Checkmate
Let's get one thing straight.
Life isn't a collection of sweet moments with perfect edges and smooth coatings. It isn't neatly packed in front of you with a legend to tell you which one you're going to get.
Life is hard, it's strategic. Good decisions, bad decisions. Sometimes, you may even feel like you're winning, but things can change with one move. In fact, if you don't play ten moves ahead, you often lose your way... or you die.
A healthy perspective, probably not, but when you've lost enough games, it's what you know. So contrary to popular belief, life isn't like a box of chocolates, not even close.
Even without the legend, it's a stationary, unmoving box. Chocolate may lead to an experience, or an opportunity to try something new, but if that's excitement in your life... you need to get out more.
So what is life like?
It consists of multiple events, games if you will, and a single game is never won easily. Not even something that should be simple, as even with the ground rules, it comes back to the same game. And even when the pieces aren't moving, minds are actively trying to master their opponent. Moves on a board, two players, piece by piece, things change, all for the elusive victory that neither had seen in awhile.
So it was only fitting that an organization called Checkmate appeared on their radar.
However, this particular game started long before. You got off to a hot start, getting everything you needed and more. But somewhere behind the scenes, you miss something. You've noticed the touches, the glances, all of it, but something changes.
You change.
It may have started with matching robes and a spoon, but for all you know, it may have started before that with a bow and arrow or an offer to buy dinner. It doesn't matter, as what matters is the fact that the game changes.
You let him take a few pieces; overlook the move that could devastate him. It doesn't take long for him to notice, so he walks away from the table, tired of playing games. He knows what he wants; he always knew that you knew too. As he pulls you close, you know there's no turning back. But you ignore that little voice and finally give in.
The next morning, you wake up and wonder what would have happened if you kept playing. Feeling his arm around your waist, you know that you're not going anywhere and that's when you notice the faint shape of a white chess piece on his dresser.
Nicely played.
It feels like ages ago when he placed it on the table, but it tells you everything that you need to know. You won that round, so it was only fair that you had no shot this time around. You could have fought it, ran away, broke it off, but it wouldn't take long to find yourself back here. With him.
So you turn to face him, just in time to see him open his eyes. After pleasantries are exchanged, he kisses you lightly, lovingly and you realize that this time... you don't mind losing.
~End~