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The rain had been relentless all day, an endless downpour that seemed to keep everyone indoors. Gemini, feeling the weight of the weather pressing down on him, ducked into a small café at the corner of the street. The warmth inside was immediate, a welcome contrast to the chill of the outside world. He shrugged off his black leather jacket, trying not to drip too much water on the polished floor as he made his way to the counter.
"One coffee, black, please," he told the barista, his voice low, carrying a trace of weariness. The rhythmic tapping of raindrops against the windows created a soft, soothing backdrop to the otherwise quiet atmosphere.
He hadn't meant to come in here. But the downpour had taken him by surprise, forcing him to seek shelter. He scanned the room absently, his eyes landing on the bookshelves that lined one wall, filled with novels and poetry collections. A soft smile tugged at his lips—he always loved bookstores. Even in a café, the smell of paper and ink made him feel at home.
With a cup of steaming coffee in hand, he found an empty seat near the window, his gaze drifting once again to the rain. His thoughts were hazy, tangled in the quiet isolation of the moment. He'd been feeling restless lately, as though something in his life was just waiting to shift. He took a sip of his coffee, the warmth of it a small comfort, and glanced out at the gray world beyond the glass.
It was then that his eyes met someone else's.
Across the room, at a small table near the back, sat a man who seemed completely at ease in the space. His posture was relaxed, his shoulders square, with a slight but knowing curve to his lips that made him seem... different. His eyes caught Gemini's, and there was an unmistakable spark of recognition, or maybe curiosity. The kind of glance that lingered just a moment too long to be coincidental.
Gemini didn't look away immediately. He studied the man for a few seconds—tall, with dark hair that fell just above his collar, and eyes that were a shade of amber, warm yet penetrating. There was something magnetic about him, something quietly self-assured. He was focused on a book in front of him, his attention absorbed, but he wasn't oblivious to the world around him.
After what felt like an eternity, the man broke the silence, offering a casual, almost playful smile.
"Rain, huh?" he said, his voice smooth, with just a hint of amusement. "I thought it was supposed to be a light drizzle. Looks like we're in for a storm."
Gemini blinked, his mind slow to catch up. "Yeah, definitely didn't plan on this," he responded, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips.
The man chuckled softly, closing the book in front of him and setting it aside. "You're not the only one caught off guard," he said. "But sometimes, storms like this are a good excuse to stop and take a break." His eyes sparkled with that knowing glint again.
Gemini was intrigued, unable to suppress the quiet curiosity that stirred in him. There was something about this stranger—something that made Gemini feel more alive than he had in days.
"I guess so," Gemini replied, feeling the conversation taking on a life of its own. He took another sip of his coffee, his fingers briefly brushing against the cup's warm surface.
The man's gaze never wavered from Gemini's, and there was a subtle, almost imperceptible tension in the air. It was the kind of tension that made it hard to look away, even though neither of them had said anything too significant.
"So, what brings you to this little corner of the world?" the man asked, leaning back slightly in his chair, his tone casual, but with an undercurrent of something more.
Gemini wasn't quite sure what to make of him—this stranger who seemed at ease with everything around him. Something about his calm, confident presence both unnerved and intrigued him. He shifted in his seat, deciding to answer.
"Just got caught in the rain," Gemini said with a small laugh. "Wasn't really planning on stopping here. But I like it. The rain's a good excuse to take a break." He mirrored the man's relaxed posture, feeling more at ease than he expected.
The man gave him a look that suggested he wasn't entirely buying it, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he smiled, the curve of his lips softening the intensity in his gaze.
"Sometimes, all you need is an excuse," the man said, almost to himself. "To do something spontaneous."
Gemini wasn't sure if it was the rain or the man's words, but he felt a strange pull toward him. His heart seemed to beat a little faster, an unspoken connection forming in the air between them.
Before he could say anything else, the man looked at the clock on the wall. "I should probably head out soon," he said, as if pulling himself out of some trance. "The weather's only getting worse. Can't leave without an umbrella, though."
Gemini raised an eyebrow. "No umbrella?" he asked, a playful edge to his voice. "How do you plan to get home in that?"
The man chuckled, standing up and grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. "I don't know," he said with a smirk, "maybe I'll get soaked. It wouldn't be the first time."
As he turned to leave, Gemini was hit with an unexpected feeling—a mix of admiration and a strange sense of loss. He hadn't expected to feel this way, especially not so quickly.
Just as he was about to go back to his coffee, the man's voice interrupted him again.
"You know," the man said, glancing back at Gemini, "it's a shame to let the rain ruin the day completely. If you're not in a rush, I could share my umbrella with you."
Gemini blinked, taken aback for a moment. It wasn't a huge gesture, but something about it felt intimate, like an unspoken invitation. He hesitated for a second, then nodded.
"Yeah," Gemini said with a smile. "I'd appreciate that."
The man's eyes softened with a glint of approval. He approached Gemini, and they both walked toward the door. As they stepped out into the downpour, the umbrella barely shielded them both from the worst of the rain. The brief proximity was enough for Gemini to feel the heat of the other man's presence, the rhythm of his steps, the subtle pressure of the umbrella between them.
It wasn't awkward, exactly, but it was definitely new. Gemini found himself stealing glances at the man, feeling the unspoken pull between them.
"So," the man began, breaking the silence with a light tone. "I'm Fourth, Fourth Nattawat Jirochtikul, by the way."
"Gemini, Gemini Norawit Titicharoenrak" he replied, a small smile forming as their eyes met again.
"Nice to meet you, Gemini," Fourth said. "I'm not usually in this part of town, but I'm glad the rain brought me here today."
Gemini couldn't help but smile a little wider at that. "Me too," he said quietly.
As they walked side by side, the rain continued to pour around them, the sound of water hitting the pavement the only backdrop to their quiet, tentative conversation. Neither of them made any overt moves, but the air between them felt charged. Neither of them spoke about it, but they both knew something had shifted.
As they approached the end of the block, Gemini slowed his pace. He was close to home now, but something told him he wasn't quite ready to say goodbye.
"Well," Gemini said, drawing the umbrella closer to them. "This is where I get off." He glanced at Fourth, wondering if the feeling of reluctance was mutual.
Fourth nodded, his expression unreadable for a moment before it softened with a subtle smile. "I guess this is where we part ways," he said.
There was a slight pause, a brief moment where neither of them moved. Gemini felt the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air between them, but neither of them knew how to say them.
"Well, take care, Gemini," Fourth said, his voice low and sincere.
"You too, Fourth" Gemini replied, watching as Fourth turned and walked away, the sound of his footsteps gradually fading into the rain.
As Gemini stepped inside, closing the door behind him, he felt an odd sense of emptiness. But also, a flicker of something else—a spark. He couldn't shake the feeling that this brief encounter was only the beginning of something much larger.
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✫to be continued…