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If Muriel was being honest, they were rather relieved to not run the bookshop anymore. It felt like a lot of responsibility, and they didn’t want to make a mistake and mess anything up for Aziraphale in his absence. Crowley had been there too, of course, and would never have let anything go awry. (In fact, he was quick to snarl at any customers who even looked at any of his angel’s most favorite first editions.) But he was so mopey and grumpy all the time, which was much worse than his usual sarcastic and grumpy. It made Muriel so sad to watch. So, they were more than happy for Aziraphale to be fully in charge of the bookshop again once he stepped down as supreme archangel.
So, Muriel didn’t need to be around the bookshop much at all anymore now that they weren’t there to run it for Aziraphale or there to spy for heaven. But they still spent a lot of time there. See, they weren’t exactly banned from heaven, but it was always awkward hanging out with most of the other angels up there now after they knew Muriel had assisted Crowley in convincing Aziraphale to come back to Earth. (Sorry, Muriel thought.) And the time they let Crowley infiltrate heaven like a murder hornet. (Sorry.) And for helping the two of them avert the second coming. (Sorry.) So, Muriel preferred spending most of their time on Earth learning more about humans. The thing is, Muriel wasn’t very used to being on their own, being able to decide how they wanted to spend their day. Without having orders from higher ranked angels in heaven, they were kind of aimless. So, they spent most of their time at the bookshop: it was familiar, filled with books, which Muriel had discovered was a fascinating way to learn about humans without observing them directly, and it was where they had friends. In fact, Muriel spent most of their time at the bookshop. Unless of course Crowley sent them out on errands. He did that a lot, always asking if Muriel wouldn’t mind running out to get some more frozen peas to bring for the ducks later or pick up some dry cleaning. (Didn’t he know he could just miracle his clothes clean, Muriel thought. Or maybe demons couldn’t do that, just an angel thing, they reasoned. Most other demons they’d met were a bit grungy looking.) Muriel didn’t mind; they were always happy to help. Crowley barely ever seemed to remember what he’d sent Muriel out for by the time they got back, that silly goose. But at least he always seemed much more relaxed by the time Muriel returned. He and Aziraphale both did, actually, especially if Muriel’s errand had required they were away for a night or more, like when Crowley had asked Muriel to go up to Edinburgh[1] to see whether the jukebox at The Resurrectionist pub was still playing Buddy Holly now that Beelzebub and Gabriel had gone off to Alpha Centuri.[2]
This particular December evening, Muriel was in the bookshop, reading Aziraphale’s latest recommendation. Nearby, Crowley was lounging on the couch scrolling through channels. Muriel’s ears perked up when they briefly heard the overture to The Sound of Music before abruptly switching to a holiday shopping ad, then again to a nature documentary.
“Would you mind going back to that one?” Muriel asked.
“Mmm? Which one?” Crowley asked, looking behind him over the arm of the couch, to the desk where Muriel was seated.
“The Sound of Music.”
“Really? Thought you might be tired of that one by now,” Crowley chuckled. “Hear they play it ad nauseum up there,” gesturing slightly upward with his chin.
“Well, I actually rather miss it now. I suppose I could always go up for heaven’s weekly movie night and watch it, but, you know…” they looked uncomfortable and sad about their newly strained relationship with the angels. The archangels had always been intimidating, but Muriel had gotten on very well with several of the other angels closer to their own rank.
“Would you mind it terribly if we watched it?” Muriel asked hesitantly.
Crowley was already changing the channel back. Meanwhile, Aziraphale had just re-entered the room and sat down where Crowley had shifted to make space on the couch.
“Sure, why not,” Crowley was willing to humor Muriel on this one. They needed a friend now. Besides, he’d never seen the movie himself and curiosity to see what was the appeal of it was getting the better of him
“Ah, The Sound of Music! It’s been a while since I’ve watched it. What a sweet, lovely film,” said Aziraphale. “In small doses,” he amended. “I never quite understood why the humans run it on television around Christmas though. There’s nothing specifically Christmas-y about it.”
