Chapter Two-hundred Ten: Loss of Powers

Chapter 210

Loss of Powers

Fabien was on Bungle at four o’ clock in the morning. He wore his green plaid pajama pants. He held his bong in his hand and lit the edge of the bowl while inhaling from the mouthpiece. He saw that Blair posted a short video.

In the video, Blair stuck googly eyes on a paper shredder.

Blair: “Hi, there, Mr. Munchy, would you like a snacky?!”

He sang. He put a piece of paper into the shredder.

Blair: “Somebody’s hungee! Num, num, num!”

He sang as the paper shredded through the slot.

Blair: “Would you like another one?”

He placed another sheet of paper through the shredder.

Sylvia: “Blair, those were the easements and land rights legal documents you shredded!”

She snapped. Blair started crying.

Blair: “SO WHAT?! I NEEDED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO TO MAKE ASHLEY OR SOME OTHER GIRLS LAUGH! YOU CAN MAKE ANOTHER DOCUMENT!”

He snapped and kicked the paper shredder over, getting shreds of paper everywhere.

Demetrio: “Blair, you’re cleaning this up now! All of it!”

He bellowed. Blair stomped his feet and crashed to the floor, crying.

Blair: “WHY AM I BEING PUNISHED FOR MAKING FUNNY CONTENT?!”

He sobbed.

Fabien guffawed and coughed in between laughing. Ichiro stood behind him.

Ichiro: “It’s unreal how much amusement you get from that… boy…”

He said with disgust.

Fabien: “Oh, hello, popping in to see me? Thanks for taking all your time to see me.”

He smirked. Ichiro clenched his fists.

Ichiro: “I am on paid suspension because of YOU.”

Fabien snorted.

Fabien: “I wish I were on paid suspension. I could sit around and achieve all my goals.”

Ichiro scoffed.

Ichiro: “What goals? Smoking that disgusting pot and laughing at the Donati Nepo Baby, Mr. Troll?”

Fabien laughed.

Fabien: “You got me figured out, honey.”

Ichiro’s jaw tightened.

Ichiro: “Don’t call me that! I don’t have sex with men, and I love Celeste!”

Fabien shrugged.

Fabien: “Could have fooled me. You’re jumping through hoops to affect me.”

Ichiro bared his teeth at him.

He then stood erect and smirked at Fabien.

Ichiro: “It doesn’t matter… because your favorite nepo baby ever is smitten with an overweight gender confused woman.”

Fabien: “And?”

He smirked.

Fabien: “Your point?”

Ichiro sneered at him.

Ichiro: “He’s using you because everyone else banned him from their Bungle servers!”

He hissed. Fabien laughed.

Fabien: “When are we getting to the part where you tell me something I don’t know? For a scientific genius, you seem as socially aware as Blair.”

Ichiro growled at Fabien.

Ichiro: “We’ll see how smug you are when I turn him into a richonoid!”

He snapped. Fabien grinned.

Fabien: “Well? Don’t keep me waiting. Turn him into a monster.”

Ichiro glowered at him.

Ichiro: “You will rue the day you crossed me.”

He pressed the earpiece and teleported away.

Fabien: “Well, don’t make me wait any longer.”

He drawled.

~

Deimos snapped his eyes open and raised his head. He was still in bed and wearing a black tank top and black plaid pajama pants. He blinked and looked around his bedroom. He looked around. Everything in his bedroom was in one piece. He gaped at himself, patting his chest, torso, and legs. Everything was intact. He heard birds chirping outside the windows. Leo and Misty were fast asleep on his bed.

Suddenly, his head pounded. He gnashed his teeth as he ached all over. Did I drink too much? He wondered.

He glanced at his dresser and saw the vial of mystical spirit water. His jaw tightened as he ached all over. He rose and picked up the vial to examine it. His heart thundered as sweat popped on his forehead. It’s empty, he thought.

He heard footsteps coming upstairs. He gasped and dashed to his bed, getting under the covers. He dropped the vial into his nightstand drawer. Someone knocked on the door.

Deimos: “It’s open.”

He called out. Monica stepped in.

Monica: “Deimos!”

Deimos smiled a bit.

Deimos: “Morning.”

Monica: “Are you all right?”

Deimos: “Y-Yeah, just sore. I think I drank too much last night.”

Monica smiled and nodded.

Monica: “I’ll bring you up some water and aspirin.”

She said gently as she left his bedroom.

