The Known/Unknown Quantity

Chapter 108: Hazar Merd Cave

Chapter 108: Hazar Merd Cave

Breakfast, Aziraphale wondered, taking the steps up to his quarters. Could do a full English breakfast, if I put my mind to it. But would it fortify us, or just make us all the sleepier?

Us, he paused at the door. Us. So, it is us now. Not my lot, not your lot....but our lot.

He pushed open the door. Humanity, against Heaven and Hell. Our lot, our side.

He looked up to Crowley, spread eagle on his bed, and laughing with relief. It took you so long to convince me what I knew all along.

The angel couldn't move forward into the room. I owe you more than you will ever know, Crowley. My love is an action verb. I just....can't stop loving you. And it hurts, and sighs, and laughs along with you.

Crowley rolled over and hugged himself, then his thankfully receding eyes fell on his angel. "Oi!"

Aziraphale blinked out of his thoughts.

Crowley spread his arms out. "Come give 'Crawley' a hug."

"Just Crowley, now," the angel smiled, edging into the room and closing the door. "Just my sweet snake, my star maker."

"Shaddap!" the demon drawled, "Bring it in!"

Aziraphale came over and gently tumbled into his arms, and the demon gaphawed and rocked him hard. "Oomph, you thing you! Nearly took me senseless, that did."

The angel just let him squeeze tighter.

"It's not to your liking, though, is it?" Crowley told him. The angel fell back and stared at him.

"I can tell."

"I...don't know. Call it timing, dear boy."

"Want to be ruled more than rule?"

"Presently, yes. I have a feeling it will change, like a phase. But to top you so forcefully, in that way, well, I will do whatever you require."

"I don't require it that much, angel," Crowley admitted, leaning on his elbow, quieting his voice.

"I will never ask you to do anything you are uncomfortable with."

"I'm not uncomfortable, Crowley," he explained. "I'm just...performing."

"Ah, that's fine."

"One day I'll want more, the next less. But at the end of the day, I just want you well."

"Get ready for the moods again."

"I'm prepared."

"No sleep, and all, for our lot."

"Yes," Aziraphale smiled sadly, patting his cheek. "No sleep yet, for us."

Christmas Eve. A time for cheer. A time for sleeplessness.

But not in this manner. Not without the cheer.

Everyone was feverous with intent, even Shadwell who still as yet didn't know what he was intending.

The angel and demon had not come out of the shop. Piles of books surrounded Aziraphale as the pacing demon shed his happiness into something dourer but not to levels of drudgery. The angel, upon hearing of Crowley's meeting, sped past the prophecy books and straight to the history journals. And one book fell open at last, and he placed his finger firmly there and showed the demon.