#(anger)

Ways to Show a Character is Angry but Trying Not to Show It

✮ ⋆ ˚｡ Their jaw flexes while their smile stays plastered on.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡ Responses get shorter, clipped: "Fine." "Sure." "Whatever."

✮ ⋆ ˚｡ They stop blinking as often, eyes fixed a little too long.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡ Their body gets still, unnaturally still, like every muscle is on lock.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡ They press their tongue to their teeth before answering.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡ They set things down a little too hard, the glass, the pen, the keys. Not enough to break, just enough to say something.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡ They keep asking, "Why would you say that?" but never raise their voice.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡ Their politeness sharpens into something cutting, brittle.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡ They laugh, but it's one note too sharp, too short.

Are you becoming what you've always hated?