Deimos rubbed his eyes. Suddenly, a pleasant aroma filled his nostrils. It smelled like Tristan’s cologne.

He heard a soft knock on his door.

Deimos: “Come in.”

Tristan opened the door and smiled at him. He wore a green three-piece suit, a white pressed shirt, a green-and-gold paisley tie, ground his eyes with his fists and sat up, and black sheer socks.

Tristan: “Hello, Deimos, how do you feel?”

He asked as he sauntered inside.

Deimos: “Better since seeing you.”

He smiled. Tristan smiled tightly and sat on his bed.

Tristan: “What’s wrong?”

Deimos: “I think I drank too much last night.”

Tristan leaned over and caressed his face. Deimos smiled at him and kissed his hand.

Tristan: “Is what Lazaros and Ashley are enduring right now bothering you?”

He asked. Deimos laughed.

Deimos: “Why would that bother me?”

Tristan: “You drink a lot when something bothers you.”

He said evenly, looking up at him.

Deimos: “No, it wasn’t them.”

Tristan gazed at him.

Tristan: “Was it something Monica said to him?”

Deimos thought about Monica telling Lazaros that he and Deimos shut people out.

Deimos: “...I don’t remember.”

Tristan gazed at him with skepticism.

He cleared his throat.

Tristan: “You can tell me when you’re ready.”

Deimos knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “Why haven’t you used your ethereal prowess to heal yourself?”

He asked him. Deimos’ heart thundered in his chest. It’s automatic, he thought.

Deimos: “...I don’t know! It hurts to move, and my powers aren’t healing me!”

He cried. Tristan gazed at him.

Deimos’ jaw tightened, and he clenched his fists as he tried to heal himself. He let out a hoarse shout and pounded the bed as he tried to heal himself, but couldn’t. He furrowed his brow, and a small purple glow emanated from his hands but quickly disappeared. Deimos pounded on the bed. Tristan knit his eyebrows and cupped his mouth.

Deimos: “WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?!”

He screamed. Tristan knit his eyebrows.

Tristan: “Deimos, what happened?!”

He held him close. Deimos wrapped his arms around him.

Deimos: “Last night I felt my skin tear off, and this room was in a tornado! I fell into a black hole, but when I woke up, everything was fine, but I felt like Hell!”

He exclaimed with hurt and pain in his tone.

Deimos: “If my powers are gone, what good am I to you, Tristan?!”

He cried. Tristan locked his gaze on Deimos.

Tristan: “Deimos…., when we first met, you didn’t have ethereal prowesses. You had none of that.”

He said softly. Deimos looked away.

Deimos: “But you did.”

Tristan hung his head.

Tristan: “Yes, and I kept those hidden away for a reason.”

Tristan: “Not everything is about power, Deimos. I am not with you for your power. I am with you, because I… care.”

He cupped his cheek.

Tristan: “You’re good enough for me, with or without your power.”

Deimos smiled a bit, and their foreheads touched.

Tristan: “So, what really happened, Deimos? It wasn’t you drinking a lot.”

He sighed. Deimos shifted his eyes.

Deimos: “How do you know this stuff?”

Tristan: “Because I know when you’re hiding something from me, and what you described doesn’t sound like you drank too much.”

Deimos bowed his head and heaved a deep sigh.

He reached over to his nightstand, opened the drawer, and pulled out the necklace with the crystal vial. Tristan curled an eyebrow.

Deimos: “Ashley gave this to Lazaros for his birthday.”

He stated.

Tristan: “He gave it to you?”

Deimos shook his head.

Deimos: “He dropped it.”

Tristan nodded. He took the pendant and examined it.

Tristan: “Was there something inside of this?”

Deimos sighed and mutely nodded.

Deimos: “Yeah, mystical spirit water.”

Tristan: “Interesting… Lazaros never took this?”

Deimos: “No, he dropped it during his fight with Ashley.”

Tristan: “I see.”

He nodded and placed the necklace back into his drawer.

Tristan: “Unfortunately, the only person we know who is knowledgeable about us is…, well, Minerva.”

He wagged his head. Deimos pulled a face.

Tristan: “I wonder if this was supposed to suppress Lazaros’ powers since he cannot make contact with his bare hands.”

He cupped his chin. Deimos’ eyes grew large, and his heart hammered in his chest.

Deimos: “NO! I need to have them back!”

He cried. Tristan sighed and caressed his hair.

