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casimirt · 1 year ago

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Dear Readers,

This is an Ineffable Husbands request from one of my dear mutual @theugliestcrown, called Falling From Above. It is also on my AO3, if that's more accessible for you x

It was noon.

By now, after their morning of activity, most of the bustling city traffic had ambled its way home. Weekends around the bookshop's slice of city were always suspiciously quiet. Almost as if someone had wished it that way. It was cool and bright, yet the sky had that feeling to it like something was coming. Probably more rain if we're to be realistic.

It had rained the past three days and it made sense for it to rain again today. But that didn't stop the clockwork stroll of demon and angel through the miraculously empty streets.

Their Sunday strolls had become ritual, ever since Crowley had officially, and not without complaint, moved into the little corner building. Aziraphale knew he was used to the vast and empty expanse of his old flat, so had begun to suggest getting out of the piles of books now and then. And so, their promenading of Soho was born. At times Maggie and Nina had likened it to letting him out for a walk and a wee. Regardless, no matter the weather Crowley never declined.

Rugged up in a dark trench coat and tall boots, the demon was begrudgingly wearing a crimson scarf about his long neck as well. It was lovingly, and somewhat poorly made by Aziraphale, and despite it not being quite cold enough, he wore it anyway. Walking proudly by his side was a robust bundle of tartan, tan and layers. A little paperboy style cap was on Aziraphale's head and was a compromise he had made for Crowley. The jaunty little top hat had been far too much of a statement for a Sunday, so it had remained at home.

Sometimes, if they were distracted enough by each other, they would walk for hours. On one occasion they had ended up so far away they had to take an Uber home. This was a novel experience in itself, and not knowing how it worked, Aziraphale had tipped the driver double what anyone would have done, even an angel. Today however they stuck to the usual paths, winding in and out of their favorite shops, talking and stopping in for the odd treat.

One of their favorite pass times was reminiscing about different points in time. Mainly the ones where they had met with each other, those were the best in everyone's opinion... Though, between the two of them they had a whole library full of fanciful and dramatic encounters without the other being present. It was always nice to discover new things about each other after all this time. Crowley, to their surprise had found out recently that Aziraphale was at one point the muse and close friend of Oscar Wilde himself. It had then prompted them to read and scrutinize the entirety of Wilde's work. Just in case it divulged any more secrets. Sadly, it hadn't.

A fun fact that sent the angel reeling about a month ago, was that Crowley had in fact co-wrote or at the very least inspired, a few of Queen's greatest hits. Aziraphale then found it a bit self-indulgent that the demon liked their music so much. Of course, part of that was because of the Bentley they'd have you know. It had caused a minute spat when Crowley likened it to Aziraphale having Wilde's complete works on his bookshelves. It ended abruptly though when they decided it was best to not dredge up any more sordid moments from their past. Best to let some things be lost to time... All in all, their mark upon history, and undoubtedly each other, was profound. From escaping the French revolution, to meeting on the moors fully clad in armor, they had spent some interest time together. Now, after doing so much for their respective sides, it was time for them. They were due for some quality time, where they weren't tempting or helping or sorting some out someone else's drama.

The sun shone weakly through the gathering clouds, and the rapidly cooling breeze caused them to huddle closer together. Crowley was enjoying Aziraphale's animated recount of the time they had turned all of Job's goats into crows. It was a tumultuous time for the angel and his wavering faith, so it was nice to see he remembered some parts of it fondly. The parts with Crowley that is.

Somehow, they had ended up walking hand in hand. Neither brought attention to it, but if asked they would both use the excuse of keeping each other warm from the cold. The first drops of rain fell as they rounded the corner, the street leading home stretched out before them. It wasn't enough for them to quicken their pace, and they weren't in any hurry to cut this moment short. They chatted as they strolled along, the sky above getting darker and damper as they walked. The demon glanced up at the sky, the misting rain beginning to fleck their glasses.

"Looks like rain, angel."

"Indeed. Nothing wrong with a little water, though."

Aziraphale smiled, looking at Crowley with rosy cheeks. They did however speed up a little just as it began to pour. While there was nothing wrong with a little water, they hadn't planned on getting soaked to the bone today. Especially not in this hat, Aziraphale would have you know.

Crowley squeezed the angel's hand as they pulled him along down the street, Aziraphale laughing merrily as they dodged a few fellow pedestrians. The sky had opened up and it was bucketing down. Big fat droplets drummed on the rooves and washed the streets clean. Little trickles in the gutter had turned into raging rivers, and the pair were getting very wet. It hadn't rained this heavily in a while. The last few days had been grey and drizzly, but this was unusual.

A beacon of shelter was up ahead, a patch of dry footpath beneath a dark blue awning. Crowley’s long legs made short work of the distance, and the angel was being practically dragged behind them. Laughing and trying to catch their breath, the pair beamed at each other. Clothes soaked and droplets of water sunning down their faces. Their shoes squelched and their heavy breath formed little clouds as they laughed.

