Gemotions

The silence in the apartment was almost a relief, though it was quickly broken by the nervous shifting of Leo, seated across from him. He couldn't deal with this. The idea of a pet anything was, to be frank, absurd. He was tired, and the thought of dealing with an animal's needs felt overwhelming.

He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the strands catch against his palm. "We've been through this, Leo," he said, his voice deliberately low and even. "I'm just not interested." The words felt inadequate, hollow, failing to convey the full extent of his disinterest. He could feel the pulse in his jaw.