Crowley (serpentofeden) wrote in madisonvalley, @ 2019-11-25 07:37:00 |
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Entry tags: | !completed gdoc, ~2019 november, ~25 points, ~~aziraphale (ineffable), ~~crowley (serpentofeden) |
Who: Aziraphale and Crowley
What: Breakfast!
When: Monday morning
Where: Their new kitchen
Warnings: Disturbing amounts of fluff?
Status: Completed gdoc
For over six thousand years, Crowley and Aziraphale had always kept some level of personal space between them. Sometimes it was as much as a continent. Sometimes, it was as little as a few streets. But always they'd had their own space. Living together was a new adventure. One Crowley had second guessed a thousand times, right down to the day he had moved in the few personal effects he had gathered since arriving in the small town.
But honestly? It was a bit like a dream come true. No one could separate them now except them. Or the Dome, of course, and Crowley often found himself threatening the damn thing in an attempt to make sure that never happened. And sure, maybe things weren't what he had longed for if they survived Armageddon. But, well, so what? He had his best friend around, willingly saying they were friends to anyone who asked and that had to be enough for him.
That didn't, however, mean he wasn't still going to attempt to make Aziraphale happy at every possible moment. Frankly, nothing made Crowley happier than doing so. And while the demon almost never ate food for pleasure, he knew there wasn't much Aziraphale loved more than a good meal.
What he was getting that morning, however, was a mediocre meal. The eggs and sausages were probably okay, if the eggs were maybe a little overdone. But pancakes were harder than they looked. You had about three seconds to get them off the pan before they went from runny dough to burnt. That part was going less well. He had been hoping to have a halfway decent meal done by the time Aziraphale stepped into the kitchen, but that might not be the case.
Also he was fairly sure he was covered in flour. And there was eggshell on at least one of his arms. Cooking sucked.
***
Aziraphale couldn’t quite believe they’d actually done it. He was living with Crowley. It was rather marvellous if a little strange. But it was a welcome kind of strange. Despite how close they had grown during the years they’d known each other, they’d never been in such close proximity for an extended period of time. They’d each had their own space to retreat to and while they technically did here, they had their own rooms of course it felt far more intimate than anything they’d experienced before.
He’d heard Crowley moving around their kitchen but decided not to interfere too soon. He had a feeling his dear friend was attempting breakfast which did make Aziraphale’s heart constrict a bit, it was such a kind thoughtful gesture. Now however he couldn’t contain his curiosity any further and stepped into the kitchen with a smile which only brightened when he saw the state of his best friend, “Good morning Crowley”
***
In the time it took Crowley to look up to greet the angel, another stupid pancake got too dark. Rolling his eyes, he flung it to the side. "We need a dog to eat this shit," he muttered, then turned to his friend and forced a smile.
How did Aziraphale manage to look so perfect so early in the morning? Then again, he never slept. Besides which, looking rumpled was the opposite of proper. He'd probably never looked wrinkled a day in his corporeal life.
"Morning, angel. Um. There's eggs. If you want them. They're not terrible. Probably could use a bit more pepper, but that's easily remedied." He nodded his head towards the kitchen counter, where a nice little set up already sat. Everything but pancakes anyway. "And I didn't know if you'd be in a tea or cocoa mood this morning so I didn't start that yet, but I can." Maybe he should have assumed? He honestly should have already known.
***
Aziraphale had never seen the point of sleep, he didn’t need it so why should he bother? He tended to read at night, he liked sitting up when all was quiet and enjoying a good book. No doubt the bookcases they had in their living room would fill up fairly quickly. It already had a fair amount already and it wasn’t like they’d been in Madison that long.
“Oh how lovely. You really are too good to me” He beamed the smile reserved solely for Crowley as he took in the set up that had been prepared, “I can sort out the tea dear” because Aziraphale was definitely a morning tea person, “Can I tempt you to a cup?” he teased as he moved to the kettle.
***
"I thought that was my job," Crowley replied with a smirk, though he didn't dare look up again. Partially because if he got that smile too many times in one day he might actually burst into flames and the flat was so nice, he'd hate to burn it down.
