A choice (Patreon)

Your partner gives you a choice between a pocket watch, and a crystal. All you have to do is choose.

* * *

“You just have to make a choice, sweetie. I know that you sometimes struggle with decision paralysis, but you can choose between these two, right?” Your partner held up a pocket watch, and a crystal pendant, letting each hang down, reflecting the light.

You opened your mouth, looking at the crystal, but they cut across you before you could speak. “Ah ah ah, don’t make your decision too quickly, toy.” They began to make each object twist slightly, rotating in the air. “Make sure you weigh up your decision properly.”

You looked at the pocket watch, the silver case catching the light. Then back to the crystal, seeing the refractions of the same light on the wall behind it. “Let your gaze drift between them. Back and forth. Just quieten your mind. You don’t need to decide immediately.”

Their words were clouding your mind. You could already feel how your thoughts were slowing down, as you looked back and forth. Crystal, to pocket watch, to crystal, to pocket watch, over and over again. You had been so set on choosing the crystal.

But now the pocket watch was calling to you. Or, was it? The crystal was so pretty. Casting that soft glitter behind it. It was so easy to watch. But then the pocket watch was so eye catching, the light reflecting off the case was so attention grabbing. Hard to look away from.

And as you kept looking between the two, your partner continued to speak. But it didn’t really matter. Your thoughts were too occupied. Too focussed on the decision you had to make. Crystal, or Pocket watch? It was so hard to make the decision. So hard to think.

Your eyes felt so heavy from looking back and forth. Your mind was moving so slowly. They were both so pretty. So easy to look at. But you had to decide. You had to choose. You were confused. Sinking deeper into this open, confusing state. Unsure. Uncertain. Sinking.