Chapter One-hundred Seventy-Eight: Reconnected

Chapter 178

Reconnected

They entered Bastien's bedroom. It was an enchanting bedroom with a strong fairy garden aesthetic.

In the center of the bedroom was a rustic wooden four-poster bed, draped with airy green curtains that had been pulled back and tied. The room overflowed with hanging vines and ferns that cascaded down from the ceiling and bed frame, giving the space an organic, overgrown feel. Strands of twinkling fairy lights were interwoven with the greenery and curtains, casting a warm, magical glow.

The bed had soft, inviting bedding—a duvet and pillows in a muted, botanical print. On the wooden nightstands on either side of the bed were small table lamps and pictures Bastien had taken of himself with his brother and father.

A large window on the left offered a glimpse of the outdoors, revealing the garden Bastien had grown with his botakinesis.

On the other end of the room was a small sitting area with shelves of books, a small table with a tea set, and, on the right, a wooden vanity with Bastien’s toiletries, a wooden highboy, and a closet with his shoes and clothes. Bastien wore a green sweater over a white pressed shirt, light green chinos, and brown loafers. Tristan was with him. He wore a white pressed shirt with a few buttons unsnapped at the collar, with a blue ascot around his neck, a black vest, black trousers, and black wingtip Oxfrords.

Tristan marveled at his room.

Bastien: “Since the DNA results came back to prove I am your brother and father is my father, she allowed me to decorate my room to my liking. It’s bigger than my bedroom in Uncle Narcisse’s place, and it’s not the same as home, but this is the closest I could get.”

He said softly. Tristan looked away. Bastien knit his eyebrows.

Bastien: “What’s wrong, Tristan? Are you upset about Deimos cheating on you?”

He cupped his mouth.

Tristan: “That and Narcisse attacked me last night!”

He blurted. Bastien gazed at him.

Bastien: “Narcisse has never done anything like this, so why would he do this now?”

Tristan gazed at his brother with pain in his eyes.

Tristan: “He always did this to you, Bastien. This isn’t new.”

Bastien blinked and looked away.

Bastien: “I never thought so…”

He said as his voice trailed away.

The two brothers sat on the green armchairs in his bedroom.

Tristan: “When you told me about your Christmases spent with him, what did he give to you? It seems you were giving to him.”

Bastien smiled.

Bastien: “Oh, Narcisse doesn’t give gifts to people. His gift was allowing me to stay in his home and cook for him.”

Tristan’s eyelids dipped.

Tristan: “He should be doing that for you anyway. But… there was tickling you and slapping your… rearend.”

He said with strain. Bastien twisted his mouth.

Bastien: “I like it when Celeste tickles my feet…, even if she says stuff to embarrass me.”

He laughed and reddened.

Bastien: “My feet have a mild odor, but it’s not that bad.”

He cupped his mouth.

Tristan: “Yeah, it’s like Papa’s.”

He said, his voice trailing off.

Bastien gazed at his brother for a moment.

Bastien: “Tristan, you can always talk to me about stuff that bothers you. I am here for you.”

He took his hand into his. Tristan smiled sadly at him.

Tristan: “Thanks, Bastien, I appreciate it.”

He whispered.

~

That evening, Jaxon was driving through downtown Pink Top City. He wore a black button-up shirt with a red rose pattern, black leather pants, and Chelsea boots. He finished wrapping up another shoot at Sole Desire and hated how Daisy kept asking him if he was okay. The staff keep asking him that, and he thought, “There is that question again.” He inhaled a long drag. He didn’t want to go home now.

He checked his rearview mirror and looked behind his shoulder. He then put on his signal and changed lanes to take the exit to Little Tokyo.

~

Jaxon’s car rolled up to Percy’s mansion. He heaved a deep sigh as he parked his car and lifted the emergency brake. He then climbed out of the car and walked down the path and across the bridge.

When he stepped into the house, he looked around and hooked his thumbs into his pants, whistling.

