Gemotions

The dog, a scruffy terrier mix named Gus, whined softly at the door, sensing the tension. Liam had found the manuscript hidden under the bed – his name, his quirks, his deepest insecurities, all laid bare in a novel. Now, he sat on the edge of the bed, the pages spread before him, the words still swimming in his vision. He heard the faint click of the key in the lock, followed by Maya’s footsteps. Instead of confronting her, he reached down, scratching Gus behind the ears, a low rumble vibrating in his chest.

Maya walked in, her face alight, a takeout container in her hand. “Hey! I got Thai. What’s up?” She placed the food on the bedside table.

Liam looked up, his expression a careful blank. He saw the anticipation in her eyes, the joy she usually carried. He thought of the vulnerability in the novel, the parts of him she had so keenly observed. The words on the page hadn't angered him, but they’d stirred something deep inside. He took a deep breath, fighting down a wave of… something. “Nothing much. Just… hungry.” He reached for the food, forcing a smile. “Smells amazing.”