He actually, genuinely pouted. "I thought you liked when I made tea?" Still. Even a second away from these stupid doughey excuses for flapjacks and it wasn't just Aziraphale's smile that would burn them all to a crisp. "Got it!" Finally he broke into a smile of his own as he set a second perfectly made pancake on a plate. "That's going to have to do for now, I'll take you for dessert later if you get peckish."
Because two perfect ones was all he had the patience for that morning. "But...sure, I'll take a cup." He didn't mind tea. Of all the non mind altering substances, it was the least annoying. The most calming, even.
***
“I may not be a natural but I’ve done fairly well with temptations over the years” he had to admit he wasn’t terrible at it, “You will always be the best though” he added.
Aziraphale chuckled, “My dear Crowley you make the best tea but you’ve already done so much” he said as he set out two cups and took the lid off the teapot. He couldn’t help thinking Crowley looked positively adorable when he triumphantly added the pancake to the plate, for someone who didn’t eat he’d made such an effort. It was very touching.
“I may hold you to dessert later though, because you know I can never resist more dessert” he grinned as he finished preparing their drinks.
***
"You? Can't resist dessert? No!" Of course he was teasing and he sat a fully made breakfast with actually decent pancakes and a tub of whipped cream on the table.
He pulled up the seat opposite, sprawling in his usual fashion, like someone who had never quite gotten the hang of limbs. "You're probably the second best tempter in the world, I'd say," he confirmed, watching Aziraphale move around the kitchen to finish making tea. "Besides, you're better for it. I was literally created to do it. You picked it up and mastered it anyway." Crowley might not have been bad at blessings, but he couldn't hope to compete with Aziraphale, either. It was just sort of how things were. Some roles you were born into.
***
“Hard to believe isn’t it?” Aziraphale replied, “I hide it well” They both knew the one thing Aziraphale could never hide was his appreciation of human food, it was one of the most wonderful things about the world in his opinion.
“We’re both good at what we do but we have been good influences on each other” Aziraphale said as he brought their tea over and placed it down, “For which I am very grateful” he added, because he truly was. He was happier now than he had been for a long time, and that was due, in large part, to Crowley. He picked up his cutlery and started on his breakfast, “Thank you for this Crowley, I truly feel spoilt”
***
Aziraphale loved food unashamedly, and Crowley loved that about him. He was more than willing to indulge the angel as long as he was happy. Which was why he beamed under that gratitude. Oh, he would deny it later, if asked, but Aziraphale's approval was one of the things he longed for the most. Maybe he'd have learned to be better at being a demon if it hadn't been that desperate need to never see the blond man pout. He was so cute when he pouted but Crowley never wanted to be the cause of it.
He stabbed a sausage with a fork, the only real joy he got from eating. "Yeah, well, you deserve it. Besides, if we're doing this living mostly like humans thing, I should learn more humany things." He braced himself for the lecture that humany wasn't a word. Who cared? Lots of things hadn't been words before Shakespeare made them. And Vine. Vine was actually responsible for a lot of words.
***
If pushed to admit it then Aziraphale would admit he did know how to get his own way with Crowley, though he didn’t quite know the extent his friend was willing to go to in order to ensure he was happy. It wasn’t a one way street though, far from it because Azirapahle would do anything for Crowley too. They were each rather hopeless when it came to the other.
“Human, not humany - you can’t just go around making up your own words you know Crowley. It’s not a very humany thing to do” Aziraphale told him perfectly straight faced though with a slight twinkle of amusement in his eyes. He was in a very happy almost playful mood today, Crowley making him breakfast had lifted elevated his already happy state of mind. He had a feeling that it was going to be hard to feel any other way now they would be spending more time together. Which Aziraphale didn’t mind in the slightest.
***
"Humanish! That's far better than humany. You're absolutely right, angel. You're so clever, whatever would I do without you?" Something he had recently been faced with the possibility of and never wanted to see it come to light. Every single detail of a burning bookshop was still completely fresh in his mind. Yet another thing he had waking nightmares of if he didn't sleep for long enough.