Tristan: “And you will. We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

He said gently. Deimos smiled a bit and kissed his hand.

~

Lazaros was in his kitchen putting away the dishes. He wore a purple-and-pink gradient button-down shirt, black pants, and black loafers. The door opened as Ashley sauntered into the house, dressed in a yellow paisley crop-top that showed their tummy and yellow-stripped bellbottoms, with cat ears on their head.

Ashley: “Meow! I’m Tira-meowsu, the tiramisu cat, serving up smiles and cookies at Dessert Ranch!”

They beamed proudly, doing a spin for him. Lazaros didn’t look at them and kept putting dishes away.

Lazaros: “That’s good.”

He muttered. Ashley dropped their arms, and their smile dipped.

Ashley: “...You’re not going to look at me?”

They ran their fingers through their hair.

Lazaros: “I have stuff to do. You can make your own breakfast or get it from Voyage Burger.”

He mumbled. Ashley knit their eyebrows, and the tufts of their hair sank.

Ashley: “...Why can’t you be happy for me?”

They sighed.

Lazaros: “Because I told Monica last night that I don’t think I love you anymore.”

He said flatly. Ashley’s heart sank.

Ashley: “Oh… I see.”

They said softly, removing the cat ears from their head and pausing to think.

Ashley: “...Did you ever love me?”

They pursed their lips. Lazaros shrugged.

Lazaros: “I thought I did, but… I’m not sure.”

He said flatly.

Ashley: “...Did you love me or just my tummy?”

They swallowed hard, thinking of how he’d spend hours watching those eating videos and handing out those fetish coupons to people and how they longed for something deeper.

Lazaros: “Why are you asking dumb questions?! Why did you go to Blair so quickly? Because you wanted to be with him? Well, now you can go be with him.”

He sneered at them. Ashley recoiled at his cruel words, feeling stung.

Ashley: “Oh, you think I’m dumb?! I WAS TRYING TO SAVE YOU! I thought you were going to be killed, but you did nothing to help me or help yourself, like BLAIR! I don’t like Blair! I can’t stand him! And you're just like him now, not letting me do anything!”

They snapped through tears of hurt.

Lazaros: “Well, if you didn’t want to be with him, then you are dumb to fall for what he said!”

He snapped. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “I-I’m not dumb! I just don’t understand this world!”

They cried.

Ashley: “And you did nothing to help yourself or me.”

They added.

Lazaros: “You didn’t ask Tristan if what Blair said was true! I went to him for help when you got this job you don’t need!”

He huffed.

Ashley: “I was scared that I couldn’t tell anyone! Why does me getting a job upset you so much that you need to go to Tristan for ‘help’ to stop me from living my life?!”

They cried.

Lazaros: “You didn’t go to Tristan about Blair. He’s the smartest genius in the universe, so who’s not helping who?”

He scoffed.

Ashley: “I was too scared to go to anyone about it because Blair abused me and made me scared, but I was trying to help you!”

They cried.

Lazaros: “You didn’t!”

He snapped and went into the living room.

Ashley recoiled and followed him into the living room.

Ashley: “I made that sacrifice because I thought I was saving you, but you wouldn’t even save me from drowning! Deimos had to because you wouldn’t!”

They cried with hurt in their tone.

Lazaros: “Deimos is strong, and you’re not exactly light.”

He laughed. Ashley recoiled at his cruel tone.

Ashley: “So?! Maybe if you didn’t overfeed me, I wouldn’t be so un-light!”

They laughed bitterly.

Tristan stepped in with Deimos following him. Deimos was still in his pajamas.

Tristan: “...Is this a bad time?”

He asked. Ashley sighed with relief when they showed up. Maybe they could talk some sense into him? They thought.

Deimos: “No, it’s not. My powers are not working.”

He huffed.

Lazaros: “Why are you asking me and not Tristan that?”

Deimos: “I’m not fucking asking you.”

He rolled his eyes.

Tristan pursed his lips.

Tristan: “Deimos consumed your mystical spirit water, and he can’t use his powers.”

He said to Ashley. Ashley arched an eyebrow at them.

Ashley: “Huh? What mystic spirit water?”

They asked and tilted their head. Tristan cleared his throat.

Tristan: “It was from a crystal vial on a pendant.”

He replied.

Deimos: “Yeah, the one you gave to Lazaros for his birthday.”

He said bluntly. Ashley’s heart sank, and they turned to Lazaros.

Ashley: “...Y-You never took the spirit water I made for you?”

