Work Text
After nearly a decade of marriage, Crowley and Aziraphale felt something was missing. Their life together was fulfilling, but Aziraphale, ever the sentimental heart, longed for something more—someone to care for, to guide, to love. Crowley, for all his grumbling about change, couldn’t deny the way his husband’s eyes softened at the sight of children, or the way he sighed wistfully whenever they passed by a bookshop’s tiny reading nook, where little ones sat cross-legged on the floor, utterly absorbed in fairy tales. It had been Aziraphale’s idea to look into adoption, though Crowley had gone along with it, pretending it was simply to stop his angel’s pining. But when they were introduced to Eden, a wide-eyed baby with the softest curls and an impish smile, something in Crowley—something ancient and fiercely protective—settled. She was theirs. The adoption process had been long and filled with bureaucratic frustrations, but neither of them had regretted it for a moment. Eden was now three years old, a bright and endlessly curious child with a stubborn streak that rivaled Crowley’s. Parenthood had changed them both, but especially Aziraphale. The structured discipline dynamic they once had now took a backseat to bedtime stories, scraped knees, and midnight cuddles. Crowley understood, but he also saw the restlessness in Aziraphale, the way he sometimes pushed boundaries just to feel them again. It started with small things—Aziraphale deliberately ignoring Crowley’s reminders, rolling his eyes when given a firm look, playfully but persistently challenging Crowley’s authority. Crowley let it slide at first. Parenthood had shifted their priorities, and he knew Aziraphale was still adjusting. But tonight, Aziraphale was downright bratty.They were out at a café, Eden happily babbling over a tiny cup of hot chocolate. Crowley was busy wiping a smear of whipped cream from her cheek when Aziraphale, sighing dramatically, muttered, “Honestly, dear, you’re quite good at doting. Perhaps you should consider a career as a nanny.”Crowley raised a slow eyebrow. “What was that?” Aziraphale took a delicate sip of tea, his blue eyes dancing with mischief. “Oh, nothing. Just that you seem so terribly preoccupied with rules and order these days. I do wonder if I’m still your husband or merely the second most important child in the household.”Crowley’s jaw clenched. He set down his coffee with deliberate care and turned his full attention to Aziraphale, who suddenly seemed less pleased with his own antics. “I suggest you rethink that sentence, angel.”Aziraphale swallowed. A little thrill shot through him—there it was, that edge, that authority he had been craving. He crossed his arms and lifted his chin stubbornly. “Oh? And if I don’t?” Crowley’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. He leaned in just slightly, voice low enough that only Aziraphale could hear. “Then we’ll be having a very firm discussion about your attitude once Eden is tucked into bed.”Aziraphale’s breath hitched. His fingers curled around the handle of his teacup as a shiver ran down his spine—not just from the promise of correction, but from the quiet reassurance that Crowley still saw him, still knew what he needed. There was just one problem. He did not feel relaxed at all at the thought that Eden could wake up and see something she couldn't understand. After Eden was in bed, Aziraphale and Crowley had a talk.A bit tamed and less defiant he mumbled :"Sir, I know I pushed today. I know I was… difficult.""That’s one way to put it, angel.""But... I can’t do this. Not when Eden is home."Tilting his head, Crowley watched Aziraphale closely:" You say that, but you still act out. You still push me, like you want me to put my foot down."The younger man flushed,looking away. "I do. I need it, Crowley. But not with her here."Crowley sighed, stepping closer "I told you I’d wait until she’s asleep. You think I’d risk her seeing something she wouldn’t understand?"Aziraphale nodded, chewing his lip "Iknow you wouldn’t. But what if she wakes up? What if she hears something? She’s at that age—curious about everything. I don’t want her to be afraid or confused."Crowley softened, reaching out to brush Aziraphale’s hand "I hear you, angel. And you know I’d never push you into something that makes you feel unsafe. But you also can’t keep bottling this up. It’s not good for you."Aziraphale exhaled shakily "I don’t know what to do. I miss us, the way we used to be. But I also—she’s our daughter, Crowley. I can’t let this affect her."Crowley nodded, squeezing Aziraphale’s fingers Then we find a way. Maybe we could make an arrangement with Anathema and Newt to take her on some days and we in return take their daughter Agnes from time to time, too. So we could set time aside, just for us, when she’s playing with Agnes. Or maybe we talk about what feels safe to do while she’s home—nothing she’d wake up to, nothing that would worry her. But we don’t have to stop being us.Aziraphale gave a small, wobbly smile "You always know how to make things seem so simple."Crowley smirked: "That’s because it is. You and me, angel. We work it out. Always do."Aziraphale nodded, squeezing Crowley’s hand "Yes. Always."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
At first, they made it work.Being parents of a toddler they had decided that the dynamic between them had to shift. Sound discipline—the kind that left Aziraphale blushing and pliant—was out of the question with a Eden in the house. And while Crowley understood Aziraphale’s concerns, he also saw how his angel grew restless, pushing just enough to test Crowley, but never quite letting himself fall into the structure he still needed.So, they adapted, as they had discussed before. When Aziraphale crossed the line, Crowley gave him consequences he could complete in quiet: writing lines in the soft glow of their sitting room after Eden had gone to bed, standing in the corner of their bedroom, or surrendering one of his beloved books for a week. At first, it worked. The routine settled Aziraphale, giving him the sense of order he craved. Crowley watched as his husband’s shoulders loosened, his sharp tongue softened, his teasing turned less biting.But routines grow dull.It started slowly—lines sloppily written, an eyeroll when Crowley reminded him of a consequence, a too-sweet smile that meant trouble. Crowley took note. He knew his angel better than anyone, and he recognized the signs. Aziraphale was dissatisfied. Unsettled. He wanted more. He just didn’t know how to say it. As decided, they had an arrangement—every other Saturday, Eden spent the day with Anathema and Newt, while on the alternate weekends, Agnes (who had claimed the role of “big sister” the moment she met Eden) took over. It was the perfect balance. Aziraphale got the structure he needed. Crowley had his angel back. And Eden? She got to be utterly spoiled by people