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In a way, it was a second Eden. The only life in reality, an apple tree in a bookshop. It was all around them. Knowledge. Good and Evil. The very things that damned and doomed them, the thing that started it all. Aziraphale couldn't do it, but Crowley could see the light. The ending, the thing he had been wanting since the very birth of stars.
"I want a real universe. I want the people to have a chance. I want Free Will to be a real thing. People deserve a chance to live in the real world. Even if there are no angels. No demons. No us, ever again."
It felt like his ethereal matter was coming apart. Aziraphale turned away, his eyes shining brightly.
"Did i say the wrong thing?" It was the first and last day of reality, please let Aziraphale understand.
"It's just... all the people Crowley. Every human that ever lived. Michael UnMade them. UnMade it all. If we as Her to begin again....... I don't care if there's no ineffable plan, no Heaven, no Hell. No us. But all the humans. What would starting again do for them?"
Crowley had first asked his question at the dawn of time, an entire reality ago. After that, he'd spent the next six thousand years asking it every second of existence, surrounded by humans trying their best. Being punished for things beyond their understanding, marching towards their doom. Demonic eyes were never designed to cry, but Aziraphale had called him a former demon in this space between worlds, and maybe that had done something because he could feel his stinging. He took a deep breath.
"I believe we've come to a decision."
Sometime, God plays Chess with Herself, in an attempt to outsmart all the pieces and find a brilliant new pattern. Today - no day, never a day - she waits to see what happens next. This was never Written, but She knows her creations. She knows what they will say. Or so she thinks. Aziraphale and Crowley materialise back onto the same plane or bookshop-shaped reality, clinging tightly to one another.
"Made your decision?" Lucifer asked.
Aziraphale nodded "We want you to remake it. Exactly as it was, with all the people, and the love, and the possibility it always had."
Crowley nodded. "And we want you to give them Free Will. No fiddly bits, no mucking about upstairs with destiny. Real freedom to choose."
"We know we can't exist in that world, no angel or demon could. But we lived on that Earth for so long, it wouldn't be right to leave them. Let them be destroyed."
"No more heaven, no more hell. The humans should be able to chose their own future. Really chose it, and build it for themselves."
It's so interesting, when Her creations do something unexpected. It's never happened before. This could be rather fun.
"You want God, to Create a Godless universe? There would be no second chances, no kickbacks, no miracles to save the day. Neither of you would be able to exist as you are."
"Wait," Lucifer was flabbergasted. "You're really going to indulge them in this foolishness?"
God laughed. "Why not? Just this once. I'm rather curious to see what they do next."
"What they do next? They won't exist in this new world they're asking for. I won't exist, You won't exist! It's utter lunacy!"
"It's better than lunacy. It's ineffable."
"No, wait," Crowley grimaced, stepping forward a little but not letting go of Aziraphale's hand. "That's exactly what we don't want! It can't be ineffable, it has to be human. It has to be really, properly --"
"Cease."
With that single word, Aziraphale pulled Crowley back from God, holding him even closer as if to protect him.
"Nobody really understood it, did you. Not any of you. Ineffable was never meant to mean Of Me, it's just beyond language. A greater joy than can be expressed or understood. Of course, that is Me now, but in this new world I rather think Humanity will be Ineffable."
Aziraphale's voice was cut with steel. "They already are. Every single human already is, and that's why we want You to bring them back. Why we want You to Live Freely. For eternity."
"Or as long as the universe exists, at least."
"Yes, what Crowley said."
"Very well." And She smiled, for the last time, in this Bookshop at the beginning of nothing, and the end of forever. "Humanity will get their fair shot. No heaven or hell. Just Life." She paused, a winked. "Remember, no more miracles. No second chances. But so long as you keep the bodies intact, I don't foresee too many problems."
Then there was nothing.
And It All Started Again.
It started, as it shall end, in a garden. But this is right in the middle, and a busy London footpath is no place for contemplation or any such nonsense. Still clinging to one another, Crowley and Aziraphale looked around them in amazement.
"Is this....real?" Crowley's voice was tight, his fingers digging into Aziraphale's skin. "Angel, tell me this isn't real."
"I don't know Crowley, I don't know what she did. It all certainly looks real enough."
Rubber shrieked on asphalt as a car took the corner a little too quickly. People on the sidewalk flinched away instinctively, but it managed to land on it's wheels and speed away down the street. Humans milled around them, chattering and hurrying and very much alive.
"Do you think it worked?" Crowley looked around again. Would Free Will show up on a human face? In their eyes, or their smile? "Did she actually do it?"
