Chapter One-Hundred Fifty-Three: VIP Tension

Chapter 153

VIP Tension

Jaxon, Celeste, Tristan, and Deimos were sitting out on Jaxon and Celeste’s backyard patio discussing what transpired the day before. Jaxon wore a black button-up shirt with sheer sleeves, the buttons undone, exposing his bare chest and stomach, torn black jeans, and was barefoot. Celeste wore an American flag bustier, Daisy Dukes, and was barefoot. Tristan wore a dark blue button-up shirt, white shorts, and boater shoes, and Deimos wore an Overkill tank top, jean cut-offs, and black motorcycle boots.

Jaxon inhaled a drag from his cigarette.

Jaxon: “So Percy doesn’t know who this Barnabas is, but get this: the company’s name Ichiro and Minerva work for is called ‘New Horizons Research.’ ”

He stated. Celeste twisted her mouth. Tristan raised his eyebrows.

Celeste: “That was the same facility my parents sold me to.”

She said, her voice trailing off. Jaxon knit his eyebrows and held her close.

Jaxon: “Aw, babe, I’m sorry…”

He said tenderly. Tristan eyed her sympathetically.

Tristan: “Do you recall what happened? If you don’t wish to disclose or it’s too uncomfortable to discuss, please let us know.”

He said gently. Celeste inhaled sharply.

Celeste: “I don’t recall much, but some masked man broke me out and trained me to be an assassin. They kept injecting me with this goop or whatever, and it’s what gave me my powers. It’s the same as you guys, but I think they put more in me. I think the formula has advanced?”

She shifted her eyes.

Jaxon: “Yeah, all Percy gave me was one needle, and I got powers.”

He nodded. Tristan folded his arms over.

Tristan: “Deimos and I had more serum injected into us. It took a few days.”

He added.

Jaxon: “Yeah, Percy told me the organization was around for some years.”

He said as his voice trailed off.

Deimos: “What is the purpose of this, and why give us these powers?”

Tristan: “I have no idea. Maybe it’s to see if it will work. The formula has improved since Jaxon only needed one shot instead of being pumped with the serum for days, as Deimos and I were. Years as Celeste was.”

Celeste hung her head. Jaxon put his arm over her.

Jaxon: “I think my babe doesn’t want to discuss this.”

He nodded. Tristan nodded, understanding this.

Tristan: “Oh, of course.”

Celeste: “I’m not upset, Jax.”

She muttered. Tristan eyed her incredulously and empathetically. He could tell this was taking a toll on her. Jaxon rubbed the small of her back.

Tristan: “How is your commission with Trevor coming along, Celeste?”

He smiled. Jaxon glanced at Tristan, smiling at him. Celeste nodded and smiled a bit.

Celeste: “Pretty good! I did ask him if he knew this Barnabas guy. He said no, but he told me that Olivia and Percy are fucking.”

Jaxon’s and Tristan’s smiles faded. Deimos raised an eyebrow.

Deimos: “You mean that bunny girl with Robin. Why is she in the sack with Percy?”

Celeste shrugged.

Tristan: “It would explain how Percy came to know Robin’s plans… but what is her motive for doing this, and was she always doing this?”

He cupped his chin.

Celeste: “I dunno. She wasn’t around Robin in Los Campos, but neither were those two goons who follow her ass.”

She drawled. Tristan hummed and nodded.

Tristan: “Yes, and Percy didn’t know her whereabouts. Olivia first helped Robin in kidnapping Jaxon for Noriko in Shin-Yamato.”

He stated. Jaxon shifted in his seat uncomfortably. Tristan flicked his gaze to Jaxon and cleared his throat.

Tristan: “So this has just begun, but what prompted it…?”

He wondered aloud as his voice trailed off.

Celeste narrowed her eyes at Deimos’ tattoo and poked it.

Celeste: “So you got a tattoo. Why?”

Deimos rubbed his arm.

Deimos: “Because I wanted one. I don’t need to justify myself to you.”

He huffed. Jaxon and Tristan glanced at Deimos, with Jaxon giving him a slightly disapproving look.

Celeste: “I like it. I wouldn’t get one myself, and I think people in my line of work shouldn’t get one. The only one I give flak for this is Percy, but then I remember he’s an idiot and a failure, so it’s okay for him, I guess.”

She drawled. Deimos drew a long breath.

Tristan: “It’s a lovely tattoo! The artist did a beautiful job!”

He marveled. Deimos smiled at him.

Jaxon shifted his eyes.

Jaxon: “Are we going to ignore what happened at your house?”

Tristan inhaled sharply. Deimos folded his arms and shook his head.