who adored her. Aziraphale had a small booklet for broken rules. He had to fill in which infraction was overstepped and which kind of consequence. He had to tick off any offenses he already had payed for. As spanking during the week was out of the question, they weren't ticked off, but saved for those weekends. That was "payment day" as Crowley playfully called it, but it fitted well enough. Aziraphale had to read out, which rules he had broken during the last two weeks and he would get the spanking he deserved. It had been hard for him to learn waiting and not being punished and feeling forgiven imediately, but the restless itchyness had eased, having to write his sins down, paying with small alternative consequences, knowing that the deserved spanking would await him in the future. It helped a great deal behaving. But this Saturday, things changed.Anathema had fallen ill, Newt was helpless without her, and Agnes was away on a preschool trip. Their usual plan crumbled.Crowley had been watching Aziraphale closely all week, aware of the small signs that his patience was thinning. And as expected, his angel wasted no time in taking advantage of the situation. It wasn’t just sass—it was defiance. Pushing buttons. Testing.At breakfast, Aziraphale made a pointed remark about how Crowley “was terribly fond of rules these days, perhaps even more than Eden.”At lunch, he “forgot” the lines Crowley had asked him to write and hand in, despite promising he’d do it that morning.By dinner, when Crowley had gently placed a hand on the small of his back to guide him into a chair, Aziraphale huffed, shrugged him off, and muttered, “Honestly, I do wish you’d stop hovering.”Crowley let it slide. For now.But when Tuesday arrived, and Aziraphale thought he had gotten away with it? That’s when Crowley paid a visit to the bookshop, knowing that on Tuesday afternoons his staff had the day off and Aziraphale worked alone. Crowley usually had a long day at work and picked Eden up from preschool afterwards, but he had arranged to cancel all his appointments. The bell above the door chimed as Crowley stepped inside, locking it behind him. The afternoon light spilled through the windows, casting a golden glow over the shelves. The staff had already left for the day, leaving Aziraphale alone at his desk, a cup of tea steaming beside him.His husband barely looked up. “Ah, my dear, if you’re here to browse, do keep it quiet. I’m rather enjoying the peace.”Crowley said nothing as he stalked forward, the sound of his boots against the floorboards unnervingly steady.Aziraphale finally glanced up—then immediately stiffened.Crowley was watching him, head tilted, golden eyes sharp and assessing. The air in the shop shifted. The teasing warmth Aziraphale had expected was absent. Instead, there was something firm. Decisive.Aziraphale swallowed. “Crowley, darling, what are you doing here?…Why are you looking at me like that?”Crowley leaned against the desk, crossing his arms. “Let’s talk about Saturday.”The angel’s fingers curled around his teacup. “Ah. Saturday. I suppose you mean that little… disagreement?”Crowley’s brow arched. “Disagreement? That’s what we’re calling it?”Aziraphale cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. “Darling, really, there’s no need to make a fuss. These things happen.”Crowley reached forward and gently plucked the teacup from his hands, setting it aside. He bent down, bringing himself to eye level. “I let it slide because Eden was with us. But you knew exactly what you were doing. You wanted to push, and you enjoyed getting away with it.”Aziraphale’s lips pressed together.Crowley tilted his head. “So I think you know what I am doing here right now, don't you?" he placed Aziraphale's booklet in front of him on his desk with an admonishing glare.Aziraphale watched his hands, biting his lip. After a while he nodded. "Yes, sir..."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
After locking the front door and shutting the blinds, Crowley stepped around the desk and stood next to Aziraphale’s chair, wearing a stern expression. His husband shuffled his feet nervously, fidgeting with his hands the whole time.“Up!” came the order and Aziraphale obeyed, pushing the chair back a bit and standing up, keeping his eyes down, making space for Crowley. His Dom sat down on the now empty space, then snapped his fingers to get Aziraphale’s attention. His wayward boy looked up with apologetic eyes. Crowley pointed to the floor in front of him.
“Kneel” came the command. Aziraphale scrambled to comply, knowing he was in enough trouble already. His dominant handed him his booklet.
“Tell me, where you a good boy lately, huh?”
“No sir… I’m sorry…”
“You will be… open the book, let’s hear it.”Aziraphale blushed: “Uhm… I haven’t put anything in… I did not think… I did not think we would be settling up today…” … “Sir” he added hastily.“I know that. I will add that to your tally. I have written in your latest infractions. Open the book, Aziraphale, no more stalling.”“Oh… right, thank you, sir…” he opened his booklet, finding the angular handwriting in contrast to his own delicate one instantly.“I made snappy remarks to my Dom, I did not answer respectfully, when corrected. I did not hand in the requested lines for sassing, nor did I write them at all, I downright refused, that counts as disobediance.” Aziraphale swallowed, because those were usually reason for more severe punishments.
“I am reminded that I have to obey my dominant or using my nice manners to tell him if I have reasons not to do so.”“I continued to be snappy and impolite the whole day despite several warnings. I acted out, thinking that I am untouchable with our daughter present and that our rules are no longer valid for some reason. I will be reminded that this is not the case.” He swallowed again, his mouth gone dry.“I will ask my dominant for my deserved correction. Oh, sir, no… please….”
Aziraphale hated having to ask, but this was a punishment after all and no sexy fun time. Crowley rose a challenging brow.“You’ve already dug yourself an impressive hole, Aziraphale. I would not add more to your awaiting punishment if I were you. If you need help, I could encourage you for some minutes, before I ask you again…”“No, no! That… won’t be necessary… I… might need a moment…sir.” he inhaled deeply and tried to calm down, Crowley nodded, waiting patiently. Aziraphale knew though, that if he stalled any longer, he might be pulled up for an encouraging spanking, so he took another breath and then looked up again to meet Crowley’s eyes.“Sir, I have been acting out, I was disobediant, disrespectful and bratty. Please punish me for my behaviour…”
“Very good, Aziraphale. And what do you think I will do?”
Aziraphale squirmed. It was so much harder to name the punishment. Then he noticed that Crowley had not brought a bag. Did he not plan to use implements?
“Did you… not bring anything, sir?”
