Third Person's POV.
With the image of Genevieve Sinclair Moore's blank check finally starting to fade, Gemini realized he desperately needed a reset—a serious distraction. He decided to take a page directly from Ohio's playbook and embrace retail therapy. Percy had been consistently on his case about his refusal to spend the money he now had access to, finding every excuse to stick to his old, thriftier habits. This was the perfect, guilt-free way to use the funds and purge the stress.
"Alright, let's do it," Gemini declared, the decision lifting a weight from his chest. "Lead the way, expert shopper. I need everything new."
Ohio's grin was triumphant. "Finally! Operation Spend-Percy's-Money is a go!"
Ohio was relentless and expert. She steered Gemini through high-end boutiques, pushing him past his initial reluctance. She didn't just pick things out; she explained why certain fabrics draped better, why a tailor-made suit was an investment, and how specific brands fit his quiet, elegant style. Gemini, finding a strange, satisfying release in the extravagance, actually started enjoying the process.
They bought clothes and shoes, but Gemini's focus soon shifted. "Wait," he said, holding up a beautifully tailored Italian shirt. "Percy needs this. He always buys me things; today is my turn."
"Who are you and what have you done with my friend?" Ohio exclaimed, making Gemini laugh out loud.
They spent the next hour gathering gifts for Percy: a luxurious cashmere sweater, several crisp, high-thread-count dress shirts, and a complex, smoky cologne that Gemini knew Percy would wear constantly. The act of buying things specifically to please Percy felt far more rewarding than buying anything for himself.
After they were laden with bags, Ohio suggested the next step in their comprehensive relaxation plan: a spa afternoon.
They settled into a high-end beauty salon for manicures, pedicures, and a full-body massage. As Gemini was waiting for his massage appointment, already feeling the pre-relaxation calm, his phone vibrated. It was Percy.
"Hey, Bunny. Just checking in," Percy's voice was warm. "How is the shopping going? Did you get everything you need?"
"More or less," Gemini chuckled, tucking the phone to his ear. "I'm not shopping anymore, though. We're at a salon. We just finished manicures, and now I'm about to get a massage."
A silence dropped on the line that wasn't the highway static Percy usually dealt with. It was the sudden silence of immediate possessiveness.
"A massage?" Percy repeated, the temperature in his voice dropping instantly. "What kind of massage, Bunny?"
"Ohio said something about a deep tissue, full-body one. I'm all stiff from hunching over library books," Gemini explained, trying to keep his tone light and breezy.
"No," Percy stated flatly. "Absolutely not. I don't want someone else touching you like that."
Gemini sighed, recognizing the familiar, if occasionally inconvenient, jealousy. "Percy, it's a professional masseuse. It's not 'someone else touching me' in that way. My shoulders feel funny. I need this."
"You don't need them to do it. I can do it later," Percy retorted, the possessiveness evident. "Just leave there. Come home. I don't want some stranger putting their hands on you."
Gemini had to bring his voice down to a whisper, his lips curving into a small, fond smile. "Percy, I know you, and I love you for it. But you and I both know you wouldn't last a minute giving me a deep tissue massage before your hands went exactly where they are not supposed to go. I need actual therapeutic help right now."
Another low rumble came over the phone. "But you like my hands going where they're not supposed to go, Bunny. That's the best part."
Gemini blushed, the heat immediately rushing to his ears despite the public setting. "Percy! Don't say things like that. I'm already in the waiting room! Please, let me have this, I need to relax, and I need a professional to do it. Tell you what—I'll specifically request a mature woman, how about that? Will that make you feel better?"
A grunt of reluctant concessions finally came from the other end. "Fine. But we're going to have a follow-up, unprofessional massage when you get home. Don't be late."
"Deal," Gemini promised, relief washing over him. "I love you. Talk soon."
He hung up, shaking his head at the absurdity of his fiercely jealous boyfriend, but feeling a profound sense of warmth and security. He knew Percy's reaction was rooted entirely in love and possessiveness, not mistrust.
"Well?" Ohio prompted, looking amused.
"He's giving me a few more hours before he stages a rescue," Gemini said, already heading toward the treatment room.
The massage, when it finally began, was heavenly. Every knot of stress was kneaded away. When he and Ohio emerged two hours later, they felt lighter, freer, and ready to face the world again.
"Alright," Ohio announced, looking at her perfectly polished nails. "Distraction complete. What's the plan for dinner?"
"Dinner is at home," Gemini said, his mind already turning toward Percy. "I have a lot of luxurious clothing to unpack and a very unprofessional massage to prepare for."