Third Person's POV.
After their day out, Ohio insisted on bringing Gemini back to Percy's place. When they got back, he was expecting a quiet dinner, maybe a movie. But then Percy opened the door, as if he'd been waiting for them all day, and the younger boy froze on the threshold.
"What is all this?" Gemini whispered, eyes wide. The entire living space was transformed. It wasn't extravagantly decorated, but it was beautiful and warm. There were soft lights strung around the sitting room, the scent of his favorite dessert was heavy in the air, and the kitchen island was beautifully set with all kinds of food and drinks.
But none of that was why Gemini stopped breathing.
Standing by the window, her back turned as she admired the city skyline, was a woman with kind eyes, silver hair pulled into a neat bun, and a dress that looked specially made for her.
"Happy Birthday, Bunny," the woman said, turning around with a beaming, familiar smile.
"Nana!" Gemini cried, dropping the plushie Ohio had won for him right where he stood. He ran across the room and collapsed into his grandmother's arms. The hug was tight, instantly dissolving weeks of loneliness and stress. He clung to her, inhaling the familiar, comforting scent of lavender and home.
"Oh, sweetie, my little Bunny is all grown up," Nana murmured, holding him just as tightly. "Percy's driver picked me up from the airport this morning. I told him he didn't need to put me in that fancy hotel, but that boy is just as stubborn as you said."
Gemini pulled back, eyes still shining, and looked at Percy. The older boy was leaning against the doorway to the kitchen, a quiet look of satisfaction on his face.
"You did this?" Gemini asked, his voice thick with surprise and gratitude.
"I know you miss home," Percy stated simply, with the same logic he always uses. "So, I brought home to you."
The evening was a blur of comfortable chaos. Penelope arrived soon after from shopping, her driver bringing in brightly wrapped gifts for everyone—even more than the early birthday gifts she'd given him. Mark showed up twenty minutes later, armed with boxes of gifts and chocolate and a ridiculous, oversized birthday hat. Gemini wondered how he knew about his birthday.
The dinner, catered and perfect, was a warm mix of worlds. Nana and Penelope talked animatedly about fabrics and gardening, bridging the gap between their different realities with ease. Ohio, Mark, and Gemini laughed over embarrassing freshman stories. Percy, meanwhile, remained mostly quiet, but was clearly enjoying himself. He ate with his usual composure, but his gaze kept returning to Gemini—watching the uninhibited joy on his face, the easy way he joked with Ohio, the tenderness he showed his Nana. He was quietly attending to everyone, ensuring every glass was full and everyone's needs were met, but he looked more relaxed than Gemini had seen him in weeks.
The highlight, though, was the three-layer cake. As everyone sang, Gemini caught Percy's eye. The intense, unguarded warmth in Percy's gaze was more important than any gift.
Later, as the evening wound down, Percy insisted on driving Gemini's Nana back to the luxury hotel he'd booked for her near campus. Mark left before them. Ohio and Penelope waved goodbye from the apartment door. In the backseat of Percy's Bentley, Gemini held Nana's hand, the quiet glow of the city lights reflecting in the window.
"He's a good boy, that Percy," Nana whispered, her voice soft.
Gemini immediately felt the familiar warmth that seemed to appear whenever he was thinking about Percy.
"He is, isn't he? He's the most selfless person I know, Nana. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay his kindness."
Nana patted his hand gently. "Just being a good friend to him is enough, dear. I don't think he wants you to repay him, Bunny."
When they arrived at the hotel, Percy walked them both inside. He lingered until Nana was safely settled in the lobby, "I'll see you tomorrow, Nana. Sleep well." Percy said, giving Gemini a look that said 'take all the time you need.'
"You too, Percy. And thank you for everything," Nana said.
Percy simply nodded, his eyes soft. He didn't offer a hug or anything; he simply turned and left. Gemini watched him walk away, feeling a deep sense of peace. He had been disappointed earlier thinking Percy didn't want to celebrate his birthday with him, but right now, seeing how everything unfolded, he wouldn't change it for the world.
After a while, Gemini walked out of the hotel lobby, the lingering scent of Nana's perfume still comforting, and slid into the waiting warmth of Percy's Bentley. He buckled his seatbelt, a satisfied smile resting on his face.
