Chapter 149
Barry Bear’s Bazaar
Craig sped into the parking lot of PinkFM and saw Veronika’s black Lamborghini and Bobby’s light brown pick-up truck parked in the parking lot. He slammed on the brakes causing the tires to squeal on the pavement and parked his jeep. He got out and kicked the door open storming into the building.
He saw Veronika and Bobby in the recording booth with the teddy bear he gave to Tristan. He kicked the door open and Bobby and Veronika turned to face him. Veronika smirked.
Bobby: “OI! What the fuck are you doin’ here, you drongo?! Didn’t get enough of ice cream tellin’ you he don’t love you!?”
He laughed.
Veronika: “Looks like we have a special guest tonight who is butthurt that pansy ass doesn’t love him anymore and he’s just a lame unemployed loser who lost someone who supported his broke ass!”
She smirked at Craig. Craig glared hatefully at them as his green eyes bulged with rage.
Craig: “I’M GONNA KICK YOUR FUCKIN’ ASSES, CUNTS!”
He bellowed.
Veronika: “Okay but before you make an ass of yourself…”
She held up the teddy bear and pressed the bear’s belly and it played, “Tristan! I’m so Sorrrrryyyyyyy! I’m so SORRRRYYYYYYYYYYYY! I’m sorry I broke your grandfather’s clock! SORRRYYYYY! I’m so SORRRRRYYYYYY! I’m sorry I was a dick! SORRRYYYYYYY! PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME FOR ANOTHER MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!”
Craig: “Ohhh, now ya gonna get it!”
He rasped, tightening his fist and punching her face. She crashed out of her seat and glared at Craig. Bobby cupped his cheeks.
Bobby: “OH NO, RONNIE!”
Veronika: “YOU FUCKIN’ DICK, CRAIG!”
She delivered a roundhouse kick to his stomach. Craig crashed into the wall, and Bobby hit Craig repeatedly with an inflatable mallet he won at the carnival for Veronika.
Bobby: “TAKE THAT AND THAT!”
The mallet squeaked upon impact to Craig. Craig snarled at him and punched him in the gut, sending him to the floor.
Craig: “Fuck off, you fat, ugly, cunt!”
He rasped, stomping on the inflatable mallet with a loud pop.
Bobby: “NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I WON THAT FOR RONNIE, YA DRONGO!”
He cried as he clutched the deflated mallet in his hands.
Craig: “I’LL FUCKIN’ KICK YOUR ASSES! THAT BEAR IS TRISTAN’S! I MADE IT FOR HIM!”
He roared.
Someone put a rag over his mouth and Craig’s eyelids fluttered as he started to lose consciousness.
Craig: “Y-You c-c-cunts…!”
He closed his eyes and everything was black.
Craig’s eyes fluttered. He groaned.
Craig: “Tristan?”
He moaned. Veronika’s fist flew across his face. Craig yelped and his eyes snapped open to see Bobby and Veronika smirking at him.
Craig: “YOU CUNTS!”
He barked and tried to lunge at them but found his arms raised above his head, his wrists bound, and his feet locked in stocks.
Craig: “OI! WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT?!”
He rasped, thrashing against his bonds.
Veronika: “Okay, headbangers, wanna know where the band name ‘Nuklear Intoxikation’ comes from? No, it’s not from his dyslexia as he told that pansy ass!”
She laughed.
Craig: “WHO TOLD YOU?! NO, I DON’T!!”
He rasped, trying hard to break out of the restraints.
Veronika: “Jaclyn told me but I know how you really came up with the name…”
She chuckled.
Bobby: “Tell ‘im, Ronnie!”
He pushed a button to make a flushing sound effect.
They heard a bicycle honking sound and coming on a unicycle was a fat white clown man. His face was painted white with big red lips, a red nose, blue around the eyes, and a single black footprint on his right cheek. He had an orange and green bowler hat on with red footprints on the top, a long red pimp jacket with gold sequin lapels, rainbow striped pants, and large gold sequin clown shoes. The clown laughed maniacally.
Bobby: “Oi, welcome Tickles the Clown!”
Tickles honked his bicycle horn.
Craig: “What the fuck is THAT?!”
He scoffed and laughed at the ridiculous man.
Tickles: “I am Tickles the Clown! I am here to give you a laugh! Turn that frown upside down!”
He teased and tickled under Craig’s arms. Craig laughed a bit and flinched.
Craig: “Hahahahahahahahahahaha, fuhuhuhuck off, cunt! HAHAHA!”
Tickles stopped tickling his underarms and began removing his boots.
Craig: “OI! What are you doin’?!”
He removed his boots and socks and plugged his nose.
Tickles: “Oh my God, these STINK! Peeyew!!”
He fanned his face. Bobby flapped his arms around.
Bobby: “Did somethin’ die in here?! It smells like Jaclyn’s feet!”
He complained. Craig pouted.
Craig: “Oi, shut the fuck up, fatass!”
He hollered and struggled against his bonds.
Craig: “My feet don’t fuckin’ stink!”
He pouted. Veronika rolled her eyes.
Veronika: “Funny, your ex-loverboy said they do.”
Craig looked hurt.
Craig: “SHUT THE FUCK UP, YA VILE BITCH! Tristan would never say that!”
He snapped.
Tickles: “I think these stinky feet need some tickling!”
He sang. Craig drew back and bared his teeth.
