Chapter 56
The Magical Man Behind the Man
Maxx was in his mobile home jacking off to American Pizza. The door swung open. Maxx’s eyes lit up.
Maxx: “Ohohohoho, is dat a lady babe?!”
He bolted upright and his g-string fell to his ankles. Dr. Wolfgang Duerr stood before him with a grin. Maxx pouted.
Maxx: “Oh, NAH-AH! I know Maxxy is very sexy but I ain’t into dudes, old man!”
He huffed. Dr. Duerr approached him and put his hands on his shoulders.
Dr. Duerr: “Maxx, you are… fascinating!”
He said in a breathy tone. Maxx brushed his hands away.
Maxx: “Listen, old man: you ain’t no lady babe! I want a fuckin’ lady babe!”
He whined and stomped his foot. Dr. Duerr folded his arms behind his back.
Dr. Duerr: “Yes, Maxx, I would love nothing more than for you to breed… and breed often.”
He chuckled and his grin spread to show his yellow teeth. Maxx blinked.
He sat on his couch and saw a blimp of Zoom the Guinea Pig, a green guinea pig with a peach muzzle and belly and orange sneakers. Maxx cackled and pointed to it.
Maxx: “HEHEHEHEHEHE! DAT LOOKS LIKE FATLEY!”
He laughed and paused.
Maxx: “WHERE DA FUCK IS ROCK?!”
He looked around and pouted.
Dr. Duerr: “What do you need him for? I can deliver better.”
He said gruffly. Maxx pointed to the blimp on TV.
Maxx: “I wanna somethin’ like dat but FATLEY! I wanna it for his birthday ‘cause he’s FAT! And have it say ‘Fatley’s XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXL Underwear’!”
He rolled on the floor and cackled. Dr. Duerr quirked an eyebrow and his breathing hitched. He folded his arms behind his back.
Dr. Duerr: “I can arrange that.”
He looked at his men in the black suits and nodded. The black man pursed his lips and touched his earpiece.
Man: “Wolfgang wants a balloon made for Maxx.”
Maxx: “NAH-AH! It ain’t a balloon; it’s a BLIMP!”
He corrected him.
~
Lazaros sat on his front patio smoking a cigarillo. He wore a black button-up shirt with blue flames on the shoulders, black pants, and black loafers. He kept thinking back to how Maxx shrugged off his bone-breaking ability. He thought of how Maxx shrugged it off and put himself together as if nothing happened. IS this possible? IS he human? He wondered.
Deimos, Tristan, and Celeste walked up to his house. Deimos wore a black leather jacket, a Def Leppard T-shirt, torn jeans, and cowboy boots. Tristan wore a black long peacoat over a white pressed shirt with a black tie, a gray knit sweater with a diamond pattern, khaki pants, and black wingtip Oxfords. Celeste wore a black leather jacket with fringe, Tortugazm t-shirt with a black fishnet top over it, a jean skirt with roses on them, and black ankle-strap boots.
Deimos: “You called?”
Lazaros nodded.
Lazaros: “I don’t want this to get back to Ashley.”
Deimos: “Yes, because Tristan and I engage in deep conversations with them… as if they’re capable of that.”
He said dryly. Lazaros drew a breath.
Lazaros: “Look, I know but I don’t want it to get back to them.”
Tristan: “Let’s hear it.”
Lazaros heaved another sigh and closed his eyes.
Lazaros: “Ashley and Blair are worried Vanessa is not going to show up for their party and Blair went to Andreas for a tarot card reading.”
Celeste was going to reply but Tristan placed his hand over her mouth and pressed his forefinger over his lips.
Lazaros: “Blair deduced that Vanessa was with Maxx to hurt Ashley. Ashley spent Love Day with me and told her to go find someone. She hasn’t returned home since.”
He swallowed hard. Deimos folded his arms over.
Lazaros: “I confronted Maxx. He denied Vanessa being there… and I believe him.”
Deimos: “Is that what you wanted to tell us?”
Lazaros shook his head.
Lazaros: “I removed my gloves and grabbed Maxx’s neck. I broke it.”
He said grimly.
Celeste: “So you want me to call Matsuo to clean it up?”
Lazaros shook his head. She gaped owlishly at him.
Lazaros: “Maxx was out… and his neck formed back. He rose as if nothing happened.”
Tristan, Deimos, and Celeste gaped silently at him.
Celeste: “Maybe he can heal himself as Fabien or Deimos can?”
She offered with a shrug. Lazaros shook his head.
Lazaros: “I broke his neck. He came back to life in seconds.”
He said gravely. Tristan cupped his chin.
Tristan: “I vaguely recall Ashley mentioned an air break truck ran over Maxx and he survived.”
Lazaros hung his head.
Deimos: “Something happened to Maxx. Did Ashley or Blake ever mention any camps Maxx enrolled in?”
Tristan shook his head. Celeste shrugged.
Lazaros: “Ashley tells me everything and they never mentioned Maxx enrolling in a camp. All they said was after Maxx bombed his performance at Miss Behaven for Felipa, he went missing for two weeks… and came back giving them and Blake a ‘buddy trip.’ ”
Celeste: “Yeah, when I lived at the Donati hellhole, I heard that too. Before that, a Xupran entered Maxx’s bedroom and was dead. What’s weird is Ashley and Blake never heard of a Xupran. Where the fuck did they come from to not know that?”
She asked incredulously.
Lazaros: “Ashley told me they come from Sunshire. It’s a hippie commune located in the deep woods of Koala state.”
Deimos raised an eyebrow.
Tristan: “If they’re cut off from the world, that explains it.”
Deimos pursed his lips and was doubtful.
Deimos: “My Dad is an archeologist who travels extensively. He has come across people who voluntarily isolate themselves from society and they heard of Xuprans and don’t act as Blake and Ashley do.”
