Archive of Our Own

It was Aziraphale's curiosity, his desperation to see his angel again, that brought him back to the nebula.

He sat alone among the stars, taking in the galaxy that he'd witnessed come to life not long ago. It had sat empty for a while, but he held out hope; the mysterious angel had to return. They clearly loved their galaxy far too much to abandon it for good.

He nervously twiddled his thumbs, brow furrowing with every passing moment. What if something had happened to them? What if their questioning had gone too far, and they had been sent away without Aziraphale's knowledge? Sure, it would have been a massive deal in Heaven, but anything was possible. He hadn't seen them since.

Just as he'd begun to panic, a cluster of glowing blue stars began to swirl in front of him. They gathered together, rapidly forming a cosmic tornado that blew Aziraphale's wings with its wind. He perked up and watched as the storm grew, forming the shape of an angel and spreading its wings.

In a flash of light, the angel was back. Their ginger hair shone in the starlight, their face brightening as they took in their creation once more. They didn't spare a glance at Aziraphale - not out of malice, but immersion. They might not have even noticed him if he didn't speak up.

"You're back!" He said, clearing his throat once he realized how eager he sounded. The angel turned their head, smiling.

"Oh! It's you." They took a miniature planet from the atmosphere, cradling it in their palm like a prize. "What brings you back here?"

"I...I was hoping to see you," Aziraphale admitted, moving closer to them. "I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"Course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" They held out the planet, huddling next to him so they could both examine it. Aziraphale took in the small details, the caverns of its surface and the tiny moons that circulated it.

"I mean...after everything you were saying to me. I was worried about you."

They glanced up, frowning. "You're still thinking about that? What's bothering you?"

"I don't want to silence you. I don't think that would be right. But I would also hate to see you getting into any trouble," Aziraphale said. "Questioning the Almighty's choices like that might draw some negative attention."

"Oh, I already brought it up," they replied. "They took it perfectly well. At least, that's what it seemed like. They said They'd give it consideration."

Aziraphale's wings drooped, and when he opened his mouth to speak, nothing came out. "...Oh. I see. Well, that's good." He forced a smile, trying to mask the hurt that came with not being listened to.

"I appreciate your worries, though. You're very kind." They glanced back and forth between Aziraphale and the planet, eventually setting the body aside to devote their attention to him. "Is that really what's bothering you?"

"Oh, well." Aziraphale laughed nervously, shrugging. "I never...I never learned your name."

The angel grinned. "Ah, I don't think that matters, does it? We're all the same up here." They gestured to the nebula around them. "We're nothing compared to all this."

"I think it matters. I told you mine."

"Yes. Aziraphale." The angel's smile faltered, and they considered their next words. "I'm worried that if you know who I am, you won't think the same of me. I'd prefer I kept it to myself for now."

Before Aziraphale could speak again, the angel began to inspect him. It was the first time they had truly taken him in, instead of merely glancing over his features in favor of something else. "You know," they said, "you are absolutely lovely."

"Oh!" Aziraphale blushed. If they wanted to distract him from the topic at hand, it was working. "I- thank you."

"Truly! Most gorgeous angel I've ever seen, I'll tell you that." They touched Aziraphale's cheek, and their touch was warm and soft. "Aziraphale. I like you."

"I- yes, thank you. Really," he stammered. "And, the truth is, I- well, I think you're...you're the same. You're very lovely, I think. Beautiful."

The angel laughed. "Aren't you the sweetest!" They turned, gathering a small cluster of stars in their hand. "Here, watch."

They pressed their palm to Aziraphale's cheek, and a tingle shot through his skin as the stars seeped into him. He jolted, startled, but the angel soothed him.

"There we are. You've got an eye for the stars now." They winked. "See things the way I see them. Look around."

Aziraphale did, astonished by the way everything had changed. The landscape was so much more beautiful, the colors more pronounced and the stars lighting up his skin and wings. A greater sense of appreciation flowed through him, and he figured this was how the angel felt all the time. If that was the case, it was no wonder they had a short attention span.

"Oh, my." Aziraphale gasped. "It's beautiful."

"Isn't it?"

"I...thank you. I didn't know this was possible."

"Only a few angels have an eye for these types of things. And even fewer deserve it." The angel put their hands on their hips, proud of themselves. "You seem like the type who really deserves it."

They admired the sky for a long while, and Aziraphale was the most relaxed he'd been in a long while. He sank into the other's company with a smile.

"You know," the angel said with a contented sigh, "you're the first angel in a long time who's given me the time of day. I'm a little too ambitious for most of them."

"Nothing wrong with a little ambition, is there? It's refreshing, to see someone who truly loves the cause." Aziraphale smiled. "Working for the good of Heaven."

The angel's face faltered a little. "...Yeah. Yeah, for the good of the cause." They looked around. "And the beauty of the creations."

"I hope you can make the most of it while it's still around. I hate to have taken the wind out of your wings." He twiddled his thumbs. "That may have been another reason I came back."

"Kind of you to think of me. Very angelic of you." The angel placed a hand on his shoulder. "But I'm just fine. I've gotten over it by now. Especially since the Almighty said They'd give it some thought."

Aziraphale found it hard to believe that things had blown over that easily. Was the Almighty really that open to suggestions? How important was this angel, to be able to collaborate with Them to such an extent when the other angels waited years for the chance to speak to Them? He had so many questions and so little answers.

All good things had to come to an end, however. The angel stirred, looking at him. "I'm afraid I have to go, Aziraphale," they said. "But I should hopefully see you again soon?"

"I— yes. Yes, I hope so. Be careful, alright?"

"Same to you." They smiled and leaned in, planting a kiss on Aziraphale's forehead. "Bye, my little star."

As quickly as they appeared, they were gone. Aziraphale was left swooning, a wide smile on his face as he took in the nebula one more time.

He never saw that angel again. But he didn't have to.

Aziraphale carried the stars in his eyes for thousands of years. He floated on them with every step, and the world seemed brighter because of them. He never thanked Crowley again for them — he likely didn't remember providing them, and if he did, he likely didn't want to be reminded of that time — but he hoped he did enough in lieu of a direct acknowledgement. He always tried to provide happiness for Crowley, even when Crowley wasn't in the mood. Anything to make him smile, to make him see the world with the same amount of starry-eyed joy, was worth a try.

Sometimes, when he looked in the mirror, his pupils were shaped like stars among the blue sea of his irises. It was always a shame to have to blink them away. When he didn't have anywhere to be, he kept them around for as long as he could. He even let them stick around when Crowley was with him, but Crowley never seemed to notice. 

