Chapter Text
“This is bullshit!”
Fourth flinched at Gemini's voice. His head was hanging low while his palms were shaking and resting on his lap. Tears streamed down his face.
Everything was going well. Not until their parents decided it was best for both of their fortunes to merge and arrange a marriage for the both of them.
Gemini pointed at Fourth, “He's a college student for fuck’s sake, who are in their right mind would set up an arranged marriage for someone like him to an older working man like me?! An adult!” He shouts.
“Gem, Fourth is already graduating this year. You know that.” Ning, his mother gently replied. His father could only look at him in disappointment, like he always has.
His father stood up and Fourth gulped, slowly looking up. “Let’s be honest, Gemini. The reason for your anger is not mainly because of the age gap. How many times shall we warn you about that girl? That you can not marry her whether you like it or not.” He seethes.
Gemini's eyes darkened at the mention of his lover.
“That's why this is bullshit. You all know that I'm already committed to my relationship with Jaoying and you're doing this. You're suddenly pulling this shit!”
“Gemini-”
“No! Is it because she's not rich? She's not as powerful as Fourth’s family? Fuck you, all you think about is wealth and power.”
“It is not because of that, Gemini!” His mother protests, slowly standing up.
“Then what is? Huh? What is?” Gemini raised an eyebrow at them, and Fourth felt suffocated to the bitter scents mingling in the air.
Gemini's father sighed, “That woman is using you, Gemini.” He said with a tone of finality.
And for the first time since his arrival, his eyes made contact with Fourth's. Looking at the younger omega in his fragile condition.
“Unbelievable.” He looked back to his parents. “You guys are unbelievable. Whether I like it or not? What if I run away with her huh, is there anything you can do?” He glared at both of his parents.
“And waste all of our years working hard to send you off to medical school? One woman is worth our blood, sweat and tears raising you? Sending you off to international schools as you grow up? Supporting you all the way through?”
His father fired back, which made Gemini falter. For once, Gemini was thinking rationally about what he just said.
“This is the first time, Gemini. Since you were little, we've allowed you with everything you wanted. We never dictated you on what to do. We didn't project our dreams on you. You want to be a doctor? Go on! You want to study in this prestigious school? Go! But this Gemini? This is the first time we're not letting you mate with that woman.”
Ning shook her head, brushing her fingers through her hair. “That woman is up to no good.” She added.
“That’s not true!” Gemini shouts back.
“Or maybe because you're blind in love and she completely manipulated you.” His father whispered but enough to hear beside his mother.
Gemini just shook his head, he looked one last time at Fourth — the omega he used to adore since they were kids. His parents aren't even present, nothing special about that. They have always been absent.
And for the moment, Gemini feels pity towards the younger. He's alone, dealing with all of this and since he entered their penthouse, the young omega didn't utter any words. Just accepting his fate.
“First thing tomorrow, you guys will move into the house we picked for you two.” His mother brushed the strands of her hair, stressed. “I don't care what you have to say about this, Gemini. Do whatever you want but get this, from now on, Fourth is your omega, he'll be your mate.” She stared at him intensely.
“I'm leaving.” was all Gemini could reply.
The loud bang of the door that Gemini just slammed shut made Fourth flinched once more, biting his lips and looking at Gemini's parents.
Ning immediately softened and cupped his cheeks, “Oh, darling. I'm so sorry, maybe this is just a bad day at work for P'Gem, Hm?” She smiled reassuringly.
He could only hum.
“I-It’s okay.” The first words that came out of the Omega's mouth since he arrived.
— ☆
“I hate that motherfucker.” Satang spats, taking a bite of the croissant. Fourth, ever the sweetest and kindest omega, he just shook his head. “It's okay, Tang. I understand him.” He offered a tight smile towards his friend.
“No, because first of all, you're Fourth. You're literally gorgeous and kind, smart, and everything! Literally, if I wasn't an omega and mated with Winny, I'd leave him for you, friend.” Fourth laughs at that.
“He's dating P'Jaoying for 2 years now.” Fourth whispered. “He loves her, he wants to mate her and.. maybe even carry his pups. And yet, he's stuck with me.” He sipped his drink, looking outside of their campus.
“I swear something's off about that girl. Since day one I saw her in that mall with Phi Gemini!” Satang grimaced. Fourth raised an eyebrow at him, “Really?”
“Yeah, well you know how these multiple friendgroups of mine in different departments, rumours has it, she used to date around and leech off her ex boyfriends’ money and all of that mean girl shit when they were still studying here.” Satang shrugs.
Fourth only stared at him before staring down to his drink again. “Well, we shouldn't really judge here. I'm sure she's lovely as to why Phi Gemini is really in love with her.” He chuckled bitterly.
It was only those words that sank in before Satang leaned towards him and sighed, “Fourth, you've liked him since 10th grade. When are you planning to confess your feelings?” But Fourth could only offer him nothing but silence.
“Never, Tang. He probably hates me by now. He's forced to be locked up to me and live the life he never wanted.” With that, the younger stood up, suddenly losing his appetite. “I'll see you around, okay?” The omega smiles, though it doesn't reach his eyes like it usually does.
“Take care, will you?” Satang looked at him with worried eyes, not wanting to push any further. “Will do.” Fourth waved his goodbye.
While walking back, something or more accurately, someone caught his eyes. A familiar Benz parked just few meters away from their campus’s gate entrance.
He couldn't help but walk towards it, knocking on the driver's window. Gemini slowly rolled down his windows, eyes not meeting the younger Omega's ones. Just directed to the road.
“Get in.” He said, curt and cold.
Fourth looked around, checking if someone was watching them, but when he's sure there's no one, he gulped and nodded, rounding the car and opening the passenger’s door. When he sat, he offered a small smile to the older man which wasn't returned.
