Chapter 19
Voyage Burger
A process server delivered a letter to Larry Wood that Andreas Ødegaard was suing him and his accomplice, Robert O’Sullivan for the destruction and theft of his store.
Randall sat across from Larry and Bobby. They were in a spacious parlor with a marble staircase. A crystal chandelier hung above their heads with various portraits of oceans on the walls.
Randall: “Larry, what have you done?! You are tarnishing the family name! Do you know what this will cause us?! Oh, if only your mother were here… She would know what to do.”
He cupped his mouth.
Bobby: “Lord Kradula wanted the raven skulls for his movie! WHHHEEEEEEEEW!”
Randall: “Silence, you numbskull! I am thinking.”
He hissed.
Larry: “My name is going to be LORD KRADULA OV KHAOS, Father! Why aren’t you saying anything to Veronika about burning MY shirts and replacing them with Nuklear Intoxikation SUCKS shirts?!”
Randall: “I am addressing you as the name your mother gave you! It’s her parting gift to you, son! Do not tarnish the last good thing she gave us before she left us!”
He cried. Larry pouted.
Randall: “Why would Veronika do such a thing?! She would never do that!”
He added.
Larry: “Isn’t this lawyer the guy Ivy left me for?”
He growled.
Bobby: “I thought she left ya for that Deimos guy!”
Larry: “She really wanted that lame French guy.”
He grumbled.
Randall clasped his hand over his chest.
Randall: “Celia, fetch me the phone! I will have to settle this matter privately…”
He glared at Larry who pouted and looked like he was ready to cry. A plump Cuban woman in a maid’s uniform handed Randall the phone. She was one of the maids, Celia.
~
Tristan had Ivy and Andreas meet with him in his office. Tristan wore a green three-piece suit, white pressed shirt, green and gold paisley tie, and black wingtip Oxfords. Oliver was lying on the desk.
Tristan: “So, Randal Wood’s lawyer reached out to me to settle this matter out of court. He sent me a certified check for one hundred fifty thousand dollars. I have deducted the amount from my services and this is what you’re getting.”
He slid a certified check to Andreas for one hundred and five thousand dollars. Andreas’ eyes widened at the large figure.
Andreas: “Wow. Thank you. I can renovate the store with this.”
He said delightedly.
Tristan: “Pleasure is mine.”
Ivy: “I’m sorry Larry did this. I don’t know why he would do this. We broke up years ago!”
She shook her head. Tristan folded his hands over.
Tristan: “If I were to hazard a guess, Larry wanted the items in his shop for his music videos. I listen to his radio show to fall asleep and I vaguely recall he mentioned wanting to make some.”
Ivy: “He’s the dumbest criminal.”
She rolled her eyes.
Tristan: “Anyway, as promised, I did help you and hope you can rebuild your store in the meantime.”
He nodded to Andreas.
Andreas: “Thank you for your help. If there’s anything I can do for you, let me know.”
He nodded and thanked him.
Tristan: “Of course!”
Tristan turned to Ivy.
Tristan: “Did you get the camera to take the photos for my site?”
He asked her.
Ivy: “Yes, I did!”
She declared, presenting him with a Canon EOS 650.
Tristan: “Splendid! Well, Andreas, Ivy is going to take some pictures for my website. When we’re finished, I will drop her off at home.”
He smiled at him.
Andreas: “Sure, I’ll leave you to it.”
He nodded and rose from his seat. Tristan rose and opened the door for him.
When he closed the door behind him, Tristan went to his desk.
Tristan: “Now I get to be your model.”
He chuckled. Ivy’s eyes widened.
Ivy: “O-oh, really?”
She blushed, getting flustered. Tristan smirked.
Tristan: “Yes, take pictures of me, and some of Oliver, too.”
He nodded to Oliver on the couch. Ivy took the camera and adjusted the lens. Tristan sat at his desk and smiled. He picked up his pen and held it. Ivy snapped a picture of that. She snapped a picture of him reading a book, and snapped a picture of Oliver lying on the couch.
Tristan stood by his giant globe and Ivy took a picture of that. Ivy took a picture of Tristan holding Oliver in his arms. Tristan put Oliver down and smirked a bit. He bent over to untie his shoes and removed them revealing his sheer sock feet. He sat on the couch and put his feet up. Ivy’s chocolate eyes sparked and she bit her lip as she positioned herself to take a photo. She took photos from various angles that focused on his feet.
Tristan: “Like that?”
He asked softly and bent over to slowly take off his socks. He pulled them off and tossed them aside fanning his toes out. Ivy silently nodded and swallowed hard. She then proceeded to take more photos of him, getting closer to his bare feet to take photos.
Tristan: “Enjoying yourself?”