“Oh, I did.” Crowley casually pulled up his shirt and tapped his belt with a smirk. Aziraphale inhaled sharply. Yes, they had used the belt on occasion, but it wasn’t Crowley’s prefered tool, because it was less easier to control than paddles or the cane. But Aziraphale liked the spontanity and the feeling, although especially this belt stung like hell… He dreaded the pain as much as he wanted it. He stared at his husband helplessly.“Well? I am waiting…”Aziraphale sighed and shyly mumbled “Please spank me on my nacked bottom to help me remember to stick to our agreed rules, sir.” He blushed furiously. How could this still embarrass him so much after all this years? He eyed the belt and blushed even more.“Good enough for now, baby. Stand up, undress, fold your clothes and then over my knee.”
“Yes, sir…”Aziraphale undressed, he did not exactly stall, but also not really hurry. He took his time folding his clothes neatly and sped things up when he noticed Crowley had began to jiggle his leg unpatiently.“Sorry, sir. I am ready…” he came over and after another timid glance he placed himself over Crowley’s knee.“You have been very naughty, Aziraphale. You pushed quite hard… I hope you will remember that if you do so, I WILL push back…”
“Yes, sir…” Aziraphale crossed and uncrossed his ankles nervously, but something inside settled, it felt safe to know that Crowley would not tolerate his antics any longer. He felt his dom’s hand on his back and then the impact of the first smack. Then the second. And another… Crowley did not waste much time warming him up.Ow…. that hurt! The first smacks always took Aziraphale’s breath away. And he wasn’t used to it like before, when he was over Crowley’s knee on a regular basis. The spankings every second Saturday were new after all and Crowley had taken that into account with a softer start after they have had a longer break. There was nothing soft now. Aziraphale had problems keeping still, kicking, squirming and finally his hand moved to cover his butt, but was caught midair.“Oh no, Aziraphale. You have earned this punishment fair and square and I remind you that this is just the warm up. You have been very disobedient, I expect more self control to proof me that you will do better. You can take hold of the chair legs when needed, but your hands stay front. If you can’t obey, you will get one warning. The second time I will smack your hands, the third time you will kneel and receive the tip of the belt on your palms five times each. Am I understood?“Aziraphale whimpered and snapped his hands away, grabbing the chair legs firmly.“Yes, sir… understood.“„Good.“
The whole time the spanking did not slow down at all. The blows were getting sharper. It was very challenging to keep still and finally the hand went back again.“That’s one, Aziraphale…”“Sorry, sir…. oooowww…. that was mean…”
“I will also spank your thighs, you know that. Don’t expect mercy from me….”
He tipped his left leg down a bit to move Aziraphale to a sharper angle, his butt higher into the air, his lower body pointing further downwards and he attacked his sit spots. Aziraphale wailed and his hands flew back again. Crowley tsked.“Tut, tut, angel, second warning. Give me your right hand, palm up, hold it open…” he grabbed Aziraphale’s wrist and briefly stroked his palm soothingly, stretching the hand flat.“Five each. Count.”“Ooowww… one, sir… t…two, sir…” How could it be that this hurt so damn much? Crowley was after all only using his hand, too. Must hurt him equally? But somehow it didn’t. Probably came with practice, like his butt usually could take a lot, too, but today he somehow felt sensitive. The first tears began to form, when Crowley ordered sharply “Other hand, Aziraphale.”“Oh, please, I promise, I won’t let go again…” he sniffled pityfully.“You better not, ‘cause next time it is the belt. Other hand. Now!”Reluctantly, Aziraphale obeyed, but inside, deep in his core, he began to feel more like himself again. It sucked, because it was pain, but it felt so good to know that nothing he did would spare him the consequences of his wrong doings. At the same time he knew if he used his safe word, everything would stop. Which he – pain or no pain – did actually not want.“Good boy. Stretch your hand, don’t want to hit the knuckles.”
Aziraphale sighed happily at the praise and bit on his other hand to stiffle his whimpering.“No need to hold back the noise. Let me hear it. You are supposed to count, remember?”“Sorry, sir… one…”The tears ran free now with every hit and Aziraphale’s breath hitched at the fifth. Crowley paused briefly, caressing the already red bottom, but it would be no lesson in self-control to stop right now. He knew Aziraphale wanted to proof himself, showing he could be good.“Well done, sweet boy. Two more minutes for your hand spanking before we move further. I set a timer”“Yes, sir…” Aziraphale sniffed and Crowley could feel how he braced himself.Crowley took his phone, set the timer and as soon as it started, he laid into his Sub’s butt with fast, hard slaps. He wanted to challenge Aziraphale a bit, as he had done with him with his bratty behaviour before. His husband was still wrigling desperately on his lap and the sound of his hand echoed loudly and satisfying through the room, but he noticed it was easier for Aziraphale to get a grip of his reactions, because he knew that the hand spanking had an ending point, soon. The alarm went off and Aziraphale had not reached back again.“Well done, you were very good, sweetheart.”Aziraphale sighed in relief, allowed himself to go limp for a while, but tensed up again, probably thinking about the main event of the punishment, the strapping with Crowley’s belt. He began to cross and uncross his ancles again and shifted in Crowley’s lap.“Sir… how many hits do you plan with… with your belt?” he finally asked anxiously.First you will go to the corner to cool down ten more minutes. I’ll think about a number. This will also be dependent on your behaviour in the corner!” he warned with a sharper tone.Aziraphale winced. Corner time calmed him, yes, but he did not particularly like it and standing still could be difficult. But he got up without fussing and went to the next corner, putting his hands behind his back without being asked and stood still, only breathing. His attitude seemed to settle. Crowley was glad. He took Aziraphale’s booklet again, rereading his infractions, also scrolling back to the weeks before and noticing with a frown that obedience and disrespectful behaviour had become a pattern, lately. That wouldn’t do. He used the ten minutes to think about things himself.“Time’s up, boy, come here, please.”
