Work Text:
Crowley's POV:
The Bentley gently pulled into Mayfair, like it always had. The pair was finally home. Crowley only hoped that Shax hadn't ruined anything in his flat. They hadn't given him much time to pack up his things. About an hour or so after receiving Hell's eviction notice, several goons showed up at his door. They didn't seem too afraid of him, so clearly, these demons hadn't witnessed his trial. Any lesser demon who had seen Crowley, well, 'Crowley', surviving the holy water bath wouldn't have dared to rush him out of the apartment.
Shax hadn't even bothered showing up to personally kick him out, since she was his replacement. Although, maybe that had been for the better. Seeing the smug look on her face as he was forced to leave might have caused him to lose his cool. And at that moment, he needed to be grateful that Hell had decided to keep him at arm's length, rather than under their thumb. It gave him room to breathe.
And right now, that's exactly what he needed. He entered the flat and, somehow, it felt like the walls had welcomed him home. He took a deep breath, looking around. Everything seemed to be exactly as he had left it. Minus the plants he had been able to take when he had been kicked out. With a snap of his fingers, the greenery from the Bentley's backseat was back in its proper spot in, the plant room.
He kept walking through his flat, checking every single detail. It was as if no one else had ever stepped foot in there. Good. He needed the privacy. The last thing he needed was the residue of someone else's aura looming over him as he had a breakdown.
Crowley slumped down the side of his desk, head in his hands. Tears burned as they brimmed his eyes and traced down his face. He was furious. Furious at Heaven. At Aziraphale... At himself.
His hand reached into his jacket's inner pocket and he pulled out a small box. Vintage in style, but not in materials. It was an octagonal shape, dark blue in color. A tiny golden clasp kept it closed. He opened it and his eyes, somehow, seemed to burn more. The inside was lined with velvet, the same color as the outside of the box. At the center, was a ring.
You bloody coward. You fucking idiot! You should have asked! He might have stayed... Of all the times to back out... FUCK!
He snapped the little box shut. He pulled himself back up, striding into the plant room where his wrestling statue was. With a snap of his fingers, a handle appeared at the center of the pedestal which held the aforementioned sculpture. He opened the secret compartment. Eight more ring boxes, identical in size and style, but in a variety of colors, taunted him. They were neatly placed into little cubicles, to keep them from rolling around the whole drawer.
It had taken him far too long to realize how much he loved Aziraphale. And even longer to accept those feelings. He thought he had been hiding it well. That he could keep hiding it until he had the perfect moment. And then the coffee shop girl, Nina, had pointed out that it was the most obvious thing ever!
Crowley's mind swirled. He couldn't have some human point this out to Aziraphale. It might ruin everything. He had to figure out how to bring it up. How he was going to ask him. He snapped his fingers, and the only ring he had been able to grab from the stash when he was evicted (which he had left in the Bentley's glove compartment for safe keeping), was nestled into his jacket's pocket.
Right, fine. A bit rushed, but he felt he had to. And then Aziraphale came back. The Metatron had gotten his claws into him. Telling him exactly what the principality wanted to hear. The more he spoke about his promotion, the more Crowley could feel him slipping away from him.
He panicked. He let his emotions take over. He should have kept talking. Confessed his feelings and gone down on one knee before the angel could have said another word. But he had kissed him instead.
Crowley replayed the moment in his head, over and over again. It made his blood boil. He placed the ring box into an empty slot in the drawer. He snapped his fingers as he walked away. The drawer closed softly, then disappeared into the marble pedestal as Crowley made his way over to the kitchen, to drown himself in several bottles of whiskey.
This better not be the end...
Thought the demon as he drank, cursing at God, Satan and whoever else he felt he could blame.
~ Three Years After The Second Coming That Never Came ~
Crowley had checked the rings, just after the pair had moved into their new cottage. He pondered whether it was the right time to ask. If it was even the right thing to do. They were an angel and a demon, for fuck's sake! Marriage was made for humans, not their kind! And yet, after finally stopping Heaven and Hell, after finally being able to go off together, Crowley couldn't think of anything else.
But he'd also grown paranoid. He couldn't go too fast. Not again. He couldn't risk scaring Aziraphale off. So, he told the little voice in his head to shut up and drop the subject. Something distracted him. He heard Aziraphale yelling from the back garden, asking him something. He dashed outside to make sure the angel didn't disturb the pattern he had planned for the potted plants. In his rush, the demon forgot to hide the handle to the pedestal's drawer.
