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Aziraphale was looking after Adam for the day. As Adam’s godfather, Aziraphale had been tasked to babysit the boy while Deirdre and Arthur Young were both working.
“It’s such a lovely day today, Adam.” Aziraphale declared. “Why don’t we go for a walk to a different park then normal?”
Adam jumped up at the offer. The young boy longed for adventure and exploration. Aziraphale’s offer was just up his alley.
Twenty minutes later, the pair had reached a park they didn’t typically frequent. Adam had grown up sufficiently over the years. He was still young and loved playing with Aziraphale. But Adam was at the stage where he almost preferred to play by himself or other kids his age. Adam was voicing the game he had made up while Aziraphale hummed along, standing below the play structure. They had the whole structure to themselves, which seemed very odd considering how lovely a day it was.
It wasn’t until later that Aziraphale noticed a parent and child approaching. It seemed to be a young boy clutching their father’s hand. Aziraphale watched them approach the play structure, ready to greet them with a friendly hello. Aziraphale’s breath left him at how handsome and good-looking the gentleman was. They were wearing skin-tight jeans with rips in them. This was paired with a biker jacket over some band t-shirt. They wore shades covering their eyes and had mid-length, red hair.
“Alright, Warlock. What do you want to do first?” The father asked.
The boy pointed up to the structure.
“Alright.” The guy looked over and seemed to register Aziraphale. They flashed a stunning smile, and Aziraphale quickly offered an awkward wave.
“Daddy, come on.” The boy pulled his hand.
Aziraphale tried to keep his attention on Adam. But he was having difficulty not gazing over at the handsome stranger. The younger boy soon joined Adam at the slide.
“Pardon us.” The boy’s father told Adam politely.
“It’s alright.” Adam smiled. “What are you two playing?”
“We’re just going down the slide right now.” The father explained.
“Do you want to play tag with me?” Adam asked.
“That sounds fun, Warlock. What do you say?”
Aziraphale could make out the younger boy hiding behind his father.
“Warlock’s a little shy.” The father said.
“That’s okay.” Adam smiled. “We can just slide down the slide if you like.”
“Come on, Warlock.” The father encouraged.
A few moments later, Warlock had warmed to Adam. Adam, of course, was great with almost everyone, so this was no surprise to Aziraphale. The father soon was able to take some steps away from his son. He then came over to Aziraphale, whose heart picked up.
“Good afternoon.” The man greeted, smiling.
“Indeed.” Aziraphale greeted.
“I haven’t seen you around here before.”
“Oh, we don’t usually come to this park. But it was such a nice day. I figured it was worth the walk.”
The man nodded. “Crowley.” He offered his hand.
“Oh, Aziraphale.” He shook it.
“Are you Adam’s father?”
“Godfather.” Aziraphale clarified.
“Ah.” Crowley nodded.
“And the little one, he’s name is Warlock?” Aziraphale asked, pointing over.
“Yes.” Crowley smiled, fondly looking over.
“You’re his father?”
“Yes, I’m his parent,” Crowley confirmed.
“Daddy, Daddy!” The little boy ran over.
“Yes, what is it now?” Crowley sighed.
“Come, come!” Warlock pulled at his hand.
Aziraphale chuckled and decided to come over as well. “What are you playing now, Adam?” He called up the structure.
“We need someone to be the dragon.” Adam said.
“Oh, well, I’m a great dragon.” Crowley smiled beside Aziraphale.
“Aziraphale, you can play with us if you like,” Adam told him.
“Alright.” Aziraphale smiled.
They had some good fun running about, playing. Aziraphale soon got exhausted. There was nothing like running around with children to remind him of his age. Crowley called a break as well, seeming equally tired.
“It’s never stop with them.” Crowley chuckled, and Aziraphale smiled at him.
Suddenly, Crowley’s phone began to ring. He pulled it out of his back pocket. “Shit. This is important. Do you mind watching Warlock for me?” He asked.
“Oh, not at all.”
“Thank you.” Crowley smiled. He then put the cell to his ear and walked off. Aziraphale couldn’t hear the conversation but could tell from Crowley’s mannerisms that it was intense.
Aziraphale turned back to the boys, heading closer to watch them. They had taken to jumping across one platform to the next. Most of the platforms weren’t too far apart, so both boys could jump across with ease. Then Adam jumped sideways over a larger gap. Warlock looked on, a bit frightened of the prospect.
“Adam, I think Warlock’s too small to make a big jump like that,” Aziraphale called.
“No, I can do it!” The boy declared.
“You don’t have to,” Adam stated.
“I can do it!” Warlock’s face scrunched up, and he swung his arms.
The next second, he was jumping. But he missed, falling to the stones below. Aziraphale was running over in an instant.
“Are you okay?!” Adam jumped down to Warlock’s side.
“Momma!” Warlock broke out in an instant cry.
