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“You know, you always say you’re not nice-“
“Because I’m not.”
“But you constantly find ways to prove me right my dear.”
Aziraphale was smiling smugly at the ground as he and Crowley walked through London together. It was dark now – they’d spent much longer at the Ritz than they’d meant to – but it meant it was quiet and peaceful. Well, as quiet and peaceful as you could get in city. There were still cars speeding past them, angry taxi drivers honking their horns every now and then and the engines of the late night buses whirring as they stopped around them. But there were far fewer people around, spare for the jolly groups of friends that came stumbling out of bars, couples on late night strolls, or friends on their way home from seeing a show in one of the countless theatres that were in their surrounding area. There was an overwhelming feeling of love that enveloped Aziraphale as they walked and it was a lovely change compared to what they had been experiencing for the past week.
“And exactly how do I keep proving you correct?” Crowley asked, raising an eyebrow. He was sauntering along beside Aziraphale, much closer than usual so their shoulder’s occasionally bumped as they went. The contact made Aziraphale jump at first but he found himself quickly desperate for it. He wasn’t sure why Crowley was acting the way he was, but he chalked it up to alcohol or the relief of stopping Armageddon.
“Well, there have been countless occasions where you could have left me to suffer through some painful discorporation yet instead you come to save me- and don’t go saying it’s because it saves paperwork, we both know you don’t care about that.” Aziraphale held up a finger in Crowley’s face, stopping him from interrupting. He didn’t notice how Crowley’s cheeks flushed lightly and he turned his face away from the closeness. “Not to mention just the little things, like how you covered the bill for dinner tonight.”
“Oh I’d hardly call that covering the bill angel, we both know I used a miracle for that.” Crowley shrugged, still not looking back at Aziraphale. “And if I didn’t save you from discorporation who would I have to carry out my temptations for me? All purely selfish reasons I assure you.”
Aziraphale chuckled lightly.
“Of course dear.”
They continued the rest of their walk in silence until they found themselves back in Berkely Square. It was empty now that it had gone dark, no more families around having picnics or colleagues taking their breaks together on a bench. Just an angel and a demon taking up residence on their usual bench. Crowley sprawled out across it while Aziraphale sat neatly, his hands on his knees. However, he didn’t miss how Crowley’s leg was touching his. Aziraphale flushed this time. Don’t be silly, he thought to himself.
Neither of them spoke for a while. Aziraphale listened to the noise of the breeze shaking the trees, the smell of grass that had been freshly cut earlier that could just about still be smelt over the scent of the pollution pumping out from the vehicles that drove past, the feeling of the bench under his fingertips that was starting to feel cold and damp as it always does when it gets dark. All the simple things, whether they be beautiful or not so, he appreciated in that moment. He couldn’t believe he’d almost lost it. He looked to his left and saw Crowley staring up at the clear sky above them, admiring the stars.
“You really did do an splendid job.” Aziraphale said carefully. He knew it was a sensitive subject, speaking about what Crowley used to do before he Fell. But tonight felt different, he couldn’t place it just… different.
“Thanks.” Crowley said quietly, not looking away from the sky. “I’d hoped you’d be able to see more of them but you know… light pollution and all.”
“In some places you can see it all. And you’ve seen those wonderful telescope pictures. There are people out there appreciating your hard work. Maybe…” Aziraphale looked at his hands and started playing with his fingers nervously. “Now that we’ve got all this time, and we don’t have to report to Heaven or Hell, maybe we could go see your stars. You know, visit a place where they’re all much more visible.”
Aziraphale heard movement from beside him but didn’t dare look. Stupid, stupid idea why would Crowley want to be reminded of what he lost, idiot Aziraphale, stu- He felt fingers under his chin, so gentle he could’ve imagined them, and his head was being lifted up so he was meeting Crowley’s gaze. Crowley had removed his glasses and his eyes were practically glowing in the light. Absolutely mesmerising.
“Hm?” Crowley hummed with a questioning look.
Ah. Aziraphale hadn’t actually meant to say that part out loud.