He said to Tristan.
Tristan: “Maybe Sunshire didn’t voluntarily isolate themselves. There are islands of inhabitants who refuse to have any contact with others outside of their habitat.”
Deimos nodded.
Tristan: “But they don’t leave that island or live amongst the rest of us.”
Lazaros: “Before Ashley and Blake went to Selene Valley, they lived in Golden Shore when their house caught on fire and now they’re here. Their parents are missing, nonetheless.”
He blew smoke out.
Celeste: “We knew that. How did we get from Maxx being like one of us to this?”
Tristan drew a short breath.
Tristan: “I don’t know. Something is off about Ashley and Blake… and Maxx.”
He declared.
Tristan: “However, Maxx’s case is different from Blake’s and Ashley’s.”
He concluded. Deimos nodded and cupped his chin.
Deimos: “Yeah…”
He muttered.
Tristan: “Somehow I doubt Maxx is like us…”
Deimos: “I believe you’re right.”
Lazaros looked away and didn’t want to openly agree with Tristan but he was right. Maxx is not like them.
Celeste stepped forward.
Celeste: “Uh, why did you go to Maxx’s place to look for Vanressa?”
Lazaros raised his eyebrows.
Lazaros: “Oh, Blair bought a reading from Blake’s android-like boyfriend and he deduced she was there. She’s not.”
Tristan twisted his mouth. Lazaros looked at them.
Lazaros: “Do you guys know where she is?”
Tristan: “I believe she’s with Jaxon Tachibana.”
He said coolly.
Celeste: “Yeah. After Deimos healed Makayla, she wanted to go to Voyage Burger. She ran into Jaxon with Vanessa on his arm and after he threw a shit fit because Maxx’s shitty album sold platinum, his manager came in to tell him he bought him a penthouse in The Pink Worldcenter.”
She nodded. Lazaros narrowed his eyes.
Deimos: “I reckon Blair mistook Maxx from Andreas’ reading for Jaxon.”
He said noncommittally.
Lazaros extinguished his cigarillo and drew a rough breath.
Lazaros: “Right, well, I am busy making preparations for Ashley’s birthday and I haven’t the time to go confront her and bring her there.”
Deimos glared at Lazaros. Tristan rolled his eyes.
Tristan: “Let this go, Lazaros. Ashley has many people who are coming to show their support.”
He said irritably. Deimos glowered at Lazaros.
Lazaros: “You guys go get Vanessa from that Maxxy Malone wannabe! If she doesn’t show up to their party, they’re going to be VERY upset!”
He snapped. Deimos rolled his eyes.
Deimos: “Pfft, no, they’re not. They’d be upset if you didn’t show; they put you on a pedestal!”
He scoffed. Lazaros patted Deimos’ shoulder.
Lazaros: ‘I knew you guys would take care of it!”
He smiled tightly.
Deimos: “I didn’t say we’re doing it!”
He snapped and smacked Lazaros’ hand away. Tristan rolled his eyes.
Lazaros: “Anyway, Blair said she was missing and if you guys find her, the Donatis will reward you!”
He said with that gleam in his eyes and nodded. Celeste furrowed her eyebrows.
Celeste: “I don’t want any fuckin’ reward from those clowns.”
She growled.
Tristan: “They thought she was missing? She never told them where she was? Why didn’t you ask us?”
He raised an eyebrow. Lazaros shrugged and threw his hands up.
Lazaros: “I wasn’t paying much attention. I was fixated on Ashley.”
He admitted. Deimos rolled his eyes.
Deimos: “Ashley eating.”
Lazaros waved his hand.
Lazaros: “Go on, guys. You’re all the best. If nothing else, you’re making Ashley happy, and you know what that means?”
He grinned with that twinkle in his eye. Deimos stared blankly at Lazaros.
Deimos: “I have no fucking idea but I bet it has nothing to do with them eating more.”
He said dryly. Tristan chuckled.
Lazaros: “Well, yes! Ashley will eat more!”
He said ecstatically. Tristan rolled his eyes. Deimos sighed with aggravation.
Tristan: “Surely, you jest.”
He said dryly.
~
Celeste, Tristan, and Deimos arrived at The Pink Worldcenter. Tristan had his clip-on shades over his glasses and was smoking a cigarette. Celeste whistled.
Celeste: “I lived here for a long ass time. I’ve never been to this place. How about you two?”
Tristan shook his head. Deimos rolled his eyes.
Deimos: “No, not a condo guy.”
The three entered the building. Celeste scurried up to the wishing fountain and looked at her reflection. Deimos pressed the elevator button.
Deimos: “Where do we go?”
He asked them. Tristan shrugged.
Tristan: “Search me. This is a big place.”
He said as he surveyed the directory map.
Deimos: “Can you read those maps?”
Tristan hung his head.
Tristan: “Not really…?”
He winced.
The elevator door opened. The three got in and Deimos stared at the number of buttons to push. He pressed the button for the fortieth floor.
Celeste: “Is that it, Deimos?”
Deimos gaped at her and tilted his head.
Deimos: “I don’t know? I don’t know what we’re doing?”
He threw his hands up.
Celeste: “We’re trying to find Vanessa to keep your brother from bitching, even though Ashley really only wants Lazaros to show. I think they’d get over it if none of us showed up.”
She said nonchalantly.
The elevator reached their destination and they got off. They were in a strip mall with a pharmacy, a convenience store, an ice cream parlor, a chocolate shop, a lingerie shop, a grocery store, a USPS outlet, a bookstore, an arcade, a liquor store, a restaurant, a bar, and at the end, a movie theater. Celeste ran her hands over the directory.
Celeste: “Wow, there’s a waterpark, a fitness center, a yoga studio, a walking trail, and other stuff!”
