... The silence stretched between them comfortably. It was a rare thing, this kind of quiet—no rush to fill the air with words, just two people existing in the same space, sharing a moment. It was the kind of calm Gemini hadn't realized he needed. The soft patter of the rain, the cool air, the scent of damp earth and fresh rain mingling around them—everything felt... steady. Grounded.
But as much as he enjoyed the calm, Gemini wasn't about to let himself get too comfortable. He had built a wall around his emotions for a reason. And someone like Fourth? He wasn't about to let that wall crumble too easily.
"So, what do you do when it's not raining?" Gemini asked, a half-smile playing at the corner of his lips, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I'm guessing you don't spend your days standing under awnings, hoping for a little rain to slow things down."
Fourth let out a soft chuckle, his lips quirking into a smile. He shook his head, running a hand through his damp hair. "I'm not always this predictable, I promise. But when the rain hits, I tend to slow down a bit. Keeps me from overthinking. You know how it is—the world gets too fast sometimes. It's easy to get lost in the noise. The rain? It's like a reminder to just... breathe."
Gemini nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the words. "I get that. Sometimes the world feels too... fast. Like everything's moving around you, and you're just trying to catch up. Like you're always chasing something but never quite reaching it."
"Yeah." Fourth's voice softened, his gaze shifting to the street in front of them, as though contemplating the very nature of time itself. "I know that feeling. It's like everyone's running a race, and you're left trying to figure out why you even entered. But not everyone needs to catch up. Maybe we're all just meant to be right where we are. You know? Like the moment we're in is enough. Just... here."
There was a vulnerability in his words, a depth that took Gemini by surprise. It was the kind of sentiment that seemed to come from a deeper place, a quiet wisdom that spoke to parts of Gemini he rarely allowed anyone to see. It made him pause, just for a moment. He wasn't used to people sharing their thoughts so openly, so candidly. And even though he felt an undeniable pull toward that openness, he didn't want to acknowledge it. Not with someone like Fourth. Not yet.
"Is that your philosophy?" Gemini asked, his tone light, almost dismissive. "Just... live in the moment? No big plans? No grand schemes?"
Fourth's smile softened, a little wistful this time, his eyes flicking toward Gemini for just a beat longer than necessary. "Sometimes. Other times, I'm just trying to figure it all out. Like everyone else. But when you stop and pay attention—when you let go of the rush—it's easier to see the things that matter. The things you would've missed if you were always running."
Gemini shifted his weight, glancing at the rain as if the sky itself could offer him some clarity. The world outside had become a blur of movement, droplets streaking across the glass-like surface of the street. But this conversation—this shared space—felt like something suspended in time. There was an unspoken understanding building between them, and Gemini wasn't sure if he was ready to embrace it yet.
The vulnerability in Fourth's voice, the way he spoke about the world like he'd seen it from a deeper place, lingered in the air. It left Gemini feeling exposed, like somehow, in this fleeting moment, his own walls had started to crumble. But he wasn't going to acknowledge that. Not now. He couldn't afford to.
"Well, I think you've managed to turn a miserable downpour into a tolerable afternoon," Gemini said, his voice light again, as though to dismiss the weight of the moment. His lips curled into a half-smile. "I didn't think I'd be enjoying the rain this much."
Fourth grinned, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of humor and something else—a flicker of something deeper, something unspoken that Gemini could feel but didn't yet understand. "I do what I can." He shrugged slightly, as if it were no big deal. But his eyes, those sharp amber eyes, told a different story.
They stood there for a few more minutes, the rain falling in a light drizzle now, the sound softening as if the storm had lost its strength. The umbrella, still sheltering them, seemed almost unnecessary at this point, but neither of them made a move to step away from its protection. Their proximity felt natural, but there was a tension in the air—an unspoken pull, a charge between them that neither could quite ignore.
At last, Gemini glanced over at Fourth, their space between them just a little too close for comfort. He couldn't shake the feeling that the closeness wasn't just the rain anymore. There was something more here—something deeper. And it was impossible to deny that his heart had started to beat a little faster in response to it.
