Chapter Two-hundred Eighteen: Relationship Struggles

Chapter 218

Relationship Struggles

That morning, Jordi stepped out of his bedroom in his white pressed shirt, black tie, black pants, and black sheer socks. He carried his suit jacket in his hands. Lena was at the stove frying some sausages. She wore a pink chiffon dress with a low V-neckline, a heart apron over it, and pink slippers. Abraham was at the table scowling. Jordi sat down. Lena placed two plates of breakfast on the table in front of Abraham and Jordi. It was sausages, heart-shaped eggs, bacon, and homefries. Abraham took Jordi’s plate and scraped it onto his. Jordi sighed and rubbed his eyes.

Lena untied her apron and handed another plate to Jordi. She leaned over and poured him a cup of coffee. Abraham gaped at Lena as he ate, looking down at her breasts.

Abraham: “I can see your boobs.”

Jordi turned to him with a sneer. Lena placed her hand over her breasts and pursed her lips.

Jordi: “What was that?!”

He snapped.

Abraham: “I can see her boobs! She’s showing off the goods like her mother! That’s how she had you and her!”

He waved his hand at him. Lena’s bottom lip trembled, and she started crying.

Jordi turned to his grandfather, and, in a flash, he punched him across the face, knocking him over and crashing to the floor.

Abraham: “WH-WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!”

He bellowed. Jordi grabbed him by his shirt, lifted him, and slammed him against the wall.

Jordi: “NEVER speak to her that way!”

He rasped.

Abraham: “Go on, ya little bastard! Kill your old man! DO IT!”

He spat. Lena put her hands on Jordi’s arm.

Lena: “Jordi, don’t! He’s not worth it!”

She cried. Jordi inhaled sharply and released him.

Jordi: “Whatever, but I’m not leaving you alone with this bitter old bastard.”

He hissed. Lena nodded.

Lena: “I understand.”

Lena slipped her feet out of her slippers and into her butterfly heels. She grabbed her purse. Jordi slid his feet into his boots, zipped them up, and shrugged into his suit jacket. He grabbed his car keys and led Lena outside.

~

Celeste lay on the bed in Deimos’ basement apartment, staring up at the ceiling. She wore a blank tank top and black panties. This is where I stayed and slept before Jaxon wanted me to move in, she thought.

She remembered being in the lab back in La Mesa and in a room with a monster truck. She was five years old at the time.

~

La Mesa, New Horizons Research Facility - 1969

Celeste wore a white Johnny shirt. She locked her gaze on a white man with a gaunt face and large glasses that hung over his hooked nose; he had a thick, dark-blue mustache and a mop of dark-blue, bushy hair. He wore a white lab coat over a suit and smiled at Celeste.

Man: “Just lift the monster truck, sweetheart.”

He smiled at her. Celeste charged at the monster truck. In one fell swoop, she grabbed it and performed a suplex on it, crashing it down, crushing it to the ground. The large tires flew into the glass, shattering it. The man took his colleague and ducked from the impact of the glass. He lay on the floor and brushed the glass shard from himself and his co-worker.

The alarms rang throughout the facility. Several SWAT units barged in and fired their guns at her. The bullets slammed her back to the wall. She cried out and charged after them. She shot her fist through one of the man’s chest and grabbed the other, ripping him in half. The man in the lab coat swallowed hard as he witnessed the bloodbath before his eyes.

~

Celeste lay in her bed, wondering if she was happier without Jaxon than she was with him. She felt she was happier with Fabien, but he seemed to want Jaxon. She wasn’t sure what she wanted anymore. She thought she wanted Tristan, but he prefers girls like Chelsea, Ivy, and Lena.

Deimos stood over her. He wore a black tank top and dark gray plaid pajama pants. He held a coffee mug in his hand. It was his “I love Tristan” mug.

Celeste: “What’s up?”

Deimos: “Lazaros is in the hospital. I beat him up.”

Celeste: “Why?”

Deimos: “Because he’s looking for his next ‘Mrs. Cherry Pie.’ ”

He rolled his eyes and strolled over to the couch.

Celeste: “Who’s that?”

Deimos drew a breath.

Deimos: “Ever heard of Benny ‘Bear’ Russo?”

