Chapter One-hundred Thirty-Nine: The Gifts

Chapter 139

The Gifts

Ashley and Lazaros settled in at home. Lazaros stepped out after having a nice, relaxing soak in a lavender honey bath that Ashley made for him. He wore a white Turkish robe and white gloves on his hands as he dried his hair with a towel. Ashley was dressed in their jean shorts and a white paisley shirt and lay on their tummy on their bed, with their feet up. They gazed at Lazaros lovingly, drinking him in.

Ashley: “How are you feline now?”

They chirped, holding something in their hands.

Lazaros: “Never felt better! That bath soak you made is something else! I never felt so rejuvenated!”

He shivered. Ashley’s eyes lit up, and they sat on the bed, wrapping their arms around him. Lazaros hugged them back.

Ashley: “I’m glad! I made you a little something for your birthday.”

They smiled at him. Lazaros brightened.

Lazaros: “Yes? What is it?”

He wrung his hands. Ashley reached their arms around him, placing something around his neck.

Ashley: “I made you some mystical spirit water… from my love energy…”

They stammered and reddened. Lazaros smiled and examined the crystal vial on the necklace.

Lazaros: “This is beautiful, Ashley! It’s just like the one… your mother gave you.”

He said breathlessly. Ashley pursed their lips and nodded with a happy tear in their eye.

Ashley: “Thank you… she gave it to me to protect me and enhance my light! So, I wanted to do that for you, too, with all your powers and stuff…”

They explained. Lazaros nodded and smiled.

Lazaros: “Thanks, Ashley. This is the most precious gift ever…”

He whispered and kissed their head. Ashley purred and kissed him back.

Ashley: “You’re the most purr-recious gift ever!”

They chuckled.

Lazaros: “As are you…”

He said tenderly. Ashley blushed and smiled at him.

Lazaros: “How do you feel? That thing with Tristan and… Maxx and Blair…”

He said with strain. Ashley froze when he mentioned the thing with Tristan and thought of the gruesome sight they witnessed with all the dead bodies in the water.

Lazaros: “I know Maxx was your best friend… and so was Blair.”

He sighed.

Ashley: “...I can’t believe he… did that… to all those people.”

They pursed their lips and huddled into themself. Lazaros held them close. Ashley rested on his chest.

Lazaros: “He’s not the same Maxx anymore, Ashley… He’s not human.”

He crooned. Ashley nodded.

Ashley: “I know. That Maxx died long ago.”

They sighed.

Ashley: “What he did to those poor people wasn’t human…”

Their voice trailed off. Lazaros brushed the hair from their faces. Ashley smiled and shivered at his tender touch, rubbing their face against his hand.

Lazaros: “Tristan is fine, and I’m relieved.”

He smiled a bit.

Ashley: “Me too… I was worried and felt for Deimos…”

They pursed their lips and trembled at the thought of something happening to Lazaros. Lazaros smiled and held Ashley close in his arms.

~

Deimos was at Jaxon and Celeste’s place. Jaxon stayed in the house late at night during June. He handed Deimos an envelope. Deimos took it and opened it, pulling out four VIP tickets to see Torturgazm in July. Deimos’ eyes lit up.

Deimos: “JAXON! OH MY GOD! I love Torturgazm! How did you get these?!”

He gasped. Jaxon groaned and slunk into his seat.

Jaxon: “...Percy…”

He grumbled.

Jaxon: “You will probably see the fuckass video on Fu’s Feet Links later.”

He muttered. Celeste snuggled into him. Jaxon put his arm around her.

Deimos: “So all four of us get VIP backstage passes?!”

He asked excitedly. Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “I know his manager, Fernando, dropped Steel Axe as opening act, but Viv is a nice guy. He doesn’t hold it against me and… I was acting out…”

He looked away.

Deimos sighed and sat by Jaxon.

