Tangled Hearts And Classroom Smiles

The Aftermath

Fourth awoke to a dull ache coursing through his body, the sunlight seeping through the blinds casting soft streaks of light across the room. For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
But then his mind caught up, and reality hit him like a truck.

He was alone in bed, the sheets tangled around his legs, the faint scent of Pond still lingering on the pillows beside him. His breath hitched as flashes of the previous night rushed back—
Pond's lips, the heat of his touch, the feeling of their bodies pressed together. His body ached in a way that told him everything he didn't remember.

Oh God. What have I done?
His heart pounded in his chest as he sat up, the realization of what had happened sinking in.
They hadn't used protection. The thought sent a surge of panic through him, his breathing quickening as he clutched the sheets, his mind spiraling.

He was about to completely unravel when the door to his apartment creaked open, and Pond stepped inside, holding a small bag in one hand and a takeout box in the other.

"Good morning," Pond said, his voice soft but cautious, like he was treading on fragile ground.
He walked over to the bed, placing the items on the bedside table. "I brought you some food and... um, these."He handed Fourth a small package-a morning-after pill.

Fourth blinked, his panic momentarily paused as he stared at the pill in his hand. He swallowed hard, the weight of it hitting him all at once. "I... I should take this."
"Yeah," Pond said gently, sitting on the edge of the bed, his gaze full of concern. "We didn't use protection last night, and I... I just want to make sure you're okay."With trembling hands, Fourth took the pill, washing it down with the glass of water Pond had thoughtfully placed beside the food.

His mind was racing, a thousand thoughts at once, but the small act of taking the pill calmed him— if only slightly.

Pond let out a small sigh of relief when Fourth swallowed the pill. "I'm really sorry, Fourth," he said, his voice lower now, almost regretful. "I know last night wasn't planned, and I'm not going to pretend that it didn't complicate things."

Fourth, still silent, picked at the food Pond had brought him. His mind was too jumbled to focus on eating, but the warmth and taste helped ground him a bit.
Pond cleared his throat, his eyes locking with Fourth's. "There's something I need to tell you.
Something important."

Fourth's heart skipped a beat, anxiety creeping back into his chest. "What... what is it?"
"I'm in a relationship." Pond's words hung in the air, heavy and loaded with meaning. "With four other men. We've been together for three years now. And last night... I didn't mean for things to happen the way they did, but I also don't want to pretend like I didn't want it."

Fourth froze, the shock washing over him like cold water. "Four... four men?"

Pond nodded, his expression sincere but cautious. "Dunk, Phuwin, Joong, and Gemini.
We've built a life together. I care about them all deeply, but.." He hesitated for a moment, as if searching for the right words.

"I've always cared about you, Fourth. You were my crush back in university, and when I saw you again, all those feelings came rushing back."

Fourth's mind was reeling. Pond was in a polyamorous relatio yo with four other men.

And he wanted... Wha, exactly?

Pond took a deep breath, his hand reaching for Fourth's. "I don't expect you to make a decision right now. But if you're willing... I'd like you to join our relationship. To be with me—and them."

Fourth stared at him, his mind blank. Words escaped him, his thoughts too scrambled to process everything Pond was saying.

Seeing Fourth's shock, Pond gently squeezed his hand. "Take your time, okay? I'm not asking for an answer right now. I just... I want you to know where I stand.

I want to take responsibility for what happened last night, and I want you to be a part of my life, if you're willing."

Fourth opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. His chest felt tight, his head spinning. This was too much. Too fast. He didn't know how to respond, didn't know what he was even supposed to feel.

Pond sighed, releasing Fourth's hand. "I'm sorry if I overwhelmed you. I just... I had to be honest with you."

The room fell into a tense silence, the air between them thick with unspoken words.
Pond's phone buzzer on the bedside table, and he glanced at it, his ression tightening.

"Everything okay?" Fourth asked, though his voice was distant.

Pond let out a small, exasperated laugh. "Well... no. Not really." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking almost sheepish. "I'm pretty sure my partners know what happened last night."

Fourth's eyes widened. "What?"
Pond winced, his phone buzzing again. "Yeah. Dunk, Phuwin, Joong... even Gemini. They're blowing up my phone. I kind of marked you last night... and since I recently marked Dunk and Phuwin..."

Fourth's heart dropped, his hand instinctively reaching up to his neck. He hadn't even realized Pond had marked him. Panic rose in his chest again, his mind racing with the implications. He was marked... and Pond's other partners knew.

Pond sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"I'm so fucked."

Fourth, still in shock, could only stare at him, the weight of everything that had happened— and everything that was yet to come-pressing down on him like a heavy fog.

This was too much. Way too much.

And yet... a part of him couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be part of Gemini's and Pond's world.

*****
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