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[goodtobebad]

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[goodoldfashioned]

[He grins, somehow both a little embarrassed and a lot proud of himself.]

I managed to get the sleeves bit right this time around. I call that progress.

[:D]

Really, Crowley, you needn't make such a fuss.

[goodtobebad]

At least we're not in public, I guess. I just don't want to encourage you.

[goodoldfashioned]

Then I suppose I'll just have to keep encouraging myself.

[goodtobebad]

I mean, there are so many more things I should be encouraging you to do. If I was doing my actual job, I should be encouraging you to more vices. Gluttony - okay I've never needed to encourage you to that one. Sloth. You really should take more naps, angel.

[goodoldfashioned]

It'd be very diligent of you, which would count as encouraging a virtue on my part. Sounds like an elegant trade-off to me.

[goodtobebad]

Another way to cancel each other out? [ Crowley grins a bit and then puts on his best temptation face. ]

Take a nap with me, angel.

[goodoldfashioned]

[He turns it over in his mind, then smiles broadly.]

I suppose I can't see the harm in it. Naps away!

[He guesses he ought to make room on the couch for him? That's how this whole... napping thing works, right?]

[goodtobebad]

What, really?

[ Crowley actually looks a little surprised at the ease with which Aziraphale agreed to that. ]

[goodoldfashioned]

Is there a reason why not?

[Curious.]

Besides, all I have to do is close my eyes for a bit. Nothing too strenuous there.

[goodtobebad]

I just... didn't think you were interested in sleep.

[ He clears his throat unnecessarily. ]

And, you know. Resisting temptation and all...

[goodoldfashioned]

I'm not all that interested in using the telephone, but it's still something that occasionally happens. I suppose sleep is the same way.

[He continues thinking about this.]

But I don't have my night shirt here, so perhaps the point is moot? Or, well, you could nap and I could read a bit in the meantime.

[goodtobebad]

Sleeping is actually pleasurable.

[ Now Crowley is overthinking it, too. Thanks, angel. ]

That would defeat the purpose of me tempting you into sloth, though, wouldn't it?

[goodoldfashioned]

Well, yes, I suppose, but does it really count as tempting if I've volunteered?

[Deep Thoughts.]

[goodtobebad]

I mean, if it was my idea, and you just agreed to it, I would think it would be a temptation. Even if you didn't resist.

...I need wine for this.

[ Which is easy enough, with a snap of his fingers. ]

[goodoldfashioned]

[Aziraphale conjures up some wine glasses in return and the wine finds itself poured out into them.]

True enough. But if it were my idea, and I'm trying to encourage virtuous behavior, it's... is it still a temptation?

[goodtobebad]

[ The wine he conjured up is a decent madeira, so he takes a moment to enjoy a sip or two as he contemplates a response. ]

So... I'm tempting you to sloth, and you're encouraging me to industriousness by... not resisting? Wouldn't it be more industrious if you tried to resist and then I had to keep on tempting you for a while?

[goodoldfashioned]

[Oh, it is a very nice madeira.]

Mm. Probably. But it could be some other virtue. Charity or some such. That's always a good one.

[goodtobebad]

Charity? What would I want with Charity?

[ Crowley snorts, and takes another sip of his wine. ]

That'd be like... me trying to tempt you to covetousness.

[goodoldfashioned]

[Aziraphale takes a sip of wine to match.]

Well, you wouldn't want charity for yourself, obviously. That's the point of it, you're supposed to want to give things away.

[goodtobebad]

Yeah, I'm not giving anything away.

[ Crowley doesn't have much to give away, anyway. He gives Aziraphale a Look. ]

When was the last time you gave something away?

[goodoldfashioned]

You gave me those chocolates! That ought to count for something, dear boy.

[It totally counts to him. Rather a lot.]

And, hrm... I'm sure I must've...

[goodtobebad]

That wasn't charity, though.

Also, it was over two hundred years ago.

[ He raises an eyebrow at the angel. ]

I'm pretty sure you're what humans would call a hoarder.

[goodoldfashioned]

Well, I'd still give you full marks. And you could always give me chocolates now, if you like.

[Absolutely not hinting at anything, him. Nope.]

A what now?

[goodtobebad]

The gift loses something if it's been specifically asked for, don't you think?

[ Shakes his head. But of course, he will get the angel some chocolates, like, tomorrow. ]

A hoarder. You know. A human who collects way too many things. They hoard them.

[goodoldfashioned]

I'd like to think it doesn't. Knowing what someone else wants, that's not a bad thing.

[You know what else isn't a bad thing? More wine.]

I mean, I am sharing the books. They just can't. You know. Touch them. Or look at them too hard. Or buy them. But they can at least come into my shop and go, oh yes, there are books here.