Aziraphale thought his efforts were worth nothing, especially when Crowley refused to come to Heaven with him. Crowley had no hope, no stars in his eyes. His gaze was dead as he watched Aziraphale turn his back on Earth and ascend to Heaven with some misplaced hope of fixing it from the inside.

He understood once he reached the top that Heaven had other plans for him. Every conversation was focused on the Second Coming, on the inevitable destruction of Earth and humanity. A sick sense of déja vu had hit him, but this time he knew he was on the wrong side.

So he fought it. He stood up against the idea, just as Gabriel had done. He'd hoped that maybe having it happen with a second Supreme Archangel would prove something was wrong with the idea, not the leadership.

He was put on trial almost instantly. Gabriel got the luxury of a lost memory and a nice vacation to Earth; Aziraphale was condemned to Fall and suffer in Hell for eternity. He didn't have the energy to weep. He didn't have the will to beg for any other outcome. There was nothing he could do to change their minds; it was what he deserved, anyway.

As he Fell, the stars grew smaller and smaller until his vision grew entirely black. The only sensations were that of burning and darkness. The smell of smoke coming from his wings. The pain.

Then, the familiar sound of an angel's voice, for the first time in eons.

"Aziraphale. Angel. Angel."

The galaxy remained relatively unaffected since the last time Aziraphale had seen it. The efforts from up above and down below to stymie the angel's creation through Armageddon had been unsuccessful. The sky was so beautiful, so full of complex constellations and colors incomprehensible to the human eye. Aziraphale could sense another heart thrumming to the same beat as his.

It was just like long before the beginning. The same face, the same ginger hair, the same comforting presence. Those eyes, though long worn out with exhaustion and disillusionment with the rest of the world, still held the same spirit, the same need to protect. The same certainty that they were untouchable.

"Angel."

The main difference was that now Aziraphale knew their name.

"Crowley..."

"I'm here. I'm right here."

"You're here. I'm so sorry. I...I made the wrong choice." Tears sprung to his eyes. "I'm sorry. I think I Fell. I don't...I don't remember much."

"You did Fall." Crowley was never one to mince words. "I'm sorry to tell you, but you Fell."

"I don't remember hitting the ground." He certainly would have remembered such a huge impact. The first swath of angels Falling all those years ago had created craters in the moon and trenches in the ocean.

"You didn't. I caught you."

"You...hm?" Aziraphale cried out as he tried to shift his body. Blinding pain spread through him, and his limbs were heavily constricted. He was wrapped in his own wings, which were charred and black. Pain shot through his body, and tears sprang to his eyes. "Oh..."

His body was surrounded by clouds of stars, trapping him in a cocoon of warmth.

"I caught you." Crowley waved his hands, slowly unraveling him, letting the lights dance across him in the process. As they passed by his skin, pain turned to tingling, then beautiful numbness. "You're alright."

"How?"

"I've had a bit of time to myself." Crowley shrugged, avoiding Aziraphale's eyes. He wasn't wearing his sunglasses, and his eyes were full of defeat. "I was keeping an eye out for you. Spending time with the things I know best." He toyed with a little handful of stars, a flicker of long-forgotten light hidden deep in his gaze. Now that Aziraphale was looking closer, he could see Crowley's own wings, dark enough to blend in with their surroundings. "Hoping it would make me feel better."

"Crowley..." Aziraphale wanted to reach for him, but his limbs were useless. "I can't move."

"Don't try. Let yourself recover for a few minutes." His impassive expression faltered for a moment, concern painting his features. He moved closer, placing his hand on Aziraphale's back to hold him up. He rubbed small circles on Aziraphale's upper back. He clearly wanted to be more cold, but he couldn't bring himself to. "You'll be alright. You just need a moment. It causes a lot of whiplash."

"What happened?"

"You Fell. Came barreling out of the sky like I did. Hardly had time to process it before I had to grab you."

"Out of the infinite universe, you just happened to be right underneath me?"

"You know that I can always sense where you are. And you can always sense where I am," Crowley said. "I felt you coming from hundreds of miles away."

"Did...did you know it would happen? Before that, I mean?"

"I worried it would. But I was hoping I'd be wrong." He pressed his lips together. "You don't deserve this."

"No, I— I'm sure I do. In fact, this is a mercy. I should be dead."

"Don't even think about saying that," Crowley hissed through clenched teeth. "Shut it, now."

"After everything with Armageddon, and helping Gabriel, and lying to Heaven over and over again. Trying to fight against the Second Coming. I'm surprised they didn't erase me from the Book of Life, at this rate."

"Don't give anyone any ideas." Crowley looked frantically up at the sky as if someone would be listening. "Please."

"Just let me go." A tear ran down his face. "Give me what I deserve and send me to Hell."

"I'm not taking you to Hell. Never. You'd hate it there, so I'm not taking you." Crowley rolled his eyes. "Listen to me for once, huh? You're staying with me."

"Hell is probably going to be wondering where I am. Probably expecting me."

"Oh, I can promise you they're not. You think Hell's going to want a regretful, teary angel unfamiliar with the inner workings of the place? They're already overstaffed, they've got an ambassador on Earth already, and they're not going to want someone new on the team."

"Maybe it's what I deserve. Heaven chose to do this to me for a reason."

"It's not about what you think you deserve. You've really pissed me off, alright? But I'm not leaving you to get hurt. Someone like you...they'd eat you alive down there."

Aziraphale frowned, offended. "I can take care of myself."

"But you know more than anyone that I like taking care of you, too." Crowley smirked. "I hate saying it out loud, but I do. So let me."

"I don't know how you can help. I just...it hurts. Crowley, I feel so empty now." He looked over at his singed wings, burnt and blackened and painful. They would never be that beautiful swan-white again. "I'm not the same."

"I know. Trust me, I know. I've lived it myself. You're going to feel empty. You're going to feel like you've lost everything. But I refuse to let you suffer through that alone like I did. Even if you've pissed me off." Crowley grunted. "And if the Almighty has a problem with that, They can take it up with me Themselves."

"I abandoned you! When you needed me most, I abandoned you."

"You did what you thought was right. And like I said, I'm still pissed. Doesn't mean I'm going to let you burn in Hell."

"I..." Aziraphale slowly moved his arms, his body heavy and unwilling to take him very far. Everything was numb, and he couldn't tell where he ended and space began. "I don't deserve this."

