Chapter Text
The wounds were healing, slowly. But they were healing.
Crowley spent most of the time sleeping in Aziraphale’s bed, so the angel was able to return to the bookshop. It was quiet, but knowing Crowley was only one floor above him gave Aziraphale a lot of comfort.
“They look a lot better.” Aziraphale commented as he changed the dressings on Crowley’s torso.
“They still hurt a whole lot, though.” Crowley complained, frowning down at the angry red burns which were just beginning to scab over. He had taken various painkillers – paracetamol, ibuprofen, just the over the counter stuff, but it hadn’t made much difference. Neither of them had ever taken painkillers before, they weren’t even sure if they would work on them.
“I’m sorry.” Aziraphale said.
Crowley slapped him weakly on the arm. “Stop apologising, Angel.” He said, a hint of a kind smile playing about his face. His yellow eyes were soft, fond. “You saved my life.”
Aziraphale flushed. “Well, it was no big deal…”
“No big deal?” Crowley scoffed. “I was about to be killed, not discorporated, killed. If it wasn’t for you…”
“Let’s not continue down that path, shall we?” Aziraphale cut across him, patting the demons hand. It had been haunting him just how close Crowley had come to death. He couldn’t stop thinking about the ‘what ifs’. What if he had gotten there just a minute later? What if he hadn’t been able to find him at all?
He shook his head, dispelling the unsettling thoughts. They were starting to give him a stomach ache.
“I made this,” He said instead, reaching for a bowl on the bedside table.
Crowley’s tongue flicked out, tasting the air. The burns in his mouth had almost completely healed, though his throat was another matter. “Aloe vera?” He asked.
Aziraphale nodded. “It helps humans with burns, it might help you too. Even if it doesn’t, it’ll be very cooling. I even put it in the fridge for a couple of hours.”
“You spoil me, Angel.” Crowley smiled faintly, resting his head back on the pillows.
Nights, however, were different. As he became more coherent, Crowley would insist that Aziraphale didn’t have to sit with him.
“I’m not an infant.” He had said, so that night Aziraphale left him alone for the first time since his return.
It was a mistake.
He had sat in his living room, reading one of his new paperbacks when he heard pained, almost strangled cries. He startled and jumped unsteadily to his feet and rushed toward the bedroom.
“Crowley?!” He cried, bursting through the door.
Crowley lay on the bed, the many blankets twisting about his form. His expression was pained and he was sweating, the beads mixing in with tears.
“Crowley!” Aziraphale rushed forward. “Are you alright? Wake up, Crowley!”
Crowley startled awake with a hoarse gasp. His eyes wide, he looked around frantically, his hands flailing in front of him as he tried to get a grip on reality.
“Crowley! It’s ok!” Aziraphale caught the demons hand in his own. “It’s ok, my dear, you’re safe."
The demon looked up at him with bright yellow orbs. “’Zira?” He gasped.
“It’s me.” Aziraphale confirmed. “It’s me. You’re ok, you’re safe.”
Relief crossed his face and the demon sunk back into the pillows, panting hard. He took one of his hands back from the angel to run it though his hair.
“Did you have a nightmare?” Aziraphale asked.
“I…” Crowley swallowed, looking anywhere that wasn’t Aziraphale.
“It’s ok, my dear.” Aziraphale assured him. “You’ve been though a lot. It’s ok."
“It’s not.” Crowley’s voice was strained, “It’s not ok. I…”
“Hush.” Aziraphale began to run his hand though the demons red hair.
Crowley closed his eyes, desperately trying to control his breathing.
“Are you in pain?’ Aziraphale asked after a moment.
“I’m always in pain these days.” Crowley mumbled. “But no more than usual. I think the Aloe is helping.”
“I’m glad.” Aziraphale continued to stroke Crowley’s hair. “Would you like me to stay?”
Crowley hesitated, before nodding. “Please."
Aziraphale moved to settle himself on top of the covers just like he had done the first night, but Crowley lifted the blankets as a silent invitation.
The angel smiled softly and kicked off his shoes, stripping off his jacket. He climbed in, arranging the covers securely around them both. Crowley immediately snuggled up to the angel, tucking his head under his chin. Aziraphale wrapped his arms around the demon loosely, being mindful of the burns on his ribs. Crowley sighed.
Minutes past, and Crowley was silent for so long Aziraphale was sure he had fallen asleep. Then he spoke:
“Aziraphale…” He began, his voice losing confidence and phasing out.
“Yes, my dear?” Aziraphale asked, his hands were back in his hair, resuming their earlier motion.
“I…” He hesitated, swallowing around his words. “I love you. I always have done.”
Aziraphale beamed, his eyes suddenly feeling very hot. He pressed his lips to the top of Crowley’s head and closed his eyes.
“I know.” He whispered. “And I love you too, darling. Very much.”