#hugfest 2024

[prettybirdy979]

Hugfest Fic: Aziraphale & Crowley - Ice Ice Snake

For the Ace Omens Discord Server’s Hugfest 2024. This prompt is ‘Wet hug’. This can also be found on AO3 here

‘Don’t squirm!’

‘I don’t squirm!’

‘You do! You’re doing it right now!’ 

‘I am not!’

‘Stop moving!’

With a final, extreme, effort, Aziraphale manages to pull the wriggling, squirming bag fully onto the shore. He pulls at the rope tying off the top of it, getting it undone and pulling his hand back as fast as he can.

Crowley’s strike just misses his hand.

‘Now really,’ Aziraphale says, as Crowley gives him a sheepish look. Well, as much of a sheepish look as a snake’s face is able to give. ‘What was that for?’

‘I’m cold, I’m wet, I’m sore and you were moving,’ Crowley grumbles, slinking out of the bag. Aziraphale hides his grimace at the sight of the burns along his body - damn whatever priest blessed the bag before stuffing Crowley into it.

Aziraphale holds out a long coat, freshly miracled. Crowley gives the black fabric a longing look but shakes his head and coils up.

Ah. Of course.

Aziraphale puts a hand on his chest and after a long moment, Crowley nods. With gentle hands, Aziraphale picks Crowley up and slips him into the space between his body and his shirt.

Crowley is freezing, his scales like ice but Aziraphale doesn’t make a sound, even when the very wet Crowley wraps his coils around every inch of Aziraphale’s skin. He pokes his head out of Aziraphale’s shirt, just under Aziraphale’s head.

Dropping his chin, Aziraphale lets his head rest atop Crowley’s for a long moment. He brings one arm up for a moment, clutching at his chest in a way that puts pressure on Crowley - like a hug would, if they did such things.

This isn’t a hug though. Not at all.

It’s just… lending a hand when needed.

‘Did you finish your temptation before your dip?’ Aziraphale asks as he starts walking towards the nearest, non-snake murdering village.

‘Yes, thank Sssssomeone. I’m not going back there until after Kingdom come.’

Chuckling, Aziraphale keeps walking with his dear friend held close to his heart.

[ineffablemiscreant]

First Hug - Good Omens ficlet

Written for the Ace Omens Hugfest! Prompt: First hug. If you enjoy it, kudos and comments on AO3 would be much appreciated!

Crowley flung the cottage door open. “Angel, we’re back!” He strolled in and looked back over his shoulder. “Well, come in. You wanted to come see our place, so come in and see it.”

Muriel hovered on the doorstep for a moment longer, then followed him in. “Hello, ‘ello, ‘ello!” they called out through the house. They stopped in the middle of the room and looked around. “Oh, this is all just right. I see why he wanted to bring so many books with him. He had to fill all those shelves. I mean, what else are you supposed to do with bookshelves? I’ve been reading more of the books in the shop and I see why he likes them so much.”

“Angel?” Crowley called out again. “He might not be back from his book club yet. Come on out to the garden.” He motioned to the back door. “I want to show you something.”

Muriel awkwardly walked through the room, bumping into things in their fascination with looking everything over. Crowley’s favorite sunglasses-holding-statue had a narrow escape, but he miraculously caught it just before it toppled off its table.

“Ngk, uh, let’s just get outside, shall we?” He strode to the back door and opened it, urging Muriel out, then turned on his heel. “Hang on, forgot something from the kitchen. Back in a moment. Wait right there.” He pointed at the ground for emphasis, then dashed to the nearby kitchen, pulled something out of the freezer, then hurried back out.

“Follow me!” Crowley walked through the garden and out the back gate, Muriel close on his heels.

“Where are we going?”

“Just hold your horses. You’ll see soon enough.”

Muriel skidded to a stop. “My… horses? I’m afraid I don’t have any of those. Was I supposed to bring some?”

Crowley turned around, walking backward, and threw back his head in laughter. “Not at all. It’s a charming little human saying. Means… well, it means just hold on a minute and you’ll see. Come along.” He turned back around. “We’re almost there.”

They crested the hill and he motioned below. “Behold. The ducks.” Indeed, there was a small pond with a variety of ducks, as well as a bench under the perfect shade tree.

“Thought you’d like to come feed them, seeing as you were so interested in hearing us talk about the duck pond back in town.” Crowley held out a bag of frozen peas, then went rigid as he found himself tackled, Muriel’s arms tightly wrapped around him.

“Thank you. I always wanted to go see ducks. Never really had the chance before, you know. They didn’t let me have any up there.” Their arms constricted around the frozen Crowley.

Finally he pulled an arm free and patted them on the head awkwardly. He had grown fond of hugging Aziraphale, but what were you supposed to do with other beings?

“So. Ehh…” He finally pulled himself free. “Right then.”

Muriel straightened up, snapping back into Inspector Constable pose. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I do it right? I’ve never hugged someone before.”

Crowley ruffled his hair with his hand and his face softened into a smile. “Ahh, no, it was fine. I’m just not used to it all yet, you know.” He gave their shoulder a gentle punch. “Good job on your first hug.”

