Chapter One-Hundred Seventy-Five: Cold Shoulder

Chapter 175

Cold Shoulder

That evening, Tristan stepped into Percy’s mansion. He wore a black double-breasted Italian-cut suit, a light blue pressed shirt, a dark blue tie, and black wingtip Oxfords. Percy stepped downstairs wearing a red shirt with ruffles on the plunging neckline and sleeves, black pants, and black boots.

Percy: “Welcome to my humble home, Monsieur Trémaux!”

He bowed and took his hand to kiss it.

Tristan: “Yes, humble is the exact word I would use to describe your gaudy house.”

He said dryly. Percy placed his hand on the small of his back and led him to the barstool, where he sat.

Percy: “Have I a treat for you today, my ice prince?”

He chuckled and bent down to lift his blender onto the counter. Tristan raised his eyebrows.

Tristan: “A new concoction?”

He chuckled. He placed six large ice cubes, one and a half ounces of Malibu Rum, and three tablespoons of coconut cream into a blender. He pressed the “blend” button and blended until it was smooth. He then poured the drink into a martini glass with a sprinkle of edible snowflakes.

Percy: “I dub this ‘The Cold Shoulder’.”

He chuckled. Tristan cracked a smile and took a sip.

Tristan: “This is nice.”

Percy beamed at him.

Percy: “It’s nice to see you smile, my handsome ice prince.”

Tristan bowed his head.

Tristan: “I’m fine.”

Percy: “No, you’re not.”

He whispered, took a tress of his snow white hair, and stroked it. Tristan drew a long breath.

Percy gazed at Tristan, surveying him and drinking him in.

Percy: “Where is Jaxon staying after his former ‘Green Queen’ destroyed their house?”

Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “With Deimos.”

He said flatly. Percy frowned.

Percy: “Out of all people, why him?”

Tristan looked away.

Tristan: “Deimos is a worthless loser, so search me.”

He said with hurt. Percy smiled.

Percy: “Yes, darling, we can agree on that.”

He purred.

Tristan cleared his throat.

Tristan: “So did any of your resources find anything on Project Ghisyn?”

He asked as he took another sip.

Percy: “No, love. Etsuko is a whiz at locating this stuff, but she found nothing.”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “She found out Borko’s body and car were dumped close to where Dougal Springer lives.”

He stated. Percy nodded.

Percy: “Why on Reona would that massive menace want to kill him?”

He gazed into Tristan’s eyes. Tristan shrugged.

Tristan: “My guess is he said something to anger Dougal, and that could be several things from ‘you can’t have your schmoodars’ to ‘you have to pay for this’.”

He twisted his mouth. Percy laughed a bit.

Tristan: “And my uncle, Narcisse, recruited his help, and found out the tough way that Dougal is literally a heavy load.”

He chuckled. Percy smiled tightly.

Percy took Tristan’s hand. Tristan flicked his gaze to his hand and raised his head to meet him.

Percy: “Shall we have this dance?”

Tristan’s shoulders sank, and he drew a short breath.

Tristan: “All right.”

Percy raised his eyebrows, surprised at his acceptance. He took Tristan’s hand and led him to the dance floor, where Kenny G music played in the background. He rested his hand on the small of Tristan’s back, and Tristan put his hand on Percy’s shoulder.

As they swayed to the music, Tristan was lost in thought, recalling the numerous times Deimos would come apologizing for his behavior. It was followed by a candlelit dinner, fine wine, and dancing to Kenny G.

Tristan clutched onto Percy’s shirt and gazed beseechingly at him.

Tristan: “I’m sorry, Percy, but would you change the song? I can’t… listen to this without thinking of… Deimos.”

He said with pain and looked away. He wrenched himself away and cupped his mouth. Percy knit his eyebrows and turned the music off. He approached Tristan and massaged his shoulders.

Tristan: “... Every time Deimos was a dick, he would always apologize to me, followed by a candlelit dinner, fine wine, and dancing to Kenny G.”

He explained as his voice cracked.

Tristan: “And he would resume treating me terribly, and I always took him back.”

He laughed humorlessly.

Tristan cleared his throat and removed his glasses to wipe his eyes.

