demonicmiracle | (duplicity) ic contact

Maybe.. [ a second kiss to his nose, then a swift one to his mouth. ] .. I like doing nice things for you, too. [ he nips gently at his lower lip, fingers crawling higher, over his shoulder blades, before slipping back down his spine.

he slides his hands free, then, and lifts crowley's bound wrists from over his head once more, instead pressing his hands between his own to glance down at the leather circling thin wrists. ]

I think for a little while, yeah. [ he ducks his head to kiss his fingers, pressing quick ones to his fingertips and knuckles. ] Long enough for tea, and maybe a bit longer than that. [ a glance back up, lips quirking up. ] Jon's been very social today. Social for Jon, anyway. [ and after a lot of socializing, jon has to take breaks. martin wants to give him a chance to recharge. and.. anyway, it's not like martin can spend the night with him. the lonely is tough on jon, and on lyall, too. ]

[He has, mercifully, gotten better at not shivering at every touch between his shoulder blades, but there's still a little telltale hitch in his breath, and an even more obvious look that he gives, because he knows Martin does these things on purpose.

He might play at being innocent, but Crowley isn't fooled for a second.]

If we're talking proper tea, that's an hour. [Afternoon tea is usually an hour sitting, not that they're having afternoon tea. But if Martin is fine with being here, Crowley won't press the issue, not when he'd rather appreciate those little kisses and gently brushes his fingertips against Martin's cheek.

He smiles at the comment about Jon's sociability (or lack thereof), but rather than comment on that, he regards Martin for a second, then asks:] You're giving them a break from the Lonely, aren't you?

[ he smiles at the mention, crooked and amused, almost asks if crowley's going to kick him out once the hour's up. he knows he won't, of course, though a month ago it would have been a genuine question. he wouldn't have wanted to overstay his welcome. and while it's true that he still doesn't want to do that, his welcome seems to be an extended stay sort these days.

the smile fades at the question, though, and he sits up straighter, curling crowley's hands to his chest and humming out a small, affirmative noise. ]

I'm sure you noticed, but Lyall can't even be in the same room as me for more than a few minutes at a time. [ he strokes his thumbs over the fingers they reach, brows knitting faintly. ] And Jon struggles enough with his self-worth. I don't want to ruin Christmas for them. A few hours at a time is what I try to limit myself to.

[ and honestly, it's selfish of him to spend so much time here with crowley, too. it's just that crowley seems to handle the lonely better than most humans do. though maybe it's just that he hides it better, given what he'd learned of him. ]

[The clip on the restraints slips off from one of the rings, making it easier for Crowley to press one hand to Martin's chest while the other slides up to rest at the side of his throat, thumb brushing lightly over his jaw. It's cheating, but since they're not in bed and are talking about something that's a little heavy, he'll trade some cheating for the ability to be more affectionate.]

It isn't you ruining anything, yeah? [That's important. It might be awful, what the Lonely does, but it isn't Martin's fault.] You can stay here as long as you'd like, then. Won't be very festive, but you don't have to be alone.

[The Lonely does bother him, but at the level it's at when Martin's in control, it isn't unbearable. Loneliness is a familiar sort of ache, and anyway, all he has to do is think of the crowded halls of Hell and the Lonely starts feeling like a blessing.]

You're cheating, [ he says a little weakly, but it's the most token of protests, further proven when he leans into the pressure of the other man's hands.

the reassurance makes a breath shudder out of him, brow falling to rest against the other man's. ]

It's technically me. [ it's nothing he wants, but the lonely is still connected to him here. even if jon's right and he's freed of it eventually, right now he can't escape it. and it hurts everyone around him. ] I'm going to try to spend a while longer with Jon, but.. not for a bit.

[Crowley just makes a non-committal sound regarding the cheating, it doesn't seem particularly important when Martin could clearly use at least a some comforting.]

Stop that. [He can and will fight Martin on this.] 'Course, well, you're welcome back whenever. Not as if I'm going anywhere.

[Spending Christmas alone isn't a big deal, he hadn't really thought to make any kind of plans, outside of the party.]

