#LETS FUCKING GET CROWLEYS HUSBAND BACK

[ineffably-poetic]

okay guys we’re storming heaven, taking back aziraphale and bringing him and crowley to couple’s therapy. and also punching the metatron. who’s with me?!

[fearandhatred]

haha have you thought about the fact that decades or centuries from now when we're all dead and gone people could still possibly be thinking about good omens and writing about crowley and aziraphale living their lives in that time. doing exactly what we're doing now. and maybe they'll write about crowley and aziraphale living through the historical events we've lived through. have you thought about the fact that crowley and aziraphale will live on long after we're all gone

[snakeeyesandangelfeathers]

like Crowley wasn't traumatized enough by being abandoned by the mother (God) he loved, it took him 6000 years to let himself Trust someone again enough to show his feelings and reveal his heart. only to be abandoned once more 🙃

[nothankyoudear]

I think it genuinely cannot be overstated how important that kiss in season 2 of Good Omens was.

From a plot standpoint, that kiss showed Crowley's desperate attempts to keep Aziraphale, to reel him in and back to the Us that they had built upon.

But from just a show standpoint, they. fucking. kissed.

Obviously their love transcends physicality, and Neil has said that Good Omens is a love story even before season 2, but the outright confirmation of a widely popular queer ship ON SCREEN is just so... Unheard of.

Every fandom or show has their trademark gay couple that aren't-really-gay-but-also-kind-of-are-gay: Merlin and Arthur, Sherlock and John (very heavy offender), Dean and Castiel (okay this one was canon, but we all know what happened IMMEDIATELY afterwards), and I suppose at some point Ineffable Husbands had just been included in the same category as the rest of them.

And to have it be moved from mostly fandom and fan work fuelled to outright canon - like 'they fucking kissed on screen' canon - is just so fucking fantastic.

It's not vague, it's not lines that are blurred for the sake of being on the fence of appealing to two audiences at once, and it's not only canon because the creator just said it's canon without rhyme or reason purely for the sake of appealing to a queer audience (looking at you, Ms J. K. Rowling) - it's undeniable, blatant evidence that Crowley and Aziraphale are in love.

And yes, at the moment it's devastating, but it's also devastatingly real. And that's so important.

Especially with the release of Our Flag Means Death, I really do hope we are entering a new era in mainstream media where queer ships finally aren't treated as some sort of mysterious prize that the writers dangle in front of you like a carrot on a stick, and are just simply treated like any other ship out there.

Because if so, then queer kids will be growing up to these shows, see this new era of unabashedly queer media, and won't have to hide away their ships like some dirty little secret. They won't have to wonder if their representation is even representation. They won't have to get excited over being able to see the small chance of themselves represented in a character only to be let down so incredibly badly, because queerness is good only when it's marketable.

So sure, ending season 2 like that is fucking crazy, but you know what's crazier? Whatever the fuck Neil just did with that kiss.

[hg-aneh]

Hi,ik I've been asking questions frequently but I'mma do it again bc I'm that petty;

In the AziraCrow relationship/marriage/or whatever. Who do u think is the housewife/husband? 😀

if we're talking about traditional gender roles applied to marriage ((which i believe would NOT apply to them in canon as they're both nonbinary supernatural beings)), i have to preface this by saying that i rlly don't agree with them as a concept

[if ppl choose to engage in them and not judge others for not doing so then good for them (idgaf akfbsjf)]

i hate that they're still being imposed onto people and that they haven't been left in the past for some contexts

i also want to clarify that the following """analysis""" I'm going to make is all for the sake of poking fun at gender roles and satirizing their entire existence.

Having said that, these are my headcanons:

Aziraphale-housewife, Crowley-husband

Why? Simply because husbands are fucking useless and I like to bully Crowley cuz he stinks and he sucks c0ck and b4-

I'm just goofing around 😭

In my little bubble world, they'd be neither (or both if you wanna see it from that POV)

Let's start with this:

If we take the definition of a traditional husband, which is basically "i work and do nothing else cuz I'm a man and men have their mommies i mean wives do everything for them" and take the Work part away, which is what we'd do if we were to place the ineffables in the south downs aka their retirement shack, then you get a useless fuck

And in reality, they both do jackshit (that's the whole premise of s1) so????? does that mean they're both husbands???

For further insight let's try to affirm Aziraphale is the housewife.

Aziraphale bakes, so he's probably a decent cook too; that's "housewife" material. He also happens to be very pretty and plump and a blonde, which I've been told are pretty ladylike things to be (/sarcasm)

(There are no pretty male blondes in ba sing se good omens)

He dresses in light, dainty clothing and talks with an accent only girls and women talk with, as well as getting his nails done and using make up for his magic act, and he says "please" and "thank you", which are things only women do (I'M BEING SARCASTIC. I'M BEING VERY SARCASTIC. god i hate gender rolesAAAA)

Now this is where the comparisons end cuz let's face it, Aziraphale is a lazy fuck.

You KNOW the bookshop smells like mold and he just miracles it clean every now and then.

He'd rather sit his plump (pretty) blond ass on the couch and read the day away than actually get to doing the baking and cooking or caring for the kids (plants) if it's not a hobby activity

Now let's do the opposite and try to affirm Crowley as the housewife.

He's clean (does the cleaning), he's of service when needed, he organizes when he's stressed (read the book), he- he drives a car...

OH SHIT. MAN ACTIVITY!!!!!🤯🤯🤯 (we're still being sarcastic here, it's not over EFJSJF)

In all seriousness though, trying to fit these two into gender roles, even as a joke is kinda difficult even in headcanon-land ajbfsnf

At least that's my opinion

For every traditionally "feminine" thing you have one of them do, the other outdoes that by a mile. And vice versa with the traditionally "masculine" things, like "being useless" and "car" /sarcasm is back.

So which one would be which? I think they're both dumbasses who fight over who gets to do what in the household (neither of them wants to do anything except for cuddling) and come up with an agreement to divide each chore :)

y'know, like normal people in a functional marriage (my parents lol)

[mia-ugly]

In honour of Good Omens Season 2

HAVE A SLOW SHOW FICLET with thanks to @weatheredlaw for the amazing graphic ❤️❤️❤️ how we doing fam

It’s a kid on set that first tells him. 

Not really a kid, but anyone less than thirty seems a kid to him these days (ugh, that’s a loathsome thought.) Jiyana’s a queer and pink-haired punk type, rainbow pin on their jacket, trans-pride flag tattooed on their inner wrist. The first time he met them, the whole wirey confident glittery thing made his gut clench with - what was it - joy and gratitude but also envy? Maybe? (because what must it be like to be that young and that certain of yourself? What must it be like to have the whole world open in front of you? Not that there still isn’t a lot of shit to deal with, and in Merry Old fucking England there is More Shit than Otherwise, but. Still. It’s something Crowley thinks about. Sometimes. When he hasn’t had enough sleep or when he’s had too much of it.)

