"Ah, New York." Aziraphale closed his eyes and took in the suite's surroundings. "The people, the lights, the food, the-"
"The luggage, angel."
Aziraphale turned back to his partner who seemed annoyed he could not miracle the family's luggage away, no frivolous miracles after all. "Oh, right."
The celestial parents had decided the family needed a vacation. Mostly, a vacation away from the impending war, the end of everything, and a certain nephalem. Aziraphale had thought it cruel to separate Cassi from her only friend; however, the angel trusted his demon partner wholeheartedly and if that meant being a little less forgiving with his daughter, then so be it. Even if it meant their daughter was placed in a Romeo and Juliet sort of situation. It pained Aziraphale to see his daughter dejected at times, not being able to communicate with anyone else as her phone was finally taken away and it pained him simply because Aziraphale loved love. If he, an angel, was able to form a loving relationship with a demon, why couldn't his daughter do the same? Unfortunately for Aziraphale, this was one topic Crowley had put his foot down and the angel promised to back him up.
Cassi looked out into the city skyline. By the time their plane had landed at LaGuardia airport, the evening had come about. Her first impression of New York was simple, it was big, it was loud, it was bright, and it smelled odd.
"Cassi, come get your beast." Crowley hissed at the pet carrier. "Should have left him back home."
"Oh, Crowley," Aziraphale bounced, "do you recall the last time we were in America? Oh, it's been ages."
Cassi let Hex out of his carrier. "How long are we here for?"
The parents shared a look. "Erm," Aziraphale muttered, "oh, look, darling, a hotel menu." He walked towards the coffee table. "Shall we order you your first real American burger?"
Cassi exhaled and shook her head slightly. It had been approximately two weeks of her parents keeping her busy and avoiding questions, comments, and concerns. "Sure." She gave a small smile.
Crowley placed his glasses on the coffee table and removed his jacket. "Angel," he whispered, "how long are we staying here for?"
Aziraphale turned to Cassi who was squatting down, petting Hex. "It was your idea to put some distance between Cassi and…you know who." He whispered back.
Crowley licked his lips and rubbed his hands together. "Right," he said loudly, "Cassi, tomorrow is a big day. Your first Broadway show, well, shows. Unfortunately, no Phantom of the Opera because some tosser decided to close it but-" he clapped his hands eagerly "-your father has read and heard good things about something called…um…uh…er…" he snapped his fingers in Aziraphale's direction.
"Hadestown, dearest."
Crowley pointed at Aziraphale. "Yes, that! Something about hell and all that good stuff."
Cassi nodded and smiled politely. "May I go to sleep? I feel a bit tired."
"Oh, um, of course, darling."
Cassi picked Hex, one of her suitcases, and decided on a bedroom. She went inside without another word.
Aziraphale sighed and slouched on the long white sofa. "It's not in my nature to make people upset, especially our daughter. Surely phone calls are alright. They are not really seeing each other and we are not a hundred percent positive he is doing what you suggested."
The demon plopped down next to the angel and placed his hand behind the sofa. "I'm not…n-not discussing this with you again." He placed his hand up before Aziraphale could protest. "Mainly in part because we always end up arguing and I don't want to argue with you…all-all we seem to do lately is just that." Crowley squeezed Aziraphale's shoulder and stood.
Aziraphale followed Crowley. "I apologize." He wrapped his arms around the demon's neck, tiptoed, and kissed him. "You're right. Not more arguing. We can…we can go to dinner down at the hotel's restaurant, stroll about the city, or we can do something else. Your call."
Crowley smirked and hugged Aziraphale tight, slightly lifting the angel off the ground. "I know what we can do, which we haven't done in about two weeks."
The angel smiled and looked back at their daughter's closed bedroom door. His hand gestured towards heaven and back down, making Crowley raise an eyebrow. "I'm not about to traumatize our daughter with the noise I'll have you making."
Crowley's grin grew wider, and he walked towards the other bedroom, and was glad they opted for the biggest suite in the hotel. Meanwhile, Aziraphale still clung to him. "I hope that's a promise."
Aziraphale blew into his handkerchief again. "My, my, that was…that was a beautiful story." He tried to compose himself. "No doubt in my mind you would go to the hell and rescue me."
Crowley chuckled. "I'm not singing for you though."
"I'll sing for your life, papa." Cassi smiled brightly, her first genuine smile in weeks. "First I would have to figure out how to get into hell."
Crowley chuckled, placed his arm around Cassi's shoulder and led her away from the theater. "Now that is something you will never know as long as I'm here. Shall we check out Time Square?"
Aziraphale followed. "Is there time before the show you wish to see? The Todd fellow."
"Yes, plenty of time."
The family spent their leisure time roaming around like true tourists as they checked out the most common places around Time Square, including taking a picture with some guy in a furry red suit. Crowley's protective hand never faltered from Cassi's, not only because she seemed rather small compared to the people around them but because a man had bumped into her and not given any form of apology afterwards. It was such a shame that man fell into an open hatchet on the sidewalk.
After experiencing Sweeney Todd, which had Crowley grinning the whole time, the family walked around some more, purchased some souvenirs, and enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
"Brilliant." Cassi chimed as Crowley ate a huge slice of pizza that had a never-ending cheese trail.
"Damn, that's good." Crowley stated with his mouth full.
Aziraphale wiped Crowley's mouth clean with a napkin. "Yes, I rather like the food, but I preferred the Mexican roll things we ate earlier."
Cassi drank from her cup and shuddered from the coldness. "Tacos, papa, and they were delicious."
"Ah, yes." The angel beamed. "It's getting late, shall we head back to the hotel?"
All rose from their seats and decided to walk to the hotel. Driving around Time Square looked like the perfect opportunity to get discorporated. Aziraphale held Cassi's hand this time around, making the nephalem protest she was not a child.