Tristan: “I apologize for this.”

He said tersely and put his glasses back on. Percy cupped Tristan’s cheek.

Percy: “Let it all out, my ice prince…”

He whispered. Tristan looked away.

Tristan: “What else can I say? People told me to dump him and said he was abusing me.”

He laughed bitterly.

Percy: “You loved him, darling… This is why you kept giving him endless chances, but… don’t sell yourself short… You’re worth so much more than that.”

He said softly. Tristan bowed his head.

Tristan: “Am I?”

He drew a long breath. Percy cupped Tristan’s chin and gently raised his gaze to meet his.

Percy: “Always…”

He leaned in and opened his mouth to his. Tristan closed his eyes and welcomed the kiss. Percy ran his fingers through his soft hair.

Tristan broke the kiss and sighed. Percy smiled tightly at him and caressed his cheek.

Percy: “Would you like to take this upstairs?”

He leaned in, pressing his forehead against his.

Tristan: “No.”

He sighed. Percy nodded.

Percy: “I understand, my ice prince. I won’t pressure you.”

Tristan smiled a bit.

Tristan: “Thank you.”

He whispered. Percy smiled and kissed his hand.

~

Deimos paced around his living room. He wore an Ozzy Osbourne tank top, torn jeans, and socks. Jaxon’s Toyota Celica pulled up to the house and parked in the driveway. Jaxon stepped out of his car. He wore a leopard print button-down shirt with translucent sleeves, black jeans, and Chelsea boots. Sunglasses obscured his eyes. He stepped into the house and removed his sunglasses. Deimos rushed to greet Jaxon.

Jaxon: “Hey!”

He chuckled, happy someone was happy to see him. He slid off his Chelsea boots, revealing his sheer socks, and placed his car keys in the dish on the shelf by the door.

Deimos: “Where were you?”

He asked him.

Jaxon: “Oh, I was doing a shoot at Sole Desire.”

He smiled. Deimos gaped at him.

Deimos: “You still do that?”

He asked him. Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “Yeah, I have to bring money in.”

Deimos blinked.

Deimos: “You don’t need to do that, Jaxon. I can take care of you.”

He said doggedly. Jaxon knit his eyebrows.

Jaxon: “I don’t want to waste your money, and I want to help.”

He held his hands.

Deimos: “What kind of pictures are these?”

Jaxon: “Oh, I show off my feet, do some sexy poses with my shirt open, shirtless, and naked.”

He purred. Deimos furrowed his eyebrows.

Deimos: “And these pictures are just for anyone to see?”

He asked sharply. Jaxon knit his eyebrows.

Jaxon: “Yeah, but I was thinking of you the entire time and your face when I showed them to you.”

He smiled a bit.

Deimos: “I don’t want to share you with anyone, Jaxon!”

He snapped and angrily rose.

Jaxon: “You knew this is what I did for a living, Deimos!”

He fired back at him. Deimos pivoted on his heel quickly.

Deimos: “I thought you’d stop once we entered a relationship!”

He snapped.

Jaxon: “Why would you assume that?”

Deimos: “Because you’re MY man, and I don’t want to share you with anyone! Your body is for my eyes only!”

He flared hotly.

Jaxon: “I am NOT sharing my body with anyone else! I made them with you in mind!”

He cried.

Jaxon: “I have NO feelings for anyone else when I do this! It’s just business!”

He added and wiped his tears.

They heard a knock on the doorframe and saw Tristan standing there with a brazen smirk.

Deimos: “YOU put him up to this! Stay out of our love life, Tristan! I’m not going to let your manipulative games break us apart!”

He huffed. Tristan laughed.

Tristan: “Deimos, Jaxon did this before you decided to betray me with him. I didn’t put him up to anything. Why should this bother you?”

He tilted his head. Deimos glared at Tristan.

Tristan: “I was mulling on modeling at Sole Desire myself.”

He grinned.

Deimos: “You’re not doing that!”

He snapped. Tristan raised his eyebrows.

Tristan: “Wow, even when we’re not together, you still keep me on that leash.”

Deimos looked away with anger. Jaxon embraced himself.

