Chapter 34

3rd person pov:

The days at Khao Kalok Beach stretched out like a delicate, precious thread—fragile yet unforgettable. After their arrival, Gemini and Fourth decided to stay, fully immersing themselves in the calm that the beach offered. The world felt distant, as if time itself had slowed down just for them.

Each morning, Gemini would wake early to watch the sun rise over the water, the soft glow reflecting off the ocean's surface. Fourth would join him soon after, his footsteps barely making a sound as he walked up beside Gemini. They would sit in silence, watching the world wake up, the cool sea breeze brushing past them. In these moments, words felt unnecessary—everything they needed was conveyed in the shared space between them.

The days followed a peaceful rhythm. Gemini would prepare simple meals, and they would eat together by the shoreline, the sound of the waves always in the background. They spent their afternoons walking along the beach, exploring the small coves and hidden corners of the coast, where the sand was untouched and the water clear. It was a gentle kind of joy, the kind that seeped into their bones and anchored them in the present.

At night, they would sit on the porch of the small beachside bungalow they had rented, the warmth of the evening air wrapping around them like a soft blanket. The stars above them seemed endless, and the soft murmur of the ocean was a lullaby. Sometimes, they would talk about everything and nothing at all. Other times, they would simply be together, comfortable in the quiet.

But as the days passed, the inevitable truth settled deeper into Gemini's chest—Fourth's strength was fading. His moments of energy became shorter, and the fatigue was becoming more noticeable. Though Fourth was determined not to show it, the illness was creeping in, uninvited and relentless.

Still, Fourth never complained. He insisted on continuing their walks along the beach, even when his steps grew slower. He smiled, even when the effort to do so seemed too much. Gemini watched him closely, always ready to offer a steady hand or a quiet word of encouragement. But despite the increasing weariness in Fourth's eyes, there was a sense of peace that settled over him here—a peace that Gemini had come to cherish.

One evening, as the sky turned a deep shade of purple and the sun dipped low, Fourth turned to Gemini with a faint, bittersweet smile.

"I'm glad we came here," he said, his voice soft, almost too fragile for the weight of his words.

Gemini's heart clenched, but he smiled, reaching over to gently squeeze Fourth's hand. "Me too. This place has a way of making everything feel... a little easier."

Fourth leaned back against the porch, his gaze turning to the horizon where the last of the sunlight glimmered over the water. "I always thought I'd get better, you know? That there would be a chance for me. But... I think I've come to accept that I might not have much time left."

Gemini didn't know how to respond. He wanted to tell Fourth that everything would be okay, that they still had time, but deep down, he knew it wasn't true. Instead, he simply sat beside him, silent, offering his presence.

Fourth continued, his voice quiet but resolute. "But if this is the way it has to be, I want to be here. With you. I want to enjoy these moments, even if they're fleeting."

Tears threatened to well up in Gemini's eyes, but he blinked them away, not wanting to show how deeply this hurt. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Fourth, pulling him close in a quiet embrace.

"I'll be here," Gemini whispered. "For as long as you need me."

The days that followed were filled with small, beautiful moments—moments of laughter, of shared memories, and of peaceful silences. But as Fourth's health continued to decline, there were moments of fragility as well. Gemini found himself watching Fourth more closely, always anticipating the next sign of fatigue, the next breath that seemed harder than the last.

One evening, as they watched the sun set over the water, Fourth spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know how much longer I have, Gemini," he said, his eyes distant, as though he were trying to come to terms with something too big to grasp.

Gemini's throat tightened, and he gently cupped Fourth's face in his hands, forcing him to meet his gaze. "You don't need to worry about that now. We have today. And that's enough."

Fourth nodded, though the sadness in his eyes lingered. "I just... I want to be ready for what's coming. I don't want to leave anything unsaid. I don't want to leave you."

Gemini's heart shattered at those words. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Fourth's forehead, his fingers trailing through his hair. "You're not leaving me, Fourth. Not yet. And even when you do... you'll always be with me."

The days blurred into one another as the end drew near. They spent their time by the ocean, walking hand in hand, sharing their thoughts and fears. Though the illness was always present, it no longer defined Fourth's existence. Instead, it was the love they shared, the moments they created, that filled the space between them.Despite the absence of a label between them as a result of Fourths fear of leaving him behind,it couldn't change the fact that there was love in every smile,touch and words between them.

And when the day came that Fourth was too weak to walk on his own, Gemini was there, holding him steady, giving him the strength he needed. Together, they watched the ocean one last time, the sun dipping low on the horizon, as if it were bidding them farewell.