Chapter Two-Hundred Twenty-Eight: Jaxon's Honesty

Chapter 228

Jaxon’s Honesty

Jaxon stormed out of Miss Peahaven and slammed his back against the wall as he embraced himself. He heard footsteps approach him. He was about to lash out at Fabien, but halted when he saw Tristan. His expression softened.

Tristan: “Jaxon? What’s wrong?”

Jaxon rushed to him and wrapped his arms around him. Tristan knit his eyebrows and hugged him back.

Jaxon: “I’m a mess, Tristan.”

Tristan patted his back and hugged him.

Tristan: “Talk to me.”

He said gently.

Jaxon: “No matter what I do, no matter how many tarot readings I get, no matter how much tea I get, or advice, I can’t move past this, Tristan.”

He cried. Tristan’s eyelids dipped.

Tristan: “I know, Jaxon…”

He whispered.

Tristan looked at Miss Peahaven and back down at Jaxon.

Tristan: “Jaxon, I am not going to lie. I think there lies a deeper reason you’re not getting past this. This isn’t the first time you witnessed someone turned into… a richonoid.”

He said slowly. Jaxon paused and sighed.

Jaxon: “I know.”

He guided Jaxon onto a bench, and the two men sat down.

Tristan: “Since that trip, everything has changed.”

Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “Yeah…”

He raked his fingers through his hair. Tristan gazed at him, trying to find the right words to explain what he felt.

Tristan: “I believe if you admitted how you felt, it would help a lot. Nothing is holding you back now.”

Jaxon drew a rough breath.

Jaxon: “You think I had feelings for Chelsea, don’t you? Deimos said it, Celeste said it, Fabien fuckin’ said it, and… Ivy did.”

He said glumly. Tristan gazed at him.

Tristan: “Well…”

He shifted in his seat.

Tristan: “You didn’t notice Celeste was sleeping a lot. I noticed that. You spent a lot of time with her and never rebuffed her romantic advances on you, and you were cozy at that bonfire.”

He stroked his ponytail. Jaxon looked away.

Tristan: “...You were excited she was coming back to Pink Top City.”

He added.

Jaxon: “You don’t have to say anymore, Tristan.”

He leaned over and folded his hands.

Jaxon: “It’s time I stop lying to myself and all of you.”

He drew a long breath.

Jaxon: “I did. I had feelings for her.”

He confessed. Tristan nodded.

Jaxon: “But I was with Celeste at that time, and… I don’t know.”

He raked his hands through his hair.

Jaxon: “Like, she would talk to me and be sweet with me… Celeste brushes feelings off, like fucking Fabien,”

He huffed.

Jaxon: “And I fucked that up because of Ichiro.”

He raised his head and stared up at the stars.

Tristan: “Jaxon, I’m so sorry…”

He put his hand on his shoulder. Jaxon smiled a bit.

Tristan: “I feel what you feel… Papa wasn’t dead, but he was in a coma for fifteen years because my powers were out of control, so I understand blaming yourself.”

Jaxon sighed.

Jaxon: “You got him out of the coma, but what if he died or turned into those… things?”

Tristan looked away.

Tristan: “I don’t know. Chelsea was a good friend of mine. I guess all I can say is no matter how much the odds are stacked against you, the world still turns, and people move on. If you keep going, you can prevent another instance like this from happening and stop Ichiro once and for all.”

Jaxon gazed at Tristan.

Jaxon: “How did you get over Chelsea?”

Tristan smiled sadly.

Tristan: “Who said I got over what happened?”

He laughed a hollow laugh.

Tristan: “...I manage it, Jaxon. Moping about what could have been won’t help me or anyone, but I do often think about her.”

He sighed.

Tristan: “It’s hard…, especially when you love someone, and you’re forced to kill them. I understand and empathize with your plight.”

Jaxon drew a long breath and gazed up at the stars.

Tristan: “Jaxon, you need to have this discussion with Fabien and Celeste. If you keep pushing them away, there will no longer be a bridge to cross.”

He said firmly but gently. Jaxon looked away.

Jaxon: “I don’t want to be in a relationship with him or her.”