Jaxon: “Why does it matter to you if he does that, Deimos?!”

He folded his arms across his chest.

Tristan: “Don’t fret, Jaxon. Deimos will argue with you, humiliate you, make you cry, make you feel worthless, and then he will eventually apologize to you, followed by a candlelit dinner, fine wine, and dancing to Kenny G.”

He said, and his voice rose as he relayed it. Deimos drew a rough breath.

Deimos: “What are you doing here?”

Tristan: “Percy wanted to know where Jaxon was.”

Jaxon rose.

Jaxon: “YOU told him?!”

He asked sharply. Deimos rushed to Jaxon and held him protectively.

Deimos: “How could you betray him like that?!”

He hissed. Tristan glared at Deimos.

Tristan: “Don’t talk to me about betrayal, Deimos. Final warning.”

He cupped his mouth and glared at him with his piercing green eyes.

Tristan’s expression relaxed as he turned to Jaxon.

Tristan: “Don’t fret, Jaxon. Percy is worried about you, and we do use many of his resources. He’s not going to hurt you.”

He reassured him.

Jaxon: “I don’t WANT to be his prisoner again!”

He snapped.

Tristan: “You’re more of a prisoner here, if you ask me.”

He said coolly. Deimos glared at Tristan.

Deimos: “Why do you trust that piece of shit?!”

He huffed.

Tristan: “That ‘piece of shit’ never took advantage of me when I visited him, unlike someone I know.”

He said wryly.

Deimos: “Whatever, Tristan.”

He grumbled.

Tristan drew a long breath.

Tristan: “Anyway, Jaxon, I’ll be alone all evening, so if you need someone to talk to who knows exactly what Deimos is, the door is open.”

He smiled.

Deimos: “That won’t be necessary. He doesn’t need to be brainwashed by you.”

He said gruffly. Tristan smirked.

Tristan: “Celeste and Fabien won’t be around; Fabien is taking her out to dinner, and I think he’s going to ask her out.”

Jaxon: “What, is he taking her out to dinner at Danny Donger’s to laugh at Blair?!”

He huffed bitterly. Tristan let out a peal of chuckles.

Tristan: “Not quite. It’s an Italian steakhouse in the heart of Pink Top City called ‘Casa Madera’.”

Jaxon folded his arms over his chest.

Jaxon: “Hmph, more like Casa Merde.”

Tristan threw his head back and laughed.

Tristan: “Are you bitten by the jealousy bug, Jaxon?”

He teased.

Jaxon: “I had my home destroyed because of that idiot!”

Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “Jaxon, you cheated on her. She has a strong ethereal prowess and cannot regulate her emotions. Did you honestly expect it to go smoothly?”

He challenged him. Deimos looked away, recalling how Tristan turned his backyard into an ice cavern, and then Jordi came to melt it away. He thought bitterly and angrily.

Tristan drew a long breath.

Tristan: “In any case, have a lovely evening, Jaxon. You know where to find me.”

He stated and left.

Deimos: “Goddamn him! He likes to get under everyone’s skin! He’s like a worse version of Ivy without the love of those shitty Hallmark movies and telepathy!”

He rasped.

Jaxon: “I lost my home and belongings because Celeste put that idiot troll ahead of me.”

He said glumly. Deimos turned to him and held him close.

Deimos: “Jaxon, consider what she did a blessing. You have a new home now, a new guitar, and a new life! Would you be comfortable remaining in that house with Fabien and her across the street?”

He asked him. Jaxon looked away.

Jaxon: “I bought that house for us… I bought a house so we could have a place to call home and she wouldn’t be roaming around like a stray.”

He said in a plaintive tone. Deimos put his arm around Jaxon.

~

Tristan saw Deimos put his arm over Jaxon. Bastard, he angrily thought. Ivy came up to him with Samson in his stroller. She wore an off-shoulder dress with a mesh neckline, a ruffled black collar, and black criss-cross sandals.

Ivy: “Nihao, airen!”

She sang. Tristan turned to her with anger.

Tristan: “Don’t call me that.”

He hissed. Ivy chuckled.

Ivy: “So you know Deimos cheated on you.”

Tristan glared at her.