He smirked.
Ivy: “Very!”
She smirked, snapping more pictures of him. Tristan reddened and liked this; it took his mind off his father and off of home. Ivy read his thoughts and decided to take his mind off of his burdens. She kicked off her sandals and put her feet up for his view as she snapped photos of him, reddening and gazing at him like a deer in headlights. Tristan raised his eyebrows and his face turned red as a beet. He flicked his gaze on her feet and then onto her.
He cupped his mouth to hide his grin. She must have read my mind, he thought. How careless I am; I usually hide these, he thought. Ivy smiled at him.
Ivy: “Not at all… I’m glad you’re letting me in… Deimos never did.”
She stated. Tristan cleared his throat and straightened his jacket.
Tristan: “I apologize. My reasons differ from his. I don’t like to ask for help…”
He sighed. He removed his glasses to rub his eyes and put them back on again. Ivy knit her eyebrows and tended to him. Tristan patted her hand.
Ivy: “Is everything okay, Tristan?”
Tristan: “My father said I was like… it when I raised my voice at him with regards to Craig.”
He said quickly and embraced himself.
Ivy: “...Like who, Tristan?”
She asked gently, stroking his hand. Tristan grasped her hand in his.
Tristan: “...My mother…”
He replied in a tiny voice.
Tristan hadn’t told her about his mother before, but she could deduce this wasn’t a good thing.
Ivy: “Oh? I’m sorry, Tristan… What did she do?”
Tristan cleared his throat.
Tristan: “I… don’t share this with many. I only really told Deimos.”
He sighed.
Tristan: “Charlotte was its name. It viciously attacked Papa with a knife and set itself and the house on fire. This is why Christian’s face is scarred and badly burned and I lost my siblings, Marie-Thérèse and Jean-Pierre. It died in the fire… and good.”
He said as his anger slowly soared.
Ivy: “I’m so sorry, Tristan!”
She pulled him into a tight hug. Tristan’s eyes widened when she did that but he was pleasantly surprised and surprised at how good it made him feel. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her.
Tristan: “Thank you, Ivy… I needed that…”
He said softly and caressed her hair. Ivy’s heart hammered in her chest and she swallowed hard, locking her gaze on him. Tristan set his eyes on her and smiled.
Tristan: “Want to have dinner with me?”
He tilted his head.
Ivy: “Absolutely!”
She smiled tightly.
Tristan put his socks and shoes back on.
Tristan: “Where would you like to go?”
He rose and dusted himself off.
Ivy: “Surprise me!”
She winked at him. Tristan chuckled.
~
Ivy was in Tristan’s car as he drove through downtown Pink Top City. He approached a tall building and turned right into the parking lot. He parked his car in one of the fewer spaces available, climbed out, and opened the door for Ivy.
The two entered the building and used the panoramic elevator. Ivy admired the dusky sky and beautiful city view as the elevator ascended to their destined floor.
When they got off, they headed toward Tranquillité. Ivy had butterflies in her stomach as they drew closer. Tristan opened the door for her and the two approached the hostess. Ivy drank in her surroundings. Large windows enclosed the restaurant granting the guests an exquisite view of the city. The tables had white linen clothes with fine silverware and red napkins folded in the wine glasses to look like a rose.
Tristan: “Table for Trémaux.”
The hostess smiled and led the two out to a table for two out on the balcony. Tristan pulled out a chair for Ivy. Ivy smiled and sat down. Tristan sat across from her.
Hostess: “What can I get you two to drink?”
Tristan: “A glass of syrah.”
He nodded and looked at the menu.
Ivy: “I’d like a lychee iced tea, please!”
She smiled.
Ivy also opened the menu and her jaw dropped at the prices. Thirty two dollars for a salad?! She thought. The color drained from her face when it was two hundred dollars for a steak. She looked for salmon and the salmon steak was one hundred and twenty dollars, and even something like a bowl of fried mushrooms was twenty one dollars.
Ivy: “Tristan…, are you sure you can afford this?”
She asked. Tristan smiled and nodded.
Tristan: “Of course, I can!”
He said gently.
Ivy: “This is so very generous of you!”
She smiled at him. Tristan’s smile spread to show his white teeth.
The server came with their drinks. She was a short, slim white woman. Tristan thanked her.
Server: “Hello, my name is Anna. I’ll be your server. What can I get for you, too?”
Tristan: “I will have the prime striploin done rare, with a side of grilled mushrooms and whatever vegetable you have. No mashed potatoes or rutabagas. To start, I would like the spicy shrimp plate.”
He replied.
Ivy: “I’ll have the shrimp fettuccine alfredo. No tomatoes and for dessert, I’d like the Baci ice cream, please.“
Server: “Is this on one bill?”
