Cheeky piece

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Its a video call of one Anthony J. Crowley stepping out of a posh building eating a vanilla and chocolate swirled cone. ]

When you think about it sixty-five million isn't really so much to ask for a place like this in the middle of New York. Especially with all those terraces. Parking space for two cars. Concierge. More bedroom space than I'll ever need. And... ha! This might be the best part!

[ He laughed and attached a quick image to the post. ]

They don't want to take that painting with them so it would come with the place! You're an art restorer, what do you think of it, Mr. Fell? Cheeky piece. It's a bit like that play we saw last week, the one where you got all annoyed with me for magically upgrading our seats. I didn't hear you complaining when we ended up with that private box though did I?

[ He paused for a thoughtful lick of chocolate before it ran down the cone. ]

I never even dreamed of owning a place like this one before so of course I signed. What is the point of magic if you can't indulge?

Comments

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Thanks he hated it. Every emotion filled tender caring word that reached into his chest and gave his heart a sucker punch. And for that reason he snatched up the nearest naff looking pillow and winged it at Alec's head. That's what you get for trying to make him go all misty... ]

Shaddup.

[ Deep sigh. ]

They aren't losing out on anything. They'll have the rent from my old place, which wasn't cheap, the money from my moonlighting and most of my paycheck besides. It's sort of a 'rent to own' deal.

[scotch_egg]

[he grunted as he was hit, and then held the pillow to his chest. He was still wearing the faint smile even if he didn't look at Anthony]

Fair enough.

[though he still wanted nothing to do with it. At least some of the tension seemed to go out of him]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Fair enough, was it? The narrative that he had swindled these people out of millions of dollars sounded more 'demon' than 'I used my powers of persuasion to negotiate a very fair deal'... but he didn't do anything more than sulk about it. ]

You haven't had dinner yet?

[scotch_egg]

Had some toast this morning. [he stretches a bit and leans his head back on the sofa] Haven't had the chance to do any shopping.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Toast? The grimace said it all, man can not live on toast alone! ]

How about we order in, get some burritos.

[scotch_egg]

Eh. Don't like Mexican. I'll have heartburn all night. [a snort]

You want to stay here?

[temptationaccomplished]

[Anthony hardly strikes him as the type of demon, or man, or anything, to keep a bat cave. Creature comforts and all were important. Or at least appearances, and it was hard to look cool in a dingy cave .]

A library... oh, that would be lovely. There’s so little space in these New York flats for the luxuries of keeping libraries and the like. I’ve had to keep so many of my books and paintings in storage and I really don’t trust that the conditions are at all good for them in the long term... It would be so nice to put them out on display where I could enjoy them and...

...I see what you’re doing. Don’t think you can use your wiles on me, you sneaky serpent. I’m not going to be tempted by your fine looks and attractive offers like those realtors and concierge clerks and the ushers. I know your tricks now. I can resist.

[serpentinthegarden]

Don't say it like that... I have before! Anyway it beats trying to get across town at this time of night with them digging up most of the paving. I almost didn't make it here at all! They are putting in some sort of sewage line just outside your place.

[ Ok, so not Mexican. He racked his mind for something gentler. ]

The Pita Pocket is close.

[scotch_egg]

Fine. But you're paying, Demon of the deep pockets. [he threw the pillow back] And a spinach smoothie.

[serpentinthegarden]

Yeah, you could resist but... why bother? I mean even if you didn't want to share a bedroom you could have your own space on the first floor. I could move the office to the gym space and it could become Aziraphale's library and art restoration room.

We could have dinner and lunch together every day.

[ He gave the screen a hopeful look. ]

Even breakfast.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ The pillow caught him squarely between the eyes and while he was pulling out his cell to make the order. If he wasn't on the phone he might just have chucked it back, as he was the pillow rested between his feet while he made the request for a gross sounding spinach smoothie and a few pita pockets filled with actual food like roasted chicken and salad fixings. ]

Done. Now all we have to do is wait and hope they can make it over the pit in the front walk.

[scotch_egg]

[he chuckled]

Maybe you should fund a bridge. Or a lift.

[temptationaccomplished]

[He is tempted. More so by meals and entire days spent with Anthony than by the prospect of a library, honestly. He looks away.]

I couldn't ask you to rearrange your plans for the space for me. Besides, there's no way I could afford to live there.

[serpentinthegarden]

It would have to be a new city block the way they are going at it.

[ Anthony smirked, retrieved the pillow, and wandered back over to perch on the arm of the sofa again like some big dark vulture looming over Alec. ]

So... How have you been doing?

[serpentinthegarden]

That's not... I'm not asking you to pay for anything.

[ Some times Aziraphale was so dense Anthony didn't know whether to fly into a rage or pepper the adorable man with kisses. ]

I'm asking you to move in with me.

[ The kisses would have won out. ]

We can share the place. Do the couples thing... My plans always included you.

[captainspain]

[Jack has always felt weirdly uncomfortable around Anthony for reasons he doesn't understand. So his discomfort might be showing on his face right now]

It's just...weird looking. I mean to each his own...but those people coming out of the painting they creep me out.

[serpentinthegarden]

That's why I like it. It's spooky.

[ Anthony looked to the painting and then to the guy doing the uncomfortable side-eyeing through the phone screen. ]

You are late for something? You look like you would rather be some where else.

[captainspain]

No it's just.

[Jack sighs. He's a people pleaser by nature and it's not like Anthony has done anything to him]

You and that other guy Alec...you make me...you...weird me out. I don't know why but you do.

[serpentinthegarden]

Oh that.

[ Anthony bobbed like he had heard this all the time. ]

Yea, it's a twin thing. We aren't really, we are cousins, but it seems to confuse a lot of people. I'm used to it.

[temptationaccomplished]

[He had enjoyed being tempted, but that was awfully fast, wasn't it? When did people usually move in together? They had only been dating for a few months now. Fell hadn't lived with a lover in a very long time, and Anthony hadn't even lived with Grace. He had been too fast for Aziraphale in his memory of the holy water, too, and he still wasn't sure just what they had moved on to become from that.

But to be included in someone's Plan, to be a part of Anthony's life like that... It was all very romantic, surprising and entirely overwhelming.]

They did?

[serpentinthegarden]

Yeah.

[ Was that too sweet? Too fast? Not fast enough? Anthony stared at the screen practically gooey with emotion as he waited for the verdict... then thought better of that as he second guessed based on Aziraphale's obvious confusion. ]

You don't have to answer now. You can see the place, think about it... it's a standing offer when ever you're ready.

[temptationaccomplished]

Thank you, my dear. [How in the world this sweet, considerate, romantic man is a demon, he'll never understand. I mean, aside from the trolling and whatnot, but still.]

I know... Perhaps I'll bring a few of my favorite books over, lay the groundwork for that library. It should help to make the space feel more cozy, too.

[chenqing_player]

[He's excited. Guess he better look into snagging some moving boxes and figure out some form of thank you gift.]

Power of persuasion..that's pretty handy. Please do not use that on me.

[serpentinthegarden]

That's a good idea. Bring them over, tuck them in, see if they feel right at home here.

[ Which he said a touch sillily as naturally the books wouldn't actually be able to offer their opinion of their new shelf. But it was a delightfully hope filled first step. Love me, love my toys...

And Aziraphale hadn't said no! He could rest happily on the idea that he hadn't turned down the idea outright. ]

[serpentinthegarden]

As if I would ever need to. You always seem to be ready to try anything.

[ A tease, but Wei always seemed the fun-loving adventitious sort. ]