An angel, a demon, and a hotel room.

[sohoangel]

It is the first week of the New Year, and Aziraphale has made plans.

Technically they are Crowley's plans, but the angel is the one who is carrying them out. He's booked a room for a week in a luxury hotel along the southern coast of England, far enough from London that he won't be tempted by the siren call of his bookshop. (He's left it in Toby's capable hands for the week, and closed to the rest of the public.)

He booked the hotel the old-fashioned way, by calling up a travel agent and listing his preferences. It must have excellent room service, a full bar, a little area (preferably a balcony) for reading and having tea, and there must only be one bed. He couldn't stress that last part enough, much to the agent's obvious amusement. She ended up recommending a lovely, lavish suite often reserved by couples, which he eagerly accepted without further delay.

~*~

As everything was handled over the telephone, the suite is as much a surprise to Aziraphale as it must be to Crowley. "Oh, isn't it wonderful!" he exclaims when they walk into suite, their luggage already waiting for them in the entryway. "The decor reminds me of that time I traveled part of the Silk Road. Look, there's even a fireplace!" He moves further into the bedroom portion of the open-floor suite, making note of the large, round bed and --

Is that a mirror above the bed?

Blushing slightly, he continues on to the balcony entrance, a view of the beach awaiting him, as well as a complimentary bottle of champagne and platter of fruit dipped in chocolate. Crowley's insistence that they spend the week entirely in the hotel room comes back to him, and though he's almost entirely sure that the demon wasn't implying something... more... than their current, very comfortable level of intimacy, the thought that these romantic quarters are their ultimate destination has him a little excitable.

"So -- what, ah, what shall we do first now that you have me all to myself, dear boy?" Aziraphale smiles at him warmly. "This is your show, as they say."

Comments

[notasnake]

Crowley hadn't really intended for the two of them to end up in a hotel room as big as their flat (the inclusion of a fireplace is lovely, though), but it's exactly like Aziraphale to get them the absolute best option available. The demon takes in all the details as he moves around with his usual snake-like swagger, hands fidgeting restlessly at his sides.

He's promised a lot to his partner for this week away without fully comprehending or intending it, and that part of their current reality is now catching up to him rapidly. A whole week where they don't go outside. Just the two of them, alone save for the occasional hotel staff to change linens or bring in room service, in a truly romantic space and... a single large, plush bed. His pulse races as the last puzzle piece falls into place in his mind.

"Yeah... nice. Silk road, right."

Satan what has he gotten himself into this time? Promising more than he can even readily speak of with Aziraphale. He's so fucked, decidedly in only the metaphorical sense right now.

Making his way out to the angel's side, Crowley pops the champagne open the old fashioned way before pouring them each a glass. Aziraphale's said it dozens of times - hundreds, even - since they began this... thing between them, but Crowley could really use a little something to take the edge off right now.

"A drink," he answers, his voice tense as he presses a glass into Aziraphale's hand. The demon takes a breath, forcing himself to calm down enough to smile back at the angel. "And a toast to our first real vacation. I'll let you do the honors for that part."

[sohoangel]

The tone of Crowley's voice when he answers doesn't go unnoticed, and Aziraphale tilts his gaze up in mild concern. Is there something about the suite Crowley doesn't like? Or maybe he's regretting his decision of an entire week alone with Aziraphale. It's true that they spend nearly all their time together now, but it's often out to dinner or a show or some fun in the Nexus. Maybe this was too much, too soon?

But Crowley seems to relax, and so does Aziraphale, who -- deep down -- very much wants to spend this uninterrupted time with his beloved partner. "All right," he says with a charmed smile, lifting his glass in preparation of an impromptu toast. "To our first real vacation. A chance to experience something new. Together."

[notasnake]

Nothing about this is too soon, but it's all too much. The demon doesn't have the words to properly express that feeling yet, but he's hoping getting loosened up will help. The champagne will be a good start.

"Together," he agrees. His smile warms as he clinks his glass to Aziraphale's and then takes a sip. It's pleasantly dry and carbonated, which is always a plus in the demon's book. He helps himself to the entirety of the glass, then sets it aside so he can wrap an arm around his angel. Right. Time to words or... something.

