A Place to Belong

The days melted into golden afternoons and starry nights. The ocean breeze carried the scent of salt and coffee, mingling with the warmth of the sun-baked streets. Time moved differently here—unrushed, unbothered by the world beyond the coastline.

Gemini had never spent a summer like this before—slow, peaceful, and full of quiet moments with Fourth.

At first, he told himself he was just killing time. That the café was just another place to hang out, nothing more. But as the days stretched into weeks, he realized it wasn't just about the café.

It was about the rhythm of it all.

The way the morning light filtered through the windows, painting soft patterns on the wooden tables. The way the waves outside provided a constant, soothing soundtrack to every slow afternoon. The way the scent of freshly brewed coffee wrapped around him like a familiar embrace.

And Fourth.

Always moving. Always focused. Always the calm in the background of it all.

Gemini had become a daily presence at the café, whether he had a reason to be there or not. Sometimes he helped wipe down tables. Other times, he just sat at the counter, watching Fourth work, listening to the clink of cups and the soft hum of the radio playing old love songs in the background.

It felt natural.

And for the first time, Gemini didn't feel like he had to fill the silence.

One evening, after closing, the café was bathed in the soft glow of the hanging lights. The world outside had quieted, the streets nearly empty except for the occasional passerby heading home.

Fourth wiped his hands on a towel before stretching his arms over his head, letting out a quiet sigh.

"You don't have to stay late, you know." His voice was light, but there was no real protest in it.

Gemini, who was sitting on the counter, swinging his legs lazily, smirked. "And miss the best part of the day?"

Fourth raised an eyebrow. "The best part?"

Gemini gestured around. "This. The quiet after a long day. The way the air feels lighter. And you…" He tapped the counter with his fingers. "You finally sit down and stop moving."

Fourth huffed, shaking his head. "I don't move that much."

"You do," Gemini countered easily. "You're always busy—wiping tables, making drinks, fixing things. You only ever stop when the café is closed."

Fourth gave him a look, like he was about to argue, but then he just sighed, shaking his head again.

Gemini grinned. "See? I'm right."

Fourth didn't respond, but there was a small, amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

After a moment, he finally leaned against the counter beside Gemini, the tension in his shoulders easing.

The quiet between them stretched, but it was comfortable.

A cool breeze drifted through the open window, carrying the faint scent of the ocean. Outside, the streetlights flickered, casting long shadows against the pavement.

Fourth exhaled softly, watching the dim glow outside. "You really like this town, don't you?"

Gemini hummed, tilting his head as he considered the question. "I didn't think I would at first. But… it's different from the city. It feels more…"

He hesitated, trying to find the right word.

"Like home?" Fourth finished for him.

Gemini blinked, caught off guard by how easily Fourth had put it into words.

Home.

It was strange. He had spent years chasing excitement, always looking for something new. He had lived in high-rise apartments, traveled to different places, surrounded himself with people and noise.

And yet, here he was.

In a small café by the beach.

Watching as Fourth absentmindedly traced the rim of his glass with his fingers.

Here, in this quiet town, in the glow of the streetlights and the scent of coffee lingering in the air—

This felt like belonging.

Gemini let the thought settle, feeling its weight in his chest.

His fingers idly spun an empty sugar packet on the counter, his voice softer now. "I don't think I've ever really had a place that felt like home before."

Fourth glanced at him, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. "Really?"

Gemini gave a small shrug, as if the thought wasn't as heavy as it actually was. "I mean, I've had places to stay. But that's different." He tapped his fingers against the counter again. "Home isn't just a place, you know?"

Fourth was quiet for a moment. Then, barely above a whisper, he said, "Yeah. I know."

Gemini turned to him, searching his face. There was something there—something unspoken, something that lingered in the space between them.

A shared understanding.

Fourth didn't say much. He never did. But sometimes, he didn't need to.

Gemini smiled, nudging Fourth's arm lightly. "Guess you're stuck with me for the rest of the summer then."

Fourth huffed, but the corners of his lips twitched. "I figured as much."

The café remained quiet, save for the distant hum of the old radio still playing in the background.

And for the first time in a long while, Gemini didn't want summer to end.

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