Hellbent
Chapter 29
Rockstar Resort
Ashley was sleeping in that morning. They rolled over and felt that where Lazaros lay was now bare. Ashley sat up in bed.
Ashley: “Lazaros?!”
The smell of bacon, scrambled eggs, sausages, pancakes, and blueberry muffins pervaded the house. It was the sweetest smell they had smelled in a while and brought a huge smile to their face.
~
Ashley sauntered into the kitchen, dressed in bell-bottom jeans and a white paisley buttoned shirt, exposing their neckline with their father’s faux fur coat over the top.
Ashley: “O-oh wow, Lazaros! What’s all this?!”
They beamed at Lazaros as he prepared breakfast for them.
Lazaros: “Morning, beautiful! It’s breakfast for you, sunshine!”
He nodded. Ashley cupped their cheeks and reddened at being called ‘beautiful.
Ashley: “Awww! T-That’s so sweet, Lazaros! Sunshine? Hehehe!”
They pulled him into a hug and kissed his cheek. Lazaros reddened.
Lazaros: “Sweet for my sweet!”
He blurted and blushed. Ashley giddily reddened like a schoolkid and rushed over to the table to delight in his meal.
Ashley: “Hehe, you’re sweet!”
They playfully and lightly slapped his arm. Lazaros gripped their hand. Ashly shivered and fluttered their eyes at him, swallowing hard at his grip.
Lazaros: “I will sit with you while you eat, and then I have to go to work.”
He said softly.
Ashley: “Ooh, where are you working here?”
They asked, digging into their bacon and eggs.
Lazaros: “I am a chef at a five-star resort.”
He replied as he fixed his gaze on them eating. Ashley poured maple syrup onto their pancakes and delicately cut a slice.
Ashley: “Ooh! There’s a five-star resort in Selene Valley?!”
They asked, taking a bite of their pancakes. Lazaros inhaled sharply as he gazed at them.
Lazaros: “Sure is.”
He said as his voice trailed off. Ashley caught his eyes on them and smiled.
Ashley: “...What?”
They stammered, cutting another slice of pancake and delicately sliding it into their mouth. Lazaros reddened.
Lazaros: “Nothing, just glad you love my food.”
He raked his fingers through his hair. Ashley smiled at him.
Ashley: “Hehe, of course I do!”
They beamed at him, slowly biting into the muffin and locking their gaze onto Lazaros. Lazaros bit his bottom lip and drummed his fingers. He let out a barely audible moan. Ashley reddened and felt their heart beating in their chest.
Ashley: “Mmm, this is so delicious…”
They hummed softly, gazing at him as they bit into the muffin.
Lazaros: “God, yes…”
He whispered. Ashley smiled at him.
Ashley: “Why aren’t you eating anything?”
They laughed, taking another bite of their pancakes.
Lazaros: “I already ate.”
He said tersely and bit his bottom lip. Ashley tilted their head, wondering why he didn’t eat with them.
Ashley: “Oh! Okay!”
They chuckled and finished off their pancakes. Lazaros licked his lips, and his breathing hitched.
Ashley: “Are you okay, Lazaros?”
They smiled at him, finishing off their muffin.
Lazaros: “Everything is… wonderful.”
He said with a gleam in his eyes. Ashley smiled at him and reddened.
Ashley: “Yes, it is…”
They said softly.
Ashley: “Thank you so much for breakfast!”
They leaned forward, placing their hand on his over the table. Lazaros grasped their hand.
Lazaros: “You’re welcome…”
He said softly. Ashley closed their eyes and beamed.
He cleared his throat and rose.
Lazaros: “I have to work. I will be back tonight.”
He smiled. Ashley glanced up at him with dewy doe eyes.
Ashley: “...Can I come with you to the resort, too?”
They asked softly, swaying in their chair. Lazaros’ eyes sparkled.
Lazaros: “Of course! You can watch me while I work, and I can watch you indulge in the delicious meals. Win-win.”
He winked. Ashley beamed.
Ashley: “I’d love to see you work your magic! Oooh, I get to eat more delicious food?!
They cupped their cheeks.
Lazaros: “We have a buffet, so I implore you to treat yourself.”
He placed his hand on their shoulder. Ashley shivered at his touch.
Ashley: “Wow, that sounds amazing!”
They clasped their hands together. Lazaros led them out to his car. Ashley took his hand and left with him.
