Fourth barely had a moment to catch his breath before the relentless teasing escalated. As soon as he and Gemini stepped back into the common room, they were met with knowing smirks and mischievous grins.

“There they are! Our favorite couple!” Prim practically sang, clapping her hands together in delight.

Fourth groaned, already feeling the heat rise to his face. “We are not—”

“Oh, don’t even try to deny it,” Tu cut in, waggling her eyebrows. “Did you two have a nice little moment out there?”

Pond leaned forward with a devious grin. “You know, Fourth, you were really quick to hide behind Gemini earlier. It was adorable.”

Phuwin sighed dramatically. “I didn’t know our usually cold-hearted Gemini had such a soft spot. Who knew a single kiss could turn him into such a caring soulmate?”

Fourth’s breath caught in his throat. “S-soulmate?! Where did that even come from?!”

Prim gasped theatrically. “Wait, wait, wait! Are you saying you’d rather not be his soulmate?”

“Not what I meant!” Fourth sputtered, feeling utterly trapped.

Gemini, who had remained silent through most of this, suddenly smirked. “It’s fine, Fourth. If you don’t want to stay with me, just say so.”

Fourth whipped his head towards him, eyes wide in betrayal. “You—! You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Gemini only shrugged. “Maybe.”

Tu and Pond high-fived. “Look at that! Our scary Gemini actually flirting!”

Fourth wished the floor would swallow him whole. “I hate all of you.”

“Oh, come on,” Prim giggled. “We’re just having fun. You’re too cute when you’re flustered.”

Phuwin leaned closer, a mock-concerned expression on his face. “So, Fourth, be honest. How does it feel to have Gemini’s attention all to yourself?”

Fourth’s lips parted, but nothing came out. He didn’t know how to answer that. It wasn’t just the teasing—there was something real about Gemini’s sudden closeness, something that sent his thoughts into chaos.

Noticing his hesitation, Tu smirked. “Oh, this is gold. He doesn’t even know how to respond!”

Gemini chuckled, finally standing up. “Alright, enough.”

For a second, Fourth thought he was going to rescue him from the relentless teasing, but instead, Gemini leaned in, his voice just loud enough for everyone to hear. “If you keep teasing him too much, he might start thinking I actually like him.”

The room erupted into chaos.

Fourth’s entire face burned. “GEMINI!”

But Gemini just smirked as he walked away, leaving Fourth to fend for himself against their merciless friends.

Fourth barely had time to recover from the last round of teasing before the group started up again. The smirks had only grown wider, and the mischief in their eyes was practically radiating off of them.

“So, Fourth,” Tu started, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Now that we know Gemini’s got a soft spot for you, are you planning to use it to your advantage?”

Fourth crossed his arms, already scowling. “I’m not planning anything.”

“Oh?” Pond leaned in. “So you’re saying you wouldn’t mind if Gemini liked you?”

Fourth spluttered. “That’s not—! I never said that!”

Prim gasped dramatically, her hands flying to her chest. “Fourth! Are you blushing again?!”

Phuwin laughed, shaking his head. “I swear, you get cuter every time we tease you.”

“Stop calling me cute!” Fourth snapped, which only made the group burst into laughter.

Gemini, who had been lounging against the armrest, finally sighed and pushed himself up. “Alright, enough. He’s going to combust if you keep this up.”

Fourth shot him a grateful look, but Gemini smirked and added, “Besides, if you keep teasing him, he might actually think I care.”

The laughter died down for a second as everyone processed what he said, and then—

“GEMINI!” Fourth’s voice cracked as he whipped his head toward him, eyes wide in disbelief.

Tu whistled low. “Oh wow, that’s cold.”

Pond winced playfully. “Damn, Gemini, and here I thought you were getting soft.”

Prim shook her head. “No, no, this is worse. This is ‘I’ll say just enough to mess with your head’ behavior.”

Fourth felt his stomach twist. He didn’t even know why it bothered him so much, but something about Gemini’s words sent his emotions spiraling. Before anyone could notice, he stood abruptly. “I need some air.”

He walked off quickly, ignoring the amused looks and hushed whispers behind him. But just as he reached the door, he heard Gemini’s voice, lower this time, almost unreadable.

“…Maybe I care more than I let on.”

Fourth didn’t stop walking, but his heart was now pounding for an entirely different reason.

_______

Fourth hurried down the hallway, his mind racing as he tried to push aside the confusing emotions Gemini’s words had stirred in him. Maybe I care more than I let on. What did that even mean? Was he just messing with him again, or was there something real hidden beneath his usual teasing?

Leaning against the wall, Fourth took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The warmth in his chest refused to fade, and the more he thought about it, the more his face heated up.

Before he could fully regain control of himself, he heard footsteps approaching. He turned his head just as Gemini rounded the corner, hands stuffed in his pockets, an unreadable expression on his face.

“You always run away when things get interesting,” Gemini said, his voice carrying that familiar teasing lilt, but there was something softer beneath it.

Fourth straightened, crossing his arms over his chest. “I just needed some air.”

Gemini hummed, stepping closer. “Sure.”

Fourth’s gaze darted to the floor. “Why did you say that?”

Gemini raised an eyebrow. “Say what?”

Fourth swallowed hard, summoning his courage. “That… maybe you care more than you let on.”

A small smirk played at Gemini’s lips, but this time, it lacked his usual playfulness. Instead, he took another step forward, closing the gap between them. “Would it be so bad if I did?”

Fourth’s breath hitched. His heartbeat thundered in his ears as he tried to form words, but nothing came out. He had spent so long assuming Gemini only saw him as an easy target to tease, but now… now he wasn’t so sure.

“I—”

Gemini leaned in slightly, eyes never leaving Fourth’s. “Relax. You think too much.”

Fourth blinked, startled, and before he could react, Gemini reached out, ruffling his hair lightly before stepping back. “Come on, before the others decide to send a search party.”

Still stunned, Fourth trailed after him, his mind more confused than ever. But one thing was clear—something had shifted between them, and there was no going back now.

_____