mimisempai

[mimisempai]

The smile that belongs only to you

Summary

While the angel and the demon are on a visit at Whickber Street, Nina points out something to Aziraphale. Something he'd never really realized, and it has to do with Crowley's smile.

Notes

Sorry but not sorry for the amount of sugar, I need it to counteract all that bitterness...

On Ao3

Rating G - 777 words

"When will our dear Mr. Grumpy be joining us, Aziraphale?"

Aziraphale and Crowley had left their cottage in the Southdowns to visit their friends on Wickber Street for a few days.

The angel put down his glass of sherry and replied to Nina, "In a few minutes. He's looking for a place to park the Bentley."

"Where? There's a free spot in front of the bookshop!"

"Too small, according to him."

"Oh, I see, Grumpy's afraid of scratching his old banger."

Maggie replied, "Honestly, that nickname hardly fits him anymore."

"You're right. The way he smiles, I should call him Dopey instead."

Muriel and Maggie giggled as Aziraphale looked at the three of them with a puzzled expression.

He asked, "What do you mean?"

"Don't tell me you haven't noticed. Whenever you're in a room and he walks in, he smiles in a very peculiar way. I'm not talking about that mocking smile he puts on his lips like a well-fitting mask, no, I'm talking about a goofy, completely idiotic smile. Fleeting, yes, but really silly."

Aziraphale was about to reply that Crowley had smiles for him that weren't mocking, but he'd never noticed the one Nina was talking about. Seeing his puzzled expression, Muriel added, "He smiles like that when he thinks you're not looking at him."

Maggie interjected, "Oh look, he's just entered the pub, take a good look, you'll see!"

Aziraphale didn't turn to the door on his left, but watched Crowley's arrival out of the corner of his eye.

First he saw him looking for them, then the look on his face when he saw them, and finally he saw it, the moment Crowley laid eyes on him, the smile Nina was talking about.

He vaguely heard Nina murmur: "I told you so! It's tiring to be right all the time."

Then she added in an even lower voice, “Dopey...”

Only for Aziraphale, there was nothing silly or goofy about that smile. The only word she could think of to describe it was happy. Knowing that it was he, Aziraphale, who had brought that smile to Crowley's lips filled the angel with overflowing joy.

He couldn't help but turn his full attention to Crowley and watch the smile turn into something more teasing. Ready to have some fun. Aziraphale watched in amusement as the demon "bickered" with Nina once he was seated beside him.

He thought about it later that evening as he joined Crowley in the bedroom above the bookshop. He watched the demon before entering and saw that smile again. 

Of course, Aziraphale had always wanted to see the joy on Crowley's face again. The pure joy of the Starmaker. But this was different. Here he was the one making Crowley smile. He'd never really thought about it, but one thing was for sure: he liked the idea. Very much.

A special smile. Just for and because of him.

He slid under the covers, and Crowley opened his arm so that Aziraphale could rest his head on his shoulder.

After a few seconds of silence, the angel asked softly, "May I tell you something? I mean something very sappy."

Crowley took Aziraphale's hand, which was resting on his chest, and planted a kiss on the palm.

"Go on."

"I like the way you smile." 

He felt Crowley's lips curve against his palm.

"The way I smile?" Crowley placed a gentle kiss on Aziraphale's wrist and the angel felt the smile on his skin again.

"The way you smile because of me or for me. You don't know how you make me feel."

Crowley lowered his head to meet Aziraphale's eyes and another smile appeared on his lips, literally a smile of adoration. 

"Tell me."

"Well, seeing you smile is always a delight, obviously. But when I know it's because of me or for me, it takes my breath away." 

Aziraphale shook his head before adding, "Sorry, I don't know how else to put it."

He rested his head on the demon's shoulder and felt Crowley kiss him in the hair before the demon replied softly, “It's the same for me, you know. I've always loved to see you smile, just because of me, because of something I said, something stupid I did, no matter why. Just to know that I was the reason for your smile."

Aziraphale lifted his head to look at Crowley and they both smiled at each other in the same way.

Nina would have said they were smiling like two idiots in love, but that didn't matter to the angel and the demon.

For each of them knew that he was the reason for the other's smile.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

South Downs cottage series : here

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here

[mimisempai]

Irresistible

Summary

Aziraphale is awake, but unwilling to get up, he contemplates his sleeping lover. Until looking is no longer enough.

Notes

Unashamedly, just pure fluff with no plot.

On Ao3

Rating G - 498 words

The sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains, and Aziraphale was far too comfortable to want to get up. As his eyes adjusted to the half-light, he turned and leaned on his elbow to look at his still-sleeping demon, unable to hold back a tender smile.

After a few minutes of silent contemplation, he could no longer resist and reached out his free hand toward Crowley. The contact was light, just a brush, and he ran his fingers over the smooth skin of which he now knew every corner, every hollow, every scar....

He was so handsome, though Crowley would deny it if he heard him say it out loud. He had flaws, of course, but there was perfection in Crowley's flaws, and Aziraphale loved every one of them.

But then again, he was biased because he loved everything about his demon.

The angel sighed softly as his hand slid down Crowley's thigh.

He ran his fingers over the skin, inch by inch, tracing the curve of his hip.

Gradually, his fingers climbed higher, following the lines of Crowley's flat stomach, the hollow of his navel.

Aziraphale's fingers continued to move, now brushing the demon's chest, then his arm, then along his shoulder to his neck, where he could feel his pulse throbbing against his fingers.

As Crowley stretched gently, a smile on his lips, Aziraphale buried his fingers in the short strands at the nape of the demon's neck, playing gently with the red strands.

"Hmmm... am I dead?"

Crowley's voice was slurred, still sleepy, and his eyes were not yet open.

Aziraphale continued to run his fingers over his skin, pleased with the goosebumps he felt rising under his touch.

He chuckled softly.

"No, you're very much alive, why do you ask?

"Well, for a moment I thought I was in heaven."

Crowley opened his eyes as he heard Aziraphale laugh softly.

"I assure you, heaven is nothing like this."