Tristan: “Yes.”
He handed her the menus and she left the two.
Tristan gazed at the sunset over the city. He reached into his sports jacket, withdrew his cigarette case, took out a cigarette, and lit one up. He inhaled a drag and gazed at the city.
Ivy: “How are you feeling now, Tristan?”
She asked him, gently placing her hand on his. Tristan shivered and felt his heart skip a beat when she did that.
Tristan: “Much better, thank you. I know I’m spending more time away from home, but… I need space from my father.”
He admitted.
Ivy: “That’s understandable.”
She sighed.
Ivy: “You also need space from that ape he brought into your home, too.”
She shook her head, thinking of Craig. Tristan bowed his head.
Tristan: “I never knew this aspect of him but I was a little boy when I knew my father… then… the coma happened. Maybe I never noticed or maybe this is new.”
He inhaled another drag and exhaled slowly.
Tristan: “It’s what he compared me to that hurts me more than bringing that piece of crap home.”
He snarled.
Ivy: “I’m sorry, Tristan, that must be really hard…”
She said tenderly.
Tristan: “I think you would understand me given how Rosemary allowed Lucy back into her life and Rosemary does similar stuff to you.”
He lowered his head. Ivy frowned.
Ivy: “Yeah… I do understand.”
She sighed.
Tristan: “I know I have a temper at times but I am not… that hysterical. I didn’t want Papa bringing that thing into our home and I’m compared to that.”
He said plaintively.
Ivy: “Your anger is justified though. He brought that idiot into your home and insulted you…”
She sighed. Tristan nodded soberly and hung his head.
Tristan: “Well, we discussed this enough and I want to focus on this lovely evening for now.”
He forced a smile. Ivy smiled back at him.
Ivy: “Me too! To a lovely evening.”
She raised her glass to his. Tristan smiled and raised his glass. They touched glasses.
Tristan: “Of course… Always.”
He said softly.
~
Tristan drove Ivy home to Måneravn. He parked in front, he got out of the car and opened the door for her.
Tristan: “I had a lovely evening, Ivy. Thank you.”
He said softly. She stepped out and smiled back at him.
Ivy: “As did I, Tristan. Good night.”
She murmured as she locked her gaze on him. He walked her to her door and saw her enter. He waved at her before she went inside.
Tristan climbed back into his car. He removed his glasses and used a handkerchief to clean them. He put them back on and drove the car away.
~
The following night, Deimos was on the front patio with Leo in his arms. He saw Makayla come out of Lazaros’ house and get into her 1987 red Ford Taurus. She drove off down the street. She makes a lot of trips without Lazaros, Deimos thought. Deimos looked down the road and thought of Ashley. He went back into his house, put Leo into the house, and came back out to walk to Blair’s mansion.
~
Blair just bought a car for Ashley: A 1979 brown Chevrolet Stationwagon, just like the car they had back in Selene Valley. Ashley’s cerulean blue eyes sparkled.
Ashley: “O-OH MY STARS!”
They beamed and threw their arms around Blair, pulling him into a hug.
Ashley: “Thank you, Blair!”
Blair: “You’re welcome, Ashley!”
Maxx: “Hahahaha, dat car is big enough to fit his big butt!”
He cackled. Ashley drew a long and exasperated breath.
Celeste: “Hahahahahahaha, what a fuckin’ funny joke! Sounds like something an 8-year-old would say!”
She hit him hard across the neck and Maxx’s face planted into the ground.
Maxx: “ARGH!”
Blair: “Thank you, Celeste.”
He clasped his hands together and smiled.
Blair: “How about we give Ashley a break and let’s treat them to Voyage Burger?”
He nodded. Ashley brightened again.
Ashley: “OOH! The fun Viking place!”
They beamed.
Maxx lifted his head from the ground.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! A-Rad is too fat to fit in there! He will eat all da hamburgers!”
He laughed. Ashley rubbed their temples, their annoyance growing each day with Maxx.
Ashley: “...Dude…, can you not?”
They forced a strained smile.
Celeste: “When your shitty fake band becomes sort of real, your songs will be about ‘A-Rad’ and how fat they are.”
She said wryly.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! DAT’S NOT ALL, BABY! They will ‘bout Maxxy getting puss-ay!”
He thrust his hips.
Celeste: “Like Filly-babe?”
She asked sarcastically. Maxx looked around.
Maxx: “WHERE IS SHE?!”
Blair: “You keep saying that name. No one knows her.”
He huffed. Ashley looked hurt.
Blair: “And we haven’t heard samples of Sex Beest yet.”
Deimos stood before them and waved. Celeste stomped on Maxx.
