You and Me (GEMINIFOURTH)

Chapter 25: The Breaking Point

The morning light filtered through the curtains as Fourth slowly blinked awake. He instinctively reached for Gemini, expecting to find his warmth beside him. But when his hand met the cold, empty space, he frowned. Usually, Gemini would wake him before heading off to class, planting a soft kiss on his forehead and whispering, "I love you," before leaving.

But today was different. There was no kiss, no soft whisper to stir him awake. The silence of the apartment felt deafening. Fourth lay there for a few moments, staring at the ceiling, feeling the loneliness that had settled in his chest since the previous night grow heavier. His mind began to race, thoughts swirling around in his head, feeding the insecurities he had tried to keep at bay.

Maybe Gemini is tired of me, he thought, his chest tightening. Maybe he's had enough of dealing with my moods, my cravings, everything.

He could still hear the harshness in Gemini's voice from the night before, the way he had snapped at him over something so small. Fourth knew that Gemini was stressed, that he had a lot on his plate with work and school, but it didn't stop the sting from lingering.

The sadness that had settled over him last night began to morph into something else—anger. How could he just leave like that, without even saying goodbye? The more he thought about it, the more hurt and frustrated he became. He felt abandoned, ignored, and he didn't want to feel that way anymore.

With a surge of determination, Fourth sat up, his decision made. He wasn't going to sit around and feel sorry for himself any longer. He wasn't going to wait for Gemini to come home, hoping that things would magically get better. He needed space, and maybe, just maybe, Gemini needed to realize what it felt like without him there.

Fourth quickly packed a small bag, grabbing enough clothes for a few days. He was mad, and his emotions were all over the place, but the one thing he knew for sure was that he couldn't stay here right now. He needed to get away, at least for a little while.

As he zipped up the bag, he pulled out his phone and texted Gemini's mom:

Fourth: Hey, Mom. Can I come stay with you for a few days? I need some space from Gemini.

He had started calling her "Mom" a few months ago, after she had made it clear that she saw him as part of the family. She had been nothing but kind and understanding, especially with everything going on in their lives.

Her response came quickly:

Gemini's Mom: Of course, sweetheart. Come over anytime. We'll take care of you.

With that reassurance, Fourth grabbed his bag, called a taxi, and left the apartment without a second thought.

---

When Gemini came home that evening, he felt a sense of relief. He had picked up the mango sticky rice on his way home, determined to make things right after the way he had snapped at Fourth the night before. He had regretted his words almost immediately, but he had been too tired and overwhelmed to apologize properly. Today, he would make it up to him. He knew how much Fourth had been looking forward to that dessert, and he wanted to show him that he hadn't forgotten how much he cared.

But as soon as Gemini stepped into the apartment, something felt off. The air was too still, too quiet.

"Fourth?" he called out, but there was no answer.

Gemini set the bag of mango sticky rice on the kitchen counter and quickly looked around the apartment. The living room was empty, the bedroom silent. His heart started to race. The closet door was slightly ajar, and when he peeked inside, he noticed that some of Fourth's clothes were missing.

A wave of panic surged through him.

Grabbing his phone, Gemini dialed Fourth's number, his heart pounding in his chest as the phone rang. But Fourth didn't pick up. He tried again, but still, no answer.

"Come on, Fourth," Gemini muttered under his breath, pacing the living room as worry gnawed at him.

Finally, with trembling hands, he called his mother. Maybe she had some idea of where Fourth might be.

The phone barely rang twice before his mother picked up.

"Gemini," she said, her voice calm but carrying an underlying tension.

"Mom, is Fourth with you?" Gemini asked, his voice tight with worry.

"Yes, he is," she replied, her tone softening. "He came over earlier today. He said he needed some space."

Gemini let out a sigh of relief, but it was quickly followed by a sharp pang of guilt. Fourth had left, gone to his parents' house, and hadn't even told him. He felt the weight of last night's argument crashing down on him.

"Thanks, Mom," Gemini said, running a hand through his hair. "I'll be over soon to pick him up."

"Gemini," his mother said gently before he could hang up, "give him some time. He's hurt. But he'll be ready to talk soon."

Gemini nodded, though he knew his mother couldn't see him. "I know, Mom. I just... I need to fix this."

After hanging up, Gemini quickly grabbed his keys and headed out the door. The drive to his parents' house felt longer than usual, his mind racing with thoughts of how to make things right with Fourth. He regretted every harsh word he had said the night before, the way he had dismissed Fourth's feelings when all Fourth had wanted was a small bit of comfort.

---

When Gemini arrived at his parents' house, he hesitated for a moment before ringing the doorbell. His mother answered the door, giving him a sympathetic smile as she stepped aside to let him in.

"He's in the guest room," she said softly. "He's upset, but I think he'll be glad to see you."

Gemini nodded, his stomach twisting with guilt as he made his way to the guest room. The door was slightly ajar, and when he peeked inside, he saw Fourth sitting on the bed, his back to the door, staring out the window.

Gemini knocked lightly on the doorframe before stepping inside. "Fourth?"

Fourth didn't turn around, his shoulders stiff with tension. "You can go home, Gem," he said quietly, his voice devoid of the warmth it usually carried. "I'm staying here for a bit."

Gemini's heart sank. He walked over to the bed, sitting down beside Fourth, though he kept some distance between them. "I'm sorry," Gemini said softly, his voice thick with regret. "For last night, for this morning—for everything."

Fourth was silent for a moment, his eyes still focused on the window. "You said I do nothing all day," he whispered, his voice wavering. "Is that really how you feel?"

"No, baby," Gemini said quickly, shaking his head. "I didn't mean it. I was just... tired, stressed, and I took it out on you. That wasn't fair, and I'm so sorry."

Fourth finally turned to look at him, his eyes filled with hurt. "I'm trying my best, Gem. I'm carrying our child, I'm trying to stay positive, but... sometimes I feel so alone. Like you don't even see me anymore."

Gemini's chest tightened, his heart breaking at Fourth's words. He reached out, gently taking Fourth's hands in his. "I see you," he whispered. "And I'm so sorry I made you feel like I don't. You're doing more than I can ever imagine, and I love you so much for it. Please come home with me. Let me make it right."

Fourth hesitated for a moment, searching Gemini's eyes. Finally, with a sigh, he nodded. "Okay. But don't forget the mango sticky rice next time," he added, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Gemini let out a relieved laugh, pulling Fourth into a tight hug. "I promise, I'll never forget again."

And with that, they began to heal, one step at a time, together.