Craig: “DON’T YOU FUCKIN’ DARE, CUNT!”
He barked.
Tickles laughed and wiggled his fingers over Craig’s hard soles. Craig laughed and thrashed around.
Craig: “HAHAHAHAHA! Fuck off, CUNT! Hahaha HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Tickles: “I am going to need a gas mask if I tickle these stinkers any longer!”
He sang and stroked his soles with a feather.
Veronika: “I have a better idea…”
She smirked and turned on Nuklear Intoxikation instrumentals to Craig’s laughing.
Craig: “AHAHAHA! FUCK OFF, BITCH! Hahahahaha!”
He laughed and tried to break out of his bonds.
Veronika: “Nuklear Intoxikation is named after Craig’s disgusting, STINKY feet! Those socks of his better be thrown in biohazard waste disposal bags!”
She laughed. Craig’s face turned red. The tickling was frustrating him as much as them taunting him about his feet and band name.
Veronika: “The new track: Craig’s STINKY NUKLEAR INTOXIKATING FEET!”
Tickles vigorously tickled his feet and Craig roared with angry laughter.
Craig: “YOHOHOHOU CUHUHUNTS!”
He thrashed and laughed.
~
After minutes of tickling, Craig panted and snarled at them.
Craig: “Y-YOU F-FUCKING C-CUNTS!”
Veronika: “Poor widdle baby Craig can’t handle a little feather?”
She said in a baby voice. Craig roared. Tickles placed his hand on Craig’s knee and held up a picture of Tristan defending a client in court. Tristan was dressed in his black Italian-cut suit with a lilac dress shirt and a purple tie, and he was pointing at the prosecutor.
Tickles: “Oooooh, who is this sexy fellow?”
He wiggled his eyebrows.
Craig: “Y-YOU BACK OFF AWAY FROM HIM, CLOWN CUNT!”
He bellowed and glared at Tickles. Tickles trailed his fingers down Craig’s shins.
Tickles: “You know, I am going to be the clown for a birthday party this sexy attorney is attending, and guess who I am going to be tickling?”
He smirked and wiggled his eyebrows pointing to Tristan.
Craig: “WHAT?! OH NO, YOU’RE FUCKIN’ NOT!”
He rasped at him, trying to break out of his bonds.
Tickles: “Tell me something… Is he ticklish?”
He purred.
Craig: “NO!”Tickles squeezed Craig’s knees. Craig jerked them away, frothing at the mouth with rage.
Tickles: “Well, we’re going to test that out, aren’t we? Farewell, my good fellow!”
He blew a kiss and got on his unicycle to speed away.
Craig growled and struggled against his bonds. Veronika marveled at the sight.
Veronika: “Tell you what, Craig. When the five minutes are up, we’ll let you go and you can find your ex-loverboy and rescue him.”
Craig’s nostrils flared, his face was red, and his eyes burned with fury. He gnashed his teeth as he tried to break out of his bonds.
The timer went off and Craig was released from his bonds. He ignored Bobby and Veronika, grabbing his socks and boots and rushing to put those on and get to his jeep to save Tristan.
~
Tristan was driving in downtown Pink Top City. He was dressed in a dark red pressed shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a black waistcoat, a black tie with thin white and blue stripes, black dress pants, and black wingtip oxford shoes. In the passenger’s seat, he had a blue gift bag with gifts for Trevor.
He made a righthand turn into the parking lot of Barry Bear’s Bazaar. It was a large building with flashing lights on the rim of the black hip roof. There was a lit-up logo of a cartoon bear with a bright orange bowler hat, matching vest, and black bow tie. The bear held his hands out and had a cane in his left hand. He parked his car and shut the engine off.
He entered the establishment. It was a large, spacious dining area with several boots, tables, and a section on the far right with arcade games. At the end of the dining room were creepy-looking bear animatronics on a stage with teal curtains.
The animatronics made Tristan feel uneasy. He could feel their creepy, bulging eyes locking their gaze on him. Someone glomped him. Tristan gasped and looked down to see Trevor.
Trevor: “TRISTAN! YOU CAME!”
Tristan slowly hugged Trevor back. Trevor inhaled a waft of Tristan’s cologne, which was a lovely combination of vetiver, vanilla, geranium, oakmoss, and mint.
Darryl, Zoe, Hector, and Cedar came to greet Tristan.
Hector: “Thanks for coming, Tristan! Trevor wanted to see you the most! It’s not really his birthday but Trevor always wanted a birthday party here and I gave it to him!”
He smiled. Tristan nodded and turned his back to the animatronics.
Tristan: “That’s kind of you.”
He looked down and noticed Trevor hadn’t let him go. Tristan patted his head.
Cedar: “It’s been great since Charlotte moved out! I sold the apartment, surrendered her birds to an animal shelter, and I bought my own house!”
He beamed. Tristan raised his head to glance at Cedar. The last he recalled, Charlotte was taken away by those men. Is she dead or did she leave the town? He wondered.
Hector: “Yeah, Cedar got away from his screaming girlfriend… I hope someday Jaclyn will go back to that Sex Bees rockstar!”
He smiled sadly.
Zoe: “Where the Hell is Larry? I only came to see Larry pop out of a cake and do some table dances!”
She grunted and looked around. Hector scratched his head.
Hector: “Is that why you asked me to rent the whole restaurant out so no one else would come?”