They stayed out by the pond feeding the ducks until Aziraphale found them half an hour later, and they all enjoyed a peaceful evening together, reading, eating, and talking about human customs such as hugs.

[ineffable-kelpie]

My first ficlet for the Ace Omens discord server's second "20 Days of Hugs" challenge! The goal is to write 20 ficlets during the month of January, based on randomly chosen prompts.

Office Mates

Rating: G

Wordcount: 971

Prompt: Hugging the other from behind

-

Quick, light footsteps approached Furfur’s office. Furfur rubbed his eyes and made himself look busy. He knew those footsteps. Hopefully Shax would pick someone else to bother this time. Surely she'd learned from last time that Furfur wouldn’t do her any special favors, even if she still imagined he owed her for the lead on Crowley’s collusion with that angel.

There was a time when Furfur would have been glad to see Shax, but ever since she got promoted to ambassador plenipotentiary, she no longer had time to acknowledge lower-ranked demons she used to know. And Furfur didn't need the reminder of how long he'd been stuck in Requisitions while she climbed the ladder.

The footsteps did not continue past the door like he’d hoped, but stepped inside and stopped. “Oh,” said Shax’s voice.

“What do you want this time?” Furfur sighed. “Another ten thousand demons? I still haven’t got…”

He looked up and trailed off. Shax was standing in the doorway, holding a cardboard box and looking like she’d been caught in a trap.

Furfur frowned and set aside the forms he’d been pretending to fill out. “What’s all that?”

Shax looked down at the box like she hated it. “I’ve been reassigned,” she said in clipped tones. “Just. Looking for my new desk. I obviously got lost, excuse me.” She turned to leave.

“Hang on,” Furfur called after her. She stopped. “They did tell me I was getting a new office mate. Didn’t know it’d be you, though. I take it the bookshop siege went badly?”

Shax turned back around, staring at her box and pursing her lips the way she did when she was too upset to form words.

Furfur winced. Pity he hadn’t been able to get her a few more demons. He hadn’t thought it would go badly enough to bump her all the way down to requisitions. He got to his feet and motioned for her to hand him the box. “Here, let me take that.”

She handed it over. There wasn’t much inside, just some office supplies, a cell phone, and something green and spiky in a white bowl. “Is that a plant?” he asked.

“I stole it from Crowley,” said Shax. “The prize of his collection.”

Furfur doubted that. It was very small, no larger than a child’s head, and significantly less appropriate for a demon to decorate their office with. “Right. Well, it’s not gonna get much light down here,” he said, glancing at the flickering fluorescent light overhead.

“I intend to starve it slowly of nutrients.”

“Oh, great.” Furfur set the box in the corner. “We’ll have to share the desk, unfortunately, but I’ll put in a request for a new chair for you. Give me a moment.” He turned back to his desk.

As soon as his back was turned, both of Shax’s arms wrapped around him.

Furfur stiffened and squeezed his eyes shut, expecting Shax’s teeth to sink into his neck, or her claws to shred his throat. Neither of those happened. She wasn’t even squeezing him hard enough to suffocate him, just enough to hold him in place. He waited, but she made no move to attack him. If Furfur didn’t know better, he’d say Shax was hugging him.

Which she wasn’t, of course, because demons didn’t hug. Although, she had spent the last several months on Earth, so who knew what odd habits she’d picked up. “Er,” Furfur asked cautiously. “What’s this?”

“I’m demonstrating how easily I could attack you, if I wished. Since you were foolish enough to turn your back on me.” Shax paused. “But. I do need that chair. So I currently have no reason to actually harm you.”

“Okay.” Furfur relaxed, now that he knew he wasn’t in danger. The experience wasn’t unpleasant, actually. Huh.

“I am also,” Shax added, “holding you in place, so that you can’t run away. You have to listen to what I say.”

“Okay?” Furfur had no idea where she was going with this. It occurred to him that Shax didn’t actually need him to request her a chair, since if she discorporated him, she could just take his. He decided not to point that out.

Shax drew a deep breath. “I am. Sorry. That I mocked you for letting Aziraphale and Crowley slip past you. They are…more formidable than I expected.”

Furfur tried to turn and look at her, but unlike some demons, he did not have the gift of turning his head 180 degrees. “Is that all? I’ve already forgotten,” he lied. “Besides, they’ve stuck both of us down here, so I think we can call it even.”

“Quite.” Shax released him and stepped back hurriedly. When Furfur turned around, she was stiffly holding out a fist.

Furfur bumped his fist against hers. “Bad day?”

“The worst,” Shax said emphatically.

Furfur shrugged sympathetically. “Could’ve been worse, though, couldn’t it? If you went up against an angel, you’re lucky all you lost was your job. Could’ve been permanently discorporated.” He was glad that hadn’t happened. This new, humbled Shax was much better company. She was like the Shax he’d used to talk to at the water cooler, who had offered to help him and asked for only an unspecified future favor, which was basically nothing in Hell, in return.

“I suppose my punishment could have been worse, as well,” said Shax, looking around the office. “We’ll be working together again. Like old times.”

“Yeah,” said Furfur, grinning. “Except, this time, we’ve got our own office.”

