~~~~~~~~~~
The warm hum of voices filled the room, underscored by the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter. It was one of those gatherings that blurred the line between casual and intimate, where the lights were dim enough to make everything feel just a bit more significant. Gemini had been reluctant to come, drawn more by obligation than interest, but now, standing in the corner with a drink in hand, he was glad he'd shown up.
Across the room, Fourth was engaged in a lively conversation with a small group of people, his easy smile and relaxed posture making him the center of attention without even trying. Gemini's gaze lingered on him, noting the way Fourth's laugh lit up his face, the way he gestured animatedly as he spoke. It was effortless, magnetic even, and it only annoyed Gemini more.
He didn't like feeling drawn to someone. It felt too much like giving up control, like letting someone into the carefully constructed boundaries he'd spent years building. And yet, here he was, watching Fourth like he was the most interesting person in the room.
"Enjoying the view?" a voice teased, startling Gemini out of his thoughts.
He turned to see Avery standing beside him, a knowing smirk on her lips. She followed his gaze, her eyebrows lifting when she saw who he'd been watching.
"Interesting choice," she mused, taking a sip of her drink.
Gemini rolled his eyes. "It's not like that."
"Sure, it's not." Avery's tone was light, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. "You've been staring at him for a solid five minutes. Don't think I didn't notice."
Gemini didn't bother responding, choosing instead to take a long sip of his drink. He wasn't about to entertain Avery's commentary, especially when she wasn't entirely wrong.
As if on cue, Fourth glanced in their direction. His amber eyes met Gemini's for a brief moment, a flicker of recognition passing between them before he turned back to his conversation.
Avery nudged him playfully. "You're doomed."
"Not helping," Gemini muttered, though he couldn't suppress the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
The night wore on, and Gemini found himself drifting through the crowd, exchanging polite greetings and engaging in small talk that didn't hold his attention. He was halfway through a dull conversation about work schedules when a familiar voice interrupted.
"Didn't expect to see you here."
Gemini turned, his pulse quickening as he faced Fourth. He was standing just a few feet away, his hands casually tucked into his pockets and that same easy smile on his face.
"Likewise," Gemini replied smoothly, masking the flicker of nervous energy that had sparked in his chest.
Fourth tilted his head slightly, his gaze steady. "Mind if I steal you for a bit? This crowd's getting a little overwhelming."
Gemini hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Lead the way."
They ended up outside, the crisp night air a welcome contrast to the warmth of the crowded room. A quiet balcony overlooked the city, the view expansive and dotted with glittering lights. Gemini leaned against the railing, his drink still in hand, while Fourth stood beside him, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.
"You seemed like you needed an escape," Fourth said, breaking the silence.
Gemini smirked. "And you're the escape expert, I take it?"
"Something like that," Fourth replied, his tone teasing. "Though I don't usually offer my services for free."
Gemini chuckled, shaking his head. "You're impossible."
"I've been called worse." Fourth's smile widened, but there was something softer in his expression now, something less guarded.
The quiet stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Gemini found himself relaxing despite himself, the tension of the evening ebbing away in Fourth's presence.
"You're not like most people," Gemini said suddenly, the words slipping out before he could stop them.
Fourth raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Oh? And what makes you say that?"
Gemini hesitated, his gaze drifting back to the cityscape. "You don't try too hard. You're just... yourself. It's rare."
Fourth studied him for a moment, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Coming from you, that's quite the compliment."
"Don't let it go to your head," Gemini replied, though his tone was more playful than cutting.
Their conversation flowed naturally after that, touching on everything from their favorite music to the strange quirks of the city they both called home. Gemini was surprised by how easy it was to talk to Fourth, how quickly the usual walls he kept around himself seemed to fade.
And then there was the moment.
It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it shifted the air between them. Fourth leaned a little closer, his arm brushing against Gemini's as he pointed out a particularly bright constellation in the sky. The contact was brief, but it lingered in Gemini's mind, his skin tingling where they'd touched.
