Work Text:
Crowley wakes up not because of some sensible reason, he just feels that he should. He slowly opens his eyes, being slightly confused. He listens, but nothing breaks the silence of early morning, and out of the corner of his eye he sees Aziraphale still in bed, sitting leaning on a pillow. Crowley turns his head a bit and looks up.
Oh.
Aziraphale sits, staring into space while silent tears roll down his cheeks. His fingers are dug into fabric of the blanket in the attempt to ground himself. This idiot...
Aziraphale started to sleep few months ago. He was so excited to try that he dug up from somewhere his time-honoured nightgown and nightcap. Crowley loves all his smiles, but the sleepy smile Aziraphale gave him next morning the second he opened eyes and saw Crowley somewhy felt especially precious.
Of course, Aziraphale slept not everyday and, unfortunately, few times after his first dream came his first nightmare. Crowley woke up because of barely audible gasping sounds and found crying Aziraphale, trapped in his mind. He started calming him down, saying that he should have woken him up...
Crowley's heart did something he had no idea it can when he heard Aziraphale saying that he just didn't want to bother him with such silly things, trying to keep a smile on his face.
They talked about it then. Of course they did. Now Aziraphale knows how important he and his feelings are for Crowley and he gradually learns to be more open, to not fear showing his pain, little step by little step. And Aziraphale tries to wake him up when he needs him, he really does.
It's just... hard to break old habits. Especially when they are that old.
But Crowley knows what to do.
He softly places his hands on Aziraphale's, gently stroking his fingers and relaxing his grip on the blanket. He slowly spreads Aziraphale's hands to the sides, gets up and lies on him, resting head on his chest, and then puts Aziraphale's hands on his back.
“Shhh, it's okay, Aziraphale, I'm here... I'm safe. We're safe. Everything is okay, Angel, I got you.”
Crowley feels slight twitch of the body under him and arms on his back move to embrace him tighter, holding him closely in protective way.
“Crowley...”
Aziraphale's voice is barely audible and so so fragile, that Crowley has to blink away sudden sting in his eyes. He gently hugs Aziraphale's waist.
“I'm here, Angel. Everything's okay. Come back to me, love.”
Aziraphale squeezes him slightly and nuzzles into his hair, letting himself cry harder. Crowley leaves soft kisses at the fabric above his collarbone and whispers tiny “it's okay”, “let it out”.
Some time later Crowley feels that Aziraphale's breathing gets deeper.
“Wanna talk, love?”, he tries softly.
Aziraphale shakes his head and buries nose deeper into Crowley's hair.
“Still can't get used to you, calling me "love", my dear”, Aziraphale's voice is quiet and hoarse, yet impossibly tender. “Don't think I ever will...”
“Wait and see, Angel, cause I'm gonna call you that a looot”, Crowley's grin is pretty hearable.
Aziraphale let out a small chuckle and kisses his head.
“What a silly thing you are... My sweet, beloved silly thing”, Aziraphale hugs him tighter and exhales deeply. „...thank you, my darling.”
Crowley smiles warmly into his chest. Of course, they have a long long road of healing ahead. But they have each other. Finally and forever...
“Always, love.”