Devil May Love

It wasn't that Judy's family wasn't nice. On the contrary, Gaibriel found himself really glad he'd agreed to let Jullien bring him by. But he knew the longer he stayed and the more comfortable everyone got, the closer they came to that question... Reaching over, Gaibriel tugged a little on the sleeve of Jullien's shirt.

Jullien turned and gave him a smile that melted his insides. "Yeah?"

It took Gaibriel a few moments to remember what he was going to say. "Uhh... I, um... I really need to get back home..."

Jullien glanced down at his watch and raised his eyebrows. "Gaib, you should have spoken up sooner! I completely lost track of the time."

Judy's mother looked over the clock and gasped softly. "Is it really already two in the morning? Judy, Amanda, up to bed right now."

"But Mom-" Both girls started to protest in whiney voices.

"No buts. Go. Now." Her voice left no room for argument and after hugs all around, the girls stamped up to their bedrooms, grumbling a little. Jullien was standing and Gaibriel did as well. When Judy's mother turned back around, Jullien hugged her and thanked her for the supper. "Oh, don't you do that," she said, smiling. "You know I don't mind. Not for someone as cute as you two" She winked at Jullien then turned her eyes to Gaibriel.

Gaibriel swallowed. He knew it was coming.

"Gaibriel, before you go, can I please talk to you in private?"

There it was. Gaibriel searched his brain for an excuse, any excuse. It didn't even have to be a good excuse.

Jullien's hand rested on his shoulder and squeezed a little, blowing his train of thought completely out of the window.

"I promise I won't take long," Judy's mom said, smiling softly.

Gaibriel nodded. He was stuck. His brain was dead as long as Jullien was touching him and even before, he hadn't managed to come up with anything better than being allergic to privacy. He followed Judy's mom into a room off to the side, which he assumed to be her bedroom.

She sat down on the foot of the bed and looked up at him. "I'm sure Jullien told you that I would never do anything to cause you harm," she began. "And I hope you can see that is the truth."

Gaibriel nodded.

"He's told me quite a lot about you and your situation. I hope you don't mind."

This time, Gaibriel shook his head. He wished she'd hurry.

Taking a deep breath, she paused a few seconds before continuing. "When he first told me about you, I advised him to call the police-"

Gaibriel opened his mouth to interrupt, but Judy's mom held her hand up, stopping him.

"Just a minute, please. He told me what happened when you tried that. I don't underestimate your situation or your father, Gaibriel." She paused again, tilting her head to look at him. "How old are you again?"

"Seventeen."

"And when will you be eighteen?"

"In October."

She nodded a little. "That's quite a bit away... It's only April now." She thought a bit longer and then asked, "You said you're a senior, correct?"

"I skipped my tenth grade year," Gaibriel explained before she could ask him to clarify.

She nodded and there was another short pause. She seemed to be debating something and Gaibriel thought it best not to say anything. Truth be told, the longer she took, the more nervous about this whole situation he got. He trusted Jullien's judgment and she seemed like a wonderful lady but sometimes people did strange things for no apparent reason. That was one thing he'd learned for sure.

"Gaibriel, don't feel like I'm pressuring you, okay? I've been thinking of this since Jullien told me about you."

Now he was nervous. "O-okay..."

"Living the way you do is obviously not healthy. But there's no way to get you out of this situation that wouldn't put you in some type of danger. You need an outlet, at least until you graduate... That's in early June, correct?"

Gaibriel nodded, shifting his weight around a little. Even though he had no idea where this was going, he didn't like it one bit.

She waited until their eyes met to continue talking. "If you're interested, I believe I have come up with a way for you to escape your house every day for at least a few hours. Now, like I said, don't feel pressured. I understand how scary this must be for you."

Gaibriel had to fight the urge to turn around and walk out right then but nodded a little to indicate he was listening.

"Truth be told, this could really help out Amanda as well. From what I hear, you are an exceptional student." She sighed a little and smiled at him. "Sorry to ramble. I thought that if you would agree to it that I could call your father and ask that you be allowed to come here everyday after school."

"He would never allow that." Gaibriel's voice was quick and he didn't bother to try and mask his agitation. Unconsciously, he took a step back towards the door.

"Gaibriel, please, just listen a moment longer."

Gaibriel expected her to keep talking, to plow ahead with her idea, but she stopped, simply looking at him calmly. It took him a few moments to realize that she was waiting for his acquiescence before continuing. She wasn't trying to shove her point down his throat. Gaibriel wanted to say no, to leave and never come back. That was what his fear was telling him to do. But when he opened his mouth to do just that, he stopped, struck by a realization.

She was giving him a choice. A chance to say yes or no. Power over his own life... Just a little bit, but it was there. He could choose. She was giving him the opportunity. Casting his eyes to the ground, Gaibriel nodded, only slightly reluctant. Even if he thought what she was saying was preposterous, he felt like he should at least give her a chance, especially since she had given him something.

