fandomtownies | The Devil's Nest, Tuesday (07/03)

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The Devil's Nest, Tuesday (07/03)

It was a somewhat more pensive Aziraphale than usual who arrived at the Nest for his Tuesday shift. Of course, pensive was becoming somewhat more usual for him lately. Tonight, however, he quietly went about checking the inventory behind the bar and then setting up the tables in the lounge.

After unlocking the doors, he sat down on a stool behind the bar, occasionally fiddling with a cocktail napkin but mostly resting his chin on his hand and staring into space.

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Aziraphale had a small duck he's just finished making from napkin sitting in front of him, although it wasn't actually doing anything except being a small napkin-duck. He'd be pleased to leave off his Dithering Through Origami, however, if anyone needed a drink.

The pool tables were free of lint and ready to be used, and the piano just begged to be played.

Oh yes, and there were shadows for the lurking.

It had been far too long since he played the piano (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J06QRBND) so, there Lucifer was. Enjoying himself far too much.

It had been too long since Aziraphale had listened to Lucifer play the piano. And so, keeping a weather eye on the bar, he picked up his little duck and walked over. Setting the little napkin critter up on the piano, he invited himself to take a seat at the end of the bench, making sure not to crowd Lucifer while he played.

Why did Aziraphale and Wilson insist on pushing sickeningly cute things at him? It was as bad as the ducklings, really.

"I can't say I expected to get a phonecall from you," Lucifer said, never pausing in his playing.

Luckily for Lucifer, the little duck hadn't been animated. So it only sat and did nothing.

"I...don't usually make phone calls," Aziraphale agreed. "But I promised James that I would do it right away, and since I didn't have the chance to talk to you in person yesterday, I thought I would call."

He paused. "Also...I may have been a little bit nervous about asking."

"Nervous?" Lucifer asked mildly, letting the music soften so conversation was easier.

"I'm not good at asking favors for myself," he admitted. "It isn't because it's you, mind. I just...don't like to."

Aziraphale watched the other angel's fingers move across the keys, and smiled. "This is nice."

Lucifer hummed thoughtfully as the song started to peter out. He would have liked to continue, but knew his playing would suffer as the conversation progressed. A shame.

"So you want my assistance with your bond," He said, glancing over at Aziraphale. "Not about to ask Them for help, hmm?"

It was a shame, because Aziraphale found he rather enjoyed Lucifer's playing. Next time, he told himself, he'd just pull up a chair and listen quietly.

"No. I honestly can't think that they'd do it a second time. Probably would tell us to learn from letting it be broken in the first place. And while in general I would agree that one ought to learn from one's trials, in this instance I'm not willing to accept that as an answer."

Also, he was still chafing a bit over the whole Cullinsport thing.

"And I suppose I should feel responsible for breaking it in the first place," Lucifer added, not at all sounding sorry or repentant.

Aziraphale shook his head. This, at least, he'd come to terms with. "James made a choice, and while I can wish that you hadn't had to offer it to him, I also know that I'd have done exactly what he did. You needed help, and he was able to give it. I didn't understand that, when it first happened, and I'm sorry for the things I said."

He turned and looked at Lucifer, his expression quite serious. "I'll do anything I can to protect James from harm. But I can't wrap him in gauze and hide him away from his own choices. That isn't fair to him, and it would end up hurting everyone."

Lucifer nodded thoughtfully, idly playing a scale as Aziraphale spoke. "And just why then, should I supply the... power needed for this bond?"

He may be retired, and also rather fond of them, but that didn't change who he was.

That was a fair enough question. Aziraphale did try to be careful to remember that Lucifer was, after all, the Prince of Hell. One didn't get that sort of position being inclined to go around giving out charity.

"Because I'm asking you to." He gave Lucifer a wry smile. "I expect you'll want something in return, but I knew that before I asked. And I don't mind. I'm rather used to trading favors with the other side."

"And you won't fear a reprisal from you," He paused, hitting a sour note. "Employers?"

With a thoughtful frown, Aziraphale shook his head. "I don't think so. James and I talked a bit about this at lunch today. And I think I'm coming to believe that he's right when he says that we've been given Free Will, just as the mortals have. It's just that our choices are different."

Reaching up to idly finger the little origami duck, he added softly, "And I have to believe that it isn't the sort of Plan where a person would be punished for something like this. Because if it is that sort of Plan..."

Aziraphale gave a little shrug, and fell silent.

Lucifer looked down at the keys, a faint smirk on his face as the playing started up again. "A smart man, Dr. Wilson." He continued to play in silence for a bit more before continuing, "Very well. If you are certain..."

"Quite certain," Aziraphale replied immediately, with a quick nod. "I don't suppose I get to know what you'll want from me in return? Or will that just be a favor to be called in later?"

Either way was fine, it was just that the angel mostly was curious what Lucifer might think this sort of favor was worth.

"For another time," Lucifer replied calmly. Holding a favor was always useful, even if you had no need for it in the immediate future. Things could always change in an instant.

Aziraphale nodded again. It was what he had expected, and so long as it didn't involve any harm to Wilson, he really think it would matter what the favor turned out to be.

If it did involve harm to Wilson? Well then, he'd just have to break his promise. Something he imagined Lucifer would expect anyway.

"I'm sorry for disturbing your playing," he said finally, turning to the other angel with a smile. "And I should have brought you a drink when I came over. Would you like something?"

Of course he would, but that didn't mean he'd be very pleased with the other angel for breaking his word.

But that all assumed he would have need to harm Wilson and he had not had any need to do so yet. Besides, he was perfectly capable of doing his own dirty work.

"Nothing tonight," Lucifer said, running his fingers over the keys lightly.

Another nod, and another few moments of quiet, as Aziraphale was in a quiet sort of mood tonight.

"Are you..." He stopped, because he wanted to ask after Lucifer's well-being, considering what the other angel had been through recently ~~no, not the bear-making-store~~. But it occurred to Aziraphale that the Adversary was very unlikely to admit to being in anything but the fittest condition.

"Will it bother you if I sit here while you play?"

Lucifer raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Aziraphale after the first aborted question. Smart move to not ask it. Must be learning.

"Not at all. I wouldn't keep the piano in the lounge if I was bothered by it."

Chuckling, Aziraphale said, "Good point. I do think I'll have myself a glass of scotch, though. After this morning, I need a drink."

He looked at Lucifer out of the corner of his eye. "Why is it that people keep coming to me for relationship advice? I mean, I don't mind giving advice, but...me?"

"Perhaps because you have such a full bed now. You could teach a class," He teased.

The angel blushed a little, but he laughed out loud. "I could never! That's James' line of work anyway. You should ask him about the condom lessons he used to have to give at the clinic."

Oh yes, he made a not to do just that. When he felt Wilson was being a bit too mischievious for his own good, of course. "Perhaps."

Aziraphale grinned. He was sure Wilson would find some way of getting back at him for it, of course.

With a wave of his hand, he fetched himself the glass of scotch he'd wanted, then settled in to listen to Lucifer's playing. Maybe he'd talk to Wilson about getting a piano for the house.

The music was a little bluesy, and definitely the sort made for slow dancing.

There may be a couple of periods of AFK in my evening, but I should mostly be around.

I could be encouraged to be more around by the application of nekkid icons...

Nekkidness!

*rewards your nekkidness with more nekkidness*

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The Devil's Nest, Tuesday (07/03)

The Bar

The Lounge

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The Dance Floor

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