That earns something akin to a giggle from Balthazar. "Perhaps. Time will tell whether he lets me show him off."

He quiets, sipping his cocoa, and there's something worried and hopeful and a little hurt in his eyes for a moment. "But he's never taken an angel as a lover. I'm not going to die. Not of old age or illness, anyway. I'd like to not die of violence, either."

"I'm glad this one is kinder to humans than my world's version. He's willing to spend time with my Vessel. I think the only other person who's been interested in that has been Aziraphale."