Deimos: “What is there to discuss? I am done with Lazaros. It’s now water under the bridge.”

He said gruffly.

Jaxon: “Yeah, but… You two fought and threw fists. Up until Ichiro did… that thing in Seashell Cove, I never punched him. I wanted to, but I didn’t.”

He grumbled. Deimos shot him a glare.

Deimos: “This is nothing like you and Ichiro! Lazaros is a pompous dick, and Ashley will worship him no matter what he does! It’s done and the issue is buried, so let’s leave it buried!”

He snapped and clawed the air. Jaxon knit his eyebrows and embraced himself, drawing back.

Jaxon: “I’m sorry…”

He said softly. Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “Deimos, Jaxon is not the enemy.”

He said gently but firmly.

Deimos: “Well, he needs to stop bringing this up. It’s nothing like what he and Ichiro have!”

He rasped. Tristan’s eyelids dipped, and he heaved a deep sigh. Jaxon looked at him with hurt in his eyes.

Jaxon: “Look, man, what Ichiro did to me was WORSE, and I never took it out on you!”

He snapped.

Deimos: “Well, I never kept bringing it up!”

He fired back. Jaxon drew back.

Tristan: “Deimos, you were out of line with him. He’s not trying to provoke you, but he believes you need to face what Lazaros has done and your family.”

He said firmly but gently. Deimos gaped at Tristan.

Deimos: “I DID face it! Lazaros is a pompous asshole, and I am DONE with him! My family fucking sucks! What more do you want from me, Jaxon?!”

He barked at him. Tristan gawked at Deimos. Jaxon drew back.

He then furrowed his eyebrows, locking his glare onto Deimos.

Jaxon: “You’re being a pompous asshole right now, Deimos!”

He snapped. Deimos gaped at him, his mouth ajar.

Jaxon: “You’re right, Deimos. This is nothing like what Ichiro and I had; what we had is so much WORSE! Your brother never tried to kill you or tried to have his way with your man! He never tried to kill people you care about and turn them into monsters! Sorry if I keep bringing it up! At least I don’t bottle up my problems and take them out on my friends as you do!”

He added in a fiery tone. Deimos glared at him and slammed his fist on the table, causing Tristan to jump.

Deimos: “I am NOT bottling ANYTHING up! I am DONE with Lazaros and my family!”

He angrily rose.

Deimos: “Coming here was a mistake…”

He growled. Tristan rubbed his temples.

Jaxon: “Yeah, it was a mistake ‘cause you’re being a stubborn jackass like your brother! You sound just like him now, but instead of ‘IT’S NOT A FETISH!’, it’s ‘I DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM.’ You do you, Deimos.”

He huffed. Deimos glared at him.

Deimos: “I AM NOT NOTHING LIKE THAT FUCKING DICKHEAD!”

He roared and went inside to punch a hole in the wall. They heard the door slam. Tristan removed his glasses to wipe his eyes.

Tristan: “Jaxon, I am so sorry about this.”

He sighed. Jaxon hung his head.

Jaxon: “Maybe I was too harsh, but I also didn’t deserve him to snap at me. He was also snapping at Celeste, and that wasn’t right.”

He drew a long breath.

Celeste: “I wasn’t bothered. He did that whenever Ivy was being Ivy. He usually calms down after a few hours.”

She nodded. Tristan put his glasses on and drew a long breath.

Tristan: “And tomorrow is when we’re all going to Tortugazm’s concert…”

He muttered.

Jaxon: “I’m not letting this ruin that.”

He said with hurt. Tristan knit his eyebrows.

~

The next day, Jaxon drove him and Celeste to the Pink Rock Stadium, a multi-purpose venue that hosted various events, including concerts. It was the home of the Pink Top Pumas and the Pink Top Hurricanes. He wore a flowy, translucent monochrome leopard-print shirt with the buttons undone, revealing his chest tattoo, black leather pants, and Chelsea boots. Celeste wore a leather bustier with studs, a spiked collar, a jean miniskirt, fishnets, knee-high black boots, a sleeveless leather jacket, and an American flag headband. Jaxon turned into the parking lot of the arena and parked his car.

The two stepped out. There was a sea of excited people wearing black “Torturgazm” shirts and denim heavy metal “battle jackets” with various band patches on them. Security personnel stood outside the gate, watching as the crowd entered through the gates. Celeste waved to Tristan and Deimos, who had arrived in Deimos’ car. Tristan wore a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, paired with jean shorts and white slip-on vans. Deimos wore a Tortugazm tank top, torn jeans, and cowboy boots.

