Gemotions

John sat on the patio swing, the rhythmic creak of the chains a familiar soundtrack to the evening. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass, the ice clinking softly. The air was still, only disturbed by the rustling of leaves in the nearby oak tree. Finding the secret TikTok account, “MetalManiac22,” wasn't unexpected. His son, Alex, had always been a private person.

He’d taken a look at Alex's posts. Short, choppy videos of Alex playing the drums in his room, interspersed with clips of video games. John chuckled to himself. He knew this side of Alex. He’d just never seen it so… public.

John leaned back, the swing swaying gently. He took another sip, the whiskey warming his throat. He thought about his own teenage years. He hadn't been so different. The feeling was comfortable. He knew he'd do something thoughtful later.