Chapter Seventeen

Surface Pressure

TW/CW: Mild PTSD discussed/exhibited, talk of dying for the greater good

Crowley's Safe House: July 9, 2010

Azrial shot awake, breathing heavily and coated in a thin sheen of sweat.

I'm not even hurting you, angel. You should be grateful for the pleasure I'm allowing you to feel.

She shut her eyes and took a few steadying breaths. The bed shifted, and she opened her eyes as warm arms wrapped around her waist.

"Lie back down," Crowley whispered in her ear.

"I think I'll start getting ready for the trip," she muttered.

"You need to tell Robert about this. What happens when I'm not there?"

Azrial remained silent, focusing on the warmth radiating from Crowley. Hell had been so cold, even for her. She had no idea how Alister had pulled that off, but he had.

"I just won't sleep," she finally said. "Not like I need to."

Crowley sighed, nipping softly at her jaw. "You get rather…snippy if you don't sleep once a week, angel."

"It will be fine."

Crowley didn't argue, much to her relief. His hands started to gently rub her arms, and she could feel him bring more of his power to the surface. The warmth had her melting into him further, a small sigh passing her lips.

"Rest," he whispered. "He's dead, and no other demon will touch you while I'm alive."

Azrial snorted at the possessive growl in his voice and leaned up kissing his jaw.

"I love you, you gruff bastard."

"Of course you do; who wouldn't?"

She snorted again, her eyes feeling heavy as Crowley wrapped her in a cocoon of warmth.

"Rest," he whispered into her ear. "I'm not going to leave you." Her eyes fell completely shut as she listened to his breathing.

Bobby's House: July 10, 2010

Dean glanced up as Azrial snarled under her breath, tossing another book haphazardly onto the table. She'd been in a touchy mood for more than two weeks now, running hot and cold with absolutely no warning. She didn't take it out on anyone in particular, but at the same time, she was rather harsh in her responses if you caught her in a bad mood. Castiel had tried approaching her about it, but for some reason that just made her shut down. She was keeping something from them, but when Dean broached it to Bobby the man had told him to let it go. According to him, they had to deal with one thing at a time and the auction took priority.

"You need help?" Dean cautiously asked.

Azrial paused, glancing over at him. "No, but thank you for offering."

Cool, today was a good day then. Hopefully, it lasted another day because Dean wouldn't wish an irate archangel on anyone during a 14-hour flight.

"So, uh, I had a bit of an idea."

Azrial stopped paging through the book she'd picked up and looked at him.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, so," Dean paused, hoping he didn't wind up ticking her off. "I think I figured out how to help in the fight. I just…need to know if it's viable in the long run."

Azrial blinked, clearly not having expected this. She set the book down and leaned against the table with a raised eyebrow.

"You have my attention."

"Sam and I are archangel vessels, and after that whole thing with Cas in Iceland…well, I was wondering if he could use me as a vessel for more than a few minutes."

Azrial didn't respond right away, and her face was unreadable. Dean started to shift uncomfortably when the silence dragged on, but then she sighed and looked at him fondly.

"You're far too smart. Yes, you could do that, even though I'd rather you not."

Dean frowned, anger rising at her words. "You said if I figured it out-!"

"Dean," she gently cut over him, halting his rant. "I'm not saying you can't join me. I'm saying I wish you wouldn't. There is a difference."

Dean stared at her, taking in the tired smile she gave him. "But…why? I mean, what does it matter if I'm there?"

Azrial sighed, running a hand down her face. She pushed herself onto the table, her toes barely brushing the ground. It hammered home how much smaller she was compared to him. Considering the archangel tended to own a room when she stepped into it, this realization threw him. Was it just because he was getting used to her?

"You remind me a lot of myself," she finally said.

"What?" he asked dumbly, not really believing what she'd said. Azrial snorted, pushing the chair next to the table out with her foot. He hesitantly sat down, not hiding his confusion.

"You remind me of myself," she repeated. "Taking on way more crap than you probably ever should for the sake of maintaining some fucked up sense of normalcy for your family."