Tristan: “I never said anything about pursuing a romantic relationship. You don’t have to have one with them, but I feel that if you wish to help us stop Ichiro, we all have to be on the same page and get along. All I’m saying is be honest with them, and you can mend the bridge to building a healthy platonic relationship.”

He explained gently.

Tristan: “I believe they already know your feelings about Chelsea… They were waiting for you to be honest with them… and yourself.”

He nodded.

Tristan: “They both have been trying to apologize to you.”

He added. Jaxon drew a long breath and nodded.

Jaxon: “Thanks, Tristan… You’re one of the greatest friends I could have.”

He said earnestly. He patted his back. Tristan smiled at him.

Tristan: “Thank you, Jaxon. I return the compliment.”

He nodded.

Tristan: “Did you need me to come with you inside?”

Jaxon shook his head.

Jaxon: “I appreciate it, but… I need to do this alone.”

Tristan smiled. The two men rose.

Tristan: “Good luck, Jaxon.”

Jaxon wrapped his arms around Tristan. Tristan hugged him back and smiled. Jaxon inhaled Tristan’s cologne and caressed his soft, white hair.

~

Jaxon entered the nightclub and scanned the area for Fabien. He saw Fabien carrying a tray of drinks and was going to catch up to him, but Fen snapped his fingers, signaling him. Jaxon stomped his foot in frustration.

Jaxon: “Ivy’s fuckin’ dad is annoying as she is.”

He cursed under his breath and stormed off to the bar.

~

Fen: “What are you doin’ workin’ on a night like this, boy? Relax. Birthday boy wishes.”

He winked and inhaled a drag from his kiseru. Fabien smiled tightly. He sat in a high-backed velvet armchair, his legs stretched out comfortably. A server handed Fabien a glass of scotch on the rocks. He sipped on it.

Fen was on his knees at the foot of the chair. He reached forward, his movements slow and deliberate.

Fen carefully untied Fabien’s sneakers, taking them off, and pulled off his socks, setting them aside with precision.

Fabien shifted his weight, his eyes tracking Fen’s every move. He didn’t look down at the man, but he leaned his head back against the cushion, a small, satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

Fen took a breath. He placed his hands on Fabien’s arches, his palms warm and steady. He began to knead his soles, his touch firm yet careful, as if he were handling something fragile and precious.

Fabien let out a low, involuntary hum of appreciation, the glass in his hand tilting slightly.

Fen bowed his head lower, his lips ghosting against the side of Fabien's heel, a slow, lingering press that felt like a vow. He looked up at Fabien then, his eyes bright with a silent, intense devotion, before returning his focus to the task, his movements becoming more rhythmic, more deliberate, losing himself entirely in the service of the moment. Fen’s focus was absolute; every movement was calculated to provide the most pleasure, his thumbs tracing the complex topography of Fabien’s arches with a skill that spoke of long-practiced dedication.

Fabien set his glass down on the mahogany side table. He let his legs go completely slack, yielding entirely to the sensation. He watched Fen through hooded eyes, observing the way the older man’s breathing had synchronized with the rhythm of his hands.

Fabien: “Deeper.”

He commanded, his voice a soft rasp.

Fen didn’t hesitate. He shifted his weight, pressing his knuckles firmly into his soles, his movements purposeful and slow. He seemed to draw strength from the contact, his own resolve hardening with every firm stroke. He began to trail his touch upward, his palms sweeping over the ankle bones and back down, a repetitive, hypnotic motion that sent a ripple of tension out of Fabien’s body.

Fabien’s toes curled slightly, his grip on the armrests tightening. He watched as Fen leaned in, pressing his cheek against the top of Fabien’s foot, a gesture of profound submission that made the power dynamic feel tangible, almost heavy. Fen popped Fabien’s toes into his mouth, tasting them and sucking on them. His lips brushed against Fabien’s soles, causing Fabien to stumble over a laugh.

Fen inhaled the wonderful scent of Fabien’s feet and pressed his nose in between his toes. Fabien curled his toes over Fen’s cheeks. Fen’s hardness pressed against his leather pants. Fabien flicked his gaze down to his hardness, and his lips slightly parted. He relaxed into his seat. Fen’s tongue glided against Fabien’s soles and toes, resulting in Fabien laughing loudly. Fen stopped for a moment.

