Page 12 of A Beginner's Guide to Demonic Possessions
“Yeah, bruh, and maybe next time I see you, I’ll seeyou,” Ari said, and then the big guy smushed Mike under his arm and led him off, leaving Trent and Paz standing there for a moment.
What does that mean?Trent asked.
“Fuck if I know,” Paz muttered. “He’s a chaos demon. He’s always stirring shit up. Anyway, we were picking dinnerware, and then we have to look at flatware, which is forks and stuff, by the way, because I realize you have never watched a home show in your life,” Paz started, and then he was off talking about colors and sizes (which would’ve been fun if it wasn’t in reference to “flatware”).
Trent groaned theatrically, but he had to admit he didn’t mind shopping with Paz. It was actually kinda nice to have someone to do mundane stuff like this with. Paz knew stuff he didn’t, even if it was about weird things like housewares. His demon was so enthusiastic, too, that Trent couldn’t help but get caught up in his excitement. He had to admit he also kind of got a kick out of torturing Paz by not making decisions, but he also loved how Paz always asked his opinion even though he clearly didn’t know anything.
If he had ever dated someone like Paz, he wouldn’t have let them go. Trent reminded himself then that Pazwasa morning person. Although the demon had sat in the dark for him. In fact, Paz was always trying to make him comfortable. He was really pretty great.
Trent sighed internally. Too bad the first guy heactuallyliked in the longest time was incorporeal and currently inhabiting his body.
Sometimes life just really sucked.
Chapter
Eight
CAN YOU GO ON A DATE WITH THE DEMON POSSESSING YOUR BODY?
The rest of the shopping went by pretty painlessly. They got flatware, dinnerware, Paz’s window treatments (which were really just curtains), new bedding, and some pictures and decorations for the walls. They also got throw pillows, and Trent complained that none of them looked soft enough until finally Paz somehow gave Trent feeling in one hand and let him touch all the pillows. It was kinda cool (because he got to feel something, and who knew Paz could give him back limited control like that) and also kinda hysterical (because Trent was feeling the pillows and Paz was saying “What about this one? Or this one?” the whole time, which had earned them some really strange looks when people walked by the aisle).
It had been a successful trip, Trent supposed, and Paz had then gotten their body a late lunch. The demon had gotten a disgustingly healthy salad and some kind of juice that was green. Paz had promised him it wouldn't kill him and that it was actually beneficial.
I can’t believe you get to be in human bodies for a limited time and you don’t gorge yourself on all the unhealthy shit. It isn’t going to have any negative affect on you,Trent said as they dragged their last bag of stuff into the apartment.
“It will have a negative effect on my host. I don’t want you dying of a heart attack on me,” Paz joked, placing the bag on the table and starting to unload.
OMG—tell me you’re not going to unpack all of that now. Aren’t we going to sit and relax? Watch a little television?Trent asked.And why is the human coaching the demon on how to be a slacker? Hmm?
Paz just laughed. “Unpack first,” he demanded, making Trent groan.
Paz proceeded to unload and decorate, and Trent had to admit even that was sort of fun. They hung up the curtains using the brand new tools they’d bought. Paz asked Trent’s opinion along the way for everything, and it kind of felt like they were doing it together. Which, Trent supposed, they were, since they shared a body.
Paz stopped after getting the curtains and kitchen stuff done and grabbed a sandwich for dinner, and Trent even managed to not complain when he saw how super healthy it looked (after all, he didn’t have to taste it).
I still can’t believe you eat so healthy. And are we almost done?Trent complained, although it was more out of habit than because he wasn’t having fun.
“Almost done,” Paz replied. “Then we’ll have some fun.”
That sounds promising. Can we go out for the night? Find ourselves a good hookup?Trent pleaded.
Paz paused in his unpacking, and Trent thought maybe he was contemplating the best bars and clubs, but he just said, “You’re quite obsessed with this whole hook up thing.”
Yeah, well, it’s been awhile, ok? Things have been a little dry, Trent grumbled.
“Why? You’re hot. You could hook up any time you want to,” Paz assured him.
It was sweet of the demon, and Trent wasn’t sure how to explain things without sounding silly. But hey, if you couldn’t sound silly to the demon inhabiting your body, then who could you share stuff with?
Yeah well, opportunity isn’t really the problem,Trent sighed.I just get stuck in my head. I overthink things. I second guess myself, and I end up not hooking up. I was kind of looking forward to not having to make any decisions. With you in charge, I could just enjoy watching the whole thing and not have to make a choice. Or feel guilty afterwards.
Paz was carrying the new sheets over to the stacked washer and dryer and loading them in. He paused to ask, “Do you? Feel guilty, I mean? Why?”
I don’t know, Trent answered. Maybe guilty isn’t the right word.I think I just don’t know what to do afterwards. I feel awkward. I’m just not good at random hook ups. I guess I really want a relationship, but you can see how well that’s been going. Dating apps suck, but waiting for a relationship for sex also sucks. So here we are, with me hoping you’ll get us some. Maybe you can even let me feel some of the fun, because that whole hand feeling the pillows thing was a neat trick,Trent joked.
Paz paused again, but then he started the washer and went to finish unpacking the rest of the stuff, which was mostly small decorations. He was quiet for a few minutes, and Trent felt a little stupid for his confessions.
I was just kidding,Trent finally added, because he couldn’t deal with the silence.
