The familiar chime announced Crowley's entrance into Nina's cozy coffee shop. His sunglasses shielded the weariness in his eyes as he approached the counter.
"Six shots of espresso, in a mug. No frills," he muttered, his voice a bit more hoarse than usual.
Nina raised an eyebrow but refrained from commenting, preparing the potent concoction. As she handed over the mug, she couldn't help but speak up.
"Everyone's been wondering where Mister Fell and his goth husband disappeared to. You were the talk of the street, you know?"
Crowley's grip tightened on the mug, a faint twitch in his lips the only response. He took a long, contemplative sip, the bitter liquid offering a fleeting distraction from the ache within.
Nina leaned on the counter, her eyes keen: "You okay, Mister Crowley? You look like you've been through the wringer."
"Just peachy," he replied with a forced smirk, though his eyes could have betrayed the turmoil beneath. He nodded toward the bookshop visible through the window.
"He's gone," Nina continued gently, even though, as a human, she was unable to fathom the true depth of Crowley's pain. "Closed up shop a few weeks ago. Said something about a change of scenery."
Crowley's gaze fixed on the now-empty bookshop, his heart breaking anew. The espresso mug trembled slightly in his hand.
"Change of scenery," he echoed, the words heavier than the weight of centuries. With a nod of thanks to Nina, he left the coffee shop, leaving the echoes of shattered love and the bitter taste of espresso behind.