Gemotions

The words echoed in Daniel’s mind: "I'm leaving. Oregon." He didn’t meet Ben’s eyes. A strange sense of liberation spread through him, a sensation akin to watching the sun burst through the clouds after a long, rainy spell. He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that used to be born of anxiety, and now felt… natural.

The relentless demands on his time, the constant need to make compromises, the feeling of always being accountable, were over. He visualized his calendar, finally open, free to pursue his own passions. He took a slow, deep breath, and it felt like the air itself had become easier to breathe.

He managed a weak, "That's… that's great for you, man." The words felt hollow, but the sensation of freedom wasn’t.