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When an angel started to molt their wings, they would not engage contact with any creatures for a while. They prefered to be alone or in special cases, they'd go to another angel that they trusted so they could help. Molting was a boring and rather irritating process but still very intimate and personal and having someone to help was soothing. Aziraphale has never helped or asked for help however that soon would change… Two months post the Apocalypse That Wasn't, he was still nervous and jittery and he told himself repeatedly that his side nor the other cared for him nor Crowley. But his mind, so terribly human sometimes, did not understand the memo and was still fearing something would happen. Molting was a very delicate process and the angel in question was in an incredibly vulnerable position, if something were to happen they wouldn't be able to protect themselves. Which is why Aziraphale found himself uncharacteristically cursing at the air, making Crowley huff a laughter at finding his angel in such a state when he walked in.
"Something the matter angel?" He asked amused. "What's gotten your feathers so ruffled up? Tea and biscuits ran out?"
"Don't be silly Crowley, this is a serious problem I have to deal with right now." He snapped and regretted right after when Crowley's face immediately fell. "Oh no, I'm so terribly sorry my darling. Please forgive me, I'm very nervous and I don't know what to do."
"How about you first tell me what's wrong?" The demon proposed as he approached Aziraphale.
"I- Well yes… Of course, right. Silly me, I didn't say what's wrong. You wouldn't know without me telling you-"
"Angel." He interrupted and Aziraphale stopped. He smiled fondly and continued. "Now breath and tell me what's going on in that pretty head of yours."
"Well, you see…" He shuffled nervously. "I'm starting to molt."
"Oh."
There's a beat of silence as Aziraphale continues to shuffle on his feet as he looks everywhere but Crowley, whilst the other being simply regarded Aziraphale with a concerned look.
"Aziraphale-" He started softly.
"I can't do it. What if they try something?" He asked as he grabbed Crowley by the shoulders fixing him with a wide stare. His blue eyes filled with nerves and a twinge of fear.
"I'd never let them touch you." The demon immediately hissed in response as he looked at the smaller man over his sunglasses. "Never… Though I do think they don't want anything with us for a long while angel, I believe you're safe."
"But we can't be certain can we? Maybe…" He worries his lip and Crowley's eyes instinctively looked at them but immediately returned his stare to Aziraphale's eyes. "Maybe they're waiting for the right opportunity to strike. You know how angels are extremely vulnerable during molting."
"I know." Another moment of silence, then Crowley sighed and bravely asked. "Angel… Would you- Would you like me to stay with you?"
"Y-you!?" He asked surprise, his face lit up as if expecting, hoping really, for Crowley to make that suggestion but the demon was too busy looking at the side embarrassed as he shoved his hands inside his pant pockets.
"Only if you want to, I guess… We're on our side, you know you can trust me."
"Yes I suppose you're right my dear." He nodded. "Crowley would you please stay with me?"
"I. uh you… Are- Are you sure!?" He stumbled over his words as if he hadn't been the one to offer and Aziraphale couldn't help but chuckle at him fondly. "You don't actually have to accept my offer you know?"
"Darling I trust no one else more than you." He admitted in a serious tone and Crowley gaped even more. "I know I can trust you and I do like your offer, I'd feel infinitely safer if you were beside me."
"I- Yeah... Yeah that's good. I- So are you--are we going to stay here?"
"Well... Actually I was thinking of going somewhere else."
"And where would be this 'somewhere else' then?" He asked curiously.
"South Downs…" He said a small smile forming. "It's a really nice cozy cottage and I thought it would be better to go there. It's more private and less noisy. Possibly more protected."
"Sounds like a good plan, when do you want to go?"
"I was planning on going tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!?"
"Ah- Yes. I was actually…. I was going to give you a ring in a moment to tell you that I would be unavailable for a couple of days to be honest."
"Glad I came here just now then."
"Yes indeed."
They stood there smiling at each other and then Crowley suddenly broke eye contact and coughed into his hand.
"How about I tempt you for dinner at the Ritz tonight angel?" He asked. "Last one before you start molting."
"Temptation succeeded, that's an excellent idea my dear."
"And would you like me then to pick you up in the morning?"