~
They arrived at the resort on the beach surrounded by hedges. There was a big sign out the front that read: “Valley Peaks Resort” in teal cursive font. It was an angular white building with a large lunette window at the centre, showing the tall palm trees inside. The view of the beach surrounded it, filling in the scenery.
Ashley took Lazaros’ hand as they entered with him. Ashley chuckled as they entered the rotating door.
Ashley: “Wow, that's such a weird door!”
They remarked.
Lazaros: “Huh, I guess so!”
They entered the lobby, which was a wide open space with marble floors with large white pillars. The reception desk was adjacent to the door with the elevators beside it. On the other side of it was an archway leading into the buffet and kitchen area.
Ashley: “Wow, you get to cook delicious food in all these beautiful places all over the world!”
They beamed at Lazaros, tugging at his sleeve and marvelling at their surroundings.
Lazaros: “Thank you so, so much! I have to work so please make yourself at home.”
He said gently to them and left to go into the kitchen. Ashley sighed happily as they watched him go.
Ashley: “I’m so lucky…”
They beamed, admiring him as his midnight tresses swayed as he walked.
The doors rotated open and a familiar face stepped in. Jaxon sauntered into the resort wearing Rayban sunglasses over his face and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He wore a red leather jacket with a charcoal snakeskin shirt, exposing his tattooed chest and chain around his neck. He had his arm draped around the beautiful green-haired woman from the “Rockstar-fuckers” video they saw back in Swanton. Celeste wore a studded leather jacket with fringe, a leopard print dress with a belt with a huge buckle on her waist, black ankle strap boots, and a black leather cap. She was sucking on a cherry lolipop and looking at Jaxon as she did so. Ashley flicked their gaze to her, wanting a lollipop so they could look cool and sexy, too.
Ashley: “Hey, Jaxon!”
They waved and greeted him with a smile.
Jaxon: “Hey, it’s you!”
He lowered his sunglasses at Ashley and grinned at them.
Ashley: “Where’s the rest of Axe Beest?”
They asked.
Jaxon: “Axe Beest is dead.”
He huffed, crushing his cigarette in the ashtray.
Ashley: “Oh no, I’m sorry!”
They knit their eyebrows.
Jaxon: “Don’t be. I wouldn’t have known what that clown was up to if it weren’t for you.”
He said.
Ashley: “Likewise.”
They sighed.
Jaxon: “Anyway, we have a new name now, thanks to my special lady, Celeste.”
He grinned and draped his arm around the beautiful woman who had stolen a snack from the buffet. She held up a chocolate banana pop and sucked on it, gazing at him. Ashley glanced over at her with inspiration.
Celeste: “Yeah, he told me about it, and something or other happened, and he thought I said, ‘Steel Axe’ when I said, ‘Steal snacks.’ ”
She drawled. Jaxon marvelled at her and laughed.
Jaxon: “Haha, she’s my sexy lil snack thief!”
He teased, poking his tongue out at her and kissing her. She kissed him back. Ashley laughed and clasped their hands together.
Ashley: “Aww, that’s so romantic!”
They cooed.
Celeste: “I also ripped some prized cherry tree from the Malones and gave it to him. It was pretty, with pink petals and cherries. I liked it.”
Ashley’s eyes widened.
Ashley: “Wow?! You stole a whole TREE?!”
They gasped. Jaxon grinned and nodded in confirmation.
Celeste: “Yeah! You know how people give their lovers flowers and stuff? I wanted to go big because he goes big.”
She purred. Jaxon grinned at her, draping his arm around her.
Jaxon: “Isn’t she amazing?!”
He sighed longingly into her eyes. She grinned, showing her sharp fangs. Jaxon grinned at her sharp fangs, blowing her a cheeky raspberry. Celeste let out a peal of giggles and snuggled into him.
Ashley sighed happily and longingly as they observed their playful and loving affections, thinking of Lazaros.
Celeste: “The woman in the pantsuit and glasses had an aneurysm when she saw me.”
She laughed. Ashley laughed and smirked. What is this feeling? Why am I feeling good that something bad happened to them? They wondered.
Ashley: “That’s so sweet! Lazaros cooks me lots of yummy food!”
They chirped and sighed dreamily, thinking of him and his cooking.
Celeste: “Lazaros?”
She asked them. Ashley nodded and smiled.
Ashley: “You know him?”
They beamed.
Celeste: “Yeah, he’s the twin brother of my best friend, Deimos.”
She said quickly. Ashley’s eyes widened.
