Chapter Text
When Gil Thanawit asked Gemini Norawit out, her friends tried to warn her.
They called it “looking out for her.” Gil called it jealousy in disguise.
“Gil, seriously? Gemini Norawit?” her friend Bua had hissed over iced coffee, her manicured nails tapping against the cup. “He’s like… a temporary exhibit at a museum. Beautiful to look at, but you know it’s going to be packed up and shipped off in a few weeks.”
“His relationships never last,” another friend, Fah, chimed in, scrolling through her phone as if to provide evidence. “Look. Before the break, he was with that girl from Engineering. Before her, the one from Fine Arts. Before that—”
“I get it,” Gil had interrupted, a serene smile on her perfectly glossed lips. “He hasn’t found the right person yet.”
Her friends had exchanged that look. The one that said, Here we go again.
But Gil wasn’t just any girl. She was a strategist. She saw Gemini Norawit—tall, impossibly handsome, captain of the basketball team, heir to the Norawit medical supply fortune—and she didn’t just see a boyfriend. She saw a future. A comfortable, prestigious, enviable future. The reason his past relationships failed wasn’t because he was incapable of commitment. It was because those girls hadn’t tried hard enough. They hadn’t understood the assignment.
Gil did.
And two months later, as she stood in front of the mirror in her dorm room, smoothing down the fabric of her favorite dress, she felt a surge of vindication. Gemini was everything she’d strategized for and more. He was attentive, opening doors for her, remembering small details she mentioned in passing. He was sweet, leaving her cute voice notes when he knew she had a big exam. He was a total gentleman, never pushing for more than she was ready to give. He was the perfect boyfriend.
Tonight, they were celebrating the basketball team’s win. And more importantly, it was the night she would finally meet the last piece of the puzzle: Fourth.
She’d met the others. Phuwin, with his sharp, judging eyes that took forever to soften, but soften they did. His boyfriend Pond, who was calmer and more observant, always watching with a quiet smile. Ohm, the deadpan one whose sarcastic comments made everyone laugh. Perth and Santa, the disgustingly cute couple who seemed to exist in their own lovey-dovey bubble. And Satang, the chaotic energy source who kept everyone on their toes. They all seemed to like her. She’d even charmed Phuwin, and from what she’d gathered, that was no small feat.
So, surely, charming Fourth would be a breeze.
From what the guys told her, Fourth Nattawat was a whirlwind. Funny, cute, kind, and endearing. They all got this soft, fond look in their eyes when they talked about him, like he was a puppy they all collectively adored. The only potential hiccup, they’d mentioned, was that Fourth was incredibly protective of Gemini. They had a “special relationship,” whatever that meant.
When Gil had pressed for details, they’d just exchanged those knowing looks again. “You’ll see,” Phuwin had said, a tiny, almost imperceptible smirk playing on his lips.
She’d asked Gemini about it once. He’d just shrugged, a small, fond smile gracing his features. “He worries a lot.” That was it. The guys had exchanged another look at that, a silent conversation Gil wasn’t privy to.
She took it as a challenge. An overprotective best friend? Please. She could handle that. By the time Fourth got back from his national debate tournament, she’d be ready. She’d be the perfect girlfriend, so charming and wonderful that even the most devoted best friend would have no choice but to give her his stamp of approval.
---
The party was in full swing at a rented venue near campus. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, cheap perfume, and spilled beer. The basketball team, still buzzing from their victory, was the loudest contingent in the room. Gil had spent the first hour with her own friends, laughing and taking pictures, but her eyes kept drifting to where Gemini stood with his group. He was so easy to pick out, a head taller than most, his presence magnetic.
Eventually, she excused herself and made her way over. The night had gotten a little chilly, and as she approached, Gemini immediately noticed.
“You’re cold,” he stated, not as a question. He was already shrugging off his jacket, a simple but expensive-looking black bomber. He draped it over her shoulders. The fabric was still warm from his body, and it carried his scent—clean, woody, and subtly masculine.
Gil pulled it tighter, feeling a flutter of satisfaction. This was it. This was what she’d worked for. She leaned into him, and he put a casual arm around her, his attention half on her, half on whatever story Pond was telling. It was perfect.
