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For a celestial being, the age of The Beginning itself, you would assume Crowley had experienced it all.
Beginnings.
Such as the constellations and galaxies he so lovingly created.
Or expanses of kilometers and kilometers of ocean, vastnesses of murky blue devouring over half of our planet.
Nature and creatures a like, living in a perfect harmony.
And the birth of humanity. Ah, yes, those weirdos.
In Crowley’s honest, and definitely not humble opinion, that one could have used more work before being miracled into existence.
Of course, with the rise of humanity came community and strength. Such as empires built from the dirt, later turned to gold or greed.
Creativity and curiosity, as with advancements in the sciences or the creation of the arts.
And of course a sense of purpose, belonging, family, love.
If you had asked Crowley a week ago, hell, even a day ago, he would have liked to admit he knew what that was. Belonging. Love. Etceteria. It’s an easy thing, isn’t it? To love and be loved back.
But things change.
And with all beginnings, always came an ending.
“Nothing lasts forever.”
Three words that will haunt the demon for eternity.
It was something he never truly understood. “Why would something so magnificent, so pure, be created simply to be destroyed?” A question the demon found himself asking at the start of it all, and an answer he never quite received (unless you count falling from Heaven as one).
His ethereal masterpieces, he so lovingly painted through our skies, were to become nothing more than a dimming light in the darkness as civilization progressed.
The constellations, nebulas, and everything alike- he so painstakingly crafted yet fondly named- only served to eventually be destroyed by Heaven and Hell themselves.
How could they simply let it all end?
Life itself, from creation to damnation?
How could community disperse into solitude?
For love to become pain?
And belonging to betrayal?
As a celestial being older than time itself, Crowley had never experienced these things- community, belonging, love-
until he met him.
His Angel.
At least, when he still was just that, his.
-</3-
Watching Aziraphale leave was the most world-shattering, cataclysmic event the demon had ever experienced. Even with his prevention in Armageddon, nothing compared to this.
What was this?
What was he feeling?
And oh.
Hurt. Heartbreak. Betrayal.
It was all so… Human.
Sitting in the driver’s side of his beloved Bentley (for a moment, just one stupid and weak, fleeting moment), the demon couldn’t help but mourn something that must never have been.
A life, an eternity, a promise. A questioning of what ever happened to “Our Side”?
And for an even worse moment, Crowley wondered what it would have been like if he had simply said, “Yes.” to the angel.
-</3-
Driving through the hellish traffic on the M25, Crowley’s plans to sleep away another century were foiled when he realized he had no where to actually go. In a way, he never truly did. However, this time, he hadn’t a destination nor a home. No, not his flat, it had been gone for years despite still missing it, but his- No.
He’s not going to let his mind go there.
…
But it does anyway.
“Ngk! In the end, it doesn’t bloody matter! Aziraphale would pick Heaven over me any day. He’s done it for an eternity. So why would I think anything’s changed now?” He grumbled the lie to no one in particular, or maybe to his plants. After all, he was a demon. Lying was what he did best. (Or at least it’s what he’s told himself since the fall.)
That was when the Bentley decided it was the perfect time to kick on the radio, blasting “If I Could Turn Back Time” by Cher.
If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I'd take back those words that have hurt you
And you'd stay-
Pausing to process the familiar melody, the demon’s stoic anger faltered on beat.
With a gruff, He hurriedly turned it off.
Crowley’s mind kept drifting to “what if’s” about his day, his week, his year- hell, even his eternity. But he would never admit it outloud. Nor would he admit the true reason why he was going the average speed limit (there was no one to come home to anymore). The two certainly didn’t coincide.
His radio crackled back to life, the same song by Cher pounding through his speakers once again.
I don't know why I did the things I did
I don't know why I said the things I said-
“OI! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” Crowley shrieked before spinning the dial to a different station.
The song still played, just slightly staticky now.
I didn't really mean to hurt you
I didn't wanna see you go
I know I made you cry, but baby-
“I’M NOT GOING BACK! HE LEFT ME, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.” One hand on the wheel tightened as the other miracled the radio off entirely.
“I sincerely hope you realize how much I regret giving you even the tiniest amount of sentience.” Another lie. He took a deep breath, then-
The radio sparked to life once more.
If I could turn back time
If I could find a way-
“ FINE! Fine! Shut up, would ya! I know I have to try..” The last part was nothing more than a mere whisper, or perhaps a promise. The “If he won’t, then I will,” goes unspoken.