Deimos: “The past is the past, Jaxon. I wasn’t exactly a lovable guy back then either. You grew and changed… Most people don’t.”

He said to him, bitterly thinking of Blair and Ivy.

Celeste: “Blair actually used life jackets and water wings on a slide for toddlers.”

She laughed.

Jaxon: “ ‘Water wings’?”

He gaped at her and laughed.

Deimos: “I think it’s another name for those arm floats.”

He explained. Jaxon pursed his lips and nodded.

Jaxon: “Look, I’m sorry you thought Tristan had… You know…”

He said with strain. Deimos looked away and sighed.

Celeste: “I knew it wasn’t him.”

Jaxon: “How did you know, babe?”

He asked her.

Celeste: “None of those bodies were as tall as his.”

She drawled.

Jaxon: “You actually stared at those?”

He laughed awkwardly.

Celeste: “Well, I had to make sure!”

She insisted.

Jaxon: “It didn’t… make you sick?”

He asked with strain. Deimos drew a long breath.

Celeste: “I am used to this, Jax.”

She blinked. Jaxon put his arm around her, and they kissed.

Deimos cleared his throat.

Deimos: “Thanks for the lovely gift, Jaxon.”

Celeste: “My gift for you will be in the tabloids tomorrow.”

She grinned. Deimos shifted his eyes.

Deimos: “Oh, I’ll keep my eyes peeled then.”

He stammered and shifted his eyes. Celeste grinned.

Deimos: “I ordered Chinese food to take home, so I am going to get that and spend the evening with Tristan.”

Jaxon: “Have fun, man! Hope it goes well.”

He grinned and elbowed Celeste.

Celeste: “Yeah, LOTS of food is good!”

She nodded eagerly. Jaxon drew a long breath. Deimos smiled at the two and left.

Deimos: “Have a good night, you two.”

He said tersely and left.

Jaxon: “Someone is gonna be busy tonight.”

He grinned.

Celeste: “Yeah, lots of food!”

She nodded.

Jaxon: “That’s… not what I meant, babe.”

He laughed and his hand cupped her boob. Celeste shivered.

Celeste: “Someone’s horny.”

She purred and pounced on him, kissing him deeply and unbuttoning his shirt. She scooped him up in her arms, carrying him to their bedroom as they kissed.

They started taking each other’s clothes off, until they were baring it all. Celeste then straddled over Jaxon’s member, grinding on it. Jaxon moaned and threw his head back. Celeste felt his wet, rock hard cock grind against her clit as her arousal soared. Jaxon reached up and cupped her boobs, tracing his thumbs over her nipples. Celeste’s nipples erected against his thumbs, adding to his arousal.

Jaxon: “Oh, baby…”

He moaned. She bit her bottom lip and ran her hands down his arms and his chest. She slid his cock inside of her and screamed with arousal. She bounced on his cock as Jaxon thrust her and Celeste rolled her hips in rhythm to his thrusts. She loved the feel of his hard cock thrust her and swell inside her. With every thrust, she felt closer and closer to reaching an orgasm. She lightly dragged her nails down his chest and torso, causing Jaxon to laugh.

Jaxon: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

Celeste loved hearing his laughter and loved how extremely ticklish her boyfriend was. Jaxon placed his hands on her hips as she rocked to his thrusts and thrust into her hard. Celeste threw her head back and moaned loudly. She trembled all over as an orgasm rocketed through her. Jaxon gave one final thrust and climaxed inside her. Celeste’s eyes fluttered as she felt his hot cum trail inside of her and she loved it. Jaxon ran his hands down her arms and legs, and Celeste pulled his member out.

Jaxon reached over to the nightstand to pull out some facial tissues to wipe himself down. He gazed at her lovingly and sat up to kiss her.

Jaxon: “Join me in the shower?”

He whispered and brushed her hair out of his face. He cupped her face with his hand, and she leaned into it, kissing his hand.

Celeste: “Sure, Jax.”

