Third Person's POV.
When they finally got home that night, the emotional residue of the evening—the forced smiles, the stiff handshakes, and the lingering sense of unspoken history—clung to them like the scent of the hotel's perfume. The apartment felt especially quiet after the background noise of the hotel party.
Percy immediately went to the terrace, staring out at the city lights. Gemini followed, placing a comforting, grounding hand on his back.
"They're going to crash at the hotel tonight," Percy murmured, his voice tight with anticipation. "So tomorrow is the only window we have to talk to them."
"I know," Gemini replied gently. He led Percy over to the couch, pulling him down beside him, needing to settle the past before facing the future. "Let's talk about last year first. Let's make sure we're on the same page before you face them."
Percy took a deep, shuddering breath, the memories heavy. "It all started with Mother's performance at my and Pen's last birthday party, didn't it? Her way of marking her territory. She made it clear that my interest in you was a 'phase' that was interfering with the family's 'Legacy'."
"That, and the fact that I didn't believe in us yet," Gemini recalled, tracing the subtle pattern on Percy's expensive trousers. "It felt like the whole world was closing in on us just as we decided to try and make it work."
Percy nodded. "And then Daphne...she cornered you, didn't she? Did she really ask you to end things with me?"
"She did," Gemini confirmed, his eyes softening with recollection. "She approached me that morning, just when I'd built a little courage to see you after everything that happened the night before. She asked me to walk away while I still had the chance because she thought we would only end up hurting each other more." He paused, looking directly at Percy. "And then she confessed how much she loved you. She didn't want to lose you, and she was genuinely worried about what your mother would do to us both."
A genuine look of distress crossed Percy's face, etched with guilt. "About her feelings for me, I had no idea. She never said anything. I had never seen Daphne as anything more than a childhood friend I grew up with. She was just...Daphne." He felt a profound pang that his lifelong blind spot had caused his friend so much pain.
"I know," Gemini soothed, laying a hand on Percy's arm. "I told her that. But when you're in love, those reassurances don't matter."
"And Cole," Percy continued, the hurt evident in his voice. "He was always goofing around. I thought he understood me."
"He did," Gemini clarified, offering the necessary nuance. "Cole's loyalty to you is genuine, but his loyalty to Daphne is older. When she chose to leave, he chose to protect her from more pain. It wasn't a choice against you; it was a choice for her. Even though you and he are completely different people, he always struck me as someone with a genuinely good heart."
Percy leaned his head back, finally understanding the complex web of loyalties. It wasn't just his mother's rage that had driven them away; it was the ripple effect of his happiness hitting Daphne's unrequited love and Cole's protective instinct.
"So, their silence wasn't a punishment," Percy concluded, more to himself than to Gemini. "It was self-preservation."
"For them, yes," Gemini agreed. "But now they're back. We need to close that chapter, Percy. We can't go on with our lives with this cloud over your head."
Percy straightened, regaining his familiar, decisive focus. "You're right. No more dancing around it." He immediately pulled out his phone. He sent a swift, clear text to Cole, copying in Daphne and Penelope.
Percy: Penelope, congratulations once again. Cole, Daphne—we need to talk, properly. Tomorrow morning, 10 AM. Our usual spot at the club. Just the four of us. Yes or no?
Within moments, a reply came back from Cole and Penelope.
Cole: Yes. 10 AM.
Penelope: Alright. Let's do it.
A second later, Daphne replied, her response brief too.
Daphne: I'll be there.
Percy placed his phone face down on the table, the small victory of their agreement settling over him. He looked at Gemini, his jaw firm.
"I've scheduled a meeting."
Gemini smiled, taking Percy's hand and bringing it to his lips. "Good. Now, no more talking or worrying about everything that could go wrong. Let's just relax in the tub tonight. Okay?"
"Deal," Percy breathed, pulling Gemini close. Tomorrow would bring the conversation they had avoided for a whole year. Tonight, they would simply rest and gather their strength.