[Verse 1] Coffee ring on the scoresheet Clock ticks like a nervous tooth You tap the table with that old pen Say "Ready for the truth?" Loose pieces from some past game Rattle in a paper bag You slide a pawn like it's nothing But I already feel the drag [Chorus] Start of a long chess night Black and white spread out between us Every tiny move Another breath we hide Start of a long chess night Trading queens and quiet grudges Taking back a look we swore we'd sacrifice [Verse 2] You castle long Like you’re digging in I pretend I didn’t see Your knee keeps brushing the table leg Like you’re sending code to me We joke about that blunder From the winter tournament But both of us remember Everything the joke forgets [Chorus] Start of a long chess night Black and white spread out between us Every tiny move Another breath we hide Start of a long chess night Trading queens and quiet grudges Taking back a look we swore we'd sacrifice [Bridge] You offer me a draw Half-smile Half-defense (oh) I stare at the board Then at you What do I want to protect? We shake hands like it’s over But no one’s really won We’re packing up the pieces Still thinking three moves on [Chorus] Start of a long chess night Black and white spread out between us Every tiny move Another breath we hide Start of a long chess night Leaving with our careful faces Carrying the game back home inside [Outro] Coffee ring on the scoresheet You fold it Tuck it out of sight Outside it’s almost morning In here it’s still last night
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