She said in a breathy voice, and the two rose from the bed to step into their bathroom.

~

Tristan and Deimos were at Deimos’ place in his dining room, eating Chinese food. Deimos ordered five spring rolls, five egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken, General Tso’s chicken, mushroom chow mein, mushroom fried rice, the Royal Quintet, Woo Dip Harr, Almond Chicken Gai Ding, and Curry Chicken. Deimos gulped his can of beer as he ate his food, and Tristan sipped on his glass of riesling as he delicately ate his food. Deimos grasped Tristan’s hand as they ate. Tristan smiled and curled his slender fingers around Deimos’ hand.

~

Deimos was in his bedroom, clad only in his boxer briefs, as he waited for Tristan. Tristan stepped out of the bathroom in just an ice blue silk robe. He smiled at Deimos and reddened as he wrung his hands. He sauntered over to Deimos and sat on his bed with him. Deimos cupped the nape of Tristan’s neck.

He reached over into his drawer and withdrew a black feather. He waved it around. Tristan jumped slightly.

Tristan: “Oh God. Oh no!”

He laughed. Deimos lifted Tristan’s feet and snaked his ankles around his arm. He brushed the feather over Tristan’s slender soles. Tristan laughed loudly and pressed his arms against his temples as he lay down laughing.

Tristan: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! DEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEIMOHOHOHOHOHOS!!”

He laughed and shrieked. Deimos hardened to his reaction. He loved seeing his toes fanning out as the feather danced over his soles and toes.

Tristan: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!”

His laughter filled the upstairs.

Deimos set the feather down and wiggled his fingers over his soft soles. Tristan howled with laughter and dug his fingertips into the sheets—tears welled in his green eyes.

Tristan: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHEHEASE!”

He laughed and pounded the bed. Deimos smirked and released his feet. Tristan panted heavily and heaved a deep sigh.

He removed his glasses to wipe his eyes and sat up. Deimos handed him a facial tissue. Tristan thanked him as he used it to clean his glasses. He put his glasses back on and tossed the tissue in Deimos’ waste bin.

Deimos: “Did you enjoy that…?”

He asked softly. Tristan locked his gaze on Deimos and smiled. He slowly nodded.

Deimos: “Me too…”

He drew closer to Tristan and parted his lips.

Tristan tilted his head as they locked lips. Deimos laid Tristan down on his bed. He threaded his fingers through his snow-white tresses as the two kissed each other deeply, Tristan’s lips soft and pliable beneath his. He drew Tristan’s slender body close to his, Deimos’ body responding with a fierce rush of blood to his groin.

Tristan gave a mewling sound when Deimos shifted position, his mouth opening wide to the hungry glide of his tongue. Deimos’ tongue played with his. Tristan whimpered again as Deimos became more confident and wanted to take charge of the situation. Tristan placed his hands on Deimos’ toned arms, and Deimos couldn’t hold back any longer.

Deimos broke the kiss and removed his tank top. Tristan gazed up at his toned body and bit his bottom lip. Deimos slowly slid his boxer briefs down and shoved them past his hips and down his legs. His hooded violet eyes glittered as he was naked before him. Tristan couldn’t stop gazing at his masculine beauty. Deimos reached to untie the sash on Tristan’s robe. He rose to slide the silk fabric past his shoulders until it dropped to his ankles.

Deimos hardened when he saw Tristan wearing a pair of ice blue hot pants. Tristan reddened all over and felt a bulge form in his hot pants, the tip pressing against the fabric.

They gazed into each other’s eyes for a moment. Deimos sat down on his bed and took Tristan’s hands to guide him down.

Deimos: “Suck it.”

His voice was thick with desire as he commanded him. Tristan met his gaze as he wrapped his fingers around his thick penis. Deimos hissed as he stroked him. Tristan watched with fascination as he responded to his quickening pace.

