Chapter 41
Fabien the Author
Fabien was in the kitchen making breakfast. He wore a Nuklear Intoxikation shirt with a green plaid shirt over it, jeans, and flip-flops. He had his “Kiss the Cook” apron on as he fried the bacon in one pan and made pancakes in another. Gus was at the table munching on scrambled eggs and pancakes and wore a blue pullover, blue plaid pajamas pants, and mismatched socks. Craig came out of his bedroom in his underwear.
Craig: “Kiss the cook? Don’t mind if I do!”
He smirked, wrapping his big arms around Fabien and kissing him. Fabien giggled.
Fabien: “You get all the kisses!”
He kissed him back.
Fabien: “Thanks to you, my book will sell today.”
He chuckled.
Craig: “Fuck yeah! Wicked sick! The only book I’ll ever read!”
He beamed and laughed.
Fabien dished up Craig’s breakfast for him and held up a book that had “Fat Cats in Party Hats” in large red fonts on a black background with a picture of Ashley in a party hat looking at an Asian woman with orange hair styled in twin braids blowing out the candles on a Viking ship cake. She wore a red headband with large white horns resembling a Viking on her head and she was dressed in a vermillion red tunic dress with leg warmers over her bare feet. Underneath the picture was “captions written by Fabien Bellegarde with some help from Craig Medeiros” in smaller font.
~
At the Katsaros house, Deimos, Tristan, and Makayla sat at the island during breakfast. Deimos wore a Kreator t-shirt and torn jeans. Tristan wore a lavender pressed shirt, dark purple tie, black waistcoat, black trousers, and sheer black socks. Makayla was dressed in purple denim shorts with a black tank crop top.
Deimos was having French toast with bacon, scrambled eggs, and sausages while Monica poured him a cup of Colombian dark coffee. She poured Tristan a cup of rooibos vanilla tea. He thanked her, added some sugar to his tea, and stirred it up. Tristan took a sip.
Tristan: “You make the best tea, Monica.”
He sighed. Monica gave Tristan some toast with honey. He smiled and thanked her.
Makayla retrieved last night’s pizza leftovers from the fridge and ate them cold. Deimos read the paper and drank his coffee. Tristan cleared his throat.
Tristan: “Are you going to have some breakfast, Makayla? Monica makes excellent food and top-quality tea.”
He smiled.
Makayla: “Oh, it’s no trouble I don’t want to burden her! I can just eat the leftovers!”
She waved her hand.
Tristan: “She made plenty but suit yourself.”
He nodded and took a bite of his toast.
The door swung open and Celeste kicked off her boots and threw off her leather jacket. She wore a “Vixen” off-shoulder shirt, a jean mini-skirt, and black pantyhose. She came in and tossed the “Fat Cats in Party Hats” book on the island. Her eyes lit up at the food.
Celeste: “Don’t mind if I do!”
She dished up a load of French toast, bacon, scrambled eggs, and sausages on her plate and got an energy drink from the fridge.
Deimos folded up the newspaper and saw the book on the island.
Deimos: “Where did you get this?”
He picked it up. Tristan arched an eyebrow and scrutinized the cover. He cupped his mouth.
Celeste: “The corner store. I went to buy some cigarettes and saw Ashley and some girl there. Then I saw this book. It’s a bunch of pictures of them and they’re being made fun of for being fat.”
She drawled. Makayla paused and turned to her.
Makayla: “Some girl?! Who?”
She gaped at her.
Celeste: “Some girl with blue hair. I think she’s Blair’s cousin.”
She replied.
Deimos opened the book; Tristan leaned in and looked with him. Celeste looked over his shoulder. The first page had Makayla and Ashley at a party. They were in a two-piece orange pantsuit and Makayla wore a purple sequin dress. The two leaned on each other. The caption read, “We ate the party!”
Makayla: “Oh…”
She smiled sadly, looking at the photo of them when they were happy together.
He turned the page. The left page had Ashley standing near a “Welcome to Pink Top City!” sign. The caption read, “Hi, I’m bigger than Pink Top City! FART!”
Makayla’s expression shifted to anger.
Makayla: “What is this garbage?!”
Deimos turned some pages. He landed on a page that had Tristan, Deimos, Makayla, and Celeste at a sports bar with a wide variety of food. The caption read, “The three stooges order all this food for their pet whale. Hopefully, she doesn’t eat them, too.”
Makayla: “Veronika…”
She groaned and twisted her mouth. Tristan rolled his eyes. Deimos harrumphed.
