“I- That’s illegal!”

    “Illegal? It’s tic-tac-toe hun,” amusement huffed from Leslie’s lips for the umpteenth time of the night.

    “Well- You- You keep using the same tactic!” Eleanor frowned in irritated enjoyment.

    “Then change yours,” Leslie taunted, and Eleanor furrowed her brows before looking down at the back of Leslie’s hand which housed their latest match. 

    Eleanor folded her own beneath her chin in heavy consideration of what she could possibly do to win, but alas, there was no hope yet again, and a groan left Eleanor. The night was threatening to become morning, and countless napkins covered the bar in front of them from their games along with a few torn up ones from before the bartender cut them off from wasting his napkins. More tic-tac-toe boards crawled up Eleanor’s arms as well as Leslie’s, and Eleanor accepted her defeat, playing her turn on Leslie’s hand before Leslie claimed her win.

    “That makes it my turn to choose the board’s location,” Leslie announced, and Eleanor rolled her eyes, but her excitement warmed her cheeks as Leslie’s eyes slowly moved over her in admiring contemplation. “Hmmm…”

    “Mmhmm…” Eleanor hummed back with a faint smirk finding Leslie at Eleanor blush that grew as she fully faced Eleanor.

    “How about right here?” Leslie questioned with her consistent calm as her touch graced the top of Eleanor’s thigh, earning a surprised gasp. “Too much?” she nearly challenged, but she waited for Eleanor’s assurance with her hand lightly resting.

    “N-No, that’s cool. That’s good. It works,” Eleanor gulped with her cheeks searing with a blush. “Just go ahead and do me- THE BOARD! Do the b-”

    “I will,” Leslie cut her off with a taunting promise, and Eleanor trembled slightly in excitement as Leslie slowly drew the board, pushing her skirt up ever so slightly in a teasing test.

    “Mm,” Eleanor squirmed slightly, and as Leslie’s eyes met hers she jumped slightly. “I mean! You’re doing good. So good. Perfect.. Eh-hm.”

    “I could say the same about you,” Leslie teased before offering Eleanor the pen. “So good that I’ll let you go first again.”

    “Y-Yes ma’am,” Eleanor stuttered, and Leslie looked away, curling her hand against her lips to control herself without Eleanor noticing as the flustered woman tried to remember how to play.

    Each turn fueled the blush that painted Eleanor’s cheeks, and Leslie’s hand gripped her thigh to hold it still while she lowered the pen to place her mark that would determine the game.

    “Ellie!” a voice cut through the air in a drunken announcement, and Eleanor froze while Leslie’s attention flickered to it. “I’m hooooommmmeeee!” Avery added while staggering towards her. “Oh wow… who’s turning the room?”

    “I thought I told you to stop yellin’ when you come in,” the bartender huffed as Avery crashed into Eleanor, making her chirp as he hung on her back.

    “Oh! One alcohol please,” Avery held up a finger before pausing. “Oh wow… someone sucks at tic-tac-toe…” he grumbled while blinking at all the napkins, but after a moment he ruffled Eleanor’s hair.  “Why aren’t cha in bed yet?”

    “I… uh…” Eleanor’s eyes flickered to Leslie to feel her emotions slip away into nothing but an empty calm. “Getting to know… um…” she struggled to remain focused as her own panic started to slither through her stomach, “Leslie.”

    “Leslie?” Avery questioned before his eyes drifted to her. “Well… shit… you gonna step on little Ellie?”

    “Avery!” Eleanor chirped, and Leslie raised an eyebrow with an amused huff, earning Eleanor’s hopeless attention.

    “Whaaaaaat?” Avery snickered. “She’s hot, and totally your type! I mean hell, she’s even taller than Tianna!” he chimed before pausing as mischief lit up his ice-blue gaze. “Are yah gonna make her jelly?!”

    “I- Wha-”

    “We were just talking,” Leslie hummed with amusement lingering on her face but not in her emotions, and Eleanor retreated slightly.

    “No…” Eleanor answered in a small voice as her own emotions started to collapse in on herself, and the light of her eyes started to fade. “She wouldn’t care.” Her words were truer than intended as the vibrancy of the night started to fade away.

    “Hmm…” a disappointed hum and feelings of something uncomfortable brought Eleanor’s attention to Leslie, and as their eyes met there were silent questions standing within them. “That’s a shame,” she commented while picking up one of the napkins with their many games. 

    “What?” Eleanor blinked while Avery glanced between them, and a small laugh left Leslie.

    “Take your time hun.” 

    The whispers of want and fun were back, and the vibrancy of the world started to warm Eleanor again.

    “But El,” Leslie hummed, and Eleanor nearly jumped. 

    “Ye-Yes?” 

    “I’ll finish eventually,” she smirked, and crimson started to rise in Eleanor’s cheeks while Leslie began making her way out of the bar. “See you soon.”

    “I… oh…” Eleanor gulped before her eyes widened, “Wa-wai-”

    “What an edge!” Avery laughed while slapping Eleanor’s back, “You’re sooooo fucked aren’t you?” 

    “I- What?!” Eleanor squeaked at Avery.

    “You’re so fucked by that goliath!” he cackled while hanging on her more, “The bitch was tall as me!”

    “I- Avery!” Eleanor huffed before shoving him off of her, and he fell with a solid thud. “I didn’t get her number or anything!” she barked at him as she stood, but his grip found her ankle when she tried to step away.

    “Eleanor…” Familiar anger flared at the back of her mind, and she froze.

    “H-hey Avery,” she quickly offered her nervous greeting.

    “Help… ugh…” He swallowed with a groan. “How… how much have I… oh no… whoosh…. Heh… hehe…” He rolled on to his back. “El watch this,” he demanded while wiggling his fingers and errant sparks started to flicker.

    “No, no, no!” Eleanor quickly grabbed his hands. “No drunk casting,” she quickly declared before helping him to his feet. “Let’s… just get you to bed…”

    “Fine…” he huffed as she pulled his arm around her neck. “...Thanks.”

    “Yeah…” Eleanor glanced back to the door with disappointment weighing on her heart. “Come on.”

    “Man… tomorrow is gonna suck… This hangover is gonna make me so carsick.”