Chapter Text
Fourth finally meets up with his friends while he is still in Bangkok. The last time he saw them was probably two months ago on Mark's birthday, they had decided to have lunch together since Fourth wasn't going to the party knowing full well that Gemini was going to be there. He knows that the divorce put a lot of strain in their friends since they both loved and cherished them, and they somehow were stuck in the middle of everything.
The thing that Fourth is mostly grateful for is that their friends were able to maintain a friendship with both him and Gemini over the years. He is mostly grateful that Gemini had people who supported him and genuinely cared about him in the entertainment industry as that tends to be rare these days.
Mark has become a very successful actor, having starred in several award winning movies and series. Satang had finally released his album a year ago once he retired from acting, although he still stars in a few series as a supporting actor and Ford has released his second album six months ago, which was really successful. Phuwin had left the entertainment industry, well not quite left but he is no longer in the lime-light and works as a producer and filmmaker whereas his husband- wow Fourth can't believe the two got married- has opened a dance studio and is an award winning choreographer who has worked with idols around the globe.
They are mostly busy as functional working adults tends to be but somehow miraculously have managed to maintain a healthy friendship where they keep in contact almost all the time and try to meet up at least once a month if their schedule allows them to. They have all visited his house in the mountains as Mark calls it in Chaing Mai, and Phuwin had made Pond promise him to buy him a house in the mountain.
Fourth arrives a few minutes late because Gemini was being extra clingy today and wanted more cuddle time but had eventually let him go when Fourth promised to bring him dinner so that he is not subjected to another hospital meal. Gemini had relented only if Fourth promised the meal comes with a side of kisses. Fourth had agreed, feeling ridiculously fond and exasperated at the same time.
Fourth feels like how he felt when he fell in love with Gemini the first time. He feels like he is falling from a plane at an alarming speed without a parachute it is both terrifying and thrilling at the same time. Fourth has decided not to think about what is going to happen when Gemini regains his memories and decides to leave him. He is holding on to the hope that maybe Gemini might realise that he still loves him and perhaps they could try again. Even if it doesn't happen, he doesn't regret giving Gemini his heart again. His heart has always been Gemini's, and it probably always will be.
"Sorry I am late." Fourth says with a sheepish smile as he joins his friends.
"It's okay. Winny is late himself." Satang says with that nauseating sweet smile he has on whenever he talks about Winny.
Satang and Winny have been dating for almost a year now. Although Fourth had once believed they would've gotten together earlier, it turned out they were really just great friends all those years ago. Winny is a successful artist- rapper, really, and Satang won't shut up about how talented of a lyricist his boyfriend is, although Fourth does agree with him on that one.
"Ugh, people in love disgust me." Phuwin says teasingly with an eyeroll.
"Brave of you to say that when you were making heart eyes at Pond a few minutes ago." Ford says, arching an eyebrow in challenge.
"How dare you slander me like that?" Phuwin replies mock offended, then turns to Pond to say in a childish whine. "P'Pond! Ford is slandering my name and bullying me. Defend my honour."
And Pond, as indulging as ever, looks at Phuwin with that soft look of fondness as he smiles eyes crinkling a bit as he says. "Ford, don't slander my husband's name like that. We all know that Phuwin does not make heart eyes."
Phuwin beams at him and rewards him with a kiss on the cheek, which leaves Pond all flustered and pink. Fourth finds it adorable how in love these two have been even after all these years, he had found himself envious of what they had over the years, especially soon after his divorce.
"You are all a bunch of saps, honestly." Mark says as if he isn't the same guy who planned out a grand proposal for his girlfriend - now fiancè.
"I wouldn't say anything if I were you, Mr .I will love you till I take my last breathe' Pakin." Ford says, mimicking a part of Mark's proposal speech.
Fourth smiles, feeling all sorts of emotions swell up in his chest. He loves his friends so much, and he is happy to see them all healthy and happy. He truly couldn't ask for more from them.
"Uhm, so Fourth. I don't know if you have heard, the company has been keeping things under wraps and we too only found out like two weeks ago but Gemini got into an accident like almost two or three months ago and has been in the hospital ever since." Pond says solemnly.
Fourth didn't tell his friends about this whole pretending to still be married to Gemini thing and somehow feels guilty for keeping it a secret. He had been in contact with his friends since he had agreed to this whole thing.
"About that... I know. Gem lost his memories and still thinks we are married." Fourth says and braces himself for his friends' reactions and questions.
For a few minutes, there is stunned silence, a concerned look from Phuwin and Satang. Whereas Ford opens and closes his mouth as to say something but not quite having the words to express them. Pond and Mark have stunned yet concerned expressions.
"So... have you gone and seen him? How did he react when he found out that you two aren't actually married anymore?" Ford asks once it seems like he and the others have regained their composure.
With a sigh Fourth answers, "I did see him, his mother said he didn't react well to the news and the doctors explained it would be best if I- well we continue with him believing we are still married while we wait for him to regain his memories. They believe it's more psychological than it is pathological."
Again, the group falls silent as they process the news. Although his friends never really talked about the divorce respecting both him and Gemini as their friends, they still know how devastated Fourth had been after the divorce. Phuwin had spent nights cuddling Fourth as he cried himself to sleep multiple times, and for that, Fourth is grateful.
"And you agreed?" Phuwin asks, concerned, breaking the silence.
"Well, yeah. I mean, I just really want to help him out, you know. I just want him to get better." Fourth says, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the concerned and sympathetic looks his friends are giving him.
"You still love him." Ford says matter-of-factly.
"I do." Fourth says, his voice small and almost trembling a bit.
"Oh, Fotfot." Satang says, coming over around the table to hug Fourth, and before Fourth can blink, he is subjected to a group hug with his friends hugging him and one of them - probably Phuwin stroking his hair. It makes him cry, and he hates crying because he had spent so much time crying after his divorce, and he had promised himself he won't cry anymore. Yet here he was. Bawling his eyes out once again.
Winny arrives shortly and is filled in on the news and his reaction is similar to that of Satang, luckily he doesn't move to hug Fourth and Fourth is grateful for that because he truly believes if Winny did that he would cry once again. They order food and update each other on what's new in their lives, and the atmosphere is lively once again. Fourth feels like something heavy has been lifted off his chest.
"So, Fourth. Are you going to stay longer in Bangkok? I mean, since you know..." Mark asks curiously.
"No. Uhm. Gem and I will be staying in Chaing Mai. I- we already moved his stuff there. His parents and I believe it will be easier this way since my place is more secluded and away from this whole -" Fourth explain gesturing his hand around as to explain.
"Well, sounds like a good idea. If there's a place that would better facilitate his healing, the mountains would do the trick." Mark agrees with a nod of his head.
"Speaking of mountains. How is the purchase going for a house of your own in the mountains P'Pond?" Fourth says because he is deflecting and honestly doesn't want to talk about this anymore.
"Ai Fot!" Pond groans and their group of friends laugh because they all know how Pond really doesn't want to move away from the city but also know very well he would in a heartbeat should Phuwin seriously request of him to do so.
They continue to tease Pond, laughing as he placate a mock angry Phuwin by promising to build him a house in the mountains that would rival the royal palace.
Fourth loves them so much.