They stood before each other, so close to home but not wanting the moment to end. Hands still clasped, chests rising and falling rapidly, faces pink from running and being painfully aware of where they both stood. Aziraphale looked up and smiled, his round face glowing with so much happiness it was infectious. Letting go of Crowley's hand, he reached out and gently removed the demon's glasses from their face. Golden eyes shone from behind them, fixed on the angel's sweet face. Aziraphale wiped them on the inside of his coat, but it was so wet it didn't do much to dry them. They had rested, but their hearts both beat rapidly still. The air was filled with a nervous silence, and the demon begged in his mind for Aziraphale to break it. He did, smiling fondly as he recalled a distant memory.

"I remember our first time, getting caught in the rain like this."

"That was a long time ago, angel. The first rain too, I believe."

"It was, and in Eden no less. I was quite nervous back then actually..."

Aziraphale looked down, fidgeting with the metal frames in his hands. His voice was quiet when he spoke next, soft and a little hesitant. It was almost hard to hear him over the thrum of rain.

"I, uh, I wasn't sure if you would remember me or not."

His smile faltered for a moment, and it stung Crowley with the thought of him being hurt. Stepping just a fraction closer, Crowley smiled. He too spoke in a lower tone, as if he was coaxing a small, frightened animal towards safety.

"How could I forget a face like yours, angel?"

He crooned, gently lifting Aziraphale's face to meet his gaze. A single finger under his soft chin, as the rain drowned out any other sound around them. Crowley’s hand was trembling ever so slightly, but not from the cold.

How on earth could they forget? It was their first time sheltering from rain together, and their first time talking out of heaven. Most importantly of all, it had been the demon’s first time falling for someone. The way Aziraphale had sheltered them, the enemy, without hesitation. It had reminded them both of when Crowley had done the same. He had been there, their angel, at the beginning of it all. Witnessing the creation of vast nebulas, glowing stars and the very place in which Earth would exist. Where they would spend time together, grow together. Standing before the vast expanse of the budding universe, mind a blaze with wonder and possibility, sheltering under a white wing. Aziraphale himself had been in awe, not at the colours or size of it all, but that he had never felt so strongly about another before. If he had been looking at the stars, it was only if they were reflected in the red-haired angel’s eyes. Something about their effervescent smile and pure excitement about it all was thrilling. He couldn’t look away…

Crowley swallowed hard, trying to rid the lump in his throat. They were never much good at this sort of thing. Aziraphale looked at them expectantly, wide blue eyes staring into their soul it seemed. His hair was wet, and the dampness had made it quite curly, more so than it usually was. Brow dappled with rain drops, his nose and cheeks were the most delightful shade of pink. Crowley wished he could stop and stare at his glorious face all day. They pushed back their fringe, water trickling down the side of their face.

"You, Aziraphale, are not someone I'd ever forget. I remembered you."

There was a tenseness that seemed to wash away as they said this, the angels face and shoulders relaxed, and he blushed. The toes of their shoes were touching, and Aziraphale was leaning in, a hand on Crowley's damp chest.

"I'm very glad you did, my dear. I don't know if I could bare it otherwise!"

Crowley grinned, leaning down to press his forehead against the angel's. This. This moment right here with the rain, each other and their many memories, was perfect. There was a clap of thunder and another burst of rain. The warmth of each other's breath curled around them, and then the angel and demon kissed.

Any sound of rain, any feeling of cold was melted away by the heat of each other's lips. Perhaps it was real, perhaps it was just a feeling, but the two of them began to glow. Ever so slightly, and ever so warmly. It was the same feeling Aziraphale had when they watched the red-haired angel excitedly smile and gasp at their new creations. And, it was the same feeling Crawley had felt when the Angel of the Eastern Gate, had admitted to giving away his flaming sword. It spread through their chests, along their arms and to the very tips of their fingers and toes. Even the strands of hair on their heads felt elated with the ecstasy of this light.

Crowley gently cupped his angel's face, wiping away any residual rain. He had wanted this, wanted Aziraphale for as long as he could remember, and he was going to savor it. Arms wrapped around the demon's waist, Aziraphale pulled him in close. The feel of Crowley's body pressed against his felt so right. Like nothing else in the world, the universe, was more wonderful than this. There was a hum of satisfaction from one of them, and neither wanted to pull away. The light emanating from them was not visible to the naked eye, but it came in steady waves, and seemed to push the clouds away. As they embraced beneath the awning, the rain began to cease. Sunlight was creeping back over the city, or rather the little portion that contained the book shop and Bentley. From within the window of a near by café, two faces were pressed against the glass, excited to see them together at last. With hands lost in hair or burrowed into coats, Crowley and Aziraphale silently agreed that they had perhaps cool off a little, and make their way home. With one last, lingering kiss, they Stepped out into the sunshine, hand in hand.

With the golden rays warming their backs, they strolled happily across the street. Giddy and full of love, the angel and demon walked home, and a bright ribbon of colour stretched across the sky.

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