Celeste: “Three stooges?”
She laughed.
Celeste: “That was a funny show.”
Deimos turned the page and there was a picture of Deimos and Makayla with a bass guitar and a guitar respectively. Makayla was singing at the microphone. The caption read, “He makes a new album with her singing, ‘the sounds of whales.’ ”
Deimos twisted his mouth. Tristan drew a long breath.
Makayla: “Wow, how original and clever. Sounds like Veronika is jealous.”
She rolled her eyes.
The next page had Tristan in his office at his desk holding Oliver and smiling. The caption read, “Hello, fatties. I will help you sue anyone who calls you fat. Please don’t eat me or my cat. My office is Reonaquake proof and my doors are wide enough to fit your big, big butts.”
Tristan snorted and rolled his eyes.
Tristan: “No one can sue anyone for being called fat but they can file lawsuits for stealing pictures, but that might cause ‘The Streisand Effect’.”
Deimos: “Whoever wrote this is an immature dipshit.”
He muttered. Makayla rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Makayla: “Why is she going after you?”
Tristan: “I have a feeling this isn’t Veronika…”
He muttered and narrowed his eyes. Makayla arched an eyebrow. Who else would it be then? She thought to herself.
Deimos turned the page. The picture had Ashley posing near a cow statue. The caption said, “MOOOO! TWINS!”
The picture on the right page had two empty ice cream containers. The caption read, “Oh no! Fatley ate all the ice cream!”
The bottom picture had Ashley and Blair dishing up food from The Primrose Steakhouse all-you-can-eat buffet. The caption read, “This fatty takes all-you-can-eat seriously and eats all he or she or it can gobble up.”
The next picture had Ashley sitting with Blair, Yoshi, Blake, and Vanessa. The caption read, “Someone gave up an extra seat for his or her very wide load.”
The next picture had Ashley in their cat hoodie. The caption read, “Oh, look, a giant fat cat attacks the city!”
Makayla seethed at the photos and threw the book onto the floor.
Makayla: “I’ve seen enough of this garbage!”
She huffed. Tristan knit his eyebrows. He noticed she took it harder when the author ridiculed Ashley over her. Tristan thought and didn’t think this was Veronika’s pattern. Deimos rolled his eyes.
Deimos: “Whoever wrote this has your old photos with Ashley.”
He suggested. Tristan flicked his gaze to Deimos. Makayla’s heart sank. The only other person was someone she didn’t want to think would do that to her.
Tristan: “I don’t think this is Veronika’s doing.”
Deimos: “I never said that. I don’t think it is either.”
Makayla: “...If she didn’t do it… who did?”
She knit her eyebrows.
Celeste picked up the book.
Celeste: “Fabien wrote it with some help from Craig.”
She said flatly. Makayla narrowed her eyes into slits.
Makayla: “CRAIG!”
She rasped.
Celeste opened the book up and it had a picture of Ashley holding a six-pack of donuts with the caption, “The only six-pack Ashley will ever have, unlike me!”
The next picture was Tristan with “Ice dick!” scrawled over it, pointing at him.
The next picture was of Lazaros and Ashley with their Ivy cake taken at the Christmas party. “Fatty lover” was written over Lazaros and “She ate Ivy!” was written over Ashley.
Tristan rolled his eyes.
Tristan: “Yes, these were definitely written by Craig.”
He huffed. Deimos glared at them that Craig would mock Tristan, but if he were to do something, he had to plan, unlike Craig. Makayla seethed with rage.
Makayla: “I’m going to give them a piece of my mind!”
She snapped.
Tristan: “How do you intend to do that? And why do you wish to do this?”
He challenged her.
Tristan: “I am not defending Craig or Fabien here but you have to consider the source and the only people who will find humor in this are third graders and emotionally-stunted spoiled adults.”
He said firmly but gently. Deimos nodded soberly.
Deimos: “He’s right. This is something that requires a plan.”
Tristan turned to Deimos. Makayla turned to him.
Tristan: “Deimos, I am not upset by what they said. Some battles are not worth it. They’re not… Dougal.”
He said with strain. Deimos looked away. He agreed. This had nothing on what Dougal did, he thought.
Makayla: “So, what, we just let them get away with this and do nothing?!”
She threw her arms up. Tristan folded his hands.
Tristan: “Do you recall what I said about ‘The Streisand Effect’? Well, the people whose pictures are in this foolish, childish book could sue for use of their photos without permission but it would bring more attention to this case and I honestly don’t believe many people will buy this book. The only people who would find amusement out of this are children and adult children. I don’t think it will reach a greater audience.”