Tristan bent over to Deimos’ manhood and licked the tip. Deimos threw his head back and moaned.

Deimos: “Oh God.”

He put his hand on Tristan’s head. Tristan took Deimos’ member and put it in his mouth. Deimos’ deep moan echoed upstairs as he clenched his hands into Tristan’s hair. Tristan loved the taste of him and loved Deimos twisting his hair in his fists as he thrust into his mouth. This feels fucking AMAZING, Deimos thought. He gazed at Tristan bobbing his head as Deimos thrust into his mouth. Deimos raked his fingers through Tristan’s hair and brushed his fingertips over his face. He’s so beautiful, Deimos thought.

Just when Tristan thought he was going to take him over the edge, Deimos pulled away. He murmured his protest when Deimos lifted him.

Deimos: “Tristan…”

He whispered as he gazed into his emerald eyes.

Tristan: “Yes?”

Deimos: “I want you to remove your hot pants.”

He commanded. Tristan’s eyes widened, and the blood rushed to his face. He lay back and panted.

Tristan: “Be gentle with me, Deimos. It’s my first time.”

He murmured. Deimos smiled and cupped his face, tracing his cheek with his thumb.

Deimos: “I know.”

He whispered and leaned in to kiss him.

Tristan’s palms rested on Deimos’ chest. Then a shadow loomed over them. It was a large shadow. Tristan felt uneasy and raised his head.

Deimos was thrown off Tristan, and Dougal slammed his massive body down on Tristan, putting his mouth on his.

Deimos: “TRISTAN!”

He screamed. Tristan screamed into Dougal’s mouth and cried as he tried to shove the blubbery beast off him. Dougal lifted his mouth off Tristan’s and grinned. Tristan sobbed and trembled.

Dougal: “Hey, love, the only one takin’ your virginity is little Dougy! That was my destiny when I met ya when ya was just a lad!”

Tristan sobbed and shook his head.

Deimos: “GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HIM, YOU FAT PIECE OF SHIT!”

He bellowed as he grabbed the back of Dougal’s head and delivered a powerful blow between his eyes. Dougal cried out in pain as tears fell from his coal black eyes. Tristan formed an icicle and stabbed Dougal in the back.

Dougal: “YAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGHHHH!!!”

He cried out and fell back. Deimos delivered a right hook to his jaw, followed by a left hook, causing Dougal to cry out and stagger back.

Deimos: “You fucking fat whale! How fucking dare you do that to Tristan?!”

He barked.

Dougal laughed and pulled the icicle out.

Dougal: “You think you can take my schmoodar from me, Deimos?! I saw him first! You stole him from me, ol’ chap!”

He chuckled and marched toward Tristan. Tristan shrieked and slammed against the wall, turning it into ice. Deimos stood before Tristan, protecting him.

Deimos: “BE GONE, MOBY DICK!”

He delivered a hard blow to Dougal’s stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

Dougal: “OOOOOOF!”

Deimos delivered a roundhouse kick followed by a back kick that sent Dougal crashing out of the bedroom.

Dougal reached for something in his pocket.

Deimos: “Don’t you DARE!”

He delivered a hard kick that sent Dougal tumbling down the stairs. When he landed, the house shook, and Dougal let out a giant fart.

Deimos came down the stairs with his switchblade.

Deimos: “I should have harpooned you when you first did this to him.”

He pressed the button to release the blade.

Deimos: “It’s not too late.”

Dougal: “I will come back, Deimos! I will get my schmoodars and there’s nothin’ you can do about it, mate! Cheerio!”

He pressed something in his ear and vanished into air—fat air. Deimos froze. Is he working for the same organization that Ichiro and Cedar are working for? He wondered. No, he can’t be; he attacked Ichiro, and the two didn’t know each other, he thought.

Deimos hurried back to his room and rushed to Tristan. Tristan sobbed in the corner of his room. Deimos knelt to him and wrapped his muscular arms around him.