The offending song finally fizzled to blissful silence.
The world may think him a love-sickened fool, and while, yes, they would be correct, it was more than that. Crowley and Aziraphale were not only as old as the Beginning itself, they have been together for equally as long. In one way or another, they have always been there for the other. Crowley would be even more damned than he already was if this truly was the ending of the world.
“The ending of us.” Once again goes unspoken.
Still fuming from the quite frankly, rude, intervention in his personal life, he sped up. Yanking the wheel to turn into the exit lane (causing at least three car wrecks in his wake and dozens of more annoying honks), the demon found himself following the all-too-familiar path to the last place he thought he would ever want to be.
At least, at this point in time.
The bookshop.
“Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen started to blast through the speakers.
Crowley gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white, and sighed, finally resigning to accept his fate.
-<3-
Tires screeched as he parked across the street as he always did, narrowly missing hitting a pedestrian couple and their small child. One of the mother’s flipped him off. He will admit, it was called for.
Eyes glued on the storefront (if you can even call it a store considering all zero sales Aziraphale’s ever had), Crowley hesitated before stepping out the car and shutting the door. If he squinted, he could see someone dressed in all white moving in front of the no longer broken windows. For a moment, just a tiny moment, his heart dropped; afraid angels were there to destroy Aziraphale’s favorite place.
He ran across the street, ignoring the frustrated drivers and their horns, and threw open the shop’s door. An all too familiar bell jingled above him.
“HEY! What are you do-“ the demon’s voice trailed off upon recognizing Muriel.
“Huh? Oh! Hello, Mr. Crowley! Isn’t this place just wonderful?” They exclaimed with an equally bright smile as their uniform. “Can you believe The Metatron promoted me to watch over it all!” Arms outstretched, Muriel spun with a flourish.
“Wh- what are you doing here? What do you mean Metatron?” His words laced with venom, “That’s not his bloody decision who gets to take care of this shop, it’s Aziraphale’s-“ He trailed off upon seeing the young angel’s reaction. They were shifting their weight from one foot to another, hands visibly trembling as they clutched onto an upside down book. What once was a smile as bright as the sun, fell. Their mouth opening and closing as if they wanted to apologize or cry. Muriel looked like a kicked puppy, and contrary to popular belief, the demon Crowley does not enjoy kicking puppies. He’s a demon, not a psychopath.
Squeezing the bridge of his nose underneath his sunglasses, he sighs. “Look, it’s okay. I just…” He attempted to placate their fear, “had a really bad day and didn’t expect to see you still here. Can you start from the beginning again on why you’re here?”
Muriel hesitated but their grip loosened on the copy of “Pride & Prejudice” and the light came back to their eyes. “Oh! Sure, of course I can! But… are you okay, Mr. Crowley? I mean- you’re not usually this grumpy! Is it because Mr. Azirapha- sorry! the traitor- isn’t here?”
“Wha- No, no, no, no! It’s not because he- wait, traitor?” He questioned, “What do you mean by that? Aziraphale’s no traitor..” He trails off as his heart dropped for a third time that day. “That‘s not exactly true, now is it?” An unhelpful voice whispers in his head as he tries to shake it off.
“Well, Heaven calls him that, silly! They gave him one of those, uh, nick of names! I think it’s a little mean, but surely it’s because they like him! I hope I get one someday.” The angel beamed.
“If they think him so much a traitor, then why did they want him back-“ His face fell. “DAMNIT, AZIRAPHALE, YOU IDIOT!”
His words startled Muriel, making them flinch backwards. He groans as he rubs his tired hands over his face. “You know,” He starts pacing, “I’m really beginning to believe he wants me saving him all the time. It’s like he enjoys it or something.”
Looking uncertain, Muriel nervously giggles, “Save him from what?”
Crowley’s whips his attention back to them, “From you lot! All you angels, why can’t you all just leave us alone! We were fine! Happy, even. We were finally… us.”
The angel flinches, and is back to looking like a kicked puppy, “Oh… I’m sorry, I- I didn’t realize- I’ll go- I’m really sorry, Mr.-“
“No, no, no, no, you’re fine! I’m not talking about you, I’m talking about the rest of those bastards.” He quickly explains.
Their face lights up again, “Oh! Okay-“
“You’re different from those arseholes.”
“Oh..” They falter.