He explained. He drew a long breath.
Tristan: “Basically, we want this to die down and if we do nothing, it will. I always tell my clients this in similar situations. It almost always works. You can feel your feelings and those are valid but ask yourself this: will this battle be worth it in five years?”
He challenged. Deimos drew a long breath and nodded.
Deimos: “He’s right. I think the best revenge is to do well. Craig is working as a mascot at a fast food place. Nuklear is dead. Craig is just Fabien’s little bitch now. We got a band to make.”
He added.
Celeste: “IS Nuklear really dead, though? Isn’t Craig trying to fix his problem?”
She interjected and Tristan and Deimos gaped at her.
Deimos: “Let’s say Nuklear came back, I am not joining and I don’t see Craig fixing any problem.”
He held up the book. Makayla glared at that book.
Makayla: “He’s NOT fixing his problems. He IS the problem!”
She huffed, marching to the door.
Celeste: “Are you going to talk to Craig about getting back with Nuklear?”
She asked.
Makayla: “Hell no! Nuklear is dead! I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!”
She huffed and stormed out.
Tristan threw up his arms.
Tristan: “Why do I even bother?!”
He asked as his voice rose. Deimos wrapped his arms around him.
Deimos: “I listened to you.”
He smiled. Tristan smiled back.
Tristan: “You did.”
They kissed.
~
At the Donati manor, Ashley was at the dining room table and dishing up a breakfast of hashbrowns, toast, eggs sunny side up, banana muffins, blueberry pancakes and chia seed oats and yogurt with strawberries and almonds on top. They also served a pot of freshly harvested tea with roses from the garden. Ashley was dressed in paisley bell bottoms with a white button-up shirt.
Vanessa happily ate her breakfast after she went with Ashley to the store. Blair wore his cat hoodie pajamas with his arms folded over his chest and pouting. Blake sat across from them in a “Possessed Pestilence” shirt, black jeans, and Doc Marten boots. He was drinking coffee and reading the paper.
Sylvia drank some rose tea with pancakes, oats, and yogurt. She wore a beige wool sweater over a white pressed shirt and black tie, brown trousers, and brown loafers.
Sylvia: “A delightful breakfast, Ashley! This is top-notch!”
Ashley: “Why thank you!”
They beamed.
Yoshi came in with Fabien’s book.
Yoshi: “Ashley! Did you see this book about you?!”
He showed them the Fat Cats in Party Hats book. Ashley’s bright blue eyes lit up with delight.
Ashley: “OH MY STARS! Someone made a cute cat book for me?!”
They gasped with tears of joy. They saw a picture of Ashley with the Viking girl on the cover.
Ashley: “Oh, Yvette made a book for me! That’s nice!”
They smiled. They then froze when they saw Fabien and Craig’s names on the cover.
Ashley: “Huh? Why are Craig and Fabien’s names here?”
They scratched their head with curiosity and confusion.
Ashley: “Maybe they’re sorry for being big meanies and want to build a bridge?”
They chuckled.
Blair: “I don’t think so, Ash…”
He moaned. Blake drew a breath.
Blake: “Here we go…”
Ashley opened the book with apprehension, but their curiosity got the better of them. It showed a picture of Ashley posing near a cow statue. The caption said, “MOOOO! TWINS!”
The picture on the right page had two empty ice cream containers. The caption read, “Oh no! Fatley ate all the ice cream!”
The bottom picture had Ashley and Blair dishing up food from The Primrose Steakhouse all-you-can-eat buffet. The caption read, “This fatty takes all-you-can-eat seriously and eats all he or she or it can gobble up.”
The next picture had Ashley sitting with Blair, Yoshi, Blake, and Vanessa. The caption read, “Someone gave up an extra seat for his or her very wide load.”
The next picture had Ashley in their cat hoodie. The caption read, “Oh, look, a giant fat cat attacks the city!”
The picture below them had Lazaros with his arms spread out and wearing a green sequin suit. The caption read, “He dresses like this to disguise himself as a sparkling cupcake. It attracts fatties like Fatley and Makayla.”
The next page had Ashley crying. The caption read, “Fatley’s tragedy. ‘Where’s my cupcake?’ is the headline.”
The picture below had a middle-aged white woman in a pink pantsuit present Ashley with an award for helping cats. The caption read, “And the award for fat goes to… Big Ashley Butt. It’s a big honor… big like his or her butt.”
