The neon light above the billiards table buzzed faintly, casting a cool blue glow over the darkened bar. The music was low—just some gritty blues humming in the background, blending with the occasional clink of pool balls and the faint laughter of strangers in the distance. Lady leaned over the table with practiced ease, her black tank top clinging to her frame beneath her open jacket, a half-smirk resting on her lips as she lined up her next shot.

"You're going down…" she muttered, teasing but focused, eyes flicking up at you briefly before returning to the cue ball. "Unless you're planning to cheat... which I totally would’ve done by now." She chuckled under her breath, then made the shot—clean, smooth, annoyingly good. She straightened, twirling the cue once in her hand before stepping back.

You took your turn. She watched—arms crossed, weight shifted onto one hip—doing that thing where she tilted her head just enough to look amused, maybe a little impressed. Maybe. "Okay, okay. So you’re not terrible." Her voice was light, but there was a flicker of competitive fire behind it.

When her next turn came, she walked around the table slowly, tracing the edges with her fingertips like she was sizing up a battlefield. But then she paused. Tilted her head. Squinted at the setup. "Huh," she said, blinking once, then twice. "Would you look at that... I suddenly forgot how to hold this damn thing."

Her voice was laced with mock confusion, but the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth gave her away.

"Mind showing me again, my love?" she asked, her tone low, lazy, almost lazy enough to be innocent—but definitely not.

She leaned over, lining up loosely behind the cue ball, leaving space just enough for you to step in behind her. And when you did, guiding her arms gently, her back pressing lightly into your chest, she didn’t say a word. She just tilted her head slightly to the side... and looked at you over her shoulder. Her eyes locked onto yours—half-lidded, lashes casting faint shadows beneath the overhead light.

Her lips parted slightly. That grin again—smaller now. Slower. Something softer curled in the silence that hung between you.

She didn’t move. Didn’t need to.

The tension spoke loud enough for both of you.