Gemotions

The news hit Leo like a punch to the gut. Across the country? Across the *country*? He felt a sudden, sharp ache in his chest, a constriction that made it hard to breathe. "But... what about our Tuesday night pizza?" he blurted out, his voice tight.

His best friend, Daniel, smiled sadly. “I know, I know. It's... a really good opportunity, Leo."

Leo’s hands clenched into fists, digging his nails into his palms. He didn’t want Daniel's good opportunity. He wanted *Daniel*, here, now. He pictured the empty space on the couch, the silence that would follow Daniel’s laughter. A cold dread seeped through him.

"You can visit," Daniel offered tentatively. "We can still hang out, just... not as often." The casualness of the statement was a knife twist.

Leo turned away, staring out the window. The sunlight felt harsh, the vibrant green of the park suddenly too cheerful, too mocking. He felt a deep, internal resistance to sharing his friend with anyone, anything, that wasn't him.