Tristan: “I’m not entering a relationship with you.”

He flared. Ivy pursed her lips.

Ivy: “I read his mind, Tristan. He still desires you, even if he’s also possessive of Jiro.”

She nodded.

Tristan: “I couldn’t care less who he desires or what he feels for me. He betrayed me, and we’re done.”

He said coldly. Ivy smirked.

Ivy: “But I never cheated on you, Tristan. No matter what loser I am with, you’re my airen!”

Tristan turned to her with a sneer.

Tristan: “That includes my papa, who you also broke!”

He snapped.

Tristan: “He was JUST out of a coma and traumatized, Ivy! Let’s not forget the whole Seashell Cove incident, where you indirectly caused Chelsea’s death and THEN smeared her reputation! You also played a hand in my relationship with Deimos deteriorating!”

He barked. Ivy sighed.

Ivy: “Tristan, I am not responsible for Deimos being a loser and a dick. He was always this way, and you know it, Airen. You can’t blame me for that. I read his mind, and I knew he would do this. You’re welcome.”

She smiled.

Tristan drew a long breath.

Tristan: “I guess I should thank you for what you did at Adventure World. After that, my love for Deimos dwindled because his ego is more important to him than I am.”

Ivy smiled.

Tristan: “I’m not entering a relationship with you. You also disgust me.”

He said coldly. Ivy’s bottom lip trembled.

Ivy: “Tristan, how could you say that to me?! We always had moments of love!”

She bawled.

Tristan: “I seem to be a magnet for the worst people to ‘love’ me. I’m done with love. Au revoir, Ivy.”

He huffed and walked away. Ivy sank to the ground, crying loudly.

~

Fabien and Celeste arrived at Casa Madera. Fabien had his hair slicked back and wore a dark green Italian-cut suit, a light green vest, a white pressed shirt, a red tie, and brown cap-toe Oxfords. Celeste wore a black off-shoulder bodycon dress with angel sleeves and black high heel sandals. She wore her hair in a half bun and carried a velvet purse. They entered the restaurant. The atmosphere is one of decadence and luxury. The room was dominated by rich, deep colors like gold, dark brown, and crimson.

It was illuminated primarily by numerous grand, multi-tiered crystal chandeliers that cast a warm, glittering glow. Additional light came from dozens of lit taper candles and candelabras placed on the dining tables, some of which featured a single red rose.

The walls were intricately decorated with ornate gold molding, wainscoting, and frescoed panels on the ceiling, all in deep, dark tones. There were heavy, dark velvet curtains over tall windows.

Crisp white tablecloths covered circular tables and were meticulously set with gold-rimmed plates, crystal glassware, and gold-toned flatware. The chairs are upholstered in a dark, rich, deep crimson velvet.

Several people were present, dressed in formal attire. Staff members, in period-appropriate vests and trousers, were attending to the guests.

Fabien went up to the host and asked for a table for two. He led the two to a table with a single red rose. Celeste pulled out a chair for Fabien.

Fabien: “Hahaha, thanks.”

She sat across from him.

Fabien: “Thanks for coming out with me! Ever been to a place like this?”

He smiled. Celeste paused.

Celeste: “Yeah, with Jaxon.”

She mumbled. Fabien nodded.

Fabien: “I didn’t bring ya here to dampen the mood. I just wanted to talk and take you somewhere nice.”

Celeste smiled.

Celeste: “You didn’t have to do that, Fab! But, thank you!”

Her smile spread to show her razor-sharp teeth. Fabien smiled back.

Celeste: “What did you want to talk about?”

She asked him. Fabien turned a deep red and fanned his face with the drinks menu.

Fabien: “Is the air conditioning broken in this place or what?!”

He laughed.

Celeste: “I’m okay!”

She chirped.

Fabien: “So, ah, Celeste, you’re available?”

He began.

Celeste: “Yeah, I am here with you now!”

She nodded.

Fabien: “Not seeing anyone else?”

He reddened.

Celeste: “Nope.”

Fabien: “Ah-ha…”

He drummed his fingers on the table.

Fabien: “So that tantrum from Blair at Toyz World is Us was something else, huh?”

He laughed. She giggled.

