One demon in particular, thinks the angel.

[ineffableangel]

Aziraphale can tell when the clouds knit together that the storm is a demon-binger. A demon-binger, for those unused to Aziraphale's world, is like a harbinger, only far more loud, dangerous, and unsubtle. Well, perhaps unsubtle is the wrong word. This demon can be very subtle when he wants to be

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[h8_ineffability]

The Bentley pulled up outside the shop and Crowley slid out with casual, boneless grace. He didn't bother locking the door. He knew nobody would steal the Bentley, so, of course, nobody ever did. He strolled up to the door and opened it. If it had been locked before, it wasn't now.

"Angel? Are you actually here this time?"

[ineffableangel]

Aziraphale felt a large smile start on his face and quickly ducked his head. It wouldn't do entirely to let Crowley see how happy he was to see him. Well, it wouldn't do to let Crowley see the sheer extent of his happiness. He was an angel, after all.

"My dear, when was I not here?" he asked, blue eyes wide and innocent and twinkling. He itched to stand up and hug the demon properly, and make sure he was all right, but it- well. He was nervous.

There were books open on the desk in front of him, as always, and an abandoned cup of tea, but Aziraphale paid no attention to them, only to the figure in his entrance way.

"My dear Crowley," he murmured to himself.

[h8_ineffability]

"Just the other night when I stopped by and you were nowhere to be found," Crowley said, not buying the wide-eyed innocence for a second. Aziraphale was an angel, yes, but he wasn't that...nauseating.

He stepped all the way into the shop, closing the door behind him. Aziraphale at his desk with books and tea... the dim shop... the angel's simple presence... It was comfortable. Familiar. ...Home? "I had some business in America, it took longer than I was expecting."

[ineffableangel]

He wore an expression of considerable embarrassment and a deep blush that stained his fair cheeks. "Oh, yes, well. That night. Rosie - a witch, don't mind her, she's lovely - was hosting a casual party, and she's been so kind I could never turn that down. Oh, dear, I am sorry for that, Crowley

[twitchnosewitch]

((Oh yes, blame Rosie! Nyeh. :P))

[ineffableangel]

((It's just too easy. *pats* Besides, what are you doing reading this? EH? *nudgenudgewinkwink*))

[twitchnosewitch]

((Anything that shows up on my Flist is fair game for my amusement. :P))

[ineffableangel]

((Oh, and I'm sure it's not because you're a pervy A/C fancier at all, lol. *hugs*))

[twitchnosewitch]

((Actually, no, slash really isn't my cuppa. I don't read fanfics 'cept the one my fiance's writing, and the occasional thing that's being mocked for teh Mary-Sue-ness.))

[ineffableangel]

((Ah, nm then. *pats* It's really unfortunate I work today, two surprise shifts (one tonight, one all-day tomorrow). Have to call off the HBP party thing. Perhaps we can host it later?))

[h8_ineffability]

"I met her. She asked if she could hug me, instead of just trying to latch onto me like that other thing did. She got points for that," Crowley commented idly, raking a hand through his hair. Was he just imagining things, or did Aziraphale seem a bit nervous and fidgety tonight? Maybe it was him. He had been gone a while.

"I think I'll keep that to myself, angel. You know how it is, you see a wile, you thwart. Let's just keep that PARTICULAR temptation out of your way, shall we?" Crowley said, a sly smile creeping across his face. He knew full well that would just make Aziraphale feel it was his duty to find out what Crowley was up to, even if the Arrangement kept him from actively interfering.

"Alcohol or tea... How will I ever decide?" Crowley said dryly, sarcasm coloring every word. "Pub, restaurant, or stay in?"

[ineffableangel]

"If you're going to be sarcastic about it..." he said, a small pout forming on his mouth that was entirely ruined by the smile that Crowley's newly reinstated presence was causing

[h8_ineffability]

"The Ritz, then. I didn't like any of the restaurants in LA, anyway," Crowley said, pulling the Bentley's keys back out of his pocket. He smirked a bit, tilting his head at Aziraphale. "They call it the City of Angels, you know. The irony kills me, or it would if I weren't immortal."

He tossed the keys idly from hand to hand, waiting for Aziraphale. "Of course I did it on purpose. Nobody else properly appreciates what I do. And no, your ears weren't deceiving you. I let her hug me. AND I didn't even grope her, aren't you proud of me?"

[ineffableangel]

Aziraphale smiled properly. "Yes, I am. Besides, if you'd groped her... do you remember what happened last time you groped a witch, Crowley?"

Aziraphale walked past the smirking demon, out the door and the slightly less-treacherous wind. A scatter of leaves - someone had been cleaning their small front garden again, and one poor dying plant had been cleaned up - raced down the street towards them. Not a one hit the angel as he walked through their wind-sped cloud, chatting away eagerly. "City of Angels? Did you meet any? Or dare I ask? And no good restaurants, I am shocked. Terribly shocked. No good wines then? I have heard there is a place in California with lovely vineyards."

He paused at the sidewalk and turned back to face Crowley. "You know, we are going to come home drunk again, aren't we? Which is good," he added quickly. "In that case you should know that I, er... There's no use in dropping me off at my flat." His cheeks turned pink, although his voice was steady.

[h8_ineffability]

"That doesn't count. She wouldn't have got away with that if I hadn't had to pretend I was human at the time," Crowley grumbled, following Aziraphale out. Each leaf that got too close to him spontaneously combusted

[ineffableangel]

"Ah..." He pondered telling Crowley that he was fine, actually, because there was a flat right above the bookshop available for his use, and that he could buy a proper place as soon as the poor couple paid him back, and... "That would be brilliant." He smiled happily