neutral_omens | (no subject)

Date: June 18, 2000
Setting: Behind the Greenhouse
Status: Private (Crowley, Ellie, possibly Aziraphale)
Summary: Crowley has some questions for the resident succubus

When Crowley awoke early from the afternoon nap he'd become accustomed to taking*, he was faintly annoyed. He could usually sleep as long as he wanted to and wake exactly when he wanted to. Why he couldn't this particular afternoon was a mystery. But after fifteen minutes of tossing and turning, he threw the covers back and got up. A quick glance at the clock told him that it was an hour until the angel could leave, so he stared in the mirror at his mussed hair trying to figure out how to kill the time. A look out the window seemed to indicate that it was a nice, clear, warm day and a walk in the greenhouse might help to clear his head, so he adjusted his clothes, fixed his hair, put on his sunglasses, and headed outside.

The greenhouse was much like it had been in January when he'd had his ill fated encounter with Michael and Raphael, but a lot had happened since then. Still, the plants were thriving with all the direct sunlight and he only had to water one or two of them to keep them from burning up. A tour of the glass room took him to the back door and he opened it just out of curiosity to see where it led. He was rewarded for it, too, because there was a half-asleep Ellie sunning herself in a secluded little clearing wearing nothing but a scrap of fabric below her waist.

With a grin, Crowley sat down on the fluffy towel beside her.

"Hey, Ellie. Good to see you. You know, I'm glad you're here. I've been meaning to ask you about a couple of things. You wouldn't know anything about a black kitten with a white paw, would you?"

He spoke quickly, smiling, hoping she'd be lured into saying something because she was confused and drowsy. If she didn't, it was no big deal, but he couldn't pass up the advantage. He was a demon, after all.

*There being really nothing else to do around the Manor until Aziraphale got off of work.

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"Give her to me," exclaimed Crowley, sitting up and snatching Chicago from Aziraphale's grasp. "What the hell are you doing bringing her out here? You almost dropped her?" He examined the little thing quickly, making sure she was all right before petting her fuzzy head, trying to calm them both. "She stays inside from now on, angel. This is not negotiable."

Aziraphale was standing directly in front of the sun and the demon had to blink against it in order to bring the angel's face into focus. "What's your problem anyway? I don't barge in on the two of you in the library when you're talking."

The fact that Aziraphale had made Ellie feel uncomfortable when she had no reason to be, and that he'd done this to him once before with another friend, was making Crowley thoroughly annoyed.

"I didn't realize the grounds were off-limits to everyone else. Terribly sorry," Aziraphale said icily, his momentarily stunned look gone. "Anyway, I was looking for you. I wanted to invite you to supper. I went to the rooms and Chicago looked a little lonely." His face softened. "I took her along. I wasn't expecting to have to look outside. Do you have any idea what time it is?"

He glanced at Ellie*, face apologetic. "I am sorry I interrupted you both. I see Crowley has spoken to you about her. Isn't she absolutely adorable?"

*He didn't look quite at her. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable with her nakedness, or that he had never seen a woman's naked body before**. And it certainly was not because she was unattractive! It was only that Aziraphale was simply and wholly uncomfortable with "girl bits". Crowley was clearly far more comfortable than he was.
**He hadn't seen one recently.

"He's a darling," Ellie agreed, subdued. She didn't like the belligerent tension she felt crackling in the air between the angel and the demon, and couldn't help but feel at least partly responsible for it--although in all fairness, at least this time, she hadn't done anything. Well, except invite Crowley to sunbathe with her, but he could have miracled up his own damn towel.

Feeling exposed, she unobtrusively conjured herself into jeans and a t-shirt, hoping they'd simmer down and go to dinner or...something that didn't involve speaking so coldly to each other.

The demon rolled his eyes and continued giving his attention to Chicago. "No, I don't know what time it is. Time to be unfairly accused of things and interrupted, apparently."

"It's half past seven. And when I saw you here I was worried you might have fallen asleep and gone all red from the sun."

He turned to Ellie, suddenly reminded. "You're not sunburnt, are you dear? I'd hate to think such nice skin would be ruined by too much sun. I know of some wonderful moisturizers and skincreams, if you're ever in need. I think I might have some - you do like mango?" An embarrassed cough from Crowley's end stopped his monologue.

"And anyway, Crowley, I daresay it is time for supper. Did you want to go in and have a few drinks? We can take Chicago in and perhaps Ellie would be kind enough to join us."

"Demons don't get sunburn," sighed Crowley, but he knew it was a lost cause. Aziraphale got like this sometimes (could it be jealousy? over Ellie?? hell, the angel spent as much time with her as he did...) and the only thing to do was play along. He stood, picking up his clothes in one hand and holding the kitten carefully in the other. "Fine, but I need to stop by the room first."

"I'm fine," Ellie assured the angel, plastering a bright smile on her face. "Thank you for the invitation, Aziraphale dear, but I think I'm going to have to take a rain check. I've been dreadfully lazy, I should go and take care of...things. Enjoy your dinner."

Avoiding Aziraphale's eyes, she threw Crowley an apologetic look, picked up her towel, and headed back to the Manor.

Aziraphale watched her go, then glanced at Crowley. "I'll take her," the angel said quietly as he watched Crowley try to pick up his clothes. The demon passed Chicago back, and Aziraphale cuddled her - carefully.

"To supper, then?"

"To supper," agreed Crowley resignedly, waving a goodbye to Ellie. "Lead on, angel, I follow."