"Doesn't matter what you think you do or don't deserve. You're here, with me. You don't have to say anything. Got all the time in the world, now." Crowley gestured around them. He lounged back against thin air, exhibiting the same suave grace that he did back before the Beginning. There were still snippets of that same angel within him.

"I'm sorry." Aziraphale hung his head. "Crowley, I'm--"

"I don't want an apology, okay?" Crowley held up his hand. "I really don't. I don't feel like hearing it."

"I don't know what else to say."

"You don't have to say anything. It's alright."

The two of them sat in the void for a while, basking in the warm hum of space. Waves of comforting heat exuded from Crowley like he was the sun, and Aziraphale stared at him with wonder. He was beautiful amber, the golden hues of autumn leaves, citrine and fresh peaches and a cozy fireplace in the winter. He was the bookshop. Aziraphale lived inside him, breathed in his scent every day, kept his feather in the desk drawer for anytime he felt lonely...

"I love you," he whispered as he began to cry. "Oh, Crowley, I love you. Please, Crowley, I love you so much..."

Crowley's body tensed slightly. "You...I don't know if I'm ready to hear that right now. After everything."

"I never said I didn't. I only...I only wanted to do what was right." He reached for Crowley, holding onto his tense arm. "For us. For you. For the world."

"You thought leaving was best for me?" A hint of spite in his tone. It struck Aziraphale like an arrow.

"Crowley, you know what we would do for this world. This galaxy, the Earth. You love it there. I only wanted to protect it for you. For us. So we could have our life together there."

"We could have had a life together here." Crowley didn't move. "But you insisted on trying to bring me back to Heaven with you. A place you know I hate. Where I'm not safe."

"At least up there, I could have protected you!" Aziraphale cried, causing Crowley to finally turn his head. "You've protected me for all this time. Six thousand years of you being by my side at every turn. I was so afraid of not having you with me in Heaven. Who knows what they could have done to the Earth while I had my back turned? With you down there in the line of fire? Do you know how difficult that was for me?"

"Then why not stay down there with me? Protect me from there?"

"Up there, I had the slight chance of leading things in a different direction. If I said no, I would have had no insight into their plans, no idea what they had coming for us. Up there we would have both been safe from the damage."

"Look at you," Crowley spat. "You think that is safe? They quite literally spat you out and told you to go suffer forever. You're lucky I caught you."

"I'm not an idiot, Crowley. I know they want nothing to do with me. I know they don't see me as an equal. I know the system is broken." He swallowed. "I suppose I just wanted to have hope. Hope in my Heavenly family that was supposed to love me, and faith in my God who was supposed to protect me. And none of them did any of those things."

Crowley sighed. "Angel..."

"Every time I have hope, I get let down." He tried to wipe the tears from his cheeks, but they kept coming. "But perhaps the Almighty wants it that way. I'm not sure. But who am I to question the ineffable path?"

"I don't want to have faith in someone who would willingly strike you down," Crowley said coldly. "You're too wonderful to deserve any of that."

Aziraphale's eyes widened. "Crowley—"

"And I don't care if that's blasphemy." Crowley shifted, taking Aziraphale's hand and squeezing it. "My love for you is greater than it's ever been for the Almighty. And if Their goal is to punish you, then I want nothing to do with Them."

My love for you. It was what Aziraphale had been yearning to hear for hundreds of years. Centuries of fleeting glances, of small, intimate touches, of long conversations over a bottle of wine...of watching humans loving each other and wondering how it would feel to have Crowley's lips pressed against his.

He never imagined it would be desperate. Messy. He never imagined not wanting it. But life always found a way to surprise him. He would never forget the tears springing to his eyes as he begged silently in his mind for Crowley to just stop, get off of me now or else I'm never going to be able to let go of you.

It's why he felt he had to forgive Crowley afterward. His stomach was churning; he felt both violated and vindicated; he needed Crowley to know he'd done the wrong thing. A moment of spite winning over proper communication.

The want had returned. They were back to a more comfortable place now, and those lips seemed much more appealing.

"...I won't say it again. If you don't wish."

Crowley thought. "I want you to say it."

"I love you, Crowley," Aziraphale said, voice trembling. "I've only ever loved you."

"I love you, too." Crowley nodded to himself, almost proud of himself for being so vulnerable. "I love you."

Hearing it made Aziraphale choke out a sob, and Crowley finally melted. His frustration turned into gentle adoration, and he hugged Aziraphale close to him as they floated in the vast expanse of space. It was dark and warm and comforting here, and it radiated Crowley's energy. After all, he'd created it.

"Shh, Angel." Crowley stroked Aziraphale's hair as he lay his head on Crowley's chest. "It's alright."

"I'm so sorry. Oh, God, I'm so sorry."

"Shh, shh. You need to listen. Can you hear that?"

"Don't you dare ask me that," Aziraphale snapped. "Not after what you said—"

"No, no, this isn't the same. I promise. Just listen."

Reluctantly, Aziraphale held his breath to stop his crying. His ears perked, listening closely.

"I don't hear anything," he said, a hollow shock of guilt ringing through his chest as he was reminded of that moment in the bookshop. When he knew he'd lost everything.

"Closer. You're meant to hear something this time."

Aziraphale closed his eyes. Around them, the air spiraled in small galaxies and the stars glowed with brilliant light. He could hear the rushing of the wind, the crackling of rock, a small, subtle twinkle that almost resembled a melody...

"A song?" he whispered. Crowley nodded.

He had to strain to hear it, but it was there. A beautiful waltz in a minor key, a whimsical soundtrack to their existence in this realm that belonged only to them. It was the tinkling of a music box. It came more from his soul than their surroundings.

"Shostakovitch." He breathed out a laugh.

"I hope you don't mind. I asked Maggie the types of things you liked to buy—"

"It's perfect." A bubble of joy blossomed in his chest, and his giggling grew louder. He nuzzled closer. "Crowley, you're perfect."

Crowley's skin grew warm. "Oh, I don't know about that."

"Perfect. I'm here. I'm not leaving you again. Never."

"You'd better not."

"I wouldn't even dream of it." He held on tight to Crowley's shirt. "Please forgive me. I know I'm more prone to forgiveness than you, but—"

"I forgive you. Of course I forgive you." Crowley nodded. "I...I was an angel once. I know how it works."

Aziraphale wasn't sure what to say. His body was still tingling, his wings thin and weak, and his eyelids were growing heavy from the effort of crying. The music was so lovely. He closed his eyes.