Dean didn't know what to say to that, or how to really process the all too familiar tone of voice Azrial was using. She began pulling at a fray in her jeans, not meeting his eyes.

"I'm…not in a good place mentally, Dean, so I can only imagine what this shit is doing to you." She stopped talking and glanced up at him through dark lashes. "We suffer from the same thought process; that if our lives are the cost of success, then that's a small price to pay."

Dean stared at her, his mouth dry. It wasn't like she was the first person to call him out on this, his ears still sometimes rang from Bobby's yelling about his deal to save Sam, but dammit she was the first who seemed to understand.

"It's uh…an older sibling thing," he half-heartedly joked. She didn't laugh, her serious demeanor created another awkward pause. "You're…not gonna let me off with that excuse, are ya?"

"Sorry, but no." She paused, tilting her head to look at the ceiling. "And sadly for you, I'm going to be a massive hypocrite about this entire situation."

"How so?"

"You mean a lot to Bobby," she said after a moment. Dean blinked in confusion, wondering where that had come from.

"Well, yeah, he's known us since we were snot-nosed brats."

"Since?" she joked, sitting up to look at him. He glowered, but she snorted and turned serious again. "Dean, he looks at you and Sam as his own kids. You're his sons in all the ways that matter, you know that right?"

Dean swallowed, looking away from Azrial. He didn't want to get into this, but at this point, he was trapped in the conversation. "Yeah," he whispered. "It's…a mutual feeling."

Azrial didn't say anything to his admission, and he was happy about it. When he looked back at her she nodded that she heard him.

"I…am fond of Bobby," she admitted. "That…fondness, well, it makes me rather protective."

"You can, uh, skip the touchy-feely bits," Dean said awkwardly. "Cas gave Sam and me the lowdown on how angels and demons can show affection. Felt like the birds and the bees 2.0, so I really don't need it again from you."

Azrial exhaled sharply, swallowing a laugh that seemed like it was fighting to form. "Fair enough," she chuckled. "I'll cut to the chase then."

She stood up, and Dean almost jumped when she leaned down jabbing a finger into his chest.

"You mean the absolute world to Bobby, and that means you're stuck with me looking after you now, Winchester." Dean went to object, but Azrial placed a finger in front of his face. "I will not see another person I-" the words seemed to freeze in her throat, and she looked away from his face. "I won't see someone I care for suffer the premature loss of family again. Not when I can stop it." She stood up and turned back to the table. Dean stared at her tense shoulders and wondered if that's how he looked most of the time. As if the weight of the world was on his shoulders he was gonna crack at any moment.

"Yeah, well you mean a lot to Cas!" he finally got out, and Azrial tensed but didn't turn to look at him. "And Cas, Cas is…" Dean paused and shut his eyes. "Damnit, I love him. He somehow sees how broken I am and doesn't give two shits."

Azrial turned toward him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "He was always rather sweet." Her voice cracked at the admission, and Azrial took a deep breath. "Hold those you love close, Dean. You never truly understand the gifts in your life until they are gone."

She practically ran out of the room before he could say anything else, and Dean fell into the chair with a sigh. He realized she never fully agreed to take him with her, but he couldn't find it in himself to be mad. There was something in the way she'd treated him that left him on the back step.

Like…a little brother.

"Damnit," he exhaled. "Angels suck."

Line Break

Bobby looked up from the car he was working on as the front door slammed shut. He saw someone dart into the junkyard, and given the speed, he had an idea who it was. He looked back at the engine, weighing his options. He could go after Azrial, but it may not help anything.

"Give her space."

Bobby jumped, hitting his head on the open hood of the car. He cursed, turning toward Crowley in annoyance. "Give a man some warning!"

Crowley ignored him, not bothering to apologize for his random appearance. "You were thinking about going after her. Give her some time, for now."

"She ain't doing well," Bobby muttered and turned back to the car. At least this was something he could fix. Azrial…well, he didn't want to dwell too much on that train of thought.

"No, she's not. Which is why I'm here." Bobby paused at the concern that entered Crowley's voice.

"What do you need?"

"Her nightmares are back. I'm sure you're familiar with them, given Dean's experience in Hell."