Shax smiled, showing far too many needle-sharp teeth. “With our combined intelligence, the Requisitions department will soon be ours.” “Okay, one thing at a time, yeah?” said Furfur sitting down at his desk. “I’ll see if I can get you that chair, and then we can go from there.”

[edosianorchids901]

Holding On Forever

Ace Omens Hugfest 2024 prompt - "a sleepy hug"

“Oh my gracious, that was such a long day!” Aziraphale slumped back in the Bentley’s passenger seat, utterly drained. Oh, he could practically doze off right here. “I don’t think I ever want to talk to another person ever again.”

Crowley snorted. “Not counting me, I hope?”

“You’re not a person,” Aziraphale said through a yawn.

Another snort. “Wow. Thanks. Terrific friend, you are.”

“Oh, you know what I mean!” It was getting rather hard to think, everything muddled. And oh, how Aziraphale’s back ached. “You’re a… a… not human. That’s all I mean. Humans are people.”

“Yes. They are. You’re as groggy as I am, aren’t you?” Crowley wrenched on the steering wheel, and the Bentley hurtled down the drive. “I told you that you were overdoing it today. We shouldn’t have done the whole dinner thingy.”

Aziraphale sighed. Crowley had told him, but there were simply so many interesting antiques at the auction, and then lots of rare book collectors to scope out over the “dinner thingy”. But he’d run out of energy quite badly partway through, and pushed himself entirely too hard. And likely pushed Crowley too hard, too. “Are you all right, my dear? Okay to drive?”

“Hn, yeah. Can drive fine. Besides, my car will stop me if I’m about to drive off the road.” Yawning, Crowley patted the steering wheel.

“You didn’t answer whether you were all right.”

“Ngh.”

“I answered you earlier.”

“Yeah, and you claimed you were, and then totally ignored me when I said we should head home.” With a soft hiss, Crowley flicked his hand. Their gate swung open, and the Bentley rocketed through, headlamps illuminating the garden. “So no, I’m not very all right. My legs are bloody killing me, and I’ll be lucky if I can move tomorrow.”

Even as sleepy as he was, guilt tugged at Aziraphale’s tummy. He reached over and over rubbed Crowley’s arm. “I’m sorry. I thought you were more worried about me, rather than wanting to go home because you were in pain.”

“I was. Worried about you, I mean.” Crowley didn’t quite smile—his expression had been fixed in his default glower all day—but he softened a bit. “And s’ okay. I’m not pissed off or anything, just grumpy.”

Aziraphale had to smile at that. Yes, when it came to Crowley, there was a significant distinction between real anger and his usual irritability. And it was no wonder he was so irritable, when he was in so much pain. Aziraphale had found himself getting increasingly snippy with humans as the day wore on and he began to ache more.

“I think a hot bath may be in our future tomorrow,” Aziraphale said as the Bentley screeched to a halt right in front of the cottage. “We can have a nice long soak.”

“Sounds terrific, especially if we mix it with wine.” Groaning, Crowley shoved the door open, then grabbed his cane and struggled out of the car.

Aziraphale struggled on his way out too, rather more than usual. Ordinarily, his back just ached, a mild deterrent to doing too many things in one day. As he found himself with rather limited energy, it was rarely too much of a problem. Today, it was certainly a problem. “Ooh dear…”

“Gosh, you really screwed up, didn’t you?” Crowley asked. He limped around the Bentley and took Aziraphale’s arm, helping him straighten up. “Want tea or cocoa, or do you need to go straight to bed?”

“I want to sleep.” Aziraphale didn’t even want to spend time getting to bed. He was far too groggy, his remaining dregs of energy failing fast.

And Crowley was so close. Aziraphale stepped even closer, wrapped his arms around the narrow waist, and buried his face in Crowley’s shoulder.

“Er,” Crowley said, awkwardly catching hold of Aziraphale. He wobbled a little, then steadied as he shifted his weight to lean more solidly on his cane. “Why are we hugging?”

“Because I’m sleepy,” Aziraphale mumbled into Crowley’s chest. “And you’re nice.”

“M’ really not.”

“Comfy.”

“Uh, okay. I guess. M’ not exactly the ideal pillow you are, though.” Crowley rubbed his back, light circles that felt nice even if they couldn’t relieve the throbbing pain all along Aziraphale’s spine. “Should probably have a drink of some sort to relax before bed. S’ part of the routine, and I bet neither one of us will be able to sleep if we don’t. D’ya wanna head in?”

Aziraphale kept his arms locked around Crowley. He could happily hold onto Crowley forever. “I don’t want to move.”

“Well, me neither, but I really don’t think sleeping standing up is gonna do wonders for my legs or your back.” Crowley pressed a slow, tender kiss to his neck, then nuzzled into his hair. “C’mon, angel. I know you’re outta energy, but you’ll feel better if we go have some cocoa.”

“Oh, all right.” Yawning, Aziraphale let go, and then immediately captured Crowley’s free hand. “I know I ordinarily insist on making cocoa properly, but in this instance…”

He yawned again, unable to finish his sentence. Crowley squeezed his hand and coaxed him into motion. “Miracled it is. I’ll make you a proper cup tomorrow, provided I can stand.”

