Gemotions

The thought of a birdcage filling the already cramped apartment sent a shiver of disapproval through Kevin. "It’ll make a mess, Sam," he said, shaking his head.

Sam looked crestfallen. He'd been dreaming of owning a cockatiel for months, imagining the cheerful chirps and vibrant feathers. Kevin observed the way his friend’s shoulders slumped, the sudden downturn of his mouth.

He also remembered how lost he felt when his grandmother's cat had passed. The silence that followed was heavy. He knew this desire for connection, for something to love. “Maybe,” Kevin conceded, after a moment, "we could just... research them?"