Gemotions

The key scraped in the lock, a sound that brought a grin to Leo’s face. He hefted the last box, feeling a ridiculous lightness in his step, and kicked the door shut. "Home sweet home!" he announced to the empty hallway, the words practically singing. Sunlight spilled through the window, catching dust motes dancing in the air. He dropped the box, a thump that didn't even faze him. This felt… right.

His mother’s floral wallpaper, a pattern he hadn't seen in years, seemed to wink at him. He inhaled deeply, the familiar scent of lemon cleaner and something else, something indefinable that was purely his mother, filling his lungs. He wanted to leap into the air, do a silly dance. He restrained himself, just barely, heading for the kitchen to find a celebratory snack.

He found it -- a plate of his favorite chocolate chip cookies, still warm from the oven. He grabbed two, then three. His chest swelled with a feeling of contentment he hadn't realized he'd been missing. He munched happily, the crumbs a testament to his sheer bliss.