“No! It’s a good thing! It means you’re your own… angel. Yeah! You’re good at what you do, and no one can take that from you. Not angel nor demon.”
“I’m not sure I understand, but thank you! That seemed very kind! You are a kind demon, Mr. Crowley!” Muriel’s smile meets their eyes again.
Crowley sighs, again resigned to his fate.
The bell above the bookstore’s door jingles once more, signaling a new visitor had arrived.
Crowley turned around from his conversation with the young angel, and made eye contact with Nina through his sunglasses.
“Hello, Nina!” Muriel excitedly waved to her.
She waved back, but turned her focus back on the demon. Positively grinning, she clasped her hands together in front of her, “Sooo, how’d it go between you and the angel? You talked to him, right? Are you two official yet?”
Crowley rubbed the back of his neck as his eyes darted to the floor, “Uh-“
“Don’t tell me you chickened out! Crowley he’s smitten by y-“
“I didn’t chicken out!” The demon in question interrupted, “and you certainly don’t know what you’re talking about.” He grumbled out, as he crossed his arms in front of himself.
“What? What are you talking about? It’s clear as day how in love he is with y-“
“YOU’RE WRONG!” He interrupts yet again, “It doesn’t bloody matter now, yeah? He never loved me, at least, not like that.” Her face fell to confusion as she tried to protest; Crowley didn’t allow her to get a single word in before continuing. “I have bigger problems to worry about now than my- my non-existent love life, okay? I have to figure out a way to save that idiot from himself again.”
“We’re gonna save him from Heaven!” Muriel chimed in all too cheerily.
“We?” The demon spun around to them, “Who said anything about you helping me? You’re one of them, after all. Wouldn’t want to be a traitor to Heaven, now would ya?”
Worry lined Muriel’s face, “I- no, of course not! I would never betray Heaven-“
“Good! So you’re not helping. You’re gonna stay here with Nina and watch over the bookshop.” He thought his response was final, providing no room for protest. “And you’re gonna make sure no one buys any books, yeah?”
“Well, of course! But-“
“But nothing! That’s final, you stay here.”
“What the hell-“ Nina’s hand flies up to cover her mouth, “Sorry… Fuck? Are you two talking about? Why would you have to save Aziraphale from Heaven? Isn’t he an Angel? And I am NOT staying in this place any longer, didn’t sleep a wink after last night’s events.” She crosses her arms, “I only dropped by on my way out to see how things went between the two of you.”
“Well, clearly it went peachy! Absolutely perfect! You can go to bed now, Nina. Toodeloo.” He flourished, dripping with sarcasm and anger.
“No need to be a pain in the ass over it,” she scoffed, “clearly something’s going on, and you’re just shutting down and shutting everyone out.-“
“That’s not-“
“Shut it! I’m talking now, you had your chance. I get your a demon and everything, but you have friends now whether you like it or not. If last night wasn’t obvious enough, you have a support group, who’s willing to listen and help you to the best of their abilities. Yes, we’re human, and yes, Maggie’s currently sleeping on the counter in her shop, but it doesn’t matter! Because we’re still gonna help you and Aziraphale.” She takes a breath and gestures towards Muriel, “And that very obvious angel right there who pries too much about my love life wants to help too, so let them.” Said angel beams, “Get out of your toxic masculinity mindset, and tell me What The Hell is going on.”
Crowley was too stunned to speak. Was she telling the truth? “Friends?” He’s never had any other friends besides Aziraphale. “I- uh-“
She raises a perfectly arched eyebrow for him to continue.
Sighing, the demon rubbed his hands across his face again, “Fine, fine. Technically not masculinity, but sure. Where do I even start?” The last part questioned more towards himself.
“You can start with whatever the hell happened between you and Aziraphale?” Nina answered for him.
The demon sighs again, “Later, we don’t have time for it right now, we need to save him first.”
Pursing her lips, Nina looked as if she wanted to argue but held her tongue on that part. “You know, your boy told me how much you love saving him and how happy it makes you.”
Crowley’s face flushed, “Wh-“
“Mr. Crowley told me it makes Mr. Aziraphale happy to be saved by him too!” Muriel giggled.
“Oh? Did he now?” Nina smirked and glanced towards him.
“Enough!” He borderline shrieks, “We don’t have time for this! Lock up the bookstore, Muriel. Let’s wake Maggie so we don’t waste any more time, yeah?”
