The café was quieter than usual when Gemini stepped inside. The familiar hum of conversation and clinking of cups was absent, replaced by a soft stillness that wrapped around him like a blanket. The usual scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, mixing with the warmth of cinnamon and chocolate from the pastries. But it wasn't the comforting aroma or the calm atmosphere that drew his attention. It was Fourth.
There he was, standing behind the counter, fiddling with something in his hands, his expression unreadable. His usual casual air was gone, replaced by something that seemed almost… nervous. Gemini's gaze lingered on him, curiosity bubbling up.
"What's that?" Gemini asked, his voice light but with a hint of intrigue.
Fourth hesitated, his fingers tightening around the small object as if trying to decide whether to keep it hidden or share it. The silence between them stretched on for a few moments, each second heavier than the last. Finally, with a sigh that seemed to carry a weight of uncertainty, he extended his hand toward Gemini. "Just take it."
Gemini raised an eyebrow. "Take what?"
The object was small, no bigger than the size of his palm, wrapped in the kind of quiet tension that suggested it was far more important than it appeared. His eyes flickered back to Fourth, catching the faint flush on his cheeks. It wasn't the kind of thing Fourth usually did—he wasn't exactly the type to give gifts.
Curiosity got the better of him, and he reached forward. The warmth of Fourth's hand brushed against his as he took the small object into his own palm. The slight shock of contact made his pulse quicken, but he quickly turned his attention to the gift in his hand. His fingers gently uncurled, revealing a small, handcrafted bracelet made of intertwined black and brown cords. It was simple, nothing flashy or overly ornate, but there was something striking about the way the threads were woven. Each cord was carefully interlaced, the pattern intricate in its subtlety. It was clear it had taken time.
Gemini felt a warmth spread in his chest, something both tender and unexpected. He glanced up at Fourth, meeting his gaze for the first time. "You made this?" he asked, his voice softer now, as if the weight of the moment had settled in.
Fourth shrugged, an awkward motion that only added to the charm of the moment. He refused to meet Gemini's eyes, focusing instead on the counter, his fingers tapping nervously on the edge. "It's nothing fancy," he muttered, almost as if trying to downplay it.
Gemini's thumb ran over the texture of the cords, tracing the delicate pattern with a kind of reverence. It wasn't just a bracelet—it was more than that. It was a piece of Fourth, something personal. Something he had put effort into, even if he didn't want to admit it. The thought warmed Gemini more than he expected.
"It's perfect," Gemini said with a grin, his voice tinged with genuine appreciation.
Fourth shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck in that familiar way that made Gemini smile even more. "It's just… so you don't forget this place," Fourth muttered under his breath, his words barely audible.
Forget? The thought caught Gemini off guard. His chest tightened at the notion, and something soft and almost vulnerable curled in his stomach. Forget? As if he could ever forget this place, or Fourth, or the strange but undeniable pull they shared. Forgetting felt impossible, and the idea of it seemed almost too painful to entertain.
He was still processing the weight of the gift, the thought behind it, when he noticed the subtle shift in Fourth's expression. The awkwardness hadn't fully melted away, but there was something else now—something that hinted at a deeper meaning, a quiet connection between them that both of them had been hesitant to acknowledge. The smallest smile tugged at Fourth's lips, almost imperceptible, but there.
Gemini felt something flutter in his chest at the sight. That smile, so rare and fleeting, made his heart feel too full, like it might burst from the inside out. It was so simple, but it held so much—so many unspoken words and emotions. Words that Gemini wasn't quite ready to say, but felt all the same.
Gemini let his wrist relax, adjusting the bracelet so it sat snug against his skin, his gaze never leaving Fourth's face. "I won't forget," he said, his voice soft but firm. "I promise."
Fourth muttered something else under his breath, though it was too quiet for Gemini to catch. Then, in the blink of an eye, Fourth turned away, busying himself with a cup on the counter as if the moment never happened.
But the smile lingered, hanging in the air between them, heavier than anything else.
Gemini glanced down at the bracelet on his wrist. It wasn't just a piece of cord. It was a reminder, a piece of Fourth's heart, something to hold on to, no matter where life took them.
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