Work Text:
Aziraphale's time in heaven wasn't what he expected, he knew it'd be difficult to change Heaven so It'd be good enough for Crowley but he didn't suspect it'd be this difficult.
The Metatron had different plans for Aziraphale, he needed Aziraphale for the second coming and for his knowledge of Earth but he knew full well that the demon Crowley would get in the way and cloud Aziraphale's mind, so The Metatron did something not even I could approve.
But, I'm afraid you'll need to take a guess at what the Metatron did.
for now, let's talk about what Crowley had done for the past Century. for a few decades he tried to stay as far away from any memory of Aziraphale as he could but he struggled as everything reminded him of Aziraphale, every place he went, Even his own Bentley reminded him, His own plants, Even just the roads he drove on. He knew he couldn't stay running, he instead went back to the bookshop - handling it with Muriel and helping them learn more about Earth and the people who inhabit it.
In Berwick Street where Aziraphale's old bookshop was, were one Demon and one Angel. It had been a full century, any people Crowley and Aziraphale once knew were long dead, somebody else ran 'Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death' and the Record shop had been closed down for decades, it was now turned into just another clothing shop.
Muriel were sorting books by Author just like how Crowley instructed from the second he came back and Crowley were doing other things upstairs. Customers came in and out as Crowley shouted from the second floor to 'Get Out' as the Bookshop were apparently closed - all of a sudden at least… I wonder why Crowley closed the Bookshop all of a sudden - he were having this strange feeling but simply couldn't pin what it was!
Meanwhile, Aziraphale were up in heaven doing his duties as Supreme Archangel and He was talking to a rather rude Angel about plans of the second coming, just chatting away and feeling helpless, wishing he had it in him to be rude back.
Wearing a new outfit--more grey than before and a lot more uncomfortable, he missed his old coat.
"As I was saying--I think it'd be best we wait a while longer, it's only been a century." Aziraphale spoke, clearing his throat as he tried to ignore any awful remarks this Angel spoke, fixing up his coat as he held a clipboard in one hand.
<"Well, if you're That upset about it, go take it up with god herself! The second coming must happen! We've planned about it & we're sure it'll happen in a few decades! Now go back to whatever it is you do, 'pathetic excuse for an archangel.'"> The angel replied coldly and angrily, muttering the last part of her sentence a little as she walked off, not planning to even MENTION this to the Metatron.
"Well I wasn't - finished… right." Aziraphale sighed, his eyes droopy and sorrowful. He could use a nice book to read or some nice tea to drink, calm himself down as he thought of a better way to approach this - and yet, for some odd reason he weren't allowed to go back down to Earth to grab a cup or even the smallest novel! Quite upsetting for Aziraphale… I'm sure they wouldn't mind if it was just a quick pop down, right?
With no further adieu, Aziraphale stepped before the stairs - deciding on the stairs to draw less attention to the fact he were leaving down to Earth, I mean he were only going down to grab a cup of tea and a nice book to read, what harm can that do? And he ought to keep up with Earth's latest trends and evolution!
Aziraphale began to walk down the steps, making his way to earth. Walking through a thick yet shallow cloud and appearing on an Earth escalator.
Looking around with joy in his eyes, he took a breath and fixed up his blouse
Aziraphale walked down Berwick street, looking for a nice coffee shop to find some nice to-go tea!
'Give me Coffee or Give me Death'?
'What An Interesting name!' Aziraphale thought to himself, stepping inside the shop and waiting in line
Coming up to the counter, behind the counter sat a sweet looking Girl with pretty red hair! She looked like someone but Aziraphale couldn't figure out who. It wasn't this someone anyways.
<"Hello Sir! What can I get you?"> the red haired lady spoke with a warm smile and a beat in her tone
"Hello! I'd like a medium to-go chamomile tea, please!" Aziraphale replied, placing the correct amount of money on the counter
<"Not a problem! You can wait wherever, I'll get your tea and call out the order"> She nodded, walking further behind the counter and preparing a nice medium tea whilst Aziraphale stood by the entrance, looking outside a window - staring his old bookshop, feeling a sense of nostalgia.
I'm sure visiting it wouldn't hurt, right? He did use to own the place. He wondered if Muriel were still owning it and what they may have learned about earth!
Aziraphale was a tad lost in thought as he heard his Order be called out, turning his head and then swiftly getting up and grabbing his tea.
Walking out the café, he thought about it for one more moment before crossing the road and entering the bookshop!
Dear, he hadn't been here in quite a while! for earth standards at least. The smell of the books filled his nose, it seemed not a book had been sold! How delightful.
Quick steps began to approach
"I'm sorry Sir and-Or Ma'am! We're just closing up--" they stopped and then smiled as Muriel were face to face with Aziraphale "Mr. Fell!"
