Crawley stood before Satan ten years after leaving Hell, the children have all grown and can more or less take care of themselves already so it is time for them to make their report. "My Lord, I came bearing good news. The children are doing well, they have started worshipping me and have promised that they and their descendants will keep spreading words of the wonders of Hell."
Satan narrows his eyes as he leans forward. "Only you?"
"For now, you see there was a little problem with Heaven. It seems they have caught wind of the humans worshipping Hell and has sent an Angel to confirm the rumours and to end it before it can spread. Which brings me to a...little pet project of mine that I hope I would get your approval to begin." Crawley made sure to word everything properly and as professionally as possible even though they want nothing more than to leave.
"Go on." Satan is curious to see what his Serpent has in mind.
"I wish for your permission to tempt the Angel guarding over Earth. I know it will not be easy nor will I be able to guarantee success but I think it is worth a try." Crawley clasps their hands behind their back as they straighten their body to make themself look more confident than they really are.
Tempting an Angel? It is definitely only something his Serpent will think of. "What makes you think it would work?"
"Because I've met the Angel and I've managed to sweet-talk him into lying to Heaven that the humans are worshipping a false God and not a demon. Which is actually why they are only currently worshipping me. It was decided it is best to start with me because I am stationed on Earth so it will be easier for me to keep watch over them and drop in every few decades to introduce a new 'God' to them. Take it slowly so Heaven won't suspect that we are gathering worshippers of our own." Crawley held their head high and projects an air of confident even though they want nothing more than to run away as they wait for Satan's answer.
Satan watches his little Serpent with pride growing in his chest. He knew there was something special about the snake Demon and it seems that he was right. "Very well. You have my permission to tempt the Angel. I believe Dagon is looking for you." He dismissed Crawley.
Crawley bow. "Thank you, My Lord. I will not fail you." They said before leaving. They know exactly why Dagon is looking for them and they have pushed it back long enough, it is time to get it done and over with.
Crawley, now Crowley, sidle up to Aziraphale's left and doing his best to not show the pain he is feeling in his chest. "What did that poor bastard ever do to deserve this?" He asked softly.
"He tried to make the world a better place," Aziraphale said softly as he turns to face the Demon next to him, glad for the distraction.
"I mean Heaven, not the humans. It is your lots who put him on there."
"I am not consulted on policy decisions, Crawley." Sounding a little defensive.
"Oh, I've changed it."
"Changed what?"
"My name. It was given and not chosen so I had to change it."
"So what is it now? Mephistopheles? Asmodeus?"
"Crowley."
They both winced as the hammer continues to hit the nail and Crowley had to look away, not being able to stomach it.
"Did you ever meet him?" Aziraphale asked softly, trying to get his mind off the horror.
"Yes. He's a very bright young man." Crowley clutch his fists to keep himself from running over and saving Jesus. "I showed him all the kingdoms of the world."
"Why?" Aziraphale turns to face Crowley and saw the pain on his face, how his body is shaking and his tightly his fists are clutch but he did not comment on it.
"Satan wants me to tempt him into living," Crowley said softly. "I just want him to live. Why must his blood be spilt? It's just not fair..."
Aziraphale is surprised by the genuine sadness and pain in Crowley's voice. He can't help but wonder...are all Demons like this? Or is Crowley special? And if it is just Crowley...what makes him so different from the others?
Crowley walked into a bar in Rome, having just finished his punishment for failing to tempt Jesus. It's not like it was his fault! But of course no one in Hell agreed with him so punishment it is, and because he has a high pain tolerance normal torture won't work as well on him so guess what they made him do instead. Paperwork. Fucking mountains of paperwork! Eight years of non-stop paperwork! He would have rather been smitten down!
He sighs heavily as he sat down and order whatever is the strongest, he actually wants to get drunk so he can forget about the horror.
"Jug of house brown. Two sesterces." The bartender said as she places the jug in front of him.
"Craw- Crowley! Fancy running into you here!" Crowley heard as he pays the bartender. "Still a Demon, then?" Aziraphale asked as he sat down next to him.
"What kind of stupid question is that? Still a Demon? What the fuck else would I be? A blue hippopotamus?" Crowley snapped at Aziraphale and immediately felt bad. "Sorry." He muttered as he picks up his drink and takes a sip.
"Are you alright, Crowley?" Aziraphale asked with worry in his voice.
Crowley sighs softly as he places his drink down. "Just came back from Hell after my punishment. They were not happy I failed to tempt Jesus..."
"Punishment? For eight years?" Aziraphale's eyes widen in shock.
"It has only been eight years? Damn, it felt way longer than that." He drinks a mouthful of his drink. "It was pure torture, Angel. Imagine the worst torture you can think of but ten times worse." He groans softly as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
Crowley is being dramatic but Aziraphale doesn't know that. The poor Angel didn't know that Crowley was talking about paperwork, he honestly believed that Crowley has been tortured. He has seen how Humans torture each other and imagine Hell being much worse, for Crowley to go through that...it made him sick.
"So are you in Rome long?" Crowley asked when the Angel didn't say anything for a long time, he didn't look over so he couldn't see how pale the Angel is.
"We-well they want me to influence a boy called Nero. I thought I'd get him interested in music. Improve him. How about you?" Aziraphale asked softly.