The demon joined in the chuckle and leaned into the angel's hand as Aziraphale continued to stroke the back of his neck.

"What..." Crowley began, but stopped with a wide yawn before continuing. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Aziraphale breathed back, burying his fingers in Crowley's hair again before leaning forward to plant a chaste kiss on the tip of his lover's nose.

"Nothing," he repeated in a softer voice, brushing a kiss to the corner of Crowley's mouth. "I was just watching you sleep."

Crowley's smile turned playful, "You weren't just watching..."

Aziraphale shrugged, "What do you expect, when I see something beautiful, I can't help but touch it."

Taking advantage of the demon's surprised silence, Aziraphale pressed his lips to his before continuing, "And when I see something delicious, I can't help but taste it."

He leaned over the demon and pressed his lips to his again in a kiss that deepened and lasted so long that by the time they decided to get up, the sun was high in the sky.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

South Downs cottage series : here

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here

[mimisempai]

You alone

Summary

Aziraphale wakes up next to a cold, empty space and wonders what could have caused his demon to rise in the middle of the night. 

Notes

Just a little piece of fluff…

On Ao3

Rating G -  507 words

Aziraphale awoke with a strange and unusual sensation. The place beside him was empty and, more importantly, cold, which meant that Crowley had been gone for some time. He turned his eyes to the window and saw that it was still dark. 

A little concerned, the angel got up without bothering to put on a shirt and went to look for Crowley. He found him in the living room, his hand resting on the mantelpiece where their collection of photographs was displayed.

One was of the Them posing with their bikes in front of the Tadfield base fence. Anathema and Newt absorbed in reading some obscure manuscript, Nina, Maggie and Muriel in the Give me or Give me Death. A photo of the Bentley. The more than yellowed photo Furfur took of them in 1941. Their first beach vacation. Their first Christmas in the cottage. The pair of ducks swimming in the pond at the bottom of their garden.

Fragments of happiness that had made and continued to make their lives.

Aziraphale approached and gently placed his hand on Crowley's shoulder to signal his presence. Then he wrapped his arms around Crowley's waist, resting his chin on the demon's shoulder as he leaned his head against his.

He asked softly, "Nightmares?"

"Hm. Nothing new."

Aziraphale didn't answer, just put his arms around Crowley for support. They stood in silence for a few moments, looking at these pieces of their lives.

Suddenly, Crowley whispered, "Are you happy, Angel?"

"What?"

Crowley turned in Aziraphale's arms and put his hands around his waist.

"It's nothing, it's just because of the nightmare."

"If this nightmare makes you doubt my happiness, it's not nothing. To answer you, all you have to do is turn around and look at the photos of us together again, and you'll have your answer."

Aziraphale took the demon by the shoulders and turned him back to the fireplace.

"Look again," he repeated, pointing to the photos of them together, "look at those photos, look at me, do I look unhappy?

He didn't wait for an answer and continued: "I am happy, Crowley, and the person responsible for that happiness is you. You alone. If you ever doubt or wonder again, just look at these photos."

Crowley gazed at the photos for a few more moments, not having to strain to see what the angel had just told him. Now that the haze of his nightmare had cleared, the happiness in Aziraphale's eyes, in his smile, in his posture, was plain to see. 

In the photos, and in that moment when the angel grabbed his hand and tugged gently.

"Come on, Crowley, let's go to bed before it gets completely icy when we go to sleep."

Crowley squeezed the angel's hand in his own.

"Don't worry, Angel, I know plenty of pleasant ways to keep you warm."

"Idiot."

Chuckling as he was led away by his beloved, Crowley took one last look at the photos and figured there was plenty of room for more little bits of happiness. 

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

South Downs cottage series : here

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here

[mimisempai]

The angel you are

Summary

Aziraphale takes a reluctant Crowley for a walk in the snow, and Crowley is even more reluctant when he sees Aziraphale throwing himself into the snow to... make an angel. Worst of all, Aziraphale wants Crowley to do the same.

No way.

Unless there's more to this childish gesture.

Notes

Just... you know... them.

On Ao3

Rating G -  653 words

"Angel, remind me why we have to go out in this cold?"

It had snowed heavily into the night and the cottage and everything around it was covered in a thick white blanket.

Crowley pulled the red scarf tighter around his neck and shivered as the angel replied, "After spending the last few days feasting, we could both use a breath of fresh air. So stop grumbling and come walk with me. I promise you won't regret it."

Aziraphale held out his gloved hand to Crowley, who took it, but again made his displeasure kno

After only a few yards, they were in the middle of the orchard when Aziraphale suddenly stopped and exclaimed, letting go of Crowley's hand, "There! This is perfect."

"Perfect for... Angel! What's wrong with you?!"

Aziraphale had just let himself fall onto his back in the snow, flailing his arms and legs. 

Then the angel carefully got to his feet and, after brushing the snow from his clothes under the demon's stunned gaze, pointed to the ground and finally replied, "I made an angel."

Watching the shape of the angel in the snow, Crowley shook his head.

"What was going through your head?"

Instead of answering, Aziraphale nudged the demon lightly and said, "Now it's your turn."

Crowley shook his head vehemently.

"Out of the question. Nope. I will not lie down in the snow."

"For me?"

Crowley swallowed, because when Aziraphale took that tone and looked at him like that, with his eyes shining and his cheeks rosy with cold, he knew he couldn't resist. After thousands of years, he still couldn't.

Aziraphale stepped forward and planted a light kiss on his lips before continuing in the same tone, "Please, indulge me, my dear."

That was the coup de grâce, and with a sigh, Crowley dropped to the snow and, at the angel's urging, made the same movements he had just made.

Aziraphale then helped him to his feet, having dusted the snow off Crowley's clothes himself, took his hands in his own and kissed him before saying, with shining eyes, "Thank you."

"Can you tell me now why we had to do this?"

Aziraphale turned to the two angel shapes side by side on the snow and said quietly, "To show you."

"Show me what?"

Aziraphale released Crowley's hand and, removing his glove, raised his hand and placed it gently on the demon's cheek, caressing it tenderly with his thumb.

