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“Can you come here, dear?” Aziraphale called from his library. &&
After all those years of acquaintanceship, Crowley learned to interpret the real meaning behind the angel’s words. Sometimes it meant “I’m feeling peckish but don’t want to admit that”, and then he would bring something to nibble on. Sometimes the meaning was “I have found a first edition of The Importance of Being Earnest and I want to share the joy with you”. This time, though, it meant “I know what you did and am amused by it”.
The demon took an unnecessary fortifying breath, and sauntered to the other room. At least it wasn’t the “I know what you did and disagree with your actions”, which, truth be told, was reserved to times he was expectantly obnoxious. ££
There were books everywhere, but right now the table was covered by an old map, which was a bit unusual. “Planning our honeymoon trip? Better use a bit more up-to-date map than this, angel”.
Aziraphale blushed. It had been several months since their marriage, and both were still getting used to that idea. “I have been thinking about travelling through Africa, what do you think? We hadn’t been there in a while.”
“I would say 6,000 years plus change is a bit more a while,” smiled Crowley. It would do him good, to leave this rainy island for a while. “But if that’s not that, what did you want to talk about?”
The angel pointed towards the map. “Anything looking familiar?”
“Olaus Magnus’s map of Scandinavia? Not really, you know I hadn’t got the chance to visit that part of the world. Do you want to travel there as well?”
“Of course, it is too cold for you,” Aziraphale answered automatically. As if he would ever think about taking his beloved husband there! $$ “Mind looking at this part in particular?”
Crowley scanned the map, pretending he hadn’t known exactly what Aziraphale was getting at. After several coughs and sniffs, he could no longer avoid the obvious, and pointed guiltily towards the giant, red snake painted on the map.
“Yes, that’s what I thought,” sighed Aziraphale. “And would you mind telling me how that happened?”
“Well, there was this time I was in Rome, and bored out of mind, you were on an assignment somewhere, and this chap started talking with me. Had nothing better to do at the time, so we spent some time together.”
“And the sea monster? I assume you haven't changed into your other form.”
“Well… I might have drank a bit too much and told a story or two about the terrifying Great Norway Serpent,” Crowley mumbled in embracement. “How was I to know he would put it on a map?”
“And start a controversy that has lasted for decades?” Aziraphale raised an eyebrow. !!
“I might have pointed a few scholars towards some details,” admitted Crowley.
“Let me guess,” smiled Aziraphale fondly. “Scholars who were struggling to find their footing in the academic world, and became world known because of their research of the Sea Orm?”
“All in the name of formenting chaos and confusion, angel,” protested Crowley, unconvincingly, but Aziraphale decided not to push the point. Let the demon have his pride.
“Sure, dear. Shall we raise a toast to the sea dragon?”
Thankful for the topic change ^^, Crowley raised the full glass that suddenly appeared in his hands. “To the world, on every map.”
&& Why he insisted on naming one room a library, while books were scattered in equal amounts all over the cottage, was beyond Crowley.
££ They had agreed not to mention the incident with the zucchini ever again.
$$ Though he did want to see the northern lights.
!! Which was totally not fair, because he learned that move from Crowley.
^^ And for the suggestion to drink, Crowley never skipped a chance for that.