Clock In

Part 9

"What's up?" he asked casually.

The ladies lit up at once. "Nothing great," one of them explained, "we're so sad Gemini is going to Indonesia. We won't see his face for six months!"

That was when Fourth froze. His eyes went wide, and his heart skipped a beat. He turned toward them so fast it startled them.

"What?" he asked, his voice cutting through the room.

One of the women blinked, clearly not used to Fourth even acknowledging their existence, let alone speaking with such urgency. "Oh, um," she said, "we just heard Gemini is leaving for Indonesia. Some business thing. He'll be gone for six months."

Her tone was light, but Fourth's mind immediately started spinning. He didn't even hear the rest of what she said. He quickly stacked the documents in his hand, muttered something under his breath, and practically bolted out of the room. He shoved the papers onto his desk as he passed by and made a beeline for the elevator, jabbing the top floor button with more force than necessary.

When the elevator opened, he stepped out quickly. The secretary at Gemini's floor looked up, surprised by his sudden appearance.

"Is Gem in?" Fourth asked breathlessly.

There was none of her usual gatekeeping. No judgmental pause. Just a quiet nod. "He's in his cabin."

Fourth didn't wait. He walked straight to the door, knocked once out of habit, and then pushed it open.

Gemini was at his desk, sipping coffee, looking at his laptop screen before his gaze shifted to the doorway. His expression softened the moment he saw Fourth standing there, slightly panting.

"Hi, Fourth," he said, calm as ever.

"Is it true?" Fourth asked, skipping all pleasantries, his voice rushed. "Are you leaving for Indonesia?"

Gemini set his coffee down slowly, his lips tugging into a quiet, resigned smile. He nodded. "Yeah."

"Why?" Fourth asked. Just that. His voice low, but the emotion in it betrayed how much he was holding back.

Gemini stood from his chair, taking a breath. "There's some stuff I need to check on personally. It's better if I go myself."

Fourth swallowed, hard. His throat felt tight. He couldn't help but feel like that wasn't the whole truth. "Is that all?" he asked, his voice just above a whisper.

Gemini looked at him for a second before his gaze dropped to the floor. "Among other things," he said quietly.

Fourth's brows drew in, something behind his chest tightening even more.

"Like what?" he asked, his voice still soft but no longer hesitant.

Gemini lifted his gaze, looking at him fully now. His eyes didn't carry that same teasing light Fourth was used to. They looked honest. A little tired. Maybe a bit hurt too.

"I'm not daft, Fourth. I can tell when someone's avoiding or when they feel uncomfortable around me."

His tone was still gentle, still so damn kind, even when he was clearly hurting. "Maybe me going away will help... with this," he added, motioning vaguely between them. "I just, I don't want to lose another friend."

That's when Fourth's eyes started to sting. He blinked rapidly, but the tears were already building.

"You are daft," he said, his voice trembling. A tear slipped down his cheek. "I don't want you as a friend."

Gemini's brows furrowed slightly, his face shifting into something more vulnerable as he took a step closer, seeing the tears in the man's face.

"Why are you crying?" he asked softly.