Third Person's POV.
Percy pulled his car into the underground garage of their building and parked in his reserved spot. Even the sterile concrete of the garage felt like an embrace of normalcy compared to the chill grandeur of the Moore mansion. He didn't bother using the elevator; he took the stairs two at a time, his eagerness to see Gemini overriding his bone-deep exhaustion.
When he reached their apartment door, it was already slightly ajar. Gemini was standing just on the threshold, clearly having been listening intently for the sound of his arrival. His face, illuminated by the warm, amber light spilling from the apartment, broke into a relieved, joyous smile that instantly eased the tension in Percy's jaw.
"Percy!" Gemini cried, rushing forward.
Percy dropped his heavy briefcase and coat right where he stood. He moved swiftly, scooping Gemini up into a fierce, tight hug that lifted him completely off the floor. The sudden, overwhelming contact pulled a surprised giggle and a burst of bright, unrestrained laughter from Gemini. Percy buried his face in the soft crook of Gemini's neck, inhaling deeply—the familiar, grounding scent of home and Gemini's personal perfume—and peppered his cheek, jaw, and temple with kisses.
"God, I missed you," Percy muttered against his skin, setting him down reluctantly but keeping him locked tightly in his arms. "I missed you so much it physically hurt."
"I missed you too, you big teddy bear," Gemini laughed, lightly poking Percy's chest with his fingers and tickling his ribs. "Come inside. Stop breathing in dust motes from the hallway. Everything is ready."
The apartment was a sanctuary. The lights were low, the air was warm, and the kitchen island was impeccably set. Instead of the expected pasta, Gemini had laid out an array of small, comforting dishes: a mild, fragrant curry, perfectly cooked rice, and several fresh sides—a perfect, soul-soothing meal.
"I decided we needed variety," Gemini explained, pulling out Percy's chair. "This is Nana's special comfort curry. Sit. Everything's still hot."
Percy wasn't truly hungry; the acid stress of the mansion had completely curdled his appetite. But he sat anyway, watching Gemini fuss over the water and the napkins, feeling the oppressive tension bleed out of him just by being in his presence. He took a bite, and the rich, complex flavors of the curry were a welcome shock to his system, a flavor of genuine love and home that the mansion could never replicate.
"This is incredible, Bunny," Percy admitted, eating slowly but steadily. He pushed himself to finish a respectable portion, enjoying the comfortable, domestic silence punctuated only by the clink of silverware and Gemini's low, cheerful updates about his day.
After they had finished, Gemini shooed Percy toward the bedroom. "Okay, now for the important ritual of the evening. You need to purge the stress of the past two days from your body. You're going to love this part. I drew you a bath."
Percy walked into the bathroom and paused at the sight of the deep claw-foot tub, filled with steaming water that smelled faintly of eucalyptus and cedar. It was clearly prepared for one, the surface covered in a light layer of bubbles.
"A bath sounds absolutely perfect," Percy agreed, turning to Gemini, who was leaning in the doorway. "But it's far too big for just me."
Gemini smiled innocently. "It's a big tub, Percy. You deserve the space; you're all stiff and stressed out. You need to relax alone."
Percy closed the distance between them, sliding his arms around Gemini's waist. "But I haven't seen you properly in two days. How can I possibly relax if I'm not touching you?" He lowered his voice, dropping a warm kiss onto the crown of Gemini's head. "Come relax in the water with me, Bunny. I'll be lonely by myself."
Gemini giggled, shaking his head. "You're truly incorrigible. Fine. I'll join you."
Within minutes, they were submerged, the hot water instantly soothing the knots in Percy's shoulders. They settled facing one another, knees gently touching, the steam enveloping them. They didn't talk about his mother or work. They talked about nothing and everything: campus gossip, the ridiculous plot of a movie Ohio made Gemini watch, and the finalized itinerary for their upcoming trip. Gemini described the quiet Italian seaside town he had picked, and Percy felt the last vestige of anxiety unravel completely.
They talked and laughed until the water grew noticeably cold. With a synchronized shiver, they climbed out, grabbing thick towels. They stayed in the intimate warmth of the bathroom, helping each other dry off, sharing a kiss of quiet gratitude before dressing in soft, silk pajamas.
Percy got into bed first, immediately pulling back the covers for Gemini. The moment Gemini settled in, Percy pulled him close, wrapping his arms securely around his waist and burying his face deep in the crook of his neck.
He let out a slow, deep, shuddering sigh of pure, absolute contentment—the sound of a man who had finally returned to his center. The familiar warmth and scent was home.
"Goodnight, Baby," Percy murmured, his voice already thick with sleep.
"Goodnight, Percy," Gemini replied, already feeling the heavy, even rhythm of Percy's breathing against his skin.
For the first time in two days, Percy's insomnia, which had returned fiercely in the sterile silence of the mansion, was vanquished. He was home, and he knew, with absolute certainty, he was about to have the best, most restful sleep of his life.