Celeste paused.

Celeste: “Yeah, Laz mentioned him a few times.”

Deimos nodded.

Deimos: “Well, he had a cooking show on that ran in the 1960s. It was ‘Hungry Like a Bear.’ He was an Italian chef who would cook all this food, then feed it to a redheaded, fat woman in a beehive. Her name was ‘Mrs. Cherry Pie.’ ”

His jaw tightened.

Deimos: “And he would watch tapes of that over and over. He always wanted his own ‘Mrs. Cherry Pie.’ ”

He huffed.

Celeste: “Was that Benny’s wife?”

Deimos cupped his mouth.

Deimos: “I dunno. I don’t think so. I think she was just an object because Benny Russo also had a feeder fetish and used his show and that woman to fulfill it.”

He explained.

Celeste: “Do you think Laz loved Ash?”

She scratched her head.

Deimos: “No. I think he wanted them to be his Mrs. Cherry Pie, but that isn’t love; that’s him objectifying them. Lazaros never wanted them to move in with him, but Ashley wanted that shit.”

He huffed.

Deimos: “I have nothing against them, but their need to jump from man to man irked me.”

He rolled his eyes.

Celeste: “How do you know when you love someone?”

She asked. Deimos paused.

Deimos: “You would do anything for them!”

He exclaimed.

Celeste: “Anything?”

She tilted her head. Deimos nodded.

Celeste: “Why didn’t you listen to Tristan when he told you to get Jax?”

She asked. Deimos huffed.

Deimos: “Because I had to protect Tristan, and Fabien needs to pull his weight and stop trolling Blair. Next question.”

He asked snippily.

Celeste: “Why is Jaxon sad about Seashell Cove?”

She bowed her head. Deimos sipped his coffee.

Deimos: “I think he had feelings for Chelsea.”

He drawled.

Celeste: “Yeah, Ivy said that, and I always felt that. He said he doesn’t, but I think he does.”

She sighed.

Deimos: “Look, Jaxon seduced me when I was vulnerable about Tristan. He’s going to be looking for the next best thing, like Ashley is. If you’re looking for a deep connection, you will find one in Fabien more than in Jaxon.”

He said firmly. Celeste sighed and knit her eyebrows.

Celeste: “How come you didn’t get upset about Seashell Cove or that other crap?”

She asked.

Deimos: “Because I manage my emotions. Most men are not like me.”

He said doggedly.

Celeste: “How come you get angry at everything?”

Deimos pulled a face.

Deimos: “I get angry about stupidity, and most people should!”

He said flippantly.

Deimos: “Fabien should be pulling his weight and not dedicating his time to trolling Blair and smoking weed. Lazaros shouldn’t be giving those dumbass coupons as gifts. I am not in the wrong for wanting to protect Tristan!”

He huffed.

Celeste: “Well, we thought you lost your powers.”

She drawled. Deimos waved his hand dismissively.

Deimos: “Powers or not, I am going to protect Tristan. Fabien needs to pull his weight and stop being a useless fucking troll.”

He rolled his eyes.

~

That evening, after Jordi arrived home from work, he stepped out of his bedroom wearing a black button-down shirt with flowers, jeans, and black sheer socks. He slid his feet into his black zip-up boots, zipped them up, and headed outside to where Ashley was tending their garden. He hooked his thumbs into his jeans. Ashley turned from the sunflowers to gaze up at Jordi, and their eyes lit up.

Ashley: “Oh, hey, Jordi! How was work?”

They chirped. Jordi cleared his throat.

Jordi: “It was… work.”

He pursed his lips.

Jordi: “Lazaros is in the hospital.”

He said evenly. Ashley’s eyebrows rose.

Ashley: “...Oh?! …What happened?”

They paused.

Jordi: “Deimos beat him up.”

He replied.

Ashley: “Oh, again?”

They sighed. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “I’m going out for a bit. Do you want to come with me and visit him in the hospital?”

He asked. Ashley paused again, thinking back to their visit to Blair in the hospital and feeling conflicted.

Ashley: “...I don’t know… I don’t know how to feel… I feel bad for him, but I don’t want things to happen again like they happened last time when I visited Blair in the hospital…”

They embraced themself and knit their eyebrows. Jordi knelt to them and put his hand on their shoulder.

