The Jade Oath

The clock struck midnight. A strangled gasp broke the silence of the room, followed by quiet, pained whimpers that Gemini had come to dread every Friday night. His heart clenched as Fourth's body convulsed beside him, his face twisted in agony.

"It's okay, baby. It's okay. I'm here." Gemini's voice was gentle yet desperate, his arms tightening around Fourth, as if holding him close could somehow shield him from the pain.

Fourth's fingers dug into Gemini's shoulders, clutching onto him like a lifeline. His breathing was ragged, his sobs muffled against Gemini's chest. The fever was worse this time—stronger, crueler, almost as if punishing them for breaking the rules. Gemini could feel the unbearable heat radiating from Fourth's body, his trembling growing more violent with every passing second.

Suddenly, Fourth jerked away, a sick feeling rising in his stomach. Without hesitation, Gemini scooped him up in a bridal carry and rushed to the bathroom. By the time they reached the sink, Fourth was already gagging, his body wracked with dry heaves before he finally vomited, tears streaming down his face.

"I got you, baby. I got you," Gemini whispered, his own tears falling freely as he rubbed soothing circles on Fourth's back. Fourth clutched his chest, sobbing harder, his entire body trembling from both pain and exhaustion.

"Gem, it hurts," he whimpered, his voice so broken that it shattered Gemini's heart into pieces. Then, as if the pain wasn't enough, Fourth clung to Gemini's shirt and choked out the words that nearly destroyed him entirely.

"Please don't leave me."

"Please never leave me."

Gemini's breath hitched, and he immediately cupped Fourth's tear-streaked face. "I would never do that," he promised, his voice firm but thick with emotion. "Even if I'm dead, I will always be with you."

The moment the words left his lips, Fourth's eyes widened in sheer terror. "No! Don't say that! Please—don't die, Gem." His voice broke as he gripped Gemini's arms, desperation pouring out of him. "I can't—I can't lose you—"

Gemini felt like he had been punched in the gut. He had only meant to reassure Fourth, but instead, he had triggered his worst fear. "No, baby. No, I'm sorry," Gemini whispered urgently, cupping Fourth's cheeks and forcing him to meet his gaze. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here. I'm alive. And I will always stay by your side."

Fourth's breathing was still erratic, his body trembling in exhaustion, but slowly, ever so slowly, his grip on Gemini's arms loosened.

Minutes passed, and eventually, Fourth succumbed to sleep, his body finally giving in. Gemini let out a shaky breath, wiping away his tears before carefully cleaning Fourth up. His heart ached at the sight of the bruise-like fever marks on Fourth's body, the evidence of his suffering.

Gently, he carried Fourth back to bed, laying him down with the utmost care. Then, he slid in beside him, wrapping his arms securely around Fourth, spooning him from behind. Pressing a soft kiss against Fourth's damp hair, Gemini whispered, "I love you, baby. I love you so much."

Even as exhaustion pulled him under, his arms never loosened, his presence never wavered. And as sleep claimed them both, their hearts beat in sync—a silent promise that no matter how much fate tried to pull them apart, Gemini would always, always find his way back to Fourth.

.

.

It was finally Wednesday—the day of the ritual. The night ahead held uncertainty, but before that, life had to go on as usual. Classes came first. Gemini had already secured the jade stone, retrieving it from his parents' house last week. He had explained everything to his parents about the situation as he already promised before to tell them everything about it on the phone, the day he was at Dunk's grandparent's house.