He said softly, "To show you that you're still an angel."

Crowley swallowed, his throat suddenly tightening, unable to respond as Aziraphale continued, "There is no need for white wings, for gold, for heaven."

The angel's hand slid from the demon's cheek to his chest.

"There you are, still the angel, the star maker who captured my heart in the middle of a starless sky."

Crowley placed his hand on Aziraphale's and asked, his voice slightly hoarse with emotion, "Why today?"

"Let's just say it was spontaneous and because I wanted you to be aware. That I know the angel that you are."

Crowley suddenly remembered.

The courtyard of Job's house.

"I know you."

"You do not know me."

"I know the angel you were." 

"The angel you knew is not me."

As if following his train of thought, Aziraphale continued.

"I don't like the idea of an angel I would have had in a memory of naive infatuation. I like the demon Crowley, who is still an angel at heart. I love the angel you are now."

Crowley, unable to find the words, let his body speak and, cupping the Angel's flushed face between his hands, kissed him passionately.

The kiss lasted until they had to pull away to catch their breath.  Aziraphale then wrapped his arms around the demon's waist, holding him close, and the two remained entwined for a few more moments, gazing into the snow at the reflection of their angelic silhouettes.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

South Downs cottage series : here

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here

[mimisempai]

So much to discover

Summary

Overhearing Aziraphale's conversation with a plant, Crowley realized how well the angel knows him.

Notes

They'll never be bored with each other

On Ao3

Rating G -  419 words

"Wait, my lovely. I can't leave you with that scrawny leaf. If Crowley sees you like this, he'll scold you."

Crowley, confused by Aziraphale's words, paused in the doorway to the living room, amused to see the angel talking to the red poinsettia that sat on a sideboard near the sofa.

He was about to say something when the angel continued.

"But you know, he only scolds those he loves and doesn't like to see suffer. Like me. If you only knew how often he scolded me for not taking care of myself. It's one of his ways of showing love. It makes him even more lovable, you know? But you can't tell him."

"Too late, Angel."

The Angel turned sharply.

"Crowley!"

The demon approached the angel, who continued, stuttering slightly, "You... you heard everything?"

Croyley simply nodded as he walked forward.

Aziraphale continued, this time in a resolute tone, "I meant every word of what I just said."

Crowley was now only inches from the angel and asked, "Does that mean I've been found out?"

Aziraphale chuckled softly.

"I've had millennia for that."

Crowley wrapped his arms around the angel's neck and replied, "But you'll get bored when you know everything about me, when there's nothing left to discover."

Aziraphale wrapped his arms around the demon's waist.

"Oh, I doubt that, my multifaceted demon."

Crowley didn't answer, but leaned his head toward the angel and captured his lips in a kiss that Aziraphale returned with equal fervor. 

When they parted a few moments later, still embracing, Aziraphale continued, "You know, it's like that kiss. We've kissed many times, but each kiss has a different color, a different taste, a different emotion. Your lips are familiar, yet each kiss is new."

The demon nodded, understanding what the angel was getting at, then closed the distance between them and kissed him once more. The kiss didn't last long and when Crowley pulled away, he said in a playful tone, "You're right, Angel, this one was different too."

"Idiot."

Aziraphale stepped back, then grabbed Crowley's hand and pulled him toward the sideboard where the poinsettia lay.

"Come on, I haven't finished taking care of it yet."

Suddenly, he turned to the demon and added, "And don't you dare scold it." 

Crowley chuckled, and as he watched Aziraphale tend the beautiful red-flowered plant, his hand still in the angel's, he realized that if they had shared a thousand lives, their own life together was just beginning.

All was yet to be discovered.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

South Downs cottage series : here

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here

[mimisempai]

Entangled

Summary

This time Crowley has to save his angel from a garland, but he has his work cut out for him, as it's a rather special garland where the more mischievous of the two is not the one you think.

Notes

Christmas shenanigans...

On Ao3

Rating G -  572 words

"Crowley, dear, would you mind getting the box of Christmas decorations that's in the small closet near the kitchen?"

Crowley looked amusedly at Aziraphale, who was perched on a stepladder, finishing hanging a gold garland around the top of the tree.

"Where exactly?"

"On the last shelf on the left."

"I'll get it."

Moments later, Crowley was reaching for the box in question when he suddenly heard a small cry coming from the living room.

He put the box down and hurried back to Aziraphale.

It took him only a few steps to see Aziraphale lying on the floor, tangled in the golden garland.

But what shocked the demon the most was to see the angel curled up in a ball, his shoulders shaking as he cried.

Crowley ran to kneel beside the angel, but when he saw his face, he discovered that Aziraphale's shoulders were shaking, not with sobs, but with laughter.

"Cr... Crowley..."

The angel had to stop himself as he started to laugh again.

"Er... help... help me. I'm... I'm trapped in the garland."

The demon slid to the ground, relieved to see that the angel was okay. Then, after a few seconds, he took in the whole scene and couldn't hold back a small laugh.

Then, realizing that Aziraphale had indeed managed to become so entangled in the garland that he couldn't move, the demon's chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh, and he seemed unable to stop.

"Oh no, not you too."

Aziraphale, whose laughter had just subsided, laughed then harder as well. 

After a few moments, they both calmed down and Crowley said mockingly, "I leave you alone for ten seconds and you end up like this. You're amazing, Angel."

Aziraphale winked at him.

"That's because I know you love saving me."

"Idiot."

Then the demon leaned forward to bring his face close to the angel's and added mischievously, "But that means you're at my mercy now."

"What are you going to do?"

"What do you think?" the demon breathed, his lips just millimeters from the angel's.

"Kiss me."

"Good answer."

Crowley closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to the angel's. 

As the kiss deepened, he felt the angel squirm beneath him. Afraid of hurting him, he pulled back, but Aziraphale shook his head and said sulkily, "I can't touch you, I don't like it."

Crowley chuckled and immediately released the angel from his golden garland prison. No sooner was the last knot untied than Aziraphale's arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him back to continue the interrupted kiss.

