Chapter Text
Their kiss was an angry one, hardly soft and tender as many books had so often described them. Crowley hands gripped hard at Aziraphales collar, his lips attempting to convey all the emotions that could not be spoken.
Aziraphale felt rigid, unsure as he simply stood there, bearing the onslaught of emotion and the warm weight of Crowley against him. He lifted his hands to hover over Crowleys back, attempting to anchor himself to the only solid thing in his sea of intensity.
And just as quickly as he had kissed him, Crowley released him, hands retracting from his collar as though he had burned himself. He stood breathless and unreadable as the distance between them grew as he retreated.
A stunned silence stretched for an eternity, the bookshop echoing Aziraphale’s broken breathing and the heavy scent of desperation - like an incoming rainstorm. Electric and foreboding.
Crowley backed away, a raw, unreadable emotion flashing across his face.
Aziraphale let out a near sob, attempting to reign in the tidal waves of emotions that left him terrified and drowning. He could discern none of them, only the need to understand. This did not make sense. A demon an an angel-
“I forgive you.” Aziraphale called out, shattering the silent spell. His voice wavered into a broken whisper, curling over his tingling lips where Crowley just kissed him.
Crowley paused to look at him, rigid posture slackening to one that had no more fight left to give.
Crowley turned on his heel, eyes obscured by his glasses, and let out a barely audible sigh. “Don't bother.”, he rasped, the previously choked emotion replaced with exhaustion and defeat.
He left.
He left without grandeur, abandoning Aziraphale standing in the bookshop pressing his hands to his lips. His eyes misted and his vision blurred as the one who had always been chasing him turned and did not look back.
Aziraphale felt as though hands were wringing out his lungs, crushing all air from them as stray tears burned at his eyes.
No nightingales.