inherently-human

[inherently-human]

latest fics/first lines

Thank you @inherently-human for the tag!! 💕🥹

Rules: post the beginning lines of your most recent 10 published fanfics (or chapters, if you don't have 10 fics), then attempt to tag 10 people!

No pressure tags: @depraveddame, @phoen1xr0se, @spectrallydistracted, @funky-disco-demon, @dalliancekay, @mirjam-writes, @ineffablemossy, @sayuri-of-the-valley, @mimisempai, @brokenintrovert

Heaven Never Touched Earthly Face - "Galilee, around 30 AD…Crawly blessed under her breath as she trudged on through the rocky desert."

Lost in You- "“The kids are asleep, we have time for us”, Crowley had said. “In fact…if you let me, as much time as we want”, he’d added with a suggestive smirk, raising one hand as if to snap his fingers."

Not Very Appetising - "“I can’t believe thisss!”, Crowley griped, “I’m not even gone for a week, and you end up with vermin infesting our pantry!”"

Christmas Drabble - "“I didn’t expect to see you here.” Crowley’s eyebrow rose above the rim of his dark glasses. “Whyever not? ‘s a Christmas market.” With that, he took a sip of his mug of hot mulled wine."

Our Private Universe- "“Crowley?” Aziraphale peered up the stairs, but there was no reply."

Big Spooky Fan - "It was Halloween eve…or, at this point, Halloween night, rather."

On a Beach in Mexico - "“Wait a moment there, Crowley…You were Kukulcán?!” Aziraphale’s eyebrows seemed to want to disappear in his blond curls, his eyes wide as saucers."

Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live - "The sudden knocking – or rather, pounding – at the door of the ramshackle hut that Aziraphale had made his own recently was frantic enough to almost make the angel jump."

I Just Want You to Know Who I Am - "Florence, Italy, around 1480…“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”"

Torn - "Crawly looked up at the lone figure atop the high wall, pondering, weighing his options."

Ha, this was fun! Interesting to see how the very start of a fic can sometimes mirror EXACTLY what the fic is gonna be, and at other times, it sounds rather misleading here. Anyway, if you like, go give my stuff a read - I had fun writing these and I'm always happy if someone finds and enjoys them...

[inherently-human]

latest fics/first lines

Thank you @waitingtobebroken for the tag!! 💕🥹

Rules: post the beginning lines of your most recent 10 published fanfics (or chapters, if you don't have 10 fics), then attempt to tag 10 people!

No pressure tags: @firelikestars @ineffable-duck7 @hasturswig @catkelpie (i don't have a lot of mutuals, so 10 was a bit ambitious haha)

Surviving - "It was 1:30 am, and Crowley was sitting in bed in utter darkness, wide awake."

Vulnerable - "Crowley’s eyes fluttered open, revealing his own sprawled form before him on the sofa."

Carve Our Fate in Stone - "Holy hell, it was cold."

There's dawn at the end of the night - "A bell chimes above the bookshop’s door, which has been swung open with great bravado."

Gestures Great and Small - "A ring."

Unconditionally - "Crowley is pacing through the bookshop, leaving just a tiny trail of smoke in his wake."

Forever Moored - "It was the soothing, familiar sound of water sloshing against their home that greeted Crowley as he stepped outside."

Aziraphale's Advent Calendar - "“Crowley, my love?” Aziraphale called out from their library."

I'd like to think I still know you - "Crowley pushed back from his desk with a scoff, the wheels of his battered old desk chair screeching under his weight like wailing spirits."

Seasonal Display - "The Bentley screeched to a halt before a rickety, wooden fence that separated the main road from an overgrown forest path."

This was such a cute game, I love my fics 🥹

[inherently-human]

Hello there lovely librarians,

I was wondering if you (or anyone) knew of any #AuDHD fics?

I've just started the diagnosis process and quickly realised it's not just ADHD but Autism too.. (always wondered why I related so hard to both Aziraphale and Crowley)!

If I was a better writer I might try pen something myself, but for now, here's hoping someone else's already had a go...

Thanks once again for your services to ineffabledom! 💚

Hi! We have #autistic aziraphale, #autistic crowley, and #crowley has adhd tags. Most often fics will have each of them having one or the other, but I've found a few fics where one of them is tagged as having both...