“Thank you, dear boy.” Aziraphale managed a sleepy smile. “You really are quite good to me, you know.”

Crowley’s scowl softened again, this time into a full smile. “I know.”

[ineffableghost]

After the Ritz, Crowley fell asleep on the bookshop sofa.

[bodybybane]

Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul to be slugfest or hugfest? Experts weigh in https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2024/05/15/mike-tyson-vs-jake-paul-to-be-slugfest-or-hugfest-experts-weigh-in/73696589007/

[uziraphale]

You're right @nyx-w . You're a smart kid. I wanted to tease @bil-daddy a little, because I love him so much. And he was teasing back.

We are all fluffy.

[*group hug*]

Yes, I was a bit ... jealous.

@bil-daddy

[prettybirdy979]

Hugfest Fic: Aziraphale & Crowley - The Pointy End Goes The Other Way

For the Ace Omens Discord Server’s Hugfest 2024. Today’s prompt was ‘Accidental hug’. This can also be found on AO3 here

‘You know angel, most people put the pointy end in the other person. Not themselves.’

Aziraphale can’t help beaming when he looks up at the voice. ‘Crowley!’ he calls, gesturing to the bed beside him. ‘Crowley!’

The demon rolls his eyes behind his glasses and takes the offered seat. ‘You’re on the good stuff then?’

‘They wouldn’t let me skip it,’ Aziraphale complains. ‘Poured a whole bottle of some foul liquor down my throat. And now I can’t sober up because then it’ll hurt and they’ll give it to me again.’

Crowley huffs a laugh before snapping his fingers. The tent freezes around them.

Or the people of the tent? Tent people? People.

‘You’re on the really good alcohol,’ Crowley says, raising an eyebrow. ‘Come on then, I’m here to spring you from the glorious care of whatever poncy git you stabbed yourself to avoid stabbing.’

‘I did mean to stab him,’ Aziraphale says earnestly, as Crowley helps him up from the bed. ‘But he was only duelling because-’

Crowley cuts him off. ‘You stabbed yourself because you felt sorry for him?’

Aziraphale thinks this through for a moment. ‘No,’ he says finally. ‘I stabbed myself because I missed.’ 

He hopes he doesn’t sound as pleased as he feels about that.

Crowley shifts his grip on Aziraphale’s side. ‘You missed?’ 

‘I missed!’ 

Okay, that might have been too gleeful.

For a moment Crowley is silent. Then he begins to laugh. ‘You missed,’ he repeats. ‘You!’

‘Missed!’ Aziraphale agrees. ‘I’m not much of a swordsman anymore,’ he adds.

Crowley’s grip tightens for a moment, before he takes in a deep breath. ‘No, you’re not.’ He sighs and tries to adjust his grip at the same time Aziraphale tries to take a step forward.

‘Oop!’ Aziraphale says as Crowley loses his grip on him and he starts to fall sideways. This was not the right way to move.

‘Fuck,’ Crowley curses and then something - someone! - catches Aziraphale in a hug, stopping him from hitting the ground.

He looks up at Crowley and grins. ‘A hug!’ he says and leans into it. ‘Nice hug.’

‘Accidental hug,’ Crowley grumbles as he hauls Aziraphale back into an upright position. ‘Come on, let’s get you somewhere I can sober you up and we’ll get you healed.’

‘And drunk again,’ Aziraphale says. ‘It’s much more fun with you.’

Crowley goes a lovely shade of red at that and moves, so he’s not hugging Aziraphale anymore. Pity, Aziraphale was rather enjoying that. 

More hugs, he thinks as Crowley leads him away. Next time they’re drunk, more hugs. 

(it is surprising how many accidents an angel and a demon have over the years that end up with one of them holding the other. Very surprising indeed)

[prettybirdy979]

Hugfest Fic: Aziraphale/Crowley - I Caught An Angel! (Better Hug Him)

For the Ace Omens Discord Server’s Hugfest 2024. Today’s prompt is ‘Sleepy hug’. This can also be found on AO3 here

‘Oh, it’s getting late.’

Crowley barely glances at his watch before he’s looking back at the television and trying not to swear. The scorpion in front of his character waves its tail threateningly and he freezes. 

‘Are you going to sleep tonight?’ Aziraphale asks, his tone a little more pointed than it had been a moment before.

Yes!

Putting down his controller, now the little bastard is captured, Crowley looks over at Aziraphale. ‘Think so,’ he says lightly. ‘I just wanted to finish a couple of things in this first before I do.’

Aziraphale gives the screen a sideways look. ‘Ah.’

Crowley picks his controller up again. ‘You can go upstairs and read,’ he says with a laugh. ‘I’ll join you in bed in a second.’

That gets Aziraphale to smile, leaning in to kiss Crowley’s cheek. ‘I’ll see you up there,’ he whispers and goes.

Ignoring the heat in his cheeks, Crowley goes to see if there’s another bastard of a bug hiding on his island before he turns in.

*

‘And done,’ Crowley whispers as he finishes reorganising his room. He glances at the corner of the screen and freezes.

‘Shit!’ he curses. Aziraphale went upstairs four hours ago. 