Tristan: “Hello, Celeste and Jaxon.”

He smiled at them.

Jaxon: “Hey, Tristan and Deimos.”

Deimos looked away. Jaxon drew a long breath, and they followed the crowd to enter through the gates.

Classic heavy metal songs were played on the speakers, pumping up the crowd as the acts took to the stage. The room wrapped around the stadium with various food and drink stalls and a bar serving alcohol. People flocked over to the bar, hanging around it while they waited for the show to begin.

Jaxon: “Do you guys want anything to drink?”

He asked them.

Tristan: “Do they have iced tea?”

He asked him.

Deimos: “I’ll get my drink and Tristan’s.”

He huffed. Tristan’s eyelids dipped, and he heaved a deep sigh.

Tristan: “Deimos, please…”

He said, giving him a beseeching look. Jaxon drew a breath and shook his head.

Jaxon: “Fine.”

He waved his hand and turned to Celeste.

Jaxon: “What do you want to drink, babe?”

Celeste: “I wanna root beer float! I want something to eat, too, Jax! I want hot dogs, onion rings, and burgers!”

She wrapped her arms around him. Jaxon smiled down at her.

Tristan: “Jaxon, if you want, you can ask if they have iced tea.”

He smiled a bit. Deimos turned to Tristan, his face flickering with hurt.

Deimos: “I want to get your stuff for you, Tristan…”

He whimpered. Tristan rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “This is not the time to be doing this, Deimos!”

He said flippantly. Deimos drew back.

Jaxon: “Babe and I are going to get something to eat and drink. Do you want something, Deimos?”

He asked him.

Deimos: “NO!”

He barked. Jaxon looked away with hurt and went with Celeste to get their food and drinks.

Tristan turned to Deimos.

Tristan: “Will you please stop this?!”

He whispered hoarsely.

Deimos: “He compared me to that asshole! I am not the bad guy, Tristan!”

He snapped with hurt.

Tristan: “You were taking your anger out on him!”

He hissed.

Deimos: “I am tired of people bringing this up! I dealt with that useless feeder fat fetishist! The issue is now dead and buried!”

He huffed and folded his arms across his chest. Tristan heaved a deep sigh and threw his arms up.

~

Jaxon and Celeste approached the food and drink stall. They sold overpriced hot dogs, cups of fries, hamburgers, and pizza slices, along with various sodas, iced tea, and water. Jaxon approached the counter.

Jaxon: “Excuse me, could I get four hot dogs with hot peppers, two hamburgers, a cup of fries, and one root beer and one iced tea?”

The man working behind the bar nodded and entered his order into the register.

Vendor: “That will be fifty dollars.”

He smiled. Jaxon raised his eyebrows. Yikes, he thought. He reached into his back pocket, withdrew his wallet, and handed the vendor two twenties and a ten-dollar bill. The vendor took it.

Vendor: “Thank you. Here’s your number.”

He handed him a slip with their number on it. He and Celeste looked around to see people waiting for their orders. Jaxon tightly pursed his lips. Celeste gaped at him.

Celeste: “I want my food now, Jax.”

She pouted. Jaxon put his arm around her and kissed her.

Jaxon: “Sorry, babe.”

He sauntered over to the bar, which was packed with a sea of merrily cheering, chatty, and heavy metal fans, drinking and eagerly anticipating the show. Jaxon nudged his way through the crowd to the bar and raised his voice over the chatter to place their orders.

Jaxon: “Excuse me, could I get a Jack and Coke?”

He asked the woman behind the bar. She nodded and held her fingers up to symbolize a figure amounting to eight. Jaxon nodded and reached into his back pocket to withdraw eight one-dollar bills. She mouthed a “thank you,” taking his money, and grabbing a fresh glass, pouring in the Coke and whiskey. Jaxon leaned on the bar and heaved a deep sigh.

Jaxon: “Thank you.”

He took the glass and went back to Celeste, who was waiting for their order.

The man behind the food vendor made eye contact with Celeste, hollering their number and handing them bags of their food. Celeste took them and grinned.

Celeste and Jaxon made their way back to Tristan and Deimos. Celeste handed Tristan a large cup of iced tea.

Tristan: “Thank you, Celeste and Jaxon.”

She pulled out the food and eyed the hot dogs with delight. She began devouring the food.

Deimos: “All that food for her, and you didn’t get Tristan anything!”

He snapped at Jaxon. Jaxon glared at Deimos.

Jaxon: “You insisted on getting stuff for Tristan yourself!”

He fired back.

Jaxon: “I offer to Tristan, you snap at me. I don’t offer, you snap at me.”