Deimos: “Oh, Tristan, I am so sorry…”

He placed his hand on his mouth as a purple glow emitted from it, healing him. Tristan sobbed on Deimos’ chest. He rocked Tristan back and forth.

Tristan: “Deimos, please don’t let me go.”

Deimos: “No, Tristan, I am not! I am never letting you go!”

He said doggedly and kissed him. Tristan bawled into Deimos’ chest. Deimos held him close and cradled him.

~

Deimos sat in his bed as Tristan was in the bathroom showering and brushing his teeth for what felt like two hours. Tristan stepped out wearing his ice blue silk pajamas and climbed into bed with Deimos.

Tristan: “I’m sorry…”

He sighed. Deimos held him close.

Deimos: “Don’t you dare apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

He kissed him. Tristan kissed him back and wrapped his arms around him.

Deimos: “He pressed something in his flabby ear to teleport away.”

Tristan inhaled sharply.

Tristan: “I see.”

He recalled when Dougal forced Jaxon to kiss him, neither Celeste nor Jaxon heard him coming, not unlike this time.

Deimos: “I don’t think he’s working for the organization Ichiro and Minerva are working for.”

Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “He’s not.”

Deimos: “How do you know this?”

He looked down at him.

Tristan: “Ichiro never met him, and Cedar didn’t know him. I could tell by their body language. He has their technology, but he likely obtained it through illegal means.”

He heaved another sigh.

Deimos: “Through who?”

Tristan shrugged.

Tristan: “I have no idea, Deimos, but this is all recent… Right now, I don’t want to discuss that fat thing!”

He sobbed. Deimos knit his eyebrows and held him close.

Deimos: “I’m sorry, Tristan!”

Tristan: “Don’t be, Deimos! Just hold me close…”

He whimpered. Deimos nodded, held him close, and kissed his head.

Deimos: “I love you, Tristan… I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Tristan smiled a bit and closed his eyes.

Tristan: “I love you, too, Deimos…”

He whispered.

The two shared a deep, passionate kiss, and Deimos gazed down at Tristan, who rested his head on his chest. Deimos heaved a deep sigh. Dougal has to die, he thought.

~

Celeste and Jaxon lay in bed, snuggling. Celeste rested her head on Jaxon’s chest.

Celeste: “Jaxon?”

Jaxon: “Mmm?”

He smiled at her as his fingertips danced over her shoulder.

Celeste: “Do seeing those… richonoids trigger you?”

Jaxon’s smile faded, and he drew a long breath.

Jaxon: “I always thought dying that way was a cruel and unusual punishment. They’re in agony as they transform into a monster creature, and the person they once were is no more. I don’t even know if their human part is still conscious or alive in some ways. When Ichiro first did this, I didn’t know the guy. He was a patient in the hospital and a family friend of Tristan’s. I just wanted to get you away from him. I felt for him and wanted to help him, but he transformed into a monster to kill me. I didn’t think this was possible and didn’t know what Ichiro was up to.”

He pursed his lips.

Jaxon: “It all took me by surprise.”

He added.

Jaxon: “Then he did it to Kristen, and it shook me. She showed me more kindness than my parents ever did, and it was worse when he did it to Chelsea. Then Ivy had to make it worse.”

He sighed.

Jaxon: “Both were kind to me, and I watched them die horribly. If it weren’t for me, they would still be alive.”

He sat up and hugged his legs.

Celeste rubbed his back.

Celeste: “It’s not your fault, Jaxon…”

Jaxon: “How not? Ichiro is my brother, and he did this to affect me.”

He buried his face into his legs. Celeste hugged him. Jaxon leaned into her.

Jaxon: “It will stop when I kill him.”

He nodded.

Celeste: “...Can you kill him?”

Jaxon turned to face her.

Jaxon: “Of course, why do you ask?”

Celeste: “Because I don’t know if you have it in you, Jaxon… You had many opportunities to kill him and never took one.”

