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Down a winding, gravel path, deep in the rolling foothills of South Downs, a cozy stone cottage was tucked away behind a forest of greenery. The interior was bathed in warm, white light radiating from twinkling Christmas bulbs and a softly popping fire.
On this chilly Christmas morning, the two celestial beings who were residing there for the holidays could be found seated on the floor, backs against a large, comfy, brown couch, enjoying their Christmas breakfast.
Meticulously wrapped gifts spilled out from under their Christmas tree, wrapped in tartan patterned paper, some red and black, some tan and blue.
Crowley had insisted on getting one of the smallest trees in the lot, claiming it was simply because she wanted it to fit on top of the Bently, but they both knew it was because she was worried it would get left behind for the holidays.
Their little tree was adorned with miniature gnome ornaments and strings of handmade popcorn garland. The auburn haired demon, who had strung the garland, nudged her partner with a sock covered foot, black cloth adorned with tiny snakes wearing Christmas hats.
Aziraphale pulled his eyes away from the quiche on his lap and up to the beautiful face of the demon. “Are you ready to open presents?” He asked.
“Ready for you to open presents,” she picked up a small, square shaped box. “More specifically, this one.”
The present in question did in fact need to be opened soon, considering its contents had to breathe. This morning, Crowley had got up before Aziraphale to wrap it, that way it was only confined for a short period of time.
The demon passed Aziraphale the gift, who took it, and made a show of checking the rabbit shaped name tag, which was completely unnecessary. But the sight of Crowley’s messy scrawl spelling out the word Angel made Aziraphale feel all sorts of lovely things for the demon.
He looked over at her and smiled so warmly Crowley swore she could see the glow of his halo. “Thank you.”
“You haven’t even opened it yet,” Crowley said, elbowing the angel. “Go on.”
Aziraphale carefully slid his finger under the edge of the wrapping paper, tugging the tape off and tearing the rest of the paper away. He revealed a plain white box, opening it carefully to reveal a small, glass terrarium. It was filled with tan sand and pale blue rocks, with tiny, light green bushes.
“You barely have to water it, and it doesn't need much sunlight. You can just put it on your desk and water it whenever you start a new book or something.” Crowley had selected the specific succulents for this exact reason, knowing her angel didn’t have any of his own plants because he was nervous they would become forgotten and die.
“Oh Crowley, it’s perfect.” Aziraphale extolled as his eyes did that little crinkly thing at the edges which the demon adored.
The day wore on, and the pile of gifts transformed into a pile of wrapping paper. Aziraphale tried to collect the less damaged wrapping paper and fold it up neatly to reuse but Crowley was actively working against his divine intentions.
“What?” Crowley asked after Aziraphale took another sheet of paper from her before she could crumple it into a ball. “I have to spread my demonic sense of unease somehow.”
“Well why don’t you find less environmentally damaging ways to do that, my dear.”
Crowley scrunched her nose at the angel. “But it’s fun.”
“And wasteful.”
The demon sighed and handed one of the less torn sheets to Aziraphale. “Fine. But don’t expect me to open them all careful and delicate like you do next year.”
Once the pile of wrapping paper was slightly managed, Crowley began searching through her stack of gifts. She quickly found what she was looking for, a silver necklace with a delicate snake pendant, a mirror of the tattoo which was contentedly resting next to her ear. It had tiny, sparkling topaz gems for the eyes and an intricate scale pattern running down its back. She slipped the chain around her neck, lifting her long, auburn hair so it didn’t get caught in the clasp.
Aziraphale smiled as Crowley settled the chain around her neck. It elegantly contrasted with the dark, oversized band shirt Crowley was wearing, which featured David Bowie. She’s so pretty.
“Crowley…” Aziraphale started, tentative voice breaking off as the demon’s bright yellow eyes met his own. “I…” He glanced away, trying to draw courage.
Crowley smiled softly, warm, tingly feelings doubling. “Angel. I know.”
Aziraphale shifted and pulled his eyes back up to meet the demon’s. “Yes, but I want to tell you.” he said softly. “I… I love you.”
Crowley, who had been trying to hold on to her cool and confident act, suddenly sank downwards, tension leaving her body as Aziraphale soothed the worrying that had been building up in her mind for the past month. “I love you too.” She whispered, words barely escaping her mouth.
“I love you.” The angel repeated. “I’ve been loving you. Ever since we met. And I think- well, I know- that feeling is love. I love you Crowley. And I would like to spend the rest of my existence loving you, if you will allow me.”
“Oh Angel…” Crowley was in very unfamiliar territory now, but she knew she loved Aziraphale. “ I will love you forever. And I’d much appreciate some company in the loving forever department.”
Aziraphale smiled, letting out a little laugh, and took the demon by the back of the neck, kissing her softly before pulling back to whisper against her lips. “I love you.”
Crowley leaned her head into the hand Aziraphale carded through her hair, “Love you more.”
The demon brought their lips together again, but pulled away a second later and let out a small sniffle.
“Are you alright, my dear?” Aziraphale asked, brow creasing in concern.
Crowley nodded, “Just chilly.”
As the sun rose higher in the winter sky, the crackling fire that had been warming the room faded, reduced to glowing embers. Aziraphale chided himself for not recognizing Crowley’s discomfort earlier and got up, retrieving a folded sweater from Crowley’s pile of neatly stacked gifts.
He passed it to the demon, who gently took it from him, pulling it over her head and messing up her hair. She grinned up at Aziraphale, a design of a little plant in a tiny brown pot and the words ‘Plant Papa’ embroidered on the front of her burgundy sweater.
Aziraphale beamed back and walked over to the fire, pulling a few pieces of oak from a green wood basket. He carefully set the logs on the grate and retrieved the metal stoker from the hook to the left of the fireplace.
Soon the flames were back, licking up the sides of the chimney and filling the room with their toasty, soothing heat.
Crowley reached up, pulling the angel back down to join her by the couch, and linked their hands.
Aziraphale breathed deeply in the cozy quiet of the shop, eyes wandering over to a soft, velvet box which held a beautiful gold and silver necklace. Crowley had gifted it to him and it would pair perfectly with her snake pendant.
“Dear?” Aziraphale asked, “Could I get back up for a second?”
Crowley nodded, releasing the angel’s hand, already much warmer than before.
Aziraphale got up and retrieved the necklace, quickly returning to his demon’s side. He watched her eyes light up as she noticed the box. “Will you help me with the clasp?”
Crowley grinned, taking the necklace from him, happy to help. She shifted so she was positioned behind the angel and draped the necklace around his neck, nimble fingers securing the clasp.
The gold heart bracketed by silver wings shone against the pale blue of Azirapahle’s signature collared shirt. He had foregone his tartan bow tie today, and he supposed he could start doing that more often.
Crowley leaned her head forward and placed a soft kiss on the side of Aziraphale’s neck. “Happy Christmas, Angel.”
“Happy Christmas, my dear.”
And the angel and demon re-entwined their hands as the first snowflake of the day drifted down from the pale blue sky.