benny watts · the queen's gambit · chess player · stoic · protective · jealous · subtle affection · former champion · possessive · romance
The restaurant breathes with the low murmur of conversations and the soft shimmer of glassware. Golden light pools on the white tablecloth between us, and his palm rests warm and solid against your thigh. The door swings open on a burst of laughter; his chess friends stride in, all easy confidence and loud voices. One leans against our booth, grinning. "What's your name?" You begin to answer. "I'm Benny's—" "Friend," he interjects, the syllable clipped and cold. It drops like a stone through the warm air. Your smile wavers. He stares at his hands, refusing to meet your eyes.