Work Text:
Aziraphale was reading, sitting on the couch as he often did in the evenings when Crowley passed by and came to sit beside him.
But something was bothering the angel so much that he couldn't read a line of his book.
After a few moments, Crowley asked him curiously, "Angel, is something wrong? You've been reading for ten minutes and you haven't turned a page."
Aziraphale sighed, closed his book, set it on the coffee table, and turned to Crowley.
He seemed to hesitate several times before asking him almost shyly, "Why haven't you done it again?"
From curious Crowley's expression became puzzled as he asked, "Do what again?"
Aziraphale blushed slightly and mumbled unintelligibly, "Sitonmylap."
Crowley chuckled and replied, "I'm sorry angel, but if that's an angelic dialect, I don't recognize it."
Aziraphale repeated louder, "Sit on my lap."
Crowley looked dumbfounded before exclaiming, "Oh you mean like the other night, a few weeks ago?"
Aziraphale nodded.
Crowley tilted his head to the side and replied, "Um... well, because I wasn't sure if you wanted me to do that again. You... you hadn't reacted in any way, be it good or bad, so I didn't want to risk forcing you into something you didn't want to do."
Aziraphale replayed the moment in his mind, wondering what could have made Crowley think that his gesture was not welcome. It is true that he had been surprised that the demon literally climbed on his knees, but he had really loved the moment when he had snuggled up to him. Even if he had not really known how to react and had put his hands in a way that was a bit awkward on Crowley's back. Perhaps it was this lack of reaction that had made Crowley think that Aziraphale didn't appreciate it.
And then, Aziraphale had quickly fallen asleep on the couch with the pressure of Crowley's warm body against his that evening and they hadn't talked about it again.
He said softly to Crowley who was waiting for an answer, "Stand up my dear please." Crowley frowned but obeyed nonetheless.
Once he was up, Aziraphale grabbed his hand and pulled him toward him so that the demon had no choice but to sit on Aziraphale's lap.
Just like the first time, Crowley immediately put his head on Aziraphale's shoulder and tied his arms around his neck. This time Aziraphale did not hesitate and wrapped his arms around Crowley's waist in a way that was not awkward. Crowley sighed against his chest, "Yeah, just like that. That's perfect."
Aziraphale hummed in response into the demon's hair, simply tightening his arms around him and occasionally stroking his back in tender circles.
Crowley said softly, "Next time don't wait, and dare or ask me. When it comes to you and things like this, I don't think I'll ever be able to say no."
Aziraphale kissed the demon's hair and replied, "Noted. Same goes for you. If I don't want to, I'll make it clear to you, so if you want it, go for it."
Crowley chuckled softly against Aziraphale's chest, "Deal."
Aziraphale sighed in contentment and thought to himself that sometimes that's all it was about.
Reaching.
Reaching and being reached.