God, why did You have to make things so interminably awkward when it comes to love and sex?!

"It's a lovely view," he notes, leading them closer to the balcony's edge so they can take in the full taste of the sea air. "You... you did good, angel. I like this. A lot. ...a lot, a lot, I mean." Oh Hell, now he's rambling. He exhales a frustrated breath and then miracles his glass, fully refilled, into his free hand so he can take another drink. He's sure Aziraphale can tell he's nervous, but the words to explain are still... not there. Another sigh and he pulls the angel closer.

"It's going to be good. Our vacation," he adds after a moment. "I promise. Best thing we've ever done together."

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale takes a moment to appreciate his sip of champagne. Delightfully crisp and bubbly, and sure to go well with the sweetness of the chocolate and fruit. The hotel staff clearly know what they're doing. It's an auspicious start to their vacation, and he wiggles in place, clearly pleased by his choice in hotels (via that wonderful travel agent).

There's an aborted reach towards one of those confections when Crowley wraps an arm around him and leads him closer to the balcony's edge. The view is lovely, the sea glittering in the late afternoon sun, a few beachcombers doting the sandy shore. Aziraphale only pays it a short glance before giving Crowley his complete attention, his expression going from curious to confused as the demon stumbles over his words, so obviously nervous that the angel wraps an arm around him in turn and gives him a comforting squeeze.

It's when Crowley speaks again that his smile returns, immeasurably fond. He's not sure what has his poor demon so worked up, but at least he's reassured that Crowley is looking forward to this vacation as much as he is. "That's a tall order," he says with a chuckle, "When every day spent with you feels like the best thing we've ever done together."

He kisses Crowley on the cheek, then gestures towards the chocolate-covered fruit with his glass. "Shall we have a sample to go with the bubbly before we drink it all?"

[notasnake]

Oh Satan. How does Aziraphale manage to fluster him like this? Demons should be immune to this sort of thing, shouldn't they? But here Crowley stands, pressed against his angel and wondering how he's managed to get himself into this mess. You'd think after so many ages of man he'd be good at planning, but today proves otherwise.

"Chocolate sounds good, yeah." The chocolate dipped strawberries look perfectly ripe, but the raspberries and blackberries also look delicious. They also allow Crowley to grab a few and pop them into his mouth before he can distracted by the two of them feeding each other. Which he does quickly to prevent himself from trying to say anything else. This means letting go of Aziraphale while he helps himself to the berries one by one and clings to his drink with the other hand, but he's hoping the handful of berries he left behind will be a good distraction for the angel.

This is getting very awkward very quickly, but the demon isn't ready to speak up about it. The alcohol buzz hasn't set in yet. After it gets here though... he's definitely going to mention the reason he's so nervous. Totally. Maybe. Definitely.. ...fuck.

[sohoangel]

There's a bit of a pout on Aziraphale's face when Crowley lets go to help himself to a handful of the smaller berries, one that he's quick to hide. The truth is, he was very much hoping that Crowley would offer to feed him, or at least stay within cuddling range. It is one of his favorite rituals of intimacy between them, and he wanted to indulge. That was the entire point of a vacation, wasn't it?

Oh, well. They have an entire week, there's time enough for it, he supposes. Besides, those chocolate-dipped strawberries look scrumptious. Carefully, he picks one up by its stem and takes a bite. The creamy chocolate coating gives way, a burst of juice in his mouth from the perfectly ripe strawberry.

"Mmm," he says, eyes fluttering shut. The sweetness of the strawberry and richness of the chocolate following the sharp carbonation of the champagne is the perfect marriage of flavors. That, combined with the soothing sound of the ocean waves and the sea-salt breeze tickling his nose, make for a moment worth savoring. He chews and swallows, similar sounds following, chasing it all with another sip of champagne, his expression one of pure pleasure.

Opening his eyes, he smiles at Crowley languorously. "If this is how they prepare their complimentary treats, I can't wait to order from the full menu."

