The Café by the Beach

The next morning, Gemini woke up to the sound of waves crashing against the shore. The air was warm, carrying the scent of salt and blooming flowers from his grandmother's small garden. He stretched lazily, his muscles still adjusting to the slow pace of this coastal town.

Without thinking much about it, he grabbed a light shirt and stepped outside. His feet moved on their own, following the winding path that led toward the beach. Maybe it was the fresh air, or maybe it was the curiosity lingering in the back of his mind, but before he knew it, he was standing in front of 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 blending seamlessly with the ocean breeze. A few customers were already there, some enjoying their drinks while gazing at the sea, others chatting in low voices. The atmosphere felt peaceful, as if time moved a little slower here.

Pushing the door open, Gemini stepped inside.

The interior was cozy—soft yellow lights, shelves lined with jars of coffee beans, and the low hum of a jazz tune playing from an old radio in the corner. It was the kind of place that made people want to linger a little longer than necessary.

Behind the counter, Fourth was preparing an iced latte, his hands moving with quiet precision. He seemed completely focused, carefully layering the espresso over the milk before adding a final touch of foam. His brows were slightly furrowed in concentration, making Gemini pause for a second before finally clearing his throat.

"Uh, morning," Gemini said, shifting his weight slightly.

Fourth blinked, momentarily surprised, before offering a small nod. "Morning."

Okay, so he's definitely the quiet type, Gemini thought.

His eyes flickered to the menu, though he wasn't really reading it. He wasn't much of a coffee expert, but he was curious to see what Fourth would make.

"I'll have whatever you recommend," Gemini said, leaning against the counter.

Fourth tilted his head slightly, considering. Then, without another word, he turned and began preparing a drink.

Gemini watched curiously. There was something calming about the way Fourth worked—every movement was smooth, practiced, almost rhythmic. He moved with a quiet grace, as if he had done this a thousand times before.

A few minutes later, Fourth placed a tall glass in front of him. The drink was a perfect blend of deep brown and creamy white, topped with a delicate swirl of whipped cream. Condensation formed on the glass, glistening under the soft lights.

Gemini took a sip.

It was perfect. Smooth, rich, with just the right amount of sweetness.

His eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Whoa. This is really good," he said, looking up at Fourth. "Did you make this yourself?"

Fourth nodded, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Yeah. I like experimenting with flavors."

Gemini grinned, tapping the side of his glass. "That's cool. You don't talk much, do you?"

Fourth glanced at him for a second, then shrugged. "Only when necessary."

Gemini chuckled. "I talk too much, so that works out."

For the first time, Fourth's expression softened—a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corners of his lips. It wasn't much, but Gemini caught it.

Something about that moment made him want to see more of that smile.

Maybe this summer wouldn't be so quiet after all.

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