He huffed and took a sip of his drink.

Tristan: “It’s fine, Jaxon. I didn’t want anything to eat.”

He said genially.

Jaxon: “See, he didn’t want anything, Deimos. He can speak for himself.”

He rolled his eyes and took another sip.

Celeste: “I don’t mind sharing with you, Deimos.”

She smiled.

Deimos: “I didn’t want any food. Jaxon got nothing for Tristan! Look at all that for you! And you got yourself a drink, too!”

He snapped at Jaxon.

Tristan: “Deimos, please!”

He pleaded. Jaxon rolled his eyes and heaved an exasperated sigh. He drained his drink.

Jaxon: “Geez, calm down, Lazaros.”

Deimos saw red and seethed at him.

Deimos: “Shut up, ICHIRO!”

He barked at him. Jaxon glared at Deimos, his right eye twitching.

Jaxon: “Shut up, LAZAROS!”

He barked back at him.

Deimos: “You ARE like Ichiro! Everything has to look pristine and proper, and you wanted your unagi rolls with plenty of eel sauce. Oh, and you get upset when things don’t go your way like ICHIRO!”

He roared at him. Jaxon narrowed his eyes at him.

Jaxon: “Great, you compare me to a psychopathic killer when all I did was compare you to a weirdo feeder fetishist! You blow everything out of proportion just like him! You just have to win and be right! You get so upset when you’re wrong like LAZAROS! What’s so wrong with wanting the finer things anyway? You just insulted your man!”

He fired back.

Deimos: “I never insulted Tristan! What about how you treat Celeste?! You were off in Seashell Cove saving Chelsea because I think you deep down wanted to bone her!”

He rasped. Tristan turned to Deimos with wide eyes and looked deeply hurt. Jaxon drew back as his words slashed at him like razors, gaping at Deimos with disbelief.

Jaxon: “...Wow. I’d expect something like that from Vasilos, but you?”

He shook his head.

Jaxon: “No, you’re not like Lazaros. My mistake. You’re like your asshole cousin, Vasilos!”

He snapped with hot tears.

Jaxon: “Get the hell out of my sight!”

He snapped at Deimos, picking up the VIP tickets and tearing them in half with his bare hands. Tristan cupped his mouth. Deimos glared at him.

Jaxon: “If that’s what you think of me, you can forget your birthday gift!”

He cried.

Jaxon: “You care more about being ‘right’ and ‘winning’ the argument than anyone’s feelings. I hope you’re happy. You ‘won’.”

Deimos: “I am right. This is why you’re reacting this way. This is why you almost lost Celeste.”

He huffed. Celeste looked around awkwardly and picked up the torn-up tickets.

Jaxon glared at him through hot tears. In a flash, his hand flew across his face, delivering a hard slap. Deimos gaped at Jaxon with wide eyes and cupped his sore cheek. Tristan looked away.

Jaxon: “I’m reacting this way because someone who I thought was my friend made a horrible accusation about me! And you almost lost Tristan because of your ego! You left him at the park!”

He cried.

Celeste: “You know, I watched this show sometimes with Trevor. It’s called ‘Rocket Scientist Nerds’, and the group is fighting over a comic book. Anyway, they go to a concert and the rockstar guy saves their friendship in the end by writing a song.”

She nodded as she held the tickets in her hands. Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “Celeste, this isn’t a sitcom… and that show is trite.”

Celeste: “Well, it’s not a bad idea. I have some tape in my purse. It’s medical tape, but it will do.”

Jaxon turned to Celeste, feeling his anger melt away as he was touched by her tender heart.

Jaxon: “You deserve that VIP more. You’re my true VIP, baby.”

Celeste grinned at him and started taping it up with medical tape. Jaxon put his arm around her and kissed her. Deimos looked away and glared. Tristan heaved a deep sigh and shook his head.

The loud rumbling of drums echoed from within the venue, followed by the cheers of the crowd.

Jaxon: “Shit! The show’s starting!”

He exclaimed, taking her hand and leading them in. The crowd poured into the arena. The seated rows towered above them as they entered the large mosh pit at the foot of the stage. On the stage, a glow of neon purple and pink lights filled the space. The drummer sat behind the drum kit, slowly drumming the snare, exciting the crowd. A loud rumble came from the side of the stage as a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle rolled onto the stage, driven by a man with teased platinum hair, dressed in white leather. The crowd went wild, chanting “VIVACIOUS!” on repeat. The man parked his motorcycle off to the side of the stage and rose, approaching the microphone, picking it up in his gloved hands.

Vivienne: “Helllllo, Pink Top! I’m Vivienne Vivacious, and we’re… Torturgazm!”

