Chapter Text
“Angel?”
“Yes Dear?”
“We’ve been invited out for drinks. Double date as it were.”
“How lovely, Madame Tracey and Shadwell?” Crowley shook his head. “Anathema and Newton?” Crowley shook his head again. “The- the Dowlings?” It had already dawned on Aziraphale who was inviting them out. He just didn’t really want to acknowledge it.
–
“You guys were right! We definitely found a pastime we can both enjoy. A few things we both enjoy actually, but we can’t do some of them in public.” Gabriel winked. Crowley choked on his drink. Next to Gabriel, Beelzebub hid a smug grin with a sip of their own drink.
“What have you discovered then?” Azirphale gave Crowley’s leg a little bolstering squeeze under the table.
“Barhopping with a cause!”
“You’ve decided to drink?” Aziraphale asked.
“No, but I’ve discovered you can just inform them you’re the designer driver.” Gabriel pointed to his water glass. He hadn’t touched that either.
“Designated driver.” Beelzebub corrected.
“Right!”
“We alwayz find one or two here. It’s a popular date spot.” Beelzebub’s grin got a touch frightening, but Gabriel didn’t seem concerned.
“I like to go to more upscale places, but we run into less immediate trouble there. So we met in the middle again. I stick out like a sore thumb in dive bars.” He shrugged.
“We’re working on that. Even darker gray is a struggle. Can’t even get him in a white t-shirt and jeans.” They rolled their eyes.
“I just have preferences that’s all. Speaking of, we have to come up with a different approach to the gay bars.” Gabriel leaned a little to put his arm on the back of Beelzebub’s chair.
“Get a bit of attention do you?” Crowley leaned in hoping Beelzebub had an embarrassing story at his expense.
“Oh about average I’d say.” He gave a mock wistful sigh. “But their Royal Highness here has been very popular.”
“You don’t say.” Crowley tried hard to keep from smiling. This was almost better than he expected.
“I will skin you, and use you as a belt.” Beelzebub threatened him. Gabriel gently placed his hand over the aggressive pointing they were doing, and lowered it to the table.
“Oh yeah. They got sent lots of drinks from lots of lonely hearts. Made it hard to get anything done.”
“Free drinks. But then they want to talk to you. Luzzzt is not my department.” Beelzebub rubbed their temples.
“Don’t sell yourself short Sugar.”
Gabriel’s pet name got a “don’t,” a “HA!” and an “aw” roughly simultaneously from his drinking companions.
“Can we get back to what we were here for! I’ve had my eyes on one at your three o’clock.” They turned to Gabriel. “We’re going to have to make a move. I’ll grab a drink.” Beelzebub got up from the table and started towards an empty one that had yet to be cleared.
“I’m right behind you. Gentlemen, watch and learn!” Gabriel sat patiently for some kind of sign or something.
The other pair watched with genuine curiosity. From the dirty table Beelzebub snagged a partially full glass. Then they headed towards the bar counter, and a man and woman sitting there. In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it move Beelzebub shoulder checked him, spilled the drink on his pants and was out of view before he could see who did it. The man got up from his bar stool and headed to the bathrooms. Beelzebub was a few steps behind.
“Would you excuse me for just a moment. I'll be right back.” Gabriel got up from the table. “Emily! Wonderful to see you again!” He sat in the seat the young man had vacated, the power in the bar flickered momentarily. Gabriel kept up a conversation with the woman until the man returned from the bathroom. “Oh, I’m sorry were you together?” Gabriel stood, putting himself eye to eye with the man. Coat notwithstanding it was clear Gabe was built much sturdier.
“Nah mate I’m outa here.” The guy grabbed his jacket off the chair and left the place entirely.
“Anyway I don’t want to hold you up, so good to see you take care!” Gabriel and Beelzebub returned to the table at roughly the same time. “Success!” He held his hand up for a high five. It was left uncompleted, but his enthusiasm didn’t fade.
“So I’m fairly certain I followed what just took place, but could you explain why?” Aziraphale asked the pair.
“She didn’t want anything to do with him, and he couldn’t take the hint.” Beelzebub nodded in her direction.
“I see. Go on.” Aziraphale encouraged.
“So we made sure she was alright. Her friends will be here for company any minute.” Gabriel continued.
“AND he won’t do things like that again.” Beelzebub concluded.
“Wonderful!”
“Seems like you two have this down pretty well?” Crowley was honestly a little impressed.
“We’ve had lots of practice-”
“-Unfortunately. I had no idea this was such a problem!” Gabriel seemed shocked.
“I’ve spilled curry on five people and made two uni blokes roofie themselves.”
“I nearly got into a fist fight!”
“Oh, too bad.” Crowley mused sipping his drink.
“Yeah.” Beelzebub agreed in a very different tone of voice.
To the surprise of the four of them they managed to pass another hour of reasonable conversation. Aziraphale and Beelzebub discovered a mutual love of Girl Scout cookies. But Aziraphale did not share their enthusiasm for fare food. Gabriel stepped in to check on a second lone young woman.
At the end of the night they all agreed it wasn’t actually a bad evening, and maybe just maybe they could do it again some time. Maybe.
Cuddling up for the night at home Aziraphale and Crowley had a lot to try and process.
“Can I say Angel, I don’t think this is the worst thing to have happen.” Crowley tucked himself into Aziraphale’s side. “Beelzebub’s never been a terrible boss. Not a great one either, but could have been much worse. I always got the feeling they’d rather not be in charge. But they’re you know, a little more level headed than the other deadly sins.”
“I suppose you’re right about that.” Aziraphale carded his fingers through his hair. “You know Crowley, I’m not surprised at their new hobby. Gabriel has always had a soft spot for young women.” Crowley gave a small disgusted look. “It’s not like that Dear. He was the one she sent to talk to Mary. He spent a lot of time with their family when it was young. Eventually upstairs told him he had to stop visiting. Afterwards he sort of blamed himself I think. He didn’t take any of it well in any case. It’s nice to see him coming back around.”
“That’s awfully forgiving of you Angel. If it were me - “
“I know Dear Boy, but the best revenge is knowing you were right all along.”