Third Person's POV.
The sight of Penelope and Ohio together brought an immediate, joyful shift in the atmosphere. Gemini and Ohio immediately bounced up and down, giggling and embracing as if they hadn't just seen each other the previous day during their clandestine shopping spree.
Percy, leaning against the doorframe, watched the enthusiastic reunion before addressing his twin. "Why the sudden appearance, Pen? I thought you were busy today."
Penelope immediately launched into mock offense, deploying her most dramatic sibling guilt trip. "Oh, so now that you have your own apartment and your beautiful boyfriend, you don't see me every day, and that means you don't love me anymore?" She threw her hands up dramatically. "Nine months in the womb together, sharing organs, and this is what I get? We used to be so joined at the hip!"
Before Percy could respond to the theatrical accusation, the doorbell chimed again. Percy frowned, glancing through the peephole.
"Mark? What are you doing here?" Percy asked, opening the door wider. Mark stood there grinning broadly on the step. "How did you even get my address?"
"Alexis too?" Percy added, as he saw their other cousin Alexis emerge from behind Mark, looking apologetic and amused. "That makes so much sense!" Percy added, shaking his head at the predictable conspiracy. Mark, he knew, would pester his big sister until she gave him the address or, in this case, brought him along as a shield.
Then Percy's eyes landed on the third, smaller figure standing with them. "Okay, bringing Mark I understand. But what is Phoenix doing here?"
Young Phoenix, the youngest of their cousins, shuffled his feet, looking both shy and intensely curious. "He wanted to see your beautiful boyfriend Mark wouldn't shut up about," Alexis explained with a wry smile, gently elbowing her younger brother.
Percy fixed Mark with a severe, warning look. "You really do talk too much, you know that?" Mark simply responded with a casual, defiant flip of his hand and a knowing smirk.
"Whoa, you're really pretty," Phoenix said, finally looking past Percy's imposing figure and meeting Gemini's eyes. This was the guy his big brother wouldn't shut up about.
Percy immediately nudged Phoenix. "Mind your manners, young man, and greet Gemini properly."
Phoenix nodded and managed a slightly bashful, "It's nice to meet you, Gemini. I'm Phoenix."
Gemini smiled warmly, extending his hand. "It's nice to meet you too, Phoenix."
So, that was done—a kind of chaotic, weirdly warm expansion of the family circle. Gemini had just been introduced to the three additional cousins, all of whom seemed immediately welcoming and deeply intrigued.
"Well, now that the entire extended family has staged an impromptu takeover," Penelope announced, taking charge and heading toward the kitchen, "I suppose we should all have dinner."
Percy, who had been about to protest the invasion of his newly acquired sanctuary and the general mayhem, caught himself. He cleared his throat. "I—I suppose that's fine, but I only have ingredients for simple dishes. Nothing fancy."
"Don't worry, Dom," Mark assured him, already following Penelope. "Penelope is a wizard in the kitchen. We've all missed her cooking."
Despite his feigned annoyance and the abrupt change of pace, Percy found a small, deeply satisfied smile playing on his lips. His apartment, usually defined by its tranquil order, instantly became a lively hub of activity and chaos.
Penelope took command of the kitchen, demonstrating the culinary prowess her cousins had missed. Ohio immediately volunteered to chop vegetables, proving surprisingly capable, while Gemini, who cheerfully admitted he had nothing remotely domestic to contribute, took on the essential role of expert beverage distributor.
The cousins—Mark, Alexis, and Phoenix—were delegated to the role of 'loungers' and 'talkers,' settling in the living area near the kitchen. Mark provided a loud, running commentary on everything, while Alexis kept Phoenix mildly entertained with quiet stories.
"Mark, stop trying to use that antique blender for cocktails!" Penelope yelled from the counter, before Percy smoothly intercepted the appliance, setting it safely back in the cupboard.
"We just need ambience, Pen!" Mark protested, grabbing a handful of nuts instead.
When the meal—a delicious, comforting spread—was finally done, they all squeezed onto the large kitchen island and overflowed into the adjacent dining table. The conversation flowed easily, focusing on fun, slightly embarrassing childhood memories, a stark contrast to the heavy business talk usually dominating the Moore/Sinclair family gatherings.
Alexis teased Mark mercilessly about his childhood habit of following Percy everywhere. "He was Percy's tiny, self-appointed bodyguard. Honestly, Mark, did you think Percy was going to vanish if you took your eyes off him for two minutes?"
Mark defended himself hotly. "I just didn't know any better, okay? Plus, being around you guys was really annoying because all you guys talked about was school, grades, and work." He pointed an accusatory finger at Percy. "He was notoriously boring to be around too. He wouldn't speak for hours."
"That's not true at all," Gemini piped up, surprising everyone with his input, though he was smiling sweetly. "He's just grumpy when you ask him too many questions, and Mark, you seem to poke your nose into people's business a lot."
The observation was so accurate and delivered with such innocent bluntness that it made everyone, even a slightly startled Percy, burst into laughter. It was a perfect encapsulation of their dynamic.
Dinner was wonderful—the noise, the laughter, the sheer, unscripted presence of family was a revelation. It felt like the messy, genuine life Percy had fought to have.
As the evening wore on, the guests began to clear out and head home, leaving behind a wake of comfortable noise and full stomachs.
"That was… actually enjoyable," Percy admitted, leaning against the doorframe after waving the last car off. He looked at the chaos of dishes, then back at Gemini. "Fancy a movie?"
Gemini walked over and began stacking plates, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "If anyone hears you asked that, they'll think you're actually interested in watching a movie, Percy. We both know you'll be asleep before the opening credits."
Percy didn't deny it; he just walked up behind Gemini and wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling him back against his chest. "Guilty. But a movie is the best cover for cuddles."
"I know," Gemini chuckled, leaning back into the solid warmth of Percy's chest.
He led the way to the couch, knowing that a movie and cuddles were exactly what Percy wanted—and exactly what he needed—to end their unexpectedly eventful, perfect day.