Chapter Text
[The Test of Time]
Fourth sat on the edge of his dorm bathroom floor, knees hugged to his chest, two pink-striped tests lying on the cold tile.
Positive.
Both.
“Holy shit,” he whispered, staring.
Not again.
His hands trembled. This wasn’t a kingdom of blood and roses anymore. This was a dorm with flickering lights and leftover bubble tea. And yet—he was carrying life. Again.
He thought of Sky.
He thought of Gemini’s lips on his skin, whispering promises the stars once betrayed.
And then he ran. All the way to the professor’s apartment. Banged on the door until it flung open.
“Fourth?” Gemini blinked, half-asleep.
“I’m pregnant,” Fourth blurted, voice cracked like lightning across water. “I’m—I’m pregnant and I’m terrified and I don’t know if the universe is laughing or giving us another chance or both—”
Gemini froze.
And then he stepped forward, gently cupping Fourth’s tearstreaked face.
“Then let’s make it right this time.”
“You’re not… scared?”
“Terrified,” Gemini admitted. “But I love you. And I’ll love our baby too.”
“Even if he kicks like I did?”
“Especially if.”
They laughed—too hard, too broken.
Fourth reached into his pocket and took out the pink pearl necklace.
“It brought me back to you,” he whispered, clipping it around Gemini’s neck.
---
[The Beginning Was You]
Gemini visited Fourth’s home that Sunday. The tiny house was stuffed with old books, potted plants, and the smell of dried squid.
Fourth’s father squinted at him over his glasses.
“You’re the professor.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And the boy who reads history books.”
“Also yes, sir.”
Silence.
“Are you the idiot who impregnant my son?”
“T-That too.”
Fourth choked.
But Gemini met his gaze.
“But I promise, in this life, I won’t let go.”
Fourth’s dad smiled a little, sighed, and handed Gemini a mop.
“Then mop the porch, Romeo.”
---
They had grilled pork that night. Fourth laughed until his stomach hurt. Gemini helped clean the dishes. Fourth’s father watched them from the doorway, a smile tugging at his lips.
“He was always waiting for you,” he said softly.
---
[At the Edge of the Sea]
They went to the sea the next day—just the two of them. The same waves from centuries ago kissed their feet again. This time, no crowns. No blood. Just skin. Salt. Forgiveness.
“Why does it feel like I’ve loved you for a hundreds of years?” Fourth whispered.
“Because you have.”
And then—on the quiet sand, Gemini knelt.
Took out a ring.
Simple. A tear-shaped pink pearl set in gold.
“Fourth Nattawat Jirochtikul, will you marry me in this life, and the next, and the next?”
Fourth broke down crying.
“I do,” he whispered.
They kissed with the ocean crashing around them.
The sky opened. The stars wept light.
---
[The Ghost in the Hall]
That night, Fourth woke from a dream of snow.
And standing at the end of the hall… was Phuwin.
In royal blue.
Eyes glassy with love and heartbreak.
“I loved you too,” he said softly.
“I know,” Fourth whispered.
“But you were never mine.”
Phuwin smiled one last time.
And disappeared.
---
[The Pearl Returned]
Months later, as Gemini read poetry aloud to their unborn child, Fourth laughed.
“He’s kicking,” he said.
“He already hates Shakespeare?”
“Like father, like son.”
They lay in bed, wrapped in stars.
“Why do you think it’s a boy again?” Gemini murmured.
“Because I feel the same weight,” Fourth whispered. “The same love.”
Gemini kissed his temple.
“Then this time, we name him.”
“Sky.”
“Sky it is.”
They looked at each other. Hand in hand.
And knew—
They were always meant to love.
In every life.
In every time.
Forever.
- The End -