The prospect of finding, interviewing for and starting a summer job had been a daunting task, but not nearly as strenuous as trying to explain to a very needy demon why finding extra work was necessary. Although in some respects Ryka was saving him money – his resistance to temperature saved Kyle a considerable sum on heating and cooling – Ryka’s vices weren’t cheap.
And it was the threat of not being able to smoke or drink that finally ended any arguments the demon made against the job. At least that’s what Kyle had thought, anyhow.
Didn’t you just get out of work? Why are you doing more?
“Because it’s a night class, dear. Since I can’t be in two places at once, and school hasn’t let out for the summer yet, I have to teach at night. In another week and a half, this will be it. Just night classes.”
With more than a little trepidation, Kyle had accepted a job teaching American History at a small community college. Two summer semesters would carry him into early August, and teaching at night meant he and Ryka could still enjoy themselves after class and sleep in the next day.
And no disrespectful little shits here, right?
“I hope not. These people are paying to take this class. They don’t have to be here, they want to be here. Well, as much as anyone can want to go to school. So just take a nap and we’ll be home before you know it.”
Ryka grumbled, but not for long. As Kyle had assured him, there was nothing to keep his interest, just boring, attentive students with good manners. They were only ten minutes into a two hour lecture when Kyle felt him doze off.
With no interruptions, he was able to end class fifteen minutes early. In such a stress-free environment, Ryka had fallen deeply asleep, and only awoke when Kyle was wrapping up a late meal. It’s over?
“A while ago. You were really out.” Kyle finished the last bite of his dinner, stood, and put the plate in the sink. He was reaching for the dish soap when Ryka flashed him an image of something he’d much rather be doing in the kitchen.
I was just resting up. That plate will still be there later.
“Very true.” Maybe being bent over the counter wasn’t an option, but there were others.
So, shall we? That was all the convincing Kyle needed to forgo his chores for something a little more fun.
***
Somehow, Kyle had forgotten that he still needed to get up and work the next morning, but a cup of extra-strong coffee helped, along with the knowledge that only a week and a half remained of the school year. Most of the other teachers had that end-of-the-year glow, and the students were even worse. But there was still work to get done.
“Why don’t you get into your groups and work on your final projects. I’ll come around to check everyone’s progress.” Chairs and desks squealed across the linoleum as students rearranged their seats. Once the chaos had subsided, he moved through the room, answering questions and offering advice. It always seemed that right when things were finally going smoothly, it was time for the school year to end.
“Hey, Mr. S., are we going to do a review for the final next time?”
“We can. Actually, I’ll run and grab some blue books while you work on this.” The entire class groaned. If high school taught you anything, it was that those small, blue-covered notebooks meant an essay exam. “Relax, it won’t be the whole test; just a few questions. I just want to be able to read your answers, not decode hieroglyphics in the margins.”
There were rolled eyes and a few laughs, then everyone went back to work, and Kyle ducked out of the room and started for the supply closet. It was unlocked, which was strange, but more upsetting was the complete lack of blue books. “Well, shit.”
While we’re in here …. Ryka said. Kyle hadn’t realized he was even awake.
“No. You can wait until tonight. After the college class.”
Kyle thought he’d never heard such a frustrated sigh, and that was saying something. He’d been subject to some rather impressive ones in his classes. Fine.
“Thank you. Now, I guess I need to pop into the office so we can order more.”
Boring. Bye.
Kyle just shook his head and started for the office.
***
Two days later, and it seemed Ryka was finally getting used to the new schedule. Which made one of them. Kyle didn’t have the benefit of being able to sleep through most of the day, and Ryka’s sexual appetite was something to be reckoned with. And Kyle’s ability to say “no” was severely lacking. The end of the year couldn’t come soon enough.
The same class that had been finishing up their projects a couple days earlier was now working through a mock exam. Kyle smiled proudly as they breezed through the questions, finally reaching a section of short essays. “Okay, why don’t you break into pairs and brainstorm some answers. I’m going to see if there are blue books yet.”