He tilted his head. Zoe beamed.
Zoe: “I don’t mind my dear friends seeing that piece of meat but if anyone else looks at him…, things burn.”
She said darkly and gripped the handlebars of her scooter. Trevor bit his bottom lip and slowly slid his hand down to cup Tristan’s ass. Tristan broke the hug and wrung his hands. Trevor pouted.
Darryl: “I don’t know, Zoe. I don’t think any of us wants Larry here or to see him here.”
He knit his eyebrows.
Zoe: “That’s because you guys are my friends and respect our relationship!”
She smirked. Darryl heaved a sigh.
Darryl: “If you say so…”
He muttered.
Trevor saw Tristan roam to a table and teleported to a chair to pull it out for him.
Tristan: “Oh, thank you!”
He smiled and sat in the chair.
Hector: “Zoe, I think Trevor wanted to see Tristan pop out of a cake!”
He winked. Trevor put his hands up and bit his bottom lip. Tristan put his hands up and waved them.
Tristan: “I don’t do that, Hector.”
He said firmly but gently.
Hector: “So what’s going to happen is we play some games, and the clown comes, and then we eat pizza and have some cake! There is a treat bag to bring home!”
He beamed.
Cedar: “Isn’t that juvenile?”
Trevor: “No, I always wanted a birthday party here, but I never had friends growing up, and Dad was too poor to get a birthday for me here.”
Tristan shuddered.
Tristan: “Party clown?”
Trevor: “Yeah, it was Hector’s idea! He’s doing a magic show!”
He bit his bottom lip. He pretended to yawn and put his arm around Tristan. Cedar cleared his throat, and Tristan snapped out of his daze to look at Cedar.
Tristan: “Yes?”
Trevor pouted.
Cedar: “Is everything okay? You don’t look well.”
Cedar eyed him with concern. Tristan nodded.
Tristan: “Yeah…”
He was very uncomfortable and didn’t want to confide in Ivy’s cousin—whom he barely knew about his issues.
Trevor slowly slid his hand down to cup Tristan’s ass.
Hector: “Tristan, check this out!”
He called. Tristan rose from his seat to see what Hector wanted. Trevor pouted.
Hector: “I put lots and lots of tickets in this game and won a spider ring!”
He held up a little plastic spider ring. Tristan cupped his mouth.
Tristan: “That’s an underwhelming prize for something you put a lot of tickets into.”
He said in a low voice.
Hector: “Did you know worms are good for your garden and eaten by lots of animals?! My worm farm is going to feed lots of starving cats and dogs!”
He beamed and spread his hands out.
Tristan: “That’s… really cool!”
He forced a smile and wasn’t paying attention. Trevor smirked. I am going to cop a feel now, he thought. He jumped and cupped Hector’s bum.
Hector: “Uh, what are you doing, Trevor?”
He giggled. Tristan was walking away. Trevor let Hector go and pouted.
They heard a bicycle horn honk. They all turned to see Tickles the Clown wheeling in on his unicycle.
Tickles: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRAVIS! It’s your birthday, and Tickles the Clown is making it ALL BETTER!”
He announced and threw up confetti.
Trevor: “Uh, it’s Trevor. My dad’s name is Travis!”
He corrected him.
Tickles: “Whatever. Here, have a sticker!”
He honked his horn and gave Trevor a sticker that said, “Happy Birthday, Hector!”
Trevor: “Uh, it’s supposed to be my party, not Hector’s.”
He threw the sticker down, folded his arms, and pouted.
Hector: “Can you pull a rabbit out of your hat?”
He clasped his hands together as his eyes glittered.
Tickles: “No, kid, I can pull something better out of my hat!”
He turned to Tristan and licked his lips. Tristan winced. He removed his hat and pulled out a bouquet of roses for Tristan. Tristan raised his eyebrows and felt fear cultivate in the pit of his stomach.
Tickles: “For the most handsome guest here! Well, the only handsome guest here but you are a looker.”
He purred and Tristan gingerly took the bouquet while shifting his eyes. Tickles took Tristan’s hand and kissed it. Tristan pulled it away and glared at him. Hector giggled and clapped. Trevor stomped his feet and growled.
Trevor: “Hector, he’s doing weird things to M’Tristan!”
He hissed.
Darryl: “I can’t wait to see you perform magic tricks, sir!”
He said eagerly. Tickles was crawling around the floor scoping Tristan out and licking his lips at his ass and groin. Tristan went ashen and moved away.
Darryl: “Are you gonna do magic tricks?”
Tickles: “In a minute, my morbidly obese friend! I was checking out the lovely view!”
He smirked, drinking Tristan in. Cedar stood next to Tristan. He glanced at Cedar and twisted his mouth.
Tickles: “I didn’t know the dead could walk. That is a magic trick in itself.”
He said to Cedar. Cedar stared blankly.
Tickles: “Okay, okay, I will do a trick with this magazine!”
He held up a gay porno magazine titled, “Bound Ticklish Twinks.” He locked his gaze on Tristan.
Tickles: “Ever think of modeling for this, my beauty?”
He said in a singsong voice. Tristan embraced himself.
Tristan: “No!”
He snapped.
Tickles: “You’d be perfect…”
Zoe: “No, Larry would be.”
Tickles grimaced.
Tickles: “Ya know what? He’s fitting for you.”
Zoe’s smile brightened the room.