"Hello." A person along the sidewalk greeted enthusiastically and handed Cassi a flyer. "We're from the Museum of Broadway, up on 45th Street. Please come pay us a visit if you enjoy theater."
Aziraphale smiled back at the person and thanked them. "Oh, jolly nice." He looked at Crowley with pleading eyes.
Crowley shook his head. "Alright then."
It was crowded at the museum's lobby and Aziraphale smiled grew as he found himself with fellow theater lovers. The museum's staff was friendly and welcoming. "Oh, Cassi, please tell me you feel the love."
"It's a little overwhelming, I won't lie." Cassi looked around. "In a good way."
"The last time dad and I were in America, the theater scene was relatively new. Is that not right, dearest?"
Crowley shoved his phone in Aziraphale's hands and stood on a bright, staged-like platform. "Take my picture." He grinned all too happily.
Aziraphale contently took his partner's picture. "You are surely enthusiastic, dearest." He gestured towards Cassi to join her demonic father. "My beautiful family." He muttered as he took another photo. Afterwards, he asked a random young lady to take a picture of the three of them, which she happily did, even commenting on what a loving family they seemed to be.
Once their group was called, the family made their way to the line and waited their turn. They made it up the flight of stairs, and before the tour could begin, the group was made to watch a small video on the history of Broadway.
Cassi narrowed her eyes as an old picture from the late 1800's appeared on the screen. "Is…dad is that you?"
Aziraphale turned to Crowley as well. "Wh-when the hell were you here by yourself?"
The film ended and everyone in the room stood and listened as the tour guide began her instructions. "I believe it was after you told me to bugger off after refusing to give me holy water." Crowley whispered. "Group is moving, come on."
Aziraphale gasped. "I did not tell you to bugger off."
Cassi followed her parents into the first room of the tour. "I've heard this story before," she chuckled, "both perspectives actually, and in my humble opinion, you really did tell dad to bugger off."
"See?" Crowley chuckled and entwined his hand with his angel's. "Always breaking my heart." He winked.
The rest of the tour was fascinating and insightful. Most of it was spent taking pictures and for the most part, making memories. Cassi had gone ahead in some rooms, her parents always catching up eventually. It was when she reached a room surrounded by mirrors that made the nephalem gasp in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
A familiar face smirked. "Came to catch a show."
"Elliot," Cassi groaned and led her friend towards another room, "I'm in trouble if my parents see you. They barely made up and I- I don't want you, nor I, ruining their relationship because of whatever reason. Why are you here?"
Elliot shrugged. "America seemed like a good place to visit."
"How did you even know I was here?"
"Now, don't we think highly of ourselves, little nephalem." He chuckled. "I told you, I just came to catch a show."
Aziraphale's voice sounded around the previous room.
Cassi shoved Eliot to another room. "Four Seasons hotel."
"As if I did not already hold that knowledge" He teased and walked on.
"That was wonderful." Aziraphale sighed as he entered their hotel suite. "How was your first full day in America, my darling."
Cassi followed her angelic father inside. "It was great. Um, do all cities in America smell like, um…"
Crowley closed the door behind him. "Peculiar?"
"Not all, darling, no. Room service?"
The family was quiet for a few moments as they relaxed after a tiring day. Meanwhile, Cassi licked her lips and approached her demon father. "Dad? May I go down to the lounge to see if they have some cat food for Hex?"
Crowley raised his eyebrow. "Why? I can just get that for you.
"Oh?" Crowley's mini me crossed her arms. "Are we allowed to do frivolous miracles?" She raised her own brow and stuck her tongue out at her demon father."
"No frivolous miracles." Aziraphale chimed in.
"Dad." Cassi groaned. "Yes, or no?" She gave Crowley the same puppy dog eyes Aziraphale gave to him. "Do you want Hex to starve to death?"
Crowley sighed in defeat as he removed his jacket. "Fine. Don't stray out of the hotel. Be best if you left your beast back home." He mumbled the last sentence.
Cassi smiled and waved goodbye before leaving.
"Why am I not allowed to give her permission to go out, but you can?" Aziraphale furrowed his brow.
Crowley walked towards his angel and kissed the angel's nose. "Because," he pouted and smirked, "you have those privileges revoked until further notice."
"That's not fair."
"I'm a demon, I don't play fair.
—-
Elliot had patiently waited for an isolated Cassi. All day he had watched as her parents guided her through crowds, taking her to different shops, and restaurants. "I have to be back soon." Cassi informed as she entered Elliot's room. "You didn't answer my question, how did you know I was here?"
"And I told you. I came to see a show."
Cassi scoffed and sighed. "There are shows in London."
"Not the same. You know what?" Elliot cocked his head. "I actually missed you, little nephalem. I had no one to annoy."
Cassi blushed and looked away pretending to take an interest in a random painting. "Arse." She smiled to herself.
"Quite rude of you to leave without notice."
"My parents took my phone away. My dad said I was technically still grounded."
Elliot guffawed. "They know you're close to a hundred years old, yea?"
"Ha-ha." Cassi turned back to face her friend. "Lis-"
Her thoughts were interrupted by Elliot's mouth upon hers. He gently pushed her towards the wall and pinned her as he tried to deepen the kiss. Cassi's head was spinning and she could not think of anything else but she could definitely hear her loud heartbeat. Her hand began to move towards Elliot's back until something in her screamed to stop. She shoved Elliot back as she shook with an unknown feeling surging within. "I…Why?" She teared up. Annoyance, anger, and confusion soon took over and, as if her hand moved on its own, the red haired nephalem slapped her only friend.
Elliot stumbled slightly back. "Ow?"
Cassi shook her head, right hand gesturing to heaven, left hand towards hell, and with a double snap, she was gone.