~~~~~
Aziraphale's POV:
A few days later, Aziraphale was organizing a few things in the study, by hand. They had agreed to not simply miracle things in place when they moved in. To figure it out the human way, for fun. After all, being retired meant they would have all the time in the world for it. Somehow, his books and Crowley's souvenirs had ended up there.
They had discussed possibly adding another room to the cottage, for his little collection. Mainly because his things didn't quite match Aziraphale's and it tended to mess with the demon's aesthetic. The angel had rolled his eyes at that reasoning, but he knew Crowley had a very particular style. And that went for more than just clothing. It applied to practically every aspect of his being. So, Aziraphale wouldn't argue or be surprised if he awoke one day and found an extra room through their walk-in closet.
But for now, all his things were in Aziraphale's study. Getting in Aziraphale's way. He had bumped into the wrestling statue several times. He was afraid he'd knock it over and shatter it, if he wasn't careful. So, he picked up the statue and set it gently on his old couch from the bookshop. As he picked up the pedestal to move it as well, he felt something poke him in the stomach.
After setting it down, out of the way, he inspected it. That handle hadn't been there before. That drawer certainly hadn't existed the first time he saw the statue. He was positive because he spent a very long time looking and criticizing the statue the night after the failed Armageddon, before their trials. Before they had come up with their body swap plan, Aziraphale had gone on a lengthy tangent about how ridiculous the concept of "Hell triumphing over Heaven in a wrestling bout" was. He had even offered to demonstrate how foolish it was, but Crowley quickly suggested they leave that for after surviving whatever Gabriel and Beelzebub had planned for them.
Aziraphale chuckled at the memory before tugging the drawer open. His smile quickly faded. Rather than amused, he was now confused. Very confused. These were jewelry boxes, of course. But Crowley rarely wore any jewelry. Then again, since this secret compartment was inside part of his little collection, perhaps they were just more of his souvenirs.
He picked one at random. A dark emerald colored one. He knew he shouldn't. He should probably just ask Crowley about them. But now his curiosity was yelling at him, and he didn't want to bother Crowley. When he had last seen him a while ago, he was shouting at the tulips to "lighten up". He was very glad they had no nearby neighbors to be horrified by his partner's gardening methods.
Surely, he'd just shrug off the question and not care if I check them. He's usually pretty aloof. And he has said to not interrupt him when he's in the garden. Certainly, me asking would bother him more, right?...
He nodded to himself, happy with his self-justification. He opened the little green box. Inside was a ring. A silver band with a round, light blue stone. It was beautiful, no doubt, but much too big for Crowley's hands.
As he stared at it, he noticed a folded piece of paper, lodged inside the lid of the ring's box. It didn't look like it belonged there. Aziraphale hummed, wondering if it was a receipt. He tugged at a wrinkled corner of the paper and pulled it out. Unfolding it revealed an entire letter.
Aziraphale's eyes went wide as he read it. This wasn't just a letter. It was a confession. A love confession in Crowley's handwriting. Addressed to Aziraphale! And, somehow, what got to the angel more than all of those details, was that the letter was dated December 25th, 1941.
Aziraphale then checked every box in the drawer. They were all the same. Each one had a beautiful ring, and a note which served as both a love confession and marriage proposal. Each note was different than the last, and the dates varied greatly. All equally were filled with love that oozed off the page, even if the words hadn't felt like enough for Crowley when he had written them.
The retired principality didn't know what to do.
~~~~~
Crowley's POV:
The demon had been working in the backyard for the grand majority of the day. After several hours, he had finally gotten their garden exactly how he wanted. He couldn't wait to show Aziraphale.
It was at this very moment that he realized he hadn't seen his angel all day. This was strange. Yes, Aziraphale usually left him to his own devices when dealing with plants and dirt, but he'd pop out and ask if he wanted any refreshments or needed any help. Today, there were no checkups. He made sure to miracle away all the dirt, sweat and grime from his body before stepping into the cottage. (He'd gotten scolded last time for tracking in mud and leaving a dirty handprint on the back porch's door.)
