28: Cleansing

HELLBENT

CHAPTER 28

Cleansing

Ashley watched Blake leave with Andreas. They nibbled on their cookie and swung their gaze to Lazaros.

Ashley: “Now you're MY guest tonight!”

They poked his nose.

Ashley: “It's my turn to take care of you!”

They beamed.

Ashley: “I'll show you around!”

They took his hand and led him through their house.

Lazaros: “Well, now! I guess you’re the one pampering me tonight!”

He clasped his hands over. Ashley smiled at him

Ashley opened the door to Maxx’s old room and froze when they saw his belongings still inside.

Ashley: “You're too good for this room! How about you stay in my room and I stay here instead?”

They offered.

Ashley: “I just gotta get rid of this stuff…”

They frowned. Lazaros blinked.

Lazaros: “Why would you give up your room for me? This is your place! What if… we share a room?”

He said wryly and wiggled his eyebrows. He cleared his throat. Ashley’s face turned bright red.

Ashley: “R-Really?”

They swallowed hard. Lazaros grinned.

Lazaros: “Anyway, as for this… rubbish, I can call some people to come with a truck to take it away.”

He flipped his hair.

Ashley: “Oh, no… I don’t want to burden you or those people. I have a better idea.”

Their voice trailed off.

~

Ashley threw Maxx’s beloved portrait and clown clothes into the fire pit in the backyard.

Ashley: “In Sunshire, we would purge from the earth with the sun’s power–fire!”

They explained, lighting up a match.

Lazaros: “All right, I was going to have garbage men dispose of it, but you have to do what makes you comfortable.”

He nodded and put his arm around Ashley.

Ashley shivered and smiled under his arm.

Ashley: “This way it's gone forever and doesn't become landfill. The earth doesn't deserve that.”

They glared at the portrait of Maxx that started this mess. Lazaros nodded and smiled.

Lazaros: “You have to do what you feel is right to close this chapter.”

Ashley smiled at Lazaros.

Ashley: “Thank you, Lazaros! I'm ready to close this chapter now!”

They nodded, lighting their sage stick.

Ashley looked down at the pile of Maxx’s things and held the match over them.

Ashley: “So long, Maxxy Malone.”

They announced, throwing the match onto the fire, glancing down at his portrait. As the fire spread, melting the paint, Maxx’s face became misshapen and gnarled. The fire crackled and danced on his portrait until his mouth and eyes distorted into a grotesque leer. And then, he was gone.

Ashley sighed happily, feeling a release. After putting up with Maxx for as long as they did, they didn’t feel sad, angry, or hurt. They actually felt good. They felt free. Now it’s time to look forward to what the future brings. They turned to Lazaros and looked up at him, smiling.

Ashley: “So, what do you want for dinner?”

They asked him.

Lazaros: “Surprise me!”

He smiled tightly. Ashley beamed, taking his hand and leading him back into the house.

~

Lazaros looked around the house, examining the crafts Ashley made, the family portrait, the ornaments, and the decor. The way a person decorates their house tells a lot about who they are. Ashley sauntered into the kitchen, rummaging through the pantry.

Lazaros: “If you want, you could convert Maxx’s room into a craft room to make your wreaths and stuff.”

He suggested. Ashley’s eyes widened with a gasp.

Ashley: “O-oh my stars, that’s a great idea!”

They cupped their cheeks.

Lazaros: “You have a lovely, cute home, Ashley.”

He nodded. Ashley beamed.

Ashley: “Thank you, Lazaros!”

They beamed, pulling out fresh ingredients from the fridge to make a mushroom risotto. They got the brown mushrooms, parmesan cheese, mushroom stock, onion, garlic, and aborio rice.

Ashley: “What’s your home like, Lazaros?! I bet its lovely and cute, too!”

They asked as they picked fresh parsley herbs from the plants on the window sil.

Lazaros: “It’s a large house in Pink Top City. It’s across from where my brother lives. I haven’t been there in a while.”

He said as his voice trailed off.

Ashley: “Oh? Why not?”

They innocently asked.

Lazaros: “...I want to travel the world.”

He smiled with a forlorn look. Ashley smiled.

Ashley: “Ooh, me too!”

They chirped.

Lazaros: “Anyway, enough about me. I want to discuss you.”

