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// TMP Prompt #99: Ninety-Nine Times [Sad][Slice-of-Life] 
// Story: Tales of Little Consequence and Other Such Nonsense 
// by littlerobotbird 
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The Prompt: Ninety-nine times I didn’t tell you that I loved you … and one time that I did.

How many times have I looked away? Looked down? Looked right? Looked left? Looked anywhere I could but at you, my cheeks burning with embarrassment?

Too many times…

How many times have I avoided your eyes when you looked at me from across the room… expecting something that it seemed I couldn’t, wouldn’t give to you? Something you gave freely, but I withheld?

Too many times…

How many times did you smile anyways? How many times did you smile happily at me? How many times did you forgive me?

Too many times…

How many times did I forgive myself? Forgive myself for rationalizing my avoidance? This gap between us two? This wall of unlove? Of quiet loathing?

Too many times…

Ninety-nine times I looked away. Ninety-nine times I didn’t say what I knew deep down out of fear, out of cowardice.

Ninety-nine times led to this all too short, insufficient apology to the most important mare, most important pony I’ll ever know.

Ninety-nine times I was sorry, but this one time I don’t have to be…

Mom… I love you.

[Original]
[Haphazard Expansion]