Ineffable Omens (Crowley x Aziraphale)

Not Leaving Your Side

 Crowley woke up to the smell of warm bacon, and for a second, he was happy, until the memories came flooding back. He groaned, rolling back and planting his face in his pillow. He lay there for about fifteen minutes before the smell of bacon lured him into the kitchen. He was still wearing last night's clothes, but he didn't care.

He found Aziraphale in the kitchen, humming as he stirred the scrambled eggs on the stove. A kettle on the stove next to him started to bubble up and emit a high pitched noise. From the stereo, Queen played, more specifically, the song Love of my Life. An interesting choice for Aziraphale to play, especially now. Crowley leaned in the doorway for a few minutes, watching the angel work, before he finally announced his presence.

"I didn't know you liked Queen."

"It's just what you had," Aziraphale said, turning around. He was by default, his usual chipper self, but his face fell quickly. "I like this song in particular, right now. How are you feeling?"

"Mentally or physically?" Crowley said, sitting down at the table. "Physically, I feel like I got beat up by archangel fucking Gabriel."

"Is that what happened?" Aziraphale said, suddenly very protective. "He's the one that hurt you?!"

"Relax," Crowley said. "I was asking for it. Just wanted to pick a fight. I know it's easy to push his buttons."

"Oh," Aziraphale said, throwing scrambled eggs onto a plate with some bacon and sliding it across the table to Crowley. A sickening silence set in.

"Are you going to eat?" Crowley asked.

"I already did," Aziraphale said, stirring his tea with far too much focus. "Here's your letter by the way." He slid the note Crowley left him across the table. "And if you're wondering, no, I still didn't read it."

Crowley nodded and pocketed the letter. "Thank you for staying. You really didn't have to."

"I'm not leaving you alone for a second," Aziraphale said. "And not because I care, I just don't want you to die."

"That sounds like you care."

"Well I don't. Caring and not wanting someone to die are very different things."

"I don't know why you wouldn't want me to die. I hurt you."

"You hit me. That doesn't mean I want you to die. You betrayed my trust, but you're still ... you're still ..." He shook his head. "That doesn't change everything we've been through together. I'm angry and I'm confused, but that doesn't change everything. Just ... some things."

"What does it change?"

"Don't worry about it. I'm just going to need a little distance."

"I thought you said you weren't leaving me for a second?"

Aziraphale rolled his eyes. "I'm not. I don't know. You have me very confused right now. Can I trust you to be alone for a few minutes while I go take a shower?"

"Of course," Crowley said, and Aziraphale disappeared. Crowley hated to do it, but it was obvious Aziraphale didn't want to be around him. He didn't didn't want to be a burden on his friend, so he left his eggs and bacon on the table, got in his Bentley, and drove away.