"She's settled in now," Gemini said, his voice easy. "Thanks again, Percy. She'll have a great stay."
Percy smoothly pulled away from the curb, his focus initially on the evening traffic, but he turned his head slightly toward Gemini.
"Did you enjoy your day?"
"Enjoy it? I loved it," Gemini confirmed, letting out a genuine, deep sigh. "Seriously, Percy, this is one of the best birthdays I've had in a long time. Ever since I lost my parents, it's always just been Nana and me, a quiet dinner at home, maybe a small cake. Having everyone here, getting to spend the day with Ohio, and then seeing Nana... it was perfect."
The admission was honest and vulnerable. Percy kept his gaze steady on the road for a bit longer, the only sound the low purr of the engine.
"You won't have to do anything alone as long as I'm around," Percy stated, his voice quiet but carrying the weight of an unbreakable oath. He didn't look for a reaction; he simply offered the promise as a fact.
Gemini felt a rush of warmth, settling the last fragments of his earlier disappointment. He was more than happy.
"That... means a lot, Percy. Thank you." he whispered breathlessly.
The rest of the drive back to the apartment was companionable silence, filled with the comfortable familiarity they had cultivated. When they arrived, Ohio was already gone, and the apartment was quiet—Penelope had gone to bed.
Percy ushered Gemini through the living room, picking up a chilled bottle of champagne from the kitchen counter before heading toward the stairs.
"Ready to call it a night?" Percy asked, bottle in hand.
"Yeah, definitely," Gemini replied, following him up.
They entered Percy's bedroom, and Gemini stopped, surprised when Percy didn't put the champagne away, but instead set it carefully on the desk next to two unused crystal glasses.
"I thought we were going to bed," Gemini said, confused.
Percy moved with without saying anything, opening the bottle with a pop and pouring the pale liquid into each glass. He offered one to Gemini.
"Here, have a sip." Percy said gently.
Gemini hesitated, looking at the fizzing glass. "Alcohol? I... I've never actually tried it before."
Percy smiled, "Then it's time you did. And if you're going to try it for the first time, it should be something good. A proper toast."
Gemini accepted the glass, his fingers brushing Percy's.
"What should we toast to?"
Percy raised his own glass, the light catching the gold watch on his wrist. "To you. To your continued success. And to the future."
"To the future," Gemini echoed, raising his glass higher.
He took a careful sip. The champagne was cold, fizzy, and surprisingly tart on his tongue. He wrinkled his nose slightly, and Percy chuckled.
"It's... different than I expected." Gemini admitted, taking another, slightly larger sip. The bubbles tickled his throat. He felt a light-headed excitement bubbling up.
Percy watched him closely, a look that felt almost protective.
"Don't rush it. And don't drink too much," he advised, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. "We're just testing the waters tonight. I want your first time to be special, not regrettable."
Gemini moved to join him, settling beside Percy on the plush duvet. The act was natural. They sat together, the silence punctuated by the quiet clink of the glass. Gemini only finished about half his glass, feeling the mild, pleasant warmth of the alcohol settle in his chest, softening the edges of his exhaustion. Percy kept his word, neither pressuring him nor drinking heavily himself. The moment was about the ritual, the shared experience, and trust.
As the warmth spread, Gemini let his head rest against Percy's shoulder, a movement that felt more like an involuntary settling. He felt the solid, familiar pressure of Percy's body beside him, an anchor against the day's excitement.
Percy immediately responded, his hand lifting to gently stroke Gemini's hair, a silent confirmation of acceptance.
"Tired?" he murmured gently.
"So tired," Gemini whispered back, the words barely escaping as the last of his energy drained away. The exhaustion, coupled with the soft buzz of the champagne, was overwhelming. He nestled deeper into the warmth, feeling the rhythmic, steady beat of Percy's heart beneath his ear.
The last thing Gemini registered was Percy shifting slightly, pulling the comforter up around both of them, and Gemini snuggling against his chest. He felt Percy's chin rest lightly on his head, his breathing deep and even, and then he was gone. He fell asleep quickly, and entirely safe, cradled in Percy's arms.