-<3-
After doing just that, and receiving an awkward hug from Maggie after Nina filled her in on his “rejection,” the group found themselves standing outside Heaven’s elevator.
Crowley tried not to let the bittersweet memories from earlier cloud his judgment. He can be angry (i.e. heartbroken) after they get Aziraphale to come back home.
“So, um, not to sound clueless or anything, but what exactly is our plan?” Maggie questioned.
“Oh! It’s- um, we’re-“ Muriel unhelpfully tries, “I’m not really sure, haha, Mr. Crowley knows though, right?”
All three leveled their eyes on him.
“Uhh-“
“Crowley. Don’t tell me you don’t have a plan.” Nina deadpans.
“Okay then, I won’t.” He shrugs.
“Crowley!” Nina and Maggie scold in unison.
“Aziraphale said you always have a plan-“
“I do! Or at least, I will,” He continued, ignoring Nina’s unimpressed expression, “I’ll figure it out along the way, okay?”
“No offense, but that sounds like a terrible plan.”
A gush of wind blows behind them. A pause, then, “What sounds like a terrible plan?” Aziraphale interrupts.
The group startles, and Crowley shrieks, “OH! Aziraphale- I uh, um, I didn’t know you would be here-“ The demon’s looking anywhere but at him.
Aziraphale’s whole body drops at his reaction, but he still tries to hide the disappointment in his eyes (not that Crowley would have noticed without looking at him). “Oh… I just needed to pick up a few belongings I seemed to have forgotten. So careless of me, right? Haha.” His chuckle lacked any emotion.
“Um, we should probably go, right, Nina?” Maggie all but pleads with her eyes.
“Yeah! For sure, we have that, um, thing to get to! Good reminder, Angel. We’ll see you lot later, yeah?” Nina grabs her angel’s hand, and turns to sprint across the street before pausing. She leans towards Crowley and whispers so only he can hear, “You got this! Don’t forget your love for him, and don’t forget his for you.”
He flushes yet again.
“Bye!” The girls yell in unison, “Good luck!” Maggie calls out as they run towards the coffee shop.
“Goodbye!” Muriel waves after them.
“Good luck? I wonder for what.” Aziraphale ponders out loud as he turns back to Crowley, as if he’s trying to find a reason to talk to the demon (because he is).
Muriel steps forward with a bright smile, “She was probably wishing us good luck with our plan to save you from Heaven!”
“MURIEL!” Crowley groans out into his facepalm.
“Wait what? Save me from Heaven? Why would you want to do that?” Genuinely confused now, his attention sets on the both of them.
“Oh! That was a secret, wasn’t it? Oh no, I’m so sorry-“ Remorse floods their voice and face immediately.
“Ngk, it’s alright,” Crowley cuts them off with a wave of his hand, “why don’t you go find where Nina and Maggie went, hm?”
“Okay! I can do that! They don’t call me Inspector Constable for nothing! Bye, Mr. Crowley! Bye, Mr. Aziraphale!” The young angel hurried off down the road in the direction the girls previously disappeared to.
The former pair watch them head inside, pretending to be fascinated by anything and nothing. Anything to avoid this conversation, and nothing is what they prepared to say to the other. Neither of them thought they would be having this talk so soon, if at all.
“Um- do you want t-“
“What did they mean-“
“Sorry, you go first.” Aziraphale blushed.
“I wish you would have told me that earlier.”
Silence. Cars whirring past and the sound of Crowley’s pounding heartbeat were the only noise the demon could hear.
Hesitantly, and all too slowly, Aziraphale turned to face him, “I wish I did too.”
“Why?”
“I don’t-“
“Would it have changed anything if I went first? Would you have stayed? Would you have even cared?”
“What do you m-“
“DAMNIT AZIRAPHALE!” He finally snaps, causing the angel to flinch. All the hurt he’s been carrying inside him finally pouring out. No, not just from earlier in that day, or even that week; but for all of eternity.
From Armageddon, one of the many times Aziraphale pushed him away and broke what would have been his heart if he were human. The fear, the pain, of thinking he lost him in that fire. Of wanting nothing more than to join him, in eternal peace of nothingness. Because it wouldn’t have been empty if Aziraphale was there. He would have gone willingly if it meant he would be with the angel, with his angel. And more than anything, after everything they’ve been through, Crowley hates that he still feels this way. That he would only ever truly be happy if Aziraphale was with him.