“It’s alright, Warlock.” Aziraphale was at the boy’s side, helping him up.
“Mommy!” Warlock cried again.
Crowley was running over.
“He fell,” Aziraphale explained.
“Mommy!” Warlock cried.
In an instant, Crowley was picking Warlock up and kissing his head. “It’s okay, baby. I’m here.” He soothed the boy.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.” Adam looked as sorry as ever. “I was showing off. Warlock wanted to make the jump, just like me.”
“It’s not your fault, Adam,” Crowley assured, holding Warlock tight, who was still crying. “Look, I’m going to bring Warlock home and bandaged him up. No bones broken, right?” He smiled at his son.
Adam nodded slowly. Aziraphale placed a gentle hand Adam’s shoulder in reassurance.
“Come on, Warlock. I’ll take you home.” Crowley kissed Warlock’s head once more. “Say your goodbyes and thank you to Adam for playing with you.”
“Thank you.” Warlock sniffled.
“Bye, Warlock.” Adam waved. “It was fun playing with you. I hope you feel better.”
Crowley smiled, then nodded to Aziraphale and carried Warlock off. Aziraphale sighed, watching them go.
“It’s alright, Adam.” Aziraphale tried to assure the boy. “Do you want to go home now?”
Adam nodded solemnly. “I hope Warlock will be alright.”
“I’m sure he will be. Let’s get you home.” Aziraphale encouraged.
-
The next day, Adam insisted that Aziraphale return to the same park with him. Adam had hopes that they would see Warlock and ensure he was alright. Aziraphale tried to break it to Adam, saying that the possibility of seeing them again was very slim. However, he indulged the boy and took him to the park. There, to Aziraphale’s utter surprise, who greeted them but Warlock and Crowley.
“Adam!” Warlock called and waved, then ran over.
“Warlock!” Adam smiled.
“Wanna play again!?” Warlock asked, full of excitement and hope.
Adam was smiling wide and nodded in agreement.
Aziraphale smiled as the two boys ran off together. He then slowly came over to greet Crowley. “Good morning. It’s lovely to see Warlock in good spirits. Adam was so worried.”
“It was just a scrape, really.” Crowley smiled. “How are you doing?”
They got to talking then, and getting to know each other. Aziraphale felt bad, for his heart fluttered around the other man. He knew he shouldn’t be feeling such ways as Crowley was probably married. Warlock had cried for a mother, after all.
Aziraphale, however, enjoyed his conversations with Crowley. He was greatly intrigued by every new thing he learned about Crowley. Their conversations were only interrupted by the children asking them to play with them. After a few hours, they each had to get going home, and the children weren’t happy at all to say goodbye. Aziraphale also felt slightly disappointed, but he wouldn’t let himself start to have feelings for someone who was quite possibly married.
-
A week later, Aziraphale was out for a walk by himself. He was headed to the library, and almost at the community center, where the library was. Suddenly, Aziraphale heard someone call his name.
“Aziraphale!”
Aziraphale stopped and looked over. He was shocked to see Crowley approaching him, holding Warlock’s hand.
“Oh, hello there,” Aziraphale called back, waving.
Warlock was pulling Crowley forward. “Where’s Adam?” The young boy asked immediately.
“Oh, I’m afraid he’s not with me today,” Aziraphale replied. “But fancy meeting you both. Where are you off to?”
“The library,” Crowley told him, offering a smile that made Aziraphale stomach flip-flop. Oh, it wasn’t good at all.
“Oh, so am I.”
“Perhaps we could walk together?” Crowley suggested.
Aziraphale couldn’t make up an excuse not to. He was headed there anyway. He smiled lightly and agreed, starting to walk with them. Aziraphale started talking to Warlock and asking the boy simple questions to distract himself from Crowley. The boy seemed a bit nervous but replied politely with a bit of encouragement from Crowley. Soon, they reached the library.
“What sort of books are you looking for?” Aziraphale asked Warlock.
The boy shrugged.
“I’m great at suggesting books.” Aziraphale offered with excitement. “Shall we go to the kids’ section?”
Warlock nodded excitedly.
Aziraphale was filled with excitement as he provided Warlock with some recommendations. The boy started warming to Aziraphale and released his father’s hand. At times, Warlock would loudly tell Aziraphale when he’d already read something.
“Well, thank you, Aziraphale.” Crowley laughed when Warlock came to hand him the stack of books. “I think we’ll have enough for a month. I hope we haven’t taken up too much of your time.”
“Not at all,” Aziraphale assured. “It was my pleasure.”
“Papa.” Warlock pulled at Crowley’s arm. “Can I help pick a book for Aziraphale?”
“Oh, well, Aziraphale is older than you. I think he might prefer adult books.”
“I can find him one.”
Crowley chuckled. “Okay. If Aziraphale is alright with it.”
