Chapter Text
“Oh! Hello again.”
Aziraphale beams at the familiar head of curly red locks which then turns to face him, his warm features coming into the light of the brand new sun. But though his attributes remain just as beautiful as the last time Aziraphale saw them, something about him looks sharper now. He looks wiser but in a tired sort of way; his cheekbones are more defined, his brow furrowed, and his eyes — they’re yellow.
Big black wings unfurl behind him, towering over Aziraphale and casting thin shadows that filter streaks of light across his face through the feathers. “Oh, yes,” Aziraphale breathes, the pieces falling into place. “I uh… I heard about that.”
“Pretty big bulletin to miss,” the now-demon shrugs.
Aziraphale laughs uncomfortably. “Yes. I suppose you’re right.” He eyes the demon with something swirling between pity and regret. “Um… I never did get your name,” he says finally.
“Doesn’t matter now,” the demon says with a sharp sniff. “Haven’t got it anymore.”
“Right again,” Aziraphale says, starting to feel guilty for bringing it up at all and — moreover — unsure how to proceed without putting his foot further into his mouth. “Well, look on the bright side — you get to choose a new one!”
“No more bright sides for me, I reckon,” he replies. “‘Sides, haven’t given it much thought. Not really been at the top of my list of concerns.”
“Well...” Aziraphale trails off and, having no name to fill in the blank, he skips the courtesy. “It’s good to see you again.”
The demon smiles, but the kindness that used to underlight it is gone. “Don’t think you can use that word for me anymore, angel.”
“Well.” Aziraphale puffs up with uncharacteristically brave defiance. “The Almighty can’t take everything from you.” The demon gives him a look that eclipses scandalized and goes straight to impressed. Aziraphale turns slightly pink. “Don’t tell Her I said that.”
Aziraphale leaves in a hurry, leaving the demon smiling, a glimmer of that old light back in his new golden eyes.