With Cain's banishment Crowley decided it might be time to do some traveling himself and seeing as Cain was departing he supposed he'd follow after him. It hurt to watch a family in the midst of mourning, especially since they had no idea why Cain had murdered Abel or that Abel's soul would live on in God's embrace.

Crowley found the concept cold comfort at best. Good and evil. Cain and Abel. Wasn't it all determined by God anyway? Wasn't She the one who allowed for it all to go so wrong in the first place?

When he went to tell Aziraphale he was leaving for a time he left out his questions and his reasoning. He was in no mood to engage in a theological debate with his supposed archnemesis.

"You're really leaving?" Aziraphale said in a hurt tone of voice. He'd found him just outside the cave like usual. Aziraphale certainly was a creature of habit.

"I'm not exactly going to be far away," he said in exasperation. "You can find me whenever you like."

"Yes, but there's no reason for you to leave to begin with! Cain has already been tempted and punished. What more is there for you to do with him?"

"Worried your job is going to be too easy without me?" he said with a sly grin that didn't really match his mood all that much.

"Don't be ridiculous. It's not that I'm going to miss you—"

"Of course you won't."

"—It's just a simple matter of what's best for you. Surely Hell would be more interested in your keeping an eye on this place where there are more humans, not less."

Crowley looked about, trying not to let the flustered, confused angel sway him. His mind was made up; he would travel alongside Cain for a time, see if he could figure out how it had all gone so wrong.

"Hell hasn't given me a specific assignment yet, so I can do as I please," he said by way of explanation. "Honestly, Aziraphale, what's the matter?"

"The matter," he sputtered, trying and failing to look dignified, "is that- I don't want to be left with- They won't- Oh, never mind! Just go if that's what you're of a mind to do."

He whisked himself away before Crowley could get a word in edgewise. "Right, well that was a thing," he said irritably before he miracled himself a safe distance from Cain and his wife, Awan. They were trudging their way through the desert looking utterly miserable. Crowley was privately surprised Awan had opted to stay with him after all the chaos with Abel. She and Abel had always gotten along well enough. As for Cain, Crowley noticed bitterly he now had red hair. God had marked him so all knew not to harm him in the same way as Cain had his brother but as far as Crowley was concerned it was just another slight against him. He had tempted Eve and created sin. Now he'd accidentally tempted Cain and brought about yet more sin.

At least Hell will be pleased, he thought drearily. He had to remind himself he was a demon. This was the whole reason he was on Earth to begin with-to… to foment chaos and discord. If anything, he should be relishing in his success, accidental or otherwise. He was doing an absolutely smashing job of ruining the humans' lives.

Invariably his thoughts returned to Aziraphale, the only other being who might have understood what he was going through if he could take two seconds to get off his holy pedestal. What had all that been about anyway? Bloody angel never bothers to make any sense, he thought scathingly. Maybe he would ignore him. For a little while. He had other things to do anyway. Reports to write, humans to tempt, sites to see. He didn't need Aziraphale around to get things done.

-x-

Cain eventually founded a city he named Enoch and that was around when things really took off population-wise. Decades turned to centuries and his short break from Aziraphale turned into something much longer. It all went by in the blink of an eye to him but he found himself feeling lonely all the same. He never spoke with Cain again—another human that wanted nothing to do with him—but he was permitted to speak with some of his descendents. He was particularly fond of Jubal who created some of the first instruments, the lyre and pipe. Crowley swiftly decided that not only did he like Jubal but he deeply liked music. It reminded him a bit of Heaven only this was better. Heaven liked celestial types of things but humans had variety. He wondered if he could get Hell to try out some tunes.

"So, tell me, what do you think you'll compose next?" he said idly one day from where he was strewn out on the floor of the roof. He rather loved that humans had decided to keep outdoor rooms on the roof; it was perfect for bathing in the sun. He'd been invited for dinner and Jubal's wives were busy in the downstairs area preparing it.

Jubal gave him an amused look from where he sat cross-legged across from him. "I do not know. I've considered writing a song dedicated to the Lord."

