Gemotions

The rain lashed against the windows, a familiar, comforting sound. He was usually glued to his laptop, but tonight, he was different. He'd set it aside, and had a book open on the coffee table. He looked up at her, eyes sparkling in the dim light. "Watashi no namae wa, Anya desu," he announced, a slight stammer accompanying the words.

She sat down, stunned. She'd been speaking Japanese with her family on the phone all afternoon, and he’d never shown any interest. Now, the syllables, so carefully pronounced, echoed in the room.

A tremor ran through her, a tingling sensation in her limbs. She reached for his hand, her own fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against his. "That… that's beautiful," she breathed, her voice thick with something she couldn't quite define.