Gemotions

“I promise I’ll do all the work,” Javier insisted, his voice a pleading whisper. He leaned across the cluttered kitchen counter towards Mateo, his eyes wide with a desperate plea. A small, fluffy dog. A tiny friend. Something. Anything. His mind was in overdrive, replaying all the reasons why they should get a dog. He had cleaned the entire apartment from top to bottom, even re-organized Mateo's record collection.

Mateo remained unmoved. He took a slow sip of his coffee, his expression a carefully constructed wall. "We talked about this, Javier," he said, his voice flat. He looked down at the floor, uncomfortable.

Javier felt a cold dread creep into his bones. He knew he'd crossed a line. But he couldn't help himself. He felt a deep loneliness that he was unable to fight.