"Couldn't hurt," Crowley muttered, he vaguely remembers learning about Nero in his past life but for the life of him, he can't remember anything beyond his name. "I'm supposed to be tempting Emperor Caligula but frankly, he doesn't actually need any tempting to be appalling. Going to report it back to head office as a flaming success." He'll need the success, he almost lost his permission to 'tempt' Aziraphale because he failed to tempt Jesus. "So, what else are you up to while you're in Rome?"
"I thought I'd go to Petronius's new restaurant. I hear he does remarkable things to oysters."
"I've never eaten an oyster." He muttered softly but loud enough for Aziraphale to hear.
"Well let me tempt you to a spot of lunch." Aziraphale smiled in excitement, delicious foods have always lifted his spirits when he is upset and he hopes it would do the same for Crowley.
Crowley keeps his eyes on his drink, he didn't lift up his head when Aziraphale said the word tempt because he doesn't want to risk him taking back the invite when he realised what word he just used. He can't help but smile softly as he nods his head. "Sounds like a great idea to me, Angel." He finished the rest of his drink before standing up. "Shall we?"
Aziraphale returns the smile as he stood up. "We shall."
"I told you not to drink so much wine," Aziraphale grumbled as he helps Crowley walk back to his home so the demon can sleep off the alcohol, too drunk to sober up.
"Jesus, that bastard...would have turned my wine into water..." Crowley giggled as he leans against Aziraphale. "Couldn't get drunk with him around..."
"You two must have been close," Aziraphale said as he helps him into his house and onto the bed he got, he doesn't sleep but he still got one because every home supposes to have it.
Crowley muttered nonsensically as he buries his face into the pillow, he curls up as one pair of pure black wings appeared and wrap around him.
Aziraphale smiled at how cute Crowley is being, who knew a Demon could be so cute? He shakes the thought out of his head when he realised what he was thinking, he shouldn't be having this kind of thoughts about a Demon, even if the Demon doesn't seem like that bad of a guy, as he leaves the room and closes the door behind him.
If he had stayed for another minute he would have seen two more pairs of pure black wings appear and wrap Crowley in a warm cocoon.
Crowley did not enjoy waking up, especially not when he wakes up by falling off the bed. He groans softly as he snaps his fingers to get rid of the headache and pain from falling off the bed. He usually only fall off the bed if he sleeps on a bed that is too small for him and his wings... His eyes widen as memories of last night came flooding back to him. "Fuck!" He hissed as he stood up and fold all three pairs of his wings while looking around. He is definitely not somewhere he should have all six of his wings out.
He walks out of the room and looks around nervously, it's not like he is never planning to tell Aziraphale who he was, especially not with how important the Angel is, not just because he knows what's going to happen but also because he has grown fond of him. He was planning to tell him later on, once they have grown closer and Aziraphale had accepted the fact that he is not like the other Demons and at heart, he is just a little bit of a good person.
"Good morning, Crowley. How's the hangover?" Aziraphale smiled brightly when he saw Crowley walk in.
"Morning." Crowley runs his hand through his long hair, in the show Crowley would have short hair by now but he quite enjoys having long hair. "It's gone with a snap. Listen, did I do or say anything weird yesterday while I was drunk?" He is a little afraid of the answer.
"Well, you were going on and on about how proud you are about your children for being horrible enough to be on Hell's good side and is still able to enter Paradise after their time instead of being sent to Hell."Aziraphale smiled softly. "Then you called Jesus a bastard for turning your wine into water so you can't get drunk with him around."
Crowley frowned at that. "Well, he was. It isn't funny when a mouthful of wine turns into water." He huffed. "Well, what else did I do?"
"I put you to bed after that and you went to sleep." Aziraphale decided not to let the Demon know he saw him being cute.
Crowley is relief that Aziraphale didn't see his two extra wings. "Thanks, Angel. It is wonderful to know I didn't make a fool of myself." He smiled softly. "I'll make you breakfast as thanks for taking care of me." He turned to look for the kitchen, maybe he'll make him those fluffy Japanese pancakes, he is pretty sure he still remember how to cook it. It'll put him in a good mood before he tells Aziraphale he has permission to meet up with him whenever he wants from Satan himself, well as long as he finishes his work on time.
Aziraphale returns the smile. "Thank you, Crowley." He is pretty sweet for a Demon, maybe not all of them are that bad.
Crowley watches Aziraphale nervously as the Angel eat. He looks so happy right now...he really doesn't want to ruin it...
"That was delicious, Crowley. Where did you learn to make it?" Aziraphale smiled happily.
"It's a secret, Angel." Crowley smiled mischievously before being serious. "I think this is a better time than any to tell you..."
"Tell me what?" Aziraphale is so cute when he is confused.
"I..." Crowley bites his lip, he doesn't want to mess this up...he'll just have to go for it. "I asked Satan for permission to tempt you."
Aziraphale dropped his serviette. "What...?" He whispered in shock.
"It's just so we can meet up without getting into trouble! If you do the same with Heaven we can meet up without worry." He said quickly when he saw Aziraphale reaction.
"Get out," Aziraphale said softly, not hiding the hurt in his voice, as he stood up. "I never want to see you again." He's hurt and in shock, so he didn't hear what Crowley said nor did he hear him calling out, he just walked away while berating himself for thinking that a Demon could be nice. He probably told him because he is confident it would work.
"Aziraphale, please let me explain!" Crowley called out as he got up from his seat but he didn't follow when Aziraphale did not even stop. He drops back into his seat and covers his face. He fucked up, he has hurt Aziraphale because he didn't fucking think before he speaks and he has no idea how to fix it. But he has to, he cannot lose Aziraphale. He cannot lose his only friend.