He walked all over, but there was no sign of Aziraphale. Not on the first floor, anyway. He climbed up the stairs, wondering what his angel was currently up to. His immediate thought was that said angel would be reading in a corner somewhere. Though, he quickly discarded that theory, due to the silence. Usually, if his partner was reading, he'd hear the gramophone going. Aziraphale always enjoyed a bit of soft music while he read a good book.
The demon eventually found Aziraphale sitting on the floor of his study. He was surrounded by all the boxes and notes. The most recent note was still clutched in his hands. The newest ring box sat open atop his knee. The angel was spooked at first, not having heard him enter the room.
The wide eyes full of fear terrified Crowley for a second. Crowley's own eyes then landed on the pedestal behind Aziraphale. More accurately, he noticed the presence of the drawer.
Fuck... Shit! Why didn't I hide that bloody thing? How—?!
And before he could even register it, or try to apologize, he was being hugged. The demon let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He melted into Aziraphale's body when the angel's fingers started caressing him. Reassuring him. Letting him know he wasn't upset with him. A wave of relief washed over Crowley as he hugged him back.
"If you still plan on asking me, dearest, my answer is 'yes'." He whispered softly, as if the demon would break if he said it any louder.
Crowley's breath hitched for a moment. You've gotta be joking me!
"That's it, then? If I had asked you at any point in the past, would you have said 'yes'?"
"Most likely not. You know how terrified I was of Heaven. But, if it matters, I would have wanted to say 'yes'... Every single time you would have wanted to ask."
Crowley chuckled, despite himself. "Heh. Guess it's a good thing I didn't... So. Uh... Did you even like any of them?"
"Of course I liked them! They're all absolutely beautiful. You have impeccable taste, my dear."
"I know that. Fell in love with you, didn't I?" Said the demon with a smirk.
Aziraphale blushed as he rolled his eyes. "Flatterer."
Crowley kissed his temple. "Thanks, I'm trying. So, which one is your favorite?"
"Oh, you cannot possibly expect me to choose just one of them." The former archangel almost sounded offended by the thought.
Crowley snorted. "You're not the type to wear a ring on each finger, angel."
"Obviously not. But I can wear a different one every day..."
"You're serious?"
"Of course! They're all beautiful and you bought them for me. Why wouldn't I want to keep and use them all?"
You sweet and wonderful bastard. I love you so much.
Crowley smiled, completely besotted. With a snap of his fingers every ring, box and note disappeared. Before Aziraphale could protest, Crowley snapped his fingers a second time. A much bigger version of one of the ring boxes appeared in Aziraphale's hands. He unlocked the clasp to open it. His smile returned.
Dark blue velvet lined the interior of the octagonal-shaped, navy and gold box. The bottom cushion had ten slots. Nine of which were occupied by the engagement rings. Aziraphale raised a brow at the empty slot. Without saying a word, Crowley slipped off Aziraphale's pinky ring and dropped down to one knee.
"I know you already said 'yes', but, I had to do this at least once." Said the demon with a smirk, which with every passing second, was turning into the sweetest smile Aziraphale had ever seen on him.
The angel pressed his lips together, trying to hold back a smile of his own. Easier said than done. He put the box on a nearby table. After letting out a nervous little chuckle and a wiggle, he took a deep breath. After exhaling, he gave him a soft nod and let him proceed.
"I love you, Aziraphale. I've known it for ages. Even when I didn't want to admit it to myself. There was no way around it. You carved yourself into my heart. There is no way to get you out of there, even if I wanted. Which I don't, obviously."
Aziraphale giggled. "Obviously." Parroted the angel.
Crowley smirked again, knowing exactly what reference the retired principality was making. "Shut up, I'm trying to create a moment here!" He laughed.
He cleared his throat and tried getting his mind back on track. "I've been a coward since 1941. Ever since that damned bullet catch. I knew before then, that I loved you. But I didn't know how much. Being so close to killing you that night? It nearly broke me. I wanted to love you, to be yours, but... the idea that I might put you in danger was too much for me..."
Scared me half to death, it did...
Aziraphale pursed his lips a bit, gently cupping Crowley's face. His thumbs caressed Crowley's cheekbones. He didn't say a word, but the demon leaned into the touch. He hoped it was apologetic enough. Though, Crowley didn't need it to be. He simply felt safe. And that was good enough for both of them.
I really don't deserve you...
