A Shared Wish

The festival was alive with color and light. Lanterns swayed overhead, casting a warm glow against the evening sky, and the air buzzed with laughter, music, and the distant sound of ocean waves rolling onto the shore. The scent of grilled street food mingled with the crisp night air, wrapping the town in a cocoon of warmth and celebration.

Gemini and Fourth stood near a small booth nestled between food stalls, where people gathered to write their wishes on delicate paper lanterns before releasing them into the sky.

Gemini picked up his lantern, running his fingers over the smooth paper. "So, we just write down a wish, and the wind carries it up?"

Fourth nodded, already reaching for a marker. "That's the tradition."

Gemini watched as Fourth hesitated for a moment, the tip of the marker hovering over the lantern before he finally, carefully, began to write. His handwriting was small, neat, deliberate.

Curious, Gemini leaned in, trying to sneak a glance. "What did you wish for?"

Fourth's fingers immediately curled around the lantern, shielding his words from view. "You're not supposed to tell," he said, giving Gemini a pointed look.

Gemini pouted. "Come on. Just a hint?"

Fourth sighed, rolling his eyes, but after a moment, he relented. "It's… about the future."

Gemini tilted his head. "Good future?"

Fourth nodded, but his fingers lingered on the lantern as if holding onto the weight of his own wish.

Gemini smiled, something warm settling in his chest. "Then I hope it comes true."

At that, Fourth glanced at him, and for a brief second, something flickered in his expression—something soft, something almost hopeful. The festival lights reflected in his dark eyes, turning them into tiny pools of gold and amber.

Gemini held his gaze, but before he could say anything else, Fourth turned back to his lantern, adjusting the paper slightly, as if making sure his words stayed safe.

Gemini exhaled softly, shaking his head with amusement before focusing on his own lantern.

He didn't hesitate as he wrote his wish.

Let this summer last just a little longer.

The ink dried quickly, but the words felt heavier than he expected, pressing into his chest in a way he hadn't anticipated.

For the first time, he realized—he didn't want this to end.

Not the festival, not the warm nights by the ocean, not the quiet moments in the café, and certainly not this—whatever this was—between him and Fourth.

A hand lightly nudged his arm, pulling him from his thoughts.

Fourth raised an eyebrow. "You ready?"

Gemini nodded, gripping his lantern a little tighter. "Yeah."

Together, they stepped forward, joining the crowd gathered at the release area. The lanterns, glowing soft and golden, bobbed gently in people's hands, waiting to be set free. The festival announcer began the countdown, and as the final number was called, the first lanterns were released into the night.

Gemini watched as people let go, their wishes floating upward, flickering like tiny stars against the dark sky.

He turned to Fourth. "On three?"

Fourth met his gaze. "Okay."

They counted together, their voices blending with the others around them.

One.

Gemini felt the warmth of the lantern against his fingertips.

Two.

A breeze rustled past them, gentle but steady.

Three.

They released their lanterns at the same time.

The paper drifted upward, caught in the soft currents of the wind. Their wishes joined the others, glowing softly as they ascended, disappearing into the vast sky.

Gemini watched until they were nothing but tiny dots of light, swallowed by the darkness.

Beside him, Fourth stood quietly, his face tilted toward the sky, his expression unreadable—but there was something peaceful about the way he watched their wishes fade into the night.

Gemini smiled to himself.

Maybe, just maybe, wishes really did come true.

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