Then, the energy of the group shifted.
It was subtle at first. A sudden alertness in Satang’s posture. A wide grin spreading across Phuwin’s face. Santa nudging Perth and pointing towards the entrance.
Gil turned to look.
The person walking towards them wasn't what she expected. At all.
Based on the "cute," "adorable," "sunshine" descriptions, Gil had pictured someone smaller, softer. Maybe with fluffy hair and round glasses. A nerdy, cherubic face.
The guy approaching was… hot.
He was tall, just a few inches shorter than Gemini, with a lean, athletic build that was emphasized by the dark, fitted leather jacket he wore. His ears were pierced, small silver hoops catching the light, and silver rings glinted on his fingers. He carried himself with an easy confidence, a slight swagger that screamed "bad boy" more than "debate nerd."
Then he got closer, and Gil saw the transformation. The moment he was within reaching distance of the group, that cool, edgy exterior melted. His face split into a grin so wide and bright it was almost blinding.
“GUYS!” he yelled, and was immediately tackled by Phuwin and Satang in a group hug.
“Fotfot! You’re back!” Phuwin squealed, his usual sharpness completely gone, replaced by pure, unfiltered joy.
“You said tomorrow!” Satang accused, his voice muffled by Fourth’s shoulder.
“Surprise!” Fourth’s laugh was bright and infectious.
After untangling himself from them, getting a fond hair ruffle from Pond, a back-slap from Ohm, and a quick, affectionate squeeze from both Perth and Santa, Fourth’s eyes finally landed on Gemini. His brow furrowed instantly.
“Why aren’t you wearing a jacket in this weather? Are you crazy?”
The shift was instantaneous. The loud, playful energy was still there, but now it was undercut by a current of genuine concern. Without waiting for an answer, Fourth was already shrugging off his own leather jacket. He stepped forward and, with a practiced ease, draped it over Gemini’s shoulders, his hands lingering for a second to smooth the collar.
“Hi, Fotfot,” Gemini said. His voice, which Gil was used to hearing in its usual calm, slightly reserved tone, had gone soft. Young. A genuine, unguarded smile spread across his face, the kind she’d never quite managed to pull from him.
Fourth’s expression softened in response, the concern melting into something tender. “Hi, Gem.”
And then they hugged.
It wasn't a casual, back-slapping bro-hug. Gemini stepped into Fourth’s space and buried his face in the crook of Fourth’s neck, his entire body relaxing against him. Fourth’s arms came up to wrap around him securely, one hand coming up to cradle the back of Gemini’s head. It was the kind of hug that looked like a homecoming. It was intimate. It was, Gil realized with a jolt, the kind of hug she’d imagined sharing with Gemini.
“Get a room!” Ohm’s voice cut through the moment, loud and sarcastic, making several people laugh.
Fourth pulled back just enough to flip Ohm off over Gemini’s shoulder, a playful grin on his face. “Shut up! I haven’t seen my best friend in forever.”
“You’ve only been gone for three months,” Perth pointed out, chuckling.
“And you guys talked literally every day,” Phuwin added, his voice fondly exasperated as he watched the pair.
Satang shook his head, a knowing smirk on his face. “Oh, give them a break, guys. You know how these two are obsessed with each other.”
Fourth finally extracted himself from Gemini, but not before giving his arm a gentle squeeze. “Jealousy makes you an ugly little man, Satang,” he shot back playfully, before moving to plop himself into the small space between Phuwin and Satang on the couch.
Without the leather jacket, Gil could see he was only wearing a simple white tank top. It revealed a surprising amount of pale, sculpted muscle—defined shoulders and biceps that showed he definitely frequented the gym. There was a tattoo on his left bicep, a script she couldn’t quite read from this distance. He looked nothing like the cute, nerdy boy she’d imagined. He looked like he could be one of Gemini’s teammates.
“Oh, Fot.” Gemini’s voice pulled Fourth’s attention. He gestured towards Gil, who was still standing there, wrapped in Gemini’s jacket, feeling strangely like an observer in her own relationship. “This is Gil. Remember I told you about her?”
