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[goodtobebad]

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[goodtobebad]

[ Crowley rolls his eyes skyward. Angel, please. ]

I can't just have them start to think they're fine the way they are, you know.

[salutosinedelectat]

Why not?

[ Like Crowley hasn't explained it at least three times before, if not more.]

They work very hard, and they look magnificent.

[goodtobebad]

Because if they start to get complacent, they'll start to grow spots.

[ And then they will be flawed, and look - Crowley isn't projecting in the slightest. ]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Not at all, who would ever get that idea?]

Spots are natural, it's not their fault.

My dear, I hardly think some compliments will ruin your garden.

[goodtobebad]

Imperfection is completely their own fault.

[ Crowley huffs darkly. He has no real arguments in the face of Aziraphale's logic, of course, because - well. ]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ He eyes the demon for a moment, curiously. But perhaps still putting too much of a fuss to truly notice something.]

All creatures are not perfect.

Besides, they can be helped, if it comes to it.

[goodtobebad]

They know what's expected of them. I don't see any reason why they should have a second chance.

[ That... might be hitting close to home. After all, he never had a second chance. Will never have one. ]

[salutosinedelectat]

A second chance at what exactly?

[ Granted they have had this conversation before, and Aziraphale has had to agree, more than once, to leave Crowley's plants to his own choice of management, but it's just within the angels nature to be irritantly good natured. Well, if you don't count the passive aggressive way he does so.]

[goodtobebad]

...To... to grow better!

[ He waves a hand vaguely. ]

To live up to their full potential, or some rot.

[salutosinedelectat]

I think they'd be quite content with just some water and some sunlight.

[ Okay, yes, he's very much meddling. But he tries to tone down into something sounding more calm.]

I don't quite understand why it has to be this way. [ Clearly.]

[goodtobebad]

Because it's the way I want it.

[ He's seriously just pouting now, unable to come up with a better reasoning. No one's ever questioned him on this - obviously, no one has ever been allowed so far into his life to even be aware of his plants.

He suddenly feels very exposed. ]

Isn't that how you're supposed to motivate things? They know where they stand, they know what's expected of them and what will happen if they don't meet expectations.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Okay, this... This is getting to a point that Aziraphale finds a bit disconcerting. All creatures are creatures, including plants, and maybe he's digging his nose somewhere he shouldn't, but this is a bit much.

He gives Crowley a look.]

And, what? Just-- get tossed aside if they make a mistake?

[ Or if they try to step out of the norm?

Is there a different between an honest mistake and a purposeful one? ]

[goodtobebad]

Well, yes.

[ He looks a little uncomfortable, then sighs. ]

I don't destroy them, you know. I. Give them to other people.

[ People who will love and care for them despite their imperfections, because in the end, that's perhaps what he's always wanted for himself. Not to go back to Heaven. To find something else. ]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Maybe one day he'll find it. If he hasn't.

Aziraphale blinks, pausing, maybe starting to feel a bit silly about this.

However, it's not the first time even he's assumed Crowley was capable of doing worse than he really does. ]

You... Do?

[goodtobebad]

...Yeah.

But don't tell them that.

I mean, if they knew, they'd all grow spots and then I'd have none left. If they knew - that being imperfect would mean they'd wind up happier than ever.

[ Did... he just say that aloud? ]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ He certainly said something that causes Aziraphale to pause and be entirely too unsure of how to proceed.]

... My dear? [ More of a question than a call.

He heard that, Crowley. He's been trying to do a better job at listening.]

[goodtobebad]

What?

[ He shrugs, and waves a vague hand. ]

Look, if you really want to play good cop... fine. But it's on you if they start falling short.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ He's still looking at him with questioning concern.]

Will you... Still give them away?

[goodtobebad]

Or you can have them, if you want them so much.

[ He smiles faintly then. ]

It’s a little poetic, you have to admit. You, taking in the cast-offs and loving them.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Ah.

He can't really bring himself to pull up a polite smile. Instead, he just watches him for a moment, then gingerly steps closer and rests a hand on his arm.]

My dear... What is this about?

[ Like he can't guess.]

[goodtobebad]

Nothing!

[ He’s flustered. He shrugs and closes the space between them, taking Aziraphale’s face between his hands for a kiss. ]

I love you. Even if you do ruin my plants.

[salutosinedelectat]

Oh-

[ Well, he's not about to say no to a kiss. He also can't exactly push him much farther, no matter how obvious it is that there's something else afoot here.

Was he that blind?

He holds onto one of Crowley's wrists with his free hand.]

I love you too, my darling. But--

[ But...that won't work. He gives him another concerned look.

But he takes the cue, for now.]

Would you like some tea?

[goodtobebad]

Sure.

[ Tea, right.

Obviously, Aziraphale is blind, not taking the opportunity to jump the shirtless demon who's currently kissing him, but oh well. They'll get there.

He just has to get used to the idea of someone else having access to his plants. ]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ They'll get there. There's other matters at hand.

He does pull him along to the kitchen - the plants can go ignored for now, and Aziraphale will try not to be too loud in his doting -, and serves Crowley a nice cup of tea.

When he sits, he does try to keep casual for a while.

A little bit.

And he fails, constantly giving Crowley very not subtle glances over his cup.]

[goodtobebad]

You’re fretting. Stop. I’m fine.

[ He does look rather relaxed, though he spiked his tea with whiskey. ]

I’m actually perfectly happy and content right now, even despite the fact that you’re going to spoil my plants rotten.