Chapter Text
Crowley had sauntered into Aziraphale’s shop in the middle of the day and had just never gotten to leaving. Much like countless other times. Aziraphale meanwhile was working on restoring some of the older books in his collection that week and didn’t mind the company of the demon. They would chat a bit to each other through the hours that neither of them kept track of.
Neither of them would say it out loud, but since the end of the world that never ended, the two of them ended up spending the majority of their time together. Well, it was more so Crowley finding excuses to wander into Aziraphale’s shop and not leave later on when the time should have come.
Most days were simple between the two of them, spent either casually chattering the hours away. Or more often than the angel would like to admit, outside the bookshop, walking through St, James’ Park, or dining at the Ritz. Well, it’s not like it was difficult for Crowley to tempt Aziraphale to dinner at the Ritz. Aziraphale on the other hand hadn’t told Crowley yet, but he had found a place he hoped could just be for the two of them. Towers of books, greenhouses, endless potted plants and all.
The thing was… the delightful dinners at the Ritz, the hours at the bookshop, the walks in St James’ Park, the endless magnetism towards each other. They never talked to one another. Especially not about how the countless days together felt. The feeling of comfort when they were next to one another. The feeling of being whole, like two halves that were separated finally being complete again.
An angel and a demon were currently finishing dinner at the Ritz as a result of the aforementioned method of demonic but not very demonic temptation.
“Well, that was absolutely scrumptious!” Aziraphale remarked as he put his fork down after finishing his dessert. He smiled at Crowley contentedly.
“Before we head back to your shop, would you like to stroll through the park first ?” Crowley inquired as he not so much sat, but sprawled on the chair across from the delighted angel.
“Absolutely my dear, a walk through the park sounds lovely.” Aziraphale replied.
On their walk there neither of them exactly remembered who miracled a bag of peas into Crowley’s pocket, but one of them did by the time they arrived at St. James’ park.
After feeding the ducks some peas, they decided to settle down on a bench where live music in the distance could be heard from where they sat there beside one another. They murmured nothing and everything to each other as they sat there in the quiet of the evening. Neither of the two paid much attention to what they were saying or what was being said. The two of them were more focused on the solacing comfort beside one another.
“Probably had we been right here, some few years ago I would’ve inquired if the musician was one of yours or one of mine. But today, I think would say that they’re one of ours.” Aziraphale inferred as he turned his head to gaze at Crowley. Well, more so at his eyes. Oh, those eyes could be so, so mesmerizing in the evening light. How golden, how absolutely beautiful Aziraphale thought to himself.
“O-oh uh, thanks I guess!” Crowley sputtered as his face flushed.
Aziraphale’s heart sank at the realization that what he swore he had only thought, he had actually mumbled practically straight into Crowley’s ear with how closely they were sitting next to each other. He turned his head away from Crowley as to try and hide his embarrassed face.
“Oh I uh, didn’t mean to say that out loud dear! I'm terribly sorry, I don’t even know where that came from!” Aziraphale cried. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. That was not meant to be said out loud! Aziraphale finally got the courage to turn back around and glance at Crowley. Crowley for some reason was smiling softly at him like he was the most beautiful sunset.
“Did you know that you are absolutely adorable when you’re flustered?” Crowley whispered.
Both Crowley and Aziraphale’s eyes went wide with shock along Crowley’s face immediately flushing with embarrassment.
“I-I uh…” Crowley breathed out. Their eyes locked and the both of them realized what had just occurred.
They roared with laughter at the realization of it. Crowley ended up falling against Aziraphale’s side as they continued to cackle with laughter and joy. They caught each other’s gaze again as they had the same half-lidded eyes. Aziraphale raised his hand to rest on Crowley’s cheek.
“Can I kiss you, Angel?” Crowley whispered as their foreheads pressed together and they continued to gaze into each other’s eyes.
“Please.” Aziraphale whispered back. Their lips pressed together in an embrace that made the both of them feel whole and complete for the first time in… neither of them remembered how long since they felt this complete, but there was a time. They separated a couple of seconds later but kept their foreheads leaning against one another.
“Let's go home, Crowley.”