Merry Christmas

[sauntereddownward]

While Aziraphale had been in his room letting his cocoa go cold with his nose in a book, no doubt, Crowley had been quite busy down in the library. He'd found a tree. And he'd trimmed it especially for Sol Invictus. It was artificial, of course, since plastics were evil. And Crowley, given the choice, had selected a shimmery black tree. His decorations included blood red tinsel garland, and tiny little angels and demons scattered amongst shiny black and red ornaments.

It stood directly in the middle of the room, between the door and the desk. Annoyingly in the way.

He stood back, quite proud of it.

And then he settled in his favorite chair and pulled out his phone to make a little mischief on the tiktok thing.

Comments

[theangelfell]

Now Aziraphale just looked upset. "What?"

[sauntereddownward]

"Or you're stupid. You're definitely oblivious," he pouted.

[theangelfell]

"I'm not oblivious, I know exactly what you're doing," Aziraphale sputtered. "You're - you're pretending to - just to tempt me!"

[sauntereddownward]

"The tree? The snow? The kiss? And you think I'm pretending?" Crowley said, shocked and offended.

"You're ob.liv.eee.ous."

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale shrank back a little. "I don't understand. Can you just... say what you mean?"

[sauntereddownward]

"I don't see why. You clearly think the worst of me," he grumbled.

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale frowned. "I... I do not. You asked if I was tempted. Why are you trying to tempt me?"

[sauntereddownward]

"Because I want you to want me the way I want you," he said, snippy and defensive. They were a couple of his least charming qualities.

[theangelfell]

"And... the way you want me is... kissing?" Aziraphale was stunned.

[sauntereddownward]

The demon stood with lips pursed defiantly for a long moment.

"Yes," he finally confessed tightly.

[theangelfell]

"But... but..." Aziraphale sputtered, "Why?"

[sauntereddownward]

"Awwww-ohhhh, come on, angel. You...you're...and I'm...and we..." he stammered.

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale really wished that he had actually included adjectives in that outburst.

"I would imagine that there are many people in the world much more kissable than I," he said softly, looking down, "and you are... are infinitely appealing."

[sauntereddownward]

"Angel, there's no one more kissable than you," he said, as if that were obvious.

[theangelfell]

"Crowley," said Aziraphale, the word choked.

[sauntereddownward]

"You know," he said, "Sometimes the truth is more damning than any lie," he rushed, trying desperately to at least keep up appearances.

[theangelfell]

"Crowley," Aziraphale repeated desperately. "You... you are... the most important thing in my life after God." He couldn't stand to lost him.

[sauntereddownward]

You're more important. To me," he said, securing his place below.

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale stared at him for a moment.

"Is... is something very important happening?" he said softly.

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley was sure something was.

And it was so fragile he was afraid the sound of his voice alone might shatter it.

So he nodded.

And came closer.

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale reached out, as soon as Crowley was close enough, and took his hand. Threaded their fingers together. His heart was pounding. Pounding.

[sauntereddownward]

"Now you're tempting me," came a whispered accusation before he leaned in and kissed him again.

[theangelfell]

I don't know how to kiss, Aziraphale thought. He stiffened with anxiety, but somehow found himself relaxing a little and parting his lips on instinct.

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley was no more well versed at kissing. The only things there were to kiss, other than the angel, were people. And people were, well...

He'd prefer to avoid that nastiness. They were fine, he supposed, especially the young ones who were full of chaos and honesty. But he wouldn't kiss even them. Well, maybe that one boy. On the head. One time. Because he behaved excellently with that dog...

Oh, yes. He was kissing Aziraphale. Best not let his mind wander.

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale didn't know what to do with his hands. Finally he rested them on Crowley's waist. And he made a little sound into the kiss. Rather like a whimper.