Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the bleakness inside Elias. He tapped his fingers on the worn tabletop, a monotonous rhythm accompanying the drumming on the glass. The house felt too quiet, too still. He felt a profound sense of… emptiness.

His partner, Liam, was out, apparently at a 'language exchange.' Elias knew it involved Liam furiously scribbling and muttering to himself. Liam had been at it for ages, pouring over grammar books and pronunciation guides. He was learning Elias' native language.

He picked up a book, flipping through the pages without reading them. His gaze kept drifting to the door, the anticipation of Liam's return mixed with something else, something akin to... a dull ache. He knew what was coming. Another deluge of new words, another demonstration of his ever-improving fluency.