He announced as the guitarist kicked into pinch harmonics down the fretboard, starting their first song. Vivienne kicked in with his gravelly vocals, and the crowd went wild. The mosh pit came alive like a sea of humans.

Deimos barged into the mosh like a battering ram, scanning the crowd for Jaxon with hot fury. He shoved his way through the mosh pit as people moshed up against him. Tristan followed after him, calling for him, but his voice got lost amongst the cheering and loud guitars.

Tristan: “Deimos!”

He knit his eyebrows, awkwardly navigating through the crowd, tensing up his shoulders and shielding his face.

Deimos saw Jaxon. He grabbed his shoulders.

Deimos: “YOU!”

He screamed and shoved him into the crowd. Jaxon staggered back into the wall of people who pushed him back with cheer. Jaxon glared at Deimos and shoved him back. A burly man hollered.

Burly Man: “WHEEW! MOSH!”

He cheered and shoved Deimos into Jaxon. The mosh pit intensified as people pushed and shoved each other all around them.

Suddenly, Celeste was lifted off her feet by a sea of arms, hoisting her above the crowd. Her eyes widened with surprise as she was perched on top of the mosh pit. The sea of hands led her toward the stage, where she was met by Vivienne, who held his hand out to hers to help her and catch her fall. He took her hand and helped her to her feet on the stage, continuing to sing his song as if this were part of the act and this was something he had done many times before. Celeste gaped at him with wide eyes and looked around the stage and onto the crowd.

Deimos: “Oh, look, Jaxon! Your girl is with a rockstar!”

He snapped at him. Jaxon rolled his eyes at Deimos.

Jaxon: “Where is your man, Deimos?”

He fired back at him, looking around for Tristan.

Deimos: “Not going to be boned by Vivienne Vivacious.”

He snapped.

Jaxon: “Boned. Real fucking mature.”

He huffed.

Jaxon: “First, you leave him behind at a park, and now you lose him in a mosh pit?!”

He snapped.

Deimos: “Are you forgetting the lifestyle you led? Vivienne never stopped it, Jaxon! Pick up the clue phone!”

He fired back.

Jaxon: “Shouldn’t you be focused on Tristan instead of your ego and me?!”

Tristan made his way through and dusted himself off.

Tristan: “Deimos, finally, I found you! Why is Celeste up there with him?”

He asked him.

Deimos: “I don’t know, but Jaxon doesn’t care because his real girlfriend got turned into a monster by his big brother.”

He huffed. Tristan glared at Deimos.

Tristan: “Stop this now, Deimos!”

He snapped. Deimos winced when Tristan snapped at him.

Jaxon: “I’m happy for her and I trust her, you dick! Are you so up your ass you can’t see how you're hurting him, too?!”

He fired back at him with tears. Tristan huddled into himself.

Deimos: “I am NOT hurting him! That’s YOU! You’re hurting him!”

He snapped back.

Deimos: “STOP making this about Tristan! This is how YOU picked a fight with ME over nothing! Because you’re still sore about Seashell Cove! Well, it’s YOUR fault it happened! YOUR brother did it, and he followed YOU!”

He flared hotly. Jaxon’s bottom lip trembled, and he felt cut to the core. Tristan looked at Deimos grimly with hurt. Jaxon’s hand flew out, delivering another hard slap to Deimos’ face.

Someone pushed through the mosh pit and approached Jaxon. It was one of the security personnel. He was a tall, burly white man with a bald head.

Security: “Is this guy bothering you?”

He asked Jaxon.

Jaxon: “He wishes he could bother me! But I’d have to care about him if I were bothered!”

He looked away and wiped his eyes. Deimos rolled his eyes. The security guard nodded.

Security guard: “All right, well, control yourself or I’ll kick you out.”

He said firmly and left.

Tristan heaved a deep sigh.

Tristan: “Deimos, please stop now or we’re going to get kicked out! If you want to leave, we should do so now.”

He said sharply. Deimos drew back.

Deimos: “We still have to meet Vivienne and the band, Tristan.”

He murmured.

Everything went quiet, as if the show had ended. The crowd chanted for an encore and one more song, and the band picked up again, marching into their final song and most popular crowd-pleaser to end the night on.

The song wrapped up, and Vivienne threw his iconic purple Jackson X guitar in the air.

Vivienne: “Thank you and good night, Pink Top!”

He announced, catching his guitar from its fall, signalling for the show to end. The crowd cheered and applauded as the band exited the stage.

