Chapter One-hundred Seventy-Seven: Burst Bubble

Chapter 177

Burst Bubble

That morning after Jordi showered, he stepped out of his bedroom wearing a white pressed shirt, a black tie, black trousers, and black sheer socks. He held his suit jacket in his arm and strolled out to the kitchen and dining room, where his grandfather sat, shoving a muffin in his mouth, and Henrietta was preparing breakfast. Henrietta greeted him with a smile.

Henrietta: “Good morning, handsome! Your vacation over now?”

She sang. Jordi managed a strained smile.

Jordi: “Yes, all good things must come to an end.”

Henrietta: “Here you are, handsome!”

She sang as she placed a plate of pumpkin French toast with pumpkin icing. Jordi gaped at it, and his grandfather took his plate from him and began eating it. Henrietta furrowed her eyebrows and placed her hands on her hips.

Henrietta: “Abraham, it’s rude to take others’ food!”

She chided him.

Abraham: “He wasn’t going to eat it! I wanted it!”

He huffed and tucked it in.

Jordi’s cellphone rang. He rose and picked it up.

Jordi: “Hello?”

Balderico was on the other end.

Balderico: “Jordi, would you drop by the house on your way to work? Priscilla saw a monster in her bedroom, and she wants to see you!”

He stated. Jordi recalled that candy bar wrapper and what Priscilla told him about this “monster.”

Jordi: “Of course, Mr. Belloni, I can make it.”

Balderico: “Jordi? What’d I say about formality?”

He chided him gently. Jordi bowed his head.

Jordi: “I’m sorry. Habit. On my way.”

He hung up the phone.

Jordi shrugged into his suit jacket and buttoned it up.

Jordi: “I have to go.”

Henrietta: “Aren’t you going to eat some breakfast?”

Before he would reply, Abraham threw a bottle of water at his head. Jordi winced and cupped his forehead.

Jordi: “What was that for?!”

He asked sharply.

Abraham: “I felt like it.”

He laughed. Jordi glared at him for a moment and stormed to the door, where he shoved his feet into his zip-up boots. He zipped them up, grabbed his car keys, and left the house, slamming the door behind him.

~

Jordi arrived at Gina’s mansion and stepped inside. Balderico greeted him. He wore a dark red velvet robe with a black trim, black silk pajamas, and slippers.

Balderico: “Morning, Jordi! Thanks for coming on such short notice!”

Priscilla rushed to Jordi and hugged his legs.

Priscilla: “JORDI! I was so scared last night! Why weren’t you there?!”

She sobbed. Jordi knelt and hugged her.

Jordi: “I’m sorry. What happened?”

He asked gently.

Priscilla: “I saw a big, scary monster in my room last night! It was the same ugly, scary monster from before!”

She cried.

Balderico sighed.

Balderico: “She’s letting her imagination run wild! Thank you for coming, Jordi!”

I don’t think it’s imagination, Jordi thought.

Gina came down and saw Jordi. She wore a silk purple nightgown with a black lace trim. She saw red.

Gina: “Oh, you come when SHE sees someone watching her but not me?!”

She snapped. Jordi rolled his eyes.

Balderico: “Gina, please, Jordi loves you very much, but your little cousin was scared! He’s being a gentleman.”

He chided her gently.

Gina: “BUT I SAW THE SAME MONSTER!”

She cried and stomped her feet. Balderico put his hands up.

Balderico: “Gina, don’t do this now. Jordi is a good man, and I am glad he came to check in on Priscilla.”

He said with exasperation. Imagine a father speaking to his adult daughter as if she were a child, Jordi thought.

Gina folded her arms and pouted.

Priscilla: “A prince always protects his princess!”

She chirped. Jordi smiled a bit.

~

Jordi arrived at the Megalos Tower and swiped his work ID at the time clock to clock in. He ran to the elevator, pressed the button, and got in.

When he got off at his designated floor, he marched to the recreation room. When he entered and saw Stefano at the vending machine, he closed the door behind him and locked it. He marched up to Stefano and delivered a hard punch to his cheek. Stefano crashed back and fell into the plant.

Stefano: “DAMN YOU, what was that for?!”

He snapped. Jordi took the shiny candy bar wrapper he snatched from Priscilla’s bedroom and tossed it at Stefano. Stefano’s eyes widened, and Jordi delivered another hard punch, knocking the wind out of him.

Jordi: “Stay the fuck away from Priscilla and Gina!”

He rasped. Stefano tried to rise, but Jordi kicked him down.

Stefano: “Damn you, Jordi! You will be FINISHED when I am done with you! I will finish you off as well as Celeste and Jiro!”

He warbled.

Jordi: “Go ahead, I’d love to see you try.”

Electricity coursed through Jordi.

Stefano whipped out a high-frequency sound device and pressed it as the sound ripped through him, freezing Jordi, and he cupped his ears as the sound pierced his ears. Stefano laughed and rose, dancing.

