Gemotions

The sunlight streaming through the blinds seemed to mock him. James stared at the dust motes dancing in the air, oblivious to their intricate ballet. He’d just finished clearing the breakfast dishes, a task usually reserved for his partner, David. David was still in the bedroom, ostensibly on a work call. The walls seemed to vibrate with a tension he couldn't name.

He’d overheard snippets of the conversation yesterday, just enough to make his blood run cold. Laughter. Affectionate nicknames. A clandestine rendezvous suggested in a low, husky voice.

His appetite had vanished. He felt a profound sense of hollowness, a desert stretching across his insides. He started to pace the living room, a restless energy building within him. Every time David moved around the bedroom, the noises felt like a personal insult.