“If there aren’t, does that mean no essays?” one boy asked.
“Wouldn’t that be nice?” Kyle returned. “But sorry, no. ” He left before the complaining started in earnest.
He had his key ready for the storeroom door, but didn’t need it. Again. “Who the hell keeps forgetting to lock this?” Kyle wondered under his breath.
The answer was waiting for him inside. Two young men, seniors he was pretty sure, were locked in an embrace, kissing passionately. Clothes were still on and hands were where he could easily see them, so at least there was that.
See? They have the right idea.
Kyle shook his head, then cleared his throat. Both boys immediately turned to look at him, eyes wide with terror. Nevermind the shock of being caught, he and Ryka had been the ones to do it. “Okay, gentlemen, out of the closet.” The second the words were out of his mouth, he winced.
Wow. Even I wouldn’t say something like that.
“I … Sorry, that’s not what I meant. You know that, right? I mean you’re not supposed to be in here. You need to leave.” One of the boys nodded sheepishly. The other burst into tears. Loud, body-wracking sobs. His partner looked on helplessly, wanting to offer comfort, but obviously scared to do anything that might provoke Kyle’s - or his demon’s - ire. Kyle’s reputation was inescapable, and right now he wished it wasn’t. He needed simple compliance, not abject terror. At least Ryka was getting a decent snack, he thought.
Seeing as neither boy budged, Kyle stepped into the storage room and closed the door behind him. “No one’s in trouble, okay?” That hardly helped. To the boy still sobbing, he suggested, “Take a deep breath. It’s fine. Really.”
The calmer boy nodded, but the other sucked in one shallow breath, then continued to cry. “Well, shit.” Kyle sat down on a box of textbooks and looked at the two seniors. “What are your names?”
“I’m Colin. And this is Dylan.”
“And where are you supposed to be right now?”
“I have a study period. He’s in gym, but left to go to the nurse. Er, well ….”
“All right. Dylan, are you going to be okay? Take another deep breath.” It was shaky, but Dylan managed. Though it seemed to clear his head enough for him to realize exactly who he was trapped in the storage room with. His flight response kicked in, and he sprang to his feet, only for Colin to pull him back down and put an arm around his shoulder. He was visibly trembling, and both were ashen.
“You’re really not in trouble, I promise. I’d like to talk to you both, just to clear things up, but there’s a class waiting for me right now. So stop by my room after school today.” His order came out with more force than he intended, and he realized that was Ryka’s influence when both boys nodded absently in response.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
He gave them a couple more minutes to calm down, then grabbed the blue books and followed them into the hall. They quickly headed off to their respective classes, and Kyle did the same after making sure the storage room was properly locked.
***
It was only a few minutes after the final bell that Colin and Dylan appeared in his classroom’s doorway. “Come in. Shut that behind you.” Ryka didn’t need to help this time. They did as they were told and sat down in the empty seats in front of Kyle’s desk. Their movements were jerky, both trying to fight shakes they couldn’t seem to repress.
I love an unexpected meal. They’re even more scared now than they were earlier.
There were serious matters that needed to be discussed, but Kyle decided to start with the least-intrusive topic. “Dare I ask how you got into that room in the first place?”
Colin, who seemed much more able to control his emotions, swallowed and explained, “We didn’t steal a key or anything, I swear. It’s just, like, unlocked most of the time. I’ve seen the janitor messing with the door, so I think it’s broken. We found it by accident.” As if anticipating Kyle’s next question, he continued, “I don’t think anyone else knows about it.”
It sounded like bullshit, but Kyle had the world’s most accurate lie detector riding along with him. He’s telling the truth. Mostly. They were looking for a spot to fool around. At least they hadn’t shared that information with their classmates and turned the storage closet into a makeout spot. There were enough dark corners and hidden alcoves already without needing to add an entire room to the mix.
“Okay. Well, consider the lock fixed.” In other words, stay away.
