Chapter One-hundred Eighty-One: Friendly Benefits

Chapter 181

Friendly Benefits

Tristan sat out on his back patio, gazing up at the stars. Jordi walked out and joined him.

Jordi: “So, how is Deimos feeling?”

Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “He should be fine. I apologize for what transpired tonight.”

He muttered.

Jordi: “No worries. It’s out of your control. How did he know where we were anyway?”

Tristan looked away and cupped his mouth.

Tristan: “No idea.”

He said tersely. Jordi surveyed him.

He folded his arms.

Jordi: “So, why did you do that at the restaurant?”

Tristan: “Take Deimos back home? I felt bad for him. We may not be together, but I still stupidly care about him.”

He said with bitterness.

Jordi: “I didn’t mean that…”

He shifted in his seat. Tristan drew another breath.

Jordi paused.

Jordi: “I meant… separate bills, and going ahead of me so I won’t pull out a chair for you.”

Tristan winced.

Tristan: “I don’t want you to get close to me, Jordi. I want us to be friends and nothing more. This is not a slight against you; this is me.”

He knit his eyebrows. Jordi gaped at him.

Jordi: “You still have feelings for Deimos after he cheated on you?”

He asked sharply. Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “Well, why don’t you leave Gina, Jordi? You don’t even have feelings for her. She repeatedly oversteps your boundaries and her lies not only almost cost you your life but our lives, too!”

He snapped.

Jordi: “Why does that affect you if you’re not interested?”

He countered.

Tristan: “Then why does whatever I bear for Deimos affect you?!”

He fired back.

Jordi: “You deserve better!”

Tristan: “So do you, Jordi, and yet you stay with that lying, cheating little bitch!”

He hissed.

Jordi looked away.

Tristan: “You have a hard time leaving people, and you’re not in any position to ghost her as you usually do.”

He said sternly.

Jordi: “And you want someone who puts you on a pedestal!”

He countered. Tristan blinked and then laughed.

Tristan: “Yes, because cheating on me and leaving me at a park is the definition of putting one on a pedestal.”

He said dryly.

Jordi: “He puts you on a pedestal while also being abusive, and he does this when you don’t meet his vision of you.”

He snapped.

Tristan: “Yes, Jordi, you’d know that because Gina does the same thing to you.”

He said coolly. Jordi looked away.

Jordi: “I know…”

He sighed.

Tristan: “If you didn’t jump into bed with someone upon meeting them, this could have been avoided!”

He huffed. Jordi glared at Tristan.

Jordi: “Are you just going to judge me, Tristan? It might be that I am lonely! I don’t feel loved at home and never have, so I try to look for it elsewhere and am met with dead ends!”

He snapped. Tristan clicked his tongue.

Tristan: “If you waited and got to know someone, perhaps you would find what you’re seeking!”

He huffed.

Jordi: “You waited and waited with Deimos, and look where it got you!”

He fired back. Tristan glared at him and inhaled sharply.

Tristan: “We’re both in the same boat, huh? Bad luck when it comes to love interests.”

He said bitterly.

Jordi: “And since we’re slinging mud, you get involved with people to spite others.”

Tristan gaped at him and laughed bitterly.

Tristan: “Then why do you want to be with me, Jordi? Can’t you see I am not a good person?”

He spread his arms out and laughed bitterly.

Jordi: “I never said anything about that.”

Tristan: “You don’t have to. I read your emotions and between the lines.”

Jordi bowed his head.

Tristan looked away.

Tristan: “Jordi, I do like you, but I don’t want to get involved with you to spite anyone or lead you on. You deserve better than that. I cherish you, and I want to be your friend.”

He said gently. Jordi’s eyelids dipped.

Tristan: “But if you want this to upgrade to something else, you have to leave Gina.”

He sighed.

Jordi: “You’re right. There’s another factor to that.”

Tristan: “What?”

Jordi: “Her baby cousin, Priscilla, took a liking to me. I feel like a father figure to her and I don’t want to abandon her… as my mother did to me… and my grandmother followed suit eight years later.”

He cupped his mouth.

Tristan: “You’re not obligated to her, Jordi. You’re not her father, and kids have short memories.”

He stated, his voice trailing off as he recalled memories of being abused at the hands of Charlotte.