They knit their eyebrows with hurt in their tone. Lazaros gaped at them owlishly.

Deimos: “No. It was full.”

He replied.

Ashley: “Oh… I see…”

They embraced themself and zoned out.

Tristan shifted his eyes.

Deimos: “He dropped it on the ground. Anyway, I took it, and now I can’t use my powers.”

He said evenly. Ashley’s eyebrows rose.

Ashley: “Oh? Oh, no, I’m sorry! What happened?”

They cupped their mouth.

Lazaros: “Sounds like Ashley wanted me to lose my powers so that I could be more like Blair.”

He huffed. Ashley looked hurt. Tristan raised an eyebrow.

Ashley: “It wasn’t to lose your powers… it was to strengthen our bond!”

They cried.

Deimos: “Why are my powers gone then? Is there something you’re not telling me about how you feel about me?”

He folded his arms over.

Ashley: “I-I don’t know? That isn’t supposed to happen!”

They cried.

Ashley: “Maybe it’s because it wasn’t intended for you, but intended for Lazaros, that it backfired on you?”

They embraced themself. Tristan gazed at Ashley.

Tristan: “Regardless, Deimos took it, and we have to figure something out.”

Lazaros: “And you will, Tristan. You always figure everything out! Deimos gets the super smart one and not the one who falls for Blair’s stupid ploys!”

He scoffed. Ashley pursed their lips and looked hurt at Lazaros. Tristan glared at Lazaros.

Tristan: “Lazaros, I wouldn’t speak prematurely. You gave me a coupon booklet for my birthday that had everything to do with you and nothing to do with me. You never came to me about this sudden shift for them to be with Blair.”

He snapped. Ashley shook their head at Lazaros.

Lazaros: “Because they want him!”

He fired back. Ashley glared at Lazaros.

Tristan: “And you truly believe this?”

Lazaros: “And they said that Deimos rescued them in the park! I can’t lift much tonnage! Deimos can!”

He kicked his legs.

Ashley: “Okay, BLAIR! I don’t want Blair, but it seems I’m already with his clone, and I don’t know if I want to be anymore!”

They fired back at Lazaros.

Deimos: “I told you that the entire time and now you get it.”

He said to them.

Ashley: “You were right.”

They heaved a defeated sigh.

Deimos: “Anyway, when they were drowning at the park, you stood there dancing and shitting your pants, screaming at me to do something. You don’t need muscles to get in the boat and take action!”

He snapped at Lazaros. Ashley nodded their head in agreement.

Ashley: “You were being like Blair!”

They cried.

Ashley: “...You said you don’t think you love me anymore… well, I don’t think I love you anymore, either… you’re just like Blair.”

They finally said, wiping their tears. Tristan knit his eyebrows. Deimos rolled his eyes.

Lazaros: “Okay, take your crap and get out. Blair will be waiting for you.”

Ashley looked hurt.

Ashley: “You’re exactly like him, and I don’t want either of you!”

They cried.

Deimos: “None of this surprises me. You got into a relationship, distracted by this shiny ‘masterchef’, and didn’t know who he really was. I know him in and out, and I knew this wasn’t going to last.”

He said sharply. Ashley felt as if he was kicking them while they were down.

Ashley: “I guess not…”

They sighed and scooped up their cat, hugging him tightly.

Tristan: “Deimos, this isn’t the time or place to say ‘I told you so’.”

He chided him. Deimos recoiled. Ashley pursed their lips, feeling hurt and defeated.

Tristan put his hand on their shoulder as they led Ashley outside.

Tristan: “I’m sorry it has come to this, Ashley. Do you need anything?”

He asked them.

Ashley: “Thanks, Tristan. Thanks for everything!”

They cried.

Ashley: “I don’t know what I need right now…”

Tristan put his hand on their shoulder.

Tristan: “I understand that completely. I’m so sorry it came to this, and I am sorry for dumping our problems on you during this dire time.”

He said gently.

Ashley: “Not at all… It helped me see what I needed to see… that is the magic of the mystical spirit water, after all…”

They sighed. Tristan raised an eyebrow.

Tristan: “...I suppose it did exactly that.”

He cupped his chin.

Tristan: “Look, I know you dislike Blair as we all do, but Sylvia is a nice woman, and she and Demetrio would always be willing to help you.”

He offered.

Ashley: “I know, but I can’t go back there.”

They sighed.