“Yes, sir,” Colin mumbled. They were both still stiff in their seats, jaws clenched, shoulders hunched up to their ears and eyes darting to the door. Like prisoners awaiting execution.
“You can relax. You’re not in trouble. I’m not going to tell anyone. Any part of this.”
Dylan looked like he was on the verge of tears again, but somehow managed a small smile. “Thank you.”
“I just want to know what’s going on. I know hormones are pretty out of control at your age, but sneaking around like that in school is still a little extreme.”
The boys looked at each other, trying to decide exactly what to say. Or how much they could trust Kyle. “Um…” Colin offered, afraid to admit to anything.
Given who they were facing, Kyle wasn’t surprised. He needed to make things as clear as possible. “You both obviously know about my situation, right?”
Again with that? You insensitive prick. You’re going to have to beg for it tonight.
Scrubbing his hands across his face, Kyle sighed. “That escalated quickly,” he muttered to himself before focusing on the boys again. “You know about Ryka?”
That was so hard to say the first time, right? Fuck you. I hope you-
The rest of the tirade was lost as Kyle waited for Colin and Dylan to react. They both nodded, though more than a little hesitantly. “You don’t have to worry about him, I promise. Aside from skipping class, you’ve done nothing wrong. Do you understand?”
Colin was quicker to nod than Dylan, who bobbed his head once then glanced away. He looked like he wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words. So, Colin found them for him. “That’s not what his parents think.”
Kyle felt a pang thinking back his first words with them earlier that afternoon. No wonder Dylan had been so upset - the closet was the only safe place for him. “They’re wrong,” Kyle said flatly. “Plain and simple. I have an in, so I know. No one’s ever gone to Hell for being gay. Or bisexual. Or anything else anywhere on that spectrum.” Dylan still didn’t look convinced, so Kyle decided to be as completely open as he could. Maybe it would help. “That’s not what I’m going for.”
Two sets of wide eyes stared back at him. “What?” Dylan asked, still a little sniffly.
“I’m going to Hell for hosting a demon, not for loving him.”
Not only did that get the boys’ attention, it also succeeded in ending Ryka’s rant. “We had no idea,” Colin said quietly, still stunned. Kyle had long suspected there were rumors - Ryka had confirmed some of them existed - but maybe they hadn’t spread as far as he’d thought.
“Most people don’t. I haven’t been very open about it. And I think, for me, that’s been a mistake. Especially when it’s not something to be ashamed of.” Kyle paused, overwhelmed by regret. People he’d been close to had never even known him entirely, not unless they’d figured it out on their own and confronted him. Or caught him. Even with Ryka he hadn’t been honest, denying his past and his feelings.
Hearing his name in Kyle’s thoughts and knowing his host was sick with guilt, Ryka whimpered so only Kyle could hear him. There wasn’t much he could do now, but that didn’t mean there was nothing.
Kyle gasped at the sudden feeling of a warm embrace – Ryka’s way of letting him know he wasn’t alone. Thanks, dear, he thought, trying to school his expression. The smile was hard to fight. “Sorry, just a little lost in thought.” Both boys were staring at him, heads cocked, and Kyle decided to press on before either thought to question him.
“I just want you both to know there’s absolutely nothing wrong with how you feel about each other. I wish I could help your parents understand that, Dylan, but …” he trailed off. No need to say out loud that the boy might end up an orphan if Ryka didn’t like the way the conversation went. “I hope they learn better, and you can be open with them. And in the meantime, I hope you both have friends or other family members you can confide in, that will be supportive. I can give you some numbers to call, to talk to people who’ve been in the same boat. And I’m here if you want to talk, too.”
The heavy feeling that had been permeating the room dissipated. Their fear was gone, and although Ryka was probably unhappy about it, Kyle was relieved. Elated, even, when Dylan very sincerely told him, “Thanks, Mr. Saunders. That means a lot.”
“You’re very welcome. I know it’s not always easy, no matter the situation. And I know someone finding out before you’re ready to talk about it sucks. I’ve been there. So unless you need me to intervene, my lips are sealed.”