Stefano: “Come and get me, little boy!”

He laughed and ran out. Jordi collapsed to the floor in pain and panting with rage. He angrily pounded on the floor and scrambled to his feet to go after him.

Desiree was in the doorway.

Desiree: “Jordi, that fat fuck ain’t worth it.”

She shook her head.

Jordi: “Don’t you tell me what to do! He was in a little girl’s bedroom and staring at her.”

He bellowed and slammed his fist on the table. Desiree raised her eyebrows.

Desiree: “Okay, didn’t think Stefano was… that weird.”

Jordi sat at the table and rubbed his temples as his eyes winced in pain. Desiree drew a long breath.

Desiree: “So, wanna have lunch in the food court? It’s my treat.”

She offered. Jordi drew a long breath.

Jordi: “Sure, why not?”

He rose from his seat, and Desiree smiled a bit.

~

It was the night of the Midnight Macabre, a Halloween festival held in Silver Lake Park. There were strings of orange pumpkin and purple bat lights arcing across the palm trees. Several carved pumpkins surrounded a scarecrow with a pumpkin head. Vendors were selling baked goods, homemade crafts, and concessions such as popcorn and candy apples. There were rides, such as a carousel and a Ferris wheel, as well as a haunted house for guests to tour.

Ashley and Lazaros set up a stall to sell Ashley’s baked goods. They had black cat cupcakes, macarons, spider cookies, and pumpkin cheesecake bites.

Lazaros wore a black jacket with checkerboard-print edging and sleeve cuff insets. His vest had mismatched panels—the right was diamond, and the left was stripes. His black pants had white stripes, and his black top hat had a checkered band with a price card stuck in it. On his right hand, he wore a black glove, and on his left, a white glove. His large white bow tie had black hats, and he wore black shoes.

Ashley was dressed in a pink-and-purple striped Cheshire Cat onesie. They wore a hood with large cat ears and cutesy cat eyes, lined in purple, on the inside. They had painted a black spot on their noses and whiskers, along with cat-eye wing makeup.

Lazaros bagged up an order for a couple with their children.

Lazaros: “Have a spooktacular day!”

He smiled. He turned to Ashley.

Lazaros: “We’re doing numbers here!”

He beamed. Ashley purred and rubbed up against him like a cat.

Ashley: “Pawesome!”

They chirped.

Deimos and Jaxon strolled up to their stall. Deimos wore a Pantera tank top, torn jeans, and cowboy boots. Jaxon wore a black button-down shirt, a dark gray sports jacket, gray jeans, and black Chelsea boots.

Jaxon: “Yo!”

Deimos rubbed the small of Jaxon’s back. Jaxon chuckled.

Deimos: “Anything you want here?”

Lazaros gaped at them. Ashley’s head spun with confusion when they saw Deimos’ hand on Jaxon’s back.

Lazaros: “Uh, Deimos? Where’s Tristan?”

He asked him. Deimos’ smile faded.

Deimos: “Oh, we’re done.”

He said evenly. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “...Wh-What?! Oh no! What happened?”

They gasped.

Deimos: “I found Jaxon is what happened.”

He smiled, and the two kissed. Lazaros shifted in his seat awkwardly. Ashley cupped their mouth.

Ashley: “Wh-What about green snack kitty?! What about Tristan? Do they know about this?!”

They cupped their cheeks.

Deimos: “Yeah, they know.”

He said flatly. Jaxon looked away and sighed.

Lazaros: “Well, I just want my brother to be happy, and I wish you two very well!”

He smiled.

Ashley: “Oh… well, so long as all of you are happy, then I’m happy for you all!”

They smiled. Deimos smiled at Jaxon and put his arm over him.

Deimos: “Anything you want?”

He asked him softly.

Jaxon: “Not yet. I just wanted to say hi to your brother and his girlfriend.”

He smiled. Deimos led him away, and Jaxon rested his head on his shoulder.

Lazaros: “So…, uh, what do you think?”

He asked and laughed. Ashley tilted their head and scratched their head.

Ashley: “Uhhh, well, so long as no one is hurt and they’re happy, then I’m happy for them. I guess it kinda makes sense ‘cause Jaxon and Deimos both wanna be rockstars, haha?”

They pondered.

Ivy approached the stall. She wore an off-shoulder purple dress with angel sleeves, a black witch hat with a purple band, and black criss-cross heels.

Ivy: “Nihao!”

She waved her hand and smirked at Jaxon and Deimos.

Ivy: “Kàn qǐlai tā mánzhe tā de àirén yī ge mìmì, érqiě wǒ zhīdào nàge mìmì shì shénme!”

She chuckled. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Huh? What was that?”

Ivy turned to Ashley.

Ivy: “Oh, just thinking aloud…”

She said, her voice trailing off as she followed them.

Blair marched up to the stall. He wore a Raggedy Andy costume and folded his arms over his chest.