Celeste: “Yeah, he’s getting worse. Sylvia is right.”

Fabien: “Because Fatley won’t fuck him?”

He laughed and shrugged.

Celeste: “It checks out. His fiancée wants Tristan.”

Fabien: “Ah, yeah, Deimos cheated on Tristan, didn’t he?”

He raked his fingers through his hair. Celeste looked away, thinking about how she made posters and other stuff to repair their relationship.

Celeste: “Yeah. He did. With Jaxon.”

She said robotically. Fabien pursed his lips.

Fabien: “Tristan is so savage when it comes to Deimos. I never got what he saw in that loser.”

He smirked.

Celeste: “Jaxon sees the same thing, I guess.”

She said as her voice trailed off.

Fabien: “Well, he’s a dumbass to cheat on YOU.”

He blurted and reddened. Celeste smirked at him.

Fabien swallowed hard and pushed his forefingers and thumbs together as he tried to collect his thoughts.

Fabien: “So… I was wondering… Do you want to make that kiss with the fries real?”

He began.

Fabien: “And do you want to laugh at dumbasses together as partners in crime?”

He blushed. Celeste smirked.

Celeste: “Are you asking me out, Fabien?”

Fabien reddened and wordlessly nodded.

In a flash, Celeste grabbed his tie, yanked him toward her, and deeply kissed him. Fabien was hot to the touch, and her kiss felt like a bomb had gone off in his head. Her lips were soft and supple beneath his; he tasted her hot girl breath and wrestled his tongue with hers.

She broke the kiss. Fabien’s heart hammered in his chest. He straightened his tie and clothes, smiling at her and blushing all over.

Ichiro sat at a nearby table. He wore a double-breasted black Italian-cut suit, a dark red pressed shirt, a black tie, and black plain-toe Oxfords. He angrily clutched his menu as he glared at Fabien. How dare that cretin steal MY Green Queen?! He wondered as his face turned as red as his shirt. I would turn all of these people into richonoids to shred him, but I must not, he thought. He has to be broken, he thought.

He rose from his seat, withdrew his wallet, placed the cash on the table, and left.

~

Jaxon sat at the bar of the Starlight Club. He was smoking and had a glass of Jack and Coke while he was lost in thought.

He withdrew his wallet and opened it up to look at the pictures he had inside of him and Celeste. He knit his eyebrows and inhaled a long drag.

Someone sat by him. He glanced, and his mouth was ajar when he saw Ichiro.

Ichiro: “Bourbon on the rocks.”

He asked the bartender. He handed him a glass of bourbon over ice in an old-fashioned glass.

Jaxon: “What the fuck are you doing here?”

He whispered hoarsely.

Ichiro: “Having a drink, Jiro. Is that prohibited?”

He smirked.

Ichiro: “I see you lost my Green Queen because you want to give her to a man who deserves her: me!”

He withdrew a cigarillo from his case and lit it up.

Jaxon glared at him.

Jaxon: “Fuck you! This all started because of what you did to Chelsea! You broke me, and she drifted from me to be with that idiot troll!”

He rasped. Ichiro gaped at Jaxon.

Ichiro: “Oh, Jiro, if you didn’t catch feelings for Chelsea, this would have been avoided. How could you take your eyes off someone like Celeste for a weakling like Chelsea? You could never appreciate Celeste’s superiority.”

He fired back.

Jaxon: “Why do you and Celeste think I had feelings for her?! Maybe I wanted to help someone who needed it!”

He snapped. Ichiro rolled his eyes.

Ichiro: “Sure, keep telling yourself that. I always had my eyes on MY Green Queen! Then again, you cheated on her with a loser, so perhaps you gravitate to the inferior so you can feel superior somehow.”

He scoffed.

Jaxon: “He’s NOT a loser! He makes me feel loved, protected, and special! Celeste left me for an idiot troll, and Deimos gave me something she never had!”

He cried. Ichiro’s right eye twitched when he mentioned Celeste being with Fabien.

Ichiro: “You know, Jiro, if you were going to cheat on her, why not Tristan? Didn’t he go to great lengths to salvage your sinking reputation and help you contest Grandmother’s will?”

