Hell of a Time :D // oxo // romance // open

There were a lot of things that Aaron should be doing right now. He hadn't prepped at all for tomorrow's semester exam, he'd left a herring and pumpkin pot pie cooking he should definitely be checking on and maybe he should think about apologising to Dan after how badly he insulted his religion the other day.
Cleaning out the back of his very old managers antique store was not on that list. He didn't have the time of day for extra labour on top of his three jobs, failing university experience and drunken Aunt. But what could Aaron say? He was a total sucker for someone in need and there was no way he was letting Mrs Faye sort all this heavy furniture out.
Still, he was almost regretting his overflowing generosity.
He wasn't used to being so nice, and frankly he'd been stuck in this cramped room for too long.
Aaron was beginning to look like more dust then human with thick cobwebs spluttered over the back of his brand new jacket. The dark room, smelling primarily of moss and old books, had proved more to be more than he could handle and his coughing fits, which he hadn't endured since a child, returned happily.

Despite his three hours of sorting, the room of boxes, shelves and indescribable, nameless objects didn't seem to falter. If it was possible, there seemed to be more then there had been when he started. Twice he had stepped out to grab Starbucks and sushi, the usual lunch, but nothing could relax him. Something about this room was calling to him, he just knew he had to come back and finish sorting. So, he worked at it, making five different piles to which he could barely remember their criteria.
Then he found it, an object he would later wish he never had, a round metal sphere with golden specks shining as he gently twirled it around in his hands. Half of Aaron was screeching at him to put it straight down, lock it away and run like it was no ones business. But the roaring, begging feeling called at him to press down on one of the small buttons barely visible to the eye.
So, naturally, he went with the stupid idea.

The metal ball fell from his hands and spun in one spot as soon as he pressed the first button. All on it's own. Through the golden pieces, a blinding light began to warm, shooting out a bright beacon from each one as the spinning accelerated.
"What the hell-"
He covered his eyes with his forearms, stumbling backwards and crashing down into cardboard boxes around him.

(again sorry for the wait, and I hope it's ok??)

(No I love it so much!! I already adore Z haha. I'll reply in a quick sec)

The fractured lights from the sphere disappeared no sooner then it had started, and in it's place; a taller man appeared. Except, he didn't really look like a regular New Yorker, or any New Yorker for that matter. And honestly, Aaron had seen some pretty weird ones.
The man in front of him was a lot taller, but then again weren't they all? The guy was slashed all over like he had been tortured for years on end, it didn't match the contagious grin he wore or his piercing golden eyes. Yeah, Aaron was staring. Mostly out of jealous, but you know, also because a complete stranger had miraculously appeared in front of him. The reeked confidence from head to tail.
And suddenly Aaron realised the man before him had a tail. And horns.
"Who the hell are you?" The words stuttered out of him before he could stop himself.
Aaron did not, however, let the stranger reply. Holding up a hand, and pulling himself up from a nearby shelf. He took a deep breath and even offered a smile to the man, he had to hand it to himself, Aaron really wasn't an easy man to scare. Even when you did send phenomenally well-detailed, handsome cosplayers out to scare him.
"Look" He started again. "If Dan hired you to prank me back, tell him I'm mostly sorry and it probably won't happen again until next week"
He added that last part on to be nice, he already had plans to embarrass his workmate Dan at a party that Friday.

"Mortal" Aaron repeated the word aloud, rolling his tongue over it and sneering at the sound
The situation was getting out of hand, his brain couldn't get past the man's very bare, muscled chest let alone keep up with this new level of weird that had quickly taken over a normal afternoon. He took a generous step back, breathing shakily from the sudden closeness of the man.
"You say that like you aren't one." He raised a brow and threw his hands to his hips, trying to take back some dominance.
It was hard thing to do with a guy like Zaelis standing in front of you.
"I love a joke as much as the next guy but 'prince of the nine hells' is a little unbelievable, don't you think?" Aaron said. "How much did Dan pay you? And who is Rog exactly? He can't be stupider than Dan, believe me"
Aaron was on a roll now, the questions bubbling wildly inside him, but no sooner then he came up with the next one, a thought dawned and echoed with finality inside his head. Clearing every other thought he had, the realisation was a scary one.
"Dan is too stupid to plan something like this" Aaron decided slowly. "So, who are you really?"

