Happy Holidays & Happy New Year, [livejournal.com profile] shenaniganders!

Jan. 11th, 2013 11:52 pm
[identity profile] goe-mod.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] go_exchange
Title: Tea & Anarchy
Recipient: [livejournal.com profile] shenaniganders
Author: [livejournal.com profile] irisbleufic / Artist: [livejournal.com profile] eldanis
Pairing & Characters: Aziraphale/Crowley, Other Characters
Rating: R / NC-17ish (the writer humbly apologizes for dragging her collaborator's perfectly civilized artwork through the mud)
Creators' Notes: The pair of us got called back on duty at the last minute to do a pinch-hit. As tea-house AU requests are all the rage this year (both [livejournal.com profile] sejitsu and [livejournal.com profile] shenaniganders asked for one; the latter, i.e. the lady for whom this piece intended, put it something like this: Aziraphale/Crowley, Coffeeshop AU with sex, NC-17), this piece ought to satisfy current fashion. Failing that, it will at least satisfy our collective thirst for a nice cuppa. Happy New Year!
Summary: Wherein sloth is not thwarted and industriousness saunters vaguely onward.


They leave stale pastry crumbs from closing-time the night before on the bedroom windowsill: as a consequence, swallows that live in the ivy-twined eaves make a chittering, cheerful racket.

Crowley pulls the nearest pillow—which happens to be Aziraphale's—over his head.

“I was lying on that,” says the angel, mildly, breaking into a luxurious yawn.

“S'all your fault they come crowing at dawn,” Crowley mutters into the mattress.

“Don't be melodramatic,” Aziraphale sighs drowsily, rolling to nuzzle Crowley's nape.

Crowley twists, halfheartedly attempting to escape; the pillow he'd been using to block out the warm, jasmine-scented morning topples to the floor. There's suddenly too much kissing to consider, and he knows it isn't wise if they expect to be open by eleven—

“Toss them on the ground next time,” he gasps, “and don't forget to close it!”

“But you've complained for years that this room gets stuffy in summer,” Aziraphale reminds him, busy mouthing the spot below Crowley's left ear that makes him shiver uncontrollably.

“You've got fifteen minutes,” says Crowley, sternly, but his voice is no longer of much use. He closes his eyes and swallows, sees sunbursts and supernovas behind his eyelids, because Aziraphale has a thigh worked in between his—startling even five years on, how awkwardly effortless they find loving each other in this bed they've rented to own—and the birds have gone quiet.

“My dear, I need five at most,” Aziraphale murmurs. He does something clever with his hips and pulls Crowley in closer. In seconds, Aziraphale's dressing gown is open, Crowley's pyjama bottoms are gone, and there's the taut press of sensitive flesh, too-welcome resistance as Crowley writhes beneath Aziraphale's weight.

“I'll hold out on you,” Crowley taunts, but the truth is that he's already halfway there, whimpering into Aziraphale's mouth every time it finds his own. Three minutes pass. Four.

“You wouldn't dare,” groans Aziraphale, simply, and that's enough to end it.

(Five minutes stretch into eight, because Crowley can't bear to let go just yet.)



~*~



A box-cutter in no way compares to a sword: nonetheless, there's pride to be had in the wielding, especially when dust-caked sellotape and cardboard split to reveal exotic wonders.

Aziraphale breathes deeply, takes this moment of guilty pleasure for himself.

“I'll just sprinkle some of that between the sheets next time, shall I?” Crowley interjects, wandering by with two cling-film wrapped plates containing homemade strawberry-basil scones.

“Come have a sniff,” Aziraphale suggests with mock nonchalance, “and see for yourself.”

“Last time I checked, my nose is blind,” Crowley retorts, but he's there inside a heartbeat, scones abandoned next to the till, which he's left open. Aziraphale keeps a watchful eye on the cash while Crowley inhales his first lungful of Marangi Estate FTGFOP1.

Aziraphale smirks at the appreciative sigh that Crowley has failed to muffle in their newest stock.

“Second flush Assam,” he volunteers smugly. “Does the chef approve?”