Scrambling, Crowley saves his game, waving a hand to turn the television off as soon as it dings to say it’s done. He stumbles up the stairs, limbs suddenly far more drained than they usually are when he makes his way up here.

The light is off in their bedroom.

The light is off in their bedroom.

Crowley snaps himself into his sleep clothes and creeps through the ajar door. In the middle of the bed, lt by the moonlight from their window, Aziraphale is lying down.

Correction, Aziraphale is sleeping.

Slowly, Crowley crawls up his side of the bed, trying to fit around the angel so as not to disturb him.

It doesn’t work.

‘Crowley?’ Aziraphale mutters, his eyes flickering open. He shifts over a bit, so Crowley is actually on the bed instead of hanging off the side of it. ‘You’re here?’

‘I’m here,’ Crowley whispers, slipping his arm under Aziraphale’s body and plastering himself along Aziraphale’s side. The angel slips his own arm around Crowley, pulling him in closer.

‘Too cold without you,’ Aziraphale says sleepily, tucking his head into Crowley’s chest.

Crowley kisses the top of Aziraphale’s head. ‘Well I’m here now,’ he says, ‘and I’ll keep you warm.’

‘Didn’t mean to sleep,’ Aziraphale says, already halfway back to sleep. ‘Got bored alone.’

‘I’m sorry.’

Aziraphale’s free hand pats at Crowley in a gesture that might’ve been a playful smack if Aziraphale was awake enough to manage any sort of force. ‘No apologies for mistakes. Rule.’

Crowley kisses the top of Aziraphale’s head again, an unspoken apology. ‘True my angel,’ he whispers. ‘Now sleep.’

A content hum comes from Aziraphale and Crowley drifts off to sleep himself, holding his heart close to him.

[prettybirdy979]

Hugfest Fic: Aziraphale/Crowley - How To Thwart Your Angel (You Don't)

For the Ace Omens Discord Server’s Hugfest 2024. This prompt is ‘Clinging hug’. This can also be found on AO3 here

‘Oh dear,’ Aziraphale says as he turns the last page of his book. He stares at the blank end page, flicking back between it and the page before as if that will add more pages to his book. It doesn’t, but it also doesn’t hurt to try.

Not when the other solutions to his problem require much more dire action.

Beside him, Crowley gives out a huff. Aziraphale eyes him for a moment but no, he’s still asleep.

‘Oh dear,’ Aziraphale repeats, because he has just finished the last page of the last book he can reach.

There’s no helping it.

‘I have to get up,’ he tells the sleeping Crowley. ‘I’m sorry my dear, but I really must.’

Aziraphale shifts his weight, ready to rise.

Crowley strikes.

He rolls over in an instant, arms gripping at Aziraphale’s waist as tight as his coils can squeeze. It takes a moment for his mind to catch up, Crowley only blinking awake well after he has Aziraphale firmly in his grasp.

‘Angel?’ Crowley slurs. ‘Wats wrong?’

‘I need to get up,’ Aziraphale says softly. ‘Go back to sleep, I’ll only be a moment.’

Crowley just makes a consonant free noise of protest. ‘Staaaaay,’ he finally manages. ‘Sleep time.’

Aziraphale pointedly does not look at the window, bright with the afternoon sun.

‘Sleeeep,’ Crowley repeats.

‘I need a book.’

‘Nooooo.’

Well then. Looking down at the clinging demon, Aziraphale makes a decision. He lies down, so Crowley moves his grip to be clinging to Aziraphale’s chest instead of his waist. When Crowley grins and starts to doze off, happily clinging to Aziraphale like a child to a teddy bear, Aziraphale counts to three.

Then he gathers Crowley up into a hug and gets out of the bed in one quick movement. 

Crowley snaps to awareness in a moment, his grip around Aziraphale tightening as Aziraphale wanders towards their library.

‘What the fuck angel?’

‘You didn’t seem interested in letting me get a book alone,’ Aziraphale explains, shifting Crowley so he has one hand free to grab the nearest pile of books he wants to read. ‘So I’m making it a team activity.’

Crowley hisses in his ear as Aziraphale heads back to the bedroom. ‘This is not dignified.’

‘My dear, when have we ever had any dignity?’ 

Aziraphale gently places the pile of books on his bedside table, before dropping into the bed, Crowley still clinging to his chest.

‘Not letting you go,’ Crowley grumbles as he settles back into bed, his head now on Aziraphale’s chest. ‘You’re my pillow.’

Picking up a book to rest beside his demon’s head, Aziraphale smiles. ‘A role I am only too pleased to fill. Sleep well and dream of what you like best.’

Crowley huffs. ‘Vain angel,’ he mutters. ‘You know who that is.’

Aziraphale kisses the top of his head. ‘It’s always nice to be reminded.’

[prettybirdy979]

Hugfest Fic: Aziraphale/Crowley - You Spin Me Right Round

For the Ace Omens Discord Server’s Hugfest 2024. This final prompt is ‘A twirling-you-around hug’. This can also be found on AO3 here

‘So I just… run?’

Crowley tries very hard not to roll his eyes. ‘Yes, you just run.’

Aziraphale shifts in place. ‘Only, I’m not very good at running. I tried it once back in Greece and I didn’t even make it out of a heat.’