More words of appreciation followed, but he knew they wouldn’t like the next bit. “I do have to sound like a teacher again, though: please refrain from that kind of behavior at school. That usually warrants a call home.” Dylan blanched. “Right. So I’m afraid you’ll have to find somewhere else. And please, be safe. There are free clinics. Take advantage of them. ”
Both young men were now blushing furiously.
“Sorry, but as the adult, I kind of have to say that stuff.”
They both smiled again, and Dylan’s was finally looking genuine. “Worst case,” he said, “we’re both graduating soon, and we’ll both be moving to the city for school.”
“Very true. Where are you going?”
Much more relaxed now, this time Dylan answered for them. “I’m going to B.C., Colin’s going to B.U.”
Two big Boston schools. Close to home, but not too close, Kyle thought. Which hopefully meant they felt cared about enough not to wander too far from their families. But he kept his hypothesis to himself - he didn’t need to jinx them with his miserable luck. “Both good schools. And from what I’ve heard, you’re both good students. Things are going to work out.”
***
Over the course of the next week, Kyle would occasionally pass either Dylan or Colin in the hall, and they would offer a quick smile or a nod. Since neither boy had ever been in his class, he didn’t have much reason to ask after them, but both seemed to be doing well, and there was no chatter about them in the teachers’ lounge. Kyle continued to hope things would turn out well for them. But with the school year winding down, and things picking up in his night class, he didn’t have much time to investigate.
As it turned out, there was no need. One evening after the night class, as he was packing up, one of the young men who typically sat quietly in the back of the room approached his desk. Kyle was pretty sure his name was Chase. “Um, excuse me?”
Already, Kyle knew Ryka was awake and bracing for a confrontation. “What can I do for you?” Kyle asked, smiling as naturally as he could while trying to stay attuned to Ryka’s reactions.
“Are you the same Mr. Saunders that teaches at the high school in town?”
Kyle suspected there was only one way this could go, though Ryka continued to patiently observe. He knew what his reputation was at work, but had never really thought about if it stretched beyond school walls. Because he knew this person had never passed through those halls. And there was no way he’d be approaching Kyle so confidently, so casually, if he’d been witness to that pep rally, or the prom.
“I am,” Kyle answered after a moment’s hesitation.
Unexpectedly, Chase beamed. “Then thank you, so much.”
“Um, what for?”
“For helping my brother, Dylan. He said you caught him and Colin doing something they shouldn’t have been at school.”
“I did, but -”
“And instead of telling the principal, or calling home, you just had a talk with them.”
“That’s right. Did he tell you what they were doing when I found them?” He didn’t want to out them, Dylan especially, but had a strong suspicion that Chase already knew.
Chase laughed and rolled his eyes. “Making out. Idiots. I’ve told them to be careful.” He caught Kyle’s somewhat shocked expression and continued, “Dylan told me as soon as Colin asked him out. I mean, he came out to me ages ago, but actually finding a boyfriend was huge.”
Kyle sighed in relief. “I’m happy he has someone like you to support him.”
“That’s what I wanted to thank you for. He has more than me now. Because you were so open with him, he decided to come out to our parents. I was there in case it went bad, but they were fine with it. I think they were starting to suspect, but were just so happy he told them himself.”
Overwhelmed, Kyle sank onto his chair. “I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you for telling me.”
“They were hoping to tell you themselves, but they’re both over-achievers with way too many after-school things going on. They might be mad that I told you first, but ….”
“I really appreciate it.”
They chatted a few minutes more, then Chase excused himself. Thankful that things had worked out well for the two young men, Kyle leaned back in his seat.
You told them you’re going to Hell for hosting me, and you’re right. Your soul’s black, but the way it glows sometimes …. I wonder what would have happened to you if you’d said ‘no.’
“But I said ‘yes,’ and I’m glad I did. All on my own, too.” He paused. “Right?”
Yup, that was your bad decision.
“I wouldn’t call it bad. Just not for everyone.”
That’s one way to put it.