Blair: “I see you’re NOT in your Raggedy Ann costume! I don’t know why you had to come as a cat when you’re a WHALE!”

He snapped.

Ashley: “Why are you dressed up like a clown? Huh? What’s Raggedy Ann? I always dress as a cat! Wh-Why are you being mean to me?!”

They frowned.

Blair: “I told you to come as Raggedy Ann so we could be matching couples!”

He snapped and slammed his hands on the table. Ashley jolted and clung to Lazaros. Lazaros comforted them.

Ashley: “Why would I do that?! I hate you, and we’re not a couple! I’m with Lazaros!”

They cried.

Lazaros: “Last I checked, you’re engaged to Ivy, and she was speaking in Mandarin about a secret.”

He scoffed. Ashley nodded.

Blair: “I was so kind to you, Ashley, and my thanks is you being a fat, ungrateful BITCH!”

He snapped.

Ashley: “You’re not kind! You’re MEAN and you’re with Ivy! Go dress up as a clown with her!”

They cried.

Blair: “You’re a fat, beached whale! I gave you a car and money to set up your cat café!”

He snapped back. Ashley recoiled at his harsh words.

Lazaros: “That car was destroyed, and I am buying them a new car. Run along, Blair. Don’t you have better ways to waste your time? You’re far beneath Ashley and me.”

He scoffed. Ashley brightened and glanced up at Lazaros with big eyes as he defended them.

Ashley: “Is that because you’re taller than him and I’m taller than him standing on this platform right now?”

They exclaimed. Blair glared at Ashley and bared his teeth.

Lazaros: “Well, no. It’s because I’m a world-traveling chef and Blair is just a nepo baby with a racecar bed and someone for Fabien to laugh at.”

He smirked. Ashley smiled at him.

Blair: “Fabien is NOT laughing at ME! He’s laughing at THAT FAT FUDGING BITCH!”

He screamed.

Ashley: “Who? Makayla? Maybe you should date her.”

They said bitterly.

Blair: “Yeah, she’s in Los Campos with some guy named Brad, feeding him at buffets. Sounds like you two would get along. All you do is eat, you pigface pothole!”

He hissed. Ashley frowned at him.

Ashley: “All you do is whine and cry! You… crybaby mean-head!”

They hissed back.

Blair: “You’re a fat loser, FATLEY!”

He bawled.

Ashley: “Shut up, MAXX!”

Blair smacked Ashley’s arm. Lazaros gasped.

Ashley: “Oww! Why did you just hit me?! Leave me alone!”

They recoiled and cried.

Tristan showed up and elbowed him away. He wore a white, pressed shirt over a black sweater, beige chinos, black wingtip Oxfords, and a dark gray trench coat. Blair fell to the ground and cried.

Blair: “OOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!”

Tristan: “Since neither of you is in Fabien’s server, not that I blame you, I guess you’re treated to the ‘reprise’.”

He said dryly. Ashley tilted their head, looking confused.

Ashley: “Fabien’s server? He owns a restaurant now?”

They asked. Tristan formed a ball of ice in his hand and put it on Ashley’s arm. Ashley jolted to the cold sensation. Lazaros secured the cold compress to their arm and gaped at the huge bruise Blair left. He didn’t think Blair was that strong. Ashley smiled lovingly at Lazaros as he tended to them.

Tristan: “No, it’s an online server where people get together and chat. Blair takes up much of it to whine about you. The less you know, the better off you are.”

He sighed.

Ashley: “Oh? Why would anyone want to be around Blair crying all day?”

They gaped.

Tristan: “Fabien finds it hilarious.”

He drew a rough breath.

Ashley: “Uhh, why?”

Tristan cleared his throat. He didn’t care to carry on this conversation or socialize.

Tristan: “Sorry, I can’t heal you. This is all I can do.”

Ashley: “It’s okay, I have mystical spirit water that will do the trick! Thank you!”

They smiled.

Tristan: “If Jaxon shows, I can ask that he heal you.”

Ashley: “Thank you.”

Lazaros: “Thanks, Tristan. So, do you know Deimos is with Jaxon?”

Tristan paused.

Tristan: “Yes, he cheated on me with Jaxon.”

He smiled as his right eye twitched. Lazaros stared at him, his mouth ajar. Ashley gasped, cupping their mouth.

Tristan: “Ah, he never told you. Well, now you know.”

He clasped his hands over.

Ashley: “Wh-What?! Did he do the forbidden against you?! I’m so sorry!”

They hugged Tristan. Tristan was shocked by their sudden gesture. He hugged them back and got a better look at their bruise. It was huge. He never thought Blair was that powerful.

Ashley: “Here, have some cookies on the house!”

They bagged up some black cat cookies for him. Tristan smiled at them and accepted the bag.

Blair shoved Tristan.

Blair: “FUDGE OFF, LAMB CHOPS!”

He snapped. Tristan raised his hand and shot an ice blast at Blair, sending him crashing back. Ashley’s eyes widened, amazed at his strength and power.