Ashley: “OH?! You know his twin brother?!”
They gasped.
Celeste: “Yeah! I know him and his boyfriend, Tristan! They’re my good friends!”
Ashley: “Oh, wow, what a small world!”
They beamed.
Celeste looked up at Jaxon.
Celeste: “What’s for dinner?”
She asked him.
Jaxon: “Whatever you want at the buffet, babe!”
He grinned at her. She leaned over and whispered in his ear.
Celeste: “I want your dick.”
She smirked. Jaxon shivered.
Jaxon: “Later. For dessert in our room.”
He whispered back. Ashley flushed, thinking of Lazaros. They beamed when they saw Lazaros coming their way.
Ashley: “Hey, Lazaros! Look who’s here!”
They chirped and waved at him.
Lazaros: “Hey, Ash!”
He turned to Celeste, and his smile faded.
Lazaros: “Hey, Celeste. How is Deimos doing?”
Celeste: “Good.”
She said tersely and didn’t look at him. Ashley tilted their head, looking at them owlishly, taking note of their interaction.
Lazaros cleared his throat.
Lazaros: “Let’s go to the buffet, hon! There’s plenty of good food!”
He beamed. Ashley flicked their gaze up at Lazaros.
Ashley: “Ooh, I’m so excited!”
They beamed, taking his hand.
Ashley: “See you around!”
They waved to Jaxon and Celeste and went with Lazaros into the buffet through the archway.
Lazaros led them to the room where the buffet was. It was a large room with a glass dome roof and an atrium in the centre of it. There were tables with red velvet couches and chairs and a smoking area at the corner of the room. There were so many things to choose from. There was chicken fried rice, spring rolls, pizza, salad, pasta, chicken tenders, fries, mussels, popcorn shrimp, and so much more. The dessert buffet had ice cream, pies, cakes, puddings, and brownies. Ashley beamed with delight, grabbing a plate and piling as much food as they could fit on it.
They sauntered over to the table Lazaros sat at, smoking his cigarillo and eyeing them up. Ashley giddily plonked their full plate of food down onto the table in front of them.
They sat across from Lazaros, flicking their gaze to him, sucking on a banana pop, trying to emulate what they saw Celeste do earlier. Ashley leaned back in their chair, eating their blueberry cheesecake with a barely audible moan as they caught Lazaros’ glances. Lazaros gazed at Ashley intently and reddened.
Ashley’s smile faded when they heard a familiar voice coo “Aww, good piggie!” from the table behind them. They froze when they saw Makayla sitting with a plump man. He resembled a planet with how his round stomach protruded and how high out of this world he was. He had a long blond shag haircut that hung over his bulbous nose and an olive tan complexion with hooded cerulean blue eyes. He was dressed in a denim jacket and dark blue jeans and wore Converse sneakers on his feet and a loose beanie slouched on his head. She was rubbing his fat belly as she stuffed his face with pizza and cake. He let out a loud burp.
Makayla looked up at Ashley.
Makayla: "Ashley?! W-What are you doing here?”
She stammered. Ashley gaped at her.
Makayla: “Who's that?!"
She gestured to Lazaros.
Ashley: “This is Lazaros.”
They smiled at Lazaros. Lazaros went to speak, but Makayla interjected.
Makayla: "Well, I've moved on, too! Or rather… rekindled."
She grinned and patted the man's fat belly as if she were a car salesman and he were the latest car model.
Fat man: “Hello!”
He beamed and waved his hand, eating a slice of pizza. Ashley froze when they recognised something familiar about him and his tattoo.
Ashley: "...No way... I-it can't be!"
They cupped their mouth, feeling sick, thinking of what they saw on that videotape.
Makayla: "This is-"
Ashley: “Lui è il mio cugino, Borealis…”
They gaped at the man. The man turned to him and smiled as if he understood.
Makayla: “What?!”
Ashley: "He's my COUSIN, Makayla!”
They hissed at her.
Makayla: “...WHAT?!”
She gaped at them both.
Ashley ignored her and turned to the man.
Ashley: “Oh my stars… Borealis?! I-I can't believe it!”
They cupped their mouth, examining him and how different he looked from the last time they saw each other at Sunshire. Damn, he got huge, they thought.
Brad: "WOAH! How do you know my old name? That’s not my name anymore! I’m Brad now!"
He laughed. Ashley gaped at him. Yep, that's Borealis, alright.
Ashley: "Because… I'm your cousin, Branch!"