"I was going to try again, y'know? Once we had finished everything with the cottage. I'm not sure if I was gonna pick one of those or buy a new ring, but I knew I wanted to try to propose. It's why I've been working so hard on the garden since we got here. It needed to be perfect. I fell for you in Eden. For the first time, anyway. It only seemed right that I asked you in a garden."
"Oh, darling. I'm sorry I ruined your surprise."
"Don't be. Might have scared myself out of it again. For once, me forgetting something actually worked out in my favor..." He said, almost in disbelief. Usually mistakes like those would come back and bite him in the arse. This was different. He was so damn glad he had forgotten to miracle away that drawer.
Thank Someone for that mistake...
"So, let me, finally, ask you properly. Angel Aziraphale, Guardian Of The Eastern Gate, Former Supreme Archangel Of All Heaven, Principality Of Earth, will you marry me?"
Aziraphale said nothing, instead dropping to his knees to capture his demon in a passionate kiss. Crowley hadn't expected that, but he sure as hell wasn't about to complain. They got a bit carried away. They lost their balance and ended up on the floor. They looked at each other and laughed like a couple of giddy teenagers.
"If you ever thought of this scenario, did you ever picture it going like this?" Crowley asked him, once they had stopped laughing.
Aziraphale shook his head. "Not at all. But I wouldn't change this moment for the world."
Crowley smiled again. "Good." He said, placing Aziraphale's original ring on his left ring finger, then kissing his hands.
Aziraphale gave him another kiss before quickly getting up. Crowley was momentarily confused. He then watched as his angel went to the ring box. Aziraphale took off his own ring and placed it neatly in its respective slot. He stared at the assortment of jewelry for a moment. He eventually grabbed one with a golden band and an emerald stone, with a marquise shape.
The angel turned around, smiling and showing off the ring. Crowley felt his chest swell. "Are you going to model every ring when you put it on?"
"Maybe. I may have you place them on me, if I feel like it."
Crowley rolled his eyes, smiling. "Of course you might."
Aziraphale pointed at him. "I am, however, a bit sad that you got rid of all your letters. I would have liked to keep them."
Crowley waved him off, walked over and grabbed the box. "I knew you would." He said before tugging on a tiny ribbon against the inside part of the lid. Pulling it open, revealed a little pocket, where all the confessions were neatly folded. The demon heard a tiny gasp from behind him.
"The one you're wearing now is from our 'Mr. Cortese and Mr. Harrison' days, with Warlock. Every ring has its year engraved on the inside of the band. And every letter is dated, so you'll know exactly when each one was from." Crowley explained.
Aziraphale promptly took off the ring to inspect it. It was true. This one read '2008'. He put it back on and engulfed the demon into another hug and kiss. Aziraphale was feeling quite overwhelmed again, if he was being honest with himself.
Before Crowley had walked in on him, Aziraphale had been a shaking, teary mess that couldn't comprehend being so loved by someone else. Someone else who, mind you, wasn't supposed to feel this way. Demon, and all that. How was it possible that someone who'd, supposedly, had 'all his goodness stripped away' when he Fell, be this loving? Especially after everything he had been through?
And yet, here he was. Always there for him. Giving him a safe space to be himself. Always accepting him. His home. Even when he didn't see it. Aziraphale had realized Crowley's love had always been such a constant in his life, that he only felt the absence of it while in Heaven for a long period of time. Being in that bubble of love had blinded him. Until he came back to the shop and found Crowley there, still waiting for him. It was like a tidal wave of love as soon as he opened the shop doors, that evening he had returned to Earth.
Aziraphale started sniffling and crying into Crowley's shoulder. The demon's first instinct was to pull away. To ask what was wrong. To try making it better. But Aziraphale held him in place, shaking his head against him. He then kissed his neck softly and hugged him even tighter.
"I'm alright, dearest. Really. I'm just happy..."
Crowley relaxed, melting against him once more. "Good..."
After a long while, he gave him another small kiss on his left temple. "Come on, angel. Let me show you the garden." He said, before leading him out.
It truly was beautiful. Like their own personal Eden. Although, there was a small water feature to replace the original's waterfall. And since the demon's latest proposal plan hadn't worked out, Aziraphale thought it an excellent idea to have their eventual wedding ceremony beneath the apple tree's canopy. And Crowley couldn't agree more with his angel.