Chapter 34
Foot Ninja
Fabien’s car rolled in after he finished his shift. It was midnight and Danny Donger’s was closed. He parked his car in the driveway and climbed out. He fiddled with the keys to the house and unlocked the door to let himself in. Craig came rushing up to him eagerly like an excited dog.
Craig: “Fabien!”
He beamed and embraced him. Fabien hugged him back.
Fabien: “Hey, Craig, the Christmas pin-ups are in. Check them out.”
Craig beamed with excitement.
Craig: “OOOH! GIMMIE! GIMMIE!”
He jumped up and down. Fabien held up an envelope and pulled it out. There were various pin-ups of some old white man dressed as Santa with Fabien in the Danny Donger’s uniform, some with Fabien completely nude, and Santa gawking at him and touching his ass and spanking it. Craig’s smile died on his face and shifted into a look of anger.
Fabien: “This is MY favorite, though.”
He pointed to one of him tied up with Santa tickling his bare feet with a feather. He slid another picture out of him blindfolded and tape over his mouth while scrubbers tickled his feet, armpits, sides, and penis. Craig’s heart sank and his bottom lip trembled.
Fabien: “Or that one. That lasted twenty minutes.”
Craig’s nostrils flared and his breathing hitched into small breaths of rage.
Craig: “WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT?! YOU LET SOME OLD GEEZER TOUCH YA?! THAT’S NOT SEXY! I’M FUCKIN’ PISSED OFF!”
He rasped, snatching the photos off him and tearing them up. Fabien gaped at Craig.
Fabien: “Okay, Craig, every Danny Donger’s boy does this and I agreed to to pay for finding your grandfather since you blow your money on vinyls.”
He deadpanned and opened the door to see one beer in the fridge.
Fabien: “And drinking my beer.”
He added as he opened the can. Craig paused and gaped at him.
Craig: “...What? Why didn’t ya tell me? You don’t gotta let old geezers touch ya for me!”
He countered.
Fabien: “Craig, what were you going to do? You blow your money on this stuff and you never tickle me! The tickling DID turn me on!”
He hissed. Craig drew back, looking hurt.
Craig: “Wh-What?! THOSE GEEZERS TURNED YOU ON?!”
He rasped.
Fabien: “The tickling ones did. Yes.”
He reiterated and gulped beer.
Craig: “That old fuckin’ geezer turned you on?!”
He rasped.
Fabien: “You don’t get it, do you?”
He rolled his eyes.
Craig: “No, I don’t fuckin’ get it! You got a fuckin’ stud right here ‘n you’re off with some geezers?!”
He huffed.
Fabien: “For a job, Craig, yes. And I got a stud who doesn’t pleasure me in bed!”
He snapped. Craig’s bottom lip trembled.
Craig: “...What do you mean?! How could ya say that?!”
Fabien: “You never tickle my feet!”
He folded his arms and pouted.
Craig: “Is that all?! You just want me to tickle your feet?!”
He gaped at him.
Fabien: “What was your first clue, genius?”
He rolled his eyes.
Craig: “Is it as good as me puttin’ my dick in ya or something?”
Fabien clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes.
Fabien: “You are SO vanilla.”
Craig gaped at him.
Craig: “VANILLA?!”
He huffed. Fabien nodded soberly.
Craig: “I’m not fuckin’ vanilla!”
He countered.
Fabien: “I disagree.”
He said evenly and began to undress.
Craig’s eyes darted onto his naked body like a magnet pull. He licked his lips as he undressed. Fabien stood before him completely naked and smirked. Craig wrapped his big arms around him, pulling him into an embrace. Fabien smiled and sighed.
Craig: “I’ll show ya I ain’t vanilla!”
He whispered in his ear, tugging his ass. Fabien shivered.
Fabien: “I’m intrigued.”
He chuckled. He scooped Fabien up and carried him in his arms to their bedroom.
He closed the door behind him and put Fabien’s naked body over his lap, caressing his back down to his bum. A snap of excitement crackled inside Fabien’s chest as a flash of delight sparked in Craig’s eyes and his wide grin.
Craig: “You don’t need no old geezer Santa! I’m the only Santa you need and you’re on my lap!”
He grabbed a hold of Fabien’s ankles and began strumming on his feet like a bass guitar. Fabien hollered with laughter.
Fabien: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”
He laughed and dug his fingers into the sheets.
Craig: “Fuckin’ Vanilla? My ass!”
He taunted and continued tickling him.
Craig: “You’re my bass guitar now!”
He teased and plucked his feet. Fabien shrieked with laughter. He wiggled his toes and moved his feet, loving this.
Fabien: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! OHHHH!! HEHEHEHAHAHAHAHA!”