"GoodDay Muriel! Not selling any books I hope?" Aziraphale smiled, quite happy to see Muriel!
"Not a one! How have you been?" Muriel stepped closer, quite excited to see Aziraphale again!
"I've been" Aziraphale paused "-alright. How about you? Holding up with earth well?" Aziraphale took a sip of his tea, holding it in both hands as he listened to Muriel speak.
"Very good! I've learned a lot about history, love, and other stuff! I am quite the expert on romance now!" Muriel had a smug yet sweet look on their face, taking pride in their knowledge!
"Very nice! Very nice! I'm glad to know all is well here, I thought I'd sneak from heaven to grab a nice cup of tea and perhaps a book? I have missed reading here."
"Oh! Take any book you need Mr. Fell!"
"Thank you Muriel! I appreciate it" Aziraphale smiled as Muriel nodded, Aziraphale took a look around the bookshop, feeling quite nostalgic… though it felt like something was missing.
Steps could be heard coming down the stairs
"Muriel! Did you let ANOTHER person into the bookshop?! I told you, we're closed today!" the person coming down the stairs spoke firmly, Medium red hair, odd sunglasses and a punk sense of style.
"Well, he did used to own the shop Mr. Crowley! I couldn't not let him in - and he only wants a book or two for nostalgic reasons!" Muriel perked themselves up with a toothless smile!
Crowley's face seemed to drop "Own the shop?..." Crowley whispered, coming fully down the stairs and peeking around, eyes wide as he stared at Aziraphale.
Crowley couldn't believe his eyes - 'Aziraphale?' You couldn't see the shock in his eyes due to his glasses but the shock was written all over his face, never in 1000 years did he think Aziraphale would just waltz back into the Bookshop as if he didn't leave Crowley completely alone for an entire Century and in the worst possible way.
Aziraphale looked over, rather confused by the shock on Crowley's face "I hope it's alright if I take a book or two, I used to own this bookshop you know!" he smiled, trying to reassure the apparent stranger that it's okay.
"…Aziraphale?..." Crowley said softly, voice breaking slightly
"that is indeed my name! I hope Muriel told stories" Aziraphale let out a chuckle "Muriel! You never told me you hired an assistant for the bookshop! I hope he's been treating you well!" Aziraphale grabbed a book
Crowley's sorrow slowly turned to confusion 'Why in the name of Hell & Heaven is Aziraphale acting as if he doesn't know me? A Century goes by and he pretends not to fucking know me?' Crowley thought to himself
Muriel peeked from behind a bookshelf with confusion "Why! Mr. Fell, I never hired Crowley! - he just missed the bookshop, why are you acting like you don't know him? you know him Very well!" Muriel winked a little, their knowledge for romance was quite… extraordinary indeed.
"Whatever are you talking about, I don't know him? It's nice you may think so though. Now, I'll be on my way! I'm sure the Metatron will check on you later - UH. don't tell him I was here!" Aziraphale smiled, feeling drawn toward Crowley but trying to ignore it… "Ta-ta!" Aziraphale let a hand in the air as he walked out the shop with a book and his tea.
Crowley was left in complete shock, mouth open and eyes wide. Posture a bit slouched - this was horrid. His Angel had forgotten 6000 years of conversation in just 100? Going to heaven was all it took for him to forget Crowley? Crowley didn't forget Aziraphale for even a split second and he never has… how could Aziraphale just forget him like that?
Muriel was also shocked, they turned to Crowley and let out a small yelp "Mr. Crowley! Are you okay?" they stepped closer and was face to face with Crowley
"I'm- I'm not sure." Crowley straightened his posture and let out a sigh, frowning and sorrowful eyes that couldn't be seen through his glasses
"weh- uhm, he could be playing a prank of sorts! I heard humans do that! A silly little joke?..." Muriel wanted to cheer Crowley up - if Aziraphale had truly forgotten Crowley like that then Crowley might leave the bookshop again.
"a JOKE!? Muriel, Aziraphale returning after a whole century just to play a 'Prank' and 'Forget me' ISN'T VERY APOLOGY-LIKE!" Crowley shouted, clearly upset by the news of Aziraphale forgetting him. Crowley had told Muriel about wanting Aziraphale to apologize for leaving him for Heaven and hoped that the next time they met Aziraphale would Apologize and maybe even do the dance but it seems it didn't even matter because Aziraphale had most likely forgotten the dance itself.
Muriel's eyes heavied and they let out a small sigh "Right, Uhm… well, I don't know what else to say… I'm sorry, Crowley." They looked down to the ground
Crowley sighed and held his Nose Bridge, sliding his hand down to his mouth and then moving it off his face "No, No. sorry Muriel, I- Ngk, I'll just - be upstairs." without another word Crowley stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked upstairs, tears welling in his eyes.