Tristan: “Well, that deals with that nuisance for now.”

He huffed. He dusted himself off, realizing he was not sore from Blair’s feeble attack. So why is Ashley so bruised? He wondered. Maybe I’m overthinking, and he got an adrenaline rush after Ashley refused to wear that stupid costume, he thought.

Lazaros: “Not dressing up, Tristan?”

Tristan turned to him.

Tristan: “I didn’t feel like it.”

He said tersely.

Ashley: “Aww, I might have a spare pair of cat ears somewhere if you want to dress up, too.”

They offered. Tristan smiled at them.

Tristan: “Thanks for thinking of me, Ashley. I’m glad someone else does.”

He said in a plaintive tone. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Aww, I’m sure lots of people care about you, Tristan!”

Tristan raised the bag Ashley gave him.

Tristan: “Thanks for the cookies. Have a lovely evening, you two.”

He said and walked down the path.

Lazaros watched him go.

Lazaros: “Well, Tristan takes everything in stride! If that were me, I’d be a crying mess!”

He beamed. Ashley turned to Lazaros, gently placing their hand on his cheek.

Ashley: “Aww, I could never do the forbidden to you, Lazaros!”

They assured him and kissed him. Lazaros kissed him back.

Lazaros: “I know, Ashley. When I had that nightmare you ate at Voyage Burger, I couldn’t stop crying!”

He said, his bottom lip trembling. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Oh, no, I could never do that to you, Laz. Your cooking is too good!”

They assured him. Lazaros beamed, and the two kissed.

~

Tristan walked down the pathway where the pumpkins were lit up along it. He inhaled sharply and sat on a bench. He leaned back and rubbed his eyes. He withdrew a cigarette from his gold case, lit it up, and inhaled a long drag. He heard footsteps and saw Ivy leaning against a tree smoking from a kiseru.

Ivy: “Nihao, airen!”

Tristan rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “What do you want?”

Ivy: “I read your mind. I think Ashley has hemophilia. It’s a blood-clotting disorder that leads to easy bruising.”

Tristan drew a long breath.

Tristan: “Right, thanks for snooping on me and pulling me up on that.”

He said dryly.

Ivy sat by him.

Ivy: “I also know another secret.”

Tristan inhaled sharply.

Ivy: “Jiro hasn’t been… completely upfront with Deimos, has he?”

She purred.

Tristan: “Yes, because when you are, you’re subjected to his bouts of rage and a humiliation conga from Deimos. Can you blame him?”

He huffed.

Ivy: “So, Jiro is still doing shoots at Sole Desire, and Deimos is very angry about this.”

She said, flicking her gaze at him. Tristan heaved a deep sigh.

Tristan: “To the surprise of no one.”

He muttered and inhaled another long drag.

Ivy: “That’s not all, Tristan.”

She smiled tightly. Tristan raised an eyebrow.

~

Jaxon and Deimos were in the haunted house. They went down a narrow corridor, illuminated by intense purple and magenta lighting, creating an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.

The walls on both the left and right sides were made to look like decaying wood structures. Several large, jagged holes have been cut into the walls, and through these openings, various arms and wrinkled hands with tattered clothes reached out toward the center of the walkway. As the hands reached for Jaxon, he clung to Deimos for protection.

Deimos: “Fuck off! Hands off my man!”

He smacked them away as he held Jaxon close. When the two reached the end of the foyer, Jaxon and Deimos deeply kissed.

As they ventured down the halls, a ghost jumped out at the two, and Jaxon clung to Deimos. Deimos held him close and protectively.

Deimos: “I got you, my beauty.”

He whispered. Jaxon reddened and melted to his words and touch.

Tristan and Ivy ventured down the same hall, following them. Ivy blushed as she watched Tristan and bit her bottom lip.

Ivy: “Tristan, I need someone to save me!”

She moaned. Tristan rolled his eyes. He blocked his thoughts but had a plan. Tristan put his arm around her and held her close.

Tristan: “Of course.”

He smiled and gazed down at her. Ivy’s chocolate eyes lit up. She clung to his arm and leaned on it.

As they ventured further down the foyer, a ghost jumped out at the two, and Ivy clung to Tristan. Tristan held her close and gazed down at her, smiling. Ivy had stars in her eyes.

They stood across from Deimos and Jaxon. Deimos saw red when he saw Ivy with Tristan.

Jaxon: “Oh, you two are a thing now? Despite what Ivy did at… Seashell Cove?”

He said with strain.

Tristan: “Well, Jaxon? Deimos screwed up your chance to truly meet your idol, and you overcame it.”

He smirked.

Jaxon: “That is not the same thing.”

He hissed.

Tristan: “Why the third degree, Jaxon?”

He asked and glanced at Deimos, who was angry as a hornet.

Tristan: “Right, your man can’t stand to see me with anyone else.”