Much later when they parted to catch their breath, as Crowley tried to straighten up, he stopped abruptly in his movement and, dropping his forehead on the angel's shoulder, burst out laughing.

"Crowley?"

"I..." Another laugh shook the demon before he could continue.

"I think that garland is after us."

"What are you talking about?"

The demon lifted his foot and the angel's moved at the same time because the garland had wrapped itself around both of their feet.

Aziraphale raised his eyebrows and said playfully, "It's not mad at us, it just wants us to continue what we were doing."

"Then let's not disappoint this poor garland."

As the demon's lips once again captured the angel's for another kiss, Crowley didn't see Aziraphale make a slight movement with his hand, nor did he feel the garland fall to the ground and free their feet.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

South Downs cottage series : here

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here

[mimisempai]

Enjoying the view

Summary

While Aziraphale hangs a string of lights around the roof, perched on a stepladder, Crowley gives directions and, above all, takes advantage of the breathtaking view he has of part of the angel's anatomy. Until he's discovered...

Notes

Both of them enjoying some special cake…

On Ao3

Rating G -  756 words

"A little to the left, Angel."

Aziraphale obeyed and, perched on the stepladder, moved the string of lights a few inches to the left, trying to keep his balance.

Crowley added, "Hmmm...that's almost right, move it a little more to the left." 

Aziraphale held back an exasperated sigh before moving the string as the demon requested.

"Oh no! That's too much!"

"Crowley! This is exactly why I told you the roles should be reversed. Just like always. I don't know why you insisted that I hang it and you lead."

Crowley held back a chuckle, knowing exactly why, but determined to make this experience last as long as possible. The unobstructed view of the angel's perfect backside was one he'd never tire of, and right now he was at the ideal height to admire this work of art.

Of course, Crowley could look at and touch that perfection to his heart's content, but a little bonus that added pleasure to usefulness didn't hurt.

"There, that's just the place."

He knew it wouldn't be long before the angel realized his true motives, and he waited for the explosion of annoyance that was sure to come. 

3...2...1

"Crowley! Are you kidding me? That's where I wanted to hang it the first time!"

Getting no answer, Aziraphale turned his head and looked down at Crowley with a suspicious glare.

Under the angel's inquisitive eyes, Crowley had to bite his lips to keep from laughing.

"Anthony J. Crowley! Did you do this on purpose just to check my..."

"And if I did?"

"Oh, you won't get away with it!" 

Aziraphale quickly climbed down from the stepladder and stood in front of the demon, wagging his finger in front of his face. 

"What have you got to say for yourself?"

"I have no argument. I mean, you can't blame me for admiring one of your many assets. You have the most beautiful b..."

"Your flattery won't save you! You're the one who's going to climb up that stepladder and attach that string where I say! Got it?" 

Crowley sighed, picked up the string, and climbed up the ladder. Suddenly, he wiggled his buttocks as he did so and, turning his head toward Aziraphale, said with a mischievous smile, "Don't let the view distract you, Angel. I know how it feels."

Aziraphale rolled his eyes.

"Idiot."

Which didn't stop him from enjoying the view.

Crowley began to hang the lights, expecting Aziraphale to retaliate in some way. But there was nothing. Not a word.

He hung it as far as he could without moving the ladder, stretching himself to the limit, when he suddenly felt two hands on his backside.

"Angel!"

Aziraphale replied innocently, "What? Just making sure you don't fall."

Crowley chuckled and started to climb down from the ladder to move it, but Aziraphale's hands stayed where they were.

"And you were the one who was offended by me, Angel...but I only looked while you are touching."

"I don't know what you mean. But what I do know is that you're going to have to get off that stepladder so you can move it and get those lights up."

Crowley had no choice but to continue down the steps, Aziraphale's hands not letting go for a second.

Once his feet were on solid ground, Aziraphale's hands slid over his hips and fastened on his stomach as Aziraphale whispered in his ear, "You were right, it is a breathtaking sight."

Crowley chuckled softly and turned in the angel's arms.

“See, I wasn't lying.”

He planted a kiss on Aziraphale's nose and added, a mischievous gleam in his eyes, "But I'm jealous, you could touch... I could only see."

Aziraphale shook his head, "Not until the string is completely fixed."

"Oh, come on, Angel. Just let me touch a little."

The angel shook his head.

"Just a kiss then. Please."

"Okay. Just one."

Crowley leaned in and pressed his lips to the angel's in a tender kiss that was about to linger when Aziraphale suddenly pulled back, "Crowley, your hands!"

"You can't blame me for trying."

"Come on! Get back on the ladder quickly. The faster we're done and..."

"The faster I can touch?"

"Get up!"

Sneering, the demon moved the ladder and quickly climbed up to continue hanging the lightning. A task that was quickly completed, for surprisingly, the angel wasn't too fussy about the placement of the string of lights. 

The demon wasn't the only one who couldn't wait to get his hands on his beloved.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

South Downs cottage series : here

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here

[mimisempai]

When Aziraphale reinterprets Christmas carols for his own benefit, Crowley just has to shut up... 💋

Incorrect Good Omens Quotes Masterpost Part 1 : here

Incorrect Good Omens Quotes Masterpost Part 2 : here

[mimisempai]

Naughty angel…

Incorrect Good Omens Quotes Masterpost Part 1 : here

Incorrect Good Omens Quotes Masterpost Part 2 : here

[mimisempai]

Oh Christmas tree

Summary

Aziraphale manages to drag Crowley out to look for a Christmas tree in the small woods behind the cottage. But Crowley's bad mood disappears when the search turns into a snowball fight and ends in a couch cuddle in front of a roaring fire.

Notes

First festive season in the South Dow

On Ao3

Rating G -  1255 words

"You sure you don't like this one, Angel?"

Crowley flipped the catalog over to Aziraphale and showed him a page.

"No, no, no, it's a real Christmas tree or nothing!"

The demon replied in a coaxing tone, "How about a little miracle?"