He entered an old bedroom - Perhaps Aziraphale's, Crowley sighed, sitting down on the bed and removing his glasses: placing them on the nightstand as he looked down to the ground, feeling a large dread of sorrow wave over him - he laid flat on the bed and stared up at the ceiling as tears began to roll down the sides of his face\
Aziraphale was approaching the stairs once again, having already thrown his empty cup of tea into a rubbish can - Aziraphale was strangely hesitant to go up the stairs… there was something keeping him here, his eyes suddenly began to water
'What in the heavens! Oh dear, dust must've got into my eye.' Aziraphale thought, wiping the tears from his eyes, completely unaware of what his body was trying to tell him.
Aziraphale, despite being hesitant and kept on the ground for a good 5 Minutes finally went up the stairs, entering heaven with a book behind his back and trying to covertly sneak the book into a nice area to read, hoping to not be noticed by the angels.
Crowley was still on the bed, feet on the ground but back on the bed - he was whispering nonsense as if he were talking to Aziraphale
"why in earths name would you forget me? How did you even manage that, Angel." Crowley spoke softly, voice cracking with hics in between words.
"do angels have that much of an influence that you fucking forgot me? Ho--how did you forget me but not Muriel or--or your bookshop? h…" Crowley actually began to question that itself, how Would he forget Crowley but seemingly nothing else?
He sat up and wiped his tears, letting out a large and heavy sigh as he stared at the ground
If anyone was smart enough they'd eventually realize that Aziraphale forgetting Crowley just like that and forgetting nothing else simply didn't add up, 'how would that even be possible?' Crowley thought to himself, and he was right. How can that be possible? Because if you were a human then it wouldn't be - so long as you don't count brain damage or a certain type of amnesia. But angels nor demons can get amnesia or brain damage so somebody must've done something to Aziraphale for this to happen.
Here's a hint - The Angel's name who did this begins with an M. Do you get it yet?
'If--if Aziraphale forgot me but nothing else then those pesky angels must've done something…' Crowley thought, a boiling anger rising within him. He was no longer sorrowful toward Aziraphale but rather instead angry at heaven.
"Heaven must've done something!" Crowley said with a hiss in his words, drying his face fiercely
Aziraphale was none the wiser and was reading his book in a little nook of heaven, a comfortable bean bag and the smell from a lovely candle. Enjoying this book as though it were his last, he had read it before but wanted to read it again! It was one of his favorites and it's been 100 years.
Aziraphale had finished the book and let out a relieved sigh, feeling content with stuff - for the most part, Aziraphale propped himself up and stood onto his feet, craning his head to his left as an Angel approached
"Done reading, I hope?" The Metatron spoke with his old and toned voice.
Aziraphale jolted and held the book in both hands by his chest "The Metatron! Why - I--Ehm…" Aziraphale cleared his throat "I hope you didn't mind that I went down to earth, I was just about to return the book so no worries at all!"
"Of course, Of course. No worries at all, But Aziraphale. You know what I've said about going to earth." The Metatron took the book from Aziraphale's hands
"I know! It's just, we can never miracle such a perfectly old book like from my - I mean, Muriel's bookshop. It's always Too perfect!" He said with a sorrowful tone, it's true. An Angel's miracles are quite perfect indeed. "And I don't see why I am not allowed on earth" Aziraphale added quietly
The Metatron had miracled the Book back to earth and began to walk & talk with Aziraphale "Aziraphale, It's simply not necessary for you to be on earth any longer, I refrain of you to go to earth simply because you are Too human. You must be up here for a while longer till you feel no need to be on earth."
Aziraphale thought about it "Okay… I suppose that makes sense, but you all need me for my knowledge of earth! Earth has severely evolved in the past century. I'm no longer as knowledged as I was"
"I understand that but all we really need is your History." The Metatron stopped and turned to Aziraphale, they stood face to face "I just want you to understand, Earth isn't fit for an angel like you. And you're the Supreme Archangel, if you need something from Earth specifically then ask another Angel or contact Muriel."
Aziraphale sighed, wanting to mention the Odd feeling he had whilst back on earth but decided to brush it off as the 'New Century' feeling and kept it to himself. "Alright, I'll--I'll refrain from earth then." Aziraphale looked to the ground
"Good chap." The Metatron had a toothless smile, then walked off to who knows where.
Meanwhile, Crowley was quietly yet angrily muttering to himself and had been for a good hour, thinking up an apparent plan of sorts.
Muriel knocked on the door, peeking through before opening it fully and holding the doorknob as they stared at the pacing, muttering, Demon. "Mr. Crowley?" Muriel spoke softly and with concern, one hand to their chest, fiddling with their shirt slightly
Crowley stopped and looked over at Muriel, an angry look upon his face and a flicking tongue.
