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]

Oi!

[ Anthony practically squeaked as he was dragged off the arm of and thwaped with the pillow. He thought to take his vengeance right then, to take up the pillow and give Alec such a wallop his head would spin... but it seemed the dreams had beat him to it. ]

You're serious? Shit...

[ Long thoughtful pause in which the floor suddenly became very interesting to look at. ]

There has to be more to it than that? Why would you even be there...

[serpentinthegarden]

[ The stars faded from view as his eyes drifted closed. Everything felt right. When they were together it felt like time slowed to a crawl and the world drifted away just like the messy frosting that had marked their faces. It lifted and magically dissipated in the breeze like it had never been there, unbeknownst to Anthony whose entire existence had become that shared kiss. ]

In several minutes.

[ If Fell would allow just one more... ]

[temptationaccomplished]

[He made a small noise of agreement, the frosting forgotten entirely except where he could still taste it in the sweetness of Anthony's kiss. Anthony could have as many as he wanted. Fell would allow it. He had to fight this unreasonable urge lately to hide their love or that they were on stolen time, but that was just ridiculous insecurity. He would always allow Anthony more kisses.]

[Dessert could wait.]

[scotch_egg]

Yeah... [he leaned back and sighed] I've no idea. They don't have to make any sense, do they?

But I felt...resigned. Isn't that terrible?

[traceofeffort]

I probably will. I just... yeah, you hit the nail on the head there. I spent all that time struggling on my own, and now I'm gonna find success because I'm cribbing my setlist from another me? I complained about it before, so I'll spare you the rest of it. Just weird hang-ups. I'll probably get over it sooner or later.

[Lisa smiled after a moment, though.] But at the end of the day... mm! Someone's gotta sing it. And if Yukina isn't gonna do the work, I guess I gotta step up.

I think you're gonna have a little more excitement coming to you, though. Something like what you have is a one-way ticket to a lot of crazy stuff, and who knows what else you'll find in your back pocket?

[captainspain]

Cousins huh...nice. I'm sorry if I came across as weird back at the temple...but it's my issue it's nothing you did.

no response needed, he'll see you soon neighbor!

[chenqing_player]

I guess I better start packing!

[serpentinthegarden]

I'd like for it to make sense. I'd like for any of this to make any bloody sense!

[ Because the worst case scenario running through his head right now was that they were a family of child murderers. Hid demon side had been trying to tempt Fell into killing a kid and now Alec, with two dead children... ]

Resigned - guilty, the cops are on their way and there is nothing you can do about it or reigned - sad, I can't believe there is a dead child here?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Confused by that his head tilted ever so slightly to the right. ]

What's your issue exactly?

[scotch_egg]

[he thought about it. He wanted to give Anthony a good answer, one that would calm the tension. But there was no good answer to give]

I just felt... that this was penance. That I had to...to do something... before I ran out of time.

[serpentinthegarden]

It's fine, I get it. We're all dealing with a lot of baggage from our past selves.

[ But at least she would carry on singing. He sorta hoped she would after hearing her at that beach party. ]

Yeah, probably will. I'm a bit worried about that...

[ He stopped and glanced around, wishing to say more about it but at the same time worried that maybe he should keep more of this to himself. ]

No telling what could happen.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ It was not a happy answer. ]

Penance for what... You've never done anything that deserved that.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ They were in danger then of spending the whole of the evening standing up there under the stars entirely wrapped up in each other's embrace. There was something forbidden in the feeling that drew them together though why this might have been Anthony could only puzzle at and assume it must have something to do with God frowning on demons interfering with her creations or... some such like that. It didn't matter in the least! ]

I've been wanting to do that all day.

[scotch_egg]

[a sigh]

I don't know that, do I...

[serpentinthegarden]

Fine, I know that! You're a jerk some times but you never would do anything deserving of a lifetime of penitence.

[ He wouldn't hear otherwise. ]

[scotch_egg]

[a faint dry laugh]

You wouldn't even believe me when I said you weren't a demon. It's who you are...

[temptationaccomplished]

So have I. Could do that all day, too; you're a terrible distraction. [He blushed at the words, both Anthony's and his own honesty. He's had plenty of lovers before, but none has occupied so many of his thoughts while away from them or been so overwhelming a presence in person. Nothing so new had any right to feel so essential to his day.
Sometimes it even felt like he could sense Anthony, but that was just ridiculous.]

Goodness, but we are a bit silly for each other, aren't we?

[He straightened out Anthony's clothes a bit, fussing over him, and only just managed to draw his attention away to their wine and cake.]

[serpentinthegarden]

Those two things aren't connected at all. I know I'm a demon... its one of the only things I do remember about what came before all this. You aren't. You aren't the type! You are too rules oriented, too grounded...

[ You are definitely not a child serial killer. ]

You just have bad luck... In the wrong place at the wrong time, something like that.

[scotch_egg]

It doesn't make sense... [but if it were... another life...reincarnation... whatever... Wasn't that based on bad karma? Things you did transferring over into your next life? Maybe this was penance... But if it was, it wasn't strong enough]

[serpentinthegarden]

It makes as much sense as what you said.

[ Maybe... Anyway, no. Lifetimes of torment were out. ]

[serpentinthegarden]

I've never been 'silly' for anyone before.

[ So he said but he must have been! It was why his heart beat stronger to the rhythm of the hands smoothing over his rumpled clothing and why he couldn't stop grinning like he had just stolen the finest of jewels right off the bloody Queen's finger!

He managed to pry himself away, but only just, to take a seat on one of the lawn chairs and present the cooled wine. Demon's Dance, naturally it was designed to fit the theme. ]

Until now. You've some sort of hold on me.

[temptationaccomplished]

[Demon's Dance. He imagined that was a very sensual sort of dance, very alluring. It made him very tempted to try the wine. He took a seat on the neighboring chair.]

Oh, hardly. [There was no denying they held a strong sway over each other mutually, and had for some time. Coyly:] I'm not the demon. I'm your angel, remember? I'm sure angels don't do temptation.

[scotch_egg]

If you say so. [he doesn't sound convinced. Sorry. Maybe it's just the way it is. But in a way, Whitly was right. There was no use in just cursing about it. What could he do about it?]

[serpentinthegarden]

You've a point. You ought to be talking me out of my wicked ways...

[ He popped open the wine and slowly poured two glasses one of which was placed temptingly close to Aziraphale. ]

Not encouraging me.

[temptationaccomplished]

[He studiously resisted, running a finger along the stem of the glass as he watched Anthony.]

Oh, but that's no fun. You have to be wicked so that I can be very good.