From the 1940s, when he saved him in that church from those stupid Nazis. Why couldn’t Aziraphale see how much he meant to him? Every step he took burned. And he would walk through miles and miles of holy grounds if it meant he could prove just that, how much he cares.
He’s a demon, he shouldn’t, but he does. After all, he wasn’t always one. But it seems being an angel would be the only way Aziraphale would ever feel the same about him.
Crowley’s love for Aziraphale was unconditional, ineffable.
And for Aziraphale? He holds onto what Crowley never truly was, he loves the memory of what he used be. Never who he became and never who he is. Aziraphale’s love is conditional. It always has been, and he hates that he’s only just now realizing that truth.
Crowley remembers how his hand shook holding that gun. He knew it wouldn’t kill Aziraphale, of course it wouldn’t, they were immortal. But that fear? It was gnawing away at him like a sickness, eating him alive like a snake. The last thing Crowley would ever want to do is hurt him. And by God, or by Satan, he would vow to never harm a hair on that angel’s head.
He doesn’t need the devotion, he doesn’t need a promise, he doesn’t even need love. He doesn’t need anything reciprocated back.
All Crowley needs is him.
Why can’t Aziraphale see that?
Not a single one of his thoughts slipped past Crowley’s lips. Instead, he fell quiet. Taking those cruel words spoken to him not so long ago directly to heart, “Shut your stupid mouth and die already.” It was said to the wrong being, but by God did that make it hurt even worse. To choose the side of somebody who wanted nothing more to see you die? It makes Crowley wonder just how much Aziraphale didn’t trust him, or perhaps, never cared. And maybe, just maybe, he’ll do what the former archangel commanded him to. To “Shut up and die already.”
Aziraphale watched on waiting patiently, or maybe fearfully, for Crowley to continue. His bottom lip trembling. Crowley hates that he noticed.
He sighs, a defeated sound, “What’s the point, he’s never going to change and neither will I.”
“Aziraphale, just,” the fallen angel winces as his voice cracks, “how long?”
Aziraphale pauses his fiddling with his hands, a nervous habit he had from the beginning that never quite faded. “I don’t think I understand, what do you m-“
“Oh cut the innocent act, you know exactly what I mean.” The demon scoffs in utter disbelief, or maybe hurt.
The angel winces, “I- I genuinely don’t-“
“How long have you been lying to me?”
“…What?”
“Okay, fine, you couldn’t have been ‘lying’ if none of it were true in the first place.” He applauds him, a mocking sound. “You had me there! Good job, is that what you needed to hear? That you successfully tricked a demon into thinking-“ He grimaces, his face etched with every heartbreak and betrayal he’s ever experienced, “you tricked me into thinking we could ever be us. I would have been happy by your side no matter where we were- Earth, Alpha Centauri, even-“ Crowley takes a shaky breath, “even Heaven. You know that right? That I seriously considered going with you?”
Aziraphale’s eyes brimmed with tears, his whole body seemed to shake now. “Crowley, I-“
“Please, don’t.” Two simple words spoken as soft as a feather falling from grace. A tear fell down Aziraphale’s cheek, Crowley could feel his own eyes welling up at the sight. “If you ever cared about me, half as much as I did for you, you never would have asked me to go with you. You know what they did to me.” He takes a shaky breath, removes his glasses, so heartbroken eyes meet the other. “You know what they would do to me if I returned. He lied to you, Angel. He lied to you. I never had a place in Heaven, and you know it too.”
Crowley pushes his shades back on and turns to leave for good, the words “I love you too much to watch them destroy you like they did to me.” rests on the tip of his tongue.
“WAIT!” Aziraphale grabs the sleeve of his jacket, spinning the demon around to face him once more.
He opens his mouth and closes it again, unsure of what to say. And that right there? Was enough of an answer for Crowley.
That was, until the angel yanked him into a hug.
Aziraphale clung onto him tightly, as if he was afraid he would never see him again.
He was right.
Quietly, and oh, so gently, he let out a sob.
Then, barely above a whisper, “You don’t have to have faith in Heaven, or even in Hell. All I’m asking of you is to have faith in me. It’s not safe here, but I can’t lose you. Please, stay. I need you to know the truth.”
And oh.
The words shook Crowley to his core, “What do you mean ‘not safe’?”
“Not here, come home.” He whispers, before pulling away. Leaving behind nothing but empty space where his warmth once was. Where it belonged in Crowley’s arms.
