Aziraphale

[sauntereddownward]

Since that fateful morning in Aziraphale's shop...flat...bedroom...Crowley had decided he needed to really dive into this feelings thing headfirst. He went to the park and the shops and quaint little restaurants and he watched. Watched couples, mainly. He wasn't human but surely there might be something there he could understand.

He understood the looks, the smiles, the gentle touches. He could appreciate the affection. He could very much appreciate how nervous they all were. Well, not all. Some of the people were absolute predators and he could tell just by looking, but those people he looked straight past. That wasn't what he wanted to know.

Where Aziraphale might turn to books, Crowley liked something a bit more timely and he headed for the internet. He set up a Match.com account, but only learned there were a terrible lot of horny, awful men in the world. He went to r/Relationships and learned just how bloody dysfunctional They all were. It seemed no matter where he turned he only found out that this thing Humans lauded, wrote poetry and music about, talked about constantly seemed to be something not a single one of them had a grasp on.

And so he decided if he was going to learn anything about Love he was going to have to go to the Source. Or, well, close as he could get. He skipped his way into a church and found a priest. Surely His love would be understood in a place like this.

The sum total of what he learned was that the priest was an idiot and dancing his way into and out of the church was going to have him soaking his feet for a week.

At a loss, he retired to Aziraphale's book shop and draped himself in a comfortable chair. He let out a dying, pained moan and hung his head back until he had slithered down and nearly sideways in the chair.

"Angel!" he called. "I think I need some tea."

Comments

[theangelfell]

“I just thought.... that’s what comes next, isn’t it?” Aziraphale said, terribly embarrassed.

[sauntereddownward]

"Logically, yes," he said hesitantly. Crowley paused. "No need to rush, though, don't you think?"

In no way was he just as nervous about the prospect as Aziraphale. In no way at all.

[theangelfell]

“No, no need at all,” Aziraphale said quickly. And decided that he could definitely not bring it up again until Crowley did. He’d just thought... that Crowley wanted that. And Aziraphale thought he did, but... also didn’t know what that meant.

[sauntereddownward]

"I mean, after all, it hasn't been pressing on me for so long. I do like kissing you, though. Very much. And touching. I...like your skin. You're very soft," he mumbled.

[theangelfell]

"I like kissing you too," said Aziraphale, and was suddenly very aware of being on Crowley's lap. "You haven't... you haven't done anything yet that I don't like."

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley stroked his cheek again. It was remarkably soft. He couldn't quite get over that fact.

"Hrm, well...good, then. I think. Yes, that's good..."

His fingers slid around behind the angel's neck to pull him close for a kiss. Mostly to see if it was still something Aziraphale enjoyed.

[theangelfell]

It was, yes, something he enjoyed very much. Aziraphale wondered if it was sinful, that he enjoyed it. And the truth was, he wanted more. Though he didn't have an understanding of what more was, just that there must be something.

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley kissed him deeply, delighting in the Heavenly feeling of being so close. He didn't stop, then didn't stop some more. But he finally did break away.

"I think we should go upstairs. Close up shop, why don't you?"

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale looked a little dazed as he always did after a lot of kissing. "Oh, yes, all right," he said, never having any qualms about closing the shop early, or ever.

He carefully climbed off of Crowley's lap and straightened his vest.

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley rose to his feet with one smooth, liquid motion and tidied the front of his shirt. He brushed hair back from his brow and cleared his throat.

"I think the door is already locked," he said, knowing no one would mind a minor demonic miracle like this.

[theangelfell]

"I imagine it is," said Aziraphale. He flicked a finger and the sign changed from 'open temporarily' to 'closed indefinitely.'

He smiled at Crowley, and started up the stairs.

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley was happy to follow along, his hips loose and fluid as he sauntered behind, then climbed the stairs with lanky legs. At some point between A and B the top two buttons of his shirt had come undone.

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale looked behind him once he got to the top of his stairs. He'd always liked watching Crowley move. He'd never thought much about why until recently, though.

Aziraphale loosened his bowtie.

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off his black snakeskin boots and set them neatly by the foot of the bed.

"We should invest in pyjamas," he said thoughtfully. "If we're going to keep sleeping."

[theangelfell]

"I have pajamas," Aziraphale said. "They're tartan."

[sauntereddownward]

"Of course they're tartan," Crowley replied. He would much prefer something black. And silk. And dreadfully expensive and luxurious.

[theangelfell]

"Do all humans sleep in pajamas?" Aziraphale asked, suddenly realizing he did not know this answer. "Or do they sleep in normal clothes too? Or in no clothes at all?"

[sauntereddownward]

"I suppose it depends on the person," Crowley reasoned. "Some people sleep bare naked. As they did in the Garden. But what with shame and all, I think most people sleep in some sort of thing."

[theangelfell]

"Did you really not sleep at all before recently?" Aziraphale asked him. "I quite enjoy sleeping. Particularly reading myself to sleep, though it can be unpleasant to wake up rolled over onto a book."

[sauntereddownward]

"I did sleep for an entire century," he pointed out. "Woke well rested and ready for most anything. Since then there's not been much call for it."

[theangelfell]

"Do you enjoy sleeping with me?" Aziraphale asked. Then, he walked over to a dresser and pulled out two perfectly folded pairs of plaid pajamas.

[sauntereddownward]

"I'll tell you the awful truth, angel. I don't sleep with you. I lie there, against you. Why would I sleep and miss out on that?" he replied.

[theangelfell]

"What, really?" Aziraphale turned back to him, looking surprised, as he stood there holding the two neatly folded piles of pajamas. "You just... you watch me sleep? Isn't that very dull, Crowley?"

[sauntereddownward]

"Not in the least, he replied gently.

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale blushed. "I... I just don't know what to make of you sometimes, Crowley," he mumbled.