The angel continued as he pulled on his boots, "No, we've got a forest right behind our house, it'd be silly not to make the most of it."

"But it's been snowing and it's cold and-"

"We'll move, so you'll warm up quickly."

Seeing that he'd lost the argument again, Crowley shuffled to his feet, then pulled on his boots and winter coat, grumbling to make his disagreement clear.

"Why put up with the cold... a snap of the fingers, a wave of the hand, and it's all over. Besides, it's almost dark."

Dressed to go out, he turned back to the angel and almost stumbled because Aziraphale was right next to him. Crowley didn't have time to react as the angel placed a woolly beanie on his head and, after planting a light kiss on his nose, said in a soothing tone, "Come on, stop grumbling."

The demon had never been able to resist the angel's happy, excited expression in several millennia, so of course he would stop grumbling.

But a little later.

He wasn't going to let the angel win so easily.

He followed Aziraphale outside with one last desolate look at the fireplace.

They stopped at the garden shed to pick up the axe and headed for the small wood at the end of the garden.

As they went deeper into the woods, it grew darker and the path narrower, forcing them to walk one behind the other. Crowley felt his bad mood dissipate as he followed Aziraphale, who whistled Christmas carols, the tassel of his bonnet swaying in time with his stride.

A better mood meant the return of mischief, and the demon wasn't about to be denied.

Aziraphale, unaware of anything, kept walking forward when he was suddenly startled by something that hit him in the back. 

Turning around, he had just enough time to see Crowley hiding behind a tree.

"Oh, I see..."

The angel placed the axe against a tree, then, with a determined look on his face, bent down to gather some snow, formed it into a ball, and hurled it at the demon. Crowley stepped aside, thinking it would be easy to dodge, but Aziraphale moved his hand slightly and the snowball made an odd curve before landing smack in the middle of the demon's chest.

"Angel, you're cheating!"

Aziraphale, looking smug, retorted with a smirk, “Who says it's not my innate talent?”

"Oh, you'll regret that."

They continued their impromptu snow battle, where all tricks were allowed, for a few moments before resuming their path to a small clearing surrounded by pines of various shapes and sizes.

"This is it."

"Oh, I see, you've already done your research."

Aziraphale replied sheepishly, "Yes."

"It's okay, Angel, I feel better now. Especially since I won the battle."

"What? It was a dra-"

The angel had to interrupt himself because Crowley had just thrown a snowball at him and said in a smug tone, "Not anymore."

"Oh, you little..."

"All right, Angel, give me the axe and tell me which tree to cut down."

"Do you even know how to use it?"

"I may have been the nanny and you the gardener, but I think I can handle it."

Crowley struck a pose, one hand on his hip and the other on the axe, looking victorious.

Aziraphale chuckled and shook his head. 

"You make a good lumberjack, I must say. Come, it's time to find the perfect tree."

The angel moved among the trees, and each time he pointed to one, Crowley commented.

"It's a little crooked."

"Too wide."

"Too tall."

"Too bushy." 

Suddenly, Aziraphale turned and, seeing the demon's expression, realized that Crowley was mocking him.

"Crowley..."

He slowly approached Crowley and, without warning, dripped snow down the demon's neck. It was his turn to laugh, and Crowley squirmed as the snow trickled down his back.

The angel stood in front of him, striking a victorious pose.

"Now that it's a draw again, do you realize what a mistake you made?"

Voice slightly shaky from the snow now reaching his lower back, Crowley replied, "Y-yes.... The third was perfect."

Aziraphale chuckled and motioned to him, "Get busy cutting it, it'll warm you up."

He watched as the demon took the first swing of the axe, then raised his hand, made a small motion, and with the next swing of the axe, the tree fell.

Crowley, not fooled, said nothing and stepped forward to grab the trunk of the fallen pine.

"So, my dear, I won't be accused of cheating this time?"

"In this case, it's not cheating, it's using common sense."

Aziraphale chuckled as he approached, grabbed the trunk a little farther away, and lifting the tree in pairs, they began to slowly make their way back to their hut.

Some time later, after the tree had been hung to dry in the living room and a hot shower had been taken, the two of them were on the sofa, Crowley lying with his head in the angel's lap.

Two steaming cups of hot chocolate sat on the coffee table in front of them, spreading a pleasant aroma throughout the room.

Aziraphale, stroking Crowley's hair with one hand, said teasingly, "Well, it's much better than one of your artificial horrors, isn't it?"

Crowley chuckled and replied, "See what you say when it starts to dry out and you have to sweep out the thorns every day."

Aziraphale replied, "First of all, WE will have to sweep the thorns every day, and secondly, that's part of the charm of this time of year."

Crowley grumbled but did not respond.

After a few minutes of peaceful silence, however, the demon grasped the hand with which Aziraphale was stroking his hair and asked softly, “Why were you so adamant on the subject of the tree? I sense there's more to you than your love for old, traditional things."

He felt Aziraphale freeze slightly before the angel replied, "Actually, it's because it's our first Christmas here, our first Christmas as... us. I don't want anything that's artificial, almost not... real, you know. I know it's just a tree and-"

"I understand, Angel, and I agree."

Crowley straightened and, taking the angel's hand back in his, said gently, "But give me a little heads-up next time. I wouldn't have protested so much if I'd known the real reason in the first place."

"Sorry, some habits die hard."

"Okay, let's put that on the list of good resolutions for next year. For you and for me."

"What?"

"Dare to say what we really want."

Aziraphale, realizing what Crowley meant, nodded.

"That's a good resolution."

"I think so too."

Aziraphale then asked, "And what do you really want right now?"

Crowley brought his face close to the angel and playfully replied, "How about I show you?"

Without waiting for an answer, the demon closed the distance between them and kissed Aziraphale's lips tenderly.

Then he pulled back and added in the same tone, "And while we're at it, I think we should add another resolution to the list right away."

"Which is?"

"Increase the kissing quota for next year."

Aziraphale chuckled.

"Idiot."