“Because once a year is more than enough,” Crowley grumbled.
“You’ve never even seen it. How can you judge it?” Aziraphale chided.
Muriel closed the book they were reading and moved from the desk to an armchair where they could better see the screen. Crowley was quiet for a moment, thinking, legs stretched out, crossed at the ankles with his feet propped on the coffee table in front of them.
“Y’know, it’s funny how everyone celebrates Christmas in December. I could’ve sworn I remember it being spring when Jesus was born,” said Crowley.
“Oh, well, he was born in the spring,” Muriel confirmed. “But there were so many other winter festivals for the solstice and things like that, that eventually the humans thought that was his birthday too. So, it sort of just stuck. And Jesus would be the last person to make a fuss about people remembering his birthday! So, he thought if humans insisted on making a big deal about his birthday, it would just be more inclusive for everyone already celebrating winter festivals if they rolled it in with those. He really is the humblest. Not that I personally know him well. He has much more important things to do than stick around with 37th class angels, but whenever I see him in the halls around heaven, he always takes the time to talk with anyone who wants a moment with him.”
“I do remember how kind he was,” Aziraphale agreed wistfully.
“He really is,” Muriel said emphatically. “I know some of your side - well, not your side - you know what I mean-“
“Demons, right,” Crowley supplied, waving away Muriel’s concern about using the wrong terms.
“Yes, demons- I’ve heard that some of the demons assume he’s arrogant, that people only care about him because he’s God’s son.”
“The original nepo-baby,” Crowley chuckled to himself.
Aziraphale and Muriel both looked at him, confused by the phrase.
“Famous through nepotism, family connections. Never mind. You were saying?”
“Oh, just that Jesus really is as caring and thoughtful and patient as a lot of people think. He never wanted any fame, not for any of his work to be about himself. He just wants humans to be good.” Muriel paused and thought for a moment. “Maybe that makes The Sound of Music the perfect Christmas movie. It’s not about him or his birthday at all. Just people bringing out the best in one another. And wonderful music.” Muriel smiled, content to settle in for the movie.
“Saccharinely sweet music,” Crowley muttered. Then, leaning closer to the screen for a better look, he exclaimed, “Oh! It’s Mary Poppins! I like her!”
“Yes, Julie Andrews,” said Aziraphale, somewhat astounded Crowley didn’t know this. “She’s something of a national treasure here.”
“Y’know, that’s where I got my inspiration for a getup back when I was nannying Warlock.”
“I thought there was something familiar about the style, but I couldn’t place it. A demonic Mary Poppins. What a thought.”
“As for your sartorial choices back then, what were you thinking? Those teeth? That hair? You usually have such standards.”
“I don’t know! I panicked! I was still a bit uneasy about the whole… godfathers scheme and thought it best to disguise myself as much as possible. Hide from the head office as it were.” He thought for a moment. “You know, I have thought it might have been for the best that we had the wrong boy. As much as I hate to admit it, I think you had the stronger influence over Warlock.”
“Oh yes, he is a little bastard, isn’t he? D’you know he told Hastur he smelled like poo?” Crowley chuckled gleefully. “Although, I’m not sure I had much to do with it,” he admitted. “Think it’s just his nature, spoiled American brat.”
Muriel pointedly turned up the volume and Crowley and Aziraphale took the hint to stop talking over the movie.
They mostly kept quiet for a while. Crowley made goat noises during the puppet show scene, making Muriel giggle and Aziraphale roll his eyes.
Throughout the movie, Aziraphale puttered around the shop and the flat. He’d seen it plenty enough times already he didn’t need to pay much attention at this point. He busied himself hanging string lights around the shop. (Another errand Muriel had been sent out to fetch earlier that day, this time by Aziraphale’s request.)
“Shopkeepers association okay those lights, angel?” Crowley teased. “I know there’re some strong opinions about the Christmas lights,” dropping his head over the back of the couch to look upside down at his angel.
Aziraphale bent toward Crowley’s upturned face to drop a light peck on his lips. “The Whickber Street Traders and Shopkeepers association only cares what we do with our storefronts,” he replied, coming back around to the front of the couch. “What we do within the confines of the bookshop is no one’s business but our own.”