He sipped at his tea, refusing to admit how comforting the drink had become. And, really, wine for breakfast was just going a bit too far, wasn't it? "What do you have planned for the day? Something thrilling like organizing books?" The words were mocking but the tone was nothing but gentle teasing.
***
Aziraphale couldn’t stop a little chuckle of amusement before replying, “Let us never find out” he said, not realising quite how much his discorporation had troubled Crowley. He knew his friend had been upset but if he knew Crowley was still troubled by it even now he’d do anything to help.
Tea could fix many things, Aziraphale knew it to be true. “Yes” he smiled brightly, “It’s truly amazing the number of books I’m finding. It’s like they just boxed them all up, dropped them in the basement and forgot about them, can you imagine?” It was like one of the most terrible things to do to a book in his opinion.
***
Even if it wasn't exactly intentional, Crowley still found comfort in those words. It was just good to know Aziraphale didn't have any plans to up and leave him alone. Of course, some things weren't up to the two of them and he knew it. That didn't mean he didn't feel instantly more calm for knowing it.
He rolled his eyes, not currently hidden by his trademark glasses due to the early hour and it being just the two of them. "Nope, definitely can't imagine such a travesty." Which was to say, he absolutely could. Books weren't the love for him that they were to the angel and never would be. Reading was just too difficult for him to settle into a book for very long. "Find anything exciting yet? I know nothing that could compete with your collection from home."
***
If he had any choice in the matter Crowley would be stuck with Aziraphale forever, because Aziraphale knew he would be completely lost without his best friend. Especially now, after everything they’d experienced and done together.
Aziraphale gave Crowley a look which said he knew Crowley wasn’t being sincere but would let him off for now. “While I’ve sadly not found anything like my most prized books, there have been a few interesting local history volumes I’ve discovered and some lovely classics which really should be on display” He did miss his bookstore and his collection, he’d spent so long collating it and treasured every single book.
***
Crowley wiggled his eyebrows, amusement all over his face. Obviously Aziraphale knew he was only teasing him. Though it would never be his passion, he certainly wouldn't judge Aziraphale for loving burying himself in a mountain of books. When you had survived on a planet for literally thousands of years, you took pleasure where you could.
"Most of your shop should have been in a museum," Crowley pointed out. Swallowing the bite he'd been chewing, he wrinkled his nose. "Those could have used more pepper, too." Not that he was in the habit of mixing and stuffing his own sausage casings. But maybe he should try. "Besides, you wouldn't sell yours and now you can not sell these. It's a win all around, honestly."
***
It was one of the things Aziraphale appreciated about Crowley, he may tease but he respected Aziraphale’s love of books. It was nice that they had their own interests, or Aziraphale thought it was at least.
“I took perfect care of them” Aziraphale defended, he loved his books and he tried his hardest not to let them come to harm. “It is nice to know that they won’t be under threat from sticky fingers or coffee stains” he admitted, it was part of the reason he rarely actually sold any of the books in his own shop, he wanted to keep them pristine and safe.
***
"One time, angel. I spilled coffee one time and it's like I'm serving a life sentence here!" Honestly, he didn't mind. The book had been easily miracled back to its pristine nature and, despite some judgment, Aziraphale had forgiven him eventually. "That's why they should have been in museums. No clumsy demons to ruin them, there."
Sticky fingers, though… Even Crowley had to cringe at those. "You know who has sticky fingers? Kids. Bloody kids and the way they're somehow always grimy, how do they do it?" Honestly, though, unless they were touching things they shouldn't have been, Crowley didn't much mind. Kids in general were alright. There was a reason why, despite being loads better with greenery, Crowley had taken the nanny role.
Plus, he just looked better in heels.
***
Aziraphale chuckled at that, “I know you didn’t mean it, and there was no harm done really. You know I get a little protective over them that’s all” He hadn’t actually meant to imply anything, Crowley was probably the one person who could totally ruin a book and Aziraphale would forgive him. After some epic sulking of course.