He laughed and moaned. Craig tickled behind his knees and Fabien laughed and moaned.
Fabien: “HAHAHAHAHA! MMMM!!”
He arched his back. Craig noticed his hardness. He lifted Fabien’s torso and began licking his ass. Fabien clutched onto the sheets and gnashed his teeth as he felt Craig’s tongue tease his anus.
Fabien: “Mmmmm…! MMM!!!”
He kneaded the sheets and laughed when he felt Craig tickling his member.
Fabien: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OHHH!!”
He reddened, laughed, and felt on edge.
Craig pressed his lips against Fabien’s. The urgency and strength demanded Fabien’s submission, compliance, and reciprocation.
Craig teased until Fabien’s lips were open and he dipped his tongue inside Fabien’s mouth, eagerly tasting every inch his tongue met.
Craig placed a firm grip on Fabien’s neck, pulling him flush against him and loving the sweet moan he gifted Fabien with. He locked his arm around Fabien’s waist, making certain he stayed right where he wanted him, pressed firmly against his cock, making Fabien ache, and hopefully feeling just as achy himself.
Craig reached over and clumsily opened the nightstand drawer to get the anal lube. He opened the lubricant, applying it to his fingers and gently rubbing at the puckered skin of Fabien’s entrance, trying to hold on to what little restraint he had.
Craig straddled Fabien on his lap while kissing and sucking on his neck. Fabien felt an electric sensation course through his entire body as the most masculine part of him hardened. Craig's smile broadened and he sank two fingers into Fabien's entrance and reveled in the pleasure-filled moan that Fabiem let loose into the air.
Slowly, Craig removed his fingers and lined his cock up pressing slowly into Fabien’s body. Blinding heat enveloped him as Fabien lowered himself gradually. Fabien’s body tightened before they were completely joined.
Craig: “Good boy…”
He crooned softly, wrapping his arms around him as he pressed harder into his body.
Craig tightened his grip on Fabien’s hips, pistoning into his body until Fabien keened in ecstasy, his body milking Craig for his essence, his strength, his ability to focus on anything other than the point where their bodies were joined.
When he couldn’t hold his release back any longer, he buried himself so deeply inside Fabien, increasing the pace of his thrusts and listening to his sweet moans, until Fabien threw his head back and moaned and Craig climaxed inside of him.
~
After Craig and Fabien showered together and cleaned up, Fabien stepped out, slipped on his green plaid flannel pajama bottoms, and sat on the couch in the living room. He grabbed his package of cigarettes, withdrew one, and lit it up. He put his bare feet on the ottoman and inhaled a drag. Craig came out in his underwear. He grinned at him and sat by him, putting his feet up on the table. Fabien gaped at him.
Fabien: “Why are you putting your stinky feet by my feet?”
He asked with some irritation.
Craig: “Stinky?!”
He gaped at him.
Craig: “They ain’t stinky!”
He huffed. Fabien snorted.
Fabien: “Yeah, they fucking are.”
He playfully hit him.
Craig: “No they’re not!”
He pouted.
Fabien: “Why does Gus always huff your boots and socks?”
He challenged.
Craig: “Cos he’s a creepy weirdo fuck!”
He pouted.
Fabien: “He’s not huffing mine.”
He said flatly.
Craig: “Maybe he only likes boots?!”
He shrugged.
Fabien: “Or MAYBE he only likes stinky feet?!”
He gasped and cupped his cheeks, feigning surprise.
Craig: “Then why doesn’t he sniff Jaclyn’s stinky heels, HUH?!”
He threw his arms up. Fabien flicked his ashes into the tray.
Fabien: “He does. I just don’t want that in my house.”
He exhaled a long drag.
Fabien: “So are you serious about finding your grandpa?”
He asked and fixed his gaze on him.
Craig: “Fuckin’ oath.”
He nodded.
Fabien: “What will you say to him? And do you know where he comes from?”
He asked.
Craig: “...I got NO idea.”
He sighed.
Fabien: “I guess we’ll find that out somehow…”
He said as his voice trailed off.
Craig: “HOW though?”
He knit his eyebrows. Fabien lowered his head.
Fabien: “I don’t know.”
~
Celeste had to be stealthy. It was her mission. She had to sneak attacks and couldn’t be detected by anyone. She was now THE FOOT NINJA. She wore a Saraya tank top, frayed leather jacket, jean skirt, skull belt, fishnet hose, and motorcycle heel boots with a buckle around the ankle. She had a skull bandana tied under her nose.
