It started with harmless teasing. At least, that’s what Prim and Tu claimed. But as soon as Pond and Phuwin joined in, things quickly escalated into an all-out attack on Gemini and Fourth’s personal space.

The five of them were lounging in the common room, sprawled across couches and floor cushions, enjoying a lazy afternoon together. Gemini and Fourth sat side by side on the couch, but while Gemini was relaxed, arms crossed over his chest, Fourth had been unusually quiet all morning.

Too quiet.

Of course, that didn’t go unnoticed.

“So, Fourth,” Prim started, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “How does it feel having Gemini dote on you?”

Fourth’s fingers tensed against the fabric of his sleeves, his face already warming. “He—he doesn’t dote on me.”

“Oh, come on,” Tu chimed in, grinning. “He’s been practically glued to your side. Always making sure you’re okay, sitting next to you, protecting you from everything—including us.”

Pond smirked. “Yeah, it’s almost like he’s your personal bodyguard… or something more.”

Fourth’s breath hitched, his heart hammering against his ribs. He didn’t know how to respond. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him, and that only made the warmth in his face spread further down his neck.

Gemini, on the other hand, had been silent through the entire conversation, arms crossed, expression unreadable. But the twitch in his jaw and the way his fingers drummed against his knee hinted at his growing impatience.

Phuwin leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. “Fourth, be honest—do you feel safe with Gemini?”

Fourth swallowed, fingers tightening into fists. He hesitated before nodding slowly. “Y-Yeah… I do.”

“Oh?” Prim gasped dramatically. “You do?”

Tu feigned a swoon. “Wow, that was fast. Gemini, what did you do to make our little Fourth so attached?”

Gemini let out an exasperated sigh. “You all need to get a hobby.”

Pond chuckled. “Oh, but this is our hobby. Watching you two is the best entertainment we’ve had in years.”

Fourth, unable to handle the attention any longer, instinctively turned towards Gemini and hid his burning face behind his shoulder. The sudden closeness made Gemini stiffen slightly, but he didn’t pull away. If anything, his posture relaxed a little, as if the weight of Fourth against him wasn’t something he minded.

“Look at that!” Prim squealed. “He’s literally hiding behind Gemini! This is adorable!”

Tu clapped her hands together. “Gemini, you should just admit it. You’re soft for him.”

Gemini rolled his eyes. “Shut up.”

“Oh, come on, just say something sweet,” Phuwin nudged him. “You’re already married, might as well commit.”

Gemini sighed, shaking his head as if he was exhausted by their antics. Then, without warning, he leaned slightly towards Fourth and pressed a firm kiss against his cheek.

The entire room froze.

Fourth went rigid, eyes wide in shock. His hands clutched at Gemini’s sleeve, breath caught in his throat. He could still feel the lingering warmth of Gemini’s lips against his skin, his heartbeat going completely out of control.

Prim, Tu, Pond, and Phuwin all stared, jaws practically on the floor.

“Did he just—” Tu’s voice cracked mid-sentence.

“Oh my god,” Prim whispered, eyes gleaming with uncontainable excitement. “He actually did it.”

Pond slapped his knee, laughing. “I take back everything I said—Gemini is full-on whipped!”

Phuwin blinked rapidly. “What… just happened?”

Gemini, ever the picture of indifference, simply leaned back against the couch as if nothing had happened. “You all wanted me to do something, right?”

Fourth, still too stunned to form words, could only stare at him in disbelief.

Prim let out a delighted squeal. “You are so in love with him.”

Gemini scoffed. “You all need to leave before I throw you out myself.”

Pond smirked. “Not before Fourth tells us how he feels about that little kiss.”

All eyes turned to Fourth, who was still clutching Gemini’s sleeve tightly. His face was completely red, and he couldn’t even look up.

“I-I… I need to go,” he mumbled, practically bolting from the couch and running out of the room.

As the others erupted into laughter and teasing remarks, Gemini simply watched him leave, an unreadable expression on his face. But the small smirk tugging at his lips didn’t go unnoticed.

And Prim, Tu, Pond, and Phuwin? They were never letting this go.

---

Fourth ran out into the hallway, his breath coming in quick, uneven gasps. He leaned against the wall near the balcony, gripping the railing as he tried to calm himself. But the warmth of Gemini’s lips still lingered on his cheek, his skin burning where the kiss had landed.

His fingers brushed against the spot.

Why had Gemini done that?

Why had it affected him so much?

He barely had time to collect his thoughts before he heard footsteps approaching.

“Why’d you run away?” Gemini’s voice was calm, but there was a hint of amusement in it.

Fourth tensed. He didn’t turn around, keeping his eyes fixed on the railing in front of him. “W-why did you kiss me?” His voice trembled slightly, betraying the emotions swirling inside him.

Gemini was quiet for a moment before answering, “It’s just a kiss. Not a big deal.”

Fourth felt something inside him crack.

Not a big deal.

Right.

Of course, it didn’t mean anything to him.

Fourth let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “Right. Not a big deal.”

Gemini glanced at him, brows furrowing slightly, but he didn’t say anything.

Before the silence could stretch further, they both heard excited giggles from around the corner.

Prim and Tu.

They weren’t even trying to be subtle.

“They’re never gonna let this go, are they?” Fourth sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Gemini chuckled. “Not a chance.”

Fourth finally turned to look at him, eyes searching Gemini’s face. There was something there—something unreadable, something soft—but before he could even begin to figure it out, Gemini tilted his head toward the common room.

“Come on. If we stay out here any longer, they’ll think we’re having some kind of dramatic love confession.”

Fourth huffed. “And whose fault is that?”

Gemini smirked. “You tell me.”

Fourth wanted to glare at him, but his face was still too warm. Instead, he sighed, shaking his head as they both made their way back inside.

The moment they stepped in, Prim, Tu, Pond, and Phuwin were already waiting, grins plastered on their faces.

“So,” Pond drawled, crossing his arms. “Care to share what exactly you two were doing out there?”

Fourth groaned.

This was going to be a long day.