"You didn't need to do that," said Crowley, looking askance at John, still unfamiliar with the feel of friendship; of knowing that someone would go out of his way to look out for Crowley's interests. He looked away again.

"But I... I think I knew that already." Still, it was a relief somehow to have confirmation. Though it also took away his scapegoat. Ignoring the brief stab of fresh pain, the demon walked faster toward the edge of the park.

"He was rather horrified at the mere idea of being with a woman," Crowley laughed, trying to sound casual, though there was a faintly hysterical edge to it.