"Anthony!" His smile was bright, even if his greeting was a little more hesitant than the one he received.
He glanced between the two cousins.
"Oh, come on, now. Don't be like that." He put on a scolding tone that ended up something more like a pout. Aziraphale took Crowley by the elbow, less to keep him from leaving and more don't leave me. Although he hated to think they needed a chaperone, maybe it was better that they had one, because glowing affection was building in his chest and it hurt like the dickens. Anthony's smile was infectious, and it was all his. Not for Crowley, or Grace, or anyone else. It was entirely Aziraphale's (or so his covetous, deluded little heart liked to think).
But it really wasn't his. And he knew that, logically. Anthony was his friend. His very newly engaged friend. So he needed an anchor to reality, and while Anthony may not have invited Crowley for him, may not have actually invited Crowley at all, Aziraphale saw an opportunity and seized it. Better judgement won over his weak, desperate and adoring heart.
Or was it really better judgement if it meant using Crowley against his cousin?
"Crowley's come so far, has been nice enough to carry my basket for me; you can't just send him away. He wouldn't be imposing at all." He turned a nice, soft look toward Alec. "You'll stay, won't you?"
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He glanced between the two cousins.
"Oh, come on, now. Don't be like that." He put on a scolding tone that ended up something more like a pout. Aziraphale took Crowley by the elbow, less to keep him from leaving and more don't leave me. Although he hated to think they needed a chaperone, maybe it was better that they had one, because glowing affection was building in his chest and it hurt like the dickens. Anthony's smile was infectious, and it was all his. Not for Crowley, or Grace, or anyone else. It was entirely Aziraphale's (or so his covetous, deluded little heart liked to think).
But it really wasn't his. And he knew that, logically. Anthony was his friend. His very newly engaged friend. So he needed an anchor to reality, and while Anthony may not have invited Crowley for him, may not have actually invited Crowley at all, Aziraphale saw an opportunity and seized it. Better judgement won over his weak, desperate and adoring heart.
Or was it really better judgement if it meant using Crowley against his cousin?
"Crowley's come so far, has been nice enough to carry my basket for me; you can't just send him away. He wouldn't be imposing at all." He turned a nice, soft look toward Alec. "You'll stay, won't you?"