As the sun began to set on a truly terrible day, the angel’s eyes pleaded as his entire demeanor changes to rigidity and strictness. “Goodbye, Crowley.”
And Aziraphale vanishes.
Crowley was left even more confused than before, but the possibility of him not finding Aziraphale again didn’t cross his mind. He never said no to him before, and he refuses to ever say goodbye again.
-</3-
The angel and the demon never had a home. Or, maybe, that wasn’t entirely true. They never had a material one, that is, their home was always each other.
So, where was it that they always spent the most time together?
The Ritz? No, that’s stupid. Too public if someone’s watching them.
The bookshop. Of course, it would be. Aziraphale’s favorite place.
Not that he would ever admit it, but it was Crowley’s favorite too. How could it not be? It was all so him, it was as if the rest of the world didn’t exist. As if it were just the two of them. He was surrounded by everything that was Aziraphale.
And so, that’s where Crowley finds himself, inside the bookshop for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
Night had fallen already, yet there was still no sign of the angel.
Crowley feels stupid, as if he poured salt into his own wound. Beginning to wonder if it was all a game to the angel, to prove no matter how hard the demon tries to leave, he would always have him wrapped around his little finger.
He stands to leave.
“You came.” He froze, the gentlest hand reaches out behind him to take Crowley’s calloused one into his own.
“Why wouldn’t I?” He feels breathless, he should leave. He needs to leave, but he won’t. “Is this what love feels like?” Another question that never leaves his head. He turns to face him.
“Because-“ The angel tries to compose himself but Crowley can see the despair in his eyes as they well up with tears, “because of everything! Everything I put you through, dear boy. I truly do not deserve you. I won’t stop you if you wish to leave again, I just need to let you know how I feel about you, about everything, before you do.”
It was the demon’s turn to stay silent, his heart pounding, but his focus was on questioning why Aziraphale thinks he’ll leave again. He’s already here, doesn’t the angel realize how much he loves his heaven-sent, foolish self?
Instead of voicing his thoughts, he raises an eyebrow at him, a signal for Aziraphale to continue.
“I- I know I don’t deserve you. You’re so, so good. And before you say anything! I know you’re a demon, I know you’ll never admit to it or agree, but you need to know how kind you are. I have been watching over this planet for thousands and thousands of years- same as you, of course- but I have never, in all my existence, met somebody as pure in heart as you are.” He pauses to squeeze the demon’s hand, “You have the kindest soul and it shines through in everything you do. You deny it, but you always find a way to help others. To help me. You make me a better angel, you made me a better angel. This is why I left without a word, my dear boy, I couldn’t risk hurting you, but I see that I have now. And I am so, so sorry. I know the truth now, I am not as naïve as I once was. I know that Heaven and Hell will never want what’s best for humanity, but it will not stop me from trying. I know Heaven’s using me, but they don’t realize I’m guilty of the exact same.” He takes a shaky breath, admiration floods his eyes, as do tears, “I’m not on their side, Crowley, I’m on yours. It wasn’t always that way, but please believe me when I say now, I’m telling the truth. Your side is the only one I care for. I thought Heaven was for humanity and all things good, but I was wrong. Being on your side is. You are the embodiment of love, my dear. I should have said it sooner, not just today, but a long time ago. You made me realize I was just as worthy of love as the humans are. I need you to know now, simply how much I love you. Since the beginning to now, forever and always, even to the end, I will love you.”
Tears were steadily streaming down Aziraphale’s face now. Crowley could feel his eyes mirroring the angel’s.
He didn’t know what to say, it was everything he never thought he would hear and everything he ever needed to.
So he didn’t say anything. Instead, he reached up and gently removed his glasses. Yellow met blue. And the demon pulled the angel into an embrace. Sobs fell from the both of them, it was unsure who started crying first, but it doesn’t matter now.
They had each other once again, and that’s all that matters.
Crowley squeezed Aziraphale once more before pulling away, “What took you so long?” He finally, finally, smiles. “I love you too, you idiot.”
And for the second time that day, he experienced deja vu as their lips met.
Aziraphale smiles into the kiss, and Crowley does the same.
He doesn’t recall who pulled back first, but the words that followed after is something he would always remember:
“To being us, my dear boy, my world.” The angel whispers the last part around the demon’s lips as he leans in once more, hand gently cusping his cheek. “You are my world.”