I'm Gonna Set Things Right Again (Good Omens fanfiction)

Almost

There was no more moping around in bed, just like Crowley had said. However, that didn't mean that the progress was linear, either. Aziraphale still grappled with his guilt and struggled to let go of his pain and allow himself to start anew. Meanwhile, Crowley found that the vast majority of his rage and disappointment in the Angel had evaporated with time, leaving behind a steady torrent of love and a fierce determination to guide Aziraphale back towards the light, where he belonged.

And he did, because despite the setbacks, they also reached more and more milestones as time went on.

They passed the first one when Aziraphale ventured outside the bookshop alongside Crowley for the first time since his return from Heaven. However, they didn't go far – just across the street to enjoy their morning coffee and cocoa, respectively.

Crowley's hand rested firmly on the small of Aziraphale's back as they crossed the street, the Angel looking like a stronger wind would knock him over without difficulty. They crossed the threshold of the coffee shop, making their way towards a nearby table. Crowley registered the exact moment at which Nina, who was standing behind the counter, serving other customers, caught sight of their duo. The way her eyes widened slightly and her lips quirked up in a smile told the demon that she was delighted to see the Angel back on his feet, and that she would hurry up to their table as soon as she was done serving those standing in line at the counter. However, Crowley caught her gaze and shook his head slightly, signalling that her greeting would have to be a little more subdued than what she was probably planning on in order not to scare the Angel away.

Nina seemed to have gotten the message, as she walked up to them quite casually a few minutes later, and not at all as if she were about to greet a friend whom she hadn't seen in ages, and whom she had been worried about.

"Good morning, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Fell," she welcomed them. "It's good to see you back," she then turned to Aziraphale with a meaningful little nod. However, that confidential tone was gone a moment later, replaced by a much more business-like one. "What can I get started for you?"

"Any recommendations?" Crowley questioned.

"Our Pumpkin Spice Latte, perhaps?" Nina suggested. "It's a season special with some extra flavour. Probably something for you and that special taste of yours. Oh, and it comes with mini marshmallows that look like ghosts, just to lure spooky fans such as yourself in."

"Yeah, I'll take that," the demon answered with a lazy nod.

"And for you, Mr. Fell?" Nina then turned to Aziraphale.

"Mh-," the Angel began after looking up at her. However, he soon broke off, swallowing hard instead.

Nina bit into her lip as she registered the tears already gathering in the corners of Aziraphale's eyes. Crowley scooted closer to his companion, letting the thumb of his palm that still rested on the Angel's back trace delicate patterns on its surface.

"How about your usual hot chocolate, accompanied by a Manchester tart? It's freshly baked," Nina finally suggested as an attempt to save Aziraphale from having to talk.

The Angel looked down in embarrassment as a stray tear escaped out of his eye. Then, he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, mouthing "thank you".

Nina too inclined her head in acknowledgement, then hurried away to prepare their drinks. Aziraphale looked a tad more collected when she returned carrying a tray with their order, and he and Crowley thanked her in unison, although the Angel's voice sounded somewhat weaker.

However, the trials that Aziraphale had to face were not over yet. He cut into the tart with his fork and took a small bite, but he looked as if he was attending a dear friend's funeral instead of enjoying a delicious cake at a local coffee shop.