our little secret [gemfot]

12

"What the fuck are you saying?"

"Gemini?!"

Fourth nodded, his shoulders slumping under the weight of the confession. He hadn't planned on telling his friends about this—not now, not ever—but the turmoil inside him had become too much to bear.

Over the past few days, he hadn't been able to sleep properly. His appetite was gone, his focus shattered. The guilt gnawed at him relentlessly. He hated himself for blaming Gemini, for pushing him away when he knew deep down that Gemini had no direct involvement in what happened.

But a darker part of him couldn't shake the connection between Gemini and the people who had once made his parents' lives as teenagers so miserable.

He couldn't be blamed for this, could he?

Surely, anyone in his position would feel the same confusion, the same anger. Yet it didn't make him feel any less terrible for how he'd treated Gemini. He could still picture the innocence on Gemini's face the last time they met, the genuine concern in his eyes as Fourth told him he needed some time alone. Gemini had looked hurt, but also understanding, as if he truly didn't know the full extent of what Fourth was dealing with.

But Fourth couldn't shoulder this alone anymore. He needed someone else's perspective. If he kept carrying this burden by himself, it would destroy him. Worse, it would hurt Gemini too—something he didn't want to do, even unintentionally.

Normally, Fourth would've run to his parents for advice. They had always been his guide. Whatever decision he faced, big or small, he'd ask them for their opinion first. As an adoptee, he felt a deeper sense of duty to live up to their expectations, to never disappoint the people who had given him a second chance at life.

But this time was different. This time, telling them would mean revealing his secret relationship with Gemini. That was a line he couldn't cross.

So, he turned to the only other people he trusted: Marc and Lego.

"Out of everyone in the world, you had to hook up with him?" Marc's voice was sharp, his eyes blazing with anger.

"It's not a hook-up. You know that," Fourth snapped, defensive. He had told them everything now—everything except for the name before today.

"Still! Why does it have to be him?!" Marc's voice rose, his frustration spilling out. "You know how he treats you, always pushing your buttons. And don't forget how their company has always been at odds with your parents' business. This isn't just some guy off the street, Fourth. It's Gemini."

Fourth bit his lip, guilt flooding his chest. He had no rebuttal. Marc wasn't wrong, but hearing it laid out like this stung.

"Marc, stop blaming him," Lego interrupted, his tone softer but firm. "Fourth came to us for advice, not to get scolded. And let's be honest—we already had a feeling about this, didn't we? Even if he didn't tell us who it was before, we should've expected something like this."

Marc exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair in frustration. His jaw tightened, but he backed down, pacing to the other side of the room.

"Fine," Marc muttered after a moment. He turned back to Fourth, his voice quieter but no less resolute. "But if you want my advice, I'll give it to you straight. This... whatever this is with him? It's not going to do you any good. He's trouble, Fourth. You know that as well as I do. So, if you're smart, you'll end this. Don't contact him anymore. Cut him off."

Marc's words hung heavy in the air.

Fourth looked down at his hands, his mind swirling with frustration and confusion. Could it really be as simple as cutting Gemini out of his life, as Marc suggested? Deep down, he knew that wasn't the answer he wanted to hear.