Maxx: “ARGH!”
Celeste: “Deimos! Where is Tristan?! It’s not complete without the three musketeers!”
She sang. Deimos looked darkly at her.
Deimos: “He’s out of the house more since his father brought Craig to his place.”
He folded his arms and huffed. Likely taking Ivy out because she whined about something stupid like Andreas made the ramen too spicy or some shit, he thought bitterly.
Ashley: “Why would Tristan’s father bring Craig to his place?”
They scratched their head.
Deimos: “Because Fabien kicked him out and Victor took pity on the stupid big prick.”
He deadpanned.
Tristan walked up to them with Oliver on his leash.
Tristan: “Hey, Deimos, I was looking for you! Monica said you were going to see Ashley!”
He waved to them.
Deimos: “Of course, I was.”
Tristan surveyed Ashley and remembered Deimos cross-examining Makayla about her reactions to Ashley.
Maxx: “C-Can’t breathe, baby…”
Celeste stepped off him.
Deimos: “Who… Who is that?”
He pointed at Maxx. Maxx rose.
Maxx: “I’m Maxxy Malone of Sex Beest! Sex Beest is one of da most famous glam metal band in da whole world!”
He gloated. Deimos and Tristan were silent.
Tristan: “Hahahahaha…”
He laughed awkwardly.
Deimos: “...I never heard of Sex Beest. Tristan and I are huge metal fans and this is the first we heard of Sex Beest.”
Maxx: “Dat’s ‘cause it’s underground!”
He scoffed.
Deimos: “How can it be ‘da most famous band in the world’ and underground? Do you just… fucking say whatever comes out of your mouth and give it no thought?”
He spat. Tristan had to agree. Ashley listened to them and pondered on what they said.
Tristan turned to Ashley.
Tristan: “Ashley, is this your friend?”
Ashley went to speak when Maxx cut in.
Maxx: “Pfffft… I took him under my wing! I’m showing him da ways to be a Rockin’ Rebel! He’s too fat to be cool!”
He laughed. Tristan gaped at Maxx. Ashley drew a breath. Tristan narrowed his eyes at Maxx.
Tristan: “...Why are you misgendering and insulting your friend?”
He challenged.
Blair: “I would love to know that!”
He snapped.
Ashley: “Me too…”
They sighed.
Maxx: “I ain’t doing dat! Why are you French?! WEE, WEE! Do you got croissants for A-Rad to eat dem all?”
He laughed. Tristan was slightly annoyed. He felt bad for Ashley but was annoyed at their friend. Deimos glared hotly at Maxx and wanted nothing more than to crush him like the bug he is.
Blair: “By the way, Maxx took Ashley on a ‘buddy trip’ to find Filly-babe!”
He said dryly. Maxx looked around with wide eyes.
Maxx: “Filly-babe?!”
He grinned. Tristan and Deimos looked at Maxx with disgust.
Deimos: “...He wants to find a baby female horse?”
Tristan burst out laughing. Maxx stomped his foot. Celeste also laughed. Ashley cupped their mouth and looked away to try to hide their laughter. Tears of laughter streamed down their cheeks.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! SHE AIN’T A HORSE! SHE’S DA HOTTEST CHICK EVER! WE FUCKED LOTS AND WE’RE GONNA FUCK MORE ON MY MUSIC VIDEO!”
He screamed. Ashley winced at Maxx’s screaming, feeling their annoyance jab at them.
Tristan: “Of course.”
He waved his hand dismissively.
Ashley: “Can we go to Voyage Burger now?”
They asked, scratching their head and starting to grow impatient with Maxx.
Celeste: “Can we go without Maxx?”
She huffed.
Ashley: “...Lo Spero.”
They muttered.
Deimos: “We’re taking him?”
He arched an eyebrow. Tristan cleared his throat.
Tristan: “Would you mind taking Deimos and me, Ashley?”
He smiled. Ashley’s eyes widened.
Ashley: “Oh, you want to come too?”
They beamed.
Tristan: “We’d be delighted. Deimos expressed interest in trying Voyage Burger.”
He smiled and Deimos blushed.
Ashley: “Pawesome! I’m delighted to make more new friends!”
They beamed. Blair pouted. You don’t want to make friends with those two, he thought and looked down at Maxx. Probably a better choice than Maxx, he thought.
~
Ashley was in the driver’s seat with Blair in front by them. Celeste, Tristan, and Deimos sat in the middle seat.
Celeste: “So what is Voyage Burger like?”
She asked.
Ashley: “It’s really fun! It’s like being on a Viking ship and they have a night show and really tasty food!”
They beamed. Deimos surveyed Ashley and Tristan surveyed Ashley and Deimos.
