Third Person's POV.
The yacht cut smoothly through the water as it made its final approach to the private dock. The sun was beginning its slow descent, painting the sky in fiery streaks of orange and purple—a dramatic curtain call to their wonderful weekend escape. The cheerful energy that had filled them through the swimming lesson began to be replaced by the inevitable quietness of departure.
Gemini, now fully dressed and standing by the rail, felt the familiar pull of anxiety returning, a cold counterpoint to the warmth of the sun. He looked back at the retreating coastline, already missing the freedom of the open water.
"This is it, guys." Cole announced with a heavy sigh, grabbing his monogrammed duffel bag. "Back to reality, school, and mandatory ethics lectures." He clapped Gemini on the shoulder with a surprising gentleness. "Seriously, kid, you were awesome this weekend. Don't be a stranger. I'll see you around campus."
"Thanks, Cole," Gemini managed, offering a sincere smile. He still finds Cole overwhelming, but he recognized the genuine warmth beneath the bluster.
Penelope approached, her embrace warm and surprisingly firm. "You take care of yourself, Gem. Don't worry, we'll look out for you." She said with a smile. "You have my number. Text me if you need anything at all. Anything, okay sweetie?"
"I will," Gemini promised.
Daphne walked over last. She didn't offer a hug, but her expression was one of quiet consideration.
"You should draw the cove sometime," she suggested softly. "It looked like something out of a dream." She paused, then gave him a small, unexpected compliment. "It was good having you this weekend, Gemini. And, sorry for how I acted. That's not who...I want to be."
It was the most direct kindness she had offered, and it meant more to him than he could say.
"Thank you, Daphne. I mean that."
As the yacht finally nudged against the dock, Percy appeared, already wearing a lightweight jacket and holding Gemini's small backpack alongside his own leather weekender. The contrast between Gemini's simple bag and the expensive luggage of the others was stark, but Percy held it easily, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Time to go," Percy said. He nodded a swift goodbye to Cole, Penelope, and Daphne, who were already coordinating their separate rides. "I'm taking Gemini back to his dorm. He needs rest before tomorrow."
He didn't wait for a response, simply placing a hand on the small of Gemini's back and guiding him down the gangplank.
Percy's car, a sleek, black Bentley, was already waiting for them. The drive back to the sprawling university campus was quiet. Gemini watched the expensive homes and manicured lawns of the city's wealthy suburbs blur past, the memory of the ocean and the clear cove was already retreating, replaced by the heavy anticipation of his upcoming week. Midterms had been brutal—a flurry of late nights fueled by instant coffee and sheer willpower—and the brief yacht trip had been a desperately needed reset button.
"Are you alright?" Percy asked, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Yes, I am," Gemini confirmed with a smile. He's more than alright.
Percy pulled the Bentley directly into the designated drop-off zone outside Gemini's freshman residence hall. Without saying a word, he turned off the engine, reached behind the passenger seat, and retrieved both Gemini's backpack and his own small, leather weekender.
"This is you." He handed Gemini his backpack. "Get in there, and try to get a solid eight hours of sleep."
Gemini hesitated, clutching the straps of his bag. "Percy, I... I don't know how to repay you for this weekend."
Percy's expression remained steady. He merely nodded once, acknowledging the sentiment without needing a verbal response. He opened his own door, walked around the back of his car and pulled out a small box from the trunk—a set of new art supplies he'd instructed a staff to buy after hearing the younger boy talk about drawing. He placed the box on the ground next to Gemini's feet.
"You don't owe me anything. We both needed the rest," Percy said, his voice quiet but firm. He then pulled a neatly folded paper map from his jacket pocket—a customized campus map with several locations circled. The Library. The Art Annex. The all-night coffee shop.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Gemini looked from the map to the new box of supplies, then back to Percy. He understood the message.
"See you tomorrow, Percy," Gemini replied, a genuine smile replacing his weariness. He placed the map carefully into his backpack.
Percy gave a simple nod, then, without saying another word, he got back into his car. He waited a moment, watching in his rearview mirror as Gemini turned and walked through the heavy glass doors of the residence hall, his shoulders slightly straighter than they had been on Friday. Only when the younger boy was safely inside did Percy smoothly pull away from the curb.
Inside his dorm building, Gemini felt the abrupt return to reality. The air was thick with the scent of microwaved popcorn and disinfectant. He climbed two flights of stairs to his floor, found his door, typed in the code and pushed it open.
The room felt welcoming in its familiarity. This imperfect space was his. He dropped the backpack onto his desk and placed the new box of art supplies gently on the floor. He hadn't realized how much the constant, silent anxiety of the past few weeks had compressed him. The weekend—the ease of the water, the strange kindness of the privileged world—had been an unexpected exhale.
The bags of items Percy had bought for him over the weekend were all in his room; the older boy must've had them sent straight to his dorm while they were away. Gemini quickly unpacked them, along with the stuff he'd brought back from the trip. He then pulled out the folded map Percy had given him and spread it out on his desk.
The circles marked the best landmarks for drawing on campus—Percy's subtle way of offering support without the noise of unnecessary conversation. Leaning back in his chair, feeling the solid wood beneath him, Gemini studied the layout.
He had four days until his next drawing class and a whole new box of supplies. He could already feel his mind buzzing with ideas. He was back, rested, and ready to get to work.