Shadows

Chapter 9: Unspoken Words

The dinner was tense, with Joong feeling the weight of the uncomfortable silence hanging over the table. His brothers—Pond, lost in thought, and Fourth, simmering with suppressed anger—each dealt with the situation in their own way. Joong was used to the heavy atmosphere that seemed to follow them, but this felt different. Dunk and his brothers were too close, too tight-knit for things to go unnoticed, especially when they knew the Joong family was here out of obligation, not friendship.

Despite the discomfort, Fourth's eyes kept drifting toward Gemini, who sat at the far end of the table, quietly eating. Joong couldn’t ignore the tension in Fourth’s gaze, nor the way Gemini, the quietest of Dunk and Phuwin’s brothers, seemed lost in his own thoughts.

After a while, Fourth’s frustration reached its peak. He leaned over slightly, his voice low, enough for only Gemini to hear.

"Hey," Fourth said, his tone casual but probing. "You’ve been awfully quiet tonight. What’s going on with you?"

Gemini, always reserved, glanced at Fourth briefly, but his expression didn’t change. His lips twitched slightly, and after a brief pause, he spoke softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Nothing. Just tired, I guess."

Fourth wasn’t satisfied with that answer. He could sense something more, something behind Gemini’s detached exterior. After all, Gemini wasn’t the type to retreat into silence for no reason, and if anyone knew how to read people, it was Fourth.

"Yeah, I can tell," Fourth pressed, leaning in a little more, his voice still low. "I don’t know… you don’t seem like you fit in with them." He flicked his eyes briefly to Dunk and Phuwin, who were deep in conversation with their parents. "With Dunk and Phuwin, I mean. It’s like you’re holding back, or like you’re not even part of their world."

Gemini looked up from his plate, eyes flickering slightly, but he quickly masked the reaction. He didn’t want to show weakness, not to anyone, especially not to the guy who was already sizing him up.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Gemini replied, his voice steady, though there was a faint edge to it now. "They’re my brothers. I’m just… I’m just fine."

Fourth was undeterred. He studied Gemini for a long moment, his gaze sharp as ever. There was something about the way Gemini kept his distance that intrigued him, something that didn’t quite sit right. "Come on, you don’t have to pretend. I can see it in your eyes. You’re different from them. But maybe… maybe that’s a good thing."

Gemini’s shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t let his guard down. He swallowed before speaking again, his voice slightly firmer this time. "They’re my brothers, and I love them. I’d never say anything bad about them. Dunk and Phuwin… they’ve done a lot for me. They’re my family."

Fourth's gaze softened slightly, surprised by Gemini's unwavering loyalty. For a brief moment, he reconsidered pushing further. Gemini’s devotion to his brothers was clear, and it reminded him of the bond he had with his own siblings—no matter how complicated or messy things got, family was still family.

"I get it," Fourth said quietly, his voice still low. "Family's complicated. I don’t know what it's like for you, but... just be careful. Not everyone has your best interests at heart."

Gemini gave a small nod, though his expression remained stoic. "I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine. Dunk and Phuwin have always been there for me, and nothing’s going to change that."

Before Fourth could respond, Dunk's sharp voice cut through the conversation. "What’s going on over there?" His gaze was cold as it locked onto Fourth, suspicion creeping into his eyes. It was clear he hadn’t missed the quiet exchange between the two.

Fourth quickly straightened up, meeting Dunk’s gaze with a nonchalant expression. "Nothing, Dunk," he said easily. "Just talking."

Dunk didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he didn’t push any further. Instead, he turned his attention back to the family discussion, though there was an air of watchfulness in his eyes.

Gemini glanced at Fourth one last time, his expression softening briefly, though it was quickly hidden behind his usual calm demeanor. "Thank you, but really, you don’t need to worry about me," he said, his voice quieter now, tinged with sincerity. "I’ll handle things my way."

Fourth nodded, his curiosity about Gemini only growing. He had a feeling there was more to the youngest of Dunk’s brothers than he let on, but for now, he respected the unspoken boundary.

---

Later, in the shared room, Joong sat on the edge of the bed, his attention divided between his brothers. Pond seemed lost in thought, still haunted by the water incident earlier, while Fourth had a faraway look in his eyes. Joong raised an eyebrow, sensing something had changed in Fourth after his conversation with Gemini.

“Who were you talking to?” Joong asked quietly, breaking the silence.

Fourth didn’t immediately respond, his gaze shifting toward the door as if considering his words. Finally, he turned back to Joong, a small smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Gemini,” he said simply.

Joong gave him a curious look. “About what?”

“Nothing important,” Fourth replied quickly, but Joong could tell that wasn’t the full truth. “He’s just… different. But he’s loyal. To his brothers, anyway.”

Joong didn’t press further. He could see that Fourth wasn’t ready to share everything. For now, he let it go. But something about Gemini’s protective nature toward his brothers—Dunk and Phuwin—lingered in Joong’s mind. It was clear that no matter how distant Gemini seemed, his love for his family was unwavering. It made Joong wonder how long it would take for them to truly understand the dynamics of the Gemini household.

The night settled into an uneasy silence, and Joong found himself lost in thought. Despite everything, the Joong family was now living under the same roof as Dunk and his brothers, their duty to protect them still hanging over their heads. Joong couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being drawn deeper into a world they didn’t fully understand.

But one thing was for certain—nothing would ever be the same again.