Hector: “CAN I VOLUNTEER?!”
He jumped up and down.
Tickles: “Sure, my special man, you can for this one.”
He rolled up the magazine.
Tickles: “See anything in there?”
He put the rolled-up magazine to Hector’s face. Darryl and Zoe laughed.
Hector: “Hehehehehehe, no!”
He placed the rolled-up magazine on Hector’s head and poured some milk inside.
Tickles: “Okay, on a count to three, ready? One, two, three!”
He unrolled the magazine, and nothing was there.
Hector: “WOW! THAT WAS AMAZING!”
There was a round of applause from everyone, except Tristan and Cedar.
Tickles: “Okay, now for the ultimate magic trick!”
He put his magazine back into his coat and wheeled out a colorful bondage board with cuffs and straps.
Trevor: “Oh, can I volunteer?!”
Tickles: “No, Teddy, not today!”
He shook his forefinger.
Trevor: “It’s Trevor!”
He huffed and stomped his foot.
Tickles strolled to Tristan and smiled. Tristan backed away.
Tristan: “I should go…”
Trevor: “WHY, TRISTAN!?”
He whined.
Tickles: “Yes, why, Tristan? This is the best part…”
He said slyly and cupped his waist. Tristan froze turgid with fear. He hated clowns and he didn’t know what to do. Tickles shoved him on the board and secured his wrists and ankles.
Hector: “What’s the trick?”
Tickles: “The trick is making him laugh…”
He purred and squeezed Tristan’s knees. Tristan winced, and ice started to form around Tickles. Tickles held up a small control device. The color drained from Tristan’s face.
Tickles: “I know of your tricks, Tristan… You use them, and this place blows up.”
He whispered in his ear. Tickles smirked and clicked his tongue, shaking his forefinger. Tristan panted heavily as his anxiety soared.
Tickles began untying Tristan’s shoes and removed them, revealing his sheer black dress socks.
Tickles: “Very nice… so classy….”
He massaged his feet. Tristan shut his eyes tightly and felt he was going to faint from fear. Clowns scared him, and now, one is touching him and will kill everyone if he doesn’t comply.
Tickles pulled Tristan’s socks off, and the clown marveled at his feet. Tickles: “You have such SOFT feet, and they don’t stink!”
He chirped. Unlike what I smelled from the last one, he thought. Tristan swallowed hard. Tickles wiggled his fingers over his feet. Tristan jerked and laughed. Tickles smirked and tickled his feet.
Tristan: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! NO! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NOHOHOHOHOHOHO HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”
He laughed loudly and struggled to get free. Trevor had a big grin on his face. This is the best, he thought.
Tickles: “Cootchie-coo!”
He sang. Tristan threw his head back and laughed hard, wheezing between laughing. Tears welled in his green eyes.
Tristan: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEASE!”
He laughed and choked between laughing.
He stopped tickling Tristan for a bit and held up electric toothbrushes. Tristan’s heart hammered in his chest.
Tristan: “N-No… NO!”
He pleaded. Tickles scrubbed the electric toothbrushes over his feet and Tristan’s laughter filled the restaurant.
Tristan: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!! STOHOHOHOHOHOP! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! HEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!”
He thrashed against his bonds and hacked between laughter as this was tiring him. Trevor watched the scene with stars in his eyes. Cedar looked around. No restaurant staff and no show from the animatronics? He thought. That’s bizarre, especially since this is a birthday party, he thought.
Tickles scrubbed the electric toothbrushes all over Tristan’s soles, between his toes, and the tops of his feet.
Tristan: “OH, PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEASE! MAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAKE IT STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!”
He cried between laughter, panting wildly and on the verge of passing out.
Tickles: “My goodness, you are ticklish, gorgeous! I was only doing this for three minutes, and you’re in hysterics!”
He winked. Tristan laughed and thrashed around.
~
Craig sped into the parking lot and slammed on the brakes when he saw Tristan’s car. He parked his jeep, jumped out, and stormed into the building to see Tickles tickling Tristan’s feet.
Craig: “OI! WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT?!”
He rasped in a loud, booming voice. He marched over to Tickles and delivered a hard punch to his face. Tickles crashed to the floor. Hector and Darryl gasped.
Craig: “Get the fuck away from him, cunt! I TOLD ya not to fuck with me!”
He bellowed, socking him repeatedly. Tickles yelled and tried to slap him away. Craig landed one more to knock him out, and he rose.
Tristan gasped for air and threw his head back as he tried to catch his breath. Craig rushed over to tend to Tristan.
Craig: “Never fear, Tristan! I’m here!”
He exclaimed, gesturing to his chest. Tears dripped down Tristan’s cheeks as he panted. Cedar tried to undo the shackles and struggled with them. Craig ignored him and focused on Tristan, trying to release him and struggling.
Cedar: “I’ll get some help!”
He said tersely and ran out to the kitchen.
~
Cedar ran into the kitchen.
Cedar: “Excuse me, we need someone to help us undo the shackles one of the guests is secured to!”
He exclaimed. His mouth was ajar when he saw the kitchen, servers, and mascots all dead with knives embedded in their bodies. Cedar’s bottom lip trembled, and he shook like a leaf as he backed away. He bumped into someone and yelled, falling to the floor.