Percy stepped into the house completely naked with a towel around his shoulder. He was soaking wet.

Percy: “Jaxon! What a pleasant surprise.”

Jaxon rolled his eyes. Percy rolled up the towel and used it to smack Jaxon’s ass. Jaxon cupped it and walked away.

Jaxon: “Stop!”

He hissed. Percy smirked.

He grabbed a black silk robe and slid his arms into it. He spread his arms out.

Percy: “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Jaxon pouted.

Jaxon: “I just wanted to come for a drink.”

He mumbled. Percy smiled tightly.

Percy: “Comin’ right up, handsome.”

Jaxon rolled his eyes and sauntered to the bar. He took a seat. Percy filled his cocktail shaker with ice. He poured two ounces of pomegranate juice, one and a half ounces of brandy, a half ounce of lime juice, and two dashes of hot sauce. He poured it through a strainer and into a margarita glass, garnished with a chili pepper.

Percy: “ ‘Too Hot for Pink Top’ is what I call this… like you.”

He whispered as he leaned closer to Jaxon’s face. Jaxon took a sip and raised his eyebrows.

Jaxon: “It’s spicy…”

Percy took a lock of Jaxon’s hair and threaded it.

Percy: “Are you okay, Jaxon?”

He placed his hand on his. Jaxon pulled it away.

Jaxon: “Why is everyone asking me that?!”

He asked sharply.

Percy: “Because you don’t look okay.”

Jaxon huffed.

Jaxon: “I’m fine.”

Percy gazed into his eyes.

Percy: “Are you?”

Jaxon bowed his head.

Jaxon: “Did I make a mistake…? With Deimos?”

He asked him as he looked away.

Percy: “Of course, darling. You knew what he was like. Why did you do it?”

Jaxon sighed.

Jaxon: “Am I fixating too much on Chelsea’s death?”

He asked him. Percy bowed his head.

Percy: “It’s normal to go through traumas in your life, but it can make you or break you. I find my traumas made me more… magical.”

He chuckled.

Jaxon drew a long breath. Percy pursed his lips.

Percy: “Jiro, if this is affecting your life, where it’s causing you to reach out to the likes of… Deimos, then yes, you are. You can have hang-ups, and people will die before your eyes… People you care about, but… life goes on. You have to make peace with what happened and go on living your life.”

He said to him.

Percy: “I knew a soldier who was burned to a crisp when I found him. He was a great guy… He changed my life for the better.”

He explained and looked away. Jaxon locked his gaze on Percy.

Percy: “I think of him often.”

He sighed.

Jaxon: “Did he die because of you?”

Percy shook his head.

Percy: “No, and sometimes I wonder if he could have been spared had I shown up sooner, but.. It just happened, and I started over.”

He said flatly.

Jaxon: “Didn’t know you served in the military.”

Percy looked away.

Percy: “Yeah.”

He smiled. Jaxon eyed him incredulously.

Percy: “In any case, Deimos is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. I know Celeste destroyed your house, but I have taken the liberty of hiring a crew to rebuild it.”

He nodded.

Jaxon: “Why?”

He asked sharply.

Percy: “Darling, I want you away from Deimos ASAP.”

He slid a card for The Noble Monarch Hotel.

Percy: “Since you don’t want to bunk with me.”

Jaxon slid it away and flared at Percy.

Jaxon: “Stop this, Percy! Stop controlling my life!”

He snapped and slammed his hand on the counter. Percy knit his eyebrows.

Percy: “Jiro, listen to me, love. I’m not the one controlling you; I am merely trying to protect you.”

He said gently.

Jaxon angrily rose from his seat.

Jaxon: “Coming here was a mistake…”

Percy locked his gaze on him.

Percy: “Then why did you come, Jiro?”

He challenged.

Jaxon: “I just… wanted to have a drink and talk to someone.”

He replied, which was partially true.

Percy: “You could have done that at The Starlight Club.”

