Chapter 27 – Making Plans
After.
One rainy night spent at Crowley's, they lay in bed talking of travel and other things that never got discussed in the bookshop or the daylight. Crowley lay on top of the duvet in his linen night shirt watching the rain on the window, but able to look up and see Aziraphale while they talked. "I know things are back to a routine Downstairs. We could get Muriel to mind the plants and the shop. Nothing major is planned, so no pressure on Eric in his new position, but I'd like to 'style him up' a bit." Crowley looked up at his Angel,"Although I don't imagine Eric in a flannel nightshirt", and smiled as he held the cuff of Aziraphale's plaid nightshirt between his thumb and forefinger. "A new wave suit with some punk details…."
Aziraphale pulled the arm of his shirt out of Crowley's grasp. "That's your style, isn't it?" He was sitting up, tucked under the duvet, looking at his road atlas in his lap. But what he had really been doing was watching the rain patterns the light from the window put on Crowley's face, while stroking the former demon's loosed hair. He was now certain that the freckles on Crowley's left cheekbone mirrored the Solar System they inhabited.
Crowley gave a small scowl, "Naoo, I'm my own style, but slightly Jagger. I think Eric could be a thin Dark Duke, ala Bowie. But he must find his own way. He's partial to glam; could pull it off… but yeah, it's slow on my end for the foreseeable – what about Upstairs?"
"The Almighty has taken over upstairs; my zone is quiet for now. This may be the time. France and Switzerland, and then?" Aziraphale's hand paused in mid-air; the red strands suspended.
"Italy. Leo wants me to check on his stuff in Florence. Crepes, chocolate, wine – anything else on your menu? Are we going to visit 'Jim & Bebe' in Texas?" Crowley's eyebrows raised as he cut a sarcastically quizzical look to Aziraphale.
"Not this time, although the thought of barbecue ribs brings back fond memories." Aziraphale tousled Crowley's hair. Crowley chuckled and wiggled his toes that hung off the end of the bed. Aziraphale moved his hand back to the map. "I think we may linger a bit in Switzerland. Mary really wants you to spend time with baby Joseph." He closed the map. "I think we have enough planned for our first holiday in 6000 years."
"Sorted." Crowley waved a finger in the air as if shooting skyward.
"Aziraphale put the road map on his nightstand and blew out his candle. "Good night, Crowley"
"Good night, Angel"
Aziraphale burrowed under the duvet and watched Crowley watching the rain until they both fell asleep.