Gemotions

The apartment practically shimmered. Sunlight streamed through the blinds, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, a spectacle that usually annoyed Liam. Today, however, it filled him with a bubbling energy. He bounced on the balls of his feet, eyes fixed on the chipped mug in his hand. “Just picture it, Mark! A golden retriever! We can call him… Barnaby!”

Mark, sprawled on the couch amidst a sea of textbooks, sighed. "Liam, we’ve been over this. We can barely afford rent, let alone vet bills and dog food.” He punctuated his words with a dramatic eye roll. Liam just grinned, the feeling a fizzy current under his skin.

"Think of the joy! The walks! The slobbery kisses! I’ll handle the financials, promise! Think of the *fun*!" He gestured expansively, nearly knocking over a precariously balanced stack of magazines. Mark didn't budge. He felt sure he could win him over. He just *knew* it.