The kid came up to him Day One to mumble about “being a big fan” and once they wore a Warlock t-shirt to an afterparty (“Vintage!” they said cheerily, and Crowley wanted to swallow his own face at the thought of something from the 2010s being considered vintage, good Christ.)

Anyway, Jiyana tells him first.

“Congrats on the new season!” They’re beside him in the makeup trailer. Crowley doesn’t realise they’re talking to him, assumes they’re wearing AirPods or something, until George gives him a nudge with the powder puff.

“Er, yeah, cheers.” It’s too early to talk to anyone this perky. Then his exhausted, coffee-less brain takes a moment to catch up with his exhausted, coffee-less mouth. “Er, wait, what?”

“Warlock. Heard it’s coming back. Did I tell you I wrote a paper on it in, like, Grade 10? So cool, the GSA at my highschool used to have watch parties, I can’t wait to see what they do with your -“

“Wait -“ Warlock? It’s been bloody years. “Where’d you hear this?”

The kid starts to list off some sites or social media whatsits that Crowley has never heard of, so he just nods and pretends to understand, the same way he does when Az’s niece tries to explain some show called “Jojo’s Big Adventure” or something. Validate, validate, empathise. Just like Pepper taught him.

It’s probably nothing right? A rumour.

But it’s a rumour Az has heard too.

When Crowley gets home that night (they’ve rented a house in Buckinghamshire, even though the studio’s not two hours from their cottage) Az is on him immediately. Heard about it from his sister apparently, who got the news from one of the kids.

“Isn’t that exciting?” His face is all lit up and his hair is wet, bathrobe snugly belted around his waist. The house has an indoor pool, and there are little indents on Avery’s nose where his extremely attractive and sexy swimming-goggles must have been resting.

Crowley presses his lips to each mark.

“Not that we’ve been going hungry or wanting for work –” Az continues.

“You work too bloody much,” Crowley murmurs into his cheekbone.

“But I do love those characters. The whole thing wrapped up so nicely though – what more is there to tell?  I wonder what the arc could possibly be.”

“I wonder what you’ve got on under this robe –”

“Anthony!” Az laughs in fake protest, tilting his head back so that Crowley can get his mouth on his throat. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Az tastes like chlorine, and maybe Crowley should join him in the shower after this. After a day in the studio, he could probably use it.

“Would you really want to do a series again?” Crowley asks after he’s finally let his husband go, turned to hang up his coat and thrown his bag on the nearest chair. “Awful lot of commitment. And you’ve that whole run at the Globe coming up, don’t rehearsals start in the spring?”

“We’ll have to see if Helen can mind the goats again while we’re in London.” Az has wandered into the kitchen, turned on the kettle. Crowley looks at the back of his neck (Crowley always looks at the back of his neck. Sometimes he dreams about it.) “If she’s free. I called her this morning to check in, Elmyra’s eating, so her anxiety must be getting better.”

“Cool, yeah,” Crowley says, casual and nonchalant and no big deal. As if Elmyra isn’t his favourite of the bunch and he doesn’t have a song that he made up and no one knows that he sings just to her. As if he didn’t hand feed her all night once because she wasn’t sleeping or eating and neither was he because he was so afraid this tiny rescue goat was going to starve to death, anyway whatever, super cool, who cares. “Is it weird that no one’s reached out to us, though? Do you think?”

“About the goats? Helen has my number –”

“No love, the Warlock thing.”

Az blinks at him, flutters his pretty blond lashes in an attractive, aggrieved sort of way. “You mean you haven’t heard from Beez?”

“I haven’t heard from anyone.”

“Oh.” Az thinks it over. “Well. Neither have I, actually. Do you – is that odd?”

“Maybe they’ve recast us with younger models.”

“They wouldn’t dare.”

“Gotta up the sex appeal of the whole thing. Jawlines. Cheekbones. Sexy results.”

“I –” Az goes a bit pink. Glances at Crowley and then away. “Fail to see how they could improve upon perfection.”

Crowley looks at his husband’s bathrobe and the slight scattering of silver chest hair and his hand on his tea cup and fuck off, his neck. His neck, his neck, who gives a shit about Warlock actually?

 “Come over here and say that to my mouth.”

Avery smiles, and sighs, and he does.

ONE YEAR LATER:

Crowley opens the email from Beez.

He fuckin' closes it.

[aziraphales-library]

Hey y'all, first off, thanks for the great work you're doing!

I'm looking for Aziracrow fics with like,, one of them as an FBI agent and the other as art consultant or something like that. I already checked if there's anything in a possible art heist tag, I also looked for crossovers with White Collar, which has a similar premise, and I didn't really find anything. Maybe there's nothing, but I thought maybe you'd have an idea :) Thank you!!

Hello! So, the best I can do is fics in which one of them works in law enforcement of some kind, and the other works in either a different department or completely different job, and they work together in some way. Hope this was the kind of thing you're after!...

Containing Seeds of Destruction by feathereddino (T)

Lower Tadfield is a rural, sleepy little village that is trying to be a town. The crimes that Police Constable A.J. Crowley usually responds to are mundane but never evil. His husband, police psychologist Dr. A.Z. Fell appreciates that their combined caseload reflects that banality. That all changes in 2008 with a call about an abandoned baby. Adam Young's surrender will spark a series of events that will impact their village, their careers, and their personal lives.

What Will Destroy You by EveningStarcatcher (E)

London, 1888 Police Inspector Aziraphale Fell forms an unlikely alliance with Reporter Anthony Crowley to investigate the Whitechapel Murders. Can they solve the mystery and stop the so called Ripper before he strikes again?

Tadfield's Finest by angelsnuffbox (E)

The sleepy town of Tadfield is thoroughly shaken by the arrival of DI Crowley. Where barely anything ever happened before, there is now a bustle of low grade criminal activity, and everyone knows where to point the blame. Gabriel thinks he's a bad omen for the town, many others are quick to agree. Meanwhile, Aziraphale from SOCO just thinks he's hot. Ridiculously so.

and salt the Earth behind you by sunrisesinthesuburbs (E)

Detective (well, Profiler actually, not that anyone seems to care) Aziraphale Fell should have dropped his one and only Criminal Informant the moment he realized he was already falling in love with the man. Alas, he's never had good ideas regarding his self-preservation: when Anthony Crowley calls, he always comes. He will always come. If this wasn't already very bad, his feelings are apparently reciprocated and, in the meantime, his unit has to catch the worst serial killer Washington D.C. has probably ever seen. Crowley has no intention of leaving Aziraphale to deal with this on his own; Aziraphale has no intention of letting Crowley do something stupid just for his sake. Ah, if only love could ever be something easy. “Sometimes I wish I’d met you in a park.” Crowley’s hands move lower, down, down until he reaches Aziraphale’s palms and intertwines their fingers. There isn’t a single chance this gesture can fall under the umbrella of ‘plausible deniability’. Though nothing about this sort of impromptu confession could. “A park, uh? Nice.” A squeeze. “I always imagine something like a library. Or a bookshop or, not sure, whatever place is full of books.”