Jordi: “If that were true, you would have forgotten what Narcisse and Charlotte did to you.”

Tristan gaped at him and turned away.

Jordi: “And I would have forgotten about my mother… but I didn’t. I won’t forget crawling into bed with her and unknowingly sleeping with her dead body for hours.”

He hung his head.

Tristan gazed at him.

Tristan: “What happened?”

Jordi: “My mother was a drug addict. She was in bed and cold. I crawled with a blanket to warm her up. I found out hours later that she died of a drug overdose.”

He explained.

Tristan: “I’m sorry.”

He said gently. Jordi smiled a bit and drew a long breath.

Jordi: “Thanks.”

He whispered.

~

Celeste was pacing around Jaxon’s hotel room as he lay in bed naked.

Celeste: “So why are you SO against me wearing a dumb costume for Ichiro in exchange for information on Borko?!”

She huffed.

Jaxon: “Because it’s my brother who traumatized me, killed others, and gave me PTSD!”

He fired back.

Celeste: “It’s not like I’m fucking him! You fucked Deimos!”

She pouted, folded her arms, and looked away. Jaxon bowed his head.

Jaxon: “I know, and I’m sorry. I just don’t want you getting involved with Ichiro!”

He cried.

Celeste: “I’m wearing a dumb costume! If you have a better idea to get information about Borko, lay it on me!”

She spread her arms and legs out. Jaxon sat up and shed his tears.

Jaxon: “The guy is dead! It doesn’t matter now!”

Celeste: “Yeah, but it might be nice to uncover who he was to Ichiro and how much of a role he played in creating that injection to turn people into richonoids.”

She drawled.

She looked away and gazed out the window.

Jaxon: “Are you coming to bed?”

Celeste: “I don’t wanna go to bed with you! You don’t get to police me when you fucked Deimos and posted shit on Fab’s server!”

She snapped, trying to hide her hurt. Jaxon’s face flickered with hurt and guilt.

Jaxon: “I’m sorry, babe.”

He muttered.

Celeste: “Whatever.”

She grabbed her purse and stormed out of the hotel room, slamming the door and cracking the wall. The door then fell off, and the chandelier in the room crashed to the floor. Jaxon flopped on the bed and heaved a deep sigh.

~

Celeste jumped in front of Fabien’s house and tried to open the door. It was locked. She stepped back and heard “You’re all I’ve got tonight” by The Cars blasting from Gus’ bedroom. Gus was sleeping in his bed, sprawled out, with Craig’s stinky sneaker in his hand. He wore a “Hockey State Wolverines” sweatshirt, muted blue pajama pants, and one sock on one foot.

Celeste embraced herself. She could break the door down, but didn’t want to give Fabien that extra expense.

She then made another mighty leap in the air.

~

Tristan was in his bedroom wearing his white silk pajamas. His hair was loose, and he sat on his sofa reading a book with a cup of chamomile tea. Someone knocked on the door. Tristan raised his head.

Tristan: “Yes?”

Celeste opened the door and stepped in. Tristan raised his eyebrows and sipped his tea.

Celeste: “Piper let me in.”

She closed the door behind her.

Tristan: “Celeste, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?”

He smiled at her. She sat on the sofa with him.

Celeste: “I’m pissed off at Jaxon, and Fab’s house is locked.”

She pouted. Tristan scrutinized her.

Celeste: “No windows were open ‘cause it’s cold.”

She muttered. Tristan nodded.

Tristan closed his book.

Tristan: “What did you and Jaxon fight about?”

Celeste scrunched her nose.

Celeste: “It’s dumb.”

She mumbled. Tristan gazed at her.

Tristan: “I bet you it’s not.”

Celeste sighed.

Celeste: “I ran into Ichiro at The Noble Monarch Hotel. He was taking this stuffy redheaded lady to the restaurant. That got canceled ‘cause he saw me.”

She explained. So this is where he went, he thought.

Celeste: “Ichiro wanted me to wear a bunny girl costume, and I said I would if he told me about Borko.”

Tristan raised his eyebrows.

Tristan: “And Jaxon heard or you told him, and he lost it.”

He nodded. Celeste sighed again.

Celeste: “Yeah. He said Ichiro traumatized him, but… we don’t have a lot of options to find out about Borko…”

She embraced herself.