“I’d be honoured, Warlock.” Aziraphale smiled. “What section should we start in?”
A few minutes later, Warlock had picked a few books based on their covers. Sometimes, Warlock picked books from the descriptions that Aziraphale had read for him.
“Make sure you pick out something for yourself too.” Crowley leaned close to whisper in Aziraphale’s ear.
“Oh. Don’t worry. I think Warlock actually picked some good-sounding ones.” Aziraphale felt flustered at Crowley’s proximity.
“Alright, Warlock. Let’s go bring these to the checkout counter.” Crowley encouraged.
A few moments later, they had all their books in their bags and were headed out of the library.
“Which way are you?” Crowley inquired, waving his hand about.
“I’m just down the walking path.” Aziraphale pointed.
“As are we!” Crowley smiled.
And so they headed to the path together, talking lightly.
“When will you and Adam come to play with us again?” Warlock asked, skipping along beside Crowley.
“Maybe next weekend, perhaps.” Aziraphale offered. “Do you have any other plans for the day?”
“We’re going to eat the cookies we made!” Warlock smiled up.
“Oh, that sounds delicious. What kind of cookies?”
Warlock looked up to Crowley.
“Ginger molasses, and lemon.” Crowley supplied.
“Oh, those do sound delectable,” Aziraphale said as they reached the crossing of the street.
“We’re just down this way. Maybe you’d like some.” Crowley offered. “We made way too many. And I feel like I owe you for helping Warlock pick out books.”
“Oh, that was nothing.” Aziraphale tried to wave it off.
“Please.”
Aziraphale thought about it. “The cookies sound too tempting to refuse.” He caved.
Crowley smiled delightfully. “Come on then. We’re just on the first block.”
They turned to the right, and Aziraphale followed them. Warlock went on to say how much he had helped make the cookies. Finally, they were turning into a driveway to a humble home.
“Your house looks lovely.” Aziraphale commented.
Nerves had settled into Aziraphale’s stomach. A fancy car was in the driveway, and Aziraphale wondered if he might meet Crowley’s wife. Maybe it’d be better that way. Maybe Aziraphale would not feel as drawn to Crowley once confronted with her.
Crowley was already unlocking the door, gesturing them inside.
“Oh, thank you.” Aziraphale smiled as he came in.
They all removed their shoes, and Crowley led Aziraphale into a kitchen.
“Oh, this is a lovely place indeed.”
“It’s a mess.” Crowley waved.
“Here’s the cookies!” Warlock had brought a container over, the lid already off.
“Oh, these look delectable. Can I try one of each?”
“Help yourself.” Crowley encouraged. “Here, I’ll put a few in a baggy for you.”
After Aziraphale chose one of each type from the container, Crowley took the container from Warlock. Aziraphale took a bite of the ginger molasses cookie. It was as good as anything.
“This is positively delicious.” Aziraphale told them.
“Momma makes the best cookies.” Warlock was smiling, and Aziraphale’s heart sank a bit at the reminder.
Crowley was smiling and kissed Warlock’s head. “I do, don’t I?” Crowley then turned to bag up a few cookies.
Aziraphale blinked in confusion before it hit him. Crowley had said they were Warlock’s parent, not his father. Warlock had been referring to Crowley as both mother and father. Aziraphale felt like a complete fool.
“Here you are.” Crowley was offering the bag to Aziraphale.
“Oh, thank you.” Aziraphale took it, while quickly consuming a lemon cookie. It tasted just as good. “I should probably get going home now. But thank you for the cookies. And hopefully, Adam and I will see you again at the park soon.” Aziraphale smiled at Warlock.
Warlock nodded excitedly.
“I’ll see you out.” Crowley offered.
Aziraphale felt nervous but nodded and they walked back to the door again.
“I’ll hold your stuff while you put your shoes back on.” Crowley offered politely.
Aziraphale let Crowley hold the bagged cookies while he put his shoes back on. After, Aziraphale took the bag back with a thank you.
“Aziraphale,” Crowley spoke slowly. “I would quite like to see you again.”
Aziraphale’s heart was racing.
“It’s just me and Warlock and…” Crowley seemed nervous now. “I enjoyed talking with you.”
Aziraphale smiled. “I as well. Shall I arrange for Adam and I to meet up with you and Warlock at the park next Saturday, say two?”
Crowley was smiling. “I’d like that.”
“Very well.” Aziraphale nodded and poked his head through the kitchen. “Bye, Warlock!” Aziraphale called to the boy, who waved with a cookie half in his mouth.
Crowley was opening the door for Aziraphale, and he headed out.
“Aziraphale.” Crowley stepped out onto the porch. “Maybe we could arrange an outing just for the two of us.”
Aziraphale’s heart was fluttering something fierce. “Oh…well… How about we plan something the next time we meet up?”
Crowley was smiling wide. “Alright. See you around, angel.”