Crowley straightens and fixes his collar, sauntering vaguely over to the till.

“Honey butter,” he says, counting a stack of fivers. “Been talking to that bloke in Regent's Park.”

Aziraphale unpacks the shipment, pleased to find they've also got Nuwara Eliya Ceylon and a bright, fresh sencha artfully spiked with bits of mango, papaya, and goji berries.

At the till, determinedly counting the previous day's takings, Crowley sniffs.

“Is that tea or fruit punch, angel?”

“I know you wanted some of the Darjeeling White, but I'm afraid—”

“They were out of stock,” says Crowley, gloomily. “Again.”

“Next time,” Aziraphale promises, leaning to kiss his cheek.

“Go away,” Crowley sulks, arranging the scones. “I'm busy.”

Aziraphale steps out from behind the counter and casts about the shop floor, idly scanning the magazine rack, Crowley's fussily stocked condiments caddy, and the book stacks. They aren't what he once had in Soho, not by any stretch, but they're chosen with care. The patrons appreciate his effort. Satisfied, he flips the sign on the front door from CLOSED to OPEN.

By now, both he and Crowley have got used to the ancient horseshoe nailed above the lintel.

As Aziraphale steps away, it glows white-hot and welcoming in the mid-morning sun.

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-12 11:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] titc.livejournal.com
Nyaaaaaah *melts at the fic, then melts some more at the art* (I totally don't recognize the styles, nooope ;-)
I mean, tea, hellhounds, witches, horseshoes, domestic complaining and good morning sex (good applying to both!); what's not to love?
Aziraphale has Crowley wrapped around his fingers, the demon is SO smitten!

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-17 02:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
We wondered if we'd managed to obscure ourselves a little (but only a little, mind). And, yes, the extent to which they've got each other pinkie-wrapped is rather nauseatingly thorough...

Thank you so much for reading! <3

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-12 01:02 pm (UTC)
ext_41634: (Default)
From: [identity profile] rroselavy.livejournal.com
****mmmmm**** Perfect complement to my morning cuppa lapsang souchong. Just gorgeous!

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-17 02:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
Lapsang Souchong is an acquired taste, and a splendid one once acquired! I know someone who refuses to drink it because she thinks it smells like dirty socks. That's a distressing thought to those of us who are fond of it...

Thank you so much for reading!

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-12 04:12 pm (UTC)
ext_212832: (books and tea)
From: [identity profile] peach-megumi.livejournal.com
This is absolutely adorable. Both the fic and the art just inspire this warm, homey, cozy feeling. It's quiet and pleasant (even with the birds and Adam and Dog), and I really want to be sitting in that undoubtedly fragrant tea shop, drinking tea and eating scones. Sweet and wonderful.

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-17 02:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
Sparrows living in the eaves of an English farmhouse is one of the cutest things I've ever seen; they come out in the mornings and in the evenings and play tag with each other while they hunt insects. In other words, STUPIDLY CUTE FOWL.

Thank you so much for reading!

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-12 04:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shenaniganders.livejournal.com
Ahhhh!!!! //incoherent screeching

Wow, thank you so much!! Everything about this is fabulous, it's hard to choose a favorite part!

“But you've complained for years that this room gets stuffy in summer,” Aziraphale reminds him, busy mouthing the spot below Crowley's left ear that makes him shiver uncontrollably.

The morning sex and the conversation, Crowley's half-hearted complaining and Aziraphale being so reasonable and smug, and everything, it's perfect!

At the till, determinedly counting the previous day's takings, Crowley sniffs.

“Is that tea or fruit punch, angel?”


And the box opening, and Crowley sulking over the lack of Darjeeling White because he absolutely would, and the box cutter being compared to a sword, and the glowing horseshoe!

Everything about this fic makes me so happy, and it's accompanied by such a glorious piece of artwork, which I simply cannot get over because look at that vibrant coloring and the shading-- especially of the ivy on the brick wall, it's so perfect and transparent-- and the composition! //melts

And then of course the picture itself, with the rather wild-growing flowers and the cobbled floor and Anathema with her book, and Adam and Dog in motion, as they always are--- What an entirely marvelous thing to wake up to!!

