Chapter Text
The angel awoke resting atop a sleeping demon. Their fingers on one hand were intertwined and one of Crowley's long arms was draped protectively across Aziraphale's back as he still was snoozing on the couch. It wasn’t the most ideal place for them to rest, but they had little motivation to move once they settled there.
Aziraphale sighed happily, enjoying this moment of complete warmth and bliss. The many long years of isolation and discomfort was finally being melted away by the rhythmic feeling of the rise and fall of Crowley's chest beneath his. He couldn’t remember a time that he had been this content; so he nuzzled closer, his fluffy curls tickling the demon's throat.
Crowley shifted below, eyelids fluttering open to the sight of Aziraphale cuddling into his chest, "G'mornin angel." he muttered drowsily.
Aziraphale just hummed delightedly drinking in Crowley's warmth and holding him tighter.
"You just wake up?" Crowley asked, attempting to sit up when the angel pushed him back down. Not with very much force, just clearly letting the demon know what he wanted. Crowley huffed, a small smile gracing his lips as he settled back down willingly. "You feeling okay?"
Aziraphale nodded, "I think I'm still drunk." He slurred, grinning loopily at the demon below him.
Crowley quirked an eyebrow, smiling softly, "Are you now?"
The blonde nodded, quietly giggling next to the demon's ear.
"Well, as much as I love waking up to the sight of you. My bones are not meant to lay in the same position for too long. You mind shifting over a little, so I can stretch?"
The angel frowned but complied, shifting to the side. Crowley sat up and arched his back and limbs in unimaginable positions and a million joints popped. Aziraphale tried to be patient as he longed for that warmth that he had just had in his hands a moment ago. When he deemed that the serpent had stretched enough he tugged him back next to his body.
"You really are just a cuddlebug aren't you?" Crowley joked, laughing as he ruffled the angel's curls. "Are we going to stay like this forever?"
Aziraphale nodded, burrowing his face into the demon's neck. He inhaled Crowley's scent and sighed dreamily. "I don't want to ever sober up."
Crowley hesitated a moment, cupping the angel's face gently. A trace of concern in those golden eyes, "I'll still be here if you do." he whispered.
Aziraphale hummed in response, "It's not the alcohol anymore. it's the touch. It's been so long. So long."
Crowley smiled at the angel sadly, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "I'm sorry love."
The angel blushed heavily at the word ‘love’. He wasn’t used to this open verbal affection with Crowley. Their love language before this had been mainly in action and subtext, always trying to stay hidden from their respective ‘sides’. Even this physical affection that Aziraphale was relishing in, was new and unheard of from their long history.
Face flushing, he moved to sit up, releasing the demon from his clutch. He was suddenly very self conscious of how much had changed in such a short time. He had shown his true colors to the demon. The needy, desperate part of himself he had tried to keep hidden for so long and it was a little unnerving on how willingly Crowley had sated it. "I'm sorry to," he muttered quietly. Things were certainly going to be different from here on out. Crowley had expected an angel with just a few months without touch, not Aziraphale’s long history of starvation.
The demon breathed a short laugh, adjusting himself so he was facing the angel, "You have nothing to be sorry for." He took the angel's hand into his and intertwined their fingers once again. He rubbed comforting circles onto the back with his thumb. Aziraphale shivered at the contact, leaning into the demon's side. “I am more than happy to assist in any way I can.”
Aziraphale felt tears prick at his eyes but he refused to cry again. Enough tears had been shed already. “Oh, my dear.” He smiled up at Crowley, his fears slowly drifted away.
Crowley squeezed his hand reassuringly before letting go and checking his phone briefly. “Ah, It seems we've been asleep for much longer than a night. Are you feeling peckish? It’s a perfect day for lunch at the Ritz."
"That sounds perfect." Aziraphale breathed, trying to build up the courage to let go of the demon.
Turns out, there was no need. The entire way there, Crowley refused to keep his hands off of the angel. He offered his arm to take as they walked to and from the car. During the drive he had his hand in Aziraphale's every spare moment that he wasn't using it to shift gears. Even during dinner, he rested his foot next to the angel's and squeezed his hand comfortingly under the table when they weren't eating. To Aziraphale’s amazement, Crowley seemed to know exactly how much he craved that closeness and the demon didn’t even hesitate in providing.
During the meal, they didn't talk much. Aziraphale was too distracted and reduced to a pile of nerves and emotions to hold any conversation. Crowley didn't complain, just asking every once in a while if Aziraphale was okay with what he was doing. The last thing he wanted was to overwhelm the angel with touch. Aziraphale never refused, just blushing and smiling at the demon in a way that made the serpent's heart flutter.
When the two finally retired to the bookshop, Aziraphale tore himself apart from the demon to get some wine and glasses for the pair. As he poured he looked around at the room, conflict clear in his eyes. He usually sat in the armchair, across from the demon; but he didn't want to do that tonight, he wanted to be next to him as they were the night before.
"Come here angel." Crowley called quietly, patting the space next to him in invitation.
Aziraphale sighed in relief and all but collapsed in the space, handing the demon his drink. They were silent for a while, the angel enjoying the warmth from the body next to him. Though the demon didn’t seem to be doing the same. All through the night, Crowley had been the epitome of calm and collected but now he was tense sitting beside him and the angel knew something was on his mind.
"So, you don't mind, then." Crowley finally said after a few minutes of silence.
"Mind what?" Aziraphale asked curiously.
"What I said last time? You know..." he shifted uncomfortably.
Realization dawned on the angel, Crowley’s confession, "Oh my dear of course. You must know I have grown quite affectionate of you as well."
For the first time since Aziraphale's breakdown, the serpent looked unsure of himself. "It's just the drunk touch talking."
"No." Aziraphale said firmly, "It's true, I swear."
Crowley shook his head, looking down at his hand, not meeting the angel's gaze.
The angel sighed and set his wine glass down. He reached out and gently lifted the demons chin so he could peer into those golden eyes unobstructed. "My dear…" Crowley looked back at him with such hope and love that it hurt to see how unsure he was that Aziraphale didn't reciprocate fully. The angel cradled the demon's face in his hands trying to communicate just how deep his love for him ran. He leaned in and captured the demon's lips with his own in a chaste, tender kiss. Crowley stiffened at first before melting into the angel's hands and lips. When the angel finally pulled away, he was rendered breathless.
"I love you." the angel whispered, putting their foreheads together so he could keep gazing into those golden eyes. Crowley made an undignified noise, blush high on his cheeks, before diving in and capturing the angel's lips again.
Aziraphale smiled into the kiss, letting the demon deepen it. He enjoyed how the demon's hands seemed to flutter over every inch of his body. He did his best to reciprocate but ended up just clutching the demon's back as the warmth flooded him once again.
Crowley tore himself away, looking into the angel's dazed eyes. "You don't know how long I've wanted to hear you say that."
"I should have said it a long time ago, my love." Aziraphale muttered breathlessly, shooting him one of his disarming smiles.
Crowley squeezed his eyes shut and made 'ngk' sound. He shoved his head into the angel's shoulder, clutching him tightly, "I love you to." He whimpered quietly.
Aziraphale melted into his arms, his own coming up to embrace the demon in return. "I know, my dearest. I know."