Chapter 9

3rd person pov:

The sun had barely begun to rise, casting soft rays of light over the quiet house. Fourth was already awake, as he had been for the past few days, the stillness of the morning a comfort to him. He sat at the kitchen table, a cup of tea cradled between his hands as he stared out the window. The world outside was still, as if the earth itself had not yet fully woken up.

Gemini was in the kitchen, moving about with the familiar ease that had become second nature. He wasn't making a grand breakfast—just a simple meal for the two of them. The sound of the kettle whistling, the clink of dishes, and the quiet hum of the fridge were the only things filling the silence. It was a rhythm they had fallen into over the past week, a simple routine that didn't need to be spoken about. It was just something that happened naturally, as if the house itself had found its own pace.

Fourth watched Gemini for a moment, noticing the way his movements were fluid, comfortable, as though he had lived here for much longer than he actually had. There was a sense of calm about him, the way he seemed to fill the space without crowding it, his presence quietly grounding Fourth in a way he hadn't expected.

"Good morning," Gemini said softly, glancing up from where he was preparing eggs and toast.

"Morning," Fourth replied, his voice still quiet with the remnants of sleep.

Gemini smiled, his eyes crinkling slightly at the edges. It was the kind of smile that was gentle, unhurried, and it had a way of making Fourth feel like he was the only one in the room.

There was no rush, no pressure to do anything other than what they wanted. It was a feeling Fourth had not been accustomed to, the ease with which Gemini moved through the house, the way he didn't demand anything but simply existed beside him. And for once, Fourth found that he didn't mind it. The quiet, the absence of noise, it was peaceful.

Gemini set a plate in front of him, the simple meal placed with care. "I didn't know if you were still feeling up to eating, but I thought you might like some breakfast."

"Thanks," Fourth said, his voice soft as he picked up his fork. The food was warm, comforting, and despite the fact that it was nothing extravagant, it felt like the most thoughtful thing anyone could do for him.

They ate in silence, the sound of their utensils scraping against the plates filling the space between them. It wasn't uncomfortable. It was a peace that neither of them needed to fill with words. The act of simply being together, sharing the same moment, was enough.

When they finished, Gemini collected their plates, wiping down the counter as Fourth leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting to the window again. The world outside had grown brighter, the birds beginning to stir in the trees.

It was moments like this, the ones that felt effortlessly peaceful, that made Fourth realize how different things were with Gemini around. He had been so used to solitude, to keeping everything at arm's length, that he hadn't known how to handle this calmness—how to exist in the quiet routine of someone else's company. But here, with Gemini, it felt natural.

They cleaned up together, the shared tasks feeling like an extension of their conversation, a way to communicate without saying anything at all. Fourth found himself moving more fluidly, helping with the small things without thinking too much about it. It wasn't a big deal, but it was a subtle way of showing that he wasn't as isolated as he had once believed.

Afterward, they settled on the couch, Fourth pulling his laptop onto his lap as he resumed his online classes. Gemini sat beside him, not hovering but close enough to be present. There was no need for constant chatter. The quiet companionship was enough.

As the day passed, the house settled into its peaceful rhythm. Fourth worked through his lessons, occasionally looking up at Gemini, who was reading a book or simply sitting in his own space, content with the stillness. There was no pressure to engage, no expectations to fill the space with noise. The routine was simple, but it was enough.

Later in the afternoon, Fourth found himself in the living room, his legs stretched out on the couch, a book in his hands. Gemini was nearby, sitting by the window, watching the sun begin to set. The light that filtered through the curtains bathed the room in soft, golden hues. It was a quiet moment, one of those rare times when everything felt just... right.

Fourth put down his book, turning his head to glance at Gemini. "You don't have to stay here," he said quietly, the words almost unsure. "You can go do something else if you want."

Gemini looked up from the window, meeting his gaze. There was no rush to his response, no need to make anything of it. He simply smiled. "I'm fine here. I like being here with you."

Fourth didn't know how to respond to that, but something in his chest softened. It wasn't pity. It wasn't out of obligation. It was just... Gemini wanting to be here. It was a simple thing, but it meant more to Fourth than he could say.

As the night stretched on, the peaceful routine of their shared space continued. There were no heavy conversations, no pressing topics. Just the quiet comfort of knowing they didn't need anything more than this—a slow, unhurried rhythm that allowed them both to simply exist together.

And for Fourth, that was enough. It was a new kind of peace, one he wasn't used to, but one he was learning to accept. The quiet moments, the peaceful routines, were becoming his own—something he could hold onto, something he could find comfort in.

With Gemini beside him, it didn't feel so lonely anymore. And that, more than anything, was a kind of peace he never thought he'd find.