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Adam and Eve had just left when Crawly decides to go talk to the angel of the Eastern Gate. Of course, no demon in their right mind would try to go talk to the enemy. But because of the whole ordeal with the apple, Crawly doubts Adam or Eve would accept talking to him anymore. And he is kind of feeling lonely...
Granted, Hell is crowded, and one would think it'd be enough to make anyone yearn for some time alone, what's with all the noise, the suffocating air, and all the touching. But there is no companionship in Hell, no more camaraderie, no more working together toward the same goal. They are just a bunch of lost demons now, with no hope of ever going Up again, no more friends, and no more friendly banter. And so Crawly is lonely and he knows the following thousands of years will be just as lonely, if not worse.
It's the reason Crawly decides to go see this angel. Oh, of course he is aware of the risk, and had it been another angel, he wouldn't even dream of going to talk to them. Angels are right bloody cruel bastards, who would smite him without second thoughts if they so much as caught a glimpse of his slithering body.
But he had known Aziraphale from before the war (although they had only talked for a few- well not minutes because time hadn't been created as such so far, but it was quite short anyway-) and really, someone who enjoyed the stars as much as he seemed to do at the time really couldn't be that much of a bad guy (Crawly tries really hard not to think about what this statement would mean for him or for Her). Also, he is sure the angel has seen him quite a few times during the humans stay in Eden, and apart from glancing toward him before pretending not to notice him, he hasn't done anything. And so, the snake approaches the angel, still a little cautious but far too bored for his own good.
"Well, that went down like a lead balloon," he says, and enjoys the visible surprise of the angel when he glances at him.
Crawly should be glad he isn't destroyed on the spot for going anywhere near Aziraphale in the first place. But he can't help being disappointed. Another angel who doesn't question anything, who speaks of ineffability and of the Almighty's will. And of course, it's better for Aziraphale, Crawly is the perfect example of what can and will go wrong if one asks too many questions. The demon can't help the bitter taste in his mouth at the thought either. His body is feeling cold again, and he doesn't think this has anything to do with him being a snake.
The demon was stupid to think he could get anything out of this angel. Like the rest of the lot he is, and what did it matter that he saw him once or twice before his Fall? He hadn’t given him much of an impression and there was no reason this encounter would be different.
This was a mistake; he never should have bothered to come talk to the angel. Aziraphale is, well, he isn’t as much of a prick as some archangels are (looking at you here, Gabriel), and he doesn’t seem as rotten as the lot, but that doesn’t change the fact that he stays in his role of an angel and doesn’t think outside the box. With time, he’ll surely be as cold as the others, without ever second guessing whatever his task is. It shouldn’t bother Crawly as much as it does because look where that got him?
Loneliness is his new home now, a cold house no amount of hellfire can warm anymore, nor more than any other fire could... Speaking about fire, Crawly notices something he hadn't so far.
" didn't you have a flaming sword?' He doesn't really let the other answer, because when he notices Aziraphale avoiding his gaze, he jumps at the opportunity: "you did, it was flaming as anything. Lost it already?” And really, he shouldn’t be pushing his luck by making fun of an angel, but the point is, the point is he’s sad bored. And there must be worse things than making fun of the clumsiness of-
“I gave it away…” Aziraphale mumbles, and Crawly’s heart makes something funny in his chest (or Crawly has the feeling it does, he’s not entirely sure this corporation does have a heart).
“You what ?!”
“I gave it away! They looked so miserable. There are vicious animals, and it’s going to be cold out there, and she’s expecting already, and I said, ‘Here you go, flaming sword, don’t thank me, and don’t let the sun go down on you here.’ I do hope I didn’t do the wrong thing.”
Crawly lets the smile that’s creeping up on his face take control of his expression. What in the name of- What in Someone’s name is he hearing? Never mind being gullible enough to let a demon talk to him, this… this has no parallel. This is more than an exception, this is absolute, complete madness, and why does Crawly feel warm all of a sudden?
Aziraphale is fidgeting so much it’s a miracle he manages to speak without stuttering. And while there is fear in his eyes (gut-wrenching fear, the fear of the Fall, the fear of a warrior who knows what punishment for disobedience looks like), there is no regret at all, not so much as an ounce of “if I could go back, I wouldn’t do it again,” and that more than the act itself tells Crawly all he has to know about Aziraphale.
This Angel is not stupid or naïve. He is brave and kind. Properly kind, not like his brethren, who would surely laugh in the face of his kindness, or worse. And Crawly is helpless against the wave of hope he starts to recognize in his supposedly present heart. So, he decides there is no real point to hide his smile and not continue this conversation. And when it starts to rain, and Aziraphale shields him, Crawly is almost not surprised (but the strange feeling in his gut continues to grow).
Because maybe, just maybe, this Angel might be alright.