12. Asmodeus

Teenagers were some of the most interesting creatures Az had ever seen. They were like a different species. He had to admit he had very few dealings with children and teens normally, and he now understood why. Their brains were… chaotic. Their desires were often hidden behind a facade of apathy, and yet they were some of the most outrageous and overpowering desires he had ever seen.

They were a study in contradictions. Even his formidable powers couldn't keep them focused for Gabe beyond the initial few moments. Two girls were currently whispering quite heatedly over whether they should get tacos or subs for lunch, he thought a teenager in the back was sleeping with his eyes open, and a few of the boys were debating if you could sneak balloons filled with whipped cream into a locker and have them pop upon opening the locker. They were actually getting rather intellectual and innovative in their ideas. It was a birthday surprise for their friend, which was even scarier; he shuddered to think what they'd do if they set their sights on actual destruction.

He understood why Gabe had been horrified at his idea of being a teacher. He figured after dealing with a legion of cantankerous, unruly demons, he was prepared for anything. He now realized demons were much easier than teenagers. Nevertheless, he was an Infernal King of the Underworld; surely he could handle dealing with teenagers all day long.

Hopefully.

Az gave a sigh of relief as the bell rang and the children shuffled out, but as Gabe stood at the door, he realized it just meant another class was coming in. He had newfound respect for high school teachers everywhere.

Gabe taught two more classes before the lunch bell rang, and Az was exhausted. He had gained strength from the lust he'd drawn out of the teens—a gift he rarely got to make use of, since it was much more fun to let people express their lust. However, it had taken far more than that to try to navigate their desires and passions and pull gently on the threads that would lead to their paying attention and focusing.

The last student finally left the classroom five minutes after the bell rang; he had been in a passionate conversation about a book Gabe had apparently recommended. Gabe came over and flopped into his seat after the door shut behind the boy.

"Well, I'm glad he liked the book. Sometimes when I do a book talk, especially about a book with lgbtq+ characters, I just wait for the parent phone call or for administration to call me in. But there are kids who need those books, ya know? It's awful to be confused about who you are as a teenager. If I recommend something that resonates with just one kid and makes them think, ‘Hey, that's me,' then I've done a good thing. And if there are kids who are closed minded and that isn't them, well, they don't need to read it. I can still recommend it," Gabe groused.

This was apparently a passion of Gabe's. That fiery excitement zinged a chord in Az's mind, and he felt himself getting turned on just looking at Gabe. It was hard not to like and want someone who felt such desire, even if it was a desire to reach teens and make their lives better. Az tried very hard not to think of walking over and kissing Gabe, of hooking Gabe's leg up around his waist and grinding together their…

"Ok then!" Az boomed, cutting off his own train of thought.

Gabe looked at him a little oddly, but he got up and asked, "Cafeteria ok? I hate leaving the building for lunch. We have an open campus, so every place in town is usually packed with students. I usually bring lunch, but, well, I just didn't think of it."

"I can conjure us up something if you'd like," Az replied. It was simple, really, although Gabe's look of relief made Az feel quite proud of himself.

"God, yes, that would be wonderful. I forgot about that trick. Not all demons seem to be able to do it. And the cafeteria… well, a lot of the food is sent by the state. I think the french fries and cookies may be the only safe things to eat."

At that point, they were interrupted by a loud speaker announcement.

"This is Principal Zemeki," said a bored, monotonous voice. "I would like to remind everyone that doordash and other delivery services are not permitted in the building. If you order food delivered to your classroom before lunch, you will face disciplinary consequences."

Gabe snorted, rolling his eyes. "Most kids know to tell the delivery person to meet them outside," he chuckled. "Looks like someone messed up their order."

The loudspeaker voice continued, "I would also like to remind everyone that there are tables in the courtyard, the history wing, the cafeteria, and the gym. There should be NO consuming of food on the floors in the bathrooms." Principal Zemeki paused, then obviously her disgust and ire got the best of her, because she announced, "Really, people? The bathroom floor? That's just gross. Don't eat in the bathrooms!" Then there was a squawk and the loudspeaker was off.

Az raised his eyebrow at Gabe, who looked faintly amused.

"Don't ask," Gabe said. "They're teenagers. Decision making is not their finest skill. Now conjure us up some sandwiches or something and I'll fill you in on my afternoon classes."

Az did just that, enjoying Gabe's enthusiastic approval of his lunch. He was having a hard time not staring at Gabe's mouth, but then he'd be off talking about a student or a project he had coming up for the kids, and Az was enraptured by his enthusiasm.

The afternoon passed much like the morning, and when the last student left for the day, Az realized that he would most definitely not be taking over as health teacher. He figured he'd wait on telling Gabe that, because it would be fun to shadow him for the next week either way. They'd decide what could be done after that.

As they left the building and got into the car, Az heard Gabe's phone ping a few times in quick succession. Gabe took out his phone, groaned, and handed it to Az. "You read it to me while I drive. I just want to get home, and I can't sit here and muddle through their absurdity," Gabe grumbled.