Fen: “What’s so funny?”

He teased. Fabien waved his hand.

Fabien: “Nothing at all. I’m extremely ticklish.”

He admitted.

A brazen smirk spread across Fen’s lips. Fabien pushed his head with his foot.

Fabien: “Don’t even think about it.”

He smirked and rose over Fen. He stepped on the couch, lifted his leg, and pressed his toes on the table. Fen took Fabien’s foot and lapped his toes. Fabien blew air through his parted lips at the feeling of his warm, wet tongue gliding over his toes. He lifted his leg and shoved his toes into Fen’s mouth, shoving his head back with his foot.

Jaxon watched the scene from the bar and rolled his eyes.

Jaxon: “Asshole…”

He muttered as he glared at Fen and inhaled a long drag. Just when I was ready to talk about what was bothering me, he thought.

Fen: “Hey, sexy boy? I have an idea…”

He licked Fabien’s foot, and he stumbled over a laugh.

Fabien: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

As he jerked his foot away, Fen grabbed his ankle and kept it there, gently caressing the top of his foot. Fabien laughed and started to lose his balance.

Fabien: “AHAHAHAHAHAA!”

He laughed.

Fabien: “Can you let me go or stop tickling me? I’m going to fall over!”

He said irritably.

Fen: “You’re a bossy one, aren’t you, boy?”

He teased.

Fen planted a kiss on his foot.

Fen: “I want to snort a line of cocaine from these perfect feet of yours.”

Fabien forced a smile.

Fabien: “Okay, the floor is yours.”

He sat on the couch and rested his feet on his lap.

Fen: “Can you call me honey or baby?”

Fabien inhaled sharply.

Fabien: “Sure, honey, snort that drag off my feet.”

Lily sprouted her head up.

Lily: “Daddy, when is Doodle-Do going to come?!”

She whined. Fen turned to her with a sneer.

Fen: “Kělè, this is Daddy’s birthday party! When it’s your party, we can do whatever you want, princess!”

He said through clenched teeth. Lily’s eyes filled with tears.

Lily: “But on my birthday, you forgot my cake! Mommy said you did!”

She cried. Fen angrily rose.

Fen: “YOU WANT TO START THIS, LILY?! YOU WANT TO BE LIKE YOUR MOTHER AND SISTER AND NOT DADDY’S GIRL?!”

He thundered. Lily opened her mouth to howl.

Fen: “Bǎobèi, Daddy is busy right now!”

He hissed through clenched teeth. Fabien sat back and rolled his eyes. When will this night fucking end? He wondered.

Lily: “Daddy, Lily wet her diaper!”

She cried. Fen clenched his fists into balls. He raised his fist to her.

Lily gasped, and her face lit up.

Lily: “DOODLE-DO!”

She ran to a stout, anthropomorphic dinosaur mascot with purple skin and yellow accents on its chest, feet, and a crest on its head. He had a gentle, welcoming facial expression. He wore a short-sleeved, button-up, collared shirt featuring a vibrant, colorful “doodle” paint-splatter pattern. Pinned to the chest of his shirt was a name tag that clearly read “DOODLE-DO.” Lily wrapped her arms around the big purple dinosaur.

Doodle-Do: “Uh-oh, smells like Doodle-Do needs to do your diaper!”

He teased.

Lily: “Lily had an accident!”

She sang.

Doodle-Do turned his head to Fabien.

Doodle-Do: “Holy shit!”

He tossed Lily aside and rushed to him. Fuck me sideways, Fabien thought.

Doodle-Do: “Hey, there, sexy! Do you want to do Doodle-Do?”

He plonked on the couch, rubbing his furry mitts all over Fabien’s legs. Fabien pulled his legs back.

Jaxon shoved his cigarette into an ashtray and went over to Fabien and Doodle-Do.

Doodle-Do: “Holy fuck, another hottie!”

He gasped. Doodle-Do rose with Jaxon and Fabien on each side of him, his hands on their asses.

Jaxon: “HEY! Get your fuckin’ hands off me, dickhead!”

He rasped.

Doodle-Do: “Quite a mouth on you! I wonder what else it can Doodle-Do!”

