Chapter Text
Aziraphale rushed towards the bookshop, smiling brightly. He had just been given the gift of a lifetime and was ready to share it with his best friend. He quickly opened the door, fidgeting with his hands as he prepared himself to tell Crowley the news.
"Crowley!" Aziraphale shouted, closing the door behind him. Aziraphale watched for a moment as Crowley paced back and forth. "Look, Angel. I-I've been thinking about a few things and I think it's best for me to say it all now. I mean, if I don't start now, I never will and-" Aziraphale opened and closed his fists, holding one is his hands out. "What's that thing humans say? Ah right, 'Hold that thought!'" Aziraphale quickly began speaking. Crowley stared in shock for a moment, not completely sure Aziraphale had listened to what he had said.
"Okay, okay! So, I was over at the coffee shop, right? And- Okay." Aziraphale couldn't help but stutter over his words. He had dealt with this problem for centuries and while he somewhat got over it, it still came up. "I was sitting with the Metatron and they- They offered us something, they offered me something!" Crowley clenched his fists. This couldn't be happening. "They said that I- We could go back to Heaven! We could go back and really make a difference, Crowley! We could do good! Real good!" Crowley was shocked. There was no way that Aziraphale was seriously considering going back, not after everything that happened.
"So? You told them to fuck off, yeah?" It was Aziraphale's turn to be shocked. Was Crowley seriously going to decline this offer? "Well, I-" Crowley scoffed, stepping towards his partner. "Tell me you said no." To both of their surprise, a tear fell from Crowley's eye. "I.." Aziraphale couldn't talk. Of course he didn't say no, but he knew that he needed Crowley. He was only going back to Heaven if his friend was there with him. "Tell-" Crowley paused. His breath hitched as he looked away. He took another step closer to Aziraphale, inches away from his face. "Tell me you said no."
Aziraphale didn't say a word. After a moment, Crowley scoffed once again. He stepped back, putting his hands on his hips. "I was offered back, y'know? I could've left you here to die, Aziraphale. I could've gone back to Hell and regained my power, but I stayed. You know why I stayed?" He waited for Aziraphale to spit out the obvious answer, watching as tears fell from his angel's face. "You, God damn it. I stayed here for you." Aziraphale fidgeted with his hands, picking at his nails. "I- Of course you didn't go back.. They're evil, Crowley.. It's Hell."
Crowley watched him in disbelief. "Seriously?" The demon had to ask. Aziraphale turned towards the door, trying not to cry. He couldn't watch anymore. "I-I wont.." Aziraphale began, yet Crowley didn't want to hear it. "No, you need to listen. They're toxic, Angel. They cast me away when things didn't go their way, and they'll do the same to you." No matter how much Aziraphale didn't want to believe it, he was right. "I can't just.. I have no where else.." Crowley walked up to Aziraphale, taking his hands. "Here, Angel. Right here. You and I."
"Look." Crowley continued. "I- You interrupted me so I might as well get it all out now, yeah?" Aziraphale nodded, watching as his hands shook. "We've.. It's been you and I forever. Since the very beginning of time, I've been able to trust you. Despite the fact that it's only recently you've picked that up, it's still us. It's been us and it will always be us. Forever. I- God.." He bit down on his lip, looking away for a moment before looking up into the Angel's eyes. "I.." It was now or never, Crowley. "I love you, Angel.. Please don't.. Don't do this to me."
Crowley watched the Angel. Watched as he avoided eye contact, how he took an involuntary step back as Crowley took his hands in his own. "Gabriel and Beelzebub did it? They left, why can't we? Please, Aziraphale. What's stopping you? You- We can't leave this bookshop.. We can't leave each other." Aziraphale looked down at Crowley, sobbing softly. "N-Nothing last's forever, Crowley.." Crowley sighed. He knew there was no getting through to the other. Not yet, at least. "Okay.. okay. That's.. Okay. If that's what you want." Crowley let go, walking towards the door. He picked up his glasses, putting them on. If he was going to cry, he wouldn't allow Aziraphale to see. He wouldn't let him have that.
"No! P-Please! Okay, okay! Just wait!" Crowley held the door handle, shaking softly. "Wait.. I-I don't think you understand what I'm offering you!.." He knew that the moment Crowley left that bookshop, he'd be gone forever. "No.." The demon began. "You know what? I don't think you understand." Aziraphale couldn't give this up. He knew that he wouldn't go without his demon, but he also wouldn't end it all without putting up a fight. "Please, Crowley.. I need you. I-I need you to come with me!" Crowley turned to face him. "You idiot.. We-" He closed his mouth, biting down on his lip to try and not cry. "We could have been us." He knew it was now or never. He stormed over to his angel, grabbing his jacket, and kissing him.
The Angel was shocked for a moment. The way Crowley's mouth felt on his own, his lips, his skin. His hands holding him close. He closed his eyes, kissing the man back. He felt relief for a moment. He had wanted this since.. forever. Aziraphale had wanted this moment since before time. From the first time they met, to this moment, this is all he wanted. He wanted to know what the demon felt like next to him, the demon's body on his, his lips meeting his own. The demon pulled away, taking in a sharp breath. Crowley held the angel close, looking up at him. "Please.." He asked, nothing louder than a whisper.
"Okay." Was all Aziraphale had to say before Crowley pulled him in once more, kissing him. It was nothing short of a miracle. The Angel pulled away for a moment, smiling softly. "I-I was never going to leave.. I need you, Crowley." Crowley laughed, kissing him softly. "Fuck, I-I need you too, Angel.." The two stumbled around for a moment, falling down onto the sofa in the room. Aziraphale bumped his head as he fell onto the chair which sent them both into a fit of laughter. Crowley sat on Aziraphale's lap, not wanting to let go. The two held each other close, but it was all cut short as the Metatron entered the bookshop. "Are the two of you ready to go?" The Angel asked, holding a coffee in their hand.
"We're not.. going." Aziraphale spoke softly, worried for the consequences. "You're not? Why?" Crowley scoffed, standing up and walking up to the angel. "We're not going, alright? You got a problem with that?" The Angel stepped back, shaking their head. "No, of course. If either of you change your mind, you know where to find me." The Angel then left. It was finally over. They didn't have to worry about Heaven or Hell watching over them any longer. They could finally be together. Aziraphale had gotten up, holding his demon's hand. "It's okay." Aziraphale spoke softly as to not startle the demon. "I know." Crowley responded.
"What now?" Aziraphale asked, unsure of what this meant for them. "Whatever we want, I guess. We have the entire world at our fingertips. What would you like to do first?" Aziraphale took a moment to think, putting a hand on Crowley's hip and pulling the other towards him. "Honestly?" The Angel asked and the demon nodded. "A nap sounds lovely at the moment. Today has been utterly exhausting." Crowley couldn't help but laugh, planting a kiss on the Angel's cheek. "Okay. Is it okay if I join you?" Aziraphale then laughed. "Seriously? We've been cuddling for over six thousand years, you think just cause we argued then kissed means that has to end? Of course you can join me." Crowley rolled his eyes, dropping his jacket on the floor as the two rushed up the stairs. The two changed into what they felt was comfortable, turned off the lights, and got into bed.
They'd figure out what comes next eventually, they had the rest of their never-ending lives to figure that out. For now, it was time to sleep.