He turned around to face Percy. He gasped and scrambled to his feet. Percy was dressed in a three-piece ensemble consisting of a teal blazer, a purple waistcoat with dark teal lapels, a dark teal shirt with a royal blue silk puff tie, teal pants, and gold loafers. The blazer had gold accents on the lapels and the hems of the sleeves, gold buttons on the blazer and waistcoat, and a peacock pin on the right lapel with a large feather covering the right shoulder.
Percy: “Hello, are you Dr. Cedar Garafano?”
He chirped and locked his ruby eyes on Cedar menacingly. Cedar gulped and slowly nodded.
Percy: “I see, so you work for my grandfather… You know who he is.”
Percy’s smile faded, and he knelt to Cedar, who shuffled back.
Percy: “I want to know what exactly is that fat tub of lard with Deimos’ brother, Lazaros. Is he another human Xupran or something else?”
Cedar’s bottom lip trembled, and he shook his head.
Cedar: “I-I d-don’t know…”
He stammered. Percy pursed his lips. He quickly stabbed the wall next to Cedar’s face. Cedar squeaked and shut his eyes.
Percy: “Darling…”
He inched closer to Cedar’s face and whispered.
Percy: “You are pathetic. First, you let that brassy woman control every aspect of your life; she controls where you live, how you dress, how you eat, but worse, you bend to that old man’s will.”
He hissed.
Percy: “Risking your life and social life for that loudmouth shnook who is now the same as Bug Boy because that old man said so.”
He said darkly and flashed him a sinister smile. Cedar cupped his mouth as tears streamed down his cheeks.
Percy: “You live like a lapdog… you will die like one.”
He dusted himself off and peered over his shoulder to glare at Cedar.
Percy rose.
Percy: “Get your friends out of here. Surely, you can put others besides that bossy woman and Grandfather Dearest ahead, right, old friend?”
He crooned. Cedar swallowed that lump in his throat and rose to his feet. He started running to the door, and a knife flew into the door frame. Cedar shrieked and froze in his path.
Percy: “...Everyone but my ice prince. He’s mine!”
He commanded and pointed to him. Cedar’s breathing hitched. He licked his lips and nodded sheepishly.
~
Cedar went to Trevor, Darryl, Zoe, and Hector.
Cedar: “Guys, we have to get out of here.”
Trevor: “But what about the cake and Tristan?!”
Cedar led them all out.
Cedar: “We’ll get that later!”
He said anxiously.
Hector: “That Craig guy ruined your party!”
He whined as they all left the building.
Trevor: “Yeah, but it was the best, Hector! I got to see Tristan tickled! You are a great friend!”
Darryl looked back.
Darryl: “Funny, why wasn’t there any waitstaff around, and didn’t your father hire another clown?”
He asked Hector.
Hector: “I wasn’t paying attention! I was thinking of my best friend getting his dream party and my wormies!”
He beamed.
Zoe: “I was thinking of Larry in that porno magazine the clown showed and on that board instead of Trevor’s crush.”
She grumbled.
Trevor: “No offense, Zoe, but no one wants to see Larry like that, except you and Bobby!”
He nodded. Zoe paused and stopped moving her scooter. Bobby, huh? She wondered and turned her scooter to go elsewhere.
Cedar walked with them. He had to report this to Dr. Duerr. His grandson knows about Brad, Blake, as well as Maxx and Charlotte.
~
Craig’s frustration was cultivating as he felt he couldn’t release Tristan from his bonds. Craig heard the sound of footsteps and slow clapping. Tristan huffed and puffed. Craig turned around.
Craig: “Oh, great another fuckin’ clown!”
He huffed at Percy. Percy smiled tightly, withdrew a peacock fan, and opened it, which released Tristan from his shackles. Tristan dropped to the floor and heaved a deep sigh.
Percy: “Yes, mon cheri, I am the true party clown! Enchanté!”
He bowed.
Percy: “Now, if you hand me my ice prince, your fate will not mirror those of the staff in this…”
He paused and twisted his face with disgust as he surveyed the restaurant.
Percy: “Fine dining establishment!”
He put his hands out and waved his fan, gracing him with a saccharine smile.
Craig: “Get fucked, dickhead! He’s MINE!”
He fired back at him.
Percy clicked his tongue and wagged his forefinger.
Percy: “I think not, my magical friend. You see, when Tristan took a special tour of my house, things got… spicy.”
He stuck his tongue out and wiggled his split tongue. Tristan put his socks and shoes back on. Tristan shook his head and heaved a deep sigh.
Tristan: “That is NOT what happened…”
He said under his breath.
Craig: “...What?! What do you mean he went to your house?!”
He shrieked.
Tristan: “He kidnapped me and tried to force me, Craig!”
He hissed through clenched teeth. Craig turned to Percy, his face contorted with rage.
Craig: “YOU CUNT, HOW DARE YOU GET HANDSY WITH TRISTAN?!”
He boomed, charging at Percy. Percy smirked and quickly delivered a backkick to Craig’s face, the impact sending him crashing into the tables. Craig gnashed his teeth in pain and slowly tumbled over, landing on the floor. He groaned and staggered to his feet. Craig rubbed his face and saw blood on the palm of his hand. Percy closed the fan and tapped the palm of his hand.
Percy: “Had enough, caveman?”
He smirked and folded his arms across his chest.
Craig: “YOU FUGLY CUNT!”
