Max appeared directly in front of Crowley in the middle of a demon deal.
The King of Hell barely even looked up at first.
"Did Moose send you?" Crowley asked lazily while sipping a drink.
"I already told him I can't allow any more lunatics into the group."
Then Crowley actually looked at Max.
Paused.
"…You're not one of theirs."
Before Max could answer—
Crowley instantly teleported away.
Straight to one of his hidden bases on Earth.
Unfortunately for him—
Max simply smiled.
"[Lopsided Duel.]"
Space distorted.
And Max teleported with him.
Crowley nearly dropped his drink when Max appeared beside him again.
"How in Hell did you—"
The doors to the room burst open as several demon guards rushed in with blades and guns ready.
Max didn't even look at them.
He casually flicked two fingers.
A small burst of holy magic exploded outward.
The demons screamed as they were blasted through walls and across the room.
Not destroyed—
Just violently removed from the conversation.
Crowley stared in genuine alarm now.
"…An angel?"
Max slowly turned toward him.
His eyes glowed crimson in the darkness.
"No."
A grin spread across his face.
"Something far worse."
Crowley immediately entered survival mode.
No threats.
No sarcasm.
No running.
Just negotiation.
"What do you want?" Crowley asked carefully.
Max sat down casually in a nearby chair like he owned the place.
"There's an object in Hell I want."
Crowley narrowed his eyes.
"What object?"
"The Coin of Talmait."
Crowley blinked.
Then frowned.
"The Winchesters melted that coin down years ago."
Max just stared at him silently.
Crowley sighed dramatically.
"…Right."
"Forgot who I'm talking to."
He crossed his arms.
"And even if I did still have it…"
"What exactly do I get out of this?"
Max smiled slightly.
"Well…"
"Your life, for one."
Crowley stiffened slightly.
Max continued casually.
"I know you clean up after the Winchesters."
"And I know you keep useful cursed artifacts hidden instead of destroying them."
Crowley didn't deny it.
"In exchange," Max continued, "I'll keep certain things secret."
Crowley narrowed his eyes carefully.
"…Such as?"
Max leaned forward slightly.
"Such as you secretly hiding Amara."
"And feeding her human souls."
For the first time in a long time—
Crowley looked genuinely caught off guard.
"…Bloody hell."
Max smiled wider.
"Exactly."
Crowley stared at him for several long seconds before finally vanishing again.
A few minutes later, he returned carrying a heavily sealed black box covered in sigils.
Without a word, he placed it on the table.
"There."
"The Coin of Talmait."
Max opened the box carefully.
Inside rested the cursed coin.
A nasty little artifact.
Essentially a supernatural monkey's paw.
Throw it into water while making a wish, and it grants the desire—
While twisting fate enough to make the user regret it later.
And anyone who threw in a coin afterward became tangled in the curse as well.
Max honestly just wanted it for the collection.
"Thank you," Max said while taking the box.
Crowley poured himself another drink immediately.
"You know, I still don't understand what use you'll get out of that thing."
Max shrugged.
"I collect dangerous objects."
"Fair enough."
Max stood up.
"Oh, and I'll put in a good word with the Winchesters."
Crowley looked genuinely interested.
"They really should uphold their deals more often."
Max smirked slightly.
"It's honestly unfair."
"Demons seem to respect contracts more than humans do."
Crowley immediately pointed at him excitedly.
"Exactly!"
"That's what I've been saying all these years!"
He started pacing dramatically.
"Under my rule, demons keep their bargains."
"The Winchesters should've worked with me instead of trying to murder every demon they meet."
Max thought about it for a moment.
Honestly—
If he wasn't still mentally human, he might've agreed more.
Perspective changed when you stopped being mortal.
"Fair enough," Max admitted.
"I mean… humans do willingly make the deals."
"You're usually upfront about the ten-year lifespan thing."
Crowley looked pleased.
"Finally, someone reasonable."
Max raised a finger.
"Though there's one thing I disagree with."
Crowley sighed.
"Of course there is."
"Children."
Max's expression darkened slightly.
"They don't understand what they're agreeing to."
Crowley went quiet for a moment.
Then surprisingly—
He nodded.
"…You're right."
"I stopped making deals with children years ago."
He grimaced slightly.
"Bad taste, honestly."
Max blinked.
That was… more self-aware than expected.
Crowley lifted his glass slightly.
"Glad to see another powerful being who understands how things actually work."
But before he could continue—
He looked up.
Max was gone.
Completely.
No teleportation flash.
No sound.
Nothing.
Crowley stared at the empty room for several seconds.
Then slowly smiled.
"…Huh."
He took another sip of his drink.
"So that's what it feels like."