Her eyes lit up. Deimos nodded.
Deimos: “So when celebrities come here to retire or to stay, they live here, so they don’t have to go out into the public.”
Tristan: “That makes sense but it isn’t pinpointing us to where Jaxon lives.”
Celeste pressed her face against the chocolate shop with the chocolate covered apples, chocolate dipped bananas, chocolate covered marshmallows, and more.
Celeste: “Oh God, decadent!”
She pointed to the display. Tristan knelt and his green eyes sparkled.
Tristan: “They do look ravishing…”
He hummed. Deimos rested his hand on Tristan’s back and rubbed it. Tristan arched his back into Deimos’ touch.
Celeste swung her eyes at the lingerie shop and saw a costume for a Playboy Bunny.
Celeste: “Hey, I could wear it and pretend I am an evil rabbit who tickles yours, Victor’s and Fabien’s feet!”
She nodded to Tristan. Tristan chuckled.
Celeste: “And we don’t have to worry about Ivy bitching at Victor!”
She raised her arms. Tristan heaved a deep sigh.
Tristan: “That should never have happened.”
Celeste: “Well, no, but it did and Victor will heal with tickling therapy.”
She grinned. Tristan smiled a bit.
His eyes swerved to the bookstore.
Tristan: “Oh, golly!”
He darted to the store and went straight to the fantasy section. Deimos locked his gaze on the horror section of the bookstore and made a beeline for that. Celeste was in the arcade playing the “Whack a Maxx” game where she hits the plastic Maxx heads popping out of the holes.
~
Blair was in the living area above Andreas’ store with Ivy. She told him all about what happened with Victor, Tristan manipulating her, and Celeste. Blair furrowed his eyebrows.
Blair: “Sylvia wanted Celeste to be my bodyguard. I never liked Tristan and I don’t know his father so I can’t comment.”
He huffed.
Blair: “I am sorry this happened to you, Ivy. You deserve better.”
He said genially. Ivy smiled a bit.
Ivy: “Thanks, Blair!”
Blair smiled at her and grimaced when he thought of that party Lazaros was hosting for Ashley. Ivy read his mind and smiled.
Ivy: “Hey, want to help me paint the mural for Andreas’ shop?”
Blair’s eyes grew large and he bolted upright.
Blair: “Would I ever! I would love to help you paint that!”
He said enthusiastically. She smiled, wanting to get his mind out of bad places, too.
Ivy: “Andreas wants a raven silhouette in front of a moon and I thought of incorporating tarot symbols and such.”
Blair: “I love that idea! Let’s do this!”
He grinned and led her downstairs.
~
Tristan, Deimos, and Celeste were in the mall with bags of purchases and Celeste with toys she won from the arcades. She held a giant Maxx plush in her arms.
Deimos: “A Maxx plush? You won garbage? Talk about an empty victory.”
He huffed.
Tristan: “I think we forgot what we came for.”
Deimos: “Right, get Vanessa to Ashley’s party.”
They went up the elevator and got off on the top floor. Tristan pointed to room sixty-nine.
Tristan: ‘Aside from the innuendo, the glam metal music emitting from the condo should also be a dead giveaway.”
Deimos nodded. Deimos knocked on the door. Jaxon opened the door, surprised to see them.
Jaxon: “Deimos?... Tristan… and… Cat girl?”
He gaped at them all.
Jaxon: “So, you came to your senses and want to join me and Vanessa for some fun in my condo?”
He scoffed and grinned smugly at them. Tristan rolled his eyes. Deimos glared at him. Celeste presented him with the giant Maxx plush she won at the arcade.
Celeste: “I won something for you at the arcade!”
She grinned. Jaxon’s face crumpled.
Jaxon: “...What is HIS clown face doing on this?!?”
He gripped the plush furiously.
Celeste: “Oh, your condo has an arcade on the fortieth floor! There’s a ‘Whack-a-Maxx’ game, a skee ball game called ‘Give Maxx more Balls’, and a claw grab game of Teddy Buttspin dolls and Maxx plushes. Also, you can win his albums.”
She explained. Jaxon blinked mutely at her, throwing the Maxx plush onto the floor with red-hot fury.
Jaxon: “IT'S NOT FAIR!”
He rasped.
Tristan: “I know, a talentless hack is gaining all this traction and you’re barely scraping by being the opening act for the biggest glam metal bands in the world.”
He said dryly. Deimos rolled his eyes. Tell me about it, he thought.
Vanessa came out.
Vanessa: “What are you guys doing here?”
Celeste: “...I forgot? I think it was to give Jaxon this plush I won for him at the arcade.”
She held up the Maxx plush.
Tristan: “Oh, Lazaros wants you to come to Ashley’s party.”
He interjected. Jaxon quirked an eyebrow.
Jaxon: “Party you say? Who is Ashley?”
Vanessa: “No, Ashley has Lazaros. I don’t want to go to their party.”
She huffed.
Jaxon: “Who is Lazaros? Who are these people? Should I care?”
He asked.
Deimos: “Ashley was Maxx’s friend and Lazaros is my fraternal twin brother. And actually, I agree with you for once. You shouldn’t care. Vanessa made up her mind and we’re done.”
He said evenly. Jaxon's eyebrows rose.
Jaxon: “Maxx had a friend? …You have a twin? Niiiice.”
He grinned and nodded. Deimos looked impassive. Tristan rolled his eyes.
A helicopter flew by. Tristan jumped. Celeste went up to the window.
Celeste: “Wow, you almost have no privacy in here. People flying by can see what you’re doing.”
She drawled. Jaxon grinned widely.
Jaxon: “I know! People can enjoy the view of me walking around naked and taking a bath!”
He gloated. Tristan raised his eyebrows.
Tristan: “Let’s hope none of the crash while getting distracted.”
He said dryly.
