26. Asmodeus

Az was rendered speechless. He knew Gabriel had said he loved him, and Az didn't doubt it. However, Az also knew that sometimes human love could be… fickle. He had seen love won and lost between more couples (and threesomes and foursomes) over the centuries than he could count.

He did not discount Gabe's love. No, it was a treasure beyond anything he had ever experienced, and he had planned to enjoy it for all the time that he could. He would give Gabe everything he could ever want, and if Gabe grew tired of him, Az knew that he cared so much for the human that he would do anything to make him happy, including setting him free.

He felt possessive of Gabe, make no mistake, but thinking of his Gabe being unhappy because of him—it made his chest ache like a part of him was being ripped away. He would do anything for this mortal.

To hear that Gabe would give up his mortality, his very life, for Az? That astounded him. He realized that somewhere in his innermost self, he did think Gabe would grow tired of him. He was a lust demon, and people wanted him around for awhile, and then they were satiated and they were done with him. Perhaps he had expected the same of Gabe. Somewhere deep down he had thought that his human would grow bored of his sex and his fun, and when the time came, Az would have grieved, but he would have done anything Gabe asked of him, even the unthinkable.

He wasn't sure he would've survived it. Nay, he wasn't sure he would have wanted to survive it. Yet he would have done it just the same.

He had done a disservice to his human, however, to think that Gabe's love was so fleeting. His Gabe did not say things he did not mean. He did not give his heart carelessly or easily.

Az stared at Gabe, who was back to facing off both Luce and Yah. Facing them off for him. "I love you, Gabe. I love you, and you are worth more than eternity to me," Az murmured.

Gabe turned back to him, gazing into his eyes.

"You have worth to me too—more than you could ever imagine. You are worth more than centuries and eons of life. I do not think I could exist without you. You make me a better demon. You have given me pieces back that I did not know were missing," Az continued, looking into Gabe's eyes, which were bright with tears.

Then Gabe was leaning into him, and they were kissing, softly pressing their lips together.

Before things could get out of control, however, there was a clearing of a throat, and Gabe startled back and turned to face Luce and Yah. Luce was chuckling, and Yah was looking at them both a little fondly, like a parent amused at two childrens' antics. It was rather startling; Az was not used to fond looks from Yah. Az was not really used to Yah at all, truth be told. He had never had much occasion to be in their presence.

Az smiled softly, but his poor Gabe appeared mortified. Az could see the flushed skin on the back of his neck as he stuttered out an apology.

Luce merely waved his hand, cutting Gabe off. "Have no worries. We certainly understand getting carried away in your affections for someone." He turned toward Yah for the last part, and there seemed to be a meaningful look between the two of them.

Most oddly, it was Yah who turned away first. Az had never really seen them interact, and he was a bit confused by the obvious affection the two seemed to share.

"Yes, no apologies are necessary," Yah stated. "However, there are some choices to be made. As free will is very much a divine right of all mortal souls, it is up to you to make them."

"I choose Az," Gabe reiterated.

Luce merely chuckled. "Yes, we know, little human, but what do you and Az choose to do?"

Gabe looked back at Az, and Az merely shrugged his shoulders. He had no idea what Luce meant either.

"You may choose heaven, hell, or Limbo, of course," Yah pronounced. "Or there is the option of living out your mortal life"—Yah put up their hand before Gabe could interrupt—"with Az by your side, of course."

"Ugh," groaned Luce. "You know the leadership team will bitch endlessly about that. I've already gotten three memos about the number of orgasms being down in Limbo."

Yah turned and looked at Luce. "I'm sure Minos and his mortal soul can keep them in their place," he assured Luce. "They have been doing a lovely job of it thus far."

Luce merely grunted. Az agreed; the leadership team was a pain in the ass at the best of times.

Az, however, was also confused. "I can't be in heaven, obviously, but it's an option to stay topside for the remainder of Gabe's mortal life?"

Yah stared at Az, and Az had a feeling like he was a rather dense student who had missed an important lesson.

Luce merely sighed, however, saying, "Gabe can go to heaven if he chooses, so obviously you can as well. I sincerely hope you do not choose that option, however, as we will miss you in the underworld and Limbo. A visit now and then to heaven would be fine, but I would suggest against permanent residence."

"Luce," Yah warned.

"Yes, yes, I know. Free will and all that. Doesn't mean I can't make suggestions," he mumbled.

Gabe looked at Az. His love was shining in his eyes, and Az clutched him tighter.

"I can keep him? Forever?" Gabe wondered, hope coming across in every word.

"Of course you can," Luce declared. "You are his mortal soul, and he is your immortal soul."

Az looked at Luce then, surprise and wonder in his own eyes. "Like Minos and Adam?" asked Az.

"Precisely," Yah stated. "Now feel free to confer on your choices."

Gabe looked back at Az, and Az knew no conferring would be necessary. He knew what his human would want.

"We want to be topside for Gabe's life. I want to live with him, talk with him, deal with all of his crazy family, and see him experience everything about living before we move on to the afterlife." Az paused then, admitting, "I'll even be a teacher just so I can be close to him, although teenagers are infinitely worse than a legion of demons, or even dealing with insufferable angels."

Gabe smiled lovingly at him, leaning in to kiss him on the lips. He heard "Done," from both Yah and Luce, almost in unison, and the two of them were transported away, even as Gabe gave a little yelp of surprise.

With a swirl they were back in Gabe's kitchen, where Az continued kissing Gabe until he heard a mumbled "Thank god," and a clearing of a throat.

Gabe leaned into Az and pressed his face to Az's chest. Transporting could feel a bit odd, and he squeezed his human in reassurance. His mortal had also just had a bit of an astounding experience, and he might need a moment to collect himself. Hell, Az himself sort of needed a moment. It was a lot to take in.

Az looked up, though, knowing he would have to deal with whoever was here; he had said he wanted Gabe's crazy family, after all. He guessed that started now. Az sighed as he saw human Michael (at least it wasn't the archangel one), Grams, and Seraphina all staring at them.

He merely raised an eyebrow at all of them, at which point Gabe looked up at Az and gave a mumbled, "Everyone but me," which didn't quite make sense to Az.

Gabe then looked over and saw his whole family, sighed exasperatedly, and griped, "Well, I guess the celebration sex will have to wait."

Az sadly agreed. He supposed it would have to wait. Oh, the trials of the mortal world.