[notasnake]

Focus being off of himself helps Crowley let go of some of his nervousness. He manages to take a breath and exhale it shakily without being noticed while Aziraphale enjoys his first bite of chocolate covered strawberry. By the time the angel looks back at him, the demon has a warm smile for his partner. He forgoes trying a strawberry of his own to wrap his arm around the angel again, knowing this is something they both want right now.

There's a lot riding on this week-long vacation they're on. Crowley's promised a lot more than he realized and he doesn't want to disappoint Aziraphale by not being able to deliver. Part of him is ready to own up to that, or at least to let his partner know where he's at, but...

Later. Later is a good time for that. Right now there's chocolate covered fruit, champagne, and a warm angel pressed against him to enjoy.

"You mean you didn't take a peek at it before we arrived?" he teases gently. He helps himself to a sip of champagne then leans in for a kiss. "I'm sure whatever you choose for us will be excellent. This place is fare more... everything than I'd imagined." It's a good thing, especially as it helps Crowley deflect questions about what they're going to do after they've finished off their welcome snack.

[sohoangel]

The arm around him is most welcome, Aziraphale immediately snuggling into that half-embrace. He returns the smile, shaking his head at the question. "No, I've only read the reviews. I wanted this to be as much a surprise for me as it would be for you."

When Crowley leans in to kiss him, Aziraphale takes his time to savor it as he did with the strawberry, drawing out the moment with a teasing swipe of his tongue, making a near identical sound of pleasure. They pull apart, and he refreshes himself with the rest of the champagne in his glass.

"Yes, it's quite a bit more than I'd imagined, too." Especially the mirror above the bed. He's not entirely sure of the point, but it must somehow involve what people do on a bed, and he blushes at the thought. Oh, but -- best not to concern himself with such things. There's no reason to think they aren't here to carry on as usual. That still leaves the nagging worry of how they'll fill an entire week together in their suite, but he tries not to dwell on that, holding out his empty glass. "Another refill, my dear? And... another strawberry, if you please?"

[notasnake]

This kind of reaction and affection makes it easy for Crowley to forget everything else that's happening. He exhales a content breath when they part from their kiss and presses his fore head to Aziraphale's, leaning gently into the angel. There are so many unknowns right now and he's certainly struggling a lot, but things slowing down in this way helps.

"As you wish, angel." His smile warms as he sets aside his glass and reaches for the champagne bottle. Once Aziraphale's glass is refilled and his own is topped off, he swaps out the champagne for a strawberry. He takes his time to "tempt" the angel by holding the strawberry just out of Aziraphale's reach, then presses it to the angel's lips in a slow, deliberate manner. It's a particularly messy feeding, but Crowley doesn't mind in the least. When the angel is finished enjoying his treat, he cleans his fingers of most of the melted chocolate on them before placing his hand on Aziraphale's cheek.

"As good as the first?" he asks. The angel definitely made them look tempting, but verbal confirmation is always enjoyable in these situations.

[sohoangel]

Foreheads touching, Aziraphale takes a moment to bask in Crowley's love. He's not sure if the demon is even aware how much he shows it -- how much he has always shown it, if the angel hadn't been so much in denial to notice it. Of course, now it's impossible to hide with all the kissing and 'as you wish'-es thrown his way. It's wonderful, a dream that Aziraphale never let himself hope that is now suddenly true.

The tempting is met with a pout that wouldn't scold a puppy, followed by a soft giggle at the game Crowley makes of it. He lets the strawberry slide into his mouth, biting and chewing and enjoying himself, washing it all down with more champagne while Crowley cleans his fingers.

"Even better," he replies. He turns his head and kisses Crowley's hand, adding, "But next time, let me handle the clean-up, dear."

They finish the rest of the chocolate-covered fruit this way, feeding one another, Aziraphale especially not wasting a bit of chocolate, whether it's on lips or fingers. The bottle of champagne doesn't stand a chance between them, and soon enough the angel is both sated and feeling a little light-headed from all the bubbly. By now he has both arms around Crowley, snuggling close as the sun begins to set and the beach air turns chilly.

"Well... that was simply delightful. What shall we do with ourselves now? It's a bit early for dinner. Perhaps order up some more wine?"