He grinned.

Ashley: “Haha, you want to discuss me?!”

They reddened, tying their hair back, leaving their bangs in front.

Lazaros: “Of course, I do! You have a life outside whatever that thing was, and I want to know it.”

He nodded. Ashley smiled.

Ashley: “I didn’t have much of a life outside of that clown… and outside of him was Makayla and Yvette…”

They twisted their mouth as they chopped up onions.

Ashley: “Before that… I was happy, and–”

They paused, and their expression saddened when they thought of leaving Sunshire, their parents going missing, and the house fire. Was I? They wondered, getting lost in thought. They turned back to Lazaros and forced a smile. Lazaros observed their body language and took mental notes.

Ashley: “The past doesn’t matter! I wanna create a new life and focus on the future!”

They smiled tightly, waving their hand.

Lazaros: “That’s the spirit. You will be happy again. I can see it already.”

He folded his hands on his lap. Ashley smiled at him.

Ashley: “Thanks, Lazaros!”

They pulled out a large pan and cooked the onions, garlic, butter, and parsley together with the rice and added the mushroom stock water.

Lazaros: “And what wine are you serving with that dish?”

He asked. Ashley turned to him.

Ashley: “Wine?”

Lazaros: “If it’s risotto you’re making, might I suggest Sauvignon Blanc?”

Ashley: “What’s that, haha?”

They scratched their head.

Lazaros: “It’s typically a dry white wine, meaning it has minimal residual sugar and is known for its crisp, refreshing taste with high acidity and flavors like citrus, green apple, and grassy note. It’s best paired with most risotto dishes, unless it’s being made with dry cured meat.”

He explained. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Ooh! I didn’t know wine could taste like that!”

They gasped.

Ashley: “That sounds SO much better than Maxx’s sack wine!”

They shuddered. Lazaros blinked.

Lazaros: “Sack wine? You mean boxed wine? Isn’t he the prime minister’s son? Why is he buying that cheap stuff?”

He asked with a trade of an edge.

Lazaros: “It smells and taste like cleaning fluid.”

He gagged. Ashley laughed bitterly.

Ashley: “I know, right?! He’s the prime minister’s son! But he slept on a mattress bed and bought cheap boxed wine!”

They shook their head. Lazaros cupped his mouth and let them vent. Why would anyone want to sleep on just mattress like a junky? He wondered.

Ashley: “And he drained my funds… and spent it on a golddigger.”

They twisted their mouth, glaring at the hospital bill and water damage bill on the fridge. Lazaros rose to examined the invoice.

Lazaros: “Are these paid?”

He asked them. Ashley sighed.

Ashley: “No… any money I made to pay them, he took from me to spend on that horrible woman with the stinky feet!”

They huffed. Lazaros tried to hide his laughter when Ashley mentioned a woman with stinky feet.

Ashley: “It turns out… that worked out for the best because HE is the one who should be paying these! Not ME!”

They tore them off the fridge.

Lazaros: “Well, I can mail it to the Malones.”

He smiled. Ashley brightened.

Lazaros: “And I will get the money to you. Don’t fret. I will take care of you.”

He petted their head.

Ashley: “R-Really?! Thank you so much, Lazaros!”

They beamed, pulling him into a hug. Lazaros hugged them back and kissed their head. Ashley shivered all over with butterflies, feeling their heart beating in their chest. D-Did he just kiss my head?! They thought to themself. Should I kiss his cheek? They thought nervously. Ashley flicked their gaze up at Lazaros and swallowed hard.

Suddenly, they were interrupted by the water boiling.

Ashley: “O-oh dear! I got distracted…”

They laughed awkwardly, turning off the stove top.

Lazaros: “That’s okay! How about I go out and get some wine for dinner tonight?”

He offered and planted his hands on his hips.

Ashley: “Can I come with you?!”

They blurted.

Lazaros: “But you’re making dinner, Ashley! I don’t want to take you from that! It won’t take me long, I promise.”

He reassured them. Ashley tugged on his sleeve.

Ashley: “...Will you come back?”

They asked softly.

Lazaros: “Of course, I will! Why wouldn’t I?”

He smiled at them and petted their head. Ashley purred to his touch and rubbed up against him like a cat.

Ashley: “I’d like that…”

They smiled at him as they watched him go.

