Checkmate // Beth Harmon x Benny Watts

"That was years ago!" Beth shook her head angrily, glaring at him across the hotel room. "You don't get to use this against me anymore. I've gotten better- I'm better on my own"

Benny scoffed, "Clearly" he said with a sarcastic tone. He stared over at her, refusing to let himself break. There was press outside, and he didn't want to storm out of here and cause a scene.

Beth didn't respond, the two locking their fiery eyes between each other. No one said anything. There was nothing to say. After these years, they've been rivals. They hadn't gotten involved with each other again. Why did that have to change?

"What's so wrong with me caring?" He asked

"Didn't think we needed that anymore"

"Me neither, but here we are" He said and opened his arms as if to show the situation physically

Beth put her hand to her mouth, biting her nails and keeping eye contact with him. "Here we are" she said and dropped her arms to her side.

Taking place 5 years after Beth became a World Champion, she still occupies herself with chess tournaments within the states. Her only worthwhile competitor is the pirate himself, Benny Watts. They haven't spoken since Moscow, but their rivalry hasn't allowed the once relationship to entirely fade away. The media covers every story, every game, every tournament; who will be the King or Queen of chess?