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good omens (tv): anthony j. crowley

Cheeky piece

[ 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?

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[ Ever coy Aziraphale's partially hidden smile spoke as strongly to Anthony's heart as the wiggle and he was already scooping one of the sinful treats out of the box and onto a serving plate before the comment about the frosting was even fully spoken. It was a valid concern, one he smirked at being called out for as it definitely was something he might do. ]

I had a dream about you the other day.

[ He internally grimaced as that sounded to him like one of those opening gambits you hear people with no game using but... it was true so he delivered the plated cupcake to Aziraphale's side of the small table and sauntered bravely on. ]

Rome. Not sure of the year. I was in a dour mood, looking to get myself absolutely bevvied, only when I looked around there you were... asking if I was still a demon. You weren't put off when I snapped at you. In fact...

[ He reached across the table to snag that abandoned wine glass for a quick nip. ]

You tried to tempt me to join you for oysters.

[ Anthony expression blossomed into a warm teasing grin. ]

So much for that, 'Angel's are too good to tempt people', myth. They can slip up now and then, do a bit of tempting on their own.
Unfortunately I woke up after that. I never did find out what happened after you chatted me up.

[The line would be cheesy, of course, if they hadn't had valid context for 'dreaming' of each other. Frankly, though, Anthony might well have led with 'I had a dream about you' or 'Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven' or any other such cliche, and Aziraphale would still think he was incredibly charming. Anthony could trip and fall on his face and he would still somehow manage to make it look cool and intentional, Aziraphale was sure of that.]

Oh, Rome. [Despite the historical reference of at least one of their memories, he pictured a modern Rome. And didn't that sound romantic, running into your demonic boyfriend in Rome, for oysters. (And Paris. For crepes.) My, they did get around though didn't they.]

I'm quite sure what happened after was that I took you to eat oysters. Or to watch me eat oysters, as you're wont.

Hardly counts as a temptation, really. Not when it's something you'd do willingly.

[He went to take a bite of his cupcake to make his point about the watching, and second-guessed it, regretting the whole idea because cupcakes were never graceful things to eat in front of someone who you'd like to look at least a little bit attractive to. He did not have Anthony's sense of effortless finesse. He put the cupcake down with a slight frown, feeling a bit betrayed by the treat.]

I may need a fork. [Had Anthony even unpacked those yet?]

If I tried any and wasn't just a spectator they would have been my first oysters.

[ That felt significant in some way, sharing a first with Aziraphale. Though some how maybe it wasn't the first 'first'. It might have been one in a series of 'firsts'. But before his mind could wander too far down that rabbit hole there was the problem of the fork. ]

Fork? For a cupcake? Most people just eat them like a monster...

[ Anthony thought to stand though and made his way into the mini kitchen of the house. It was nothing at all fancy but he brought back the plastic fork like it was a prized treasure. ]

I haven't moved much in yet. the only things here are the items that wouldn't fit into the old owners new smaller place. They were downsizing. I'll have to pack tomorrow, see about selling off the old place.

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.

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.

[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.

[ 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.

[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.

Edited 2020-07-26 01:53 (UTC)

[ 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.

[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.

[ 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.

[Anthony's tongue was really something wicked.]

There was the holy water, though that didn't seem very urgent. ...And the boy. Warlock.

[He'd tried to avoid mentioning Warlock much, or thinking about him, for a long while. He hadn't even really discussed much beyond the magic routine itself from his more recent memory because, well. It had been young Warlock's birthday.]

Can't think of why I would have wanted it. I can't even touch mum's necklace without getting a burn these days... That stuff would be so much worse.

[ A memory came to mind of tucking a sweet yet not entirely innocent boy into bed and singing him a lullaby about dreaming of pain. A charming scene, he supposed. Warlock. He didn't look like anyone deserving of death so why had he been trying to get Fell to kill him? ]

The kid can't have anything to do with it. He's just a kid...

["So much worse." SO MUCH WORSE? It would KILL you, you idiot! The very thought of holy water terrified him.]

He is. ...I don't know.

Maybe Hell knew you were in cahoots with a human? Although I can't see why you keeping a human with a damned soul would be objectionable to them.

[ Sensing the hidden fluttering... ok, maybe he had underplayed that a little but it wasn't like he had never touched the stuff before. Before all these memories it was fine, just water as it should have been! It was difficult to think of it as being anything harmful. ]

Maybe you didn't have a damned soul.

I've been wondering about that with your magic circle. You might have been looking for a power up or maybe the kid was your problem, something you wanted me to solve for you. Maybe Hell didn't like you having a pet demon.

How can one be in love with a demon and not be damned for eternity?

[He wrinkled his nose. Aziraphale really didn't like that the child could have been his problem and he tried to get Anthony to take care of him. Granted, that sounded like something that might happen, if he was honest with himself (which he didn't want to be), but he wanted to think it was at the very least their shared problem.]

[He sighed.]

I don't like the idea of...pet demon or pet human. It feels wrong to me that there should be that kind of power imbalance. We should be a team, I think. Maybe not equals in power, but...

I just hate to think that there's a contract somewhere in our history where one or the other signed over some kind of control.

[ Anthony opened his mouth to respond but stopped to gape and tilt his head as the little gears in his mind began to turn. How could one be in love with a demon and not damned for eternity... It was a good question. Or rather it was a question that sent a chill of concern through him if he dwelled on that too long, so he didn't. ]

If it was like that... It doesn't have to be that way anymore.

[ As their hands were still laced together Fell's was given a reassuring and unmistakably loving squeeze. ]

No contract, just the two of us working together to figure this mess out.

[ Ever so bright smile. ]

We'll be partners.

[In as much as he could, he'd made his peace with the idea. If love was a crime one was damnable for, seemed that the rules were a bit rigged, because Anthony was worth every ounce of love.]

Partners.

[They could build from their past experiences to suit their future. He was so overcome with a cocktail of love and joy and rightness, there was little else he could do with all this emotion bubbling inside him except to come over there and kiss Anthony.]

[ OOo! Now there was a treat better than any sort of cupcake! Anthony was left with the impression that he might have said something very right indeed and as he was on a roll... ]

I'm glad you came over.

[Just now, or tonight in general? He cupped Anthony's cheek, tracing a thumb over the soft skin, the faintest of stubble, and the twisting snake tattoo.]

So am I. It has been a lovely evening, as all evenings with you are.

[ Being partners, agreeing they were on equal terms working as a team. Not only had it felt right to say it but clearly the admission had pleased Aziraphale immensely.

He could stay under that gentle hand, allowing those fingers to caress his cheek, all night... ]

It's not the evening that's lovely.

[What was not to love about it? Like loving Anthony, being his partner and equal felt a touch forbidden yet oddly right.]

[He was obviously soaking up Anthony's flattery, even if he tried very hard to appear not to be.]

I know a line when I hear one, you charming snake. I should just leave you to your lines and go back to my dessert. [He pulled away just enough for show, enough to give reason for a sweet-talking serpent to entice him back.]

[ Fell's entire expression practically glowed with the impish, 'Oh stop, but please go on,' that those coy eyes which met his only to flutter away teased with. Even his moving away was an invitation to slither closer and call upon some delightful flirtation to bring Fell back to his side. ]

Or...

[ Anthony's smile dazzled with wicked possibilities as his eyes glided subtly over Fell's adorably warm looking person. ]

You could slide your cupcake closer, end up with my charming lines and your dessert. Is there really any reason to chose one over the other when you could have both?

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