn't share. He wanted stability, not a life where he'd have to compete with four other men for someone's affection.

And yet, for just a moment, he'd let himself get swept up in it.

He stopped at the door, leaning heavily against it as he caught his breath. The image of Gemini's face, so close, flashed through his mind again. The way his lips had felt—soft, warm, and so painfully tempting.

*Forget about him,* Fourth told himself, shutting his eyes tightly. *Forget about Gemini. Forget about that kiss.*

But deep down, Fourth knew that was easier said than done.