She jumped from tree to tree and leaped through an open window of Fabien’s house. Fabien and Craig were sleeping. She crawled on the floor and lifted the sheets off. She saw Fabien’s creamy soft feet and gaped at Craig’s hardened stinky feet. She made a face at Craig’s feet but marveled at Fabien’s smooth soles. It’s time, she thought.
She scribbled her nails all over Fabien’s milky soles. He twitched, kicked his feet, and laughed.
Fabien: “HAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Craig snapped his eyes awake to Fabien’s laughter.
Craig: “Wh-Wha?! Fabien?!”
He looked down at his feet and saw red when he saw a pair of hands tickling him.
Craig: “OI! GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE, GUS!”
He rasped. Celeste resumed tickling Fabien’s feet. He shrieked and laughed. This tickled like Hell and he liked this.
Fabien: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”
He laughed and pressed his hands against his temples.
Craig: “HEY!”
He roared, rolling out of bed and tripping over his boots.
Gus was by the door rocking back and forth inhaling Craig’s stinky socks as Celeste tickled Fabien’s feet.
Fabien: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHEHEHEHEHAHAHA!!”
He cackled as tears welled in his eyes. Craig gaped at Gus.
Craig: “What the fuck?! If you’re there then… WHO THE FUCK IS THAT?!”
He shrieked at the figure in the darkness looming over Fabien’s feet, tickling him all over. Celeste lept back into the window and flipped outside. Fabien panted and laughed. Craig fumed at the figure, pumping his fist at them.
Craig: “FUCK OFF, DICKHEAD!”
He yelled at them and then turned to Fabien, tending to him.
Fabien reached up and caressed his face.
Fabien: “I have to get ready for work.”
He traced his thumb over his cheek and kissed him.
Craig: “Wh-Wha? What about what just happened?!”
He gaped at him acting as if it were nothing strange.
Fabien: “What? Someone came in to give me a good chuckle. Nothing was stolen. No one was hurt.”
He rose from bed and saw Gus huffing Craig’s boots. Craig gaped at him.
Gus: “Craig, will you drive me to work later when you go to work?”
He asked as Fabien strolled past him and went to the bathroom and to shower. Craig’s face remained set to stunned. He wordlessly grabbed his boots off Gus and snarled at him.
~
Celeste stealthily made her way out and onto her next mission. She stood before Tristan’s house. She lept on the roof of the garage and opened the window to Tristan’s bedroom. He was sleeping. Tristan had his long wavy hair loose and wore silver silk pajamas. She dashed to his bed and lifted the sheets revealing his slender, milky, and soft soles. She took a whiff and like Fabien’s, they didn’t stink. They had a wonderful vanilla, oakmoss, and minty scent.
She smirked and scribbled her nails all over Tristan’s soles and toes. He shrieked and jumped, laughing hysterically and kicking his feet.
Tristan: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! WHAHAHAHAHAHAHAT?!”
He laughed and kicked his feet. Celeste snaked her arm around his ankles and tickled his feet all over.
Tristan: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!! CELESTE! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!”
He laughed through wheezing. Tears welled in his green eyes as he breathed ragged breaths between laughing.
Tristan: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA OHOHOHOHO! OH GEEZ! OH GOD! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!!”
He laughed and gasped for air between the tickling.
She released him from her grasp, jumped back, and jumped out the window. Tristan flopped on the bed and wiped the sweat from his forehead as he panted for air. He turned over and saw Deimos was gone. He frowned when he saw he wasn’t there. He would like to wake up once and have Deimos put his arms over him while Tristan rests his head on his chest.
He paused. Am I… developing feelings for him? I brushed it off when others said it, he thought. He grounded his eyes with his fists and sat up hugging his legs.
~
Fabien was working at Danny Donger’s waiting on tables and Craig sat at the bar gazing at Fabien. Fabien was carrying trays of food from the kitchen out to the customers.
Craig: “Over here, hot stuff!”
He commanded, clicking his fingers at him.
Fabien: “Oh, sorry, sir, I have a boyfriend who can take you out with one whiff of his stinky feet! You don’t wanna mess with him!”
He teased.
Craig: “BOYFRIEND?! OI! I’M YOUR BOYFRIEND!”
He barked. Fabien chuckled.
Suddenly, Celeste snuck behind him and trailed her hands on his torso tickling his tummy and inserting her finger in his bellybutton and wiggling it. Fabien shrieked throwing the tray in the air, the food falling on the floor, and the beer bottles smashing upon impact. He burst out laughing.
Fabien: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”
He laughed and wiggled in her grasp. Craig saw red and marched up in a fury.
Craig: “OI! GET OFF HIM, ASSHOLE!”
He rasped, still not seeing the obvious identity in front of him. Celeste knelt to the floor and delivered a spinning low sweep kick taking Craig’s legs out, and he crashed face-first into the spaghetti.