[notasnake]

The champagne is certainly helping Crowley as Aziraphale tempts and teases him with chocolates and their related cleanup. By the time they've finished everything off, he's almost completely relaxed the way he was right before they left for this little vacation. He takes a deep breath as he wraps his arms around the angel's shoulders, holding them close together as they look out over the darkening sea.

"Mm. Something red, perhaps? And another bottle of bubbly for later enjoyment." They have that nice little cooler for it; They might as well use it while they can.

Crowley exhales a deep sigh and tugs Aziraphale a little closer. "How about a fire as well? We can have the lad or lass who comes up with the wine light it for us." A miracle can keep the fire going all night once it's going, but starting things the mortal way is always nice. It'll also give the wine a little extra time to breathe and keep the hotel attendant busy while Crowley miracles the cork out of the bottle. No need to go that old fashioned when it comes to wine.

[sohoangel]

A relaxed Crowley in his arms is a wonderful thing; he nuzzles a little into the crook of Crowley's neck, breathing in his familiar scent, now mingling pleasantly with the salt air. "A pinot noir, then," he says, "To savor on its own merits. And a fire sounds lovely, just the thing to ward off the chill."

Not that Aziraphale needs mortal means to stay warm, but he has grown accustomed to that sort of comfort. Hot cocoa, woolen scarves, sitting by a fire, those are all things that he takes pleasure in. Even better if there is a particular demon to curl up with. He gives Crowley a squeeze before detangling himself and heading inside to find the suite's phone. "I'll put a call in now."

The suite has more than one phone, as it turns out. He finds the one by the bed, and will later be completely mystified by the one in the bathroom. The button interface as opposed to rotary gets a cute little frown, but he manages to contact room service and put in their request.

Shortly afterwards a fresh-faced hotel attendant arrives with the requested items, then sets about starting the fire. They're polite and professional, taking care of everything efficiently before returning the couple to their privacy.

Aziraphale sheds his jacket and hangs it in the closet before taking one of the seats at the low table where the wine has been placed. After a moment's thought, he removes his shoes and stretches his legs out towards the fire, wriggling his sock-covered toes in contentment. "Mmm, very nice."

[notasnake]

After sending the attendant off with a miracled twenty pound note for their trouble, Crowley sets about getting the wine ready while Aziraphale sets up in front of the fire. He snaps his fingers to remove the cork then pours each of them a healthy glass. Once the angel has a glass in hand, the demon settles himself in the other with a content sigh, his own glass already at his lips for a taste. It's helpful, because it keeps him from asking the inevitable question: What happens when they're done drinking for the night?

"Nice vintage," he notes with a smile. Not quite as nice as Aziraphale's collection in their wine cellar, but not everyone trawls the occasional estate sale looking for old bottles. Turning his smile to the angel, he holds out his glass for a clink and a toast. "What shall we drink to now, angel? Vacation's already going pretty well, shop's in order until our return..." He hesitates a moment, then prods, "What else are you hoping for this week?"

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale watches Crowley pour the wine with an easy smile, accepting his glass with a quiet thanks. It is a nice vintage, he thinks as he samples it for himself. Considering the quality of the hotel, that shouldn't be a surprise. He lets the complex, but balanced flavor sit on his tongue a moment before swallowing, then blinks at Crowley's gesture for a toast.

"Oh, but we've done it backwards," he says with a laugh. He clinks his glass to Crowley's anyway. "Let's drink to ourselves, and doing what we like without any sort of obligation."

The angel loves his bookshop, truly, and the few people who come in who only want to browse and discuss literature. But maintaining it does take actual work on his part, and sometimes it's nice to take a break.

He brings his glass to his lips for another sip, but stops short at Crowley's question. "Uh... well..." He tilts his head, more confused than anything. This whole thing was Crowley's idea, wasn't it? "Just to spend more time with you, dear. That's all. Why? What are you hoping for?"

[notasnake]

Oh no. Why did he ask that? Why did he think it would be a good idea to ask for options from Aziraphale? He knew better. It was his idea that they spend an entire week away from everyone else in the multiverse and do... things...

