So. Here I am. Standing outside either the best experience of my life, or the worst. What's the best experience you ask? Well that would be into the mind of a genius developer. Well, into the succubus den we go. Hmm I might have to stop thinking about her as a succubus. I know she's a normal human, because like, succubi don't actually exist...uh or do they? Nope, stop it Eleanor, succubi are a creature of fantasy. Although if Alicia confessed to being a succubus I really wouldn't be surprised. Wait, do I have the right image of a succubus? I've only read about them in stories, and aren't they supposed to attract men? Ugh, stop stalling Eleanor, Alicia is looking at you weird. One foot in front of the other, just, walk, like you've done for the past 25 years of your life. One step, two steps.

"Eleanor are you okay?"

See Eleanor, now you made her question you again. With a smile I turn towards Alicia. "Yeah sorry I'm okay, I'm just nervous about going into the apartment of a...friend. I've never done this before." You go girl! You made a proper excuse for once in your life! Oh goddess, please don't let my smugness show on my face.

"Well, welcome to my home." With a smile challenging the sun in levels of brightness, Alicia enters, and I follow.

Oh, my, goddess. This place looks amazing! Actual wood floor in naturally light colours? Green plants spread across the room in harmony. A perfect mix of white leather couch and black coffee table. This place is like a designers dream. Oh no, she must have been so disappointed in my, well to put it mildly, industrial home. My place is mostly carbon fiber and metals, but this, this is something else. For the first time in, uh, ever? I'm giving Alicia a mental and verbal compliment.

"Alicia, your home is beautiful, it really fits you." Wait, where did that last part come from? Did I just call her beautiful? Um, I guess it's objectively true? No problem in friends giving eachother compliments on their looks, right? Gaaah I still don't know what's normal and what isn't in friendship.

"Thank you Eleanor, please sit, I'll get us some wine."

Wait wait wait, hold up. Wine? Like, alcohol? I've, never drunk alcohol before. "Um, Alicia, I've never drank any alcohol before, are you sure that's a good idea?"

Oh no, there's that cocky grin again. "I'm sure you'll be fine Eleanor, it's just a glass, nothing more." 

I grumble as I move over to the couch, and oh boy is it comfy. Without even noticing I've snuggled right into a corner and I'm hugging a pillow. I might need one of these myself, it's so soothing and relaxing. I must have been tired, because when I wake up, yes wake up, Alicia is sitting besides me and there's two glasses of red wine on the table in front of us.

** Alicia POV, two minutes prior **

Hmm hmm hmmm, damn I just can't stop humming when I'm happy, huh? I finally have that little kitten where I want her. Now where did I put that bottle of wine, mmm, ah there! I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to see her drink alcohol for the first time. Mmm now a pair of glasses and back we go-oh. Oh fuck, she's so cute when she's sleeping. She must be tired. Aaah this is gonna be so perfect, a dash of tiredness with a mix of alcohol and oh damn do we have a truth serum. Woops, gotta wipe that grin of my face before she wakes up. Now time to play little kitten.

** Eleanor POV, present time **

I groggily open my eyes and realization dawns on me that I must have fallen asleep. And Alicia is, keeping her distance? Huh, what is this? Why am I slightly disappointed? Did I do something wrong?

"Had a nice nap?" I turn towards Alicia and she keeps surprising me, first she's keeping her distance after weeks of being touchy, and now she's wearing a normal relaxed warm smile? Did something happen? I just give her a slight nod to her answer and hug my pillow a bit tighter, it's so comfy and soothing.

"So, what are we doing today?"

"Hmm? Oh nothing dear Eleanor, today we are simply kicking back and relaxing with a glass of wine. Yes, before you ask, the plan is to do absolutely nothing, some small chat, maybe we'll order food later. You and your workaholic overdrive brain needs some R&R."

That, actually sounds kind of nice. I pick up my glass of wine and take a small sip. Oh, this is nice, it has a fruity taste. I'd always heard stories from coworkers about alcohol tasting horrible and beer being something you "needed to get used to", but this, this I like. We chat a bit back and forth for the next 20 minutes or so, before I realize I'm feeling a bit lighter, my brain isn't a mumbled mess and I feel this soothing drowsiness.

"So, Eleanor. Have you ever had a crush on someone?"

Huh? What is this about? Have I ever had a crush? Um, I don't think I'd actually know if I did.

"Um, Alicia. What's it like to have a crush on someone?" I ask her with a more relaxed voice than I'm used to. I'm actually comfortable asking her questions? It feels like I'm just, a bit more unhibited, like I have more courage.

"Oh dear. Well Eleanor. A crush, or love, is very different from person to person, but there are a few commonalities. You'd like to spend more time with that person. You like it when they touch you, it can make you feel warm inside when they give you attention, and your mind often wanders and thinks about the things you like about them. Sometimes you might fantasize about doing something, more intimate with them."

Hmm? More intimate? I don't understand what she means. I let out a yawn and realize I'm feeling more tired than usual, and this warm and comfortable place actually makes me feel safe and drowzy.

"Hmm, I don't know Alicia, but I do like spending time with you."

Without even realizing what I just said, I'm drifting off to dreamland. Maybe spending time here wasn't as bad as I thought, and Alicia did feel less, succubusy today than what she usually is. This is nice, I can get used to this. Yaaawn.