~

After the show, Deimos and Jaxon shoved each other to get into the VIP room to meet the band. Tristan heaved a deep, exasperated sigh as they pushed each other.

Deimos: “Get out of my way! You’re not a real musician! You’re making money selling foot fetish content!”

He snapped.

Jaxon: “At least I have a job! You don’t do anything!”

Deimos: “I do more for the band than you do! You stick your feet in a camera and bitch and complain when people wank! What do you expect?!”

He hissed.

Someone cleared their throat with an awkward laugh. The two men looked up to see Vivienne Vivacious standing there, still dressed in his stage attire.

Vivienne: “Well, if it isn’t the feet-metal star himself. Consider me awestruck.”

He laughed in jest. Jaxon turned to him, his face red as a beet. Jaxon frantically waved his hands around.

Jaxon: “I-It’s NOT what you think! I was forced to do that shit by Percy!”

He stammered.

Celeste was already in the room, lying on the lounge with her boots off.

Deimos: “Yes, the one and only ‘Axion Jaxon’ of Fu’s Feet Links! Here he is!”

He extended his hand out to Jaxon, who glared at Deimos with a burning fury.

Vivienne: “Ah, sounds like he’s a big fan of yours.”

He gestured to Deimos in jest. Deimos turned to him in a rage.

Deimos: “I’m not a fan of HIM! He makes me sick!”

He snapped.

Jaxon: “HOW COULD YOU BRING THAT SHIT UP TO HIM?!”

He whispered hoarsely to Deimos, humiliated.

Tristan heaved a deep sigh and raked his fingers through his hair.

Vivienne: “That’s what best friends do when they fight.”

He shrugged.

Tristan: “I apologize for this, Mr. Vivacious! They’re enduring… a rough patch right now. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir!”

He said genially and held his hand out. Vivienne smiled at him and shook his hand back.

Vivienne: “It’s a pleasure to meet you too!”

He said earnestly.

Vivienne: “Well, don’t expect this to be like that show ‘Rocket Scientist Nerds’, where the rockstar saves the day by writing a song.”

He laughed.

Deimos: “I never asked for that! THAT SHOW SUCKS!”

He snapped.

Celeste: “Awwwwwww, why not, Viv?”

She pouted.

Vivienne: “Because this is for them to work out!”

He smiled at Celeste and gestured to Deimos and Jaxon, who glared at each other.

Celeste: “Awwww! I wanted you to write a song so they can stop fighting and be friends again!”

She pouted and raised her feet.

Jaxon: “Hmph, nothing would get through Deimos’ ice-cold, stubborn heart!”

He pouted bitterly. Deimos rolled his eyes.

Vivienne picked up his guitar and slid it across his lap, and he strummed it.

Vivienne: “All right, little lady! I can try!”

He smiled at her. Celeste grinned and waved her feet around. He ran his fingers down the fretboard with finesse and ease as if he had done this a million times before. He then strummed some power chords down the fretboard.

Vivienne: “Stop bein’ assholes and work this out for this little lady right here, and this tall gentleman right here!”

He sang, gesturing to Celeste and Tristan. A chuckle escaped Tristan’s lips. Deimos’ jaw hung open, shocked at what he heard. Jaxon blinked and felt his face turn red as he had to face his idol like this.

Vivienne: “There’s nothing I can say or do to make them stop, but maybe you could get through to them.”

He nodded to Tristan and Celeste, putting down his guitar.

Celeste: “That’s not what happened in Rocket Scientist Nerds. The rockstar sang ‘Friends to the End’ and they made up!”

She folded her arms and pouted. Vivienne chuckled.

Vivienne: “If only life were that simple.”

He laughed.

Tristan: “Celeste, the show’s characters consist of men in their thirties… arguing over a comic book like twelve-year-old boys. This isn’t going to work out like that because this issue runs much deeper than a comic book.”

He sighed.

Deimos: “Yes, it’s about Jaxon showing off his feet to the world and whining when people fap. He models for foot and tickling fetish websites.”

He deadpanned. Jaxon’s face turned red, and he waved his hand around.

Jaxon: “SHUT UP! STOP TALKING!”

He snapped.

Deimos: “Well, Vivienne knows you bare your soles.”

He said dryly. Jaxon bared his teeth, and his face reddened with humiliation.

Jaxon: “SHUT UP!”

He hissed through clenched teeth.

Vivienne: “Is that what you’re fighting about? Are you jealous that he’s a foot model on the internet?”

He asked. Deimos gaped at him and raised an eyebrow.

