Got That Love

What's that supposed to mean?

It means I'm pretty sure he'd love every second of it.

Austin, I'm pretty sure if I did that, Conner would actually die.

Mm, you'd be surprised.

What do I even do? Just, like... go on my tip toes and kiss him?

That does actually sound pretty adorable. [Austin admitted.]

I mean, yeah. I'm not agreeing with her.--Especially right now when I don't even know if temps fall under her rule or not--I'm just telling you what she always says. I'm her baby and her roomie. I've heard her tell the war stories like a billion times.

I don't doubt it. Blanket rules for every situation and person just don't always work out.

It's more than just troubles though. It was way before my time, but I guess people fucking each other around here basically made Yellow implode. It's why we have the whole 'family' structure thing in the first place. Like... most of the queens went scorched earth and quit and Lem built this from the ashes with rules and trainings and, like... actual stuff so people can learn and grow as performers.

Well, sure if they're all just fuck buddying that's going to create a mess. But you also can't control how people feel. That's impossible, trust me.

Lem just needs to let everyone date each other. Like, I've heard the stories and I totally get why she doesn't want us to, but... most of us work here 7 days a week. And a lot of our regulars are good tippers but probably terrible boyfriends. Where else are we supposed to find people besides other staff? ...And temps, [Annie added mostly under her breath.]

[Austin smiled and let out a little hum of a laugh.] Atlas had that rule at The Flame. And then Nova and Mason came to us with their little sad. lovesick eyes and it didn't last long. I do recognize the troubles it can cause. It's a hard balance to find.

...Good point. If Del knows, hopefully that means Lem'll come around soon, too. The only thing I'm more tired of than Del and Lem making puppy dog eyes at each other is Honeyy doing it to Char.

That is a little more complicated, but I just hope they can all work it out... peacefully. And yes, they are just as bad. So many lovesick puppies around here.

...Wait. Del knows? [Annie asked quickly.]

Again, I'm guessing. Otherwise, what the hell is she singing about? No one's told me officially though.

[Annie smiled to herself as she considered Austin's question.] Calm down, Uncle Austin. I just brought him back here to goss about Mom and Dad without anything getting back to the Russian.

Oh. Well, he might as well know, everyone else besides them already does. Or... maybe everyone else besides Lemon now. I'm guessing? I need to get Luke or Mason in for a rundown.

I mean, not the shoulder specifically... Mostly, he was worried you'd tell Lem he came back here.

Why did you need Robbie back here? Were you alright? [Austin asked, suddenly concerned.

I didn't say I didn't like him! I just said he's not my beau. We haven't even kissed! [Annie insisted.] He put his head on my shoulder for the first time a few minutes ago and you saw how that went!

That's what he was scared of getting caught doing? Oh my lord... [Austin pressed a thumb and finger against his eyes.] The things some of these other girls are doing in their rooms and you two are worried about... [He laughed softly, finding it rather sweet in all honesty.]

[Annie immediately turned bright red.] Stop it! He's not my beau!

[Austin rolled his eyes.] If just one person could be honest about their feelings around here, it would be really nice.

[Annie let out another sigh, although this one was mostly from relief.] You're right. Del loves Lemon in a way I honestly didn't think someone could love someone else. He'd do anything to keep her safe.

[Austin smiled softly and nodded. He was truthfully a little nervous himself, but he wasn't about to let Annie know that. He still trusted Cee and all his girls to keep it together though. He would keep an eye on Lee and get ready for her demands though.

Uncle Austin throwing hands to keep us safe, [Annie half-teased. Although anyone with eyes could see she really did appreciate it at the end of the day.]

At least I'm not throwing them at your beau, right? [Austin teased in return.]

[Annie let out another sigh, although this one was mostly from relief.] You're right. Del loves Lemon in a way I honestly didn't think someone could love someone else. He'd do anything to keep her safe.

[Austin smiled softly and nodded. He was truthfully a little nervous himself, but he wasn't about to let Annie know that. He still trusted Cee and all his girls to keep it together though. He would keep an eye on Lee and get ready for her demands though.

I know. I just... don't want Lem hurt anymore than she already has been. A lot of her boyfriends were terrible to her. The scars she has... both mentally and otherwise... [Annie trailed off and shook her head again.]

I know. [Austin understood the situation even more than Annie did herself, and he certainly didn't want Lemon to get hurt anymore either.] And Cee knows all that too. I don't think she'd do anything without taking all of it into consideration.

I know. Trust me. No one wants Lem and Del together more than me and Kan. ...Well, besides Del, obviously.

I understand that. [Austin finally sat himself down so he could be at Annie's eye level while they talked.] Unfortunately, if relationships fail, there's inevitably some pain involved that usually can't be avoided. It's impossible to shield everyone from everything, but you can still be the support system to help make sure it's as easy as it can be.

[Annie shut her eyes for a second and sighed.] I was with Conner at the time, so I only know what she told me. And by the time she said it to me, she had already done that thing she does where she's decided everything's fine and it was definitely a big misunderstanding and even if it wasn't a big misunderstanding, everything that happened was 100% her fault and no one else's, so... y'know... keep that in mind, [She warned.]

[Austin nodded quickly in understanding at the first part. His brows drew together as he listened. That was all rather disappointing. The guy didn't seem so bad when they'd talked, but he knew all too well how first appearances could be deceiving.]