(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

It's very quiet, in the flat.

Nymphadora walks out of Sunny's room, satisfied that all is well, and leans against the doorframe of the living room.

"C'n I get you anything?"

She looks like she wants something to do.

Comments

[a-fell.livejournal.com]

Aziraphael looks up at her and smiles faintly, finger marking his place in a book that doesn't quite look like one of theirs.

"Do you even need to ask, my dear?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah, that's what I thought." A grin tugs at the corners of her mouth, and she pushes herself away from the doorframe and goes into the kitchen. "What kind?" she calls.

[a-fell.livejournal.com]

"Ap- No, actually I think I'd rather some Earl Grey today, my dear."

He stands and goes over to the doorway of the kitchen, book in hand, watching her move around with far more grace than she once had; she is comfortable in her surroundings, and it shows.

Even if she is the size of a house.

"Did you sleep, at all?"

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora nods, and scoops a little Earl Grey into the teaball before flicking her wand to turn the heat on under the kettle. "Usually at the end of the day I'm so physically exhausted that I don't have much of a choice. I just drop off."

Rifling through the cupboard, now, Nymphadora emerges triumphantly with a tin and opens it, offering him a bisuit. "I made those. Go on, then."

[a-fell.livejournal.com]

"...Right."

He takes a biscuit, eyeing it rather as though it might explode, but he doesn't take a bite, instead shooting her an apologetic look.

"After last night I've rather lost my appetite, I'm afraid."

[clumsy_auror]

She looks a bit disappointed, but nods again, taking a biscuit for herself and nibbling on it.

"You okay?"

The kettle whistles, and she turns off the heat.

[a-fell.livejournal.com]

"I haven't seen him in over a month, 'Dora. And last time we communicated he was so - I know it was my fault, really, and pride's probably the most risky of them all, when it comes to it, and if only I'd just answered him first time, for Heaven's..."

He shakes his head, frustrated, and starts again.

"To hear nothing from him in so long and then to know, to feel how much he was hurting, and, and to see him out there with Lucifer - "

Aziraphael closes his mouth abruptly, lips tight, his face rather pale. He looks down at the book he holds and takes a deep breath.

"Not really, no."

[clumsy_auror]

Very carefully, Nymphadora pours out two cups of tea. She almost seems to be holding her breath.

She sets the kettle back onto the stove and turns toward him, her hand finding his.

"This wasn't your fault. Wasn't anyone's, really."

[a-fell.livejournal.com]

I place no confidence in a player that uses His pieces without empathy or forewarning.




"No. No, of course." He squeezes her hand lightly and lets go, hand lifting to rub the back of his neck uncomfortably for a moment before reaching for his mug. "No one's fault."

[clumsy_auror]

Uncertain, Nymphadora bites her lip and watches as the angel blows across the top of his tea. "Um. Milk?"

[a-fell.livejournal.com]

Aziraphael blinks, and looks down at his tea, seeming surprised.

"Oh. Right, of course. Yes, please."

[clumsy_auror]

She walks over to the fridge and pulls out a small pitcher of milk, handing it to him.

Then, with a sigh, she wanders out into the living room and sinks down onto the sofa.

[a-fell.livejournal.com]

After a moment or two, the muted thump of the fridge door opening and closing, Aziraphael comes out to join her, carefully balancing mug and book as he sits next to her, his leg resting against hers.

The look he sends her is faintly abashed.

"I'm fine. Honestly."

[clumsy_auror]

A darkly amused glance. "Think you know better thant to say something like that."

[a-fell.livejournal.com]

The angel winces.

"Ah. Yes. The wonders of Crowley's coping strategies. You'd think, after six thousand years - "

He trails off, allowing her to add her own end to the sentence. He's not entirely sure, himself, what would be most appropriate.

[clumsy_auror]

"Yes, well." She rubs one eye, looking weary. "I know just a bit about that from previous experiences with him, so."

[aj_crawley]

There's a noise at the door, just then - muted voices, coming from the corridor.

two of them.

[clumsy_auror]

She knows those voices.

A wave of her hand and the door opens.

[aj_crawley]

They stop, though, when the door opens, and it's a few seconds before Bernard and Crowley emerge from the hallway into the living room.

The demon looks somewhat haggard - dark circles under his eyes stark against a pale, tired face - but the bruising has nearly vanished.

He offers them a faint smile, eyes flickering from 'Dora to the angel.

"Hi."

His voice is a little raspy.

[a-fell.livejournal.com]

Aziraphael, clearing his throat noisily, is suddenly very interested in the biscuit Nymphadora gave him.

"Hello, Crowley."

[clumsy_auror]

Bernard smiles faintly at Nymphadora, walking over and bending down to kiss her cheek before walking down the hall in the direction of Sunny's room.

She looks after him for a moment, and then looks back to Crowley.

"Hi."

[aj_crawley]

Still slightly stiff - though that's probably as much from spending the night switching back and forth from a narrow bunk to cold floors as anything else - he makes his way across the room, and perches on the arm of the armchair opposite.

[clumsy_auror]

"You hungry at all?" she asks quietly. "Dinner'll be shortly."

[aj_crawley]

"Stomach's still a bit..." he seesaws his hand gently. "We'll see how we go."

[clumsy_auror]

"Okay."

'Dora falls silent, looking from the one to the other.