"Perhaps I'm just trying to keep you on your toes," he says. He's gone abruptly still, and his eyes are searching.

"And I've had quite enough of these," he adds, and with a gesture, the hideous pyjama bottoms vanish.

"Now," he says, leaning down to whisper, very businesslike, into Crowley's ear. "I think that's much better." He traces his fingers carefully around the shell of Crowley's ear once again, following the line of his jaw down to his chin.