To Fall in Love Was my Very First Mistake by JazaBB (G)

Aftermath of the end of season 2, Crowley's not having much fun Title from 'Jealousy' by Queen's Jazz album 1978

Heart to Heart, Skin to Skin by BreezyDaysofLife (M)

With Aziraphale, skin-to-skin contact wasn't exactly common. Crowley was fine with that, fully clothed cuddles were just as good in their humble opinion. Besides, neither of them were big on nudity- Rome had enough of that, thank you. They regretted that mindset now, though. Just a bit. They forced themself not to shift again; knowing, this time, that it would only make it worse. They didn't, however, stop the whine that bubbled up in response to the fabric brushing their sides. Not like they could have, but they didn't even try. ~~~~~~ Or: Crowley is dealing with some sensory problems while cuddling with Aziraphale, but doesn't want to admit it. He notices anyways, and carefully guides them into letting him help.

I Can't Hear Your Voice Calling Out To Me (Is It Over Yet?) by NobodyNowhereAndNothing (T)

Aziraphale, being the goofy little guy he is, gets distracted and burns dinner just as Crowley comes back from a bad walk outside in the loud Soho shopping street that was Whickber, which admittedly wasn't the best idea when having a bad sensory day anyway.

it's rotten work (not to me, not if it's you) by poorlywrittenpoetry (G)

Crowley finds himself constantly on the brink of breaking down throughout the entire day that he spends with Aziraphale, and he has no idea how to let Aziraphale help him. Aziraphale, of course, finds a way to help him.

Ineffably Enough, They Were Roommates by DiscombobulatedBard (M)

Aziraphale and Crowley are roommates. They are also idiots. They may even be in love with each other. (Not that they’d ever admit it, of course.) If Aziraphale needed help– If he were desperate– Crowley would help him with his heart broken. He would help him with his heart whole. That was what roommates did, wasn’t it?

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it by mr_clairdycat (T)

"That said, this angel and this demon love each other in the way someone who loves God does, that much is objective. Their love is patient and kind, it doesn't insist in its own way, it is not irritable or resentful, nor does it rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. That’s how it truly is; their love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Most importantly, however, it will never end. Does not matter whether everyone in the universe isagainst it, they will persevere till the end of their never-ending life. That considered, who could’ve known if God was truly against it in the first place, if this was a test, if this was their plan. But maybe, just maybe it is useless to ponder at such question. Cause that’s what these two are: indescribable, unimaginable, forbidden, wonderful. They are just ineffable."

- Mod D

[inherently-human]

creature comforts

huge thanks to my dear @possibility-left for the onomatopoeical assurance 😂 and for not laughing at me when i first floated this silly little premise.

also, my ficlet collection is now on [ao3]! thank you so much for reading. ♡

.

“Hello?” said Aziraphale, stepping into the flat.

Crowley hadn’t come to the door when he knocked, which wasn’t entirely surprising given that he didn’t know Aziraphale was popping by. In fairness, neither had Aziraphale until a half-hour ago, hemming and hawing before deciding that a little spontaneity never hurt anyone, actually, six millennia of being the least spontaneous creature in all of existence notwithstanding. 

“Crowley?” he ventured again, beginning to feel a bit foolish. With a twinge, it occurred to him that Crowley might have a prior engagement, one that didn’t involve him. “Are you home?”

There came a muted thud from down the hallway.

Aziraphale couldn’t say how it happened. Some residual impulsivity from his trip over, perhaps, or a vague sense of concern, or the morbid and wholly inappropriate desire to see the interior of Crowley’s bedroom. No matter the reason, he found himself moving in that direction, rounding the corner— 

“Good heavens,” he said, stopping short.

It was as if the contents of Country Homes & Interiors had exploded all over the room. Sheets draped between every available piece of furniture, forming a cavernous space under which plush blankets and pillows of every imaginable size were strewn. From some tucked-away corner drifted the sounds of an ambient noise machine. The room was lit by candles. And in the midst of this inexplicably homey scene was Crowley, attempting with little success to untangle himself from a fleece throw.

“Er,” he said.

Aziraphale’s mouth opened and closed several times as he took in the sight. Then, eyes narrowing: “Is that my blanket?”

“No,” said Crowley, wiggling his fingers. The fleece in question found itself instantly relocated to the wingback in the flat above Aziraphale’s shop.

“Crowley.”