Bobby shut his eyes, grunting as he pulled at a particularly stubborn lug nut. "Yeah. I am."

"She will try and act like she doesn't need sleep, but she does." Crowley paused, and Bobby's brow scrunched in thought.

"But she's an angel. Angel's don't need sleep.

"It's…" Crowley sighed, and Bobby gave up on the car and turned toward the demon. "It's what?" he asked.

"The trauma her grace, and at this point her golem, have experienced leaves her in a strange spot," Crowley explained. "You're right, she doesn't need sleep in the same sense as a human, but she greatly benefits from the rest."

"Why ya telling me this? Why not her?"

Crowley looked away. "She didn't want to bother you with this. I'm only telling you because she tends to become short-tempered without rest, and I don't want you to think it's anything personal."

"There's more to it," Bobby prodded. "What's going on Crowley?"

"I've broken her confidence enough," Crowley growled. "Just…keep an eye on her."

Bobby wanted to pry more, but he understood it must have taken the demon a lot to come to him in the first place. "Alright, I will."

Crowley glanced at him, and the gratitude in the demon's eyes floored him for a moment. It was gone in a flash, and suddenly Crowley was in his space. Bobby didn't stiffen, which seemed to shock both of them equally.

"Tell me," the demon whispered. "Would you do the same if she'd come to you about me?"

Bobby's mouth felt dry, and his fingers twitched uselessly at his side. He met Crowley's questioning gaze and swallowed back his nerves. Fuck it, the world was ending. Or maybe the constant dreams he'd been having since getting back from Italy had finally done in his sanity.

"Yeah, I would have. I happen to enjoy your company, ya bastard."

The flash of surprise across Crowley's face was well worth the admission, and he snorted in amusement. The demon's eyes narrowed, and suddenly the space between them completely disappeared.

Crowley leaned up, and was kissing him soundly with one hand at the back of his head. Bobby was trying to kick start his brain but it seemed to have fucked off to some other place. Instinct took over, and he pulled the demon closer by one of his belt loops.

A loud wolf whistle broke the moment, and Bobby jumped away from Crowley as he realized what had just happened. The demon didn't look offended, but his gaze was now glued behind him. Bobby spun around to see Azrial sitting on the roof of one of the junkers with a cell phone in hand and a full-blown grin.

"Oh, don't stop!" she whined. "I was getting into that."

"You-," he swallowed back his annoyance at her words and decided to focus on the more important bit. "Why ain't you mad?"

"I would have done the same if given the opportunity," she shrugged and glanced at Crowley. "Looks like you were quicker."

"Worth every minute," the demon practically purred.

"What the hell?" he demanded, turning toward Crowley. "What am I, a toy to you?"

"No," the demon scowled. "You are a precious soul. One that Azrial and I want well protected."

Bobby had never had the wind taken out of sails so quickly.

"He's right," Azrial said, making him turn back to her. "You mean a lot to the both of us. So no, I'm not mad Crowley kissed you. Quite the opposite actually." She winked, and Bobby felt heat rise to his face at the heated look the angel had him pinned with.

"You two," he exhaled sharply. "You'll be the death of me."

"But what a lovely death it would be," Crowley said as he walked toward Azrial. "Think about it, Robert. I simply couldn't miss my chance, but I will not force myself on you further."

"Bobby," Azrial said softly. "We are your friends first, but we wanted to make it clear to you we were open to more. If we misread your intentions, forgive us."

Bobby watched as the angel jumped down from the scrapper's hood, and Crowley put out a hand to steady her as she almost tripped forward. It seemed the demon wasn't kidding about the lack of sleep affecting her.

"You didn't," he paused, wondering why the hell he was bothering to admit this. In for a penny at this point. "Ain't like…I haven't thought about you two like that. Just figured it was because I was constantly around ya and enjoyed the company."

"But?" she prodded and he huffed.

"But it might be more, okay? I just…the damn world is ending and there is too much shit going on to think about a damn relationship."

The two beings exchanged a look before turning back to him. "That's fair," Azrial said. "How about…a proposal."

Bobby couldn't let that go. "That's skipping a whole lot of steps, princess."

