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After finally finishing his Hellish assignments for the week, Crowley is exhausted. He wants nothing more than to curl up in a ball at the bookshop, and maybe if he is lucky, Aziraphale will read to him. He feels a part of him relax as he draws nearer to the shop, and parks the Bentley in his usual spot. He saunters into the shop with less flair than usual and breathes in the familiar scent of the shop.
Aziraphale has also been stressed lately. There hadn't been word from heaven in a while and his anticipation on top of worry for Crowley was getting to him. He had been fluttering around the shop all day, reorganizing and dusting. Anything he could do to keep busy really. He had only just sat down when the bell on the door chimed to alert Aziraphale to Crowley’s presence. He marks his spot and sets his book down on his desk, gracefully crossing the room so he and Crowley are standing face to face.
“Crowley, Dear are you alright” Aziraphale said, looking his demon up and down concernedly. Crowley signed and nodded, running a hand through his hair.
“Just fine, Angel. Long day, you know how these assignments go.” Aziraphale nodded rapidly. He fidgeted in place feeling the pressure of anxiety build in his chest with no outlet. He saw the circles under Crowley’s eyes and wanted to do something to help so badly, but there was nothing he could do. Not with Heaven watching.
“Angel?” Crowley asked, concerned at Aziraphale’s silence. Aziraphale’s frown twitched as he met his gaze, eyes swirling with emotion.
“I- I don't know how well this would go over with either of our sides.” He swallowed, glancing up subtly, “But I would say it seems you are in rather need of a hug.” Aziraphale finished, somewhat hopefully, wringing his hands.
Crowley stilled in his spot. Demons didn't hug. They weren't meant to give or receive comfort. He scowled about to say as much before considering the look on Aziraphale’s face. He too looked exhausted, and he knew that there was no hugging in heaven. Ridiculous, considering they were beings of love.
Crowley was fine really, Aziraphale was likely fussing over nothing, but he knew it would make him feel better to lend a hand. He grits his teeth hoping he's making the right choice.
“Okay,”
“Okay?”
Crowley nodded and they both stared at each other expectantly before Crowley opened his arms.
“C’mere Angel'' Crowley didn't miss the way Aziraphale’s lip wobbled as he stepped forward and gently embraced the tall demon. Crowley squeezed him gently, and Aziraphale’s soft hands moved to grasp at the back of his jacket.
Aziraphale’s eyes stung. Why did this feel so good, he shouldn't need to be comforted. He was an angel for heaven's sake! Before he realized what he was doing he pulled himself impossibly closer to Crowley’s chest and began sobbing over his shoulder.
Crowley felt his body language change, much to his alarm, and began running his slender fingers up and down his angel’s back.
“What's wrong, Angel?” he asked gently as he continued to support his weight.
Aziraphale sniffled as tears continued streaming down his cheeks. The pressure inside him was finally spilling over.
“Nothing!” He cried, “I don't know! There's nothing wrong, no new assignments, no new punishment, I don't know why I'm crying”
“That's alright” Crowley soothed, moving one hand to pet his soft curls. “Sometimes being down here is overwhelming”
Aziraphale shook his head. “No, no I must be a bad angel. Anyone else could handle this, I don't know why I'm so emotional”
Aziraphale felt the rumble in Crowley’s chest as he growled. “Listen, Angel, I don't know what Heaven has been telling you, but having emotions is totally normal. What's not normal is bottling them up and pretending they don't exist.”
“No, No I am a principality, I do not need to dwell on such- such” He huffed. “Well, I should be reacting like this,” He said, beginning to pull back. Crowley caught him by the shoulders before he could go far. He pushed his glasses up into his hair so they could be eye to eye. His own yellow eyes were shiny with unshed tears and continued through the tightness in his throat. Seeing Aziraphale in such distress had never been easy on his heart.
“I know you wouldn't think less of me for showing some god-blessed emotion, so you better not be passing unfair judgment on yourself, you idiot”
Tears continued pouring down Aziraphale's face as he watched Crowley's amber eyes with admiration despite his distress. He squeezed his own eyes shut for a moment as if trying to break out of a trance.
“I know, you’re right. You always are” He huffed a self-conscious and wet laugh “ I'm still trying to get used to this, It's just - hard - sometimes”
Crowley pulled him back to his chest, allowing a small smile to grace his features.
“I know, Angel. It’s okay, I’m here”
Aziraphale breathed in the comforting scent of Crowley and his heart finally returned to a normal rhythm, and he began to feel the tension uncoil from his chest.
“Thank you”
Crowley ruffled his hair fondly. “How about some hot chocolate?” he proposes, hoping to continue lightening the mood
“That sounds divine, dear, thank you.” Crowley corralled him to the couch while he made the drinks.
Aziraphale was only alone for a moment before Crowley returned with his favorite mugs. He ran his thumb over the white ceramic wings and watched with a melancholy smile. He knew his position was bound to bring more stress sooner or later, but for now, he was grateful for the peace, and the company of his best friend.
Crowley sat down next to him so their shoulders were touching. They sipped in silence enjoying the peace. Eventually, as the sun began to set, Crowley rested his head on Aziraphale’s shoulder and the angel smiled at the show of trust, and the feeling of warmth at his side. He leaned back into his favorite demon, savoring the feeling of his soft hair on his cheek. Aziraphale knew that the warmth in his chest was not only due to the hot chocolate, and he smiled to himself, finally, and completely relaxed.