Celeste: “And Jaxon fucked Deimos and put shit on Fab’s server.”

She muttered. Tristan hung his head.

Tristan: “...That he did.”

He said under his breath and sipped his tea.

Tristan: “Well, it’s just wearing a costume, and while it seems harmless, I don’t trust Ichiro. Would he divulge this information to you, and would this be a potential trap to kidnap you?”

He asked gently. Celeste looked away.

Celeste: “I can take care of myself.”

Tristan smiled.

Tristan: “I know this, Celeste, but Ichiro always seems to be one step ahead of us.”

He sighed. Celeste bowed her head.

Tristan: “It’s not a terrible idea, and it could work. You’re right—we don’t have many options. Borko is a man of mystery.”

He said, his voice trailing off.

Celeste: “Mind if I bunk with you tonight?”

She asked him. Tristan gaped at her and shifted his eyes.

Tristan: “Uhm…”

He reddened a bit.

Tristan: “I guess not.”

He raked his fingers through his hair.

Celeste: “I got clothes I left in Vic’s room. Oliver got them for me.”

She drawled and went into the bathroom to change.

Tristan drew a long breath and drained his cup of tea. He rose from the sofa and strolled to his bed. He pulled the covers up and climbed in. Celeste stepped out in a purple tank top and black panties. Tristan removed his glasses, folded the temples, and set them on his nightstand. Celeste climbed into bed with him. Tristan turned over and sighed.

Celeste put her arm over him and nuzzled against his back. Tristan shivered all over as the blood rushed to his face. His heart hammered in his chest. Oh, Golly, he thought.

~

The following afternoon, Tristan was in his law office, signing documents Rosemary typed up for him and then stamping them. He wore a black Italian-cut suit, a light purple pressed shirt, a purple tie, a gold pocket square, and black wingtip Oxfords. As he went through the documents, Rosemary typed, he thought about the night before. He paused and folded his hands. Tristan removed his glasses to bury his face in his hands.

Rosemary entered his office. She wore a navy pinstripe secretary dress with a bow on her neck, a white belt around her waist, and black pumps. She placed more files on his desk and paused.

Rosemary: “Tristan, are you crying?”

She cupped her mouth. Tristan snapped out of his daze and smiled. He put his glasses back on.

Tristan: “Goodness no, Rosemary! I just hadn’t slept well!”

He waved his hand. Rosemary smiled at him.

Rosemary: “The documents you requested!”

She nodded. Tristan placed his hand on them.

Tristan: “Thank you, I will sign these and you can mail them off.”

He stated.

Rosemary: “So, Tristan? Any plans for Thanksgiving?”

Tristan gazed at her.

Tristan: “Papa and Bastien are preparing a grand meal. While I never saw the appeal of these events, they mean a lot to my father and brother. Ergo, I will be present for their efforts.”

He smiled a bit. Rosemary nodded.

Rosemary: “All right, but if you change your mind, you’re more than welcome to come. Mum and Dad would love to see you.”

Tristan folded his hands and smiled.

Tristan: “Send them my regards.”

Rosemary gave him a curt nod and left.

Tristan sank in his seat and drew a long breath.

~

Tristan withdrew his pocket watch to check the time. It was ten minutes to five o’clock, he thought. He started gathering his documents in his briefcase when he heard a knock on the door frame. He turned around and, to his surprise, he saw Celeste with a bouquet of roses. She wore a black leather bustier, a jean skirt, black pantyhose, a spiked collar, a leather jacket, and black ankle strap boots. Tristan beamed when he saw her, and his cheeks flushed pink.

Tristan: “Is that for me?”

Celeste looked away and blushed. She handed him the flowers. Tristan reddened and accepted the bouquet. He placed them to his face and inhaled the wonderful aroma.

Tristan: “Thanks, these are beautiful!”

He said breathlessly. Celeste looked away, grinned, and blushed. She rubbed the back of her head.

Celeste: “It was nothin’...”

She muttered.

He got a vase from his shelf, went into his personal bathroom to add water, and came back to remove the roses from the bouquet and place them in the vase. He bent over to inhale them again.

Celeste: “Got any plans?”

He turned to her.