They laughed, holding up their sunshine tattoo on their thumb.
Brad: "Woah! I used to have that tattoo, too! Now it’s a pizza, hahaha!"
He laughed, presenting him with his Sunshire tattoo that was now converted into a pizza tattoo, filling in the triangles as pizza slices and the round part as a full pepperoni pizza. Ashley laughed awkwardly.
Ashley: “Hahaha, uhh, how creative?”
They laughed and scratched their head. Wow, he’s high as a kite, they thought.
Ashley: "Don't you remember me?"
They knit their eyebrows.
Ashley: “You covered for me when I was supposed to be building stuff… and I covered for… your sister… so I could bake and she could do other stuff?”
They explained. Their tone soured when mentioning his sister. Brad blinked mutely.
Ashley: “...I baked cakes for you.”
They laughed. Brad smiled widely when he remembered.
Brad: “OH MY STARS! BRANCH!”
He rose from the table, whacking Makayla with his big belly as he pulled Ashley into a big bear hug. He towered over Ashley with his height of five foot eight. Ashley smiled a bit and hugged him back.
Brad: “Ha, I knew it! I knew you’d grow up to be a girl! Good for you, dude!”
He smiled at him, with a thumbs up. Ashley shifted their eyes.
Ashley: “Uhh, not quite? Wow… even you knew, huh?”
They awkwardly laughed and scratched their head.
Lazaros: “So, he’s your cousin?”
He asked. Ashley nodded in confirmation.
Ashley: “I haven’t seen anyone from Sunshire for years…”
Their voice trailed off with a tear in their eyes.
Makayla: “I’m sorry, I didn’t KNOW you were cousins!”
She cried.
Ashley: “So? You only liked me because we look alike.”
They laughed bitterly. Brad gazed at Ashley and laughed.
Brad: “Haha, no way! That’s so trippy!”
He smiled dumbly.
Lazaros: “Because she projected him onto you and wanted to make you into him.”
He replied. Ashley looked over at Brad and frowned.
Ashley: “I’m not Borealis or Brad… and I’m not a fetish either. I’m not a piggie or whatever.”
They folded their arms over and frowned at her.
Makayla: “Oh, come on! I see the way he looks at you when you eat, and I know you're into it, too.”
She pointed to Lazaros. Ashley reddened and looked away.
Lazaros: “Ashley is more than that. There is a deep connection, and I am not with them for fetishistic reasons. Don’t project your flaws onto me.”
He hissed. Ashley gazed up at him with stars in their eyes.
Ashley: “Aww, Lazaros!”
They beamed and wrapped their arms around him, kissing his cheek. Lazaros reddened.
Brad: “Wow, Branch, you’re so lucky you’re dating a chef! You get to eat all the time whenever you want! I’m so jealous and proud of you!”
He laughed, munching on his cake. Makayla pouted.
Makayla: “What about me?!”
Brad: “You're not a chef, haha.”
Ashley: “I-It’s Ashley now… d-dating?!”
They reddened and swallowed hard, shifting their eyes to Lazaros.
Lazaros: “Dating, hm?”
He stroked his chin. Ashley reddened, nibbling on a piece of cake as they got flustered.
Lazaros: “...I don’t see why not!”
He beamed.
Ashley: “R-Really?!”
They gasped, cupping their cheeks and dropping their cake on the floor.
Lazaros: “Oh, you dropped your cake, but sure! If you’ll have me.”
He smiled. Ashley giggled.
Ashley: “O-oh, oops, haha! I-I’d love that, Lazaros! If you'll have me, hehe.”
They purred, taking his hand and kissing his cheek. Lazaros took them into his arms and kissed their head. Ashley purred and rubbed up against him like a cat. Lazaros smiled at Ashley and petted them. Makayla huffed and groused at them. Brad rolled onto the floor and ate their cake off the floor.
Lazaros: “Okay, I have to get out of here.”
He said tersely, being grossed out by Brad’s antics, and left. Ashley sighed.
Makayla: “What a snob.”
She scoffed. Ashley frowned at her.
Ashley: “You were being a slob!”
They pouted, folding their arms across their chest. Makayla gasped at them.
Makayla: “How could you say that about your own kind?!”
Ashley gaped at her and laughed awkwardly.
Ashley: “Uhh, what kind?!”
They didn’t know whether she meant their family or because they were fat, too. Either way, they found her exclamation ridiculous.