Deimos: “No. I never wanted to be one. I’m reiterating it because he doesn’t want you to know he does that. No, my issue with him is that he keeps rubbing my nose in my falling out with my useless fat feeder fetishist brother. I said umpteen times I was done with him, and Jaxon refuses to drop the issue, so I fight back!”

He explained and growled at Jaxon.

Jaxon: “You refuse to face your issues, and then you brought up something that traumatized me, made horrible accusations about me, and compared me to my psycho killer brother! You always have to be right, and I tried to diffuse the situation earlier, but you kept sniping at me!”

He cried. Tristan hung his head.

Tristan: “He’s right, Deimos. He greeted you and offered to buy you food, and you were nasty to him.”

He said calmly.

Deimos: “If he didn’t want me to be ‘nasty’, he should have let it go when I told him to!”

He huffed.

Vivienne didn’t know what to say to their abstract problems and didn’t deem it his place. He turned to Celeste.

Vivienne: “And what do you make of all this, little lady?”

He asked her, noting she was the only one not saying anything. Celeste shifted her eyes.

Celeste: “Oh? Honestly? I think Jaxon should have let it go when Deimos said it was done.”

She replied. Jaxon gaped at her, and then his face flickered with hurt. Deimos turned to her and clapped.

Deimos: “THANK YOU!”

He exclaimed.

Vivienne: “I see, well, Deimos has to face his issues himself and in his own time, when he is ready to. You can’t make him face them if he’s not ready. He should also refrain from making nasty remarks. The two of you need to resolve this in your own time when you’re both ready. I can’t fix this, and neither can they; this is for you two to resolve together.”

He offered. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “I agree with this, Vivienne.”

Celeste: “What, no song?”

She frowned.

Tristan: “A song isn’t going to fix this any more than cooking Chinese dishes for me will undo what Ivy did. Deimos and Jaxon need to resolve this together.”

He said gently. Vivienne nodded in agreement.

Jaxon: “Well, I see no one is on my side, except Tristan. I look out for others constantly, and this is what I get!”

He snapped.

Deimos: “I don’t have issues. It’s done and dusted.”

He rolled his eyes.

Vivienne: “They’re not taking sides; this is something you two have to work out together.”

He concluded.

Jaxon: “Whatever, don’t come crying to me when you get flooded and no one is there to save you. I’m done helping others.”

He snapped and stormed out, slamming the door. Celeste knit her eyebrows.

Deimos: “Yeah, he’s sore that he lost. Well, the issue is dead and buried, and he wants to be in control. I win.”

He said loftily. Tristan glared at him.

Tristan: “It’s not about winning and losing and who’s right, Deimos.”

He said evenly. Deimos knit his eyebrows.

Vivienne: “That’s right. I wish you all the best and hope you can resolve this.”

He stated.

Tristan: “Thank you for trying to be a neutral party in all of this, Vivienne. I know this is difficult, and it is a pleasure to meet you.”

He said genially. Celeste slid on her boots and rose from the lounge.

Vivienne: “No problem! Likewise with you! Enjoy the rest of your night!”

He bid them farewell. Celeste waved at him.

Celeste: “See ya, Viv!”

Tristan: “You, as well, Vivienne. Good night.”

He said genially, and Deimos, Celeste, and he left the room.

~

Jaxon was driving him and Celeste home that night. He was unusually quiet and smoking as he drove.

Celeste: “Viv should have written a song.”

She muttered.

Jaxon: “What does it matter? You agree with Deimos, despite the shit he said to hurt me.”

He said with a hurt tone.

Celeste: “I just think you should have let him do his thing. He would have calmed down in a couple of hours. He did this when Ivy did her usual Ivy bullshit.”

She twiddled with her thumbs. Jaxon gripped the steering wheel.

Jaxon: “I’m not wrong for having him face his issues, and he shouldn’t have taken it out on you and me!”

He snapped.

Celeste: “It didn’t bother me, Jaxon.”

She knit her eyebrows.

Jaxon: “Sure, if you say so.”

He muttered.

~

Deimos was driving Tristan home.

Deimos: “So much for that meeting. He didn’t write the song despite Celeste waving her feet around. I guess he knew following a shitty show isn’t the way to go. Ivy has this Hallmark movie mindset. Anyway, Celeste agreed with me, and Jaxon is hurt. Good.”

He nodded. Tristan glared at him.

Tristan: “Deimos, you hurt him before that! You said some HORRIBLE things to him that were frankly out of line.”

He snapped. Deimos drew back.

Deimos: “Well, he was provoking me, Tristan!”

He insisted.

Tristan: “There are things you should never say, no matter how angry you are. Anger dissipates, but your words of anger can last a lifetime.”

He said evenly.