“Mmm they do have a habit of that. I think it’s just part of their nature. Luckily they grow out of it eventually” Aziraphale enjoyed children but he didn’t quite have a way with them that Crowley did. Crowley seemed to connect with them a little more easily, Aziraphale wasn’t bad but he did have to try a little more perhaps. It had been fairly easy to decide who would be the nanny when they’d monitored Warlock growing up.
Of course the added bonus of Crowley in heels was appreciated. But then in Aziraphale’s opinion Crowley always looked amazing. He’d appreciated the many looks over the years, each one having an appeal.
***
That little laugh was enough to soothe him. It always had been. Even in the very beginning, on the Garden wall. A light chuckle from Aziraphale and everything was just better. It was one reason he had so very much wanted to befriend him, to make him laugh as often as possible.
He might, possibly, have even arranged situations where he had to make things better just so Aziraphale would smile that smile at him. It was totally fine, he was a demon, he was supposed to do bad things like that.
Right. Wouldn't do to be thinking about all that just now. "What do you think would have happened? Back home, I mean, if we hadn't ended up here?"
...or he could do that.
***
Aziraphale had, of course, tried not to smile too much around Crowley. He was a demon after all. But he found he just couldn’t help it. It had gotten to the point where he brightened instantly when Crowley appeared and even while denying it was a friendship it had been the most important one Aziraphale had. Now, he rather liked being able to proclaim Crowley as his best friend and did so often.
“Happened? We’d have carried on as we were, I suppose” he said mulling it over, “After our...demonstrations they would have left us alone but I’m not sure we could have trusted that to last forever. You know, as much as I do miss my bookshop and London, I much prefer our situation here. I enjoy not having to hide our friendship”
***
Well. He supposed that's the answer he should have expected. Nothing would have changed. So, what, was it all for nothing? Obviously not, the Earth needed saving, after all. Aziraphale needed those ridiculous things he loved so much. And, well, at least the angel knew, now, that even Heaven itself couldn't be trusted. That had to be something in the right direction.
"I guess. I just feel like even then, we wouldn't be safe for long." He definitely preferred it here. Even if the likes of Heaven and Hell were to show up, it wouldn't be welcomed. Despite everything, they had a support system here. Friends of their own, some with great power. "Maybe the Dome knew that. Maybe it knew we needed to come here if we were going to get on with our lives."
Because he had seen the distrust in Gabriel's eyes, and he knew the angel wouldn't let up until he found out how Aziraphale had thwarted him. It might have been months or centuries and Crowley didn't like knowing he would never know where or when they'd have to interact again.
***
Saving the world certainly hadn’t been for nothing. And it was true Aziraphale had learnt that Heaven wasn’t always to be trusted. A valuable lesson. And one Aziraphale would not forget. When the chips were down it was Crowley he could count on. It always had been really.
“Maybe you’re right. It’s given us a chance we wouldn’t have had otherwise, it’s an almost romantic notion really” The idea that the Dome wanted to gift them something they couldn’t obtain themselves was a lovely thought. And something they should both enjoy for as long as they were here.
***
Crowley nearly choked on his tea, and might have if breathing was something he actually needed to do. Obviously Aziraphale hadn't meant romantic as...well, the love sort. He was a man still devoted to the classics, of course he meant it in so many other ways. But that didn't stop the unnecessary heart in his chest from stopping for a beat or two.
He coughed, shaking his head to say he was fine. "Right, sorry, wrong pipe or something. But yeah. I think I'm Team Dome, too. And we can always visit London. And we'll rebuild. Maybe one day you'll have a whole new bookshop." With a perfectly cozy backroom and the perfect couch for napping after one too many bottles of wine.
***
Aziraphale watched Crowley in concern for a moment when he almost choked on his tea, even after his friend offered his reassurance he was still watching him closely.
“Maybe so” he agreed, “But until then I think what we have right now is pretty good” More than good really, they may have only just moved in together but Aziraphale already liked being around Crowley more often. It was reassuring and felt comfortably intimate.
***
Well. Pretty good was better than terrible, wasn't it? Millenia had taught him he needed to take whatever crumbs he could get with Aziraphale. He supposed he had just thought being away from Heaven's disgustingly watchful eye might have changed some things.
