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Oblivious to Crowley's struggle, Aziraphale continues reading. His soft human features are glowing eerily in the dark, the lack of shadows making him look ghostly and not from this world. But Crowley already knows that neither of them are human, thankyouverymuch, he's only annoyed at the light!
Sure, he could go sleep in his own flat, but he's gotten used to having Aziraphale around, and being alone in his giant bedroom doesn't feel much better than being forcefully awake here. If only the angel would tone it down a bit... The last time he suggested that, Aziraphale had happily miracled him up a sleepmask. It had been black, shaped like a quite flat cat head and very fluffy. Crowley had thanked the angel, cringed, and decided to rather stay awake forever than commit such crimes to fashion.
"You'dthhink the one angel who accepts all human pleasures and shit would also accept the fucking fact that night is there to sssleep!" he grumbles and hisses, burying his face in a pillow.
"What was that, dear? You still awake?" Aziraphale asks softly, turning a page.
Crowley just groans.
A few minutes later- he almost managed to go to sleep, turned away from Aziraphale, eyes forcefully shut and set on ignoring the goddamnblessedsomethingfuckinghalolight- Crowley notices something, opens his eyes- the entire room is bathed in soft light, and this can only mean one thing: did the angel get any bloodyfucking brighter?!
Turning around to squint at Aziraphale, however, Crowley is met by not the form he has grown accustomed to, however glowing, but-
Whatthhhhefffuck?!
Uncountable eyes stare at him through the darkness, glowing from the inside...
They look at him, blink, and it is dark again.
"Angel?" Crowley rasps, still a little shocked. He can't see anything, eyes not used to the darkness after staring into so much heavenly light.
Aziraphale puts his book down, almost dropping it to the ground before he can put it onto the nightstand, noticeably skittish.
"I, sorry, my dear, I don't know how that happened, I suppose I was so caught up in the story I turned it up a bit too much..."
He sounds- anxious. Almost afraid. Of him?! "Zira, can you turn it on again a bit?"
"I thought you hated the light" Aziraphale says, still a seemingly disembodied voice coming out of pure darkness, sounding ashamed.
"Well, right now I want to look at you"
Aziraphale snaps his fingers, and the overhead light turns on.
Crowley blinks.
Aziraphale on the other side of the bed has his knees drawn close to his chest, closer than when he had been reading, arms hugging himself close and he seems to be shivering and almost teary eyed...
Before Crowley can ask, Aziraphale stammers "I'm sorry, dearest, I know it isn't a very nice sight, especially not for you I suppose, and I really didn't mean to scare you-"
" 'Don't be afraid?' " Crowley tries to joke, but it falls flat. "I-no, angel, come on, I'm not afraid of you! Shocked, okay, but that's just because it was so unexpected- I mean, you've also been startled when I was suddenly a snake on the couch yesterday right? Doesn't mean you're afraid of me- I mean, right?"
"Of course not, Crowley, I-"
Finally, Aziraphale looks at him, and Crowley smiles softly, skidding closer and taking his hand.
"See? And what do you mean, not a nice sight? Sure I was shocked, but not because you're, what, ugly or anything! You're stunning, angel," he gently touches Aziraphale's cheek. The angel's lip starts to wobble. "beautiful in every form."
"You mean that?" Aziraphale asks, sniffling.
"Would I say so if I didn't, angel?" Crowley asks, fondly exasperated. "Now go to sleep."
He hugs Aziraphale close, and the angel buries his face in his neck. Seems like he will get his sleep tonight after all... Though he really could have done without the drama.
Aziraphale sleepily presses a kiss to his neck, and everything is alright in the world.
~