Got That Love

Austin Fletcher-Grant Manager at Emerald City/Professional Drag Queen Wrangler Still accepting tips.

[nicodemus-lemon]

[Lemon shivered lightly as Cam's hand ran up her back.] I... I'm not gonna worry, [She promised gently. After the night they had, just that small movement did so much to bring her back down to earth.]

...And if the apartment is as big as it sounds like it is, I could go get all the things I left behind, [She added gently.]

[She smiled slightly at the offer.] I, um... going back to your place sounds really nice, yeah. ...We should do that.

[delicacee-cam]

[Cam nodded along and then looked up at Austin.] We're not saying no. But give us some process time, yeah? Maybe we can go see it later today, get the fettucine at the very least.

[austinfg]

Yeah, I saw that one coming. Let's get you both home for now so you can "process."

[delicacee-cam]

He bought a house on optimistic?! You understand that people don't generally give us houses unless they're fucking with us? Literally and figuratively.

[nicodemus-lemon]

Like... Like a real house?! One we can live in?! [Lemon asked Austin in a panic.] For us? Glinda--... Glinda bought us a house?!

[austinfg]

Pretty much everything Ben's bought has been a careful combination of optimism and a dash of planning. And it's changed all of our lives for the better so far. And I promise no one is fucking with you. Though you're welcome to do whatever you like to each other in the house. I hear he got you one of those big ass beds.

[delicacee-cam]

A whole... whatever it is! And Tolu said it's big too! This is crazy. [Cam decided.] And how did he even- I know I talked to him about things, but he couldn't have known how it would actually work out. When would he have bought a house? Or a... place for living!

[nicodemus-lemon]

He what?! [Lemon gasped.] What do--... What do you mean?! [Lemon asked again, still glancing between Cam and Austin.]

That's not--That's not true! That's... what?!

[austinfg]

Yes, go ahead. Do your freaking out. That's part of the process.

As to the timing... I'm guessing he was being optimistic. We all were.

[delicacee-cam]

I'm fine. [Cam answered for himself as he took the phone off his face and sat up again.] My head hurts a little, and I think our boss just bought us a house, which is the most ridiculous thing I've ever said in my life. But I'm fine.

[nicodemus-lemon]

[Lemon blinked.] ...What?

[She looked between the two men still in the room (since Nils had left to go put his clothes in the hamper and check on Blue).] ...What does that mean?

[austinfg]

Yes, Ben bought you guys an apartment or condo or whatever you want to call it. [Austin confirmed as they both stared at him.] And yes, I know that sounds ridiculous. Believe me, I've been there. Ben and Bax bought the penthouse I live in too. There's no rent. There's no anything. He wants the people in his life safe and happy and he can afford to help make that happen.

[benjiclarington]

Well, everyone's asleep right now. But I'll definitely tell him in the morning! [Ben promised.]

[austinfg]

Sounds good. Alright, love you, darling. Talk to you soon. [Austin offered before hanging the phone up. He went back and laid it on Cam's forehead.]

[benjiclarington]

Okay.

[That final admission made Ben perk up.] You did?! Did you tell Luke yet? He's gonna be so excited! New additions to the commune!

[austinfg]

[Austin chuckled, glad to share the good news and the excitement.] No, I haven't talked to him today. You can tell him if you want to.

[benjiclarington]

It's partially furnished, [Ben replied.] I wanted to give them the option to do whatever they wanted decorating-wise--especially since I know Accent mentioned once that Lemon did a lot of decorating while she was at his house.

But I got them king sized beds for each of the bedrooms--and a California king in the master. And some other important stuff. Like a sectional, a big TV, a dining table set, some bookshelves, some storage, that kind of thing. I didn't do anything with the deck or the garden. I figured they'd wanna do that stuff themselves.

And there's a check on the dining room table.

[austinfg]

[Austin couldn't help but smile at Ben's way of just being Ben. But the world needed more of it.] That sounds lovely. I'm sure I can get Cee on board with mention of the bookshelves alone. And I'm sure once the shock of this and the morning in general wears off, they'll be extremely grateful, just like we are. I'll keep you updated, okay?

Also while I have you. We, um... got the paperwork done this morning to apply as a foster home. I just wanted you to know.

[benjiclarington]

[Ben sighed.] I knew it was all gonna change, but I was hoping it wouldn't have to change that way. ...Is Lemon okay? [He asked, suddenly quite serious.]

The code is 021494. Once they're moved in, they can change it so I don't have it anymore though. Since I know people like privacy, [He added gently. Clearly Austin had taught him something.]

[austinfg]

Me too. She is. She wasn't for awhile. But thankfully things worked out to bring them back together again and... they're both good now.

[Austin smiled gently at Ben's offering.] I will let them know. You think you could figure out a way to get Lemon's things from Vitya's? So they don't have to go back there?

