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Aziraphale closed the door with a relieved sigh, no longer able to deal with picky customers. The day had been too long for his likes. Finally, after the whole ordeal of Armagge-didn’t passed, they were able to enjoy each other's company without the lingering fear of being seen together.
And on a cold, rainy evening when Crowley and Aziraphale had been drinking wine, the Demon blurted out this burning feeling he’d harboured for his longtime companion. He was almost spitting out how he didn’t understand these complicated feelings, but that he knew it was related to him. Aziraphale had blinked, his hand holding a wine glass frozen midway to his mouth.
‘Pardon?’, he replied, a little dumbfounded. After all, he hadn’t expected this to happen on this lazy Sunday evening. They were simply sitting in a cosy nook of the bookshop to indulge in some rich red wine while talking about…nonsense and everything in between. Nothing out of the ordinary.
‘I know, I know. It’s annoying and a bloody inconvenience. But just let me finish, ‘kay?’. Aziraphale swallowed and sat a little straighter from his original position. Wine tended to make him relax a little too much in his posture and that wouldn’t do.
‘ We’ve known each other a long time. We’ve been on this planet for a long time— I mean, you and me. I could always rely on you. You could always rely on me. We’re a team, a group. A group of the two of us. And we spent our existence pretending that we aren’t…I mean, the last few years, not really. And I would like to spend- ’, his voice broke and he looked away, swallowing thickly.
Aziraphale was just sitting there, terrified and at the same time overcome with so much joy and love that he could barely breathe. Not that he really needed it, but it doesn’t matter. He couldn’t stop staring at Crowley, he wanted to hear more. To have validated what’s been happening between them.
‘I want to spend the rest of my- our existence together. What do you think?’. The red head finally looked up again after he got his bravery back together and he was just in time to catch an armful of Angel, their glasses smashing in pieces on the floor and spilling wine everywhere.
‘Yes! Oh yes, Crowley. I was so terrified to lose you when you went to Heaven. Those moments were agonisingly long and dreadful. When you came back to me…I knew I could not let this happen again. Whatever happens, I’ll do anything to protect you and I wouldn’t want you anywhere but near me’.
Crowley had his usual blue screening moment, his brain not able to process the words thrown at him with so much adoration and fierceness. It would mostly end up with him looking like an absolute fool who didn’t realise his mouth was open in that awkward way. He was working on it, he really was, but every time when he thought he was getting better Aziraphale would do something again and throw him completely off. Eventually he managed to catch up with him and smirked.
‘That’s awfully sappy, Angel’.
‘As if you mind’, Aziraphale shot back with a teasing smile and they simply stared at each other for a bit before Aziraphale’s smile faltered, his expression becoming a little more serious and a blush rising up his cheeks.
‘Can I- would it be possible for me to…kiss yo- hmm!’
Aziraphale couldn’t finish his sentence, because Crowley hauled him in by the lapels of his waistcoat and pressed their lips together in a fierce kiss. Aziraphale gasped, the sound smothered by the force of Crowley’s mouth and his arms clumsily wrapped around Crowley’s neck. His fingers dug into Crowley’s jacket and when they parted Aziraphale gasped again, this time to catch his breath.
‘D-dear me’, he whispered, pressing his fingers to his lips and almost fell off the sofa where he was sitting, half straddling Crowley. Luckily Crowley noticed his weight shifting and his arms shot out to catch him, smoothly circling around his waist to press him closer. Aziraphale made a noise, but didn’t shy away from the new position and instead seemed to lean into it.
‘Ngk- I didn’t mean to come in so…uh…aggressive. Just…really wanted to do that for a long ass time’. Crowley gave him an apologetic shrug of his shoulders and Aziraphale couldn’t help but laugh, albeit a little breathless and shy. He let his head fall down on Crowley’s shoulder and soon the Demon was chuckling with him.
When their laughter died down Aziraphale leaned forward and pressed his lips on Crowley’s again, but this time gentle. Crowley’s hand found its way into Aziraphale’s soft hair and Aziraphale made a soft noise when he felt him gently tugging. Their lips moved over each other and they sat like that for a long time, enjoying each other's presence. The wine was forgotten, and instead they got drunk on the taste of each other.
Aziraphale smiled as he thought back on it. It hadn’t been easy, because soon after they finally took the step to be more than acquaintances, Covid was thrown onto humanity and they weren't allowed to see each other. It had been devastating and so very lonely to be apart after their love for one another had awoken. The moment they were allowed to see and touch each other again it had been filled with passion, longing, and relief.
‘Angel, I ordered Greek food. I don’t feel like going out tonight’, Crowley said from the back of the shop where he was lounging on the sofa and successfully breaking through the train of thoughts and memories that kept Aziraphale busy. He turned around and smiled, walking to where his demonic lover was seated.
Crowley had just thrown his phone to the side before standing up to face Aziraphale. He got a wary look when he noticed the smile on the Angel’s face that was very much directed at him.
‘What? Don’t tell me you- hng’, he was not capable of finishing, because words always failed him and Aziraphale had quickly stepped closer to wrap his arms around his waist. He snuggled against him, resting his head on his chest. His eyes were closed with a peaceful expression and a happy smile.
And how could he not? Cuddling with Crowley felt like coming home from a cold night where a warm blanket was waiting to warm him up. It made him feel at peace, safe and loved. Treasured even.
‘Home is where you are, my stormcloud’.
‘You’re getting sappy again, angel’.
‘Hmmm, I don’t see why that’s a problem’, murmured Aziraphale and his grip around the Demon’s waist tightened, rubbing his cheek against Crowley’s shoulder while letting out a soft sigh.
Crowley rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t fight the fond smile that creeped up his lips. His left hand found its way into the Angel’s fluffy curls like they always did and he placed a gentle kiss on Aziraphale’s hairline, lingering into the soft touch and inhaling that familiar scent. Aziraphale hummed and caressed Crowley’s back, reminding the Demon how much of a cat Aziraphale could become when he was in his element. He almost expected him to purr.
‘Who‘s the sappy one now?’ he teased, his voice almost slurring from the sheer comfort and relaxation his corporation was going through.
‘Oh, shut up’, Crowley complained with no heat, lips still on the Angel‘s forehead and he felt Aziraphale laugh more than he heard it.
‘I’m sorry, my love. Of course that‘s all part of your malicious, evil plan’.
‘M‘yea. Very malicious’, the Demon grumbled as he put his arms around the Angel's neck.
‘Very, very evil’....