He tilted his head. Jaxon’s eyelids dipped. Percy took his hand and kissed it.

Percy: “Think about what I said, darling.”

He said to him, and Jaxon saw the Noble Monarch Hotel card in his hand.

~

After Jaxon left, Percy went back to his bar and knelt on the floor. He pulled out a black-and-white portrait of himself, taken in 1975 when he was eighteen. He wore a single-breasted dark tunic, a pressed shirt, a tie, and a side cap. He looked at the following picture, taken in 1977, of himself in his field uniform at a bar, drinking and laughing with a large, burly, but friendly-looking white man with a large nose, red hair, and freckles.

Percy then recalled that while out in combat, he came across the burnt remains of a soldier. He sighed wistfully and tucked the photos away.

He then used the beer tap to pour himself a drink.

Percy: “I’ll have a drink in your honor, my friend.”

He raised the glass and took a swig.

~

Jaxon was out driving and saw Celeste walking on the sidewalk. She wore a leopard-print halter top, a pleated jean skirt, black ankle-strap boots, and a leather jacket. He swerved and pulled up to her.

Jaxon: “Hey! Wanna come have dinner with me?”

He asked her. Celeste raised her eyebrows, and her eyes grew large in astonishment.

~

Celeste and Jaxon entered a rustic, cozy Italian restaurant, designed for a warm, inviting dining experience. The lighting was dim and warm, with several exposed incandescent bulbs hanging from the ceiling, casting a soft glow. Candles were lit on the tables, adding to the romantic and cozy ambiance.

The walls and arches were red brick, giving the space a classic, old-world feel. In the back, there was a prominent wood-fired oven with fire inside. Shelves around the dining room were stocked with bottles of wine and various dishes, further emphasizing the restaurant’s theme and authentic feel. There were several tables and chairs. Red-and-white checkered tablecloths covered the tables, and fine cutlery and wine glasses were placed strategically.

Celeste and Jaxon took a seat at the table. He flipped through the drinks menu, and she looked through the menu. The server approached them. She wore a white blouse with a black pencil skirt, black flats, and a red apron.

Server: “Good evening, you two. Will this be on one bill?”

She asked.

Jaxon: “Yeah, I’ll pay.”

He smiled.

Server: “What can I get you two to drink?”

Jaxon: “I’ll have a Jack and Coke, and for the lady?”

He smiled at Celeste.

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

Jaxon chuckled.

Jaxon: “And we’ll have the spicy chicken pizza, extra hot wings, and mozzarella sticks.”

He handed her the menus. Celeste’s violet eyes glittered.

The server took down their order and left them.

Celeste: “So…”

She leaned closer.

Celeste: “What’s the occasion?”

Jaxon shrugged.

Jaxon: “What happened last night, and what you said, did you mean it?”

He asked her. Celeste looked away.

Celeste: “You are moping about Chelsea too much.”

She muttered. Jaxon bowed his head.

Jaxon: “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I did it that much.”

He drew a long breath. Celeste stared down at her lap.

The server came back with their drinks. Celeste’s eyes sparkled at the number of pralines and cherries in her float. Jaxon sipped his drink.

Jaxon: “I never wanted Ichiro or what he does to come between us, and I never realized that’s what I did.”

He mumbled.

Jaxon: “I’m sorry.”

Celeste looked away awkwardly and popped cherries in her mouth. Jaxon smiled at her.

Celeste: “Why did you do it, Jaxon?”

Jaxon: “I… got so consumed by my grief that I didn’t see that you still loved me. I thought I was losing you.”

He replied and knit his eyebrows.

Jaxon: “My actions hurt you, our house is gone, and I hurt Tristan, who has done so much for me!”

He said, cupping his mouth.

Celeste drew a long breath.

Celeste: “Chelsea’s death wasn’t your fault, Jaxon. Ichiro wants to break you, and Ivy also indirectly caused it, but it’s not your fault. You did what you could, but… life goes on.”

She said to him.

