The smell of vanilla and fresh cotton filled him with hope. It was the smell of his angel which meant he was home. Taking a deep breath he snuggled in closer to the warmth of the body surrounding him.
"How long was I out this time?"
"Only a couple of hours. How long were you gone?"
"Three days."
"And you reversed time yourself?"
"How did..?"
"I felt a temporal shift. They took Adam."
"I know. That's why I reversed time, so I could take him home with fewer problems."
"So you reversed time, took him to Tadfield and came home. No wonder you're exhausted."
"Had to do some memory adjustments too. People saw him burst into flame."
"Oh my."
"How did you know about the boy?"
"Miss Device rang almost as soon as you'd disappeared and said he'd been taken. Any idea what they wanted him for?"
"To see what power he had," Crowley sighed, nuzzling the crook of Aziraphale's neck, trying to fill his nose with the scent and drive away the lingering odour of Hell. "And the answer was not enough.."
"And you?"
"Lucifer wanted a chat."
"Lucifer? What about?"
"Gabriel's offer"
"How does he know about that?"
"They've been spying."
"So they know….?"
"About us? Yep. Lucifer doesn't care. Thinks I seduced you and should get a commendation for it."
"Why Lucifer? Usually it's Beelzebub's job to deal with things like this isn't it?"
"Ah. Well yes. But I think they're too scared of me."
"Beelzebub or all of them."
"Luci isn't. Never has been but everyone else, yeah pretty much. Word travels… well quietly slowly really but apparently they know all about Tadfield. Beelzebub is still recovering from the spear ash. Oh and yes I appear to be a King of hell."
Aziraphale snorted at his mocking tone. "So what happens now?"
"I've told Luci to fuck off. I'm going to tell that jumped up desk jockey the same. If they want to have a pissing contest they can do it without me."
"So they didn't ask you to go back?"
"Hell doesn't ask for anything."
The angel wished he felt as confident as Crowley sounded about being able to tell them where to go, little did he know that the demon was holding back the almost crippling fear that was settling in his chest.
"Crowley my dear, as much as I enjoy being here with you like this, I'm afraid the smell of Hell is rather starting to permeate."
"I thought it was just me," he groaned, rolling away and forcing himself up.
"I've drawn a bath for you, it's ready when you are."
"Thank you Angel," Crowley called as he padded to the bathroom.
Aziraphale stayed on the bed a while longer wondering what to do with himself. Today had been one of the strangest days. Secretly he was glad they'd taken Adam too because that meant Crowley hadn't returned to him three days later. He was sure he'd have gone mad with worry waiting for him.
Sighing, he got up and followed the demon into the bathroom. He leaned against the doorframe, watching Crowley scrub at his hair before ducking under the water then crossed to the bath. He sat down, his arms crossed along the edge of the tub, chin resting on his hands.
As Crowley surfaced he yelled, suddenly seeing him so unexpectedly close.
"Jesus, Angel! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
Aziraphale grinned at him. "Sorry dear. Is the water hot enough?"
"It's fine. Are you ok?"
"Me?! You're the one who was dragged to Hell in flames."
"Yes, I realise that but I knew what was happening and didn't have to watch it."
"Does it really hurt when they do that? It looked agonising."
"It is. Once you're there it fades though." He watched moisture pool in the angel's eyes. "I'm fine, Angel," he murmured. "Honestly. It's all fine."
"It's not though is it? It's not fine at all. Until either side makes their move, we're stuck in this limbo of wondering what even worse is still in store."
"True. But we're stuck in it together aren't we? Isn't that what this has all been about? Giving in. No more hiding. Being on our own side."
"No more hiding," Aziraphale sighed and nodded.
"They all know anyway," Crowley shrugged, flicking the water from his hair.
"This is true."
"I'm not saying it's going to be easy but if they're they're afraid of me then that gives us some edge. We've come too far to give up now."
"Listen to you being the logical voice of reason."
"Don't get used to it."
Aziraphale pursed his lips, trying to hide his smile. "You're scared, aren't you?"
"Fucking terrified," the demon breathed.
"Well I commend you on your appearance of calm and your honesty."
"Fear and blind panic are not mutually exclusive." Crowley offered a gentle smile, trying to maintain his equilibrium when all he wanted to do was run away and hide. "Besides. Panic means running away, and there's nowhere we can run to that they wouldn't find us."
"We?"
"I'm going nowhere without you, Angel. Not anymore, not through choice. You're stuck with me."
Aziraphale beamed at him, leaning forward to kiss his demon. He so desperately wanted to tell Crowley how much he loved him but he knew it was not the time. Instead he poured everything into the kiss.
"Crowley," he whispered his name like an obscene prayer. "I thought I'd lost you. For those few minutes you were gone, I thought the worst. I thought you weren't coming back." He couldn't stop the tremble in his voice as he peppered kisses along the demon's jaw.
"I'll always find my way back. Been doing it for thousands of years," the demon sighed.
"Come on, let's get you dry and warm," Aziraphale announced, grabbing a pair of towels.
Crowley hesitated before standing in the tub, the bubbles, up until now, had hidden most of his body from view. He didn't know why he felt self-conscious.
The angel, noticing his hesitation held a large towel wide, keeping his eyes trained on Crowley's. Important parts covered, the redhead finally stepped out of the bath and followed him into the living room.
Aziraphale trotted off into the living room gathering blankets and plumping cushions.
There was a period fireplace that mirrored one downstairs in the shop, sofa and armchair both pointing at it. He liked to have a fire on cold winter evenings while he curled up with a book and drank his cocoa. Today he decided to enjoy that comfort with Crowley and the fire blazed to life, gently heating the room.
"Christ these old buildings get cold quickly," the demon complained, rubbing his hair with a towel, another wrapped around his waist as he appeared in the doorway.
"Here, I've put the fire on. Blankets and cushions are all ready. I've even got us a television to watch," he beamed.
Crowley looked over, "that tv has to be about 30 years old. Where on earth did you get it?!" he chuckled, snapping his fingers to update the ancient set before snuggling down into the blankets.
"Might have known you'd update it," the angel huffed, hiding his smile.
"I should get dressed," Crowley sighed as Aziraphale settled beside him. "Can't sit in a damp towel all afternoon."
The angel snapped his fingers and presented the demon with his red fluffy jumper and black pyjama bottoms. "I believe "The Golden Girls" is available to watch if you'd like."
"Pyjamas? Mid afternoon?"
"Well it's been a trying few weeks. Perhaps a lazy afternoon is what we need. What do they call it? A duvet day?"
Crowley chuckled as he stood, unfolding himself from the blankets. He placed his clothes on the sofa as he self-consciously rubbed his hair a little more, making himself as dry as possible.
Aziraphale couldn't help but stare at the glistening gold that now decorated his side, and sat as he was it was at eye level. Without thought he moved closer to get a better look, his fingers reaching out to trace the lines.
Crowley's breath caught at the sensation, it sent tingles under his skin, spreading right through his body, rippling over his skin.
The blonde looked up at the noise to find Crowley staring at him. His eyes wide, his breathing uneven.
"Does it still hurt?"
The demon shook his head. "Not…." he gulped "not right now."
Aziraphale stood and captured Crowley's lips, his fingers still stroking his side causing that lovely "Ngk" that Crowley was becoming famous for.
"Angel," he breathed, his hands fidgeting with his towel.
"Sssh. It's my turn."
XxXxX