Jordi: “It won’t be like that because I will be there, and this will be a chance to get some closure as I did with Madelyn.”

He said gently. Ashley felt at ease with his gentle touch and words.

Ashley: “Th-Thank you, Jordi! You’re the best!”

They smiled a bit and hugged him. Jordi smiled and hugged them back.

Jordi: “Thank you… It’s my pleasure.”

Ashley: “Is there closure from Lazaros, though? Madelyn was cool about things, but… Lazaros isn’t exactly… cool.”

They sighed.

Jordi: “Well, it’s worth trying. You can’t say you didn’t try.”

He smiled and rose. Ashley sighed and nodded, rising with him.

He went to his car and opened the passenger’s door for them. Ashley smiled at him and thanked him, getting into the car with him. Jordi climbed into the driver’s side. He popped open the glove compartment, got his gold-rimmed purple-tinted sunglasses, and slid them on. He slid his key into the ignition, started the engine, and looked behind his shoulder as he backed out of his driveway. He then shifted gears and turned down the road.

~

He drove down the highway as the sun was starting to set, and turned on his signal to change lanes to the exit to the Pink Top General Hospital. When he turned into the parking lot, he parked his car around the back and shut his engine off. He slid off his glasses and rested them on his head. He got out of the car and opened the door for Ashley. Ashley smiled and thanked him as they climbed out of the car.

~

Jordi and Ashley stepped out of the elevator onto the sixth floor and entered Lazaros’ room. His head was bandaged, and his two arms were in casts. He was on the bed with Monica by his side.

Monica: “Hello, Jordi and Ashley!”

She greeted them. Jordi nodded and smiled.

Ashley: “Hi, Monica!”

They smiled at her and looked over at Lazaros.

Lazaros: “Oh, I thought you were bringing Jaxon. I need to be healed and out of here in time for the May Feast!”

He huffed. Jordi pursed his lips. Ashley frowned.

Jordi: “I haven’t seen Jaxon today.”

Lazaros: “Then why are you here?”

He huffed.

Monica: “He and Ashley want to see how you’re feeling.”

She said gently.

Ashley: “Hey, Lazaros. How are you feeling?”

They asked quietly, bracing themself for his outburst, and standing close to Jordi.

Lazaros: “Not good, no thanks to your dumb potion making Deimos lose his powers! If you’re here to ask for my forgiveness, it’s not the time!”

He snapped. Ashley sighed exasperatedly.

Ashley: “We were here to check in on you… Forgiveness for what?”

They sighed.

Lazaros: “Forcing yourself to move into MY space. I never wanted you to move in, but you did! You infringed on MY space when I didn’t want you to!”

He snapped. Jordi twisted his mouth. Ashley was taken aback.

Ashley: “...If you didn’t want me to move in with you, why didn’t you say so?”

Lazaros: “I DID!”

He barked.

Lazaros: “But you whined and cried to Tristan for THAT, and others!”

He huffed.

Ashley: “Well, I’m sorry for that… I never should have moved in with you when you didn’t want me to…”

They said earnestly and bowed their head.

Lazaros: “I don’t forgive you for that or for throwing up my food or wanting to share it with my friends!”

He pouted. Jordi rolled his eyes. Ashley sighed.

Ashley: “I only threw up your food because you kept imposing it on me when I was full. I can’t eat an entire buffet to myself, and they wanted to eat, too!”

They cried. Lazaros started crying.

Lazaros: “No one else ever did that before… No one threw up MY cooking! NO ONE!”

He bawled. Ashley sighed and said nothing. What was the point?

Jordi: “Lazaros, they wanted to clear the air and part on good terms.”

Lazaros: “Screw you! That’s not happening! They betrayed me and moved into MY space!”

He bawled.

Ashley: “How did I betray you? I’m sorry for moving into your space…”

They wiped their tears from their eyes, feeling drained.

Lazaros: “You moved in with BLAIR!”

He wailed. Ashley trembled, and their hands shook with frustration, about to open their mouth to say something. Jordi put his hand on Ashley’s shoulder.

Jordi: “Let’s go.”

