The Incubus in Disguise

    By Luke

    The Incubus in Disguise cover image

    18 Aug, 2023

    The interviewer nodded, stroking his gray beard. "That's not a turn off, Luke. It's simply who you are. Now, what's your occupation?" he asked, leaning back into his chair.

    "Hmm... I'm a therapist by trade," I said. "Helping people deal with their problems... it's something I’m good at," I quipped, trying to keep to the truth as much as I could.

    His eyes widened in interest. "That's impressive. It requires a lot of empathy and patience, you know? How do you manage the emotional toll?" He asked.

    "Indeed," I acknowledged. "But let's just say I have some... unique coping mechanisms." I chuckled slightly, thinking about how my actual nature would baffle him.

    “And what about your family?” the interviewer asked, his gaze steady as he picked up his pen, ready to write down my response.

    “Well, it’s a bit complicated,” I said, running my fingers through my dark hair. “I don’t have what you’d call a traditional family. I'm on my own.”

    "That's challenging. But sometimes, it pushes us to be independent, doesn't it?" he noted, scribbling down a few lines onto his notepad.

    “Yes, you could say that,” I agreed, knowing that my unique circumstances demanded a degree of independence most humans couldn’t fathom.

    "Are you single? Is there a special someone?" He looked at me expectantly, his pen poised over the paper.

    "Still searching." I confessed. “It’s not easy when you’re... different.” That statement held more truth than he could ever understand.

    He paused, looking at me with sympathy. "Don't worry, Luke. Love knows no bounds. Just be patient, you'll find someone," he stated.

    I smiled softly, "I hope you're right." More than he realized, I was the one who had to believe that love truly knew no bounds.

    We continued with the conversation, the interviewer being laid back, empathetic, and positive. I found myself actually enjoying the chat.

    "Just one last question, Luke," he said, squinting slightly at his notepaper. "What's your biggest fear?"

    A genuine question that I hesitated to answer. "Being rejected for who I really am," I confessed, hoping my answer was vague enough.

    He looked at me, eyes filled with understanding. "That's a natural fear," he reassured. "But remember, those who matter won't mind."

    His words were kind, and it was clear that he believed them. For the first time, I felt a bit of peace. Maybe, just maybe, I could survive in this world.

    We concluded the interview soon after. As he walked away, I realized that it wasn't so bad. Maybe honesty, even if partial, wasn't such a terrible thing.

    Life as an incubus wasn't easy, but that conversation gave me hope. I walked away from the coffee shop, looking forward to the future.

    From then on, I continued to live my life, but with a change in perspective. I was still the same incubus, but a little more hopeful, a little less hidden.

    The world was still ignorant of my nature, but that was okay. I was slowly learning to accept myself, and that was a bigger and more rewarding task.

    I decided to be patient and give myself time. After all, I had eternity. I would learn to navigate through the world of men, one day at a time.

    Some days were harder than others. But on those days, I reminded myself of the interviewer's words: "Those who matter won't mind." And I believed.

    I still practiced as a therapist, and in doing so, I slowly began to use my unique abilities to genuinely help others. It was fulfilling in ways I hadn't expected.

    And so, I found my place in the world of humans. Being an incubus in disguise wasn't easy, but it had its perks. And I was well on my way to finding... me.

    In a world so consumed by chaos and misunderstanding, I was trying to make a difference. And maybe that was what truly mattered in the end.

    As I learnt more about humans, I realised they were much like me - complex, misunderstood and searching for acceptance. And this brought us all together in an odd, shared bond.

    So, here I am, an incubus living amongst humans. Struggling and blending, living and learning. Enjoying the journey, one day at a time.

    This human disguise brought along its own challenges. But maybe, just maybe, it was worth it after all. Because it bought me something invaluable - a chance to be just... me.

    So, to answer that question again, who am I? I’m Luke, a gay therapist, an incubus in a human disguise, and a sentient being, learning to embrace my truth.

    And as I navigate the world with my secret and my truth, I strive to cultivate acceptance, in others and myself. One day at a time, one heart at a time.

    The next day, I decided to visit a bar. It was dimly lit, with lively chatter providing the perfect ambience. I found myself a quiet corner and settled in, a glass of whiskey in hand.

    A young man, later introduced as Jack, approached me. His brown, curly hair and sparkling blue eyes were hard to ignore. But it was his warm smile and approachable aura that truly caught my attention.

    "Can I join you?" Jack asked, pointing at the seat beside me. I nodded, moving my glass aside to make room. We started talking and I found his company to be quite enjoyable.

    As the evening grew darker, our conversation deepened. Jack, it turned out, was also a therapist. We exchanged stories, laughed, and for a moment, I forgot who, or rather what, I was.

    Ever since the interview, I had been more confident in disclosing my orientation. So, when Jack subtly hinted at his interest, I responded honestly, "I'm gay." He simply smiled and responded, "Me too."

    Our bond strengthened over time. We continued to meet, more frequently than just friends would. Jack was understanding, compassionate, and I felt a sense of acceptance that I had never experienced before.

    I had begun to care deeply for Jack. He was a beacon of warmth in my otherwise cold existence. But my biggest fear still lurked in the background. Would he accept the real me?

    Finally, I decided it was time to come clean with Jack. It was risky, and I was scared, but I realized that hiding a part of me was not fair to either of us.

    I watched Jack’s initial surprise turn into understanding. "I still see the man I've grown to care for," he said, reaching out to hold my hand. It was acceptance. True acceptance.

    I was still an incubus, but now, I was Luke, the Incubus, and Jack's partner. This discovery of acceptance and love brightened my existence, making the future seem less daunting.

    Being true to myself, accepting myself in all forms was truly liberating. As I navigated the human world with Jack, I realized that the quest for acceptance was universal, transcending species.

    My world had changed drastically. I was no longer just an incubus in disguise. I was Luke, the gay therapist, the lover, the accepted, the understood. I had found identity beyond my species.

    Life became a beautiful journey of shared experiences with Jack. We understand and support each other, proving that love truly knows no bounds. And for the first time, I truly felt at home.

    Being an incubus is still a part of who I am. But now, I’m more than that. I'm a partner, a confidant, a lover and a friend. And that's what truly matters.

    Through eons of existence, I’ve learned, grown, accepted, and found love. This journey has been worth it. After all, didn’t someone say, “To thine own self be true”? And that, I have been.

    The Incubus in Disguise