Proto Zoa was just beginning to show Gemini how to play pinball on one of his two vintage machines when Zenon and Margie came bursting in from the yard. Zenon was still trying to convince Margie to call her father, and was now seeking reinforcements. Gemini and Proto Zoa gave their support, and Margie agreed to call. What they learned was not comforting.
Not much later, Margie and Zenon disappeared outside again. Empowered by a new cause - to save her space station - Zenon had calls to make and people to convince. Again, Gemini and Proto Zoa were left alone inside.
At length, Proto Zoa decided he should probably get packing, and he invited Gemini to accompany him. Somewhat hesitant, she followed the rock star down the hallway to his room.
Gemini paused in the doorway. The bedroom was similar in appearance to the rest of the house: generically tropical, with a smattering of collectibles and the occasional piece of Microbe paraphernalia. It wasn't what she was expecting, considering how personal a space it was. Was this really his style? There were no sequins or animal prints anywhere. But she knew he considered this little hideaway home, so this had to be where he felt most comfortable, most like himself, right?
"Come on in, darling, it's alright." Proto Zoa gently urged, and Gemini was shaken from her reverie. "Come help me pick out an outfit to wear to meet the aliens."
Gemini moved inside the room, as instructed, still feeling slightly awkward, but Proto Zoa didn't notice her discomfort; his back was to her as he slid open the doors of a large closet.
Ah, there it is. There's the Proto Zoa I know, Gemini thought as she observed all the colors, patterns, and materials filling the racks.
Proto Zoa pulled a sparkling silver shirt out and held it up against his chest.
"What do you think?" He asked. "Maybe with a jacket?"
The corner of Gemini's mouth lifted.
"Let's save that look for a concert." She said, moving toward the closet. She scanned the long rack, jammed with all kinds of clothing, and couldn't help but think how Zenon - or any girl, for that matter - would kill to be in her position right now.
Something blue caught her eye and she grabbed the hanger. It was a glossy shirt, with black tiger stripes.
"A solid choice." Proto Zoa approved, taking the hanger from her. "But what should I wear with it?"
With a little more searching, Gemini located some plain black leather pants. Proto Zoa raised an eyebrow.
"A bit boring, maybe?
"Less is more." Gemini handed him the pants. "Trust me. One statement piece per outfit is plenty."
"If the lady insists." He grinned, and he turned toward the adjoining bathroom, shrugging off his button-up shirt as he walked away. Though he had a t-shirt on underneath, Gemini almost blushed. Mercifully, he closed the bathroom door as he changed.
As Gemini waited, she sat on the end of the large bed, unsure of what else to do. Standing felt too awkward, though sinking onto the plush mattress didn't feel much better. She ran her hand thoughtfully over the smooth cotton of the bedspread and idly wondered if the sheets were even softer.
Proto Zoa then emerged from the bathroom, wearing the outfit Gemini had chosen. It fit him well, but tight, the shirt hugging his long torso, the pants holding onto his hips.
"Well," He asked, holding out his arms, "How do I look?" His tone indicated that there was an obvious answer. And Gemini gave it, though she definitely meant it.
"Stellanarious." She told him. "Fully stellanarious." Proto Zoa grinned.
"I can't believe I'm actually doing this." He admitted.
Gemini felt a twinge in her gut.
"Zenon has a way of making people do things they never believed they would." She said, looking away. She hoped she sounded wistful, but worried she sounded jealous. Maybe she was, just a little.
Proto Zoa moved across the room, and Gemini felt him sink down next to her on the edge of the bed.
"Is something wrong, darling?" He asked gently, and she looked up at him. He sat close, his knee touching hers, and Gemini could see a faint scar on his forehead - something she'd never noticed before.
Gemini sighed, "No, it's fine. I guess I just feel a little... Extraneous. That's all."
Proto Zoa frowned contemplatively.
"Extraneous? What do you mean, love?"