For His Eyes Only by AFrenchFanWriter (M)

Anthony J. Crowley has been an MI6 spy for 10 years, completing successful mission after successful mission under the guidance of his quartermaster, Aziraphale Fell. But this life is starting to take its toll on him as he is getting older; and when, one day, his past comes back to haunt him, Crowley realizes that it might be time for him to hang up his gun and face all the things he has left unaddressed… (Yep, it is basically a James Bond/Q AU!)

On Espionage and Prophecy (or How to Accidentally, but Wholly, Fall in Love With a Soho Bookseller) by RockSaltAndRoll (E)

1941 is the London Blitz and the year that MI5 really comes into its own with the now infamous ‘double cross’ system. The service keep tabs on suspects, root out enemy agents and try to turn them into doubles. Anthony J Crowley is fucking great at this job. He can be sneaky, underhanded and damn ruthless but also charming and kind. It’s what makes him good at turning. Aziraphale is just a regular Soho bookseller who loves his shop and books and good food and wine when he’s approached by a woman claiming to be MI5, wanting to recruit him for espionage. The poor man is too trusting and gets the shock of his life when he’s approached by a charming but dangerous-looking man also claiming to be MI5. Crowley recruits Aziraphale to double cross a double crosser and Aziraphale takes to espionage like a duck to water. Danger, hijinks, and sex ensue.

- Mod D

[badaziraphaletakes]

I have some questions

Hi... Aziraphale had no way of going to hell in search of Crowley??????

Oh wait that's not a question, that's a statement. Lol nvmind.

And how would Azi even get him back out? Stop blaming her for what the heaven/hell apparatus is doing to Crowley and to her. (Y'know what, I'm gonna be referring to Azi as "she/her" in this post, because we all deserve more of that. So deal with it.) Do you think she hasn't been racking her brains trying to think of a way to save Crowley ever since the Fall, and even before that?

Also - If Aziraphale went to hell and got stuck there, she'd probably be forced to torture people and that's not cool. (She probably wouldn't get a job on earth like Crowley.) Whereas there is no evidence whatsoever that Aziraphale has to actively do harm as part of her current role on earth. There are very good reasons Crowley doesn't want her to go to hell / become a demon / whatever. He doesn't want Aziraphale to suffer the same moral injury that he has.

Also also - Aziraphale mouths "Crowley" instead of screaming it because she knows it'll only get them both in more trouble if heaven/hell finds out they have an acquaintanceship, let alone that they care about each other. As an ab*se survivor, it's one of the most painful moments in the series for me, seeing Aziraphale distraught and having to hide it.

Azi mouthing "Crowley" while frantically trying to keep a straight face is the equivalent of Charles immediately trying to run after Edwin. It's arguably even more loving, I'd say. Aziraphale loves Crowley so much that she saw her worst nightmare come true (or rather, didn't see it? you know what I mean lol) and still managed to keep her "We don't know each other" mask more or less intact. Utterly devastating. This was the ultimate test of her love for Crowley, and she passed it.

*** Side note: If Aziraphale behaved the way fans want to demand she behave, hell would have killed Crowley so many times already lmao. And then of course the fans would be blaming her for that instead. << Babygirl can't win. She's damned (ha) if she does and damned if she doesn't. ***

You can see the horror and terror and devastation in her eyes.

Here's a really good post about it:

But even if we didn't have that glimpse of her face at that moment... FUCK thinking Aziraphale wasn't worried about Crowley then. There is literally NO reason to assume she wasn't upset about seeing him dragged to hell to presumably be killed. (And yes, Azi knew hell was ab*sive and violent to Crowley, even back then. I'd argue she's known since NLT Uz. After all, she knows Crowley didn't "kill" the goats and the kids because he wanted to. She knows it was because hell made him do it.)

Also also also: She literally did go to hell to save Crowley, later on?

And wtf is wrong with what she wrote in her diary? "That was the last I was to see of Crowley for some time" is (so far as we know) a factual statement. She's writing about an upsetting experience. Journaling is a healthy coping technique. But apparently that's bad now lmao. (Not to mention there were so many things about that diary entry that were so blatantly weird that it's clear we can't take anything about Aziraphale's journals at face value anyway. But I guess we're just ignoring that.)

OH AND ONE MORE THING! That's "husband" or "wife" or "spouse" to you, not "friend"!

[alecscudder1987]

ive just had a thought. see ive been joking as much as the next person about the ineffable beurocracy getting their shit together after 3 dates while it took aziraphale and crowley since literally before time was invented BUT it's quite literally just privilege.

you saw the shot where aziraphale grabs crowley's shoulder just after beelzebub and gabriel declare their love--this level of visibility is unprecedented, and something he and crowley have never been able to afford. while they (and we) might have softened to not-gabriel throughout the season, the second gabriel is gabriel again, he uses his position and leaddrship weight as archangel to fuck right off with his beloved. which, good for him.

but to aziraphale and crowley, this is fucking bonkers information. they spent their entire existences compromising on their relationship in order to not...be compromised. and gabriel just up and speed-runs dating the enemy because the worst consequence he faces is getting fired. gabriel and beelzebub never face consequences for their relationship, so of course it goes off without a hitch. no one looking over your shoulder because you're the guy looking over everyone's shoulder.

while im thankful they fucked off to alpha centuri so i don't ever have to see gabriel's smug face again, i do wonder if the "going off together" is really the good relationship A & C ought to model. if it's a happy foil to miserable wee morag and her girlfriend from the minisodes, it's still not what i believe crowley and aziraphale are going to do.

they've spent all of time becoming increasingly codependent, and while that's fun and all for a while, crowley and aziraphale really need their little human mundanities. going on walks. getting dinner. going for a drive to blow off steam. their path is getting distinctly more human-looking, and i think someday they're going to have to reckon with the idea of letting other people into their lives.

to bring it back to my first point, i've just been thinking about WHY crowley and aziraphale are Like That, when we've been presented with a new couple who most certainly isn't, and it made me think about it in terms of power. they have leverage, but they built it for themselves by learning everything about earth their superiors didn't know, getting a leg up anywhere they can. gabriel and beezlebub don't need a leg up. they have it. they're stepping on your chest and brushing dust from their costs as you try to climb past the first stone.

you could also look at it like queer versus straight relationships. queer relationships are often by circumstance somewhat secretive and full of codes and longing glances and not-talking-about-your-feelings BECAUSE it might get you into trouble. straight relationships often don't have this problem (though they might have others relating to other intersecting & marginalized identities) so they can get straight away into the declaring it part.