Jaxon: “Well, at least they get a nice view before they die.”
He shrugged.
Tristan: “Good to see you’re still humble despite the fame.”
He said sarcastically.
A stout black man in his late sixties with short smoky purple hair and dressed in a butler’s uniform came down. Square framed glasses hung over his nose. He was Noah Jones, Jaxon’s butler.
Noah: “Have a seat! Can I get you three anything to drink?”
Jaxon: “Get me a Jack and coke.”
He snapped his fingers at him. He nodded.
Tristan: “No, thanks, we’re leaving.”
Celeste: “Oooh, I want a drink.”
She barged in, pushing past Jaxon. Tristan and Deimos sighed. Noah took off Tristan’s coat for him. Deimos swung his gaze to him. Why is he only removing Tristan’s coat? He thought.
Tristan, Deimos, and Celeste sat on the couch across from the hot tub.
Deimos: “A Corona Extra.”
He replied.
Tristan: “A tuxedo, please.”
He said genially.
Celeste: “Oooh, a Shirley Temple with lots of cherries!”
She said as her eyes sparkled.
Noah: “Virgin or non, Miss?”
Celeste: “Oh, I don’t like alcohol and you shouldn’t use innuendo around him. He might get ideas.”
She said wryly and pointed to Jaxon. Noah smiled tightly.
Jaxon: “So, you want to come party with a rockstar, huh?”
He said to them. Noah went to the bar to prepare their drinks.
Celeste: “Not really. Lazaros wants Vanessa to come to Ashley’s party so he can watch them eat all his food.”
She nodded. Jaxon quirked an eyebrow.
Jaxon: “...A food threesome, huh?”
Celeste: “Uh, no? It’s a feeder fetish?”
She laughed. Jaxon shrugged.
Jaxon: “Eh, everyone's got their weird kinks.”
He waved his hand.
Noah handed them their drinks. Celeste took the cherry from Tristan’s drink. He drew a long breath.
Deimos: “Vanessa is not coming…”
Celeste: “Aren’t we going to miss the party?”
She asked.
Jaxon: “The party's right here.”
Vanessa was at Tristan’s feet untying his shoes. Deimos’ jaw dropped.
Deimos: “Wh-What are you doing?!”
Tristan: “Vanessa, uhm…”
He blushed. She pulled his shoes off revealing his black sheer socks. Tristan fanned his toes. Vanessa sniffed his feet.
Vanessa: “Wow, Tristan your feet smell nice and not stinky!”
Deimos raised an eyebrow.
Jaxon: “Uhm, excuse me. I'm right here! What about me?”
He snapped his fingers at Vanessa.
Celeste: “I know! None of our feet stink and Deimos is not at all ticklish!”
She grinned at Deimos who froze and slowly turned to her with a death glare.
Tristan: “Why did you say this, Vanessa or do this?”
He interjected to change the topic to not upset Deimos.
Vanessa: “Jaxon’s feet stink and we won’t use the peppermint oils from Andreas’ store.”
She said flatly.
Jaxon: “Excuse me?!”
He gaped at her, rising from the couch.
Vanessa: “Well, they do, Jaxon!”
She whined.
Jaxon: “Don’t humiliate me in front of our guests.”
He hissed at her, feeling his annoyance with her rising.
Vanessa: “Can we get a Teddy Buttspin doll that tickles your feet when you sleep?”
She asked.
Tristan: “A capital idea.”
He said dryly.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed in their room. They turned their hands to see a huge blimp resembling Ashley fly by. It was promoting an upcoming music video Maxx was making.
Deimos: “The fuck?”
Celeste: “Who is funding this bullshit? A blimp?”
The marquee on the blimp said, “Happy Birthday, FATLEY! Eat all da donuts and pizzas ya fat loser! You are not cool enough or hot enough for da one, da only, MAXXY MALONE OF SEX BEES!”
Jaxon gaped at the blimp and seethed.
Jaxon: “HOW COME I DON’T GET A BLIMP?!”
He wailed.
Deimos: “Maybe you should whine to your manager.”
He said dryly.
Suddenly, slots in the couch opened and mechanical tendrils popped out, shackling Celeste’s, Tristan’s, and Deimos’ wrists, and lifted their legs as a footstool popped out of the floor to shackle their ankles to the footstool. Tristan’s heart hammered in his chest. Deimos furiously thrashed against his bonds. Celeste growled and tried to bite her shackles off.
Deimos: “WHAT IS THIS?!”
He rasped and thrashed around. Jaxon gaped at them, his head swarming with confusion.
Celeste: “Don’t you DARE, Jaxon! I will kick your fuckin’ head in!”
She hissed and angrily thrashed around. Jaxon smirked at them.
Jaxon: “Oh yes… Let’s get kinky. This was totally my plan.”
He played along, shifting his eyes.
Tristan: “Do you two really think this braindead lemming who is jealous of Maxx is capable of this?!”
He said with strain.
Jaxon: “HEY! I’m not jealous of that clown!”
He barked. Tristan tried to use his ice powers but got shocked.
Tristan: “AUGH!”
He screamed.
Deimos: “Tristan!”
He cried. Jaxon stepped back.
Jaxon: “Hey! That’s not kinky? What the hell is this?”
He shifted his eyes looking around.
They heard footsteps and a snaky voice cut in, “My, my, I am glad you had them stay. I couldn’t bear the thought of being away from my ice prince for so long.”
They saw Percy enter the condo in a long pink white sequin coat with faux fur trim with drapes of fake tails over his shoulders and arms. Tristan’s heart hammered in his chest. Deimos and Celeste growled at Percy.
Jaxon: “Percy? What are you doing here?”
Percy: “A little birdie told me an ice prince was here so I came!”
He sang.
Celeste: “What is this clown doing here?! Is he one of your fans, Jackie-boy?!”