[benjiclarington]

That's... That's good. I remember how important Bee was for me when I finally ended things with Chris.

[Ben nodded gently.] I'll definitely work on that and let you know.

[austinfg]

It's amazing what experiencing pure love can do for the soul after the imposter kind wounds it. [Austin mused.]

Alright, well, I'll get back to them, make sure they understand everything. Get them back safe. Is the new place furnished already?

[benjiclarington]

[Ben sighed.] I knew it was all gonna change, but I was hoping it wouldn't have to change that way. ...Is Lemon okay? [He asked, suddenly quite serious.]

The code is 021494. Once they're moved in, they can change it so I don't have it anymore though. Since I know people like privacy, [He added gently. Clearly Austin had taught him something.]

[austinfg]

Me too. She is. She wasn't for awhile. But thankfully things worked out to bring them back together again and... they're both good now.

[Austin smiled gently at Ben's offering.] I will let them know. You think you could figure out a way to get Lemon's things from Vitya's? So they don't have to go back there?

[benjiclarington]

Lemon ran away? That's why Accent got kicked out? [Ben asked.]

[He frowned.] ...Oh. ...I thought I did. Well anyway! The house is ready!

[austinfg]

[Austin stepped away a bit from Cam, just not to upset him.] Russia got thrown out because he yelled at and frightened Mason, and then yelled at Henri when he stepped in. Schuy wanted me to ban him permanently for that. But now that he's cheated on Lemon and gotten into something of a fight with Cee, I think it's definitely for the best.

It's alright. I'll explain it to him. You continue to be wonderful.

[benjiclarington]

[Ben blinked when suddenly Austin was on the phone.] ...Austin? Why are you with Cam?

[There was a pause.] I mean... yeah? ...Didn't I say that?

[austinfg]

The short version is Lemon ran away, Cam asked me to help find her. Russia's not allowed to step foot in our club anymore. And all is as it should be now. [Austin explained succinctly.]

[He looked down at Cam who was still lying down on the couch staring off into the distance.] From the look on his face, I don't think you did. I believe he's heard me now though and is doing that shocked processing thing I did.

[benjiclarington]

Hold on. [Ben moved Cam to speakerphone so he could look at his phone.]

42 W 13th St. Apt 1E. [He read off his phone. He took a second to send off the Zillow link showcasing it was sold a few days ago.] The entry code's 021494.

[delicacee-cam]

[Cam flopped over onto the couch in frustration. He did not have solving riddle speak in him right now.] Telling me the address is not telling me what's going on.

[austinfg]

[Austin stepped over and took the phone from Cameron. A habit he was forming.] Darling? Hi, it's Austin. Good morning. It's been a long night and everyone's pretty tired. Can you go ahead and tell him you bought the house for them?

[joierpminorcharacters]

Grand street? Your boss never gave me a Grand street address... [Tolu said awkwardly. She paused then slowly turned the stove eye back on.]

...Um. O...kay, I guess. Just... let me know...? I'll... finish this fettucine in the meantime... [She added before promptly hanging up.]

[nicodemus-lemon]

...And our newest queen! Be--...er, Nomi! Her name's Nomi! Oh, mom, you'd love her! She's such a ball of sunshin--Oh! [Lemon cut herself offf and turned to look at Cam when she felt him tense up.] ...Cee Cee? ...You okay?

[delicacee-cam]

[Cam was going to reassure Tolu again, but she'd already hung up. He couldn't blame her for being so uncertain about this, since he was too.

He looked back to Lemon and nodded slowly.] Yeah. Good Bunny's up to something. I'm not sure what. Tolu's making fettucine though... somewhere.

[He turned to the door when he heard Austin coming back in. He caught himself before he got too demanding again, and instead asked quietly.] What do you know about 13th street?

[austinfg]

[Austin froze, bags in hand. Ben really wasted no time. That was nothing new to him though. He continued walking in and held the bags out to Lemon.] I know that you should probably talk to Ben. And... don't bother fighting him on anything. Take the good karma where you can get it.

[nicodemus-lemon]

[Lemon smiled and leaned up into the kiss.] Thank you, Jon. I'm... I'm glad I'm okay, too, [She whispered happily.]

[joierpminorcharacters]

Oh! You don't have to do that right now, Austin! [Nils was quick to say.] Come sit back down.

Here, Sweetie. I washed the clothes you came in wearing while you two were sleeping. [He said as he dipped down underneath the coffee table, pulled the folded clothes into his arms, and jutted them out to Cam and Lemon.]

[delicacee-cam]

[Cam's face quickly scrunched up in disgust at the sight of Vitya's shirt sitting on top his PJ pants. He stepped forward and picked it up by the collar between two pinched fingers, dangling it as he used his other hand to give his pants to Lemon.]

You go get our bags. [he instructed Austin surely before turning back.] And you can throw this in the trash or... a barrel fire. [He glaced at Blue.] Not a barrel fire. Safety. Some scissors maybe.