He asked through clenched teeth.

Jaxon: “I am not romantically compatible with Tristan.”

He rose, took cash from his wallet, and left it on the counter.

Jaxon: “Kutabare.”

He spat and left the bar. Ichiro glared at him and watched him go.

~

Tristan was out on his backyard patio reading and smoking a cigarette. He had his suit jacket removed, his tie loosened, and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He also had his shoes removed with his sheer socked feet resting on the ottoman.

Someone opened the door and stepped outside. Tristan raised his gaze to meet Jordi. He wore a red plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, jeans, and his black zip-up boots.

Tristan: “Hello, Jordi.”

Jordi sat by him.

Jordi: “What’s wrong?”

Tristan laughed bitterly.

Tristan: “I hate Deimos is what’s wrong. I gave him so much of my time, my soul, and my virginity, and my thanks is being spat in the face!”

He blurted as tears welled in his eyes.

Tristan: “I-I’m sorry…”

He removed his glasses to wipe his eyes. Jordi put his arm over him and held him close.

Jordi: “Don’t be. I fully understand what it’s like to do those, only to get spat in the face.”

He sighed.

Tristan: “Of course, you do.”

Tristan: “Jordi?”

Jordi: “Yes?”

Tristan: “Since you asked me why I remained with Deimos, why do you remain with Gina? You never forgave her for lying to you or endangering your life?”

He asked him. Jordi paused and bowed his head.

Jordi: “It wasn’t just that… She made me lose Hannah, which resulted in my grandfather being hospitalized. The caretaker her parents hired for me can’t stop tickling my feet, and it annoys me.”

He huffed.

Jordi: “Her baby cousin, Priscilla, has a crush on me, and Gina is actually jealous of her.”

He rolled his eyes.

Jordi: “It’s an excellent question, actually.”

Tristan and Jordi gazed at each other for a moment, and Jordi drew a long breath.

Jordi: “I don’t know, Tristan. Unlike what you felt for Deimos, I didn’t feel that for Gina. I thought I did, but it seems I am settling.”

He said bitterly. Tristan surveyed him.

Tristan: “You deserve better than to settle.”

Jordi bobbed his head.

Jordi: “It’s all I’ve done all my life.”

Tristan: “Because you crave a connection of some sort because you’re not getting at home.”

Jordi raked his fingers through his hair and gazed at Tristan.

~

Celeste and Fabien arrived home. Celeste shoved Fabien on his bed and began removing his shoes. He laughed and shrugged out of his suit jacket, unbuttoned his vest, and loosened his tie. Celeste pulled off his socks and fluttered her nails over his bare soles. Fabien burst out laughing.

Fabien: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

He flopped back laughing and writhing.

Her nails danced over his soles, and he screamed with laughter.

Fabien: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAA!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”

He pounded the bed and laughed hard. Celeste snaked her arm around his ankles and vigorously tickled his feet. Fabien screamed in laughter.

Fabien: “AIYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!!”

He whined.

~

Celeste was sleeping on his chest. She wore a black tank top and panties. Fabien wore green plaid pajama pants. He inhaled sharply, thinking about how much the dinner bill came to. I guess I’ll have to work double shift for a bit, he thought.

Ichiro teleported into their room. Fabien gaped at him.

Fabien: “Am I tripping? I didn’t think I smoked whacky-tobacky today.”

He laughed. Ichiro scowled at him.

Ichiro: “Good evening, Mr. Troll! I see you’re with MY Green Queen, but that won’t last!”

He folded his arms behind his back and stood erect.

Fabien: “Rock on, Ich.”

He said dryly.

Fabien: “So? Stop talking and start taking action to ‘break me’.”

He smirked. Ichiro clicked his tongue.

Ichiro: “You sad little man. You talk so big, but when I am done with your little blue man, you will never be the same.”

He scoffed. Fabien shrugged.

Fabien: “Okay, dude.”

Ichiro bared his teeth at his apathy.

Ichiro: “You wait! You won’t be so cocky when I am done with you!”

He snapped and pressed his button in his ear to teleport away.

Fabien: “How long was he making those threats? When is he going to make good on them?”

He laughed and shrugged.