He really needs to stop answering text messages while he's intoxicated.

"I. Well, I..." Satan, this is so awkward. What he'd meant while he was drunk and communicating via text and what he can actually say are two very different things. Crowley takes a long drink of his wine and then stares intently down at his glass, praying for some kind of inspiration to get him out of this mess.

Unfortunately for Crowley, God isn't listening (as if She ever listens to him), so it's all on him to get over himself enough to speak.

"Just... You know, time together. And-- and stuff. The usual. Just with a different... A..." Fuck he can't remember the word. He takes a another drink of wine, nearly choking as it hits him and he tries to speak before he's swallowed. "Change of scenery. Wanted a change of scenery. For us. For drinking and... kissing ...and such."

AWKWARD.

[sohoangel]

Yeah, awkward. Crowley's mood is such a sudden shift from his earlier relaxed state that the angel inherently tenses, wings rustling on the astral plane. What the Dickens is going on? Aziraphale sets aside his wine glass, unconsciously fiddling with his pinky ring, a sure sign of anxiety. Was it something he said? And they had been having such a lovely time, too!

"Crowley..." he trails off, his worried blue eyes searching the demon's face for some sort of clue. "That's fine. It's more than fine. You know how much I enjoy those things."

It's tempting to steer the conversation elsewhere. Or perhaps kiss him. Kissing always seems to make things better. But then they'll likely be at this same spot again before the evening's through. No, they... they need to talk about this. Whatever's troubling Crowley. He takes a breath and reaches out across their little table to take his hands.

"My dearest. Please. Something's bothering you. Will you tell me? If it's..." He swallows. "If you're having second thoughts about our length of time here or -- or anything else, please. I can't stand to see you like this."

[notasnake]

Cue the most common sight ever in this relationship: Crowley sputtering on a sip of his drink as he flails and turns to Aziraphale. He'll take a moment to set down his wine glass as well to keep him from spilling it everywhere.

"What? No, no! Nothing's wrong, angel, really!" Shit, did he make things so awkward that his partner really thinks something's wrong with their relationship? God in Heaven that is not what he wanted. Think fast, demon, because this is one of those times where time is against you.

The gears in his head are going a thousand miles a minute as he stands long enough to move in front of Aziraphale. He gently takes the angel's hands in his as he kneels in front of his partner. He's not ready for this, but he's got to do something.

"Nothing's wrong with you, Aziraphale, or us. I promise." He squeezes the angel's hands gently in reassurance. "It's just... I mean I feel..." Damn, what's that word humans have for these situations. After all these years you'd think he'd know it all. His heart is racing, his palms are sweating, and he's feeling very flushed. He takes a moment to remove his glasses so he can look the angel directly in the eyes.

"I'm no good at this thing we're doing," he offers after a moment. "Shacking up made sense after... well, after we, uh, got together, but..." He sighs and lets his eyes wander aimlessly over Aziraphale's features. "Demons aren't built for love, angel. I'm struggling here. Never know what I'm doing. I thought this could be a romantic getaway for us, but all I've done is make it awkward."

This whole thing was probably a mistake, or at least far too soon. They've only been a couple for a few months, less than a blink of an eye compared to the rest of their friendship. He really needs to start thinking more about what he's saying before he says it.

"I don't have any plans for this week. All I really wanted was uninterrupted time with you." No customers, no nosy vampires. Just an angel and a demon enjoying themselves alone for once.

[sohoangel]

As much as Aziraphale wants to be reassured, he can't quite catch his breath, not until Crowley is kneeling in front of him, his sunglasses off so that the angel can finally see his eyes. His demon is obviously in some sort of distress, which he can't stand to see, much less think he might be responsible. It takes everything in his power not to fidget while Crowley holds his hands and finally spits out the source of his on-again, off-again anxiety.

When he does, Aziraphale's chest both relaxes and aches terribly. He slips his hands out of Crowley's grip, but only so that he can cup his demon's face. "Oh, my dear," he murmurs, brushing his cheekbones with his thumbs. "My dearest. That's all I want, too. Just to be with you, however you want that to be."