Celeste: “And if you think Deimos will care, are you forgetting how shitty he was to you when you asked him why he hates Lazaros so much? He ruined your chance to meet Viv.”

She added. Jaxon felt a jolt of pain in his heart.

Celeste leaned over.

Celeste: “Jaxon, look, Deimos is shitty to Tristan, and he also worships him. If you think the grass is greener, maybe it’s ‘cause it’s fertilized with bullshit.”

She snorted.

Jaxon: “But you told me not to prod Deimos!”

He cried.

Celeste: “ ‘Cause you can’t. Deimos is always right, and I know not to argue back. Let him stew in it.”

She drawled and munched on some pralines.

Celeste: “Gotta pick your battles sometimes.”

The server arrived with their mozzarella sticks in a basket. Before Celeste could eat them, Jaxon stole a few of them and ate them. Celeste gaped at him, and Jaxon chuckled. He reached out to place his hand on hers. He stopped himself, and then he relented. Celeste blinked, seeing his hand on hers. She knit her eyebrows and sighed. Their pink fingers intertwined.

As Jaxon shoved a mozzarella stick in his mouth, Celeste leaned over to take it from his mouth using hers. As she munched on it, their lips met. Jaxon’s eyes grew large, and he melted to her kiss. Tears welled in his eyes when he put his arms around her and kissed her.

When they broke the kiss, Jaxon pulled out the Noble Monarch Hotel card Percy gave to him.

~

Tristan was out on the backyard patio. Jordi joined him and sat by him. He wore a white Western shirt, jeans, and his black zip-up boots.

Jordi: “Everything okay?”

Tristan removed his glasses to wipe his eyes.

Tristan: “No, Jordi, I feel like I’m drowning.”

He sniffled. Jordi frowned and wrapped his arms around him.

Tristan: “It’s everything crashing down at once.”

He wept.

The door slid open, and Deimos stormed out. He wore an Obituary tank top, torn jeans, and cowboy boots.

Deimos: “GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF HIM!”

He bellowed. Jordi turned to him with a glare.

Tristan: “Deimos, please, don’t do this now! Please leave!”

He sobbed.

Deimos: “Tristan, I don’t trust him or want him near you! His timing was too convenient when your uncle attacked us!”

He barked. Jordi gaped at Deimos.

Jordi: “What the fuck are you on about?! Some blind woman in a long, black dress told me she heard people in trouble, and I came!”

He fired back.

Deimos: “Yeah, as if anyone would fucking come if a blind woman said people are in trouble! Not buyin’ it, Jordi!”

Jordi flared at Deimos as electricity coursed through him. Deimos braced his feet apart and put his hands up.

Tristan: “STOP IT NOW!”

He screamed as he slashed his hand, forming a sheet of ice in front of Deimos. Icicles protruded from it, pointing at Deimos. Deimos backed away and knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “Deimos, just please leave me alone! Haven’t you broken me enough?!”

He sobbed. Deimos gazed at Tristan and bowed his head.

Deimos: “It just seems… weird he came on time, Tristan!”

Jordi: “God, you sure like to project! I have no ulterior motive! You? You took advantage of Jaxon when he was vulnerable!”

He snapped.

Deimos: “Fuck you! How are we to know you’re not working for that clown?!”

Jordi glared hatefully at Deimos.

Jordi: “Because I traveled to Clerteaux with you to rescue Jaxon and went toe-to-toe with him?!”

He fired back.

Tristan: “Deimos, I need you to leave now! No one is working for Narcisse! Stop making this about you! Shouldn’t you be glad someone saved me?! If you loved me, it wouldn’t matter to you!”

He bawled. Deimos looked away and tightened his jaw.

Jordi: “Shouldn’t you be with Jaxon now?”

He asked him.

Deimos: “He’s not home. He’s likely out doing another shoot after I told him NOT to.”

He hissed.

Jordi: “You don’t tell people what to do; you ask them.”

He countered.

