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Aziraphale wasn’t usually shy when meeting new people. He’d had his share of lovers who didn’t mind the rather unassuming alpha as a potential mate. None of his affairs had led to mating, but Aziraphale had heard people say when it was the right person, he'd know.
He wished he could believe it too.
At the insistence of his friend Anathema, Aziraphale attended a party tonight. She’d heard all about Aziraphale’s unfortunate love life. First dates that never seemed to develop into anything more. It wasn’t difficult to get to know someone, ask all the usual questions: what they do for work, what activities they enjoy, about their families. Even physical things were uncomplicated. The relationships just never got any deeper.
At the start, there wasn’t usually much attraction from Aziraphale’s part, but he’d always thought that companionship and shared values were much better foundation on a relationship than pure lust, and attraction would eventually grow from friendship.
Anathema had told him he was out of his mind and called him grey ace, whatever that meant. She’d had sex with her fiancé on their first date though, so her opinion was obviously biased.
It wasn’t that Aziraphale never felt attraction as soon as he met someone, but it was rare. All the stories must have exaggerated the moment of instant attraction.
That was what Aziraphale had thought until two hours ago.
It was an elegant cocktail party arranged by Anathema’s workplace. Newt had made himself unavailable tonight because the last time he’d come to one of these events, he managed to break the audio system, and no one knew exactly how. That was how Aziraphale ended up as Anathema’s plus one.
When they arrived, Anathema gave him a tour and introduced him to some people, including Crowley, a sassy and handsome lawyer. He worked with children, making sure their rights were looked after in complex cases of family law.
“Suitable for an omega, isn’t it?” he said to Aziraphale, his voice full of sarcasm, while Aziraphale was trying to find his voice and come up with anything intelligent to say. During their short meeting Crowley had given him a long look, making Aziraphale feel rather frumpy in his old-fashioned suit next to Crowley who likely updated his wardrobe much more frequently than Aziraphale.
He felt like he’d been hit with a hammer and although he hadn’t come up with a reason to talk to Crowley again, he hadn’t stopped thinking about the omega. In the stuffy air of the event hall, he hadn’t even caught a scent from Crowley, but he knew it must be delicious.
“Earth to Aziraphale,” Anathema said and handed him a glass of wine. “Whatever are you thinking about?”
“Oh, thank you,” Aziraphale said, trying to cover up his awkwardness by taking a sip of the drink. “Nothing much.”
“You’re thinking about him, right?” Anathema grinned.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t try that with me. I saw your face when you saw Crowley. You get it now, don’t you?”
“Excuse me. I think I need to go get some fresh air,” Aziraphale said.
On the patio, Aziraphale sat down to sip on the wine and admired the gorgeous sunset. After a few minutes the door opened, and the most wonderful scent filled Aziraphale’s nostrils.
“Can I join you?” Crowley said, and without waiting for an answer sat next to him on the bench.
“Of course,” Aziraphale cleared his throat. Crowley’s hair was reflecting the reds and oranges of the sky.
“What’s the most rebellious thing you’ve ever done?” Crowley asked.
“Me?” Aziraphale thought about it. “Ah, I gave all my Christmas gifts to our neighbors when I was young. I knew they were struggling, and the mother was expecting another baby. My mother asked what happened to the gifts, but I never told her. I think she knew though.”
“Is that rebellious?”
“If I’d asked permission, mother would’ve stopped me. I think it counts,” Aziraphale said. “Why do you ask?”
“A regular angel you are,” Crowley said. “My teachers and parents hated me asking questions as a kid.”
“I don’t mind questions.”
“You have no idea what you just released by saying that,” Crowley smirked. The conversation flowed naturally from there, and after knowing Crowley for only a handful of hours, Aziraphale knew him more deeply than people he'd previously dated for months.
Crowley looked beautiful in the light of the setting sun, but Aziraphale thought he would look even better at sunrise.