Work Text:
Benny has always played chess alone.
Of course, he plays against opponents. But he’s just as content to play alone. Just sixty-four squares and thirty-two pieces and him. It’s a sure bet, something with no irregularities or questions he can’t conquer.
But then Beth Harmon comes along. Suddenly, he’s not sure of his next move or whether he’s following the right line.
And then she calls him from an airport saying I need to be alone, and he hates that he can’t figure out why it feels like she’s taken a sledgehammer to his board–why it feels so wrong.