Tristan: “I’m going home to eat whatever Bastien makes for me and will spend the remainder of the evening reading. Why do you ask?”

He smiled. Celeste pushed her forefingers together and looked away, reddening.

Celeste: “Wanna take me to the mall?”

She asked. Tristan smiled tightly.

Tristan: “Of course!”

He grabbed his briefcase and left the office with her.

When he and Celeste descended the stairs, Tristan turned to Rosemary at her desk.

Tristan: “Rosemary, would you lock up?”

He asked her as he shrugged into his black long overcoat. Rosemary glanced at Celeste and knew Ivy wasn’t going to be happy with this. She nodded.

Rosemary: “Of course, Tristan.”

Tristan: “Thank you.”

Celeste opened the door for him, and the two left. Rosemary saw Celeste open Tristan’s car door for him, and he climbed into the car. Celeste ran over to the passenger’s side and climbed in.

~

Celeste and Tristan entered the Pink Flamingo Mall. She made a beeline to the fountain, unzipped her purse, and pulled out a coin. She tossed it in. Tristan approached her and bent over.

Tristan: “What did you wish for?”

He asked her.

Celeste: “You’re taking me there!”

She pointed to Cathy’s Closet, which was a lingerie store. Tristan’s face turned beet red.

Tristan: “Y-Yes, of course.”

He smiled. She took his hand and led him inside the lingerie store. There were rows of bras, panties, nightgowns, hosiery, babydolls, and other intimate apparel. Tristan raked his fingers through his hair and stroked his ponytail as he surveyed the items for sale.

Celeste held up a black sheer nightgown, and Tristan’s face turned as red as a beet. She grinned.

Celeste: “You like?”

Tristan sheepishly nodded.

Celeste: “Good! What about a new bra?”

She stroked her chin. Tristan cleared his throat.

Tristan: “Of course.”

Celeste: “I always struggle with getting bras in my size… Well, pretty bras anyway. The bras in my size are ugly.”

She grimaced and went through the racks with bras.

Celeste: “All the pretty bras are in A cups, B cups, and C cups… There are barely any D cups and none in DD cups, which is what I wear.”

She pouted. Tristan swallowed hard.

Tristan: “Interesting.”

He said softly, heaving a deep sigh.

She held up a purple sheer nightgown with fuzzy straps and a trim.

Celeste: “Should I try this on?”

She asked. Tristan’s face turned crimson. He closed his overcoat to hide his erection and smiled.

Tristan: “People are watching, so perhaps privately.”

He whispered.

Celeste: “What if it doesn’t fit me?”

She asked.

Tristan: “Perhaps I should help you find the right fit…”

He hummed softly. Celeste’s eyes sparkled.

Celeste: “OKAY!”

She beamed and took his hand, leading him to the dressing room. Tristan’s face turned red all over as she dragged him into the dressing room with her.

She slid out of her jacket and slid her skirt past her hips, showing her black lace panties. Tristan swallowed hard and turned a deep crimson as the heat rose to his face. She unclipped her bustier and pulled it off, exposing her large, bare breasts with her taut brown nipples. Tristan’s heart hammered in his chest as he felt his hardness bulge in his pants. He cupped his mouth and smiled widely. Celeste observed his reaction and smirked. She slid the nightgown on over herself, and Tristan smiled at her. He bit his bottom lip.

Celeste: “Like it?”

She spun around. Tristan cleared his throat and smiled.

Tristan: “Yes.”

He said breathlessly, biting his bottom lip. Celeste’s eyes glittered at his reaction and response. She flicked her gaze down at his boner and grinned. Tristan caught her peeking and laughed awkwardly.

She reached up and tickled his neck. Tristan laughed a bit.

Tristan: “HehehehahAHAHAHA!”

Celeste: “Would you buy this for me?”

She rested her hands on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. Tristan’s breathing hitched.

Tristan: “Absolutely.”

He smiled and rubbed the small of her back.

~

After the two left the dressing room and Celeste was dressed, she placed a few bras and panty sets as well as the sheer nightgown on the counter. Tristan stepped up to the counter as the lady rang up the purchases. Tristan withdrew his wallet and handed his credit card to the cashier after she told him the total. She swiped his card through the card reader, printed off the receipt, and gave it to him to sign. Tristan took the pen, bent over to sign the receipt, and handed it back to the cashier. She handed the bag to Celeste.