Aziraphale looped his arm tightly around Crowley's waist, far more snug than he would have ever allowed himself to before. "I hope so. I suppose we'll find out." He knew where they were. Perhaps it had been intentional, or just a lucky accident. Once, he would have called it a miracle, but they seemed in short supply these days. Bundling through Soho, they barely raised an eyebrow.
The bookshop was just where it always was. Shuttered up and serene on the corner, it seemed like it was missing something. There was no haze anymore. No oh-dearie-me-I-left-the-kettle-on-must-dash-books-aren't-really-for-me-anyway bubble keeping passers by from taking an interest. It was just a building. The door was already unlocked, and the familiar insides seemed almost foreboding after everything that had happened in the last few hours.
Carefully depositing Crowley in an overstuffed armchair, Aziraphale sat down on the footstool opposite. "I think we need to talk."
"Talk? I mean, yes we do," Crowley looked around "But is this the time to talk? We shouldn't be here, Angel."
"You know, I rather don't think I am."
"What?"
"I don't think I'm an angel, anymore. And I rather suspect you're no longer a demon."
"Aziraphale. If you're saying what I think you're saying...."
"No more miracles. she was rather careful to say it like that. No more second chances. I'm not sure what I am now, but I'm certainly not what I used to be."
Crowley nodded. It had taken him a little longer to notice, after spending years living on the streets with no miracles of his own, but it really wasn't there anymore. Not connection to hell. No ability to sense anything greater than himself. Slowly, he reached forward.
"Then I agree. We do need to talk." he said. Aziraphale nodded, and took Crowley's hands in his.
"I don't know what's going to happen. There isn't any type of plan anymore, but I know what I want. If the humans have Free Will now, maybe we do too. And I'll chose to spend every day in this Universe with you. I don't just want what we used to have, Crowley. I want everything. I want us."
"I've wanted to be with you for so long, Angel--" was all Crowley managed to say before Aziraphale was pulling him forward, leaning in, pressing their lips together, kissing him. It was nothing like last time. Nobody pulled away, nobody cursed or cried. Crowley wrapped one arm around Aziraphale's shoulders as he stumbled forward into his lap, kneeling awkwardly on the edge of the footstool as he felt the former angel's tongue dart against his. They didn't need to breath, but they still broke apart eventually.
"I'm still not an angel anymore," Aziraphale said.
"I know. Do you mind if I keep calling you that, though? You've been my angel for centuries. I'm not going to let a little thing like the remaking of reality get in the way of that." Crowley smiled, still a bit wobbly but truly coming to understand the enormity of everything that had taken place.
"Oh my dear, sweet, darling Crowley. You can call me anything you like."
They both knew there was more talking to do. More real, deep discussions about what the future could hold for them, now that they could make their own choices. For the moment, they stayed clinging together. Closer than they had ever dared to be before Today. The first day of the rest of their lives.
Some time later, when the sun was shining lower in the windows, Aziraphale rubbed his fingers in small circles along Crowley's arm, and smiled. "In light of recent developments, I don't suppose I could tempt you to a spot of dinner at the Ritz?"
"My my my, Free Will looks quite good on you Angel."
"Why thank you my dear. Now, best get a wriggle on. It occurs to me we won't be able to miracle up a free table if there isn't one already."
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Will we be reduced to booking ahead?"
"I shall certainly try if it comes to that. Do you think their number is in the phonebook?"
"It'll be online, it won't be difficult."
"Now." Aziraphle muttered. "Where did I put it?" He methodically emptied a box filled with moleskins and miniature bars of chocolate, until he pulled out a yellowing envelope stuffed with cash. "No way to miracle our way out of paying anymore, either."
Crowley looked at Aziraphale, trying to get ready for their first meal together in this new life, and decided to use his Free Will for something rather nice.
Their third kiss was nothing like the first, or the second. It was much shorter. You could barely call it a kiss, with Crowley quickly ducking into Aziraphale's space and brushing their lips together for a brief moment. He swayed backwards, and saw Aziraphale smiling at him.
"It's so good to see you happy, Crowley."
"Well, look at me! Being successfully tempted out to a night of gluttony and celebration in the center of the new universe. I can't think of any better reason to be happy."
It's best to leave them there now, I think. A few minutes later, they will walk out onto Whickber St, and make their way towards the luckily unmolsted Bentley. Crowley will drive, and Aziraphale will marvel at the fact that although he can see the humans all around them, he can no longer truly sense them. Luckily - true luck, no fiddling from above or below - there will be a table free at the Ritz. The perfect place for a first date, or a honeymoon, or something that's a little bit of both. But they asked for a world free from angels and demons, heaven and hell. A world with Free Will, and that cannot very well happen of I'm writing their story for them. Best to let them go for now.
As the wine flows, and they lace their fingers together underneath the table, there are indeed nightingales singing in Berkley square.