She hissed at Jaxon.
Percy: “No, darling, I am the magical man behind the man.”
He said loftily and spread his arms out. His coat fell to the floor. He wore a three-piece suit adorned with crystals and diamonds, sparkling pink shoes, and a cravat with sparkling pink trim and a pink jewel surrounded by gold in the middle.
Jaxon: “That’s right. You guys know each other?”
Deimos: “Yeah, what was your first clue, genius?!”
He snarled.
Tristan: “I figured there was a good reason you went from nobodies to fronting for Tortugazm instantaneously!”
He hissed at Jaxon. Percy sauntered to Tristan.
Percy: “My gorgeous ice prince, you are as smart as you are beautiful.”
He purred and caressed his cheek. Tristan sneered and his lips twisted with disgust as he jerked his head away from his touch.
Deimos: “Don’t touch him!”
He rasped and thrashed against his bonds.
Deimos: “Get your slimy hands off him, you fucker!”
He roared. Jaxon turned to Percy.
Jaxon: “Oh, Tristan isn’t down to fuck. Trust me, I tried that already.”
He waved his hand.
Percy: “...I didn’t ask you, Jackson. He’s off-limits.”
He said sternly and rose.
Vanessa came down with her purse over her shoulder.
Vanessa: “Jaxon, who is this man? Is he going to get peppermint oil for your stinky feet?”
Jaxon gaped at her, feeling his annoyance increase.
Jaxon: “What are you, stupid? He’s my magic man! He got us our big break!”
He said sharply to her. Vanessa drew back as tears welled in her eyes.
Tristan: “That explains why Gus was annoying him.”
He muttered.
Jaxon: “Who is Gus and why should I care?”
Tristan: “Fabien’s housemate.”
He said tersely.
Celeste: “The stoner guy who loves stinky feet.”
She added.
Jaxon: “Stoner huh? Can he hit me up with some good coke?”
Celeste, Deimos, and Tristan gaped disbelievingly at him.
Percy: “You’re right, Action Jackson. Why should we care? I came to have some fun with my ice prince and his little lemmings! OHOHOHOHOHOHO!”
The robotic hands pulled off Tristan’s sheer socks, Deimos’ boots and socks, and Celeste’s boots and socks. Their hearts hammered in their chests as their anxiety soared.
Percy: “Time for the magical show!”
He sang.
Jaxon: “Magic show, huh? That’s an interesting name for a foursome. Can we make it a fivesome?”
He laughed. Percy glanced at Jaxon and winced.
Deimos and Celeste thrashed around. Celeste tried hard to bite her restraints off. The robot hands started tickling their feet. The three burst out laughing.
Tristan: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!! PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHASE!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!”
He laughed hard and whipped his head around, his ponytail smacking Celeste and Deimos.
Deimos: “ARGH! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! FUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHACK! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHASTAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAARDS!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”
He roared with laughter.
Celeste: “BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! FUHUHUHUCKEHEHEHEHEHERS! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA SHEHEHEHEHEHET! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! FUHUHUHCKING STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”
She roared laughter and tried with all her strength to break the restraints but to no avail. Percy licked his lips and marveled at the three laughing and begging Percy to make it stop. Jaxon watched and laughed at them.
Jaxon: “Oh, you’re another tickling kinkster, huh? This city is full of those. It should be called ‘Tickle Foot City’.”
He remarked.
Percy especially loved seeing Tristan’s laughing agony and his slender, soft soles being tickled. After ten minutes of intense tickling, he pressed a button to make it stop. Tristan flopped back and threw his head back panting. Deimos furiously panted glaring with a burning hatred at Percy. Celeste’s mascara streaked her cheeks and she snarled at Percy.
Celeste: “I’ll rip your intestines out and shove up your ass, you buttugly fuck!”
She roared. Percy raised his eyebrows.
Percy: “Oooh, kinky!”
He teased.
Vanessa cupped her mouth. Percy turned to her.
Percy: “You mentioned peppermint oil, darling? Why?”
Vanessa: “Because Jaxon’s feet stink and Ashley said peppermint oil helps with that?”
She replied meekly.
Jaxon: “Hey! My feet don’t stink!”
He snarled at her.
Percy: “Wonderful!”
He clasped.
Vanessa: “You have some?”
Percy: “Of course, I don’t! I have something better!”
Noah handed him pink BDSM tape and Jaxon’s boots from the closet.
Jaxon: “What? What are you doing?!”
Tristan caught his breath and slowly turned his head.
Tristan: “Wh-What are you doing with that?”
He asked nervously. Percy slammed the insoles of Jaxon’s boot on Tristan’s face and wrapped the pink tape around to secure it. Tristan gagged and shook his head to shake it off. Deimos’ jaw dropped.
Deimos: “GET THAT OFF HIM!!”
Percy slammed the insole of his other boot on Deimos’ face and wrapped the pink tape around his head.
Celeste: “NO! NO! NOOO!! I DON’T WANNA SMELL THAT!”
She thrashed around and screamed. He grabbed Jaxon’s tennis shoe and placed the insole over her mouth and nose. He wrapped tape around her head to secure it.
Jaxon: “HEY! What are you doing with my shoes?! Those boots cost me $5000!”
He snapped.
Percy stood back and chuckled. They all shook their heads and gagged.
Tristan: “MY GOD! I HATE THE SMELL OF CHEESE!”
He cried.
Celeste: “I AM STUCK WITH RANCID TENNIS SHOE! GET THIS OFF MEEEEHEHEHE!”
She screamed and thrashed around.
Deimos: “GET THIS OFF ME!! GODDAMNIT!”
He bellowed. Jaxon glared at them all.
Jaxon: “CHEESE?! RANCID?! OH, COME ON! You three are DRAMATIC!”