"Don't— don't let me fall asleep," he said. "I don't even sleep. Now would be the worst time to start."

"I won't let you sleep," Crowley replied, rubbing his back. "I'll tell you about things on Earth from while you were gone."

Crowley knew exactly what he was doing. With each rhythmic circle he stroked on Aziraphale's back, with each mundane story about Nina and Maggie's relationship and Muriel's adventures around the shop told in his most soothing, gentle voice, he sent Aziraphale spiraling further downward. There were moment when Aziraphale's eyes popped open, and he was aware that he was half asleep, but he didn't have the energy or consciousness to care.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but something eventually stirred him awake. He figured it was Crowley nudging him, and he let his eyes calmly drift open — but, no, Crowley was staring off into space, ears perked up, snake-like eyes wide and attentive.

"Do you hear that?" He whispered so softly that it may have been a dream. Aziraphale opened his mouth reply, but before he could think of what to say—

The music vanished. 

Aziraphale.

Something faintly whispered his name, a mere breath in the wind, not one voice but the voice of thousands. As soon as it hit his ears, an indescribable calmness washed over him; a tight, constricting blanket that pinned his limbs to his body with a comfortable pressure. He was an infant in that moment, something within his chest grasping for comfort, for authority, for a Mother.

The voices whispered Crowley's name at the same time. The words blended together, and the two of them held onto each other as the stars around them began to swirl. Their peaceful new home was being twisted, transformed into a contorted Milky Way. Strong winds rushed around them, but they felt no fear. They weren't capable of fear, not at this moment.

The stars began to clump together, congregating into a silhouette. They formed a torso, a pair of arms, then moved upwards to sculpt a head, a face, flowing locks of nebulous hair. Aziraphale let out a small whimper, and Crowley instinctively squeezed him.

Two glowing blue planets situated toward the center of the head, forming a pair of eyes.  Their stare was so intense that Aziraphale couldn't look at them for too long without feeling nauseated.

Crowley. Aziraphale. Its voice was hypnotically smooth, a cooling salve on the burning, raw wound of the two's fear. I am so glad you're safe.

Aziraphale stammered, taking a moment to form coherent words. "Almighty," he said, trembling. "My Lord. Holy Mother of all Creation." He curled up into himself in a makeshift kneel, folding his hands. He still kept his arm linked with Crowley's.

Crowley wasn't sure what to say. He stared at the Almighty, eyes wide, his Godly skills obviously rather rusty. He nodded. "Lord," he said, shocked, "Almighty." He bowed his head. "I...I suppose it's been a while."

To his surprise, They gave a small laugh. It was the twinkling of wind chimes, and the stars sparkled as They did so. I suppose.

Aziraphale once again began to cry. Upon seeing that, Crowley reached up to wipe his cheeks, stroking his hair and furrowing his brow. A concerned tut came from above.

Aziraphale, sweet one. What's the matter? The Almighty leaned closer, and Crowley watched in shock as Aziraphale twisted away from Them. He was gasping with quiet sobs.

"I understand this is your realm," he said, voice calmer than even he expected it to be, "and I understand that we are under your rule. Your power and control. We are subject to whatever you choose, Lord."

He reached for Crowley. "But please, don't take Crowley away from me. You can't take him away. I need him." He buried his head in Crowley's shoulder, squeezing him tight enough to burst. "I need him more than— more than I've ever needed anything."

Crowley ran his fingers through the angel's hair, looking up at the Almighty as if daring Them to separate them.

"It's alright," he whispered to Aziraphale, hugging him. It was clear Aziraphale was moments away from entirely coming undone. "Shh, angel...please."

Oh, dear Aziraphale. A swirl of golden stars surrounded the two of them, flocking to Aziraphale's cheeks. They sparkled on his skin, drying the tears. A stinging sensation lingered for a while on his face. You and Crowley are safe and sound. No one will take him from you. I have no plans to.

"Almighty." Crowley's voice cracked. "Aziraphale is...he's been hurt. His companions in Heaven betrayed him. Look, he's Fallen. They've condemned him to suffer."

"Don't say anything, Crowley."

"But they've hurt you." He raised his chin, mustering all the demonic boldness that got him sent down in the fire place. "Almighty, see? They've hurt him. They cast him down. He's no longer an angel."

I'm aware. The Almighty nodded.

"He's suffered more than he deserves. He has every right to believe there's a reason to be afraid." He narrowed his eyes. "And you...Lord, you've hurt him. You've stood by and let him be hurt. Look at his wings."

"Crowley. Stop."

"Your word influences everything. You are in charge of your angels. You're in charge of us. But when Aziraphale was in trouble, tortured and cast down for simply being more human than the rest of them, you did nothing. You let him nearly fall into Hell, where they would have immediately killed him." Crowley shook his head, eyes flooding with tears at the thought. "I'm sorry, Lord, but I'm finding it hard to bow to you."

"Crowley." Aziraphale's voice was tense with warning. "Don't."

The Almighty stared down at them, a deep sadness in Their eyes. More stars swept the two further up, carrying them closer to Their face.

Aziraphale. They held out Their hand, palm up. Despite Crowley squeezing him tight, Aziraphale broke free and stepped forward. He knew better than to disobey. He looked back at Crowley, nodding a silent promise that he would be back.

He stepped onto Their palm, and They wiped Aziraphale's tears with one starry finger. Crowley watched from further down, nerves churning inside of him. Aziraphale was trembling; he could see it from down here.

Aziraphale. They began to rub his back, the motion more rough and unpracticed than Crowley's. Crowley felt ill as he watched Aziraphale's shoulders tense. I'm sure you're aware that you're different, yes? You are not like the rest of your companions.

Aziraphale swallowed. "I've always felt that way."

You are different, in many ways. One reason is you  have been on Earth for so long. It has made you human. It has given you empathy, and other angels do not understand what that is like. They cannot imagine why anyone would put the safety of humans over the word of God.

"I—I know, Lord. And I'm sorry. But I—"

There is nothing to apologize for. The eyes shifted, blinked. It was unnatural. There are other reasons, too. You've felt out of place even long before Earth. You've been different from the moment you were created. Do you know why?

"Uh, I..." Aziraphale looked down at Crowley. "No, Lord. I don't."

Do you remember how angels were created?

Aziraphale, overwhelmed, struggled to speak again. Crowley's jaw set.