Craig: “ARGH! What the fuck?! You’re gonna pay for that, mate!”
He glared at Celeste. She jumped on Jeremy’s head, planting his face in the cake, and out the window.
Fabien shivered and laughed.
Fabien: “Oh my!”
Craig pouted.
Craig: “Oh my?!”
He challenged.
Fabien: “Felt good!”
He said and started cleaning up the mess. Craig seethed.
Craig: “That guy has NOTHIN’ on me! You’re MY bass guitar!”
He huffed.
Fabien: “Wow, I’m an object to you! Just as I am to everyone else in this restaurant.”
He snapped. He grabbed a beer stein and curled the contents of the stein in Craig’s face. Craig recoiled.
Craig: “Wh-What?! I didn’t mean it like that?!”
Fabien turned to the bartender.
Fabien: “Taking a smoke break.”
He stormed outside, leaving Craig there. Craig gaped at him and followed him out.
Craig: “Fabien, wait!”
He went outside to the outdoor patio dining area and paced around. Craig burst through the doors, rushing up to him.
Craig: “I didn’t mean it like that! I was teasin’! I thought you loved bein’ my bass guitar!”
He pleaded with him. Fabien pounded his chest.
Fabien: “I’m not a fucking object! That’s all I am to everyone else in that bar!”
He cried. Someone interjected.
Man: “So, nothing has changed, Craig?”
Craig froze and turned to see Andreas standing behind them on the sidewalk.
Craig: “Andreas?!”
He pursed his lips. Fabien gaped at Andreas and his hurt turned to fury when he glared at Craig.
A black Danny Donger’s waiter came out with a cake for a customer. Fabien took the cake from him and threw it at Craig’s face. Craig froze, too stunned to speak. Andreas shook his head.
Andreas: “Looks like you got cake on your face… again, Craig.”
He said dryly. Fabien had tears in his eyes.
Fabien: “Go to him, Craig! You don’t love me anyway!”
He sobbed.
Fabien: “You only told your oafish father you loved me because you didn’t want him pairing you with our bitchy neighbor!”
He slapped him as he sobbed. Craig drew back and his lip trembled.
Craig: “What?! That ain’t fuckin’ true! I do love you!”
He pleaded with him.
Fabien: “Like your bass guitar? The band you gave up?”
He wept.
Craig: “I didn’t tell Dad I loved Andreas! I told him I loved YOU!”
He said doggedly and pointed to Andreas and then to Fabien. Fabien’s eyes widened. Andreas was stunned beyond disbelief.
Andreas: “Did that really happen?”
He asked them skeptically. Fabien turned to him.
Fabien: “Of course, it did… It’s why Leon suffered three heart attacks.”
He said and wiped his eyes. Andreas’ eyes widened.
Craig: “He ain’t bein’ sarcastic, that’s what actually happened.”
He confirmed.
Craig: “I love you so much I’d kill for you! I almost killed my own dad!”
He pleaded with Fabien and wrapped his big arms around him, his rough palms caressing Fabien’s soft skin, and kissed him deeply. Fabien’s eyes widened and he relaxed in Craig’s grasp. He closed his eyes and kissed him back. Andreas felt bittersweet. On one hand, he was bitter that Craig never showed him this respect when they were together, but on the other hand, he was done with him and was glad he was finally moving on from him.
Andreas: “Well, good to see you finally broke away from that hamster wheel you were treading on, Craig.”
He nodded.
Craig: “I’m not a fuckin’ hamster.”
He huffed.
Andreas: “Not anymore, I guess. I thought you would never change and always remain the same. Looks like you proved me wrong. That’s a feat.”
He shrugged.
Someone stepped out. It was a short, balding, fat white man in glasses. He wore a white pressed shirt, a Danny Donger’s tie, dark gray pants, and black Oxfords. He was the manager of the restaurant, Gary Owens.
Gary: “THAT CAKE?! Who will pay for the cake and the food you dropped, Fabien?!”
He shrieked. Fabien pointed to Andreas.
Fabien: “That generous man over there. He got a nice settlement from Tristan and he complimented Craig on changing.”
He said to him. Andreas frowned at Fabien and turned to Craig.
Andreas: “I’m not cleaning up your messes anymore, Craig. Just because you’ve changed doesn’t mean I forgive you or want anything to do with you.”
He said firmly. Craig held his hand up.
Craig: “Nah, I made the mess, so I’ll take care of it.”
He insisted. Andreas gave him a surprised look.
