Hopes

"Aziraphale." Crowley, bored with amicable silence, has decided that he wants attention and he wants it *now*. He notices that the book on Aziraphale's lap is closed—rather than reading, he seems to be simply staring off into the distance, distracted. Well, no longer. If Aziraphale is going to be distracted by anything, he's going to be distracted by *Crowley*. "..." (click-append: "\"...\"")[ "Aziraphale." "...hm." (click-append: "\"...hm.\"")[ "Aziraphale!" The angel startles, then sighs. "What is it, Crowley?" "What are you thinking about?" [["I'm thinking about you."]] [["I'm thinking about us."]]]]

"About...about me?" Crowley asks. He looks away, just slightly. "Well, I'm right here. Whatever it is, you can tell me. If you want." "It's just...it's been so long since we first met, and you've really been a...constant presence for me." "Wouldn't have it any other way." "R-Right. And with that, I was thinking...well, more like hoping, really..." "Yeah?" [["I was hoping I could hug you."]] [["I was hoping I could kiss you."]]

"About...about us?" Crowley asks. "What *about* us?" "Well," Aziraphale says, "it's been a bit of time since—well, you know. That *mess*." "Mm-hm." "And I was thinking—well, *hoping*, really..." "Out with it, angel, I...alright, I *do* have all day, but. Whatever it is, you can tell me." [["I was hoping we could...well, cuddle."]] [["I was hoping we could...well, kiss."]]

"C-*Cuddle*?" Crowley spits out, not expecting an angel—even Aziraphale—to simply ask to cuddle a demon. "Perhaps it may sound a bit sill—" "Nope," Crowley says, standing up from the couch he had been lying on. Feeling much less confident than he's acting, he walks over to where Aziraphale is sitting in his usual chair. "Just a moment, let me squeeze in here..." The seat isn't big enough for both one angel and one demon—even a skinny demon—side by side, but it can certainly hold one soft angel and the demon settling in his lap. Maybe it *is* a bit silly, Crowley sitting sideways on top of Aziraphale like this, but he doesn't want to give this up for anything. With some finangling on both their parts, Crowley is able to wrap his arms around Aziraphale and pull him into a close hug. (text-style:"expand")[*The End*] --- [[Start over->Start]]

"We...we *could* kiss," Crowley responds, his throat suddenly dry. This isn't quite how he expected he'd handle this topic coming up. He always thought he'd be...well, a lot more composed. A lot less speechless. "B-But of course I would never make you do it if you truly don't want to," Aziraphale begins to ramble. "You're always so...attentive and giving towards me, and I *do* want to stress that you're not *obligated* to do anything I ask of you, but also I can't help but wonder what kissing you would be like—" "*Aziraphale*." "Y-Yes?" Crowley stands up from the couch and with his long stride quickly closes the distance between them, kneeling on the floor to be at face level with Aziraphale. A moment later, Crowley kisses Aziraphale, eliminating the tiny space between them, and relishing the soft noise the angel makes against him. (text-style:"expand")[*The End*] --- [[Start over->Start]]

"O-Oh." Crowley's slightly taken aback by this admission. Part of him wants to let Aziraphale in fully; part of him feels compelled to be the cool demon who refuses physical touch. The part of him that wants a hug wins out in the end, though. "S-Sure. Go for it." "If you don't want me to—" "Angel. *Please.*" Aziraphale stands, crosses the short distance between his chair and the couch Crowley has been lounging on, and sets himself down next to him. Crowley is about to make some kind of quip, but before he can open his mouth, Aziraphale wraps his arms around Crowley. "My beloved," Aziraphale says softly. Crowley has to keep himself from completely melting onto the floor. Instead, he brings his arms up to return the hug, relishing the angel's warmth. (text-style:"expand")[*The End*] --- [[Start over->Start]]

"Oh...well, it's not like we haven't kissed before, technically." "I know, but that was because that was the *custom*. Because it was expected of us. Not because we just..." Aziraphale flits his eyes away from Crowley's for just a second. "Not because we just...loved each other." "Not because of that. Right." Aziraphale steels himself. "Of course, you don't have to let me do anything. If I've...misinterpreted things—" "Yes! I mean, no! I mean—just *kiss* me, angel." Crowley watches with anticipation as Aziraphale stands up and closes the distance between them. Aziraphale sits down next to Crowley on the couch and uses one hand to gently caress his jaw. A moment later, Aziraphale's lips are on his, soft and sure. Crowley returns the kiss happily, pulling Aziraphale against him. (text-style:"expand")[*The End*] --- [[Start over->Start]]