Chapter Text
Fourth was nervous—but he shouldn’t be.
When he followed Kevin to talk privately, he didn’t even know why he felt like he was swallowing bricks. He plunged both hands into his trouser pockets, so that he won’t start picking out his nails out of nervousness. Kevin was walking towards the main building now, up the stairs and towards the main hall. Fourth picked up speed, just as Kevin opened the door to the hall and disappeared in.
Taking a nervous breath, Fourth closed his eyes before opening them again and walking in. The hall was dark and there was no sign of life at all. Fourth blinked, trying to adjust his eyes to the sudden darkness that enveloped him. It was nerve-wrecking and Fourth’s fear of enclosed areas started to gnaw at his mind.
“Kev—Kevin?” Fourth called out into the darkness, whipping his head both ways, “Where are you?”
Suddenly, the lights came up and a blast of balloons and crackers blinded (and deafened) the poor boy who’s eyes were as wide as saucers. A large banner with the letters “HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOURTH” was held by no other than Win and Jan who were grinning sunnily at him. His entire football team was there along with Kevin, as all of them clapped so loudly. Fourth blinked, wondering what on earth just happened. His eyes unmistakably caught sight of Gemini, who had a boquet of flowers in his arms, and the rest of TOXIC was also staring at him.
“What?” he asked, looking at everyone for explanation, “What just… Kev?”
Kevin walked up to him and enveloped him in a tight hug, “Happy birthday, Nong”
“How did you…?” Fourth started.
“Actually, all credit should go to your boyfriend” Kevin said, nodding over at Gemini who grinned at him.
At the word ‘boyfriend’ Fourth looked around, wondering if other people heard him—and to his surprise, everyone was talking casually amongst themselves as if the reveal that the captain of Chula’s football team being gay was just another normal conversation. His eyes found Gemini who nodded in assurance.
He did all this?
“What?” Fourth asked, “What do you mean?”
“He planned this surprise for you after finding out that your birthday is today” Kevin said, as Win and Jan nodded along.
“I—I thought you were… upset…” Fourth said, looking at Kevin who looked at him as if he had sprouted horns.
“Why would I be mad?”
“Since I’m….” Fourth swallowed nervously, looking down at his toes.
Kevin completed the sentence for him anyway, “Since you’re gay?”
Fourth nodded, hiding his face from his roommate.
“Why would I be upset that you’re gay?” He asked, “Fot, you’re allowed to like whoever you want. Love is love. You liking a boy has nothing to do with me”
Fourth felt his eyes tearing up. All this time he had thought that Kevin was mad at him, and now to see that Kevin had avoided him because he, along with the rest of his friends were planning his surprise birthday? Kevin reached over and hugged him, as Fourth hid his face against Kevin’s chest.
Kevin comfortably patted his back, cooing, “Hey hey, it’s okay. I’m sorry for making you think that I was mad, okay? No one’s mad, trust me”
It was a huge relief, no matter what. Fourth sighed, leaning back. Kevin ruffled his hair, before leaning down to ask, “Why do you keep calling me Kevin though? My name’s Phuwin. Are you illiterate or something?”
***
“You’re insane” Fourth said, the moment he sat down in the passenger seat of Gemini’s vehicle.
Gemini, who was gentlemanly enough to open the door for him, shut it and placed his palms on the rolled down window, peering in, “For loving you?”
Fourth rolled his eyes, ignoring the way his cheeks dusted pink. He watched the way Gemini practically skipped around the vehicle to get in the driving seat. He closed the door and grabbed Fourth’s hand to press a soft kiss on his palm. Fourth looked at him and smiled. They have been dating for almost a year by now, and he remembered with fondness how he had the best birthday ever because of his pretty boyfriend. Every day was a journey for them—and they both traveled with so much happiness. Gemini proved day and day again that he was the perfect boyfriend ever. He managed to not only charm his best friends, but also to charm his own mother.
Meanwhile, Gemini’s parents and April had a soft spot for Fourth. April, who was surprisingly dating Jan now, worshipped the literal ground Fourth walked on as she kept teasing her brother that he didn’t deserve a ‘God’ like Fourth. Jan, Win and Phuwin frequented Gemini’s apartment too, along with the rest of the TOXIC members. Phuwin turned out to be dating the club’s manager Pond—which was a welcome surprise for Fourth, who initially thought that Phuwin was homophobic. And Fourth was pretty sure that something was going on with Win and Satang because they couldn’t stop bickering, but every comeback they threw at each other was laced with a unique fondness.
Fourth was happy. He couldn’t be any happier.
Gemini graduated with flying colors and was starting his own business. TOXIC was still playing in venues and Gemini always made sure to introduce his owner to the crowd. They tended to go missing (according to Satang) after the set and none of the members were willing to go find them knowing that they were probably eating each other’s lips off somewhere. Satang kept mentioning Fourth’s red face and swollen lips when they returned as evidence and Fourth could only hide deeper in Gemini’s chest.
Fourth will be graduating this year and he has been named as the valedictorian of the year too—a title previously held by his very own boyfriend. April was his mentee and Gemini often found them whispering at Gemini’s place whenever he was around. Him and Phuwin had been surprisingly inseparable since recently and Fourth was almost sure that they were conspiring something together—like they had for Fourth’s birthday. Fourth didn’t mind it. His best friends were close with Gemini and Gemini’s best friends and family and he couldn’t ask for anything more.
And tonight, as the rest of the band members said their goodnights, Gemini, as always, said that he will be driving Fourth to his dorm tonight. As Gemini laced their fingers together, he pulled out from the car park and started driving towards the dorms.
“Gem” Fourth asked, looking over at his boyfriend.
“Yeah baby?”
