Chapter 20 and for me I'm never going to leave again

If Cyntha had walked through the door, the bells would have rung out. But Aziraphale didn't hear them. Was he so wrapped up in himself that he just didn't hear anything or...was Crowley's voice so loud?

"Why?" Aziraphale could feel the hovering presence of Crowley behind him. He sighs, I have to do this, he turns to face his friend. The look he got was earth-shattering. His heart was breaking, and he knew that Crowley's heart was too.

"Why what?" He swallows trying to buying time to think how he was going to explain all of this to both Crowley and the other angels if they indeed watching him.

"Did you hear Cyntha go out?" Aziraphale starts to change the subject again, he was good at that instead of lying.

"No," Crowley answers Aziraphale as twists his head some. Which startles Aziraphale for he wasn't expecting Crowley to answer. "Those annoying bells go off every time someone walks in or out. Many times I have wanted to rip those right off the doors, why?" Crowley blinks "Wait were's my daughter?"

"I...I don't know where she went that's..."

"Good no one will see us." Crowley comments, "Now sit," He points to over to the chair. Aziraphale could see his pointy fingernails. Sharp as knives I bit.

"Listen I..." Aziraphale starts to defend himself as he shuffles backward towards the vacant chair.

"Shhh..." Crowley says as he approaches slowly than stops right in front of him. Aziraphale knew he should obey Crowley, for this might be his last time to. Aziraphale lowers his head to the floor. Not wanting to think about what Crowley had in mind for him. Aziraphale felt that Crowley seems the most upset with him now more than ever.

"Head up," again Aziraphale obeys but kept his eyes shut. Aziraphale could take all the abuse but not the look in his friend's eyes.

"Eyes open, I want you to see this." Was the next command Crowley gave, Aziraphale.

"See what?" Aziraphale swallows again, "You want me to see what's coming my way." Aziraphale takes in a deep breath preparing himself but what comes next nothing could have prepared him for. Crowley leans over Aziraphale almost straddling him now, placing his hands under Aziraphale 's chin and gently lefts it. That takes Aziraphale by surprise. He thought that Crowley was going to punch the crap out of him, breaking his bones, and he would have every right to. Aziraphale broke the trust between friends. His oldest friend, maybe his only friend.

But instead Crowley kisses Aziraphale softly on the lips. "I...I love you, my friend, always have." Crowley slides his hands over Aziraphale 's. "Now let me show you, what we talked about earlier," Crowley winks trying to tempt Aziraphale to follow his lead to go upstairs. Hand in hand both men only get two steps up before, that stupid bell ruins the moment.

"See those damn bells!" Crowley curses. Both let go over each other's hand.

"Later," Aziraphale winks as he turns to go back down the two steps he manages to get to.

"Later my angel. Next time will we lock the door."

Pulsifer, Shadwell, Tracy, and Athena, who have not been seen for days are now standing in the bookshop.

"What a surprise guys," Aziraphale calls, trying to act normal, as he could. But his body was on fire. "I...uh..."

"We will not stay long." Pulsifer pats Aziraphale on the shoulder. "I just want a new book to read." They all went separate ways. Tracy sees Crowley, who hasn't quite made it out of view of the first floor. Oh, my plan seems to have worked this time. I take it Aziraphale told Crowley for he is walking upstairs. Aziraphale never lets anyone up there to his private area. Until now that is.

Aziraphale was watching Tracy, who was watching Crowley.

"This was your doing," Aziraphale whispers so the others can't hear him.

"Maybe, maybe not," she smiles at him. "Remember your not the only one that can jump bodies. I...Cnytha," Tracy takes a bow "Can too."

"Wait, What? I..."

" Cyn the a..." she drags the name out. "Sin-thy angel," she repeats a few times for fun laughing as she does each time. Hopefully he will understand her.

sin-thy angel- is how Aziraphale repeated in his head. Now understanding all of it. How many people did she jump tonight, we... "I..."

Aziraphale didn't know what to say to her. This was all her doing and it made Crowley and him get closer. He smiles,

"Thanks," he whispers. Tracy points with her head towards the stairs. Aziraphale knew what that meant but how with all of them still here.

"Come, on guys!" She shouts, "Aziraphale has things he needs to do before dawn."

the end