Humans had finally started invoking God's name. Crowley had mixed feelings on that. On one hand, it meant they were a lot more aware of things than they had been previously and made actual attempts to pray for change; they could ask questions and Crowley could only approve of that. On the other, it meant he had to hear about God a lot more and he wasn't all that pleased about it.

"Good for you," he said instead. "But it seems like a bit of an obvious theme for a song, don't you think?"

"Oh?" Jubal said with a knowing glint in his eye. He leaned forward slightly. "I suppose you'd like it if I wrote a song about you?"

"Maybe I would," Crowley said with a wide grin. "Maybe I would like that very much."

For a while things passed like that in relative peace. Crowley conducted the occasional temptation but nothing on par with what he'd done previously. Whenever Hell asked about he always claimed there wasn't all that much to work with. "They just herd sheep," he would say. This resulted in him being given actual assignments and quite a few of those required him to tempt people to steal each other's sheep. He didn't mind; it was simple enough to do.

Crowley was now acquainted with several humans of Adam's line and had seen progress the likes of which he'd never imagined. He was almost happy provided he didn't contemplate his adversary too much. He knew Aziraphale was still watching over Adam and Eve and he desperately wanted to ask him how things were going. Had they ever overcome the pain of losing Abel?

It wasn't until Noah's time he saw Aziraphale again and that was a small travesty. He'd been quite pleased to see him but he didn't actually want him to know that, especially after Aziraphale's bizarre reaction last time, so he made sure to tease him a bit, asked about the fiery sword just to give the angel a headache before it dawned on him something was very wrong.

He knew Noah was building a big boat although the why of it had eluded him. He wasn't pleased when he learned of God's "tetchiness." He was even less pleased by Aziraphale's continued defense of the Almighty.

He's an angel, he reminded himself. Do you really want him to Fall and wind up like you?

Grudgingly, he admitted to himself that, no, he still didn't want that even if his adversary was a bit dense on occasion.

As the waters rose Crowley clutched at the angel for dear life. He really didn't want to be discorporated due to water of all things. He knew Hell would be unimpressed even if it was water summoned by God and he just really didn't want to figure out some way of explaining it all. Aziraphale held him just as tightly; his eyes were clenched shut in concentration or possibly just to ignore the sight of the dying locals. They were flailing awfully but it was the sound that really left Crowley feeling ill. So many were crying out to God when they weren't choking to death or just plain screaming in despair. He held onto Aziraphale a little tighter still and tried to ignore their feeble cries for mercy. God would show them no mercy here. He let out a low moan of horror when he and Aziraphale were finally pulled under themselves. They tumbled about in the water until Crowley's head hit something and everything went black.

-x-

"Crawly? Crawly, you must get up now. It's over. It's finally over."

"No," he groaned. Everything hurt and he knew there was water in his lungs. He focused and miracled most of it away. He still wound up heaving on his hands and knees. Beneath him the soil felt muddy and he knew he was a mess. Distantly, he recognized Aziraphale's touch. He was rubbing circles into his back and sending careful, probing bursts of divine healing into him. It stung a bit; if Crowley wasn't fairly certain he'd nearly been discorporated he would have told him to stop—divine grace was dangerous for a demon to say the least.

"Now, don't be like that. We've spent forty days and forty nights together, so you could be a little grateful."

"We've what?" Crowley coughed, more water making its way out of him.

"I got us on a little makeshift raft at some point but it wasn't easy going, let me tell you."

Crowley didn't bother deigning that with a response. He was too busy heaving until he thought his lungs just might give out and he'd be discorporated regardless of Aziraphale's efforts.

Aziraphale gave an exasperated tut before sending a sudden bolt of divine healing all through his body. Crowley howled in pain before shouting, "What was that for, you—"

"There now, all better," Aziraphale said calmingly when Crowley finally managed to get into a seated position.

Crowley gave him a murderous glare. "No, not all better," he gasped. "I feel absolutely horrendous and you just about smote me on the spot."

"I did no such thing; I was actually quite careful with how I healed you. At any rate, I'm sure you're wondering about what's happened. I just saw Noah send out a dove, so the humans should begin repopulating this area of the Earth. You, er, passed out down there," Aziraphale said. "I wasn't sure you were going to make it."