~

Andreas and Blake stood together in the kitchen as Andreas directed Blake on how to cook vegetable soup on the stove. He reached between his arms with his wooden spoon, taking a sip.

Andreas: “Not bad.”

He flicked his gaze up at him and nodded.

Blake: “Really?!”

He smiled a bit.

Andreas: “Just needs some spice is all.”

He added, heading over to the spice rack Blake built for him for his birthday. Blake beamed when he saw his spice rack was fully stocked.

Andreas: “So, masterchef, which spice would you use for this?”

He challenged. Blake pondered.

Blake: “Hmm, the red one?”

He suggested.

Andreas: “Paprika, huh?”

He hummed and strolled over to the pot, grinding it in. Andreas dug the wooden spoon in, taking another sip.

Andreas: “Good choice.”

He kissed his cheek. Blake reddened and smiled at him.

Blake: “So, that's it, huh? It's done?”

He asked. Andreas nodded, turning off the stove.

Andreas: “Yep. Congratulations, you cooked dinner!”

He teased, placing his hand on his arm.

Blake: “Congratulations on being the first to eat my cooking then.”

He chuckled as they served up their bowls.

Andreas: “Wow… I must be special then.”

He smiled at him and sat down at the table. Blake sat down across from him and reddened.

Blake: “You are…”

He stammered. Andreas placed his hand over his mouth and flicked his gaze to him.

Andreas: “And so are you.”

He placed his hand on his. Blake smiled back at him. Andreas took a bottle of pinot noir, pouring them each a glass of wine.

Andreas: “Thank you for trusting me.”

He smiled at him, placing his hand on his.

Blake: “Well, I've never really cooked before and you know what you're doing.”

He laughed, picking up his glass of wine. Andreas chuckled with endearment at him.

Andreas: “I wasn't talking about cooking.”

He smiled at him.

Andreas: “I was talking about your actions tonight with Ashley…”

He added, taking a sip of his wine. Blake drew a breath.

Blake: “Well, it's as you said… Ashley will be back, but he won't be the same…”

He swirled his wine around. Andreas smiled a bit when he took in what he said.

Blake: “They won't be the same… although Ashley never really was ‘he’ either…”

He corrected himself.

Blake: “And that's a good thing. Ashley is growing and more capable than I realised.” He said proudly, taking a drink as he thought of how they handled Maxx, Makayla and Yvette. He put his glass down and sighed.

Blake: “But what if someone worse than the three stooges comes along? Maxx was only powerful because he hid behind mommy's skirt and his father is the prime minister.”

He huffed.

Blake: “Lazaros isn't some dumbass drunk loser or weirdo. He's obviously a successful man. Ashley is charmed by him and more than they ever were by Makayla or Yvette. Ash was never charmed by Maxx.”

He explained. Andreas listened to his concerns and nodded.

Andreas: “I understand your concerns, Blake. But what if someone better than the three stooges comes along? What if Lazaros is what Ashley needs? He helped them on their journey home, and journey within themself.”

He placed his hand on his.

Blake: “We don't know him, Andreas… he's from a different world from us… we don't know what his intentions are.”

He pursed his lips.

Andreas: “So, it's the unknown that scares you?”

He placed his hand on his shoulder. Blake nodded.

Blake: “What would he want with Ashley? What could Ashley offer a man who has everything?”

He challenged.

Andreas: “A connection? Money isn't everything, Blake. There are some things money can't buy.”

He suggested.

Blake: “Really?”

He gave him a dubious look.

Andreas: “If he drove a commodore and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, would you have these concerns?”

He challenged. Blake paused.

Andreas: “They connected for a reason. Maybe he is just as lost and hurting as Ashley is… Things aren't always as they appear on the surface…”

He suggested.

~

Ashley had sage burning in Maxx's old bedroom and through the house, clearing the air. They were finishing up their cooking when they heard the door open and Lazaros enter.

Lazaros: “I have returned!”

He announced. Ashley gasped and smiled widely. He came back like he promised, Ashley thought to themself.

Ashley: “Yay! You’re back!”

They beamed and rushed up to him, hugging him. Lazaros hugged them back.