“Don’t ‘Crowley’ me, you’re the one barging into places unannounced!"

“And not a moment too soon, given you’ve been stealing my things.” 

“Borrowing, angel, I’ve been borrowing your things. One thing, specifically, and now I’ve returned it, so can we, you know, not make it a thing?”

“Oh, I think we’re well past that,” Aziraphale huffed. “Look at the state of this room!”

“What about it,” Crowley said, lifting his chin with as much dignity as one could when surrounded by this much faux fur.

“It’s— cozy.”

“And?”

“And—” Aziraphale faltered. A vague awareness of just how rude he was being was starting to dawn. “You don’t…do cozy.”

“Nothing gets by you,” Crowley muttered. 

A beat of tense, gaping silence passed over them.

“I, ah, I thought we might, well.” Aziraphale brandished the bottle of Lagavulin he’d brought in offering. “At yours, for a change. But only if it’s not an intrusion. I can leave you and your, your pillow fort in peace, if you’d prefer.”

Crowley glowered for another moment; then his face softened. “Do we have to call it that? I’m a demon, I make my own hellfire and everything.”

Aziraphale felt a swift rush of affection for said demon. “Whatever you wish to call it, it’s very nice.”

“Don’t,” Crowley said, lips twitching.

“The perfect spot to do a bit of lounging.”

“Oh, shut up and sit down, would you?”

The floor pillows were even cushier than they looked, and seemed tailor-made to ensure maximum sprawling. Aziraphale wasn’t at all certain he’d be able to get up again.

“Does it meet approval?” Crowley asked.

“Difficult to say,” Aziraphale grunted, shifting positions. “How does one…” He kicked his legs weakly for emphasis.

“You don’t,” Crowley said. “Just kick back and let gravity do the rest.” 

Aziraphale spent another minute floundering before giving it up as a bad job. He turned his head, ready to defend against whatever teasing barbs were sure to be lobbed his way, but Crowley wasn’t looking at him. His eyes, unobstructed by his shades, darted from his hands to the floor, around the room and back again. He was reclined at an angle that was too geometrically perfect to be in any way comfortable, and his smile, when he caught Aziraphale staring, was appeasingly bright.

Aziraphale’s heart gave a redundant kick in his chest. “Are you sure this isn’t an imposition? I did drop in rather unexpectedly. Terrible manners.”

“Awful,” Crowley agreed.

With an indulgent sigh, Aziraphale said, “You’re well within your rights to ask me to leave.”

“Do you want to leave?”

And here was the familiar dance, the careful choreography. This easy wall between them, built on a foundation of following The Rules, playacting the roles they’d had no hand in choosing, for no other reason now than it was what they had always done. Aziraphale was an older being than most. He had been patient, was patient, virtuously so. But there was such a thing as going so slow it felt like going backwards.

“No,” he said, and was startled to find that what he meant was, we stood at the end of the world together, and survived. I would stay by your side the rest of our days, if you’d permit me to.

“Right,” Crowley replied, and his face was closer than it had been a moment ago, open as a book, eyes catching the candlelight in a way that struck Aziraphale quite speechless. “Angel,” he said, not quite a question, glancing down at Aziraphale’s mouth—

FWHUMP! 

The fort, though Hellishly engineered, had been modeled off the more elementary design made popular by children under the age of ten, and as such was not the most structurally sound object the demon Crowley had ever created. He and Aziraphale subsequently found themselves drowning in an ocean of collapsed bedding, flailing and shoving until they emerged into open air once more, flushed and slightly breathless. One glance at Crowley’s pink cheeks and thread count-mussed hair was all it took for Aziraphale to burst into delighted laughter.

“Oh, great, yeah, go ahead and laugh it up,” Crowley said, but he was grinning, a crooked slant of teeth that made him look six millennia lighter. 

Aziraphale’s chest ached with joy, and something much older, burning bright and fierce at the very core of him. Still giggling, he leaned forward, took Crowley’s face in his hands, and kissed him decisively.

Crowley looked positively dazed when he pulled back. “Aziraphale,” he said, the word slipping slowly through his teeth. “I’m—” He surveyed the pillowed mess surrounding them. “I’m glad we didn’t do that for the first time in a bloody pillow fort.” 

“As am I, my dear,” Aziraphale laughed, pulling him back in. 

