#two flames

"And what happens if we don't carry out the dare? What's the penalty?" If he was going to contract with a demon, he had to be sure of terms. After all, Crowley could ask for… anything... Crowley smiled, all sharp eye teeth. "Knowing the other one won." Crowley and Aziraphale play truth or dare through the centuries.

Length: 12,411 Words AO3 Rating: Explicit/ Spice Level 🔥🔥 Best for/Keywords: Safe in Public, Book Omens, Through the Ages Major Triggers: None

Read it here, fic by KannaOphelia

*Minor Spoilers* A Book Omens fic for you! How neat is it that we can so easily swap between Book/TV versions and have them match so well? The characters are so strong that you can picture them however you want and it'll always be recognizably them.

This one plays on the idea of them playing Truth or Dare throughout history. I love this game for them, it plays beautifully into who they both are. Stubborn, competitive, secretive, unable to let things go. Both of them want so badly to tell their Truths, to give in to desire or vulnerability. But they won't. They both love to flirt with the edges, but they'll always turn back to repression and avoidance. The game they're playing is fun, but also has a lot to say about their relationship and characterizations.

This is a very interesting and clever story. I loved all the historical scenes and how rich the history felt. It really fits well into Good Omens canon, especially in dialogue and prose. Everything about it works so well! Safe in public, there is a short semi explicit scene right at the very end but it should make for a great read wherever you are!

Мы - два грозой зажженные ствола, Два пламени полуночного бора; Мы - два а ночи летящих метеора, Одной судьбы двужалая стрела!

Мы - два коня, чьи держит удила Одна рука, - одна язвит их шпора; Два ока мы единственного взора, Мечты одной два трепетных крыла.

Мы - двух теней скорбящая чета Над мрамором божественного гроба, Где древняя почиет Красота.

Единых тайн двугласные уста, Себе самим мы - Сфинкс единый оба. Мы - две руки единого креста.

-

We are two trunks ignited by lightning Two flames in the midnight forest; We are two meteors flying in the night, The double-stinging arrow of a single fate!

We are two horses whose reins are held By the same hand, - bitten by one spur; We are two eyes of a single gaze, Two trembling wings of one dream.

We are a pair of shadows grieving Over the holy marble grave, Where ancient Beauty slumbers.

The two-voiced mouth of secrets shared, We two make a single Sphinx. The two arms of a single cross.

----

Любовь

Вячесла́в Ива́нович Ива́нов / Vyacheslav Ivanovich Ivanov  1866-1949

----

Father Fell has been living a quiet life in a small parish. Despite the looming fear of war, he thought he was content with his small pleasures. Until a mysterious stranger comes to town, turning that life on its head and awakening desires the Father thought he buried long, long ago...

Length: 64,011 words AO3 Rating: Explicit/ Spice Level 🔥🔥 Best for/Keywords: Safe in Public, Human AU, WWII, Light Angst, Religious Themes Major Triggers: None

Read it here, fic by TheScholarlyStrumpet (equipoise)

*Minor Spoilers* This story is a powerful tale of a broken and desperate Crowley finding sanctuary in Father Fell's care during World War II. The life they carve out for themselves, and their small but loving community. It's about finding the soft things in dark times, and holding on to your humanity. And it is so wonderfully, them.

There was clearly a lot of effort put into making this wartime setting as accurate as possible. It was so easy to sink into and picture fully. The attention to detail is impressive, and it really adds weight to the themes of this story. There's danger from outside forces in Crowley's case, but there's also the internal battle of Ezra's faith. Ezra’s struggle with his desires, and the way he’s been taught to suppress them for a version of God that feels forced on him is such a powerful narrative, and I love how this story digs into that. It's always beautiful to see this character make peace with himself and the version of Faith that he believes in. Not the verison he was told to believe blindly.

This does have some sex scenes towards the end, but none are very graphic. You'll be fine in public for this, but I suggest a quiet atmosphere. It's something a little slower and more contemplative. Make sure you're in the right space to take all of it in! This is a gorgeous and deeply romantic story that I hold very dearly and I hope you also enjoy!

“But you admit it! You did tempt me!” “I offered you warm food during a storm,” Crowley argues. “If you call that temptation, I’d hate to see you talk to an innkeeper.” Aziraphale scowls some more. Crowley shrugs. “Besides, no harm done. You seem to be enjoying yourself.” He has Aziraphale there. “Still,” he says, spreading his hands wide. “It has to be said—” He glances up to the sky. “—for anyone listening, that I am not at fault for my appetite.” “Never said you were,” Crowley says. “Just said you liked the oysters.” or, an examination vis-à-vis food and forgiveness

Length: 29,115 words

AO3 Rating: Explicit/ Spice Level 🔥🔥

Best for: Mostly Safe in Public, Post S2, Through the Ages

Triggers: None

Read it here, fic by JustStandingHere

*Minor Spoilers* There's just so much to enjoy about this post season two story. It's tone is so witty and clever, I was instantly charmed by it and laughed and smiled often. But it pairs that humor with beautiful philosophy and heartache.