If Aaron really was in hell, well, that explained a lot. The steadiness of Zaelis was convincing him more every second that the guy was genuinely confused, just like him. Oddly, he felt himself believing the guy was just as lost as him in this strange cupboard.
"That would be because I am human, I'd think" Aaron narrowed his eyes. "But you're not. I mean all of those names you just said, no one half-human would dare use a name like that in downtown, NYC."
He rubbed a hand over his forehead tiredly, he couldn't seem to catch a break. More than anything, his growing concern was that this could all be true. And that he'd have to apologise to his Aunt Hilda for claiming Hell didn't exist so it didn't mater whether or not he brought a boy to her son's Bat Mitzvah, because maybe it did. That and, maybe he really was in hell being tortured, which could explain literally everything about his life so far.
"My name is Aaron, Prince of chaos and apparently bad luck" He tried to toss some humour into the mix. "And unless we're counting this demonic city, we're not technically in hell"
If he didn't sprinkle sarcasm throughout this, he'd be sure to loose his mind, real or not, he needed a strong drink and his favoured coping mechanism real close about now.
Aaron had a bad habit of not letting other people speak while he was in the middle of thinking and it wasn't going to stop now, he wasn't sure if he even wanted to hear what that guy had to say.
"First things first though" He unzipped his jacket and held it out to the supposed demon. "No half-naked men on the street, not even handsome ones"

It took Aaron a good ten minutes to stop blushing. He was used to flirting, hell, he pissed people off with it 24/7, but somehow Zaelis was making him turn redder then the marks that danced up and down the demons skin. He tried not to show his wavered composure on his face, clearing his throat and trying to remember what he had just been asked.

"That jacket is definitely too tight" Yeah, that's where his mind was right now. He paused. "As for what to do, I mean, shouldn't I be asking you the questions? I picked up an old sphere thing, and boom, demon."
Aaron scrunched together his brows, trying to think and just barely stopping himself from pacing around the short storage area. He needed to know more about what he was dealing with, weren't demons supposed to be evil? Was he safe? And should he be having a mental breakdown because of how strange this new reality had become? Really, his brain had chalked it up to: Just another day in New York City, I guess. Still this had to be the strangest day yet, his mind and body ached, his pie was totally burnt by now and his Aunt was probably wondering where he was this late. Plus Zaelis had called him handsome and it really wasn't helping him clear his mind.

He stifled another violent cough and glanced around the room. "I don't know how to send you back, bringing you here wasn't my choice. Uh, no offence. But if we stay in here I might just get to hell before you do"
And with that, as if his lungs were trying to emphasis his point, more dust he had inhaled scratched painfully at his throat and he wheezed painfully.

"What the hell do you do in your free time if you're not magic? Isn't hell boring then?" Aaron paused. "Don't answer that."
He wasn't sure he could take the answer. He supposed it was good Zaelis was open enough to share such a thing, did it mean he wasn't in too much danger from the man?

Still, Zaelis was right about one thing, it was probably (definitely) his fault. His curiosity had gotten the better of him, the odd sphere had acted as some sort of portal and that's all he understood so far. He watched Zaelis adjust the hoodie and tried to hide a grin, his horns were kind of cute. Wait. He did not just think that.
There was so many things wrong with Aaron, he stopped keeping a list a long time ago, but that was way too far down the rabbit hole. Even for him. He made an effort not to bang his head against the wall.
He could only hope he was somehow dreaming.

He shook his head, and rummaged around the room, the little light that flickered lazily from the ceiling wasn't helping his journey but he opened the door welcoming the outside sunlight to sweep in. The back of his mind was concerned about how Zaelis would react to a very busy city and the rest of his mind was concerned that he was concerned at all.
"If that thing brought you here, maybe it can send you back?" Aaron suggested. "But yeah, food sounds like the right choice. Just, please tell me you don't need souls to sustain you or something?"

Aaron was definitely smiling now, fear had long left him, maybe it was shock that let this slightly giddy, soft feeling take over him. He was holding back a chuckle at the eager demon who's mood had switched so quickly Aaron couldn't keep up. It was increasingly crazy how relaxed he felt, but he tried not to focus on it. Aaron was good at pretending horrifying, life altering things were that bad, wasn't he?
Aaron followed him out, stretching happily in the sun and feeling joints he didn't even realise he had y
"Man, do we have some serious educating to do. Practically everything in New York is deep fried." He told Zaelis with a grin. "Don't eat my bones, and yeah, I'll let you tag along"
He waved a hand over his shoulder, turning decidedly on the spot. The sun was setting, the buzz of the streets were beginning to unravel and he had confidence even Zaelis's weird apparel wouldn't get a second look this late. New York is fabulously weird.
Aaron knew just the place they could eat.

(S'all good hun!! I'm sorry for taking so long with each reply haha)

Aaron got the hinting suspicion Zaelis was going to call him human, and therefore viewed him as a lesser species. Which he supposed must be true in a lot of senses. He wondered silently to himself how one even became a demon. He figured it might be insensitive to ask.
"Don't call me that if you want me to respond," He kept his pace steady with the all too comfortable demon. "It's Ace."
The demon seemed preoccupied inside his own thoughts and Aaron could only hope he had paid attention. He did really hate being called on by his real name. He could hear his Mothers voice every time the word was spoken.
Not the time to think about that, Ace.
He cleared his throat. "We're going to my second job, it's a club that should be open by now. French Fries guaranteed."
On the outside, the place he worked out seemed innocent enough, during the day the front was a sweet little coffee shop he often helped out in. The night however? Upstairs, a very popular club raged all night long that reeked alcohol and substances that weren't strictly legal. Aaron loved it there, well, he loved working there and getting to know the patrons, he'd never met such, incredibly nice and weird people. He'd never actually been there out of work hours, but he figured it was safer than taking Zaelis to a Macdonalds, nobody would blink twice at his appearance. Horns and all.
Aaron wondered if the demon had ever been to a gay club before.
Surely, there were some of those in hell.

