Chapter Text
TWITCH now
GM_Bearman is Streaming: Chess
Ollie leans back in his chair, stretching his arms after finishing his last round in the online tournament.
He turns his attention to the chat, which is filled with messages of congratulations and questions about his next steps.
“Alright, chat,” Ollie says, adjusting his headset. “Since I’m done, let’s talk. What’s up?”
callSAMMY: Are you playing the Olympiad?
mohiscool: Any special plans for the championship win?
chessonearth: When’s your next OTB tournament?[1]
Ollie laughs, shaking his head. “Give me a second to process winning a world title before I start thinking about the next thing, okay?” He takes a sip of water and glances at the tournament board. “Let’s see who’s still playing—”
He frowns. Only two players remained.
“Damn, they’re still going? Must be a long one.” He gets from his chair. “Alright, I’m getting food. Be back in a sec.”
Leaving the stream running, he goes to the kitchen, grabbing a snack before heading back. But when he returns and glances at the screen again, the game was still ongoing.
“Wait, who’s even left?”
He clicks on the match, expecting to see some random grandmasters battling it out. Instead, two familiar usernames appear on the screen.
MaxVer vs. CMPLec
Ollie freezes.
"Wait….”
His chat explodes.
"….What?"
mrdandy_heehee: NO WAY
Knightly+pawn: OLLIE, DO YOU SEE THIS?!.
Owokeuger: MAX AND CHARLES ARE PLAYING EACH OTHER WTF
Ollie’s mouth opens, then closes. His brain struggles to process what he is seeing for a moment.
“Hold on. Hold on.” He rubs his eyes as if he has misread the names. But no, it is still there.
“Dad and Papa are playing each other? In a live tournament?”
More chaos ensues in chat.
knightlyDrama: YES. WE’RE ALL SEEING IT TOO
BellaisDead: THEY HAVEN’T PLAYED EACH OTHER ONLINE IN YEARS??
lvl-1-rovk: aren’t they blocked everywhere?
And then it hits him. Truly, hits him.
"…Holy shit.”
For years, his parents had each other blocked on every possible platform. Chess websites included. That started to change only a week ago. But still, they haven't played each other in online tournament since the divorce. Not once.
Until now.
His eyes darts back to the board. The game just ended. Max won. But Charles lasted 73 moves, an uncharacteristically long battle for a rapid match.
“Did they—did they unblock each other?” Ollie blurts out, still stunned. “I—Chat, are you seeing this? This has to mean something.”
Owokeuger: Ollie, they’re so back.
meddyweddy: IS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR EXES
chessonearth: They played 73 moves. What were they even doing? Staring at each other through the screen??
Ollie lets out a breathless laugh, running a hand through his hair. “There’s no way this is just coincidence. No way.”
Is this it? The first step?
Is he finally getting his parents back together?
His chat certainly thinks so. And, deep down, he hopes they are right.
[Family Chat #6]
17 November
18:36
Ollie, Max, Charles, Vic & Enzo are online
{New messages}
Ollie: So…great game today, huh? 👀
Max: You want something, don't you?
Charles: Yes, Ollie. What do you want?
Ollie: Oh nothing.
just wondering if you're going to unblock each other irl.
Asking for a friend.
(There's a pause before the replies come in)
Charles: It’s time to let go of the past.
Max: Agreed.
Ollie: Wait, wait.
Does this mean what I think it means? 👀
Max: No.
Charles: Definitely not.
Ollie: Okay, cool.
But you’ll tell me when you get back together, right?
(There’s a long silence. Then:)
Max: WHEN?
Charles: WHEN??
Ollie: LOL, got it.
Thanks for clearing that up. Later! 🤭
Today
{Victoria Verstappen & Lorenzo Leclerc}
Sent Message: Did Ollie just say 'when' like it's inevitable?
Received Message: Oh he absolutely did. The confidence of that kid…
Sent Message: It's kind of hilarious.
Received Message: Or terrifying. What if he's onto something?
Sent Message: Bet on how long it lasts?
Received Message: Six months top and your brother cracks first
Sent Message: Three. Charles cracks first.
Received Message: You're on.