goodtobebad | open post;

[ Aziraphale quickly stands up too, afraid he might've spooked the demon with this talk.]

No! No. [ He puts a hand on Crowley's arm.]

I'm very thankful that you've shared this with me, my dear boy. And if there's any way that I can help, I'm happy to try.

I know.

[ He scrubs a hand over his face again. ]

But you've got your - this. Maybe I should. Leave London for a bit.

[ The angel suddenly looks rather concerned.]

Leave London?

And go...where?

I dunno. Somewhere. Somewhere warm, maybe. Somewhere I'm not - pestering you all the time.

[ He paces restlessly now. ]

Somewhere I can figure out what I want to do.

[ Aziraphale stays sat, for how much he’d like to grab Crowley and sit him back down.

He tries not to take it personally.]

You don’t pester me.

[ But he wants to be helpful.]

But if you think that would help…

I don’t know. I don’t know what would help.

[ He fidgets, paces. ]

I need a change. Some kind of change.

[ Aziraphale watches him for a few seconds, but then can’t help but to stand and gently grab him by the arm.]

Maybe - [ He tries to direct him back to the sofa and sit him down.]

A change of pace wouldn’t be too bad. You could…sightsee? Or try new things, in new places.

[ He shuffles off to grab them a drink. A good whiskey, in the nice decanter. He pours a glass as he speaks.]

A roadtrip of sorts. A proper one. Might have the answers you need.

[ He comes back and hands him the glass.]

A breath of fresh air.

Yeah.

[ And yet, here is Aziraphale, drawing him back to the sofa, plying him with alcohol, making him reluctant to leave.

He would always rather be around Aziraphale. ]

Yeah, I could… do something like that, I s’pose. Not for long, mind you! Maybe a couple weeks, or a month, tops.

[ He's trying to comfort him, of course. If Crowley feels stuck, and like a roadtrip might help him feel better, then he should go. Get on his precious bentley and let the wind blow through his hair. Visit greener pastures. Live the free life.

The angel certainly wouldn't want to be the reason he's stuck in one place. Certainly not! He wants to support Crowley to live his best life!

Of course.

...is he the reason Crowley feels stuck? ]

Yes, of course. However long you need.

[ The angel smiles and sits back on his desk chair. ]

You could tour Europe. Maybe even farther than that. Really make a whole trip of it.

Yeah, sure. I could go away for - for months, even.

[ He could. Does he want to? Does he want to be away from Aziraphale for any length of time?

Aziraphale is encouraging him to go, though. Probably wants him out of his hair and his bookshop. He's been hanging around way too much lately. ]

Then you could - do - whatever it is you do here. Stock-taking. Hot cocoa.

[ Months. Quite right. Jolly good. Great even.]

Oh, yes, plenty to do here. And do and do again.

And wherever you go, I'll be happy to hear all about it whenever you feel right coming back.

[ Months isn't that long in the grand scheme of things. Never was. Shouldn't be. But it's not that. He doesn't like knowing he's the reason Crowley feels this way.

He never meant to be a sinking anchor. Oh, dear, has Crowley felt forced to stay here all this time.]

Right, okay then.

[ He drinks his whiskey. ]

You don't have to keep humoring me, you know. I can take a hint.

[ Which is why he stands up. Again. ]

[ Aziraphale stays sat, stunned. He stares up at the demon.]

What?

What are you talking about?

...That you want me to leave. I get it, I do - I spend too much time hanging around you lately, I know you've got better things to do than put up with me moping -

[ His mouth twists a bit, and he rolls his shoulders. ]

What-

[ He stands quickly, agitated. ]

No! I don't think that at all!

[ He is not quite sure what's going on anymore. ]

I'm happy to have you around any time, Crowley. I treasure your company, I- I simply don't want you to feel that-

[ Ah. He stops, and his tone turns quieter. ]

I don't want you to feel like you have to stay in one place.

For my sake.

What? No!

[ Crowley is very confused now. ]

No, I just - when I’m not around you, I - well, I want you around. I leave here, and go other places, and I just think about sharing them with you.

[ The angel looks so very confused as well. ]

But-you--

I love sharing those things with you. But I don't want to hold you back from trying new things by yourself! If you feel like you need to go on by yourself and have your own new experiences, you should feel free! Always.

I know you enjoy discovering new things, and travelling fast, and- I want all of that for you. And I'll always be so very happy to hear about it. I understand I'm not quite as adventurous, but...

You’re not holding me back.

[ Crowley sighs. ]

It’s only fun when it’s with you. I like - I like the world, and I like fast cars and - and bebop, but I like you most of all. And I wouldn’t care about any of the other stuff if I couldn’t share it with you.

[ fuuuuuuck what is he saying. ]

If I’m going anywhere, I want it to be with you. And I’ll slow down, as much as you need.

[ This day is going miles from however he thought it would ever go.

He can feel his face hot and his insides fluttery, and he can't quite tell if it's distress or something else. ]

Oh...oh, my dear silly serpent, you--

[ He takes a step forward, hesitates. ]

All you need to do is ask.

[ Crowley glances around himself, for a moment. ]

Really?

[ He hesitates a moment more. ]

Angel, will you go on holiday with me?

Yes! [ The way he responds seems riddled with a chuckle, and a healthy dose of relief. Is that really all there was to it? He'd go anywhere Crowley would like to go. ]

Yes, of course! And it's the perfect time of year for a holiday. Cutting it close, but we may still see a lot before the summer is over.

[ Crowley can't keep the little smile off his face. Oh. Oh, Aziraphale - wants to go with him. He doesn't have to just... leave. He can go with Aziraphale. Enjoy the world with Aziraphale. ]

Someplace warm.

[ He stipulates that immediately. ]

Italian Riviera? Haven't been to Sicily in ages.

Oh, I quite like Sicily.

[ Relief gives way to gentle excitement. They've traveled before, but nothing so ..official? Or, rather, unofficial. Whichever. ]

Oh, and Greece. I haven't been in centuries.

Sure, angel, yeah. Italy, and Greece. Soak up some Mediterranean sun. No work assignments.

[ The tension has already drained from his shoulders, and he can settle again. They can go on holiday. Together. Together. Aziraphale isn't getting tired of him, and he can find new things to do with the angel at his side. ]

Just us.

[ The angel is so very relieved to see Crowley looking so much better already - and to know the demon doesn't resent him for "holding gim back". Plus, the prospect of a nice holiday, just them, not having to worry about being seen together. Oh, what a delight!

He steps up to Crowley, beaming affectionately.]

Just us.

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paralel spiraling time! like the world's stupidest spinning tops.

they're so stupid, they don't even have one braincell to share

They weren't going to learn to communicate properly right away but also. Lord.

it's so bad

They are both anxious traumatized things and they need the lesbians...

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they're cosmically stupid in love

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