TL;DR beezlebub and gabriel got hitched immidiately while it took crowley and aziraphale all of time to kiss because the ineffable beaurocracy has about a million times more power and a billion times less consequences for getting caught about it than the ineffable husbands do.

[hikarry]

Crowley's post-divorce assembled squad should be Nina and Anathema

No, they are not there to comfort him. They are there to give him shit and have drunk nights in his apartment while watching Golden Girls

Crowley: 6000 years! 6000 fucking years and all I get is an "I forgive you"?! He will see what he will need to forgive me for when I-

Nina: What? Storm Heaven and cause a scene?

Crowley:

Crowley: I could, if I wanted to

Anathema *snorts into her wine glass*: Right. You would have your ass handed to you in a silver platter

Crowley: You don't know what I'm capable of. I'm the fucking Serpent of Eden!

Nina: And so far that hasn't helped you much now, has it?

Anathema: Yeah, that little title of yours didn't make the angel stay, did it?

Crowley *downs the whole wine glass in one go*: Why do I even invite you guys over?

Nina: Because you are a depressed ancient supernatural entity that lost his only friend and we are the second best option

Crowley: Yeah yeah, and who's fault was that?! It was your stupid idea that fucked me!

Anathema: Technically Aziraphale probably would have left regardless if you confessed or not-

Crowley: Get out

Anathema: What if I do? *laughs* Will you call me again at 1 in the afternoon because you need "some witchy advice" but spend an hour complaining about your life instead?

Crowley *grabs a throw pillow*: Book girl, I'm warning you

Nina: Oh don't be ridiculous *grabs the pillow from his hand* Drink your wine and let's finish this episode. I need to work tomorrow

Anathema: And I need to go back to Tadfield to, you know, be with my husband

Crowley *grabs the pillow again and throws it against her face with a growl*

[avocado-writing]

"You're so very tempting..." - said Aziraphale to the xmass food lined up on the countertop

notes: anon how does it feel to be the funniest fucking person in my inbox at the moment

Crowley walks into your home, warm and welcoming as usual, but this time smelling pleasantly of Christmas spice. He also walks in to the sounds of enthusiastic muttering laced with… lust?

“You’re so very tempting…”

He raises an eyebrow to himself. Perhaps he is about to catch the two of you in the act. He quite enjoys that, actually - it feels sinful. Doubly so when you get him to join in. 

He opens the living room door and deflates a bit. 

Aziraphale’s head whips round from where he’s staring at the spread. Oh, right. You’re holding your work’s holiday buffet this year. The tables have been manoeuvred to the cosy front room and the food is laid out perfectly: vol-au-vents; canapés; every tiny finger food someone can think of. And Aziraphale is reaching towards it. 

He looks guilty. 

“Oh! Crowley, I didn’t realise you’d be —”

“Home so early?” he finishes, breezily. Aziraphale retracts his hand from where it’s been comically paused in midair. 

“Erm, yes. Lovely to see you my darling, I was just - ”

“Does our nightingale know you’re descending upon their hard work?”

Aziraphale tries to look offended. But mostly he looks like he’s been caught doing something he ought not to. 

“I just wanted one little crudité. One wouldn’t be missed…”

“Aziraphale. There is a sign.”

It’s true. You’ve left a large piece of paper blu-tacked above the table: AZIRAPHALE, DO NOT TOUCH. 

The angel sighs, utterly rumbled. 

“Oh alright. Just please… don’t dob me in?” he begs. Crowley hums thoughtfully. 

“Maybe you can convince me to keep quiet.”

Aziraphale gapes.

“Are you blackmailing me?”

“That’s a bit of a serious way to put it.”

“You’re my husband, Crowley!”

“Yes, so the ways of convincing I have in mind you’ll probably enjoy.”

Aziraphale shuts his mouth, thinks it over, and then lets Crowley have his wicked way. 

And when you get back from your emergency Prosecco run to the shops, you’re the one who ends up catching them. 

[kotias]

2024 fic roundup

Thank you @eybefioro for the tag!

Well well well, end-of-year check-up, huh!

What fandoms do you write in?

Oof. I'll do the exhaustive list + the 2024 list specifically.

2024 list:

Good Omens

Deadpool / Marvel

One Piece

Exhaustive list since my beginnings in 2005, in addition to the above:

Dragon Ball

Eyeshield 21

Harry Potter

Naruto

Avatar: the Last Airbender

FFXIV

How many words have you published in 2024?

Published? Damn it xD

Okay, so, I'm going to gratuitously add the words for an epic secret project, as those will be published for 2024 hehehe.

I will not count the CYOA into the mix, as it is not representative of the actual amount I wrote; I did write a few bits, but in the grand scheme of that collab, I pretty much wrote nothing.

96,881 words!

To which I'm adding around 20k words for the epic secret project, so this leads us to a total of... 116,881 words!

Well, fuck, that's a lot.

/oggles at her WIP folder with 200k+ words of WIPs

I'll also link this slightly different count I did in September.

Hum. Guess I know how much I'll have for 2025 huh :D

What is your greatest achievement this year?

Second greatest: getting properly back into writing.

After 8 years of writing slump keeping me at a tiny 3k words a year, this is simply unbelievable to me that I'm sometimes able to churn out that much in a single day.

First greatest achievement:

The epic secret project that you will hear all about very soon. I loved working on it and seeing it take such vibrant colours and life. It is my baby, and I am feeling genuinely sad that we are reaching the end of this project.

What are your favourite top three fics you wrote this year?

Warzone , a Poolverine fic (Marvel, Deadpool & Wolverine). Summary:

Being a mutant sucks, sometimes. Sometimes, your cells will battle one another to the death, leaving you sobbing in your bed. Or out of it. Fully naked, in the middle of Blind Al's living room.

I really had a lot of fun working on it; this is the ultimate fic format to me, it has hurt/comfort, fluff, domestic bliss, smut, and becomes a songfic. If you want to read something that has my writing identity all over it, this is the one.