“Yes, sir.” Aziraphale answered promptly, returned to the sitting Crowley and knelt down, awaiting further orders. Crowley’s eyes softened and he patted him for a while.“I am glad you decided to behave now. Very well, we still have to deal with your attitude lately. I noticed skimming through your book that I must have been too lenient and let you get away with far too much. I thought about solutions to keep that at bay. Disciplining you every second week clearly isn’t enough. I know, even though your staff isn’t at your shop on Tuesdays, you still have work to do. But you have one hour of lunch break and I could arrange that, too. We should take use of your book shop on that account… So here is what I have thought of. Those Saturdays CAN be used for punishment if necessary. But if you have been good, we could just have enjoyable scenes and rewards for you, as well. If you need a spanking, it could just be to relax you, stress relief, or a more erotic kind of play. If you’ve been bad, well, that’s another matter of course…” he eyed Aziraphale sternly, who bit his lip in shame.“However, our Tuesday meetings will be similar to how we deal with things today, if you continue to act out. But my suggestion is, even if you have been good, you will receive a spanking, every Tuesday, from now on.” Aziraphale wanted to protest, but Crowley rose a hand to silence him. “I am not finished, boy, and your punishment isn’t either, so better shut up and let me talk.”Aziraphale nodded and swallowed his remark.“Very wise decision, dove. As I said. Every Tuesday you go over my knee. If you have been bad, I will make sure it is not enjoyable. Otherwise, we will talk about your rules, remind you of your manners and if nothing you have done offended them, you will simply get a reminder spanking with my hand. It will smart a bit, you will surely feel it… but it won’t be close to the spanking today, as it isn’t a punishment then. Furthermore…” he eyed Aziraphale sternly “if you decide to outride brat me and think you are untouchable in between Tuesdays and our free Saturdays, and writing lines with gingeroot up your ass or corner time won’t do the trick… I will call Tracy to come over, sit in the living room while Eden is in bed, so she won’t be alone, if she wakes up, and we’ll take a trip to our garage and have a talk in the backseat of one of our cars, is that clear?”Aziraphale’s eyes widened. That sounded like misbehaving would be stopped for good for now.Crowley looked at him for a while, his eyes searching Aziraphale for signs of discomfort but did not find any.“Last point… if I happen to have a business trip and you think none of our rules are in place, like on my trip to Germany two months ago… I will ask Tracy to handle you. I know that she and her husband have a similar dynamic. I am sure she wouldn’t mind to cane you, if it should be necessary…” Aziraphale gasped in shock “What? No! You are my Dom, Cr… sir… I… that would be embarassing… please, no…”Crowley tilted his head. “If you don’t want that, then you shouldn’t misbehave, I suggest, simple as that.”
Aziraphale bit his lip and lowered his eyes, but Crowley noticed the clenched fists and tensed shoulders. So he poked a bit deeper.“What is your colour on my idea, angel?” He asked softly.Aziraphale looked up again, sensing he was offered an out. But he also remembered how hard it had been not to tease, when Crowley had been miles away…“I… not quite sure… somewhere between green and yellow I think… I… guess I would like to talk to Tracy about that, first…”“Fair enough. Thank you, sweet boy. So… enough for future plans, I think in general my suggestions might help you a great deal. We will talk about that again later, when it had time to sink in… to the rest of your punishment now. Up!”Aziraphale came back to his feet and was guided to his desk, a pressure on his back indicating to bend over it.“You can usually take a great deal of pain during punishments. I have the feeling today your paintolerance is not such a bottomless pit…” he chuckled at his joke, feeling Aziraphale relax under his caressing hand. “But you still should feel it. You’ll receive twenty for disobeying me, you will further write the lines you have missed out as soon as we have finished your punishment… And another twenty for your disrespectful, bratty behaviour.”Aziraphale gulped, but nodded miserably.“I will not hand the consequences out in one go. You’ll get the first twenty in one round, and the rest will be splitted into two rounds of ten strokes each. I will check in with you then in between… you WILL receive the whole forty. There is no getting out of that. But if you have the feeling you won’t manage today, I want you to be honest. Then we postpone the rest to next time. I want you to use your colours, don’t try to impress me, or I will be very displeased. Am I clear?”“Yes, sir. I understand.”“Good.”Crowley unbuckled his belt and pulled it out of the loops, folding it in half. Aziraphale shivered at the sound, half in anticipation, half in arousal. Crowley smirked. That little hedonist…“No need to count. Same rule with the hands, so hold on tight.”Aziraphale muttered a faint “Fuck” under his breath.“What was that?”“Nothing, sir…”“I’ll start now.”“Ooow…. fuck… aaah… shit…” The belt burnt. It felt hot on his already tender bottom. Aziraphale tried to concentrate on how he had behaved and the feeling to atone with his punisment. Knowing he deserved what he was getting was usually helping to accept the consequences. He still had to grip the edge of the table hard, his knuckles turning white. And soon he was sobbing again and he appologised with each hit.“Ooow…. sorry… owww… so sorry, sir, I am so sorry, please…”“I know you are. You will be even sorrier, when I have finished. Five left of round one, hold on tight, they go on your thighs.”Aziraphale whined and when the belt hit home he kicked his legs and howled, inhaling in relief when Crowley paused and gave him a break to take some breaths.“We have dealed with your disobedience. As soon as you hand me the lines you should have written you are forgiven. How is your colour to proceed?”“G…Green, sir…” Aziraphale answered in tears.“You’re sure, darling ?” Crowley asked again.
“Yes, sir, I want to be forgiven and feel better, I want it over with, I am so so…sorry….”
“Alright, baby. Here come the next ten.”Aziraphale did not even try to keep his feet down, he kicked and had to be reminded to be careful, if he did not want his feet to be whipped. But he bravely managed to keep his hands away. He cried bitterly, though. Crowley was concerned.“Colour? No lying!”“Yellow… I… still want to go through, please, sir… just… can I have a minute?”