Ashley: “Me and Stella need to find somewhere else.”

They added, cradling their cat.

Before Tristan replied, he saw Jordi’s Ferrari pull up. He parked it in the driveway of Lazaros’ house and stepped out. He wore a black button-down shirt, a dark gray sports jacket, gray jeans, and black zip-up boots.

Jordi: “Hello, Ashley, are you okay?”

He knit his eyebrows. Ashley bowed their head, and their bottom lip trembled.

Ashley: “I-I’m not okay… me and Lazaros broke up…”

They cried. Jordi knit his eyebrows and hugged them.

Jordi: “I am so, so sorry, Ashley…”

Ashley hugged him back and cried.

Jordi: “I came here to pick up the bran muffins for Grandpa, but those can wait. Do you have anywhere you can stay, or do you need anything from me?”

He asked gently. Ashley gently shook their head.

Ashley: “...I don’t know where to go or what I need right now…”

They cried.

Jordi placed his hands on his hips.

Jordi: “Well, you can stay with me. We have a basement apartment we used to rent out before I got my job.”

He smiled at them. Ashley’s eyes lit up.

Ashley: “R-Really?! Thank you, Jordi!”

They hugged him tightly.

Tristan: “You don’t think you should rent a hotel room for them?”

He asked him.

Jordi: “No, I wouldn’t do that, Tristan.”

He smiled.

Jordi: “Before I was old enough to work, we had a basement apartment for people who wanted to rent from us. It’s fully furnished. Full kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. It’s a studio apartment, so nothing fancy.”

He explained.

Ashley: “It’s purrfect! I can pay for rent and groceries with my new job as a tiramisu cat!”

They beamed, placing their cat ears back on their head. Jordi raised his eyebrows.

Jordi: “You don’t need to do that. I am not doing this for anything in return.”

He chuckled and smiled at them in their cat outfit.

Ashley: “Are you sure? I wanna help out, too!”

They smiled back at him.

Jordi: “I trust you will, but I want to get you settled. I can have moving vans come tomorrow to get your stuff.”

He put his arm around them. Ashley smiled and hugged him back.

Ashley: “Thank you! Thank you!”

They pulled him into a tight hug with their cat and smiled. Jordi smiled and hugged them back.

Jordi: “You’re so welcome. Just get some of your things for tonight and come on in.”

He nodded to his car. Ashley nodded and scurried around the house, grabbing their coat, cat, and potted sunflower off the window sill.

Ashley: “Okay, got my essentials!”

They nodded and followed him out to his car. Jordi opened the car door for them.

Jordi: “Come on in.”

He smiled. Ashley smiled back at him and got in the car with their cat in their arms.

Ashley: “Thank you so much for your kindness!”

They cried.

Jordi: “You’re so welcome, Ashley! You’ve been kind to me when I needed it.”

He climbed into the driver’s side.

Ashley: “Thanks, Jordi, so have you!”

He adjusted his rear view mirror and looked behind his shoulder as he backed out of the driveway. He then shifted into the first gear and drove down the road. Tristan watched them go and twisted his mouth.

Celeste landed in front of Tristan. She wore a Lita Ford black tank top, a denim skirt, a studded belt, leather jacket, black thigh high stockings, a spiked choker, and black ankle strap boots.

Celeste: “They broke up, didn’t they?”

She asked. Tristan nodded soberly.

Tristan: “Most of us saw it coming.”

Celeste: “They goin’ back to Blair?”

Tristan shook his head.

Tristan: “Jordi offered them his basement apartment.”

Celeste: “Oh.”

She scratched her head.

Tristan: “I think you’re thinking what I am thinking.”

Celeste: “I don’t think I am thinking anything, but Jordi complained about the same crap with Madelyn that Ashley complained about for Lazaros.”

She drawled. Tristan heaved a deep sigh.

Tristan: “Deimos lost his powers.”

Celeste blinked.

Celeste: “How’d that happen?”

Tristan: “He drank Ashley’s mystical spirit water intended for Lazaros.”

He replied.

Celeste: “So now what? Is the Ichiro body double trap on hold?”

Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “For the time being, yes.”

~

Deimos sat in the living room with Lazaros.

Deimos: “I told you this wouldn’t last.”

Lazaros: “Now they can go with Blair.”

He said as he smoked his cigarillo.

Deimos: “You actually think they want Blair? Being with Blair wasn’t different from being with you.”

He sneered.

Lazaros: “I’m a masterchef, Deimos! What does Blair do?”