He giggled and rubbed Jaxon’s groin. Jaxon angrily shoved him. The dinosaur tumbled backward into a table, crashing down and knocking over the glass bottles, which shattered.

Jaxon: “FUCK OFF!”

He thundered. Fabien clicked his tongue. Someone had to, he thought.

He turned to Fabien and saw Fen embracing him from behind.

Fen: “Sorry about that, sexy boy! That’s my daughter’s stupid thing… Where were we?”

He purred and tickled Fabien’s neck. He erupted into laughter.

Fabien: “AahahahaahahAHAHAHAA!”

Fen: “Your laugh is so intoxicating…”

He whispered into his ear. Fabien giggled as it tickled him somewhat.

Jaxon’s jaw tightened. He scanned the area and ocean of faces. He glanced at the stage with the poles and got an idea.

~

The neon lights pulsed in rhythm with the thumping bass, casting long, fractured shadows across the stage.

Jaxon stood on the stage, his chest rising and falling in measured, rhythmic breaths. The harsh stage lights illuminated his pale skin. He removed his Chelsea boots and sheer socks. He adjusted his grip on the floorboards, feeling the wood vibrate against his bare feet.

Fen: “What have we here now?”

He purred as he turned to face Jaxon. Percy raised an eyebrow. What is Jiro doing? He wondered.

As the music shifted—a haunting, bass-heavy remix of a traditional koto melody—Jaxon stepped onto the circular stage.

He didn’t rush. He moved with a deliberate, liquid grace, his presence commanding the sudden hush that fell over the room. He reached the chrome pole, his hand wrapping around the cold metal with practiced precision.

With a powerful push, he launched himself upward.

Jaxon’s movement was a fusion of raw athleticism and fluid artistry. He spiraled up the pole, his body defying gravity as he shifted his weight, legs extending in a perfectly controlled split. For a fleeting second, he hung suspended at the apex.

He didn’t just climb; he danced with the steel. He utilized the momentum, spinning in wide, sweeping arcs that seemed to blur the line between human movement and static sculpture. Each transition was seamless—from a high-flying invert to a slow, controlled slide back toward the stage floor.

As he reached the base, he didn't stop. He transitioned into a floor-work sequence, arching his back and dragging his fingertips across the stage in a serpentine motion. He moved with a quiet, lethal elegance that felt distinctly Japanese in its economy of motion—every gesture had intent, every pause was heavy with meaning.

The music reached its crescendo. Jaxon stood, one hand still anchored to the pole, his other arm extended toward the ceiling.

Fen: “TAKE IT OFF!”

He cheered and clapped his hands. Fabien glanced at Fen and up at Jaxon on stage.

~

Lena sat in the passenger’s seat of Ashley’s orange station wagon while they drove. They were on the way to Miss Peahaven to deliver the cake they had baked together. She stared vacantly at the streetlights as they made their way through town. Ashley looked over at her and knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Is everything okay?”

They asked her. Lena glanced at Ashley and out at the city lights.

Lena: “Ashley?”

She stared down at her lap.

Ashley: “Lena?”

They titled their head.

Lena: “What is Deimos like?”

She finally asked. Ashley’s eyebrows rose, taken aback at the question.

Ashley: “Deimos is… uhh, kinda scary as he can get angry quickly over lots of things, but he has a heart deep down, as he saved my life, and he loved Tristan…”

They then paused.

Ashley: “Is this about Tristan?”

They knit their eyebrows. Lena nodded.

Lena: “It seems like whenever I see him, Deimos isn’t far behind and sometimes…”

She embraced herself. Ashley sighed.

Lena: “I wonder if I should back down because of Deimos.”

She admitted. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Oh… how do you feel about Tristan, and how does he feel about you?”

They asked.

Lena: “Tristan is very kind, gentle, and handsome… I don’t know how he feels about me… He’s a mystery, but it’s Deimos… He’s not as bad as… your ex.”

She said slowly. Ashley sighed.

Ashley: “I don’t think Deimos would hurt you, and it’s not about what he wants, but what Tristan wants. If Tristan wants to be with you, that’s something Deimos has to accept.”

They stated.

Lena: “I don’t know what Tristan wants. He keeps it hidden.”