Muriel was a little stunned by how angry Crowley seemed to be "Uh - S -" they cleared their throat "Are you alright?"
Crowley let out a small hiss "Fine, Perfectly fine, absolutely 'Tickety-boo.'" Crowley started pacing again
"S- well, Surely Aziraphale didn't forget you just like that, there must be a reasonable explanation!" Muriel said, not really enjoying this rather angry Crowley.
Crowley stopped again and slowly turned his head to Muriel "Reasonable?... REASONABLE? Oh-ho! As If Heaven removing Aziraphale's memories is REASONABLE!?" Crowley began ranting before Muriel could even process what Crowley was on about.
"I mean- eh- who is their Right mind would Ever remove somebodies memories all cause of his past!? Or, or - okay. To be fair, I suppose I don't know the exact reason why the Metatron would Ever remove Aziraphale's memories but it happened! Aziraphale could NEVER forget me and even if he did there is no way--" Crowley's voice faded out as Muriel tried to piece this all together, eyes flickering around the ground as Crowley paced and paced, speaking full sentences in just a single breath. Going on and on about Heaven removing Aziraphale's memories.
Muriel interrupted Crowley "Crowley! Wh-Why would you accuse Heaven of removing Aziraphale's memories?!"
Crowley's eyes widened ever so slightly "They did it with Gabriel!"
"Yeah! Cause he had to be demoted, Aziraphale was PROMOTED - why would the Metatron remove Aziraphale's memories if he was promoted!?" Muriel didn't want to believe Heaven would do such an awful thing
"I don't fucking know, Muriel. Heaven isn't good and never fucking was so it's absolutely possible!" Crowley held his nose bridge and sighed "Muriel, I'm sorry you have to know but Heaven isn't this peaceful, fun, easy, good place. It cast me out just for asking questions, so who knows why they'd remove his memories."
Muriel looked sorrowful and sighed, nodding a little "I understand."
"Good, 'cause I need your help now." Crowley paced toward Muriel and held their shoulders "I can't stay mad at Aziraphale, not after they removed his memories of me. So - I'd rather take it out on Heaven and the Metatron." Crowley narrowed his eyes
Muriel's eyes widened softly as they stared into Crowley's, unsure about this but if they hurt Crowley & Aziraphale… "Okay."
All that were happening whilst Aziraphale stood on a cloud, using an eye-looking orb to observe Earth from afar
Wondering why he felt so - sorrowful, so empty. Wondering what he was missing…
In his memories he was saved so many times but he has no idea by who, he can't remember that person or if they even made an appearance, so many moments on earth yet so many were so blurry and he simply couldn't understand why… maybe the others were right, being in Heaven for so long will blur his memories - then again, They want that. They want Aziraphale to be more like an Angel and less like a Human.
Aziraphale sighed and zoomed into the orb, landing on London Berwick Street. Staring at his old bookshop, feeling like there was something-Somebody, missing.
Aziraphale rested onto his knees and held his head onto his arms as they held him up on a pulled-up cloud, something kept ringing a bell 'Crowley' whatever did that name mean to him? Whyever would he keep thinking of it?
'Crowley.'
'Crowley…'
Aziraphale's head began to sting, seething through his teeth as he fell, sitting down fully and holding his head as his ears rung and he felt as though his head were spinning off his body.
He let out a sigh as the ringing stopped and the pain began to cease, he now knew that the name Crowley rung a bell and that he was missing somebody from his life, and that he remember a snake from the garden of Eden. he wondered if it were this Crowley person but dared not to try and remember more - that pain was horrid, he felt as though his head were about to explode.
Crowley put on his glasses whilst Muriel fixed up their shoes
"Okay Muriel, Get going and I'll follow you as discreetly as I can"
Muriel nodded, leaving the bookshop with Crowley and going over to Heaven's elevator, nodding as they pressed the button and the doors shut. Crowley held his hands in his pockets, standing in front of the elevator before quickly running to the Bentley to find a staircase, putting on his Angel Disguise whilst driving.
Aziraphale stood up and brushed himself off, sighing and turning off the Angels Eye, walking off the cloud and practically teleporting back into Heavens Building, Aziraphale looked around the room and backed up toward a staircase, he must find this mystery person missing from his memories.
So, whilst Crowley entered Heaven through a different staircase - Aziraphale Left Heaven, both having different intentions but both intentions intending on each other.
Aziraphale steadily stepped down the stairs and looked around as people began entering the building, pushing past people as he came out onto the street. Swiftly walking to his bookshop
Aziraphale knocked
No Answer.
Aziraphale looked through the door window and sighed, using a miracle to open the door, shutting it behind him as he called out "Muriel!" No reply, he called out once more "Muriel! I must speak with you!" Still nothing, he looked through the bookshop but to no avail, Muriel could not be found. He then called out a name that he didn't mean to "Crowley!"