"Yes that seems to be the best. I don't think that place is too organized yet and I would like to tidy up before I can't do it. The sooner we go the better."
"Alright then angel whatever you want."
"It's still too early for dinner… Shall we go to the park on the meantime… Feed the ducklings?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Oh, did you know that you're actually not supposed to feed ducks bread?"
"You're not? What the hel- What the heave- What the heck are you supposed to feed them then?"
"Apparently it's bad for them. Perhaps some lettuce or frozen peas or corn, you can Google it on your phone."
"Why don't you Google it on your phone?" The taller being retorted and Aziraphale simply fixed him a stare. "Oh riiight. Honestly angel I don't know why you stopped keeping up with trends since… Since whatever-the-year-was-it."
"I do keep up with the trends darling." He replied sarcastically. "I simply dislike the fashion and the technology. I mean it is useful but-"
"You really couldn't be more of an old thing could you!?" He chuckled and Aziraphale made in an indignant squak.
"Why you're as old as me Crowley!"
"Yes but I don't dress like I just stepped out of the last century."
"I'll let you know that my fashion choices are classy and they are very comfortable to wear as well."
"Whatever you say angel." He chuckled, it was so fun poking at his angel sometimes. "Anyway are we going to stand here and argue till dinner or are we going?"
"Yes yes we're going."
Aziraphale said as he walked briskly to Crowley's Bentley while muttering under his breath about his clothes still as Crowley shook his head fondly at him and followed close behind.
In the following morning Crowley was waiting for Aziraphale outside the bookshop and two minutes later, the angel exited with a large bag and an even larger smile.
"Oh Crowley you're already here!"
"Good morning to you too."
"Ah yes good morning."
"Everything ready angel?" He asks as he puts Aziraphale's bag in the back of the car.
"Yes everything is ready!"
"Then let's get going."
The trip was fast and filled with their normal banter as well as lot of screams on Aziraphale's part.
"Crowley watch the road!"
"I am." He says as he swerves violently "Oops almost missed that one."
"Crowley!"
"Just messing with you angel."
"Look out for that lady!!"
"Ah she's the one that should be watching out! Honestly angel I know she's on the crosswalk but if you start crossing when the car is almost on top of it and you honestly expect the car to immediately stop upon seeing you, then you're an idiot. Cars don't work like that."
"Please slow down Crowley you aren't supposed to go this fast in this lane."
"Ah it's all fine angel, don't worry. I won't kill nobody, not today."
"Not ever I certainly hope."
"It'll be fiiine." He replied with a nonchalant grin as Aziraphale nervously gripped on the door handle.
After several almost heart attacks, they made it to the cottage safe and sound. It was a cozy place even if still a little bare, after all Aziraphale only acquired it not that long ago and was taking his time to organize it. In fact he was rather hoping to make it presentable enough for himself and Crowley, they were now rarely apart ever since the Apocalypse That Wasn't. They no longer had duties from either Above or Below, so they spent their new spare time together, finally relaxing in each others company without having to worry about each others former sides finding out. They were free and it was as exciting as it was nerve-wracking.
"I didn't know you had this place."
Crowley commented after they organized the house to accommodate them for the following days. He flopped on the couch as Aziraphale made tea for them.
"It was something I bought a bit… impulsively."
It had been a half truth, he was looking for houses for no reason at all but when he saw the cottage his first thought was that it was the perfect place for both him and Crowley. Now the fact is that before he could process his own feelings, he had already brought the cottage and as he slowly decorated and renovated the home between the time he wasn't with the demon, he was attempting to gather courage to ask Crowley to move with him. The two were more inneseperable than ever and the truth is that Aziraphale was growing tired of playing safe, he… He loved Crowley and he wanted him to know it. One could argue that he already did know but Aziraphale found that the humans were rather wise in certain things, some things are better said.
Perhaps they were beyond words and their bond was above such trivialities but now that they didn’t have to be so careful, he wanted to say it out loud so that Crowley knew he was serious about him. No hesitating or turning back again, it was the two of them on their side as it has always been.