He nodded. Ashley calmed and pursed their lips, nodding.

Lazaros: “And tell Jaxon to come here! I replaced BIG BETTY BUTT over there with Madelyn! She appreciates a MasterChef!”

He cried. Jordi’s jaw tightened. Ashley knit their eyebrows and glanced up at Jordi, placing their hand on his shoulder.

Jordi: “You know what, Lazaros? I don’t know how anyone tolerates you or Deimos because both of you are taxing and draining! I brought Ashley here to clear the air, and you start slinging mud at them!”

He snapped and pointed his finger at him. Ashley sighed. I knew he’d do this, they thought.

Ashley: “I don’t know how I tolerated you… But I can’t anymore. I tried to make peace with you, but you get mean instead. There are lots of things you did to hurt me, but you never apologized to me about them… like how you almost let me drown, and how you sold my belongings to BLAIR, and how everything was my fault, like throwing up your food because you stuffed me too much!”

They snapped and threw their arms up in frustration.

Lazaros: “I can’t lift you, Ashley! I am not strong like Deimos! I didn’t sell your crap to Blair; I put it out, and he took them! He is the only one who will ever love you!”

He hissed. Ashley shook their head and rubbed their temples.

Ashley: “That’s exactly what I mean… nothing is ever your fault! It’s always my fault, or Tristan’s or Jordi’s or whoever’s! I DON’T love Blair, and I don’t love you! You’re both mean jerks!”

They snapped at him and turned to Jordi.

Ashley: “I wanna go home!”

They cried. Jordi put his hand on their shoulder.

Lazaros: “And I never loved YOU! I never wanted you to move in! You’re replaceable!”

He barked.

Ashley: “I regret ever moving in with you! Good luck finding someone who will tolerate you, you mean jerk!”

They cried and headed for the door.

Lazaros: “The only one who will tolerate your fatass is BLAIR!”

He countered. Ashley narrowed their eyes at him.

Ashley: “You’re just as bad as him!”

They pouted.

Jordi: “Let’s go.”

He said to them. Ashley nodded and clung to him, heading for the door. Jordi marched out and heaved a deep sigh.

~

Jordi drove down the highway, smoking a cigarette.

Jordi: “I’m sorry for bringing you there.”

He muttered and inhaled a drag. Ashley sighed.

Ashley: “It’s not your fault, Jordi, you were just trying to help.”

They smiled a bit at him.

Ashley: “But Lazaros is going to Lazaros.”

They shook their head.

Jordi: “Deimos’ powers returned anyway.”

He mumbled and exhaled a long drag. Ashley turned to him.

Ashley: “OH?! Really? That’s good! Now he can help heal you guys!”

They said hopefully.

Jordi: “And he can fly, too.”

He nodded.

Ashley: “Oh wow!”

Their eyes widened.

Jordi glanced at his watch.

Jordi: “Want to get something to eat?”

He smiled. Ashley brightened.

Ashley: “Ooh, I’d be delighted! What do you wanna eat?”

They smiled at him.

Jordi: “It’s late. I’m not dressed for any formal restaurant, so how about Fred’s 50s Diner? Their burgers are to die for.”

He beamed. Ashley’s eyes lit up.

Ashley: “That place with the cute cat mascot?! I’d love to! I always wanted to go there, but Lazaros wouldn’t let me, so I’m totally down!”

They beamed excitedly. Jordi knit his eyebrows.

Jordi: “No, no, that’s a fast food place. The place I had in mind is a 50s diner with homemade hamburgers.”

He explained.

Ashley: “OH! That sounds really fun! I’d love that, Jordi!”

They smiled at him.

~

Jordi and Ashley entered Fred’s 50s Diner. He went to a table and pulled out a chair for them.

Ashley: “Thank you, Jordi!”

They smiled and sat down in the chair. Jordi looked through the menu.

Jordi: “I’m getting a double burger, loaded, with fries, and a beer.”

He laughed.

Ashley: “Ooh, that sounds delish! I think I’ll get… a mushroom beef burger with no tomatoes, curly fries, and an orange lemonade!”

They chuckled.

Jordi: “Oh, you dislike tomatoes? I love them.”

He smiled.