Craig: “Sorry that I fucked everythin’ up between us. If there’s anythin’ I can do to fix that mess let me know. You don’t gotta have anythin’ to do with me… I get it. I got Fabien now ‘n he made me realize a bunch of stuff ‘n I don’t wanna fuck this up, too!”
He stated.
Andreas: “There’s nothing that will fix past mistakes. Just learn from it and don’t make the same mistake again with him.”
He nodded to Fabien.
Fabien: “He won’t. He indulges in my kinks a bit and is getting better in bed, thanks to me.”
He said smugly. Craig grinned at Fabien and put his arm around him.
Andreas: “That’s more than I wanted to know but all right. Enjoy your life.”
He didn’t want to think of his ex and this man like that.
Fabien: “Hey, Andreas, I got some pin-ups in the shop. If you ever feel like being less of a stick in the mud, you can get your rocks off on me. I won’t mind.”
He grinned and chuckled. Andreas frowned.
Andreas: “No thanks.”
He declined and turned to Craig.
Andreas: “You really are the perfect match for Craig.”
He stated.
Fabien: “I know. I love Craig in his language.”
He winked. Craig snickered and winked back at him.
Craig: “Yeah, Wicked-Sicklish!”
He grinned and snaked his arm around Fabien.
Andreas: “Well, enjoy your life.”
He nodded and left. Craig watched him as he walked away and he finally didn’t feel sad to see him walk away from him. He turned to Fabien and smiled at him with a kiss, looking forward to his future with him. Fabien kissed him back and rested his head on his chest.
~
That evening, Dougal entered Danny Donger’s and looked around for Fabien.
Dougal: “Oi, bruv, where the fuck is that sexy Frenchie?!”
He barked at the bartender. He paused.
Bartender: “Fabien? Oh, he wrapped up his shift.”
Dougal: “AW, BOLLOCKS!”
He stomped his foot.
Bartender: “Uh, he has some pin-ups in the gift shop if you’re interested!”
He nodded to the gift shop. Dougal’s black eyes lit up.
Dougal: “OOOOH! SCHMOO-DAR!”
He waddled to the gift shop.
~
Dougal drove around downtown Pink Top City in his gold Lamborghini Countach waiting for his Schmoo-dar to go off. When he came across a shop called, “Måneravn”, it did. Tarot readings?! He wondered. He always got the same reading and felt this time it would be different. He parked in front and got out with pictures in hand. They gotta know what I am after first, he thought. He entered the store.
Dougal: “I need a tarot reading done! It’s a life or death situation!”
He announced. Andreas was stocking shelves and stopped what he was doing to turn to the large man staring at him with his cold, black eyes. Dougal gaped at him.
Andreas: “All right.”
He nodded, grabbed one of his tarot decks, and led him over to the table with the purple velvet cloth. He sat down across from Dougal and began shuffling.
Andreas: “Whenever you’re ready, tell me when to stop shuffling.”
He stated.
Dougal: “Before I begin, I’m here because of these men.”
He showed him Fabien’s lewd and nude pin-ups from Danny Donger’s especially the ones showing off his feet, a picture of Tristan showing off his feet while wearing his dark purple suit, and Deimos posing with his bass guitar showing off his feet. Andreas gaped at him. Were these the only photos he could find of them? I didn’t want to see Craig’s boyfriend’s nudes, but for some reason the universe really wants me to see them. Why does he have those photos and why is he here because of them? He wondered.
Dougal: “I want a reading saying they will lick each other’s ass like a sexy centipede and all three to suck my fat todger!”
He nodded and licked his lips. Andreas gaped at him. Did he really just say that? He thought.
Andreas: “...What? …It doesn’t quite work like that…”
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Dougal: “I need a good reading! I can’t use that bloody fleshlight forever! My todger needs a real ass, you know?”
He chuckled. Andreas shuddered at the thought of that.
Andreas: “Okay, tell me when to stop shuffling.”
He cleared his throat, shuffling his cards.
Dougal: “Okay, you can stop! Demanding, are we?”
He snorted.
Three cards fell out of his deck and scattered across the table. Andreas was taken by surprise as that didn’t happen often and when it did it meant the message was very important and the person needed to see it. He dragged the three cards across the table and positioned them in front of him. He flipped over the first card, revealing “The Devil.” He glanced over at Douglal, scrutinizing him and his cold, black stare and creepy smile. No surprises there, he thought to himself. Dougal gaped at it. I always get that bloody card, he thought.
Andreas: “Going by your intentions behind this reading surrounding these men, it seems this is your sin. You’re indulging in your lust for them and you want to bind them to you with these chains here.”
Dougal laughed.
Dougal: “Ooooh, you know me well, lad.”