Ashley closed the book and paused for a moment before forcing a laugh. Vanessa looked at them with hurt in her eyes. Blair knit his eyebrows. Sylvia paused.
Ashley: “Well… we don’t need these negative vibes around.”
They rose and went over to the window, throwing the book out the window with a strained smile.
Ashley: “Arrivederici!”
They then picked up their sage stick and aired the room out.
Vanessa: “Ash, are you okay? They said many mean things about you… It’s okay to cry.”
She said as her voice cracked.
Blair: “They were such JERKS! What is wrong with people who get joy out of making others’ lives miserable?!”
He cried.
Blake: “Why should they be upset? Craig and Fabien are a bunch of losers and not worth their time. It’s pointless to get upset about this and a waste of time.”
He shrugged.
Blair: “But it’s NOT pointless and they made fun of you and Andreas, too!”
He went outside to get the book and opened it up. The picture had Blake working in the garden. The caption read, “This clown let some drunk loser or a child do his tattoos. Now he’s a living canvas or a junkie or both.”
Under that picture was a picture of Andreas at his tarot table. The caption read, “I shall predict your future with my tarot… It says, ‘YOU ARE FATLEY’S SNACK.’ ”
Vanessa: “That is SO mean! I would be crying now! I feel like crying because these are so mean!”
She wept. Blake rolled his eyes.
Blake: “Okay, but Craig’s tattoos look like a drunk loser or a child did them, so he’s insulting him, and Craig is bitter that Andreas wants nothing to do with him anymore, so the real loser here is Craig. I see no reason to cry over losers.”
He countered.
Ashley’s eye twitched at that book and they grabbed it out of Blair’s hands. Blair gasped.
Ashley: “Oh my, this book is oozing with negative energy and killing the vibes in the room!”
They exclaimed, throwing it out the window again.
Ashley: “Now, let’s have some tea and eat some pancakes to get the good vibrations back up again!”
They forced a smile, sitting down at the table and digging into their pancakes.
Blair: “It’s okay to feel hurt and upset, Ashley…”
He sighed.
Yoshi: “So, uh, are you upset because it reminds you that you and Maxx dated?”
He asked. Blair turned to him. Ashley froze.
Blair: “What are you talking about?”
Yoshi got the book from outside and flipped the pages. He held it up. There was a picture of Ashley and Maxx. The caption read, “This was Fatley’s boyfriend before they broke up. This is the only thing who would look at this fat genderless blob and it’s an alien from outer space.”
The picture below had Maxx’s pouty face glamor shot. The caption read, “Lazaros is Fatley’s rebound for this. Tough competition. Fatley has a type for glittery and skinny.”
Blake gripped his fists and his face twisted. They were then alerted to Ashley’s fork falling to the ground and turned to see as their face twisted with anger and disgust unlike what they had ever seen before. They shot up from their seat and rushed to the toilet to throw up.
Blair: “They were NOT dating, Yoshi!”
He snapped.
Sylvia: “I believe this is upsetting both Blake and Ashley and we need to let them deal with it on their own and by their own terms.”
She said firmly but gently.
Blair: “It’s okay to be hurt by this, Sylvia.”
He threw his arms up.
Blake: “I’m not upset.”
He said flatly, keeping his eyes glued onto his coffee.
Sylvia: “I believe you both are and this is understandable. This is a vicious, mean-spirited book intended to hurt Ashley and their friends and family. I don’t know what they ever did to warrant such malicious attacks from these men.”
She cupped her chin.
Blake: “They didn’t have to do anything. They’re both just miserable losers with no life.”
His voice rose.
Vanessa: “That’s right! Ashley is sweet and kind! They never hurt anyone!”
She cried.
Ashley emerged from the bathroom, looking pale. Blair and Vanessa turned to them with concern.
Blair: “Are you okay, Ash?”
He asked.
Ashley: “Oh yeah, I’m fine, I just ate my food too fast, haha…”
They clutched their stomach.
Vanessa: “Liar… It’s okay to feel hurt.”
She cried and hugged them. Ashley felt the tears coming when they felt her hug them. Blair got up and hugged them, too. Ashley tried hard to fight back their tears.
Blake: “Fuck those losers, Ash. Who cares what they say?!”
He huffed.
Blair: “It’s okay to cry, Ash…”
He reassured them.
Ashley: “...It’s okay, I’m fine…”
Ashley leaned over their shoulders and let the tears flow out of their sight.
Blair: “No, you’re not, Ash…”
He sighed and cried with them.