Deimos: “What is the food like?”
Ashley: “The Odin rings are soooo good! No breadcrumbs! Just crispy, beer-battered! They also use rock salt which I like better than regular table salt! Oh, and the burgers are good, too! Some of them have tomatoes in them though, but you can get them without!”
They beamed as the words flowed free without Maxx around to make his usual insults about his weight.
Deimos: “Sounds like the onion rings my brother makes.”
Tristan nodded.
Ashley: “O-Oh really?”
They scratched their head.
Deimos: “So, Ashley, you run into Makayla often?”
He finally asked. Ashley's heart sank and they looked hurt when he asked about her. Blair made a face. He knew Deimos and Tristan had an ulterior motive for wanting to be around Ashley.
Ashley: “...No. She's with Lazaros now…”
They drew a long breath.
Deimos: “Yes, this was my impression but I see her take her car out often without him and both Tristan and I saw how she acted around you at the festival.”
He said flatly. Tristan cupped his mouth. Ashley quirked an eyebrow.
Ashley: “Huh? What do you mean how she acted around me?”
They titled their head. Deimos rolled his eyes. Tristan observed Ashley. I didn’t think he made that complex of a statement, he thought.
Deimos: “But you’re done with her, am I right?”
Blair rolled his eyes. He hated being around those two, especially Deimos. Ashley bowed their head.
Ashley: “...She broke my heart! I don’t want to talk about her anymore!”
They cried as tears welled up in their eyes. Blair put his hand on Ashley’s shoulder. Tristan knit his eyebrows.
Deimos: “...Interesting…”
Tristan put his hand on Deimos’ lap and gave him a look to reel it in.
Tristan: “They said that they’re done with her. That’s all you need.”
He said gently to Deimos.
Blair: “I don’t know why the interrogation. Is this for a case, Tristan?”
He huffed.
Tristan: “No, Blair, it’s Deimos looking out for his brother.”
He shot back firmly.
Tristan drew a breath.
Tristan: “I apologize, Ashley, but both Deimos and I believe that Makayla is running around on Lazaros. Deimos has his way of looking out for his brother. I hope you understand that he means no harm toward you.”
He said gently. Blair rolled his eyes. Yeah, Tristan, justify your boyfriend being a dick, he thought.
Ashley: “Oh… I understand… it’s like my brother, Blake.”
They nodded.
Ashley: “Well… if Makayla did what she did to me, then like, she’d do it to him too, right?”
They scratched their head.
Tristan: “Precicsely.”
Sometimes they get it and sometimes they don’t, were they isolated during their formative years? He mused. Tristan thought about it and thought that both Ashley and Maxx acted as if they didn’t come from this planet and both were trying to fit in and not doing a great job, he thought. It’s a far-fetched idea, he thought, but couldn’t shake that idea.
Deimos looked at Tristan and arched an eyebrow.
Celeste: “There it is!”
She pointed to the Viking ship restaurant. Ashley turned into the parking lot and parked their car close to the entrance. They saw Craig as the Burger Berserker with his sign.
Celeste: “Hey, Craig!”
She waved. Ashley burst out laughing. Craig sneered at them.
Craig: “OI! The fuck are you laughin’ at you fat lil sook?!”
He growled, waving his axe. Celeste read his sign and it read, “12 chicken tenders for $12” and “buy your Burger Berserker steins for $4!”
Deimos: “Obviously, they’re laughing at you.”
He said dryly. Craig glared at Deimos and Ashley.
Craig: “I’ll give you cunts somethin’ to laugh about!”
He rasped, raising his fists. Ashley huddled behind Deimos and Tristan. Deimos and Tristan stood in front of them.
Tristan: “Grow up, Craig.”
He scoffed.
Deimos: “By the way, Tristan won a case for Andreas. He won him over one hundred thousand dollars.”
He smirked and put his hand on Tristan’s shoulder.
Tristan: “Deimos, I think you should have stopped at twenty. I don’t think Craig can count that high.”
He said dryly. Ashley cupped their mouth and laughed. Craig seethed and gripped his hands into tight fists.
Craig: “...WHAT?! What are you tryin’ to pull with Andreas?! STAY AWAY FROM HIM!”
He bellowed at Tristan. Tristan looked blankly at him.
Tristan: “...Andreas is not my type, Craig. I thought you knew my type.”
He rolled his eyes.
Deimos stood in front of Tristan.
Deimos: “Larry and Bobby destroyed Andreas’ store and Tristan won his case for him. Unless you had the money to help him rebuild it, shut the fuck up!”
He hissed. Craig seethed.
Craig: “WHAT?! What did those fuckers do?!”
Tristan: “Larry and Bobby both vandalized his store, stole vinyls and skulls, and… set his bathroom on fire.”