Ashley: “Oh? I’m sorry! I just don’t like them on burgers, is all! I like the cherry ones and when they’re in pasta sauce on pizzas and pastas!”

They explained, waving their hands. Jordi put his hands up.

Jordi: “No need to apologize or explain yourself. If you dislike them, that’s fine with me.”

He smiled. Ashley’s eyes widened at him.

Ashley: “...R-Really? Thank you!”

They smiled at him.

~

Ichiro sat at a nearby table drinking a coffee. He wore a black trenchcoat and had his fedora on. He gaped at Ashley and Jordi. That gender confused woman Blair is dating is dining with Jordi, he thought. He slid out his spy camera to take a picture. Doesn’t hurt for my target to know his woman is being unfaithful, he thought with a smirk.

~

The waitress brought their food to them. Jordi smiled and started eating his burger. Ashley’s eyes grew large like a cat when they saw the food and smelled the fresh fries. They delicately picked up their hamburger and bit into it, savoring the flavor.

Ashley: “Mmm, delicious!”

They beamed. Jordi beamed at them and resumed eating. From what I recall, they seem to be enjoying this more than when I saw them eating at Lazaros’, he thought, and continued eating. Ashley dipped their fries in the garlic aioli sauce and took a bite. They flicked their gaze to Jordi and tilted their head.

Ashley: “What are you thinking about?”

They asked as they nibbled on their fries.

Jordi: “You seem to be enjoying your meal.”

He smiled at them and took a sip of his beer. Ashley smiled and nodded.

Ashley: “Oh yeah! Good recommendation! It’s so tasty… and chill.”

They smiled and nodded back at him, sipping on the straw.

Jordi: “In what way?”

He locked his gaze on Ashley.

Ashley: “Well, no one is staring at me with an awkward room full of people who don’t wanna be there, or making me eat until I throw up and crying at me for it, haha...”

They laughed bitterly. Jordi knit his eyebrows.

Ashley: “And… you’re just really chill, Jordi. I feel chill around you!”

They smiled at him. Jordi returned the smile.

Jordi put his hand over theirs. Ashley reddened and glanced down at his hand.

Ashley: “O-Oh my!”

They chuckled and stammered. Jordi put his other hand over theirs. Ashley’s heart hammered in their chest.

Jordi: “I am sorry about Lazaros and what he did to you.”

He said softly.

Jordi: “No one should have to endure that abuse.”

He added. Ashley paused. Wow, is that what abuse is? They thought.

Ashley: “Thank you, Jordi… It’s not your fault… I didn’t realize it was abuse.”

They sighed and bowed their head. Jordi traced his thumb over their hand. Ashley shivered and melted like a cat.

Jordi: “Most people don’t realize it’s abuse until after the fact. If nothing else, our visit with Lazaros showed you his true colors.”

He twisted his mouth. Ashley placed their hand on his.

Ashley: “...I didn’t realize how bad he was… I should have listened to Deimos… he was right.”

They sighed.

Jordi: “Deimos is his twin brother… He would know.”

He cleared his throat.

Jordi: “Look, don’t beat yourself up. We all have been in relationships we regret. Yes, they are unpleasant, and we wish we could do it over, but what we endured makes us wiser to future attacks and shapes us into who we are.”

Ashley looked up at him.

Ashley: “Wow, you’re so wise! You’re right… We can’t go back in time, so we gotta move forward… and learn from that stuff.”

They nodded and smiled a bit.

~

When Jordi and Ashley arrived home, Jordi was in his bedroom wearing his black silk pajamas and in bed reading a book. He had his glasses on as he read. He heard a gentle knock at the door. Jordi raised his head.

Jordi: “Come in.”

The door slowly crept open as Ashley entered. Jordi smiled when he saw them.

Ashley: “Heya, Jordi! Just thought I’d pop in and visit you in your room as you visit me in mine!”

They beamed with a little wave. Jordi chuckled and closed his book.

Jordi: “Of course! What’s on your mind?”

He asked.

Ashley: “I just wanted to thank you for being there for me today and taking me to dinner…”

They flicked their gaze to his bare feet resting on the bed.

Jordi: “Yeah?”

He smirked.

Jordi: “Did you want to sleep with me?”