Fourth’s gaze finally landed on her. For a fraction of a second, that bright, sunny smile faltered. It was so quick, a mere flicker, that Gil was certain she’d imagined it. Then it was back, wider than ever, as he beamed at her. “Of course! Hi, Gil. Nice to finally meet you. Gem’s told me a lot.”
There was nothing outwardly wrong with the greeting. It was perfectly polite. But Gil felt a tiny, cold sliver of something slide down her spine. It was in his eyes. They were warm, but they were also assessing. Calculating. Like he was filing away data on her.
“Hi, Fourth. Nice to meet you too,” she replied, her own smile perfectly in place. “Congratulations on the nationals win.”
“Thanks! It was a team effort,” he said, waving a dismissive hand. “This is way more fun, though. A basketball win and a party?” He leaned forward, his energy infectious. “So, Gil, what do you think of this idiot?” He jerked a thumb at Gemini. “Has he been treating you right? He can be a handful.”
Gemini rolled his eyes. “I’m right here.”
“I know,” Fourth said, not looking away from Gil.
“He’s been a perfect gentleman,” Gil said, her voice steady. She could play this game.
“Good. Make sure it stays that way,” Fourth replied, his smile never wavering. He then seamlessly turned the conversation, asking Gil about her major, her classes, making light, easy jokes. He was charming, she’d give him that. But she noticed how his attention, even while talking to her, kept drifting back to Gemini.
As the night wore on, Gil became a spectator to a dynamic she couldn’t quite crack.
Fourth was undeniably the life of the party within their little group, cracking jokes and making everyone laugh. But his focus, his primary mission, was clearly Gemini. He materialized next to him with a bottle of water. “Here, drink this. You’ve been celebrating for hours, you need to hydrate.”
He appeared again when someone tried to hand Gemini a third drink. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down, champ.” He gently took the cup and replaced it with the water. “Pace yourself.”
Gemini didn’t argue. He just rolled his eyes, but complied. At one point, he even gave Fourth a small, almost imperceptible pout, a silent protest that was met with an unimpressed raise of Fourth’s eyebrow.
Later, Fourth had somehow ended up perched on Perth’s knee, sitting sideways so he could talk to the group. Perth’s arms were wrapped loosely around his waist, and Santa, Perth’s actual boyfriend, didn’t look even slightly bothered. Gil was trying to follow Ohm’s story about a disastrous lab experiment, but her ears kept snagging on the low conversation happening just beside her.
“You didn’t come to watch my game.”
It was Gemini’s voice. He wasn’t looking at Fourth, his gaze fixed on the drink in his hand, but his tone was unmistakable. It was petulant. Like a child who’d been promised a treat and didn’t get it.
Fourth’s response was immediate, his voice dropping its playful edge and becoming soft, tender. “I really tried to make it, Gem. You know I did. The competition ran over, but I came as soon as I possibly could. The rest of the team is only coming back Monday, but I made it here tonight, didn’t I?”
“I guess,” Gemini mumbled.
“Hey.” Fourth waited until Gemini looked at him. “I’ll make it up to you. I brought you a gift.”
That got Gemini’s attention. His eyes lit up with a childlike curiosity. “What is it?”
A small, secretive smile played on Fourth’s lips. “Come to my dorm room later, okay? I’ll give it to you then.”
“I’ll drop by after I drop Gil at her dorm,” Gemini agreed readily. Then, a hint of suspicion crept into his voice. “It better be good.”
Fourth’s smile widened into a grin. “When have I ever given you a bad gift?”
Gemini considered this for a moment, then conceded with a small nod. He was quiet for a beat, then spoke again, his voice so low Gil almost missed it. “By the way… I missed you.”
Fourth’s entire face softened. He looked at Gemini like he was the only person in the crowded, noisy room. “I know,” he said, a playful glint in his eyes. “You’re obsessed with me.”
A real laugh burst from Gemini, the sound bright and unguarded. “Oh, fuck you.”
“I bet you’d like that,” Fourth shot back without missing a beat.
They both dissolved into quiet giggles, a private joke shared in a room full of people, their shoulders brushing, their heads tilted towards each other. It was a bubble of two, and Gil, standing right next to Gemini, felt a million miles away.