Once again, Crowley resists the eye rolling urge. Of course Aziraphale is over thinking this. 

‘You don’t need to go fast,’ he says, ‘or far. It’s just a few steps of running - or a light jog!’ he cuts in before Aziraphale finishes opening his mouth. ‘You take them towards me, I catch you and we go around. Like in the movies.’

Aziraphale makes a pleased noise at that. ‘It does look like fun.’

‘There you go. Come on then!’

Taking a deep breath, Aziraphale takes a step back. 

And then sprints at Crowley, like a bull at a red coat.

Fuck.

Crowley barely manages to catch Aziraphale as he leaps at him, momentum forcing them into a much faster spin than Crowley had planned. 

Well. Less a spin and more an uncontrolled yeet in one direction that Crowley only just manages to make more spin than fall. But they’re going around, stumbling in something that might be a circle if you looked at it sideways. And upside down.

Clutching at Aziraphale, Crowley clings for dear life.

Eventually, they lose momentum and Aziraphale slows to a stop. Crowley, who hasn’t had his feet on the ground since just after he managed to get them going in a circular motion, slowly drops his legs down from where they’d been wrapped around Aziraphale’s. 

‘Crowley!’ Aziraphale cries, pushing back a little in their hug so Crowley can see the wide grin on his face. ‘That was a delight! Can we do it again?’

Fighting through the way his head is still spinning, Crowley nods. ‘I’ll jump at you this time,’ he says, out of sheer self preservation. ‘You can catch me.’

Aziraphale literally lights up at that. ‘Oh Crowley. You know I always will.’

Still dizzy, Crowley drops his head to Aziraphale’s shoulder. ‘Course I do angel. Course I do.’

[prettybirdy979]

Hugfest Fic: Aziraphale/Crowley - Blue Sky's Faded To Gray

For the Ace Omens Discord Server’s Hugfest 2024. This prompt is ‘Silent hug’. This can also be found on AO3 here

Ding!

Crowley glances up from his phone at the sound of the bell, barely giving Aziraphale more than a moment’s look before his eyes are back to his game.

He pauses.

He looks up again.

Aziraphale is standing in the doorway, soaking umbrella in hand and furious look on his face. As Crowley watches, the angel takes his coat off and shakes his head, drops of water flying everywhere. The bag in the angel’s other hand is dry, but it is about the only thing that is - even Aziraphale’s waistcoat looks damp from here.

Crowley takes one moment to glance out the window, confirm that it is pouring worse than it had during the Flood, before he’s back and watching his angel. None of Crowley’s apps had said it was going to rain today or he would have driven Aziraphale around for his errands.

With a groan, Aziraphale miracles the worst of the water away and storms over to his desk. He drops the bag on it with a loud ‘thump’ that confirms Crowley’s theory.

Aziraphale is not in a good mood.

Crowley doesn’t speak. He knows it’s not what Aziraphale needs right now. Instead he watches as Aziraphale settles in, pulling out one of the books he’d gone out to get.

Then Crowley springs into action. 

He slips his phone into his pocket as he dashes into the kitchen. A pot sits on the stove already, waiting for the milk. Beside the stove a cup awaits the cocoa - the bookshop doing what it can for the one who loves it most.

Crowley brings in the cocoa when it’s ready, putting it down beside Aziraphale without a word. 

Then he takes a deep breath and shifts.

He winds up Aziraphale’s shoulders, a medium sized snake that Aziraphale only has to adjust a little to support. Carefully, he wraps his coils around Aziraphale’s shoulders and chest, constricting just enough to be a comfort to his angel.

Moments later, Aziraphale runs a soft hand over his scales before putting both hands on Crowley and leaning his head in as he gently squeezes.

A hug, full of the words neither of them can manage to speak.

Crowley settles in for a nap as Aziraphale releases him, content to be a comfort to his angel for as long as he is needed.

[prettybirdy979]

Hugfest Fic: Aziraphale/Crowley - Don't Give A Flying Snake

For the Ace Omens Discord Server’s Hugfest 2024. Today’s prompt was ‘A “jumping into the other’s arms” hug’. This can also be found on AO3 here

Aziraphale has just about reached the end of their laneway when he hears the thundering of footsteps coming from around the corner. He pauses, listening for anything that should alarm him. Crowley’s trees give them much needed privacy but also reduce his ability to see what is comin-

Crowley bounds around the corner in a full sprint. He brightens when he sees Aziraphale standing there.

‘Heads up angel!’ he calls, throwing himself into the air with a jump that must be miraculously assisted. A moment later he shifts, becoming a medium sized snake that Aziraphale only just manages to catch.

Crowley wraps himself around Aziraphale’s hands as Aziraphale pulls him towards his chest in as much of a hug as he can manage when his husband is a wriggling, previously flying snake.

Two men thunder around the corner; the two brothers from the local village who Crowley has taken to tormenting after witnessing their treatment of one of their employees. They falter at the sight of Aziraphale, standing seemingly alone in the middle of the laneway.

He raises an eyebrow at them. ‘Can I help you?’ 

‘Where’s your…’ Harry, the elder brother fumbles as he seems to realise what the best description of Crowley to Aziraphale is and stumbles over it. ‘Where’s Crowley?’ he asks finally. 

