Miracles that happen

3rd person pov:

The morning air was unusually crisp, and Gemini found himself pacing the garden, rehearsing words in his head. After his late-night conversation with Phuwin, he knew he couldn't delay this any longer. If his intentions toward Fourth were to be genuine, they needed to be transparent—especially with Pond.

The problem was that Pond still saw Fourth as his baby brother, fragile and in need of constant care. To approach him with the idea of not only continuing to look after Fourth but also courting him felt like walking into a lion's den.

"Pond's in the study," Phuwin said as he passed Gemini on the porch. He gave him a pointed look, the corners of his lips quirking in a knowing smile. "Good luck."

Gemini sighed. He couldn't tell if Phuwin was being helpful or mischievous.

The study door was ajar, and Gemini could hear the faint sound of papers rustling inside. He knocked lightly, his heart thudding in his chest.

"Come in," Pond's voice called.

Gemini stepped inside, finding Pond seated at the desk, going over some documents. Pond looked up and smiled. "Hey, what's up? Everything okay with Fourth?"

Gemini nodded quickly. "Yeah, he's fine. I just... wanted to talk to you about something."

Pond raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Sounds serious."

"It is," Gemini admitted, his voice steady but laced with nerves. "It's about Fourth."

That immediately got Pond's attention. His smile faded slightly, replaced with a more guarded expression. "What about him?"

Gemini took a deep breath, deciding there was no point in dancing around the subject. "I've grown close to him over the past few weeks. Very close. And I... care about him. A lot."

Pond's eyes narrowed slightly, and he leaned forward. "Care about him how?"

"As more than a caretaker," Gemini said, his tone unwavering. "I think I've fallen for him."

The room was silent for a moment, the weight of Gemini's confession hanging in the air. Pond's gaze hardened, and his lips pressed into a thin line.

"You're telling me," Pond said slowly, "that you've been spending all this time with my brother and now you want to—what? Date him?"

"I want your permission to court him," Gemini said firmly. "I know how much he means to you, and I wouldn't do this without your blessing."

Pond stood up, his posture tense as he stared Gemini down. "He's not just some regular guy, Gemini. He's been through so much—his health, his isolation. Do you even understand what you're asking for?"

"I do," Gemini said. "And I know how important it is to handle this carefully. But Phi, Fourth isn't a child anymore. He deserves to feel loved and cared for, not just protected. I want to be the one to give him that."

Pond's expression didn't soften, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—doubt, or perhaps the faintest trace of understanding.

"And what if this doesn't work out?" Pond asked. "What if you hurt him?"

"I won't," Gemini said, his voice resolute. "I'd never forgive myself if I did. Fourth means everything to me, and I want to spend as much time as I can making sure he knows that."

There was another pause, longer this time. Pond crossed his arms, his gaze still sharp but no longer hostile.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said finally. "But this isn't just about me. Fourth gets a say in this too."

"I know," Gemini said. "But I couldn't move forward without talking to you first. You're his brother, and I respect you too much to go behind your back."

Pond studied him for a long moment before letting out a heavy sigh. "I need time to think about this," he said. "And I need to talk to Fourth."

Gemini nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

As Gemini left the study, he felt both lighter and heavier at the same time. The hardest part was over, but the outcome was still uncertain.

When he stepped into the hallway, Phuwin was waiting, his arms crossed and a knowing smirk on his face. "How'd it go?"

"Better than I expected," Gemini admitted, though his nerves were still taut.

Phuwin clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. He'll come around. He just needs to process it."

Gemini nodded, his mind already turning back to Fourth. No matter what happened, he was determined to prove to both Pond and Fourth that his feelings were genuine—and that he was here to stay.