She stated. Jaxon froze.

Celeste: “You’re not… meant to kill. You’re so kind and gentle.”

She took his hands. Jaxon’s eyelids dipped when she said that. All I did was beat him up after he killed Chelsea, but that was it, he thought.

Jaxon: “Is it kind and gentle to let him live?”

Celeste: “I think it’s on someone else to do it, Jaxon… and seeing how Ichiro is pissing off so many people, it may happen sooner than you think.”

She said gently. Jaxon sighed.

~

The following day, Tristan was on his backyard patio reading a book. He wore a blue button-up short-sleeved shirt, jean shorts, and was barefoot. Someone stepped out onto the terrace. Tristan raised his head to see Jaxon, who had his hair tied back in a low ponytail. He wore a red short-sleeved button-up shirt with the buttons undone, jean cut-offs, and flip-flops. He removed his Ray-Bans and rested them on his head.

Jaxon: “Yo.”

He nodded to Tristan. Tristan smiled at him.

Tristan: “Hello, Jaxon! Nice to see you!”

Jaxon sat by him.

Jaxon: “Everything okay? You look upset.”

Tristan bowed his head and closed his book.

Tristan: “Dougal came into Deimos’ room and tried to… rape me.”

He said with strain. Jaxon looked away and nodded.

Tristan: “He forced me to kiss him.”

He gagged and embraced himself. Jaxon bowed his head, recalling that Dougal had done the same to him.

Jaxon: “Sorry, man.”

Tristan: “Thankfully, Deimos protected me.”

He nodded. Jaxon smiled.

Tristan: “He used one of those ear devices to teleport in that Ichiro uses.”

Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “Ichiro didn’t seem to know that fat fuck.”

Tristan: “I don’t think they’re working together.”

Jaxon: “I don’t know. A lot of people work there, but I never thought Dougal would want to work. He strikes me as someone who thinks working is for people who are inferior to him.”

He rolled his eyes and slipped off his flip-flops.

Tristan: “That too.”

Jaxon: “There may be some corporate espionage going on.”

He shrugged.

Tristan: “It’s likely someone we don’t know about… or do we?”

He stroked his chin.

He locked his gaze on Jaxon and could see that something was bothering him.

Tristan: “I’m not the only one who’s troubled.”

Jaxon bowed his head.

Tristan: “What’s wrong?”

Jaxon: “Celeste asked me if Ichiro’s richonoids triggered me.”

He shifted in his seat uncomfortably. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “Yes, and I understand why. You and I are both triggered. We witnessed two people we care about turn into them, and a family friend of my grandmother’s became one. I never witnessed that, but you did, and he almost killed you.”

He stated. Jaxon bowed his head.

Jaxon: “It wasn’t him anymore… or was it?”

He laughed bitterly.

Jaxon: “I don’t know anymore. Yes, it affects me, but… Celeste said that I don’t have it in me to kill Ichiro. I said it was my destiny, and I am not discrediting what she said, but…”

He said with strain. Tristan reached out and put his hand on Jaxon’s shoulder.

Tristan: “I think she’s right, Jaxon.”

Jaxon sank into his seat.

Jaxon: “So I’m weak.”

Tristan shook his head.

Tristan: “I never said that. I said it because it takes one to know one. Yes, you say things in the heat of the moment, but when it comes down to it, you never killed him.”

He said gently. Jaxon looked away.

Jaxon: “I always felt that way because… I went ahead and allowed myself to be engaged to Noriko and… we… had sex…”

He said with strain and shuddered. Tristan gazed at him with empathy and sympathy.

Jaxon: “I didn’t want to have sex with her… I didn’t want my father to beat me and yell at me or disappoint my grandmother. All I did was let them down, and I wanted to make everyone happy, but… I wasn’t happy.”

He explained and heaved a deep sigh.