He smirked. Jaxon knit his eyebrows.

Deimos: “FUCK YOU! I knew you always wanted her!”

He rasped.

Tristan: “So, Ivy, what secret is Jaxon keeping from Deimos?”

Jaxon looked at Tristan with confusion and hurt.

Jaxon: “What do you mean?”

Ivy: “Oh, Jiro did another shoot with Sole Desire.”

She chuckled. Deimos glared at Ivy and Tristan and turned to Jaxon, whose bottom lip trembled.

Jaxon: “Tristan, why are you doing this?”

He wept. Tristan felt a pang of guilt.

Deimos: “You did ANOTHER set?! Jaxon, I told you NOT to do this and WHY I don’t want it done!”

He barked.

Jaxon: “I did it during the day!”

Deimos: “I don’t want you doing it AT ALL!”

He snapped.

Jaxon: “I was just trying to bring money into the house. I don’t have any other source of income, and we aren’t getting gigs right now.”

He explained.

Deimos: “I said I would take care of you!”

He bellowed. Jaxon embraced himself.

Ivy: “And that’s not all! Do you remember the ‘Night Diamonds’ club?”

She smirked. Jaxon gaped at her with fear in his eyes. Deimos quirked an eyebrow.

Deimos: “What the fuck are you on about, Ivy?! That was a male-only strip club that was burned down last year.”

He huffed.

Ivy: “Um-hmm, and Jiro was a dancer for it, too.”

She smirked. Jaxon cupped his mouth as the tears poured down his cheeks. Deimos blinked. Tristan glared at Ivy.

Tristan: “That’s enough, Ivy!”

He scolded her. Ivy turned to him with tears in her eyes.

Ivy: “I did this for you!”

She cried.

Deimos turned to Jaxon, glaring contemptuously at him. He stormed past him. Jaxon reached out and followed Deimos.

Jaxon: “Deimos, WAIT!”

He cried.

~

Deimos stormed into a room with creepy dolls, raking his fingers through his hair as his head spun with confusion, anger, and hurt. Jaxon slowly entered the room.

Jaxon: “Deimos?”

Deimos turned to Jaxon with a sneer. Jaxon bowed his head.

Deimos: “I see you also keep shit from me as Tristan does.”

He said gruffly.

Jaxon: “Deimos, I didn’t want to discuss that because it was hard to discuss, and I didn’t want to remember it!”

He cried.

Deimos: “Just like Tristan…”

He huffed.

Jaxon: “You didn’t want to discuss the nursery, and I’m sure you have other things from your past you haven’t told me or Tristan.”

He murmured.

Deimos: “I don’t keep shit the way YOU and Tristan do!”

He cornered Jaxon and screamed in his face. Jaxon’s bottom lip trembled as he wept.

Jaxon: “THIS is exactly why we do!”

He cried. Deimos grabbed Jaxon’s arms and squeezed them. Jaxon whimpered.

Deimos: “So it’s MY fault now?!”

Jaxon: “YES! You’re hurting me! Let go of me!”

He struggled in his grip. Deimos tightened his grip.

Jaxon: “LET ME GO!”

He yelled and tried to shove him off.

Deimos’ harsh features softened. He sighed and let him go.

Jaxon: “What the Hell is wrong with you?!”

He cried and rubbed his arm, then turned on his heel to get away from him. Deimos grabbed his arm with force.

Deimos: “Jaxon, don’t go!”

He knit his eyebrows, giving him a beseeching look.

Jaxon: “Let. Me. GO!”

He hissed with each syllable, pulling away from him.

Deimos: “NO! I fucking love you, and I want you here!”

He cried. Jaxon melted to his words. He was fighting for him, unlike Celeste, who had given up fighting for him.

Jaxon sighed and looked at the bruises on his arms. Deimos raised his hands as a purple glow emitted from them to heal him.

Deimos: “I’m sorry…”

He whispered.

Deimos: “I didn’t mean to hurt you… I just don’t want to lose you.”

He took his hands and kissed them.

Jaxon melted to his tender touch.

Jaxon: “Then be better…”

He said firmly, but gently.

Tristan stepped in and brushed a skeletal hand off his shoulder.

Tristan: “That was a fast recovery, Deimos. When we fought, it would last for days, but you also never put your hands on me.”

He smirked.

Jaxon: “So you didn’t intervene after you sent that bitch after me?!”

He cried. Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “Jaxon, I am sorry about Ivy. My intention was never to hurt you, but Deimos, and I couldn’t intervene, because I was grabbed by these ‘monsters’.”

He explained. Deimos turned to him, his violet eyes burning with fury.

Deimos: “WHAT?! They touched you?!”

He rasped. Tristan had that glint in his emerald eyes.

Tristan: “Yes, Deimos, they certainly did, but don’t worry, my date, Jasper Henderson, will protect me from any monsters.”

He chuckled. Deimos’ face flickered with rage. He stomped his foot and pointed at Tristan. Tristan cupped his mouth and giggled.

