What about 182 and 114 for Crowley?
Hmm… Head cold and Listless. ===========Aziraphale was sure it was nothing. It goes without saying that Crowley had slept through previous engagements before, it was bound to happen at least once over the span of 6000 years. Still, it stung to think that Crowley would choose a hobby he wasn’t required to participate in over their plans. He continued to pretend to be busy reading the newspaper while he kept a careful watch on the telephone. He silently admonished himself for not calling earlier in the week to remind the Demon, but honestly, what was he? A demon’s keeper?
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Before he could properly work himself into a tizzy, the little bell above the shop door rang out and Aziraphale looked up ready to tell the unsuspecting customer that they were in fact closed.
"Oh!“, he exclaimed more to himself when he saw a familiar lanky silhouette highlighted by the sunlight pouring in behind him.
"There you are, Crowley! I had begun to wonder if you’d forgotten”, Aziraphale said cheerfully as he set his glasses aside and tossed the newspaper into the bin by his desk.
“Ngk.. Would'n forget”, came the sulky reply- much too quiet and dulled by what could only be congestion.
Aziraphale looked up sharply, already getting to his feet and crossing the space between them with such speed that Crowley had in fact recoiled slightly much to his dismay.
“My dear boy, are… Are you unwell?”, Aziraphale questioned as he placed the back of one hand up to the Demon’s forehead. The concern poured off him, so much so that Crowley wondered if he could meet his demise smothered in the Angel’s well-intentions before shrugging and swallowing thickly.
“Id’s nothin’… Head cold, barely…”, Crowley tried to portray the picture of nonchalance, having had to abandon his plan to pretend everything was fine. The Angel was far too attuned to him. But that too seemed impossible when his sinuses decided that was enough of the ruse and began to tickle fiercely.
Crowley darted away from Aziraphale’s hand and directed his face into the crook of his arm, his chest heaving erratically as his breath hitched and he staggered forward with the force of several heavy wet sneezes that seemed to shake him to the core.
Heh’ EH…Hahp'Shiew! Hae'SSSHU! Heh.. EH'HESSSH! Ugh… Huh- oh for Sa-Ah'EESSHIEW!
Aziraphale was caught off guard, not from the noise- he was used it by now, but by the way Crowley sniffled thickly and dragged his sleeve roughly across his face. Crowley may have been a Demon but he was rather polite for one and the act was something out of the ordinary.
He reached out a steadying hand to the demon’s lower back when the tell-tale twitch of his features coupled with a shuddering gasp as his breath began to hitch again.
"Oh dear, head cold indeed", Aziraphale scoffed fretfully as he felt the muscles in the demon’s back tense suddenly as he ducked into a couple of stragglers.
Heh… Heh'EISSH! HAGK'SCHIEWW! Ugh…
Aziraphale held his handkerchief out with his free hand as he continued to brace the demon who seemed to be experiencing a “Head rush” as they say.
Crowley accepted it with a shaky hand and heaved in a tired breath as he tried to empty most of the congestion that had come loose from the fit.
“I'mb sorry…”
“Pissh! I won’t hear it, you’ve nothing to apologize for”, Aziraphale tried to reassure him as he lead him to the backroom where the sofa had miraculously been made up with the softest of duvets and a heating pad.
Crowley coughed raggedly and hesitated in the doorway when he saw that the Angel had intended to cancel their plans in favor of making him more comfortable. He couldn’t stand the sudden tightness in his throat and chalked it up to a budding fever.
"Budt… I'mb so… So..“, Crowley was at a loss for words for once and instead just gestured vaguely to his face as his eyelashes fluttered shut as he took in a clipped breath before surrendering yet again to his body’s failings.
This time Crowley simply lifted his shirt collar and ducked as best he could into the fabric.
HAH’ … Haesshiew! ‘Ssshiew! -snrk- HAESSSH!
Aziraphale softened and gently pressed down on the demon’s shoulders, instructing him to sit down. For once the Demon complied without protest and allowed himself to be handled by the Angel. He cringed when Aziraphale removed his glasses but the lights in the room immediately softened and he smiled listlessly up at his Angel.
” I did wandt to go…“Crowley said in a small voice as he eased into the blanket, biting his tongue to keep from openly sighing at the relief of the cool fabric against his skin.
Aziraphale brought over a cushion from the arm chair and took a seat in front of the sofa and draping one arm across one of Crowley’s.
"I know, there will be other days for all that. I’d rather be here where I know you are properly resting- oh don’t give me that look”, He exclaimed as heat pooled in his cheeks at the fond look on his friend’s face.
Crowley grinned lopsidedly as sleep tugged at the edges of his vision,“ Yeah, yeah…addy eg'cuse ta play nurssse”.