Crowley snorted as Azrial pouted at his sarcasm, but there was a spark of amusement in her eyes. "You're very mean, hunter."

"You walked into that," Crowley snorted.

"Anyway," she huffed. "What if…we just continue on as we have, and you can move things along as you like. That way, Crowley and I don't inadvertently make you uncomfortable, and end up getting shot."

Bobby snorted at the half-serious comment but knew it was a possibility. The only reason Crowley hadn't been shot was because he'd recognized the demon's cologne.

"That's not a bad idea," Bobby said after a moment. "But what about you two? I'd rather not end up a pile of bones if I piss ya off."

"I'd fuck you right now if given the chance," Crowley said bluntly. "You've also stood up to me more than once. Why stop there? We've created a rather deep bond at this point."

Bobby rolled his eyes but nodded in understanding as he moved his gaze to Azrial. "And you?"

"You've intrigued me since we first met. Would I enjoy having sex with you? Certainly. It's more than that for me, though. I've enjoyed…being a normal woman with you, Bobby. That's something I haven't experienced in a very long time. There aren't many people who'd treat an archangel as an equal."

"What am I?" Crowley asked in annoyance.

"Some would argue massively suicidal or just dumb," Azrial laughed. "But you know I didn't mean you, Crowley. You've always treated me the same as anyone else."

The demon huffed but didn't actually seem overly offended. Bobby mulled over their words. "So to clarify, you," he pointed at Crowley. "Primarily would like to get in my pants and keep things the way they were otherwise."

"For the most part," Crowley shrugged. "Our relationship is actually quite similar to the one I share with Azrial outside of the sex."

"His love language is quality time," Azrial mock whispered. Crowley took a swipe at the angel who ducked away with a laugh.

"Horrid woman," Crowley muttered.

"So you want to be around me cause I treat you…normally?" Bobby asked Azrial. She paused her teasing and turned to him.

"That's part of it," she admitted. "I'm also attracted to you. You're intelligent, powerful in your own right, and have a warmth to your soul I could bask in all day."

Bobby looked away, his cheeks warm. Well, that just summed up the two didn't it? Crowley was sexual and Azrial was sensual. They both looked at him like he was a damn unicorn though, and that terrified him.

"I…don't wanna fuck up what we have," he said gruffly. "I ain't great at relationships."

"Neither is Crowley," Azrial said, ducking the demon's hand again. "Thankfully I have enough experience for all three of us!" she said with mock pride.

"You're a bloody nightmare," Crowley sighed. The demon glanced at him, wariness in his eyes. "We can forget this ever happened if you want."

Bobby shook his head. "No, I don't really want to. Let's just…take it one day at a time. Not like you two are in any rush."

Azrial smiled brilliantly and seemed to gain some energy from his agreement. Crowley's response was more muted, but Bobby couldn't miss the pleased smile he directed toward him.

"That reminds me, why did ya have your phone out?" Bobby asked Azrial. Her smile turned mischievous.

"Oh, just immortalizing the moment."

Bobby stared at her in confusion until it dawned on him. "You didn't!" he growled.

She flashed a photo that clearly showed him and Crowley kissing. "Oh, I did. I think I'll make it my screensaver."

Bobby lunged toward the phone, but Azrial ducked under him with a laugh and took off into the scrapyard. "If you want it so badly, get my phone!"

"Evil," Bobby muttered as he fully stood up. "Good to see her laughin' though."

"She's a handful," Crowley admitted. "But…it's worth it in the end. I know when the chips are down, she'd move Heaven and Hell for me."

"And you'd do the same," Bobby chuckled. The demon was silent, and Bobby glanced at him. The worry on his face was clear as day now, and Bobby reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "I'll keep an eye on her."

To his surprise, Crowley leaned up brushing his lips against his ear. "Thank you, pet. I'll let you get back to work."

The demon walked toward the house, clearly knowing better than to appear inside without warning. Bobby watched him go, deep in thought. He'd just massively stepped over the line of what he'd used to consider acceptable, but he wasn't sure that was a bad thing.

It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. Hopefully, it didn't get him killed.

The next update is Saturday, March 19, 2022