He explained and explained the arson with discomfort in his tone.
Celeste: “Didn’t Andreas dump him?”
Deimos: “Of course, he did. So did Fabien.”
He rolled his eyes.
Celeste: “Yeah, Fabien said Craig’s sex was vanilla.”
Deimos and Tristan rolled their eyes. Craig: “MY SEX ISN’T VANILLA!”
He roared, kicking up dirt. People surrounded him, laughing and taking photos of him.
Blair: “Are we going in or talking to this clown?”
He asked, getting annoyed.
Ashley: “I want to go in and eat…”
They added.
Blair: “Okay, Ashley.”
He smiled at them.
They all entered the establishment and looked at the menu.
Blair: “What would you like, Ashley?”
He asked them.
Ashley: “I’d like Odin Rings with a Valhalnilla shake and a Ragnarok burger with Freyja fries! No tomato! Oh, and a little Berserker meal! Keke likes to play with those toys!”
They stated.
Celeste: “I want two Ragnarok burgers with extra pickles and jalapeño peppers, Odin rings, Freyja fries, and a rusty Viking sword! A root beer float would be sweet!”
She relayed. Blair gaped at her.
Deimos: “I’ll have four Spicy Warrior Chicken Thor burgers with extra pickles, Odin rings, and a Professor Pepper to drink.”
He said evenly.
Tristan: “Erm, I’ll have two Spicy Warrior Chicken Thor burgers, extra pickles, no tomatoes, and Odin rings with a southern sweet tea to drink. And some nuggets for Oliver.”
Ashley: “Oh, you don’t like tomatoes either, haha?”
They asked.
Tristan: “Hahahahaha, no, I do not.”
He laughed softly.
Ashley: “I know, right? They totally ruin the burger!”
Tristan: “I agree, but I do like them baked on pizza every down and then.”
Ashley: “Ohhh, yes, me too!”
Their hunger soared at the thought of pizza.
Blair: “I’ll get a stripped swords basket with sweet and sour sauce, fries, and a Pepsi to drink.”
He said to Ashley. Ashley nodded to Blair and smiled.
Ashley: “Did you need me to order for you, too?”
They asked. Blair bowed his head and nodded. Ashley smiled at him.
Ashley: “Of course!”
They turned to the cashier and ordered for Blair and themself. The rest followed with their order with Deimos ordering for Tristan.
They all gathered at a large booth to sit with their meals. Each meal was served in a Viking boat.
Tristan: “The presentation is nice!”
He exclaimed and looked at Deimos with his dewy emerald eyes at his pickles. Deimos smirked and gave them to Tristan.
Tristan: “Thank you…”
He said softly. Ashley smiled at them.
Ashley: “Aww, you guys are so cute together!”
They beamed and wished they had a connection like that with someone, too.
Tristan: “Thank you, Ashley!”
He chirped. Deimos rubbed the small of Tristan’s back and he shivered.
As they ate, Tristan and Deimos froze when they saw Makayla enter the restaurant. Celeste paused when she saw them stop and looked up.
Celeste: “Oh, isn’t that Makayla?!”
She asked.
Tristan: “Shush!”
He whispered hoarsely. Ashley’s heart sank and they froze up when they saw her. They pulled their paisley scarf up over their head to obscure their features from her. They then felt her hand pulling down their scarf from behind them.
Makayla: “Hey, Ashley.”
She teased. Ashley sighed. Dammit, how did she know it was me? They thought.
Makayla: “I knew it was you. Your colorful paisley is hard to miss.”
She teased. Curse my iconic paisley, they thought to themselves.
Ashley: “Oh… non ti sono mancato quando eri con Lazaros…”
They said bitterly, taking a long sip of their Valhalnilla shake. Tristan arched an eyebrow. Interesting, he thought.
Makayla: “What did you just say, Ashley?”
She asked. Ashley sighed.
Celeste: “Oh, they’re trying to hide from you… and Deimos and Tristan were wondering why you’re driving without Lazaros. Deimos said—”
Deimos shoved a burger in her mouth. Makayla frowned when she said that and Ashley shifted uncomfortably in their seat, munching on their Odin rings and burger, trying to cope with the awkward situation.
Deimos: “I don’t need you to speak for me. We’re here to eat.”
He said sharply. Celeste ate his burger.
Blair: “Do you want to get this to go?”
He whispered to Ashley. Ashley’s anxiety soared higher.
Ashley: “NO! I-I mean, o-oh no… It’s okay! I’m fine!”
They forced a smile and continued eating. If I get this to go, Maxx will mock me for eating, they thought to themself, feeling trapped.
