One Last Chance ~ Crowley x Aziraphale

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Crowley eventually came back and after taking a breath they went into the bookshop to find Muriel. "Have you sold anything?" Crowley questioned as they walked in and Muriel shook her head. "Good."

"I thought this was a bookshop though?" She asked and Crowley shook their head.

"Aziraphale is - was - too attached to his books to actually sell them. It's more so just a library you can't check books out from." They shrugged, hiding the pain in their voice when they mentioned him. "I have a favor to ask you actually."

Muriel tilted her head in curiosity, "What is it? And I can't take you up to heaven for being 'under arrest' again. Metatron already told me off for that." Crowley shook their head.

"Not that, I'd rather not see any of the archangels anyway." The implication in their voice was pretty clear. They didn't want to see Aziraphale at the moment. "No I uh... I wanted to ask you for..." They hesitated, "Holy water."

Muriel had a look of her on her face at the request, "But Crowley...! That would-"
"It's not for me to... Y'know." They spoke hastily, the same thing they had told Aziraphale all those years ago, "If Shax takes over Beelzebub's position, she might decide to hunt me down. I need something that I can fully trust to defend myself with if she does come after me. Who knows where I'd be." Muriel nervously considered it for a moment, "Aziraphale gave me some a few centuries ago if that helps. I used it against Ligur though when he and Hastur came after me."

Muriel hesitantly nodded after a moment, "Alright... But only if you promise to be careful with it." Her voice wavered nervously and Crowley nodded.

"I won't do anything stupid with it Muriel. I won't touch it unless I'm in danger."

They weren't truly lying, that was the main reason they wanted it but... They also wanted an out if things got to be too much with Aziraphale leaving.

"Come back tomorrow then, I'll... I'll have some for you then..." She murmured anxiously and Crowley nodded, giving her a soft hug. They wouldn't admit it out loud but they needed the hug just as much.

Muriel happily accepted it, hugging them back and smiling softly.

The next day seemed to come too soon as Muriel paced through the bookshop, thermos of holy water in her hands as she waited for Crowley to arrive to take it. She was lucky enough to not get caught or bump into Aziraphale. She didn't particularly feel like explaining to him that Crowley had asked her for holy water and she decided to oblige.

A mix of dread and relief washed through her body when Crowley walked in and her grip on the holy water tightened.

"You swear this is just for self defense?" She held the thermos behind her as Crowley reached for it. They sighed and nodded.

"I swear on my... Wings." They swallowed as they mentioned their wings and Muriel reluctantly nodded before handing over the thermos. Crowley tucked it into his jacket, "Thank you Muriel."

She gave an anxious nod, "Yeah just... Be careful Crowley.. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't, don't worry Muriel." With that, Crowley left, putting it into the glove compartment of his Bentley and driving off