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The sun skimmed the South Downs hills, spreading its warm light over the winter landscape. Bathed in this light were two figures walking hand in hand, so close together that their shadows seemed to blend into one.
They had been walking for some time in a comfortable silence that, after so many years spent side by side, neither of them felt compelled to break.
Aziraphale looked down at their intertwined fingers. His thumb brushed the back of Crowley's hand as he broke the silence in a soft voice.
"Do you know, my dear, that today is Valentine's Day?"
Crowley replied with a slight smile, "I think I saw that on the calendar today. Why?”
Aziraphale replied hesitantly, "Wouldn't you like to do something more... special?"
The demon gently squeezed Aziraphale's hand and replied in an unusually soft voice, "That's not necessary. Every day and every moment with you is special. The date doesn't matter."
Lifting their entwined hands, he placed a soft kiss on Aziraphale's and added, "Being here with you, hand in hand, is special enough."
He paused, forcing the angel to do the same. Then, he turned completely toward him, his gaze diving into Aziraphale's.
Then, with great gentleness, he cupped the angel's face in his hands, his thumbs brushing against his lover's flushed cheeks.
He leaned in, and their lips met in a tender kiss that lingered like a sweet communion between two beings who, after years of not being able to be fully themselves, were now experiencing the joy of simply holding each other on a sun-drenched hill.
By the time they finally parted, the sun had lowered slightly, bathing their faces in its warm light. Aziraphale exhaled, his voice barely audible yet vibrating with deep emotion.
"Then I want to tell you something special, too."
The demon pressed a kiss on the angel's nose.
"I'm listening, Angel."
The angel's voice was clear and strong.
It was the affirmation of a confession repeated a thousand times, yet it still sounded as if it were the first time.
"I love you."Visibly moved, Crowley swallowed and replied in a slightly hoarse voice, "Yes, that's special, too. Precious, even.”
He then pressed a light kiss on the angel's lips after whispering against them, "I love you, Angel."
Then he let his hands fall, and, by mutual agreement, they resumed their walk hand in hand, both aware that whatever the time of year, now, in a hundred years, in a thousand years, being together, loving each other, would always be special.