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]

Don't say that!

[ Ruffling or petting he pulled away with a glare back at Alec. ]

How can you even think that??

[scotch_egg]

[a shrug. How else was he supposed to respond to that]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Annoyed he stood and paced away. Humans! They had one life, generally speaking and with reincarnations aside, and they failed to appreciate it! ]

The alternative is worse.

[scotch_egg]

Not really [not that Anthony would be satisfied with that answer, but when is he]

[serpentinthegarden]

The opposite of feeling is not feeling, that's nothing. You could only do that if you were a robot or dead! I don't see how that's better in any way.

[scotch_egg]

I can't be you, you know. [despite everyone wanting it] Why can't you let me be who I am? Even if you don't like it or don't understand?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ His shouldered drooped giving the impression that if he had wings they might have sagged to the ground. ]

I just don't want you to give up.

[scotch_egg]

I'll be fine. [he wouldn't be] Don't worry so much.

[serpentinthegarden]

Yeah, sure, whatever...

[ A grumble that was practically a growl. ]

Every time you tell me not to worry that's when I know I should be.

[scotch_egg]

Sorry.

[he didn't know what to say to that either. But eventually... Anthony really would have nothing to worry about]

Thanks for coming over...and trying...

[temptationaccomplished]

Then I'm especially honored. I wonder if I gave you your first crepes, too.

[It did feel significant. They were meeting now so late in life, but to have shared any firsts at all, or to have introduced the other to something, was uniquely special. A gift, a moment of importance, however small. Anthony could make or do whatever he wanted as demon, but Aziraphale could still tempt him to try something new.]

[Oh he was well aware of the smash-them-into-your-mouth method of eating cupcakes. Didn't mean he approved of it in public. He had standards of appearance to maintain.]

Well, I'm not a heathen; I prefer not to wear my food.

[Aziraphale's eyes light up like Anthony has just pulled Excalibur from the stone for him. His swaggering, dashing hero (truly and completely unironically) for having brought him back a utensil with which to vanquish the cupcake.]

Thank you, my dear.

...Are you sure you'd like to get rid of your old place? I'm sure you could rent it out, maybe even see if Alec wanted it.

[serpentinthegarden]

First crepes? Hmm... I don't know, maybe. I've never had any more of that memory.

[ Didn't he feel proud as a peacock and able to retake his yard chair throne like the great champion he had just become! It was like that in a way. When he looked to Aziraphale's shining eyes to see the gratitude and... was that a touch of hero worship? Anthony preened in his aloof pretending not to care way but he certainly felt like he had just conquered a dragon.

At least until Alec was mentioned. The knight in shining armor may have met his match with cousin ogre. ]

I offered to let him move in here, place is big enough for three to live comfortably. He hated the idea.

[ Anthony exhaled slowly and leaned back until he was lounging at an unconventional angle across the chair. ]

He doesn't want any part of this place or my newfound demonic powers... whatever you would call them. Never thought about offering him the old place. Doubt he would go for it... It would still have him benefiting from all this.

[serpentinthegarden]

I'm still having dinner with you.

[ He spoke in a voice that bode no arguments. ]

I'm hungry and it will give that lot time to clear the streets. Then I can head back and you can do whatever you like.

[traceofeffort]

Hey, I feel you. Custom bass guitars aren't cheap either. So hey, maybe it'll just be parked in the garage one day? If I can get an instrument, you can totally get a car.

What if someone has an urge to drink? To vandalize? To burn something to the ground? I would presume it's like any other vice. Willpower and discipline are the order of the day. It's not like the other you would walk down the street and just- [She reaches with her arm a little bit behind her, and mimes grabbing something, making a small popping sound with her mouth.] -do the thing, right?

[temptationaccomplished]

[He peeled down one side of the paper around the cupcake and took a forkful. The happy wiggle at the first bite was interrupted as he raised a brow. Three. Oh. He drew the fork out slowly from between his lips, took a serious interest in the cupcake, and wondered if Anthony had any idea the powder keg that would have been. No wonder Alec said no.]

He's fiercely independent. I wouldn't hold it against him.

It's going to take some time, Anthony. You've suddenly come into all kinds of powers and it's new and frightening to a man like Alec who doesn't believe in any of this.

He still loves you, I'm sure of it.

[scotch_egg]

Don't be like that I'm not kicking you out. I'm just...tired.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ One might have mistaken him for an angel, such was the innocent doe-eyed look he favored Aziraphale with. No, it never occurred to him. Why would it ever have been a powder keg... other than the usual, dealing with Alec in a mood. One got used to that. ]

Yeah.... Yeah, I know. I grew up with him. I know what he is like. Still...

[ He shrugged and glanced aside, not at all missing the snug little family life that might have been. ]

Might ask him about the old place. Later.

[serpentinthegarden]

Good.

[ The pillow was collected and Alec's head given a sound whack with it. ]

Cause I'm not leaving yet.

[scotch_egg]

[he grunted and grabbed the pillow back, whacking him in the arse with it since it was close enough]

Wanker. [but said with gruff affection]

[serpentinthegarden]

Now THAT would be some magic! Wake up one day with a car!

[ It was a thrilling prospect that had him smirking before this faded with the more difficult topic. ]

I don't really know how it works. I never did anything like that in any of my memories, but one does hear the stories... sees the movies. Maybe real life demons are different than those.

[temptationaccomplished]

[There was no other reason what so ever, except he and Alec never did seem to manage to get along for longer than an hour.]

[He placed a hand on Anthony's knee or hand, whatever was closer, and gave a small squeeze of reassurance.]

I'm sorry, Anthony. We all just need time.

Let's get you settled into this place good and proper, and maybe then you can tempt us into your lair.

[serpentinthegarden]

You know it!

[ He owned the title before flopping that pillow whacked bum of his back onto the sofa. ]

And you're a arse!

[ Anthony smirked faintly as he spoke the insult but while it was more animated it was as full of affection as Alec's remark had been. ]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ No one could. That was part of Alec's charm. ]

Hm, time.

[ He did feel soothed by the hand holding his, enough to brush a thumb over those too kind fingers. ]

Do you ever feel like you are running out of it? Like there is something you are missing and if you don't move quickly enough it will all just be over? Poof, like smoke.

[ He frowned and tried to deflect the over sharing by reached out to attempt the theft of Aziraphale's frosting. ]

Cheery conversation for cupcakes. Forget it.

[temptationaccomplished]

[He glared at the thievery attempt in polite judgement, but instead of attempting to stop him, he scooped out some frosting with his fork and held it out for Anthony. One way to thwart evil-doing is to lawfully find a way that the action was allowed?]

Maybe we shouldn't forget it. Maybe it's something spilling over from the memories that we need to try and remember.

My memories at that magic school, where I was studying the circles...
I had this awful sense of urgency. I can't explain it. But I was missing something, like you said. I felt like I was trying to get to ...something.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ It made the attempt at stealing less appealing... Until one considered that they could reach out and lick the offered frosting off the fork in a slow and suggestive way. How quickly the mind did turn towards evil these days! ]

It must be related some how but I haven't had any memories that would tell me what the Hell we were all so worried about. They've mostly been about you.

[ A heartbeat's contemplation. ]

And well, the demon thing... But there's nothing urgent in that.