Fourth blushed deep red. Whenever Gemini openly showed his affection, he couldn’t help but feel the butterflies fluttering in his chest. He was so normal calling him that too. He took a deep breath, sneaking a glance at Gemini who was focused on the road.
It was now or never, Fourth. Now or never.
“Can I…” He started, biting his bottom lip.
“Hm?” Gemini gave him the tiniest assurance to continue, by using his thumb to brush against the back of Fourth’s hand.
“Can I stay at your place tonight?”
For a minute or two, Gemini said nothing and Fourth almost took back what he said. He could practically feel the chill in the vehicle a little bit too much today and he was half sure that he was about to have a fever. This was a big step in their lives. They never stayed alone in Gemini’s apartment. Gemini had even slept over at Fourth’s dorm, hugging the other until morning since poor Phuwin was a light sleeper.
But today, they both knew that April was staying over at Jan’s and some other girls and there was no way that April would barge in. April’s new friend Cherry and Jan’s new friend Lily had become quite a constant in all of their lives too. Fourth didn’t even know how more people kept joining their little circle but they were.
They had never… done anything other than make out too.
They haven’t done… it.
Gemini’s hand tightened around Fourth’s as he blinked and kept his face away from the other’s completely. Fourth was avoiding eye contact as well.
“Sure” Gemini replied—his voice an octave higher than normal—as he cleared his throat to assure his boyfriend once again with, “Sure”
Fourth nodded before looking outside as he pressed his face against the cool window. Were they finally gonna…
No, Fourth! Bad Fourth!
They were just gonna sleep together—NOT in that way!
Fourth groaned, forgetting that he was with Gemini—who sneaked a glance at the pitiful heap in the passenger seat. Fourth’s mind was doing cartwheels. And he couldn’t control his imaginations that were running off on their own.
When Gemini finally parked his vehicle in the condo, it was late evening. Fourth had his eyes closed—not wanting to get out at all. Wasn’t he the one who suggested staying over? Where was the confidence when he asked the question? He pressed a finger against the glass dragging it all over.
“Shall we…” Gemini started, clearing his throat, “Shall we go in?”
“OR” Fourth jumped turning to look at Gemini, “we can go to my dorm, yunno. Phuwin and—”
“Fourth” Gemini started, in a gentle voice that was reserved only for his boyfriend, “Baby, listen. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, okay? Your comfort is what matters. If—when you’re ready, we can do whatever you want. I will never force you to do something you’re not ready, okay? We can just sleep over. There is no rush, whatsoever”
Fourth stared at him, eyes glossing over. Gemini—with his stupidly beautiful hair shining against the moonlight, his stupidly beautiful starry eyes, his stupidly beautiful shiny lips (that had some red patches, most probably bite marks—courtesy of Fourth), and his stupidly amazing trustful voice—assuring him as he always has. This is why Fourth was head over heels for this man.
Gemini was his destiny. Ever since kindergarten, Gemini has been his destiny.
Fourth leaned over and cupped Gemini’s cheeks, forcing the boy to look at him. He took turns to look at his eyes. He wanted Gemini to know how much he loves him. How much completely taken he was with him. How much he wants him, needs him. How much he craves him.
“I love you” Fourth said, his voice a little above a whisper, “I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone. And you keep proving again and again why you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love, love, love you so, so much. And now I know what I want. I want you. No—I need you. I really need you.”
And with that he sealed his love for his crush of a lifetime with a deep kiss. Fourth didn’t know how or when they actually made it to the main entrance, nor did he know that they were walking inside without a single light flashing above them. Fourth didn’t know how or when they found themselves in Gemini’s bedroom, yet the moment he was walked backwards and his feet hit the foot of the bed Fourth broke the kiss. Their arms were wrapped tightly around each other, eyes bleeding with emotion, lips bruised with want.
“Are you sure?” Gemini whispered, as he rested his forehead against Fourth’s.
“I have never been as sure of anything as I am right now” Fourth replied, before he grabbed Gemini’s collar and pulled him on top of him onto the bed.
***
The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Gemini’s bedroom as Fourth fluttered his eyes open, trying to adjust his eyes to the light. He breathed in deeply, as a shy smile crawled on his lips lazily. He slowly turned to his right, as he took in the sight in front of him breathlessly. Gemini—with his tanned skin bathed in the morning light—was such a sight to see. How on earth was he this lucky? How was it even possible?
One day he was sneaking glances at his crush and the next, his crush—who was also now his boyfriend—was next to him, staring at him…—
Wait a minute.
“Enjoying the view?” Gemini smiled sleepily at him.
Fourth groaned, hiding his face against the pillow as Gemini giggled—actually giggled—next to him. Gemini leaned over to place a kiss against Fourth’s shoulder, as his arms gently wrapped around his waist. Fourth slowly turned his head to face Gemini, who was staring at him.
“Good morning” he whispered.
“Good morning” Fourth whispered back.
Gemini leaned closer as Fourth turned onto his back to turn his face completely towards his boyfriend. Gemini grinned sleepily before pressing his face against Fourth’s chest—an act that caused Fourth to giggle. He wrapped his hands around Gemini’s frame, pressing a kiss on the other’s head.
“Baby”
A soft groan came from Gemini who was nestled in Fourth’s embrace as if they were fused together.
“What do you want to do today?” Fourth asked as Gemini groaned and shook his head—nothing.
“You want to just lie here and do nothing?” Fourth giggled.
Gemini raised his face to look up at Fourth who grinned down at him, “Stay like this”
Gemini pressed a soft kiss against Fourth’s chin before snuggling against his neck, as if he belonged there. Fourth kissed the top of his head again before closing his eyes. He could feel Gemini everywhere around him. He could feel the other’s warmth seeping through the blankets. He could feel the kisses he kept pressing.
And this, this was heaven.
THE END.