Slidin' under covers, undercover

“My costars say they are gonna hit the gym more and we basically do a workout every single night during the show. How much more workout time do you need? I feel like I ran five miles after the first act. I’m not gonna lie, people saying they aren’t gonna get a boner at a strip club is kind of defeating the purpose of being there, isn’t it?”

“what do you do exactly??” she raised her eyebrow at the other woman. “yeah it really is, like that’s the whole point, get the text you get the money” she shrugged.

“ Young lady I am not that kinda guy I’ll have you know, I like to be wined and dined with chicken nuggets.”

“oh is that right?? at least there’s one in the bunch then -- which nuggets tho “ 

“I would die for a drink and a hit, new year you need to start it correct.” Makaya laughed, “Where do you wanna go?”

“fuck yeah i do...i was thinkin’ a club..i need to get my shit down and dance” 

joey: hey babe, just walked by your place...i think the little bunny left her stuffed animal on the floor. i picked it up and it's in my place.

“I have a few early appointments tomorrow…” Britta trailed off, as she thought about it for a moment. “But I guess I can spare a little time to hang out tonight. So count me in.”

raising her eyebrow as she just looked at the blonde. “that a girl ... i was about to say -- don’t fuckin’ stay in cause you have early appointments, i won’t keep ya up all night unless you want me too” winking at her with a smirk on her lips. “bar, club...choose your setting” 

“Me. Always,” Xy grinned, even raising her hand as if ready to answer a question in class.

“see this is why i knew i could count on you babe...always...perfect. wanna get goin’ now?” 

“That’s really sweet of you, Joey. Thank you. I’m glad that Max has you in her life, she really needs it.” The last of the tension faded from Delilah’s shoulders. Joey was a calming person to be around and Lilah could tell she was sincere. “The same goes for you. We’re in this together now – I’ve got your back. We should probably get to know each other better, huh? I’d love to hear some of your music. What kind of music influences you?”

“as i got yours, max is really important to me, i care about her..” joey looked at delilah as she smiled softly. “yeah i would think so, i’ve known max since i was 18 and seen you just a handful of times” she laughed a little bit. “who influences me?? lauryn hill being one..it’s why i have the tattoo...i’ve got a few songs...actually basically a whole album right now i’m messing with -- yourself??” 

“I didn’t really have anyone else to come to,” Delilah began bluntly. “Max isolated the shit out of herself. I thought about going to Addie since she’s her roommate but I don’t really know her. And I’ve heard Max talk about you. Whatever’s going on between you or not going on is your business, you’re two adult women and it’s not my place to stick my nose. But obviously you care about her and Max needs as many people around her caring about her as possible, not just me. I love Max, obviously, but I can’t handle it all on my own anymore. It’s overwhelming. I spend 99% of my time these days worrying about her and feeling guilty when I leave her alone. It’s not fair to either one of us. And once I leave on tour in January, I’m not going to be physically here for her. She needs more than just me.” Speech over, Delilah took a deep breath. “She used to see a therapist but I don’t remember her name. Apparently she stopped going a while ago.” Delilah didn’t attempt to hide her disapproval there. “I’m trying to be okay, I guess. Seeing Max like this is just bringing up a lot of painful memories. And then trying to prepare for tour while also managing Artemis Gym and teaching self defense while also trying to take care of myself, going to therapy and AA, it’s a lot. I’m pretty fucking tired but I sleep and have nightmares, so…” She shrugged her shoulders. “You?” 

joey looked at delilah as she nodded slowly. she did care, a little more than she would ever admit right now. “you’re not alone with this...i was involved the moment i met her...” she admitted. she didn’t want to admit it to herself but she as in for some sort of long haul when she first met max. “i’ll take care of her, you don’t have to do it alone..i got her for when you’re gone i promise, whatever she needs i’ll make sure she gets it..” she then moved to sit next to the woman. “hey you’re going to be amazing at going on tour, your gym is going to be perfect...you got this more than you knjow..don’t worry about max, i know you do but really don’t worry..i have everything under control with her” she said with a small smile. she was always going to take care of max, she took care of her at her dark times. “well i know we don’t know each other well but if you need a place to stay or someone to talk to if need be, my place is always open...but if you see maxs car here, i wouldn’t come in she laughed lightly. “im okay, working and working at the club and working on some music here and there..i hardly sleep as it is..” joey just smiled softly. 

“Mmm…it is about time for me to head off, anyways,” she said slowly, grinning at her. “Maybe, just maybe, I might have to take you up on that offer.” She smirked as she began to untie her apron, setting it under the bar. “What do you say?” she asked, wiggling her brows.

Max’s eyes closed slowly as Joey got close. As their noses brushed, she started to notice her headache subsiding, the combination of coffee and Joey better than the advil that she probably should’ve taken already. “Well obviously someone needs to be yelling at me,” she said with a dry chuckle, one that sounded more sad than anything. It didn’t occur to her for a long time that maybe part of her problem was that a lack of discipline meant she never learned how to discipline herself. It was like an endless loop, it seemed. Whenever things started to feel great again, it was like clockwork for it to go to shit, even without a reason. 

But when Joey asked her so softly, her hand so gentle against her cheek, Max felt her throat tightening up. It wasn’t hard for her to become emotional around Joey, but she sometimes wished she at least had a choice. “I don’t know,” she said again, tears falling down her face sideways as her lips trembled. “I don’t know how to talk about it. I-I just…I feel bad. All the time, I feel bad.. I can hardly even bring myself to walk Ruby let alone get up to go to work. I’m so tired but all I bloody do is sleep..” Max wiped her cheek, her breath hiccuping. “I don’t want to do this again, Joey. I can’t..”

“no one should be yelling at you babe..i only want you yelling my name and i’m only going to be yelling your name..” she grinned as she let her body gravitate towards the older woman. she had kept caressing the girls cheek slowly as she lightly rubbed her nose against max’s as they laid there on the couch. she could see the inter battle going on and then she just saw the tears crying and it was breaking her heart seeing max like this right now. she started to wipe away the tears that were starting to stain her cheeks. “babe...” in a soft voice she got out. 

“Or~– Plug– You can get most of that anytime at my parent’s restaurant. They make everything from scratch. Seriously, the best part of it is I can steal some free food whenever I want.” She chuckled softly. “It’s nice to see someone open to different options outside of the regular Turkey and stuffing things.”

“yeah well me stealing food would be a no go babe -- you should totally take me there, i’m in need of this good home cookin’ food. well yeah we all come from different backgrounds and traditions. i’m hardly traditional.”