Good Omens - To The World

Can We Still Be Us?

Crowley watched his angel stop just before the elevator to Heaven, and Aziraphale turned his head towards the eyes he felt on him. He hesitated, but Crowley didn't know why. Didn't know if it mattered why, or if he was simply getting a last look at the world he was leaving behind. The look lingered, though, and Crowley noticed Aziraphale's foot move in his direction. At the same time, he looked away and back to Metatron, still awaiting him to join.

"I can't," Aziraphale's voice hadn't come out as loud as he intended, and Metatron, whether he heard him or not, asked him to repeat himself.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I can't accept this job. I just... Not without Crowley."

Aziraphale didn't wait for his response. He let his body carry out the urge he had to turn and walk back to the fire haired demon, who hadn't stopped watching him since he exited his shop.

Crowley shifted his weight in place, and suddenly felt a little intimidated by the person now making the hurried walk towards him. Is he going to tell me off? Demand I go with him? Are we about to have a movie moment where he lowers me in his arms and-

He stopped his thoughts from running wild. It hadn't been more than a couple hours now that he'd allowed himself to even believe his friendship of millenia could ever be more than just that. Love wasn't what demons do after all. But Crowley knew deep down he wasn't much of a demon, so what took him so long to realize he could love, too?

It probably wasn't helped by the fact that in the matter of one afternoon he had realized he was in love with his best friend, lost his best friend, had his first kiss, and had his heart broken. The idea of picturing himself in those romance movies was too much emotion for him right now. Unfortunately, by the way Aziraphale was marching toward him, Crowley doubted it was the end of the difficult emotions for the day.

Unbeknownst to him, though, Aziraphale had no intentions of confronting Crowley. In fact, he likely had every intention of delivering that movie moment if he could pluck up the courage. Neither of them were going to find out, though, because by the time the angel was halfway across the street, Metatron had stepped back out of the building and called out to him.

Aziraphale didn't turn, and didn't intend to stop, but he realized he wasn't moving anymore either. It was going against everything in his body and mind, yet still he stopped in the middle of the road. Aziraphale looked down at his feet, then back up to the cars coming towards him in the street, one now honking at him. He wanted to jump out of the way but couldn't. At least, he couldn't in the direction of Crowley. But, when he tried to move back towards Metatron, he was able to, though all he could muster was 3 unnatural side steps just out of traffic. Crowley started moving towards him without another thought, almost like Aziraphale's command to move his own feet had hit him instead.

"Aziraphale, I'd like you to come with me. Like we discussed," Metatron spoke as if he was still standing next to him despite being several paces away. But, of course he heard him, they both did. He didn't sound concerned or uncertain, just annoyed, as if speaking to an obstinate child. By his tone, there seemed to be no doubt in his mind that Aziraphale would obey him. But instead, the angel grunted, and breathed out hard before collapsing to his knees. By that time, Crowley had reached the other side of the street and immediately knelt in front of Aziraphale.

"Hey, whoa, angel. Angel, what's wrong?" he asked, putting his hands on his forearms. Aziraphale continued his labor breathing, and followed up his touch by leaning towards him and grabbing onto his arms in return as if to ask for help to hold himself up. The unexpected movement made Crowley drop down and sit on the backs of his legs. He moved his hands to hold Aziraphale's face looking at him, then to Metatron. His expression had changed, as he clearly wasn't expecting this either. It was hard to tell if the expression was more shock, anger, or something else altogether. He lifted his head, and turned back and walked into the elevator, proceeding back up to Heaven. Crowley had no idea what to make of any of it. What in Satan's name even just happened? But Aziraphale took his attention back.