He bellowed and charged after Percy. Percy smirked and ran to Craig. He spun around and performed a swift kick that tore Craig’s shirt exposing his bare chest and tummy with skid marks on them now. Craig had a cut on his cheek.
Tristan: “Craig, you cannot beat him! Why are you doing this?!”
He chided him.
Percy: “Your sexy snow prince doesn’t want you, Craig… Can’t you take a hint? He wants me.”
He stuck his tongue out.
Tristan: “I don’t want you either!”
He snapped and shook his head. He clasped his hand over his forehead. The tickling gave him a headache and made his feet tingle all over.
Craig: “HA! Suck it, he don’t want you!”
He poked his tongue out at Percy.
Tristan: “Yes, Craig, keyword: EITHER! I don’t want either of you!”
He snapped.
Craig: “B-But I saved you!”
He cried.
Tristan: “So I owe you sex and a relationship? Percy undid my shackles, so by your logic, I should be with him!”
He flared. Percy smirked and appeared behind Tristan. Tristan gasped and Percy cupped his waist.
Percy: “You’re absolutely correct, caveman. Bravo!”
He held Tristan close to him.
Craig: “WHAT?! NO? Get your grubby hands off him, cunt!”
He commanded as his voice rose.
Percy: “Don’t you dare use your ice powers, my snow prince.”
He whispered in his ear and kissed his neck. Tristan shut his eyes tightly and whimpered. Craig charged for Percy. Percy performed a jumping spin kick slamming Craig onto the floor. Craig grunted and staggered to get up as blood dripped from his nose and mouth.
Percy: “Darling, I am fields ahead of you in this. Do you think you stand a chance?”
He looked down at him menacingly and grinned. Tristan’s heart hammered in his chest. With a sleight of hand, Percy cuffed his wrists behind his back.
Craig: “Pfft, no you ain’t! It’s you who can’t stand a chance against me!”
He fired back at him. Percy clicked his tongue and shook his forefinger.
Percy: “I am torn between laughing at your stupidity and admiring your determination.”
He chuckled.
Tristan: “Craig, you can’t beat him! Percy is a crime lord!”
He said as his voice rose. Percy took Tristan’s head and kissed him deeply. Tristan shut his eyes tightly trying to wrench away. Craig’s fury soared.
Craig: “THAT TEARS IT! I don’t give a fuck if he’s a crime lord or whatever, he’s gettin’ his ass beat for that!”
He roared, charging after Percy. He broke the kiss from Tristan and smirked. Percy delivered a tornado kick followed by a hook kick, sending Craig crashing into one of the arcade games. Many tickets spewed out of the slots. Percy clapped.
Percy: “Bravo, mon ami! Perhaps you could trade those for a ball or something.”
He said wryly.
Craig: “YOU CUNT!”
He rasped, charging at him again. Percy zipped in front of him, grabbed his head, and smashed it into an arcade game. Tristan panted and sank to the floor. Craig rasped in pain, grabbing at his throbbing head. He then staggered to his feet, punching Percy in the stomach. Percy stared at him and smiled. He threw his head back laughing.
Percy: “Is that it, my magical friend?! Are you pulling your punches, too?”
He put his fan up and chuckled. Craig’s eyes widened with shock and disbelief.
Craig: “HEY! No fair, I PUNCHED you! You should be suffering!”
Tristan: “Craig, knock this off! You can’t beat him!”
He cried.
Percy: “Listen to him… He knows you’re outmatched.”
He purred and waved his fan at Craig.
Craig wheezed and stuck to his guns.
Craig: “I HAVE to! I gotta protect ya, Tristan!”
He charged back in and punched Percy again. Percy took his arm, put it in a lock, and twisted it. Craig cried out in pain.
Percy: “Oh no, my special snowflake, this is quite entertaining. I do admire your determination.”
He flicked his split tongue over his lips. Tristan stared at him in disbelief.
Percy: “Don’t fret, Craig. I will take good care of Tristan tonight… My bed awaits him… Grr…”
He wiggled his eyebrows and purred.
Craig: “OH NO, YOU WON’T!”
He shouted, trying to kick him, but fell short. He was getting weaker. Percy twisted Craig’s arm and broke it. Tristan’s eyes widened and his mouth was ajar.
Tristan: “CRAIG!!”
He called out. Craig screamed in pain and writhed around. Tristan knelt and brought his wrists down to his ass. He gritted his teeth as he pulled his legs through his cuffs and his hands were in front of him. I have to get that device from him, he thought.
Percy put his foot on Craig.
Percy: “You still want to dance, darling? I am willing but tonight, I plan on making love to Tristan and I am certain he’s getting impatient.”
He chuckled.
Craig: “NO, YOU WON’T!”
He barked in between wheezing.
Percy: “What will you do about it, Craig?”
He smirked.
Percy: “Do you want to watch me deflower your ex-lover?”
He asked archly. Craig glared at Percy with a burning hatred.
Craig: “N-NO! GET AWAY FROM HIM! HE’S MINE!”
His voice was a hoarse croak.
A blast of ice hit Percy’s fan knocking the control divide out of his hands. Percy grunted and wrung his hands glaring at Tristan.
Percy: “Naughty, naughty, Tristan… Am I going to have to punish the naughty boy in my dungeon?”