He grinned showing his crooked yellow teeth and wiggled his eyebrows. Andreas quirked his eyebrow at him when he seemed to take that as a compliment and too well. He flipped over the next card. Death in reverse. Dougal scowled. Again?! He wondered.
Andreas: “When death shows up in a reading, it doesn’t always mean literal death, it means the ending of something in your life. Seeing as this is in reverse, it means that you’re reluctant to accept the end of something and you’re stuck living in the past. Perhaps you had a tie to these men in your past, but now that’s no longer. You’re still trying to hold onto this with these chains here in the Devil, but that’s dead now and out of your control. Your refusal to change and accept change is stopping you from living and is the cause of many things ending in your life.”
He stated. Dougal folded his arms.
Dougal: “Bollocks! There’s nothing I need to change! I need my men to obey me! They need to accept I’m their savior!”
He pointed to himself.
Andreas: “You can’t control others, you can only control your own actions.”
He stated and flipped over the next card, which was “The Tower” in reverse. Dougal furrowed his eyebrows. Again?! He wondered.
Dougal: “Yeah, I heard it… ‘It’s crashing down on ya, lad and you’re keeping it together with duct tape.’ Well, duct tape is good for many things… including keeping men in their place and their mouths shut.”
He said darkly. Andreas gaped at him.
Andreas: “You can’t hold a tower up with duct tape. You need to let it go. Break out of this cycle and rebuild again. You can’t keep these men in your life if they don’t want to be there. You need to let them go.”
He stated. Dougal gaped at him.
Dougal: “What are you trying to tell me? You want to take their place?”
He smirked and leaned back. Andreas drew back with discomfort and gaped at how much he missed the point. Was he this dense or in denial?
Dougal: “Why? You can join ‘em, too. There’s enough of Dougie’s Donger for all of you to gulp up.”
He chuckled.
Andreas: “No, that’s not what I’m trying to tell you. No, thanks. I don’t want any part in that.”
He shuddered and rose from his table.
Andreas: “Anyway, that concludes our reading for today. Thank you.”
He cleared his throat, heading over to the door, hoping he would leave.
Dougal grabbed his wrist and had him sit on his lap. Andreas was taken aback, too stunned to speak or react.
Dougal: “Nah, mate, we’re gettin’ started! When I saw this place, my schmoodar went off! My schmoodar is an alert in my brain to tell me hot men are near!”
He crooned.
Andreas: “Excuse me? What are you doing?! Get off me! Schmoodar?!”
He gaped at him and pulled away from him. Dougal grabbed his face and pulled it toward his.
Dougal: “I don’t like disobedient men…”
He growled.
Andreas: “I don’t want you!”
He gagged catching a waft of his breath.
Dougal: “Shut up, lad! You all say that!”
He squeezed Andreas’ jaw and reached around to undo his belt. Andreas’ heart pounded in his chest and he tried to writhe away, but his grip was too strong.
Suddenly, Dougal was haymakered and his massive body flew into the glass display case of the dragon statues. Andreas finally felt like he could breathe again and he glanced up to see who or what caused that whale of a man to fly across his shop. Celeste stood before them.
Celeste: “You never fuckin’ learn, do you?”
Dougal wiped his bloody nose and glared at her with hatred. Andreas gaped at her. How did she do that? He wondered.
Dougal: “I am so fuckin’ sick of you women interfering with my hot man-on-man action! GO HOME, GIRLY! The boys are playing and this is a no girls allowed zone!”
He bellowed and Celeste delivered a hard kick to his stomach knocking the wind out of him and sending him crashing into the suit of armor. Dougal staggered up.
Dougal: “Where is Darashinai?! Goddamnit, if it weren’t for my sexy men interfering, Darashinai would make mincemeat out of ya!”
She delivered another roundhouse kick to him and he flew out the window and crashed into his car, setting off the alarm.
Dougal lay on his smashed car passed out and Celeste stood in the destruction of Måneravn. Andreas gaped at Dougal as he lay on the smashed car and turned to Celeste.
Andreas: “...Thank you. What the hell just happened?!”
He exclaimed.
Celeste: “I think that fat guy wanted to rape you.”
She said flatly.
Andreas: “...I know.”
He embraced himself and shuddered with disgust.
Andreas: “I mean, who was that guy and how did you manage to knock him out?!”
He asked.
Celeste: “Oh, he’s some fat guy Tristan and Deimos knew from when they were in high school or something.”
She drawled.
Andreas: “High School?! What, was he their teacher or something? That guy looks like he’s in his fifties.”
He groused.
Celeste: “No, just some guy they met on a Zoom the Guinea Pig web forum.”
She replied. Andreas frowned.
Andreas: “No wonder I got a creepy feeling about him when he came in.”