"I might," he shouted up to them. Both Aziraphale and the Almighty looked toward him. "May I, Lord?"

The Almighty wordlessly held out Their other hand, and Crowley traveled up to Aziraphale. They stood on the same palm, and Crowley held onto him. It seemed to calm him down.

"It's going to be okay," he said. He sighed. "Angels, yes. I remember learning this, but it was a while ago. Quite a while. It has something to do with the stars."

It is not a quiz. I am happy to remind you.

Crowley hesitated, and finally he shrugged. "Probably for the better. My memory's not what it used to be." He'd mainly spoken up to get himself up here with Aziraphale. The Almighty probably knew that.

Their figure beamed brighter. Angels were crafted from stars. Not just any stars—the original stars. That's why star-making comes so easily to them, as you know, Crowley,

"Right. Yes."

Each star created a unique angel. And each angel has its own free will. Personality, desires. Their decisions are not mine; they are their own. They are all simply loyal, and they do not know the human experience. That is why harming  humans  comes so easily.  Why Armageddon matters nothing to them in favor of the Grand Plan.

"Did you plan on the Rebellion?" Crowley asked.

No. But I allowed it to happen. Once again, I wanted my creations to have their own free will. If that meant they would cause a rebellion, then I suppose it is...well, it is ineffable.

"Like humans," Crowley said. "They come up with more evil things by themselves than we could ever hope to give them."

Correct. To stop the Rebellion would be to erase those angels' free will. That is not what I want. I never created them to be little pawns for me to control. They are my Children.

"The stars," Aziraphale choked out. "The Almighty was talking about the stars."

Well, Crowley has the right idea. I play an ineffable game of my own devising, but only to an extent. I unleash things into this world, but what they choose to do with their new freedoms is their choice. Otherwise, it would not be freedom.

"But— but Armageddon." Crowley said. "You were going to let Heaven and Hell murder everyone. You were going to let your creations die. Why didn't you stop it?"

"Crowley, let the Almighty get to Their point—"

It's alright. They tilted Their head. Why? Because you two stopped it. It may be difficult to understand, but I have unlimited vision. I have visions into any past, any present, any future that I wish. Armageddon...why, it is a farce. I never wished for anything of the sort. Heaven and Hell decided on that on their own. I was ready to step in, but then I saw into a future where I simply let things happen. In that world, you two came together to stop everything successfully, and you made it out safe. I figured it was the best possible solution, considering your relationship—so I let that future run its course. And it all worked well.

"What about our relationship?" Aziraphale asked, squeezing Crowley's hand.

Yes. Finally, about the stars. The Lord waved Their hand, and a large, glowing star formed above Their palm. Every angel in the beginning was formed from a star. The essence of the star was put into the angel's soul. A more fiery star may create a feistier angel, and a smaller star may create a more quiet angel. Many of the fiery stars ended up being the rebellious ones.

The star twisted, taking on the shape of a shining figure with wings. Aziraphale shook at the sight in front of him, eyes glistening at the power of the Lord. His innate desire to be loyal to Them was clashing with terror and infinite love for Crowley.

One star, however, seemed to go awry. It was out of my control. They created another picture, this one of a flaming, contorting shape. It wasn't quite a star; something was going wrong with it. It squirmed and jolted and began to expand with a strange popping sound.

Instead of forming an angel, it split in two. Divided in half. The picture burst, two halves of the shape pushing away from each other. One soul was now divided into two. Do you see where this is going?

Crowley tightly gripped Aziraphale, the realization hitting them both at the same time. Tears ran down his cheeks, and he took Aziraphale's face in his hands. He'd never seen a more beautiful visage. "Oh, Aziraphale..."

"That can't be true." Aziraphale's starry eyes were filled with awe now, not dread. "We...no. No, that can't be true."

If it was true, then he was the most evil creature in the world. 

Rather than forming one angel, the star created two. In the image, the two halves created separate figures, their silhouettes reaching for each other before finally being pulled away. Two halves of the same soul. One half, I named Aziraphale. The other—well, whatever his name was then does not matter anymore. Later on, he would call himself Crowley.

"Crowley." Aziraphale hugged him as tightly as he could. "Crowley. Oh, Crowley," he cried, overwrought with emotion. "Crowley, I'm so sorry."

"We're the same. We're the same soul." Crowley trembled. "We've been the same soul this whole time?"

Yes. Which is why it surprised me when only one of you joined in the Rebellion.  One Fell to Hell, and the other stayed.

"You-- you let me Fall." Crowley's hands shook with a combination of amazement and rage. "You took me away from him. You knew we were incomplete without each other, and you took me away from him!" His face flushed, and his voice rose to a devastated shout. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You let Heaven and Hell punish us over and over again. You didn't tell us who we really were. We had the right to know!"

"Don't say another word, Crowley!" Aziraphale snapped. "You're only digging your own grave."

"I have the right to—"

My stars. Listen. Their voice was so commanding, so gentle and yet so firm. It shut both of them up. I know, Crowley. I know how much it hurts. But this has all been part of my Grand Ineffable Plan. Down to the letter.

"You knew we'd end up here?" Crowley asked.

Yes.  It took a lot of work to keep you two apart, but I  believed that the end result, this existence in your own universe, would make all of your suffering worth it.

"You...what do you mean, 'keep us apart'?"

When your soul was split apart, it tried to come back together. It's like a magnet. But I decided it would be best to keep it apart. See what came of it. I felt you two would do something very special together, and you did. They sounded so proud of Themselves. I have spent all these years ensuring your soul didn't draw back together. 

Of course, with you spending so much time together now, it's been a much more complex job. But it keeps me on my toes. And look at you. One tiny miracle together was more powerful than anything your companions could do. Perhaps you two are more powerful apart than you are together. Isn't that for the better? Getting to enjoy each other's company, instead of being alone in one body?

Aziraphale's brows drew together. "You did this on purpose?"

Crowley's upper lip curled. "You knew he and I were split apart and didn't let us come back together. We had every chance to fill in the missing parts of ourselves, but you put effort into keeping us apart?"

"Crowley." Aziraphale put a hand on his chest. "Be careful. Please."

Aziraphale. The stars danced around him, brushing back his hair and settling on his skin. Sweet Aziraphale. There has come a time, in some moment between your creation and now, when you learned to fear me. You have been afraid of me this entire time we've been speaking.

"No, Lord, I promise that's not what—"

No. Do not deny it. I see it, and I understand where it has come from. But now, you have no reason to be afraid. The Plan is all coming together. 

