Chapter Text
The angel and demon, in rejecting heaven and hell, became tethered to the very earth they walked on. They were no longer angel nor demon, but something new altogether. Something that no creature could have ever imagined. When flowers bloomed, their strength grew. When the sun shone, they felt a joy stronger than that of any mortal. When the earth wept, they wept, tears that threatened to bring a new age of flooding to the valleys below. When winter came, they too, for a season, were gone with the leaves.
The two had used their last miracles, as their former powers faded, to hide a spot on the earth for themselves. It wasn’t the garden, but it was close enough. Undetectable to humans, they would be safe in the case that mortal recklessness ever managed to scorch and kill the earth around them.
Still, no miracles could stop the winter from coming.
“Promise me you’ll be here,” Crowley gently stroked Aziraphale’s hair. He struggled with every motion. Aziraphale could hardly hear Crowley’s whisper in his ear, but the soft, dying vibrations of the earth let him know that it had not been his imagination.
The two had lain in the dirt some days ago, the onset of winter draining their remaining energy. Eventually, walking and caring the land had become too draining and they came together, under the cover of a large tree, accepting their fate once again. As the final leaves fell to the earth, their breathing slowed, their words becoming scarcer as they held onto the last moments of strength that they could manage. They had started to sink into the ground now, becoming one with the earth as they would when the final tree died. It had been twenty winters since their first. The years never made it easier.
Crowley always struggled with being vulnerable, but winter always managed to bring his fears to the forefront.
“I’ll be right beside you when you wake dear.” Aziraphale’s voice was raspy, one of the first signs that winter was coming. “I’m never leaving.”
“Promise?” Crowley brought his hand to Aziraphale’s face. Had it been any other season, Aziraphale would have turned beet red at his touch. He still felt great comfort in his partner’s touch. Crowley’s hand cupped Aziraphale’s cheek, firm and gentle, before suddenly dropping to the ground below.
“Of course, dear,” Aziraphale didn’t know if Crowley could still hear him. He could hardly speak anymore, but he still found it important to confirm his promises, just as he had in their vows long ago. “I’ll see you on the other side.”
Aziraphale’s eyes shut for the last time not long after. He was thankful for his last moments this winter though. The winter usually claimed Crowley much earlier than it claimed him, and this time when it finally came to claim Aziraphale he could at least still feel Crowley’s embrace around him. Crowley had still been warm when it was his turn to sink into the earth.