Aziraphale & Crowley: An Ineffable Love Story

A.Z Fell and Co.

A.Z Fell and Co.
January 1st, 1800

Aziraphale was standing in the cold in front of his shop, which was fully painted and ready to (technically) open. Finally, he had space to fit all his books. He loved it when he felt like he was flying from euphoria without having to open his wings.

"He finally did it" said a voice from behind.

Aziraphale turned to find Crowley standing behind him. Without intending to, he smiled at him.

"Oh yes, I did. Doesn't it look marvelous?" said Aziraphale with so much pride.

Aziraphale was surprised that Crowley had turned up. He had mentioned to him that he was opening the shop a while back, but Crowley didn't seem to pay any attention to it.

"Erm, yes, it looks alright" said Crowley. "Now I won't listen to you whine anymore that you don't have space for your beloved books."

Crowley was secretly happy that Aziraphale went through with it. Now he had a place to find the Angel at any given time.

"Ah, yes. You should see all that wonderful shelf space inside."

Crowley wondered if he was indeed going to be able to take a look.

"What you got there?" asked Aziraphale as he noticed Crowley carrying a wrapped gift.

"Oh this?" said Crowley while she showed off the wrapped book he brought. "This is for you. I thought the occasion called for it."

Aziraphale's eyes sparkled with excitement and Crowley felt his heart melting a little.

"Oh Crowley, you shouldn't have" said Aziraphale trying to hide how excited he was that Crowley gifted him a book.

"I'm going inside to open it" he said and he proceeded to enter the bookshop.

He left the door open behind him, fully expecting for Crowley to follow him.

He went to his desk and started unwrapping the book, when he realized that Crowley didn't follow him inside.

"Angel?" said Crowley with hesitation.

He didn't know whether Aziraphale neglected to invite him in or he just simply didn't wish to.

"Why won't you come in?" said Aziraphale.

Crowley looked at him all confused and pointed to the fact that he couldn't come in.

"Oh right, silly me" said Aziraphale while he realized that Crowley hadn't properly been invited. "Crowley, would you like to come in?"

"I mean if you insist" said Crowley, trying to hide his relief that Aziraphale wasn't trying to purposely keep him out of the shop.

He closed the door behind him, while Aziraphale went back to unwrapping the book.

All of a sudden, he started feeling nervous. He did not know if his book choice would be appropriate for an angel.

"Oh my goodness" said Aziraphale while he fully unwrapped the very well-preserved book.

"It's Inferno, by Dante" said Crowley nervously as if Aziraphale could not read the title by himself. "First edition of course, and..."

"IS THIS REALLY DANTE'S SIGNATURE?" screamed Aziraphale as he had carefully opened the book before Crowley explained that it was a signed copy

"Yes, actually" said Crowley while feeling proud of himself

"Where did you get this?" asked Aziraphale with wonder in his eyes

"From Dante himself. I directly asked for a signed copy. "

"Wait, so you got this book in the 1300s?" asked Aziraphale.

Crowley realized the mistake he made.

"Erm, yes. I only met him because I wanted to explain to him how wrong he was about hell. But since I was impressed by his imagination, I thought, what the hell? I might have him sign it" said Crowley, hoping that Aziraphale wouldn't realize he had been carrying this book for 5 centuries, waiting for the perfect time to give it to him.

"I thought you would put it to better use. I had just been sitting among my stuff collecting dust."

"Ah, thank you so much, Crowley. This gift-giving side looks good on you" said Aziraphale with a wide smile.

"Oi, it isn't gift-giving if I was just making space in my closet" said Crowley, but he was secretly satisfied that Aziraphale liked the book.

Aziraphale was still smiling, knowing for sure that Crowley had been meaning to give the book to Aziraphale for a very long time now. However, he decided not to ask further about it.

"So, how are you planning to keep customers out of your bookshop? Cuz I know for a fact that all these books are yours and not for sale" asked Crowley, hoping to change the subject.

"Well, I have actually the perfect solution for that" said Aziraphale "A complicated opening hour schedule. After a while, I assume people are gonna give up trying to find the shop open."

"I wonder how's that gonna work for you. You're going to quickly gain the reputation of the weird old loner of the neighborhood."

"I mean, as long as you visit once in a while, I don't think it's going to be that bad." said Aziraphale, praying that Crowley would not be spooked by his forthcomingness.

"As long as you don't uninvite me...I could...swing by once in a while..." said Crowley coyly.

"I'll tell you what, let's put it down in writing" said Aziraphale.

He pulled out a paper from his desk drawer and began writing:

January 1st, 1800

"I, sir A.Z Fell, declare that sir Anthony J. Crowley will be welcomed in A.Z Fell and Co. until the end of times."

Crowley smiled. It's been a while since he experienced the sense of such trust. Even though, he had trusted Aziraphale over the years, there was always a tiny whisper behind his head that Aziraphale might turn his back on him if the heavens asked. Yet, Aziraphale had invited him to his shop and put in writing that he would always be invited. The heavens would surely disagree with that.

"How can you be that sure that you'll always be in a welcoming mood? I might do something unforgivable" asked Crowley, but immediately regretted it. He didn't want Aziraphale to have any doubts.

"Don't you worry about that. I am an angel. I will find a way to forgive you." said Aziraphale.

Crowley was surprised that those words came out of Aziraphale. He couldn't help but smile though. An angel would always find a way to forgive him. That was more than he could have ever asked for.