Third Person's POV.
The rooftop of The Zenith felt like a cloud suspended above the glittering city. The single table was a beacon of light and intimacy, shielded from the chill by tall, placed glass panels. As a waiter quietly poured them two glasses of sparkling cider, the soft notes of the string quartet filled the air.
Percy raised his glass, his eyes holding Gemini's with a depth of emotion that made Gemini's breath catch in his throat.
"To you, Bunny," Percy murmured, clinking his glass against Gemini's. "To us, and to new beginnings."
"To us," Gemini repeated, taking a sip and feeling the celebratory warmth spread through him.
They spent the first half-hour simply savoring the incredible food and the unprecedented solitude. Once the main courses were cleared, the conversation naturally drifted from the present joy to the wide-open future. Because now, the possibilities are endless.
"Since we're now officially scheduling our lives based on what we want, not what others expect from us," Percy began, leaning back contentedly, "I need to know your deepest, most immediate desire. Specifically, where do you want to go for summer vacation?"
Gemini's eyes widened, genuinely surprised. "Summer vacation? Percy, you're about to take over as CEO of a company. Do you even get vacation days?"
Percy chuckled, a rich, satisfied sound. "That's the beauty of it, Bunny. My previous role was tethered to my mother's whims, demanding my presence at every holiday party and board meeting. My new contract, which I negotiated personally for the sake of our new beginnings," he emphasized with a wink, "includes a ridiculously generous amount of paid time off. I plan on taking full advantage. So, stop worrying about my calendar. Where are we going? The coast of Italy? An island in the Maldives? Tell me, what does your heart desire?"
Gemini laughed, completely charmed by Percy's eagerness to prioritize their time together.
"Wow. Okay, that changes things. I've always thought that if I get a chance to go on a vacation, it'll be somewhere with lots of mountains, but I did a paper on Greek architecture last semester and I haven't stopped dreaming of seeing the Greek Islands. So, maybe Santorini? It feels like the perfect place to just...breathe."
"Santorini it is," Percy confirmed instantly, pulling out his phone to type something. "Consider it done. Now, let's talk about another thing that's been on my mind: after you graduate. We have a lot of time before that happens, but I want to make sure the path ahead is exactly what you want."
Gemini's smile softened, revealing a touch of nervousness. "Ugh! That's the real question, isn't it? I have a couple of options I'm tossing up. Either I start looking for a job immediately after graduation—maybe something that's related to my degree, so that it allows me to pursue my passion projects while making money—or I apply for a Master's degree. I heard scholarships are available."
"And what is it you want to do? Something your heart wants?" Percy asked gently, reaching across the table to hold his hand. "Because whatever it is, there is absolutely no rush to start working after graduation. You've worked so hard for years. If you want a year off to travel, we travel. If you want to pursue your Master's, we start looking at the best programs immediately."
He squeezed Gemini's hand. "Don't let the need for a paycheck influence your decision. That is my job now. You focus on your education and your dreams. I'll take care of the tuition, the bills, all of it. Take your time, Bunny. There's no pressure to get a job, okay?"
Gemini stared at him, feeling a rush of feelings and overwhelming gratitude. He knew Percy meant every single word.
"You realize," Gemini began, a playful glint entering his eyes, "that you saying things like 'I'll take care of the tuition and the bills' is exactly why Ohio keeps saying you're my sugar daddy, right?"
Percy threw his head back and laughed, a genuine, booming sound that was beautifully out of place on the exclusive, silent rooftop.
"She's been saying that?" he asked, through laughter.
"Every chance she gets, from the very first day we met." Gemini confirmed, stifling a grin.
Percy composed himself, then leaned forward across the table, his expression shifting to a sly, teasing look. His voice dropped to a low, husky register.
"You know what? I think I like the sound of that. It suits me." He paused, his eyes dancing with mischief. "In that case, Bunny, come closer and call me Daddy."
Gemini's face instantly flushed a spectacular, deep red that spread from his neck right up to his ears. He pulled his hand away to cover his mouth, shaking his head vehemently.
"What? No, Percy! Please stop it!" Gemini choked out, completely embarrassed and thrilled all at once. "There's no way I'm going to call you that!"
Percy laughed harder, a loud, joyful sound that echoed their shared, intimate delight. "You're adorable when you blush, Bunny. Absolutely adorable. You don't have to call me Daddy right now. After all," he leaned closer, with a mischievous smile, "this is the wrong setting for such titles."
Gemini pushed Percy's shoulder playfully, unable to stop the bashful smile spreading across his face. The tension, the work, and the family drama had vanished entirely. All that remained was just him and Percy, their future, and the playful, exhilarating intimacy that now defines their relationship.