Jaxon entered the buffet room with Celeste. He sighed and rolled his eyes when he saw Makayla stroking Brad as he ate cake off the floor.
Jaxon: “There he is. Of course, he’s in here… with her…”
He glared at Makayla. He marched over to Brad, tugging on him.
Jaxon: “Come on, get up! Grab your guitar, and let’s go to rehearsals!”
Celeste made a disgusted face at Makayla. Oh, that one again, she thought.
Makayla: “He wants to be with me!”
She wrapped her arms around his big belly. Brad rose to his feet to face Jaxon.
Brad: “Nah, I wanna rock out with Jaxon and the pretty weed-hair lady!”
He smiled dumbly and left with Jaxon and Celeste. Jaxon smirked at Makayla.
Makayla: “Wait! Brad!”
She cried, chasing him out with them.
Ashley watched them go and shook their head.
Ashley: “Wow… I dodged a bullet.”
They laughed bitterly and resumed their meal.
Ashley: “No wonder she was so interested in my Sunshire tattoo…”
They glanced at their tattoo and wondered if she knew or if it reminded her of Brad’s “pizza” tattoo.
Ashley: “I can’t believe Borealis is alive…”
They stared off into space, pondering about their other family members.
Ashley got up and piled their plates with chicken alfredo, mini cheesecakes, and banana muffins.
Man: “Damn, that looks good.”
A man remarked behind them, eyeing the food. Ashley saw a swarthy man with long, platinum blond hair and black streaks. He wore a leather jacket and purple leather pants. His face was obscured by Rayban sunglasses and a black cowboy hat on his head.
Ashley: “Oh yes, it’s cooked by the best chef in the world!”
They beamed proudly.
Man: “Best in the world, huh?”
He laughed.
Ashley: “Mhmm! My handsome Lazaros!”
They chirped, looking at him through the kitchen window.
Man: “Oh, that’s sweet!”
He smiled at him.
Ashley: “You should try the alfredo; it’s to die for!”
They nodded. The man piled some onto his plate and took a bite.
Man: “Mmm, you’re right, it is to die for!”
He smiled.
Ashley: “So, uhh, are you a cowboy?”
They chuckled and pointed to his hat.
Man: “Nah, I just wear it ‘cause it looks cool… and I wanna be discreet.”
He flicked the brim of his hat.
Ashley: “Oh! That’s cool, I guess you don’t have to be a cowboy or a cowgirl to wear it!”
They chirped. The man chuckled.
Man: “Or a cowperson such as yourself.”
He smiled. Ashley’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.
Ashley: “H-How did you know?”
They gasped.
Man: “I understand more than anyone will ever know…”
His voice trailed off.
Ashley: “I’m Ashley! Nice to meet you!”
They smiled and waved at him.
Vivienne: “I’m… Vivienne.”
He lowered his sunglasses to reveal his brown eyes.
Ashley: “What brings you here?”
They chirped. Vivenne quirked an eyebrow at them.
Vivienne: “I’m here with my band.”
He laughed.
Ashley: “Oh! Are you in Steel Axe?!”
They gasped.
Vivienne: “Steel Axe?”
He laughed.
Brad: “Hey! He’s not in our band! He’s in Torturgazm, hahaha! I can’t believe you don’t know who he is, Branch!”
He interjected with a laugh, munching on pizza. Jaxon rushed over and gasped.
Jaxon: “Holy shit! That’s Vivienne Vivacious!”
He gawked at him.
Brad: “Hey man, can you sign my pizza?”
Ashley paused and gaped at the man.
Vivienne: “Shit, here come the fanboys! I better run! Nice to meet you, Ashley!”
He laughed, rushing out of the buffet. Ashley smiled and waved.
Ashley: “See ya, Vivienne!”
They waved at him. Jaxon pouted.
Jaxon: “Damn, you’re so lucky, you got to talk to him! What did you say?!”
Ashley paused and pondered.
Ashley: “We just talked about food and cowpeople…”
They smiled and shrugged.
Jaxon: “You talked to Vivienne Vivacious about food and cowpeople?!”
He gaped at them and laughed.
Brad: “Woah, you really are my cousin!”
He laughed. Ashley pulled a face and said nothing. Celeste gazed at Jaxon and smirked. She reached over and tickled his sides.
Jaxon: “HahahaHAHAHAHAH!”
Ashley stared into space, thinking of how Vivienne immediately knew they were Nonbinary and what he meant when he said he understood. Hopefully, we'll meet again, they thought.
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