Tristan surveyed the atmosphere. Everyone is uncomfortable, he thought. He knows Ashley wants to leave and Deimos bore a gaze into Makayla watching her every move. Tristan looked at Ashley and assumed they didn’t want to take this home to avoid scrutiny from his nitwit “friend”, Maxx, he thought.
Before Tristan could interject, he saw Lazaros enter the restaurant, angry as a hornet. Makayla froze when she saw Lazaros approaching.
Makayla: “...L-Lazaros?! What are you doing here?”
She stammered.
Deimos: “Oh, hey, Lazaros, Tristan and I knew Makayla was coming here. Since we did that nice thing for you, can you not get angry with us for eating out?”
He asked sarcastically. Ashley’s anxiety soared higher when he saw him. Oh no… he’s going to kick my ass because Makayla is around me now, they thought.
Lazaros: “Makayla is sneaking out of my house to get this trash but worst of all, my own brother is eating this crap! I make good home-cooked food! How could you insult me like this, Deimos?!”
He cried. Ashley looked hurt when they thought he was referring to them as “trash.”
Deimos: “So much for my acts of generosity.”
He said dryly. Makayla gaped at Lazaros.
Makayla: “...Are you shitting me right now? You’re upset about us eating Voyage Burger?!”
She laughed.
Lazaros: “This food is GARBAGE! I make the best food! How could you ALL eat this?! Especially you who is a talented baker!”
He flared hotly and pointed to Ashley. Ashley paused and tilted their head with confusion.
Ashley: “R-Really?! You think I’m talented?!”
They gasped.
Lazaros: “Of course, I do! I had your cookies and cake at the festival! I wouldn’t lie about that!”
He nodded.
Ashley: “Oh, thank you…”
They blushed.
Lazaros: “Deimos, this is low. Tristan put you all up to this!”
He snapped. Deimos angrily rose.
Deimos: “Leave him out of this. We were following Makayla because she’s following Ashley and Ashley wanted to go here!”
He snapped. Ashley froze and gaped at Makayla.
Ashley: “...Wait, why would she follow me?!”
Deimos: “Rekindle whatever you had?”
He rolled his eyes. Ashley huddled themself. Lazaros gaped at Deimos.
Lazaros: “Well…”
He laughed.
Lazaros: “Ashley doesn’t want her so if Tristan thinks he can suck up to me by doing this—”
Tristan: “I am NOT sucking up to you, Lazaros. Deimos was concerned for you!”
He hissed.
Lazaros: “Deimos can show his concern by eating my home-cooked food and not this kiddie crap!”
He snapped at him.
Deimos: “Don’t raise your voice at him!”
He stood in front of Tristan. Lazaros looked hurt.
Lazaros cleared his throat.
Lazaros: “Well, I know someone who would appreciate my home cooking.”
He put his hand on Ashley’s shoulder. Ashley’s eyes widened and they jolted, taken by surprise at his touch. Blair gaped at him.
Ashley: “...M-Me?”
Makayla gaped at Lazaros.
Lazaros: “Ashley, my ex has an obese mother who struggles to get around. I am making food for her and I think if you made some tasty but healthy snacks, she would appreciate that! What do you say? Would you like to help this person?”
He gazed at them with that twinkle in his eyes.
Ashley: “Wow… you want me to help her, too? I’d love to help someone in need with tasty treats!”
They clasped their hands.
Lazaros: “So you’re staying with Blair? You can walk to her house and we can make food together to make this lady feel loved and wanted.”
He said softly. Ashley knit their eyebrows.
Ashley: “Oh no, that poor lady… I know how she feels… I want to help her!”
They sighed, looking at Makayla. Makayla knit her eyebrows.
Makayla: “You are loved and wanted, Ashley.”
She said. Ashley sighed.
Ashley: “What about Lazaros?”
Lazaros: “I feel you appreciate me…”
He purred at Ashley. Ashley reddened, taken aback. Makayla looked hurt and gaped at Lazaros.
Makayla: “What are you trying to pull here?”
Lazaros: “Not a thing.”
He smiled tightly. Sure, you’re not, Deimos thought.
Craig stormed in swinging his plastic axe around.
Tristan: “Lovely, Craig is angry Makayla is around Lazaros or Ashley or both.”
He muttered.
Craig: “OI! GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY SISTER! LEAVE HER ALONE!”
He rasped at Ashley and Lazaros. Ashley recoiled and huddled behind Lazaros. Makayla rolled her eyes at Craig.
Makayla: “Fuck off, Craig!”
Deimos: “Correction: Makayla is following Ashley around.”
He said dryly. Craig threw his head back and laughed.
Craig: “She’s following THAT THING around?! Yeah, right, nice try!”