She pulled Gemini’s jacket tighter around herself. The warmth that had felt so comforting earlier now just felt like a borrowed thing. She watched them laugh together, saw the way Gemini’s entire demeanor softened around Fourth, the way Fourth’s protectiveness was laced with a tenderness that went beyond friendship.
Her friends’ warnings echoed in her mind. His relationships never last.
She’d thought they were jealous. She’d thought she just needed to try harder than the others.
But as she watched Gemini and Fourth, a new, unwelcome thought began to form. What if trying harder wasn't the issue? What if the reason his relationships never lasted wasn't because of Gemini at all?
She pushed the thought away, forcing a bright smile onto her face as Satang said something funny, pulling her back into the group. No. She was Gil Thanawit. She had a plan. She just needed to charm Fourth, show him that she was good for Gemini. The guys said he was kind. She just had to get on his good side.
How hard could it be?
---
Group Chat: 4th Wing & The Disasters
Phuwin: GUYS. GUYS. SHE'S HERE. THE GIL SITUATION IS AT THE PARTY.
Satang: I'm looking at them right now. Gem just gave her his jacket. How romantic. 🥱
Pond: Be nice. She seems perfectly pleasant.
Phuwin: Pleasant is NOT the point, Pond. The point is that Fourth gets back TOMORROW. The timing is IMPECCABLE.
Santa: Wait, where is Fourth?? I thought he was coming tomorrow?
Perth: Babe, the competition ended today. He could have caught a flight…
Ohm: He's probably already on a plane. You know he'd never miss a chance to see Gem, even if it means ditching his team.
Phuwin: This is going to be GOLD. I need to see Fourth's face when he sees some girl wrapped in Gem's jacket.
Satang: Update: Gem looks happy. Gil looks smug. The jacket looks expensive.
Pond: Can we not treat our friend's girlfriend like a specimen?
Phuwin: No. ❤️
[10:47 PM]
Santa: GUYS
Santa: GUYS GUYS GUYS
Perth: What? What is it?
Santa: FOURTH IS HERE.
Phuwin: WHAT.
Satang: WHERE?? I don't see—
Satang: OH MY GOD.
Ohm: He's wearing the leather jacket. He's wearing the "I'm going to ruin your life" leather jacket. Gil is in danger.
Pond: He just went straight for Gem. Didn't even look at anyone else.
Phuwin: THE JACKET SWAP. THE JACKET SWAP HAPPENED. GIL IS STANDING THERE IN GEM'S JACKET WHILE GEM IS NOW WEARING FOURTH'S.
Santa: Symbolism!!! It's like a coat of arms! A transfer of ownership!
Perth: Ohm told them to get a room lmaooo
Phuwin: THE HUG. THAT HUG. That's not a "best friend" hug. That's a "I've been deprived of my life source for three months" hug.
Satang: Gil's face. She's doing the math. I can see her doing the math in her head and the numbers aren't adding up.
Ohm: She's looking at Fourth like he's a different species. Did you guys not tell her he was hot?
Pond: We told her he was cute and endearing. That's… also accurate.
Phuwin: It's a different kind of cute, Pond! A deceptive kind! It's "cute" in the way a tiger cub is cute until it grows up and eats your homework and then your boyfriend.
Santa: Fourth just sat on Perth's lap and Perth is holding him and I feel so blessed to witness this level of chaos.
Perth: Can confirm, holding a very tense Fourth. He's smiling but his back muscles are screaming "who is this bitch."
Satang: Gem just pouted at him. PINCH ME. GEM. NORAWIT. POUTED. Because Fourth told him to stop drinking.
Ohm: I've said it before and I'll say it again: they are the most oblivious people on the planet and I am tired.
Phuwin: Don't be tired, Ohm. Be entertained. This is the best reality show we didn't have to pay for. The new girl is trying to win the prize, but she doesn't know the prize is already owned.
Pond: Okay, I'm starting to feel a little bad for her.
Satang: Don't. She just tried to hold Gem's hand and Fourth literally leaned forward at the exact same time to ask Gem a question and broke them apart. The precision. The skill. He's an artist.
Phuwin: GIRLFRIEND 1, FOURTH 0. But the game has only just begun. And Fourth has home field advantage. This is going to be beautiful.