Ineffable One Shots

Confessions

(The following is set in the middle of S2)

There were many things that Crowley was having a hard time controlling.

For instance- the Bentley.
While the Bentley never did care to ask for song requests, it did keep a common likeable theme. It also stayed out of Crowley's business. Or at least it used to. Now the Bentley has discovered other music somehow. It wasn't awful music, but that was where the Bentley started meddling in what wasn't it's business. The Bentley would express its opinion through the radio.
It was hard for Crowley to focus on the road (not that it was a lot of focus) when the car would blare cheesy love songs when driving past- or to- the bookshop.
His plants were another problem. There was a time when he was their master and they obeyed him as they were taught, but ever since Aziraphale met them they had the annoying habit of being happy. They would also occasionally bloom, which was miraculous but not what Crowley asked of them.
Of course there were the bigger problems. Like 'Jim' and Muriel.
It was difficult to go on like everything was normal when you had an angel watching your every move, even if it was because they were curious about human life and posed little of a threat.
On top of that... Gabriel was too much. He may not have any memory of what he did, but Crowley remembered enough for the both of them and more.
There were a million more things Crowley could complain about. The humans who just tended to be unpredictable and annoying, the eriey demand from hell and of course the random increase in nightingales. It all made his blood boil.
But the main reason why he found himself needing to control these things was because he was having a hard time controlling himself. Normally this isn't a problem for demons, mostly because demons never cared about self control, but Crowley had reason to need self control. He didn't want to lose his friend. This friend however was more than a friend, he knew this wasn't worth denying.
And with everything happening, and the growing feeling that things were only going to get worse, Crowley had to make a decision.
Confess his love for Aziraphale or keep on holding it back until it was too late?
So here Crowley sat in the Bentley, feeling the wind of change pressure him to make his move. It was inevitable anyway. A demon could only take so many years of pining- quite frankly he must combust if he kept it in any longer. He took a deep breath, rubbed his hand over his hair, and fluidly slipped out of the vehicle.
He made his way towards the entrance where a small group of teenagers gathered around a speaker. They laughed and listened to what sounded like a country song, but very graphic.
Crowley stood in front of them and put his hands on his hips. Their laughter died as they quickly grabbed the speaker and ran. Crowley nodded as the fled. The racket they were making was most likely heard from inside the shop and Crowley didn't want the angel to have his work interrupted.
So naturally he was asking him out to dinner.
He entered the book shop and did a quick scan.
"Hello Crowley," said the Angel behind the desk without looking up from his book.
"'Ello angel," he replied, trying to stay cool. He sauntered in and slid his way into a chair beside the desk. He sat there for a moment, legs crossed over on the armrest and hand over his mouth, watching Aziraphale thoughtfully.
After a moment Aziraphale finished what he was reading and turned to Crowley.
"Where's the 'assistant'?" Crowley asked.
"He's upstairs, resting. He's had an upsetting lesson with gravity, but he knows now to grab from the top of the pile of books," Aziraphale explained while glancing at the stairs. The demon smirked, they would've liked to see that.
Aziraphale got up and turned off the light at his desk.
"Could I interest you in some tea?"
"Nah, actually I was hoping to tempt you with dinner," Crowley added "it's been a while,"
"That would be wonderful! But, what about Jim?"
"We'll build him a dog door," Crowley offered dryly. Aziraphale glared at him.
"We can't just leave him alone, can we? Not with everyone looking for him. And we certainly can't take him with us,"
Crowley fumed at the idea of Gabriel joining them.
"What about Nina or Maggie?" He suggested tiredly "they can babysit him, I can pay them and everything,"
"Maggie is out shopping today and Nina isn't at work..."
"It's a bloody Saturday! Isn't that a good business day?"
"... and even if they were here they be at work," Aziraphale finished while turning to a stack of books. He lifted them up and carried them cross the room. Crowley got up and followed him.
"Angel, at this point you'll never get out of the shop. How much trouble could he get into over a few hours?"
"You know very well how much trouble just a few hours can cause,"
"Look, he's protected by the miracle, he is currently preoccupied, we can just leave a note saying 'stay where you are' and be fine,"
Aziraphale still looked hesitant.
"We can get crepes," Crowley added "and go to see the ducks after,"
Aziraphale nodded as if contemplating his choices. He placed the stack of books down on a cluttered table.
"Oh, alright," the angel gave in, "but we have to leave a note,"
Yes, thought Crowley, A ransom note. I'll return Aziraphale when he leaves.