He teased. Ashley froze.

Ashley: “...Wh-What?!”

They stammered and laughed, blushing all over. Jordi noted their expression and snickered. He bit his bottom lip.

Jordi: “Well?”

He winked and started unbuttoning his pajama shirt. Ashley’s eyes widened, and they swallowed hard.

Ashley: “Y-Yes!”

They stammered and chuckled, climbing onto the bed and tickling his feet with their fingers. Jordi gasped and laughed loudly as their fingers dug into their soles.

Jordi: “AHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAAAAA!!”

He laughed loudly and thrashed around. Ashley bit their lip and giggled, tickling between Jordi’s toes. Jordi screamed with laughter as tears streamed down his cheeks.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAHAHAHAAAAAA!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHEHEHEHEHEHAHAAAAAA!!”

He pressed his hands over his eyes, and he thrashed around. Ashley smirked and tickled his sides.

Ashley: “Wow, you’re very ticklish!”

They teased and chuckled. Jordi laughed hard and wiggled around in their grasp.

Jordi: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!”

He threw his head back and laughed loudly, gasping for air in between laughing. Ashley ceased from tickling him to let him catch his breath.

Jordi panted loudly, removed his glasses to wipe his eyes, and breathed a long sigh. Ashley smiled at him.

Ashley: “So, uh, you want me to sleep in the bed with you?”

They chuckled and tilted their head, poking the mattress. Jordi reddened and laughed.

Jordi: “I was teasing you…”

He pursed his lips.

Ashley: “OH! Hahaha! Oh, you!”

They reddened and laughed. Jordi lay there with his pajama shirt open, panting. Ashley flicked their gaze down at his exposed chest.

Ashley: “...D-Do you want me to pet your chest?”

They chuckled, running their fingers through their hair. Jordi shifted his eyes and blushed.

Jordi: “Sure.”

He locked his gaze on them. Ashley returned his gaze and reddened as they gently glided their fingertips across his smooth and toned chest. Jordi shivered and inhaled sharply as their soft hand caressed his chest.

Ashley: “Oh wow, you have a nice chest…”

They blurted softly. Jordi flushed red.

Ashley: “Sorry, if that sounds weird or if I’m being weird, haha…”

They awkwardly ran their other hand through their hair. Jordi shook his head.

Jordi: “No, not at all.”

He said breathlessly.

Ashley: “That’s good, haha!”

They chuckled and flicked their gaze to him. Jordi locked his gaze on them and smiled. Ashley stroked his chest with the back of their hand and lay down beside him. Jordi smiled at them and reached up to caress their face. Ashley blushed and smiled, melting into his touch, feeling warm and safe with him, and drifting off to sleep. Jordi smiled. He put the covers over them, held them close, and turned out his light.

~

Jaxon was in his living room, pacing around. He wore his red silk dragon robe and carried a glass of scotch on the rocks. Tristan stepped into his house. He wore a green pressed shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a black tie, black suspenders, black pants, and black wingtip Oxfords.

Tristan: “Yes, Jaxon?”

He knelt to untie his shoes and slid his feet out, revealing his sheer socks.

Jaxon: “Celeste went with Deimos. Do you know what happened?”

He knit his eyebrows. Tristan folded his arms over his chest and sauntered inside.

Tristan: “I haven’t spoken to Deimos since last night. Why didn’t you want her with you? Because she agreed with Deimos?”

Jaxon looked away. The two men sat on the couch.

Jaxon: “I don’t know why she doesn’t get that seeing those things triggers me! She doesn’t get why you wanted Deimos to save me! It seems we’re having the same arguments and nothing has been the same!”

He cried. Tristan knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “Jaxon, Ichiro turned two people into richonoids before they did to Chelsea. Why did she affect you the most?”

He asked gently. Jaxon stared into his drink.

Jaxon: “Because I knew her, unlike the others!”

Tristan wagged his head.

Tristan: “You got to know Kristen somewhat.”

Jaxon drew a long breath.

Jaxon: “I did, and that’s when it started, but Chelsea’s was…”

He pursed his lips.

Jaxon: “Her death was the giant wrecking ball, and Ivy didn’t help either.”

Tristan twisted his mouth.