He spat.
Tristan: “DO YOU HAVE A NOSE?! THESE ARE RANK!”
He whined trying to shake it off his head.
Vanessa: “I told you, Jaxon…”
She murmured. Jaxon pouted.
Jaxon: “Give me my shoes back!”
He snapped his fingers at Noah.
Percy: “No! Not until the magical show is over!”
He pressed a button and the robotic hands tickled their feet all over.
Tristan: “NOOHOOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
He laughed and sobbed.
Deimos: “WARGH! FUHUHUHUCK! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!! FUCK! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!”
He laughed and panted, hating that he had to breathe in the stink and endure this tickling. Celeste’s tears poured down her cheeks and her mascara ran.
Celeste: “ARGH! PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEASE! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”
She laughed and gagged.
Percy laughed and clapped.
Percy: “What a magical show! Isn’t it amazing?!”
He marveled. Jaxon pouted.
Jaxon: “Not really, I’d rather check out the green-haired one’s boobs and I want my shoes back.”
He whined.
Tristan laughed and coughed. He leaned over and puked in his boot. Percy cupped his mouth.
Percy: “Oh my!”
Jaxon: “NOOO! NOT MY DESIGNER COWBOY BOOTS! THOSE WERE CUSTOM MADE!”
He shrieked and fell to his knees, sobbing.
Percy unwrapped the tape from Tristan’s face and tossed the boot aside. The three trembled and passed out on his couch. Percy pressed a button and their shackles released them. Percy rubbed his thumb on Tristan’s face and he picked him up.
Percy: “My Ice Prince, you’re as lovely as ever…”
He whispered. He nodded to Noah, who hoisted Deimos and Celeste over his shoulders. They carried the three out of Jaxon’s condo.
Jaxon: “Hey! Where are you going?!”
He huffed.
Percy: “I am taking these three out, Jackie-boy. The magical show is over.”
He replied irritably.
Jaxon: “What about my shoes?! I want compensation!”
He demanded. Percy sneered at him.
Percy: “Silence, you! My ice prince is in a slumber and mustn’t be disturbed!”
He hissed.
Jaxon: “Pfft, he’s with that Deimos guy. He doesn’t wanna be with you.”
He scoffed. Percy glared at him darkly.
Percy: “Do not… speak back to me, Jackie-boy…”
He said grimly and carried Tristan out. Noah nodded and carried out Celeste and Deimos.
Vanessa: “...If you use Andreas’ peppermint oil, this won’t happen again!”
She offered.
Jaxon: “Enough about my feet!”
He hissed. She drew back and her bottom lip trembled. She cried into her hands. Jaxon rolled his eyes.
Jaxon: “What are you crying about now?”
Vanessa: “You’re being mean!”
She bawled.
Jaxon: “Then stop irritating me.”
He hissed. She said nothing. She just cried into her hands.
Jaxon: “Stop crying.”
He rolled his eyes.
Vanessa: “Why did you want to see Celeste’s boobs?!”
She wailed.
Jaxon: “Because she has nice boobs?”
He shrugged.
Vanessa: “And mine aren’t?!”
She bawled through hot tears. Jaxon gritted his teeth.
Jaxon: “I never said that. If you don’t stop crying and carrying on like a baby, I will kick you out of here. I want to be around a fun, sexy person, not a crybaby.”
He hissed sharply. Vanessa sniffled and dried her eyes.
~
At Lazaros’ house, he had a wide variety of food, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, sweets, and sandwiches on buffet tables. Orange and red streamers arced across the top with fairy lights. There was a “Happy Birthday, Ashley” banner across the arch decorated with sunflowers and hanging sun faces on the poles with sunflowers. Lazaros wore a purple sports jacket with glittery and gold across the hemline, a black pressed shirt, purple pants, and black loafers.
Ashley was there and they wore the suit Lazaros gave them for Love Day: a blood orange blazer with yellow and orange paisley designs, an off-white button-up shirt, blood orange pants with a gold design border going down the sides, a large brown belt with a circle belt buckle, and brown sandals.
Aside from Lazaros and Ashley, no one showed up but the cameraman he hired.
Ashley: “Huh… where is everyone?”
They asked, munching on tiramisu. The cameraman filmed them.
Lazaros wrung his hands. Suddenly, the “Fatley” blimp hovered above them with the marquee. Lazaros’ heart sank. Ashley put down their fork and stopped eating, pushing their plate away.
Lazaros: “Ashley, what’s wrong? Is it that stupid blimp?”
He asked and ran to them to console them.
Ashley: “...I should probably watch myself so that I don’t become like that, haha!”
They jested, glancing down at their stuffed stomach, trying to mask their humiliation.
Lazaros: “Don’t worry about what that thing says or does. Even if you got bigger, I’d still… feel the same way about you.”
He said genially. Ashley tilted their head owlishly at him.
Ashley: “O-oh, really? Even if I looked like that?”
They jested, pointing at the blimp. Lazaros nodded and smiled.
Ashley: “Wait… Feel what way about me?”
Lazaros reddened.
Lazaros: “Oh, that you’re so amazing and you bring light into my life!”
He nodded. Ashley brightened a bit.
Ashley: “...Really? I bring light into your life?”
He nodded and smiled.
Lazaros: “It’s the inside that counts and your large shell holds a big heart.”
He said tenderly. Ashley pulled a face. Is he trying to let me down easily? In other words, he’s not attracted to me? They thought.
Ashley: “Oh… the inside and a large shell? I understand.”
They forced a smile.
Lazaros: “Did I say something wrong?”
He knit his eyebrows. Ashley sighed and bowed their head.
Ashley: “It’s just… you’re so handsome and… sexy, and I’m so foolish… I should have known you wouldn’t be attracted to someone like… me.”
They cried. Lazaros gasped.