"Yeah, well. Back home you sure as hell wouldn't have gotten me cooking, that's for sure." He got to his feet, taking the empty dishes to the sink. "Bout time for you to head out, isn't it?" Not that he had Aziraphale's work day schedule memorized. Nope, not at all.
***
“Definitely a plus to being here” Aziraphale told him with a smile, “I’m very lucky” He glanced at the clock and nodded, “Oh yes you’re right. I’ll make us dinner if you like? Since you did breakfast” he offered, Aziraphale enjoyed being in the kitchen and rather hoped he would be able to entice Crowley to eat a little more, he’d like it if he could find things they could enjoy together. Though he knew his friend didn’t find the same level of enjoyment in eating as Aziraphale did.
***
"Oh, you don't have to do that," Crowley began protesting, then paused. If it would make him happy to have dinner together, then of course Crowley would have dinner with him. But he shouldn't have to do all the cooking. Crowley didn't mind doing it. "If you really want to," he continued, a bit more hesitantly.
Maybe it was ridiculous. He just enjoyed taking care of the angel in any way he could. There weren't life threatening scrapes to get him out of here, so cooking him breakfast it was.
***
“Of course” Aziraphale grinned as he stood, “You know you’re always my first choice for a dinner companion even if you do mostly end up watching me eat desserts so I’m determined to find something you like” He was very grateful to Crowley, of course, he indulged him far more than he should but Aziraphale simply couldn’t deny he loved it.
***
Crowley tried to hide his smile. Couldn't go seeming too soft. But then...who here cared? Why was he even bothering anymore? It wasn't like Hastur was going to come popping around the corner and see him being genuinely happy just being in the angel's presence.
"So you're going to just keep feeding me things till something sticks?" he teased, the smile slowly widening. Who knew, maybe it would work. There were things he did enjoy, just not necessarily in the amounts Aziraphale did. "Lofty goal. And so long as you get things you like in the process…"
***
Aziraphale chuckled, “That is my nefarious plan” he admitted, he certainly hoped it was going to work. He just wanted Crowley to experience the pleasure Aziraphale got from food. “Of course, I’ll try you with my favourites first” he actually winked at Crowley then as he moved to collect his jacket, because why not.
***
Crowley turned from the sink - yes, he was washing up the human way, maybe that was odd but he didn't much care - and smiled directly at the angel. "Well, then. Consider me tempted." Oh, he wanted to avoid it. But maybe he'd find something he liked. Eventually. "What we need is a good buffet around here." Then he could pick and choose little bits at a time, which honestly was how he preferred eating anyway. "Anyway. You look quite dashing, do you need a sack lunch for school?" His voice was teasing and his eyes were sparkling playfully.
***
“Wonderful” Aziraphale said, pleased Crowley agreed easily to his plan. Not that he’d really expected him to argue or anything. “Oh you should come with me to the next Food Club, there is always plenty there to try and the people are lovely” He liked the crowd there, they were all very friendly and most were also proper foodies. “You tease” Aziraphale said but he flushed a little and looked rather pleased.
***
Maybe he would. Except the last time he'd gone, they'd been going around acting like an old married couple. An adorable old married couple and if Crowley thought on it for even a moment he could remember so much of that week. "Yeah, I might. Could be fun." He rarely turned down a social event, anyway, so maybe.
At Aziraphale's little comment, Crowley smiled. A mischievous, smirky smile, but it definitely was a smile. "So no lunch, then? Aw, and I was gonna toss in an apple, too." He fought the urge to kiss the angel's cheek to add to the facade. Too close to home. "Go on, then, it wouldn't be very becoming of you to be late."
***
Aziraphale had many fond memories of that week, but tried not to think on them too often as it made him wish for things he shouldn’t wish for. He and Crowley were happy and he didn’t want to risk that. “Wonderful” Aziraphale said with a smile.
“No, no, you’re right. That wouldn’t be good at all” Aziraphale agreed, “Have a good day dear, I’ll see you later” There was a moment's hesitation, almost like Aziraphale had an urge too, but he let it pass and simply gave a smile and a wave before he left for the library.
***