‘I do believe he is somewhere in the area,’ Aziraphale says truthfully. ‘Did you need something?’

‘Just need to have a chat,’ Tommy, the younger brother says. ‘We’s got some messages we need to pass on.’

‘Well, you will have to pass them on when you next see him,’ Aziraphale says mildly and lifts Crowley up so he’s visible to the humans.

They freeze. 

‘Is that a snake?’ Harry asks, staring at Crowley with wide eyes.

‘Crawley,’ Aziraphale says smoothly, ignoring Crowley’s outraged hiss. And bite. ‘Stop that,’ he says instead. ‘It’s unbecoming.’

‘Is that legal to have out here?’ Tommy asks, as if he’s never broken a law in his life.

Aziraphale gives them both a bright smile. ‘I don’t see why I can’t walk my snake.’ He places a soft kiss to the top of Crowley’s head. ‘Now gentlemen, if there’s nothing else? I should like to finish my walk.’

They nod and Aziraphale turns around, placing Crowley’s head over his shoulder so the demon can hiss at them as they walk away.

‘Enjoying yourself?’

Immensely, Crowley hisses. They’re going to spend the next week wondering how I got away.

‘What did you even do to them?’

Crowley just hisses a laugh and moves his head so his tongue is tickling at Aziraphale’s ear. 

Shaking his head, Aziraphale lets his husband be. He’ll get it out of Crowley later - or wait for the village gossip to let him know.

‘I love you,’ he says instead.

A flicker of Crowley’s tongue in his ear. And I, you.

[prettybirdy979]

Hugfest Fic: Aziraphale/Crowley - I'm Not As Hugged As You Drunk I Am

For the Ace Omens Discord Server’s Hugfest 2024. Today’s prompt is ‘A drunk hug when one has to hold onto the other for balance’. This can also be found on AO3 here

‘That way.’

‘No, isss haz way.’

Aziraphale gives Crowley a look and starts to go the wrong way. Crowley, as the sensible and ki- go- best demon he is, grabs onto Aziraphale’s arm. He puts his weight into it, trying to steer Aziraphale the right way.

He puts too much of his weight onto it. Aziraphale leans sideways and Crowley…

How’d he end up on the ground? He’d been holding Aziraphale.

Aziraphale stops and stares down at him. ‘Why’re you there?’ he slurs, tilting his head. ‘That’s not the way back to to… to home.’

Crowley makes a face. ‘You put me here,’ he grumbles, staring at his feet. They’re not entirely sure they’re where they’re supposed to be. Or what they’re supposed to be.

Feet. Who needs ‘em?

Aziraphale sighs and stumbles the few steps to Crowley. ‘Up you come,’ he says, pulling Crowley to his possible feet. ‘We’re going this way.’

‘Shop’s that way,’ Crowley says as he points. He’s not sure he’s pointing in the right direction but he is at least pointing. Heh, pointing. 

‘Pointing,’ he says.

‘Pointing,’ Aziraphale confirms and goes the other way. He has one of Crowley’s arm over his shoulders while his own clutches at Crowley’s waist in a sideways hug.

A hug.

Aziraphale hugs are the best.

‘Nooo,’ Aziraphale protests. ‘Crowley hugs are.’ He pats at Crowley’s over shoulder arm with his free hand. ‘Like this.’

Crowley smiles and lets Aziraphale help him stumble forward. ‘We need to drink outside more often.’

‘Can now,’ Aziraphale says. ‘All the times we want to.’ 

They turn down a street and there is the Bentley, sitting patiently outside the bookshop like she always does. 

‘We did it!’ Crowley declares, leaning forward. Aziraphale wrestles him back just before he goes too far forward and gets to kiss the pavement. ‘Knew thisss was the way.’

‘No you didn’t!’ Aziraphale snaps as they stumble up the stairs together. ‘I was the right one.’

‘Knew it,’ Crowley repeats as his legs decide legging is too much work for them. 

Aziraphale hisses a swear as Crowley takes his leg break. ‘Crowley!’ 

‘Oops!’

With a sigh, Aziraphale drops him on the bookshop doorstep as he fishes out his keys. Then he drops the keys on the doorstep and Crowley. 

Eventually the doors get sick of their attempts to locate the keys in Crowley’s hair and open to let them both in. With Aziraphale’s stumbling help, Crowley makes it to the couch.

Aziraphale then collapses on top of him. ‘Sleep now,’ he mutters, waving a hand to let the shop know to lock up.

Crowley grins and wriggles until he’s comfortable under his angel. ‘Best sleep.’ He pauses for a moment and thinks. ‘Best angel.’

Patting at Crowley’s head, his eyes already closed, Aziraphale smiles. ‘Best demon.’

[prettybirdy979]

Hugfest Fic: Aziraphale/Crowley - Snug As A Snake In A Hug

For the Ace Omens Discord Server’s Hugfest 2024. Today’s prompt was ‘Really long hug'. This can also be found on AO3 here

‘Fish,’ Crowley explains. ‘Fish.’

Aziraphale nods in understanding. ‘Fish,’ he agrees.