He groused.
Celeste paused.
Celeste: “Sorry about your store.”
She finally said. Andreas sighed when he looked at all the damage.
Andreas: “It's not your fault… it could have been much worse.”
He frowned at Dougal.
Andreas: “I want to thank you for saving me from that creep, so I want you to have this.”
He reached to the top of his shelves and pulled out a black wooden box, presenting it to her. He lifted the lid, revealing the switchblade knife with a handle made from tumbled amethyst stone. Her eyes lit up.
Celeste: “OOOOOH! Pretty! And deadly! Thanks!”
She took it. Andreas smiled and nodded.
Andreas: “I had a feeling you might like it.”
Celeste turned to him.
Celeste: “I forgot why I came here.”
She pointed to his tarot cards.
Celeste: “Maybe the cards said I was supposed to be here to save you from Dougal.”
She stated. Andreas glanced up at her.
Andreas: “Maybe you’re right? Maybe you’re here for a reason.”
Celeste went out, got Dougal’s wallet, and handed Andreas a wad of cash.
Celeste: “Well, this should help with the store. Anyway, I’m going to go. I think Deimos and Tristan are gonna eat and I don’t wanna miss it!”
She said and lept back and jumped on the building across the street, leaping on buildings. Andreas waved her off.
Andreas: “Thanks for everything.”
~
Deimos and Lazaros sat in the living room of the Katsaros hacienda. Deimos wore a Pantera tank top, torn jeans, and cowboy boots. Lazaros wore a silver pressed shirt, purple waistcoat with silver swirl designs, a gold tie, black trousers, and black loafers with a gold clasp.
Lazaros: “You could have wore something better since Father is coming.”
He said firmly. Deimos folded his arms and huffed.
Lazaros: “You would if it was Wonder Boy…”
Deimos: “Leave him out of this.”
He hissed.
The limousine parked in front of the Katsaros hacienda. A sharply dressed Greek man in an expensive suit, with close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair and strong, sharp facial features adjusted his suit and nodded to the chauffeur. He was dressed in an Italian-cut suit, white dress shirt, and a black and gold silk cravat around his neck and stuffed into the white shirt. On his feet, he wore black dress shoes. He stood at five feet and eight inches tall and had an athletic build for someone his age.
He is Deimos and Lazaros’ father, Giorgos Katsaros. He is a 61-year-old archeologist. He made his fortune when he parted with a prized coin he discovered in one of his digs. It was the first coin used to make a purchase in ancient civilization. He refused to part with this coin claiming it brought him luck, until a teenage genius from Anglia, Sylvia Hughes convinced him that it would be best at a museum. He eventually relented and parted with the coin in 1969 giving the Katsaros family the fortune they currently have. Giorgos found pieces of a statue or an urn that were once on planet Earth to sell to museums, mainly museums showing Reonans what life on Earth was like, Earthling culture, history, etc.
He stepped inside the manor. Lazaros stood erect while Deimos slouched down on the couch.
Lazaros: “Hello, Father! How was your trip?”
He asked. Giorgos scrutinized the house making sure nothing was out of place.
Giorgos: “I am not back yet, Lazaros! That won’t be until the Donovans’ Christmas Ball, which I will be attending!”
He examined his teeth and hair in the mirror. Lazaros smiled at his father.
Lazaros: “Father, I made your favorite, right here in this kitchen!”
He added. Giorgos inhaled sharply.
Giorgos: “I can smell the chicken cacciatore, Lazaros! Always good to see you working so hard.”
He went over to Lazaros and petted his head. Lazaros beamed.
Giorgos: “Unfortunately, our cruise won’t be docked that long, so I won’t be able to stay.”
Lazaros bowed his head. Deimos looked unimpressed. You knew this would happen, why do you bother? He wondered.
Giorgos: “Perhaps, you could make some at Christmas. In the meantime, your brother could use some good home-cooked food and not that trash he eats out.”
He said smugly. Deimos flicked a cold glare at them both.
Lazaros: “Father, I try to tell him but Tristan convinces him otherwise!”
Deimos: “You leave Tristan out of this.”
He growled.
Giorgos: “Deimos, we’re talking. Help yourself to that meal your brother made. You could do more around here.”
He waved his hand to him. Deimos rolled his eyes. Why bother? I’m always wrong and Dad is always right, he thought.
Giorgos headed to the door.
Giorgos: “I should go. Always a pleasure to see you, Lazaros. Take care of Deimos. Someone has to.”
He said in a saccharine tone and left.
Deimos: “Okay, Lazaros, you can drop your act. Take your meal to Ashley as an apology for being a dick on Thanksgiving.”