'Crowley? Why ever did I call out Muriel's assistants name?' Aziraphale thought to himself, still trying to piece everything together but his head hurting as he tried.
He shook his head and sighed, no Muriel and no Crowley.
Aziraphale sat in his old chair in defeat, wondering where they could've gone off too…
Crowley carefully walked through Heaven, looking around as Angels questioned him silently with their friends - a basic gossip.
He was looking for Aziraphale.
Crowley knew that if Aziraphale tried to remember then it'd hurt just like it did with Gabriel and he knew he may have to threaten all of heavens safety just to find what exactly the Metatron stored Aziraphale's memories in, he wanted Aziraphale to be in a safe place whilst it went down and he needed to be able to find Aziraphale so he could help return his memories.
With no luck, Crowley gave up looking and found Muriel. They did a quick thumbs-up and continued walking somewhere
Crowley and Muriel's plan was simple.
Find Aziraphale, get him on earth, keep him safe while Muriel finds the Metatron and distracts him then with a big surprise, Crowley will jump out and demand Aziraphale's memories to be restored. Simple as it can get really… well, they thought so at least.
Muriel stepped through a hall and onto a large cloud where the Metatron stood safely
"Muriel." The Metatron turned around
Muriel let out a small yelp, then clearing their throat "Hello, Metatron!" Muriel did an innocent smile
A Small silence filled the air "Well?" The Metatron spoke, hands behind his back
Muriel's eyes winded slightly "Right! Right! So, I- I did catch Aziraphale on earth just like you thought! But - one thing, why isn't Mr. Fell allowed on earth anymore? It used to be his home after all."
The Metatron smiled "Well, Don't tell anyone, but-"
All Crowley needed before he jumped out was the Metatron to give confirmation that he removed Aziraphale's memories so Muriel could go through with this completely. Hiding behind back in the Hall as he listened closely
The Metatron stepped closer to Muriel and whispered something into their ear, their eyes widening as they whipped their head around and shouted "Crowley!" they screamed
Crowley was about to walk out from behind the wall when he was suddenly grabbed, it seems this plan wasn't as simple as he thought.
The Archangels Micheal and Uriel dragged Crowley out as he hissed, flicking his snake-like tongue "Put me down! I was about to show myself anyway!" he hissed out, his S's having a strong tone to them.
Muriel covered their mouth in shock, their eyes wide and their whole body seemingly stunned.
Uriel and Micheal shoved Crowley to the ground and he tried to stand up but the Metatron stopped him with just a snap of the fingers, putting Crowley in a freeze.
Crowley now unable to move a single limb or even blink just had to stare at the Metatron with angry and stunned eyes.
"So, Fallen Angel Crowley. What exactly was the plan here?" he removed Crowley's glasses
Crowley couldn't speak
"Right, Right. Well, it's too bad I already knew your plan. Crowley." the Metatron smiled a toothless smile, a menacing look in his eyes. "I'll tell you where Aziraphale's memories are, but only because you're never seeing him or earth again. Muriel, go back down to earth." the Metatron shooed them off
Muriel looked between the Metatron and Crowley as Crowley tried to tell them to go
Muriel let out a heavy breath and practically ran off the cloud and back into the building 'I have to find Aziraphale!' they thought
The Metatron made Uriel and Micheal leave as well, also making sure they checked that Muriel really left.
"So, Crowley… your dear best friend Aziraphale." the Metatron let Crowley move once again
Crowley's muscles no longer tensed and he fell onto the ground, letting out a long heavy breath. Looking up at the Metatron with pure hatred and anger in his eyes
"The fuck is wrong with you. Aren't you supposed to be one of the most powerful angels? You act more like a demon than I do…" Crowley said, voice cracking and strained. Crowley stood up, wobbly as ever
The Metatron let out a laugh as he looked off the Cloud into an everlasting abyss. "I'm just doing what I must, Crowley."
Crowley rolled his eyes "As if, where are Aziraphale's memories?" he spat, gaining his strength back
"Why, they're right beside Aziraphale himself. Always kept on him and he doesn't even know it, it's the safest place for his memories to be." The Metatron looked over to Crowley with a toothless and horrid smile.
Muriel ran out of the elevator, unable to find Aziraphale so the last place they could check was the bookshop. Maybe Aziraphale went back.
Muriel ran into the shop and shouted "Aziraphale!" they called
Aziraphale perked themselves up, they had sat thinking in their old chair for a long while now. Smiling a tad as they heard Muriel
"Muriel! Just who I was looking for!" he said, getting up
Muriel swiftly walked over to Aziraphale's desk and sighed with relief "Aziraphale! This is Really important!"
