If in the future you tell me this is love, I will not disappoint you

by Lanie McCoy

That old song prompt: Put on your music program on shuffle/random and start playing songs; for each song, write something inspired by the song, and stop writing as soon as the song ends. I picked Yuugi/Yami as my inspiration. No one is surprised.

1. Sympathy for the Martyr

"You can't take anything back."

Maybe it's a cruel thing to say, but the beginning must be harsh. A forced start.

"You did some terrible things. You were in a terrible position. You always had to be proving yourself to everyone, all the time."

They both know where this is going. Nowhere new.

"But you don't have to define yourself by those things. You don't have to be that person anymore, you don't have to defend him. You don't have to stand by yourself, and you'll be stronger if you accept the help that your…that I'm trying to give you."

A little bit spiteful, a little bit desperate.

"Please."

For a long time, nothing happens.

Then, just before he gives up, just before today becomes another day like all the others, one of the doors opens. Then another. Three more.

Then it stops.

It's something.