Dance Our Night Away , an Ineffable Husbands fic (Good Omens), inspired by @gleafer 's art. Summary:

1944, 29th of February - leap year. Crowley and Aziraphale are invited to a ballroom dance party, and will dance- but angels don't dance, do they?

A light fic, just dancing together in a ballroom on some Frank Sinatra, was is there not to like?

My Arum Lily , an Ineffable Husbands fic (Good Omens), written for gcaledonian on the @goodomensafterdark subreddit. Summary:

Hoowee, laudanum! Last time Crowley does that!

This is 8k words of indulgent porn, I cannot say more than that, because the plot does not exist. This was written for gcaledonian over 2 months in a group chat we shared, advancing with each new prompt she gave me, until I decided I was done.

I then decided to do her a surprise: I had it beta'd, and had 7 remarkable artists do art to illustrate it.

This is The Cemetery Porn. If you like muttonchops, wings, cemetery sex, this is the fic for you.

What was your biggest pit of despair moment?

The goddamn epic secret project that I can say nothing about yet!! It has been so important to this year to me that I simply cannot not talk about it in every way. This is a crazy adventure that brought me to the greatest highs and weirdest lows, but holy shit you guys, it is gorgeous.

What have you learned?

I have learned that by being indulgent, I get other people to be indulgent with me. /whispers epic secret project

It is crazy what I managed to do, genuinely, and I still have a very hard time processing the fact that I managed to pull so many crazy people in my crazy projects. It's just... wow. Thank you, whoever is reading this and recognising yourself. I love you so much.

What fic did you want to do but never made it off the ground?

Pièce Montée, a Sanji/Pudding (One Piece) fic. I'm not letting it go, it's kinda taking the dust here but I'm keeping it alive with some strong CPR, don't worry, it's alive, I'll do something with it hahahahahahahaha

Did you beta any fics? Any favs you want to shout out?

I'm not the best at doing it; after a while, I just... lose concentration and forget to continue.

But, I beta'd for a while this fic: What Have I Lost? it is very good, very worth the read if you haven't!

What ideas are percolating for next year?

Oh wait, let me pull out my fic folder spreadsheet...

Okay, let's go.

Continuing Sheltered Scars, a tattoo AU for the Ineffable Husbands (Good Omens), where Crowley is a new tattoo artist arriving in London, and Aziraphale is an art gallery holder who is a war veteran. I'm very happy with the concept, but have a hard time concentrating long enough to continue, I have to get back to it.

Continuing the edits on Down the Path of Sin, co-written with @daneecastle in a huge-ass RP and that will be added to the multiverse of her Reversed Veil of Worlds. So proud of what we did with it, it's an epic story deserving to be out there.

Writing the Ineffable Rockstars AU fic planned out with @daneecastle , @elenthyaolyenths , @vavoom-sorted-art ; expect around 15k words of it, and it's going to be so great :D

According to my spreadsheet, I should get back to Pièce Montée (see above) and to Tanabata, an Eyeshield 21 fic project that is set 10 years after the end of the story of the manga.

Those are the active WIPs. Now for the plot bunnies running havoc in my brain and waiting for an out...

Miscellaneous fandom (whichever will inspire me to make it happen): University AU - outgoing student officer x professor. This is a pure catharsis fic idea, as I'm an outgoing student officer in a university and sometimes I just need the out.

Deadpool & Wolverine fandom: Streamers AU - Logan with his headset that has like cat ears on it, his streamer name is LHowlett, but his gaming name on any platform is Wolverine. Has a daughter (Laura) who helps him out on raids, but despite his older age, he's clearly an absolute beast at gaming. People follow him because he's got a foul mouth, an absolute jerk to his friends but somehow the sweetest sweetheart when they pick up a new one on party finder- so basically, a golden mentor to new people. The X-Men are his raid party. One day, somebody is missing and they go on Party Finder to get somebody for the empty slot, and stumble on Wade. Logan complains the entire time because Wade isn't a very good listener (annoying for a raid lead) and an absolute chaos gremlin during the raid, but the stream watchers see him chuckle silently and grin for the entire session and soon enough start demanding to see that Dead Pool guy again.

Deadpool & Wolverine fandom: Consequences of the Time Ripper, they swapped and regenerated from the time ripper into each other's bodies, then swapped back pretty quickly but that was weird huh. And then it happens again. And again. And again. And they're very confused as to why, especially as it feels like random times, like they're just watching a movie and Wade bumps a foot against Logan and SWAP - I can imagine the thing feeling like a hiccup that continues for too long and after the 6-7th swap they're just "OH COME ON"! And like any good soulmate story, this finally stops when they get their shit together and finally become a couple and put the label on it. Aka: a 5 times/1 time, like "Five times Wade and Logan body swap, and one time they understand why"

Deadpool & Wolverine fandom, longfic, outlined: Baby Mine, Wade and Logan are looking to adopt; but with their situation and appearances (gay mutant couple, with strange schedules and Wade looking scary to humans), no agency really gives them a chance. One day however, Vanessa calls them, asking if they're still looking to adopt. One of her friends was found dead in her apartment, leaving behind her young baby. They do adopt the girl, and call her Ellie. Fic centered around Ellie's birthdays and other big life events as she grows up.

I... I think that should make up for most of my 2025 year.

Who do you want to thank?

Damn. Where do I even start?

First, thank you to @daneecastle for bringing me into a community that allowed me to meet so many people it was almost overwhelming. I never had so much of a feeling of a community, never met so many fandom people and I have you to thank for it, love.

Then of course comes @goodomensafterdark that brought so many good things to me, such a vibrant and beautiful and gorgeous community, I love seeing it thrive like it is. As a result, thank you to @vavoom-sorted-art for yelling loud enough in my ears about that community to push me to slide into it during the angst war.

I also have to thank all my fellow writers and artists working so hard and so diligently on that project. Thank you all so much, you do not realise how honoured I am that you all trusted me with it. Thus, as the representatives of that joyous bunch... enormous thank you to: @theravenmuse , @eybefioro , @whatareyou42 , @gaiaseyes451 , @theonewiththeshippinggoogles , @quona for being fantastic wranglers with me. Thank you. Thank you so much.

More exhaustive thanks for this crazy team will come in due time. I have feelings, alright?

[lina-lovebug]

Why is there a roll in the oven?

Crowley x fem presenting! reader x Aziraphale

Background: you try and make a cute video revealing your pregnancy to your husbands but it goes wrong

_ _ _

You had it all ready.

Under the guise is getting something to pop in the oven for dinner, you went to the store to buy the usual groceries. Aziraphale wanted to join you, but you reminded him that he can't just close early.

Even if he never sold any books.