"As is my emergency, Muriel. You said I knew your Assistant but I don't recall knowing him, who exactly is he?" Aziraphale spoke swiftly
"OH! Perfect topic, he's actually up in Heaven right now! He's uhm… well, basically threatening the Metatron I suppose… but either way! He's a fallen Angel and he's your very best friend! I was there and the Metatron himself confirmed that he took your memories! So, So, Crowley needs your help!" they let out a big breath, they said it all in one.
Aziraphale narrowed his eyes and tilted his head slightly "Okay, that was a lot… whatever are you on about?"
"Crowley needs your help! You have to remember!" Muriel said, a bit louder this time
"I - Muriel, I wish I could but I remembered something not long ago and all I could recall was that I was missing somebody and that hurt like - Like… I don't know! But it seriously hurt! I'm not sure if I Can remember…" Aziraphale became nervous
"Please Mr. Fell!"
Aziraphale let out a sigh and looked around, taking a deep breath and then trying to remember…
Thousands of thoughts trying to rip through into his head and millions were already in his head, it was like a meteor shower burning through his mind
Hm, Meteor Shower. Reminds him of Crowley - Ah.
Aziraphale's ears began to ring and his head felt like it was going to explode, Aziraphale's eyes were shut tight and he let out a heavy breath, recalling a few moments within his head but saying nothing aloud.
The pain was so extraordinary that his wings actually sprouted. A feather fell from his wings and had a small glow to it.
Muriel shook Aziraphale and Aziraphale stopped trying to remember, feeling relieved when the pain ceased, holding his head
"Apologies, Muriel. I didn't mean for my wings to sprout."
"It's- It's alright, Mr. Fell." Muriel bent down and picked up the Feather, Feathers don't usually fall off an Angels wings. They held a wing and simply did a small miracle to put it back in.
That was the trigger, a feather from the wing of Aziraphale.
Memories flooded back to Aziraphale, a large weight lifted off his shoulders but a bigger weight put onto his mind, Millenia's suddenly back in his head, a thousand songs remembered and a thousand dances.
Aziraphale blinked his eyes back open as everything was back how it was.
Muriel looked back over to Aziraphale as his wings went back down and disappeared "Mr. Fell?..." they questioned
"I- M… Muriel! MURIEL! Oh my gosh!!" He stood up swiftly, turning to Muriel with a smile on his face "I- I Remember! Muriel! I REMEMBER!!" Aziraphale celebrated
Muriel let out a happy gasp "YES!" they jumped, flapping their arms
"Oh my gosh… I can't believe that happened…" Aziraphale panted, letting out a small chuckle
"I know right? It's horrible that the Metatron would do that!"
"I'm so upset I Ever went with him… that I left Crowley… CROWLEY!" Aziraphale's eyes widened, remembering that he had to help Crowley, after all this, it's the least he could do.
Crowley stuttered "Weh- You- You just put his memories WITH him?! Wha- Ngk." Crowley spoke, it was that easy?
"What is it then? What has his memories stored?!" Crowley hissed, stepping closer to the Metatron
"Well, I won't tell you that just in case you manage your way back to him." the Metatron smiled
"Manage my way back?? What in Earths name are you gonna do? Banish me to hell? You did that once already." Crowley spat, narrowing his eyes.
The Metatron's horrid smile stopped "Yes." he looked over at Crowley, sprouting his own wings as he snapped his fingers and froze Crowley once again. The fear captured on Crowley's face amused the Metatron.
The Metatron dragged Crowley all the way over to a hole in the clouds, Angels of all kind stood before this hole as they began to whisper about Crowley.
The Metatron held Crowley before the hole and lifted himself up with his wings, Forcing Crowley's disguise to cease and his 'True' form being shown, Darker clothes, Messy Hair, an overall demon look.
The Metatron, speaking loudly before the Angels
"Though it be unlikely, The Demon Crowley who was previously an Angel will have to fall Again. Demon-like features extended and perhaps more pain this time. We all voted, We all agreed, We all want it to happen. The Demon Crowley has brought upon Many, Many. Upsetting and utterly annoying issues and even corrupted our poor Aziraphale, he even thought he could corrupt our dear Muriel too and get them to turn against Me, against Heaven, against God herself."
Angels Cheered, chanting <"Fall! Fall! Fall!"> Over and over
Tears managed to escape Crowley's wide eyes, rolling down his cheeks as he still stood unable to move. The first fall was traumatizing enough but he had to do it a Second time? This was bad, even for an Angel.
The Metatron listened to those chants and cheers "In A Moment, I will drop this Fallen Angel over the hole as his wings sprout and he falls again. But, there is one more person I want here to watch."
He called upon an Angel to summon him.
Aziraphale was on his way and was about to enter the elevator "Muriel, You must stay back. I don't want you ge-" Aziraphale stopped, having disappeared.
