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Aziraphale was in a ball on the floor. His normally bright happy buttercream scent, dulled, and soured after the beating he was given along with the memory of the cruel barbs that the other archangels, and Metatron had been throwing at him for over a year straight. His confidence that he could do anything right or helpful gone.
He had been standing up against them, but the constant barrage of insults, and beatings had taken their toll. The archangels knowing where to hit him to cause the most pain and distress. He had given humans support through their family and friends doing the same, but there was not one here to give him that same support. The only other omega was more than happy to jump in and belittle him, and remind him what his place was in the Heavenly pecking order. Humans had been going against their secondary gender for centuries, and while Aziraphale was mostly neutral on him being an omega, right now he hated it. He wanted to be rid of it especially because he knew his heat was approaching, his plan if things had gone well at the ball was to ask Crowley if they could court, and eventually spend this first heat of his in 200 years together.
Suddenly the laughter stopped, and there was the sound of flesh meeting and a grunt and something heavy hit the floor. He could hear two sets of growls. He instantly recognized one of them as Sandalphon's and pushed into the corner more he knew how Sandalphon liked to get more physical with him when he was in a very bad mood. The second growl took him a moment longer to place. It was a sound he didn't hear often, but it was the best sound he'd heard in so long.
Aziraphale looked up, and there was Crowley standing over Sandalphon his face twisted into a snarl looking ready to do more damage to the other alpha. His tracksuit, sandals with socks the most ridiculous his alpha looked. He was beautiful, and he loved him.
Crowley looked over at Aziraphale, seeing his omega cowering on the ground so unlike himself with a bruise on his face. Crowley wanted to do more to Sandalphon, but, he knew he didn't have much time. He took a deep breath to calm himself and to take the anger from his cinnamon apples scent to help calm his angel. He could still smell Aziraphale's fear, but also the beginnings of his heat. They needed to get back to the Bookshop as fast as they could. He went over to his wonderful angel, and was relieved that Aziraphale wasn't pulling away from him.
"Angel can you stand? We need to get to the bookshop," he asked looking at the angel. "We need to get you safe and to your nest."
"Yes, I can stand, I may need to lean on you a bit, they've done quite a number on me. But I'll be tickety-boo soon enough." Aziraphale answered quickly. He dumped down on his anxiety and stress, and started to push away what was happening.
Crowley could see that Aziraphale was still shaken and could see the moment his angel started hiding this experience even from himself. He would need to help him process it later, and find a way to curse Sandalphon when there was time after Aziraphale was safe in his nest at the Bookshop. He stood and offered a hand to help Aziraphale up, and they worked their way through. His angel was still beautiful, even in the gray clothes he was forced to wear. His angel was always beautiful.
They got to the elevator, and stepped in. Muriel was doing a good job of keeping others away so they could make their escape. After the doors were closed, Crowley suddenly had his arms full of Aziraphale the omega scenting him, and he looked down, and saw Aziraphale gazing at him like he was the most wonderful thing ever. He couldn't help himself and kissed his angel. Aziraphale enthusiastically kissed him back.
Crowley broke the kiss first, and whispered "I love you, Angel." And kissed Aziraphale again. He could feel tears on Aziraphale's face.
"Oh Crowley I love you too and I'm so sorry I had to leave, I just wanted you safe and…"
Crowley shushed him "We will have time to talk about that later, but I understand."
The elevator stopped and the doors opened on to Whickber Street, and the Bookshop. The smile that bloomed onto Aziraphale's face was a thing a beauty.