Work Text:
They say hair holds memories.
So, when Gemini, a barber, meets Fourth — a customer who comes to his shop regularly — Gemini can’t help but wonder if the man likes the style or if there’s more to it.
He always paid attention to Fourth whenever he came into his shop. The man had a sadness in his eyes that Gemini couldn’t shake off. He would try making small talk, but Fourth always kept to himself and didn’t reply much.
One day, he meets Fourth at a library and decides that he wants to get to know him. He approaches the man and takes a seat, sliding a book toward him, he then opens his own book and starts reading.
This becomes a routine for the two — going to the library on Sundays and recommending books to each other. Though they did this often, they never spoke. They always sat in a comfortable silence.
Until one day, Fourth stopped going to Gemini’s barbershop.
At first, Gemini thought maybe he was just busy. But when he noticed that Fourth’s hair had begun to grow — and that he still showed up at the library — his curiosity bloomed once again.
The next time he went to the library, he noticed Fourth sitting at their usual table, staring out the window and watching the leaves dance on the trees. Before sitting down, Gemini searched for a specific book — The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows — and flipped to page 103. He placed a sticky note by the word “Amicy”: “The mystery of what goes on behind the scenes of your social life.”
The sticky note read: “I feel like this word describes you! You’re a very mysterious man :)”
He placed the book in front of Fourth, then walked away to find one for himself. When he came back, Fourth looked up at him and gave him a warm smile.
“Do you want to go get some coffee?” he asked, his eyes never leaving Gemini’s.
Gemini blinked, confusion flooding him as he replayed what Fourth had just said. He spoke. He never speaks. Gemini had begun to think that maybe the man was mute.
When he saw Fourth’s smile falter, Gemini began nodding frantically.
“Yes! Yes, I’d love to!” he said, a soft blush painting his cheeks. He had never heard the man's voice except for the few words he’d mutter at the barbershop. Fourth never spoke much and yet his voice was warm this time, the softness of it soothing Gemini’s rapidly beating heart.
They walked down the street to a nearby café, a comfortable silence surrounding them as the sunset’s colors bloomed across the sky, making them both look ethereal.
The café smelled of freshly ground coffee beans and warm chocolate. They chose a seat by the window, enjoying the beauty of the sunset.
Fourth suddenly turned to Gemini and watched as his lashes fluttered with every blink, his rosy cheeks glowing under the last rays of the sun. Gemini felt his gaze and turned.
“D–do I have something on my face?” he asked, brows furrowing slightly and lips forming a small pout.
“No, you just look so pretty,” Fourth said, his gaze never leaving the beauty before him.
They stared into each other’s eyes, the soft beating of their hearts creating a perfect melody. The moment was interrupted when the barista called out Fourth’s name, signaling their order was ready.
“I’ll be right back,” Fourth said, standing up to grab their drinks. He placed them down and slid back into his seat, glancing out the window.
“Sorry I don’t come to your barber shop anymore,” he said, a sad smile tugging at his lips. “I just don’t have a reason to anymore.” He continued, glancing at Gemini before taking a sip from his drink to hide the faint blush on his cheeks.
“Don’t have a reason to come? What do you mean?” Gemini asked, blinking up at him, his round eyes filled with questions.
“I met you,” Fourth said, turning toward Gemini. His eyes held a warmth he had never felt before.
He had always been cold — physically, mentally, emotionally. He began cutting his hair to rid himself of the memories shackled to him, hoping to finally feel something. But what he needed wasn’t a haircut. It was Gemini — warmth in the form of a human.
Fourth usually changed barbers regularly, but when he met Gemini, he felt a pull he couldn’t ignore. So he stayed. Then Gemini started coming to the library, and Fourth felt warmth slowly creep back into his life. He began to look forward to Sundays — to sitting beside Gemini, to feeling that quiet peace again.
And so, he stopped cutting his hair. He didn’t need to anymore. He wanted to hold onto this warmth — onto the feeling of finally wanting something… someone.
“You make me feel warm,” he said, a soft, genuine smile spreading across his face as he watched Gemini’s eyes widen slightly.
“I used to cut my hair to forget,” he continued, “but now I have precious memories I want to hold onto. You brought meaning into my meaningless life. Without you, it was cold and lonely — but now, I’ve never felt a warmth so comforting.”
He lowered his head, fidgeting with his fingers. “I—I like you,” he blurted out, squeezing his eyes shut, afraid to see Gemini’s reaction.
Complete silence. Not a single word. Gemini’s breath caught in his throat as he stared at Fourth, eyes wide in shock.
“Y—you what?” he whispered, more to himself than to Fourth.
The silence stretched — until Fourth heard a soft sniffle.
“Oh? H—hey, Gemini, why are you crying?” he asked, rushing to grab a napkin and pat Gemini’s teary cheeks.
“I thought you were distancing yourself from me because I was annoying you,” Gemini sobbed, bringing his hands to his face. “I like you too. I’ve liked you for a while,” he said, his voice muffled behind his hands.
Fourth froze slightly, then gently pulled Gemini’s hands away from his face and cupped his cheeks.
“You never annoyed me,” he said softly. “I enjoyed every Sunday with you. Hell, I even have an alarm set for you.” He rubbed soothing circles on Gemini’s cheeks.
“Can we start slow? I really want to get to know you better,” Fourth said, settling into the seat beside him and patting Gemini’s back.
“I’d love to,” Gemini said, a warm smile spreading across his tear-stained face.
They exchanged numbers and made their way out of the café — hand in hand. Their smiles so bright, they seemed to light up the night sky.