Both of them were stunned into silence. Crowley pulled Aziraphale close, letting him rest his head on Crowley's chest again. Some strange instinct within him told him to protect Aziraphale from the Almighty's touch. 

"We're the same soul," Crowley repeated. "We are one soul, split in two."

Correct. 

"Is it coincidence that we both ended up on Earth?"

No. I ensured that you two would spend time together on Earth. But even then, you were apart for most of it. I couldn't have you realizing anything too quickly.

"You wanted us to be apart. You had no intention of bringing us back together?" Aziraphale asked softly. 

I will admit, there was a curiosity I couldn't shake. I was eager to find out what such a phenomenon would do to you. How it would affect you. And you two truly are different from the rest of them. It's been interesting to watch. And keeping you apart was what saved the world from Armageddon, so it was worth it in the end, was it not?

Aziraphale's stomach churned, and he grit his teeth. He couldn't fathom what he was hearing. Anger bubbled up inside him, and when he spoke he couldn't stop the spite from poisoning his voice.

"I...Almighty," he said, tone low and controlled, "get your hands off me."

A thick, uncomfortable silence permeated the air. Even Crowley's body tensed.

I'm sorry?

"Let go of us. Now." His eyes burned, and his face flushed. "Let go."

They carefully lowered Their hand, and the two of them continued to float there. Crowley wrapped his wings around Aziraphale.

I understand it's been difficult, Aziraphale, They said. I'm sorry that you have felt such pain. But this is all going according to the Plan.

"I don't give a damn about that. Your blasted Plan means nothing to me." He didn't recognize himself at the moment, but he liked whoever this new person was. It reminded him of someone he loved.

Crowley arched an eyebrow, both impressed and afraid for the punishment that would come with speaking up. "Angel."

The Plan means everything, Aziraphale, the Almighty replied, Their voice tinged with warning. You have no idea how much of the life you adore so greatly has relied on my Plan.

"Look at me." Aziraphale hissed with pain as he spread his wings. "Look at me!"

I know it seems wrong now, Aziraphale, but things will fall back into place. You, both of you, are perfect. 

Aziraphale's eyes watered. It was everything he'd wished for thousands of years to have: speaking directly to the Almighty, having Them refer to him as something perfect. To be praised for everything he'd done, every moment he'd fought back against the terrible cruelty of the other angels around him. To be celebrated, vindicated. 

But that cruelty was correct. It was just and good, according to this God. And the only thing that made Aziraphale perfect was the fact that he was a pawn in such a terrible game. 

"Perfect," he said to himself. "You say I'm perfect."

Yes. You both are. It's been absolutely interesting to watch you two become your own beings despite your initial setback.

Aziraphale twisted, facing the Almighty with fire in his eyes. His rage was the culmination of everything Heaven had given him throughout the eons, all being spat out at once. "Perfect?"

He spread his blackened wings, body seeming to grow as fury expanded him from the inside. An inescapable heat. 

"Then why," he shouted, "have you done nothing but punish me for it?!"

Crowley bit back the urge to grin. Seeing this side of Aziraphale was fascinating, liberating. He had every right to be angry. He had every right to show the world who he had become. Six thousand years of suffering were finally coming to a head, and Aziraphale deserved to burn down the world that had singed him.

I have not punished you. Their eyes flickered with a strange emotion, a mixture of confusion and annoyance. Like Aziraphale was a pest. I have been quite generous, considering your multiple betrayals to Heaven. 

"You have no right to call yourself generous. Absolutely no right at all! Do you understand what you've put me through? What you've put Crowley through? What all of humanity has had to suffer at your hands?"

Humanity has not suffered. I have given them great gifts. I have given you and Crowley the wonderful gift of safety. Heaven and Hell could have smitten you eons ago if it weren't for my intervention. 

"Oh, well, that makes it all okay, then? You witnessed me literally be torn apart, you witnessed my soul split in two, and you did nothing to protect me. Your own child. Your own beautiful, so-called 'perfect' child. You did nothing but watch me wither away."

He couldn't hold himself back anymore. Instead of explosive rage, he burned with a cool, controlled flame. The burning blue of Crowley's stars. Tears ran down his cheeks as he silently wept.

"You watched them torture me. You watched them try to kill me. You watched me weep alone, night after night, hoping for just one word from you. Just one little word of comfort was all I needed. Confirmation that you loved me, that you were there for me. And you couldn't even deliver that. 

"And now, I've lost everything. I worked so hard to uphold your word, to do what you would have wanted. I abandoned everything I love to try to get closer to you. But you didn't care. No, you let them cast me down. I could have lost Crowley. If he weren't so forgiving, so beautiful, then I absolutely would have lost him."

I have stood with you while you flourished. I ensured that both you and Crowley were kept alive, otherwise both of you could have perished. The death of half of a soul would have rendered the other half dead, as well. I didn't just keep you alive; I kept Crowley alive, as well. 

"I'm alive. But I am forever changed. I am broken." It was a wonder he wasn't sobbing. "You have ruined me."

Aziraphale. Do not speak to me like a petulant child. You have no idea how many gifts you have been given. The anger in Their tone was rising now. Crowley's hackles raised.

"I am ruined," Aziraphale said again. "Because of you, I am ruined. And your presence is the last gift I could ever want. It's a curse. And I...I despise you for what you have done to me."

Crowley knew better than to touch him, but the stars didn't. They surrounded Aziraphale and made him flare. The sight was enough to bring Crowley to tears. They flowed from him as he brought his hands to his chest, utterly overwhelmed by the magnificence of his angel. His other half. The part of his heart that had always been missing, though he wasn't sure why. 

"You are cruel," Aziraphale said. "You are evil. You are the most pathetic excuse for omnipotence I have ever seen!" His voice echoed throughout space, more commanding than even the Almighty's voice. "And I want nothing to do with you."

You would rather be abandoned by God Themselves than protected for eternity? They scoffed. I could do so much worse to you than anything Heaven has done. Yet I have chosen not to.

"And what sort of Mother are you?" Aziraphale bit back, moving forward so Crowley could only see his back now. "To threaten your own child like this? I would rather die than live under your rule." Crowley could have sworn his voice was changing, growing unnaturally louder and echoing across a wider space. "You can do whatever you wish to me, but if you even think about touching Crowley, I will tear your entire creation down."

You are incapable of doing so. 

"Then you have no idea who I am. Get out of my sight. If I ever feel your love again, I will know I am doing something wrong."