Cashier: “You’re a lucky lady to have a generous boyfriend!’

She chirped. Celeste and Tristan reddened.

Tristan: “Have a nice day.”

He nodded, and Celeste grabbed his arm as they left the store.

~

Celeste and Tristan entered Billy Bob’s Steakhouse, which was a restaurant in the mall. The walls were polished wooden log walls. There were rows of booths, framed by dark, rich wood and upholstered in a deep reddish-brown. The tables were wooden with old table lamps and placemats. They took their seat at a booth, and Celeste helped Tristan out of his coat. Their hostess handed them their menu, and Celeste’s eyes lit up.

Celeste: “Getting the twenty-ounce Apple City striploin done blue with fries and gravy. Oh, and some deep-fried shrimp to start!”

She exclaimed. Tristan smiled at her.

Tristan: “You like raw steak, do you?”

Celeste: “Yeah.”

She took his hand and tickled his palm.

Tristan: “Hehehehehehehehe!”

He laughed and cleared his throat.

Tristan: “You get it cooked somewhat to be polite.”

He said wryly.

Celeste: “No, I don’t.”

She pouted and vigorously tickled his palm.

Tristan: “HEHEHEHEHE!”

He laughed and scratched his hand.

The waitress approached the two. She wore a plaid shirt, jeans, and cowgirl boots.

Waitress: “Hello, you two. Will this be on one bill or separate?”

Tristan: “One bill.”

He smiled.

Waitress: “Of course, sir, what will you have?”

Tristan cleared his throat.

Tristan: “To start, a cup of French onion soup, and for the entrée, a twenty-ounce Wagyu steak done rare with brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and onions.”

He nodded.

Tristan: “And a glass of your finest cabernet sauvignon.”

He concluded.

Celeste: “Deep-fried shrimp, Caesar salad, and bread to start! Then a twenty-ounce Apple City striploin done blue with fries and gravy!”

She grinned, showing her razor-sharp teeth.

Celeste: “And a root beer float with lots of cherries and pralines!”

She nodded. The waitress jotted their order down.

Waitress: “Thank you!”

She took their menus and left.

Tristan smiled at her and reached out to put his hand on her. She jolted a bit and reddened, feeling and seeing his soft, pale, slender hand on hers. Her pinky finger intertwined with his.

~

After the two ate, the waitress handed Tristan the bill. He looked it over and it totaled to three hundred dollars. He gave her his credit card. She took it to the cash register and returned with a receipt. He calculated the tip, signed the bill, and handed it back to her.

~

Later that night, Tristan was in his bedroom. He removed his suit jacket, unbuttoned his vest, unraveled his pocket watch, and loosened his tie. He then unsnapped a few buttons on his pressed shirt and bent over to pull his sheer socks off.

He heard a knock on his door. He turned around.

Tristan: “It’s open.”

The door opened, and Celeste stepped in wearing her kitty robe. Tristan beamed at her.

Tristan: “Hello, Celeste.”

He said softly.

She sauntered over to him, stroked his chest, and ran her hands down his torso. He inhaled sharply and shivered. She untied his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. She pulled his shirt out of his pants and caressed his soft, bare torso and chest. Tristan swallowed hard and felt his arousal rise.

Tristan: “Does someone have a love jones?”

He teased.

Celeste: “Maybe.”

She untied her sash on her kitty robe and dropped it to the floor. She wore the purple sheer nightgown with purple lace panties. Tristan’s face turned a shade redder, and his erection pressed against his pants. Celeste bit her lip when she saw his hardness. She reached out and lightly tickled it. Tristan drew back and laughed hard.

Tristan: “NOHOHOHOHOHOHO!”

He laughed and whined.

She pushed him onto his bed. Tristan’s glasses slid down the bridge of his nose as he gazed at her. His cheeks flushed pink as his heart thundered in his chest. He stared at her large breasts jiggling in that translucent nightie and then raised his eyes to meet her violet eyes.

Tristan: “Celeste…”

He said in a breathy tone. She gazed into his emerald eyes and leaned over. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing her large boobs against his bare chest. Tristan’s breathing hitched as the fabric and her hard nipples brushed against him. His hardness bulged in his pants. She unbuckled his belt, unsnapped his pants, and unzipped his fly. She hungrily eyed his hardness through his briefs.