Deimos: “Mind your own fucking business. Fuck you.”

He snapped and stormed away.

Jordi watched him go and sighed. Tristan shook his head and removed his glasses.

Tristan: “He’s getting worse.”

Jordi: “I’m worried about Jaxon.”

He said to him.

Tristan: “Likewise.”

~

Deimos angrily paced around his house.

Deimos: “Just seems convenient he showed up in the nick of time…”

He cupped his mouth.

Deimos: “And where the FUCK is JAXON?!”

He kicked his coffee table over.

~

Jaxon opened the door to a room in The Noble Monarch Hotel. He stepped in, and Celeste followed him. The room had a queen-size bed, a bathroom, a drawer with a TV, and a minibar. She removed her boots, socks, and leather jacket, then flopped onto the bed. Jaxon smiled, slipped off his shoes, and bent over to take off his sheer socks.

He climbed on the bed with her, slowly unsnapping the buttons on his shirt. He pulled his shirt out of his jeans and faced her with his shirt open. She flicked her gaze to his chest tattoo and into his almond-brown eyes.

He slid his shirt off his shoulders and unbuckled his belt. He slid those past his hips as well as his boxer briefs. Celeste gazed at him, her eyes sparkled. She pulled her halter top off, unzipped her skirt, and slid it down, and knelt across from Jaxon. She had her eyes fixed on his gaze and flicked them down to his hardness.

She and Jaxon kissed deeply. He reached behind her back, unclipped her bra, and tossed it on the floor. He grinned as her large, bare breasts with the dark tips. He flicked his fingers over her taut nipples. She giggled and bit her bottom lip. Jaxon smirked and tugged at her panties. Celeste pulled them past her hips and tossed them on the floor.

The two gazed at each other, baring their bodies and souls.

Celeste curled her fingers around Jaxon’s hardened cock and lowered her head, inserting it into her mouth. Jaxon squeezed his eyes shut and gazed down at her as Celeste bobbed her head, moving in rhythm to his thrusts. He reddened all over and tousled with her hair as she sucked his cock.

Jaxon: “Oh, babe…”

He said breathlessly. Jaxon threw his head back and clenched his teeth as his balls twitched and he climaxed into her mouth. Celeste groaned and shut her eyes tightly as his load filled her mouth. She withdrew his member and sat up, swallowing it, savoring the taste.

Jaxon’s brown eyes melted as he gazed at his ladylove.

Jaxon: “Celeste… Daisuki da yo…”

He whispered. Celeste smiled at him, and the two deeply kissed.

He lay her on her back, spread her legs, and locked his gaze on her. He lowered himself to the most feminine part of her, spreading the folds and giving it a lick. Celeste let out a loud moan and threw her head back as she cried in pleasure. Jaxon smiled and continued licking her throbbing clit, tasting her, pleasing her, and listening to her cries in pleasure. Celeste reddened all over as her body heat rose.

Celeste: “Oh, Jaxon!”

She moaned. Jaxon smiled tenderly and raised his head. He leaned closer and inserted two of his fingers inside of her, massaging her. Celeste grabbed onto his arm as she moaned. She knit her eyebrows and felt overwhelmed with so many emotions.

She lay back, panting, her clitoris throbbed. She was wet and desired him. Jaxon gazed at her body, admiring her beauty, and longed to pleasure and connect to his ladylove, his green queen.

Jaxon: “Do you want this?”

He asked as he pointed to her vulva, running it down her slit. Celeste whimpered and clutched the sheets.

Celeste: “Yeah!”

She cried.

Jaxon nodded and lowered himself on her, his member slowly entering her. Celeste cried out in pleasure as Jaxon’s cock filled her. Jaxon was on top of her, holding her close, continually thrusting her, connecting to her once again with each thrust. Celeste moaned into his ear as she held him close, moving her hips in rhythm to his thrusts, loving him being inside of her.

