With the champagne in one hand, Mitch let people cheer for him as he finally got rewarded for his hard work and the office was full of applause.

A wide grin was plastered all over his face and a pleasant buzz had settled itself in the back of his head, but he didn't mind. Mitch was happy and everybody else was happy for Mitch, just like they should be.

The evening continued with cheaper drinks and louder music and although he wanted to party, Mitch soon felt the pleasant buzz from the champagne turn into something more distracting thanks to whatever drink he was currently holding in his hands.

But he didn't let people see that and was instead all smiles and teeth whenever someone wanted to speak to him, which somehow also stayed like that when Avi approached him.

"Congratulations, Mitch," the man shouted, clearly filled with liquid courage as well as a lot of alcohol and a drink similar to Mitch's.

That thought had Mitch giggle as he realized how unfocused and queer he was. He giggled again before he happily waved Avi off.

"Thank you, thank you. Momma deserved that one," he laughed and although Avi still hadn't managed to ask him out like a normal person, Mitch liked him, which ultimately was the reason Mitch already had decided to say no again.

Couldn't have him getting advantage taken of, could he?

"I suppose I should head back home and get out of this," Mitch tried and pointed to his skintight outfit that had cost more money than he actually had before Avi could even open his mouth again. "I will probably need all my soberness to get out of that thing."

"Do you need help? I could help you, I wouldn't mind," Avi gasped and his entire face lightened up so brightly that Mitch was giggling again.

"No, I can manage that on my own," Mitch explained as calmly as his addled mind let him and then he continue with a smile. "I mean, I got into it myself, didn't I?"

"You did," Avi exclaimed maybe a bit louder than necessary. "And you look beautiful in it!"

"You're so sweet."

"If you don't have something planned next weekend, maybe we could - "

"Not this time, Big Daddy," Mitch interrupted him as he lifted his hand and the pet name slipped out of his mouth by accident.

"Maybe next time," Avi didn't seem as defeated as he usually did and Mitch was sure there would be a next time and a time after that.

With another smile, Mitch waved the other man goodbye and turned around on his heel just to stumble back to his office where he kept his notepad.

Just as he made a new tally Kirstie entered the room, he knew it was Kirstie, he could hear the difference between her shoes and other people's shoes because Kirstie's shoes were perfect.

"Try number two hundred and fifty-four," he whispered and was almost sad he didn't even need to count anymore.

Maybe next time, he told himself and ignored that the alcohol was speaking rather than he himself.

°^°

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