Deimos: “THAT FAT BASTARD WITH THE FUCKING NONSTOP HEMORRHOIDS?! Tristan, he’s an old fart with toilet breath! You’re not dating him!”

He rasped. Jaxon gaped at Deimos, hurt, and silently walked away. Tristan watched him go and said nothing to Deimos.

Before Tristan could speak, the floor slid out from under the two men, and they screamed as they dropped down into a hole.

Deimos: “TRISTAN!’

He yelled.

~

Jaxon stormed into a neon green and purple room with eerie masks on the walls. He embraced himself and wiped tears from his eyes. Celeste stepped into the hall. She wore a black bustier, leopard print skirt, fishnets, and high-heeled cowgirl boots. Jaxon paused when he saw her, trying to act casual and hide his tears.

Jaxon: “...What are you doing here?”

Celeste: “Going on this haunted house tour, got lost, and here I am.”

She drawled.

Jaxon: “Where's your troll prince?”

He asked bitterly, looking around for Fabien.

Celeste: “Yeah, we got separated after the monster hands grabbed me.”

She explained.

Jaxon: “I see.”

He kicked his heel on the floor.

Celeste: “Did you want to see him?”

Jaxon: “HELL NO!”

He snapped.

Celeste: “Why is that now, Jaxon?”

She folded her arms across her bosom and tapped her foot.

Jaxon: “Because he ruined everything!”

He shouted. Celeste stared at him.

Celeste: “No, he didn’t. You did when you fucked Deimos.”

She said flatly. Jaxon turned to her with rage and hurt.

Jaxon: “You started it when you kissed Fabien and ditched me to be with him!”

He flared hotly. Celeste rolled her eyes.

Celeste: “First, it was an accidental kiss, and secondly, you’re moping about a dead girl.”

She said sharply.

Jaxon: “Sorry for having empathy for people who die because of me!”

He snapped as his voice cracked.

Celeste: “Sorry, it also causes you to cheat on me, too. You didn’t have empathy for me, but whatever. Cry for someone who is dead and will never come back. Fabien appreciates me.”

She huffed and looked away.

Before Jaxon could respond, Fabien rushed in. He wore black hot pants with a small black tail, a white collar with a bowtie, cufflinks, black Converse, and a headband with mouse ears.

Fabien: “Well, hello, Jaxon!”

He purred.

Jaxon: “Get lost!”

He waved his hand at him.

Celeste: “He didn’t break us up, Jaxon. You did with your stupid dead chick!”

She snapped and shoved him. Jaxon fell back as tears welled in his eyes.

Jaxon: “Sorry for being traumatized about causing someone’s death!”

He cried.

Celeste: “Fuck off!”

She rasped.

Fabien: “Jaxon, lighten up some, my man. We can go back to my place after and get stoned and have a threesome.”

He winked.

Jaxon: “NO! You ruined what I had with Celeste!”

He sobbed. Fabien smirked.

Fabien: “Man, I didn’t ruin shit. That’s on you, handsome. But all is not lost. Just stop crying over someone dead and live in the now.”

He drawled.

Jaxon: “I’m outta here!”

He huffed and started to march off until the floor opened up and they all dropped down.

Jaxon: “WHAT THE FUCK?!”

He screamed.

~

Jaxon, Fabien, and Celeste all landed in a dark basement. The walls and floors were stone, and the area was illuminated in deep red light. Celeste shook her head and ran to Fabien and Jaxon.

Celeste: “Are you two okay?!”

Fabien shook his head and straightened his mouse ears. Jaxon looked away.

Celeste turned and saw Tristan and Deimos standing there.

Tristan: “Hello, Celeste, Fabien, and Jaxon.”

He waved.

Jaxon: “I don’t want to see YOU either, Tristan! You teamed up with Ivy to hurt me!”

He sobbed. Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “I apologize, Jaxon. I did that to hurt Deimos.”

Deimos: “Why do you want to hurt me?”

He asked and knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “Because it’s fun.”

He grinned.

They heard a loud wail and saw Blair running down the hall.

Blair: “Where the fudge am I?! I’m in a creepy basement with a bunch of beatniks!”

He cried.

Deimos: “And we’re stuck with a fucking clown. Why don’t you play your fucking mind games on him, Tristan?!”

He hissed.

Tristan: “Wouldn’t be fun. Blair shoots himself in the foot. Then again, you do, too, but I relish in your misery.”

He laughed. Deimos glared at Tristan.

Deimos: “Fuck you, Tristan, you cunt. You’re like your goddamn mother!”

He barked. Tristan’s smile faded, and he glowered at him.

Tristan: “Yes, Deimos, do tell. Please ignore that you’re like your father, right down to being a philanderer.”

He said coolly. Deimos bared his teeth at Tristan.

Blair: “I’m NOT a clown! I’m dressed as a ragdoll!”

He cried and stomped his feet.