Muriel looked around in confusion and shock, entering the Elevator and spamming the button.
Aziraphale was teleported beneath the Metatron, he looked around confused as Angels cheered. He looked a bit higher to see the Metatron holding Crowley above the hole with a Miracle.
"Crowley…" Aziraphale whispered
"Aziraphale, I want you to witness A Fallen, doomed to fall again." the Metatron smiled, unaware that Aziraphale had remembered all of it now.
Aziraphale's face was horrified and shocked "Su-Surely we mustn't need to send an already Fallen Angel down again!" Aziraphale protested
"We must, this one has been causing trouble. I don't think he's learned his lesson." The Metatron forced Crowley's wings to sprout, black as night and soft as a sheep.
Aziraphale's breath sped up as he slowly began hyperventilating, he had no idea what to do… how can he help Crowley.
The Metatron spoke once more "As I said, This Fallen Angel will fall again. Demon-like features extended and extra pain since he has clearly not learned his lesson and still tries to mess with Heaven, trying to get Aziraphale and Muriel to turn on us." He said no more. The Angels cheering loudly.
He dropped Crowley
Falling downwards he was flipped over onto his back, his wings caught in the air as he screamed bloody murder.
Aziraphale felt as though time itself had stopped, his eyes wide and without thinking he sprouted his wings and leapt after Crowley "CROWLEY", falling down the hole with Crowley.
Bringing Crowley into a tight embrace as they fell together
Midair, whispering to each other as they fell past clouds and further down, falling past darker and darker clouds as the air got heavy and fog approached from the bottom.
"Aziraphale…"
"I'm sorry, Dear." Aziraphale spoke softly, feathers beginning to turn black and his head burning.
The fall felt so long… holding each other closely and refusing to let each other go.
They felt every small gust of wind that brushed past them, time felt in slow motion.
Crowley couldn't let Aziraphale fall.
Not like this.
Crowley wrapped his wings around Aziraphale and encased Aziraphale, protecting him from the pain of falling.
And in doing this made his wings worse. It felt as though his wings were being torn from his back, his head felt on fire and his body ached like never before.
They fell into a black water that sat in Hell's first Circle, Aziraphale panted, blinking his eyes open as he was cuddled to Crowley's chest.
Crowley's arms surrounded Aziraphale and his wings continued to cover Aziraphale. Crowley completely passed out and snake scales coming down in the form of a tear from his eye, his hands completely monstrous and he even had fangs now.
Aziraphale pushed up and Crowley's wings fell to the ground, Aziraphale was above Crowley and noticed he wasn't awake. Holding his face
"Crowley! Crowley, Please!" Aziraphale was so focused on Crowley that he hadn't noticed the Grey to White gradient in his wings or that there was a pool of black blood slowly spewing out from under Crowley.
Crowley's wings began to evaporate into a black mist as they had been torn straight out from his back.
Aziraphale's eyes began to water as he blinked tears, holding Crowley's face and putting his forehead to Crowley's.
"Crowley… Please…" He silently begged, his tears falling onto Crowley's face.
Aziraphale propped himself up a bit more and dragged Crowley out from the water, letting Crowley's head lay on his knees.
Noticing the blood now
"Crowley…" He sobbed, covering his mouth with one hand as he held Crowley with the other, Crowley's wings had completely evaporated and the blood just kept on coming out, the wound slowly healing itself since Demons and Angels heal quicker.
"Please… we-we can go to Alpha Centauri now… li… live a life just for us… run off together?..." Aziraphale pleaded, His nose to Crowley's, moving in closer and pressing their lips together in an act of desperation.
Pulling back and Sitting there silently for a horrid 10 minutes…
Finally, Crowley slowly blinked his eyes open, eyes heavy and bloodshot. Seething through his teeth as he began to feel the pain of his wings being torn clean off
Aziraphale gasped "CROWLEY!" He hugged the Demon tight
"Ow-Ow-Ow-Ow-" Crowley winced, Aziraphale hugging right over the healing wounds
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! Cro-Crowley, ar-are you okay?..." Aziraphale sat on his own legs, Crowley sitting on his own. Breathing shallowly as the wounds started to heal a bit faster now that he was conscious.
"I feel like absolute Shit, Angel… are you okay?" Crowley sighed, clearly still in pain but trying his best to stay conscious.
Aziraphale smiled softly "I'm okay."
"Good… I… I wanna rest, at the bookshop…" Crowley said painfully and sleepful.
Aziraphale helped Crowley up "Of Course, My Dear."
Aziraphale helped Crowley the whole way, stepping into Hells elevator and letting Crowley rest on the floor. Arriving at Earth, Aziraphale helped Crowley out and having hid his own wings a while ago, managing to get Crowley into the bookshop and set him down on the desk chair
"Thanks, Angel…" Crowley squinted, sighing and trying to sleep because he did Not want to deal with the pain. Not right now at least.