Deimos looked away.

Deimos: “Yeah, Blair is utterly fucking useless.”

He paused.

Deimos: “Do we put up walls to push others away?”

Lazaros gaped at him.

Lazaros: “No, I don’t think so.”

He nodded.

Lazaros: “You just got lucky, Deimos. You got a super smart boyfriend who you don’t need to explain the difference between truth or fiction or if Blair is stupid.”

He fielded scathingly. Deimos nodded.

Deimos: “Yeah, Tristan would know Blair is full of shit.”

Deimos: “Why didn’t you take that mystical spirit water?”

Lazaros shrugged.

Lazaros: “Because I didn’t want it and it was dumb?”

Deimos gaped at him.

Deimos: “...And you don’t think your gift to Tristan was exactly that?”

He hissed.

Lazaros: “I see how it is dumb now.”

He nodded.

Lazaros: “Ashley is so ungrateful, so why would they be grateful I allowed Tristan the privilege of doing that?!”

He growled. Deimos rolled his eyes.

Deimos: “Whatever.”

~

Jordi led Ashley into his house. He unzipped his boots, revealing his sheer dress socks, and shrugged out of his sports jacket. The two went to the door, leading to the basement. As they descended the stairs, there was a conversion of the triangular space beneath a wooden staircase into a relaxation nook. Flowing, amber-colored curtains were draped from beneath the stairs, creating a tent-like entrance that enhances a sense of privacy.

The base was a thick, tufted floor mattress layered with dark green and deep red blankets. An array of plush pillows in burnt orange, mustard yellow, and intricate patterns provided a soft backdrop for lounging.

Recessed wooden bookshelves were built into the back wall, packed with books, making the space functional as a library.

The lighting was the “secret sauce” of the nook, relying entirely on warm, low-intensity sources: globe-style fairy lights traced the angle of the stairs and the curtain line, and a large, round white paper lantern hung centrally, casting a soft, diffused glow.

To the left was the living room, which was anchored by a large, circular area rug featuring a "Tree of Life" motif. The tree had intricate, twisting roots and branches, surrounded by a dense wreath of wildflowers and leaves against a dark background. This piece pulls the room's organic theme together.

An elegant, dark orange velvet sofa sits against the left wall, accented with botanical-print pillows. Opposite it are two matching wingback chairs in a slightly lighter orange, creating a cozy conversational circle.

The floor was classic hardwood laid in a herringbone pattern, adding a sense of traditional craftsmanship to the space.

The dark orange walls were adorned with an eclectic mix of gold-framed art, including botanical illustrations, landscapes, and a round, ornate mirror.

The ambiance was moody and soft, provided by a deep red-shaded table lamp on a side table. The room was teeming with houseplants of various sizes, from tall leafy greens in the corners to smaller potted plants on the side tables.

At the end of the apartment was a stunning, rustic “Cottagecore” kitchen that looked like it belonged in a fairy tale or a high-end countryside villa.

The most striking feature was the extensive use of natural stone. Large, irregular flagstones covered the floor, while the walls were made of similar light-brown fieldstone, giving the room a medieval feel.

To contrast the rugged stone, the cabinets were painted a soft, muted sage green with simple shaker-style doors. The upper cabinets featured glass panes, showcasing dishware inside. There was also a green fridge.

The dining room table was made of polished wood with chairs.

Trailing ivy was placed along the top of the upper cabinets, cascading down the green wood and softening the transition between the stone wall and the furniture.

There was a modern black cooktop built into the counter, topped with a hammered copper vent hood.

To the furthest left was a massive, rustic wooden four-poster bed that sat low to the floor on a platform.

Thick vines of ivy and leafy plants draped heavily over the top beams, creating a living “roof” for the bed.

Sheer, cream-colored fabric was swooped and draped across the top and down the sides, softening the hard lines of the wood and providing a cloud-like texture.

Warm fairy lights were intricately woven through the vines and the fabric, casting a soft, golden glow over the rumpled, inviting white linens and neutral-toned pillows.

Ashley’s jaw dropped at the sight before them.

Ashley: “O-oh my…”

They trembled and cupped their mouth, stunned beyond words. Jordi smiled.

Jordi: “Do you like it? I took you for a spin around to give the decorators enough time to make it to your liking.”

He beamed.

Ashley: “I-It’s PURRFECT! Oh my stars! It’s like you’re in my head! How did you know?!”