Crowley blinks and by the time his eyes opens, Aziraphale has taken his glass of wine off of him. Fast moving there angel.

‘Not fish,’ Aziraphale says as he puts both glasses down sideways on the table in front of their chair. Couch. Lounge. Spot they’re sitting.

‘For fish though,’ Crowley says looking at the wine. ‘Can be fish in it.’

That gets a long moment of silence. Crowley yawns partway through it, leaning over a little so his head is on Aziraphale’s shoulder. 

‘Fish in wine?’ Aziraphale finally asks, raising an arm so it’s behind Crowley, his hand now resting on Crowley’s waist. ‘Can fish breathe wine?’

‘Sssuppose so. Got oxy- air in it.’

Crowley rubs his face on Aziraphale’s chest as he settles in, his eyes closing. Above him Aziraphale is squawking about something but that can wait, Crowley just has to nap-

*

Crowley doesn’t so much blink himself awake as he realises his eyes are open and whatever is holding him is moving underneath him. He can’t help the cry he makes, wrapping more of himself around the thing he’s on as he tries to get his brain to focus-

‘Now really. Crowley!’ Aziraphale snaps and Crowley loosens his grip instantly. A hand comes up to hold him in place.

‘Aziraphale?’ Crowley looks around and yes, the thing he was - is? - holding onto is Aziraphale…

Wait. 

Fuck.

‘Why am I a snake?’ he snaps, tightening his coils a little. And not just a snake, a large snake - his coils cover the entirety of Aziraphale’s torso and upper legs, with enough of him left over to drape over Aziraphale’s head like a particularly scaly hat.

And his tail is wrapped around one of Aziraphale’s arms which is resting on his coils. It is being patted by the hand there like he’s a cat instead of a fuck off big python.

‘Not sure,’ Aziraphale admits, putting his book down and tilting his head up. Crowley drops his, so they’re looking another in the eyes - even if he has to go upside down to do so. ‘You started off human but after a few days shifted.’

Few days.

‘Angel, how long have I been… have I been trapping you?’

Aziraphale sniffs, outrage in his expression. ‘You’ve been hugging me for two weeks now.’

‘This is not a hug angel,’ Crowley says, tightening his coils for a moment to prove his point.

Aziraphale just gives him a smile. ‘It’s a very long one,’ he says and pecks Crowley on the nose. 

Crowley can’t help the tongue flicker at the sensation. ‘You don’t mind?’ he asks.

Aziraphale runs his hand down Crowley’s tail. ‘I think the last two weeks have been some of the better ones I've ever experienced.’ He picks up his book. ‘Unless you’re done hugging me, I shall get back to my book…?’

Lifting his head back up, Crowley settles back in as Aziraphale’s hat. ‘Could never be done hugging you,’ he says.

‘I love you too,’ Aziraphale replies and Crowley gets to be glad snakes can’t blush.

[prettybirdy979]

Hugfest Fic: Aziraphale/Crowley - Spare A Plant, Hug A Snake

For the Ace Omens Discord Server’s Hugfest 2024. Today’s prompt is ‘Smiling into a hug’. This can also be found on AO3 here

‘You are all undergrown pieces of ungrateful shit! You deserve to die a thousand fiery deaths! You are a BLIGHT upon this earth!’

‘Crowley!’

The demon looks unrepentant when he turns around to face Aziraphale, like he hasn’t been standing in the middle of their garden screaming at his plants. At three o’clock on a school day.

‘What?’ he asks, glaring though Aziraphale is sure that Crowley’s anger is aimed at his plants, not him. ‘They deserve it!’ 

‘No, they don’t!’ Aziraphale marches across the lawn. He stops in front of Crowley, arms crossed.

Crowley just gestures at his plants. ‘Look at them angel. They’re all tiny!’

He isn’t wrong. None of his plants are as large or vibrant as the ones inside their cottage though those ones have had the advantage of being in the ground longer than a few weeks.

‘Of course they are,’ Aziraphale says. ‘You only just planted them.’

‘Shouldn’t matter!’ Crowley growls and turns, starting to march towards the closest, shaking plant.

‘Oh no you don’t,’ Aziraphale says as he moves forward and grabs Crowley around the waist in a hug from behind. One that also happens to restraint the demon and keep him from his plants. ‘Leave them in peace.’

Crowley just starts to curse them out, though he moves into languages not likely to be spoken in rural England. Mostly owing to how they’re all dead languages, but Aziraphale has learnt to never underestimate humanity.

He can’t help the smile on his face at Crowley’s creative cursing, burying it in his demon’s back as he walks them backwards into the cottage. While Crowley does wriggle, he doesn’t make much of an attempt to escape.

‘There,’ Aziraphale says as he falls onto their lounge, Crowley still captured in his arms. ‘Now everyone can be comfortable.’

Crowley wriggles around on Aziraphale’s lap. ‘I’m going to yell at them later,’ he warns. ‘There’s going to be no slacking while I’m around.’

‘I’ll just have to thwart you then,’ Aziraphale says, tightening his grip. Crowley relaxes back into him and Aziraphale pecks his cheek. ‘A terrible job but I think I’m up for it.’

‘Course you are angel,’ Crowley says and they spend the rest of the afternoon like that.