Tangled Hearts And Classroom Smiles

School Trip I

The school trip was buzzing with excitement as the kindergarteners gathered at the school, their little voices filling the air with high-pitched laughter and shouts of joy. Fourth stood with Nan, a mixture of excitement and nerves flickering in his eyes. He couldn't deny the thrill of watching his daughter's enthusiasm, but the thought of spending three days and two nights in the mountains with Gemini and Dunk, two out of the five men he was currently in a trial relationship with, made his stomach twist in knots.

Nan tugged on his sleeve, her eyes sparkling. "Papa, look! Teacher Gemini is here!" She pointed excitedly as Gemini walked over, his smile as bright as ever.

"Morning, Fourth," Gemini greeted, flashing him a grin that seemed to hold a touch more warmth than usual. "Ready for the trip?"

"Morning," Fourth replied, trying to keep his tone neutral even as he felt his cheeks warm slightly. "Yeah, we're ready."

Before Fourth could say more, Dunk appeared, his presence soft yet noticeable. He wore a casual outfit that suited him perfectly, a hint of excitement in his eyes as he approached. Dunk had a camera slung around his neck and a notebook in hand—no doubt ready to soak in all the inspiration he could find.

"Good morning, everyone!" Dunk said, a bright smile on his face. "I'm so glad to be joining this trip. I've been in need of some new ideas for my next children's book, and what better way than to be around these little bundles of energy, right?"

Fourth forced a polite smile. "It's good to have you here, Dunk. The kids will love having a real author on the trip with them."

Dunk's smile softened as he glanced at Fourth. "I hope so. And I hope you enjoy having us around, too," he said, his tone holding a hint of teasing that made Fourth shift on his feet.

Fourth didn't respond directly to that; he focused on helping Nan with her backpack instead. He couldn't deny that being surrounded by Gemini and Dunk was both comforting and nerve-wracking, especially knowing the terms of their current arrangement.

Once everyone was accounted for, the buses were loaded, and the journey to the mountains began. Fourth settled in with Nan by his side, Gemini taking the seat across from them. Dunk sat a little further back, observing the children while occasionally scribbling notes in his book.

During the drive, Gemini kept Fourth engaged in conversation, asking him about his plans for the trip and how he was handling everything with Nan. Fourth was grateful for the distraction, though he couldn't shake the feeling that Gemini's gaze held more than just casual interest—it was as if he was trying to get to know every facet of Fourth, piece by piece.

When they finally arrived at the mountains, the air was crisp and filled with the scent of pine. The children immediately ran to explore under the careful watch of their teachers. Dunk was right in the middle of it, talking to the kids, taking notes, and snapping pictures. He looked completely in his element, his eyes glowing with inspiration.

Fourth helped settle the kids in their cabins, but his mind kept drifting to the fact that he was here with Gemini and Dunk for an extended period. He was trying hard to keep things professional, but the reminder that he was in this trial relationship kept making his thoughts wander to the what-ifs and the possibilities he wasn't sure he was ready to explore.

That evening, as they gathered around a bonfire, Dunk shared a few snippets of his favorite children's stories, captivating the kids with his animated voice. Gemini, seated next to Fourth, kept sneaking little glances at him, and whenever their eyes met, Fourth would quickly look away, feeling his heart beat just a little too fast.

"Hey, Fourth," Gemini said softly, leaning closer under the guise of making sure the kids couldn't hear them. "How are you holding up? You look like you've got a lot on your mind."

Fourth swallowed hard, his eyes darting from Gemini's earnest gaze to the flickering flames of the fire. "I'm fine," he said, trying to sound casual. "Just...a lot to think about, you know?"

Gemini's smile was soft, understanding. "I get it. Just remember, we're here for you—no pressure, okay?"

As the evening wrapped up and the children were tucked into their sleeping bags, Fourth found himself alone for a moment. He couldn't help but wonder how he ended up in this situation—torn between his past feelings for Pond and this strange new pull towards Gemini and the rest of them. It was confusing, overwhelming, and something he never saw coming.

The thought of spending two more days like this, with all these feelings brewing under the surface, was almost too much to handle. But as he caught sight of Gemini looking his way with that same soft smile, Fourth knew there was no running from it anymore.

This trip was going to test him in ways he never imagined.