Tristan laughed, brushed his shirt past his shoulders, and slid his pants past his hips and legs. He tossed those on the floor. Tristan bit his bottom lip and reached out to pull her nightie off. She raised her arms as he pulled it over her head and arms. He chuckled and tossed it on the floor.

Celeste: “And these?”

She pointed to her panties. Tristan reddened and slid his fingers through the waistband, sliding them past her hips, legs, and feet. Tristan gazed at her vulva and ran his hands up and down her hips and waist, feeling her curves. His hands trailed up her tummy and cupped her large breasts. He traced her nipples with his thumbs and leaned over to peck the brown tips. She moaned and held his head close to her chest. She caressed his soft, white hair and pulled out the hair tie to loosen it.

She slid her hand down his briefs to feel his manhood and ballsack. Tristan moaned, clutched the sheets tightly, and threw his head back. She felt his cock swell in her tiny hand. She smirked, yanked his underwear off, and tossed it on the floor. She gazed at his sculpted member and saw a film of precum on the tip. She curled her tiny fingers around his cock and swiped the precum off with her tongue. Tristan yelped and jolted as his balls twitched.

She locked her gaze on him. Tristan stared back at her and smiled. She leaned over and kissed him deeply. He placed his hand on her shoulder as he turned his head to taste her.

She kissed down his neck, his chest, his tummy, and took his hardness into her mouth. Tristan let out another moan. He grabbed his sheets with one hand and placed his other hand gently on her head as he thrust into her mouth. She sucked him and tasted him, loving the taste.

Tristan squeezed his eyes shut as he softly caressed her hair, feeling himself swell in her throat, and loving how her nails traced over his thighs.

Her mouth moved in rhythm with his thrusts, and he felt himself on edge. He bucked his hips, gnashed his teeth, and cried out as he released in her mouth. She shut her eyes as his hot cum filled her mouth. She pulled out and placed her hand on her throat as she swallowed it. Tristan lay back panting.

He then sat up, lay her back, and spread her legs.

Celeste: “Tristan?”

Tristan smiled at her, spread her folds, and gave her clitoris a lick. Celeste let out a mewl. Tristan chuckled and gazed at her as he pleasured her throbbing clit with his tongue, tasting and teasing it, and seeing her want to orgasm. He gently caressed her thighs, hips, and tummy as he pleasured her with his tongue, loving the taste of her.

Celeste moaned loudly as her arousal rose. She couldn’t control it anymore and felt overwhelmed, wanting to let it out, but he wouldn’t let her. He teased her cruelly; she loved it and hated it.

Celeste: “Tristan!”

She whined and tickled his neck. Tristan laughed.

Tristan: “Hehehehehehehe!”

She placed his head back to her feminine core, wanting him to make her climax. Tristan’s muffled moans were heard as his tongue lapped the swollen knot of flesh. He reached up and tickled her sides. She burst out laughing and thrashed around.

Celeste: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

She laughed loudly.

He hovered her over and smirked. She panted and pounced on him. She glided his cock inside her hungry, wet core and bounced on him as he thrust her. Tristan let out a squawk as he entered her. His heart hammered in his chest, and he started thrusting her. Her large boobs shook as she rode him, keeping up with his thrusts.

He lay her down and fastened the pace of his thrusts; his balls slapped against her reddened pussy. Celeste panted and felt her arousal surge as his cock hit her G-spot. She wrapped her legs around him as he thrust into her. Tristan broke out into a sweat as he felt himself swell inside of her. Celeste wrapped her arms around him, moaned into his ear, and felt herself on edge.

Celeste: “Jesus, Tristan…!”

She yowled as an orgasm ripped through her. Tristan gave one final thrust and climaxed his load into her, followed by a shriek.

~

Ivy stood outside the Trémaux château. She wore a black dress with lace shoulders, angel sleeves, high-heeled sandals, and had Samson in his stroller. Tears streaked down her cheeks. She clenched her teeth as her mascara streaked her cheeks with her tears of rage. She sank to the ground and wailed loudly.

