Chapter 13
Gabriel
Levi was kissing him, which was, as far as Gabriel was concerned, a transcendent experience. He had the softest, sweetest lips, and Gabriel got a little lost every time the demon kissed him.
When Levi pulled away and Gabriel opened his eyes, they were standing in line behind a pair of humans.
“I skipped us to the head of the line. Humans love rides, so the wait can be quite long,” Levi whispered.
Gabriel nodded. Humans seemed to take the good and bad hand in hand—that was something he was learning from all these experiences.
The museum had been crowded, but people had dealt with it to see the art.
Mountain climbing was dangerous, but people did it anyway for the satisfaction.
Rides were apparently fun, but there was a wait to go on them.
Humans were amazingly resilient creatures, but then he’d always known that.
It was nice to be reminded now and again, though.
Levi looked extremely excited, and it was rather cute. The demon obviously enjoyed these rides. Gabriel was sure he’d seen some over time, but he couldn’t recall exactly what they were. He supposed he would find out.
It only took a moment for a gate to be opened, and a human ushered them and others in, where Levi practically ran toward the front of the…
contraption. It was obviously designed like a train or a car, with numerous seats, although it didn’t appear there was a driver.
The seats had large, brightly colored things attached to them.
Levi climbed into one, and Gabriel watched as he sat, his legs dangling down, and pulled the contraption down over his head, where it stopped in front of his chest.
“It’s a harness to keep the humans secure. Like a seatbelt,” Levi explained.
Ah, yes—humans were rather delicate, but he doubted he and Levi would need these harnesses. They were embracing the human experience, though, so he climbed into his seat next to Levi and followed the demon’s actions.
A human came around and tugged on their harnesses, he supposed to make sure they were secure.
Levi was kicking his legs like an excited child, and Gabriel couldn’t help but smile.
If nothing else, it was fun to see him so excited.
He could see where humans would feel joy just from seeing others feel joy.
He had to admit he was also still feeling warm and fuzzy after Levi had talked about ‘our ability to deliver messages.’ Our. Gabriel couldn’t remember the last time he’d been part of an our. It was… nice. More than nice. Like all the responsibility and all the work wasn’t Gabriel’s alone.
Not that he couldn’t handle the responsibility and work, of course, but it was lonely sometimes. Sure, he talked to many afterlifers and humans, but it was usually quick interactions.
But now he could say ‘we,’ and he was rather giddy at the thought.
Levi turned and smiled at him, reaching a hand towards him.
Gabriel looked around and saw a few people holding hands between their seats, although most people were holding the harnesses.
Gabriel was going to embrace the experience, so he reached out and took hold of Levi’s hand as the ride began slowly moving up the track.
It looked similar to a railroad track, now that Gabriel was paying attention, and as they slowly climbed higher and higher, he could hear nervous giggling and whispering behind him.
The allure must be seeing things from high up, and on the ride the humans apparently got to climb without doing the physical labor.
One person was even chanting, “Oh my god,” over and over, so obviously they were feeling closer to god as they climbed the track.
“The view is lovely,” he said to Levi. “And it’s a nicer way to get to see things rather than having to climb a mountain.”
Levi giggled maniacally, which was a little odd.
They were just reaching what appeared to be the top of the ride, and Gabriel was a little sad it would be over so quickly.
Only, as they reached the top, he saw a lot more track spread out before them. They seemed to hover at the top for a moment, and then…
Well, he might have screamed.
Maybe just a bit.
But all the humans screamed, so surely that was just partaking in the experience.
They were dropping down at quite magnificent speeds, the wind blowing in their faces, their bodies jerking back and forth, and… oh… oh, my… They were going upside down. And Levi was still laughing maniacally next to him, the humans were still screaming, and was that…
Why, yes, it appeared to be a loop of fire.
Which they passed through, before twirling around quite a few times in a dizzying array of little loops.
Gabriel had the thought that he couldn’t stretch his wings out to help himself even if he wanted to, because he was secured in place (hopefully very firmly), and he didn’t want to break the ride and possibly injure the humans.
Then they were hitting flat track, and they came to a sudden halt, their heads jerking forward.
Levi gave his hand a squeeze, and Gabriel realized he might have been clutching the demon’s hand rather strongly throughout the experience. He had forgotten they were even holding hands, what with all the loops and being upside down and the concern about humans falling to their deaths.
The screaming had stopped, at least, and as they pulled up to the platform where they had boarded, their harnesses rose, and the humans climbed out, laughing and talking amongst themselves.
Levi was looking quite happy as well, and when they got out of their seats, he pulled Gabriel over to the side. “What did you think, Buttons?”
Gabriel wasn’t sure what to think. “The humans were screaming.” He motioned toward a group of teenagers, flabbergasted as they got back in line. “I think that girl was crying. But it appears they’re going to do it again, and she seems… excited.”
Levi chuckled, taking his hands and squeezing them. “Yes. It’s the thrill of it—the speed and the heights and the force of it. It feels very dangerous, but it’s rather safe, according to human standards.”
Levi looked at him, and he realized he probably looked a little out of sorts. He certainly felt a bit out of sorts. He hadn’t even fixed his hair, for heaven’s sake (which he quickly rectified).
Levi frowned. “Oh, Buttons, I’m so sorry. Did you not enjoy yourself?”
Gabriel squeezed Levi’s hand. “I… Well, I’m not sure. I suppose it was thrilling, and it did feel dangerous—I worried about the humans with us. I’m not used to not having control while I’m flying through the air.”
