"It is."
Pine's hands work across her shoulders, finding the knots from yesterday's stress and today's emotional bullshit. His fingers press into muscle with precision, releasing tension Sharon's been carrying.
"You know what we haven't done in a while?" Pine asks, his dark eyes meeting mine over Sharon's prone form.
"What?" Sharon asks, turning her head to look at him.
"Chess," Pine says.
Sharon's expression shifts to competitive.
"That board is perfect," she says, sitting up. "Just because you can't handle a three-dimensional chess set doesn't mean it's too complicated."
"I can handle it fine," Pine says. "I just think it's overkill for casual games."
"Then you should have no problem beating me," Sharon challenges.
"I never beat you," Pine says. "You're annoyingly good at chess."
"Do you want me to let you win this time?" Sharon asks, half joking.
"What fun would that be?" Pine responds, already standing to get the chess set.
The three-dimensional chess set is objectively ridiculous. Three transparent boards stacked vertically with pieces that move between levels. It's complicated and confusing and Sharon absolutely dominates at it.
Pine sets it up on the coffee table. Sharon settles cross-legged on the floor on one side, Pine mirrors her on the other. I take the armchair where I can watch both of them. Cassian settles on the couch behind Sharon with fresh coffee for everyone.
"White or black?" Pine asks.
"White," Sharon says. "I like going first."
They play in comfortable silence with occasional commentary. Sharon moves a knight between levels and Pine groans. Pine captures one of Sharon's pawns and she makes a sound that suggests he just walked into a trap.
Watching them is like watching a conversation without words. They know each other's strategies. They anticipate moves. They challenge each other without it becoming hostile.
"You're thinking too hard," Sharon says when Pine takes longer than usual.
"I'm thinking exactly the right amount," Pine says. "You've set up something and I'm trying to figure out what before I walk into it."
"Maybe I haven't set up anything," Sharon suggests innocently.
"You've definitely set up something," Pine says, but he makes his move anyway.
Three moves later, Sharon has him in checkmate.
"How do you do that?" Pine asks, studying the board like it personally offended him.
"I'm just better at chess than you," Sharon says, grinning. "It's not personal."
"It feels personal," Pine mutters, but he's smiling.
They reset and play again. This game takes longer. Pine's more cautious, thinking through every move. Sharon's patient, letting him take his time, sipping her coffee and watching him with affection.
This game ends in a stalemate, which Pine treats like a victory.
"I didn't lose," he announces.
"You didn't win either," Sharon points out.