Crowley hadn't been sure he'd make it either. He was honestly a little surprised to find himself on Earth at all but more than that, "Oh, I am soaked," Crowley moaned. "Look at this! My hair…"

"Your hair looks lovely," Aziraphale said exasperatedly, "but if it will make you feel better…" He snapped his fingers and suddenly Crowley was significantly dryer. He tentatively fingered the braid he'd been trying out as a look. It seemed to be fine along with the rest of him.

"Sure you should be wasting miracles on someone like me?" Crowley said carefully.

Aziraphale shrugged. "It was a simple task; barely even qualifies as a miracle, I'd say. I'm sure upstairs won't mind." Crowley doubted that very much but all he said was, "Thanks, Aziraphale."

"Still there's something I wanted you to see. Take a look." He pointed above them.

Reluctantly, Crowley obeyed. He stifled a gasp of awe; above them was some kind of … light bridge. It gleamed in all manner of colors and filled the sky. A deep sorrow tugged at his heart; this was the one part of Heaven he really did miss: the unanticipated beauty that would occasionally make itself known, those little things that didn't fit the mold so perfectly.

And now it was here, on Earth.

"What is it?" he said, his voice slightly choked.

"That's the rainbow I mentioned earlier," Aziraphale said softly. "It's quite beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Crowley said in wonder. "It is."

That day an angel and a demon huddled together in awe amidst the bodies of the dead and overhead was the promise of peace, distant and effervescent.

Crowley barely managed to tear his eyes away from it to study Aziraphale for a moment instead. He wore a simple, white robe and appeared exactly the same as when they'd first met and yet centuries had passed. Centuries and the last thing they'd spoken to one another had been an argument and despite that…

Aziraphale had kept him safe for forty days and forty nights and barely seemed to recognize that as noteworthy. It wasn't how he was supposed to treat his adversary, Crowley knew that much. Heaven was sure to disapprove.

He knew he would do anything for Aziraphale in that moment if he only asked.

Thankfully, he didn't. Aziraphale was looking upwards still and Crowley was reminded of Eden, of that strange feeling he'd felt toward the angel. The feeling was back once more and it tugged at him with a frustrating persistence.

Not now, Crowley inwardly sighed. I'm not ready to tackle something like that at the moment.

"What should we do?" he said quietly. The land disturbed him; there was nothing to do see all around save for those bodies and a few straggly trees.

"Well, humans have expanded far and wide," Aziraphale said consideringly, finally looking back at Crowley. His eyes were wide with wonder and joy and possibly a little relief. "Perhaps we ought to look around. I think I'd like to get proper lodging."

"Don't tell me you stayed in that cave the whole time," Crowley said in exasperation.

"It was quite cozy after a while," Aziraphale said awkwardly. "I was used to it."

"Right. Well, I say we find someplace large. A city would be grand."

"Why am I not surprised," Aziraphale sighed. "Part of me misses the peace and quiet before Adam and Eve had all those children."

"Oh, come on; the world is more interesting with people in it. We could pop over to China or something for a bit."

"Perhaps. I think I ought to make sure everything is all right here first. Noah will have a hard time rebuilding."

Aziraphale stood reluctantly and extended Crowley a hand. He took it gratefully and the two began to wander towards the ark.

"Well, maybe I'll stick around a while longer," Crowley finally said.

"Oh, will you?" Aziraphale said in the tone of voice of someone who is actually quite excited but trying very hard to hide it.

"Yeah. Missed you a bit and all," Crowley said. He was surprised how easy it was to admit.

"Really now; no doubt you just want to try to thwart me," Aziraphale said but there wasn't any heat in it.

"Well, obviously," Crowley said with a chuckle.

They continued on in silence with only the occasional gust of wind and the wet sand beneath them as company. Crowley felt a bit better than he had before. He'd enjoyed his time with the humans but there was something to be said for a familiar face.

Author's Notes: I figured Crowley would like whoever created music; he likes it so much in the series after all!