“Well, we don’t need to do any more roller coasters,” Levi reassured him. “In fact, this amusement park has a lot of coasters, but there are different parks that have more immersive rides. We can visit one of those.”
Gabriel really wasn’t sure if he’d enjoyed the roller coaster.
He didn’t think it was possible to not know if he liked something, but that was how he felt about the ride.
It was worrying and loud and beautiful and fast and…
Well, it was a lot of things, and Gabriel wasn’t sure he could piece it all together and decide if the good or bad won out.
Poor Levi looked quite worried that Gabriel wasn’t having fun, though, and he didn’t want the demon to feel bad.
“You liked it,” Gabriel said. “And I didn’t dislike it, really. I think I’m just figuring it out. The immersive rides sound interesting, but you promised me treats, too. Are they at this amusement park?”
Levi grinned, tugging him off the platform and out into the throngs of people, talking all the while about different rides and treats they simply had to try.
They managed to ride the ferris wheel (the view was pretty, and according to Levi, humans often kissed a lot on that ride, so they did, too, which was quite enjoyable).
They ate candy apples and funnel cake, which both tasted fantastic, but Gabriel’s favorite had to be the cotton candy.
The fluffy, pastel-colored treat seemed to melt in his mouth, and he marveled that humans didn’t eat it all the time.
They were able to skip the lines, which wasn’t exactly the human experience, but Levi insisted they didn’t need to wait in line to see what humans enjoyed.
Gabriel even went on one more roller coaster, although this one was wooden and didn’t have any loops.
It was still rather exhilarating, though, and the screaming humans attested to the fact that going upside down wasn’t necessary for the thrill.
It wasn’t even dinner time before they were done, so when Levi mentioned taking him to a different type of amusement park, Gabriel happily agreed.
After all, Levi said there were more sweet treats to try, and he also said this other amusement park was the happiest place on earth. Gabriel was excited to see so many happy humans all together experiencing transcendent moments. It would surely be a lovely time.
“A demon must have created that ride. I cannot imagine a human coming up with something so… creepy.” Gabriel shuddered thinking about all the blank-faced dolls staring at him and singing. “And that song. It’s like it burrowed into my brain and will never leave.”
Levi laughed at him. They were sitting on benches and relaxing after they had watched a beautiful display of fireworks, complete with music. The humans were all leaving the park, and it was rather nice to be sitting here in the quiet with Levi after the day that they’d had.
“Yeah, that ride is either loved or hated by people, but I can assure you that no demon helped it along,” Levi answered.
“I’m still not sure it’s the happiest place on earth,” Gabriel said doubtfully. “I did have a wonderful time, and some of the rides really were fun and lovely, but… Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many screaming children. Neither they nor their parents seemed very happy.”
Levi laughed again. “Yes, catering to small children for this place probably has demonic origins. Overstimulation, long walks, tons of sugar—that sounds exactly like a chaos demon. But lots of kids and parents were having fun, too.”
Gabriel had to admit that Levi was right, and it had been an enjoyable day.
They’d gone on rides, seen people dressed up as characters, and been fully immersed in movie worlds.
They’d even traveled to ‘other countries,’ and it was easy to see why people enjoyed this place.
(Although the doll ride was still creepy, and he couldn’t understand how Levi enjoyed it so much.)
“I suppose humans are used to things being difficult,” Gabriel mused.
Levi looked at him questioningly.
“Well, take all the things we’ve done. There are lines, or there’s danger, or there’s something that makes the experience more complicated. But humans put up with it in order to achieve the experience they want. It’s rather tenacious of them.”
Levi hummed thoughtfully. “I don’t know.
I don’t think they enjoy it despite what they have to go through.
I think sometimes they enjoy it because of what they go through.
They can appreciate things because they worked hard to get them, even if the working hard was waiting in line.
I think they feel like they earned their happiness, then. ”
“Well, I think they have. I rather like most humans. I’d forgotten how plucky they are.”
Levi laughed at him, sliding in close to his side and lifting Gabriel’s arm to rest it on his shoulder. Ah, more snuggling. They did quite a bit of that, and Gabriel wasn’t going to complain.
They sat and enjoyed the quiet night for a few moments, and then they seemed to both feel it was time to head back home, because they were looking at each other and smiling, and Levi’s tentacles were coming out at the same time as Gabriel unfolded his wings.
They both laughed a little, and then they were back in Levi’s living room overlooking the ocean, and the sight was just as pretty as it always was.
Gabriel sighed contentedly and sat down on the couch.
(Ok, perhaps it was more like a plop, but he felt so very loose and carefree after their day out in the human world.)
Levi was looking at him, and the demon looked almost hungry. Gabriel felt a little shiver run through his body, and warmth pooled in his lower half.
Levi’s eyes were partly closed, and he had a small smile on his face. “Maybe we should try some other human experiences. Humans do enjoy all different types of intimate contact. Perhaps we ought to add some of those to our list.”
Gabriel knew exactly what Levi was talking about, and without thinking too much about it, he produced the parchment and a pencil.
“Ok,” Gabriel answered. “Let’s add to the list.”
Levi stalked closer, and Gabriel wondered if making the list might even be counted as transcendent. He couldn’t wait to see what suggestions Levi might make.
His demon was wonderfully creative, and if the tingles running through Gabriel’s body were any indication, hearing all his ideas might just be as exciting as actually trying them.