He leans down to kiss Crowley, featherlight and tender. When he pulls back, his smile is loving, but rueful. "You love me better than any being in creation ever could. You have my heart, Crowley. You don't need to do anything except be yourself. Whatever happens can happen naturally, when you're ready. Lord knows you've waited long enough for me, the least I can do repay the favor."

[notasnake]

Crowley instinctively rests his hands over the ones on his face as Aziraphale comes close enough for a kiss. It helps settle him a bit, but he still can't manage a smile for his angel. What does it matter if he loves the angel if he can't actually say it? 'As you wish' is a good placeholder, but it's not the whole of it. He frowns, then reaches up to tug Aziraphale close enough to press their foreheads together.

"You deserve better from me. Just because we both know the truth doesn't... doesn't mean I shouldn't say it, too." And yet the words catch in his throat every time he so much as thinks about them. All he has to do is push them out, to try just a touch harder... but he can't manage it. He can talk about love objectively until the sun burns out and the universe inevitably ends, but saying I love you to the one being who deserves to hear it is impossible.

Something's terribly wrong with himself. That's the only explanation.

Another sigh escapes him as he shifts his hands to Aziraphale's shoulders. "I want to do this with you. This... whole relationship... thing. All the parts of it. Not just kissing or going out to dinner together or falling asleep next to each other. But I don't know how, angel." He shakes his head a little, the tension in his shoulders rising. "I've watched humans do it for millennia and I still can't figure it out for myself. I'm so... pathetic."

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale's eyes widen even as his forehead as pressed against Crowley's. "Crowley, no," he says beseechingly. "Don't say that. You're -- you mean everything to me. Don't talk as if I deserve better or I am better or that you need to say and do things a certain way for this to mean anything to me."

How long has Crowley been struggling without saying a word? He cradles the demon's face as if he were made from spun glass, wincing visibly when Crowley calls himself pathetic.

"No," he says sharply. "No, you're -- you're brave, far braver than I've ever been. You're a demon whose been told he can't love for millennia. And I -- I'm sure I haven't helped with what I've said over the years. Crowley, I'm so sorry. All you've been doing for so long is loving me, even if you didn't know it, and even when I was in too much denial to know it, either. You say that demons aren't built for love, and here I am, a bloody angel, and I was just as terrible, and yet you never stopped loving me."

He slides his hands into Crowley's hair, tilting his head back enough so that he can look his demon in the eyes, his own full of unshed tears. "You don't have to figure it out by yourself. We're on our own side, remember? We can work it out together. And if you can't say 'I love you' then I'll have to say it for the both of us until you can. I love you, Crowley. I love you."

[notasnake]

He listens intently as Aziraphale pours his heart out, apologizes for things Crowley hasn't even begun to think about or process since they finally admitted their feelings to one another. The angel never acted out of character, was never anything but a force for good even when there were so many forces acting against him. How brave or foolish either of them were over the years doesn't really matter because they were being the way they both thought they needed to be in the moment.

All of these thoughts are ones he can't vocalize, though. Aziraphale's slide into panic and uncertainty sees to that. Crowley pulls himself closer to his angel's chair, takes his face gently between his hands, and ignores the way his heart sinks and his eyes well up with tears of his own.

"I couldn't be anywhere but with you," he promises. He meets the angel's gaze with his own, unsteady and fearful as it is, to show his commitment to their relationship. "Even when we weren't together, I was always thinking about you. You were always on my mind. And you always will be." He looks over his partner's face longingly for a moment before pressing their lips together to offer more reassurance than his words alone can manage.

He doesn't know when he'll be able to tell the angel how much he loves him, how much he has always loved him. He hopes Aziraphale will be as forgiving for the wait as he has been with everything else.

His voice drops to a hushed whisper when they part. "Anything I can give you is yours." Crowley only hopes it's enough.

[sohoangel]

The guilt from their meeting at the bandstand weighs heavily on Aziraphale, even now. They never really talked about it, and maybe that's part of the problem. They know each other well enough to pretend to be one another and fool both Heaven and Hell, but there are some things that Aziraphale is only starting to realize about himself, and it's likely the same for Crowley. Struggles they never anticipated having to deal with.