She replied. Ashley sighed.

Ashley: “...Maybe he doesn’t know either?”

They pondered. Lena looked away.

Lena: “I think you’re right…”

She looked at them.

Lena: “Ashley, I know you love my brother, but… would it be okay if I made breakfast for him on some days? I just want to do things for my big brother if it’s all right.”

She said slowly. Ashley smiled at her.

Ashley: “I sure do! Oh, of course! If you also wanna make breakfast for him, that’s okay! I can make him dinner on those days or something!”

They smiled, looking for a compromise. Lena nodded.

Lena: “Okay, it’s a deal!”

She chirped.

Ashley: “Yay!”

They beamed.

~

Lena and Ashley arrived at Miss Peahaven with the cake they had made in hand and entered the club. The club was full of people with Doodle-Do chasing a Danny Donger’s waiter. Lena made a face. Ashley’s head spun with confusion.

Lena: “Uh, where do we put this, Ashley?”

She asked them.

Ashley: “Uhh, I… don’t know…”

Their voice trailed off as they observed the strange juxtaposition of a purple dinosaur chasing a scantily clad man.

Lena turned her head and locked her gaze on Jaxon on stage. He moved with a languid, predatory confidence, his eyes tracking the perimeter of the room before settling on a fixed point in the darkness. Ashley looked in the direction she was looking, shocked to see Jaxon.

He reached out, his hand sliding up the cold steel with a fluid, practiced grace. He spun, his body centrifugal and weightless, a blur of motion against the strobe-lit background. As he descended, he gripped the pole with his thighs, locking himself in a gravity-defying pose that drew a collective, breathless gasp from the crowd.

The music shifted, the tempo slowing to a deep, grinding blues rhythm. Jaxon transitioned into a slow descent, his movements deliberate and hypnotic. As he reached the floor, he didn't break eye contact with the room, even as his fingers moved to the fastenings of his shirt.

He unbuttoned it slowly, one stud at a time, each click audible in the momentary lull of the bass. He shrugged the fabric off his shoulders, letting it pool onto the stage floor, baring his chest with his dragon tattoo and his torso. He arched his back, a ripple of muscle moving from his core to his neck, and turned back to the pole. With a single, powerful lift, he hauled himself upward again, his movements now tighter, more focused, as he prepared to shed the rest of his inhibitions. Lena watched him on stage and felt the heat rise to her face as she observed his moves.

With a sudden, sharp intake of breath from the audience, Jaxon shifted his grip, his forearm locking against the chrome to hold him in a precarious, inverted position. He held the pose for a heartbeat, muscles corded and defined, before he began to descend again, sliding downward with a slow, controlled friction that made the steel hum.

As his feet touched the stage, he didn’t stop. He transitioned immediately into a floor-work sequence, his movements fluid and feline. He moved around the base of the pole, his hips swaying in perfect synchronization with the bass line. His hands traced the lines of his own body, drawing the audience’s attention to the transition from his torso to the waistband of his trousers.

He caught the edge of his belt buckle, his gaze intense, pinning the room in place. With a deliberate flick of his wrist, the leather gave way. The sound of the belt hitting the stage was sharp, cutting through the heavy, humid air. He pushed the fabric of his trousers downward, his movements unhurried and masterful, creating a tension that felt almost physical.

As the pants fell away, he kicked them aside without looking, his focus entirely on the pole and the music. Now stripped down to his final layer, he felt the cool air of the club against his bare skin, contrasting sharply with the heat radiating from the lights. He stepped back, arching his spine until his head nearly touched the stage floor, his hair falling back to reveal a face masked by an expression of pure, focused intensity. Lena was lost in the moment, completely ignoring her surroundings, and she reddened, feeling a whirlwind of emotions she had never felt before. Ashley looked over at Lena and noticed her expression.

He wrapped his arms around the pole one final time, his grip iron-tight. He didn’t just climb; he surged upward, his body a powerful silhouette against the sweeping red beams that had just replaced the blue. At the very top, he paused, inverted once more, looking down at the crowd from his perch. He wasn't just performing; he was commanding the space, a solitary figure holding the entire room in the palm of his hand.

Fabien approached Ashley and Lena.

Fabien: “Does Jordi know you’re here?”