~
Makayla drove up to Fabien’s house and saw Craig’s jeep and Fabien’s car parked in the driveway. She got out of her car and marched up to the door, angrily pounding on it with her fist.
Makayla: “CRAIG!”
Gus opened the door with Craig’s boot to his face huffing the stink.
Gus: “Craig’s in the house somewhere. Follow the foot stink.”
He drawled. Makayla entered the house and fumed at Craig on the couch watching TV in his underwear. She marched up to him and slapped the book onto him.
Craig: “OWW! GUS—”
He then froze when he saw a furious Makayla glaring down at him.
Makayla: “YOU ASSHOLE!”
She snapped at him.
Fabien stepped out of the bedroom.
Fabien: “What are you doing here? Here to make more ads about him?”
He fielded scathingly.
Makayla: “What ads?! You made a BOOK to mock us all!”
She snapped at them. Fabien picked up a magazine to show her the Funny Feet ad with Craig.
Fabien: “Need I remind you?”
He asked sharply. Makayla gaped at it and laughed.
Makayla: “You think I did that?!”
Craig pouted.
Craig: “Stop laughing!”
Makayla: “Since when have I EVER done graphic art before?! God, you’re dense and don’t even know me at all!”
She snapped.
Makayla: “You know who IS a graphic designer, right?!”
She challenged them both.
Fabien: “Are you saying IVY did this? Interesting theory but she doesn’t know Craig’s feet stink! Only a few people know that!”
He countered.
Makayla: “Only a FEW people?! Oh, please, you can smell him coming from a mile away. Trust me, it’s no secret and everybody knows.”
She laughed bitterly.
Craig: “SHUT UP! MY FEET DON’T FUCKIN’ STINK!”
He rasped and pouted.
Gus: “She’s got a point. Craig, your feet stink up the house. I love it.”
He drawled. Fabien groaned and Craig glared at Gus. Makayla gestured to Gus.
Makayla: “I rest my fucking case!”
She declared. Craig pouted.
The door swung open. Celeste came in with Deimos and Tristan following.
Tristan: “Makayla, you did the exact thing I implored you not to do.”
He sighed. Craig scoffed and laughed.
Craig: “Uh-oh, ice dick is gonna ground you ‘n take your guitar off ya for a week now!”
Tristan: “Did your dom tell you I was going to do that? Be quiet. The adults are speaking.”
He snapped.
Craig: “...I’M the dom!”
He hissed.
Fabien: “Yeah, flubberhead. Listen to your lawyer. Don’t flip and flop your whale tantrums.”
He said dryly.
Tristan: “Silence, you insolent fool. I wasn’t addressing you.”
He hissed. Fabien glared at Tristan.
Craig: “Oi cunt! Don’t tell my boyfriend to shut up!”
He pouted, defensively standing in front of Fabien.
Deimos: “Pipe down, Fabien’s little bitch boy. Don’t try to convince me you’re the top.”
He stood in front of Tristan.
Deimos: “Makayla, look. Craig is watching shitty shows in his underwear. I don’t see any Nuklear Intoxikating.”
Gus: “Bullshit. His feet are nuclear stank.”
He replied. Tristan turned his head so no one could see him laughing. Makayla threw her head back with laughter.
Craig: “SHUT THE FUCK UP!”
He rasped.
Makayla: “Wow, you can sure dish it, but you can’t take it, Craig.”
Fabien showed the Funny Feet ad to Tristan.
Fabien: “She made this ad and is convincing us that Ivy made it.”
Tristan and Deimos surveyed it. Tristan snorted and laughed. Deimos stumbled over a laugh.
Tristan: “Why do you think Makayla or Ivy made this? This doesn’t seem like something they would do.”
He cupped his mouth.
Makayla: “Whoever made it gets legend points.”
Craig pouted.
Fabien: “Only a handful of people know Craig’s feet stink and Makayla said Ivy is a graphic designer!”
He insisted. Tristan cleared his throat.
Tristan: “Craig…, Deimos and I also know your feet stink… My father knows, too.”
He said evenly.
Craig: “BULLSHIT… your father?! Why would you tell your father?!”
He huffed. Makayla blinked mutely at him.
Tristan: “He smelled it, Craig. I didn’t have to tell him.”
Celeste grabbed the ad.
Celeste: “Oh, this ad? I made it!”
She smiled. They all turned to her. Tristan and Deimos both recalled she sprinkled that foot deodorizer in his boots when they lived at the Flores guest house.