We open with a brief look at their past, watching various scenes through the ages involving temptation, indulgence, and conflicts of faith. We watch Aziraphale as he struggles between his beliefs and what he is supposed to believe. Questioning what really is sin and what really is divine? We then move on to their present, with Aziraphale newly in Heaven and Crowley left behind. It presents a much softer version of events than we sometimes see. It takes the Metatron's offer mostly at face value, and Aziraphale truly believes he can improve the place. But escapes to earth to satiate his hunger (both literal and emotional) will open his eyes to reality and he will finally break free. The resolution was badass, yet understated in the best way, and I feel like it fit perfectly with the spirit of the universe.

It's mostly safe to read in public; there's a sex scene towards the end of the story but it's fairly short and not too graphic. And that scene contains a line from Crowley mid-sex that made me snort giggle. I won't spoil it for you; you'll know it right away when you get to that scene. This was a very charming and charismatic take on a post-season two world. I know this won't be the version we get in the show, but it definitely feels like something we could see with these two. Its characterization, of Aziraphale particularly, was absolutely top notch. It just really understands his character and there’s so many lines I wanted to highlight. I’m very glad I read this one!

"Aziraphale considered himself to be a hardworking, good angel. Robust and well-mannered, an affable colleague, a loyal child of God. He did his assignments, reported back to Heaven regularly, kept his clothes and corporation clean and prim, hardly ever had to call for maintenance. His quota was good, not the best, but satisfactory, and he did his part in the Ineffable Plan. On the inside, two newfound hungers ravaged him." A character study on Aziraphale trying to navigate the awakening of his bodily appetites and how they fit in with his angelhood.

Length: 2,893 words

AO3 Rating: Mature / Spice Level 🔥🔥

Best for: Mostly Safe in Public, At Home, Character Study, Heavy Topics

Triggers: None

Read it here, fic by black_earth

*Minor Spoilers* Oh, good Lord. So you probably know this author by their artwork, but I had no idea that they also write! So I had to devour this fic once I saw this posted. And it is just as exquisite as their artwork.

This is a short character study of Aziraphale's hunger. His desire to consume, touch, feel, and the shame he has for it. It made my skin burn, some of the lines here will rip you to shreds. It's so tactile and real. It perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being touch starved. Burning desperation to reach out, coupled with overwhelming fear and shame. I'm obsessed with this. It's both devastating and beautiful. Aziraphale is such a complex character, and this piece really gets at the heart of why I'm so fixated on him. It's a powerfully queer narrative, the Angel who denies himself life's greatest pleasures as he believes them to be dangerous and damned. His fear turning into paralyzing shame? Ugh I have to end this post and go reread this. It's just too good

Mostly safe for public, though there is some brief explicit content towards the end. However, you should be reading this at home with your full attention.

Aziraphale, a lonely anxious bookseller from Soho, walks in St. James park every Wednesday and Sunday. For nearly nine months he has had various, wordless, encounters with a very handsome red-haired man with sunglasses. They have never spoken, but a strange and lovely intimacy has slowly grown between them as they share the same space, and feed the ravenous ducks by the pond. It's all been rather lovely... and then one day... the red-haired man says 'hello.'

Length: 60,105 words

AO3 Rating: Explicit / Spice Level 🔥🔥

Best for: Safe in Public, Fluff, Human AU, Slow Burn, Romance

Triggers: Past Abuse, Negative self talk

Read it here, fic by sheendav

*Minor Spoilers* This is a unique, but simple, take that works surprisingly well for our duo! In this human AU, Aziraphale and Crowley are both excruciatingly shy and anxious. It takes them months of silently feeding ducks at the park for them to even speak to each other! But this awkwardness is the charm of this story. It feels like the ultimate wish fulfillment relationship for anyone who struggles to connect with others. Their eccentricities fit perfectly together, and the way they eventually find they can be truly honest with each other is beautiful. They often call themselves cowards, years of abuse from others giving each a nasty inner critic, but it takes real bravery to be afraid and still push through. The way they interact with each other, and their dates especially, were so sickeningly romantic to me. My heart was a puddle of goo during this one. At the end of each of their interactions they review what they've learned with each other, and trust me, it'll have you screaming and crying and throwing up over how cute it is. They really understand each other, and to find someone who really sees you is the goal for us all, isn’t it? I'm very attached to this story. It's such a sweet and gentle romance that encourages us to be kinder to ourselves. The ultimate comfort fic!

Safe in public until towards the very end, but you will know when that's coming and it isn't very graphic.