Even though Swoop was disappointed that there was no liquor, everyone else seemed to have a good time at Teddy’s 18th birthday party. Mike made sure there was plenty of food at all times, and made doubly sure that the music and the drink was flowing. Scott watched his husband, who seemed to be proud and happy, as if this was his own son’s 18th birthday.
Alex and Rory talked in a corner together. Fold seemed to try and force himself to relax, and all the people around him noticed. They tried to help him, telling him jokes and trying, sometimes succeeding, in distracting Fold from his normal heightened awareness.
Starfall’s boyfriend had come in human garb, but some knew that he was a God of the Underworld. He and Scott talked quietly at times, about what, Mike didn’t know.
It was all fun and games, until Kenny showed up.
He was in demon form, on fire, and drunk to boot. Ping avoided him, and Kenny took that as an affront. “What’s fuckin’ wrong with you?” he said.
“Fucking fire,” said Ping, as he ducked into the hallway leading to the garden.
“What’s wrong with a little fuckin’ fire?” He set off a fireball, right at the satellite TV. Mike put up a shield, so it splattered against it, sending embers of fire all across the carpet and table. “I’m a firecracker!” Kenny yelled.
“That’s enough, Kenny,” said Mike, coming toward him.
“You don’t own me. Nobody owns me. I’m a free man!”
“Enough, Kenny.”
“You’re doing this to celebrate your fuck buddy’s birthday? What about your own husband’s birthday, huh?”
Mike stopped short. His eyes narrowed in fury.
“Swear to fuckin’ God, you’re a fuckin’ asshole.”
That’s when the fight started. Mike’s demon came out from the floor, smelling of brimstone and sulfur, while Kenny yanked his out from the floor as well. The two of them went at it. Scott tried to step in but both of them didn’t see him. Scott finally had to put up a wall between the two fighting demons, making them retreat to stand beside their respective summoners.
“Will you both stop it?” Scott yelled at the two of them.
Kenny pointed to Mike and yelled at Scott. “He treats you like shit, right in front of you!”
“That’s between him and me, Kenny.”
Mike glared at Kenny, his body nearly thrumming with the fury coursing through him. The impish demon at his side grew even larger the angrier Mike was getting.
Kenny turned to his demon and said, “Fuck off,” and the demon disappeared. Then Kenny walked out, teleporting off-base.
In the meantime, the room had been vacated. Everyone escaped, either to the garden or the gym, or even back to Earth. There were scorch marks in the carpet, on the walls, and even on the balcony above them.
Mike hung his head down, the demon grew smaller, and Mike whispered something. His demon disappeared as well.
Scott went over to Mike. “Mike?”
He sighed. “Party’s over.” He couldn’t look at his husband, couldn’t look at anyone, as he turned and headed to the library.