No?

[ he leans back a little, fingers curling gently over crowley's forearm and brushing the skin again. ] Maybe.. if you're not in bed by the time I leave Jon's..

[ he's a little surprised there's no one else crowley might go spend the evening with, though. but maybe his other partners don't celebrate the holiday. and really, he doubts crowley does usually either. ]

Where else would I go?

[Going out to a bar for a drink would be honestly worse than staying home alone, and there isn't really anyone else he'd want to spend the time with. If Nat or Sarissa were still around, he might have called them up to see if she wanted company, but they aren't, and he's fairly sure that everyone else he likes has a partner or friends.]

And I'll be up, I think, not feeling all that tired today.

[Which for him means that he just won't go to bed at all, since he doesn't need to.]

Your other partners don't celebrate..?

[ he hooks his knees over crowley's hips properly, keeping them close, curious now in spite of himself. it's none of his business, really, but there is a part of him that wonders what sorts of people crowley shares a bed with.

for one thing, are they treating him like he deserves? not hurting him, not using him? for another, are they similar to martin in any way, or are they totally different? more glamorous, maybe? ]

[It takes him a second to realize what Martin means by that, but he gets there eventually and can't help a bit of a chuckle when he does.]

I haven't any other partners. [He doesn't pull away at all, but he does lean back slightly, just so Martin can see the full effect of his bemusement.] I've got friends, but none I'm about to spend Christmas with.

[ martin blinks, then blushes, feeling very flustered suddenly. ]

You're not that close with-- I mean, I'm not the only one you're sleeping with..?

[ ... right? is he? he can't be. crowley could have anyone. martin knows that their relationship--whatever it is--is more complicated than that, more than just sleeping together. but even so, he must have other quota partners. right? ]

[Up go his eyebrows, the expression even more pronounced when he's lacking the sunglasses, since it makes it so obvious how much he over-exaggerates to compensate for them.

Or maybe his face is just like that.]

Not entirely voluntarily. [That might be an odd way of putting it, but outside of Martin, everything recent has been influenced by the city.] Fooled around a bit my first month here, for quota, but they weren't anything. Don't even think I got their names.

Oh. [ .. oh. he can feel his face getting hotter. he hadn't expected to be crowley's only lover here. but then, sex is probably only ever so interesting for him anyway, and maybe he likes just focusing on one person at a time. and they have enough sex to fill his quota. maybe it's just practical.

.. maybe martin's the only one he.. trusts like this? god, that feels arrogant to think. and yet..

he curls his arms around him again, squeezing tightly. ] One of these days I'll just stop being surprised by you. Maybe. If I live a few centuries.

[He's not really sure why this is any kind of surprise, but then, it's not like he's really talked all that much about his opinions re: sex. He just sort of assumed it was obvious, considering how cagey he gets about any kind of intimacy.]

Let me know when it happens, hm? I'll have to start making an effort after then. [It's a joke, followed by a kiss to Martin's temple, but he also feels he needs to ask:] That doesn't bother you, does it?

[Not that there's anything he's planning to do about it, but it doesn't hurt to check.]

[ he leans into the kiss a little, but blinks at the question. ] Oh! No, gosh, of course not. [ not that it would matter if it did, because crowley's allowed to do what he wants, of course, but he also knows crowley sometimes likes to have reassurance. .. rather like martin in that. ]

Just.. [ not that they really have to worry about it, but: ] Let's just make sure we never miss your quota. [ the blush returns. ] Um. I mean.. it could happen, I'm sure. [ there could be a bad.. month. sometime. ]

[It's probably a little unfair when Martin is a bit flustered, but Crowley hums a bit of a laugh, anyway.]

I can pull someone if I have to, no need to feel responsible for me. [If there was ever a month where he didn't get to see Martin much for whatever reason, he'd just go back to doing what he usually does. Joking aside, he doesn't ever want Martin to feel obligated.] M'just sort of indifferent to sex, yeah? With strangers, I mean.

[Clarifying there, in case Martin starts to worry.]

