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Aziraphale entered the bookshop with his arms full of books, almost dropping them in shock at the sight before him.
Trying to make as little noise as possible, he placed the books on a small sideboard and walked over to the red armchair.
He couldn't help but smile at the scene in front of him.
Curled up on the housecoat Aziraphale had left hanging over the back, Crowley slept in his black snake form.
Aziraphale knelt before him and said softly, "So lovely."
The snake raised its head and its large golden eyes stared at Aziraphale before it hissed softly.
Gently, Aziraphale reached out his hand and asked, "May I?
The black snake stretched out its head in agreement, and Aziraphale moved his hand closer to gently caress the top. He watched with pleasure as the beautiful reptile leaned its head into his hand, inviting the caress.
"Oh, it seems my little demon is enjoying this?"
Aziraphale continued to delicately caress the snake's head, occasionally venturing under its neck and watching with delight as the snake stretched its head forward, signifying that it too was enjoying the touch.
Then Aziraphale slowly withdrew his hand and stood up.
The black snake hissed, this time louder than the first time, indicating that it wasn't happy that Aziraphale had stopped his gentle treatment.
Aziraphale wasn't sure if he was allowed to carry it, so he preferred to sit on the sofa, patting his knees and saying gently, "If you come here, it will be more comfortable for both of us."
The snake uncoiled and slithered along the chair to the floor, then crawled to the sofa, wrapped itself around the foot to reach the armrest, and finally crawled to Aziraphale's knees, where it curled up and lifted its head in search of a caress. Aziraphale wondered if Crowley was using his snake form to express needs he was afraid to manifest in his human form.
Either way, it was clear that Aziraphale would give him what he needed.
He placed one hand under the snake's head, palm up, and the reptile tucked its head in, while Aziraphale began to stroke it gently with the other hand.
He waited a few moments before speaking softly: "You know I'll always try to give you what you need. All you have to do is ask. I love you in this form too, my sweet demon, but all I ask is that you don't use it to hide because you don't dare tell me what you need. So when you are ready to speak to me in your human form, don't be afraid, know that I will listen to you, my dear".
He continued to caress the snake in this manner for a long moment until he suddenly found himself with Crowley's head in his lap, his hands caressing the red curls instead of the snake's skin.
Aziraphale leaned forward a little and said softly, "Hey, you all right?"
The demon nodded slowly before pressing his head into Aziraphale's hand in a gesture similar to his reptilian form.
Aziraphale was amazed to see that even in this form, Crowley was as trusting as he had been in his serpent form.
The angel asked him gently, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I..." Crowley began, pausing as if he didn't know what to say before continuing, "I don't know if you can understand, but sometimes I don't really know what to do with myself, you've got your shop, your books, but me...I don't really know. If there's no apocalypse to counter, what am I for, what's my purpose. So when it's like that, when these thoughts are the strongest, I take refuge in this form."
Aziraphale nodded and, continuing to stroke Crowley's hair, said softly, "I think I understand. And do you think I can help you in any way?"
Crowley shrugged, "I don't know. Sorry to be a pain in the ass."
Aziraphale tugged lightly on his ear and said softly, "You're not that kind of thing, Crowley. Besides, you'd better stop insulting the demon I love."
Then he cupped the demon's chin gently and said, "Will you sit down? I need to see you for the rest of our conversation."
Crowley complied, and once seated, Aziraphale took his hands and gently said, "What do you want to do? Just plain, without thinking, what do you really want?"
Crowley seemed hesitant at first and didn't answer, so Aziraphale gently insisted, "Whatever it is. No judgment. You can make me understand what you need in serpent form, so don't hesitate in human form. Don't isolate yourself and lock me up, it's worse for me. We spent too much time not telling each other how we really felt and trying to guess what the other was thinking, so talk to me."
Crowley nodded and replied, "I don't want to do anything but lie there against you."
Aziraphale brought Crowley's hand to his lips and, after kissing the palm, said tenderly, "Thank you for telling me."
He opened his arms and Crowley immediately curled up against him. After a few moments, he mumbled against the angel's chest, "I hate being so weak."
Aziraphale murmured against the red hair, "Crowley, my dear, don't think I don't know exactly how much strength it took for you to tell me what you wanted, so let me tell you that right now, in my eyes, you are anything but weak."
"That's not the impression I get," Crowley muttered.
"You will," the angel replied before pressing his lips to the red strands.
Then he pulled the blanket that lay on the back of the sofa toward them and covered their two entwined bodies.
As he wrapped an arm around Crowley's shoulders and dug his fingers into his hair, caressing it gently, he felt the demon press even tighter against him as he wrapped his long arms around Aziraphale's waist.
Aziraphale smiled fondly, for Crowley's behavior was strangely similar to that of his snake form.
Then the demon buried his face in the angel's neck and whispered against his skin, "Don't give up on me, Aziraphale. I beg you."
Aziraphale swallowed, humbled by the demon's vulnerability. He held Crowley even tighter and whispered into his hair, "Never, I promise. I'll never give up on you."
Crowley hummed and snuggled even closer, if that was possible.
And as Aziraphale felt him gradually fall asleep against him, he told himself that if there was one promise he'd keep, this would be it.
No matter how many years, centuries, or even millennia passed, he would never give up the precious treasure he held in his arms.