The Known/Unknown Quantity

Chapter 154: Ties

Chapter 154: Ties

Crowley turned down his face again and muttered," M'use me."

                The angel rested the champagne against his vest, and studied him. "I beg your parden?"

                The demon wouldn't answer him. Aziraphale gently put the champagne back and came over to him, and sat down. "Repeat that, please."

                Crowley raised his eyes brows. "Use me."

                "Such a tiny voice, Anthony." Aziraphale cupped his hands and he finally looked up at him. "Use you? Like that horrid creature?"

                Crowley shook his head, and rose it, sighing through his nose. He looked at the angel now. "No," he said hesitantly. "Just the way you do. Use me. Please."

                "You want me to perform again?"

                "Yes."

                "Um, well, I don't know." The angel rose and gestured to the champagne. His voice and stance became overtly cheerful. "There's no time, you see."

                Crowley watched him wordlessly as he paced about the shop.

                "I mean, there's the drink! And the, the, eh, ordure's! Still have so much prep to do, mind you. And, and—"

                Crowley waited.

                The angel pointed upward, then rested his hands on his chest, "my new bowties....you see."

                The demon leaned forward. "Your new bowties?"

                "Why, yes! You have to help me pick one out?"

                "So much still to do?"

                "Why yes! In fact, why don't we do that right now! And get that out of the way!" The angel came back and pulled him up, and towed him upstairs.

                He sat him on the bed and went to the dresser, then spun around holding up two new bowties.

                "There's both tartans," Crowley said.

                "Well, yes! But this one is red! And this one is blue...ish, with some salmon?" He raised that one higher, and darted his eyes to it.

                "That one," Crowley mumbled.

                "Jolly good." The angel went into a flurry of replacing the vanquished red tie and putting on the blue. He spun around again, electric.

                "You like?"

                Crowley squinted," Um.."

                The angel pulled the edges.

                "Oh yes. I love it. Don't go anywhere without it. Wear it forever, in fact."

                "Oh!" The finger went up again. "Mustn't forget the accessories!" He sped past the demon and pulled away something from the nightstand. "Got this a while back."

                Crowley smirked. "You already have a pocket watch."

                "This is mine. I bought it. It wasn't a commendation ."

                "It's snazzy, angel."

                "Glad you approve!" He tossed it in the air, then set it down.