He waved his hand.
Lazaros: “Ashley needs to apologize to me. I have nothing to say to them otherwise. I did nothing wrong, Deimos.”
He said smugly.
Deimos: “No, just inviting Celeste, Tristan, and me to one-up him. Ashley doesn’t have the hots for him.”
Lazaros rolled his eyes.
Lazaros: “I am not apologizing for something I didn’t do wrong. You had no one. Tristan manipulated the situation.”
Deimos: “I have Tristan. I don’t need you to ‘save’ me. I will save Tristan from you. He manipulated nothing and you know it.”
He growled. Lazaros bowed his head.
Lazaros: “Well, this is too much for just me to eat, Deimos. I made it with love and care.”
He cried.
Deimos: “Yeah, and Dad didn’t give a shit.”
Lazaros bowed his head and looked away.
Deimos: “Anyway, it doesn’t matter who is wrong between you and Ashley. I don’t care and it has no effect on me. Knowing them, they’ll chase you anyway as they did Maxx.”
He huffed.
Lazaros: “Well, it’s about time someone did, Deimos! I work so hard for all of you and no one looks out for me the way I look out for them!”
He cried and stormed out of the house.
Lazaros went out on the lawn embracing himself and cursing under his breath that his meal was wasted. He knew Deimos was right but he held onto hope his father would have dinner with them and stop tending to his wallowing mother. He heard footsteps approaching him. He hoped it was his father coming to tend to him, but he looked up and saw Ashley standing in front of him. They nervously embraced themselves, holding a box in their hands with a ribbon around it. They were dressed in a paisley dress shirt and bell-bottom jeans with sandals on their feet.
Ashley: “H-Hey, Lazaros… I-I’m sorry I made you sad!”
They knit their eyebrows, noting Lazaros’ sadness, thinking he was crying about them.
Lazaros: “It’s not you. It’s… Deimos.”
He shifted his eyes. Ashley titled their head, taken by surprise and a sense of relief.
Ashley: “O-Oh? Deimos made you cry?”
They pressed him.
Lazaros: “He told me Father didn’t care about the big meal I made… and he didn’t.”
He said slowly. Ashley gasped and cupped their mouth.
Ashley: “What?! How could anyone not care about a big meal you made?! I’d be so happy if you made a big meal for me, it’d be the best thing ever!”
They exclaimed with outrage. Lazaros smiled a bit and brushed his hair behind his ear.
Lazaros: “Well, Father’s cruise was going to leave and he couldn’t stay. You know how that is!”
He forced a smile. Ashley titled their head.
Ashley: “Uh, not really, haha? My parents never came back…”
They sighed.
Lazaros: “Sorry about that… In a way, neither did mine. They’re always away. I know it’s not the same thing.”
He mumbled. Ashley knit their eyebrows, empathizing with him.
He cleared his throat.
Lazaros: “Well, Deimos is not going to eat it. He is going to do whatever Tristan wants, so do you want to join me?”
He offered and tilted his head. Ashley’s eyes lit up with a gasp.
Ashley: “R-Really?!”
Lazaros: “It’s chicken cacciatore. It’s my father’s favorite!”
He chirped.
Ashley: “Ooh, that sounds delish! I also brought you a pumpkin cheesecake I baked!”
They smiled at him, lifting the lid off the box, and presenting him with a fresh cheesecake, beaming bright orange and garnished with cinnamon and pecans. Lazaros’ eyes lit up and he smiled at Ashley.
Lazaros: “I am glad you did this as you should have!”
He said earnestly.
He went inside and got the casserole and brought it up to his house.
Ashley: “Thank you! I-I’m sorry…”
They beamed at him, removing their sandals at the door as they entered with him.
Lazaros: “You’re forgiven. I can’t fault you for falling for Tristan’s trickery.”
He smiled down at them. He then placed the casserole in his kitchen and led them to his dining room. It had a china cabinet with fine china and silverware, a long table with throne chairs and a chandelier overhanging the table. Ashley’s eyes sparkled at the setup and the sight of all the food.
Ashley: “Oh, WOW! I’m so blessed to be treated to this amazing feast!”
They beamed, cupping their cheeks as they approached the table.
Lazaros: “I know.”
He smiled.
He dished up their meals, came out with a bread basket, and a bottle of Chianti Classico. He poured their wine in their glasses, lit the candles on the candelabra, and sat down to eat. Ashley sat down across from him and blushed.
Ashley: “Wow… no one has ever done this for me before…”
Lazaros: “First for everything.”
He smiled and raised a glass. Ashley smiled at him and followed suit, raising their glass with his.
Ashley: “Cling!”
They beamed, gently tapping his glass.
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