He sneered at Tristan who glared at Percy. Tristan stomped his foot and icicles formed from the floor, shooting at Percy. He dodged each of them quickly and landed in front of Tristan. Tristan formed an icicle in his hand to stab Percy. He grabbed his wrists and raised them above his hands. Percy and Tristan crashed on the floor with Percy pinning Tristan down. He locked his gaze on Tristan and kissed him deeply. Tristan writhed around and tried to wrench away. Tristan kicked his sides and stomach. Percy chuckled and broke the kiss.
Percy: “Are you trying to tickle me, my ice prince?”
He teased. Tristan’s nostrils flared and he glowered at Percy as his fury soared.
Percy: “Well, I’m getting you doubly in my dungeon, which I built just for you.”
He said softly and gave Craig the side-eye. Craig winced in pain and tried to crawl to them.
Craig: “N-No! G-Get away, cunt! T-Tristan!”
He whined.
Percy swung his eyes to Craig and laughed.
Percy: “My goodness, you are determined! If you weren’t fighting against me, I would consider recruiting you under my wing.”
He sang. Craig looked at Percy as the sweat popped on his head and he felt himself losing consciousness.
Craig: “F-Fuck you, c-cunt!”
Percy shrugged noncommittally and shook his head.
Percy: “Think about it. Your musical career is failing because your bandmates hate you and you have nowhere else to go. All you have to do is surrender Tristan to me.”
He batted his eyelashes and flattened his thin hand on his chest. Craig felt his fury soar as he felt submerged by the pain coursing through his body.
Craig: “N-NO! HE’S MINE! I LOVE HIM! HE’S MINE, DICKHEAD!”
He said in a gravelly voice. Tristan knit his eyebrows.
Tristan: “Why…?”
He asked in a soft voice as tears welled in his green eyes.
Percy: “Alas, your unwillingness to let go of what has let go of you will be the end of you, my magical friend.”
He reached into his coat pulling out his kukri knife.
Percy: “Parting is such sweet sorrow… Adieu!”
He raised his knife and an ice blast sent Percy crashing into the air hockey. Blood came out of his mouth as he coughed.
Tristan rushed to Craig and knelt.
Craig: “No, I have to protect you, Tristan…”
He wheezed. Tristan shook his head. On one hand, he was grateful that Craig was doing this but on the other, he knew if he showed him a little bit of kindness, he would take that as them having a chance. Craig reached up and cupped Tristan’s face. Tristan’s bottom lip trembled and he started to cry. He didn’t know what to say. Tristan gulped as Craig’s thumb traced his cheek.
Tristan: “I’m going to get you help…”
He whispered as the tears dripped down his cheeks. He started to rise.
Tristan: “Can you stand up?”
He held his cuffed hands out to help him get to his feet.
Craig: “I got this! I don’t need help! I am the one gonna protect you!”
He insisted.
They heard the sound of a knife lodged into a table and saw Percy standing before them.
Percy: “You naughty little ice prince… You’d do that for someone you’re done with?”
He smirked and spread his arms.
Tristan: “It’s the morally right thing to do…”
He growled.
Percy: “Ah, morals… What a gray area. It’s not black and white, my little ice prince…”
He shook his forefinger. Tristan bowed his head.
Tristan: “I know. All I can do is be the best I can be.”
Percy zipped up to him and held Tristan in his arms. He gasped.
Percy: “Yes, and what you are now is mine…”
He smirked at Craig while cupping Tristan’s waist.
Craig: “I’LL FUCKIN’ KILL YA, CUNT!”
He roared. Percy rolled his eyes.
Percy: “Puh-lease, darling, in the condition you’re in? You needed Tristan to save you. Better luck next time, eh?”
He taunted him and smirked down at Tristan, who glared contemptuously at Percy.
Craig: “N-NO! NO! GET AWAY FROM HIM! HE’S MINE!”
He cried and heaved in between jolts of pain.
Tristan formed an ice block in front of him to get away from Percy, and Percy jumped backward from it. Tristan bared his teeth and backed away from Percy as he marched to him. Craig tried to crawl to Percy.
Craig: “NO! HE’S MINE!”
He gasped and growled. Tristan formed a sheet of ice. Percy jumped up and over it landing in front of Tristan. Tristan let out a whimper. Percy did a sweeping kick knocking him over and he landed on the palm of Percy’s hand. Tristan shifted his eyes and his breathing hitched. Percy then removed Tristan’s shoes and socks.
Tristan: “H-HEY!”
Percy scribbled his fingers all over his soles. Tristan shrieked with laughter.
Tristan: “NO! NOHOHOHOHOHOHO WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”
He laughed, wiggled, and squirmed as Percy’s long fingers strummed over his soles.
Percy: “That ought to keep you from using your dirty tricks!”
He stuck his tongue out and licked Tristan’s feet. Tristan threw his head back and howled with laughter.
Tristan: “STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEASE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”
He thrashed around trying to wrench his feet away from Percy tickling them as this overwhelmed him.
Craig saw red. He hated seeing this clown touch his Tristan and hated feeling helpless. He crawled to a chair and grabbed onto the to get himself up. He collapsed, breathing heavily, feeling weak.
Craig: “G-Get away from him, you c-cunt!”
He stammered through gasps of air.
Percy stopped tickling Tristan and carried him in his arms as Tristan panted.
Percy: “This was… fun, Craig, but this place is going to blow. I will be taking Tristan. You get yourself out of here.”
He winked. Craig glared mutinously at him.