“Of course, baby… Stand up, stretch yourself, drink some water and get back into position, when you’re ready…”“Thank you, thanks, sir…”Aziraphale stood up, washed his face at the sink, sipped some water and after some shuddering breaths, he obediently got back into position.Crowley eyed his backside. It was already blazing red and the puffy eyes of his crying angel as well. He knew, mercy would not really make his angel happy, but he could adjust the punishment slightly to his whims… He unfolded the doubled belt, rolled the half with the buckle in, till he had the singled second half in hand.“Ok, angel. Last ten.“Aziraphale took hold of the table again and with the first hit, he noticed the difference. It still hurt… but less sharply and deeply. Still he felt his honor intact…. He sighed thankfully, wiping away a tear after the last stroke.Crowley gently pulled him up and let him to the sofa at the other end of the room, set down and pulled his husband on his lap, wrapping his arms around him.“I still expect those lines. But everything forgiven now, baby. We move on. Alright? Love you.”“Love you, too… so sorry, I was a brat…”
“’s ok… I know that is your way of showing me you need me. ‘m not mad. You just need your butt tanned more often again.” He grinned. Aziraphale giggled sheepishly“Yeah… guess you’re right. Not sure about Tracy… don’t know…”
“Okay. I don’t want to force you. Haven’t asked her that, yet. She will look after Eden, though, if necessary.” He shot Aziraphale a warning glance and was met with wide innocent eyes.
“Just know that it could be an option…”
“Ok… I think about it… and let you know if I decided on something… Thank you… that you made time… I feel better now… and will write my lines right away… after some cuddling, please?”“’course, angel…”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The sun shone brightly over St. James’s Park, casting a warm glow over the picnic blanket Aziraphale had carefully set up. The red-and-white checkered blanket was covered with sandwiches, strawberries, and scones with little jars of cream. Eden and Agnes sat cross-legged, giggling as they ate.Not far away, an ice cream truck played a cheerful tune. Both girls perked up, turning toward the sound. Eden looked at her papa with wide eyes, her curls bouncing as she tilted her head.“Papa, can we have ice cream?” she asked sweetly.Aziraphale smiled. “Of course, my dear. A lovely day like this calls for ice cream.”Eden and Agnes cheered as Aziraphale got up and walked over to the vendor. A moment later, he returned with two perfectly swirled cones, one vanilla and one chocolate. The girls grabbed them eagerly and dug in, their faces quickly becoming sticky with melted ice cream.Once they finished, Eden licked her lips and turned to her father. “Papa, I want more ice cream.”Aziraphale chuckled, wiping her face with a napkin. “I think one is enough for today, sweetheart.”Eden frowned, thinking for a moment before turning to Crowley. If Papa said no, maybe Daddy would say yes. She had figured out something important in her three years of life: Daddy was in charge.“Daddy,” she said, standing with her hands on her hips. “I want more ice cream.”Crowley looked down at her over his sunglasses, a smirk playing on his lips. He had a soft spot for his little girl, but today, he and Aziraphale agreed.“No, button. One is enough.”Eden blinked in surprise. She looked back and forth between them, confused. Aziraphale looked pleased, while Crowley’s smirk grew wider.After a short pause, Eden let out a big sigh. “Okay.” And just like that, she ran off with Agnes, ice cream forgotten as they headed toward the playground.Aziraphale turned to Crowley with a fond look. Crowley raised an eyebrow. “What?”“Nothing,” Aziraphale said with a smile. “It’s just nice to be on the same page.”Crowley snorted. “Yeah, don’t get used to it.”They watched the girls climb onto the slide, their laughter filling the air. Aziraphale hummed happily, sipping tea from the thermos he had insisted on bringing. After a moment, he gave Crowley a sly glance.“You know,” he said playfully, “Eden does seem to think you’re the boss.”Crowley stretched his legs out, tapping his fingers against his knee. “Yeah, well. She’s a smart kid.”Aziraphale made a thoughtful sound, then added, “I suppose that makes me your assistant.”Crowley turned to him sharply, eyes narrowing behind his sunglasses. “Angel.”Aziraphale smiled innocently and sipped his tea.Crowley leaned in slightly and lowered his voice. “Careful, or I'll call Tracy to watch our daugther this evening and you’ll be over my knee in the back of the car once Eden is in bed.”Aziraphale nearly choked on his tea. He coughed, his cheeks turning pink, and quickly glanced at the playground to make sure neither of the girls had heard. When he looked back, Crowley was smirking proudly.Aziraphale cleared his throat, trying for dignity. “Oh, my. Such a temper. You do know you can’t actually smite me, don’t you?”Crowley just grinned. “Don’t need to. I’ve got other ways to keep you in line.”Aziraphale huffed, though his lips twitched with a barely suppressed smile. “Wretched creature.”Crowley just grinned. “Love you too, Angel.” Later that afternoon, Anathema and Newt arrived for tea. The backyard was filled with laughter as the girls played with Ren, Raphael’s son, who had also come over for the visit. Raphael, Aziraphale’s elder brother, watched them with an amused smile, sipping a cup of tea beside Aziraphale.As they all settled in, Anathema cleared her throat and gave Newt a quick glance before announcing, “We have some news. But don’t tell Agnes just yet.”Aziraphale and Crowley both leaned in curiously. “Oh?” Aziraphale prompted, his eyes twinkling.Anathema grinned. “I’m pregnant again.”A beat of silence, then delighted exclamations erupted from the group. Aziraphale clapped his hands together joyfully, Crowley gave Newt a rare, genuine grin, and Raphael nodded approvingly. Congratulations poured in, and Anathema beamed under the attention, while Newt looked both proud and slightly overwhelmed.Eden, oblivious to the conversation, ran past with Agnes and Raphael’s son, their laughter ringing through the air. Aziraphale watched them fondly, then turned back to Anathema with a warm smile. “That’s wonderful news, my dear. We’re all so happy for you.”Anathema sighed happily. “Thank you. Just—let’s keep it quiet around Agnes for now. She’ll figure it out soon enough, but I’d rather wait a little.”Crowley smirked. “Keeping a secret from a three-year-old? Good luck with that.”Everyone chuckled as Aziraphale’s egg timer went off.“Oh! I think dinner is ready. I call the kids inside to eat.”Dinner was full of chatter, the children excitedly talking about a squirrel they had seen in the backyard. Eden eagerly described its fluffy tail, while Agnes insisted it had waved at them. Raphael’s son listened with wide eyes, nodding as if it was the most amazing thing he had ever heard. Crowley, lounging in his chair, smirked and threw in the occasional “Really now?” or “Sounds like a very fancy squirrel.”But the peace didn’t last long.Eden and Agnes both reached for the last slice of lasagna at the same time. In an instant, Eden grabbed Agnes’s hair and gave it a yank.“Eden Jane Fell-Crowley!” Aziraphale’s sharp voice made everyone stop.Eden froze, her small fingers still tangled in Agnes’s curls. Agnes, eyes watery, glared at her friend.“That is not how we act,” Aziraphale scolded, gently pulling Eden’s hands away. “We do not pull hair.”Eden’s lip trembled. She turned to Crowley, hoping for help.Crowley simply crossed his arms. “No, button. Papa’s right.”Eden pouted. Twice now, they had agreed. She crossed her arms and slumped in her chair, defeated.Aziraphale sighed and handed the last slice to Raphael’s son instead. “There. Problem solved.”Agnes, still sniffling but pleased with the result, stuck her tongue out at Eden, who sulked but stayed quiet.Crowley smirked. “I’d say that went well.”Aziraphale gave him a tired look but couldn’t help smiling. “Yes, well. I suppose teamwork does have its perks.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The atmosphere at the dinner table was lively, filled with laughter and conversation. The children were playing family in one of the corners, they had build a fort of blankets and cusions, Ren was already fast asleep, so he was the baby, the girls declared.