The angel's laughter was quickly interrupted by Crowley, who hadn't waited for the New Year to implement this new resolution.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

South Downs cottage series : here

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here

[mimisempai]

Fic Writing Review 2024

Words written and fics:

273,557 words written

• 181 fics worked on

Words written per fandom:

Good Omens - 245758

MCU - 9306

Loki - 7859

Sherlock - 6828

Harry potter - 2450 

TLOU - 729

DBH - 627

Fics and words published:

10 multi-chapter

• 171 one shots

Published fics per fandom:

90% Good Omens

3% MCU

3% Loki

2,5% Sherlock

1% Harry Potter

0,3% The last of us

0,2% Detroit become human

Top 2024 fics per kudos:

Little seeds of happiness (Good Omens)

It’s always you (Harry Potter)

I wasn't expecting you (Good Omens)

This unavoidable between us (Good Omens)

You make everything better (Good Omens)

Fandom events in 2024:

Lokius Reverse Bang

Azirafeast

(Thanks @loki-is-my-kink-awakening for the reminder)

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Aziraphale’s Christmas list

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The greatest gift of all...

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Crowley's on thin ice...

[mimisempai]

All Aziraphale want for Christmas…

Incorrect Good Omens Quotes Masterpost Part 1 : here

Incorrect Good Omens Quotes Masterpost Part 2 : here

[mimisempai]

Incorrect quotes, Christmas Edition let's go!

[mimisempai]

It's just a risk to take 2/2

Chapter Summary

The long-awaited evening is here. Will the feelings held back for years finally be revealed?

Notes

A little Human AU of them getting together

On Ao3

Rating G - 3279 words

Chap 1

On the night of the ball, they had decided to go their separate ways and meet at the front door of the complex where the reception hall was located. 

Aziraphale paced back and forth, waiting, for of course he was so excited and nervous at the same time that he'd arrived almost half an hour early.

"Oh, that tall man with the red hair, isn't that Mrs. Crowley's son?"

"Oh yes, he looks just like her!"

Aziraphale stopped dead in his tracks and followed the direction the two old ladies in front of him were looking. His heart leapt at the sight of Crowley, and then again at the bright smile his friend gave him when their eyes met.

Then Crowley walked toward him, quickly closing the distance between them.

God, he had missed him.

It had only been a month, but still.

"Hey."

Despite missing Crowley, it was all he could think to say as he found himself face to face with his dear friend.

It had to be said that the other man's appearance would have taken the wind out of anyone's sails. Crowley was a sight to behold under normal circumstances, but in a tuxedo he was simply dazzling, even when covered by a coat that rested on his shoulders.

"It feels like it's been forever."

His friend's voice snapped him out of his thoughts and Aziraphale nodded.

"For me, too."

An unfamiliar expression crossed Crowley's face as he leaned in before saying, "Then I think the circumstances deserve more than a nod of the head, don't you?"

Aziraphale didn't have time to react as his friend leaned in closer and pressed a light kiss to his cheek.

Okay. Now it was certain that Aziraphale would not survive the evening.

As Crowley straightened up, Aziraphale felt a slight burn where his lips had rested, but he didn't have time to think about it because his friend had grabbed his arm and was dragging him toward the entrance.

"I must say, I was pleasantly surprised that you accepted my invitation so easily."

Aziraphale chuckled softly.

"Not as surprised as I was at your invitation. Pleasantly surprised, of course." He smiled and received a sincere smile of relief in return. Perhaps he wasn't the only one with doubts.

"I think all this ridiculous fuss is our goal."

Crowley led Aziraphale to the glass doors that opened onto the reception hall. Aziraphale marveled at the decor, expecting the usual autumnal touches, but in fact it was all tastefully done, there was something enchanting about the decor, and it all served to give the atmosphere an intimate note, which was not to the bookseller's displeasure.

"Anthony, there you are. Welcome, Monsieur Fell."

Though in a different way, Crowley's mother was as beautiful as her son. Aziraphale shook her outstretched hand in greeting before saying, "Please call me Aziraphale, Mrs. Crowley."

"You are adorable, call me Lilith. You deserve it for being the one who brought that big idiot here."

"Mother!"

Aziraphale laughed slightly as Lilith added, "It really is a pleasure to see you both. Make yourselves at home."

She leaned over to Aziraphale and whispered in his ear, but so that Crowley could hear.

"I'm really infinitely grateful to you, because not only did you get him to come, but he's smiling."

"Aziraphale, would you like a drink?"

Crowley had interrupted his mother, pulling Aziraphale away before she could say the word. Which didn't keep him from feeling his mother's amused gaze on his back.

With a hand on Aziraphale's lower back, he pushed him toward the dining area. A waitress appeared and took their coats, and once they were near the buffet, sipping their appetizers, Aziraphale asked hesitantly, "Your mother calls you Anthony. I've never thought to ask you in all this time, but what would you prefer?"

"You want to call me Anthony?"

It was just like Crowley to answer one question with another, knowing that Aziraphale was afraid to ask him directly what he really wanted.

Aziraphale swallowed and then said quietly, "I would like to... Anthony."

He saw his friend gasp, but had no time to analyze the situation as his gaze was drawn to a group of old ladies who were watching them, murmuring and giggling.

Crowley, who had followed his gaze, leaned over and said, "These are friends from my mother's bridge club. She must have alerted her whole group to tell them I was coming and that I was coming with someone."

Aziraphale turned to him and, raising an eyebrow, said, "Is this really the first time... well, I mean that..."

"I've never had a relationship serious enough to introduce to my mother."

"Oh..."

Aziraphale raised his glass to his lips to compose himself, trying to ignore the storm of questions his friend's words had unleashed. Their eyes met for a long moment and Aziraphale searched desperately for something to say, but the spell was broken when someone nudged him awkwardly and he almost dropped his glass. 

Then Lilith's voice rose over the gathered crowd.

"Welcome, my friends, to the fifth edition of this Autumn Gala. As you all know, for the past five years this gala has raised funds for the local homeless shelter. Enjoy the music and dancing once our musicians arrive, and the little surprise that awaits us all as night falls. In the meantime, savor the banquet and the feast.