Thank you all so much!
--Doug

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-17 02:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
My only fear was that I didn't get the rating on the sex to quite as full an NC-17 as you were probably thinking! It's a relief to know you've enjoyed it even so. Aziraphale being smug in bed has become something of a point of amusement for me over time; it happens so often (at least when I'm writing them) that it flies satisfyingly in the face of those (admittedly few) people who try valiantly to maintain he'd be the innocent, virginal, embarrassed one when it comes to these matters. Oh, no. He knows exactly what he wants and exactly how to get it. Poor Crowley ;)

The glowing horseshoe is almost a throw-away in the book, at the very end of that scene where Adam drops in on Anathema at Jasmine Cottage when he sees her crying. And I thought, wow - if it glows white-hot for his presence, then it'd probably glow white-hot in the presence of any other creature of unearthly origin, too! So I love imagining that it's still there, perpetually glowing and cooling every time Aziraphale and Crowley or either one of them alone crosses the threshold. I couldn't tell you why, but it pleases me to imagine such a thing.

Thank you so much for giving us a marvelous request to work with *hugs* Happy New Year!

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-12 06:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] keksdiebin.livejournal.com
Oh, how awesome *-* I love the story and the picture is sooo beautiful! I want to have tea there <3 I also squeed at Aziraphale being a tea geek <333

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-17 02:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
They're both tea geeks in this, much to my delight, and Crowley gets to indulge his rather sharp cooking skills ;) I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this. Happy New Year!

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-12 10:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pionie.livejournal.com
What a wonderful pair of story and art to end on. The story is so evocative of a peaceful, loving life and the art the perfect complement. I feel I could step straight in through the frame and into that tea shop. It just glows with contentment.

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-17 02:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
I think we'd all like to run away and hide there, given how vivid that image is. We're so pleased you enjoyed it <3 Happy Holidays, and an even happier New Year!

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-12 11:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aten-ra.livejournal.com
Oh, this is just so lovely and comfortable and domestic and THEM. And I just adore the colours on the art, and how Aziraphale and Crowley are just there in the background, being themselves, while the world goes on as usual. <3

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-17 02:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
It hadn't occurred to me that this piece displays how often they're just that: in the background while everything else moves around them. All they do is provide little nudges, and, in this case, it manifests as tea, scones, and reading material. Thank you so much for reading, and for making such an astute observation <3

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-14 08:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] xylodemon.livejournal.com
This is gloriously adorable.

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-17 02:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
We are thrilled that you enjoyed it <3 And thank you for the rec!

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-14 09:45 pm (UTC)
ext_1310: (Default)
From: [identity profile] musesfool.livejournal.com
This is lovely.

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-17 02:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
Thank you very much! And we wish you all the best in 2013 <3

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-16 12:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sejitsu.livejournal.com
Yesssssss all the teahouse AUs forever please~ :D *flails* Lovely art and writing! I've been melted into the puddle from the domesticity; this is everything I wanted/needed to read just now. *w*

...I need a scone asap.

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-17 02:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
These two wear domesticity so very well. It's just extraordinary. And they deserve it, too, after all they've been through...

Thank you *hugs*

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-22 05:50 am (UTC)
ext_85481: (Alice - Frabjous day)
From: [identity profile] hsavinien.livejournal.com
Awwww. <3 Lovely and domestic and fun.

(no subject)

Date: 2013-02-18 04:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
It was just that, I mean to work on this with [livejournal.com profile] eldanis. Thank you very much! <3

(no subject)

Date: 2013-01-30 06:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mauvais-pli.livejournal.com
“Is that tea or fruit punch, angel?”

Hehe, I happen to be drinking something just like that, though I would long for Darjeeling, too.

A heart-warmingly sunny piece, and dizzyingly inviting art. Beautiful!

(no subject)

Date: 2013-02-18 04:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] irisbleufic.livejournal.com
Thank you so much for reading / having a look <3
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