Gemotions

He sat on the porch swing, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the yard. The scent of honeysuckle was thick in the air, a fragrance that usually soothed Leo. Now, it just felt… intense. David was inside, allegedly cooking dinner.

Leo closed his eyes, recalling a conversation from weeks prior. They'd been discussing their future, their potential next steps. David hadn't mentioned wanting to learn Italian, the language of Leo's family. He had expressed contentment.

The click of the screen door startled him. There was David, holding a plate of pasta. "Ciao, amore," he said, his voice hesitant. The Italian was stilted, but undeniably there. Leo looked at the food, then at David. The smile was strained.