Craig: “I will kill you, cunt! LET HIM GO!”
He spat. Percy rolled his eyes.
Percy: “Sure, if you say so, darling…”
Tristan pressed his hands on Percy’s chest and formed ice.
Percy: “What the?!”
He screamed and released Tristan. Tristan fell on his bum and scrambled to his feet to rush to Craig.
Tristan: “Craig, we have to get out of here. Let me help you!”
He put his hands out.
Percy brushed the ice off himself and marched to Tristan. Suddenly, someone kicked Percy hard and he went tumbling and crashed on the animatronics stage. Percy bared his teeth as he staggered from the stage. A Barry Bear animatronic turned to him and said, “It’s your birthday and we’re going to—” Percy whipped out his kukri and cut the animatronic’s head clean off.
Percy: “I just… HAD THIS SUIT MADE!”
He bellowed and scanned the room to see who hit him.
Celeste: “Over here, clownlips!”
Percy pivoted on his heel and she punched him right into a bear animatronic playing the banjo. Percy elbowed the animatronic out of his way.
Celeste charged after him delivering a kick to his head that he blocked, followed by another, which Percy also blocked. She delivered a right hook, and a left hook, which he blocked. The blows she delivered tore his suit apart. She performed an uppercut that sent him crashing into a bear animatronic playing the fiddle.
Percy: “THIS WAS MY SUIT! YOU BITCH!”
He shrieked.
Celeste: “And your suit is a fucking eyesore! It looks like something Maxxy Malone of Sex Bees would wear!”
She delivered several kicks that Percy blocked with his arms.
Percy: “HOW DARE YOU?!”
She delivered a high kick that tore the waistcoat and shirt. Percy glared hatefully at her as he backed away. She locked her glare at him and put her fists up.
Percy’s features and stance relaxed. He shook his head.
Percy: “Matters not, my warrior princess. This place is going to blow. May as well get yourself, the ice prince, and that caveman out of here… if you so desire.”
He tilted his head.
Percy: “Or save yourself and the ice prince and let the caveman burn. It would just be less fun if I was deprived of my toys is all.”
He rested his elbow on the palm of his hand and his head on his hand. Tickles waddled to him.
Tickles: “Percy, we gotta get out of here.”
Percy: “Be seeing you…”
He tossed Celeste a key and she snatched it. He blew them a kiss, took Tickles, and jumped back.
Celeste jumped off the stage and ran to Tristan. She unlocked his handcuffs and he took them off. He put his socks and shoes back on. Celeste knelt to Craig and cradle carried him.
Craig: “NO! PUT ME DOWN! I DON’T NEED HELP FROM A GIRL!”
He yelled.
Celeste: “Craig, put your sexism aside for this, please. This place is going to blow!”
She said sternly.
Craig: “IT ALREADY DOES BLOW! DON’T DO THIS IN FRONT OF TRISTAN!”
He whined and thrashed around. Celeste ran out carrying Craig and Tristan followed her.
When they got out to the parking lot, Barry Bear’s Bazaar exploded with flying debris crashing into the cars. Tristan formed an ice shield around himself, Celeste, Craig, and his car. As the place went up in flames he shattered the ice shield.
They heard the sound of sirens wailing as smoke billowed into the dusky sky and tongues of fire flickered out of the windows. They stared back at what was left of Barry Bear’s Bazaar.
~
Craig lay in a hospital bed in Pink Top City General Hospital. His arm was in a cast. He looked heavenward with sadness and pain in his eyes. He hurt all over and never felt so emasculated. Celeste stayed with him. Craig didn’t want to look at her.
Someone knocked on the doorframe. Celeste raised her eyes to meet Tristan.
Celeste: “Hey, Tristan!”
Craig turned over and his eyes darted to Tristan. He smiled, thinking he was going to take him back now that he saved him.
Tristan: “I almost didn’t do this. It seems whenever I show you a little kindness you take that to mean I am willing to give you another chance. I am not.”
He said firmly. Craig’s jaw tightened.
Craig: “B-But, I saved you!”
Tristan: “And I am thanking you for it, but this does not go further. I am sorry, Craig. Get well soon.”
He said sternly and promptly left. He hated this because he was grateful he came to him but he also knew what Craig was like and he realized he had to do things he didn’t want to get what he needed. He embraced himself, and couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.
Craig’s nostrils flared and he pouted.
Craig: “This is YOUR FAULT!”
He barked at Celeste. Her eyes grew large.
Celeste: “What’d I do?!”
Craig: “You’re a girl! I can’t be saved by a girl! Now Tristan thinks I’m a wuss and he won’t date me!”
He pouted and turned over.
Celeste: “Tristan isn’t dating you because I saved you. He’s not dating you because he doesn’t want you! You two aren’t compatible.”
Craig: “Yeah, we are!”
He huffed.
Celeste: “Craig, if you keep this up, you will be like Maxx! All he did when living with us was whine about Felipa and how he wasn’t getting his way!”
She snapped and grabbed her fringe purse. Craig turned around.
Craig: “Wh-Where are you goin’?”
He whimpered.
Celeste: “Away from you!”
She snapped.
Craig: “I don’t wanna be alone!”
He sat up and felt a stabbing pain. He crashed on the bed.
Celeste: “Well, you’re gonna be alone because you’re a dickhead!”
She hissed and stormed out of the room, leaving Craig alone.