Unscripted Ties

Packing for Two

The next few days were a blur of preparation and planning. Fourth had never been one to pack lightly, but now, with Leo in tow, the sheer volume of things he needed felt overwhelming. Snacks, toys, extra clothes, a portable crib—he began to wonder how he would fit everything into their luggage. Every time he thought he had it under control, he'd remember something else Leo might need, or something he might want to make the transition easier.

Gemini came over one evening to help, a look of amused disbelief on his face when he saw the mounds of clothes, toys, and baby supplies piled around the living room. "You know it's only two weeks, right?" he teased, nudging a stuffed dinosaur with his foot.

Fourth, balancing a stack of Leo's tiny shirts, gave him a dry look. "You clearly don't know what it's like to pack for a toddler. I'd rather have too much than end up in a foreign province with no backup when he inevitably spills juice all over himself or decides he only wants his lion pajamas."

Gemini laughed, taking a seat on the floor and starting to help sort through Leo's things. "Alright, fair enough. I'm just saying, if we need to smuggle any of this across the border, we might be in trouble."

They shared a laugh, the easy kind that had become more common between them lately. As much as the "dating" façade had its moments of tension, Fourth found himself relaxing more around Gemini. They had always had chemistry, a kind of natural rhythm that flowed between them, but this felt different. It was a quiet kind of trust, a sense of companionship that had slowly built up since they'd started living in each other's space more regularly.

After a while, Fourth sank down beside Gemini, the exhaustion catching up with him. "Thank you for helping," he murmured, glancing over at him with genuine appreciation. "I'd be buried under all this stuff if you weren't here."

Gemini smiled, reaching over to give his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Of course. I meant it when I said I'd help with Leo. We're in this together, right?"

Fourth nodded, feeling a strange warmth spread through him. Maybe it was because of all the time they'd been spending together, or maybe it was just Gemini's easygoing nature, but he found himself grateful for his presence in a way he hadn't anticipated. Still, he reminded himself to keep things in check. They were "dating" only for the public eye. As much as he appreciated Gemini, he wasn't about to blur the lines more than they already had been.

"Yeah, together," he echoed softly, the word carrying a weight he wasn't ready to examine.

The day of departure finally arrived, and the company had arranged a private transport for Fourth, Leo, Gemini, and their team. Leo was surprisingly cheerful, strapped into his car seat, babbling excitedly as he pointed out every passing car and tree. Fourth smiled as he buckled in beside him, ruffling his son's hair before leaning back, taking a moment to breathe.

Gemini slid into the seat next to him, casting a quick glance over at Leo with a smile. "Looks like someone's excited."

Fourth chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, he loves car rides. It's like his personal adventure."

The journey passed in a comfortable silence, broken only by Leo's occasional bursts of excitement or the soft murmur of conversation between Fourth and Gemini. By the time they arrived at the hotel, Fourth felt a surprising sense of peace settle over him. He was still a bit anxious about the upcoming brand shoots, the charity events, and the overall task of balancing work with being a father in a new place. But with Gemini at his side, the weight didn't feel as heavy.

The hotel was a luxurious, sprawling building with high glass windows and an inviting lobby filled with warm lighting and plush furniture. The staff greeted them warmly, and their rooms were prepared with all the amenities, including a small crib for Leo. As they settled in, Fourth noticed that their rooms were connected by a small adjoining door—clearly a strategic move by the company to keep their "couple" image intact.

Fourth rolled his eyes but couldn't help laughing. "I swear, these people are committed."

Gemini laughed, giving him a playful nudge. "Hey, at least you won't have to yell through the walls if you need me. Leo and I are just a door away."

Fourth shot him a grateful smile, his heart unexpectedly warmed by the thought. It was hard not to feel a bit safer, a bit more grounded with Gemini so close.

The first few days flew by in a blur of brand meetings, fittings, and photoshoots. The brands were ecstatic, their enthusiasm almost contagious as they watched Gemini and Fourth interact on camera. They'd developed a routine, slipping into their roles seamlessly when the cameras were on, exuding the warmth and affection the public expected from a couple in love. And the fans loved it, every new photo and video drawing thousands of comments and likes online. The attention was overwhelming at times, but Fourth found himself grateful for Gemini's presence, for his steady calm and unwavering support.

When the workday ended, Fourth would rush back to their rooms, relieved to see Leo's happy face as he came running into his arms. Leo was thriving, enjoying the hotel amenities and the attention from the company staff who had taken a liking to the little boy. Gemini often joined them in the evenings, playing with Leo, watching cartoons, or just talking about the day's events.

One night, after a particularly long shoot, Fourth came back to find Gemini and Leo already in the living area, laughing over a cartoon. Leo was nestled against Gemini, his little face alight with joy as he babbled about the characters on screen. Gemini listened intently, nodding along as if every word was fascinating.

Fourth leaned against the doorframe, watching them with a small smile. It was moments like this that made everything feel... almost real. The three of them, sitting together, watching cartoons, felt like something out of a life he'd only dreamed of—a family, even if it was just an illusion.

As the cartoon ended, Leo's eyes began to droop, and Fourth scooped him up, rocking him gently as he carried him to his crib in the adjoining room. When he returned, Gemini was tidying up, gathering stray blankets and empty snack bowls.

"Thanks for keeping him company," Fourth said quietly, gratefulness coloring his voice.

Gemini looked up, his gaze warm and steady. "Anytime. Honestly, it was the best part of my day."

They shared a quiet moment, standing in the soft glow of the hotel lights, the hum of the city outside their windows. Fourth wasn't sure what to say, caught between the gratitude he felt and the unexpected tenderness that Gemini's presence brought.

"Get some rest," Gemini murmured, breaking the silence with a soft smile. "Tomorrow's another busy day."

Fourth nodded, his chest tight with unspoken words. He watched as Gemini crossed the room to the adjoining door, pausing for a brief moment before he stepped through and closed it behind him.

As Fourth prepared for bed, he couldn't shake the feeling that something in his heart had shifted. They were supposed to be "dating" for the cameras, but every day, it felt like the lines between reality and pretense were blurring a little more. And Fourth wasn't sure what to make of it.