Lazaros: “No, you couldn’t be further from the truth! I find you very attractive! This is why I hired him to film you!”
He nodded. The cameraman rolled his eyes.
Ashley: “Huh? R-Really? …What?! You hired them to film me because you… find me attractive?!”They reddened all over. He smiled and nodded.
Lazaros: “But I wanted to add the inside because I met many people who are ugly on the inside.”
He admitted and folded his arms.
Ashley: “Oh! Yeah… I know what you mean… ugly on the inside and out…”
They thought of Maxx.
Lazaros: “I just wanted this day to be special for you.”
He said glumly. Ashley smiled with happy tears, wrapping their arms around him. Lazaros brightened and hugged them back.
Ashley: “Awww! Thank you, Lazaros… you’re so sweet… you’re so amazing and bring light and good food into my life.”
They kissed him on the cheek. Lazaros smiled and tears welled in his eyes.
Lazaros: “Thank you, Ashley…”
Someone cleared their throat. They turned and saw Blair.
Blair: “S-Sorry I’m late, Ashley. I lost track of time when Ivy and I were painting the mural at Måneravn, and I am so sorry I’m late.”
He knit his eyebrows. He held up a gift he wrapped. Ashley turned to Blair.
Ashley: “Blair? Oh, that’s okay. Better late than never!”
They smiled.
Ashley: “Oh, uh, Ivy huh?”
They scratched their head, remembering the cake incident and how she never apologized to Lazaros. Blair nodded and gave them their gift. Ashley’s eyes lit up.
Ashley: “Oooh!”
They beamed and unwrapped their gift, revealing a Keke onesie. Their cerulean eyes glittered as they held up the onesie.
Ashley: “OOOH! Thanks, Blair! I totally love this!”
They said as they held it close to them.
Lazaros: “Where is my brother? And Tristan and Celeste?”
He asked sharply.
Blair: “Passed out on his lawn.”
Ashley knit their eyebrows.
Ashley: “Oh no, are they hurt? Or did they drink too much?”
They asked. Blair shrugged.
Blair: “No idea.”
He said quickly.
Lazaros: “And Vanessa?”
Blair hung his head.
Blair: “Still missing.”
Lazaros said nothing more. He didn’t want to hurt Ashley more; it was their special day.
Ashley: “Oh no… do you want me to make missing posters for her?”
They asked. Lazaros put his hands on Ashley. Ashley froze and shivered to his touch.
Lazaros: “Not so soon, Ashley. Let me handle everything.”
He reassured them.
Blair: “Do you know something you’re not telling us?”
He challenged him. Lazaros clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes.
Lazaros: “It’s Ashley’s special day. I am not allowing that clown or his idiotic fanbase to ruin that!”
He said doggedly. Ashley smiled up at him and blushed.
Blair: “...Is Vanessa with Maxx?”
He finally asked. Ashley pursed their lips.
Lazaros: “No!”
He said quickly and waved his hand.
Lazaros: “Don’t say anything more to hurt Ashley!”
He hugged them close. Ashley reddened in his arms, feeling like a kitten being held and protected.
Blair: “What do you know, Lazaros?! Did she ditch Ashley to be with Maxx to hurt them?!”
He cried.
Ashley: “Why would she do that…?”
They sighed, fiddling with their food again.
Ashley: “Maxx is so… not hot.”
They laughed and munched on Lazaros’ food.
Lazaros: “She’s NOT with Maxx, you dolt! She’s with his best friend!”
He blurted. Blair’s eyes widened. Ashley turned to Lazaros with a perplexed look on their face.
Ashley: “Huh? Maxx has a best friend?!!”
They pressed Lazaros. Lazaros cupped his mouth and sighed.
Lazaros: “I sent Deimos, Tristan, and Celeste to go to his penthouse to get her to come to Ashley’s party. He’s Jaxon Tachibana.”
He replied. Blair drew back and shook his head. Ashley tilted their head.
Blair: “...Why?”
He said with hurt.
Blair: “Why didn’t she call or tell us or come to Ashley’s party?!”
He cried.
Ashley: “I don’t know… but donut worry! We know where she is now and Lazaros made this the best day ever, and your presence is my present too, Blair!”
They smiled. Blair smiled back and hugged them. Lazaros smiled a bit and was glad Ashley was happy regardless.
Revving turbo engines zoomed down the street, alerting them. They turned to see the 1985 Toyota Celica GTS convertible pulling up in front of Lazaros’ house. Lazaros ran out front, with Ashley and Blair following. A black, spiked cowboy boot stepped out as Jaxon emerged from the car with Vanessa.
Jaxon: “Here, take her.”
He groaned to them. Vanessa sobbed as she got out of the car.
Blair: “What did you do to her?!”
He snapped.
Jaxon: “Me? I was treating her like a queen in my condo and treating her to a good time! We were all having a good time and partying down with my magic man and those hot guys and that green-haired babe with the big boobs! Then she ruined it when dared to insult me about my feet and started her tantrum. I wanted a good time, not to be a babysitter.”
He huffed.
Vanessa: “YOU WERE MEAN, JAXON! YOU GOT MAD AT MAXX MAKING MORE ON HIS ALBUM AND YOU DIDN’T TELL ME YOU LOVED ME! I CONFESSED MY LOVE TO YOU AND YOU WANTED CELESTE’S BOOBS!”
She bawled. Jaxon fumed at her.
Jaxon: “BECAUSE THAT CLOWN DOESN’T DESERVE IT! SO WHAT?!”
He fired back at her.
Ashley approached them.
Ashley: “Uh… you got jealous over Maxx?”
They tilted their head. Jaxon turned to them and a big smile spread across his lips.
Jaxon: “Wow, you have a lot of hot friends, Vanessa. Hey there, pretty lady.”
