Ineffable Husbands - Oneshots Book

Calm After the Storm

Now that the Apocalypse That Wasn't was finally out of the way, Crowley and Aziraphale gathered back at the bookshop. New and improved, miracled back into one, non-burnt piece with restored books and items.

Just the way they liked it.

Crowley lazes about on Aziraphale's couch and the mentioned angel sits at the desk near him.

"Angel..." Crowley says, looking over at Aziraphale.

"Yes, dear?" Aziraphale says, smiling back at him.

"I..." The demon falters, falling silent and looking away uncomfortably.

"Is something the matter?" Aziraphale asks, frowning.

"No, not anymore," Crowley answers, "Not really, anyway..."

"Alright," Aziraphale nods, working out a way to coax information out of the demon. "Dearest, you can tell me anything, alright?" He reminds Crowley, who nods and seems a little frustrated with himself.

"It's just... You know it's damn hard for me to talk about," Crowley grimaces, "feelings."

Aziraphale nods, "Yes... Just take it at your pace, I'll wait as long as you need me to."

Crowley gives him a weak smile before laying back and looking up at the ceiling. There was so much neither of them had processed since the failed Armageddon, and Crowley was wanting to try, at least.

"How... are you feeling?" Crowley asks, looking over at Aziraphale. "Really. Truly," He adds, hoping for more than just a surface level 'I'm okay' before Aziraphale would focus on Crowley's feelings more than his own.

Aziraphale turns to face Crowley, seeming to consider his response carefully. The fear of impending doom had been replaced with... what?

"Well, I no longer fear for our lives," Aziraphale starts, "Um, as much as before..."

Crowley nods, silently urging him on.

"And, I'm happy to be back here, with you," Aziraphale smiles a little, "But, also, I worry about our future. Heaven and Hell will know we're here, if they wanted to hunt us do—"

"I would never, ever let them hurt you," Crowley interjects, seriousness written all over his face.

"Yes, of course, dear," Aziraphale bites his lip. "But what about you and your safety?" Aziraphale retorts, his eyebrows ticking upward with concern.

"Less important," Crowley shrugs.

"Now, Crowley, you know that's not true," Aziraphale says with a stern look. "Where would I be without you?" He asks.

Crowley looks away, "Fine, Angel..."

"And Crowley, I worry about you," Aziraphale says, "I know you can take care of yourself, but... I wish you'd lean on me a little more. You don't have to keep everything to yourself."

In the silence that follows, Aziraphale fidgets with his hands in his lap. "I hope I gave you a satisfactory answer. Is there any way you could tell me about how you're feeling?" He asks, giving Crowley a small smile of encouragement.

Crowley sighs a little, knowing this was coming yet still being unprepared. He decided, finally, to come clean.

"I was scared," Crowley says, so quiet Aziraphale almost didn't catch it. Aziraphale leans forward to better hear him.

"Of what, dearest?" Aziraphale asks him, gently, as if he were a wild animal that could, at any moment, decide to high-tail it out of there.

"Of losing you," Crowley admits, covering his eyes with his hands. To avoid Aziraphale's reaction and his own. "Just when I came to see you again, after our argument," He explains, "And your bookshop was on fire and I couldn't find—"

Unable to hide from his physical reaction, a choked sob suddenly escaped the demon's lips, causing Aziraphale to jump a little. The angel rises from his chair, kneeling on the ground beside the demon and the couch.

He tried not to let his panic override the gentleness and kindness in his actions.

Gingerly, Aziraphale takes Crowley's hands and removes them from his eyes. "Crowley..." He says softly, "It's alright. I'm here now..." He holds Crowley's hands in his own, hoping to comfort Crowley, even just slightly.

"I thought they had killed you," Crowley whines, tears leaking from his eyes. "Before I could even.." He squeezes Aziraphale's hands, "Get to you or help you or rescue you..."

Aziraphale rubs his thumbs over Crowley's hands, letting go of one to wipe at the demon's tears. "I'm so sorry," He whispers, "I hate to think you were feeling that way. All I could think of was getting back to you."

Crowley rolls onto his side, facing Aziraphale. "Ugh, this is so pathetic of me," He grunts, in his usual Crowley way.

Aziraphale smiles a little, "It's alright, let yourself cry. I'm just so proud of you, Crowley. Thank you so much for telling me."
Aziraphale caresses Crowley's cheek, "I know I can't fix it, but... I'm here, now. And we won't have to separate ever again."

"Promise?" Crowley asks meekly, his tears having all but stopped.

"Yes, Crowley. I promise," Aziraphale nods.

Crowley lunges forward, grasping desperately at the angel. Aziraphale wraps his arms around Crowley in return, pulling him close.

"Angel, I'm so glad you're alive," Crowley says, burying his face into Aziraphale's neck.

"Me too, Crowley," Aziraphale says, petting the back of Crowley's head.

They stayed like this for quite some time, relishing in each other's presence unabashedly. They finally had time all to themselves, neither really worrying about fellow demons or angels bursting down their door to interrupt their moment.