Trio of Hearts (Sashannarcy/Amphibia)

The Empress

Anne put on her uniform, thankful that she had one for each day of the week, as she looked into the mirror. She always felt so dorky in the thing, but hearing Marcy and Sasha words of how beautiful she looked gave her a confidence she didn't even know she needed. Anne had an extra pep in her step when she walked into work everyday for the last week. Today was no different as she twirled into her exhibit area with the biggest smile across her face.

"You okay there, Mrs. Boonchuy?" Max, her bright eye, pink hair, always invited her for Boba, friend said.

"Max, you know you can call me, Anne." She laughed "Mrs. Boonchuy is my mom by the way."

"Oh, you must be in a good mood allowing casual greetings on the clock." She smirked, "You sure you're okay." She teased.

Anne laughed gently. "Max, I've been letting you call me Anne for months"

"Still, you sure you're okay?" She raised a brow. "You seem different this last week."

Anne touched her warm face, letting the memories of  the last few days wash over her. "I'm better than okay."

"Who got you smiling like that?"

"Sasha and Marcy." Anne said in a daze. "All week actually."

"Wait, two people?" Max's mouth dropped, "go off, Boonchuy."

"Wait." Anne snapped out of her daze, finally realizing the question that Max was really asking.

"No, not like that, Max." She put down her bag in the locker area. " We're just friends."

"Good." Max placed her hand on her hip.

"Good, why?" Anne locked the locker before turning to look at her.

"I don't work here anymore." She said with a smile.

"Why are you smiling about that?" Anne said, confused.

"Anne, you are the only good thing about this place." She walked closer to where Anne was.

"Thanks Max." She said even more confused.

"But, you have that pesky rule of not dating coworkers."

"It's a smart rule." Anne said while getting Sprig out of his display habitat. "Hey there buddy," she touches his head. "How are you feeling today?" She smiled brightly at him before putting him back.

"You are strict." Max shook her head, "you won't even flirt with coworkers. Dang Anne, you even gave Janet a mouthful when they said you were their work wife."

"Work spouses are the gateway to flirting."  Anne said while turning on the lights one by one  in the frog, toad, and newt habitats.

"Gateway to flirt- never mind." She shook her head,  "since I am going to be working at Boba World." She bit her lip still facing Anne's back. " I'm all yours."

"Do you get paid the same?" Anne said, genuinely curious.

"It's rude to ask how much someone makes, Anne." 

"Sorry." Anne said, adding the final touches to the area.

"I'm kidding." Max laughed "You are the head Herpetologist, so you make the big bucks. Me?" She pointed to herself.  "I'm a college student working part time."

Anne's head jerked back, "Wait, how old are you?" 

Max smiled, "Um twenty." She said a little less confident.

"Max, no." Anne said, shaking her head.

"What? I'll be twenty one next month." She whined.

"Max, you're great-"