“Your eyes. They are, um, that. What I said.” Aziraphale said awkwardly. Crowley was still staring at him hard and Aziraphale couldn’t look away. It was amazing and terrifying and Aziraphale’s heart was beating like a hummingbird’s. Crowley simply nodded in response.
“I’d like that I think. Maybe. Seeing my stars. With you.” Crowley spoke in broken sentences. His voice was croaky and quiet but sounded booming in Aziraphale’s ears in the silence of the square. Aziraphale nodded back and Crowley dropped his chin suddenly. They two of them looked away immediately.
Aziraphale let out an embarrassingly loud deep breath and rubbed the back of his neck. He spared a sideways glance at Crowley, who’s eyes were shut as he put his glasses back on. Aziraphale frowned and slumped, letting his head drop on the back of the bench.
Aziraphale really had no idea what he wanted from Crowley, and he doubted Crowley knew what he wanted from Aziraphale. But he knew that it was more than just the strange friendship that they’d formed over the years. What exactly more entailed, he wasn’t sure, but he was willing to learn with Crowley. If only he would let Aziraphale in. They continued to sit in more silence and after 5 minutes of Aziraphale praying to someone that Crowley would say something, he was about to stand up and say it was getting too late and he just had to get home. He made the movement to stand but froze when birdsong rang out around them, loud and clear. Aziraphale looked to the tree in front of them and saw a nightingale perched on the branch, singing it’s beautiful song. He smiled and looked at Crowley, who was sitting stiffly.
“You know, no one will believe me if I tell them I actually did hear a nightingale sing in Berkely Square. They’re not supposed to be very common around here.” Aziraphale said, relaxing back onto the bench, this time more facing Crowley, who’s posture also relaxed when he realised Aziraphale wasn’t leaving.
“Yeah, well, miraculous things are known to happen at night.” Crowley mumbled in response, cringing at his terrible excuse. Aziraphale laughed lightly, especially when he saw red cover the demon’s cheeks.
“Oh yes. Miraculous things indeed.”
“Look if you’re going to be like that then maybe I’ll just-“
Aziraphale surged forward and pressed a kiss to Crowley’s cheek. It was hot under his lips due to the blush and it felt like a burn that still tingled when he pulled away. It was so sudden that the force of it knocked Crowley backwards lightly, bumping his glasses down his nose and revealing his eyes once more, which were wide open like saucers. Aziraphale bit his lip anxiously and turned back so he was sitting straight once more, his hands on his knees. Maybe he had completely misread Crowley’s intentions. They had been friends for 6000 years for goodness sake, surely Crowley would’ve said something by now if he actually felt anything other than friendship.
“Crowley, I-“
He was interrupted by Crowley grabbing his lapels and yanking him towards him, smashing their lips together. It took a few moments for Aziraphale to actually process what was happening and his eyes were blown wide open for most of the kiss. It was only when one of Crowley’s hands moved from his chest slowly up his neck and held his cheek gently did he melt into it. Bird song picked as a whole chorus of nightingales appeared, all singing the most heavenly song. It felt like an eternity before they separated, but not the kind of eternity Crowley had once described. No, this was a beautiful, beautiful eternity.
Aziraphale fluttered his eyes opened and he could’ve sworn, if only just for a moment, he saw a universe in Crowley’s eyes. They stayed close for a while, neither of them wanting to be very far apart from each other after so nearly losing each other just days ago. Aziraphale let out a puff of air and watched Crowley shiver as it hit his face.
“Crowley…” He whispered.
“Angel?” Crowley muttered. His grip loosed on Aziraphale’s lapels and his hands dropped to where Aziraphale’s were still resting on his legs.
“I love you.” Aziraphale said, pouring more truth into those words than he had done for any oath to God.
Crowley’s eyes fell shut and he smiled, laughing a little. He dropped his forehead to rest against Aziraphale’s.
“Oh angel. I’ve been waiting for years for you to say that.” He sighed. “I love you too.”
Aziraphale smiled as well.
“Crowley, would you like to come back to the bookshop?”
“I would love to angel.”