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]

[ Cursing about things was what he did... between living life at ninety miles and hour. When things didn't make sense drama ensued. Alec's calm acceptance of all of this was maddening and more than deserving of a glare. ]

You can't be ok with that? Don't you want to, I don't know, throw something??

[scotch_egg]

And what good would that do? Anyway-- it's fine. [it wasn't. Not even a little] I don't have any more choice than you.

[serpentinthegarden]

So what? You're allowed to be mad about it! Scream if you want, get sloppy drunk! This resigned acceptance sucks!

[ It was too much like those memories of Alec's. Him standing on some lonely beach which he hated anyway, with a dead kid, waiting for the cops... ]

[scotch_egg]

[he gives his cousin a dry look]

Last time I got sloppy drunk because I was angry I ended up in hospital.

[because he was just that much of a burden]

Look you worry about you, let me worry about me. You're angry enough for the both of us.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ He remembered that. It had been horrible. Finding Alec in such a near-death state riding around on the bloody subway like a hobo. Anthony paled almost instantly and walked that comment back with a splutter.]

Never want to do that again. Forget I said anything.

The problem is you won't worry about you! You'll do that annoying oppressed martyr thing instead of speaking up and actually saying everything isn't alright. It doesn't make you weaker to lean on other people now and then.

[scotch_egg]

Because I hate it. Because that's all I become to people. Someone to be cared for. Just an invalid. I hate it. Can you just let me take care of my own problems without hovering over me?

[serpentinthegarden]

Thats not how it works. It doesn't make you an invalid to accept an invite to lunch now and then or to talk about whats been going on.

Anyway I wasn't hovering I was looming. I imagine demons do a great deal of looming.

[scotch_egg]

I already told you. You want me to get pissed about it. [and he was starting to]

And shut up about the demon thing. Just... stop. If that's who you are, fine. But will you stop going on bout what demons do.

[serpentinthegarden]

You don't have to get pissed, just show some kind of feeling about it. I... don't want to see you resigned to it.

[ Anthony glanced away, suddenly finding the wall opposite a more understandable companion. If you are a demon, fine, but don't talk about it. What if talking about what demons do was who he was? It certainly came naturally enough. ]

[scotch_egg]

[he sighed and ruffled that ginger hair. Not petting. Just ruffling]

I'm tired of feeling things.

[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...

[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.

[scotch_egg]

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

[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]

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. ]