He laughed.
Deimos: “I know, it’s just as unbelievable as Fabien fucking another man now.”
He said wryly. Tristan snorted. Craig fumed at Deimos.
Craig: “HE IS NOT!”
He rasped, stamping his feet.
Tristan: “Suit yourself.”
He nodded to Fabien with another man in his car.
Craig: “Fuck off, I ain’t wearing a suit!”
Tristan and Deimos rolled their eyes. Celeste sipped her drink. Ashley laughed.
Ashley: “You’re wearing a burger suit!”
Craig glared at them and waved his fist at them.
Craig: “You wanna knuckle sandwich?”
Ashley: “...No.”
Tristan: “Craig, if you would kindly look out the window, you will see Fabien with another man.”
He pointed to that.
Craig turned his attention to the window and he charged outside like a rabid dog.
Craig: “OI! THE FUCK IS THIS?!”
He roared. A tall, muscular white man sat next to Fabien. He had long blond hair and blue eyes.
Fabien: “Oh, hi, Craig, this is Chip.”
He said to him.
Chip: “Hahahaha, it’s the Burger Man!”
Craig growled at him.
Craig: “Don’t laugh at me, cunt! That’s MY man! Give him back!”
He rasped and pointed to Fabien.
Chip: “Didn’t you say this dude has vanilla sex? I love vanilla shakes!”
Craig: “I’M NOT FUCKIN’ VANILLA!”
Fabien: “Step up your game, Craig. Have fun with your lardass sister and her retarded fat friend.”
He laughed and drove away. Craig steamed and seethed, kicking up his boots.
Deimos: “So much for Tristan’s father, right?”
He folded his arms in front of his chest, glaring at Craig. Tristan was behind him. He cupped his chin. No, I think this angle might work in my favor, he thought. Craig turned to them.
Craig: “It ain’t like we’re dating! He said he wasn’t ready for a relationship!”
He waved his hand. Ashley frowned when he said that, recalling people dismissing their feelings towards Makalya because they weren’t officially dating.
Ashley: “That doesn’t mean feelings won’t get hurt…”
They sighed. Makayla bowed her head.
Deimos: “And Fabien insulted your sister and Ashley. You’re more hurt that he said you’re vanilla. The whole lot of you are disloyal.”
He clicked his tongue. Craig scoffed and Makayla bowed her head.
Tristan: “I agree.”
He said feeling bitter his father didn’t heed his warnings.
Fabien sped up and almost hit Ashley. Celeste and Deimos both shoved them out of the way.
Fabien: “MAKE ROOM ON THE ROAD, LARD ASS!”
He screamed. Ashley’s heart pounded in their chest as their adrenaline spiked. Makayla rushed over to them.
Makayla: “ASHLEY! Are you okay?”
She cried. She then glared at Craig.
Makayla: “I hate you and your shitty lovers, Craig! You ruin everything!”
She snapped at him.
Craig: “What?! It shouldn’t have been standin’ in the way!”
Tristan rolled his eyes. Ashley looked hurt by that statement and it felt as if they had gotten hit by that car.
Ashley: “What’s wrong with you?!”
They cried.
Tristan “Wow. ‘It’.”
He said scathingly. He knelt to Ashley.
Tristan: “Are you okay?”
Makayla: “You’re an asshole!”
Blair came out and knelt to Ashley.
Blair: “Ashley, are you okay?! Did that car hit you?!”
He cried. Ashley shook their head.
Ashley: “No…”
They said softly. Celeste grabbed Blair’s root beer float.
Blair: “What are you doing?!”
She threw the float at Fabien’s car and the soda dropped on his head, getting ice cream and root beer everywhere.
Fabien: “WHAT THE FUCK?!”
He screamed.
Lazaros came out, pushed Makayla aside, and knelt to Ashley. Makayla gaped at Lazaros.
Lazaros: “Oh, what happened, my dear? Did that mean man hurt you?”
He asked tenderly. Ashley was pleasantly surprised to see Lazaros tending to them and felt at ease with his tender tone.
Ashley: “H-He tried to run me over…”
Celeste: “I got him good!”
She smirked. Ashley smiled at Celeste.
Deimos: “Yes, now Fabien and his man of the day can have vanilla sex.”
He said dryly. Tristan snickered. Lazaros helped Ashley up. Ashley took his hand and stumbled, falling onto him. Lazaros caught them and gazed into their eyes. Ashley’s heart hammered when they felt his eyes on them and felt held by him.
Lazaros: “It’s going to be all right…”
He said breathlessly. Ashley smiled and gazed into his eyes. Wow, his eyes are so purple, they thought to themself. Makayla bowed her head, looking hurt as she headed back to her car.
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