BEHIND US (bl)

Fourth left the hotel before the sun had even risen, slipping away before Gemini could wake. He couldn't face him—not after last night. His mind was a chaotic mess, his emotions tangled beyond recognition.

He sent a text to Gemini's phone, a simple excuse: "Had to go help my mom with something. See you later." He hoped it would be enough, that Gemini wouldn't suspect anything.

But Fourth couldn't deal with this alone. He needed to talk to someone before he lost his mind. Without hesitation, he called Phuwin.

"Fourth? What the hell? It's not even 7 AM," Phuwin groaned, rubbing his eyes as he opened the door to his condo.

Fourth slipped inside, exhaling heavily as he dropped onto the couch. "Something crazy happened yesterday."

Phuwin yawned. "Crazy as in... a fan followed you to your hotel room?"

Fourth rolled his eyes. "If that happened, I'd be calling from a police station, not your condo."

Phuwin waved a lazy hand. "Then what is it?"

Fourth hesitated before saying, "Guess."

Phuwin eyed him, already impatient. "Does it have something to do with Gem?"

Fourth nodded.

Phuwin sat up straighter. "Did someone accuse him of getting them pregnant and refusing to take responsibility?"

Fourth choked on air. "Hai! What kind of scenario is that?"

Phuwin shrugged. "You said 'crazy.'"

"Forget it," Fourth muttered, rubbing his temples.

"Then just tell me."

Fourth exhaled deeply, as if saying it out loud would make it too real. "Gem dry-humped me last night."

Phuwin stared at him for a second before bursting into uncontrollable laughter. He clutched his stomach, his voice echoing through the condo.

Fourth frowned. "Why the hell are you laughing?"

Phuwin wiped his eyes, still chuckling. "Maybe he was just horny. I don't think he's had any action in a while."

Fourth scoffed. "You think so? Yesterday, he was whispering about how much he wants to fuck me, how it was my fault he was so turned on—"

Phuwin erupted into another fit of laughter, nearly falling off the couch.

"I told you three months ago that he liked you," Phuwin said between chuckles. "But you argued with me. I saw how he looked at me like he wanted to tear me apart just for being close to you. And not just me—he's done it with others too."

Fourth shook his head. "I still don't think he loves me like you said. Maybe he's just... horny. Maybe we've kissed too much, and now he's curious. He never said anything about loving me—it was just about sex."

His last words came out softer, tinged with sadness.

Phuwin sighed, finally sobering. "So what are you going to do? You've liked him for so long. Are you going to play along?"

Fourth looked down at his hands. "I don't know. I told myself I was moving on from him."

"And have you?"

Fourth shook his head. "No."

Phuwin leaned forward. "Then what's your plan?"

"I don't know, that's why I came to you," Fourth admitted. "I need advice. I can't think straight."

Phuwin smirked. "You want my advice? Alright, I've got two options for you."

Fourth sat up, listening intently.

"First, don't ask him about his feelings. Just go with the flow. That way, you can have a taste of the man you love, even if you don't end up together."

Fourth frowned. "And the second?"

"Talk to him. Be honest about how you feel, and let him tell you how he feels. That way, you'll know exactly where your relationship stands."

Fourth swallowed hard. "But what if I tell him and he doesn't feel the same?"

Phuwin leaned back with a sigh. "That's why the first option exists."

Fourth shook his head. "I can't do that. I can't risk sleeping with him and then finding out he doesn't love me. If that happens, the memory won't be something I cherish—it'll be a nightmare. Right now, I can still be around him despite my feelings. But if we cross that line, and he rejects me, I won't be able to pretend nothing happened. I'm not strong enough for that."

Phuwin studied him for a moment before nodding. "I get it. Just do what's best for you."

After a pause, Phuwin asked, "Does he even know you were awake last night?"

"I don't think so... or at least, I hope not. I don't plan on talking to him about it anytime soon."

Phuwin raised an eyebrow. "You ran before he woke up, didn't you?"

Fourth hesitated. "I told him I had to help my mom with something."

Phuwin smirked. "Let's hope he believes that."

Yawning, Phuwin stretched before standing up. "I'm going back to bed. You staying or heading home?"

Fourth let out a tired sigh. "I haven't slept a wink since last night. I'll stay."

Phuwin chuckled. "Alright, come on then."

As they walked toward the bedroom, Fourth's mind was still a whirlwind of emotions. But for now, at least, he could rest.