Across from Aziraphale, Crowley was relaxed, sipping his wine, his ever-watchful gaze flickering over to his husband now and then.
Aziraphale, for his part, was feeling… mischievous. The warmth of wine and the security of company emboldened him. It had been some time since their dynamic was in full effect, and while Crowley had made it clear a few days ago that the rules were back in place, well—Aziraphale liked to test boundaries.
It started small. Ignoring the slices of fruits Crowley had placed on his plate. Taking one too many slices of the chocolate tart before passing it on, despite Crowley’s pointed look. A quiet hum of defiance, just loud enough for Crowley to catch.
Then, feeling bolder, Aziraphale leaned in, fingers ghosting over Crowley’s wrist as he refilled his own glass—when they both knew very well that Crowley had already set a limit for the evening.
Crowley didn't react immediately. He simply arched a brow, taking another sip of his wine.
Aziraphale then - totally accidentally, of course – let his fork drop and stood up to bend down, his bubbly butt facing into Crowley’s direction subtely. His expression cheeky when he got back up, still, his husband just fixed him with a stern glare, Aziraphale began to feel victorious.
The conversation flowed on, feeling safe, Aziraphale relaxed, giggling at something Anathema said. But then—casually, smoothly—Crowley pulled out his phone, typing Tracy’s number in, making sure his husband saw his screen..
Aziraphale felt his stomach dip.
“Oh, Tracy, love,” Crowley drawled, as if he were merely calling about tomorrow’s weather. “Would you mind watching Eden for the evening? Mm, yes. Just a little while.” A pause, then a smirk. “Perfect. I’ll put her to bed after dinner, it would be enough if you stayed in the living room, while we have to take care of a matter, we’ll be back, soon, it won’t be long.”
Aziraphale stiffened. His mischief drained from his face, replaced by something more wary. His fingers tightened around the stem of his glass. He inhaled sharply – his entire demeanor shifting.
“Crowley…”
Crowley lifted a hand, cutting off any protests and glanced at Aziraphale, the look in his eyes sent a shiver down his spineAziraphale swallowed. He forced his expression into something pleasant, something neutral. His hands, though, were suddenly very still in his lap.
He cleared his throat and straightened in his seat, suddenly very interested in minding his manners. He even, without hesitation, took a bite of the neglected fruits on his plate and shoved the plate with half of a piece of chocolate tart away..
“Oh, no, she’s an angel,” Crowley continued smoothly, nodding toward Eden, who was happily oblivious to the tension settling like a storm cloud at the table. “No trouble at all. It’s my husband who’s been acting up.”
Anathema choked on her apple juice. Newt stared at his plate as if willing himself to become invisible.
“Maybe I have something to discuss with you, too. I need to speak about that with Aziraphale first.” He fixed his youngerr, now chastened looking husband with a promise in his eyes, ended the call and slid his phone back into his pocket, then he gave Aziraphale a slow, knowing smile. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to.
Aziraphale swallowed. He knew that look.
There would be no escaping what was to come later.
And he had no one to blame but himself.
Aziraphale cleared his throat, his back straightening. “That won’t be necessary, dear. I was just—”
“Mm.” Crowley grinned smugly completely unconcerned. “Too late.” He turned his attention back to his plate, cutting into his food with deliberate ease. “Eat up, angel. You’ll need your strength later.”
Aziraphale exhaled slowly, carefully picking up his fork again. He still had an audience. He still had dinner to get through. So, he composed himself, smiled, and did as he was told.
But his stomach flipped at the promise in Crowley’s voice.
And the way he was still sitting a bit uncomfortably from last time? He had a feeling he’d be feeling it even more tomorrow.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Finally, all guests had said their fare wells and Aziraphale shuffled his feet nervously, standing in the corner, while Crowley brought Eden to bed. When Tracy arrived, Aziraphale opened the door. Crowley had allowed him to leave the corner for that, as they had not officially come out to each other, though they suspectedTracy knew, as they knew about her and her husband.Crowley joined them in the living room after Eden was fast asleep upstairs. Tracy, sipping her tea, was eyeing Aziraphale with the kind of look that makes grown men feel like schoolboys caught in the act. Crowley sat beside Aziraphale, one ankle resting on his knee, his fingers lazily tapping against his armrest—controlled, but oh-so-annoyed.
Tracy was tilting her head and giving Aziraphale a pointed look.
“So, let me get this straight, love. You call me over for a nice cuppa, tell me your little angel is sleeping soundly upstairs… and then Crowley here mentions—offhandedly, mind you—that his husband has been a proper handful this evening.”
