Of Knights and Aliens

Chapter 50

By the time their food gets to their table, it's a bit less awkward because Winn is a little more relaxed. But only because Alex and Lena prompted him to go off on a nerdy tangent, arguing with them that having super strength would be way better than having heat vision. Complete with scientific details.

He's so focused on proving them wrong that he actually forgets for a second that he's sitting next to his crush. And the others can tell when he remembers, because his eyes get comically wide and he stutters over his words.

"You know, there's only one way of settling this." Alex says, saving Winn from stumbling through another sentence. "Pool."

"Oh Rao, no. Alex!" Kara groans. "You already know that you're good, and I don't know about Lena, but remember what happened last time Winn played pool?"

Alex snorts. "Hell yeah I do. That hole in the wall is still there."

"Then Maggie can play for me!" Winn suggests.

"Winn, I already know I can't beat Alex. And Lena over there's some child prodigy, I can't beat these nerds."

"But you won't put a hole in the wall." Alex chimes in, earning an exasperated look from Winn.

"True," Maggie concedes. "How did that even happen?"

"I um. I hit the ball with the cue stick and it went flying." Winn says shyly.

"The second time he tried to shoot he nearly hit me in the face with the cue ball." Alex adds.

"Almost." Winn points out.

"Only because Kara has superhuman reflexes." Alex says, pointing her finger at him.

"Babe." Maggie puts her hand on top of Alex's, lowering them to the table. "How about we all just play pool instead of bickering? Minus Winn, of course."

"Don't worry, Winn. I'll stay with you." Lyra says, a gleam in her eyes.

Winn gives Alex a pleading look, terrified about what might happen. Alex grins at him and subtly gives him thumbs up before she, Maggie, Kara, and Lena get up. Lena smirks at him as they head to the nearby pool table and Winn squeaks quietly in protest, suddenly finding himself away from his family and with his crush. He feels like a gazelle, watched by a gorgeous lioness that can't decide whether to eat him or make him hers.

"Do you think he'll ask her out finally?" Kara asks excitedly. "They would be so great together!"

"I think it's more likely that Lyra will ask Winn out." Alex says. "Winn isn't exactly known for his way with people he likes, though somehow he's managed to charm Lyra."

"It must run in the family." Lena teases, earning a protesting "hey!" from both Danvers sisters and a high five from Maggie.

"Have you ever played?" Alex asks Lena as Maggie begins setting up the table.

"No. But it's math and physics, so it can't be too hard." Lena shrugs.

Alex grins at her response, which was almost exactly what she said the first time she played pool. So this should be fun.

"How about we do teams?" Kara suggests. "I'll be with Lena, you be with Maggie."

Alex grins and nods. "May the best couple win. You guys are going down."

Lena raises an eyebrow at Alex's choice of words but shrugs it off.

Maggie takes her pool stick and gestures for someone else to go first, which ends up being Kara when both her sister and her girlfriend insist. She mutters under her breath, too softly for Lena to hear what she's saying.