Tristan: “That’s an understatement.”

He muttered.

Tristan: “Jaxon, Celeste doesn’t understand these emotions or triggers. I don’t think she intends to cause you harm or malice, but I don’t believe she knows how to love.”

He said gently. Jaxon bowed his head.

Jaxon: “Yeah, well, neither does Deimos.”

He huffed and drained his drink. He rose and poured himself another. Tristan paused.

Tristan: “Did I ever say he did…?”

Jaxon heaved a deep sigh.

Jaxon: “No.”

He filled another glass with ice and poured some scotch into it. He went over and handed a glass to Tristan.

Jaxon: “Deimos didn’t endure soldier training or any of that, but look at him.”

He huffed and took a drink. Tristan twisted his mouth.

Tristan: “I’m well aware of that. Deimos’ traumas aren’t any different from ours. He also has a strict, temperamental father.”

He shrugged.

Jaxon: “What do you feel about Deimos?”

He asked. Tristan looked away.

Tristan: “...I don’t know, Jaxon. First, he cheated on me, and then he went to Narcisse for help on how to repair our relationship.”

He started and laughed bitterly.

Tristan: “It’s as if a part of me is hanging onto an old flame I developed when I was a teenager because he saved me from Dougal.”

He frowned.

Tristan: “That was then. I was seventeen. Things have changed since then.”

He sipped his drink.

Jaxon: “Well, you were a kid. What changed?”

Tristan laughed.

Tristan: “Yes, when I first met him, and I grew to love him, it was amazing. This was when he was dating Ivy. When he broke things off with her, we started to bond. Then this was when he showed his true colors.”

He leaned back and sighed.

Tristan: “Familiarity breeds contempt.”

He said bitterly. Jaxon raised an eyebrow.

Jaxon: “What does that mean?”

Tristan: “The more you get to know someone, the more you discover things about them that you dislike. The question is: can your love for this person overlook these flaws?”

He asked.

Tristan: “Or do you view the person as being flawless, so when they do display flaws, you spew your vitriol at them?”

He asked with a strained smile.

Jaxon: “Are you talking about Deimos or yourself?”

Tristan chuckled.

Tristan: “Deimos sees me as this flawless prince who can do no wrong. When I do something wrong or something slightly misaligned from his image of perfection, he lashes out at me.”

He said with a tone of resentment. Jaxon looked away and sighed.

Jaxon: “Do you think I got with Celeste too quickly?”

He frowned.

Tristan: “There is no set time for when to date someone, but I believe one should get to know the person before upgrading their relationship to see if they can overlook their flaws.”

He replied.

Tristan: “Celeste is not the type to talk to you or counsel you as I would. She has her ways of cheering you up, but it’s not the same as mine. She is her own person just as I am mine.”

He said genially.

Tristan locked his gaze on Jaxon.

Tristan: “What do you feel for Celeste? Do you want to try to repair this relationship, or do you feel you two are better off as friends?”

He asked him. Jaxon hugged his legs.

Jaxon: “I want her to do what you’re doing right now.”

Tristan: “You can’t change her, Jaxon. The only person who can do that is she. Can you accept that, or do you feel it’s best to make peace and be friends?”

He tilted his head.

Jaxon locked his gaze on Tristan.

Jaxon: “...Do you remember when you followed her and me to that love hotel and those balloon people attacked us?”

Tristan blinked.

Tristan: “Yes, I think they were lamorii now that you mention it, but what are you getting at? I have a feeling it’s not about them or Robin sending them after us.”

Jaxon looked away.

Jaxon: “I remember wanting to have sex with you.”

He mumbled. Tristan gaped at him with wide eyes.

Tristan: “...Is this something you’re interested in?”

He asked slowly.

Jaxon: “I don’t know. You’re understanding, kind, gentle, and wise.”

Tristan smiled.

Tristan: “Are you developing feelings, or do you think I will be the one to make your issues go away?”

He asked, as his voice trailed off. Jaxon looked away.

Jaxon: “Well, what if I do and I think you’re sexy?!”

He blurted and reddened. Tristan beamed and leaned his head on his palm.

Tristan: “I was flattered then, and I am flattered now.”

Jaxon: “You deserve better than Deimos.”

