Ineffable Omens (Crowley x Aziraphale)

Fixing With Superglue Doesn't Erase The Crack In the Foundation

Adam paused, knowing that if he spoke, his voice would give away immediately that he had been crying. He simply stared at the strange man, wondering what he could possibly be doing in his room.

"Adam, I know you don't remember me, but we met six years ago at the end of the world. Remember that? Well, even though you don't remember me, I was there. I was an angel with my friend Crowley."

"Go away," Adam said. "I can't ... handle this right now. Whatever this is." Adam stood up, his legs shaking as he made his way to his bedroom window. He opened it up and crawled out onto the roof, hoping maybe the stranger would just go away.

Instead, the stranger followed him outside and sat down next to him, sitting there silently for a few minutes. "When I knew you, you were the happiest little boy. So creative and you always made up the best games," Aziraphale said with a chuckle. "What happened?"

"Life," Adam said softly after a moment. He sighed. "I'm not okay."

Those words hit Adam like a ton of bricks. He had never said that out loud before. He had spent years saying I'm okay and I'm fine. He hadn't ever admitted to anyone he was anything other than perfectly fine.

"Oh my dear boy," the demon said, kneeling in front of the small, broken 17-year-old. It was hard to hold that position without falling off the roof, but he managed to steady himself. "I promise you that one day ... one day all of this will all feel so small. Everything that seems ... that seems so big right now, will be very very small. Eventually. Just hold on." Azirphale leaned forward and planted a kiss on Adam's forehead.

Adam felt the miracle wash over him, clearing the negative thoughts from his mind, finally allowing him to think straight. His muscles released their tension and he let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. He felt ... alive ... for the first time in a while. It was like taking that first breath of air after you've been drowning.

"What did you do?" Adam asked.

"I'm afraid it's only temporary," the demon said. "I wish it would last longer."

Adam leaned back and smiled, looking up at the stares. "Thank you. I feel ... whole." He turned to the demon. "Who are you?"

Aziraphale took a deep breath and began to explain. Adam sat there for a few moments in silence, taking in the story. "And Crowley doesn't remember anything? That's a shame. I remember you two seemed really close ..."

"You remember?"

"Oh, yeah," Adam said quickly. "I didn't like the idea of missing memories so I restored mine while you were talking."

"You can do that?"

"I'm the antichrist. I can do whatever the fuck I want."

"Language!" Aziraphale gasped.

"Oh calm down," he said, rolling his eyes. "My guess is you came here hoping I could restore Crowley's memories. Is that right?"

Aziraphale nodded. "Is that possible?"

"Already done."

Aziraphale smiled and his heart started racing. "So when I go back home ... he'll remember me? He'll actually remember me?" Aziraphale was filled with an almost childlike excitement.

"I think ... there might be more I can do," Adam said hesitantly. I don't know if I can, but I can try, well ..." He paused and Aziraphale felt a searing pain in his chest which spread from his heart out through the rest of his body, burning through his arms down to his fingertips, down his legs to his toes, up his spine to the top of his head. His entire body felt like it was on fire, but as quickly as it had come, the heat died away, leaving a tingling sensation all across his body. He couldn't see it, but the milky white disappeared from his eyes, returning to their normal appearance, the pastel pink blush returned to his face, and a golden circle shone over his head for a moment before disappearing. Aziraphale looked down at himself, wondering, but too scared to hope, that Adam had done what he thought he had. Aziraphale hesitantly unfolded his wings, and the heavenly white feathers pierced the night sky, untouched by the blackened filth of Hell. The demon Crawly was no more, and in his place, stood the Principality Aziraphale once more.

"Thank you, my dear boy," the angel said, hugging the antichrist. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

"Anytime, Aziraphale. Thank you for ... for making me happy. If only for a moment."

"If you ever need anything," the angel said, pulling his business card out of his pocket and handing it to the boy. "Give me a call."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aziraphale stood outside his bookshop in the rain, staring at the drenched figure that had been standing on the steps for hours, waiting for him to return. They locked eyes, tears welling up in both their eyes. Part of Aziraphale was scared Crowley still wouldn't remember him. His fears melted away as Crowley broke into a run, crossing the street with no regard for the heavy traffic, and practically tackling his angel in a hug.

"I'm ssso sorry," Crowley cried, a small hiss escaping. "I n-never wanted this to happen. J-just know I s-still love you, angel or demon, no matter what—"

"Dear boy," Aziraphale said fondly, caressing the side of his lover's face as he proudly spread out his wings. Crowley was overwhelmed by a wave of relief as a few more stray tears streaked down his cheeks. Aziraphale brushed them away and leaned in, pressing his lips into Crowley's. Crowley was overwhelmed with such a flood of unfamiliar emotions, he instinctually opened up his wings.

Maybe now the two could finally get a break.