Gemotions

He had the audacity to laugh. Finn’s laugh, usually a source of comfort, sounded brittle, almost mocking in the cavernous apartment. This was the place they’d shared pizza and bad movie marathons in, and now… now it was going to be empty. Cold. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture clumsy and unfamiliar. He had the sensation of sand between his fingers, grains of something precious and irretrievable slipping away.

"It's a great opportunity," Ben said, his voice softer now. "A fresh start."

Finn didn't want a fresh start. He wanted *this*. He wanted the comfortable silence, the shared jokes, the unspoken understanding. He needed it. He felt the sting of tears. He fought them back.

"Yeah," he finally said, his throat tight, "Great." He turned away, staring out the rain-streaked window. The city lights blurred, mirroring the internal fog that had enveloped him.