Celeste: “Really? Looks like a clown with that stupid yarn hair and make-up.”

She laughed.

Blair: “It was SUPPOSED to be a matching couple’s costume with Ashley, but they flaked out ‘cause they’re a FAT WHALE!”

He flapped his arms.

Fabien laughed loudly at Blair.

Fabien: “Blair, never change!”

He laughed.

Suddenly, everyone in the room felt dizzy. Deimos held Jaxon protectively and close. When the motion stopped, everyone rubbed their heads. Celeste turned to Jaxon.

Celeste: “I should have left you after Seashell Cove! You stopped fighting for me after that! You paid attention to Chelsea! I WANTED TO BREAK UP WITH YOU, and you stopped me! I never should have fallen in love with you, Jaxon! I knew you would hurt me, and you did! It’s YOUR FAULT WE’RE DONE!”

She snapped at him.

Jaxon: “I was trying to save someone’s life, Celeste! Not everything is about you! You weren’t there for me when I needed you! Instead, you ran off with HIM!”

He fired back, pointing at Fabien.

Celeste: “Oh, fuck you! I saved your ungrateful ass from Minerva several times, as well as Noriko and then Narcisse, but I am not there for you!? You fucking asshole! And you betrayed Tristan after he helped you! You are an ungrateful prick, Jaxon! You always were and always will be!”

She hissed at him.

Jaxon bowed his head, overcome with guilt.

Jaxon: “I’m sorry for hurting you, Tristan.”

He then turned to Celeste.

Jaxon: ‘I know you saved my life! But you ditched me when I needed you and when things got too hard for you and ran off with HIM!”

He snapped.

Celeste: “I didn’t do it when I saved your life from Minerva and Narcisse, but go off, Jaxon. Mope about someone dead.”

She huffed.

Fabien: “I love laughing at Blair because it’s a good distraction, so I don’t have to think about how I fucked up my life! I should have fought for you, Jaxon! I wanted to be with you, but you had your eye on Tristan at the time, and I wasted my time with that big loser! My father will always see me as a disappointment, and I wonder if I am because of how much time and energy I invested into Craig instead of going for who I want!”

He confessed.

Fabien: “And you had a strong, feisty, and fun woman, but you choose to mope about someone dead! No wonder she wants to be with me! You can’t change the past, Jaxon! I can’t change that I wasted time on a piece of shit like Craig!”

He snapped at him.

Fabien: “And if you think Deimos will be empathetic to you, think again! He treats Tristan like garbage while also worshipping him! He doesn’t worship you!”

He added for good measure.

Jaxon's mouth was agape.

Jaxon: “Wow, so you admit it? Did you really want to be with me or the fake version of me I portrayed to cope with my hurt? I wonder the same thing about Celeste, too. Did she really love me or the fake version of me? Whose father doesn't see them as a disappointment? Fuck what they think. But she died because of me! I caused someone to die. I KNOW he still does. I saw it. I saw how upset he got about thinking Tristan was with Ivy!”

He confessed.

Fabien: “I want to be with YOU, Jaxon! The real you and I know Celeste feels the same because she actually puts up with that smelly loser to teleport you guys to get to you quicker!”

He replied.

Celeste: “I DO love the real you, Jaxon, but I hate how you’re focused on her dying! You didn’t plunge that needle in her!”

She exclaimed.

Tristan turned to Deimos in a rage.

Tristan: “You betrayed me because you’re an insecure asshole! I was endlessly patient and kind to you, Deimos! I gave you my heart, soul, and virginity! I tolerated your abuse of me and put up with so much SHIT because I loved you! I didn’t have an answer to Jordi’s question because YOU ARE ABUSIVE! You abuse me! You abuse Jaxon! You abuse everyone who comes into your orbit! You snap at Jaxon and me for keeping secrets. Still, when either of us inquires about the nursery or something you don’t want to discuss, you humiliate and insult us over and over until we’re crying and feeling absolutely worthless! You selfish piece of shit! I put in so many deposits in our relationship, while you made almost none!”

He barked.

Tristan: “And I am insulting you over and over because I want you to feel as worthless and shitty as you made me feel! I want you to pay for what you did to me, Deimos!”

He cried.

Tristan: “And you took advantage of Jaxon’s hurt, and now you’re abusing him! You are the epitome of an asshole!”

He bawled.

Deimos: “I am STILL in love with you, Tristan! I never meant for what happened with Jaxon to escalate! You’re so powerful and divine! You don’t need me to save you or do anything for you! I will never stop loving you, but I have found I am growing feelings for Jaxon, too! It’s just that he’s not you. You’re too good for me… and Jordi isn’t lagging far behind you. I feel like I am the load and you’re carrying the weight!”

He confessed.