He asked them. Lena gazed at Jaxon on stage. Fabien snorted.

Ashley: “Yeah, but wh-what is this place?!”

Their head spun with confusion at the clashing of debauchery and a purple dinosaur. Doodle-Do approached them and cupped Fabien’s ass. Fabien turned to him with a sneer and slapped the dino’s head so hard that it turned around.

Doodle-Do: “Oh no, I am Doodle-Do blind now!”

He whined as he flailed his arms around and reached out to grab Fabien. He lifted his leg and shoved Doodle-Do down onto the floor. Ashley awkwardly scratched their head.

Ashley: “Did that dinosaur just…”

Their voice trailed off, and they turned to Lena, who looked as if she were in a hypnotic state as she locked her gaze on Jaxon on stage.

Ashley: “Lena?”

They titled their head. Lena ignored Ashley and went inside the party.

Fabien: “Uh, yeah, he did. Just put that cake wherever, ‘cause you don’t wanna be here.”

He waved his hand at them. Ashley’s eyebrows rose surprisingly. How did he know that?

Ashley: “Haha, nope, I only have eyes for Jordi!”

They smiled, placing the cake down on the table next to Fabien.

Jaxon stepped down from the stage, fully dressed, and bumped into someone.

Jaxon: “Oh, sorry!”

He saw Lena had fallen. Jaxon’s eyes widened, and he knelt to help her up.

Jaxon: “Sorry about that! This place is… yeah.”

He laughed awkwardly. She took his hand as he helped her up. Jaxon smiled at her.

Jaxon: “You’re Jordi’s little sister, Lena! I don’t know if he told you about me, but probably not! I’m Jaxon!”

He waved at her. Lena waved back and smiled at him.

Lena: “I-I saw you on stage…”

She stammered. Jaxon chuckled.

Jaxon: “Did you like what you saw?”

He grinned. Lena blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear.

Lena: “Uhm, well, I never saw a man like that before.”

She admitted. Jaxon smirked and flipped his hair.

Jaxon: “Yeah, I took your breath away, huh?”

He winked. Lena cupped her face as it turned red as a beet.

Fabien watched Lena and Jaxon. Ashley turned in the direction he was looking and watched them.

Ashley: “Oh… uh, it looks like they’re getting along, huh.”

They scratched the back of their head.

Fabien: “Well, there goes any chance of a poly relationship.”

He muttered. Ashley turned to Fabien.

Ashley: “Oh… I’m sorry.”

They sighed. Fabien shrugged.

Fabien: “Whatever, it doesn’t matter. I’m happy with Celeste, and she’s done with Jiro anyway.”

He smiled tightly.

Ashley: “That’s good! So you should be happy with Green kitty!”

They chirped. Fabien smiled at them.

Ashley: “It looks like he’s moving on, too…”

They looked over to Jaxon and Lena. Fabien pursed his lips.

Fabien: “Well, I’m going to go drown my sorrows because this night fucking sucks!”

He laughed sadly. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Oh, no, please don’t go drown!”

They gasped, recalling when they almost drowned because of Lazaros.

Ashley: “How about we have some cake and have a chat?”

They smiled, offering him some cake. Fabien laughed.

Fabien: “Is that a joke? No, I’m going to have a drink. It’s a figure of speech because I don’t feel happy right now.”

He explained. Ashley looked relieved.

Ashley: “Oh! What kind of drink? The one with the cherries that Celeste drinks? Good idea! Nice drinks are a great way to feel happy! That’s why I drink tea!”

They smiled. Fabien smiled sadly.

Fabien: “Anyway, I think you and Lena should go before it gets worse.”

He nodded.

Ashley: “Worse? How? If you’re not having fun at the party, why don’t you go home to Celeste?”

They asked him.

Fabien: “I have to be here as part of my job. I am not a guest.”

He replied flatly.

Ashley: “Oh, that sucks, I’m sorry.”

They bowed their head, clearly seeing he didn’t want to be here either.

Fabien walked away, and Jaxon approached Ashley with Lena.

Jaxon: “Hey, you should take her home now.”

He said to Ashley. Ashley nodded, wanting to leave with her.