He glanced at Fourth, his heart skipping a beat when he realized how close they were. Fourth's amber eyes met his, the warmth in them making it hard to look away.
For a fleeting moment, the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them, the hum of the city fading into the background.
But just as quickly as it had come, the moment passed. Fourth straightened, stepping back slightly as if sensing the tension. Gemini released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his pulse still racing.
"Thanks for the escape," Fourth said, his voice light but his gaze lingering.
"Anytime," Gemini replied, masking the swirl of emotions beneath his usual nonchalance.
As they returned to the gathering, Gemini couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if neither of them had pulled away.
And why a part of him wished they hadn't.
Gemini trailed behind Fourth as they reentered the room, the bustling energy inside a stark contrast to the calm they'd shared on the balcony. He hadn't expected Fourth to disarm him so thoroughly, with his quiet confidence and the subtle, unspoken challenge in his gaze. It was... unsettling in the best way, and Gemini wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
Before they could fully immerse themselves back into the crowd, Avery appeared, a glass of champagne in hand and her usual mischievous smile firmly in place.
"Well, look who decided to sneak off," she teased, her eyes flicking between the two of them. "And here I thought you were all about mingling, Gemini."
"I was just making my rounds," Gemini replied smoothly, but there was a hint of tension in his voice.
Fourth, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. "We were getting some air. Didn't think anyone would miss us."
"Us?" Avery repeated, her eyebrows lifting. "Well, isn't that interesting."
Gemini shot her a warning look, but Avery only grinned, clearly enjoying herself. She stepped closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Careful, Gemini. If you're not careful, people might start to think you're capable of... feelings."
Gemini snorted, brushing past her. "Don't you have someone else to bother?"
"Not nearly as fun," Avery called after him, her laughter trailing in his wake.
Fourth lingered for a moment, watching the exchange with quiet amusement. Then he caught up with Gemini, falling into step beside him as they moved through the room.
"Is she always like that?" Fourth asked, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Worse," Gemini replied, though there was a faint smile in his tone. "But she means well, in her own twisted way."
Fourth chuckled. "I like her. She keeps you on your toes."
Gemini shook his head, but he didn't argue. Avery did have a knack for seeing through him, even when he tried to keep her at arm's length. It was both infuriating and oddly comforting, in a way he'd never admit out loud.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of conversations and fleeting glances. Gemini found himself hyper-aware of Fourth's presence, the subtle shifts in his demeanor, the way his laughter seemed to echo just a little louder than anyone else's. He told himself it was nothing, that he was just being observant, but the flutter of nerves in his chest told a different story.
As the crowd began to thin and the night drew to a close, Gemini found himself standing by the doorway, watching as people filtered out into the cool night air. Fourth appeared at his side, his hands tucked into his pockets and a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Heading out?" Gemini asked, keeping his tone casual.
"Yeah," Fourth said, glancing at the dwindling crowd. "Figured I'd make my escape before things get too quiet."
Gemini nodded, unsure why he felt a pang of reluctance at the thought of Fourth leaving.
"Thanks for tonight," Fourth added, his gaze steady. "I mean it. I don't usually... enjoy these kinds of things, but it wasn't so bad."
"High praise," Gemini replied, his smirk returning.
Fourth laughed softly, the sound warm and genuine. "Don't let it go to your head."
For a moment, they simply stood there, the quiet between them filled with unspoken words. Gemini felt the tension again, that subtle pull that seemed to draw them closer without either of them fully understanding why.
"Well," Fourth said finally, breaking the silence. "I'll see you around, Gemini."
"Yeah," Gemini replied, his voice quieter than he'd intended. "See you around."
As Fourth walked away, his silhouette fading into the night, Gemini leaned back against the doorframe, his mind racing. He'd come to the party expecting nothing more than a few dull conversations and an excuse to leave early. Instead, he'd found himself caught in something far more complicated—and far more intriguing—than he'd bargained for.
And as much as he tried to push it aside, the memory of Fourth's amber eyes and easy smile lingered, leaving him with the unsettling realization that this was only the beginning.
___________________________________________________
❦to be continued...