Chapter 33

3rd person pov:

The morning air was filled with anticipation, a mix of excitement and the unspoken weight of what was ahead. Gemini stood by the car, adjusting the last few items in the trunk, while Fourth moved around the house, gathering the things they'd need for their trip. The journey to Khao Kalok Beach had been planned carefully, though there was a sense that nothing could fully prepare them for what this trip might bring.

Gemini watched as Fourth picked up his small bag with a determined yet fragile smile. His health had been unpredictable lately, but there was something about the beach that seemed to light a spark in him. He had always wanted to feel the sea breeze, to experience something beyond the walls of his home.

"Are you sure you're okay to travel?" Gemini asked, his voice gentle but concerned. He had noticed the subtle signs of fatigue in Fourth's movements, but the younger man had insisted that he was fine.

Fourth met his gaze with a calm that belied the pain he sometimes tried to hide. "I'm fine. I need this. I don't want to sit here waiting. Let's go. I want to see the ocean."

Gemini's heart tightened at the conviction in Fourth's voice, knowing that this trip meant more than just a simple escape—it was Fourth's way of fighting against time, of refusing to let his illness define his final days.

"Alright," Gemini said, his voice steady. "But you let me know if you need a break, okay?"

Fourth nodded, offering him a soft smile. "I will."

With that, they were off.

The drive was long, but it was peaceful. The landscape outside the car window shifted from cityscape to the quiet countryside, and then, finally, to the open roads leading to the coast. The soft hum of the engine and the occasional sound of Fourth's quiet breathing filled the car, creating a rare sense of calm between them.

As they approached the beach, the salty air seemed to change everything. It was as if the very atmosphere was different here—more freeing, more alive. The sun was high, casting a golden glow across the endless expanse of water. The sand stretched out before them, a soft and inviting blanket that seemed to call out to them.

Gemini parked the car near the edge of the beach, and they both stepped out into the warmth of the sun. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled the air, and for a moment, neither of them said anything.

"Wow," Fourth whispered, looking out at the ocean, his eyes wide with awe. "It's more beautiful than I imagined."

Gemini watched him, his heart full. For a brief moment, there was no illness, no fear—just two people, standing together in the glow of a dream fulfilled.

"I'm glad we came," Gemini said, his voice low, as if afraid to break the magic of the moment.

Fourth turned to him, his eyes soft. "Thank you for bringing me here."

They walked down to the shore together, their feet sinking into the soft sand. Fourth seemed lighter somehow, his usual weight of worry lifted by the simplicity of the moment. Gemini stayed close, ready to offer a steadying hand if needed, but for now, Fourth seemed to find strength in the ocean's vastness.

"Let's go in the water," Fourth suggested suddenly, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Just a little. I want to feel it."

Gemini hesitated for a moment, knowing that the exertion could take a toll on Fourth's fragile health, but he saw the longing in his eyes, the desire to experience something so simple yet so profound.

"Okay," Gemini agreed, smiling. "But we'll take it slow."

The cool water lapped at their ankles as they waded in, the waves playfully tugging at their feet. Fourth let out a soft laugh as the water splashed around his legs, his face lighting up in a way that Gemini hadn't seen in a long time.

For a few precious minutes, they were simply two people, enjoying the moment, the waves, the sun, and the feeling of freedom.

"I've never felt this alive," Fourth said, his voice almost lost in the sound of the waves.

Gemini's heart clenched. He wanted this for Fourth—he wanted these moments to be enough. They walked along the shoreline, the sea breeze tousling their hair, and for a while, it felt like everything was going to be okay.

But as the day wore on, the weight of reality began to set in. Fourth's energy started to wane, and Gemini noticed the slight tremble in his steps, the deepening pallor of his skin. Still, Fourth refused to admit to any discomfort, smiling through the fatigue.

"We should head back to the car," Gemini suggested, his voice gentle but firm.

Fourth didn't argue, though there was a brief flash of resistance in his eyes. He didn't want the day to end, didn't want to leave the place that had brought him so much peace.

"Okay," he said quietly, his voice tinged with reluctance.

Gemini offered him his arm, and together, they made their way back, the sound of the waves still in their ears, the sight of the sun sinking low on the horizon.

As they reached the car, Fourth paused for a moment, looking back at the ocean, a wistful expression on his face.

"I'll come back," he whispered, more to himself than to Gemini.

Gemini nodded, his heart heavy yet hopeful. "We will. Whenever you're ready."

And for that moment, surrounded by the peaceful expanse of the beach, Gemini knew that this was one of the rare moments that would stay with them both forever.