He exchanged the most fleeting glance with Crowley who stifled the briefest smirk in return.
As Maria and the captain danced together during the von Trapps’ party, Aziraphale grabbed Crowley’s hand and pulled him close to dance as well. The angel and demon’s dancing was less choreographed than the pair on screen, rather just holding each other close, swaying in time with the music. Crowley saw Aziraphale gazing at the television.
“Fancy the captain, eh?” Crowley teased.
“Tall, dark, and handsome- what’s not to like?” Aziraphale returned playfully.
“He does have nice blue eyes, I’ll give him that.”
Muriel, who Crowley and Aziraphale had forgotten was still there, spoke up.
“I just remembered, there are several holiday lights displays I’ve been meaning to go see.” Muriel might have still been learning when it came to getting a read on humans, but they spent enough time with these two celestials that they were starting to get a better sense of when they might be intruding on a moment between their hosts.
As Muriel made to leave, Aziraphale courteously asked, “Oh, but didn’t you want to finish the film?”
Crowley lightly stepped on his angel’s foot and pointedly raised an eyebrow at him, leaving his arms where they were wrapped around Aziraphale’s neck.
“It’s alright. I’ve seen it more times than I can count, after all,” Muriel covered, not as smoothly as they thought they were being.
“Right, enjoy the lights, then. Don’t forget a coat. It’ll be cold admiring the lights out there all night,” Crowley answered.
Aziraphale gave Crowley a look he’d seen so many times, a look that said, “I have to at least pretend to disapprove of what you’re doing, even if I really am glad for it.” Crowley snapped his fingers to lock the door behind Muriel once they’d left as the couple settled back in on the couch. They sat in content silence together for a while, watching the movie, cozied up under a tartan blanket together.
“I’ve always felt for Maria,” Aziraphale said quietly after some time. “Feeling like she must choose between the man she loves and her devotion to God. That time that you teased that if we didn’t avert the apocalypse, I’d be stuck watching The Sound of Music for eternity… It wasn’t just the idea of boring repetition that hurt. It always pained me to see that Maria got her happy ending, thinking I never would.” He laughed half-heartedly, blinking away the tears starting to well in his eyes. “Jealously isn’t very becoming of an angel, is it?” he said, self-deprecatingly.
“Angel, believe me, I didn’t know- I’d never try to hurt you on purpose.” Crowley grabbed Aziraphale’s hand. “I’d never even seen the movie. I didn’t realize it hit so close to home for you.”
“Don’t worry about it, my dear.” Aziraphale patted the demon’s thigh. “It was a silly worry on my part,” he continued, brightening slightly. “I should have realized God wouldn’t enjoy this movie so much if she disapproved of Maria’s choice. As we’ve seen, she understands the virtue of following one’s heart. It’s like how the Mother Superior tells Maria that choosing love doesn’t diminish her devotion to God.”
Crowley looked at his angel, eyes warm and full of love. He leaned in to him and pressed a gentle kiss to Aziraphale’s forehead.
“Shall we go to bed, my dear?”
“Iwanttofinishthemoviefirst,” Crowley mumbled, begrudging to admit he was enjoying it.
Aziraphale looked smug. “I told you it’s a classic for a reason.”
They sat curled into one another to watch the rest of the movie. Aziraphale began to doze in Crowley’s arms, stirring when the demon spoke.
“Oh ho, now these nuns, I like,” Crowley laughed when the nuns on screen showed the Mother Superior the car parts they’d removed to ambush the Nazis.
The movie was nearly done by this point and Aziraphale stood up and stretched as the von Trapp family made their way across the Austrian alps. Shutting off the television, he took Crowley’s hand and led them to bed.
[1] By train. Aziraphale driving the Bentley was one thing, but Crowley wouldn’t trust anyone else with his precious car.
[2] Crowley had been genuinely curious about this, but not enough to be arsed to go check for himself. (It was still playing it, Muriel had reported back.)