Ashley: “Yes, let’s go home and bake some cookies for Jordi!”

They smiled at Lena.

Lena: “Yes! See you later, Jaxon! Nice meeting you!”

She waved at him. He waved back.

Jaxon: “Don’t be a stranger now.”

He shot her a fingerbang. She reddened.

Ashley: “See you later! Have a good night!”

They said, scurrying out of there with Lena.

~

When Lena and Ashley were back in their car, Lena sat in the passenger’s seat with a scrap of paper in her hands. Ashley flicked their gaze to her, noting her brightened demeanor from when they first arrived.

Ashley: “So, uh, what was that about with you and Jaxon, huh?”

They chuckled.

Lena: “Oh, he’s really sweet and funny! He asked me about the cake we made and said it looked yummy! Then he gave me his number and Bungle username!”

She giggled. Ashley smiled.

Ashley: “Oh, nice!”

They replied, forcing a smile, wanting to be happy for her, but they couldn’t help but think of how Jaxon had last left things with Celeste, and hoped he wouldn’t do the same to her, too.

~

Celeste and Deimos were in his studio watching a movie. As they watched it, Lazaros went down to the basement and came back up with a bag in his hand.

Deimos: “That fucker is up to something… Whatever it is, it’s going to piss me off.”

He huffed.

Celeste: “Deimos, when is Fab coming home?”

She asked. Deimos shrugged.

Deimos: “I dunno, whenever that party is over.”

She knit her eyebrows and glanced at the clock on the VCR.

~

Doodle-Do stepped outside and removed his head, revealing an old white man with a full silver beard and tatty white hair. He drew a long breath.

Suddenly, a fist went straight through his chest cavity, with his heart in hand. He opened his mouth, spilling out blood, as his eyes rolled back into his head. Helga towered over him with a grin across her lips. She pulled her arm back out of the hole she made in him and crushed his heart, squirting blood on her face and clothes. She licked it up and smiled as his corpse collapsed on the ground, blood pooling around him.

~

Fen was sitting on the lounge smoking from his kiseru. The chair shook when he made a thud, and he screamed when he saw Helga beside him, her clothes covered in blood.

Helga: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HANDSOME!”

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply. Fen screamed in her mouth. She broke the kiss and grinned.

Helga: “So, sexy, I am here to send a message from Zhaolin! Tick-tock!”

She cupped his ass.

Fen: “Yes, well, Percy has it!”

He whined.

Helga: “Yeah, about that… She doesn’t believe ya!”

She took a bottle of tequila and gulped it down. Fen trembled in her grasp.

Fen: “I don’t have it!”

He warbled.

Helga: “I’ll talk to her, then. Gimme a kiss!”

She tangled her fingers in his hair and kissed him deeply. Fen flailed his arms around as she kissed him.

~

That night, Fabien drove home. He pulled into his driveway and stepped out of his car. He turned around to Jaxon’s house and saw that he had pulled into his driveway. Jaxon climbed out and shut his door. He turned to Fabien and locked his gaze on him. Fabien looked away and went to his door to unlock it. He entered and slammed the door behind him. Jaxon inhaled sharply and raked his fingers through his hair. He used his house key and entered. He closed the door behind him and genuinely smiled.

~

Jaxon stepped out of his shower and dropped the towel to the floor. He climbed into his bed naked and lay on his back, his hands behind his head. It felt good to tell Tristan how he felt. It felt good to be home.

~

Fabien stepped out of the shower in his green plaid pajama pants. He peeked into his bedroom to see Celeste sound asleep. He smiled at her and sat on the bed. He ran his nose down her spine and kissed it as he trailed down. She stirred in her sleep.

He rose from the bed and left their bedroom. He grabbed his bong and filled the base with water. He then got some ice cubes from his freezer and dropped them into the ice chamber. He placed his shredded cannabis into the bowl piece and sauntered to the couch.

He placed his mouth inside the rim of the mouthpiece and lit the edge of the bowl with his lighter. As the chamber filled with smoke, he removed the bowl and inhaled sharply. He sat back and exhaled a billow of smoke.

Tears welled in his green eyes. He blinked, and the tears cascaded down his cheeks. He inhaled sharply and set his bong on his table as he cried into his hands.