Gemotions

“Come on, Leo, it’ll be great!” His roommate, Finn, was practically vibrating with excitement. He gestured towards the empty space in the living room, as if already picturing a fluffy, playful kitten. "We could get two! One for each of us!" Leo slumped further into the couch, the cushions offering little comfort. The idea of tiny claws, playful pounces, and nighttime meows made him shudder.

He felt a profound sense of inertia, an inability to muster any enthusiasm for anything. His limbs felt heavy, his thoughts muddled. He just wanted the world to stop, to give him a moment to breathe. The suggestion of a kitten felt like a demand, a pressure he didn't want to deal with.

“Finn, please,” he mumbled, rubbing his temples. “Not now.” He closed his eyes, hoping to block out the light and the noise, hoping to find some semblance of peace.