[inherently-human]

Crowley comes out to Aziraphale as asexual. Aziraphale reacts exactly how you think he will (T, 800 words).

Due to a certain hurtful and frankly just horrifically wrong take, I took it upon myself to write what would actually happen if Crowley told Aziraphale he was asexual. Get your comfort ficlet here.

Little excerpt:

“Crowley,” Aziraphale tries gently. “I don't understand what the problem is. Please, tell me what’s wrong.” Crowley whirls towards the sofa, eyes shooting fire. But Aziraphale knows how to look past it, knows how to see Crowley’s soul hiding behind it, the gentle heart of him that’s afraid of getting hurt. Crowley’s arm cuts through the air. “The problem, Aziraphale,” he spits, “the problem is that you love me.”

[inherently-human]

Fic Rec Friday

Figure I would try posting my recs here as well as on Reddit. I had a lot of travel this week and did a ton of reading on planes and trains focusing on longer, low-angst Human AUs.

Under My Skin by ilikeblue, zamolodchikohyeah E, 35K. This is pitched as a  Pretty Woman retelling, but I don't think that does it justice. The tennis scene might be one of my favourite fic moments ever and I really think this should be in more Best Of lists. Highly recommend!

Beautiful Things by sunrisesinthesuburbs 65k M. Grumpy, burnout, pining idiots on Isle of Skye. Lovely setting, great bickering, happy ending!

Kitten in July: Pride 2025 by SpectrallyDistracted M, 6.5k Canon. I got to cheer read this and loved reading it again when it went up. Just charming as you can imagine a kitten based Christmas/Pride story would be. I generally avoid post S2 stuff but this handles it very well!

A Lunch on the Horizon by Inherently_human 91k, T "QPR slow burn with lots of mental health stuff, fluff, and, for some inexplicable reason, references to the film Ice Age" (can't beat the author's own summary). Blooming ace relationship with lots of therapy work!

Smitten at First Fright by Oopsynini M, 67k This skirts the edge of "low angst" as there's a lot of health related stuff so do read the tags but I really enjoyed the characters evolving and growing despite their challenges. The story doesn't sugar coat or try to give an easy solution to issues like chronic pain and PTSD but love finds a way!

[inherently-human]

Crowley snuggling into Aziraphale's arms and humming contentedly as he falls asleep send post

[inherently-human]

thank you for this blog!

here's a fic rec for everyone: https://archiveofourown.org/works/63060646

Thank you for this rec!...

Gestures Great and Small by Inherently_human (T)

It's Valentine’s Day tomorrow, not that Crowley has the time to think about that right now. He has much more important things on his mind, like trying not to get discorporated from hypothermia. Aziraphale finds him right before he loses consciousness. When Crowley wakes in the bookshop, he only cares about one thing: Is the ring still in his blazer? (A comic-fic collab between me and @LcnaCosplay on X)

- Mod D

[inherently-human]

Hi I’m new here, I’m looking for a long slowburn fic something between 50,000-200,000 words. I don’t like reading the short ones I feel like there isn’t enough characterization. Thank you for all your recommendations I appreciate your work❤️

Hello and welcome. We have #slow burn and #long fic tags, so do take a look at those. Your requirements are simple to filter for on AO3, here's a selection to add to our tags...

Who Deserves a Second Chance? by Afraid_Industry8409 (E)

Four years ago, Aziraphale's wife died suddenly. Since then, he has struggled to raise his two teenage children by himself. Just when things seem to be spiraling out of control, he encounters a new florist in town who unearths feelings Aziraphale has been trying to keep buried for many, many years. The florist is a recently-divorced single dad who is using an unexpected inheritance to start over with his teenage son.

A Lunch on the Horizon by Inherently_human (T)

Aziraphale and Crowley meet on the day of Aziraphale's first-ever therapy appointment. Their unexpected connection has the promise of blossoming into a kind of friendship neither of the two has ever experienced. They have a lot of growing to do: Aziraphale’s sense of self-worth is as non-existent as his healthy work-life balance, while Crowley is so agoraphobic that the mere thought of going to the supermarket round the corner gives him clammy hands. And he hates clammy hands. It’s not going to be easy and it's definitely not always fun, but it very much helps to have a friend who will say comforting things—or challenge you to a friendly competition to try and get a free lunch out of you. [Or: Basically a QPR slow burn with lots of mental health stuff, fluff, and, for some inexplicable reason, references to the film Ice Age]

In the Stars by ImaginaryCupcake (E)

Crowley never voluntarily talks to people he doesn’t have to, he knows what fascinates him- bores others. Aziraphale knows how people view him; he’s someone to have a pleasant conversation with - not a romantic entanglement. Neither are looking to learn how to trust again, but sometimes the stars have other plans. Or Crowley is running an observatory, Aziraphale is on a school trip with his students. A meet-cute leads to anxiety that leads to a path neither of them expected to take All fluff- pretty much no angst; unless you count pining. There’s a lot of pining.

