Chapter Text
Anthony J. Crowley – or just Crowley, as he preferred to be called, wasn't sure how he'd ended up in the busy streets of London, Soho. All he knew was that he couldn't stay cramped up in his lonely Mayfair flat forever; with only a pen, paper, and his imagination to keep him company. In truth, he had merely traveled to London in hopes of gaining inspiration for a new story. But as the weeks flew by with not a single draft made, Crowley figured he might as well try to enjoy himself before he traveled back to his hometown in two weeks, story or no story.
Perhaps that was why he found himself staring up at a sign that said: "Welcome to SILVER CITY" in big, flashy letters. People were already crowding at the entrance when he arrived. He had heard talk about this club being the best one in Soho, as it not only provided excellent drinks, but also wonderful entertainment.
One particular rumor has it that its most popular act was a real life actual angel.
Now that Crowley needed to see.
So without wasting another moment, the writer sauntered his way into the club. Immediately, his senses were overwhelmed by the excessive use of bright lights, loud music, and the smell of alcohol lingering in the air. Sweat covered bodies swayed and grinded against one another on the dance floor. Men, women, and those in-between drank and mingled amongst their respective cliques. Situated at the very front of the club was a wide stage that extended towards the audience like a runway, with round tables lined up on each side that were already being vacated by several club goers. Crowley figured he should probably get a drink, but just as he was about to approach the bar, the lights dimmed, and the booming music died down.
"Good evening, Silver Citizens!" A voice greeted through a microphone. Everyone except Crowley cheered, just as a short, stout man appeared from the left side of the stage, grinning widely to show off his noticeable gold tooth.
"Now I'm sure many of you have come for this performance alone," the man chuckled, "so without further ado, allow me to present to you Silver City's very own divine diva! Give it up for Heaven's Songbird, everyone!"
The crowd erupted into excited woops and applause. Crowley swore he went deaf for a few seconds. Thankfully, their cheers quieted down the moment a spotlight appeared at the center of the stage.
And then a new voice filled the room.
"Birds flying high~
You know how I feel…"
Crowley's eyes widened.
"Sun in the sky~
You know how I feel…"
His heartbeat began to race.
"Breeze driftin' on by~
You know how I feel…"
There was movement behind the stage's thick red curtains.
"It's a new dawn,
It's a new day,
It's a new life~"
And finally, the curtains parted.
"For me…"
Crowley's breath hitched in his throat as the person behind the voice stepped into the spotlight.
"And I'm feeling~… good."
Long platinum blonde curls cascaded down pale, freckled shoulders. The gold asymmetrical mini dress she wore hugged all of her curves nicely, as the shimmering pleated split skirt showed off her smooth, milky white legs. She also had on gold lace up heels that went just below her knees, and sat atop her head was a gold halo headpiece that completed her ethereal ensemble.
She truly looked like an angel.
Not the biblically accurate kind, of course.
But damn.
If the rumors were true, then she not only had the voice of an angel, but also the looks of one, too.
Crowley could barely think of a single coherent thought as he found himself slowly approaching the stage, eyes fully fixed on the beautiful creature that now began to strut her way to the end of the runway. He weaved through the sea of people blocking his path until he stood directly at the foot of the stage. His mouth went dry as the singing angel spotted him in the crowd. She smirked and got on her knees in front of him, leaning forward just enough to extend a perfectly manicured finger out to place below the red haired man's chin.
"Dragonfly out in the sun,
you know what I mean,
don't you know"
She sang to him.
"Butterflies all havin' fun,
you know what I mean"
Everyone else in the room wooped and whistled.
"Sleep in peace when day is done,
that's what I mean"
Crowley was sure he stopped breathing then.
"And this old world
Is a new world
And a bold world"
As if he hadn't suffered enough, the angel decided to lean in and sing the next lyrics softly in his ear, her soft lips brushing against his cheek in the process.
"For me~"
The angel smiled and slowly stood back up, shooting the speechless gentleman a wink before making her way back to the main center stage, swaying her hips seductively as she went.
Crowley might as well be in Hell now.
But that wouldn't make any sense.
Not when actual proof suggested that he might actually be in Heaven, as two magnificent white wings sprouted from the angel's back, lifting her up a few feet off the ground while she belted the remaining lyrics of the song.
"Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh, freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me…"
The angel gracefully descended back to her feet.
"And I'm feeling good~"
As the song came to an end, the whole club roared with cheers and applause once more. The angel bowed graciously and spared one final glance towards the crowd, her smile returning when her eyes fell upon the handsome gentleman she had practically serenaded during half of her act. The man gave her a light wave, and she subtly waved back before her view was obstructed by the stage's curtains drawing closed in front of her.