Deimos: “Maybe some of it is true. Why did he spend so much time with Chelsea, and why did her death affect him?!”

He challenged. Tristan gaped at him.

Tristan: “Why are you asking these questions of him and not me?! It affected me, too, Deimos! Does this mean I had feelings for her?!”

He countered. Deimos winced. He hated it when Tristan was angry with him.

Deimos: “No, but Ivy thought so.”

He murmured.

Tristan: “Yes, and she dragged the poor girl’s name through mud for it, and look at where it landed her!”

He huffed.

Deimos: “He kept bringing it up after I told him it was done! What was I supposed to do?!”

He asked him.

Tristan: “The thing is, Deimos, it’s not done and you’re NOT facing your issues! Because you refused to face your issues, this is the result. It has gotten horrid!”

He snapped. Deimos drew back.

Deimos: “So you agree with him…?”

Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “Deimos, you and Lazaros both refuse to face your issues, and you both take it out on others. People around the two of you dance around topics gingerly because you will react in anger, and he will cry.”

He heaved a deep sigh and rubbed his forehead. Deimos focused on the road.

Tristan: “You said some very hurtful things to Jaxon, Deimos. It hurt me, too, because Ivy made the same accusations about me, and she used her silly movies to manipulate Celeste and Jaxon into arguing. All of this is a touchy topic for him… as Lazaros and your family, in general, are for you.”

He said and knit his eyebrows.

Deimos: “What can I do?! I can’t make Lazaros be on MY side or see our parents fucking suck?! I can’t keep chasing closure or approval! What is there to face?! Lazaros is not facing our parents who chose our dead sister over us! He’s worried my tattoo will cause more stress in the family! It’s already broken! What IS there to face, Tristan?!”

He asked him with hurt in his tone. Tristan gazed at Deimos.

Tristan: “You need to face yourself, Deimos. You need to control your emotions because they control you, and you’re hurting others around you. You could lose them if you continue on this path. You need to let go of this need to be ‘right’ all the time and try to understand and be more empathetic towards others.”

He said firmly but gently.

Tristan: “And I think being next to that nursery is affecting you more than you let on.”

He concluded. Deimos heaved a long sigh.

Deimos: “Well, Lazaros isn’t next to the nursery anymore, and he’s still throwing tantrums.”

Tristan: “Lazaros is completely blind to the issues. Yes, he doesn’t sleep next to the nursery, but he still tries to please your parents, namely your father. Also, he relies on Ashley to make him happy all the time. Why else would he have shelves and shelves of videos of them eating? Yes, I know he has the fetish, but this runs deeper.”

He added.

~

Deimos and Tristan were in Tristan’s bed. Tristan wore his white silk pajamas, and Deimos wore red plaid pajamas. He looked over at Tristan, whose back faced him. Sometimes I wonder if I deserve you, Tristan, he thought. Sometimes I think I deserve shit like Ivy and Blair because of what I do, he thought, and turned over.

~

Celeste and Jaxon lay in bed that night. Celeste wore a black tank top and panties, and Jaxon was nude. Celeste looked over at Jaxon, whose back faced her.

Celeste: “You know, there are variety shows where they tickle your armpits and feet.”

Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Jaxon: “Can we not do this now?! I’m trying to sleep!”

He huffed.

Celeste: “Vivienne knew about your feet stuff. I think he likes your feet.”

She stated.

Jaxon: “I told you to stop! Now will you stop?! You said I should stop when Deimos refuses to face his issues, and said nothing when he hurt me!”

He said sharply.

Celeste: “Well, it’s not true, so why get mad?”

She asked him, curious. Jaxon turned over.

Jaxon: “Because someone who I thought was my friend made horrible accusations about me! I don’t want to think about Seashell Cove! I know what happened was my fault!”

He cried.

Celeste: “Then… Lazaros to him is what Seashell Cove is to you.”

She nodded. Jaxon’s bottom lip trembled.

Jaxon: “It’s NOT the same! Someone DIED! Someone DIED horribly because of ME! If I didn’t go on that trip, Ichiro never would have gone! How can you compare some weirdo crybaby to Ichiro?!”

He cried.

Jaxon: “Lazaros never killed someone close to Deimos or touched his man! Lazaros isn’t making his life mission to make Deimos’ life a living Hell! Okay, it’s annoying and boring watching Ashley eat, but he’s not doing this with malicious intentions! They’re not comparable! Ichiro fucking ruined my life and killed the only family member who loved me!”

He sobbed and hugged his knees. Celeste knit her eyebrows and wrapped her arms around him to hold him. Jaxon held her back and sobbed on her breasts.