Hisss

“I’m here for books,” she declares and walks swiftly past him with the attitude of someone who still intends to be given attention. “I hear Mr. Fell has a new Bible Errata in stock.”

The priest is here for Aziraphale.  Of course she is.  “Sorry,” Crowley drawls, sprawling out on a stack of books that stays still under him because they should.  “He’s not in.  Therefore you can’t buy a Bible and everyone is all the more happier for it.”  Aziraphale is quite proud of his incorrect Bible collection and Crowley is hardly going to let anyone else wander off with them.

@vaguelysauntereddownward from [x]

By now, Freddie has been in this body long enough to master the eye roll, and she deploys it to great effect.

“I wanted to see if it’d be better*! And it was!”

Her voice is hoarse. She’d only barely stopped laughing, the wild, whooping kind that had started as a scream and descended into something more like a cackle. Her throat burns, and there are streaks on her face where the wind had forced tears from her eyes. 

She looks ecstatic.  Even Crowley’s frown only leads her to throw her arms around her mother. 

“This was never going to kill me. At least not permanently. Heaven itself won’t let me die.”

*Better, that was, than flying in planes, which Freddie had taken to with all the aplomb one would expect from a ground vehicle suddenly propelled into the air. Falling, on the other hand, she managed just fine. With this in mind, she had future experiments planned involving unpowered gliders.

“I’d rather you not be at the mercy of Heaven.  Gabriel might decide to bring you back an angel or something.”  Her disgust is largely exaggerated.  She doesn’t hate angels, but there are a couple who are quite annoying (Gabriel, for one).  There would be no being kicked out of home, even if Freddie did decide being an angel was the way to go.

“Whipping the eggs you say? How intriguing. Humans never cease to amaze with their confectionery creativity.” He took another bite, closing his eyes as he let out a pleased hum– his mood lifting considerably now that he had a delightful snack to nosh on. The texture was fluffy and the sweetness was just right.

He paused, looking to the cake and then Crowley.

“Oh how inconsiderate of me– would you care for a taste?” He offered politely.

Crowley doesn’t bother to hide his smile as he leans back.  “I’m good, angel.”  He’s not as fond of food as Aziraphale is and knows it- no point in stealing some of the cake he is obviously enjoying.  It’s more fun to watch him eat anyways.

“I’m sure if you asked, they’d let you watch.  You’re one of their favorite customers.”  Or Aziraphale could be.  Really, it wouldn’t be that hard to nudge the universe around a bit. Everyone should love Aziraphale just a bit after all. “They might even let you sample a bit of everything.”  Crowley simply wills himself a cup of coffee and takes a sip as Aziraphale enjoys his confection.  Perhaps he should learn how to bake...

Aziraphale would like to claim that he’d gotten over it. That a month was plenty of time, and he’d moved on, and done his job, and was doing just fine, because out of all people, it can’t be a demon that he’s caught up about. Oh…but finding the empty shot glass, traces of holy water left in it, a pile of Crowley’s clothes…He’d been gone for such a short time, and when he got back, Crowley was dead. The only thing he’d found nearby was a snake that resembled the form Crowley used to take, and he was utterly distraught over losing his closest friend, that he took the snake under his care. Armageddon came and went. Or rather, it happened, and nothing came of it. Adam restored the bookstore, but its not as if he could restore Crowley, so what was the point? Then, he found the snakeskin. The snake always managed to find a way out of its enclosure. Not that he minded. It reminded him all the more of Crowley and his wiles every time that happened. He picked up the snakeskin, but as he straightens up he spots a bare ass, and it startles him right back into dropping the snakeskin.

But then he recognizes who it is, and he gasps, a trembling hand covering his mouth. “C…Crowley?” Frozen limbs magically come to life as he rushes over to Crowley’s side, falling down to his knees. Arms wrap tightly around the demon, pulling him close to Aziraphale without preamble. “You’re alive. Oh thank the heavens, I-I can’t believe this,” his voice broke, trembles slipping in, words falling apart and sniffles fell into full blown tears. “You’re alive, Crowley.” He’d never been a very elegant crier. 

Crowley was still very, very confused but he always hated Aziraphale being sad.  So his hands carefully wrapped back around Aziraphale.  “Shh, angel, I’ve got you.”  He rubs what he hopes are comforting circles on his back and wonders if there’s something he can do...  He wonders why Aziraphale is here, instead of off in Heaven preparing for the Apocalypse and striking down demons with angelic fury.  He must’ve come over shortly after Crowley had taken his shot.  

“Oh! Crowley– I did not see you– no no, everything is quite alright.” His eyes would light up at the sight of the cake, however. Aziraphale loved cake. He happily busied himself with nibbling at it, using the plastic fork provided. A change of subject was in order.

“Is this from the bakery down the street? I must learn what they do to make their batter so fluffy.”

The thing is...Crowley doesn’t quite believe him.  But for now, he’ll accept the convenient little excuse and see if he can sneak the truth out of Aziraphale later.  Perhaps tempt his angel with a cup or two of delightful wine...  “Yes, of course.  Only the best for you.”

pouts in angel.

Offers his angel some angel food cake and a worried look.

Aziraphale frowned, looking back at his shop’s set-up. “Oh, I don’t know… There seems to be quite a market for trashy romance. I mean, look at some of the books they’re selling these days! Fifty Shades and Twilight and… Well. I was rather hoping the unknown would turn them away.” Besides, an angel had a certain reputation to uphold.

      “I love whales!” the bright smile upon his face is evidence enough of his joy. “Can we get some ice cream too?”

Crowley can’t help but smile back at the kid.  “Yeah, we can get ice cream too.  What flavor you want?”  And of course, they’ll have to find a reptile house because obviously snakes are even cooler then whales.

The scowl on Freddie’s face turns into a distinct look of determination, and they raise an eyebrow at Crowley in an eerily familiar way.

“I can and I’m gonna!” 

And they’re no Antichrist, so technically what they will is not the way of the world. Thankfully. Less thankfully, they are a spoiled little thing, and well secure in the knowledge of having multiple celestial beings on their side. 

And, as they slip their hand into Crowley’s and tug him towards the kitchen, complete confidence that he won’t actually say no.

Crowley sighs and wonders if he needs to chew out some archangels for spoiling his little girl.  Again.  One would think Gabriel would be better about the whole thing, but no they’re the worst of the bunch.