Sttiffling slightly Aziraphale lets out a nervous chuckle ” I—I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, dear.”
Cutting him off, Tracy smiled knowingly “Don’t you? Oh, I think you do. I know that look.”
She settled her tea cup down and fixed him with a motherly, but stern expression.
“See, now, I may not know everything about your arrangement, but I know a guilty man when I see one. And this one— “ she gestured at Aziraphale —“has the look of someone who’s about to get his backside tanned and is doing his best to charm his way out of it.”
“I—I would never—“ Aziraphale shouts scandalized with flying hands.
“You do it every time, angel.” Crowley snorted flatly.
Tracy, wagged a fingerin mock-sympathy at Aziraphale “And here I was thinking you invited me for company. Not for a bit of strategic timing.”
“Wasn’t my idea…” Aziraphale muttered with crossed arms.
“Well, I warned you, haven’t I? You knew that this was likely to happen.” Crowley deadpanned.
“Ahh, love, you’re cute when you’re all flustered and shy, but you fool nobody. “ Tracy chuckled, shaking her head. “You wanted that to happen, didn’t you? You look so innocent and sweet, but I can see the brat shining through.”“See? Told you it wasn’t just me.” Crowley smirked, his voice low and smooth.
Tracy sipped her tea, watching Aziraphale squirm “You keep tugging on a tiger’s tail, angel, don’t act all scandalized when he bites.”
Clearing his throat, Aziraphale was suddenly very interested in his hands “ Well, I—I suppose—“
“Enough stalling. Go get your hairbrush.” Crowley’s voice was quite and firm, he leaned forward slightly into Aziraphale’s space.Aziraphale froze,, color draining from his face before rushing back twice as pink “I beg your pardon?”“You heard me.” Crowley raised an umamused brow. “Go. Now.”Settling back in her chair, Tracy was clearly entertained but feigning innocence “Oh, don’t mind me, boys. I’ll just sit here with my tea, shall I?”
“Glancing desperately between them, Aziraphale’s voice pitched higher” But—but our guest...“Tracy smirked over the rim of her teacup “Oh, I’ll be just fine, sweetheart. Not my first time seeing a husband march off to deal with a wayward spouse.”“Hairbrush. Garage. Now.” Crowley pointed towards the hallway.Aziraphale tried one last time to get out of his awaiting doom, letting out a tiny, scandalized huff, but standing up nonetheless ” This is absurd.”“No, darling.” Tracy watched him cheerfully. “What’s absurd is thinking you’d get away with it.”
Aziraphale disappeared into the hallway, hairbrush in hand. Crowley paused, casting Tracy a look that’s half amused, half exasperated.“You enjoy this way too much.” He grinned dryly.“Oh, immensely.” Grinning she took another sip of tea. Now go on, love. Don’t keep him waiting.”
Crowley snorted, shaking his head before following Aziraphale. The door to the garage clicked shut behind him. Nervously fidgeting with the brush, Aziraphale pleaded :” Crowley, dearest, let’s be reasonable about this. Surely, a stern talking-to would suffice?”Crowley tilted his head unimpressed “You had your chance for "reasonable" at dinner, angel. Instead, you pushed every single button you could find.”Huffing Aziraphale avoided eye contact “ Wasn’t that bad, I was only eating and drinking and enjoying myself, what’s wrong with that?”
Leaning in, voice low and pointed Crowley growled “You were bratting, Aziraphale. Deliberately. Ignoring rules. Egging me on. And now, you’re stalling again. Get in the car.”
Aziraphale’s cheeks pinkened further “But what if Eden wakes up? What if Tracy hears?”
Arching an eyebrow Crowley warned:” Then you should’ve thought of that before you decided to play games at dinner. And that is exactly why Tracy is here, you know that. That if Eden wakes up, she won’t be worried. And as you noticed, Tracy understood fairly well, that we aren’t here to change the tyres…And you should stop acting so surprised.”
Aziraphale nodded shyly.
“You remember what I told you, don’t you?”
Aziraphale swallowed, fingers tightening around the hairbrush “ That you’d take me to the car if I misbehaved while company was over.”Crowley nodded, opening the car door “And yet here we are. Inside. Now.”
Aziraphale let out a small whimper, hesitating for one more second before finally stepping inside the car, sinking into the backseat. Crowley followed, closing the door behind him. There’s a moment of silence before Crowley held out a hand expectantly.“Hairbrush, Aziraphale.”His husband bit his lip, then reluctantly handed it over “You really are quite ruthless, sir.”Crowley softened just slightly, fingers brushing Aziraphale’s wrist as he took the brush “And you, naughty boy, are a menace. Now over my lap.”
Exhaleing shakily, Aziraphale obeyed, settling over Crowley’s lap in the dim quiet of the garage, the weight of the moment finally settling in.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
As ordered, Aziraphale had already changed into his pyjamas, so it was easy to pull his pants down and reveal the still slightly rosy striped butt cheeks. Crowley tutted.“Not healed, yet, and sassing around again. I must have gone to soft on you last time.” He tapped Aziraphale’s bottom with the brush in warning.“I don’t mind you being sassy and brat around to tell me what you want, but I have to say, I begin to miss my eager to please, obedient angel. Is he in there somewhere, yet?” he chided and Aziraphale’s gut chilled with guilt. He let out a sob.“S…Sorry, Crowley, I… I did not mean to… If I overdid it… I’m sorry….” he sniffed.“Hey… calm down… it’s ok. We’ll talk later. I am not angry. But you earned yourself quite a paddling. Which starts now!”“Oooow…” Crowley laid into him with heavy, hard slaps, starting with the hairbrush imediately, no warm up.“Perhaps if you feel finally sated, you will manage to behave again. I will make sure you do, although we don’t have much time for that…”He quickly found an agonising pattern. Left upper cheek, right upper cheek. Left sit spot, right sit spot. Left thigh, right thigh, Two in the middle, where the cheeks met. Repeat…It could not have been a long time, but it felt like ages, and Aziraphale tried to hold back the cries, but he wailed embarrassingly fast. The car did not leave much space for kicking, he was trapped.Then the pattern changed. Five fast spanks to each spots, before the brush moved to the next.spot which left Aziraphale howling. Was Crowley really not angry? It did not feel like it… But he HAD pushed… and prodded… for weeks now… It felt good though to be sure that his Dom got him. He started to relax into the swats and cried softly. Crowley put the brush aside, but continued to spank him for a while with his hand, till Aziraphale was all limp and relaxed on his lap.“Feeling better, sweety? Is my good boy back?”“Uh hu… good now… promise, sir…” Aziraphale slurred. “Sorry.”