"I suggest we wait until the first wave has passed," Crowley whispered in Aziraphale's ear.

Trying to ignore the shiver that Crowley's breath on his neck had caused, Aziraphale readily accepted and let himself be pulled to one of the tables, which was in a quieter corner than the rest of the room. Once seated, they watched the people come and go, eager to enjoy the buffet, Crowley making Aziraphale laugh with his sarcastic comments about the people passing by.

Eventually, the crowd dwindled to a small line, and they both quietly filled their plates before returning to their table, eating while watching the other guests and chatting in the easy manner of two friends who had known each other for a long time. Lilith wandered between the tables, chatting with a small group here and there in perfect hostess fashion. At one point, she spotted them and made her way toward them, but one of her friends stopped her by whispering something, so she smiled briefly and simply waved from a distance.

The musicians arrived, and Aziraphale noted with astonishment that it was a full orchestra. Crowley chuckled at his stunned expression.

"For as long as I can remember, my mother has tended to do things big, no matter what the occasion."

Then, stealing a petit-four from Aziraphale's plate, he added, "Although this gala is far more entertaining than any I've attended."

Aziraphale couldn't help but retort, "It must be the company." 

"Absolutely."

Crowley's gaze was incredibly direct and open as he continued, "But I'm still surprised you didn't have anything planned, considering I caught you a bit off guard."

"Aside from nights at the Dirty Donkey with the girls and Muriel, I don't get out much. The theater once or twice, but that's about it."

"Alone?"

"Most of the time."

"Ah?"

"Is this an interrogation?"

Crowley replied sheepishly, "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

Aziraphale smiled and reassured him, placing a hand on his forearm, "I'm kidding. When I'm not alone, I'm with Muriel. Although now that they have a boyfriend, Eric, they come with me much less. And I don't blame them."

Aziraphale looked dreamy as he added, "It must be nice to have someone like that..."

Blushing slightly, he coughed before continuing, "Anyway, most of my evenings are spent in my armchair with a good book or some good music."

Once again he noticed a strange look on his friend's face, when suddenly his expression changed and he muttered, "Beware, trouble's coming."

Aziraphale followed his gaze and saw the reason for Crowley's words.

"Mr. Brown."

The bane of Whickber Street. And what Crowley didn't know, had been Aziraphale's bane for some time. Brown had invented every excuse to come into his bookshop, or to invite him to dinners and other appointments that Aziraphale had always managed to avoid.

"Aziraphale, what a pleasure to see you here."

Brown stood at their table, openly ignoring Crowley's presence as he continued, "May I invite you to dance?"

Aziraphale shook his head and replied coldly, "No, thank you," then turned his head back to Crowley, thinking the other would turn and leave, but Brown did not and continued as if nothing had happened.

"It's a shame to sit here and talk when there's this great orchestra."

Crowley intervened and said flatly, "Aziraphale obviously doesn't feel like dancing with you." 

The mustachioed man turned to him with a grin.

"What does that have to do with you, Mr. Crowley?"

Aziraphale, feeling the anger rising in him, replied, "It has everything to do with him. I'm here with Crowley. He invited me and I accepted. Because I wanted to be with him." 

On fire, Aziraphale didn't notice Crowley's surprised look. 

The other snorted, "Is that true? You expect me to believe that Crowley here is really your date? When you've turned down every single one of my invitations. How could he be any better?" 

Aziraphale stood and approached the man, hissing in a low voice, "He's billions of times better than you could ever dream; I don't care what you think. Just as I don't care about your invitations. But there is one thing you need to know, and that is that I will not hesitate to use some of my connections if you don't leave immediately. Like Crowley's mother, who's organizing this gala." 

The man opened his mouth to protest, but seeing the anger in Aziraphale's eyes, he decided to turn and walk away.

Aziraphale didn't take his eyes off him until he was sure he wasn't coming back, and it was a chuckle from Crowleyle that made him turn around. His irritation melted like snow in the sun at the sight of his friend's broad smile. 

He was about to sit back down when Crowley shook his head and stood up, holding out his hand, "Will you dance with me?"

Aziraphale took his friend's hand, a warmth building inside him as soon as their hands joined.

"With you? Of course."

Crowley led him to the center of the dance floor as the orchestra began a new piece.

In the distance, Lilith watched them enter the dance floor with a smile, and after a brief instruction to the conductor, the orchestra began to play a slow, romantic waltz.

Crowley, not fooled, murmured, "Mom..."

"Hm?"

Aziraphale lost his confused expression and forgot all about it the moment Crowley's hand came to rest on the small of his back, pressing him to his chest, while his other hand gripped Aziraphale's, intertwining their fingers as they began to turn gently to the rhythm of the soft music.

They twirled and twirled, one song and then another, and as one song followed another, they drew closer, Crowley's arms now wrapped around his waist and Aziraphale's around Crowley's neck. Every part of their bodies touched and their eyes were locked.

Aziraphale felt every fiber of his being react to the music and the feeling of Crowley so close, so real. Never in a million years would he have dared hope for this outside of a dream. Even better, the music clearly had the same effect on Crowley, who did nothing to create distance between them, but on the contrary, did everything to reduce it. 

Aziraphale smiled gently and dared to put his hands on Crowley's lower back and his head on his shoulder. The dance, such as it was, required no concentration or skill, so he closed his eyes and simply swayed in Crowley's arms, breathing in the warm, sensual scent of his skin where his neck met the collar of his shirt. He could feel his friend's heart beating steadily against his cheek and sighed with satisfaction, thinking that he wouldn't mind if they stayed like this forever. 

Unfortunately, Lilith's voice over the loudspeakers broke the spell.

"It's midnight, my friends. It's time."

“Time for what?” murmured Aziraphale, drowsy with contentment. He looked up at Crowley's face without removing his hands from his back, and saw a strange expression there again. His friend's lips were close to his face as he replied, "Fireworks, I suppose."

Crowley continued to hold him for a moment before slowly pulling away until Aziraphale's hands slid down his arms and landed on his hands, pulling him a little farther away.