[ he takes a minute to examine his own thoughts about it. is it that he feels responsible? he doesn't think that's it. he's not responsible for crowley; the demon is an ancient being that's been looking out for himself longer than humanity's existed. ]

It's not that, it's.. you're my lover. [ that's maybe the best label to slap on their relationship for now. ] I love our sex-life. I don't know what I'm trying to say, just.. I love you, I want you to be safe. I guess?

[From the little quirk of Crowley's mouth, it might be obvious he's not sure if he's settled on lover being the right word, but he doesn't protest it.]

We've had this conversation. [His tone is gentle, though.] Big scary demon, yeah? No one's going to hurt me.

[That's not true, not with the city the way it is, but he'd like to believe it and maybe if he says it enough, he can make it true.

And anyway, no one can destroy him, so it's fine. Anything else he can bear.]

[ he gives him a slightly arch look. if crowley has a better word for it, he's listening.. because martin has no idea. it's not like he's ever had this with anyone before crowley.

he subsides a moment later, though, a shoulder lifting in a slightly nervous shrug. ] I know you're powerful. But.. I'm only human. I'm protective anyway. [ especially since he knows crowley's more vulnerable than he likes admitting or allowing people to see. ]

[They both know he doesn't have a better descriptor for it, the language is stupid and incredibly lacking.]

S'alright, I know. [That Martin is protective, that he worries despite the fact there's very little that can be done to Crowley that hasn't already been done.

He feels like they've reached the point where anything more would just be repeating themselves, so he draws Martin into a brief kiss, then:] That's enough of that, I reckon. The city gave me something. Photos that Heaven took of Aziraphale and me. Want to see 'em?

[ he returns the kiss, but then brightens like a christmas tree at the offer. ]

Yes! [ he's already releasing crowley to slide down off the counter, tea and kisses forgotten in his eagerness to finally see crowley's angel. ] I can't believe the city actually gave you something nice. Are they recent photos? I suppose he wouldn't have changed much, though, would he?

Don't start thinking too kind thoughts about the place, they gave them to that bloody priest, forced me to deal with him just to get them.

[Honestly, aside from a few missteps, his conversation with Anderson wasn't entirely awful. Better than last time, at least. It's just the principal of the thing.

Rather than tell Martin how recent they are, Crowley just gives him a gentle nudge. He can find out for himself.]

They're on the coffee table, in the prophecy book.

The one Jon talks to..? [ he doesn't know of any other priest here, anyway.

he takes crowley's hand as they move to the living area and the couch, presses a kiss to it before he releases it to sit down and pull the book onto his lap.

he flips it open until he finds the photos, spreading them out over the pages of the book. for a few moments, he's caught just staring at who can only be aziraphale, taking more note of his features and body language than anything else. ]

He looks kind, [ he says after a moment, lifting one of them carefully. ] Also like he can be snippy when he wants, though? [ posh, maybe, is the better word for it. ]

Edited 2020-01-01 04:59 (UTC)

Anderson's his name, he's an asshole. Hope it's the same one and I don't have to deal with two of them.

[Although really, Anderson seems to be something of a special case, more than just a member of the clergy. Crowley isn't about to ask, though.

Crowley hovers for a moment, suddenly uncertain, before taking a seat beside Martin, waiting for his.... verdict, he supposes.] That's — that's not inaccurate. He's a bit fussy, can be a right bastard when he has to be.

[It's clear this is a good thing, in Crowley's opinion.]

Mm, that's him. Jon seems to like him, but I don't think he always treats Jon very well.

[ he leans into his side when crowley joins him, smiles at the description. ] No wonder you like him. He.. suits you. [ he's not sure how else to describe it. ] The two of you look like you.. fit. [ they complement one another well, and martin likes that aziraphale looks.. sturdy? very there, not ethereal or delicate. he seems like the sort of person normal people just like.

he kisses crowley's shoulder a little distractedly, then notices something he'd missed. he plucks up the photo with the ruffled collars and grins, tilting his head up to look properly at the other man. ] Crowley, your beard.

(duplicity) ic contact

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