Tristan: “I am sorry, Jaxon… I understand that.”

Jaxon: “When I came here to live, I rebelled because I was hurt at them for banishing me after I did what I could to make them happy. It was never good enough. It never will be good enough. My father sits in his ivory tower judging me and everyone, but he gets women pregnant and ‘covers it up’.”

He rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

He stated. Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “I just… want to be able to protect Celeste, and I don’t want you or Deimos to die because of me.”

He sighed.

Tristan: “We’re in this together, Jaxon. You’re not weak; you were a child who was beaten to the point of being overly obedient. That was then. This is now. You’re no longer a part of that family, and you’re not engaged to Noriko.”

He nodded.

Jaxon: “You’re right, but my family still can’t let me go, especially Ichiro.”

He said bitterly.

Tristan: “Well, Ichiro didn’t banish you, and my guess would be they’re unhappy with their lives and need an emotional punching bag.”

Jaxon: “It’s not my fault my father cheats on my mother with bimbos.”

He huffed.

Tristan: “Jaxon, you’re not alone in this.”

He said calmly. Jaxon smiled.

Jaxon: “Neither are you, man! Dougal has to die, too!”

Tristan smiled a bit.

Tristan: “Yes, he certainly does.”

He sighed and hugged Jaxon. Jaxon smiled and hugged him back.

Tristan: “Although harpooning the whale is nice, I don’t think we should be like Captain Ahab about this. He was so utterly consumed by his revenge and obsession that he could not function properly.”

They broke the hug.

Jaxon: “He reminds me more of Ichiro, but I don’t think he wants to harpoon whales.”

He laughed bitterly. Tristan twisted his mouth.

~

Blair and Ivy were at the dining room table having breakfast when the tabloid was on the table. The cover had Blair screaming his head off as he went down the small slide with Ivy crying from embarrassment. The header read, “Blair considers toddler slides ‘thrill rides’ ” and the subheader read, “and wears life jackets for water not even two feet deep.”

Ivy wanted to cry when she saw this. Why am I engaged to this loser?! She wondered. Sometimes I just want to tell Jaclyn to take him, and I will go live with Mum and Lily again, she thought, as tears welled up in her eyes. Blair’s bottom lip trembled, and he burst out crying.

Blair: “This is anti-sun smart propaganda and bullying!”

He cried.

Blair: “Ashley did this to me because they’re jealous they missed out on a prince and that I have a real princess now!”

He whined and meekly hovered his hand over Ivy’s shoulder. Ivy slapped it away and rose with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Ivy: “EVERYONE LAUGHED AT YOU BECAUSE YOU LOOKED AND ACTED STUPID, BLAIR! YOU WERE SCREAMING ON A TODDLER SLIDE! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!”

She bawled.

Ivy: “I baked you a cake, and all you did was moan about Ashley, Jiro, Tristan, Jordi, and Deimos! I baked you a cake and you cared about them!”

She stomped her feet. Blair recoiled, and his face scrunched up with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Blair: “W-why are you being mean to me, Ivy?! I’m NOT stupid! A-Are you on your period right now? Is that why you’re being mean?! That’s no excuse to be mean to me!”

He bawled. Ivy gasped and slapped him hard across the face. Blair recoiled with tears and rubbed his red cheek where she had slapped him.

Ivy: “How dare you?! You PIG!”

She screamed.

Blair: “OWH! Ivy! Th-That’s abuse! Abuse is never okay! I’m not a pig! I’m not fat! Ashley is a pig!”

He cried. Ivy shoved him hard off the chair.

Ivy: “FUCK YOU!”

She spat and stormed outside. Blair fell on his ass and cried harded, rubbing his butt.

Blair: “I-IVYYYYY!”

He wailed.

~

Tristan and Jaxon were walking down the street. They were each carrying a box of thin mint chocolate Girl Camper cookies.

Jaxon: “I never actually tried these.”

He admitted.

