labyrinthum inbox;

[snuffboxes]

Is this thing on - ah, yes! Hello there. You've reached Aziraphale. I wasn't able to answer your call, so please leave a message, and I'll return it as soon as I can! Thank you!

Comments

As if they could skip it!

[serpentinthegarden]

He knew it would be something Aziraphale would enjoy and if it made him into the hero, even for a little while, so that he could see one of those brilliant smiles then it was more than worth it.

Crowley was not expecting the favor to be returned however so when he was presented with the rather lovely potted plant that didn't seem to have a single leaf spot marring its greenery anywhere... his reaction was one more of surprise. A soft sort of surprise that had him looking between plant and angel in total silence until his brain caught up.

"You got me something?"

He took the offered plant rather too kindly into his own hands, gently cradling the pot like this was some illusion that might disappear if he held onto it too tightly. What he would normally do now is offer Aziraphale a lift but without a car this was not an option.

"Maybe we could head out, do lunch together."

[snuffboxes]

"Of course I did, it's Christmas," Aziraphale says, almost incredulously. Sure, it's not something he usually does, but it's never really been allowed before. Or he'd thought a gift would be unwelcome, for obvious demon-y reasons.

He loves watching Crowley. Loves the gentleness he shows, when he doesn't think he's being observed, when he's unself-conscious. It reminds Aziraphale just how unsuited his friend is to being a demon, really.

"Lunch! Lunch would be lovely," he agrees, because he's gotten used to being able to say yes to Crowley, at least for things like this. He doesn't have to find an excuse to say no.

[serpentinthegarden]

Crowley gave the term 'Christmas' a demonically appropriate little sneer which did nothing to alter the very tender way he was holding his gift, "I've always been more Krampus than Christmas."

Saying that also would do nothing to change the way this plant would be spoiled more than the others. It was special in a way his other plants weren't, in a way Crowley himself hadn't really come to understand yet, and all because Aziraphale had been the one to give it to him.

"Let me just throw this thing in the window and we can head out."

By throw he meant almost kindly place the plant in the very center of the window where it could get a good batch of sunlight but with that done there was nothing in Heaven or Hell to stop them from enjoying the rest of the afternoon together in far more freedom than they ever had before.

[snuffboxes]

And yet, Crowley just gave him a wonderful gift - unprompted.

"I don't know, you might make a rather charming Father Christmas, if you put your mind to it," Aziraphale teases. "Also, you will come with me to Erwin's this afternoon, won't you? He seemed quite eager to have a big party."

[serpentinthegarden]

Well... he knew Aziraphale would like it.

"I could do a beard again," Crowley admitted for he hadn't found that experience all that difficult, "And I wouldn't at all mind indulging the children's sense of greed by tossing out a few wrapped things they want but don't really need."

Crowley took a unique view of Christmas but his head rolled to one side at the invitation. "But that's Christmas party, isn't it? Ugh..."

Of course he would go as Aziraphale had been one to ask him but he did have to have a grumble about it.

"We could just wave at them as we pass by?"

[snuffboxes]

"No, we couldn't!" Aziraphale huffs, perhaps even pouts a little. "Erwin isn't from our world - he wants to understand our traditions! I told him I would help him, and he said he already knows you, anyway. Considers you a friend, even!"

He gives Crowley a significant look. "Friends attend each other's parties."

[serpentinthegarden]

He is supposed to feel guilty about what he said now, maybe even relent to go to that party. Still Crowley grimaced and acted a bit like he had just been shot in the hip and therefore needed to saunter about the room with an affected wiggle like the dramatic demon he was.

"Fine, alright... But I'm not going as Father Christmas."

[snuffboxes]

"I only ask that you go as yourself," Aziraphale says with a happy smile and a pleased wiggle. "Thank you, my dear."