Everyday it's a-gettin' closer - English Version

Being human - At home

To everyone's surprise, the next few days were quite peaceful. Apart from Crowley's constant urging to finally be allowed to go home, a routine had already been established which was broken off when Crowley finally managed to get his way and was given permission by the doctors to leave the hospital.

However, Aziraphale and Nathanael had asked the specialists how they could look after the wounded man. Much to the displeasure of the former demon himself, as he secretly hated being the centre of attention. Such was the case when he had swung his legs out of Nathanael's machine gun after she had used it to transport the group to the bookshop and she stood in front of him, offering a helping hand.

"Little one..." he groaned in annoyance and Nathanael raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You heard the doctors. No overexertion, no hasty movements and absolute rest, otherwise they would have kept you."

After rolling his eyes for a moment, Crowley got in and slowly heaved himself out of the car. Even though he hated to admit it, the wound was still very painful and the unpleasant pulling of the stitches was almost driving him mad.

"Good boy," Nathanael couldn't help but comment after she pushed the door shut and watched Crowley hack into Aziraphale.

"Your death stare doesn't look so menacing without the yellow googly eyes," she continued after glancing briefly at Crowley and walked to the entrance, where Muriel was already holding the door open to let her in. "Home sweet home, happiness alone," Crowley sighed with relief after Aziraphale led him to the couch so he could sit down, "never thought I'd miss the smell of your countless books, angel!"

"I'm already grateful that you don't say "stink"," Aziraphale smiled sadly and sat down next to him so that his beloved could lean against him, exhausted. "Are you in a lot of pain?" the blond then asked worriedly after noticing Crowley put his hand on his injured flank.

"I'm fine," Crowley mumbled tiredly and took a deep breath.

"So," Muriel announced, carrying a tray with drinks and small snacks, "I've been told to say hello to Maggie and Nina. They came by once and wanted to visit you...so..."

"...we explained to them that some madman had attacked you and you were in hospital because of it," Nathanael completed Muriel's sentence and placed coasters on the table so that the drinking glasses could be placed on them.

"We're talking about Hastur here, so it's not far-fetched," Crowley muttered, his face screwed up in disgust when he saw Nathanael take a packet from the tray and take out a film of medication.

"Oh no, little one..."

"Dearest," Aziraphale reminded him and when Crowley looked at him, the former angel was staring at him. "All right," he relented and took the tablet Nathanael handed him before filling one of the drinking glasses with water. "Down it!" she said curtly and with a sigh, Crowley did as he was told.

"Wow... the film on your tongue that shitty thing leaves behind," he grumbled and put the glass back on the table.

"So disgusting?" felt Muriel along after she had finished setting the lounge table with Nathanael and sat down on the armchair, while Nathanael grabbed one of the cushions and placed it under her buttocks before placing herself on the floor.

"So disgusting!" Crowley confirmed, taking off his shoes and lying down sideways with his upper body leaning against Aziraphale.

"I know you don't like to hear this...but I'm so sorry, Crowley. Because of me..."

Aziraphale couldn't even finish the sentence before Crowley's eyes pierced him.

"Even though I still struggle with myself sometimes, I have to agree with Crowley," Nathanael began, opening the box of treats Nina had given the group, "it's all Hastur's fault and whoever betrayed him that you're vulnerable now. Not daring to launch an attack until then is as cowardly as..."

Now it was Nathanael who got a piercing look and that from Aziraphale as he knew the young angel was about to utter a disgusting swear word.

"...like a cat chasing a dead mouse..." Nathanael immediately corrected himself and Crowley couldn't help but grin.

After a while of small talk and snack eating, Aziraphale noticed how Crowley's body lay heavier against him and when he looked at his beloved, he realised that he had fallen asleep.

"Ladies," he whispered, putting a forefinger to his mouth as he interrupted Nathanael and Muriel's conversation, and while Muriel put a hand over her mouth, embarrassed by their loudness, Nathanael hopped to her feet and went to one of the cupboards to fetch a blanket. Aziraphale himself, slowly disentangled himself from the constellation and laid Crowley better on the couch so that he could cover him up after Nathanael handed him the blanket.

"He's still so pale," Aziraphale sighed in a whisper and gave Crowley a kiss on the forehead after brushing a few loose, disturbing strands of hair from it. "It'll come back...it just takes time," Nathanael said gently, placing a hand on Aziraphale's shoulder, "...and now he's home. I think that will speed up his recovery even more."

Aziraphale looked at his foster daughter, smiled briefly and then patted Nathanael's hand with a gentle nod.

"Thank you, offspring," he added to his gesture.

Nathanael returned the smile and then began to help Muriel set the table again.

"Muriel, could you have a quick look at Crowley?" Aziraphale asked kindly and Muriel nodded briefly. "Of course," she confirmed and sat back down on the armchair, while Aziraphale took the tray under Nathanael's puzzled gaze and nodded towards the kitchen.

Perplexed, she followed him and when they were in the kitchen, Aziraphale turned to her. "You say that his healing is progressing faster because he's home now, does that mean that positive events can also help his physical well-being?"

"Yes, very much so. Mental well-being is connected to the body," Nathanael replied, noticing how Aziraphale began to think.

"You're hatching something, aren't you?" she understood and the man nodded slowly. "I remembered a conversation between us before... well, all this happened and I think we can give him an even bigger treat."

"Okay," Nathanael snapped, crossing his arms, "what do you have in mind?"

Pleased that Nathanael was interested, Aziraphale smiled briefly and pulled her towards his bedroom.

"You have a mobile phone, don't you?"

Nathanael nodded and took the desired device from her trouser pocket. At Aziraphale's impatient wave, she unlocked it and handed it to him.

"There are... programmes where you can call up a map to search for something, aren't there?" Nathanael agreed and showed him which app to open. Aziraphale then hurriedly typed something in and clenched his free hand into a fist, confident of victory. "Can I borrow your car? I need to get there!"

Aziraphale handed Nathanael the mobile phone and she briefly read through what had been searched for. Slowly, she began to realise.

"I like it," she smiled and pulled the key to her machine gun out of her jacket pocket. "I suppose I'll have to play the distraction squad, assuming our little briar patch wakes up again?"

"Don't have to, but would you?" Aziraphale asked back, and Nathanael couldn't help giggling. "What a daft question! Of course!" she agreed and pressed the key into Aziraphale's hand.