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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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[They SHOULD talk about it, should address Anthony's concerns and shouldn't derail it with comforts and distractions, but Aziraphale was finding himself good at patently not addressing difficult issues lately. There was no boy. There was just the two of them. Anthony could just be a slightly demonic version of the man Aziraphale had hastily fallen in love with, rosy tint hiding any darkness.]

I love you, too. Especially endearingly covered in frosting.

[He preened at the bastard compliment, swept up in Anthony's attentions. Aziraphale liked to think that he was somehow the compliment to Anthony's demonic nature: human enough to balance out his otherworldliness, compassionate and earthly and yet bastard enough to keep him intrigued. He was avoiding considering what other kinds of uses (less sentimental and more purposeful) a demon might have with a human, because Anthony wasn't like that. He wasn't. He couldn't be.]

[What did it say about both of them, if Anthony was?]

[The stars were gorgeous, despite the city lights, and Anthony's promise felt very earnest, as if he might really bring them down, make him a garden of them if only Aziraphale asked. He suspected there was very little Anthony wouldn't promise him, if he asked. It was ...almost frightening.]

I believe you would, too. But that'd be awfully covetous of me, to take the stars for myself.

They're better like this, where I can see you among them.

[ The distractions and comforts drew him closer, encouraged his arms to wrap around this dear sweet man who was such an intriguing contradiction. Kind and yet with a hidden wicked streak that always seemed to make itself know when he needed it the most.

They probably should have talked about it, made some attempt to glen some measure of sense from all this craziness, but it was far more appealing to lean on Aziraphale's shoulder, give his evening cooled cheek a kiss, and... smear some of that frosting off his nose at the same time. Mr. Fell did look cute in frosting too. ]

Just like you to say something noble, but I bet if I offered you a glass of wine to go with your...

[ Smirk. ]

...frosting, you wouldn't turn that down?

[ He wrinkles his nose at bit at the mess of frosting on his cheek, but leans into the embrace, humming in thought at the question.]

Maybe.

[He tilts his head to follow Anthony's kiss and initiate one of his own.]

In a minute.

[ 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... ]

[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.]

[ 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.

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.]

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.

[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.

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.

[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.

So that's how it is.

[ His lips curled into a sly grin as they worked their way over the rim of his own glass, taking a sip of that brilliant red liquid while his eyes never left Fell's. ]

You would rather be slowly tempted, led innocently down my garden path?

[He smiled, looking down and back with a flutter of his lashes, watching the lines of Anthony's throat as he swallows his wine.]

I rather would. Better to savor the experience.

[ He tilted his wine glass, giving the liquid a tantalizing swirl, just to remind that it was there for the taking. ]

Like a fine wine, you might say? You could take a sip, swish it around on your tongue, taste the bouquet. Spicy, with just a hint of some hidden dark vanilla secret.

Are you describing yourself or the wine?

[He moved closer, taking Anthony's own glass from his hand and bringing it to his lips. Aziraphale inhaled the scent of the wine, swirled it in the bowl of the glass, and then very slowly and deliberately tipped the glass for a sip, eyes falling closed with the enjoyment of the drink.]

[ His fingers were brushed as his glass was so blatantly stolen leaving him feeling wistful for another accidental meeting. The slow closing of Aziraphale's eyes as he enjoyed the wine called to him like a siren, and he watched with a newfound intensity every line and muscle of his angel's face. ]

The evening is young yet, maybe you will find out.

[ Anthony's attention shifted ever so slightly back towards the cupcakes. He had the plates right there and could very easily serve Fell one. For some reason he was having the strangest desire to watch him eat cake. ]

Ready for something to eat with your wine?

[He did a poor job of concealing his smile behind the rim of the glass. How promising that offer sounded. Nothing would ever be quite so intense as having Anthony's sole focus on him. But the question had him shifting gears from his own mild attempts at being alluring, to a charmed little wiggle at the suggestion of dessert. He grinned and put the glass down.]

Oh! Yes, let's. We should get to them before some little devil manages to steal all the frosting off them.

[ 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)

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