Chapter 3: Gender Roles and Chess

Note 1: I do apologize that they come off as childish and immature . Even though I'm an adult I'm kind of childish and immature myself, so It definitely reflects in how I write characters. That being said, I appreciate reviews. I kind of am going for the learning things about each other too.

Note 2: This chapter will have Sweeney learn something about himself and reflect on the gender roles of their time. Lovett will also think about some things as well. And of course, Sweeney taking on Nellie in a contest of brains. It won't happen in this chapter but I think I'll add Anthony and Johanna into the mix too. I also apologize for the lack of accents, I just think if I write them I'll butcher them.

Sweeney woke up in his chair again, having collapsed in it after he dried off and changed into another pair of white overalls he had. His arms and legs felt sore and stiff, and it wasn't from the chair. His legs had the worst of it, they felt like they were on fire when he walked. How did that woman get so strong? He stopped and rubbed his aching thighs. He could always make her cower and obey him when he wanted.

But thanks to her newfound strength, he realized that she might have too much power to control her like that anymore. If he tried to pin her, she could break free and pin him too. He could wrestle her to the floor, she could reverse their positions. He hated to admit it, but Lovett was as strong as he was. Men were supposed to be the dominant one in a relationship right. But Lovett was never a normal woman was she.

She had her own business, came up with the whole pie idea, and now that he thought about it while he was stronger then her in the past she wasn't ever a physically weak woman was she. I remember when I first came in here. She was quite forceful for what he was raised into believing women were to be, pulling me in the shop. I have to admit it was a strong grip. And when she pushed me into the chair, it wasn't gentle, she basically slammed me down, and did not look like it took her much effort. I could have easily stopped her if he wanted, but I guess her arms were already pretty strong.

If I had challenged her to an arm wrestle before he was taken away, I'd wonder who'd win. And well, there's something about her now quite strong body that made me feel differently about her. I definitely need to have a rematch with her some time. Settle who is stronger once and for all. But that is for later. I need to find some way to prove that she is not smarter than me.

So he needed to think of something to pull off a way to have a battle of wits. She must have games that needed thinking and strategy right. He paced around his shop thinking. He did need to open his shop already. He would think about what he needed to do as he worked. He would not let her dominate him.

Nellie Lovett woke up shortly after the barber. Her arms and legs felt like they were on fire. This man's strength was no joke. He was never a wimp or anything like that, but that hard labor made him quite a force to reckon with. I absolutely loved the look on his face as I made him realize my legs were stronger than his though. I am glad I watched him dry off though. He might have been lean but those were some muscles.

Women weren't supposed to be as strong as men according to how they were taught to view them. But she loved that she could match Sweeney in strength. She was never a physically weak woman, but watching Sweeney's biceps bulge as their arms battled was something else. And she liked the fact she could lord the outcome of the tug of war to quiet him if he gets arrogant. She was now quite confident she could feasibly prove herself stronger. But there were other things she knew would happen before they could settle things.

Sweeney was going to try to beat her in wits. She knew she would win this battle. She did have a chess board once he was ready. A battle of strategy was a way to make him see her as his match for sure. For now though she needed to open the emporium. She also felt there were a few confessions she had to make about Lucy and her motivations.

As much as she wanted to hate Sweeney, the fact was she couldn't bring herself to truly hate him. She wanted to apologize about hiding Lucy's fate from him. But she also needed him to apologize for trying to kill her. She sighed as she and Toby began their work. She kept making and serving the pies, and Sweeney kept giving her supplies. "You did good today Toby" she told her adoptive son.

"Thanks mum" he told her. She smiled and patted his head. "I think I'm going to turn in early mum." "Alright son, have a good night." She thought she would go to Sweeney's parlor and bring the chess board with him to challenge him. She knocked on his door and he opened it.

"Mrs Lovett?" 'After our contest of strength last night, I thought he would like to see who is better at strategy." "Let's go down to the table and begin our game," Sweeney said, seeing her chess board. They pulled chairs to the table, sat down, and set up the board. Sweeney chose black, and Nellie chose white. "Are you ready to lose Lovett?" Sweeney challenged.

"Don't get a big head love," Lovett said, smirking. They began to play, jumping each other and taking pieces. She had to admit, she was having more trouble with him then she thought she would. "Getting nervous love?" she asked the barber. "Trying to deflect from your own nervousness?" He sneered at the baker. "It looks like we can't make a move," she said, impressed by Sweeney's strategy.

They set the board up and tried again. "That was luck Mr Todd, I promise you will lose." As they hit another stalemate, she had to admit that his mind was quite strategic when he knew someone was trying to outsmart him. Sweeney glanced at Lovett, and saw her lost in thought about what move to make. He looked down at his side of the board again. I will defeat the baker.

Once more they reached another stalemate. "Two more go's love" Lovett said. They began again, a dance of chess pieces, filled with jumps and piece taking. Smart as he is strong, oh what a man. Brains, brawn, and spirit, this is quite a woman. She was so different from what their society said a woman was.

She was more than a match for any man. Once more they battled to a stalemate. "Last game Mr T, then I need to turn in. He nodded and reset the board. Nellie couldn't help but notice that Sweeney didn't look frustrated, but contemplative. More jumping and piece taking began.

She stuck her tongue outside the left edge of her mouth. I really can't out think him. I think I underestimated this man. She really is a bloody wonder. I was positive I was her superior, but maybe he was just being misogynistic subconsciously. After five solid minutes of planning and thinking, the last game ended in another stalemate.

She stared at the pieces dumbfounded, which made Sweeney smirk. "We'll played Mr T, well played" she said, impressed. "I think I will turn in Lovett." I think I will as well, Mr Todd. As Mrs Lovett changed into her nightgown and went to bed, she rethought some things about Mr Todd. He really was quite the man. As Sweeney laid down on his bed, he thought about her as well.

Maybe we underestimate what women can do. He honestly didn't care about dominance as much anymore. He still thought about settling their contest of brains and brawn, only because he was curious about who would win. He still felt he had a right to be angry about Lucy. He began to believe he was hasty in trying to kill her. These thoughts made it hard to sleep.

Note: Next chapter will explain some things about my AU, and their contests will be discovered. And they will get people to choose sides lol. Sweeney and Nellie will also have a confrontation I think needs to happen to lead to Sweetnet. I am nervous about how my interpretation of Lovett's motivations will go down. But I like her as a character just fine. I hope there will be no bad blood. I also thought they would be sore after there strength contests