(I'm honestly thrilled that you love him haha, one of the main reasons I'm doing more rp is because I need to get more confidence in sharing my writing haha. I literally have three unpublished, completed books lmao)

(btw Zaelis literally makes me blush reading what he says. He's so funny and I love it. Literally burst out laughing in study hall reading that latest lines :))

(I'm so glad!! This is all really fun tbh, I love how our characters interact so much. Nice pun btw, it takes a lot to make me laugh but you're really good at it!)

(Ok, I'll get the next part up now haha!!)

Aaron frowned. "You are joking right? Where do all of the gays go in hell then?"
He wanted to add on, do we really get tortured? but, decided against risking the chance of having his reality shatter around him. Again. Plus, Zaelis was kind of cool, he hadn't cursed him or breathed fire (was that something he could even do?) and unlike most people he met, didn't bother him with questions about why he wanted to be called Ace.
Aaron on the other hand had a lot of questions.
"Clubs are like big rooms where people get together to dance, drink and do, uh, other things." He explained slowly. "The owners are from Tennessee so guns are more likely than cavemen clubs. Welcome to Texas and all that."
He stopped himself from explaining anymore, not wanting to confuse the poor guy anymore then he definitely had. Although the bewildered puppy expression was more then enjoyable to watch, he kept his gaze forwards as much as he could, trying not to goggle at the different species.
Music and sound boomed from the corner up in front of them, a long line of all kinds of people stood waiting to get in, instinctively he grabbed onto Zaelis's wrist to make sure he wouldn't loose the guy, dragging him along behind him.
They were almost there.
"And just so you know, the other people dressed up like demons, are just people" Aaron said. "It's kind of a fetish around here. Sorry about that"

"It's good to know that Satan might be the ultimate bad guy, but he's not a total asshole" Aaron grinned at the thought. "We've always been taught that demons wait for each gay person to torture them specifically up here."
That was probably the best news he'd heard all year. Sure he hadn't been religious since an hour ago but he'd always had the nagging worry that something bigger then him would cast Aaron down for being gay. Not that he was necessarily gay. He tried not to think about it really.
Aaron hoped he was explaining it right to the guy, he really wasn't sure what Zaelis knew and didn't about the human world. To be honest, sometimes Aaron wasn't sure he knew what was going on up here.
"And yeah, take off the hood, you'll be fine, I swear." He looked back to throw Zaelis a smile. "I'm going to introduce to some friends of mine, but my advice tough guy? Keep your head down until I say it's safe."
Sure hell was one, probably chaotic, thing, but gay bars were a whole new level of mayhem. Fantastically eccentric and brilliant mayhem but still no safe place for any hot guy who didn't know what he was doing.
"Ace Phillips? Long time no see kid."
Ah, he knew that voice. A long time pain in the ass, an even older friend. He didn't let go of Zaelis but waved at his bodyguard friend who stood at the entrance of the club, quite literally keeping guard of the door from the already tipsy waiting line.
"Nathan, how's it going dude?"
"Been better mate, it's not even nine o'clock and I've had to send five crackheads on their way" Nathan smirked. "How you been, anyway? I've missed you."
Aaron knocked fists with the bodyguard. "Yeah, I've been busy, sorry about that. I'll start up my regular shifts next week I reckon. Do you think you can get my friend and I in?"
Nathan glanced back at Zaelis and Aaron's breathing quickened immediately. Nathan was a very muscly, pride-ridden thick head, if he thought anything was suspicious about him he wouldn't let either of them in. He probably wondered where Aaron had even met the demon, he wasn't exactly known to be the most social guy around. He didn't usually bring tall, attractive cosplayers (or at least, that's what it would look like) around with him. He slipped his hand into Zaelis's without another thought, Nathan's brows shot up but he nodded in understanding. One problem down, now I just have to pretend to have a weird cosplayer for a boyfriend.
He wasn't sure if it was truly worth it.
Nathan seemed to settle on: "You're underage, Ace."
"When has that stopped you before?"
Nathan blushed, looking like he wanted to protest but biting his tongue and opening the door for them anyway. Aaron inwardly praised himself, when they had first met Nathan had tried to make a move on the very underage Uni student and he used it against him whenever he could.
Aaron led the way into the first section of the bar. Technically he club was three storeys with private rooms, a restaurants and a lot of places to dance like literally no one was around you. The music pumping all around drowned out the many conversations go on around them, to the distance the dance floor flickered with a million different lights and sounds. Damn, he loved it here. He could be alone surrounded by hundreds of people, it was his favourite way to be.
Aaron slid into the closest empty booth. "So, you said something about being a real prince? And nine hells?"

(That was a VERY long one. I apologise in advance for you having to read such a long ass thing!!)