Chapter Text
It’s been around 5 years since Aziraphale decided to go with the Metatron back to Heaven, and it has been the slowest 5 years that Aziraphale has ever lived his entire existence. Time flies by for angels and demons alike, it’s not like how time moves slowly for humans. Taking over Gabriel’s job has been..less interesting than Aziraphale would personally like to admit. Lots of paperwork than you would think, having to deny plans of Armageddon, saying ‘no’ to causing a war between Heaven and Hell just because the angels are bored. Needless to say, he misses Earth, and most certainly not a rouge demon, certainly not. Aziraphale just misses his bookshop, that is all. He also wishes to check in on Nina and Maggie, though of course he has access to heavenly devices to check on the two girls that way, he chooses to visit in person.
Aziraphale walks up to Micheal, Uriel, and Saraquel, hands folded neatly placed on his abdomen. “I have business to attend to on Earth, I am unsure of when my return will be.”
The three angles looked blankly at Aziraphale. “And what..would this business be, exactly?” Micheal questioned.
“I-er..I’m..I am checking in on a miracle I made around 5 or so years ago.” Aziraphale stumbled over his words, even though he’s been above them in Heaven for years now, it is still..troubling for him to make direct demands to the angles.
Micheal sighed before waving her hand in a motion that told Aziraphale to go about and just leave them alone. Aziraphale nodded and walked quickly towards the elevator, hesitating to press the ‘Earth’ button. It’s been so long yet such little time had passed between his last time on Earth. Aziraphale was scared. Well, scared may not be the right word, perhaps anxious? But for what, that is what Aziraphale was unsure about.
Sucking in a breath Aziraphale didn’t need to take, he closed his eyes and pressed the button, hearing a familiar ‘ding’. When he reopened his eyes, the doors were closed and he was already descending. It was nerve racking but there was also some excitement bubbling out now. Aziraphale missed the smell of his books, missed being able to sit and analyze them for hours. And yes, Aziraphale would say that he missed Crowley. He missed his crazy antics, and how he’d randomly show up somedays, or would always answer his phone calls when he needed to tell Crowley something important. Aziraphale has found himself several times going to reach for his phone, only to find there isn’t one on his desk, to call Crowley with. There is not a simple, more realistic way to contact his old companion.
Aziraphale had been writing down everything he wanted to tell Crowley about when he saw him next, and the small pocket book each idea was written in fit perfectly inside the pocket of his vest. Though, most of the things inside the book were quite, ‘silly’, as the humans like to say, Aziraphale hopes Crowley will find them just as amusing, frightening, and interesting as he did.
Soon enough, the elevator doors opened slowly, and Aziraphale found himself stepping onto a damp cobblestone rode, the only light being the few street lamps. Aziraphale had chosen to come to Earth during the nighttime, for it gives him more time to compose himself and go over once again the things he wants to say to Nina and Maggie. They were of course the reason he was here visiting Earth again, he hopes they’ve stayed together since Aziraphale left. Fully out of the elevator, Aziraphale looked around for a quick moment before remembering where he was at. His bookshop was only a quick walk away from where he stood.
Oh, just how Aziraphale couldn’t wait to see how things have changed during his absence. Perhaps there is some new storefronts have moved in! A wave of nostalgia hit Aziraphale when he reached his bookshop’s front doors, oh how he missed this place. Waving his hand for a small miracle, Aziraphale had the doors open slowly, being hit with the smell of dust, books, and generally the smell of an ancient antique store. Everything was left exactly the way it was before he left, not a single book had fell over, nothing at all was different. Soon though the smile Aziraphale had fell from his face, seeing as a realization fell on him.
Had Crowley never gone back to the bookshop? Of course it wasn’t his responsibility, but Aziraphale had stated that is was both of their bookshop, not just only his. Perhaps Crowley has gotten busy and couldn’t find the time? Aziraphale will try to not let this hurt him, but frankly there was a little hurt left inside his nonexistent heart. Nevertheless, Aziraphale took in every detail of the bookshop he missed so much, first thing in the morning? Dusting.