Blair: “YOU THINK YOU’VE GOT PROBLEMS?! I’M MORE HANDSOME AND NICER THAN ALL OF YOU AND ALL OF PINK TOP! YET ASHELY STILL REJECTED MEEEEEEE! AND FOR THAT WEIRDO LAZAROS! I'M NICER AND MORE HANDSOME THAN HIIIIIM!”

He bawled.

Fabien laughed at Blair.

Fabien: “Okay, that was funny.”

Tristan: “And I don’t know HOW to take Bastien becoming a part of the home…”

He embraced himself.

Tristan: “I am saddened I never knew I had a brother, but he and Papa are bonding and pointing out how I am like that thing or Narcisse…”

He shuddered.

Tristan: “And I hate it when people tell me that BECAUSE I WONDER IF THEY’RE RIGHT!”

He cried, and the entire room froze to ice.

As the ice formed beneath them, they felt another wave of motion, and when it stopped, Narcisse embraced Tristan from behind. Narcisse inhaled Tristan’s hair. Celeste’s jaw dropped when she saw Narcisse.

Fabien: “Uh, who’s that guy?”

Tristan: “G-GET OFF ME!”

He cried.

Narcisse: “My naughty little nephew, you wonder this because it’s true… You are like my darling Charlotte.”

He whispered in his ear. Tristan shut his eyes tightly and whimpered.

Deimos’ face contorted with rage.

Deimos: “TRISTAN!”

He roared and slid to him.

Deimos: “GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HIM!”

He lunged at him. Narcisse smirked, and a purple bubble swallowed Deimos up, and purple bubbles formed over Jaxon, Celeste, Fabien, and Blair.

Blair: “NO! I’M TOO NICE AND HANDSOME TO DIE!”

He cried.

Celeste pounded on the surface.

Celeste: “FUCK!”

Narcisse grinned and slid his hand down Tristan’s waist.

Deimos: “STOP TOUCHING HIM, YOU FUCKHEAD! GET AWAY FROM MY MAN! I LOVE HIM! HE’S MINE!”

He bellowed and pounded hard on the glass.

A bolt of lightning crashed down on Narcisse. He screamed as he was electrocuted and released Tristan from his grasp. Jordi rushed to Tristan and held him close. The bubbles popped, releasing everyone. Deimos gaped at Jordi and saw red.

Deimos: “GET OFF HIM! GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HIM!”

He bellowed and charged after him.

Tristan: “NO! Deimos, this isn’t the place or time to inflate your ego!”

He cried. Deimos froze in his tracks, and his heart sank.

Tristan: “Jordi, get me out of here!”

He cried. Jordi nodded and led Tristan out. Deimos watched Jordi take Tristan down the hall and narrowed his eyes into dark, sinister slits.

Jaxon walked down the hall and embraced himself, and Fabien and Celeste followed suit.

Blair: “Hello?! I need help!”

He cried. Deimos marched to Blair and began socking him repeatedly. Blair cried out with each blow.

Blair: “OW! NO! STOP IT, YOU BEATNIK! STAAAAAAAAAP!”

He cried as Deimos repeatedly punched him. Deimos struck him harder and harder, disregarding his cries and pleas. Then he delivered a final blow, breaking Blair’s jaw. He panted as he stood over Blair, who was covered in blood and bruises, with blood bubbling from his lips.

Deimos marched down the hall, leaving Blair and Narcisse behind. A tall woman stepped out of the shadows. She was a Romani woman with long, dark blue, wavy hair, a long, narrow face, and cloudy, milky eyes. She wore a black long-sleeved dress with angel sleeves and a flowing skirt that reached the floor. She wore golden jeweled sandals and a jeweled belt around her hips. She lowered herself to Narcisse and poured a liquid over him that healed him immediately. Narcisse rolled over and smiled at her.

Narcisse: “Hello, Aludra. You performed magically tonight.”

He smiled at her.

Narcisse: “Everything is falling into place.”

Aludra: “Yes, and you promised to help deliver resources to my village in exchange for the use of my power.”

Narcisse nodded.

Narcisse: “Consider it done, my darling.”

He rose and straightened his jacket.

Narcisse: “Deimos, you are the key to achieving my goals. It seems I underestimated you.”

He chuckled.

~

Deimos and Jaxon arrived home. Deimos gazed at Jaxon and sighed as he dropped his car keys in the dish on the shelf by the front door.

Deimos: “Jaxon, I hope what happened tonight doesn’t change what we share.”

He gazed at him beseechingly. Jaxon twisted his mouth, relaying what transpired that night, and couldn’t shake what Deimos said or did with Tristan. Then he thought about what Fabien and Celeste said. Why did they tell me this? He wondered.

Jaxon: “No.”

He smiled at him. Deimos smiled back and breathed a sigh of relief.

Deimos: “I know I need to work on myself… I don’t want to lose you… I do love you, Jaxon.”

He took his hand, and their fingers intertwined. Jaxon melted to his words.

Jaxon: “I love you, too.”

He whispered. Deimos raked his fingers through Jaxon’s hair and kissed him deeply.