They gasped on the verge of tears, pulling him in for a hug. Jordi hugged them tightly in return.

Jordi: “You’re so welcome! I’m thrilled this is to your liking.”

He said genially.

Ashley felt a wave of emotions rush over them, and they started to cry. Jordi knit his eyebrows.

Jordi: “Oh, what’s wrong?”

Ashley: “You really know me well…”

They sighed.

Ashley: “...I sometimes wonder if Lazaros really truly knew me…”

They added as they sat down on the soft, warm bed. Jordi sat with them.

Jordi: “What makes you think that Lazaros never truly knew you?”

He asked gently.

Ashley: “I don’t know… like, he never did anything like this for me, and if he really knew me, he’d know I don’t like Blair and how much getting that job meant to me… It’s like he only knew me as a pet… a pet to feed…”

They sighed and bowed their head. Jordi knit his eyebrows.

Jordi: “What job? And no offense, I never pegged Lazaros to read people well… I know his brother, Deimos, doesn’t fare much better.”

He stated.

Ashley: “Oh, I’m gonna work at Dessert Ranch as Tira-meowsu, the tiramisu cat! I was so happy and excited… I just wanted him to be happy for me doing something that makes me happy…”

They sighed. Jordi smiled and nodded.

Jordi: “I see, I know about that place. Why did you want to work?”

He asked them.

Ashley: “I don’t know… It’s not like we needed money, so it wasn’t about that. I just… felt the urge to work there, it looked fun! It made me feel happy, so I went for it!”

They scratched their head. Jordi smiled and nodded.

Jordi: “You have to do what makes you happy, above all.”

He nodded. Ashley smiled and nodded.

Ashley: “Happiness is the drive of life, like the sun!”

He pursed his lips.

Jordi: “I think it’s like… how Madelyn doesn’t understand I have my duties and I can’t drop them.”

He said, his voice trailing off. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Oh? How are you and Madelyn? What doesn’t she understand?”

They asked. Jordi twisted his mouth.

Jordi: “A lot?”

He laughed.

Jordi: “I don’t want to tell you this while you’re going through a rough time.”

He waved his hand.

Ashley: “Oh, no, it’s no trouble at all! If you need an ear, I’m here for you, too!”

They exclaimed, tucking their hair behind their ear and pointing to their ear. Their golden sun earring sparkled under the light. Jordi smiled.

Jordi: “She doesn’t understand that I have stuff I need to do for others, so we have a roof over our head and food on the table. I have to provide for others. I can’t drop it all because of some whim. It’s like… she doesn’t listen… as Lazaros didn’t listen to you.”

He said slowly.

Ashley: “Oh… that sounds familiar… I wanna help others, too, and whenever I wanted to share my food with others, Lazaros would get angry at everyone because he only wanted me to eat it. But then, when he made me sick by making me eat too much, he got angry with me… It’s like he is on planet Lazaros or something and not on Reona or something…”

Their voice trailed off. Jordi laughed awkwardly.

Jordi: “Yes, I hear you.”

He smiled sadly.

Jordi: “Tristan told me about the coupon booklet he gave him for his birthday.”

Ashley laughed awkwardly and bitterly.

Ashley: “Oh… yeah… I’m so sorry about that…”

They sighed.

Jordi: “Why are you apologizing to me?”

He asked and raised an eyebrow.

Ashley: “I’m sorry he was trying to force me onto you guys with his kinks…”

They fiddled with their hair. Jordi bowed his head.

Jordi: “Well, that’s water under the bridge now.”

He said, his voice trailing away.

Jordi: “Until he finds someone else. Deimos told me he does that. Well, he didn’t tell me that, but Tristan told me he told him that.”

He wagged his head. Ashley paused.

Ashley: “Oh, I guess he never loved me then…”

They sighed. Jordi frowned.

Jordi: “I’m so sorry, Ashley. You deserve better than this.”

He smiled faintly. Ashley smiled a bit.

Ashley: “Thanks, Jordi, so do you.”

They sighed. Jordi shifted his eyes and forced a smile.

He rose and dusted himself off.

Jordi: “Well, I should retire for the night.”

Ashley nodded and lay back on their bed, getting ready for sleep.

Ashley: “Me too… have a good night and thank you so much for everything you’ve done for Stella and me!”

They exclaimed, holding Stella. Jordi smiled at them.

Jordi: “Anytime. Sweet dreams.”

He said softly and went upstairs.