Survival, Hope & Something More by Raxacoricofallapatoriusrulez (M)

Azi never thought he’d make it this far. He escaped a home that never felt safe, only to struggle on the streets, slipping through cracks in a system that wasn’t built for him. Eden Shelter gave him temporary refuge, but with his eighteenth birthday looming, he’s once again out of options—until an unexpected offer changes everything. Anthony J. Crowley isn’t in the business of saving people. A reclusive tech billionaire and Eden’s silent benefactor, he never gets personally involved—until he hears about Azi. Against his better judgment, he offers Azi a job, a home, and a chance to build something real. It takes 20,000 words before they even meet. A slow burn of trust, healing, and finding belonging in places neither expected. By the time their paths finally cross, Azi isn’t sure if Crowley’s offer is another fleeting kindness—or something real.

Heaven has a four week trial by Siobhans_world (E)

After Crowley’s human life comes to an abrupt end he has a choice to make. He can choose to go to Heaven or H... H... (He's not supposed to say the word - Hell). Heaven really wants his soul, the problem is… he's not interested. It's a good thing Heaven offers a four week trial. Let's hope the on duty angel, Aziraphale, can help convince him to make the right choice. Comedy, angst, romance, fluff and smut ensue. Alternate Universe that takes place in Heaven. Romcom-esque. It's a love story with a happy ending.

Whickber Street by Caedmon (E)

Anthony J. Crowley doesn’t think he’s ever been so happy. He’s finally quit his old job and is opening his childhood dream: a comic book shop. All of the neighbors are great, but the bookseller seems to hate him… Aziraphale Eastgate grew up in his great grandfather’s shop. Now he runs it and lives above it. He loves everything about his life on Whickber Street…. but the new proprietor down the street has him terribly, terribly vexed. Sparks fly when these two meet, and Aziraphale vows to hate him forever. Fergus, meanwhile, sets a timer. Looks like Cupid has come to Soho.

- Mod D

[inherently-human]

My gold medal

“Fell, please, smile!” How long does a moment of glory last? How much can a gold medal weigh?

“Aziraphale, this way!” Will she be proud of me? Will I be enough now?

****

Aziraphale Fell’s main goal is to qualify for the Olympics, get on the podium, and win the gold medal with his volleyball team. It’s a promise, more than a dream, made to someone in the past. His life goes on normally until, one evening, he receives a friend request from the american volleyball team's captain.

This is the first chapter of the story I'm writing.

If you want, take a look! I would be happy to receive your feedback :)

[inherently-human]

The Cottage in South Downs.

[inherently-human]

In a world where they don't have to worry about a thing (well, they only need to worry about what to eat for dinner, but they'll take that.) ✨️🪐 Take some domestic Aziraphale and Crowley because they deserve all the love and happiness ✨️😭

[inherently-human]

[inherently-human]

[ Good Omens ] - A kiss for a bad deed (part 2)

Reversed version of part 1

Aziraphale : (looks at him with eyes full of love and says he's gorgeous) Crowley : (clueless) ?

I love them they're being sillyyyy

Drawing Crowley smiling was gut wrenching I want them to be silly and wholesome and idiots together. And Crowley deserves to chill and smile.

(I can't do sideways smiles I feel like Crowley smiling while he yaps came out way too realistic and leans more towards creepy now)

Now that they healed me I can take a rest and sleep.

[inherently-human]

so gorgeous 🤧 if only someone had written a fic about it. oh wait...👀

When a certain angel feels self-conscious, his fellow demon reminds him of how beautiful he actually is (especially his belly). ✨️😈👼 Another one I did earlier this year 🪐

[inherently-human]

i miss them

[inherently-human]

I only ever asked questions