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Crowley knew that Aziraphale was walking away from literally everything they had both ever wanted simply to do "the right thing". Though his exterior appeared calm, on the inside Crowley couldn't stop himself from thinking of ways to keep himself on the angel's mind. He'd be so occupied with the new job, trying to fit in, and obviously trying to succeed, of course it would be easy to forget about Crowley. And then it hit him. Aziraphale was getting on an elevator, presumably one that played music as it ascended. Crowley closed his eyes and performed one last miracle before completely spiraling into heartbreak.
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Not long after the elevator had begun its ascent, a song began to play. Aziraphale wondered to himself if this elevator had ever done that before, but he simply smiled to himself and enjoyed the music. Welcome to your life, there's no turning back... "Well that was frightfully accurate," Aziraphale thought to himself as he pondered what awaited him in Heaven. Even while we sleep, we will find you acting on your best behavior, turn you back on Mother Nature, everybody wants to rule the world. Aziraphale turned to the Metatron with a puzzled expression. The Metatron simply ignored him but was humming along to the pleasant tune.
It's my own design, it's my own remorse, help to decide, help me make the most of freedom and of pleasure, nothing ever lasts forever, everybody wants to rule the world.
At this point, Aziraphale knew this was not an unintended song choice. The words rang too true in a way he couldn't explain. He had no idea who had selected the piece, whether it be divine or demonic intervention. He tried to ponder the words but failed to come up with a decent explanation before the next verse sank deeply into his gut.
There's a room where the light won't find you, holding hands while the walls come tumbling down. When they do I'll be right behind you. So glad we've almost made it. So sad they had to fade it. Everybody wants to rule the world.
It hit him like a ton of bricks. Crowley. What the hell had he done? He had abandoned his best friend. And for what? To try to make a difference in a place where he knew, deep down, that his opinions did not matter. That his voice would not be heard.
I can't stand this indecision, married with a lack of vision.
Aziraphale suddenly couldn't stop thinking about what he had done to Crowley. How he had left him standing, hoping beyond hope that Aziraphale might come back to him. Especially after what Crowley had just revealed to him. How he had burned with desire when Crowley kissed him, even though it felt like desperation and contempt and a deep pervasive sadness. Aziraphale absentmindedly brought his fingers to his lips.
Say that you'll never, never, never need it. One headline, why believe it? Everybody wants to rule the world.
He didn't want to rule the world. He didn't want to be Supreme Archangel of All of Heaven.
He wanted Crowley. He thought of the irony of their last words. How he would never forgive himself for what he had done. Unless he went to Crowley now. Hopefully before it was too late. He remembered Crowley waiting patiently, leaning on the Bentley, waiting for him to come to his senses.
He hadn't.
All for freedom and for pleasure, nothing ever lasts forever, everybody wants to rule the world.
"Stupid, stupid angel," Aziraphale thought. He had been so close to getting literally everything he had ever truly wanted in his eternal life. He had been too foolish to admit even to himself that he loved Crowley. Deeply. Eternally. He panicked. The elevator was nearly all the way to the top. He had arrived.
Heaven was just as stale and corporate-feeling as he remembered. A sudden feeling of dread, as if he should not be there, almost a warning, fell upon Aziraphale as he stepped out of the elevator. The Metatron had already stepped out, gesturing for Aziraphale to follow.
Aziraphale swallowed. "Ah, I seem to have forgotten something on Earth. Something I treasure very dearly. I must go back for it now," was all he could muster. The Metatron rolled his eyes. "Make haste, Aziraphale," he replied cooly. Aziraphale took one final look around before retreating into the elevator and frantically pressed the Earth button.
-----
By this time, Crowley had wandered into the nearest pub and was the first of many drinks into his mourning period. Aziraphale had shown his true colors. So be it. Crowley knew deep down that he could never move on, but hell, he could try. And what better way to try than at the bottom of a bottle, eh? He didn't even want to think about the angel's face; his stupid face which seemed to somehow emit its own light. He didn't want to think about the warmth Aziraphale's body exuded simply by existing. How his mere frame appeared to be love-shaped. Frankly, Crowley was starting to feel sick. He finished his drink, waved the bartender over and settled his tab before heading back out into the Soho sunset.
Only to find Aziraphale leaning casually on the Bentley.
"What the heaven are you doing back on Earth?" Crowley wondered aloud as he approached. "Forget something from your precious bookshop?" he sneered. "I absolutely forgot something," Aziraphale replied, finding his last ounce of courage, "I forgot to tell you, I love you Crowley." Aziraphale then pulled Crowley in by his lapels and brought their lips together in a passionate kiss. "I'm sorry for how I reacted before," Aziraphale peppered into Crowley's ear between kisses. "I needed time to process what had happened. I can't live without you. Please forgive me."
"I forgive you," Crowley retorted only somewhat sarcastically, locking his lips onto Aziraphale's and deepening the kiss. Aziraphale hummed in response. After several seconds they finally separated. "Shall we go back to mine?" Aziraphale suggested. Crowley smiled in response. "The song I sent you must have worked. Come to your senses, have you?" he teased. Aziraphale looked ahead at him, suddenly caught up in the realization that of course it had been Crowley. He'd known there had been a sort of demonic intervention! He jogged across the street and caught up with Crowley just in front of the bookshop. "Everybody wants to rule the world indeed, my love," he whispered as they tucked into his bookshop, "but perhaps all we need to do now is make the most of our freedom and pleasure."
Rumor has it, they haven't been seen for months.