The Known/Unknown Quantity

Chapter 26: A Whisper And A Clamor

Chapter 26: A Whisper And A Clamor

At last, they received a text, during a very lovely and brilliant autumn day in the park when it seemed the shadow hanging over them might dissipate. Instead, on hearing the news, the whole world shown a little less bright. They both stared at Crowley's phone for a time. When he lowered it, they turned in opposite directions and groaned.

"So," Crowley admitted. "It is targeting me."

"Still can't find us yet. Thank the Almighty for small wonders."

"Such as they are," demon growled sullenly.

"And it's not a Nephilim."

"I told you it wasn't."

The angel looked at him, though Crowley didn't return his stare. "I'm not asking how you know, dear boy."

"Fair," the demon grunted.

"But I'd like to hear what you know."

The demon raised his eyebrows and shook his head. "It won't change anything, angel. Doesn't help us and doesn't make the dreams go away."

Aziraphale leaned into his ear, and whispered plaintively," Humor me?"

With a begrudging sigh, the demon turned away again and explained," Hard to say what you'll get with Nephilim. They come out all different, but they all bare a fatal flaw, and it's not always obvious."

"Like giants and chimera and things."

"Or something that becomes a charter accountant. I'm saying sometimes you get humans. Mostly human. And sometimes you get monsters, inside or out. Sometimes...you get a little girl in braids running down a hill of daisies after her pooch. Or one even younger, a toddler who keeps falling over. Awkward age for running down hills." He was starting to ramble, and at his every word the angel's eyes were growing larger and larger. "Suppose that's why toddlers have fathers: to catch them or pick them up, or just to be by their side as they insist on getting up themselves. But...sometimes.... you get one that grows fast and has two hearts but that doesn't stop her from bleeding out, right there in your lap. Just makes her die all the quicker."

The blather ended, and utter silence prevailed. When it became uncomfortable, the demon looked back at his friend, who had turned away and whose face was twisting through a string of emotions. Crowley gently took his chin so he would look him in the eye.

"It's just a conversation for another time," he promised. The angel accepted this with a quick nod, though his eyes remained pained. The demon kissed him lightly on the lips. "I think it's best if I stay away for a while. Nothing can find us yet. But it seems my nightmares are not allowing for your beauty rest."

"We've already established distance makes no difference with them, Crowley, when it comes to me sharing them."

"Naw, but our daily interaction is feeding their tendency. I'll just pop out for a bit. Give you a break."

"Is that wise? Now?"

"Thing out there can't hurt me."

"No," the angel muttered. He poked the demon in the chest. "Things in here can."

The demon folded his hand over the angel's fingers and left them to rest on his heart. "I've taken worse. I'll be fine."

"Just remember your promise, is all."