You quickly ran inside, bags in your hands but Crowley was in the kitchen. "Let me take those, love."

"No!" You shouted, stepping back.

"No. . .? Is everything alright?" You never rejected their help when bringing in anything, so this startled Crowley.

"Yes, yes. I just. . .don't want to ruin the surprise," you explained quickly, walking around him to place the bags on the counter top.

"Surprise?" His tone was suggestive, bringing heat to your face, "not that kind of surprise, Crowley."

He chuckled, the same smirk on his lips as he kissed the back of your neck sweetly. Crowley grew more touchy once your relationship blossomed. In public, his hands were always occupied by one on your waist and the other holding Aziraphales hand. Sometimes it alternated, but it was basically a warning to anyone looking. "Yes, they're both mine. Fuck off", was the statement.

"Oh and do let Azira know not to come into the kitchen. Thank you," You pressed a chaste kiss to your demon, who hummed before walking away with a smile.

The proposal was unexpected but sweet.

Having been together for years, Crowley and Aziraphale came up with a day entirely about you. They took you to your favorite bakery in France, went to the aquarium, dined at The Ritz for lunch and finally had a lovely dinner at home. Your favorite red candles were lit, the scent wafting through the air. Aziraphale started with a speech, pledging his eternal love for you. Crowley finished off by claiming how he felt undeserving of this kind of love, but loved you with his entire being and wouldn't have any other beings to spend his life with.

And they both proposed.

You cried - a lot, which initially worried them because "why isn't she saying yes???"

But you explained messily by saying you were planning to propose, pulling out a single box with two gold bands and inside carved "my heart, forevermore".

You all cried.

"Don't go into the kitchen, angel," Crowley put his hand on his shoulder as he came home for the day, hanging his coat on the rack.

"(Y/N) is planning a surprise."

"A surprise?" Aziraphale asked, "but it's not our anniversary. Oh, is it that strawberry cake we like?"

Crowley shrugged, "don't know, but she's serious about it."

After setting up the camera, an excited smile on your face, you set it to record.

"Azira!" You poked your head out, running to your angel before giving him a longing kiss. Aziraphale returned it happily, his hands setting themselves on your face.

"Someone's in a good mood," Aziraphales' voice dropped lower, which would usually send them into a spiral and beg him to use that voice in the bedroom.

But that was for later.

"Come, come," she ushered them both into the kitchen.

"Now, both of you, open the oven," she was grinning wildly, unable to contain her excitement.

"Both of us. . .?" Crowley questioned.

"Humor me, my love," she replied and her ineffable husbands obeyed, and stilled.

"(Y/N)?"

"Yes?"

"Why is there a roll in the oven?" Crowley questioned.

"And why is it on fire?" Aziraphale added.

"Oh shit!" She cursed, running to grab one of the many fire extinguishers that Aziraphale insisted they needed after the shop caught fire.

"Shit, shit, shit!" She yelled, running back and immediately putting out the fire. But she didn't stop using it, even after the flames were clearly out.

"Flower, put it down."

"My dear, is everything alright?"

Her lips were brought into a frown as she sighed, eyes clouding with tears. They exchanged a worried glance before the first sob escaped.

"I-I wanted to make it special, but now. . .oh I forgot I turned it on for dinner," she hiccuped as they brought her in for a hug. Crowley stroked her hair whilst Aziraphale pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"It's okay, my love. We can order out," Aziraphale reassured but she sighed in frustration.

"No, no, it's not that. I. . .bun in the oven!"

"Bun in the oven?" Crowley repeated, confused.

"Bun in the. . .oven. . ." Aziraphale realized, looking at his wife with a growing smile. "You're pregnant?"

"Yes, I'm pregnant," you laughed gently as you tried to wipe the tears but Aziraphale began to cover your face in kisses. "Oh she's pregnant! Crowley, we're going to be fathers!"

"Crowley. . .?" You asked, not seeing a response from him. He took off his glasses, revealing a light sheen over his serpentine eyes before he kneeled down and leant his head against your stomach.

"I love you," he whispered, pressing a kiss against your stomach and looking up at you, "thank you, my love."

"And it's twins," you added, causing your celestial beings to look at eachother immediately.

"Is it. . .?"

"I don't know. . .I mean, it could be. . ."

But they didn't care in reality. All that mattered was that you were healthy, carrying twin babies, a bun that was preciously on fire and ordering takeout whilst relaxing with your husbands.

[fallendemon6000]

SEXY PROPOSAL

Crowley and Aziraphale are in an intimate moment in bed, they are kissing passionately while their pelvises are joined. The room is filled with gasps and moans. They are happy and they know it. In one of the many thrusts into Aziraphale, Crowley lets out a sentence he never thought he would say.

C:"Ohhh...fuck angel...yes...aaah...let's get married."

They stopped and looked into each other's eyes, embarrassed. Crowley pulled out of Aziraphale without finishing the act, leaving him visibly upset, sitting on the edge of the bed still naked.

C:"Sorry, I...I don't know why I said that."

A:"Wait Crowley..."

Crowley grabbed his clothes and ran out of the house. He felt stupid, he was going too fast, once again.

He sat down on the bench on the porch, making a cigarette and a lighter appear and starting to smoke. Meanwhile, quick footsteps approached him.

A: "Tell me why you left like that? And then put something on because it's cold."

C: "I'm fine like this."

He took a drag.

A: "Would you please look at me? Come on Crowley, look at me."

Aziraphale took Crowley's face in his hands.

C: "Listen, I just let it slip. I was so caught up in the pleasant moment between your thighs that I let a few words slip out."

A: "So it was just a moment? You don't really want to marry me?"

C: "We've only been together for a year, asking you seems like a rush and I know you hate it."

A: "Okay maybe you didn't see it, but I had a couple of spasms after you came out of me and left. Your proposal enticed me so much that it made my dick even harder."

C: "So I'm not rushing for you?"

A: "Well, you just asked me, that doesn't mean we have to get married tomorrow, right?"

C: "No, you're right."

A: "So if we want to wait, I'll be happy to do it. I'm happy you asked."

C: "So your answer is yes?"

A: "If we go back to the room and you ask me while you're inside me, I might even say yes."

Crowley picked Aziraphale up, kissing him. They went back to the room, undressing again and wrapped themselves around each other, making the sexual act more pleasurable and lively than before. Like an erotic game.

C: "So, angel...will you marry me?"

A: "Yes..."

C: "Say it again."

A: "Yes...yes...aaah."

C: "Yes what, little angel?"

A: "Yes...I want to marry...you...oh god...please."