“Good to hear. Sit up, I want to discuss something.”
Aziraphale groaned unwillingly. It was not really comfy in the car, but still, he did not want to move.”
“Come on, angel…”Crowley gently helped him to sit up, smirking sattisfied at Aziraphale’s wince when the red bottom touched the leather seats.“I am not mad, Aziraphale, but your behaviour showed me, how badly you need our dynamic to be in place and how you had missed it.”“I love that we are fathers, it’s fine we did not have the time, I…”
“That wasn’t a reprimant. It was natural to have another focus. And Eden will always be priority number one, I know that. I only see that it is good and important we have found solutions for us. With Anathema being pregnant again I think we can’t expect her to take Eden so often, when her second child comes, at least not at first. Perhaps we should also look for having Ren over more often and Eden with Raphael. Or we could ask Tracy to watch more often.”“I have another thing to discuss. About Tracy. You wanted to think about it, if she could handle you in case you need it and I am not available. Which might happen in two months, my boss asked me to join him on his trip to Paris.”Aziraphale pouted “Will it be long?”“Don’t know how long exactly, but I think more than one week, yes… so I think it would be good to have a backup plan, don’t you think?”“But who watches Eden if… I mean…” Aziraphale mumbled shyly.“Perhaps I can arrange to take Eden with me. Have some bonding time. And you some Papa free time, which you also don’t really had, yet. I will have daily meetings, but they won’t last the whole day, so I could show Eden a bit of Paris. I would ask you to come, to… but I know this is high season for your shop…”“No, I really can’t, we are getting new book shelves and a bigger order of novels, I have to reorganise everything…”
“I know, angel… So, how is your opinion on asking Tracy?”Aziraphale worried his lip “Well… I know her for a long time… probably… I mean, I could behave, yes, and nothing happens?” He looked up through his eyelashes with big puppy eyes. Crowley chuckled: “You could… but if it is over a months it could be a challenge… and better ask her now, when I am here as well, than having to ask her all yourself, hmm?”
“Oh, right…” Aziraphale huffed.
“Then I let you go clean your face first, tame your unruly hair, and then join us in the living room? I could start the topic already if you’re fine with that….”
“Yes, alright, dear…” Aziraphale sighed. “Perhaps it is better that way…” Back in the living room Crowley sat on the couch, Aziraphale, who just returned from the bath room, was still looking a bit pink-cheeked and subdued from earlier before he sat down next to him. Carefully.... Tracy, ever perceptive, watched them with an amused glint in her eye as she stirred her tea.
“Well now, you two have got that settled, haven’t you? Aziraphale, you look like a man who’s had a very productive little chat in the garage.”
“Really, Tracy, there’s no need to be indelicate.” Aziraphale huffed, adjusting his pyjama top.“Oh, I could be much worse, darling.” Tracy grinned over her tea cup. “But I’m being ladylike about it.”
Crowley snorted, then turned to Tracy with a light smirk: “Actually, since you’re already involved—“
Aziraphale blushed furiously and looked at his feet, leaning against Crowley, seeking for comfort, who put an arm around him.
“I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to… keep an eye on things while I’m away in two months. Just in case this one—" he nudged Aziraphale’s knee with his own "—gets a little too big for his britches.”
They were met with a petulant pout. Aziraphale just pulled himself together enough not to outright stomp his feet. Tracy chuckled with sparkling eyes, setting down her tea with a delighted smile.
Aziraphale crossed his arms. “Always the innocent ones who get picked on…” he grumbled.
Tracy beamed, tilting her head “Well, I would doubt the innocence. You might look angelic, but you do bring it on yourself, love.”Aziraphale scowled, looking anywhere but at them: “That is highly improper…”
Crowley leaned back, smirking “And yet, here we are…”
“Fun aside, do you want that, darling?” Tracy asked him, her expression serious.
Aziraphale squirmed “I… want it, and I don’t want it… if that makes sense?” he blushed.
Tracy smiled reassuringly:” Totally makes sense, love. That is part of the appeal. Very well… Don’t you worry, darling. I’ll be fair. But if you act up? Well… I think we both know I won’t be letting it slide.”Still pink-cheeked, Aziraphale muttered “I should have just run away when I had the chance…”Tracy laughed, clapping a hand to her chest “Oh, bless! And miss out on all this? Not a chance, sweetheart.”
“We have to talk about some more details, though… I guess your arrangement is more of domestic nature. Rules for everyday life, behaviour and so on and the punishments more… familiar. My husband and I, we do live a more sexual, service submission dynamic, but I think as this is not sexual we will get along. But I have to tell you, my joints and bones aren’t what they used to be… I don’t put over the knee and I don’t use my hand… I can’t wield heavy paddles, either. I usually use floggers for warm up and canes for punishments. They are light… but effective and do the trick… would that be fine?”
Still embarrassed, Aziraphale shuffled his feet, but nodded shyly.Crowley smirked and stood up, stretching himself. “So, that’s settled then. You behave for Tracy, angel, or she’ll deal with you. And I expect a full report when I get back. Tracy, I will give you a list with our basic rules. You may discuss additions with Aziraphale, of course.”His husband groaned, putting his head in his hands. “This is absolutely mortifying.”Tracy cheerfully raised her cup “Oh, darling, you love the attention.”Aziraphale grumbled, half under his breath “That is not the point.”
Crowley chuckled, clearly pleased with himself, while Tracy just smiled knowingly and took another sip of tea. Aziraphale sighed dramatically, but the tiniest hint of a fond smile twitched at the corner of his lips.