Lazaros began setting the table as they prepared their meal. He set out wine glasses with gold cutlery, and candles in candelabras. Ashley finished dinner and served it onto two plates, garnished with parsley and parmesan cheese. They smiled, taken by surprise at the way Lazaros set up the table. He opened the bottle of wine and poured into two glasses for them.

Ashley: “Aww, Lazaros, that’s so sweet of you to set the table like that!”

They cupped their cheeks. Lazaros pulled out a chair for Ashley. Ashley reddened and sat down, glancing up at him, mouthing a soft “thank you.” Lazaros lit the candles and sat across from them raising a glass. Ashley smiled at him, raising their glass to his.

Ashley: “To a brighter future!”

They gently tapped his glass. Lazaros touched their glass.

Lazaros: “Yes, brighter indeed.”

He said softly. Ashley dug into their meal and nervously watched him dig into his meal. Oh, goodness, he’s an amazing master chef eating my food, they thought.

Lazaros: “My God, this is EXCELLENT! Usually, people can’t make risotto well but you knocked it out of the park!”

His dark violet eyes sparkled. Ashley’s eyes sparkled.

Ashley: “Wow, REALLY?! That’s a high compliment coming from you!”

They cupped their cheeks.

Lazaros: “Well, I mean every word I said!”

He replied and sipped on his wine. Ashley smiled at him, delighted to hear that after dealing with people who didn’t mean the words they said.

~

When they finished up, Lazaros helped Ashley wash the dishes.

Lazaros: “A dishwashing machine would be nice.”

He smiled.

Ashley: “Dishwashing machine?!”

They tilted their head.

Lazaros: “Yes, it’s a machine you install and it washes your dishes for you. Less hassle.”

He chuckled.

Ashley: “Wow! That’s so futuristic!”

They chuckled and stood close to Lazaros as they washed dishes together.

Lazaros: “It was around for over one-hundred years.”

He laughed a bit. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “WOW? Really! I never lived anywhere with a dishwashing machine before!”

They added. Lazaros raised his eyebrows. Interesting, he thought.

Lazaros: “First time for everything, I suppose!”

Ashley: “That’s true…”

They smiled and nervously flicked their gaze to their bedroom.

Ashley: “So, uh, I should show you where you’ll be sleeping.”

They took his hand and led him to their bedroom. Lazaros grinned and walked with Ashley.

Ashley led Lazaros into their bedroom. It looked the same way they left it before. It was tidy with every decoration in its place and smelled of patchouli. Lazaros looked around and his breathing hitched.

Lazaros: “Oh, this is so very you and so very lovely! I am going to feel right at home here.”

He smiled as he examined the room. Ashley beamed at him, taken by surprise.

Ashley: “Aww, thank you! I hope so!”

They clasped their hands together.

Lazaros: “I will take a shower and get ready for bed, then.”

He smiled and nodded. Ashley felt the heat rising to their face and twirled their hair.

Ashley: “O-oh okay! I’ll get ready while you shower.”

They stammered.

~

A few minutes later, Lazaros stepped out of the shower wearing white silk pajamas with his name embroidered in gold on the right breast pocket. He pulled up the sheets and climbed into bed. Ashley nervously sauntered into the room, dressed in their cat onesie pajamas. Lazaros’ grin spread.

Lazaros: “Join me.”

He patted the spot beside him. Ashley beamed at him and filddled with their tail.

Ashley: “Okay…”

They sighed softly, crawling into bed with him. They nervously lay in the bed with him, feeling the butterflies swarming inside of them. They never got this feeling around Makayla or Yvette. They wanted to be held by him but were too afraid to say it.

Lazaros: “Can I hold you or would you prefer I not?”

He asked. Ashley’s eyes widened with a gasp.

Ashley: “Y-Yes, please! I…I’d like that… I need cuddles…”

They nervously asked and reddened all over. I need cuddles?! Why did I just say that? I do, but, I sound so silly.

Lazaros: “Okay!”

He wrapped his arms around them, cuddling them close to his chest. Ashley shivered all over and melted into his embrace. They felt cared for and protected. Ashley rested their head on his chest and cuddled him back.

Lazaros: “Night, Ashley. Sweet dreams.”

He kissed their head. Ashley shivered and kissed his cheek.

Ashley: “Sweet dreams, Lazaros.”

They happily sighed and drifted off to sleep.