Tristan: “I tried them when I met Deimos. He bought some and I loved them.”

They saw Ivy crying on Blair’s lawn, and Blair ran out to her, holding up a package of pads for all to see.

Blair: “Ivy! I brought your pads!”

He announced too loudly and proudly.

Ivy: “GET AWAY FROM ME!”

She slapped him hard. Blair’s bottom lip trembled.

Blair: “I was just being a gentleman and being nice!”

He sobbed, rubbing where she slapped him.

Tristan cleared his throat and put his hand over his mouth.

Jaxon: “Yeah, you deserved that.”

He laughed at Blair. Blair turned to him, glaring through hot tears.

Ivy: “Tristan, it’s horrible! His stupid antics got me in the tabloids! I baked him a cake with love, and all he did was whine about you, Jiro, Deimos, Jordi, and Ashley!”

She bawled. Tristan raised his eyebrows.

Tristan: “Yes, are you that surprised the manchild who cannot let us go is still harping about us over your cake?”

He asked wryly. Blair snarled at Tristan and rose to his feet.

Blair: “Shut up, Tristan! Leave her alone! You had your chance and you missed out on a princess and now she’s mine!”

He cried.

Jaxon: “Not for long.”

He said dryly. Blair turned to Jaxon.

Blair: “What’s that supposed to mean, Jiro? Are you going to try to steal my princess, too?”

He pouted. Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Jaxon: “No, you whiny NPC. It means you’re too stupid to read between the lines and she’s getting sick of your bullshit.”

He rolled his eyes again. Ivy looked away, hating to agree with Jaxon.

Tristan: “Blair, neither of us wants Ivy, but that doesn’t negate the fact that she is losing interest, and it’s evident why.”

Ivy pouted and folded her arms across her chest. She couldn’t disagree with Tristan. Blair’s bottom lip trembled.

Blair: “B-But Ivy loves me! Right, Ivy?”

He turned to her, grovelling to his knees.

Ivy: “...I have to wash my hair.”

She said and stormed back into the house.

Tristan cleared his throat. Jaxon shook his head and laughed bitterly. Blair glared at them both.

Blair: “This is YOUR fault!”

He snapped at them, resembling a snappy chihuahua.

Jaxon: “Yeah, we’re the ones who acted like idiots taking her on a little kid’s slide and wearing life jackets.”

He said dryly. Blair pouted.

Blair: “I was being safe and keeping her from being hurt like a good fiancé!”

He countered. Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Jaxon: “Right.”

Tristan: “And showed a lack of appreciation for her cake. Also, bringing her pads out to her? Very tacky.”

He whispered and waved his hand. Jaxon laughed.

Blair: “I did so! What’s wrong with that? She’s on her period and she needed them and I was being a gentleman!”

Jaxon and Tristan both gaped at him as if he had three heads.

Tristan: “The calls are coming from inside the house, Blair. Get a clue.”

He snapped. Blair looked around and over to the mansion, listening out for the phone, but there was no ringing.

Blair: “The phone isn’t ringing, Tristan!”

He huffed. Tristan and Jaxon both laughed and started to leave.

Tristan: “Have a lovely evening, Blair.”

He rolled his eyes as he and Jaxon left. Blair fumed and glared at them as they went.

Jaxon: “She’s gonna leave him.”

Tristan: “Then she does. Not my problem.”

~

Deimos read the tabloid and wanted to laugh at the contents, but something was bothering him. How DID Dougal get hold of that equipment? He thought as he examined the high-frequency sound device that dropped out of Dougal’s pocket.

He raised his head to see a missing poster of Borko Brava on the pole that Lily had made. Deimos rolled his eyes. Is Ivy’s weird sister still wondering where that odd old man went? He wondered. Then he paused. He recalled Sylvia stating that at the carnival, she saw Borko go for a drive with Ichiro. Why did he go with Ichiro? He wondered and gazed at the poster again.