"Well," Gemini said, taking a half step back, his voice trying to sound casual, though there was an edge to it now. "I think I've had enough of being caught in the rain."
Fourth raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a playful smirk. "Already? I thought we were just getting started."
Gemini smirked back, his tone teasing. "Maybe next time, then. But for now, I'm getting out of this storm before I really do turn into a drowned rat."
Fourth's eyes narrowed, a playful challenge flickering in their depths. "I'll hold you to that. Next time, you're not getting away so easily."
The air between them seemed to vibrate with that promise, a knowing tension that neither of them fully acknowledged but both could feel. It wasn't just about the rain anymore. There was something more beneath the surface, a thread of connection neither was ready to cut just yet.
Gemini turned, stepping out from under the umbrella just as the rain began to lighten. His mind raced as he walked, but he only made it a few paces before the sound of hurried footsteps broke through his thoughts.
"Hey!" Maya called out, her cheerful voice cutting through the air. "I was hoping I'd find you here! What's going on with you two?" She nodded toward the direction of Fourth, who was still standing under the umbrella.
Maya's energy was infectious, her playful spirit a stark contrast to the more somber mood Gemini had found himself caught in lately. She always had a way of showing up just when he needed a distraction—when things felt too heavy.
"Just a little rain and a lot of thinking," Gemini replied, his lips curving into a smile at the sight of her.
Maya laughed, brushing her wet hair from her face. "I get it. It's one of those days where it feels like the rain is making everything more complicated. But hey, we'll get through it. Anyway, what's up with you and Fourth?" She raised an eyebrow, her expression mischievous.
Gemini hesitated, but there was something about Maya's presence—her carefree nature—that made it hard to keep anything to himself. "It's... complicated," he finally said, his voice trailing off.
Maya grinned, crossing her arms. "Complicated? You, of all people, are going to tell me that? Look, no more brooding. We're friends, right? Tell me what's going on. We'll figure it out, as usual."
Gemini chuckled softly. "I guess that's why I'm glad you're here."
Maya laughed and shook her head. "You're lucky I always come to the rescue. Seriously though, what's up with Fourth? I can see the tension between you two. Don't try to hide it from me."
Gemini's smile faded, his thoughts drifting back to the umbrella, to Fourth's voice, the way it had softened, the way it had made him feel exposed. It wasn't like him to let someone get so close—at least, not without building walls, making sure they never saw the real him. But with Fourth? It was different. And that terrified him.
"I don't know, Maya," Gemini admitted, his voice quiet. "There's just something about him. Something that makes it... hard to stay distant. He makes me think about things I've spent a long time ignoring. Things I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with."
Maya's expression softened, her usual playful demeanor replaced with a rare sincerity. "Gem, you don't have to have it all figured out right now. But you know, you deserve to feel that connection. To be seen. Don't let fear stop you from taking the next step, whatever it may be."
Gemini looked at her, taking in the earnestness in her eyes. For a moment, everything around him seemed to blur out of focus—just him and Maya, standing in the rain, her words echoing in his mind. He had spent so long keeping his heart guarded, hiding from anything that might make him feel vulnerable. But maybe, just maybe, Maya was right. Maybe he was finally ready to let someone in. Maybe it was time to stop running from whatever connection he and Fourth had started.
"You think so?" Gemini asked, the uncertainty still lingering in his voice.
Maya grinned, a knowing glint in her eyes. "I know so. Now, come on. Let's go grab a coffee or something before you get all serious again. You've got me, Avery, Liam, and Noah to deal with, and we're not going to let you sulk too long."
Gemini couldn't help but laugh, feeling lighter as he followed Maya down the street. Maybe he wasn't entirely ready for what was happening with Fourth. Maybe it wasn't all figured out. But for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was on the verge of something... important. And that was enough for now.
As they walked, the rain started to ease, the skies clearing just a little bit. But the connection he felt—however uncertain—remained. The pull between him and Fourth wasn't over yet. It was only just beginning.
And maybe, just maybe, that was a good thing.
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❦ the end of chapter 2 ꨄ