The next morning, Gemini found himself wandering toward the beach. He wasn't sure why, but his feet carried him to the little café where he had seen Fourth the day before.
The place had a rustic charm—wooden tables under large umbrellas, a menu board written in colorful chalk, and the scent of fresh coffee mixed with the ocean breeze. Gemini stepped inside, where a few early customers were sipping their drinks.
Behind the counter, Fourth was preparing an iced latte, his movements precise and practiced. He didn't look up until Gemini cleared his throat.
"Uh, morning," Gemini said.
Fourth blinked, momentarily surprised, before giving a small nod. "Morning."
*Okay, so he's definitely the quiet type*, Gemini thought.
"I'll have whatever you recommend," Gemini said, leaning against the counter.
Fourth paused, considering. Then, without another word, he turned and started making a drink. Gemini watched curiously as he worked, moving with a quiet grace. A few minutes later, Fourth placed a tall glass in front of him—a creamy iced coffee topped with a swirl of whipped cream.
Gemini took a sip. It was perfect.
"Whoa. This is really good," he said, genuinely impressed. "Did you make this yourself?"
Fourth nodded, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Yeah. I like experimenting with flavors."
Gemini grinned. "That's cool. You don't talk much, do you?"
Fourth glanced at him, then shrugged. "Only when necessary."
Gemini chuckled. "I talk too much, so that works out."
A small smile tugged at Fourth's lips, barely noticeable, but Gemini caught it. It was the first crack in the quiet boy's carefully built walls.
And for some reason, that made Gemini want to see more of it.
* * * * * * *