Celeste: “I thought if I made this ad to prove Craig used Funny Feet to make his feet not stink Nuklear Intoxikation would get back together! They broke up because of Craig’s foot stink!”
She explained. Tristan gaped mutely at her. He didn’t know whether to shake his head or laugh or if she was jesting or not. Makayla’s jaw dropped at her. Craig shook with rage.
Makayla: “WHAT?!”
She laughed bitterly.
Craig: “WHAT THE FUCK?! WE DIDN’T BREAK UP COS OF MY FOOT STINK!”
He rasped.
Makayla: “Yeah, we broke up because Craig is a STINKY ASSHOLE!”
She snapped, slapping the book at him. Craig winced and rubbed his face.
Deimos: “We broke up because Craig puts fucking Fabien over music and always will. Look at him. He’s sitting around watching crappy shows in his underwear and is Fabien’s little bitch boy now. This is why we broke up. I’m serious about music and Craig is serious about being Fabien’s lapdog. His footstink didn’t help either but he’s doing jack fucking shit about that, too.”
He said bitterly. Craig glared at Deimos and bared his teeth.
Craig: “BITCH BOY?! Fuck you, mate! You’re ‘Ice Dick’s’ lil bitch boy!”
He fired back at him. Deimos glared at him.
Deimos: “I fail to see how I am when I’m clearly in charge.”
He said coldly. Tristan put his hand on Deimos’ shoulder.
Tristan: “Deimos, it’s okay.”
He said softly and gently.
Deimos: “We don’t need to make childish books putting others down. Makayla and I are going to make a band. You’re just parading around in a mascot outfit and doing whatever Fabien wants.”
He snarled. Makayla nodded in agreement with him.
Makayla: “That’s right and it’s gonna be better than Nuklear!”
She added for good measure. Craig glared at them all.
Craig: “Fuck you! YOU’RE just doin’ whatever Ice Dick over here wants! He rules you with an iron dick!”
He fired back, pointing at Tristan. Deimos bared his teeth and clenched his fists.
Deimos: “I am SO tired of you insulting him when your beef is with ME!”
He barked and delivered a hard blow to Craig’s face sending him crashing into the VCR cabinet.
Fabien: “CRAIG!”
He cried and rushed over to him. Craig grunted and winced in pain, glaring at Deimos and Tristan.
Craig: “G-GET THE FUCK OUTTA OUR HOUSE, CUNTS!”
He rasped at them.
Celeste: “This could have been avoided if Craig used Funny Feet.”
She sighed.
Deimos: “What, it just MASKS the odor! It doesn’t obliterate it!”
He rasped.
Gus came in.
Gus: “Craig, someone slashed your jeep tires and I think it was one of these guys.”
Tristan, Deimos, and Celeste turned to him.
Tristan: “Gus, smarten up. That’s not something neither Deimos nor I would do. Celeste has no motive for that; she merely wanted Craig to use some grape-scented foot deodorizer.”
He said sharply and realized what Gus had said.
Celeste: “It’s bubblegum-scented.”
She corrected him.
Fabien: “YOU SLASHED HIS TIRES?!”
He snapped at Makayla.
Craig: “WHAT THE FUCK?!”
He rasped. Makayla froze.
Makayla: “Me?! I didn’t slash his tires!”
She fired back at them.
Fabien went out and saw Craig’s jeep tires were slashed.
Fabien: “YOU came to OUR house to snap at us because we mocked your fat ex boyfriend or girlfriend, whatever it is!”
He barked.
Craig: “FUCKIN’ OATH!”
Tristan: “Yes, she did that but I think if Makayla were guilty of this, she would have announced it. She’s not conniving, Fabien!”
He said defensively.
Makayla: “That’s right! I don’t do sneaky shit! I do shit to your face!”
She fired back at them both.
Fabien: “Well, you better pay up or get your bestie’s lover boy to defend your fatass!”
He rasped. Makayla glared at them.
Makayla: “I’m not paying shit because I didn’t do shit!”
She spat.
Fabien: “YOU came here to lash out at us! Who else did it?! Did Miss Let’s Make Fun of Craig’s Feet do it?!”
He challenged her.
Tristan: “She followed us here and as I said: her intentions were to make Craig use foot deodorizer thinking it will magically make his dead band alive again. It’s a good analogy. The foot powder masks his foot stink but doesn’t really make it go away, much like Craig’s problems.”
He said wryly.
He folded his arms.
Tristan: “But I digress. You guys mocked several people in this. It could be any of those.”
He smirked.