His heart aches.
“P-Phi… I still have classes left. What are you doing here?” He asks, voice small. Gemini only snorted, starting the engine, it was only a few seconds before they started driving away. “Our parents want us to move in as soon as possible.” Gemini replied, jaw clenching.
And that's when Fourth noticed some of his things on the backseat, boxes and bags. “Oh.” was the only thing he could reply.
He turned towards the window, silently admiring the buildings around the city. This is his life now, bonded to an alpha who doesn't love him. He let out a quiet sigh that must've caught Gemini's attention.
“I didn't know you have a boyfriend.” Fourth turned towards Gemini and raised an eyebrow. “Huh?” He titled his head, he never had one. So what nonsense is Gemini talking about.
“The man sitting across you, in the café.” Gemini clarified, clearing his throat. Fourth's eyes widened, quickly opened his mouth to defend himself, “No, that's Satang! My bestfriend, Phi. You… You've met him right? An omega.” Fourth was almost ashamed on how defensive he sounded.
As if Gemini would care in that way.
“Right.” Gemini nodded.
“Do you even want this marriage, Fourth?” Gemini asked, his expression unreadable. And that made Fourth froze. He wasn't expecting that transition in their conversation — that kind of question.
But what would Gemini think of him? If he chose to be honest, he'd say yes. It's his dream — marrying the alpha he loved even before he presented. He used to imagine this, a life with Gemini, mated and married. Being pregnant with his pups.
But Gemini? none of those similar dreams of his were included Fourth. It was Jaoying, it was her who he loves. Fourth looked down and fidgeted with his fingers.
“I-It’s not ideal. The a-arrangement.” He stutters, choosing a play safe answer. It wasn't exactly a lie, their arranged marriage wasn't ideal. It wasn't how he imagined it to be.
He imagined it to be Gemini courting him, showering him with courting gifts and asking him to be his beloved, omega, his mate, everything. But no, reality could only slap him across the face with the bitter truth.
Gemini could only hummed. “I'm gonna be honest with you, Fourth.” Gemini glanced at him and Fourth's hand twitched. Eyes suddenly turning teary because he knows, he knows deep inside the words that'll come out of the older’s mouth.
Gemini closed his eyes for a brief moment, exhaling loudly before opening his mouth.
“In this marriage, do not expect me to love you.”
The moment they stepped inside the house, it was almost fully furnished. Their parents have promised to visit after they have settled in which Fourth expects to be at least 2 days from now and with that, he's thankful.
Because he has heard earlier from Gemini really took a toll on him. It took him great amount of power to not sob in front of Gemini. The older man turned to him, slowly opening his mouth but before he could say something, Fourth grab his bags from Gemini and immediately ran upstairs to his room.
The second he reached his bed. He buried his face on his pillow and cried, hard. Suddenly, the 6 years of him loving the older man flashed through his head, the secret notes he used to put inside Gemini's locker when they were still in the same school, the cute packed lunches, and the valentine's cards and gifts he never fail to put inside the older's bag until Gemini graduated suddenly sank in him.
How he used his family's connection to their school so that Gemini could join the football club even though the sports organization have already cut off their applications because it reached it limits.
The secret admiration from afar.
All of that, just for Gemini to fall in love with someone else.
Three knocks on his door were heard but he ignored it. He can't face Gemini right now, right when he's broken and crying out all of the years he spent loving the older man.
In this marriage, do not expect me to love you.
Those words kept ringing on his head like a broken alarm. Like a curse.
— ☆
Fourth was greeted with breakfast served on the table. But Gemini was nowhere to be found. Instead, there's a sticky note placed just beside his plate.
“I apologize for how I acted last night, Nong. I hope you understand. I'll be staying with at Jaoying's for 2 days. I'll be back for when our parents visit. Take care and have some breakfast.
Gemini.”
Fourth stared at the note, he could feel his chest physically hurting, before he could cry. He crumpled the note and sat aggressively on the chair. Eating as he cry silently, chewing on the pancakes.
Gemini didn't even have the decency to bring him to his University. Well at least, he cooked some breakfast for him as a peace offering — if he ever felt guilty. Fourth snorted softly at that, wiping his rosy cheeks.
Once done eating. He washed the dishes and brushed his teeth before asking Satang to pick him up.
“Everytime you talk about him, it just deepens my anger towards him. I can't believe this, Fourth. You deserve better than this, friend. Should you take this matter to your parents?” He asked, concern written all over his face.
Winny, who was unfortunate, sat on the backseat as per Satang’s demand while casually leaning against in front to be included in the gossip.
Fourth stared at Satang deadass.
“Well, in that case. Fuck your parents as well. Really, even once they cared about you since you presented as an omega. Is it really it? That unfortunate to have a male omega son?” Satang once again glared towards the road.
“Never! I think male omegas are the best.” Winny protested.
“Winny, get away from here before I smack your head.” Fourth chuckled as Winny immediately scrambled to settle himself on the backseat.
Winny sighed once again, “You know Fourth. I have this alpha, who's very nice and a green flag! Peem, you know him? Maybe you should go on a date with him. He's been asking me about you, anyway.” Winny shrugs.
Fourth looked at him, curious. “Really?”
“The Peemwasu?” Satang raised a brow.
“Yes. You should talk to him. Or should I tell him to talk to you instead?” Winny raised an eyebrow.
Fourth gave him a weak smile, shaking his head. “No. I think it's unfair for him if I go out with him while knowing that I am in love with P’Gemini.” Fourth replied with a small voice.
Winny’s mouth shaped to an ‘o’, nodding silently.
Fourth fixed his position, looking out the window and sighed.
It's unfair how he couldn't love someone else while Gemini is fully devoted to another woman.