"Thank you. I know this must be incredibly scary for you just to talk about it. But please at least hear me out. I will call your father and ask that he allow you come here everyday after school to tutor Amanda in her schoolwork."

"She needs help?" Gaibriel wanted to take the words back as soon as he'd said them.

Judy's mom nodded a little. "She is struggling in her math classes and could use some improvement in her science and history. But, Gaibriel, that's not the real reason you would be over here. I would much rather you come over to spend some time with Jullien or Amanda and her friends or just anywhere but there. Do you understand what I mean?"

He did. And even though he fought it down, he couldn't stop the squirming feeling that hat started in his stomach. Anywhere by there.... those words repeated in his head. Spend time with Jullien... Gaibriel couldn't stop himself in time and smiled a little. Judy's mom caught it and smiled back.

"You like the idea, I take it?"

".... Yes... but, I..." Gaibriel didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to say he was scared.

Judy's mom nodded. "I understand, Gaibriel. Just let me give it a shot, okay? I'll call your father in a few days to give everything time to settle down again. I'll propose the idea of you tutoring Amanda. I can tell him that we had a conference with the teacher and she specifically recommended you for help."

"Amanda and I are homework buddies," Gaibriel volunteered.

"Oh, well, that's a nice little coincidence." She laughed a little. Gaibriel couldn't help but smile as well. "Okay, Gaibriel, it's getting late. Are you sure you're okay with this?"

Gaibriel only paused a moment before nodding. "Yes, I'm positive. Just... don't try more that once. If he says no, don't ever call again. Please."

She nodded. "Understood." She stood and offered her hand to Gaibriel. After he'd shaken it, she pulled him close and hugged him tightly. Holding him at arm's length, she smiled and said, "Thank you for being so brave, Gaibriel. I'll do everything I can to help you, even just a little. Now run on home, okay?" Her smiled turned teasing. "And no kissing on the way home! It's too soon." She winked and turned Gaibriel around, leading him to the door.

Jullien raised an eyebrow as they came out. "Hey, Ma, what did you do to him," he asked, grinning a little. "He's beet red."

"Now, that's between me and him," she said good naturedly. "Take him home, Jullien. He can tell you on the way. Don't pull up to his house either. Drop him off a little ways away, just in case."

Gaibriel and Jullien both nodded. After another round of hugs and wishes well, Gaibriel was following Jullien out the door. As soon as it closed behind him, he reached forward and timidly took Jullien's hand. The blonde man threw a smile over his shoulder and squeezed it softly.

In the car, after telling Jullien where he lived, Gaibriel explained Judy's mom's plan.

"Gaib, that'd be great," Jullien said, looking away from the road for a second. "You're okay with this?"

Gaibriel shrugged and nodded at the same time, making Jullien laugh a little.

"Well, you can trust her if she said she won't get you in trouble. Don't let that sweet little exterior fool you. Judy had to get it from somewhere." Jullien chuckled again. Gaibriel wanted to ask him to explain but didn't.

The ride was short and after just a few moments, Jullien was pulling over beside a stop sign. "This close enough," he asked. When Gaibriel nodded, he put the car in park and turned to face him, reaching out and catching Gaibriel's wrist before he could exit the car. "Hey, wait a second..."

Gaibriel's heart jumped in his throat and he slowly turned to face the blonde man. The streetlight illuminated the inside of the car just enough for them to be able to make each other out perfectly. Gaibriel could see the light line of brown eyeliner around Jullien's eyes and the slight shine on his full lips. Gaibriel's eyes lingered on Jullien's lips and he unconsciously licked his own. He remembered the way his lips had felt. Soft and warm... He'd felt safe with Jullien's arms around him. He specifically liked the way Jullien had cradled his head when they kissed. "y-yeah," he said after a few moments, blushing when his voice cracked a little.

Now it was Jullien's turn to pause. His eyes searched Gaibriel's face, never once letting go of his wrist. Finally, he said in a quiet voice, "Take care of yourself, Gaibriel."

Gaibriel's heart fell from his throat and into his stomach. That couldn't be all Jullien had to say... He didn't move or speak, waiting on Jullien to continue, silently longing to be kissed again.

Jullien closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Gaib... if your father says yes, don't try to get in touch with me. I'll be at Judy's house waiting for you."

This made Gaibriel smile brightly and he nodded eagerly. "Okay."

Jullien finally let go of his wrist, placing both hands on the steering wheel. "Sweet dreams, Gaib."

Gaibriel was disappointed and satisfied at the same time. He noticed he often felt opposing emotions at the same time around Jullien. He was starting not to mind it. Nodding, he opened the door. "Same to you, Jullien..." He got out of the car and closed the door, waiting until he saw Jullien put the car in drive again to start walking home.