Indeed, everyone headed for the large bay windows and the first shower of colorful rockets drew all eyes skyward with oohs and aahs of delight. Lilith had clearly outdone herself in impressing her guests, and the sky quickly filled with a thousand fleeting stars and deafening noise.

Aziraphale watched with wondering eyes as he felt a hand take his. Forgetting the spectacle outside, he turned to Crowley. His friend didn't bother to speak over the cheering and crackling and nodded to a slightly out of the way corner, a window embrasure hidden by heavy velvet curtains. Aziraphale nodded, and Crowley immediately pulled him by the hand to the spot he had just shown him. They stopped in the window embrasure, hidden by the curtains but illuminated by the glow of the fireworks they could see on the other side of the window, Aziraphale's hand still in Crowley's.

Aziraphale looked at Crowley, whose face was very close. There was enough light to see his eyes, his gaze more intense than ever. Aziraphale's pulse quickened when Crowley didn't look away, and he held his breath when a hand came up to rest on his cheek.

Aziraphale couldn't help but whisper, "Are you going to kiss me?"

Crowley laughed slightly, his voice deep and sensual as he replied, "Yes, unless you stop me."

"Never."

That was all it took for Crowley to lean in gently until his lips brushed Aziraphale's, so softly that it sent Aziraphale into a kind of agony. A sweet agony.

The kiss quickly became more intense and lingered, their lips slowly getting to know each other.

Aziraphale wrapped his arms around Crowley's waist to press against him, erasing any hint of distance, and in response, Crowley parted Aziraphale's lips with a gentle flick of his tongue, deepening the kiss until there was nothing left but them.

Fireworks, music, crowds, lights - all had disappeared, leaving only them. 

When Crowley's mouth left his, Aziraphale whimpered, but the warm lips landed on his cheek, leaving a trail of searing kisses down his neck before returning to his half-open lips, which let out small gasps. 

"Anthony..."

"Say it again..."

"Anthony..."

As if starved by all those lost years, Crowley's lips picked up the whisper of his first name on Aziraphale's lips, leading to another kiss that lasted until they had no choice but to separate to catch their breath.

Between gasps, Crowley asked, "When did it start?" 

"For me? The first day. It was always there, but it just got stronger."

Crowley murmured, "So long. We're both idiots."

Aziraphale raised his hand and gently stroked his lover's cheek, "But we're here now, that's all that matters."

Anthony leaned his cheek into his lover's hand and nodded.

"Yes. It is."

Gradually, still entwined, they made contact with reality, sounds and light, but it was as if they weren't part of it.

Crowley asked in a playful tone, "This sounds cliché, but...your place or mine?" 

Aziraphale replied in the same tone, "It doesn't matter where, as long as we're both there."

"My place then. I'm the closest."

Aziraphale nodded and immediately Crowley took his hand and pulled him behind him, they quickly grabbed their coats under the astonished looks of the waitresses, the fireworks weren't over, the entrance was deserted and they could leave quietly without being noticed.

It would have taken them less than five minutes to get to Crowley's if they hadn't stopped every few seconds to take advantage of a darker corner to kiss. It was as if, now that they were both letting their desires run wild, it was impossible for them to control themselves. 

Arriving at Crowley's, Aziraphale hesitated slightly for the first time.

It hadn't even been an hour.

What if they ruined everything by rushing in?

What if...

A hand gripping his chin snapped him out of his spiral as Crowley said quietly, "We don't have to do anything tonight, or tomorrow, or even a week from now. In fact, I don't care what we do or when. I just don't want us to part tonight."

A sigh of relief escaped Aziraphale's lips as Crowley's thumb gently caressed his kiss-swollen lips.

"Neither do I. I don't want us to part tonight. But..."

"But?"

"If we could just slow down a little."

"Whatever you want, my angel."

"My angel?"

"You call me Anthony so I can call you my angel."

Aziraphale murmured, "Say it again."

"My angel."

"Again..."

Crowley smiled and leaned forward, murmuring against his lover's half-open lips, "My angel."

Then they said nothing more as he captured Aziraphale's lips in a kiss that was both sweet and passionate. They didn't know who moaned first as Aziraphale's tongue brushed along Crowley's lower lip, but it didn't matter. In the seconds that followed, their tongues intertwined in a wild, feverish dance, both finally giving free rein to the passion that had inhabited them for so long. 

When they had to pull away to catch their breath, Crowley bit Aziraphale's lip before gently releasing it. 

Forehead to forehead, they gasped for breath.

Then Aziraphale raised his hand and, tucking a lock of Crowley's hair behind his ear, said with a breath, "We've waited so long. I don't want to wait any longer. Take me to your bedroom now."

"Aziraphale, you-

"Yes." Then, a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he said softly, "But only if you keep calling me your angel."

Crowley laughed, took his lover's hand, and they were both still laughing when he closed the bedroom door behind them.

The next morning, they awoke to each of their phones vibrating insistently on the nightstand.

With a synchronized sigh, they extricated themselves from each other and picked up the phones to read their messages.

"My mom asks me if I'm going to refuse to come to next year's gala now that I have a partner. Then she tells me to say hello."

"Give her my best. As for me, I have three messages, do you want to know?"

"Even if I say no, I know you'll read them to me anyway."

"Um, Muriel asks me if the evening was everything I hoped it would be, Maggie asks me to fill her in on all the details, and Nina...ahem..."

Crowley turned and then slid over Aziraphale, his elbows framing his face as he said teasingly, "You're making me very curious now, my angel."

Blushing, Aziraphale replied, "Nina asks if we broke the mattress..."

Crowley leaned over and, after planting a kiss on his lover's nose, said, "Answer her that we almost did."

Aziraphale's eyes widened, then they both laughed as he texted Nina exactly what Crowley had suggested. 

At the same time, at Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death, the coffee shop on Whickber Street, Nina, phone in hand, threw her cleaning rag in the air and exclaimed, "They did it!"

Word spread like wildfire that the bookseller and his handsome, longtime friend were finally together.

The Whickber street gossips would have to find another target.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here