He purred to Ashley. Lazaros rolled his eyes. Ashley’s eyebrows rose.
Ashley: “Oh uh... I’m not a girl… I’m pretty sure we’ve had this encounter before at that beach bash thing?”
They scratched their head and laughed.
Jaxon: “Oh, well how about you come back with me to my condo?”
He purred. Ashley looked up at Lazaros.
Ashley: “No thanks…”
They linked their arm to Lazaros’. Lazaros looked down at Ashley and smiled.
Jaxon looked over at Lazaros and grinned.
Jaxon: “Damn, hey there sparkly ‘n sexy! He can come, too! I bet his disco stick is just as sparkly.”
He purred. Ashley’s heart sank. Lazaros flipped his hair.
Lazaros: “I know I am but you’re not my type. Now shoo.”
He waved his hand at him. Ashley gaped at Lazaros. Jaxon’s face contorted.
Jaxon: “...Excuse me?! Not your type?! ME?! Shoo?! How dare you speak of me in that way!”
He fired back.
Lazaros: “Yes, I am not interested in having any conversations or anything to do with a Maxxy Malone wannabe!”
He smirked. Jaxon’s face contorted with rage.
Jaxon: “MAXXY MALONE WANNABE?!”
He shrieked.
Ashley: “...Yeah… I see it.”
They nodded.
Lazaros: “You are like Maxx, whether you want to believe it or not, except his crap is making more numbers. Maybe it’s time to up your game a tad.”
He wagged his head.
Ashley: “Yeah… because of songs about me…”
They twisted their mouth bitterly.
Jaxon gaped at them.
Jaxon: “...Oh, so you’re ‘fatley’? He should be singing about me…”
He huffed.
Ashley: “Uhh, that’s not something you should be jealous about…”
Jaxon: “I’m NOT jealous.”
He snapped.
Lazaros: “Whatever, I don’t care about your love-hate for your former best friend or idol, whatever.”
He waved his hand at Jaxon.
Jaxon: “He’s NOT my former best friend or Idol! He ripped ME off and stole MY thunder!”
He seethed.
Vanessa: “And you stole my virginity! You never loved me!”
She cried. Ashley cupped their mouth.
Ashley: “...H-He what?!”
They knit their eyebrows at Vanessa. She embraced herself and cried.
Blair stepped forward.
Blair: “Get out of here, Jackson! Don’t go near her again!”
He barked. Jaxon laughed at Blair.
Jaxon: “Ohh, you’re threatening me? That’s too bad, you’re cute for a geek.”
He said condescendingly to him. Blair clenched his hands into fists and pouted.
Blair: “Oh, shut up! I heard this from Maxx! I am tired of the likes of you stepping on people and hurting them!”
He hissed. Jaxon rolled his neck back.
Jaxon: “Oh, please! Maxx is full of shit. He couldn’t catch a cold, let alone ‘hot lady babes’.”
He laughed.
Blair: “I wasn’t insinuating he could! But he did hurt someone close to him and someone who cared a lot for him.”
He said firmly. Ashley smiled at Blair. Jaxon gaped at him.
Jaxon: “Seriously? Who would care for that loser?! That’s their own fault getting hurt by a pathetic loser like Maxx.”
He scoffed. Ashley huddled into themself and looked away trying to hide their hurt.
Lazaros marched up to Jaxon.
Lazaros: “No one speaks of Ashley this way. It’s NOT their fault for being hurt by Maxx. They were kind to him and gave to him. He hurt them and is making it his life mission to ‘get even’ with Ashley for setting boundaries and not allowing him to hurt them.”
He said fiercely. Ashley’s eyes filled with tears and they cupped their mouth.
Ashley: “Aww… L-Lazaros!”
They gasped and pulled him into a hug. Lazaros smiled and hugged them back. Jaxon gaped at Ashley.
Jaxon: “...You’re kidding me… you actually fucked that ugly bastard?!”
He groused. Something in Ashley snapped and they recoiled with disgust and outrage.
Ashley: “WHAT?! Hell no! I’m a virgin and I wouldn’t ever do that with that orange clown! I just wanted to help him and be his friend! Not everything is about getting naked and making love!”
They fired back at him. Blair and Lazaros turned to Ashley, surprised they snapped back at Jaxon. A smile tugged at Blair’s lips.
Ashley: “Uhh, why are you guys looking at me? Did I say something wrong?”
They cupped their mouth.
Lazaros: “No, not at all!”
Blair: “I’m proud of you!”
He chirped.
Jaxon: “Yeah, well, you still cared about that loser and got upset over him.”
Ashley: “I’m not the only one who made that mistake…”
They nodded to Vanessa. She embraced herself and cried.
Jaxon: “Are you trying to insinuate I’m like that clown loser?”
Ashley: “Uhhh… big ego, big hair, no empathy, a mean jerk that cries over dumb stuff… yeah… and like, didn’t you just get upset over him with his album?”
They scratched their head. Jaxon flared with rage.
Jaxon: “I AM NOTHING LIKE THAT LOSER!”
He screamed, marching over to the tables of food and throwing it onto the ground in a fit of rage. Ashley recoiled.
Ashley: “Oh no! Lazaros’ delicious food! That’s totally what Maxx would do!”They cried. Lazaros marched after him, grabbed his hair, and threw him on the ground. Jaxon fell to the lawn with a hard thud.
Jaxon: “YARGH! Holy shit!”
Lazaros: “Get off my property. NOW.”
He said firmly, pointing at him. Jaxon bore his gaze on them all.
Jaxon: “This is all YOUR fault! Don’t come back around anymore! We’re done!”
He hissed at Vanessa and turned on his heel, marching back to his car. Vanessa sank to the ground and bawled. Ashley knit their eyebrows and hugged her. She bawled her eyes as they hugged her.
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