Jaxon picked up the pace, thrusting her. Celeste was euphoric. She wrapped her arms and legs around him as his balls slapped against her reddened vulva. She felt herself on edge as the tip of his cock hit her G-spot.

Celeste: “J-Jaxon! JAXON!”

She cried as her large breasts jiggled. Jaxon panted as he thrust hard and faster.

Jaxon: “C-Celeste!”

Celeste screamed as an orgasm ripped through her, and Jaxon cummed his load inside of her, followed by a shout.

~

Deimos lay in his bed that night with his tuxedo kitten, Leo, on his bed. Deimos wore a gray tank top and gray plaid pajama pants. He stroked his little kitten and gazed at the photo of him and Tristan on his nightstand.

Deimos: “Tristan, what have I done?!”

He cried.

~

The next morning, Jaxon and Celeste stood in front of the window, completely nude, as they watched the sunrise. Jaxon had his arm over her and smiled down at her. Celeste held him close and looked up at him.

~

Joe Bradford sat in the office of Parsons Investigations to meet with the private investigator. Strong shafts of sunlight cut through the gaps in the horizontal blinds covering the large windows. The overall color palette is warm, dominated by warm tones—browns, tans, and creams. The room was centered around a large, heavy wooden desk with multiple drawers.

A vintage adjustable desk lamp sat on the desk, along with various papers, an electric fan, an Apple II computer, and various small items. A dark-patterned area rug partially covered the floor. The walls were decorated with a collection of framed photographs and certificates of varying sizes. In the right corner, a stack of cardboard or paper boxes is neatly piled, containing files and archived documents.

The desk chair was a classic, low-backed wooden swivel chair with carved detailing. Seated in the chair was a white woman with red hair styled in a high, voluminous updo. She had white, light-purplish eyes, full lips, and wore pearl earrings. She wore a white button-down shirt, taupe trousers, and dark brown boots with a chunky heel. She sat across from Joe.

Joe: “So, the Wentworths aren’t doin’ too well after their daughter, Chelsea, was murdered. Ruth has been in a mental facility, and Harold is turning to alcohol. She was their only daughter. They always wanted a child and had trouble conceiving until she was born. And then, my son was also murdered.”

He said with strain. Pamela gazed at him.

Pamela: “I am so sorry to hear that, Mr. Bradford.”

Joe smiled sadly.

Joe: “Me too. When Tristan and his friends came, Chelsea took a liking to Jaxon. He’s a good kid.”

Pamela nodded. Joe leaned back into his seat.

Joe: “I recall asking Tristan about this, and he mentioned someone named ‘Ichiro Tachibana’ is responsible for this gruesome attack. He’s a doctor… not a medical doctor, but one of those mad scientists. He’s also Jaxon’s older brother.”

He stated. Pamela twisted her mouth.

Joe: “I want you to look into this and bring that son of a bitch to justice for what he did to Chelsea, Josh, and Arnie.”

He said doggedly.

Pamela: “I will do my best, Mr. Bradford. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

She said evenly.

After Joe left her office, her fingers flew over the keyboard as she began to research Ichiro. She found a “Dr. Ichiro Tachibana” who worked at Pink Top General Hospital, but this didn’t seem to be the man Joe was looking for. She recalled he mentioned he was a “Mad Scientist” doctor.

After hours of research and reviewing the population database, she found “Ichiro Tachibana,” and his name was under “Megalos Tower” for employment. She searched the files for Megalos Tower and saw that it hosted a genetic research company called “New Horizons Research.” She twisted her mouth as she looked through the employee IDs, and then she came across Ichiro’s. She gazed at his picture on his employee ID card. He was facing forward with a neutral, disapproving expression. He wore a red pressed shirt, a black tie, and a lab coat over it.

Pamela surveyed it for a moment. Her light purple eyes had that glint, her heart pounded, her breathing hitched, and her cheeks flushed a bright pink. She rose from her desk, grabbed her light brown trench coat, threw it on, and grabbed her car keys before leaving.