I feel like a bit of a poser because I have never read Faust, however, I think it fits perfectly with Aziraphale and Crowley and their ever-evolving relationship with the heavenly (and hellish) forces. I hope you are enjoying this story so far, I'm thankful for all the views it has gotten in so short a time span. Enjoy Crowley and Aziraphale's night out on the town (aka date.) Best, Emmerson, T.
Aziraphale got out of the shower and wrapped a pristine white towel around his waist. He stepped forward and saw his blurred reflection in the mirror clouded by fog. The Angel took a towel and whipped the surface clean so his visage was clear. He began with his hair which took a long while to shape properly. However, most of Aziraphale's dressing and grooming routines took a long while. After about an hour he was finishing up the last bit of his outfit, hoping to weave the whole ensemble together, the Angel tied a deep red bowtie neatly. The article of clothing was one of his favorites. He had bought and worn it in 1923, more specifically at the notable was at one of F. Scott Fitzerald's parties. Aziraphale was spending the summer in America gathering date for a future assignment. Apparently, the next decade was going to be rough for America, and Aziraphale had to find out what that future was going to be. The parties at the time were splendid, that night… well, Crowley was there.
Aziraphale had been drinking and talking to Hemmingway. Apparently, Fitzgerald didn't approve of Hemmingway's new text. It was at that moment that he felt a tap on his shoulder. "So did England get too boring for you?" Although the Angel was seeing things slightly blurred he knew it was Crowley the instant he had tapped his shoulder. "Dear boy!" Aziraphale responded leaning a little too far forward in an attempt to see his friend more clearly, thus falling into said friend. "You've had one too many drinks tonight I see," said the red-headed man. He grabbed his friend under the arm and directed him toward the red coach at the other side of the room. "Catch up with you later Ernest," the demon stated. Hemmingway nodded and moved on to talk to another one of his companions. When they arrived at the coach Aziraphale sat quietly swaying to the music, occasionally brushing shoulders with Crowley. After the second song had ended Crowley said, "I like that bowtie, it matches the coach." The Angel responded, "Why thank you, dear boy, I thought it appropriate for such a den of iniquity." Crowley laughed at this statement and responded with, "You're drunk Angel. Now I'm going to go tempt, I mean talk to some people. Now you stay here, and I'll be back in an hour." The Demon stood up and before he had taken a step forward there was a tug at his hand. Crowley turned back around and said, "Yes Angel?" "I just wanted to tell you that you're beautiful." Crowley smiled with affection for this entity so other than himself. He slipped his hand out from Aziraphale's and took a few paces forward saying over his shoulder, "Don't tell anyone you think this party is a den of inequity, alright." There was a loud beep which jostled Aziraphale out of his memories. The Angel took one final look in the mirror, running a hand through his hair and straightening his bowtie one last time. He locked the bookshop and went outside where the Bentley was waiting for him.
The dinner had been divine A beef wellington and crème brûlée with a glass of red wine to accompany the meal. Aziraphale was patting his stomach rethinking the meal. "Come on, let's cross." Stated Crowley as he nearly stepped into the street nearly being hit by a motorist. "See you in a couple of years," Crowley shouted at the motorist. Aziraphale cleared his throat and said, "Crowley, calm down. Now we can cross." The pair walked close to each other. They were such contrasting figures some people couldn't help but look. Crowley's sunglasses didn't help in making him look discrete. Therefore he took longer strides, making Aziraphale walk double time to keep up with him.
"You walk like you're in a cinematic film" Aziraphale whispered to Crowley as they strode down the central corridor theater. "So what if I do. I was a snake remember. Walking isn't my thing," the Demon replied. "Please, you've been walking for almost six thousand years," Aziraphale retorted. 'But I'm not complaining.' Thought the Angel as he observed Crowley walk over to a statue and inspect it carefully. A few minutes later and the pair were watching the curtain lift and the music rise. As Faust became disillusioned with his work and summoned Mephistopheles to create a deal with the devil Crowley thought, "Was this what it was like for Eve? For me? Did I just wander across bored people? Was I ever bored, because I certainly don't look like Mephestophiles. If the real Mephistopheles were here that man would be dead.' Crowley continued to think in spirals as he tuned out the events happening on stage. Aziraphale was very empathetic, often to a fault. It was easy to tell when other angels were upset, he could read humans, and he had an ability to sense one Demon. Aziraphale couldn't see Crowley's eyes, but he knew they were probably closed. Crowley had only been like this a few times in Aziraphale's presence. However, those memories were neither here nor there, so he did what he had done before. He reached across to the man sitting next to him and looked his fingers in between Crowley's. The Demon released a sigh of relief and slumped back in his seat. He squeezed the Aziraphale's hand in response. Crowley leaned over and whispered, "I don't know why this is upsetting me," to Aziraphale, who responded, "It doesn't matter, what matters is you're upset. Do you want to leave?" The Demon shook his head no but didn't let go of the Angel's hand.
This fact was not missed by a beady pair of eyes in the balcony watching the couple.
After the play, Crowley and Aziraphale did indeed go to the park. They sat on their usual bench, just slightly closer to each other than usual. Aziraphale had explained it to himself as 'It's simply too cold outside for Crowley, (a cold-blooded snake after all) to be sitting so far away when I can give him some warmth.' "Do you ever think about the apocalypse?" Asked Crowley, breaking the silence between them. "Not recently, especially because the apocalypse didn't happen Crowley. We stopped it." Stated Aziraphale. "No not that, I don't know what if a real one is coming?" The Demon almost sounded desperate. Aziraphale looked at Crowley with the softest eyes, putting his hand on Crowley's shoulder and saying, "We are our own team Crowley, just like you said. And if something does happen we'll figure it out." "Do we have things figured out Angel? Do you remember when I asked you to run off with me?" Crowley couldn't get the words out. He didn't know what to say, though he had thought about it for centuries. Where did he stand with Aziraphale? Fuck 'the arrangement,' he cared about Aziraphale, and if an end ever did come, he wanted to know that they were together, together. Aziraphale similarly had no real words for what he wanted to say. He just had feelings, years and years of feelings. Aziraphale did what felt right to him. He leaned in and pressed his lips to Crowley's. Even Crowley wasn't expecting this turn of events. He hesitated for a moment, processing, then returning the long-awaited affectionate gesture. It was very gentle between them, one because Aziraphale wasn't sure what type of kissing Crowley liked, and two, because Crowley didn't want to move too fast, also he had never kissed anyone before. After a few moments, the two separated and looked at each other, still in silence. However, Aziraphale did mouth, "wow."
Crowley moved forward to kiss Aziraphale again but suddenly found himself unable to move. Also, Aziraphale was somehow across the park breathing heavily. Crowley's head was just beginning to come down from the emotional high when a blinding light surrounded the Demon. Crowley could just make out another stream of light similarly streaming upward. He had no idea what was happening, however, he willed, or miracled Aziraphale safely away to the bookshop. He didn't want him to see whatever was coming.
A few notes: I hope that the love element of the story is not being pushed too fast, it will develop and grow more naturally in later chapters. Also, I apologize for any elements that are out of for both Crowley and Aziraphale, I will endeavor to do better in future chapters. Lastly, once again, thanks for reading.