"You're so confident," he says with a smile. "I suspect that ruffles a lot of deep-thinkers, not to mention most celestial types. I like it, though. You've always met me halfway and listened to my own experience rather than making assumptions."

"Mmm." There's little Balthazar loves more than wing-snuggles. He burrows deeper into Lucifer's arms and grins. "Aziraphale has some sort of peculiar magic that way. He's so innocent and affable, but then he comes back at you with snark when you're not expecting it. I can't imagine not liking him, but apparently the angels in his Creation all have sticks up their asses."

He sobers again, nodding to Lucifer's explanation of the other Ophan's hurts. "That might take some careful work on my part, then, since I don't have scars like that. I wish there was a way to heal them. The only thing I know that can heal a wounded Grace is contact with a human soul, but it's very risky, and I'm not sure it would even work on old wounds."