"Not a problem," Aziraphale said quietly, stepping away to let Crowley sleep.
Leaning against a bookshelf, Aziraphale sighed, closing his eyes.
Suddenly snapping them back open "Muriel." he said, quickly rushing out of the bookshop and to Heavens elevator
Aziraphale stepped out of the Elevator and quickly ran through the halls, trying to find his way back to the cloud.
He managed his way back and found thousands of Angels chatting and agreeing with Muriel
Whilst Aziraphale was crying about Crowley, Muriel had made their way to the cloud and found out that the Metatron dropped Crowley again and that Aziraphale followed.
Angels shouting at the Metatron and pleading that he find a way to get Aziraphale back to safety, Aziraphale never deserved to fall.
The Metatron was now on the Cloud and trying to calm everyone down when Muriel burst through the crowd
"METATRON!" they shouted, clearly upset and tears forming in their eyes
The Metatron turned to Muriel "Ahh… Muriel, you must agree… Aziraphale falling was Not my fault?"
"It WAS your fault! You wanted Crowley to fall and Aziraphale could never allow that! I ca… I can't-" Muriel paused and found the word "I can't Fucking believe you!" they shouted and a few Angels gasped while others agreed
The Metatron let out a low grumble "It was not my fault! We all voted that Crowley should fall again, Aziraphale following wasn't my fault." he protested
Muriel was extremely angry, they couldn't imagine how painful Falling was. "You're worse than any Demon I've ever met! And since my time on earth I have met A LOT! Go fuck yourself Metatron! I doubt even God is happy about this!!" they shouted, a tear escaping their eye but they quickly wiped it.
Angels among the crowd jeered in agreement while others shouted in disagreement.
The Metatron had no idea what to do and so he simply vanished, snapped his fingers and teleported to who knows where.
Muriel convinced the crowd that No Angel should ever fall, a memory erase is bad enough but becoming a Demon for just being you and for asking questions? It was not on their Yes list.
After a while was when Aziraphale appeared, Muriel looked over and smiled with a happy and bright look "Aziraphale!" they jumped down from a pulled-up Cloud and ran into Aziraphale's arms
"Hey!" Aziraphale smiled brightly, Swinging them in the hug and then propping them down
"What happened to the Metatron?"
"I don't know, he just vanished after I proved him wrong! He said that your falling wasn't his fault. It was! It very much was!" Muriel stood in front of Aziraphale
"What about Crowley? Is he okay? Are You okay?!" Muriel said with concern
"Crowley and I are fine." Aziraphale then whispered something into Muriel's ear "Crowley did lose his wings though…" Muriel let out a quiet gasp and covered their mouth
Aziraphale Stood straight and cleared his throat, looking over to the crowd of Angels and climbing up onto the pulled-up cloud
"Angels of all! I have something I must say." Aziraphale spoke loudly, the Angels attention drawn toward him now, they were all surprisingly silent.
Aziraphale took a deep breath and spoke firmly "When I joined back with Heaven, I expected to change Heaven for the better! But without my knowledge, The Metatron removed my memories of Crowley and made me forget why I came back to Heaven. I Pray that God shall take care of the Metatron." He took a pause as the Angels spoke among themselves about this information.
Aziraphale Continued "And, once I finally regained my memories. The Metatron summoned me to witness Crowley fall for the second time and I jumped after him because I couldn't bare to watch him fall again, now I am here and I don't plan to stay in Heaven. All I want is my peace with Crowley on Earth or wherever we so please, I revoke my own role as Supreme Archangel and God can decide who's the next Supreme because it will NEVER be me again, I am never showing my face in Heaven again, not until it is better and not until it is good enough for me and Crowley to show our faces here." Aziraphale spoke even louder with the last parts, he meant every word of it.
Until Heaven was good enough to deserve Crowley and Aziraphale, they would never show their faces back there again. The Crowd erupted with cheers and applauses but also concerned tones and shouts, Aziraphale stepped off the pulled-up Cloud and walked over to Muriel
"You may join us if you please, Muriel."
Muriel smiled brightly "I would love too!"
Aziraphale smiled, walking off the cloud with Muriel and back into the building, going to the elevator and appearing back on Earth.
Although most of you thought it might be a bad ending, that seems to not be the case.
Crowley recovered but was never able to fly again, unable to hide any snake features or miracle his wings back, having to wear gloves and say that the tear scales are simply makeup.
Aziraphale hasn't shown his face in Heaven for Millenia, it seems Heaven is still yet to improve. It also seems that nobody yet knows about his wings and the gradient from grey to white.
And Muriel is still learning about Earth, living with Crowley and Aziraphale, and learning more than they ever imagined!
They all lived happily ever after, in peace…
As if.