[austinfg]

Hey. [Austin pointed at Cam.] Watch that with me. [he told him, meaning it, but winking all the same. He turned to go get the bags.]

This is gonna be my life now.

[joierpminorcharacters]

...Oh, I can't even remember the last time I had a kiki! Blue, did I ever tell you about-- [Nils cut himself short when Cam made their presence known. Just one look at the two of them all wrapped up told her everything she needed to know about how things went.] Oh, hi, Sweeties! Welcome back to the land of the living.

And how are my two love birds this morning? [He asked, being sure to personally give Lemon a quick nod and a soft smile--hopefully conveying to her that the two had his blessing.]

[nicodemus-lemon]

[When Nils nodded, Lemon tucked her head into Cam's neck for the quickest second to hide a blush, but then she quickly moved her head enough to look back at her mother and give her a timid smile back as a cautious 'thank you'.] We're... We're okay.

...Um. ...Jon? Cee Cee was wondering if you knew where his extra clothes were.

[delicacee-cam]

[Cam glanced over at Lemon with a soft smile.] Yeah... good.

Yes, Jon- Austin, I think I left our bags in the car? Would you mind getting them? Please?

[austinfg]

[Austin rolled his eyes affectionately at the name correction. What was even the point anymore? ] Sure. I am happy to drive you two home. But... you... need the bags now, okay. [he said, getting up when Cam blinked at him.

He paused and pressed a kiss to the side of Lemon's head.] Glad you're okay, Lime.

[delicacee-cam]

[Cam let out a sad, breathy laugh.] God, I want to be. I want it more than anything in this world. I just took too long to admit it to myself. And she's been so enamored with him. I just... I don't know what to do anymore.

[joierpminorcharacters]

You tell her, [Nils stressed.] That's what you do.

I don't care who she was 'enamored' with or for how long. I know my daughter.--I've always known my daughter.--And I remember the way she looked at you. Every day. For years. I saw the way she begged for you tonight. Even after everything that's happened to her.

...I know I had a hand in this. By convincing her to stay far away from the... the changing tide at Yellow, [He swallowed hard.] I... I thought I was protecting her. And... maybe I did shield her from the worst of it... But I also kept her from being with the one person she was always supposed to be with.

I saw it. From damn-near Day 1, I saw it: the way you two looked at each other. But I was just... so caught up in trying to stamp down everything that I stamped down my daughter's heart, too, [He reluctantly admitted.] And it was all for nothing anyway because... b-because everything that happened still happened.

I had prayed over the years that you two would've figured it out in the time since I've been around, [He said.] Every once in a while, I'd think about it and... I'd consider giving one of you my new number, but... then I'd usually talk myself out of it. Funnily enough, that... that constant battle is probably the only reason Blue recognized Lem. He's... He's heard the stories more than his fair share, [Nils added with an exhausted little chuckle.]

Cameron, I deeply regret not having this conversation with both of you years ago, but I'm changing that now: Tell her you love her. As soon as she's awake. And tell her she has my blessing.

[austinfg]

[Austin leaned over in the car.] I'm only hearing like three quarters of what he's saying. And I know I've known you both less than a year. But I concur.

[He waved in return to the very handsome man in front of the house as he pulled up.]

[joierpminorcharacters]

"Okay"?! I would not consider my eldest daughter shoeless, drunk, stumbling the streets sobbing her eyes out--in what I can only guess are your pajamas, and at least SIXTY pounds thinner than the last time I saw her as her being "okay"!

You need to start talking. Right. Now.

[delicacee-cam]

Goddamnit, is she safe?! [A sob escaped Cam's throat as he leaned forward. Why was the universe trying to kill him?] Pl-please just t-tell me where she is... please. [he begged, curling into himself.]

[austinfg]

[Austin grabbed the phone from Cam's hand. It was surprisingly easy. The man had no energy left to fight him.] Hello. I don't know who this is, but before I end up having to take him to the hospital, where he's already been enough in the last month, maybe you could tell us where Lemon is?

[joierpminorcharacters]

"Hospital"? What?! Why the hell was--[Nils trailed off and shook his head. Jesus Christ. One issue at a time.]

...She's here. Lemon's here. She's asleep. In our guest room.

[austinfg]

[Austin let out his own relieved breath. He'd been focused on keeping Cam from falling apart, but the worry had been eating at him as well. He was there to take care of them all, no matter what. He reached a hand over and gently rubbed at the back of Cam's neck.] It's okay, Cee. She's safe, it's okay. Take some deep breaths.

Thank you. [he said, once again talking to whoever it was on the phone.] Now, my name's Austin. I have been driving my car all around Brooklyn for awhile searching for our Lemon. So it would be very kind of you could tell me or send the address to Cee's phone here so I can bring him. Then I can put you back on with him so he can catch you up a little bit. Yes?