Those bright planets bore into Aziraphale's form, studying him. He had become something They never expected, and now the Great Plan was falling apart before Their eyes.

Then I shall leave you, They said. And you will never see me again.

In the blink of an eye, They vanished like They were never there.

Crowley had always seen space as somewhere warm, inviting. A place he could call home, a place teeming with life. Every star he created had character to it, a hint of spirit he placed inside each one. Now, however, everything was quiet and cold. It was the first time he'd seen space as an actual vacuum. 

"I'm..." His voice rang loudly in the emptiness. "I'm so proud of you, Aziraphale."

Aziraphale turned to face Crowley, and in the biggest shock of all, he was beaming. The starry glow had returned to his eyes, and he let out a small laugh.

"That feels amazing." He grinned. "Oh, Crowley, I feel like I've shed a thousand pounds."

Crowley smiled back. "I thought you would be devastated."

"I have you. I have the truth. I don't have to be afraid of anyone anymore." He threw his arms around Crowley. His body was so soft, so warm. "This is the best I've felt in a long time."

Crowley held him tightly. "Aziraphale, I--"

Before he could think of what to say, something seized inside his chest. A strange spike of pain shot through his body, and he couldn't stop himself from jolting.

"Angel," he said, tightening his grip. "Something..."

Aziraphale was experiencing it, too. He held onto Crowley for dear life, grunting in confusion and exertion. "What is this?" he asked. "I've never...felt this before."

Crowley's mind raced. It was the same overwhelming pressure, the celestial vise, that had conquered him when Satan Himself had appeared years ago. A change in the universe that gripped his entire being in a way humans could never describe. 

"It's my soul," he realized. "Our souls."

"No." Aziraphale pulled back, face flushed with panic. "No, are They trying to tear us apart again?"

All at once, a blinding light began to stream from Crowley's chest.

His soul vibrated with energy, making Crowley's heart race, turning a variety of colors that only celestial beings could comprehend. The intensity made his eyes water, and his chest hollowed like he was turning inside out. 

The sight doubled. Aziraphale's soul was also reaching for the sky, another colorful stream of sunlight that crossed paths with Crowley's. Their bodies began to move against their wills, pulling closer to each other like magnets. As their hearts grew closer and closer to touching, they grabbed each other's hands and squeezed their eyes shut, knowing nothing except for the fact they loved one another. Their ears rang, all the hairs on their bodies standing up straight, and consciousness grew more and more distant. 

Then, something clicked, and all was quiet. 

A bone popping back into place, the final puzzle piece, a hole in their hearts being patched with the most intense love either had ever felt in their lives. It was adoration, connection, a joy beyond comprehension. Crowley's head swam under a deep ocean as the rest of his body floated; all he knew was love. Love for himself. Love for Aziraphale. Love for the world and everything in it. 

It was both familiar and unfamiliar. Crowley had never known this much adoration, this unfiltered joy not tainted by cynicism, but his heart told him this was the way things were supposed to be. He'd known Aziraphale for thousands of years, but now Crowley knew him. He existed inside of Aziraphale, in a way, breathing the same air and feeling the same celestial blood pumping through his veins. 

Neither of them could have ever been prepared for when the memories came. 

I'm Aziraphale how much trouble could I get into just for asking a few questions you know you are absolutely lovely bye my little star where is the flaming sword I gave you, Aziraphale funny if we both got it wrong huh if I did the good thing and you did the bad one not the kids you can't kill kids I'm not taking you to Hell angel I don't think you'd like it you're just an angel who goes along with heaven as far as he can animals don't kill each other with clever machines angel only humans do that i'm not an idiot Crowley holy water won't just kill your body it'll destroy you completely there must be something I can do for you in return there's something to be said for shades of grey there is no our side Crowley not anymore it's over how can someone as clever as you be so stupid you pathetic excuse for an angel Aziraphale somebody killed my best friend I lost my best friend you told my only friend to shut your stupid mouth and die already (oh, they all wanted me--) and I did not care for it you and Crowley were an item you been together long you and your partner Crowley I need you...

Not just memories, but a flood of inner thoughts from those times--

Oh, goodness, they're beautiful--  that's the most gorgeous angel I've ever seen -- why can't I know their name--  Aziraphale, such a beautiful name. Aziraphale, Aziraphale -- oh, no, it's them, they've become the serpent, and they're still so beautiful. Those golden eyes, just like the sun--  oh, he's a bold one, I like that. Pretty one, too -- oh, it's Crowley now, I think I like that better--  he's got much more potential than I realized, I'm actually pretty proud of him -- he's trying to protect me--  I hope he keeps getting himself into trouble, it means I can see him again -- it's actually rather nice to have lunch with someone who understands, we should do this more often--  wow, he actually looks rather dashing in those clothes -- does he really think I'm clever?--  does he really not even like me? -- I really am pathetic. I'm a terrible excuse for an angel--  I made a mistake. I have to go find him -- who is his best friend? I've never heard of them before--  I am going to tear all of you apart from the inside for even thinking of speaking to Aziraphale like that, you horrible creatures -- oh, no, am I that obvious? How long have people thought we were together?--  he's not my partner. Ridiculous. We're not in love...are we? -- this will be perfect I can finally protect him like he always protects me--  oh.  

I need you I need you I need you I need you don't make me do this alone...

There's no one there to love me otherwise. Please? 

There's no one here to love me otherwise. Please?

I need his lips on mine forever.

Thousands of years all came together in one overwhelming swoop of memories. Crowley reeled from the impact, tears spilling down his cheeks as he realized just how much love they both held for and from each other. Both of them kept it secret, sure that the other wouldn't feel the same, sure that it was wrong. 

They'd wasted so much time. But now they had an eternity to make their own.

 Still holding onto his soulmate, Crowley opened his eyes.

Their connection had transformed everything around them, too. The cold air was pushed away by warmth, and the stars found their twinkle again from the light that streamed from their souls. The music returned, joyful and sweeping, a triumphant melody that sent their hearts swelling. Still, it was quiet enough to make the place peaceful. 

And Aziraphale...he was magnificent.

"Aziraphale," he breathed, all stressors leaving his body. "Aziraphale, look."

The angel opened his eyes, too, and his face brightened at the sight of Crowley before him. "Your wings!" he cried, beaming under the light of the galaxy. He turned to look behind him. "I-- my wings. Our wings!"

