The Known/Unknown Quantity

Chapter 158: Too Comfortable In Our Own Skin

Chapter 158: What Would The World Be Like If We All Got Too Comfortable In Our Own Skin?

The garden wasn't much to look at this time of year. Wasn't even covered in fluffy snow. Just clumps of sleet sliding into muddy pools where occasionally the drainage wasn't that great. They took the gravel path, avoiding most of it.

                "Don't feel like puddle jumping?"

                Adam's head was down in that way it did when he was mulling things over. Not that Crowley could see it, or the child's eyes darting glances as his cane. But he smelled the weight of the boy's mood.

                "When will you be able to see again?"

                "When we leave. When Aziraphale is better."

                "'K."

                They reached the drenched bench. The demon snapped and gave a passing breeze a huge boost. It barreled over the bench, nearing rising it up, then disappeared along with all the moisture. They sat down.

                "The cane bothers you?"

                "Kinda, but not really. It's not important."

                "Whot is then, Adam?"

                "Sompin's wrong. With the universe."

                The glasses came off, and the demon methodically placed them in his pocket. "Oh?"

                "I mean, not wrong, just, dunno," he shrugged, looking out," different."

                "You think you did that?"

                "I don't like messin' with anything, Uncle Anthony. And I think I did a thing, letting all that stuff out of me into it. Nothin' bad. But, like, I got its attention."

                "What choice did you have?"

                "Wasn't on purpose."

                "You reset everything," Crowley reminded him. "It all went back to being fine," Crowley thought about it and conceded," mostly."

                "Not...everything," Adam agreed.  "I don't like mucking things up." The boy looked worriedly up at the demon, folding his hands between his rocking legs. "It's watching you."

                "You did whot you had to do, Adam. Otherwise, everything would be shit, and this conversation would have no chance of happening."

                "I know, still..."

                "So, it's watching me. You know why?"

                "Jinny. S'got something to do...with Jinny. Dunno what."

                "And it's affecting you all, as well?"

                "The...antichrist kids?"

                Crowley made a face, "Bleh, I hate that word. N'not the right name for you bunch. Anyway, there's more of you now?"

The boy grumbled a yes, then, "You kinda understand weird time and space stuff, don't you?"

                "I have some experience. Enough to compare notes. You think I can help you figure this out?"

                He nodded, then inspected his nails. "Dunno. Still working that out too. Uncle?"

                He looked back up into the demon's face, seeing those blind, bright eyes widen as they gave him their attention.