“Tell them you have friends visiting from out of town. We’ll keep you occupied for the next few months.”
Carter’s mouth fell open. “Months? Really? Okay, that sounds good.”
“What classes are you taking?” Alcy asked.
“Computer science,” Carter replied, though it was said with distaste that even Beez could hear.
“Not a fan?”
A quick shake of his head. “My parents want me to have a good job so I can take care of my wife and family.”
“Your… wait.” Beez frowned. “I’m confused here. If you want a wife and family, how’d you get me? Sure, I’m omnisexual, and can get it on with pretty much anyone, but if you’re straight—”
“Sonot straight,” Carter barked, then his cheeks flushed. “Sorry. No, I’m most certainly not straight. Closeted? Oh yeah.”
Alcy smiled and patted Carter’s hand. “The journey from the closet can be a long one, with twists and turns you never saw coming. It’s a shame, really. I know it’s cliche, but love is love is love. As long as it’s all between consenting adults, that’s all that matters. One, two, three, six people, more? It’s mostly the stigma of Western civilization that’s the cause of shame.”
“But I thought marriage was between—”
Alcy’s hand shot up. “Stop right there,” he said with a barely suppressed sigh. “Remember what we said. All those things youthoughtyou knew? Forget them. Marriage should be between people who want to be married. Period. It’s what Supreme wants, for everyone to love and care for each other. Imagine having six people who are married to one another. If one gets sick, the others can rally around, help them and each other. This foolishness about what marriage should be is only based on human prejudices. One man and one woman? Great. Two guys or two women? Awesome. Multiples? Epic.”
“This is all so different from what I was taught,” Carter murmured. “My parents would flip if they heard this. They’re all about opposing marriage equality. They say the only true marriage is one man, one woman. That’s it. Sex isn’t for fun or recreation, it’s for procreation.”
“Oh, screw that!” Beez snapped. “Sex is a fucking gift—no pun intended—from the Supreme. It has a lot of benefits beyond making babies.” He counted off on his fingers. “Sex helps keep your immune system revved. Boosts libido. Makes it easier to avoid incontinence. Lowers blood pressure. It’s decent exercise. Lowers the risk of heart attack. Better at reducing pain than aspirin. Helps ward off prostate cancer—which is why masturbation gets the whole month of May to celebrate. Helps you sleep. And, most important, especially in today’s world, it helps reduce stress. Supremewantspeople to have sex. Lots of it. All kinds. Shaming people for liking sex issowrong.”
Alcy cleared his throat. “Therearepeople who don’t find sex to be all that important, you know. For many, sex doesn’t matter to them at all, and there are still others who simply don’t find it fulfilling. Sex isn’t the be-all and end-all.”
Beez sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. That’s not an area I’m familiar with, and I do tend to forget.”
“My parents think that any married couple is selfish if they don’t have kids.”
The growl started in Beez’s chest, then erupted from him as he stood, fists clenched, his eyes seeming to glow. “I am not a fan of your parents. I’m sorry, but they’re the worst kind of Christians. So fucking certain they know what Supreme wants that they’re willing to inflict their prejudices on others.”
“My grandpa was better. He told me a lot of the things you both did.”
“Him I like,” Beez grumbled. “He got it.”
Carter leaned back. “He was great. Some news station did a segment on the San Francisco Pride parade one year, and my parents turned it off, telling me in no uncertain terms I was not to be watching that filth. They left the house, and grandpa went to the TV and turned it back on. We sat there, and watched men in leather, people in drag, human pups and kittens…” He sighed. “It was awesome.”
Alcy leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “I understand we haven’t known each other long, but I’d say you’re a lot more like your grandfather. You’re accepting of people.” He smiled. “I bet you’re a peacemaker. You try to get along with everyone.”
“It’s not always easy,” he admitted. “My roommate, Danny? He’s cut from the same cloth as my parents. He was going to protest a shop that opened up because it was, in his words, occult. The guy who ran it? Sweetest man. Gave me the book I used to… you know.”
“Summon us,” Alcy finished with a grin. “I wonder where he got it. Those books are pretty hard to come by, and they’re never left with just anyone. Once the person gets what they want, the book is supposed to return to Supreme.”
Carter shrugged. “Maybe it was his book, and he never got what he wanted.”
That kind of irked Beez. To think that there was someone in the world who summoned a host, and never got an answer? It seemed wrong.
“Carter?” Alcy asked, pulling Beez’s attention back to the situation. “Is that okay with you? Would you mind spending some time with both of us?”
Carter grinned. “I wouldn’t mind at all, but… Well, it’s not like we can go outside together. People would probably freak to see an angel and demon walking among them.”
“Oh, that’s no problem,” Beez said, standing up. “One of the many perks a host has, is the ability to blend in. Alcy and I? We’re good in any situation.”
He closed his eyes, and thought about Carter. His wants. His desires. They washed over him, giving him an idea of what kind of man Carter would find desirable. When he opened them once again, Carter was agog.
“What. The. Holy. Hell?” he whispered, reaching for Beez. He stroked a hand over Beez’s arm. “Where’d your red skin go? Why do you have tattoos now? Where’s your tail?”