Az looked at the text thread Gabe had open and saw it must have come from his siblings, although the names were once again changed. Az vaguely wondered when Seraphina had even had time to hack into Gabe's phone to switch the contacts. He dutifully read it aloud, however, new contact names included.

Boring, Bothersome Brother:What's the update on the list demon.

Boring, Bothersome Brother:List demon

Boring, Bothersome Brother:I mean list demon

Boring, Bothersome Brother:LIST

Boring, Bothersome Brother:Dammit!

Boring, Bothersome Brother:L U S T

Sexy, Sage Sister:Hahaha you can't even type lust. Your phone must know how dead your sex life is. SO BORING.

Boring, Bothersome Brother:Autocorrect! And I'm still mad at you! I am NOT boring! You are an irresponsible brat!

"Uh oh," Gabe interrupted. "Looks like she really did pick a fight with him last night." He just shook his head and continued to drive, so Az kept reading.

Sexy, Sage Sister:At least I have fun. And back to the matter at hand. Fill us in, middle brother. Did you sex up your lust demon and send him back to the underworld?

Boring, Bothersome Brother: I was planning on heading down this morning to check, but Grams popped in and I couldn't. So Gabe, is it taken care of?"

"Would you like me to answer?" Az asked.

Gabe sighed then said, "Yeah, I guess you might as well."

Az smirked as he typed a reply in the group thread.

Gabe: The very hot demon is still here, although he does not make lists. And when did the sexy, sage sister get ahold of the phone to change contact names?

Gabe groaned as Az read what he was typing out loud. "Oh my god, they are totally going to know that isn't me replying, and then we are both going to be in for it."

Gabe was pretending to bang his head against the steering wheel as they were stopped at a red light, but he was also smirking a bit, so Az knew he was amused. He understood the allure of crazy, chaotic families. They were annoying, but they were also fun.

The phone dinged in quick succession then, and Az chuckled as he looked at it and read it for Gabe.

Boring, Bothersome Brother: First of all, this is not Gabe. Is this the demon? What have you done with Gabe?

Boring, Bothersome Brother:Second of all, Ser, you are neither hot nor wise. Perhaps you meant those names to be attached to my contact?

Sexy, Sage Sister:Oh no, you are totally not hot and I refuse to think of you as such since you are MY brOTHER *vomit emoji*

Boring, Bothersome Brother: I love how you focus on that and not the fact that a DEMON HAS HIJACKED GABE'S PHONE.

Sexy, Sage Sister:Please. I'm sure he's just driving home from work and doing the responsible thing and not texting and driving.

Boring, Bothersome Brother:Or he's currently tied up somewhere while a sex demon has his way with him.

Sexy, Sage Sister:Ohhh, sign me up please *hand raised emoji*

Boring, Bothersome Brother:You are such a child.

Sexy, Sage Sister:You are such a jackass.

Az waited for another message, but the phone was silent. Gabe groaned again.

"You know what this means?" he complained as they pulled into the driveway. "This means that they are both probably on their way here right now. Or already in my apartment. I can't face them. Maybe you could really tie me up somewhere instead?" Gabe turned the cutest puppy dog eyes on Az when he said that, and Az was very tempted to do just that.

He could picture Gabe in shibari, perhaps a lovely bright teal rope forming a work of art around his perfect body, his hard cock sticking out amongst the rope pattern that framed it…

Az opened his door and stepped out, trying to curb those lovely visuals popping into his head. Gabe was a temptation, and he had to focus on… something? Not Gabe's tall, stocky, sexy form as he unfurled himself from the front seat and got out of the car. Certainly not on his round but tight ass as he walked in front of Az to go up to the front door. Definitely not on the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up to expose those corded, slightly hairy, muscular forearms that flexed as he took out his key to unlock the door.

Yes. Definitely had to focus on something else.

Fuck.

Or not fuck. Definitely not fucking. Definitely not getting his hands on Gabe's dick again, or hearing the moaning sounds he made, or feeling his hot breath on Az's arm and hearing his whimpers as he came.

Gabe turned around and looked at him. "You coming?" he asked, then he turned and stepped into the house.

"If only…" Az sighed under his breath, and then he followed behind Gabe, visibly shaking himself out. There were siblings to deal with. Then, hopefully, he could get back to exploring his lovely human's sexuality. Perhaps once they figured it out, this fixation with Gabe would settle down.

Although Az felt oddly unsettled at the thought. He rather liked being fixated on Gabe. He might even be growing a little bit obsessed.

He cut that train of thought off right there, though. This was not the underworld. Gabe was not a misplaced soul like Adam had been. There would be no "keeping" him like Minos had done with Adam. Because Gabe was alive. He had a life. A family. A job. Az was only here to help Gabe out, and then he'd be back to the underworld, and Gabe would stay topside.

If Az suddenly felt a little despondent as he climbed the steps behind Gabe, he tried to ignore it. He was so morose he barely even appreciated the way the material of Gabe's pants pulled against his ass as he walked up the steps.

This was not some afterlife fairy tale. This was the real world. With that thought, Az sighed and followed Gabe into his apartment.