~

Ivy returned to her bedroom at the Donati household and climbed into her moonhole canopy bed, wearing a dark green negligee. She held Samson close as she bawled into his fur.

~

After Tristan showered, he put on a clean pair of underwear and his silver silk pajamas. He stepped into his bedroom and saw Celeste in her nightgown after using his father’s shower. Tristan smiled at her and climbed into bed. She joined him and cuddled him.

Celeste: “Thanks for tonight, Tristan.”

Tristan: “Pleasure is mine.”

He said gently.

Celeste: “Are we still friends?”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “I believe we are friends who turned to each other because our lovers hurt us.”

He sighed. She closed her eyes and nodded.

Celeste: “Yeah…”

She smiled and nuzzled him.

~

Deimos sat in his living room watching horror movies. He wore a black Ozzy Osbourne tank top, torn jeans, and black socks. Narcisse appeared in his living room. He wore a dark purple frock coat, a light purple waistcoat, trousers, a white shirt with a high starched collar, a dark purple silk tie, white loafers, and a dark purple top hat. He removed his hat to sit down with Deimos.

Narcisse: “You indulge in this nonsense, do you?”

He chuckled.

Deimos: “What is it to you? Aren’t you on my side?”

He sneered at him. Narcisse smiled at him.

Narcisse: “My nephew, Bastien, loves Hallmark movies. Dumbest movies I ever saw, but I love my little nephew.”

He sighed. Deimos pouted.

Deimos: “Hallmark movies are stupid.”

He said gruffly. Narcisse grinned.

Narcisse: “You know, Jiro, is staying at The Noble Monarch Hotel. He’s alone tonight.”

He ran his fingers over the brim of his hat. Deimos glared at him.

Deimos: “I don’t want to see Jaxon because I want to work things out with Tristan.”

Narcisse nodded.

Narcisse: “Well, I do know every man has his urges and yours needs to be satisfied somehow…”

He said wryly. Deimos glared at him.

Deimos: “I have an anal fleshlight.”

Narcisse pursed his lips.

Narcisse: “Well, my lad, you do need to work things out with Jiro to make your band work. If you want to impress my nephew, you have to be working. We can’t be like the Donati Nepo Baby, can we?”

He smiled.

Deimos looked away.

Deimos: “I am thinking of Tristan right now, not my band. Can’t you wait?”

Narcisse’s jaw tightened.

Deimos: “Why do you want me to see Jaxon? Even your tip to barge in on him and Jordi made him angrier! They were spying on Ichiro.”

He huffed. A vein throbbed on Narcisse’s forehead.

Narcisse: “The mission would have gone smoothly had you been in Jordi’s place.”

Deimos clicked his tongue.

Deimos: “I want Ichiro to face justice, and I want Tristan back!”

He snapped.

Narcisse: “And I said I would help you with that…”

He harrumphed and rose.

Narcisse: “I see you’re in a foul mood tonight. I will let you sleep on this. Good night.”

He said tersely.

Amanda appeared, scooped him up, and teleported away.

Deimos looked away and knit his eyebrows. He wanted to see Jaxon tonight, but he had to fight the urge to be with him. Deimos rose, grabbed his leather jacket, boots, and car keys. He threw on his jacket, slid his feet into his shoes, and headed out the door.

~

Narcisse angrily knocked everything over in his basement in Clerteaux.

Narcisse: “GODDAMN HIM! I WAS SO CLOSE TO HAVING TRISTAN UNLEASH HIS POTENTIAL!”

He grabbed a clown doll and ripped its head off, and threw the remnants against the wall.

He ran into the room with the hyperbaric chamber and looked into the glass window. He warbled and placed his palm against the glass window.

Narcisee: “I am so sorry I am failing you…”

He wept.

Amanda appeared in the room. Narcisse turned to her in a sneer.

Narcisse: “Amanda, can this wait?!”

Amanda: “Sir, Deimos left his house. He’s on his way to The Noble Monarch Hotel.”

She said robotically. Narcisse’s face brightened. He turned to the hyperbaric chamber and smiled tearfully.

Narcisse: “Soon… Very, very soon.”

He kissed his fingers and pressed them on the glass window.

He marched to Amanda.

Narcisse: “Take me to that hotel.”

He ordered. Amanda nodded, grabbed him, and they teleported away.