A Blip in Our Lives ~ Crowley x Aziraphale

Maggie

Nina and Maggie were starting to get worried as Aziraphale hadn't come to check in on them like he usually would've nor had then seen Aziraphale and Crowley together recently which was honestly more concerning to the both of them. So, they decided that Nina would go check on Crowley and Maggie would check on Aziraphale. They figured that both of them going in without a bias from what one person said would be best.

Maggie gently knocked on the front door to the bookshop, ignoring the sign, which once again made worry bubble up in her. Aziraphale wasn't one to close his bookshop for long periods of time for no reason. There was no response so Maggie knocked again, this time a bit harder.There once again wasn't a response.

"Aziraphale?" She called, knocking on the door again, a bit harder, "It's Maggie, I know you're in there!"

"We're closed!" Aziraphale's voice came from somewhere deep in the bookshop, muffled by the door.

Maggie sighed and shook her head. "That doesn't mean you can't talk to me!" She yelled through the door. There wasn't a response again, "Aziraphale!" She yelled again, knocking on the door again. "I'm not leaving until you open this door and talk to me!" She shouted again and after a moment the door swung open.

Aziraphale was a mess, his hair was frazzled and he had bags under his eyes. His clothes were wrinkled and the whole bookshop was covered in a layer of dust. Maggie's eyes widened at the sight and she quickly pushed past Aziraphale into the bookshop before he could stop her.

"Aziraphale, what is going on with you?" She asked worriedly, turning to him and he shook his head, shutting the door with a sigh.

"Why do you ask?" Maggie couldn't believe her ears as she stepped towards him.

"Your bookshop's a mess, you haven't left here in weeks, you haven't gone out to eat, you look like you haven't even changed your clothes, you haven't come to check on me or Nina like you usually do and no ones seen you with Crowley either."

Hearing their name felt like a knife through Aziraphale's heart and his eyes almost immediately started watering. Maggie softened as she realized what the root of the issue probably was.

"Did... Did something happen between you and them?" She asked softly, taking a step towards Aziraphale and gently placing a hand on his shoulder. Aziraphale shrugged a bit.

"I'm an angel, they're a demon. We're hereditary enemies." He spoke, trying to keep his voice from wavering. Maggie immediately saw through Aziraphales words and shook her head.

"You two have been friends for over 6,000 years now, why is it any different now than it was before?" She asked softly.

Aziraphale so desperately wanted to explain everything to Maggie, to get everything that had happened the week before off his chest but as he opened his mouth to do so, Michaels warning rang in his ears;

'Remember don't tell anyone if you want your precious Crowley to survive this,'

So instead of telling Maggie, he just shook his head, a tear slipping from his eye and turned away, not wanting Maggie to see him cry. Maggie felt her heart ache for Aziraphale, whatever had happened definitely wasn't good.

"Aziraphale.." She mumbled softly and he shook his head.

"He's safer this way." He muttered, looking down, wiping his eyes.

"Why do you say that?" Maggie pushed a bit. As much as she wanted to respect Aziraphale not wanting to talk about it, he obviously needed help.

"He just is!" Aziraphale snapped, turning his head to look at Maggie, his eyes brimming with tears. "I think you should go now." He grumbled before Maggie could respond and walked away from Maggie and into the back room of the bookshop. Maggie stood there in shock for a moment, Aziraphale had always been kind and gentle, especially to her. Maggie took a deep breath and shook her head, following Aziraphale.