He huffed. Tristan grinned.

Tristan: “Jaxon, listen…”

He leaned over.

Tristan: “I am very flattered, and talking to me as you did is my love language, but I also know your emotions are running high.”

He said gently.

Jaxon: “They are not.”

He pouted.

Tristan: “Deal with your feelings and issues with Fabien and Celeste first. When you’re done, and you’re still interested, we can revisit.”

He purred. Jaxon pouted.

Jaxon: “You still have feelings for Deimos.”

Tristan’s smile faded.

Tristan: “I never said anything like that.”

Tristan drew a long breath.

Tristan: “Here is where Deimos and I differ: I am not going to take advantage of you when you’re vulnerable. You always had this tendency to have sex with others so you won’t have to deal with your issues, and it’s not healthy or helping your issues! I am not doing this because I have ‘lingering feelings for Deimos’, but to protect you and myself!”

He said firmly.

Jaxon: “So do you find me unattractive?!”

He embraced himself. Tristan knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “I always found you attractive, but you’re hurting right now. I can be there for you and help you, but I cannot save you from this particular issue.”

He said gently, putting his hand on his shoulder.

Jaxon turned to Tristan and locked his gaze on him.

Jaxon: “So? You deserve better than Deimos.”

He said firmly. Tristan’s eyelids dipped.

Tristan: “I never denied that, and your feelings are valid. I’m certain many would agree with you…”

He said, as his voice trailed off.

He brushed Tristan’s snow-white hair from his face. Tristan paused. He reached over to tickle Tristan’s neck. He laughed a little.

Tristan: “Hehehehahahaa!”

He put his hands up. Jaxon smiled at him and caressed his face. Tristan shivered at his touch, not wanting to admit he was enjoying this.

Tristan: “Jaxon…”

He pursed his lips.

Tristan: “When you sort through your feelings with Fabien and Celeste, and you feel they are not for you, we can revisit this… But I don’t want your feelings hurt… and I don’t want my feelings hurt either.”

He said gently. Jaxon bowed his head.

Tristan: “I’ll be here to help you.”

Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “I know…”

He wiped his eyes. Tristan knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “I’m sorry…”

He hugged him. Jaxon held him close, caressing his hair and his back, feeling warmth. Tristan kissed his cheek, and Jaxon’s heart fluttered in his chest.

~

Fabien sat at his computer. A message on his Bungle server popped up from Tengu.

Tengu: BlairDonati: Your girlfriend is cheating on you with Jordi.

He attached photos of Ashley and Jordi having dinner at Fred’s 50s Diner as well as photos of them holding hands.

Fabien laughed.

Fabien: “Holy shit. This guy was silent for months and posted this! This is MY kind of content!”

He saw Blair typing and beamed.

BlairDonati: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! ASHLEY IS CHEATING ON ME WITH THE BIGGEST, FATTEST LOSER EVER!

BlairDonati: HOW COULD THEY DO THIS TO ME AFTER EVERYTHING I DID FOR THEM?!

BlairDonati: I BOUGHT THEM A CAR, LET THEM STAY AT MY HOUSE, AND LET THEM COOK THEIR GROSS FOOD AND MAKE THEIR GROSS TEA! AND MY THANKS IS THIS??

BlairDonati: I NEED TO BE IN A COMA! IF ANYONE CAN PUT ME IN ONE, DO IT NOW!

DeimosK: Yeah, Blair, you fucking idiot. Someone you thought you dated is moving on to better. He shows more promise than Lazaros, but the guy they’re with won’t amount to much.

DeimosK: But if you need to be in a coma badly, I can arrange that, you stupid fuck.

~

Tristan sat at his desk, pondering what had happened at Jaxon’s place. He folded his hands and placed his face in front of them. He closed his eyes and heaved a deep sigh.

He heard the ping on his computer and clicked on Fabien’s Bungle server. Oh, another Blair tantrum, and Deimos is arguing with him. What’s new? He thought and rolled his eyes.

He scrolled up and froze when he saw the message from “Tengu.” Who on Reona is this? He wondered. This person can’t be Fabien’s alt, he thought. A feeling of dread formed in the pit of his stomach that he couldn’t shake.