Crowley turned Aziraphale on his back, admiring that perfect ass. He entered him quickly and with gusto, feeling how wet and hot it was. It was always like that when they had sex. Aziraphale hot and wet and Crowley hard and wet.

C:"Do you want it, angel?"

A:"Yes Crowley...yesss."

C:"What do you want angel?"

A:"To be your husband...aaah."

C:"Yes?"

A:"To love you...aaah."

C:"Yes angel...more."

A:"To honor you and..."

C:"Come on angel..."

A:"Aah...aah...and respect you... Crowley, I'm close."

C:"Don't...stop."

A:"Until the end of time...oh fuck."

C:"Fuck...fuck...yesss."

Crowley came inside Aziraphale as they both stained the sheets with semen. They had just had the best sex ever. One thing they often did after making love was hold hands and intertwine their fingers. When Crowley pulled away from Aziraphale, he lay on his side, looking into each other's eyes. Aziraphale, still lying on his stomach, looked at Crowley, still panting, and moved a lock of his hair.

C: "That was nice, we should do it again sometime."

A: "Absolutely."

C: "Come."

Crowley invited him into his arms in a tender and warm embrace that Aziraphale did not refuse at all.

A: "You have no idea how good I feel, cuddled up to you."

C: "You make me feel good too, angel. I love you."

A: "Awww... me too, so much."

[ritz-writes]

@asleepyy so sorry for tagging u twice in one day and i hope im not bothering u with my brain rot 😅

but yes, i did actually dissect the lyrics. yes, i am actually insane. and yes, i love this au quite a lot.

here are my notes and what i think each song represents, tho its mainly just the vibes i get. i made notes as i listened to them (note: i see songs almost always in animatic form. idk if that will effect how i imagine what each song means, but i thought it might be worth mentioning)

join me as i lose my mind over the course of an hour and a half

say what you think: def making me think of them both in heaven and jophiel wanting to ask questions.

running up that hill: AHH this one hurt. very obvious as well. jophiel seeing that azazel shouldnt be a demon. "And if I only could I'd make a deal with God, and I'd get Him to swap our places." i am sobbingggg

what difference does it make?: at first i was going to say its jophiel wanting to figure out what went wrong but azazel makes them promise not to, but i think its better suited for azazel understanding hes a demon, but he cant help but still have faith in the almighty

please please please let me get what i want: fuckkk is this about azazel being a demon but still wanting to do good 😭 short but still painful

ever fallen in love (with someone you shouldn't've): my first reaction to the title alone was like the second image of the kambucha girl meme. anyway i think this one is about them becoming friends (or more?? 👀) but knowing its seen as wrong. "And if I start a commotion, I run the risk of losing you and that's worse" makes me also think of jophiel talking to the metatron and realizing he shouldnt ask about azazel lest he risk the poor thing being smited.

nothing critical: ohhhh this one gives hella vibes of jophiel not trusting heaven and knowing "something isnt right here" in regards to the fall-- HOLD UP "I know, someone had to go, If not him it'd be me instead" HELLO??? aziraphale asking for jophiel??? is this like after he finds out what azazels name used to be??

flowers never bend with the rainfall: hmm... i feel like this is a plot point song. not sure why. but "And I hide behind the shield of my illusion" makes me think it pertains to azazel

bird in space: oh this ones a bit tricky. i think ive reached the songs that no longer fit the lore we've been given thus far. so the only thing i can think rn is jophiel enjoying earthly pleasures? not rlly sure

angel, won't you call me?: oh fuckkk is this about a fight they have? "I fled at the face of my rival. When I felt his breath at the back of my neck. Angel, won't you call?" theres no way that isnt about azazel saying smth and then leaving, only to be scared he severed his tie to the only person thats been nice to him.

the stranger: first of this is a bop and im loving it. very groovy. the first thing that comes to mind is the "choose your faces wisely" prophecy. ooo is this about jophiel trying to convince azazel hes still meant to be an angel? that he wasnt meant to fall? also, the last verse is sticking out to me... not sure why

all i think about now: fuckkkkk this is giving me the vibes of jophiel finding out azazel Fell cuz of him and feeling guilty about it. "If I'm late, can I thank you now?" FUCKING OW?? oh yeah for sure this is about jophiel finding out and being sucker punched with guilt

ill be your mirror: oh goddd this song. i know crowley listens to this song but i cant remember what its about so lets see. AH SHIT YEAH THATS RIGHT. okay so jophiel reminds azazel that he is inherently good, regardless of if hes a demon. thats what im getting from this (also just tihnking of that ask i sent about the reflective sunglasses bthwjegkrw)

me and my husband: okay all im getting from this is "they r down bad". they r very very very much in love. getting vibes of this being after they stop the apocolypse. or maybe their feelings developing thru the centuries

time in a bottle: oh man this song always gets me. okay so, this and the last song r giving the oh-shit-i-might-be-in-love vibes. but this one is with jophiel's pov, while me and my husband is azazel's

ritz note: the last couple songs have been cute and lovey and i am now terrified of what the next ones r gonna be. cuz i know this fandom. and i am not ready for the pain. i am afraidddd

lonesome town: i fucking called it i knew the happy wouldnt last 😭😭 they had a fight didnt they. yeahhh they had a fight. FUCK why is this so sad but so pretty

across the universe: is this one sad too??? hang on theres a bit thats not in english, what does that mean... "Hail to the Heavenly Teacher." okay so i assume this is an azazel song. this is just making me think of the bookshop fire, but its azazel thinking jophiel died 😭 ....i am staring at the lyircs. i am glaring at the lyrics. this song MEANS something. i just dont know what. but its important. im squinting at it very hard (note: i came back to this song and am STILL glaring at it. its like. its like im seeing it covered in sand but i know theres gold underneath. i cant SEE the gold, but i know its there. this is driving me nuts /pos)

no wonder i: hm.. im not rlly sure with this one. OH?? is this azazel finding out heaven isnt that good?? "Suddenly I'm not so sure. That intentions can be pure." hmmmmmmm

what do they know?: holy shit okay this is a completely different kind of song than the others. im.... glaring at these lyrics too. feels like a plot point but cant tell what it is. i think its about jophiel? maybe heaven too?? idk im grasping at straws with this one

sea of love: oh yay a happy song again 😌 okay this is just short and sweet. gives me forgiveness and/or confession vibes.

who are you, really?: this one sounds important and i am glaring!! makes me think of "we dont need heaven we dont need hell" and also "a demon/angel that goes along with hell/heaven as far as he can". also just makes me think of jophiel speaking.

