Gemotions

The snow fell softly outside, blanketing the city in a hush. Inside the cozy apartment, Leo found his partner, Michael, speaking to a friend, speaking to them in German. Leo knew Michael was of German descent, but had never heard him speak the language fluently. He felt a sharp pang of… something. He didn’t want to examine it.

He sat down on the sofa, picking up the remote. He flipped through the channels, but nothing caught his eye. He felt a strange, restless energy coursing through him.

Michael came into the living room, smiling. “Hey,” he said. “Sorry, was that too loud?”

Leo grunted, changing the channel again. He felt a sharp desire to contradict. “No,” he muttered, his eyes fixed on the television.