"You did amazing out there, lovey!" A woman with short red hair appeared next to her the moment she was out of the audience's sight, "Now c'mon, let's get you out of that uncomfortable dress."
The angel just nodded mutely and allowed herself to be led backstage, away from all the loud cheering and flashing lights.
And if a certain red haired gentleman kept popping into her mind, well, nobody needed to know that.
Especially not Mr. Segerson.
As the crowd of people began to disperse and return to their previous activities, a particular writer stayed glued to his spot by the stage. He just couldn't seem to leave! His mind kept on replaying his encounter with the angel, and he really hated to admit it but…
It was love at first sight.
"'ello 'ello 'ello!"
Crowley yelped and glared at the person who startled him.
"Who the hell are you??"
"I'm Muriel," They said, grinning, "I haven't seen you around the club before. First visit to Silver City, by any chance?"
"Uh… yeah," Crowley nodded awkwardly.
"Oh, wonderful! You certainly chose the right day to come in, Aziraphale only performs every third Friday of each month!"
"Aziraphale?" The name rolled out his tongue foreignly.
"That's her name. You know, the angel who was just singing to you awhile ago?"
A blush crept onto the writer's cheeks.
"How do you know her name?"
"That's because I work here!" Muriel exclaimed, a little too enthusiastically, "I maintain the peace and order within the four walls of this establishment," They stated proudly.
"Like some sort of constable?"
"I suppose so, yeah."
Crowley hummed thoughtfully.
"What will it take for me to get a backstage pass to meet Aziraphale?"
Muriel's eyes widened in surprise, and they flashed a sympathetic smile towards the older gent. "So sorry, but Aziraphale doesn't like meeting customers."
"Oh…" Crowley frowned in disappointment.
"But hey! I saw the way she was looking at you back there. If you'd like, I could set you up with a private meeting with her in one of our guest suites."
The writer stared at Muriel in disbelief. "You would do that? For me?"
The young peace officer rolled their eyes playfully.
"Just to be clear, I'm doing this for Aziraphale. So don't you dare hurt her in any way, lest you want to be kicked out of this club for good," Muriel warned.
Crowley nodded understandingly.
"I promise, I just want to talk."
"Hmm… okay then! I'll come back to fetch you if she agrees," Muriel began to walk off, but then paused, turning back to the red haired gentleman sheepishly.
"Um, I never got your name, mister…?"
"Call me Crowley," The writer said with a small smile.
"Right. Be right back, mister Crowley!"
"Aziraphale! I have good news!" Muriel promptly burst into the angel's dressing room. Madame Tracy, Aziraphale's makeup artist and good friend, tutted disapprovingly at the younger's unannounced entry.
"Ah, sorry! I got a bit over excited," Muriel apologized. Aziraphale chuckled lightly and gestured for the younger to go on.
"What's the news, my dear?"
Muriel grinned widely. "I got you a date!"
Aziraphale spluttered.
"You what?!"
"No no no, just hear me out!"
The angel frowned, but allowed the other to continue.
"Okay okay, so after your performance, I noticed the guy you were flirting with in the audience still standing by the stage."
Aziraphale blushed furiously. "I was not flirting–"
"Yes you were," Muriel interjected, "but anyway! I decided to go speak with him. Turns out, it was his first time coming to Silver City! Lucky him, right? It's not everyday someone gets the chance to be serenaded by Heaven's Songbird."
"Yes, yes, now where exactly are you going with this, dear?"
"Oh! Well he asked if I could bring him backstage to meet you!"
A hopeful look crossed the angel's face.
"And what did you say?"
"I told him no."
Aziraphale's face fell.
"Instead, I told him that I'd ask you if you were willing to meet him, and that if you agreed, I'll bring him up to one of our guest suites! Where you two could talk and get to know each other and fall in love and–"
"Muriel!"
"Yes?"
Aziraphale cleared her throat and hoped she didn't sound too nervous.
"Please inform mister…?"
"Crowley," Muriel supplied.
"Er, yes, please inform mister Crowley that I am willing to meet with him."
The younger squealed excitedly. "Great! Which suite would you prefer to have your meeting in?"
"About that… I was hoping you could escort him to my own room," Aziraphale admitted shyly, "I wouldn't want to risk running into any guests, s'all."
Muriel just nodded understandingly. "I suppose I'll leave you with Madame Tracy for now." The woman in question hummed delightedly.
"I'll have this one ready in ten minutes tops."
"Perfect! I'll go inform mister Crowley!" They were already halfway out the door when Aziraphale suddenly called out to them.
"Oh, and Muriel?"
"Yeah?"
The angel's lips curved into a grateful smile.
"Thank you."