Chapter Text
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Inside the bookshop, away from the bustle of overexcited people and cars mincing fresh coatings of snow, Aziraphale tried to concentrate on the book he was reading.
Over and over his focus wandered either to the window where in a glow of ample Christmas lights he could discern that the snowfall showed no signs of dwindling or to Crowley who was giving the side of his head a stare from the armchair Aziraphale started to mentally refer to as his .
Every so often the demon would let out a groan and writhe in his seat, the antique framework underneath him plaintively crying in tune with the winds outside. Yet Aziraphale refused to give either of these distractions his attention, hoping that the first one wouldn’t result in a blizzard, and that the second one would end up devoting his excessive energy to some other pastime.
The latter appeared unlikely.
Adjusting his reading glasses, Aziraphale heaved a sigh and turned a page. The letters dragged before his eyes as he struggled through another paragraph only to realise he’d once again spaced out. He was obliged to start from the top of the page.
The cardinal issue, he had to admit to himself as this time his gaze strayed to his mug on the coffee table, wondering whether he should get up and refill it, wasn’t the inclement weather or the restless company that without any demonic duties to perform couldn’t find any peace of mind.
The issue was that it was their first Christmas together. Which surely wasn’t of great value to two immortal beings who’d known each other for over six thousand years.
Beside him, Crowley expelled yet another wordless complaint.
As Aziraphale drew a breath he didn’t need, he casually re-arranged the cashmere shawl around his neck before once more attempting to engage with the book. He might’ve grown too fond of his human side, finding earthly traditions rather charming… But wanting to celebrate was altogether a preposterous thought.
As luck would have it, jubilant voices drifted from outside, bursting out in Christmas carolling. Aziraphale’s gaze snapped back to the street where the heavy snowfall appeared to not have derailed the festivities.
“We can go out if you want to, you know?” He heard all of a sudden. Upon looking over, he found Crowley watching him with full-blown snake eyes as he gnawed on the earpiece of his sunglasses. “I’ll buy you hot cocoa with an obscene amount of marshmallows. The way you like it.”
The fire in the hearth crackled softly, and the room felt warmer somehow despite none of them using their powers.
“We don’t have to, my dear ,” Aziraphale told him, albeit every atom of his ephemeral essence pleaded otherwise. “I know how you hate the cold.”
Popping the earpiece out of his mouth, Crowley slithered down from the armchair. “But it’s our first Christmas together,” he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world before extending his hand toward the angel.
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