It was the same feeling she'd had earlier - when she'd realized he categorized her and Zenon as a package deal - that was creeping over Gemini. No, she wasn't jealous of her little sister. She just wanted to be valued as an individual. She wanted this glorious man beside her to see her as a real woman... Not just as a sidekick, or as just a fan.
"Don't get me wrong," Gemini tried to explain, "I love my sister and the way she takes charge, leading and inspiring people, and I fully support her in everything she does, but sometimes it's hard to be in her shadow."
"Gemini..." Proto Zoa's tone was almost chiding. Gemini continued, sure she wasn't making any sense.
"I mean, I'm so proud to be Zenon's sister but... is that all I am? The supportive sister? I guess I just wonder if it makes any difference that I'm even here."
Gemini glanced down at her hands, wrung in her lap, then back up at Proto Zoa. He continued to frown.
"Gemini," He said again, "It makes all the difference in the world that you're here."
"To Zenon, I guess. But to anybody else?" She asked.
Proto Zoa seemed to be formulating a response, but said nothing. Gemini sighed.
"I'm not complaining, really. But compared to Zee... How special is plain old boring Gemini?"
At that, Proto Zoa responded, his face softening.
"Gem," He said, his voice kind but firm, "You are lunarious."
Gemini's heart fluttered. She wasn't asking him to compliment her. Really, she wasn't. She had just been venting. It had been alarmingly easy to confide in him, but she could tell he was sincere. And he wasn't done.
"You're always the first to believe your little sister, and you never hesitate to help her gallivant across the galaxy, chasing after intergalactic rock stars..." Proto Zoa paused to smirk, and Gemini smiled faintly. "Listen to me, darling," He continued, his tone assuring, "You are kind, and loyal, and trusting. You are brave, and smart, and mature. You're beautiful..."
Proto Zoa stopped, seeming to catch himself. Gemini inhaled.
"My point is, Zenon is lucky to have you as a sister." He continued, barely missing a beat. "And anybody would be lucky to have you as a friend. Never underestimate the value of someone who's always there for you."
Gemini looked him in the eye. There was affection plainly visible there, but surely it was only platonic, the kind of affection he felt for her little sister, too.
Proto Zoa lifted his hand and playfully tapped a finger under her chin.
"So keep your head up, darling, because 'just Gemini' is pretty spectacular."
He then smiled so infectiously at her she couldn't help but grin back.
Well, at least he thought more of her than she assumed. She wasn't just Zenon's sister to him, or even just some fan. That was something, anyway. Maybe they could at least be friends. Maybe that could be enough.
Lost in thought, Gemini reached up and slowly, affectionately ran her fingers over Proto Zoa's hair, just above his right ear, her thumb resting on his temple. Absent-mindedly, she noticed how soft his hair was and decided it really was a shame that most of it was stiffened by inordinate amounts of gel, amazing as it may look.
Coming back to the moment, Gemini saw that Proto Zoa's smile was fading, and she realized they were still sitting close together – very close. She could feel his warm breath, and it sent a shiver through her. His gaze traveled down her face, and his brow seemed to wrinkle in contemplation again. What is he thinking about? She wondered, as they both seemed to hover there. She was thinking about how full his lips looked...
"Oh, good, you're changed!"
Both Gemini and Proto Zoa tore their attention away from each other and looked to see Zenon standing in the doorway.
"Are you packed, too? We need to be ready to go, we could be leaving anytime!" She smiled as she observed them. Though she was still in mission mode and fully determined, her expression betrayed the slightest confusion.
Gemini's cheeks felt hot. Zenon was anything but clueless, and she was sure she knew what this looked like to her sister. And judging by how Proto Zoa had casually though clearly leaned back, he knew, too. Oh, well. Gemini was just going to have to explain to Zenon later that it was definitely not what it looked like.
Proto Zoa was most definitely not about to kiss her. Because though he did like her more than she thought, he fully did not like her like that.
There was just no way.