Fabien: “Tristan, go blow Deimos’ pencil-thin dick. Get your fat groupie to pay up!”
He snapped. Tristan scowled at him. Makayla gaped at him.
Tristan: “No need to be hostile or hurl insults to get your point across, Fabien.”
He said calmly.
Tristan: “Makayla would have said she did it if she did it. She’s not a sneaky person.”
He assured them.
Makayla: “Damn right, if I’m slashing your tires, I’m plugging in my guitar and singing along while I do it right in front of you.”
She stated. Craig pouted.
Tristan: “Someone must have known Makayla was making her presence here and did this while you were distracted by us, they did this. When we arrived, they were not slashed.”
He said firmly. Deimos swung his gaze to Tristan and looked back at Fabien and Craig and then at Makayla. Someone sneaky… Who would have known Makayla was going to see them and who would listen to this? Deimos thought. Tristan looked at Deimos and knew he had something on his mind.
Tristan: “What’s wrong, Deimos?”
Deimos: “I think I know who did it.”
Tristan bowed his head. He didn’t want to say it but he had a hunch who it was. Tristan allowed Deimos to speak.
Deimos: “Lazaros did this. Lazaros always comes to my house to drop off honey and Monica made Tristan’s toast with honey. Lazaros always listens to our conversations. He thinks we don’t hear him but I know he’s there. I think Tristan knows but he doesn’t want to hurt my feelings. Lazaros would want to do this to frame Makayla and get back at Craig for making fun of him. Two birds, one stone.”
Tristan nodded. Makayla and Craig gaped at him.
Tristan: “Very good, Deimos. This is thinking outside the box.”
Craig furrowed his eyebrows.
Craig: “WHAT, Laza-cunt?! We didn’t even rip on him! We just said he’s a fatty lover ‘n it’s true!”
He huffed and threw his arms up. Makayla frowned.
Makayla: “Hmph, I doubt he did this for Ashley. He only cares about himself.”
She said bitterly.
Deimos: “I never said he did it for Ashley.”
He shrugged. Tristan cupped his mouth. Fabien flicked his gaze onto Tristan and then Makayla.
Craig: “Laza-cunt is goin’ DOWN!”
He said doggedly, kicking his feet.
Fabien: “Good idea, Craig. Let’s suffocate him with your stinky feet.”
He chuckled. Makayla couldn’t help but to laugh at that.
Craig: “WHAT?! My feet DON’T stink!”
He pouted.
Fabien: “Oh, why do you think I bought a gas mask so I wouldn’t gasp for air as you make love to me?”
He asked wryly. Makayla burst out laughing.
Makayla: “You bought a GAS MASK?!”
Craig glared at them all. Fabien nodded soberly.
Craig: “NO, HE DIDN’T!”
Fabien: “But I did.”
He replied and went to one of the boxes to show her the gas mask.
Celeste: “You could just use Funny Feet.”
She held up the jar of powder.
Fabien: “Yeah, why don’t you, Craig? Do you think I like smelling your stinky feet all the time?”
He asked sharply and planted his hands on his hips.
Craig: “Why the fuck are you so hellbent on my feet?!”
He rasped.
Celeste: “If you use Funny Feet, I will pay for the damages Lazaros did.”
She drawled. Deimos turned to her so fast, he almost lost balance.
Deimos: “NO! How will he be held accountable?!”
He asked harshly. Fabien cupped his chin.
Craig: “FUCKIN’ OATH! He needs an ass-kicking!”
He pouted, punching his fist into the palm of his hand.
Fabien: “Hmm, no, I agree with her offer. Craig, use the damn foot deodorizer. My nose will thank you.”
He said firmly and pointed at him. Craig froze and gaped at him.
Craig: “...WHAT?!”
Fabien: “She will pay for the damages and you use this powder! I don’t like footstink! I am not Gus, Craig.”
He sneered at him. Craig pouted and folded his arms across his chest.
Craig: “B-But my feet don’t stink ‘n Laz-a-cunt needs to pay for this!”
He whined.
Fabien: “Okay, I will go find Jaxon and tell him I will kick Gus out.”
He went to go to the door. Craig dived to Fabien’s feet.
Craig: “NOOOOOO! Okay, okay, I’ll wear the Fucky Feet stuff!”
He pleaded with him. Fabien wrapped his arms around Craig.
Fabien: “I knew you would, Craig!”
He kissed him. Craig grumbled and kissed him back.
Deimos stormed past them.
Deimos: “Do whatever you two want! I will make Lazaros pay MY way!”