Both of them had changed. Their wings, once a stark contrast of black and white, were now identical to each other's. Both were an even mixture of black and white feathers, dotted in a specific pattern that reminded Aziraphale of constellations in the night sky. His no longer pulsed with pain, and they had regained their strength. He spread them as wide as he could, admiring them. 

Crowley watched the angel's eyes rove around, and he tilted his head. 

"Your eyes," he said. "You still have the stars I gave you."

Aziraphale's head snapped up, his attention snagged. "You remember that?"

"Not until now." He lightly pressed his palm to Aziraphale's cheek, trying to replicate the memory. "I...I remember everything you do, now."

"Me, too." Aziraphale's eyes glistened. "Everyone always said such terrible things..."

"Hey." Crowley held his face with both hands now. "No more of that. You've got the stars in your eyes. Focus on what's around you. You've got me now. I've got you. We're alright."

"I've held onto them." Aziraphale smiled softly. "I wanted to keep them safe for you. In hopes that one day you might say something."

"My memory isn't what it used to be," Crowley replied, a repeat of what he'd told the Almighty. "I wasn't lying about that."

"Well, now it's my memory. Our memory?"

"What's happened?" Crowley brought his own wings forward to look at them. "How did this happen?"

"The Almighty said They were trying all this time to keep us apart. That it was a consistent effort. Maybe..." Aziraphale gasped, his voice tinged with awe. "Maybe They gave up. And this is how we were always supposed to be."

"If that were the case, we'd be in one body, right?"

"Maybe not. Maybe something went wrong? Or They didn't want things to be too overwhelming for us?"

Crowley frowned. Despite everything, Aziraphale still had a twinge of hope that his God was benevolent. "Or we were stronger than Them."

"Or there's always the chance that this was on purpose." Aziraphale's face faltered a bit. "Maybe having us in one body would make us too strong for Them. They didn't want to risk it."

"I think we could get ourselves into one body if we wanted to." Crowley averted his gaze for a moment. "Don't you think?"

"Probably. But...not yet." Aziraphale shook his head. "I'm still processing this."

"I know." 

They looked into each other's eyes, silence stretching between them. Soon, however, something within them broke the spell at the exact same time; they enveloped each other in a tight, tight hug that could have lasted a lifetime. They curled around each other, intense rushes of exhilarating glee moving through them as they laughed. 

"Everything is back in place," Aziraphale said once they finally pulled away. "This is how things were always meant to be."

"Yeah, it's no wonder we were torn apart. Otherwise, we'd be the happiest, most insufferable angel Heaven had ever seen."

"Nothing wrong with that. We're soul mates, Crowley." He giggled. "And you think I'm dashing. You thought I was handsome so many times."

"Oh, of course you'll love those memories the most." Crowley nudged him.

"You told me to focus on the good ones! And that's what I'm choosing to do. It's better than the other ones."

"Yeah, and you were daft enough to not realize that you're my best friend!"

"I couldn't believe it! After all that fighting we did."

"A little fight doesn't mean we aren't still...no, not friends, soul mates. We're soul mates. Aziraphale, we're soul mates."

"I know." Aziraphale touched his forehead to Crowley's. "We don't have to be afraid of Heaven and Hell anymore."

"Not for us. But Earth still has to worry about the Second Coming," Crowley said. "What's your plan for that?"

"They have nothing to be afraid of. The smallest miracle we could do together was enough to raise the dead twenty-five times. I don't have any doubt about how powerful we are now."

"I'll take your word for it."

"I love you so much, Crowley. Just trust me, and things will be fine."

"Of course. I trust you with everything I have now. I love you, Aziraphale."

"I love you." Aziraphale breathed. "Now...can we try again? Please?"

Their lips came together in a beautiful, messy crash. They kissed, letting themselves be warm, letting themselves be loved. It was such a relief after the things they'd been through, after their first kiss hadn't been what they expected. They made up for that attempt and more, holding each other with a gentle yet firm grip and letting the rest of the world melt away. The final remnants of their soul drifted back together, and they were finally whole again. 

They would never feel that missing gap in their hearts ever again.

~~~

It's a pretty well-known fact that you can't have the Second Coming without Christ. Heaven just didn't expect that fact to come into play. 

There wasn't any sort of elaborate disappearance, at least not that the angels were aware of. The infant was kept in His own nursery, constantly under guard, but even that was not enough. One moment He was there, then in one blink, He was gone. The angel watching Him had been promptly demoted. It had caused widespread panic, and there was still not a single word from the Almighty. 

Heaven couldn't find Him anywhere. They scoured every square inch of the place, searching for a place He could have crawled off to-- even though He wasn't old enough to crawl yet. They tried to sense Him on Earth. They even checked with Aziraphale and Crowley, the outlaws of Heaven and Hell, not even technically angels or demons anymore, but their hands were empty. They may have hidden Gabriel, but there wasn't even another living being in their little South Downs cottage to masquerade. It was a cozy little cottage, complete with their own backyard garden and a little fountain, but it was small. Nowhere near enough space for them to hide a baby, and there were no signs of them harboring a small child. No cribs, no signs of magic, no bottles.

The project would have to be put on hold indefinitely. It wasn't like they could recreate the baby; there was only one Christ, and there was no recreating Him. Without this baby, they couldn't do anything. And the longer He was gone, the more unlikely it would be that He would be willing to follow Heaven's orders. 

At this rate, there would be no Second Coming. Everything was falling apart. 

While they despaired from their place in Heaven, a baby cooed in His cottage crib. It was almost time for His breakfast. 

"Crowley!" One of his fathers scooped him up, planting a kiss on his forehead. "Would you get me the bottle?"

"Way ahead of you, angel." The child's other father was already entering the room, and he kissed the top of the other man's head before holding out the bottle. "My two favorite stars, both right here."

"Someone's hungry." Aziraphale stroked the baby's soft, dark hair. "It's strange. We watched Him die, all of those years ago. And now we're raising Him."

"We've already done it once. The whole godfathers thing. And I think we did an alright job." Crowley smirked. "I have faith in us."

"Me, too." Aziraphale beamed. 

Aziraphale and Crowley were very good at hiding things from Heaven and Hell. After all, they had years of experience. One minor miracle hid the new addition to their family with ease. Angels and demons alike peered past the kicking infant like He wasn't even there.  

They'd taken quite a liking to the child. He was very well-behaved. A little angel. 

And from high up in the stars, an Almighty being smiled. Their three most beloved children were finally free together.

Everything was going according to plan.