Chapter Text
Lilia and Crowley were catching their breaths from unleashing the full (or close to) potential of their magic in the Coliseum to let out some of the stress from the recent Overblots. The smaller Fae had been winning when the timer that he had set up so that the two wouldn't lose track of time or go overboard went off, prompting the two to take a break. With a quick glance at his magic pen to see how much blot he had built up, he joined his teacher in grabbing the bottles of water they had set aside.
Now, he was leaning against the wall, slitted red eyes blinking slowly. He reached one of his pale hands up, tucking a strand of hair that had gotten blown out of place by the sheer magical power of the fight between the two ancient Fae. Even now, he could still feel the magical residue they had left, both from the fight and from fixing the surrounding area, which had been thoroughly destroyed in their battle.
Turning to Crowley, he grinned, letting his fangs slip into view like he normally didn't allow. The other stared at him with magical, haunting golden eyes that would've made anyone shiver if they weren't accustomed to Crowley's... unique mannerisms.
"You drink too much, praise yourself too much, and your morals are highly questionable," Lilia began, grinning even wider. His eyes were mischievous and playful, as usual, hiding the weight of the years he had lived, the past that he had, and the memories he bore.
Crowley's mask, which was still in place somehow, hid the man's true emotions, but the blinking golden eyes indicated he was still waiting for something. He considered getting something similar to mess with people but threw the idea aside. He didn't want anyone to think he was unoriginal. That would be horrible!
"You are everything I've ever wanted in a best friend," he concluded, grin getting even wider somehow.
Crowley smiled back. That was the smile that Lilia had been seeking all this time, the true smile that was the farthest possible thing from what Crowley showed the students. He suspected he was the only student currently at NRC, or the only student ever, who had been allowed to see that side of Crowley before.
It was a nice thought.