But, he reminds himself, even as his jaw trembles in Crowley's gentle hands, they also have each other.

"You were always on my mind, too," he sniffles, the ache in his chest finally easing. Crowley kisses him and he returns it with all the love he has. When they part, he lets out a watery giggle. "You silly serpent, you should listen to yourself, those are words of love you've said to me. You show so much more than you think you do, I wish you could believe me that it's enough. I promise, it fills me with love."

His hands lovingly trace over Crowley's face, fingers brushing into his hair. "I think what I'd like now most of all is a cuddle, if you feel up to it."

[notasnake]

It tugs at his heart in a painful way to hear that. How can he show his love but not affirm it with words, too? His eyes fall closed as he breathes through the heavy emotions weighing on him, trying to take physical form in the shape of tears. This is all so incredibly difficult and there's no damn reason it should be. He loves Aziraphale more than anything, more than God, but he can't put three stupid words together for all the tiny bits that make up the universe. Sighing, he lets his face drop so he can have a few seconds to compose himself.

"I do." It's all he's good at, apparently. He heaves another sigh, then manages a smile as he gets to his feet and offers his hands to the angel. "Come on. Let's give the bed a go. I don't think the ottoman will be as comfy."

It's obvious he's still quite distracted as he leads them to the bed and kicks off his shoes, but what he lacks in emotional finesse he makes up for with physical presence. Crowley pulls Aziraphale as close as he can when they've both laid down, his arms around the angel in a protective manner. His arms can't ward off bad thoughts, but they're fairly warm and very secure.

The bed is comfy enough that the demon thinks he might even grab a small nap before dinner, but a glance up at the ceiling to a... mirror??? stops that thought.

"Say angel," he starts, already feeling awkward about having to ask this question, "is there supposed to be a mirror above the bed?"

[sohoangel]

Somehow, Aziraphale has said something that has made Crowley's heart heavier and not lighter. An apology rests on the tip of his tongue, but he holds back, instead silently petting the demon's hair while he composes himself. More words won't help here and Crowley's turmoil won't be undone in a day. But at least Aziraphale has made it clear that he loves him unconditionally. That will have to be enough, for now.

"Not enough room on the ottoman," he agrees as he takes Crowley's hands and leaves the table and its wine behind. He curls up in Crowley's arms once they're both on the bed, his head resting on the demon's shoulder and a hand nestled in the demon's hair. The angel is warm and soft and even though he won't be lulled into the possibility of a nap like his partner, his breathing is slow and even, as restful as he gets.

His thoughts are drifting away from their heavy conversation and towards what to order for dinner when Crowley mentions the mirror. He blushes, remembering how he spotted it earlier. "Oh, ah... I didn't ask for one specifically, no..."

He turns his head to look up and stares at the sight above him. One does not often get the opportunity to see oneself snuggling with the love of one's life, and the angel finds he can't look away. He smiles tentatively. "We're rather cute together, aren't we?"

[notasnake]

It's an odd thing, to be sure. Crowley doesn't know how to feel about it; For all the weird things he's seen in his life, this is at the top of the list. He tilts his head slightly as he follows Aziraphale's gaze, staring up at the both of them as they cuddle.

Despite his vanity, the demon rarely uses mirrors for anything. He knows he looks good and if anything needs more fixing than what he can do without a mirror, he'll use a miracle. But... he likes this view. It's not just him looking at himself; It's him and his angel, simply being themselves together. The thought makes it a little easier to handle to strangeness of there being a mirror above the bed even as he can't come up with a particular reason it should exist in the first place - other than to make things awkward for the couple in bed, that is.

'Cute' wouldn't be his choice of word for the two of them, but he agrees with Aziraphale's assessment. Pretty much anything involving the angel devolves into cute given enough time.

"Yeah, I think so, too." He chuckles softly and presses a kiss into the angel's hair, nuzzling him a little with his chin to enjoy the feeling of said hair. It's always so soft and warm, pressed against the angel's warm body as it is. "Comfortable as well. You're always so soft, angel." It's one of the many things he appreciates now that they can be this close.