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"That's the point. No nightingales,”
Aziraphale could only watch, heart pounding as his best friend turned and walked out the door of the bookshop. Still shaking, he faltered in using his voice to call out for Crowley, his throat tight and his feet like cinderblocks. With a slow hand, he reached up to his lips and touched them carefully. Perhaps trying to keep the memory of the demon's lips against his own.
He watched as Crowley crossed the street and just out of view. Dragging his eyes back to the front door, the angel fidgeted about, stressing over what had just occurred.
Meanwhile, Crowley was standing outside, leaning against the top of the Bentley, watching out for Aziraphale. Across the way, he could also see the Metatron waiting. For a moment, they locked eyes, each one glaring at the other in disgust.
There was a sound behind Crowley, but just as he was about to turn around, his suitjacket was pulled by the lapels and being forced downward into a kiss. A rather shaky, nervous kiss, but it didn't need to be perfect, it just needed to be enough.
Enough for forgiveness, enough for longing, and enough for love.
Realizing who had him in liplock, Crowley's hands went to cup the angel's face, keeping him up against his body and deepening the kiss. The hands at his lapel kept them firmly in grasp and it seemed as if they would never let go.
Across the street was a frustrated Metatron who drew his face into an expression of anger and resentment. Shouldering his way into a crowd that had passed by, he made his way back to Heaven.
Aziraphale pulled his lips away from Crowley's when the Metatron's aura diminished. Tears still gathered in his eyes right where they'd been the first time Crowley kissed him. He shook his head, his hands gently petting the demon's cheek as he spoke between tears and small gasps.
"Crowley, oh, Crowley, I'm so sorry. I was- I was acting like a complete fool. Metatron told me that I could bring you back, and I had gotten excited, and-"
"No, Angel. Sh, sh, sh-"
Crowley shushed him softly, taking Aziraphale's hands down from his cheeks and rested his own arms around Aziraphale's neck. It was then that Crowley took off his sunglasses and pressed his forehead against Aziraphale's, his yellow eyes half lidded as he spoke to the angel softly, but with an even tone.
"Shhh... Angel, it's alright." One hand slipped up into the angel's hair and rubbed gently trying to help Aziraphale calm down.
"It's alright. It's alright now."
Aziraphale dropped his head lower, tears still running down his face as his eyes were squeezed shut. Crowley swallowed and took in a breath, gathering Aziraphale in his arms and bringing him into his arms entirely, holding the angel's head against his chest with his other arm holding tightly against his body.
Crowley set his jaw as he blinked a few times, fighting back his own tears and trying to be the strong one for Aziraphale, but a few were traitors nonetheless and Crowley had to sniffle them away.
"I am so sorry, Crowley!" Aziraphale shook his head, burying it into the demon's coat and shaking.
"I am such a fool, a right bastard I am. I almost made the biggest mistake of my life, and I never even wanted to return to Heaven in the first place. I could have lost you!"
"Oh Aziraphale." Crowley whispered. "Angel, look at me."
Aziraphale breathed out shakily and willed his tears not to fall as he looked up towards Crowley, his features broken, leaving his heart exposed. Softly, Crowley moved his hands to touch Aziraphale's cheeks, and pulled him into another kiss, this one slow and full of gentle love.
This time, Aziraphale returned the kiss, a small whimper escaping him as Crowley deepened their embrace. When they broke apart for the last time, they looked to each other, taking in the emotion that would be left unsaid between them. Instead, another, more important sentence came whispered from the demon's lips.
"I forgive you."