He snapped and slammed the door. Tristan sighed and followed him out. Celeste giddily danced around.
Celeste: “Nuklear is getting back!”
~
Deimos arrived home with Tristan and stormed over to Lazaros’ house.
Tristan: “Deimos, please.”
He pleaded with him. Deimos pounded on Lazaros’ door. Lazaros stepped out and knit his eyebrows.
Lazaros: “What is it, Deimos?”
Deimos: “I know what you did to Craig’s Jeep and you tried to frame Makayla for it! You need to pay him back!”
He snapped. Lazaros stared at his brother and then at Tristan.
Tristan: “Celeste is paying for the damages as long as Craig uses Funny Feet powder.”
He interjected.
Deimos: “I don’t care. He needs to pay for the damages he caused!”
He growled.
Lazaros: “And what about the book Fabien and Craig wrote? Well, Fabien wrote because Craig can’t read or write. Anyway, I didn’t do it, Deimos. I wasn’t the one going to their house and ranting at them. That was Makayla.”
He smirked.
Tristan: “Lazaros, don’t feign ignorance. We know it was you and the damages are paid for.”
Deimos: “No, they’re not, Tristan!”
His voice rose. Tristan raised his eyebrows.
Celeste ran up the steps.
Celeste: “Okay, Lazaros, I paid for the tires you slashed!”
She announced. Deimos folded his arms over his chest and felt confident. Lazaros smiled.
Lazaros: “I can make you all your favorite meals then!”
Deimos rolled his eyes.
Deimos: “Oh, please.”
Celeste: “It’s a deal!”
She nodded. Lazaros beamed. Deimos glared at her and at Lazaros.
Deimos: “Whatever! Nuklear is not getting back together and you let him get away with what he did! THANKS!”
He snapped at her and stormed off. Tristan drew a long breath and followed him.
Lazaros: “I don’t see what the problem is. Maybe Fabien shouldn’t have made that book.”
~
Deimos was in his bedroom on his bed sulking. He heard a knock on the door and ignored it.
Tristan: “Deimos, it’s me. Can I come in?”
Deimos: “I don’t know.”
He grumbled. Tristan opened the door and entered. He drew a long breath and climbed on the bed with Deimos.
Deimos: “You seem to be on everyone’s side but mine.”
He knit his eyebrows.
Tristan: “That’s not true…”
He said gently and embraced him from behind.
Tristan: “Deimos, you know what Lazaros is like… I don’t think he would do anything to you but didn’t Makayla already escalate this situation? Didn’t she do exactly what Lazaros wanted? Have Fabien and Craig learned their lesson?”
He challenged and sighed.
Tristan: “Some battles are not worth it, Deimos. If people let this book go, only a handful would see it and it would be forgotten next week. Most people have short memories or something else would overshadow it.”
Deimos closed his eyes and sighed.
Tristan: “Is it about the book or your resentment of Lazaros?”
Deimos: “Maybe the latter. I don’t give a shit about that stupid book, and Nuklear is dead.”
He admitted.
Tristan: “I don’t think Lazaros will see the light, Deimos. Sometimes you’re never going to get closure and you have to accept that.”
He turned around and laid on his back.
Tristan: “I never got closure on some things… and never will.”
Deimos turned over.
Deimos: “You mean…, your… mother?”
Tristan shut his eyes tightly and heaved a deep sigh.
Tristan: “...Yes.”
Deimos: “Lazaros chooses Dad over me. And Dad does what he can to make Mom happy… and it doesn’t because my parents are chasing ghosts and not facing what happened seventeen years ago. My room is next to it. That nursery hasn’t been open since that night. This happens to many people and they make peace with it but my parents continue to chase ghosts while ignoring their living children… and Lazaros chases their approval. And I want him to pay for doing that to me.”
He said with bitterness in his tone.
Tristan: “He will pay for it, Deimos, but it won’t be you who does it.”
Deimos: “Then who?”
Tristan: “Well…”
He turned over.
Tristan: “Ashley will learn about his hierarchy mindset eventually. It’s not like he hides it. Lazaros will lose everything if he doesn’t stop chasing closure, too.”
He smiled. Anyway, Lazaros doesn’t know I’m better at this game than he; there is a reason I didn’t disclose the real reason Lazaros slashed Craig’s tires other than wanting to frame Makayla, he thought.
Deimos held Tristan to his chest and caressed his hair.
Deimos: “Thank you, Tristan, for showing me the light… You are the light of my life.”
The two looked into each other’s eyes and their mouths met.
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