the moon will sing: i fucking love this song but i dont think ive ever looked at the lyrics so lets goooo. right away i see "I could have been anyone, anyone else. Before you made the choice for me" and think of aziraphale asking and falling for jophiel, and in a way making the choice of jophiel staying an angel. "Instead, I made a bed with apathy" jophiel trying not to care about a random demon. "I shine only with the light you gave me" jophiel giving azazel ideas on how to do "good" while being "bad". also with that line, thinking of azazel saying that to god and being sad about having fallen AUGHH i have a whole animatic in my head with this song and im losing my mind

matephor: hnnnn another important sounding song. jophiel vibes. fight song perhaps?? "Don't look too hard 'cause you won't like the scars he left in me" azazel vibes??? this one is elusive to me but i love it. okay im slowly getting more azazel vibes. like azazel trying to convince jophiel that he is a demon and fell for a reason

providence: right away getting "heaven and hell r bad" vibes. OHH okay okay this is giving me hella jophiel vibes, but specificly snarky and sassy jophiel vibes. of being like "oh yes heaven is oh so great, we kill children! but its for the greater good, of course. gotta beat hell and all that, even at the cost of innocents. all for the almighty and her ineffable plan." (this song is a bop omg)

earth angel: oh i know this one but only with crowley and aziraphale, so im excited to listen to it with an oopsie omens mind set. omg wait why does it hit HARDER. love sick azazel is such a cute image 🥺🥰

what more can i do: hmm.. them being in love but knowing its "forbidden"? cant tell who i imagine with it more

starman: this is just them. classic good omens song, regardless of the au. love to see it 💖

a pearl: AH FUCK ANOTHER SAD ONE. mitski whyy. hm.. azazel song? jophiel?? i think jophiel... tho my mind might be turning to mush at this point so im not sure. one of them is sad

duvet: oh def azazel vibes. oh maybe some jophiel vibes too?? i can see it swaping povs. i think it fits azazel more tho.

ritz note: OKAY the next song is in a different language and for a split second i legit thought i was having a stroke when i pulled up the lyrics ngl bgkewrrkjq

différent de toi: no idea what this song is about but its pretty 😊

oh thats all of them! i think the first half is more coherent observations, while the second half is just... rambling a bit lmao. idk if any of this makes sense. i might also be looking for things that arent there with these songs, but oh well. this was fun!

and now, after looking back at them all, i really does just slowly derail near the end lmao

[edosianorchids901]

Thy Soft Response

While AO3 is down, I'll be sharing a short daily fic here in the interests of both keeping my mental health stable and providing stories to tide everyone over ❤️

T, 832 words

Sometimes, nightmares still fucked up Crowley’s sleep. Flashes of cruelty, of torture. Of humans doing terrible things to each other. Of humans, other demons, or angels doing horrible things to him.

This had been one of those nights. He’d barely managed any sleep, the terror invading every time he dropped off.

But when he startled awake again, drenched in sweat, it was to gentle murmuring. Words of love whispered into kisses against his brow, his temple, his cheek. Plump fingers skating across the bare skin of his arm, tracing little hearts.

Although the screams of the nightmares still clung to him, echoing in the past, Crowley smiled into the well-padded softness of Aziraphale’s chest. “Angel.”

“It’s me, my dear, right here. You’re perfectly safe.” The warm fingers slid down, brushing against the back of his hand in a familiar question. Crowley turned his hand over into the reassuring, calming hold. “Goodness, this has been a difficult night for you. More bad dreams?”

“Yeah, s’ not ideal. But you know me, love a good dose of adrenaline first thing in the morning.” Crowley managed to put a sardonic note in his voice. It kept out the quavering fear that still lurked nearby.

“I think there are better ways of cultivating adrenaline, dear boy.” Aziraphale tickled his side, very gently. Just enough to make him grin and wriggle in protest, not enough to make him panic. “We could indulge in some of those overdramatic car chases, if you like. Or something with spaceships.”

“Hn.” Normally, Crowley was always onboard with Bond, sci-fi, or any fun action film. But he still felt a little fragile right now. And after a decade of marriage to Aziraphale, it was getting easier to admit to his moments of vulnerability and let his angel take care of him.

Although he wasn’t sure what sounded better than a film. There were loads of options, tons of things that would probably make him feel calmer. The trouble was picking from those countless options.

But Aziraphale just held him as he thought about it, fingers twining with Crowley’s. Another sweet, tender kiss against his brow turned into a whispered, barely audible, “I love you.”

Smiling, Crowley snuggled closer. He tugged his hand free in favor of wrapping his arms around Aziraphale’s softness and holding onto him. He was so warm, so real.

The strong arms gathered Crowley closer, and he shut his eyes with a long breath. Aziraphale was tracing hearts with one finger again, this time in the small of his back. It almost tickled, but not quite.

The best thing about thing, about these quiet moments, was that Crowley could feel Aziraphale’s love at full strength. He always felt it, a field of devotion and affection that blanketed the whole of the cottage and its grounds. But here, in the stillness with nothing to distract them, it was strong enough to chase away any troubles, any fears.

Even the nightmares seemed far away now, far in the past. Lingering fear evaporated in the face of Aziraphale’s steadfast love. There was nothing for Crowley to be scared of now, not when he was in his husband’s arms.

“Not sure what I wanna do,” he finally said as he tried to think through some options.

Could go out in the garden together, pick flowers for each other and laugh at the antics of their ducks and chickens. Or they could take the Bentley for a drive, maybe go to the beach and collect seashells. Or they could head out on the walking trails that adjoined the property, vanish into the gorgeous hills of the South Downs, and walk hand in hand all damn day.

Aziraphale hummed contentedly as Crowley snuggled closer. “Well, it is rather obvious to me what you’d like to do, if I may make a suggestion?”

“Mm,” Crowley agreed.

Aziraphale brushed light, careful kisses to his head, his neck. One hand slid up, curling protectively around the back of Crowley’s neck and holding him close. “I think you wish to stay right here for the time being. There’s no need for you to try sleeping again, with how badly that’s been going, but you are welcome to as many snuggles as you can bear.”

“Hhhngh. I can bear a lot of snuggles.” Cheeks warming with faint embarrassment, Crowley buried his face in the softness of Aziraphale’s neck. “I don’t really feel like talking. Is that okay?”

“Of course it’s okay, my dearest,” Aziraphale said with an earnestness that banished any lingering doubts or insecurities. “You must never feel as though you’re obligated to chatter away, or to do anything that you don’t want to do.”

Crowley didn’t feel obligated at all, and he demonstrated that by kissing Aziraphale’s shoulder in thanks rather than answering. He curled up in the reassuring embrace, closing his eyes. The screams of the nightmares still echoed, far off in the distance, but in time they would fade away and be replaced by peaceful quiet.