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"We want you to create another universe," Aziraphale said.
"One without angels. Or demons. No God. No Satan," Crowley continued. "A universe without a Heaven and without a Hell." A universe without my angel, he thought. "No great plan, nothing ineffable."
"You are asking God to create a Godless universe?" She looked at them, bewildered. "Neither of you could ever exist in such a universe, you understand? Do you both fully comprehend the cost?"
"We know what we are asking for," Crowley answered, his voice breaking.
She stood. Aziraphale took a slow, deep breath, squeezing Crowley's hand gently.
"I won't do it."
"What?" Crowley gasped.
"Not because of the godless universe, that doesn't concern me." She paused. "But… Aziraphale is right. What's the point of giving someone their other half, only to take it away? What's the point of six thousand years of shared existence, if you won't even remember each other?"
"But people… they deserve to be truly free," Crowley argued.
"I understand. But I think the two of you have suffered enough."
"What are you suggesting?" Satan said.
"I'm going to create the new universe you're asking for, built according to your wishes. No Heaven, no Hell. No angels, no demons. But you will appear in it in this era, in the same place, under circumstances as close to these as possible. You will remember all of this, but you will no longer be an angel and a demon. No miracles, no immortality. Just two travelers from another universe. Ordinary people, with a few years already lived."
"You would do that for us?"
"You will die.” She said with a concerned expression “Eventually, I mean. One of you will go first, and the other will have to live without him. You need to be fully aware of what it means to stop being immortal."
"Then we'll love each other as though there's no tomorrow," Aziraphale said, looking at Crowley.
She smiled. Satan stared at her in disbelief.
"You're really going to…?"
"So be it."
They closed their eyes and held each other's hands tightly. When they opened them again, they were in the bookshop. Everything exactly where it had always been, a cup of hot chocolate waiting on the table, and the love of their lives right there beside them.
"She did it," Crowley breathed.
"She did it," Aziraphale echoed, taking his face in his hands and kissing him the way he had wanted to for so many centuries.
When they broke apart, Aziraphale laughed.
"What? What's so funny?" Crowley laughed too, happy tears in his eyes.
"Your eyes. They've changed, but they're still my favourite shade of yellow."
"I suppose an ordinary human being shouldn't have snake eyes."
"I suppose not."
The shop door interrupted them with the soft chime of its bell. A young man with curly hair and warm brown skin approached a little shyly.
"Oh, it's you!" Aziraphale said with a broad smile. Crowley gave him a gentle tug on the jacket, a quiet reminder of their new reality.
"I guess it is me," the young man said, smiling with a hint of puzzlement. "Um… I was wondering if you might have any books on charity work. Some friends and I are trying to start a project… helping people who are going through a hard time…"
"But of course! If you'll follow me this way" Aziraphale set off down the aisle, Crowley at his side.
"You're going to sell him a book," Crowley murmured with a smile.
"Actually, I'm going to give him one for free," Aziraphale replied, rather proudly.
He ran his finger along the spines and drew one out with care.
"This will teach you everything you need to know — paperwork, how to get started, applying for grants… a little of everything."
"This is wonderful! How much do I owe you?"
"Not a thing. Enjoy it."
"Well, thank you so much, Mr…"
"Fell. Mr. Fell."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Fell."
“Let us know if there is something we can help with”
The young man thanked him with a smile and left.
"I think it's going to take me a little while to get used to… all of this."
"We'll figure it out together. We won't be separated again. Nothing will separate us."
Aziraphale smiled, knowing there was only one thing that ever could, and finding he didn't mind it in the least. Because he knew that every second with Crowley, with his Crowley, was a gift.
"How about I take you out for sushi? Wherever we find — I don't know if the same restaurants will be here as in… the other London."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, my dear," Aziraphale said, taking his hand.
Twenty Years Later
Aziraphale found Crowley sitting beside his telescope, gazing up at the constellations — imagining, perhaps, that in this universe he had made them too. His cane rested against his leg, and his ring caught the light of the moon.
Aziraphale sat down beside him and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
"Jesus called. He, Adam, and the kids will probably come by for lunch tomorrow."
"That boy, I bet he forgot to go shopping again," Crowley laughed, resting his head on his husband's shoulder.
"I wouldn't be surprised at all. I'll ring Muriel, see if they’re not working and want to come see their nephews."
"Inspector Muriel… It's funny… how it all makes sense. How everyone made their own decisions, and ended up exactly as it should be"
"Is there anything you would have changed?"
"Nah, not really." He looked into his eyes. "I have all that I need. I have the universe, two wonderful kids who somehow ended up ours, even grandchildren. And most of all, I have a beautiful husband." He smiled. "What else could I possibly need?"