But then came the molting and it ruined his plans, his confidence wavered and he’s not sure he can handle saying those things in such a delicate moment for him. Though I guess it would make it more special… He corrected himself, after all nothing quite said, “I trust you.” than confessing his love while being so vulnerable and defenseless. Crowley has sacrificed so much for him time and time again he showed his true side, Aziraphale felt guilt settling on his chest as he realized the fact.
“What’s with the long face angel?”
“Ah Crowley it’s nothing, just the pains starting to show up.” He lied and he rolled and grimaced at the pain, perhaps it was not an entire lie.
“Need a massage?”
“W-what!?” He sputtered in surprise and Crowley grinned.
“A massage to help you relax and ease the pain. Isn’t that what I’m here for? To help you?”
“I- Yes indeed.”
“Then once you’re ready, meet me upstairs.”
“But- But the tea Crowley.”
“Whenever you’re ready angel.” He sing-sang from the first floor and sauntered to the room, leaving Aziraphale behind.
The angel stayed downstairs for a while and took a couple of deep breaths before following Crowley upstairs. When he entered the room, he was surprised to see everything dark besides the strategically placed candles. A sweet essence from the oils and candles filled his nostrils and the smell involuntarily made him relax a little.
"Ah you're here angel." The demon smirked, he had his glasses removed and his sleeves were rolled right up to his elbow. "Take off your jacket and shirt."
"My- I- what!?" He sputtered and Crowley's smirk only grew in size.
"Jacket and shirt off." He drawled every word slowly. "How else am I supposed to put the oils on you? Hurry along now angel."
"But why is everything so dark?" The angel asked as he shed his clothes. "And the candles and all?"
"It's as if you have never received a massage in your life angel. You won't be able to relax as much if the lights are turned on and not only the candles smell good and set the ambience but I also need to see what I'm doing hmm?"
"I- Yes you're right. My apologies Crowley, it seems I'm still anxious about this whole ordeal." He confessed as he lay on his stomach after the demon gestured to the bed.
"It's okay angel, you'll feel great in no time. Just one second." He snapped his fingers and Aziraphale's pants changed into a more comfortable and loose ones. "There now you'll feel even more comfortable."
The angel's back were incredibly tense as he felt Crowley climb to the bed and straddle his legs. The smell, the dim light room, the general ambience made Aziraphale almost squirm, it felt all too intimate.
"Just relax angel, I promise I'm gonna make you feel good." Crowley whispered in his ear and the other being shivered at the words and their double meaning though he knew Crowley hadn't meant in that way.
The demon's hands were slick from the essence oil and incredibly warm, he expected them to be cold and said as much.
"Of course everything is warm angel, I've just told you I'm here to help." The demon muttered under his breath as he focused on the angel's back.
Gradually he relaxed to the gentle but persistent touch, he could feel the knots of tension being undone and for a couple of moments, he almost lost control and let his wings out.
"Crowley?" He asked quietly, it felt wrong to disturb the moment between them by speaking in his normal tone.
"Yes angel?"
"Is it okay- Can I- Would you mind if I were to let my wings out?" Crowley could feel the hesitation written all over the angel's body. He huffed a laugh at it.
"Of course it's okay doll." The different endearment slipped out. "This is all about you, don't worry I won't touch them or anything."
"Thank you." He thanked him softly and let the white wings unfold. Aziraphale purposely picked a cottage with rooms large enough for this purpose alone along with beds almost equally as big.
He didn't often engage in sleeping nor unfolding his wings but sometimes it felt nice to do both, not only that but he also knew Crowley had a fondness for sleeping, he was terribly human at the times and Aziraphale couldn't be more enamored with him.
The tip of his wings almost brushed the floor and Crowley kept his word of not touching them though the thought lingered in the back of the demon's mind as he saw the feathers starting to become loose. He doubled his efforts in the angel's back and Aziraphale in turn finally let himself fully relax. He had received a couple of massages during his life but it wasn't something he truly enjoyed and he never understood when humans said they felt like their bones disappeared and felt like a pile of goo.
He half thought Crowley might have miracled his hands, he never felt this relaxed in eons. It was hard to keep his eyes open and his conscience kept slowly slipping away. He almost swore he felt Crowley planting a kiss in the nape of his neck but not much time later he had fallen asleep and forgotten all about it.