Chapter Text
"Again?" Fourth gaped.
“What? You’re asking as if I do this frequently,” Gemini looked away.
“This is your 3rd breakup this year.”
“Isn’t my count better than yours?” Gemini stared.
“Your 3rd breakup this year, and it’s not even June yet,” Fourth emphasized. “Besides, I’ve never been in a relationship.”
“That’s right,” Gemini agreed, “ Because you’ve gone with a random person every 2 weeks.”
“A single date per person,” Fourth defended, “If you don’t get to know them, how can you know if they’ll be worth it?”
“So you think my hanging out with them after being in a relationship is wrong?” Gemini raised a brow.
“Honestly,” Fourth sighed, “I don’t know if either one of us is right. We’re both single with a fucked up dating history. Best friends in its true sense.”
They both chuckled, Gemini standing up.
"Let's get to class, or we’ll be running late,” he extended his hand towards Fourth, who grabbed it and pulled himself up. They made their way to their respective classes.
~~Outside School Grounds~~
After their classes ended for the day, the two boys made to head home before a voice caught up to them.
“Hoyyy losers!” Mark jogged towards them. Turning around, they both stared.
"What? Not happy to see me?" Mark questioned, faux hurt evident on his face.
"Why would we be? Since you started dating Ford, both of you are nowhere to be seen," Gemini crossed his arms.
“Tell us honestly,” Fourth rested his arm on Gemini’s shoulder, “You’re here talking to us because Ford is on leave, am I right or am I right?”
Mark chuckled nervously, then cleared his throat, “Aaaaanyway~~ Gemini, I heard you broke up again.”
"What's with the 'again'? Why do you all ask it the exact same way?" Gemini asked, looking between Fourth and Mark, put off.
Fourth chuckled.
"Okay, okay, sorry,” Mark waved his hands, chuckling as well, “But honestly, you both are either very unlucky or you’re making bad decisions."
"Are you here to add insult to injury?" Fourth deadpanned.
"No, my friend,” Mark grinned, a little too proudly, “I am here because I had a mind-blowing thought this afternoon which, I think, I should let you both know about. It might turn out to be a great idea.
"I am not interested in blowing my mind today." Gemini deadpanned, starting to walk away with Fourth almost-unwillingly being dragged.
Mark caught up, "Listen to me guys,” Mark held their hands, mock-serious, “Why don't you both try dating each other?"
A moment of silence.
No words spoken.
“Are you out of your mind?” They asked simply.
"See! This is what I mean. You guys are so in sync with each other," Mark reasoned, gesturing towards them.
Gemini and Fourth looked at each other blankly, seeming to have their own private conversation. A moment later, they nodded to each other and then faced Mark, “No.”
“Come ooonnnnn, guyssss,” Mark begged.
They continued to walk away. “Okay, okay, just--hear me out, please.” They stopped, because they’re good friends.
“Thank you,” Mark cleared his throat, “You guys have known one another since you were in nappies. Who could know you better than the other? Besides, in this society, who cares about gender?”
“We’re not worried about the fact we’re both guys. I’ve gone on a couple dates with guys and Gem dated a guy once too,” Fourth explained.
“Then what’s the problem?” Mark whined.
“If that doesn’t work out, a perfectly good friendship will be affected,” Gemini crossed his arms.
“Oh come on, you guys have been friends for so long,,” Mark persisted, “How about a trial period then? Say, a month. It’s a month of dating vs. an 18 year friendship. What do you think will persevere?”
“Why are you so hell-bent on this?” Gemini questioned.
"You guys are so dull right now, what with your failed relationships,” Mark waved dismissively at their faces, “As a dear friend, when I see a chance for you to be happy, I can't help but take it. Even if it means being cupid.”
"I'll shoot your cupid arrow in your ass if you continue to pester us," Fourth snapped, dragging Gemini by the arm.
"TEN DAYS!" Mark yelled as they walked away, "TRY DATING EACH OTHER FOR TEN DAYS."
“My God. Fine. Stop shouting! ” Gemini turned.
Mark beamed, “You won’t regret it! If you do, you get to prove me wrong. It won’t be much different since you guys already hang around each other so much.”
Fourth still looked at Gemini doubtfully. “It’s only 10 days. If it doesn't work out, we don’t talk about it from the 11th day onwards. Act like it never happened.”
“Still not very convinced,” Fourth said.
“Do you want to stand here and listen to him continue to try to convince us?” Gemini jabbed his thumb in Mark’s direction.
“Let’s do it.”
They shook on it.